Piston Pump Stopping Assembly Grooves Pressure Surge

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Solution Overview

Problem

Piston pumps in internal combustion engines face frequent failure of sealing rings due to pressure surges from fuel pressurization, leading to maintenance issues and machine downtime, as existing designs do not effectively manage fluid pressure and mixing with lubrication oil.

Innovation Solution

The piston pump incorporates a push rod assembly and stopping assembly with protruded structures forming grooves that allow fluid to flow outward, reducing pressure surges and preventing fluid accumulation, thereby extending sealing ring life and minimizing lubrication oil dilution.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If fuel is pressurized between the push rod and stopper during reciprocating movement, then fuel is moved towards the fuel injection valve, but pressure surges are created that hamper the operation of the sealing ring

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefuel deliveryVSAvoidsealing ring operation

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The stopper is segmented into multiple protruded structures arranged circumferentially, creating multiple grooves that distribute and manage pressure surges across different zones, preventing concentrated pressure damage to the sealing ring

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the stopper are given different functions: the protruded structures create localized pressure relief zones through grooves, while other regions maintain sealing functions, allowing localized pressure management without compromising overall system performance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If the sealing ring is designed to withstand pressure surges, then sealing reliability improves, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing ring durabilityVSAvoidsealing ring design

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The harmful pressure surge function is extracted from the sealing ring by providing alternative pressure relief paths through the grooves in the stopper, allowing the sealing ring to focus solely on its sealing function without needing to withstand excessive pressure surges

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The grooves in the stopper act as an intermediary structure that manages pressure surges before they reach the sealing ring, providing a pressure relief mechanism that protects the sealing ring without requiring modifications to the sealing ring itself

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If fuel flows past the sealing ring, then fuel delivery continues, but fuel mixes with lubrication oil causing dilution and requiring oil replacement

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefuel flowVSAvoidlubrication oil

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The circumferential arrangement of protruded structures creates multiple segmented flow paths through grooves, allowing fuel to be directed outward toward the fuel injection valve while preventing bulk fuel from mixing with lubrication oil in the chamber

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

4Device complexity

If a simple stopper design is used, then device complexity is reduced, but fluid pressure management and accumulation are not effectively controlled

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestopper structureVSAvoidpressure management

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The stopper is divided into multiple protruded structures that create grooves, providing pressure management functionality through a relatively simple segmented geometry that is easier to manufacture than complex sealing mechanisms

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The protruded structures with grooves serve multiple functions simultaneously: limiting push rod movement, managing pressure surges, directing fuel flow, and preventing fuel accumulation, replacing the need for multiple separate components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 effectively reduces fluid pressure surges and minimizes fluid volume passing through the sealing ring, increasing its service life and reducing lubrication oil contamination, resulting in reduced maintenance and improved engine performance.

Implementation Method 1

The plurality of grooves extends from the inner surface towards the outer surface to allow fluid to flow towards the outer surface

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluid flow:

Data Source

PatentUS10385846B2Piston pump having push rod assembly and stopping assembly

Publication Date: 2019.08.20 CATERPILLAR MOTOREN GMBH & CO KG

AI summary

A stopping assembly of a piston pump is disclosed. The stopping assembly includes a base portion having an inner surface for movably receiving a push rod assembly of the piston pump and an outer surface opposite to the inner surface engaged with a housing of the piston pump. The stopping assembly also includes a plurality of protruded structures adjacently disposed on the base portion forming a plurality of grooves extending from the inner surface towards the outer surface to allow fluid to flow towards the outer surface.