Pump Shaft Pressure Relief Channel for Axial Thrust Reduction
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In oil pumps, especially those with high pressure levels, axial thrust on the pump shaft due to operating pressure leads to frictional torque and wear on support surfaces, reducing efficiency and increasing drive power, and existing pressure relief solutions complicate deburring and reduce bearing load capacity.
Innovation Solution
A pump design featuring a drive shaft with a passage acting as a pressure relief channel, which dissipates pressure via a cavity and relief space, preventing axial thrust and wear by allowing leakage fluid to be discharged, thus reducing friction and enhancing efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If an angled relief bore is used to connect the bearing bore to the suction area, then axial thrust is relieved, but the intersection geometry creates deburring difficulties and burr formation risks
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure relief function is segmented from the bearing support function. The drive shaft is divided into functional zones: a bearing support area with a plain bearing for radial support, and a separate pressure relief area with a relief channel that does not intersect the bearing bore. This segmentation eliminates the problematic intersection geometry while maintaining both bearing support and pressure relief functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The relief channel is extracted as a separate structural element from the bearing bore. Instead of creating an angled intersection within the bearing bore, the relief channel is positioned separately and connected to the suction area through a different path, removing the source of burr formation problems from the bearing support structure.
2Stress or pressure
If a relief bore opening into the plain bearing is used, then pressure is relieved, but the load-bearing capacity of the bearing is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The drive shaft is segmented into distinct functional zones: a bearing support area with sufficient material thickness for radial load bearing, and a separate pressure relief area. The relief channel is positioned in the pressure area away from the bearing bore, ensuring that the bearing wall thickness is not compromised and load-bearing capacity is maintained while pressure relief function is fulfilled.
Solution Approach 2:
The relief channel is extracted from the bearing bore structure and positioned separately. This extraction prevents the relief channel from interfering with the bearing's load-bearing wall, allowing the bearing to maintain its full load-bearing capacity while the relief channel independently performs pressure relief by connecting the pressure area to the suction area.
3Device complexity
If the drive shaft is supported in plain bearings without additional bearing bushing, then space and cost are saved, but axial thrust creates frictional torque and wear
Solution Approach 1:
The drive shaft support system is segmented into two independent functional zones: a radial support zone with plain bearings for radial load bearing, and an axial pressure relief zone with a relief channel. This segmentation allows the simple plain bearing structure to maintain its space and cost advantages while the separate relief channel addresses axial thrust by redirecting pressure to the suction area, preventing axial force buildup that would cause friction and wear.
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 effectively minimizes axial thrust and wear on the pump shaft, improving efficiency and reducing the risk of malfunctions by ensuring no pressure buildup that could exert axial force, while also simplifying the deburring process and maintaining load-bearing capacity.
Implementation Method 1
A passage acting as a pressure relief channel is provided in the drive shaft to dissipate the pressure
Implementation Method 2
allowing leakage fluid to be discharged through the passage
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
A pump is described comprising: • a drive shaft (10) with a rotor (4), • a first housing part (20) and a second housing part (30), between which a pump chamber (50) is formed in which the rotor (4) is arranged, • a rotary bearing (22) by means of which the drive shaft (4) is rotatably mounted on the first housing part (20) about its axis of rotation (D), and • a passage (11) with a first opening (12) and a second opening (13), • wherein the rotary bearing (22) is arranged between the pump chamber (50) and the first opening (12) and the passage (11) with the second opening (13) opens onto the side of the second housing part (30) which is facing away from the pump chamber (50).