MSMA Pump Sealing Structure for Leak-Reduced Fluid Transport
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current transport devices, such as pumps, face challenges in improving pressure build-up, reducing leakage, and efficiently conveying a wide range of fluids, including sensitive ones, while being cost-effective and easy to monitor and control.
Innovation Solution
A transport device incorporating a magnetic shape memory alloy (MSMA) actuator with a sealing structure that uses a deformable MSMA actuator and a sealing element to form and move cavities within the device, ensuring fluid transport from inlet to outlet while minimizing leakage and optimizing hydraulic performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a magnetic shape memory alloy actuator is used to form and move cavities for fluid transport, then productivity and adaptability are improved, but sealing reliability deteriorates due to the deformable nature of the actuator
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs flexible sealing elements that can deform to conform to the changing geometry of the MSMA actuator during its phase transformation. These sealing elements maintain continuous contact with the actuator surface despite its deformation, ensuring reliable sealing while allowing the actuator to change shape for cavity formation and movement.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing structure is designed to be dynamic rather than static, with sealing elements that can adapt their position and shape in response to the actuator's deformation. This dynamic sealing approach maintains effective sealing throughout the actuator's motion cycle, resolving the contradiction between actuator deformability and sealing reliability.
2Productivity
If the actuator is made deformable to convey fluid through cavity movement, then productivity is improved, but manufacturing precision deteriorates due to the complexity of maintaining seals with deformable surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing elements are designed as flexible components that can accommodate the deformable actuator surface without requiring high manufacturing precision. The flexibility of these sealing elements compensates for geometric variations, reducing the stringency of manufacturing tolerances while maintaining effective sealing.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing structure utilizes changes in physical parameters (such as elasticity and compliance) to adapt to the actuator's deformation. By designing sealing elements with appropriate material properties, the system achieves reliable sealing without demanding high manufacturing precision for the deformable actuator surfaces.
3Reliability
If sealing elements are added to seal the cavity edges and ends, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing elements are integrated with the housing structure rather than being separate components. This merging of sealing functions into the existing housing design reduces the number of discrete parts and simplifies the overall device complexity while maintaining effective sealing of the cavity edges and ends.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing structure serves multiple functions: it provides structural support, defines the cavity geometry, and incorporates sealing elements. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional dedicated sealing components, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining sealing reliability.
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
The solution enhances pressure build-up, reduces leakage, and allows for the reliable and cost-effective transportation of various fluids, including sensitive ones, by effectively sealing and moving fluid cavities within the device.
Implementation Method 1
The actuator comprises a magnetic shape memory alloy (MSMA) and is arranged at least partially within the housing. The actuator is deformable by the drive mechanism such that a cavity for the fluid is formed between the actuator and the housing.
Data Source
Figure 1a
Figure 1b~1d
Figure 2a
AI summary
The invention relates to a transport device (100) comprising a housing (110), an actuator (130), a drive (150) and a sealing element (170). The housing has a fluid inlet (111, 113) and a fluid outlet (113, 111). The actuator (130) comprises a magnetic shape-memory alloy, and the actuator (130) is arranged at least partly in the housing (110). The actuator (130) can be deformed by the drive (150) in such a way that at least one cavity (135) for the fluid, which cavity can be moved by the drive (150), is formed in the actuator (130) in order to transport the fluid in the cavity (135) from the fluid inlet (111, 113) to the fluid outlet (113, 111). The sealing element (170) is designed in such a way and is arranged between the actuator (130) and the housing (110) in such a way that the cavity (135) is edge-sealed or end-sealed during the transport of the fluid from the fluid inlet (111, 113) to the fluid outlet (113, 111).