Pump Clamping Arrangement for High Pressure Sealing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional multistage pumps face issues with high pressure loads and hydraulic axial thrust during operation, leading to deformation and leakage, particularly in submersible pumps, due to the reliance on screw connections for sealing and load absorption.

Innovation Solution

A pump design featuring a clamping arrangement with a clamping element and means that secures the cover to the casing, allowing hydraulic thrust to be directed into the casing housing, reducing the load on screw connections and enhancing sealing by using a clamping force that is distributed through a clamping element and holding element.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If screw connections are used to secure the cover to the casing, then the cover can be closed and sealed, but the screw connection is subjected to high pressure loads and hydraulic axial thrust causing deformation and leakage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesealing capabilityVSAvoidsealing reliability under high pressure
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The clamping arrangement is divided into multiple clamping elements distributed around the cover-casing connection. Each clamping element independently absorbs local pressure loads and hydraulic axial thrust, preventing concentrated stress on screw connections and eliminating deformation-induced leakage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Strength

If conventional screw connections are used, then the cover can be secured to the casing, but the structure becomes complex and difficult to assemble

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection strengthVSAvoidassembly complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The clamping function and sealing function are merged into a single integrated clamping arrangement. The clamping elements simultaneously provide mechanical connection strength and sealing support, eliminating the need for separate screw connections and simplifying the assembly structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The screw connections are extracted from the design and replaced with the clamping arrangement. This removes the complex threading and fastening mechanisms while retaining the essential function of securing the cover to the casing under high pressure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Force

If screw connections are used to absorb hydraulic axial thrust, then the cover can be secured, but the screw connection deforms under high pressure affecting sealing behavior

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaxial thrust absorptionVSAvoidsealing precision
Core Design Contradiction:
ForceVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The clamping elements are designed with localized contact surfaces that distribute the hydraulic axial thrust across multiple discrete points around the cover-casing interface. This local distribution prevents concentrated deformation and maintains uniform sealing pressure, preserving sealing precision under high axial loads.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP3961039B1Pump for conveying a fluid
Publication Date: 2024.10.02 SULZER MANAGEMENT AG
  • EP3961039B1 patent drawingFigure 1a~1b
  • EP3961039B1 patent drawingFigure 2a~2b
  • EP3961039B1 patent drawingFigure 2c

AI summary

The invention relates to a pump for conveying a fluid, comprising a casing (4) and a pump shaft (2) arranged inside the casing (4) and rotatable about an axis (A), with an impeller (34) arranged non-rotatably on the pump shaft (2) for acting on the fluid, wherein the pump (1) further comprises a pump inlet (7) for supplying the fluid to the interior and a pump outlet (6) for discharging the fluid from the interior, wherein one end of the casing (4) is closed with a cover (5, 51, 52), and the pump (1) comprises a clamping arrangement (10) for securing the cover (5, 51, 52) to the casing (4), wherein the clamping arrangement (10) comprises a clamping element (11) and a clamping means (12) that can be arranged in a bore (13) of the clamping element (11), wherein the clamping element (11) has a first contact surface (111) and a second contact surface (112) includes.The clamping device (12) is arranged to be movable relative to the clamping element (11) along a clamping axis (X) such that the clamping element (11) is clamped between the shell housing (4) and the cover (5, 51, 52) by interaction with the clamping device (12) in an installed state of the cover, wherein in the installed state a clamping force is exerted from the shell housing (4) via the first contact surface (111) to the second contact surface (112) on the cover, so that the cover (5, 51, 52) is secured in the installed state by the clamping force on the shell housing (4).