TW202219388A - Liquid blade pump - Google Patents

Abstract

A pump for pumping a gas, the pump comprising: a rotor and a stator; the rotor at least one liquid opening configured for fluid communication with a liquid source. The liquid opening is configured such that in response to a driving force a stream of liquid is output from the opening. The stream of liquid form a liquid blade between the rotor and the stator, gas confined by the stator, the rotor and the liquid blade being driven through the pump along a pumping channel from a gas inlet towards a gas outlet in response to relative rotational motion of the rotor and the stator. The pump is configured such that the pumping channel comprises side walls that slope towards each other from the rotor that comprises the liquid opening towards a further wall of the pumping channel remote from the rotor, such that a distance between the side walls decreases with increasing distance from the liquid opening, a tangent to a mid point of the side walls having an angle of between 5DEG and 40DEG with respect to a line perpendicular to an axis of rotation of the rotor.

Description

液體葉片泵Liquid Vane Pump

本發明之領域係關於泵。The field of the invention is that of pumps.

已知用於泵送氣體之不同類型之泵。此等包含捕獲型泵，其中一氣體在被移除之前捕獲於泵內部之一表面上；動力或動量轉移泵，諸如渦輪分子泵，其中氣體之分子從入口側朝向出口或排氣側加速，及正排量泵，其中氣體被捕獲且從入口朝向泵之出口移動。Different types of pumps are known for pumping gases. These include capture-type pumps, in which a gas is trapped on a surface inside the pump before being removed; power or momentum transfer pumps, such as turbomolecular pumps, in which the molecules of the gas are accelerated from the inlet side towards the outlet or exhaust side, and positive displacement pumps where gas is trapped and moves from the inlet towards the outlet of the pump.

正排量泵提供通常形成於一或多個轉子與一定子之間的移動泵送室，該等轉子之移動引起有效泵送室移動。接收於一入口處之氣體進入且捕獲於泵送室中且移動至一出口。在一些情況中，氣囊之體積在移動期間減小以改良效率。此等泵包含魯氏泵及轉葉型泵。為將氣體吸入腔室中，腔室體積通常膨脹且將氣體從腔室排出，腔室體積通常收縮。例如，在(例如)一轉葉泵中，可藉由使用自身經受磨損之器件(諸如彈簧)將葉片伸入及伸出泵室，或使用彼此協作之一魯氏泵或螺旋泵中之兩個同步轉子及一定子來移動一氣囊且在入口與出口之間產生體積變化，來達成體積中之變化。一額外轉子需要一額外軸、軸承及定時方法(諸如齒輪)來同步轉子移動。Positive displacement pumps provide moving pumping chambers, typically formed between one or more rotors and a stator, movement of the rotors causing the effective pumping chambers to move. Gas received at an inlet enters and is captured in the pumping chamber and moves to an outlet. In some cases, the volume of the bladder is reduced during movement to improve efficiency. These pumps include Roux pumps and rotary vane pumps. To draw gas into the chamber, the chamber volume typically expands and to expel gas from the chamber, the chamber volume typically contracts. For example, in a rotary vane pump, for example, the vanes can be extended into and out of the pump chamber by using devices that themselves are subject to wear, such as springs, or by using both a Roux or screw pump that cooperate with each other A synchronizing rotor and stator to move a bladder and create a volume change between the inlet and outlet to achieve the change in volume. An extra rotor requires an extra shaft, bearings, and timing methods (such as gears) to synchronize rotor movement.

此外，為最小化或至少減少洩漏且當氣體被捕獲時有效地移動氣體，移動部分需要彼此之間及與形成捕獲氣體體積之靜態部分形成一緊密密封件。一些泵使用一液體(諸如油)在捕獲體積之表面之間密封，而其他泵依靠緊密非接觸間隙，其會導致增加製造成本且若部分接觸或經泵送之流體中存在微粒或雜質，則亦會導致對鎖定或卡住敏感之泵。Furthermore, in order to minimize or at least reduce leakage and effectively move the gas as it is trapped, the moving parts need to form a tight seal with each other and with the static parts forming the trapped gas volume. Some pumps use a liquid (such as oil) to seal between the surfaces of the capture volume, while others rely on tight non-contacting gaps, which can result in increased manufacturing costs and, if particles or impurities are present in the partially contacted or pumped fluid, It can also cause pumps that are sensitive to locking or seizing.

GB2565579揭示一種使用一液體形成泵葉片且藉此解決一些以上問題之泵。GB2565579 discloses a pump that uses a liquid to form pump vanes and thereby solves some of the above problems.

一液體葉片本質上係可變形的且可扭曲，且液體葉片中之扭曲會導致葉片之扭曲部分與轉子或定子應密封至其之轉子或定子之固體表面之間的洩漏。A liquid vane is deformable and twistable in nature, and twisting in the liquid vane can cause leakage between the twisted portion of the vane and the solid surface of the rotor or stator to which the rotor or stator should be sealed.

期望提供一種耐磨、提供低功耗及一相對較小之泵送機構、製造及操作起來相對便宜且在移動葉片與靜態表面之間提供一有效密封之泵。It would be desirable to provide a pump that is wear resistant, provides low power consumption and a relatively small pumping mechanism, is relatively inexpensive to manufacture and operate, and provides an effective seal between the moving vanes and static surfaces.

