Ring Section Pump Intermediate Tie Rod Segmentation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional ring section tie-rod pumps face assembly difficulties and resonant vibration issues due to long tie rods that span the entire length of the pump, making them costly and less effective in handling pressure and torque.

Innovation Solution

The introduction of intermediate flanges that accept tie-rod terminations from both sides, reducing the span between tie-rod ends and allowing for better alignment and vibration reduction, while also enabling the use of fewer tie rods in low-pressure sections and increasing the number of stages and pressure handling without additional material costs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If tie rods extend the full length of all stages, then the pump can be assembled with a single tie rod size, but assembly becomes difficult and resonant vibration problems increase for longer pumps

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesingle size of tie-rodVSAvoidassembly difficulty
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The pump assembly is divided into multiple sections with intermediate tie rod combinations positioned at intermediate locations between the low-pressure end and high-pressure end. This segmentation allows each tie rod span to be shorter and more manageable, reducing assembly difficulty and resonant vibration while still providing full-length structural support through multiple discrete segments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Strength

If tie rods extend the full length of all stages, then structural support is provided across the entire pump, but tie rods are subject to more resonant vibration problems and twisting

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural supportVSAvoidresonant vibration
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

By introducing intermediate tie rod combinations that divide the long tie rod spans into shorter segments, the structural support function is maintained across the entire pump length while each individual segment experiences reduced resonant vibration and twisting forces.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Intermediate flanges or pieces are introduced as mediator components that accept tie rod terminations and provide intermediate support points. These intermediaries break up the continuous long tie rod spans into shorter, more vibration-resistant segments while maintaining overall structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Stress or pressure

If tie rods handle the full pressure of the whole pump, then pressure containment is achieved, but the design is costly and limited to single tie rod size

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepressure handlingVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Stress or pressureVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Different tie rod combinations at different locations along the pump are designed with locally optimized properties. Tie rods in high-pressure regions can be sized and configured differently from those in low-pressure regions, allowing cost-effective manufacturing while achieving adequate pressure containment throughout the pump assembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP3478968B1Ring section pump having intermediate tie rod combination
Publication Date: 2023.11.22 ITT MANUFACTURING ENTERPRISES LLC
  • EP3478968B1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP3478968B1 patent drawingFigure 1B
  • EP3478968B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B

AI summary

A ring section pump features a low-pressure end configured to receive fluid to be pumped into the ring section pump; a high-pressure end configured to provide the fluid to be pumped from the ring section pump; and an intermediate tie rod combination having a intermediate flange with upper tie rods configured to couple together the intermediate flange and the high-pressure end and with lower tie rods configured to couple together the intermediate flange and the low-pressure end. The low-pressure end has an inlet flange; the high-pressure end has an outlet/discharge flange; and the upper tie rods couple together the intermediate flange and the outlet/discharge flange and the lower tie rods couple together the intermediate flange and the inlet flange.