BR102014021617B1 - FLOATING BEARING MOTOR PUMP COOLED BY A CIRCULATING FLUID - Google Patents

Abstract

MOTOR PUMP WITH FLOATING BEARING COOLED BY A CIRCULATING FLUID. The present invention relates to a motor pump (10) without bearings, fan and mechanical seal, more specifically to a hydraulic motor pump, comprising a housing (14), defined by a first chamber (19) isolated from fluids and a second chamber (17). In the second chamber (17) a rotor and turbine assembly (11) is located together, which are induced by magnetic forces of a stator (12), which is located in the first chamber (19). A fluid inlet (15) and a fluid outlet (16) are located at the same end of the motor pump (10), so that most of the fluid driven into the motor pump (10) is directed directly to the outlet. (16) with the aid of a fluid director (20), located at the front end (24) of the rotor and turbine assembly (11), allowing an increase in flow inside the motor pump (10), increasing its performance.

Description

[001] The present invention relates to a motor pump, especially a hydraulic motor pump, without bearings, fan and mechanical seal, where cooling and lubrication are done through the fluid itself that is driven into the motor pump. In addition, the configuration of the motor pump allows an increase in the flow inside it, increasing its efficiency.

Description of the state of the art

[002] Nowadays, there are different models of hydraulic pumps, used to boost fluids. These motor pumps are generally composed of two chambers, the first chamber comprises a stator and an induced rotor and the second chamber comprises a hydraulic turbine which propels the fluid. However, the fluid present in the second chamber cannot come into contact with the elements of the first chamber, as this contact could cause short circuits and irreparable damage to the motor pump.

[003] In this way, the motor pump chambers need to be isolated from each other, but in addition to the need for isolation between the chambers, there must also be a transmission of rotational movement of the rotor, so, for this to be possible, A number of mechanical devices are required, such as bearings, shafts, bearing supports, roller bearings, cooling systems, sealing gaskets, among others.

[004] The rolling bearings, which are normally lubricated with oil or grease, so that there is a decrease in friction and wear between the parts of the motor pump, have the function of supporting the rotor shaft, so that when it is induced by the electromagnetic forces of the stator, it rotates with the help of the bearings. The rotor, in turn, is connected by one of its shaft ends to a hydraulic turbine that has blades or vanes, which initiate a rotating movement, boosting the fluid, when the rotor is inducted.

[005] However, as the rotor and stator assembly are in operation, the temperature of the assembly tends to rise, reaching levels that can impair the operation of the motor pump. Thus, to prevent this from happening, external cooling systems are usually used, fans (cooler), preventing overheating of the pump. These fans are usually connected to the end of the rotor shaft, taking advantage of its rotation to also perform the rotary movement.

[006] In this type of motor pump, to prevent the fluid that enters the motor pump from coming into contact with the stator and rotor, mechanical seals are provided, which hydraulically isolate the first chamber from the second chamber of the motor pump. Also, in order to have a good operation in this type of motor pump, it is necessary that there is a centralization of the rotor in relation to the stator, in order to avoid the contact between them.

[007] However, depending on the use of the motor pump, there is the consequent wear and tear of the aforementioned devices, causing these motor pumps to lose their mechanical efficiency, in addition to incurring maintenance costs and changing parts.

[008] In view of this, patent PI0103034-5 B1 owned by Eberle Equipamentos e Processos S.A, describes a simplified configuration of a motor pump. This patent describes a motor pump, where several devices present in the motor pump described above were eliminated, such as bearings, gaskets, shafts and the external cooling system (fans).

[009] According to patent PI0103034-5 B1, the motor pump has a rotor coupled to one of its ends a turbine, forming a joint rotor and turbine. Said assembly is hollow, defining a fluid passage. Thus, when the said motor pump is operating, the fluid, after passing through an inlet opening, enters the rotor and turbine assembly through said passage, reaching the turbine and being propelled towards an outlet opening.

[0010] However, a part of the fluid, instead of being directed to the fluid outlet, circulates in the motor pump. This fluid that remains in the pump creates a film of fluid. Thus, due to the action of centripetal forces of the rotor and turbine assembly and the hydrostatic forces of the fluid film, the assembly does not come into contact with the pump walls, remaining immersed in the fluid, promoting a floating bearing.

[0011] With this, the motor pump of patent PI0103034-5 B1 presents a simpler manufacture and maintenance, in addition to being quieter than common motor pumps, due to the existence of a floating bearing that allows a smaller number of parts for its assembly .