一第一態樣提供一種用於泵送一氣體之泵，該泵包括：一轉子及一定子；該轉子或定子中之一者包括經構形用於與一液體源流體連通之至少一液體開口；該液體開口經構形使得回應於一驅動力，從該開口輸出一液體流，該液體流在該轉子與該定子之間形成一液體葉片，氣體由該定子侷限，回應於該轉子及該定子之相對旋轉運動，沿從一進氣口朝向一出氣口之一泵送通道透過該泵驅動該轉子及該液體葉片；其中該泵經構形使得該泵送通道包括從包括朝向遠離包括該液體開口之該轉子或定子的該泵送通道之一進一步壁的該液體開口之該轉子或定子朝向彼此傾斜的側壁，使得該等側壁之間的一距離隨距該液體開口之距離增加而減小，通過該等側壁之一中點的一切線相對於垂直於該轉子之一旋轉軸的一線具有5°與40°之間的一角度。A first aspect provides a pump for pumping a gas, the pump comprising: a rotor and a stator; one of the rotor or the stator comprising at least one liquid configured for fluid communication with a liquid source an opening; the liquid opening is configured such that in response to a driving force, a flow of liquid is output from the opening, the liquid flow forming a liquid vane between the rotor and the stator with gas confined by the stator, in response to the rotor and The relative rotational movement of the stator drives the rotor and the liquid vane through the pump along a pumping passage from an inlet to an outlet; wherein the pump is configured such that the pumping passage includes a direction from an inlet to an outlet and away from the inlet. The side walls of the rotor or stator of the liquid opening of a further wall of the pumping channel of the rotor or stator of the liquid opening are inclined towards each other such that a distance between the side walls increases with distance from the liquid opening Decreased, a tangent line passing through the midpoint of one of the side walls has an angle between 5° and 40° with respect to a line perpendicular to one of the axes of rotation of the rotor.

本發明之發明者認識到一泵之元件經構形具有(若干)液體開口，使得透過該等開口輸出之液體在該泵之該等元件之間形成一表面或葉片，接著在該等元件中之一者相對於另一者旋轉之後，該液體葉片可用於驅動該氣體通過該泵。The inventors of the present invention have recognized that the elements of a pump are configured with liquid opening(s) such that the liquid output through the openings forms a surface or vane between the elements of the pump and then in the elements After one is rotated relative to the other, the liquid vanes can be used to drive the gas through the pump.

此一液體葉片本質上係可變形的、低成本且通常能夠在該捕獲體積之表面之間提供良好密封而無需嚴格製造公差。此外，此一葉片本身不經受磨損且在其接觸之表面上提供較少磨損。Such a liquid vane is inherently deformable, low cost and generally able to provide a good seal between the surfaces of the capture volume without tight manufacturing tolerances. Furthermore, such a blade itself is not subject to wear and provides less wear on the surfaces it contacts.

該葉片由一流動液體形成使得形成該葉片之該液體經連續補充。該葉片之一表面連同該等元件之一表面一起作用以侷限、捕獲、隔離或圍封待泵送之該氣體。該轉子及該定子之相對旋轉引起該捕獲氣體沿一泵送路徑或通道從一進氣口移動至一出氣口。待泵送之氣體位於該葉片之任一側上。The vane is formed from a flowing liquid such that the liquid forming the vane is continuously replenished. A surface of the vane acts in conjunction with a surface of the elements to confine, capture, isolate or contain the gas to be pumped. Relative rotation of the rotor and the stator causes the trapped gas to move along a pumping path or channel from an inlet to an outlet. The gas to be pumped is on either side of the vane.

此一泵待解決之一問題係該液體葉片本質上係可變形且可能扭曲，且此會導致該葉片之該扭曲部分與該轉子或定子應密封至其之該轉子或定子之一固體表面之間的洩漏。特定言之，已發現存在該液體片或葉片從該(等)液體開口之漸縮且因此，該泵送通道之該等側壁與該液體葉片之該等邊緣之間(尤其係在其中該葉片之漸縮之累積效應較大的遠離該等液體開口之徑向距離處)存在氣體洩漏之一機會。已藉由將自身漸縮之側壁提供至該泵送通道來解決此問題，使得其等朝向彼此傾斜以補償該液體葉片之漸縮以提供沿該液體葉片之該邊緣之改良密封。特定言之，已發現若該側壁之角度經選擇為略大於該液體葉片之錐角使得該葉片與該側壁之間不存在一間隙，則係有利的。One of the problems to be solved with such a pump is that the liquid vanes are inherently deformable and can twist, and this can result in a relationship between the twisted portion of the vane and a solid surface of the rotor or stator to which the rotor or stator should be sealed. leakage between. In particular, it has been found that there is a taper of the liquid sheet or vane from the liquid opening(s) and thus, between the side walls of the pumping channel and the edges of the liquid vane (especially the vane in which it is tied) There is an opportunity for gas leakage at radial distances away from the liquid openings where the cumulative effect of the tapering is greater. This problem has been solved by providing self tapering side walls to the pumping channel so that they slope towards each other to compensate for the tapering of the liquid vane to provide an improved seal along the edge of the liquid vane. In particular, it has been found to be advantageous if the angle of the side wall is chosen to be slightly larger than the taper angle of the liquid vane so that there is no gap between the vane and the side wall.

一液體葉片之錐角取決於液體之類型且特定言之，其表面張力及黏度及旋轉速度及透過該等液體開口將該液體推出之驅動力。The cone angle of a liquid blade depends on the type of liquid and, in particular, its surface tension and viscosity and rotational speed and the driving force that pushes the liquid out through the liquid openings.

