Pump Housing Seal Grooves for Hygienic Fluid Flushing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Fluid pumps used in the food industry face contamination risks due to particle collection in cavities and pockets, especially around static and rotary seal elements, which can lead to fluid contamination if not properly cleaned.
Innovation Solution
The pump housing device features grooves extending through the rear wall element from the rear surface to the cylindrical surface, creating a pressure gradient that enhances fluid flow and flushing between the static and rotary seal elements, ensuring efficient cleaning and improved hygienic properties.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If a compact sealing cavity is used around the static and rotary seal elements, then the pump housing remains compact and efficient, but particles and contaminants can collect in the cavities and pockets, compromising hygienic performance
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing cavity is segmented into multiple regions by introducing grooves that divide the continuous cavity into smaller sections. This segmentation prevents particle accumulation by eliminating dead zones where contaminants could collect, while maintaining the overall compact volume of the pump housing.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces grooves that extend in the axial direction (another dimension) through the rear wall element, creating a pressure gradient that drives fluid flow through the sealing area. This dimensional addition transforms the static cavity into a dynamic flushing pathway that actively prevents particle collection.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If grooves are added to extend through the rear wall element to improve flushing, then particle removal and cleaning are enhanced, but the structural complexity of the pump housing increases
Solution Approach 1:
The grooves serve multiple functions simultaneously: they act as structural features of the rear wall element, create pressure gradients for fluid flow, provide pathways for particle removal, and maintain sealing integrity. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The grooves enable the pump's own operating fluid to perform the cleaning function by creating a self-sustaining pressure gradient that continuously flushes particles from the sealing area. The system uses its own operational resources (the pumped fluid under pressure) to maintain hygiene, eliminating the need for external cleaning mechanisms.
3Reliability
If the static seal element is positioned to create an external seal arrangement, then sealing efficiency is improved, but the cavity becomes more difficult to access for cleaning
Solution Approach 1:
The grooves extend in the axial dimension through the rear wall element, creating pressure-driven flow pathways that access the sealing cavity from the rear side. This dimensional approach allows effective flushing of the external seal arrangement without requiring disassembly or direct access from the front, thereby maintaining cleaning ease despite the improved sealing configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses hydraulic principles by utilizing the pressure of the pumped fluid itself to drive flow through the grooves and into the sealing cavity. This pressure-driven hydraulic flushing system effectively cleans the difficult-to-access external seal area without mechanical intervention, maintaining both sealing efficiency and cleaning accessibility.
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 promotes effective flushing and cleaning of the seal areas, reducing contamination risks and improving the overall hygienic performance of the fluid pump by utilizing centrifugal forces to maintain lubrication and fluid flow, while maintaining a compact sealing cavity.
Implementation Method 1
utilizing centrifugal forces to maintain lubrication and fluid flow
Implementation Method 2
creating a pressure gradient that enhances fluid flow and flushing
Implementation Method 3
fluid drag from the rotating backplate induces flow within the passageway
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4~6
Figure 7
AI summary
A pump housing device for a fluid pump comprises a rear wall element (5) comprising a rear surface (5b)turned towards an impeller (1). The rear wall element comprises an opening (7) defining a cylindrical surface (7a) along a longitudinal central axis (x). The opening receives a rotating drive shaft (2) of the impeller. A static seal element (10) has a plane seal surface (10a) that seals against a plane seal surface (11) of a rotary seal element (11) mounted to the drive shaft and rotating with the drive shaft. The plane seal surface of the static seal element is turned away from the rear surface. One or more grooves (20) extend through the rear wall element and through the rear surface and the cylindrical surface. Each groove has a bottom line that extends from the rear surface to the cylindrical surface.