Self-Adjusting Gear Pump for Ice Cream Freezer

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Solution Overview

Problem

The adjustment process of conventional ice cream freezer pumps is cumbersome and prone to excessive wear or leakage due to manual adjustment errors.

Innovation Solution

A self-adjusting pump system with a control unit that calculates and applies closing air pressure based on differential pressure across the pump, automatically adjusting the clearance between the impeller, star wheel, and pump cover, eliminating the need for manual adjustment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If manual adjustment of pump clearance is performed, then the pump can be adjusted to some degree, but the adjustment process is cumbersome and may lead to excessive wear or high leakage due to wrong adjustment

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepump adjustment processVSAvoidpump operation reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The pump system performs self-adjustment of the pump cover position based on measured leakage or wear conditions. The control unit automatically adjusts the closing pressure by controlling the air supply to the pneumatic actuator, eliminating the need for manual intervention and ensuring optimal clearance without human error.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system incorporates sensors that continuously monitor pump leakage or wear conditions and feed this information back to the control unit. The control unit processes this feedback and automatically adjusts the pump cover position to maintain optimal clearance, creating a closed-loop control system that prevents excessive wear and leakage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Adaptability or versatility

If manual adjustment of pump clearance is performed, then the pump can be adjusted, but the adjustment process is time-consuming and requires human intervention

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepump clearance adjustment capabilityVSAvoidadjustment time

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously monitors pump conditions and performs preliminary adjustments before excessive wear or leakage occurs. By proactively adjusting the pump cover position based on real-time feedback, the system prevents the need for frequent manual interventions and maintains optimal performance continuously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Device complexity

If fixed pump cover is used, then the pump structure is simple, but the pump cannot adapt to changing operating conditions and experiences excessive wear

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepump structure complexityVSAvoidpump performance consistency

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The pump cover is transformed from a fixed component to a dynamically adjustable one through the integration of a pneumatic actuator. The actuator moves the pump cover along the pump axis based on control signals from the control unit, allowing the clearance between the impeller and pump cover to be continuously optimized for varying operating conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The manual mechanical adjustment system is replaced with an automated pneumatic control system. The pneumatic actuator uses compressed air to move the pump cover, replacing the need for manual threaded pin and nut adjustment, while the control unit provides intelligent control based on sensor feedback.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 solution reduces wear and leakage by continuously adjusting the pump's closing pressure according to actual conditions, ensuring accurate operation and minimizing manual error.

Implementation Method 1

calculate a closing air pressure (PCLOSE) being determined by the differential pressure between the liquid food product outlet pressure (POUT, P2) and the liquid food product supply pressure (PIN, P1) across the pump

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDifferential pressure: Pressure Gradient

Implementation Method 2

supply the calculated closing air pressure (PCLOSE) to the moveable pump cover by means of an air pressure regulator via the at least one hole in the pump casing, thereby forcing the moveable pump cover against the star wheel thereby closing the pump

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPneumatic pressure: Pressurisation

Data Source

PatentUS10876528B2Self adjusting pump for ice cream freezer

Publication Date: 2020.12.29 TETRA LAVAL HOLDINGS & FINANCE SA

AI summary

A self adjusting gear pump (10) for an ice cream freezer and a control unit (20) for adaptively controlling the closing pressure (PCLOSE) of a pump for an ice cream freezer. The gear pump system comprises a pump casing (11), an inlet (12) for receiving a liquid food product of ice cream mix, an outlet (15) for transferring the ice cream mix into a freezing cylinder (41) of the ice cream freezer (40), wherein the pump (10) is closed by supplying a closing air pressure onto a moveable pump cover (16) of the pump via at least one hole (191, 192) provided straight through the pump casing (11), thereby moving said moveable pump cover (16) against the star wheel (14) and a control unit (20) for supplying a calculated closing air pressure (PCLOSE) to the pump by means of the air pressure regulator (100).