據此而言，在操作中，該液體葉片之一表面包括該轉子及定子之間的一徑向尺寸及垂直於該徑向尺寸且平行於一旋轉軸的一軸向尺寸。為補償該葉片之漸縮，該泵經構形使得平行於該液體葉片之該軸向尺寸的該泵送通道之一尺寸隨距離該液體開口之徑向距離增加而減小。Accordingly, in operation, a surface of the liquid vane includes a radial dimension between the rotor and stator and an axial dimension perpendicular to the radial dimension and parallel to an axis of rotation. To compensate for the taper of the vane, the pump is configured such that a dimension of the pumping passage parallel to the axial dimension of the liquid vane decreases with increasing radial distance from the liquid opening.

該側壁之該角度經構形以類似於但略大於該液體葉片之預測錐角。其經構形使得通過該等側壁之一中點的一切線相對於垂直於該轉子之一旋轉軸的一線具有5°與40°之間的一角度。較佳地在8°與25°之間，更佳地在10°與15°之間。The angle of the side wall is configured to be similar to but slightly larger than the predicted taper angle of the liquid vane. It is configured such that a tangent line passing through the midpoint of one of the side walls has an angle between 5° and 40° with respect to a line perpendicular to an axis of rotation of the rotor. Preferably between 8° and 25°, more preferably between 10° and 15°.

該傾斜角度係大部分側壁之角度，在一些實施例中，該側壁之該中間區段係筆直的且以此角度傾斜且在任一端具有彎曲區段。The angle of inclination is the angle of most of the side walls, and in some embodiments the middle section of the side wall is straight and inclined at this angle with curved sections at either end.

在一些實施例中，該泵經構形使得該泵送通道之該等側壁朝向與包括該液體開口之該轉子或定子的一接面向外擴張。In some embodiments, the pump is configured such that the sidewalls of the pumping channel expand outwardly toward an interface with the rotor or stator that includes the liquid opening.

除該液體葉片漸縮之外，該液體葉片首次撞擊該泵送通道之該等側壁之該等密封邊緣時亦可存在扭曲。從其原始路徑之此扭曲及偏離可藉由向外擴張壁而減少使得該液體葉片之該密封間隙更小且任何偏離具有對該等邊緣之一較小效應。向外擴張意謂側壁之間的距離靠近該定子與轉子之間的該接面且在朝向該接面之一方向上增加，該擴張提供一彎曲側壁表面。In addition to tapering of the liquid vane, there may also be distortion when the liquid vane first strikes the sealing edges of the side walls of the pumping channel. This twist and deviation from its original path can be reduced by expanding the wall outwards so that the sealing gap of the liquid vane is smaller and any deviation has a smaller effect on the edges. Expanding outward means that the distance between the side walls is close to the interface between the stator and rotor and increases in a direction towards the interface, the expansion providing a curved side wall surface.

在一些實施例中，該等側壁經構形以使得該等側壁中之各者與該進一步壁之間的一接面係彎曲的。In some embodiments, the side walls are configured such that a junction between each of the side walls and the further wall is curved.

在該進一步壁與該等側壁之該傾斜邊緣之間的該接面處存在該液體葉片之額外擾動及扭曲且此可藉由在該接面處使用一彎曲表面來減少且抑制此處之任何潛在洩漏。該進一步壁面向該轉子且在一些實施例中，實質上平行於該轉子在其中點處之該旋轉軸。There is additional disturbance and twisting of the liquid vane at the junction between the further wall and the sloped edge of the side walls and this can be reduced and inhibited by using a curved surface at the junction Potential leak. The further wall faces the rotor and, in some embodiments, is substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of the rotor at its midpoint.

在一些實施例中，該等側壁圍繞垂直於該進一步壁之一中點之一軸對稱。In some embodiments, the side walls are symmetrical about an axis perpendicular to a midpoint of the further wall.

在一些實施例中，該轉子包括該液體開口且經安裝以在該定子內旋轉。In some embodiments, the rotor includes the liquid opening and is mounted for rotation within the stator.

儘管所需僅係該轉子與該定子之間的相對旋轉移動，但若係旋轉且具有該液體開口之該轉子，則可係有利的，因為在一些情況中，該轉子之旋轉可當該液體離開該等開口且形成該葉片時將一額外驅動力提供至該液體。在此方面，該轉子在一些實施例中可為旋轉安裝之一空心圓柱體使得一下端延伸至一儲液器或集水坑中。旋轉運動有助於將該液體向上吸入該圓柱體中且透過該等液體開口將其排出，該液體形成在與該定子壁衝擊時沿該泵送通道沿該等定子壁向下流動且收集於該集水坑中以再次使用之一葉片。Although only relative rotational movement between the rotor and the stator is required, it may be advantageous if the rotor is rotating and has the liquid opening, since in some cases the rotation of the rotor can act as the liquid An additional driving force is provided to the liquid upon exiting the openings and forming the vane. In this regard, the rotor may in some embodiments be a hollow cylinder rotatably mounted such that the lower end extends into a reservoir or sump. Rotational motion helps to draw the liquid up into the cylinder and discharge it through the liquid openings, the liquid forms flowing down the pumping channel along the stator walls upon impact with the stator walls and collects in the The sump to reuse one of the blades.

在一些實施例中，該液體開口包括平行於該轉子之一旋轉軸縱向延伸之至少一狹縫。In some embodiments, the liquid opening includes at least one slit extending longitudinally parallel to an axis of rotation of the rotor.

