Radially Coupled Pump for Supercritical Fluid Pressurization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current centrifugal fluid pumps in aircraft thermal management systems face limitations in pressurizing fluids to sufficient pressures due to thermal energy losses, requiring larger motors that increase system weight and size, and are inefficient in maintaining the supercritical state of fluids like supercritical carbon dioxide.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a radially coupled pump system that uses a driver wheel and follower wheel configuration with magnetic couplings and foil bearings to achieve higher angular velocities and pressures with smaller motors, reducing axial length and improving efficiency and power density.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stress or pressure
If current centrifugal fluid pumps are used to pressurize fluids in thermal management systems, then the system can maintain fluid circulation, but the pumps cannot achieve sufficient pressures due to thermal energy losses and require larger motors that increase system weight and size
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a variable geometry impeller design where the blade angle can be dynamically adjusted during operation. This allows the pump to adapt its performance characteristics to maintain optimal efficiency across varying operating conditions, enabling sufficient fluid pressure achievement without requiring oversized motors that would increase weight
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs variable speed drive technology that allows the motor to operate at optimized speeds for different pressure requirements. By changing the rotational speed parameter dynamically, the pump can achieve high fluid pressures when needed while allowing the use of smaller, lighter motors that don't need to be continuously oversized for peak demand
2Stress or pressure
If larger motors are used to achieve sufficient fluid pressure, then the pressure requirement is met, but the system weight and size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The variable geometry impeller allows dynamic optimization of the pump's pressure-generation capability. By adjusting blade angles in real-time, the system can achieve required fluid pressures with a more compact pump design, reducing the volume occupied by motor and pump components compared to a fixed-geometry design that would require oversized components to handle peak pressure demands
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the pressure generation function across multiple stages or zones within the impeller design. This segmented approach allows each section to contribute to the overall pressure output efficiently, enabling the use of a smaller total motor size and reducing the overall system volume while still achieving the required fluid pressure
3Use of energy by moving object
If conventional pump designs are used, then the system structure is simpler, but the efficiency in maintaining supercritical state of fluids is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements precise control of rotational speed and impeller geometry parameters to optimize energy transfer efficiency. By dynamically adjusting these parameters, the pump maintains high efficiency in pressurizing supercritical fluids, and the added control systems are integrated into the existing pump structure, minimizing the increase in overall device complexity
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 radially coupled pump system effectively pressurizes fluids to higher pressures with less mechanical power, reducing weight and size while maintaining the supercritical state of fluids, enhancing the thermal management system's efficiency and longevity.
Implementation Method 1
The follower wheel is magnetically coupled to an impeller shaft
Implementation Method 2
radially coupled pump system that uses a driver wheel and follower wheel configuration with magnetic couplings and foil bearings
Data Source
AI summary
A pump system for pressurizing a fluid within a closed loop thermal transport bus is disclosed herein. The example of the pump system disclosed herein includes an electric motor including a rotor shaft and a stator, wherein the rotor shaft is to generate a first torque; a pump including an impeller coupled to an impeller shaft, wherein the impeller is to increase a kinetic energy of the fluid; a driver wheel attached to the rotor shaft, wherein the driver wheel is radially connected to a follower wheel; and a co-axial magnetic coupling to connect at least one of the follower wheel to the impeller shaft or the driver wheel to the rotor shaft, wherein the co-axial magnetic coupling includes an outer hub, an inner hub, and a barrier can, the barrier can to hermetically seal a portion of the pump system from the fluid.