Pump Pre-chopper with Non-circular Intake Port
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Solution Overview
Problem
Pumps used in machine tools for circulating lubricating coolant emulsions contaminated with metal chippings face challenges in efficiently chopping complex chipping clews due to their tendency to cling together, which hinders effective suction and chopping by the cutting impeller.
Innovation Solution
The pre-chopper is surrounded by a non-circular intake port that concentrates the current and induces rotation of chipping clews, causing them to move along the intake port's internal wall, which alternates in passageway width, facilitating their resolution and conveyance to the cutting impeller for further chopping, while also serving as a protector for safe installation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a conventional circular intake port is used, then the pump structure is simple, but the pre-chopper cannot effectively resolve complex chipping clews
Solution Approach 1:
The intake port is designed with a non-circular cross-section (e.g., rectangular or oval) instead of the conventional circular shape. This asymmetric geometry creates varying passageway widths that generate differential drag forces on chipping clews, causing them to rotate and unravel as they move through the intake port, thereby significantly improving the pre-chopper's ability to resolve complex chipping formations.
2Ease of operation
If the pump is installed in an accessible position for maintenance, then ease of operation is improved, but personnel are at risk of accidental contact with rotating parts
Solution Approach 1:
The non-circular intake port acts as a protective intermediary structure between personnel and the rotating pre-chopper components. Its solid walls provide physical protection while allowing the pump to be installed in accessible positions, thus eliminating the need to compromise between safety and maintenance accessibility.
3Productivity
If the pre-chopper operates without current concentration, then energy consumption is lower, but chipping clews are not effectively drawn into the chopping range
Solution Approach 1:
The non-circular cross-section of the intake port creates asymmetric flow paths with varying passageway widths. This geometry naturally concentrates the liquid current carrying chipping clews toward the center of the intake port, improving conveyance efficiency into the chopping range without requiring additional energy input or active flow control mechanisms.
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 configuration significantly improves the efficiency of the pre-chopper in loosening and conveying chipping clews, ensuring effective chopping by the cutting impeller and allowing safe installation orientations, such as horizontal positioning.
Implementation Method 1
the surrounding intake port is effective to concentrate the current
Implementation Method 2
The rotating pre-chopper induces a rotation of the chipping clews, so that the latter move circumferentially along the internal wall of the intake port
Implementation Method 3
cutting edges that cooperate with stationary counter blades arranged radially in a suction passage, so that chippings and other contaminants that have been sucked in are cut-off and chopped
Data Source
AI summary
A pump includes a cutting impeller (38) and a pre-chopper (50) driven by a shaft portion (46) that projects axially from the cutting impeller (38), with the pre-chopper (50) being surrounded by an intake port (22) of the pump, the intake port having, at least on a part of its length, in the vicinity of the pre-chopper, a non-circular internal cross-section.