Trimmed Impeller Pump Casing Geometry Using Directed Energy Deposition

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Solution Overview

Problem

Pumps with trimmed impellers experience efficiency decreases due to unmatched annular geometry, as the volute and diffuser vanes are designed for full-sized impellers, leading to reduced performance when the impeller is trimmed.

Innovation Solution

The use of additive manufacturing, specifically directed energy deposition, to modify the pump casing by filling in vacant spaces created by trimmed impellers, matching the annular geometry to the trimmed impeller's hydrodynamic properties, thereby enhancing efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the impeller diameter is reduced to meet lower customer performance demands, then the pump can serve a wider range of applications, but the efficiency of the pump decreases due to mismatched annular geometry

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverange of applicationsVSAvoidpump efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by modifying only the specific annular regions (volute and diffuser) that are affected by impeller trimming, rather than redesigning the entire pump. Material is selectively added to these local areas to match the trimmed impeller's hydrodynamic properties, thereby improving efficiency without changing the overall pump structure or requiring a complete redesign.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent enables dynamic adaptation of the pump system by allowing the annular geometry to be modified after the fact through additive manufacturing. This creates a dynamic solution where the pump can be reconfigured for different impeller sizes, transforming a static mismatch problem into a可调 (adjustable) system that maintains efficiency across various operating conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Loss of energy

If additive manufacturing is used to modify the pump casing, then efficiency is improved for trimmed impellers, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepump efficiencyVSAvoidmanufacturing process complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by creating digital models and simulations of the modified annular geometry before actual manufacturing. The design process includes preliminary modeling of the volute and diffuser modifications, allowing for optimization and verification before committing to the additive manufacturing process, thereby reducing overall complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical manufacturing methods (such as casting or machining) with additive manufacturing technology. This substitution enables more complex geometries to be created directly from digital models without requiring complex tooling or multiple assembly steps, actually simplifying the manufacturing process despite the increased geometric complexity.

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 approach improves the efficiency of pumps with trimmed impellers by reducing recirculation and maintaining performance comparable to full-sized impeller pumps, potentially preventing efficiency losses associated with impeller trimming.

Implementation Method 1

configured with a volume of material deposited using an additive manufacturing process so as to fill in vacant space otherwise caused by the trimmed impeller diameter being less than the standard full-sized impeller diameter

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAdditive manufacturing: 3D Printing

Implementation Method 2

The use of additive manufacturing, specifically directed energy deposition, to modify the pump casing by filling in vacant spaces created by trimmed impellers

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDirected energy deposition:

Data Source

PatentUS11511372B2Technique to improve the performance of a pump with a trimmed impeller using additive manufacturing

Publication Date: 2022.11.29 FLUID HANDLING LLC

AI summary

A pump features a trimmed impeller having a trimmed impeller diameter that is less than a standard full-sized diameter of a standard full-sized impeller for a standard full-sized casing, and having a circumferential outer edge; and a modified standard full-sized casing having dimensions corresponding to the standard full-sized casing and configured to house the trimmed impeller for pumping a fluid, having an outer peripheral wall, and having an inner annular volute portion between the circumferential outer edge of the trimmed impeller and the outer peripheral wall configured with a volume of material deposited using an additive manufacturing process so as to fill in vacant space otherwise caused by the trimmed impeller diameter being less than the standard full-sized impeller diameter. The additive manufacturing process is a directed energy deposition.