儘管該液體開口可具有若干形式，但在一些實施例中，其包括一狹縫，當液體離開該狹縫時，該狹縫形成一實質上平面液體葉片。該狹縫可相對於該旋轉軸成角度但在一些實施例中平行於該轉子之該旋轉軸縱向延伸。在其他實施例中，該(等)液體開口可包括沿一線配置之複數個開口而非一狹縫。While the liquid opening can take several forms, in some embodiments it includes a slit that forms a substantially planar liquid vane as the liquid exits the slit. The slits may be angled relative to the axis of rotation but in some embodiments extend longitudinally parallel to the axis of rotation of the rotor. In other embodiments, the liquid opening(s) may comprise openings arranged along a line rather than a slit.

在一些實施例中，該轉子包括在圍繞該轉子之一外圓周之不同位置處平行於該轉子之一旋轉軸縱向延伸之複數個狹縫。In some embodiments, the rotor includes a plurality of slits extending longitudinally parallel to an axis of rotation of the rotor at different locations around an outer circumference of the rotor.

在一些實施例中，該定子及轉子經構形使得該泵送通道圍繞該轉子或定子之一內部者之一圓周運行，該進氣口配置為在操作中垂直高於該出氣口。In some embodiments, the stator and rotor are configured such that the pumping channel runs around a circumference of the rotor or an interior of one of the stators, and the air inlet is configured to be vertically higher than the air outlet in operation.

由於形成該液體葉片之該液體在撞擊該泵送通道之一壁時將向下流動且收集於該通道之該基座中，因此若該泵送通道未充滿液體，則應存在某種方式以將該液體從該泵送通道排出。在一些情況中，該泵送通道經構形使得當該泵在操作中時該進氣口高於該出氣口，使得該液體將透過該出氣口排出。在一些實施例中，該泵送通道圍繞該定子之該圓周運行一次，或確切而言，略小於圍繞該圓周之一整圈。在其他實施例中，該泵送通道可繞該定子之該圓周運行多次。Since the liquid forming the liquid vane will flow downwards and collect in the base of the channel when it hits a wall of the pumping channel, if the pumping channel is not full of liquid, there should be some way to The liquid is drained from the pumping channel. In some cases, the pumping channel is configured such that the air inlet is higher than the air outlet when the pump is in operation, such that the liquid will be expelled through the air outlet. In some embodiments, the pumping channel runs once around the circumference of the stator, or rather, slightly less than one full revolution around the circumference. In other embodiments, the pumping channel may run multiple times around the circumference of the stator.

在一些實施例中，該出氣口處之該泵送通道之一下表面低於該進氣口處之該泵送通道之一下表面，且該出氣口處之該泵送通道之一較高表面高於該進氣口處之該泵送通道之一下表面。In some embodiments, a lower surface of the pumping channel at the air outlet is lower than a lower surface of the pumping channel at the air inlet, and a higher surface of the pumping channel at the air outlet is higher a lower surface of the pumping channel at the air inlet.

該液體葉片沿該轉子之該旋轉方向在一實質上圓周方向上推動該氣體。因此，若該泵送通道及出氣口亦沿此路徑配置，則係有利的。因此，儘管該出氣口應低於該進氣口以允許該液體之排洩，但若該出氣口僅略低於該進氣口，使得在該液體葉片旋轉時由該液體葉片有效地驅動氣體，則係有利的。The liquid vane pushes the gas in a substantially circumferential direction along the direction of rotation of the rotor. Therefore, it is advantageous if the pumping channel and the air outlet are also arranged along this path. Therefore, although the gas outlet should be lower than the inlet to allow drainage of the liquid, if the outlet is only slightly lower than the inlet so that the gas is effectively driven by the liquid vane as it rotates, is beneficial.

在一些實施例中，該泵送通道之一截面積經構形以從該進氣口至該出氣口增加。In some embodiments, a cross-sectional area of the pumping channel is configured to increase from the air inlet to the air outlet.

儘管習知地該泵送通道之該截面積可從進氣口至出氣口減小以提供該氣體之一些壓縮，但在一些實施例中，該截面積增加。若使用一液體葉片，則形成該液體葉片之該液體經連續補充，使得液體收集於該泵送通道內。需要從該泵送通道中排出該液體以維持泵送氣體之一自由體積，且當該液體位於該泵送通道內時將減少可用於泵送之該氣體之該體積。因此，增加從進氣口至出氣口之該截面積以避免該泵送通道由其內收集之該液體而變得過於緊縮可係有利的。Although conventionally the cross-sectional area of the pumping channel may decrease from the inlet to the gas outlet to provide some compression of the gas, in some embodiments the cross-sectional area increases. If a liquid vane is used, the liquid forming the liquid vane is continuously replenished so that the liquid collects in the pumping channel. The liquid needs to be expelled from the pumping channel to maintain a free volume of pumped gas, and when the liquid is within the pumping channel will reduce the volume of the gas available for pumping. Therefore, it may be advantageous to increase the cross-sectional area from the air inlet to the air outlet to avoid the pumping channel from becoming too constricted by the liquid collected therein.

在一些實施例中，該泵經構形使得從該進氣口至該出氣口之該截面積之增加及在正常操作期間供應至該泵之一液體量經選擇，使得儘管該總截面積增加，但可用於氣體之該截面積從該進氣口至該出氣口減小且壓縮經泵送之該氣體。In some embodiments, the pump is configured such that the increase in the cross-sectional area from the air inlet to the air outlet and the amount of liquid supplied to the pump during normal operation are selected such that despite the increase in the overall cross-sectional area , but the cross-sectional area available for gas decreases from the inlet to the outlet and compresses the gas being pumped.

