Integrated Two-Stage Pump With Common Overflow for Gas-Liquid Handling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pumps are limited in their versatility and efficiency, particularly when handling multiple media types, and often require separate units for different operations.
Innovation Solution
A two-stage pump design combining a liquid ring stage and a side channel stage with shared medium openings and a common overflow, allowing for efficient pumping of both gases and liquids in a single compact unit, with impellers that can operate in opposite directions to optimize flow direction based on media type.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If separate pumps are used for different media types and operations, then each pump can be optimized for its specific function, but the overall system complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines a liquid ring pump stage and a side channel pump stage into a single integrated pump unit. The liquid ring stage includes an impeller arranged eccentrically in a medium chamber, while the side channel stage includes an impeller with a conveying channel having an interrupter. Both stages share common components including a common drive shaft, common sealing system, and partially shared housing structures. This merging allows the pump to handle both gases and liquids effectively while reducing system complexity compared to using separate pumps.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated pump unit is designed to perform multiple functions by incorporating two different pumping principles in one device. The liquid ring stage is optimized for gas pumping with self-priming capability, while the side channel stage is optimized for liquid pumping with higher pressure capabilities. The pump can operate in different modes by activating one or both stages, providing universal applicability for handling various media types including gases, liquids, and mixed phases.
2Adaptability or versatility
If two separate pumps are arranged one behind the other, then different pumping principles can be applied, but the overall device size and footprint increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a nested arrangement where the liquid ring stage and side channel stage are integrated within a shared housing structure. The stages are arranged concentrically with shared rotational axes, allowing compact packaging. The common overflow opening and shared sealing system further reduce the overall volume. This nested configuration achieves the functionality of two separate pumps while significantly reducing the device footprint.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a single pump handles multiple media types, then versatility improves, but the efficiency for each specific media type may decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by optimizing each stage for its specific media type. The liquid ring stage features an eccentric impeller arrangement with larger clearance suitable for gas handling and self-priming operations. The side channel stage features a concentric impeller with a conveying channel having an interrupter, optimized for liquid pumping and higher pressure applications. Each stage has tailored blade geometry, clearance dimensions, and flow path characteristics suited to its intended media, thereby maintaining high efficiency for each specific application while providing overall versatility.
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 combined pump design achieves efficient and versatile operation for both gases and liquids, optimizing flow direction based on motor rotation, enhancing compactness and efficiency by sharing components and media pathways.
Implementation Method 1
the impeller of the liquid ring stage is arranged in relation to the medium chamber of the liquid ring stage such that the axis of rotation of the impeller is offset with respect to the longitudinal axis of the medium chamber
Implementation Method 2
the side channel stage furthermore has a cover component, a bottom component and an impeller, that the bottom component of the side channel stage has a conveying channel having an interrupter
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a two-stage pump for pumping at least one medium, wherein the pump has a liquid ring stage (1), a side channel stage (2), and two medium accesses (3), wherein the liquid ring stage (1) has a medium chamber (12) and two medium openings (13, 14), wherein the two medium openings (13, 14) of the liquid ring stage (1) open onto the medium chamber (12) of the liquid ring stage (1), wherein the side channel stage (2) has a medium chamber (22) and two medium openings (23, 24), wherein the two medium openings (23, 24) of the side channel stage (2) open onto the medium chamber (22) of the side channel stage (2), and wherein one medium opening (23) of the two medium openings (23, 24) of the side channel stage (2) and one medium opening (13) of the two medium openings (13, 14) of the liquid ring stage (1) merge to form a common overflow opening (4).