Contaminated Liquid Pump Oblique Cutting Edge Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pumps for sewage or wastewater, particularly those handling unscreened contaminated liquids with solid matter like plastics and fibers, face issues with clogging due to inefficient cutting of long fibers, leading to increased energy consumption and potential damage from jamming.
Innovation Solution
The pump design incorporates a guide pin and projection to direct solid matter towards a recess with a specifically positioned cutting edge, reducing tangling and energy consumption by ensuring effective cutting of long fibers, and features a replaceable impeller seat with adjustable grooves and recesses to adapt to different conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the solid matter is cut up between the vane of the impeller and a recess in the impeller seat with cutting edges perpendicular to the direction of rotation, then the solid matter is cut into smaller pieces, but a superfluously high force and a lot of energy is needed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the orientation parameter of the cutting edge from perpendicular to oblique relative to the direction of rotation. This parameter change allows the cutting action to occur in the direction of rotation, reducing the force needed and thereby reducing energy consumption while maintaining cutting effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of having the cutting edge perpendicular to rotation (conventional approach), the patent inverts the approach by orienting the cutting edge obliquely in the direction of rotation. This inversion allows the impeller's rotational motion to assist the cutting action rather than working against it, reducing energy requirements.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the solid matter is not cut up sufficiently efficiently into discrete pieces, then cutting forces are reduced, but the solid matter might clog the pump in an even more severe way
Solution Approach 1:
The oblique orientation of the cutting edge changes the cutting mechanism from a high-force perpendicular cut to a progressive oblique cut. This parameter change ensures that solid matter is effectively severed into discrete pieces that can pass through the pump without clogging, while the cutting action occurs in the direction of rotation to minimize energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The cutting action is performed preliminarily on the solid matter before it can cause clogging. By cutting the solid matter into discrete pieces at the point of contact between the vane and recess, the pump prevents subsequent clogging issues without requiring excessive cutting force or energy.
3Productivity
If semi-cut solid matter is processed, then some pieces are reduced in size, but some pieces will get caught between the impeller and the pump housing making the rotation heavy
Solution Approach 1:
Changing the cutting edge orientation to oblique allows the cutting action to complete the severing of solid matter in the direction of rotation. This ensures pieces are fully separated rather than semi-cut, preventing them from getting caught between the impeller and pump housing, thereby avoiding heavy rotation and energy losses.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the rotational motion of the impeller, which would normally work against perpendicular cutting edges, into a beneficial force that assists the oblique cutting action. The rotational force becomes part of the cutting mechanism rather than an opposing force, improving productivity while reducing energy loss.
4Use of energy by moving object
If long fibers are not cut effectively, then cutting forces are minimized, but the fibers may get tangled among the vanes of the impeller resulting in gradual decrease of efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The oblique orientation of the cutting edge fundamentally changes how long fibers are severed. Instead of requiring high forces to cut perpendicular to the fiber direction, the oblique angle allows the rotational motion to progressively sever fibers along their length, effectively cutting them into manageable pieces without excessive force or energy consumption, thereby preventing tangling and maintaining productivity.
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 the efficiency of cutting solid matter, reduces energy consumption, and increases pump durability by preventing clogging and maintaining efficient operation, even in challenging environments.
Implementation Method 1
a sheering/cutting action arising between an cutting edge of said recess and a lower edge of the vane as the impeller rotates relative to the impeller seat
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a pump for pumping contaminated liquid including solid matter, comprising a pump housing provided with a rotatable impeller (3) having at least one vane (9) and an impeller seat (4), the impeller seat (4) presenting at least one recess (13) in the top surface (11) thereof, a sheering/cutting action arising between an cutting edge (15) of said recess (13) and a lower edge (14) of the vane (9) as the impeller (3) rotates relative to the impeller seat (4). Furthermore, the pump also comprises means for guiding the solid matter towards said recess (13), the guiding means comprising at least one guide in and at least one projection (20), an upper surface (19) of the guide pin extending from a position contiguous to the most inner part of the vane (9) of the impeller (3) towards the impeller seat (4), and the projection (20) protruding from the impeller seat (4).