Screw Vacuum Pump Over-Compression Relief

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Solution Overview

Problem

Screw vacuum pumps often experience over-compression when pumping against atmospheric pressure, leading to increased energy consumption and power losses due to unnecessary compression, which existing designs fail to adequately address.

Innovation Solution

The design incorporates multiple overpressure openings arranged at the same pressure level, connected to a common channel and pressure relief valves, with a housing cover to enhance media removal efficiency and reduce over-compression risks, featuring a channel extending in the longitudinal direction of the screw rotors and using weight-loaded valve bodies for automatic pressure relief.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a single overpressure opening is provided, then the structure is simple, but the effective cross section is insufficient for rapid media removal

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemedia removal rateVSAvoidnumber of overpressure openings
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The single overpressure opening is segmented into multiple overpressure openings (at least two) arranged at different positions in the suction chamber. Each opening contributes to the total effective cross-sectional area, enabling rapid media removal while distributing the structural complexity across multiple simple elements rather than one complex opening.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Productivity

If multiple overpressure openings are provided at different pressure levels, then media removal is improved, but the risk of over-compression increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemedia removal rateVSAvoidover-compression risk
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The overpressure openings are strategically positioned at different locations in the suction chamber to correspond with local pressure variations. Each opening is placed where it can effectively relieve pressure in its specific zone, ensuring comprehensive pressure management across the entire chamber while maintaining reliable operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Productivity

If overpressure openings are connected to separate outlets, then media removal efficiency is improved, but the construction complexity of the vacuum pump housing increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemedia removal efficiencyVSAvoidhousing construction complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple overpressure openings are merged into a common overpressure outlet structure. The openings are connected to a shared channel or outlet point in the housing, allowing efficient media removal through multiple entry points while maintaining a unified, simplified housing construction that is easier to manufacture and assemble.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 reduces the risk of over-compression, improves pump performance, and enhances energy efficiency by allowing rapid media discharge and automatic pressure relief, minimizing power consumption and maintaining high delivery rates.

Implementation Method 1

a medium, usually gas, is preferably compressed against the atmosphere... the pumped medium is compressed from the suction side, i.e. the pump inlet, towards the pressure side, i.e. the pump outlet... To avoid over-compression in screw vacuum pumps, it is known, for example from DE 100 46 768, to provide an over-pressure outlet

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure differential: Pressure Gradient

Implementation Method 2

For ease of construction, it is preferred to provide weight-loaded valves. Such valves are then preferably arranged within the pump housing in such a way that the valve bodies bear against the valve seat due to their weight

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectWeight-loaded valve mechanism: Gravitation

Implementation Method 3

Two screw rotors are arranged in the suction chamber. The screw rotors each have a helical thread on their outside, with the two threads of the screw rotors engaging in one another to convey and compress the medium

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHelical thread engagement: Screw

Implementation Method 4

the pumped medium is compressed from the suction side, i.e. the pump inlet, towards the pressure side, i.e. the pump outlet. Common compression ratios of screw vacuum pumps are in the range of 1 to 10 6

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCompression: Compression

Data Source

PatentEP2419640B2Screw-type vacuum pump
Publication Date: 2017.09.13 LEYBOLD AG
  • EP2419640B2 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2419640B2 patent drawingFigure 3~6

AI summary

The invention relates to a screw-type vacuum pump which is used, in particular, for compressing in relation to atmospheric pressure, comprising a suction chamber (12) which is arranged in a pump housing (10). Two screw-type rotors (14) which engage with each other are arranged in the suction chamber (12). Said pump also comprises a pressure relief outlet (26) which comprises several pressure relief openings (28) arranged in a lateral wall (24) of the suction chamber (12).