Vane Pump Fluid Pressure Actuation for Low-Speed Reliability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vane pumps face challenges due to high costs and low longevity, often operating at high speeds with inefficiencies in fluid handling.
Innovation Solution
A rotary device design featuring a barrier ring, rotor, vanes, and a sealing structure with a fluid pressure mechanism that allows for vane retraction and extension, creating varying volume chambers for efficient fluid communication, supported by springs and a fluid circuit for low rotational speed operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional vane pumps operate at high speeds using centrifugal force to hold vanes against the cavity surface, then sealing is maintained, but cost increases and longevity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional centrifugal force mechanism (which requires high rotational speeds) with a fluid pressure mechanism that uses pressurized fluid to directly hold the vanes against the cavity surface. This substitution eliminates the need for high-speed operation, reducing mechanical stress and wear on components, thereby improving longevity while simplifying the overall system design.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces a fluid pressure mechanism that uses pressurized fluid (pneumatic or hydraulic) to maintain the vanes in contact with the cavity surface. This approach replaces the mechanical centrifugal force method with a fluid-based actuation system, which provides more controlled and reliable sealing without requiring high rotational speeds, thus improving reliability and potentially reducing cost.
2Productivity
If traditional vane pumps rely on centrifugal force for sealing, then sealing is achieved, but operational efficiency decreases due to high speed requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes the mechanical centrifugal force system with a fluid pressure actuation system. This allows the pump to operate at lower rotational speeds while maintaining effective sealing through direct fluid pressure application on the vanes, thereby improving operational efficiency by reducing energy losses associated with high-speed rotation.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the operating parameters by eliminating the dependency on high rotational speed for sealing. Instead, the system uses controlled fluid pressure as the key parameter to maintain vane-cavity contact, allowing operation at optimized lower speeds that improve overall productivity and reduce energy consumption.
3Productivity
If traditional vane pumps use high rotational speeds for operation, then centrifugal sealing is maintained, but fluid handling efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a fluid pressure mechanism that uses controlled pressurized fluid to maintain vane sealing, replacing the centrifugal force method. This enables efficient fluid handling at lower rotational speeds because the fluid pressure directly acts on the vanes to ensure proper sealing during the pumping cycle, improving volumetric efficiency and reducing slip.
4Productivity
If traditional vane pumps operate without fluid pressure actuation, then结构简单 (structure is simple), but vane retraction and extension control is insufficient for efficient chamber volume variation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a fluid pressure mechanism that uses pressurized fluid to control vane retraction and extension. This enables precise control of chamber volume variation during the pumping cycle, improving fluid handling efficiency and productivity. The fluid pressure system provides reliable and responsive actuation of the vanes, ensuring proper timing and force for sealing and volume change.
Solution Approach 2:
The fluid pressure mechanism is integrated into the pump system such that the same fluid being pumped (or a control fluid) is used to actuate the vanes. This self-service approach uses the working fluid itself to control the pumping action, eliminating the need for separate complex actuation systems while improving chamber volume control efficiency.
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 rotary device achieves robust, high-efficiency fluid pumping with low rotational speeds and high flow capacity, reducing costs and improving longevity compared to traditional vane pumps.
Implementation Method 1
The arrangement, which is for causing the vanes to retract and extend as the rotor body rotates, includes a fluid pressure mechanism for causing the vanes to retract
Implementation Method 2
The sealing structure provides a seal between the rotor and the barrier ring to permit fluid communication into and out of the rotary device substantially only via the first and second ports
Implementation Method 3
The vanes are mounted to the rotor body for rotation with the rotor body about the longitudinal axis and for radial extension and retraction relative to the rotor body such that at least portions of the interior surface of the barrier ring can be swept by the vanes
Data Source
AI summary
A device includes a ring having a tubular interior surface centred about an axis. The surface includes a plurality of axially extending, inwardly-projecting ridges. On opposite sides of each ridge is a first port and a second port. A rotor rotates in the ring about the axis. A plurality of vanes is mounted to the rotor body for rotation therewith and for radial extension and retraction relative thereto such that the surface can be swept by the vanes. The rotor and the ring are sealed to permit fluid communication into and out of the device only via the ports. The vanes retract and extend as the body rotates such that chambers are created which decrease in volume when in communication with the first ports and chambers are created which increase in volume when in communication with the second ports. A fluid pressure mechanism can cause vane retraction.