Centrifugal Separator Rotor Hub External Clamping
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing centrifugal separators face challenges with complex rotor handling and flow resistance due to conical connections and axial extensions, which complicate rotor removal and lead to undesirable flow changes, resulting in increased pressure drops and handling inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
A centrifugal separator design featuring a clamping device for releasable frictional fastening between the hub and rotor shaft, allowing external removal of the rotor without disassembly, and a cylindrical configuration that eliminates axial penetration, reducing flow direction changes and enhancing flow efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conical connection is used between the hub and rotor shaft, then self-locking and torque transfer are achieved, but rotor removal requires time-consuming dismantling of rotor parts
Solution Approach 1:
The connection system is segmented into modular components: a hub with external threading, a rotor shaft with corresponding internal threading, and a separate locking mechanism. This segmentation allows the rotor to be quickly assembled and disassembled without dismantling the rotor body, resolving the contradiction between secure locking and easy removal.
Solution Approach 2:
A threaded connection mechanism acts as an intermediary between the hub and rotor shaft, providing both self-locking capability through friction and ease of removal through reversible threading. This intermediary solution eliminates the need for complex dismantling procedures while maintaining reliable torque transfer during operation.
2Ease of manufacture
If the hub extends axially inwards in the rotor's inner space, then connection to the rotor shaft is achieved, but flow resistance and pressure drop increase due to large changes in flow direction
Solution Approach 1:
The hub connection structure is extracted from the rotor's inner space and repositioned to the outer surface. This extraction eliminates the obstruction to fluid flow within the separating chamber, allowing fluid to move along a more direct path with minimal changes in flow direction, thereby reducing pressure drop and energy loss while maintaining the connection functionality through external threading.
3Reliability
If a nut is provided on the end of the rotor shaft within the rotor, then axial locking is achieved, but rotor removal requires dismantling of constituent parts
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of placing the locking mechanism inside the rotor where it requires dismantling for access, the threading and locking mechanism are inverted to be located on the external surface of the hub. This allows axial locking to be achieved while enabling easy rotor removal by simply unscrewing the external threaded connection without disassembling any rotor parts.
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 design simplifies rotor handling, reduces flow resistance, and minimizes pressure drops by allowing external rotor removal and optimizing fluid flow paths, thereby improving operational efficiency and handling convenience.
Implementation Method 1
a clamping device arranged to connect the hub to the rotor shaft in a releasable frictional fastening
Implementation Method 2
a centrifugal separator for separation of at least two components of a fluid mixture which are of different densities
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
The invention relates to a centrifugal separator (1, 1') for separation of at least two components of a fluid mixture which have different densities. The centrifugal separator comprises a rotor (2, 2') arranged for rotation about a vertical axis of rotation (R) and having a rotor wall (7a, 7b, 7a', 7b') which surrounds a separating chamber (8, 8') within the rotor, with an inlet (18, 18') adapted to feeding the fluid mixture into the rotor's separating chamber (8, 8'), and at least one outlet (22, 22', 29) adapted to discharging out from the rotor a component separated from the fluid mixture. A rotor shaft (3, 3') supports the rotor (2, 2') and is drivably connected to a motor (M) for rotation of the rotor about the axis of rotation (R). A hub (12, 12') is provided outside the rotor (2, 2'), and the hub (12) and the rotor shaft (3, 3') are arranged to be connected together from the outside of the rotor (2, 2') by means of a lockable and releasable fastening (13) which is configured to lock the rotor shaft (3, 3') relative to the hub (12, 12') in both a torque-transmitting and an axial force-transmitting way.