Scavenge Pump Integrating Separator Cavity for Oil-Air Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing gas turbine engines require large, heavy, and bulky oil tanks to separate air from oil foam, which is undesirable due to size and energy consumption issues in the scavenging process.
Innovation Solution
A pump configuration with a rotor-driven main cavity and an adjacent separator cavity connected by a fluid passage that preserves momentum to create a vortex, allowing for efficient separation of air from oil, potentially reducing the need for a large oil tank and improving energy efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a large oil tank is used to separate air from oil foam, then the separation effectiveness is improved, but the device size and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the separation function into the pump assembly by integrating a separator cavity within the pump body. This combines the pumping and separation functions into a single integrated unit, eliminating the need for a separate large oil tank while maintaining effective air-oil separation through the vortex-generating separator cavity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the separation function from the traditional oil tank and relocates it within the pump assembly. By taking out the separation capability and embedding it in the pump structure through the separator cavity, the design eliminates the need for a separate bulky tank while preserving separation effectiveness.
2Reliability
If a large oil tank is used to separate air from oil foam, then the separation effectiveness is improved, but the device volume increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the separation function into the pump assembly by integrating a separator cavity within the pump body. This combines the pumping and separation functions into a single integrated unit, eliminating the need for a separate large oil tank while maintaining effective air-oil separation through the vortex-generating separator cavity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the rotational motion dimension to create a vortex flow pattern within the separator cavity. By exploiting the rotational dimension of the pump operation, the design achieves effective separation in a compact volume without requiring a large tank, as the vortex action efficiently separates air and oil through centrifugal forces generated during rotation.
3Reliability
If a traditional oil tank is used for air-oil separation, then separation is achieved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs the pump's own rotational motion to generate the vortex flow in the separator cavity, which drives the air-oil separation process. The system uses its own operational energy (rotational motion) to perform the separation function, eliminating the need for separate energy-intensive separation equipment and reducing overall energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the separation function into the pump assembly by integrating a separator cavity within the pump body. This combines the pumping and separation functions into a single integrated unit, eliminating the need for a separate large oil tank while maintaining effective air-oil separation through the vortex-generating separator cavity.
4Reliability
If a traditional oil tank is used for air-oil separation, then separation is achieved, but heat generation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs the pump's own rotational motion to generate the vortex flow in the separator cavity, which drives the air-oil separation process. The system uses its own operational energy (rotational motion) to perform the separation function, eliminating the need for separate energy-intensive separation equipment and reducing overall energy consumption.
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 configuration enables effective separation of air from oil, reducing the size and weight of oil handling components, consuming less energy, and generating less heat, while maintaining efficient oil delivery to the main pump.
Implementation Method 1
the fluid passage preserving momentum of fluid from the main cavity to the separator cavity to contribute to the vortex
Implementation Method 2
a separator cavity disposed adjacent the main cavity and configured to sustain a vortex
Implementation Method 3
a rotor rotatably mounted in the main cavity and configured to pump fluid from the inlet to the outlet as it rotates
Implementation Method 4
a separator cavity disposed adjacent the main cavity and configured to sustain a vortex
Data Source
AI summary
The pump can have a pump body, a main cavity having an inlet and an outlet, a rotor rotatably mounted in the main cavity and configured to pump fluid from the inlet to the outlet as it rotates, a separator cavity disposed adjacent the main cavity and configured to sustain a vortex, a fluid passage fluidly connecting the main cavity to the separator cavity, the fluid passage preserving momentum of fluid from the main cavity to the separator cavity to contribute to the vortex.