Vane Pump Flow Guide Device for Under-Vane Pressure Loss
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vane pumps face efficiency losses due to pressure fluid deflection against a cover element, leading to increased backpressure and swirl, which impairs pump performance, especially at low speeds.
Innovation Solution
A vane cell pump design with a flow guide device that directs pressure fluid into separate flow paths, ensuring reliable supply to the under-vane area while minimizing flow resistance, using a flow guide structure and resistance structures to manage flow paths and outlet areas, thereby reducing pressure losses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the under-vane area is supplied with pressurized fluid via supply passages, then the vanes are pressed radially outwards against the curved structure, but the pressure fluid flows entirely against the cover element and is deflected, causing pressure losses and increased back pressure
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure fluid flow is segmented into multiple paths: one path supplies the under-vane area through supply passages, while another path allows fluid to bypass the cover element through outlet passages. This segmentation prevents complete deflection against the cover element, reducing pressure losses while maintaining reliable supply to the under-vane area.
Solution Approach 2:
The cover element is redesigned with integrated outlet passages that act as intermediaries, allowing pressure fluid to flow through rather than against the cover element. This intermediary flow path reduces deflection losses and back pressure while still enabling the cover element to guide and distribute the pressure fluid effectively to the supply passages.
2Reliability
If the pressure fluid is deflected against the cover element, then the under-vane area is supplied with pressure fluid, but additional swirl is imposed on the flow, leading to backflow and increased back pressure
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of allowing pressure fluid to flow against the cover element and then be deflected, the design inverts the approach by providing outlet passages through the cover element that allow fluid to flow through it in the intended direction. This eliminates the harmful deflection and swirl that cause backflow and increased back pressure.
Solution Approach 2:
The cover element, which originally caused harmful deflection and swirl when fluid flowed against it, is transformed into a beneficial component by integrating outlet passages. The cover element now actively guides fluid through a controlled path, converting the previously harmful interaction into a useful flow distribution mechanism that reduces back pressure.
3Reliability
If a cover element is used to cover both pressure passages and supply passages, then the under-vane area is supplied with pressure fluid and pulsation damping is achieved, but the pressure fluid flows entirely against the cover element causing efficiency loss
Solution Approach 1:
The cover element is segmented with integrated outlet passages that create separate flow paths. Pressure fluid can follow different routes: one path through the outlet passages in the cover element, and another path through the supply passages to the under-vane area. This segmentation maintains the pulsation damping function while eliminating complete deflection against the cover element, preserving pump efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The cover element is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as a structural component for pulsation damping and as a flow distribution element with integrated outlet passages. This universal design allows the cover element to maintain pressure fluid supply reliability and pulsation damping while simultaneously improving flow efficiency by providing a direct path through the element rather than against it.
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 design enhances the reliability of pressure fluid supply to the under-vane area at low speeds, reducing efficiency losses and improving pump performance by managing flow resistance and directing fluid efficiently through the pump.
Implementation Method 1
a first flow path, a second flow path and at least one further, third flow path are formed for the pressure fluid flowing out of the pressure passage
Implementation Method 2
using a flow guide structure and resistance structures to manage flow paths and outlet areas, thereby reducing pressure losses
Implementation Method 3
a pressure fluid to be delivered by the pump can be introduced in order to pressurize the vane
Data Source
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AI summary
1. Vane pump comprising: 1.1 a rotor (10) rotatable about an axis of rotation (R) and one or more vanes (11) movable back and forth in a respective vane holder of the rotor (10), 1.2 a cam structure (5) surrounding the rotor (10) and guiding the vane(s) (11) during rotation of the rotor (10), so that periodically increasing and decreasing pumping cells (6) are formed, 1.3 an end plate (4) axially facing the rotor (10) with a pressure passage (14) for discharge of pressurized fluid and a supply passage (15) for supplying a lower vane area (12) with pressurized fluid, 1.4 a flow guide device (20; 20, 30; 20, 30, 40) on an end face of the end plate (4) axially facing away from the rotor (10), 1.5 a first outlet area (24) for Discharge of a first partial flow (S1) of the pressure fluid flowing through the pressure passage (14), 1.6 a second outlet area (26) for conveying a second partial flow (S2) of the pressure fluid flowing through the pressure passage (14), 1.7 a first flow path (P1) on which the first partial flow (S1) flows through the first outlet area (24), 1.8 a second flow path (P2) that connects the pressure passage (14) with the supply passage (15), branches off from the first flow path (P1) and is bounded by the flow guide device (20; 20, 30; 20, 30, 40), 1.9 and a third flow path (P3) that connects the supply passage (15) with the second outlet area (26) and is bounded by the flow guide device (20; 20, 30; 20, 30, 40).