[0012] However, the motor pump, as described above, has a flow limit, since the fluid must pass through the fluid passage defined by the rotor and turbine assembly. In this way, the passage diameter defines the limit of the fluid that passes through the motor pump, therefore there is a loss of flow, in addition to a loss of impulsion due to the path that the fluid must travel to the motor pump outlet. In this way, the present invention aims to present a new configuration of the motor pump, which eliminates the problem of restricting the flow of the motor pump described, maintaining the circulation of fluid inside the motor pump, thus allowing the floating bearing. This new configuration results in an increase in the flow rate inside the pump, making it more efficient.

Brief description of the invention

[0013] The present invention relates to a motor pump comprising two chambers, the first chamber isolated from fluids and the second chamber defining the passage of the fluid having an opening for inlet and an opening for the outlet of the fluid.

[0014] The stator is located in the first chamber, which in a preferred embodiment is located adjacent to the walls that separate the first chamber from the second chamber, so that the fluid circulating through the second chamber can cool, by thermal conduction, the stator.

[0015] In the second chamber are located a rotor and a turbine, which work together, which are located, at least in part, concentrically in relation to the stator. The rotor and turbine assembly is electromagnetically induced by the stator in order to propel a fluid from the inlet opening to the outlet opening.

[0016] When the motor pump is operating, and because the fluid inlet and outlet are located at the same end of the motor pump (first end), a fluid guide, preferably conical in shape, is located at the front end of the impeller assembly and turbine. In this way, when the fluid is propelled into the motor pump, most of the fluid is directed directly to the fluid outlet, while a smaller part is kept inside the motor pump.

[0017] The part of the fluid kept inside the pump creates a fluid film around the rotor and turbine assembly. Thus, the centripetal forces generated by the set and the hydrostatic forces of said film, allow the rotor and turbine set to rotate with a minimum of friction, promoting a floating bearing. However, the remaining fluid inside the motor pump circulates around the first chamber, cooling the stator by thermal conduction, eliminating the need for an external cooling system, since the heat exchange between the circulating fluid and the rotor and turbine assembly, will result in the cooling of this assembly, so that the temperature always remains at desirable levels.

[0018] In view of the above, the motor pump of the present invention, by allowing the change in the flow of fluid inside the motor pump, results in an increase in the flow in the motor pump, eliminating losses due to flow restriction, causing it to present a greater performance. In addition, the motor pump of this new configuration maintains a floating bearing, with a simpler configuration and less expensive manufacturing cost, eliminating the use of external cooling systems (fans), in addition to rolling bearings, shafts and mechanical seals.

Brief description of the drawings

[0019] The present invention will now be described in more detail based on an example of execution represented in the drawings. The figures show: Figure 1 - a lateral cross-sectional view of the fluid motor pump embodied in accordance with the present invention;

[0020] Figure 2 -lJmavistalatesalemoorte trasseejraaloDooninnto turbine rotor, in which a fluid director is shown.

[0021] Figure 3 -umv viata lateraltsesaira dc nonjuntorotor and turbine, in which the relief holes are shown.

[0022] Figure 4 - a cross-sectional view similar to figure 1, in which the path of the fluid inside the pump is shown in accordance with the teachings of the present invention;

[0023] Figure 5 - a view of the specctiaaxppOddiaa aabomaa and according to the present invention that allows a clearer visualization of its components; and Figure 6 - umavistaxxtemaumperppcctivaaa mobobumba df Fluioos in its preferred embodiment.

Detailed description of figures

[0024] Figure 1 illustrates a preferred embodiment of the present invention where a motor pump 10 is observed, free of components commonly found in this type of motor pumps, such as bearings, external cooling system, shafts and mechanical seals. The present embodiment illustrates a motor pump 10 comprising a housing 14, preferably made of injected polymeric material or any other material suitable for the operating conditions of the motor pump 10, which comprises a first chamber 19, isolated from fluids and a second chamber 17, which defines the path of the fluid inside the motor pump 10. Furthermore, said motor pump 10 also comprises a fluid inlet 15 and a fluid outlet 16, which are located at a first end A of the motor pump 10.

[0025] In the second chamber 17, there is a joint rotor and turbine assembly 11, which make it possible to propel the fluids that pass through said chamber 17 during its rotation. This assembly 11 is hollow, creating a fluid channel 18, and is furthermore made of polymeric material. Also, at the front end 24 (figure 2) of the set 11, there is a ring 21 for centrifuging fluid and inside this ring 21, there is also a fluid guide 20, preferably conical. In the frame 14 (figure 1), the first chamber 19 is still located, which is isolated from the fluids that circulate in the second chamber 17. In the first chamber 19, a stator 12 is located, which induces, through a field magnetic, the drive the rotation movement of the rotor and turbine assembly 11.

