Additively Manufactured Teardrop Coupler for Fuel Pump Pressure Loss
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fuel pump designs experience significant fluid pressure loss as the fluid flows from the impeller to the volute, which negatively impacts the efficiency of downstream valves.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of an additively manufactured coupler with a teardrop shaped cross-section fluidly coupling the diffuser ring to the volute, minimizing pressure losses and optimizing fluid flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If traditional casting or machining methods are used to manufacture the volute entrance, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but fluid pressure loss increases due to geometric limitations
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the manufacturing method from traditional casting or machining to additive manufacturing, enabling the creation of a teardrop-shaped cross-section coupler with optimized geometric parameters that minimize fluid pressure loss while maintaining manufacturability
Solution Approach 2:
The invention applies a teardrop-shaped cross-section to the coupler, using curved surfaces optimized for fluid flow that transition smoothly from the diffuser ring to the volute, reducing turbulence and pressure loss compared to traditional geometric forms
2Loss of energy
If the volute entrance geometry is optimized for fluid flow, then pressure retention improves, but manufacturing capability is constrained by traditional methods
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the manufacturing process to additive manufacturing, which can achieve the high geometric precision required for the optimized teardrop-shaped coupler that retains fluid pressure, overcoming the limitations of traditional casting or machining methods
Data Source
AI summary
A pump assembly includes an impeller, a diffuser ring, and an additively manufactured coupler. The diffuser ring is fluidly coupled to the impeller. The additively manufactured coupler is fluidly coupled to the diffuser ring. The additively manufactured coupler has a teardrop shaped cross-section. The pump assembly also includes a volute fluidly coupled to the coupler. The volute is configured to receive fluid from the diffuser ring through the additively manufactured coupler. The teardrop geometry of the additively manufactured coupler is designed to reduce pressure loss in fluid flowing to the volute.