Sliding Vane Pump Load Balancing Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sliding vane pumps require expensive metal components and precise manufacturing due to high forces and tolerances, limiting the use of less expensive materials like plastics.
Innovation Solution
A vane pump design with balanced radial and thrust loads allows for the use of plastics and reduced manufacturing tolerances, featuring a rotor with radial slots and vanes, a cam ring, and bearing members with orifices to manage fluid flow and pressure, along with a relief valve assembly for pressure regulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If metal components are used to withstand high forces, then strength and reliability are improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the operating parameters of the pump by balancing radial and thrust loads through the cam ring profile design. This load balancing reduces the peak forces and stresses on components, allowing the use of less expensive materials such as plastics or aluminum instead of expensive metals, while still maintaining sufficient strength for reliable operation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite construction where the cam ring and other components are designed to distribute loads evenly, enabling the use of composite or hybrid material structures that combine the benefits of different materials - achieving sufficient strength with reduced weight and cost compared to solid metal construction
2Reliability
If exacting manufacturing tolerances are applied to moving components, then reliability is improved, but manufacturing cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The cam ring profile is specifically designed to balance loads, which reduces the sensitivity of the system to manufacturing variations. By equalizing the radial and thrust forces, the patent creates a more forgiving operating condition where components can be manufactured with relaxed tolerances while still achieving reliable, wear-free operation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts or eliminates the need for precision machining by designing a system where the load-balancing cam ring profile inherently compensates for manufacturing imperfections. This allows components to be produced through less precise methods such as casting or molding without requiring secondary machining operations
3Manufacturing precision
If secondary machining operations are performed on plastic components, then manufacturing precision is improved, but production time and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the requirement for secondary machining operations entirely by designing plastic components with integral features that achieve the necessary precision through molding alone. The load-balancing cam ring and other components are molded to their final dimensions, eliminating time-consuming machining steps and enabling high-volume production
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the manufacturing approach from precision machining to precision molding by adjusting the design parameters to be compatible with plastic forming processes. The cam ring profile and other critical features are designed to be manufactured through injection molding or similar processes, achieving the required precision directly from the mold without subsequent machining
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
Enables the use of less expensive materials and reduced precision machining, allowing for the production of vane pumps with balanced loads, suitable for applications like beverage systems without the need for secondary machining, which maintains component integrity and meets health and safety standards.
Implementation Method 1
Rotation of the rotor by the pump drive shaft causes fluids from the fluid inlet port to be drawn through the plurality of inlet orifices at an initial fluid pressure. The fluids are then directed along a plurality of fluid flow paths disposed between an inner surface of the cam ring and an outer surface of the rotor, and then ejected through the plurality of outlet orifices to the fluid outlet port at a second fluid pressure which is greater than the initial fluid pressure.
Implementation Method 2
A first bearing member which is disposed within the distal portion of the housing and which also has a plurality of inlet orifices in fluid flow communication with the fluid inlet port... A second bearing member which is disposed within the proximate portion of the housing adjacent the cam ring and which also has a plurality of outlet orifices in fluid flow communication with the fluid outlet port.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides a fluid pump having a pump motor, a pump drive shaft, and a vane pump assembly. The vane pump assembly includes a pump housing with a fluid inlet port in a distal portion of the housing and a fluid outlet port in a proximate portion. A first bearing member, having a plurality of inlet orifices in flow communication with the fluid inlet port, is disposed within the housing distal portion. A cam ring is adjacent the first bearing member. A rotor, which is mounted on the pump drive shaft, is disposed within an opening in the cam ring. This rotor includes a plurality of radial slots and vanes slidably received within the slots. A second bearing member, having a plurality of outlet orifices in flow communication with the fluid outlet port, is disposed within the housing proximate portion adjacent the cam ring. An end plate is also mounted within the distal portion of the pump housing. Rotation of the rotor by the drive shaft causes fluids from the fluid inlet port to be drawn through the plurality of inlet orifices at an initial fluid pressure. The fluids are then directed along a plurality of fluid flow paths disposed between an inner surface of the cam ring and an outer surface of the rotor, and then ejected through the plurality of outlet orifices to the fluid outlet port at a second fluid pressure which is greater than the initial fluid pressure.