設計該泵使得將增加截面積及供應至該泵以在操作中形成該液體葉片之液體之量鏈接可係有利的，使得歸因於收集於該泵送通道中之該液體而發生之該泵通道體積之減少可在某種程度上由截面積增加而補償，但以一使得可用於經泵送之氣體之該截面積略微減小使得存在該氣體之一些壓縮量之方式。Designing the pump such that it may be advantageous to link the increased cross-sectional area and the amount of liquid supplied to the pump to form the liquid vanes in operation such that the pump occurs due to the liquid collected in the pumping channel The reduction in channel volume can be compensated to some extent by the increase in cross-sectional area, but in such a way that the cross-sectional area available for the pumped gas is slightly reduced so that there is some amount of compression of the gas.

在一些實施例中，該泵進一步包括該等側壁與包括該液體開口之該轉子或定子之間的密封構件。In some embodiments, the pump further includes a sealing member between the side walls and the rotor or stator including the liquid opening.

為減少氣體及液體之洩漏，可在該泵送通道之該等側壁與包括該液體開口之該轉子或定子之間應用密封構件。據此而言，在從進氣口至出氣口之該泵送通道之寬度減小之情況中，靠近該進氣口的該液體開口將延伸超出較窄泵送通道之寬度，且因此提供密封構件以減少從不打開至靠近該入口的該較窄通道之該(等)液體開口之部分流出之液體之量係有利的。To reduce leakage of gas and liquid, sealing members may be applied between the side walls of the pumping channel and the rotor or stator including the liquid opening. Accordingly, in the case of a reduced width of the pumping channel from the air inlet to the air outlet, the liquid opening near the air inlet will extend beyond the width of the narrower pumping channel and thus provide a seal It would be advantageous to have means to reduce the amount of liquid flowing out from the portion of the liquid opening(s) that does not open to the narrower channel near the inlet.

在一些實施例中，該泵包括一真空泵。In some embodiments, the pump includes a vacuum pump.

在隨附獨立及附屬技術方案中闡述進一步特定及較佳態樣。附屬技術方案之特徵可(若適當)與獨立技術方案之特徵組合，且可以除技術方案中明確闡述之特徵之外之組合。Further specific and preferred aspects are set forth in the accompanying independent and ancillary technical solutions. Features of ancillary solutions may be combined (if appropriate) with features of independent solutions, and in combinations other than those expressly stated in the solutions.

在將一裝置特徵描述為可操作以提供一功能之情況中，應瞭解此包含提供該功能或經調適或構形以提供該功能之一裝置特徵。Where a device feature is described as being operable to provide a function, it should be understood that this includes a device feature that provides that function or is adapted or configured to provide that function.

在更詳細地討論實施例之前，首先將提供一概述。Before discussing the embodiments in more detail, an overview will first be provided.

實施例係關於一種泵，其中泵之葉片由從轉子或定子中之一者之一或多個孔徑排出以形成當用於推動待透過泵泵送之流體之一葉片之一片水之一液體(諸如水)形成。定子及轉子之相對旋轉引起流體從一入口推進至一出口。當液體從孔徑排出以形成一薄片時，此從孔徑漸縮，使得薄片變窄。此可引起充當葉片之薄片之邊緣周圍之液體洩漏問題。實施例藉由界定一類似錐形之泵送通道使得液體葉片黏附於泵送通道壁之表面且避免或至少抑制間隙來解決此問題。Embodiments relate to a pump in which the vanes of the pump are expelled from one or more apertures of either the rotor or the stator to form a liquid ( such as water). Relative rotation of the stator and rotor causes fluid to propel from an inlet to an outlet. As the liquid drains from the aperture to form a sheet, this tapers from the aperture, causing the sheet to narrow. This can cause liquid leakage problems around the edges of the sheets that act as vanes. Embodiments solve this problem by defining a conical-like pumping channel such that the liquid vanes adhere to the surface of the pumping channel wall and avoid or at least inhibit gaps.

在一些實施例中，待泵送之氣體之離散體積在一定子結構內由一上密封邊緣及一下密封邊緣及垂直水片界定。接著，在類似於一轉葉泵之一機構中，此等密封體積從入口徑向驅動至出口。一技術挑戰係在水片與由定子壁界定之密封面之間維持一有效氣體密封。在一實施例中，泵包括將水從一集水坑向上輸送且透過垂直狹縫向外輸送以產生旋轉之水片之一空心圓柱形轉子。當水從狹縫離開時，薄片之頂部及底部邊緣在從轉子行進至定子外壁時朝向薄片之中心向內漸縮。此藉由適當傾斜泵送通道壁之上下密封邊緣來補償以匹配水片之漸縮。另外，在薄片首先撞擊密封邊緣(即，前緣)之情況中，其受到擾動且從其原始路徑偏離。藉由在前緣(內徑)處之斜坡上引入一適合曲率來解決此問題。亦觀察到在定子外壁與傾斜邊緣之間的隅角處之外徑處，發生對水片之額外擾動。此係藉由在此隅角引入一半徑來解決。此組合界定定子通道之一獨特及新穎之幾何結構。In some embodiments, discrete volumes of gas to be pumped are defined within the stator structure by an upper and lower sealing edge and vertical water sheets. These sealing volumes are then driven radially from the inlet to the outlet in a mechanism similar to a rotary vane pump. A technical challenge is maintaining an effective gas seal between the water sheet and the sealing surface defined by the stator walls. In one embodiment, the pump includes a hollow cylindrical rotor that transports water up from a sump and out through vertical slits to create rotating water sheets. As the water exits the slit, the top and bottom edges of the lamellae taper inwardly towards the center of the lamella as it travels from the rotor to the outer wall of the stator. This is compensated for by appropriately tilting the upper and lower sealing edges of the pumping channel walls to match the taper of the water sheet. Additionally, in the event that the sheet strikes the sealing edge (ie, the leading edge) first, it is disturbed and deviated from its original path. This problem is solved by introducing a suitable curvature on the slope at the leading edge (inner diameter). It was also observed that additional perturbation to the water sheet occurred at the outer diameter at the corner between the outer stator wall and the inclined edge. This is solved by introducing a radius at the corner. This combination defines a unique and novel geometry of the stator channels.

