Rotary Pump Actuating Element Segmentation

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Solution Overview

Problem

State-of-the-art rotary pumps experience reduced radial inflow and backflow of fluid due to centrifugal forces, particularly at high rotational speeds, leading to disrupted conveying behavior and inefficiencies.

Innovation Solution

A rotary pump design with a translationally movable actuating element that adjusts delivery volume, featuring distinct circumferential sections with varying axial widths to manage fluid flow, ensuring continuous radial inflow and preventing backflow through controlled centrifugal forces.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the conveying rotor rotates at high speed, then the delivery volume increases, but the radial inflow decreases and backflow occurs due to centrifugal forces

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedelivery volumeVSAvoidbackflow and reduced radial inflow
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The actuating element is divided into two distinct circumferential sections: a first circumferential section with axial width smaller than the conveying means, and a second circumferential section with axial width equal to or larger than the conveying means. This segmentation allows different regions to perform different functions - the first section permits radial inflow while the second section prevents backflow, resolving the contradiction between high-speed delivery and maintaining proper fluid flow direction

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different axial widths are assigned to different circumferential sections of the actuating element to create localized functional zones. The first circumferential section has reduced axial width to allow fluid communication and radial inflow, while the second circumferential section has increased axial width to block backflow. This local differentiation enables the system to maintain effective radial inflow at high rotational speeds without suffering from centrifugal-induced backflow

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Quantity of substance

If the axial width of circumferential sections is reduced to allow radial inflow, then fluid supply improves, but centrifugal forces still cause backflow at high speeds

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveradial inflow of fluidVSAvoidbackflow due to centrifugal force
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The actuating element is segmented into two circumferential sections with different axial widths. The first circumferential section has axial width smaller than the conveying means to permit radial inflow, while the second circumferential section has axial width equal to or larger than the conveying means to prevent backflow. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by providing both inflow and backflow prevention functions within the same component

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The actuating element serves as an intermediary structure between the low-pressure inlet and the delivery area. By positioning the transition between the first and second circumferential sections within the low-pressure inlet, the actuating element mediates fluid flow, allowing radial inflow through the first section while blocking backflow through the second section, thus resolving the contradiction between maintaining inflow and preventing centrifugal backflow

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

Enhances pumping performance by maintaining consistent fluid flow and preventing backflow, thereby improving efficiency and reducing manufacturing costs.

Implementation Method 1

fluid flowing into the conveying area is entrained and accelerated in the circumferential direction, so that it is subjected to a centrifugal force that increases in the direction of rotation of the conveying rotor and is forced radially outward

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCentrifugal force: Centrifugal Force

Data Source

PatentEP4160019B1Rotary pump with an adjusting device
Publication Date: 2025.09.10 SCHWABISCHE HUTTENWERKE AUTOMOTIVE CMBH
  • EP4160019B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4160019B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4160019B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Rotary pump with adjustable delivery volume, the rotary pump comprising a pump housing with a low-pressure inlet and a high-pressure outlet for a fluid to be pumped, a delivery rotor rotatably arranged in the pump housing about an axis of rotation with several conveying means distributed around the circumference of the delivery rotor for conveying the fluid from the low-pressure inlet to the high-pressure outlet, and an actuating element movable translationally back and forth with respect to the pump housing for adjusting the delivery volume of the rotary pump, the actuating element having on the inlet side a first circumferential section which extends circumferentially in the direction of rotation of the delivery rotor and whose axial width is smaller than the axial width of the conveying means, and a second circumferential section which adjoins the first circumferential section in the direction of rotation of the delivery rotor and whose axial width is larger than the axial width of the first circumferential section,wherein a transition from the first circumferential section to the second circumferential section is arranged in each position of the actuating element in the low-pressure inlet.