Fibre-Reinforced Plastic Pump Channel Corrosion Resistance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional pump and generator devices made of steel require frequent shutdowns for maintenance and repair due to corrosion from water exposure, which is costly and disrupts continuous operation.
Innovation Solution
Manufacturing key components from fibre-reinforced plastic materials, specifically using a vacuum-injection process and lamination of the transporting or converting member onto the channel's inner periphery, along with mechanical fixing elements, to create a durable and low-maintenance device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If steel components are used with protective coating, then initial strength and durability are improved, but corrosion occurs over time requiring periodic shutdowns for maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies fibre-reinforced plastic composite materials to replace steel components. The composite material consists of a plastic matrix reinforced with fibres (such as glass, carbon, or aramid fibres), providing both the necessary mechanical strength and corrosion resistance. This resolves the contradiction by eliminating the protective coating requirement while maintaining structural integrity in wet environments.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the material parameter from metal to polymer composite, fundamentally altering the chemical properties to resist water-induced corrosion. This material substitution eliminates the degradation mechanism that causes steel to require periodic maintenance, thereby improving continuous operation reliability.
2Reliability
If plastic components are used, then corrosion resistance is improved, but fixing the transporting member in the channel becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent separates the transporting member and channel as distinct components that can be manufactured independently using moulding processes. This extraction allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while simplifying manufacturing and assembly, resolving the contradiction between corrosion resistance and ease of assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The transporting member is provided with protrusions that engage with recesses in the channel, and adhesive is applied in advance to specific surfaces before assembly. This preliminary preparation of joining features and adhesive application simplifies the assembly process while ensuring secure fixation of the plastic 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 solution results in a durable, low-maintenance device that can operate nearly continuously, reducing operational costs and increasing reliability by preventing corrosion and simplifying assembly and maintenance.
Implementation Method 1
By manufacturing the most important components of the pump or generator device from a plastic a very durable device is obtained which is not corroded by the water flowing along
Implementation Method 2
The constituents of the plastic are here injected in liquid form into the mould and polymerization takes place therein
Implementation Method 3
A problem with the device and method of US 6083382, however, is that fixing the plastic transporting member in the plastic channel is difficult. According to the invention, this problem is solved by laminating the member with its outer periphery onto the inner periphery of the channel.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a device for pumping a liquid from a lower-lying level to a higher-lying level, comprising a channel running at an angle to the horizontal and a member arranged therein and driven rotatably about a shaft for the purpose of transporting the liquid, wherein the transporting member, which is provided with a number of blades, is manufactured from an - optionally fibre-reinforced - plastic. The channel can also be manufactured from a - similar - plastic, wherein the transporting member and the channel can then be manufactured integrally and can be driven rotatably together. The invention also relates to a device for generating energy from flow of a liquid from a higher-lying level to a lower-lying level, comprising a channel running at an angle to the horizontal, a converting member which is arranged therein and to be set into rotation by the liquid flow and which is provided with a number of blades, and take-off means connected to the converting member, wherein the converting member is manufactured substantially from an - optionally fibre-reinforced - plastic. The invention finally relates to a method for manufacturing such a pump device or generator device by manufacturing from plastic a rotatable member provided with a number of blades, manufacturing a channel from plastic, and installing the rotatable member in the channel.