Centrifugal Pump Housing Seal Without Elastomer Leakage Risk

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional centrifugal pumps with contactless magnetically supported and driven rotors face issues with leakage, particularly at high temperatures, due to insufficient chemical resistance of elastomers and outgassing of additives, which can contaminate sensitive fluids and lead to safety hazards.

Innovation Solution

The proposed pump unit design eliminates the need for a separate sealing element by incorporating a ribbed surface with radial sealing ribs on one sealing surface and a smooth surface on the other, creating a reliable sealing connection between the pump housing components without direct contact with the fluid.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a separate sealing element is used between pump housing components, then sealing function is provided, but fluid contamination occurs due to elastomer outgassing and insufficient chemical resistance at high temperatures

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing reliabilityVSAvoidfluid contamination

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The sealing element is extracted and eliminated from the system. Instead of using a separate elastomer sealing element, the invention creates a direct sealing connection between the pump housing components through complementary sealing surfaces (ribbed surface on one component, smooth surface on the other), thereby removing the source of contamination while maintaining sealing function

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The mechanical sealing system using elastomer deformation is replaced with a rigid-to-rigid sealing mechanism. The ribbed surface structure mechanically interlocks with the smooth surface to create a seal that does not rely on elastomeric materials, thus eliminating outgassing and chemical resistance issues

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If elastomer sealing elements are used, then sealing connection is achieved, but leakage risk increases at high temperatures due to insufficient chemical resistance

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing integrityVSAvoidhigh temperature operation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The invention replaces the elastomer sealing element (which degrades at high temperatures) with a durable rigid sealing structure integrated into the pump housing. The ribbed surface and smooth surface combination creates a permanent, temperature-resistant sealing connection that does not degrade like elastomers

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The sealing solution uses complementary surface structures (ribbed and smooth surfaces) on rigid pump housing components, creating a composite sealing system that leverages the thermal and chemical resistance of the rigid materials while the geometric interlocking provides the sealing function

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Reliability

If separate sealing elements are used, then sealing function is provided, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing functionVSAvoidnumber of components

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The sealing function is merged with the pump housing structure itself. The ribbed surface and smooth surface are integral parts of the housing components, eliminating the need for separate sealing elements and reducing overall device complexity while maintaining sealing reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The pump housing components serve dual functions: structural support and sealing. The ribbed surface structure on one component and the corresponding smooth surface on the other component simultaneously provide mechanical strength and create the sealing interface, eliminating the need for dedicated sealing components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 design enhances operational reliability and purity by preventing fluid contamination, reducing the risk of leakage, and maintaining sealing integrity even at high temperatures and pressures, thus ensuring safe and efficient fluid conveyance.

Implementation Method 1

one of the two sealing surfaces is designed as a ribbed surface with at least one radial sealing rib, which extends in the circumferential direction along the entire sealing surface, while the other of the two sealing surfaces is designed as a smooth surface

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSealing:

Implementation Method 2

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhysical barrier: Physical Containment

Data Source

PatentUS20250075703A1Pump unit for a centrifugal pump and centrifugal pump

Publication Date: 2025.03.06 LEVITRONIX GMBH(CH)

AI summary

A pump unit includes a pump housing and a rotor in the pump housing. The pump unit contactless magnetic levitating and driving the rotor. The pump housing has a bottom part and a cover, the bottom part having a cylindrical cup to receive the rotor and a substantially ring-shaped first sealing surface for a sealing interaction with the cover. The cover has a substantially ring-shaped second sealing surface for a sealing interaction with the first sealing surface. One of the first and second sealing surfaces is a ribbed surface with a radial sealing rib, which extends in the circumferential direction along the entire sealing surface, while the other of the first and second sealing surfaces is a smooth surface.