Dual-Inlet Rotary Vane Pump for Overlapping Chamber Evacuation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing rotary vane vacuum pumps are inefficient and costly due to the need for multiple pumps or multi-stage configurations to achieve varying vacuum pressures and pumping speeds, which also require significant installation space and maintenance.
Innovation Solution
A rotary vane vacuum pump with two inlets and one outlet design allows for simultaneous or partially overlapping evacuation of multiple vacuum chambers, optimizing pumping speeds and pressures without increasing size or complexity, using a single pump to achieve flexible and efficient vacuum processing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple pumps or multi-stage configurations are used to achieve varying vacuum pressures and pumping speeds, then the vacuum requirements can be met, but the device complexity, installation space, and maintenance requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The rotary vane vacuum pump is designed with a universal multi-function capability to operate in different operating modes (single-mode, dual-mode, series-mode) within a single device. The pump can handle different vacuum pressure ranges and pumping speeds through configurable inlet connections, eliminating the need for multiple specialized pumps or complex multi-stage configurations while maintaining adaptability to various vacuum requirements
2Productivity
If multiple pumps are used to evacuate multiple vacuum chambers simultaneously, then the pumping capacity is sufficient, but the acquisition, operation, and maintenance costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the functionality of multiple vacuum pumps into a single rotary vane pump by providing multiple inlets that can be connected to different vacuum chambers. This consolidation maintains the pumping capacity needed for multiple chambers while reducing acquisition costs, operational expenses, and maintenance requirements compared to using multiple separate pumps
3Device complexity
If a single pump is used to evacuate multiple vacuum chambers, then the device complexity is reduced, but the pumping speed and efficiency decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The single rotary vane pump is segmented into multiple independent inlet channels, each capable of handling vacuum evacuation for separate chambers. This segmentation allows the pump to process multiple vacuum chambers in parallel or sequential operations, maintaining high pumping speed and efficiency while keeping the overall device complexity low through a unified pump structure
4Manufacturing precision
If two-stage pump configuration is used to achieve low ultimate pressures, then the vacuum quality is improved, but the device complexity and installation space increase
Solution Approach 1:
The rotary vane pump employs dynamic operational modes that can be switched between single-mode, dual-mode, and series-mode configurations. This dynamic flexibility allows the pump to achieve low ultimate pressures comparable to two-stage configurations when needed, while occupying significantly less installation space by consolidating the functionality into a single compact pump unit
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 reduces acquisition, operation, and maintenance costs while improving efficiency and sustainability in vacuum packaging machines by minimizing pumping times and maintaining dynamic properties of the rotor.
Implementation Method 1
rotary vane vacuum pumps belong to the group of single-rotor positive displacement pumps
Implementation Method 2
Slides arranged in the slots of this rotor are forced outwards by centrifugal and, optionally, spring forces as the rotor rotates
Implementation Method 3
Evacuating vacuum chamber i from an initial pressure p02(i) to a final pressure p12(i) via the second inlet
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4
AI summary
Method for evacuating at least two external vacuum chambers i and j (20, 20') with a vacuum pump (10), in particular a rotary vane vacuum pump (10), wherein the vacuum chamber i (20) is evacuated from the initial pressure p02(i) to a final pressure p12(i) via the second inlet (2) during an evacuation time tp2(i) and simultaneously the vacuum chamber j (20) is evacuated via the first inlet (1) from the initial pressure p01(j) to a final pressure p11(j) during an evacuation time tp1(j). A rotary vane vacuum pump (10) designed for this purpose has two inlets (1, 2) and one outlet (3), wherein the two inlets (1, 2) are arranged at an angle to each other. Use of the vacuum pump and vacuum packaging machine.