Multistage Pump Balance Disk Contact Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional multistage pumps face issues with contact between the balance disk and balance seat due to pressure imbalances during startup, leading to potential damage, and existing solutions complicate the structure with electrical components or require complex processing.
Innovation Solution
A multistage pump design incorporating a check valve in the balance pipe to allow fluid flow only from the balance space to the suction side, and a safety valve to release pressure exceeding a set value, preventing contact between the balance disk and seat by managing pressure effectively during startup and operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a multistage pump is stopped and then restarted after water is flowed into it by another pump, then the discharge pressure can be gradually increased, but the balance disk and balance seat may come into contact due to pressure imbalance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the harmful pressure differential from the balance space by providing a discharge port that communicates with the atmosphere or discharge side. This allows the excessive suction pressure that would otherwise cause balance disk contact to be released, preventing damage while maintaining structural simplicity without requiring complex control systems
Solution Approach 2:
The balance pipe with check valve acts as an intermediary mechanism that selectively allows pressure equalization only in the safe direction (from balance space to suction side). The check valve mediates the pressure flow to prevent reverse flow that would create harmful pressure differentials, solving the contact problem while keeping the structure simple
2Reliability
If a pressure switch and electromagnetic valve are installed to control the balance pipe, then contact between balance disk and balance seat can be avoided, but the device configuration becomes complicated and cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs passive pressure management mechanisms that automatically regulate balance space pressure without external control. The discharge port and check valve self-regulate based on pressure differentials, eliminating the need for pressure switches, electromagnetic valves, and associated electrical wiring, thereby maintaining simplicity while ensuring reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces expensive, complex electromagnetic control components with simple, inexpensive mechanical pressure relief features. The discharge port and check valve are basic mechanical elements that provide adequate protection without the high cost and complexity of controlled valve systems
3Ease of operation
If water is flowed into the pump while stopped, then startup pressure can be controlled, but the simple balance pipe structure causes suction pressure to act on the balance disk without resistance
Solution Approach 1:
The discharge port extracts excess suction pressure from the balance space, preventing it from acting on the balance disk. By providing an escape route for the pressure, the harmful stress on the balance disk is eliminated while maintaining the simple balance pipe structure with check valve
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 prevents contact between the balance disk and seat, ensuring smooth operation and reducing the risk of damage, while maintaining a simple and cost-effective structure without the need for complex electrical components or intricate processing.
Implementation Method 1
a check valve provided in the balance pipe to allow fluid to flow through the check valve in only a direction from the balance space toward the space on the fluid suction side
Implementation Method 2
a safety valve provided between the balance space and the check valve and configured to open to release a fluid having a pressure equal to or higher than a set value to outside
Implementation Method 3
A multistage pump, which is one form of a pump, has a plurality of impellers fixed on a rotating shaft. A liquid is introduced into a pump casing from a suction port of the multistage pump. The liquid introduced in the pump casing is sequentially pressurized by the impellers and discharged from a discharge port.
Implementation Method 4
A balance mechanism for balancing axial thrust acting on the rotating shaft; A balance disk mounted on the rotating shaft, and a balance seat attached to the pump casing and facing the balance disk
Data Source
Figure 1A~1C
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A pump with a simple structure capable of suppressing contact between a balance disk and a balance seat is realized. A multistage pump 200 includes: a rotating shaft 1; impellers 2 mounted on the rotating shaft 1; a balance mechanism 70 for balancing the axial thrust acting on the rotating shaft 1; a pump casing 3 accommodating the impellers 2 and the balance mechanism 70; a balance pipe 75 for allowing communication between a balance space 73 in the pump casing 3 where the balance mechanism 70 is accommodated and a space on the fluid suction side of the pump casing 3; and a check valve 100 provided in the balance pipe 75 to allow fluid to flow through the check valve in only a direction from the balance space 73 toward the space on the fluid suction side.