[0026] Furthermore, the second chamber 17 of the motor pump 10 further comprises a plurality of fluid passages 17.1, in order to allow the fluid to circulate therethrough. Said fluid passages 17.1 further allow the fluid to circulate around the first chamber 19, cooling the stator 12 by thermal conduction.

[0027] As can be seen in figure 2 and as previously mentioned, the rotor and turbine assembly 11 is composed of a ring 21 and a fluid guide 20. Thus, when operating, the fluid, after crossing the inlet opening 15 of the chamber 17 (figure 1), comes into contact with the fluid director 20 (figure 2), which restricts the entry of fluid into the fluid channel 18 of the rotor and turbine assembly 11, so that most of the fluid goes directly to the fluid outlet 16 (figure 1), due to the rotational forces of the rotor and turbine assembly 11, which drives the fluid with a radial force towards the fluid outlet 16. The smallest part of the fluid remains circulating in the inside the chamber 17, in the fluid passages 17.1.

[0028] The remaining fluid in the motor pump 10 (circulating fluid other than that directed to the output 16), after circulating throughout the entire length of the second chamber 17, through the passages 17.1 in the opposite direction to the input 15, enters the rotor and turbine assembly 11 (as indicated by arrows S), passing through a fluid channel 18, the inlet of which is located at a second end B of the motor pump. The fluid from the channel 18 goes towards at least one outlet orifice 22 present at the front end 24 of the rotor and turbine assembly 11, reaching the ring 21, which is in a rotating movement, being driven towards the fluid outlet 16.

[0029] Furthermore, when the remaining fluid is circulating in the second chamber 17, through the passages 17.1, it creates a constant fluid film 13, between the walls of the second chamber 17 and the rotor and turbine assembly 11. Thus, the centripetal forces of the rotor and turbine set, with the hydrostatic forces of the film 13, allow the set 11 to rotate freely, without coming into contact with the walls of the second chamber 17, promoting a floating bearing. Thus, in addition to the film 13 serving as a support for the assembly 11, it also works as a lubricating fluid, which practically eliminates friction between the assembly 11 and the walls of the second chamber 17.

[0030] However, although the rotor and turbine assembly 11 is kept in a position out of contact with the walls of the second chamber 17, by said hydrostatic pressure of the film 13, it is the magnetic field emitted by the stator 12 that mainly maintains the set 11 in an equilibrium position around its axis, through the generated electromagnetic force E. However, the electromagnetic force E, alone, is not enough to keep the set 11 in a balanced position, since the entry of fluid in the motor pump 10 causes a suction force D, contrary to the electromagnetic force E, which tends to displace the set 11 towards the fluid inlet 15. Thus, so that the axial balance of the set 11 is maintained, the ring 21 has, in its posterior part, at least one relief hole 23, as shown in figure 3, and in in a preferred embodiment, five relief holes 23 are used, radially equidistant. Through each of these relief holes 23 a flow of fluid is created, causing a relief force F (axial thrust), contrary to the suction force D, which helps the electromagnetic force E, emitted by the stator 12, to keep in equilibrium axially the rotor and turbine assembly 11.

[0031] In view of the above, it appears that the second chamber 17 has the passages 17.1, allowing the fluid to circulate inside the motor pump 10, eliminating the need to use lubricating fluids and external cooling systems. Furthermore, because the motor pump is composed almost entirely of injectable polymeric material, there is a reduction of components in relation to the motor pumps usually known, making its assembly simpler and more economical.

[0032] Thus, the motor pump of the present invention, due to the described configuration, presents minimal energy losses, due primarily to the circulating fluid inside the motor pump 10, which creates a fluid film between the impeller and turbine assembly 11 and the second chamber 17, and that through the hydrostatic forces and the centripetal forces of the set 11, allow the set 11 to be floating (floating bearing), reducing the friction of said set 11 with the walls of the second chamber 17.

