Rotary Vane Pump Inductive Rotor Position Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing rotary vane pumps lack integrated angular position sensing capability, necessitating separate components for shaft-driven oil pumps and rotor position sensors.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a rotor with vanes made of ferrimagnetic material and variable inductance coils, along with an actuator and measurement unit to determine the rotor's angular position based on the axial position of the ferrimagnetic material relative to the coils.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a rotary vane pump is designed without integrated sensing capability, then the device complexity is reduced and manufacturing is easier, but the measurement precision of rotor angular position is insufficient and requires separate components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the rotor position sensing function with the existing rotor structure by integrating variable inductance coils directly onto the rotor. This merging of functions allows the pump to sense angular position internally without requiring separate external sensors, thereby improving measurement precision while minimizing the increase in device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The rotor is designed to serve multiple functions: it performs the primary pumping function while simultaneously housing the variable inductance coils that enable angular position sensing. This multi-functionality approach allows the same component structure to provide both mechanical pumping action and positional measurement capability
2Productivity
If separate shaft-driven oil pump and rotor position sensor components are used, then the ease of manufacture is improved and device complexity is reduced, but the productivity and control capability are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the oil pumping function and angular position sensing function into a single integrated rotor assembly. The variable inductance coils are mounted directly on the rotor, allowing simultaneous execution of pumping operations and position measurement, thereby enhancing productivity and control capability without requiring coordination between separate components
3Measurement precision
If variable inductance coils are integrated into the rotor, then the measurement precision of angular position is improved, but the manufacturing complexity and ease of manufacture worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The variable inductance coils are pre-positioned and secured to the rotor structure before final assembly. This preliminary action allows the coils to be installed in a controlled manner during the manufacturing process, making the integration more manageable and reducing the difficulty of manufacturing despite the added complexity of incorporating sensing elements
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
Enables precise angular position sensing of the rotor, facilitating improved control and operation of the rotary vane pump without the need for separate components.
Implementation Method 1
a variable inductance coil fixed with the rotor and wrapped around the vane. The vane is movable with respect to the variable inductance coil and an inductance of the variable inductance coil is dependent upon an axial position of the ferrimagnetic material with respect to the variable inductance coil
Implementation Method 2
The vane includes a ferrimagnetic material
Data Source
AI summary
A rotary vane pump is provided that includes a rotor configured for being rotated about a center axis and a vane movably positioned in a radially extending slot formed in the rotor. The vane includes a ferrimagnetic material. The pump further includes an actuator positioned in the slot and configured for moving the vane in the slot. The actuator is configured for forcing the vane away from the center axis as the rotor is rotated about the center axis. The pump further includes a variable inductance coil fixed with the rotor and wrapped around the vane. The vane is movable with respect to the variable inductance coil and an inductance of the variable inductance coil is dependent upon an axial position of the ferrimagnetic material with respect to the variable inductance coil.