Spherical Coupling Device for Reciprocating Pump Misalignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional coupling devices for reciprocating pumps fail to effectively absorb deflection angles and eccentricities between drive and driven shafts, leading to reduced pump efficiency, mechanical damage, and increased noise and wear due to shaft misalignment.
Innovation Solution
A coupling device comprising a first and second thrust member with concave surfaces and a sphere, aligned along a central axis, allowing for eccentric and tilted movement within a housing, accommodating deflection and eccentricity without gaps, and featuring a wide internal space to support high loads.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If gaps are formed at top and bottom to accommodate deflection angle and eccentricity, then the coupling device can tolerate misalignment, but the stroke length of the driven shaft is shortened and pump efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces radial movement capability in addition to axial movement. The thrust members are designed to move not only axially along the shaft but also radially outward toward the housing wall, utilizing a second dimension (radial direction) to accommodate misalignment. This eliminates the need for axial gaps while still tolerating deflection angles and eccentricity.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling device transitions from a static gap-based accommodation mechanism to a dynamic mechanism where thrust members actively move radially in response to misalignment forces. The thrust members can dynamically adjust their position between the driven shaft and housing wall to maintain contact and transmit force while accommodating varying degrees of misalignment during operation.
2Adaptability or versatility
If gaps are formed to accommodate misalignment, then the coupling device can tolerate eccentricity, but members repeatedly collide in axial direction generating vibrations and noises
Solution Approach 1:
The patent redirects the misalignment accommodation from the axial dimension to the radial dimension. Instead of allowing axial gaps that lead to repeated axial collisions, the thrust members move radially outward to accommodate eccentricity. This dimensional shift eliminates harmful axial vibrations and noises while maintaining tolerance to eccentricity.
3Loss of energy
If high machining accuracy is required to align drive shaft and driven shaft in straight line, then performance loss is reduced, but facilities and processes for machining and assembly are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the operational parameters of the coupling device by introducing radial movement capability and clearance between the thrust member outer surface and housing inner surface. This allows the system to operate effectively with lower machining accuracy for shaft alignment, as the radial clearance accommodates misalignment without causing performance loss from friction or unintended contact.
4Adaptability or versatility
If universal joint is used to tolerate deflection angle, then the coupling device can accommodate angular misalignment, but it cannot bear high thrust load transmitted from drive shaft to driven shaft
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs spherical thrust members that can tilt and rotate to accommodate deflection angles. The spherical geometry allows angular misalignment tolerance while maintaining full thrust load bearing capacity, as the sphere can transmit forces in any direction while still allowing for angular deviations from the ideal alignment.
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 device enhances pump efficiency by preventing collisions and maintaining smooth operation, reducing noise and wear, and extending the service life by tolerating shaft misalignments.
Implementation Method 1
a sphere (7) sandwiched by the first concave surface (3a) and the second concave surface (5a)... the first thrust member (3), the second thrust member (5), and the sphere (7) can be eccentric with respect to the central axis (CL) of the housing (11)
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a coupling device used for driving a reciprocating pump, such as a plunger pump or a piston pump. The coupling device (1) for coupling a driving source and a reciprocating pump, includes: a first thrust member (3) having a first concave surface (3a); a second thrust member (5) having a second concave surface (5a); a sphere (7) sandwiched by the first concave surface (3a) and the second concave surface (5a); and a housing (11) having an internal space (10) in which the first thrust member (3), the second thrust member (5), and the sphere (6) are disposed, wherein the first thrust member (3) and the second thrust member (5) are aligned along a central axis CL of the housing (11), and a width of the internal space (10) is larger than a width of the first thrust (3) member, a width of the second thrust member (5), and a width of the sphere (7).