Vane Cell Pump Sub-Vane Chamber Pressure Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vane cell pumps face challenges in maintaining efficiency while preventing vanes from lifting off the inner contour, which can lead to increased wear and decreased performance, especially during cold starts and in dual-flux operations where fluxes need to be independent.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a rotor with sub-vane chambers that control the force of vanes against the contour ring, using pressure adjustments to ensure proper contact and includes an asymmetric pressure supply system with angularly offset control edges to manage pressure distribution effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the rotor forms a sub-vane chamber below each vane to pressurize fluid and urge the vane radially outwards against the inner contour, then the risk of vanes lifting off the inner contour is reduced, but the friction between vanes and inner contour increases, leading to increased wear and decreased pump efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the pressure parameter in the sub-vane chamber dynamically. By connecting the sub-vane chamber to pressure supply lines during specific phases of rotor rotation, the pressure is increased only when needed to prevent vane lift-off, rather than maintaining constant high pressure. This reduces average friction and energy loss while ensuring reliability when required.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention applies periodic pressure pulses to the sub-vane chamber corresponding to the rotational phases of the rotor. Pressure is supplied during specific angular positions where vanes need support against the inner contour, and released during other phases. This periodic action maintains vane contact stability only when necessary, minimizing continuous friction and improving overall pump efficiency.
2Reliability
If pressure is continuously applied to sub-vane chambers to prevent vane lift-off, then vane contact with the inner contour is maintained, but wear increases and efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
Pressure is applied periodically to sub-vane chambers based on the rotational position of the rotor, not continuously. Pressure supply lines connect to sub-vane chambers only during specific phases when vanes need support, creating intermittent pressure application that maintains contact reliability while minimizing wear from continuous high pressure.
Solution Approach 2:
Pressure is supplied to sub-vane chambers in advance of the phase where vanes would naturally lift off, preparing the vanes for contact with the inner contour before the critical phase begins. This preliminary pressurization ensures reliable contact from the start of the critical phase while allowing pressure to be released afterward, reducing cumulative wear.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a dual-flux pump design is implemented with independent flux operation, then versatility and independent operation are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure supply system is segmented into multiple independent pressure supply lines, with each line controlling pressure to specific sub-vane chambers associated with different fluxes. This segmentation allows independent control of each flux while using a common basic structure, achieving versatility without proportionally increasing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The dual-flux pump design uses a universal rotor structure with sub-vane chambers that serve multiple functions. The same rotor and vane assembly handles both fluxes, and the pressure supply system can selectively activate different sub-vane chambers depending on which flux needs operation, allowing one system to perform multiple functions independently.
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 enhances the pump's efficiency, reduces wear, and maintains effective suction characteristics during cold starts, allowing for independent and efficient operation of dual-flux systems.
Implementation Method 1
By applying pressure to and/or relieving pressure on a fluid in the sub-vane chamber, it is possible to control a force acting on the shifting wall of the vane and thus for example the force with which the respective vane is pressed against the inner contour of a contour ring or stroke ring.
Data Source
AI summary
A vane cell pump, including: a rotor and a plurality of vanes rotatable with the rotor, wherein the rotor includes a sub-vane chamber for each vane, and each vane forms a shifting wall of the sub-vane chamber assigned to it; first and second end-facing walls adjoining the rotor on end-facing sides and which, in order to control pressure to the sub-vane chamber, include sub-vane cavities which extend in the circumferential direction of the rotor and include control edges as viewed in the circumferential direction; wherein the control edge of the sub-vane cavity of the first end-facing wall, and the control edge of the sub-vane cavity of the second end-facing wall which is similar to it, are arranged angularly offset about the rotational axis as the apex with respect to each other.