Offset Axis Deformable Impeller Pump for Microvaporizer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional pumps used in microvaporizers are inadequate in generating the necessary pressure differential and reacting quickly to meet fluid demand, which can overwhelm the heater and compromise the vaporization process.
Innovation Solution
A compact gear pump design featuring a deformable impeller with flexible arms and a circular chamber, where the impeller's axis of rotation is offset, allowing for continuous volume change and pressure increase as fluid is pumped from the inlet to the outlet, ensuring efficient fluid delivery to the heater.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If a conventional pump is used in a microvaporizer, then the device structure is simple, but the pump cannot generate sufficient pressure differential and cannot react quickly to meet fluid demand
Solution Approach 1:
The impeller is designed with flexible arms that can dynamically change shape during rotation. The arms bend and deform to adapt to the chamber wall, creating variable volume sub-chambers that efficiently trap and transport fluid. This dynamic flexibility allows the pump to generate high pressure differential while maintaining a compact structure, resolving the contradiction between power output and device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The offset axis of rotation creates varying clearance between the impeller and chamber wall throughout the rotation cycle. This parameter variation generates the pressure differential needed for fluid transport. The changing geometric parameters enable the pump to achieve high pressure output without requiring a complex multi-component structure.
2Speed
If a conventional pump is used in a microvaporizer, then the manufacturing process is straightforward, but the pump cannot react quickly to meet user demand
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible impeller arms respond immediately to pressure changes and rotational motion, enabling rapid fluid delivery. The dynamic deformation of the arms creates quick volume changes in the sub-chambers, allowing the pump to react quickly to user demand while maintaining structural simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible arms act as thin, deformable elements that can quickly change shape in response to operational demands. This flexibility enables rapid response speed without requiring complex control mechanisms or multiple moving parts, thus maintaining manufacturing simplicity.
3Productivity
If the impeller axis is centered in the chamber, then the structure is symmetric and simple, but the pump cannot generate continuous volume change for efficient fluid delivery
Solution Approach 1:
The offset axis of rotation creates an asymmetric configuration between the impeller and chamber. This asymmetry generates varying clearance and volume changes in the sub-chambers during rotation, enabling continuous fluid trapping and delivery. The asymmetric design improves productivity while maintaining a single-piece impeller structure, avoiding the complexity of multiple components.
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 pump effectively generates the required pressure differential and reacts quickly to user demand, maintaining fluid flow without overwhelming the heater, thereby enhancing the vaporization process in microvaporizers.
Implementation Method 1
The impeller may be constructed from a flexible material and may be deformable. The impeller may be positioned so that a wall of the chamber located proximate the outlet deforms the impeller. The impeller may be compressed against a wall of the chamber located proximate the outlet.
Implementation Method 2
The impeller may be configured to rotate around the central longitudinal axis of the shaft, the shaft may be offset from the center of the chamber toward the outlet and away from the inlet so that the axis of rotation of the impeller is offset from the center of the chamber.
Data Source
AI summary
A pump (34) is configured to pressurize fluid in a microvaporizer (10). The pump includes a chamber (42) bounded by a chamber wall (43) with an inlet opening (55) configured to receive fluid and an outlet opening (57) configured to discharge fluid. The chamber has a circular cross-section. The pump further includes a rotatable impeller (44) positioned within the chamber and a shaft (46) extending through a center of the impeller. The impeller is configured to rotate around the central longitudinal axis of the shaft. In addition, the shaft is offset from the center of the chamber toward the outlet opening and away from the inlet opening so that the axis of rotation of the impeller is offset from the center of the chamber. The pump has a compact design that is able to generate the pressure differential necessary to maintain the flow of fluid and is able to react quickly to meet the demand of the user.