Variable Displacement Vane Pump Control for Precise Lubricant Flow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vane pumps for delivering lubricant to systems lack efficient control mechanisms for varying displacement, leading to suboptimal performance in adjusting flow rates and pressures.
Innovation Solution
A variable displacement vane pump with a control system that includes a control slide movable between slide positions, controlled by a dual control chamber system, where pressurized lubricant is directed to one chamber to increase or decrease output flow through a feedback mechanism, allowing for precise adjustment of pump displacement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single control chamber is used for moving lubricant, then the pump structure is simpler, but the ability to precisely control displacement and adjust flow rates is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The control system is divided into two separate control chambers (first control chamber and second control chamber) positioned on opposite sides of the pivot pin. Each chamber independently controls the position of the control slide, allowing for precise bidirectional adjustment of pump displacement and flow rates, thereby resolving the contradiction between structural simplicity and control precision.
2Productivity
If pump displacement is increased to deliver more lubricant, then flow rate increases, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pump employs a dynamically adjustable control slide that can vary pump displacement in real-time based on system requirements. By using pressurized lubricant to pivot the control slide between extreme positions, the system optimizes the balance between productivity and energy consumption, allowing the pump to deliver required flow rates only when necessary.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the control slide is biased to one position, then the pump has a default operating point, but responsiveness to pressure changes is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
A resilient structure (spring) provides a biasing force that counterbalances the hydraulic forces acting on the control slide. This allows the control slide to remain stable at extreme positions while maintaining responsiveness to pressure changes, as the spring force can be overcome when pressurized lubricant is supplied to pivot the control slide, thus resolving the contradiction between stability and responsiveness.
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 system enables precise control over lubricant delivery, optimizing flow rates and pressures, enhancing pump efficiency and responsiveness, particularly during cold starts, while reducing energy consumption.
Implementation Method 1
a resilient structure biasing the control slide in a first direction towards the first slide position
Implementation Method 2
supplying pressurized lubricant to the first control chamber urges the control slide in the first direction towards the first slide position
Data Source
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AI summary
Provided is a variable displacement vane pump with a control slide and a first and second control chambers. Also, the pump has a control system for controlling delivery of pressurized lubricant to the chambers. The control system includes a control device configured for movement between at least a first control position and a second control position. The control device may include its own housing and/or include discs configured for relative movement. The pivot pin may include grooves for delivering a flow from the outlet to the control system. In the first control position, pressurized lubricant is delivered to the first control chamber and the second control chamber is vented, which increases the output flow of the pump. In the second control position, pressurized lubricant is delivered to the second control chamber and the first control chamber is vented, which decreases the output flow of the pump.