Vane Cell Pump Pressure Equalization Connection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vane cell pumps face high wear and reduced service life due to pressure differences between chambers, leading to increased load on supporting elements and chamber walls, which is not effectively addressed by existing designs.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a pressure equalization connection that connects at least two chambers fluidically, allowing for greater fluid exchange between contracting and enlarging chambers, thereby equalizing pressure and reducing wear on components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If pressure differences between chambers are allowed to exist during rotor rotation, then the pump can generate delivery pressure, but the supporting element and chamber walls experience high wear and reduced service life
Solution Approach 1:
The pump chamber is segmented into multiple smaller chambers by the rotor vanes. The pressure equalization connection selectively connects specific chambers (e.g., adjacent chambers or chambers at specific rotational positions) to each other while maintaining isolation from other chambers. This segmentation approach allows pressure equalization to occur locally between connected chambers, reducing wear on supporting elements, while still maintaining the overall pressure differential needed for pump operation between different chamber groups.
Solution Approach 2:
The pressure equalization connection acts as an intermediary fluid pathway between chambers. Instead of allowing direct high-pressure contact between opposing chamber walls and supporting elements, the equalization connection provides an intermediate fluid communication path that balances pressures. This mediator function reduces the mechanical load and wear on supporting elements and chamber walls while preserving the necessary delivery pressure generation.
2Reliability
If component clearances are minimized to reduce wear, then manufacturing precision must be increased, but this increases manufacturing cost
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses hydraulic pressure equalization through fluid communication between chambers. By establishing pressure balance through fluid pathways (the pressure equalization connection), the design compensates for larger component clearances. This hydraulic approach allows standard manufacturing tolerances to be used while still achieving low wear operation, as the pressure equalization reduces the mechanical contact loads that would otherwise require tight clearances to minimize wear.
3Reliability
If pressure equalization connection is added to reduce wear, then device complexity increases, but service life is extended
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure equalization connection is merged with existing pump components such as the rotor body, stator, or end plates. The equalization pathways are integrated into the structural elements already present in the pump, rather than being separate add-on components. This merging approach minimizes the increase in device complexity while achieving the wear-reducing pressure equalization function. The connection structure utilizes existing material and space, adding minimal complexity to the overall pump design.
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 pressure equalization connection significantly reduces wear on the supporting element, vanes, rotor, and delivery chamber walls, enabling a cost-effective vane cell pump with a longer service life by alleviating high pressures and enhancing fluid exchange.
Implementation Method 1
The pressure equalization connection connects at least two chambers to each other fluidically, allowing for greater fluid exchange between contracting and enlarging chambers, thereby equalizing pressure and reducing wear on components
Data Source
AI summary
A vane cell pump, including: a delivery chamber having an inlet and an outlet; a rotor which is arranged in the delivery chamber and has a rotor body and vanes which are accommodated by the rotor body such that they can be shifted radially; an end-facing wall which delineates the delivery chamber on an axial end-facing side; and a supporting element which is arranged axially between the end-facing wall and the rotor body and which supports the vanes at their radially inner vane ends, wherein the rotor body, the supporting element and each two vanes which are adjacent in the circumferential direction of the rotor form chambers, the volume of which varies when the rotor is rotating. A pressure equalization connection fluidically connects at least two of the chambers to each other.