Rotary Vane Pump Rinsing Grooves for Wear Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Rotary vane pumps experience adhesive and abrasive wear due to high frictional forces at tribological contact points, leading to overheating and premature wear, particularly when there is minimal fluid presence and microscopic movement, resulting in increased risk of jamming.
Innovation Solution
A rinsing arrangement with grooves of varying gap heights and orientations is implemented in the tribological contact areas of the lifting ring and its sliding partners, creating pressure differences that facilitate lubricant flow and removal of dirt particles, thereby reducing friction and wear.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the lifting ring is mounted in displaceable fashion with parallel bearing areas, then the swept volume can be adjusted, but the frictional forces increase and jamming risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a lubricant supply system with grooves in the bearing areas that use hydraulic pressure differences to force lubricant flow across the tribological contact surfaces. This hydraulic approach ensures continuous lubrication even under high pressure conditions, reducing frictional forces and preventing jamming while maintaining the adjustable swept volume functionality
2Device complexity
If there is minimal fluid presence at contact points, then the pump structure is simpler, but adhesive wear and abrasive wear increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating grooves specifically in the bearing areas where tribological contact occurs. These grooves are strategically positioned to channel lubricant directly to the contact zones between the lifting ring and housing, ensuring localized lubrication where it is most needed without requiring complex system-wide fluid distribution
3Volume of moving object
If the guidance length to guidance width ratio is low, then the device is more compact, but the frictional forces increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses hydraulic pressure gradients created by the grooves to force lubricant flow across the contact surfaces. This hydraulic lubrication mechanism compensates for the increased frictional forces resulting from the compact geometry, allowing the lifting ring to maintain a low guidance length to width ratio while preventing excessive wear and jamming
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 solution effectively reduces frictional forces, prevents jamming, and improves lubrication and cooling of the contact areas, minimizing adhesive and abrasive wear by utilizing pressure differences to rinse out particles and distribute lubricant uniformly.
Implementation Method 1
creating pressure differences that facilitate lubricant flow and removal of dirt particles
Implementation Method 2
rests against the internal wall of a lifting ring in a sealing fashion as a result of the centrifugal force, which occurs when the rotor rotates
Data Source
AI summary
A cooling and lubricating arrangement of tribological contact areas is disclosed. The arrangement includes tribological contact areas that slide over one another, of which at least one contact area has a surface contour with surface depressions in which a lubricant is stored. The surface contour forms a number of elongate grooves, the gap heights of which, at least in respect of respectively two adjacent grooves, are preferably different.