Vacuum Pump Vane With Lubricant-Storing Coating
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Single-vane vacuum pumps face a challenge in balancing leakage loss and wear between the pressure and vacuum spaces due to the need for a fluid-tight vane with sufficient play to minimize friction forces.
Innovation Solution
The vane features gaps inside the rotor slot to store lubricant, ensuring it does not run dry and improving sealing efficiency, with a wear-resistant coating that has uniform lubricant distribution across the guiding and sealing areas.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If the vane is held fluid-tight in the rotor slot, then leakage loss between pressure space and vacuum space is reduced, but friction forces increase due to reduced play
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces lubricant as an intermediary substance between the vane and rotor slot. The lubricant forms a fluid film that reduces direct contact friction while maintaining sealing effectiveness, thus resolving the contradiction between reducing leakage loss and minimizing friction forces
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state and distribution parameters of the lubricant by creating gaps and pockets in the coating structure. This allows the lubricant to be retained in specific locations and distributed uniformly across the guiding and sealing areas, optimizing both sealing and friction reduction
2Loss of energy
If the vane is held tightly in the rotor slot, then leakage loss is reduced, but wear on the vane and rotor increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a wear-resistant coating to the vane surface before operation, and incorporates lubricant storage gaps into the coating structure in advance. This preliminary preparation ensures that the vane is protected against wear from the beginning of operation while maintaining tight sealing
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite structure combining a base vane material with a wear-resistant coating that contains embedded lubricant gaps. This composite design provides both the sealing tightness needed to prevent leakage and the wear protection needed for long-term reliability
3Reliability
If a wear-resistant coating is applied to the vane, then wear is reduced, but the vane may run dry due to lack of lubricant distribution
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a porous or gap-containing coating structure that can absorb and retain lubricant. The gaps within the coating act as reservoirs that continuously supply lubricant to the contact surfaces, preventing the vane from running dry while maintaining the wear-resistant properties of the coating
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 design reduces wear and enhances the pump's efficiency by maintaining a fluid-tight seal while minimizing friction and leakage, ensuring consistent lubrication across the vane's surface.
Implementation Method 1
These gaps are used to form pockets for storing lubricant or lubricating agents to ensure that the vane does not run dry in the slot. The lubricant is additionally used to seal the vane against the rotor, thereby further improving the efficiency of the pump.
Implementation Method 2
at least sections of the vane are hydrophilic. The surface in the gaps may preferably be hydrophilic such that the lubricant preferably collects in these gaps and the surface of the coating to be wetted is provided or fed with lubricant from these gaps.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a vane for a vane pump, in particular a vane vacuum pump, having a crucible-shaped housing and provided with a rotor mounted eccentrically and rotatably in the housing, wherein the vane is displaceably mounted perpendicular to the axis of rotation in the rotor and the free ends thereof are in contact with the interior circumferential surface of the housing, wherein the vane has a closed surface, at least in the sections protruding beyond the rotor, in the direction of the interior circumferential surface, and the surface is formed by an exterior wall, which is provided with a coating, wherein the coating is provided with perforations in the area located inside the rotor.