Two-Piece Pump Piston for Solid Ring Sealing and Wear Resistance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional piston pump piston rings, made from ductile metals, face limitations in material selection due to the need for splitting, which compromises durability and sealing performance.
Innovation Solution
A two-piece piston system with an annular groove between the head and body portions, allowing for the use of non-split, durable materials like ceramic or tungsten carbide piston rings, which form a hydrodynamic seal without deforming the ring, and can be retained using various fastening methods.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional piston rings are made from ductile metals and split to allow installation, then ease of installation is improved, but material selection is limited and durability is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The piston is divided into two separate portions: a body portion with an annular groove and a head portion that can be removably coupled to the body. This segmentation allows the piston ring to be installed on the body portion before coupling, enabling the use of non-ductile materials that cannot be split while maintaining ease of installation through the modular assembly process
2Strength
If piston rings are made from harder materials like ceramic or tungsten carbide, then wear resistance is improved, but the ability to deform for installation is lost
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the piston into removable head and body portions, the system allows rigid, non-deformable piston rings (ceramic, tungsten carbide) to be installed on the body portion in their full rigid state, then the head portion is coupled to secure the ring without requiring any deformation of the ring itself
Solution Approach 2:
The modular piston structure acts as an intermediary mechanism that facilitates the installation of rigid piston rings. The removable head portion serves as a delivery mechanism that allows the rigid ring to be positioned and secured without the ring needing to deform, effectively mediating between the rigid ring and the installation process
3Adaptability or versatility
If a two-piece piston system is used to accommodate non-split piston rings, then material selection is expanded, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The piston is segmented into a body portion with an annular groove and a removably coupleable head portion. This segmentation enables the use of diverse materials (ceramic, tungsten carbide, tool steel) for the piston ring while the modular design allows for straightforward assembly and disassembly, managing complexity through standardization of the coupling interface
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 enables the use of harder, solid piston rings, enhancing wear resistance, piston velocities, and volumetric efficiency while reducing leakage, leading to improved performance and efficiency in piston pumps.
Implementation Method 1
the piston ring seated in the annular groove configured to form a hydrodynamic seal between the piston ring and the bore of the barrel
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3A~5B
AI summary
In accordance with at least one aspect of this disclosure, a system includes, a piston (102) configured to seat within a bore defined in a barrel of a pump. The piston (102) includes a head portion (110) and a body portion (112), where the head portion is configured to be removably coupled to the body portion. An annular groove (114) is formed between the head portion and the body portion with the head portion and the body portion coupled. In certain embodiments, the body portion can include an annular ledge configured to form a seat of the annular groove with the head portion and the body portion coupled. The annular groove is configured to seat a piston ring (118).