Magnetic Drive Pump Shaft Decoupling for Turbomachine Wear Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional turbomachines face issues with mechanical power loss due to mechanical connections between the motor shaft and pumps, dependency on motor shaft rotational speed for pump control, mechanical seal wear, and limited pump installation flexibility due to thermal stresses and mechanical bearings.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a magnetic drive pump with a stator and rotor system using permanent magnets to decouple the pump from the motor shaft, allowing independent speed control and eliminating physical contact through magnetic bearings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If a mechanical connection between the motor shaft and pump is used, then the pump can be driven by the motor shaft, but mechanical power is lost and the pump rotational speed is dependent on the motor shaft speed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical connection system with a magnetic coupling system. The drive shaft and pump shaft are decoupled, with the drive shaft rotating independently and transferring rotational motion magnetically to the pump shaft through magnets arranged on both shafts. This eliminates mechanical power loss while maintaining power transmission capability.
2Ease of operation
If a mechanical connection between the motor shaft and pump is used, then the pump can be driven, but the pump cannot be controlled at an independent motor speed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the drive system into two independent rotating components: the drive shaft and the pump shaft. The drive shaft can rotate at one speed while the pump shaft rotates at a different speed, enabled by the magnetic coupling mechanism. This allows independent speed control of the pump from the motor shaft.
3Reliability
If a mechanical connection between the motor shaft and pump is used, then the pump can be driven, but dynamic seals are required that are difficult to achieve and wear out over time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates dynamic seals by replacing the mechanical connection with a magnetic coupling system. The drive shaft and pump shaft rotate independently without physical contact, removing the need for dynamic seals entirely and improving reliability.
4Reliability
If mechanical bearings are used in the pump, then the rotor can be supported, but mechanical wear due to friction greatly reduces the yield of the pump
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical bearings with magnetic bearings. The rotor is supported by magnetic fields generated by magnets arranged on the rotor and stator, eliminating physical contact and friction. This reduces energy loss and improves pump yield while maintaining rotor support.
5Ease of manufacture
If the pump is positioned close to the accessory gearbox, then the mechanical connection can be made, but the pump installation possibilities are greatly limited and it is subjected to thermal stresses
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical connection requiring close positioning with a magnetic coupling system allowing greater separation distance. The drive shaft and pump shaft can be positioned further apart while maintaining effective magnetic coupling, greatly increasing installation flexibility and reducing thermal stress exposure.
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
Enables independent pump speed control, reduces mechanical wear, enhances installation flexibility, and improves thermal resistance by using magnetic bearings.
Implementation Method 1
a pair of magnets having opposite polarities coaxially arranged on the rotor with the axis of rotation, a magnet arranged on the first flange to cooperate with one of the magnets of the pair of magnets of the rotor, means for magnetically driving the rotor in rotation away from the rotor via the second flange
Implementation Method 2
the magnets in the pump allow the rotor of the pump to be rotated and the rotor to be wedged in the pump axially magnetically and radially by the magnetic field
Data Source
AI summary
A turbomachine including a rotary body including a motor shaft supplying mechanical power, and at least one magnetic drive pump including at least: one stator delimiting an annular inner space and including a first and a second flange, a rotor arranged in the inner space between the first and second flanges and capable of driving fluid, the rotor being able to rotate about an axis of rotation, a pair of magnets having opposite polarities coaxially arranged on the rotor with the axis of rotation, a magnet arranged on the first flange in order to co-operate with one of the magnets of the pair of magnets of the rotor, a magnetic rotator for rotating the rotor arranged on the second flange, the second flange being non-magnetic.