圖1示意性地展示由通過在本實施例中具有形成於轉子10中之一狹縫之形式的液體開口12排出之一片液體形成的葉片40之漸縮，狹縫之邊緣界定葉片40之任一邊緣。在此實例中，錐角展示為20°。應理解，此角度可取決於孔徑之長度及寬度兩者及液體透過孔徑排出之力連同液體之黏度及表面張力而變動。在本實施例中，液體係水。Figure 1 shows schematically the taper of a vane 40 formed by a sheet of liquid discharged through a liquid opening 12 having, in the present embodiment, a liquid opening 12 formed in the rotor 10, the edges of the slit delimiting any of the vanes 40 an edge. In this example, the taper angle is shown as 20°. It will be understood that this angle can vary depending on both the length and width of the aperture and the force with which the liquid is drained through the aperture, as well as the viscosity and surface tension of the liquid. In this embodiment, the liquid is water.

圖2示意性地展示根據一實施例之一泵。在本實施例中，轉子10經安裝以在定子20內旋轉。轉子10具有水通過其排出之一狹縫12以形成諸如圖1中所展示之葉片40。當轉子10相對於定子20旋轉時，葉片推動氣體透過定子20內之泵送通道38從一入口52至一出口54。Figure 2 schematically shows a pump according to an embodiment. In this embodiment, the rotor 10 is mounted to rotate within the stator 20 . The rotor 10 has a slot 12 through which water drains to form vanes 40 such as shown in FIG. 1 . As the rotor 10 rotates relative to the stator 20 , the vanes push gas through the pumping channel 38 in the stator 20 from an inlet 52 to an outlet 54 .

入口52之基座略高於出口54之基座，其允許在泵送氣體期間收集於泵送通道38內之來自液體葉片之液體從入口52流動至其中排出液體之出口54。The base of the inlet 52 is slightly higher than the base of the outlet 54, which allows the liquid from the liquid vanes collected in the pumping channel 38 during pumping of gas to flow from the inlet 52 to the outlet 54 where the liquid is discharged.

在本實施例中，轉子10係一空心圓柱體且由轉子之旋轉引起之離心力引起液體從一集水坑上升且通過液體狹縫12排出。在一些實施例中，可存在一泵以將水朝向且透過狹縫12發送。In this embodiment, the rotor 10 is a hollow cylinder and the centrifugal force caused by the rotation of the rotor causes the liquid to rise from a sump and drain through the liquid slit 12 . In some embodiments, there may be a pump to send the water towards and through the slit 12 .

在本實施例中，入口52之截面積小於出口54之截面積且從入口至出口之截面積之此增加有助於補償歸因於來自泵送通道38內之液體葉片之液體之累積而發生之經泵送之任何流體或氣體之可用體積之減少。泵送通道38之側壁傾斜使得泵送通道之截面以對應於圖1之液體葉片之一方式漸縮。此避免或至少抑制形成於側壁與液體葉片之間的朝向泵送通道之外邊緣、較遠離轉子(其中錐形最明顯)之間隙。In this embodiment, the cross-sectional area of the inlet 52 is smaller than the cross-sectional area of the outlet 54 and this increase in cross-sectional area from the inlet to the outlet helps to compensate for the accumulation of liquid that occurs due to the accumulation of liquid from the liquid vanes within the pumping channel 38 A reduction in the available volume of any fluid or gas being pumped. The side walls of the pumping channel 38 are inclined so that the cross-section of the pumping channel tapers in a manner corresponding to the liquid vanes of FIG. 1 . This avoids or at least inhibits the gap formed between the side wall and the liquid vane towards the outer edge of the pumping channel, further away from the rotor, where the taper is most pronounced.

圖3展示泵送通道38之一截面圖，其中可更清楚地看見此通道之形式。在本實施例中，當從側壁之中點34b處的一切線量測時，側壁34以25°之一角度傾斜。朝向轉子34a之側壁具有一更明顯之錐度，使得其等以一彎曲方式向外擴張且比朝向壁之中間更遠地隔開。側壁34c朝向進一步壁36之端彎曲使得當側壁彎曲以形成進一步壁時不存在銳角且減少流中之中斷。據此而言，側壁係實質上徑向延伸之側壁，而進一步壁面向轉子且實質上平行於旋轉軸軸向運行。Figure 3 shows a cross-sectional view of the pumping channel 38 in which the form of this channel can be seen more clearly. In this embodiment, the side wall 34 is inclined at an angle of 25° when measured from the tangent at the midpoint 34b of the side wall. The side walls towards the rotor 34a have a more pronounced taper such that they flare outward in a curved manner and are spaced further apart than towards the middle of the walls. The side wall 34c is curved towards the end of the further wall 36 so that there are no acute angles and less disruption in the flow when the side wall is curved to form the further wall. According to this, the side walls are substantially radially extending side walls, while the further walls face the rotor and run substantially parallel to the axis of rotation.

