Vertical Pump Double-Seal Structure for Leak Return Drainage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional vertical pumps installed on water cooling tanks of machining tools experience fluid leakage due to high pressure, leading to workplace pollution and motor damage, as the existing shaft seals fail to prevent fluid from escaping and overflowing onto the factory floor.
Innovation Solution
A vertical pump structure featuring a double sealing mechanism with an upper and lower annular flange, a sealing cover, and fixing bolts, which directs any leaked fluid back into the water cooling tank through a drain hole, preventing accumulation and ensuring the motor remains protected.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single shaft seal is used to prevent fluid leakage, then the structure is simple, but fluid leakage occurs due to high pressure causing workplace pollution and motor damage
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing structure is divided into two separate shaft seals: a first shaft seal at the upper mounting hole and a second shaft seal at the lower mounting hole. This segmentation allows each seal to independently handle sealing at different locations, improving overall sealing reliability while managing the complexity through modular design
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing approach transitions from a single-point seal to a multi-level seal by introducing vertical separation between the first and second shaft seals. The drain space and drain hole provide a third dimensional pathway for leaked fluid to return to the tank, creating a multi-dimensional sealing and drainage system
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the shaft seal is positioned at the upper mounting hole level, then the motor is protected, but leaked fluid overflows onto the factory floor causing pollution
Solution Approach 1:
The drain space acts as an intermediary chamber between the pump chamber and the water cooling tank. When fluid leaks past the shaft seals, it collects in this intermediate space and is then directed back to the tank through the drain hole, preventing direct overflow onto the factory floor
Solution Approach 2:
The drainage system converts the harmful effect of leakage by providing a controlled pathway for leaked fluid to return to the tank. The drain hole and drain space transform potential pollution into a beneficial self-draining mechanism that maintains workplace cleanliness
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 double sealing structure effectively prevents fluid leakage from the pump chamber, maintaining a clean workspace and protecting the motor from damage by guiding any leaks back into the tank, thus enhancing the reliability and safety of the pump installation.
Implementation Method 1
The upper shaft seal is mounted between an inner surface of the upper mounting hole and the shaft, and seals a gap formed between the inner surface of the upper mounting hole and the shaft. The lower shaft seal assembly is mounted between an inner surface of the lower mounting hole and the shaft, and seals a gap formed between the inner surface of the lower mounting hole and the shaft.
Implementation Method 2
A drain space is formed between the upper annular flange and the lower annular flange, and communicates with the drain hole. The drain hole is formed in a wall of the pump casing, and a position of the drain hole is lower than the position of the mounting opening of the water cooling tank.
Data Source
AI summary
A vertical pump structure is adapted to be mounted on a water cooling tank. The vertical pump structure comprises a pump casing, an upper shaft seal, a shaft and a lower shaft seal assembly. An upper annular flange and a lower annular flange are formed on an inner surface of the pump casing. A drain space is formed between the two annular flanges. A drain hole communicates with the draining space and an internal space of the water cooling tank. The shaft is inserted through the two annular flanges. Two gaps, which are formed between the shaft and the two annular flanges, are respectively sealed by the upper shaft seal and the lower shaft seal assembly. Therefore, even if the lower shaft seal assembly fails, the upper shaft seal can still prevent leaking fluid from polluting the work place.