Progressive Cavity Pump Coupling for Fast Rotor Disassembly

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional progressive cavity pumps require lengthy and tedious disassembly processes to replace worn parts, necessitating the removal of the stator and rotor, which complicates maintenance and increases downtime.

Innovation Solution

A progressive cavity pump design featuring a direct orthogonal reference frame with a coupling mechanism between the rotor and transmission mechanism that allows for easy and quick disassembly and reassembly through a tilting movement, eliminating the need to remove the flange from the piping and enabling simultaneous removal of the rotor and stator.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional progressive cavity pumps use a fixed coupling between rotor and transmission mechanism, then structural stability is improved, but disassembly time and maintenance complexity increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoiddisassembly time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The coupling mechanism transitions from a fixed state during operation to a movable state during maintenance. The rotor can be tilted relative to the transmission mechanism by lifting it slightly, allowing the coupling arms to disengage from the slots. This dynamic capability enables quick disassembly while maintaining structural stability during normal pumping operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Stability of the object's composition

If the rotor is secured with multiple set screws in tapped holes, then rotational stability is improved, but the complexity of disassembly and reassembly increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverotational stabilityVSAvoiddisassembly complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The coupling mechanism is divided into discrete components: coupling arms with slots, a rotor with protrusions, and a housing with guide walls. This segmentation allows the rotor to be tilted and lifted to disengage the coupling, replacing the complex operation of removing multiple set screws and tapped holes with a simpler tilting and lifting motion.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of operation

If the stator must be disassembled to remove the rotor, then access to internal components is improved, but the overall maintenance time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomponent accessibilityVSAvoidmaintenance time
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The coupling mechanism is extracted from the stator assembly, allowing the rotor to be removed independently without disassembling the stator. The coupling arms are positioned in the housing such that the rotor can be tilted and lifted directly from the transmission mechanism, eliminating the need to disassemble the stator and reducing maintenance time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Ease of operation

If the motor and shaft assembly must be completely removed to access the rotor coupling, then access to the coupling is improved, but the disassembly process becomes lengthy and tedious

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoupling accessibilityVSAvoiddisassembly time
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The coupling mechanism is extracted and positioned in the housing such that the rotor can be accessed and removed independently of the motor and shaft assembly. The coupling arms are arranged to allow direct access to the rotor coupling, eliminating the need to remove the entire motor and shaft assembly for routine maintenance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentEP3653879B1Pumping device
Publication Date: 2021.02.24 PCM TECH
  • EP3653879B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3653879B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3653879B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The invention relates to a pumping device comprising: - a progressive cavity pump including a helical rotor; - a transmission mechanism fixed to the helical rotor, the transmission mechanism and the rotor including a fastening member consisting of a male member (32) and a female member (34). The male member having an axial projection having an outer locking wall (62) inclined at a locking angle (θ) between 5° and 90° with respect to a proximal support wall (66); and the female member having a housing (74) provided with an axial recess (80) having an inner locking wall (90) inclined at said locking angle (θ) with respect to an inner sliding wall (86), the outer locking wall (62) being abutted against the inner locking wall (90) when the male member (32) is coupled to the female member (34).