Fluid Pump Plunger Barrel Cooling Circuit Design
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluid pumps face limitations in achieving high outlet pressures due to thermal load issues, which are exacerbated by increased service pressure, leading to inefficiencies and potential leakage, as larger clearances to manage thermal effects compromise pumping efficiency.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a plunger and barrel configuration with a pressurization chamber, collection chamber, and annular reservoirs, utilizing weep openings to manage heat transfer and fluid flow, allowing for higher pressures while maintaining efficient operation by equalizing temperatures between the plunger and barrel.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If larger clearances are used between plunger and barrel to manage thermal effects, then thermal load is reduced, but pumping efficiency decreases and leakage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The barrel is segmented into different regions with different clearance characteristics. The main pumping chamber maintains small clearance for efficiency, while separate cooling channels are created to manage thermal load, allowing the system to achieve both high pressure and adequate cooling without compromising pumping efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
A cooling fluid is introduced as an intermediary substance that flows through channels between the plunger and barrel. This cooling fluid mediates the thermal management function, allowing the plunger-barrel interface to maintain small clearances for efficiency while the cooling fluid absorbs and transports heat away from the thermal load zones
2Temperature
If larger clearances are used between plunger and barrel, then thermal expansion differences are managed, but leakage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The clearance space is segmented into functional zones: a small clearance zone in the pumping chamber to prevent leakage, and separate cooling channels to manage thermal expansion. This segmentation allows the system to maintain tight sealing where needed while providing thermal management pathways
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling fluid acts as an intermediary that facilitates thermal management without interfering with the sealing function. It flows through dedicated channels that are separate from the pumping chamber, allowing the plunger-barrel interface to maintain minimal clearance for leak prevention while the cooling fluid handles thermal expansion compensation
3Stress or pressure
If higher service pressure is achieved, then pumping capability is improved, but thermal load on pumping elements increases
Solution Approach 1:
The barrel structure is segmented to separate the high-pressure pumping function from the thermal management function. The pumping chamber maintains small clearances for high pressure efficiency, while dedicated cooling channels are provided to handle the thermal load generated by high-pressure operation
Solution Approach 2:
A cooling fluid serves as an intermediary that absorbs and transports the thermal load generated during high-pressure pumping. The cooling fluid flows through channels in the barrel, absorbing heat from the plunger and barrel surfaces, thereby enabling sustained high-pressure operation without excessive temperature rise
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
This configuration enables fluid pumps to achieve pressures up to 3000 bar, maintaining efficiency and reducing thermal expansion differences, thus ensuring prolonged and reliable operation under both transient and steady-state conditions.
Implementation Method 1
heat is conducted away from the plunger to closely approximate the temperature of the reduced portion of the barrel more closely with the temperature of the plunger
Implementation Method 2
A flow of cooling fluid is supplied to the annular reservoir... such that heat is conducted away from the plunger
Implementation Method 3
An amount of fluid weeps out of the pressurization chamber along an interface between the plunger and the bore
Data Source
AI summary
A pumping element for pressurizing a fluid within a fluid pump includes a plunger reciprocally disposed within a bore defined in a barrel. The plunger and barrel at least partially define a pressurization chamber into which fluid is pressurized. A flow path is defined between the plunger and the bore, the flow path permitting fluid to pass from the pressurization chamber during pressurization of fluid disposed therein. A collection chamber is formed between the plunger and the bore, the collection chamber being disposed adjacent to the bore and being part of a cooling circuit for the pumping element. A plurality of weep openings is defined in the barrel and is fluidly connected to the collection chamber. A reduced diameter portion of the barrel forms an annular reservoir that receives fluid from the weep openings.