Magnetic Drive Head Alignment Using a Rotary Ball Spline
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bioprocessing systems require complex and expensive linear mechanisms to align the drive head with the impeller, which can lead to inaccuracies due to misalignment of the drive motor's center of gravity with the rotational axis.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing a rotary ball spline mechanism to connect the drive motor to a rotatable shaft, allowing the drive head to be linearly moved into operative contact with the impeller without moving the entire drive motor, thus eliminating the need for complex linear mechanisms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the entire drive motor is linearly raised using a linear actuator to align the drive head with the impeller, then the drive head can be brought into contact with the impeller, but the system becomes complex and expensive with potential alignment inaccuracies due to eccentric forces
Solution Approach 1:
The drive motor assembly is segmented into a stationary motor housing and a movable drive head assembly. The drive head can be independently positioned and aligned with the impeller without moving the entire motor, eliminating the need for complex linear actuators while maintaining alignment precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The drive head is extracted from the motor housing as a separate movable component. This allows the drive head to be independently positioned and aligned with the impeller through a simplified mechanism, while the motor housing remains stationary and provides stable mounting.
2Ease of operation
If a linear actuator is used to lift the drive motor, then the drive head can be positioned, but the heavy weight of the motor creates eccentric forces requiring play in the actuator which reduces accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The drive head is separated from the motor housing, allowing it to be positioned independently without moving the heavy motor. This eliminates eccentric forces caused by lifting the entire motor assembly and removes the need for compensatory play in positioning mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of lifting the heavy motor housing to position the drive head, the invention inverts the approach by keeping the motor stationary and positioning only the lightweight drive head assembly into contact with the impeller.
3Reliability
If the drive head is raised into magnetic contact with the impeller, then magnetic coupling is achieved, but complex linear mechanisms are required to ensure accurate alignment
Solution Approach 1:
The drive head is segmented as a separate movable component that can be independently aligned with the impeller. This segmentation allows for a simplified alignment mechanism that only needs to position the drive head, not the entire motor assembly, while ensuring reliable magnetic coupling.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution provides accurate alignment and contact between the drive head and impeller, improving the precision and reducing the complexity and cost associated with existing systems.
Implementation Method 1
The permanent magnets of the impeller are magnetically coupled to and driven by permanent magnets of an external drive motor assembly/drive unit
Implementation Method 2
A system utilizing a rotary ball spline mechanism to connect the drive motor to a rotatable shaft, allowing the drive head to be linearly moved into operative contact with the impeller without moving the entire drive motor
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for aligning a bioprocessing drive head includes an assembly of rotating and sliding bearings configured to operatively connect a drive motor to a rotatable shaft, a drive head operatively connected to the rotatable shaft, the drive head configured to rotate an impeller within a bioprocessing vessel. The apparatus further including a linear movement mechanism operatively connected to the rotary ball spline mechanism and/or the rotatable shaft. The linear movement mechanism being configured to move the drive head linearly via the rotatable shaft into operative contact with the impeller, without linearly moving the drive motor.