在操作中，當液體離開狹縫12時，葉片之上邊緣及下邊緣在葉片從轉子朝向進一步壁36移動時朝向葉片之中心向內漸縮。藉由適當地傾斜定子之上下側壁34 (連同進一步壁36一起形成泵送通道38)，可匹配及補償此漸縮。此漸縮經設計以與水片之漸縮實質上匹配，其中錐度略大以避免或至少減少任何間隙。In operation, as the liquid leaves the slot 12, the upper and lower edges of the vanes taper inwardly towards the centre of the vanes as they move from the rotor towards the further wall 36. This taper can be matched and compensated for by appropriately sloping the upper and lower stator side walls 34 (together with the further walls 36 forming the pumping channel 38). This taper is designed to substantially match the taper of the water sheet, with a slightly larger taper to avoid or at least reduce any gaps.

另外，當薄片或葉片首先撞擊側壁34a時，其受到擾動且從其原始路徑偏離。此藉由在鄰近於前緣34a之側壁之斜坡上引入一適合曲率來解決使得側壁34之間的距離在轉子10與定子20之間的此接面處較大且具有一彎曲形狀。亦觀察到在與較遠壁36之接面處之側壁34c之端處，發生對液體片之額外擾動。此可藉由在此隅角處引入一半徑來減少使得此處存在曲率。依此方式，通道38之幾何形狀及截面適應於液體片之性質且針對泵送氣體提供有效密封。Additionally, when the lamella or vane strikes the sidewall 34a first, it is disturbed and deviated from its original path. This is addressed by introducing a suitable curvature on the slope of the side walls adjacent to the leading edge 34a so that the distance between the side walls 34 is larger at this interface between the rotor 10 and the stator 20 and has a curved shape. It was also observed that at the end of the side wall 34c at the junction with the farther wall 36, additional disturbance of the liquid sheet occurred. This can be reduced by introducing a radius at this corner so that there is curvature there. In this way, the geometry and cross-section of the channel 38 is adapted to the properties of the liquid sheet and provides an effective seal against the pumped gas.

由於在本實施例中，狹縫12比更靠近入口的通道38之寬度長，因為此處通道具有一較小軸向尺寸，因此在泵送通道之任一側上之定子與轉子之間提供密封構件32以避免或至少抑制從泵送通道之液體洩漏。Since, in this embodiment, the slit 12 is longer than the width of the channel 38 closer to the inlet, since the channel here has a smaller axial dimension, it is provided between the stator and the rotor on either side of the pumping channel. The sealing member 32 avoids or at least inhibits liquid leakage from the pumping channel.

如可從截面看見，下側壁從入口至出口垂直向下傾斜，使得泵送通道38中累積之液體在出口處排出。As can be seen in section, the lower side wall slopes vertically downward from the inlet to the outlet so that the liquid accumulated in the pumping channel 38 is discharged at the outlet.

儘管已在本文中詳細解釋本發明之繪示性實施例，但參考附圖，應理解本發明不受限於精確實施例且熟習技術者可在不背離由隨附申請專利範圍及其等效物界定之本發明之範疇之情況下在其中實現各種改變及修改。While illustrative embodiments of the present invention have been explained in detail herein, with reference to the accompanying drawings, it should be understood that the invention is not limited to the precise embodiments and that those skilled in the art can recognize the scope of the invention and its equivalents without departing from the scope of the appended claims. Various changes and modifications may be implemented therein without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined by the present invention.

10:轉子 12:液體開口 20:定子 32:密封構件 34:側壁 34a:側壁/引導邊緣 34b:中點 34c:端 36:進一步壁 38:泵送通道 40:液體葉片 52:入口 54:出口 10: Rotor 12: Liquid opening 20: Stator 32: Sealing member 34: Sidewall 34a: Sidewall/Leading Edge 34b: Midpoint 34c: end 36: Further Walls 38: Pumping channel 40: Liquid Leaf 52: Entrance 54: Export

現將參考附圖進一步描述本發明之實施例，其中： 圖1展示根據一實施例之一泵中之一液體葉片； 圖2展示根據一實施例之一泵；及 圖3展示根據一實施例之透過一泵之一泵送通道之一截面。 Embodiments of the present invention will now be further described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 1 shows a liquid vane in a pump according to an embodiment; Figure 2 shows a pump according to an embodiment; and 3 shows a cross-section through a pumping channel of a pump, according to an embodiment.

