Mechanical Seal Pump Assembly With Axial-Radial Pressure Staging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mechanical seal arrangements face high costs due to the need for redundant pump systems when dealing with higher differential pressures between the barrier medium and the product to be sealed, which complicates the system and increases costs.
Innovation Solution
A compact pump arrangement is developed, integrating a single drive for three pump stages – two axial pumps and one radial pump – with a magnetic coupling for efficient fluid delivery and contamination prevention, allowing for balanced axial forces and reduced component count, enabling cost-effective and simple manufacturability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stress or pressure
If redundant pump systems are used to generate higher pressures, then the pressure capability is improved, but the system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple pump functions into a single integrated pump unit. The pump assembly includes a housing with multiple chambers that can accommodate different pump types (e.g., piston pumps, gear pumps, vane pumps) within one structure, allowing the system to achieve higher pressures through a single pump rather than requiring redundant separate pump systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The pump assembly is designed as a universal unit that can perform multiple pumping functions simultaneously or sequentially. The housing can contain different types of pumps serving different functions (e.g., one pump for barrier medium, another for lubrication), eliminating the need for separate redundant pump systems while maintaining pressure capability.
2Stress or pressure
If redundant pump systems are used to generate higher pressures, then the pressure capability is improved, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
By merging multiple pump functions into a single integrated assembly with a common housing and drive mechanism, the patent reduces the total number of components that need to be manufactured and assembled. This single pump unit replaces what would otherwise require multiple separate pump systems, thereby reducing manufacturing costs while maintaining the pressure capability.
3Stress or pressure
If multiple separate pumps are used, then the pressure capability is improved, but the space requirement increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a nested configuration where multiple pump chambers and components are arranged within a single pump housing. Different pump mechanisms (e.g., piston pumps, gear pumps) are nested within the same external envelope, allowing the system to achieve higher pressures through multiple pumping actions while occupying the space of only one 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
The solution provides a robust, compact, and cost-effective mechanical seal arrangement capable of generating high pressures, minimizing leakage and reducing the need for redundant systems, while ensuring efficient fluid delivery and maintaining a clean fluid environment.
Implementation Method 1
a magnetic coupling with a drive part with a first permanent magnet, a fixed hollow cylinder and a driven part with a second permanent magnet
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
The invention relates to a pump assembly, in particular a slide ring seal assembly, for supplying a fluid, in particular to a slide ring seal (2a, 2b), comprising precisely one drive (11) with a driveshaft (24), a first axial pump (21) which pumps the fluid in the axial direction (X-X) of the driveshaft, a second axial pump (22) which pumps the fluid in the axial direction of the driveshaft, and a radial pump (23) which pumps the fluid in the radial direction (R) of the driveshaft, wherein the first axial pump (21) and the second axial pump (22) are arranged upstream of the radial pump (23) in the flow direction (B) of the fluid through the pump assembly, and the drive (11) drives the first axial pump (21), the second axial pump (22), and the radial pump (23) simultaneously.