Vane Pump Axial Inlet and Circumferential Outlet Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional vane pumps in reverse osmosis systems face inefficiencies due to high pressure losses and energy consumption, particularly in the filling and expulsion of liquid within pump chambers.
Innovation Solution
The vane pump design features an axial inlet and a circumferential outlet recess, with the inlet having a kidney-shaped configuration and slit-like opening, and the outlet recess having a depth increasing in the rotational direction, allowing liquid to utilize its inertia and centrifugal force for efficient filling and expulsion, reducing flow resistance and energy consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If liquid is supplied axially into pump chambers, then filling speed increases, but pressure losses increase
Solution Approach 1:
The inlet recess is designed with increasing width in the rotational direction, creating a three-dimensional flow path that guides liquid diagonally into the pump chamber. This dimensional approach allows liquid to enter quickly while following a flow path that minimizes turbulence and pressure losses.
Solution Approach 2:
The inlet recess has a curved, kidney-shaped cross-section that smoothly guides liquid flow into the pump chamber. The curved geometry eliminates sharp edges and sudden direction changes, reducing flow separation and pressure losses while maintaining high filling speed.
2Loss of energy
If outlet recess depth increases in rotational direction, then flow resistance decreases, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The outlet recess depth varies dynamically in the rotational direction, being shallower at the inlet side and deeper at the outlet side. This dynamic geometry adapts to the flow direction and pressure distribution, minimizing flow resistance throughout the expulsion process.
Solution Approach 2:
The outlet recess has an asymmetric cross-section with different depths at different angular positions. This asymmetric design optimizes liquid expulsion by providing gradually increasing depth in the rotational direction, reducing flow resistance while maintaining manufacturability through standard machining processes.
3Productivity
If rotor is positioned eccentrically, then pump chamber volume variation increases, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pump chamber volume variation is achieved by segmenting the rotor-stator interaction into discrete pumping zones created by the eccentric positioning. Each vane creates an individual pumping chamber whose volume varies as it moves through the eccentric gap, enabling positive displacement pumping without complex mechanisms.
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 efficiency of the vane pump by minimizing pressure losses and energy consumption, enabling quick filling and efficient expulsion of liquid with reduced flow resistance, thus improving overall pump performance.
Implementation Method 1
liquid is supplied into the pump chambers formed by the housing, the rotor and the vanes with a velocity component in axial direction so that the incoming liquid can use its own inertia to fill quickly the pressure chamber
Implementation Method 2
During the rotation of the rotor the liquid in the pressure chambers experiences a centrifugal force. This centrifugal force can be additionally used to push the liquid out of the pump chambers saving again energy
Data Source
AI summary
A vane pump (1) is disclosed comprising a housing (2) having a stator bore, a rotor (4) being rotatably mounted within said stator bore, and having a number of vanes (5) slidably mounted in said rotor (4) in radial direction of said rotor (4), an inlet (11) and an outlet (12). Such a vane pump should have a good efficiency. To this end said inlet (11) opens in an axial end wall of said stator bore (3) and said outlet (12) is connected to an outflow area formed in a circumferential wall (3) of said stator bore.