10:轉子 10: Rotor

12:液體開口 12: Liquid opening

20:定子 20: Stator

32:密封構件 32: Sealing member

34:側壁 34: Sidewall

34a:側壁/引導邊緣 34a: Sidewall/Leading Edge

34b:中點 34b: Midpoint

34c:端 34c: end

36:進一步壁 36: Further Walls

38:泵送通道 38: Pumping channel

Claims (13)

一種用於泵送一氣體之泵，該泵包括： 一轉子及一定子； 該轉子或定子中之一者包括經構形用於與一液體源流體連通之至少一液體開口； 該液體開口經構形使得回應於一驅動力，從該開口輸出一液體流，該液體流在該轉子與該定子之間形成一液體葉片，回應於該轉子及該定子之相對旋轉運動，由該定子、該轉子及該液體葉片侷限之氣體被驅動沿從一進氣口朝向一出氣口之一泵送通道通過該泵；其中 該泵經構形使得該泵送通道包括兩側側壁，該等側壁從包括該液體開口之該轉子或定子處開始朝向彼此傾斜一直到遠離包括該液體開口之該轉子或定子的該泵送通道之較遠壁處，使得該等側壁之間的一距離隨距該液體開口之距離增加而減小，通過該等側壁之一中點的一切線相對於垂直於該轉子之一旋轉軸的一線具有5°與40°之間的一角度。 A pump for pumping a gas, the pump comprising: a rotor and a stator; One of the rotor or stator includes at least one liquid opening configured for fluid communication with a liquid source; The liquid opening is configured such that in response to a driving force, a flow of liquid is output from the opening, the liquid flow forming a liquid vane between the rotor and the stator, in response to relative rotational motion of the rotor and the stator, by The stator, the rotor and the gas confined by the liquid vanes are driven through the pump along a pumping passage from an inlet to an outlet; wherein The pump is configured such that the pumping channel includes two side walls that slope towards each other starting at the rotor or stator including the liquid opening to the pumping channel away from the rotor or stator including the liquid opening at the farther wall, such that a distance between the side walls decreases with increasing distance from the liquid opening, a tangent passing through a midpoint of one of the side walls is relative to a line perpendicular to an axis of rotation of the rotor Has an angle between 5° and 40°. 如請求項1之泵，其中該等側壁傾斜使得通過該等側壁之一中點的一切線相對於垂直於該轉子之一旋轉軸的一線之一角度在8°與25°之間，較佳地在10°與15°之間。A pump as claimed in claim 1, wherein the side walls are inclined such that a tangent to a line passing through a midpoint of one of the side walls is at an angle of between 8° and 25° with respect to a line perpendicular to an axis of rotation of the rotor The ground is between 10° and 15°. 如請求項1或2中任一項之泵，該泵經構形使得該泵送通道之該等側壁朝向與包括該液體開口之該轉子或定子的一接面向外擴張。The pump of any of claims 1 or 2, the pump being configured such that the side walls of the pumping channel expand outwardly toward an interface with the rotor or stator that includes the liquid opening. 如任何前述請求項之泵，該泵經構形以使得該等側壁中之各者與該較遠壁之間的一接面係彎曲的。A pump as in any preceding claim, the pump being configured such that a junction between each of the side walls and the distal wall is curved. 如任何前述請求項之泵，該等側壁圍繞垂直於該較遠壁之一中點之一軸對稱。The pump of any preceding claim, the side walls are symmetrical about an axis perpendicular to a midpoint of the distal wall. 如任何前述請求項之泵，其中該轉子包括該液體開口且經安裝以在該定子內旋轉。A pump as in any preceding claim, wherein the rotor includes the liquid opening and is mounted for rotation within the stator. 如任何前述請求項之泵，其中該液體開口包括平行於該轉子之一旋轉軸縱向延伸之至少一狹縫。A pump as in any preceding claim, wherein the liquid opening includes at least one slit extending longitudinally parallel to an axis of rotation of the rotor. 如任何前述請求項之泵，其中該定子及轉子經構形使得該泵送通道圍繞該轉子或定子之一內部者之一圓周運行，該進氣口配置為在操作中垂直高於該出氣口。A pump as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the stator and rotor are configured such that the pumping channel runs around a circumference of the rotor or an interior of one of the stators, the air inlet is configured in operation to be vertically higher than the air outlet . 如請求項8之泵，其中該出氣口處之該泵送通道之一下表面低於該進氣口處之該泵送通道之一下表面，且該出氣口處之該泵送通道之一較高表面高於該進氣口處之該泵送通道之一下表面。The pump of claim 8, wherein a lower surface of the pumping passage at the air outlet is lower than a lower surface of the pumping passage at the air inlet, and one of the pumping passages at the air outlet is higher The surface is higher than a lower surface of one of the pumping channels at the air inlet. 如任何前述請求項之泵，其中該泵送通道之一截面積經構形以從該進氣口至該出氣口增加。A pump as in any preceding claim, wherein a cross-sectional area of the pumping passage is configured to increase from the air inlet to the air outlet. 如請求項10之泵，其中該泵經構形使得從該進氣口至該出氣口之該截面積之增加及在正常操作期間供應至該泵之一液體量經選擇使得可用於氣體之該泵送通道之一截面積從該進氣口至該出氣口減小且壓縮經泵送之該氣體。The pump of claim 10, wherein the pump is configured such that the increase in cross-sectional area from the gas inlet to the gas outlet and the amount of liquid supplied to the pump during normal operation are selected to be available for the gas A cross-sectional area of the pumping channel decreases from the gas inlet to the gas outlet and compresses the pumped gas. 如任何前述請求項之泵，其進一步包括該等側壁與包括該液體開口之該轉子或定子之間的密封構件。The pump of any preceding claim, further comprising a sealing member between the side walls and the rotor or stator including the liquid opening. 如任何前述請求項之泵，其中該泵包括一真空泵。A pump as in any preceding claim, wherein the pump comprises a vacuum pump.

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