Vacuum Pump Rotor Life Estimation via Creep Strain

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vacuum pumps face challenges in accurately predicting rotor life due to high tensile stress and creep deformation, leading to unpredictable maintenance timing and increased risk of rotor damage.

Innovation Solution

A rotor life estimation device that includes a rotor temperature detection section, an arithmetic section to calculate strain equivalent, and an estimation section to predict rotor life based on detected temperature data, allowing for timely maintenance and reducing the risk of rotor damage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the rotor operates at high temperature to improve exhaust performance, then productivity increases, but the rotor life decreases due to creep deformation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveexhaust performanceVSAvoidrotor life

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary action by estimating rotor life in advance based on accumulated operating conditions (temperature, time) before the rotor actually fails. The life estimation unit calculates remaining rotor life by integrating creep strain over time, allowing maintenance to be scheduled proactively rather than reactively, thus resolving the contradiction between maximizing productivity and ensuring rotor durability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Productivity

If the rotor operates continuously to increase productivity, then productivity improves, but maintenance timing becomes unpredictable leading to potential rotor damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontinuous operationVSAvoidmaintenance timing predictability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements feedback by continuously monitoring operating conditions (temperature, time) and using this information to update the rotor life estimation in real-time. The life estimation unit accumulates operational data and recalculates remaining rotor life based on actual usage patterns, providing continuous feedback that makes maintenance timing predictable even during continuous operation, thus resolving the contradiction between productivity and reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Reliability

If a ferromagnetic body is provided at the rotor to prevent rotor damage, then reliability improves, but the pump operation stops at the timing when rotor damage risk becomes extremely high without advance notice

Engineering Contradiction:

Improve rotor damage preventionVSAvoidmaintenance preparation time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary action by estimating rotor life in advance based on accumulated operating conditions (temperature, time) before the rotor actually fails. The life estimation unit calculates remaining rotor life by integrating creep strain over time, allowing maintenance to be scheduled proactively rather than reactively, thus resolving the contradiction between maximizing productivity and ensuring rotor durability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback by continuously monitoring operating conditions (temperature, time) and using this information to update the rotor life estimation in real-time. The life estimation unit accumulates operational data and recalculates remaining rotor life based on actual usage patterns, providing continuous feedback that makes maintenance timing predictable even during continuous operation, thus resolving the contradiction between productivity and reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

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 enables accurate estimation of rotor life, allowing for proactive maintenance and reducing the risk of rotor damage by predicting when the rotor life will be exceeded, thereby extending the operational lifespan of the vacuum pump.

Implementation Method 1

a rotor temperature detection section configured to detect a temperature of the rotor

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal radiation: Thermal Radiation

Implementation Method 2

a correlation between a creep strain speed equivalent and the temperature of the rotor

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCreep deformation: Creep

Data Source

PatentUS10474143B2Rotor life estimation device and vacuum pump

Publication Date: 2019.11.12 SHIMADZU CORP

AI summary

A rotor life estimation device of a vacuum pump including a rotor rotatably driven by a motor and a rotor temperature detection section configured to detect a temperature of the rotor, comprises: an arithmetic section configured to calculate a strain equivalent corresponding to creep strain of the rotor based on a correlation between a creep strain speed equivalent and the temperature of the rotor and the temperature detected by the rotor temperature detection section; an estimation section configured to estimate a rotor life based on the calculated strain equivalent; and a providing section configured to provide information on the estimated rotor life.