[0033] In addition, with the fluid inlet 15 and fluid outlet 16 located at the same end A of the motor pump 10, it allows most of the fluid that enters it to be driven to the outlet 16, practically in the same instant it enters, with no loss of fluid impelling force. However, there is also no loss of fluid flow due to the diameter restriction, since the area available for the passage of the fluid is substantially constant, allowing an increase in the flow inside the pump, and consequently making the motor pump show a higher yield. It should be noted that in the prior art there is a need for the main flow to pass through the entire length of the fluid channel 18, which has a reduced area section (there are substantial head losses) compared to the area through which the main flow of the invention on flowing screen.

[0034] Furthermore, it is important to note that the space between the stator and the rotor, which in the state of the art is commonly known as air gap and are filled with air, in the present invention, this space in addition to being filled by a film of fluid 13 , there is the polymeric layer in the second chamber 17 and in the rotor and turbine assembly 11 and there are also relief holes 23. The combination of the film 13, the polymeric wall and the relief holes 23 guarantees the perfect centralization of the stator 12 and the assembly 11 , as well as a position of balance of these around the axis, so that when the set 11, when operating the motor pump 10, performs the rotational movement, the contact of the set 11 with the walls of the second chamber 17 is avoided.

[0035] Finally, it is also important to note that the pump 10 of the present invention is a non-corrosive pump, since only the surface, made of polymeric materials and AISI 304 series stainless steel, will have contact with the fluid. Furthermore, by using the circulating fluid itself for cooling, the motor pump of the present invention can be installed in places without ventilation or submerged.

[0036] Having described a preferred embodiment example, it should be understood that the scope of the present invention covers other possible variations, being limited only by the content of the appended claims, including the possible equivalents. Reference List 10 - motobomaa 11 -onjnntotcOor etubbiaa 12 - stator 13 - fluid film 14 - casing 15 -errtraaade uuioo 16 — aaíaa ef uuioo 17 -degnaaaâ0mura 17.1 - fluid passage 18 -maad ef flidioo 19 -firstâ0mura 20 - flow driver fluid 21 - ring 22 - outlet holes 23 - relief holes 24 - front end A-first extremiaaee B -sggnnaaextremiadee S -aeminoooo Wet

Claims (7)

1. Floating bearing motor pump (10) that uses hydrostatic pressure and magnetic field, cooled by a circulating fluid comprising a housing (14) formed by: a first isolated fluid chamber (19) comprising a stator (12); a second chamber (17) which is in fluid communication with a fluid inlet (15) and a fluid outlet (16) and comprising fluid passages (17.1) and a rotor having a turbine coupled to its front end, forming a rotor and turbine assembly (11) integral; in which the rotor and turbine assembly (11) is emptied, forming a fluid channel (18); and wherein the fluid outlet (16) is orthogonal to a front end (24) of the impeller and turbine assembly (11); wherein the fluid inlet (15) and fluid outlet (16) are located at a first end (A) of the motor pump (10); characterized by the fact that the rotor and turbine assembly (11) comprises, fixed at its front end (24), a conical-shaped fluid guide (20) with at least one outlet hole (22), where the guide and orifice help to keep the rotor and turbine assembly in axial and radial balance (11); wherein the impeller and turbine assembly (11) comprises a ring (21) for centrifuging fluid; and in which the rear portion of the ring (21) comprises at least one relief hole (23), which helps to keep the rotor and turbine assembly 11 in axial and radial balance. 2. Motorpump (10) with a floating bearing that uses hydrostatic pressure and magnetic field, cooled by a circulating fluid, according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the fluid director (20) restricts the entry of fluid from the fluid inlet (15) in the fluid channel (18) of the rotor and turbine assembly (11). 3. Motor pump (10) with floating bearing that uses hydrostatic pressure and magnetic field, cooled by a circulating fluid, according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the inlet of the fluid channel (18) is located in a second end (B) of the motor pump (10). 4. Motorpump (10) with floating bearing that uses hydrostatic pressure and magnetic field, cooled by a circulating fluid, according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the fluid passages (17.1) form a constant fluid film ( 13). 5. Motor pump (10) with a floating bearing that uses hydrostatic pressure and magnetic field, cooled by a circulating fluid, according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the fluid passages (17.1) also allow the fluid to circulate to the around the first chamber (19) isolated from fluid, cooling the stator (12). 6 . Floating bearing motor pump (10) that uses hydrostatic pressure and magnetic field, cooled by a circulating fluid, according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the space between said rotor and turbine assembly (11) and the stator ( 12) is filled by the walls of the first (19) and second (17) chambers. 7 . Motor pump (10) with a floating bearing that uses hydrostatic pressure and magnetic field, cooled by a circulating fluid, according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the housing (14) is made of injected polymeric material.

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