A vane pump is better known as a vane pump, since its working bodies look like flat or figured plates - gates. In 1899, the US scientist Robert Blackmer developed the design of a rotary pump with slide gates. It was this device that was the prototype of modern retractable vane pumps with a displaced center of rotation.
In the USSR, such a pump was patented by a group of scientists from the Tatar GNIIPI Oil Industry in 1974. And in May 2016, Russian inventor Boris Grigoriev filed a patent in 29 countries for an improved design of the internal element of a vane pump. In the new device, the Russian engineer managed to increase the volumetric, hydraulic and mechanical efficiency of the vane pump.
Valve pump device
The simple and unique design of the vane pump is based on a rotor with slots sawn in a circle at regular intervals. The plates inserted into them are equipped with a retractable spring. The rotor is installed in the stator (body, sleeve, glass), which has two holes: inlet and outlet. Some designs have two such holes, throughwhich fluid is fed into and out of the pump.
The principle of operation of the vane pump
Increased outlet pressure is created by the "vortex effect". That is, the displacement of the axis of rotation of the rotor relative to the axis of the body allows the plates to move forward in the place of greater clearance and press against the stator by centrifugal force.
When the pump is started, a vacuum is formed in the suction port. The transported mass is sucked into the space between the plates and pushed out through the outlet.
Pumps with a variable axis of displacement are used to adjust the volume of pumped liquid.
Benefits
- Relative to screw or gear pumps, the efficiency of vane pumps is much higher.
- The most simplified design is strong and durable. The strength of the mechanism reduces the chance of failure to a minimum.
- Sliding vane pumps allow you to pump abrasive and crystallizing liquids: with soft inclusions up to 1 cm, with solids no more than 500 microns.
- Easy replacement of inserts in case of breakage. Vane pump repair does not require the involvement of professional repairmen, which saves a lot of money.
- The body (sleeve, glass) of the pump and the plates (blades) are selected for the pumped substance.
- To create a vacuum, dry start possible.
- Some models provide a reverse mode, which greatly expands the scope of vane pumps and enables production to be diversified.
- Near-silent operation of compact equipment does not cause inconvenience to workers. Vibration of vane pumps is about 50% lower than other attachments.
- Energy saving reduces maintenance costs by approximately 20-30%. As a result, the cost of transported products is reduced.
- Can be used as a dispenser.
- The design of vane pumps allows the production of working parts from different materials to obtain a certain resistance to chemicals, avoid sparking, improve wear resistance, food industry applications and so on.
It is not recommended to use dry running vane pump for a long time. Increases the performance of the device by the function of electric heating, a special heat exchange jacket, Teflon o-rings.
Application
Sliding vane pumps are widely used in large and small industries, involving the transportation of products with a liquid or viscous texture. The popularity of these devices is due to the possibility of complete preservation of the working mass: the lamellar mechanism eliminates the occurrence of losses. The use of vane type pumps significantly increases the volume of production or processing of suspensions and viscous masses, while being the safest process for service personnel.
The self-priming effect of vane pumps has been widely usedin the chemical, pharmaceutical and oil refining industries, in cosmetology and food production.
Use of vane pumping systems
Sliding vane pumps are used for pumping various products:
- Crude oil, bitumen, fuel oil, paraffin, oil sludge, greases and mineral oils.
- Glues, varnishes, fillers, paints, latex emulsions, epoxies and mastics.
- Acids, solvents, black liquor, liquid glass, creosote, caustic, caustic soda.
- Fat, glycerin, emulsifiers, liquid soap, ink.
- Honey, mayonnaise, molasses, chocolate, condensed milk, vegetable oil, ketchup, syrups.
And many other liquid and viscous masses.
In the automotive industry, these pumps are used for power steering, boost, afterburning air, large truck brake booster and automatic transmission. In diesel passenger cars, the intake vacuum of the engines is created by a vane pump.
In household appliances, a similar device saturates soda with carbon dioxide and is used in coffee machines.
In most light aircraft, the gyroscopic instruments are driven by this type of pump.
Fire vane pump device
To improve the technical and operational characteristics of centrifugal pumps, vane pumps are installed in the vacuum systems of fire engines. Their autonomous work does not interfere withthe design of the exhaust system of the car and can have both manual and electric drive. Devices made of corrosion-resistant materials work more reliably. Since the working process does not exclude the ingress of water into the cavity, the gates can jam due to the accumulation of rust in the rotor grooves. It is also necessary to carefully monitor the oil lubrication of rubbing elements, since the oil used during operation is gradually thrown out, mixing with water.
The vacuum lamellar unit creates the required vacuum in the suction hoses and the cavity of the fire pump when filling with water, creating a pressure of 16-18 MPa.
Hand pump
Manual vane pumps are used to transfer small volumes of liquid from one container to another. Most often, manual devices are used to provide drinking or technical water in country houses. A hand pump helps to pump water from a well or reservoir using mechanical force for various reasons:
- In the absence of electrical wiring to the point of water intake, and, therefore, it is not possible to use an electric pump.
- Small amount of water needed and intermittent.
The advantages of hand pumps include their long service life, low cost, independence from electricity, easy installation and maintenance, and the ability to use anywhere. However, their use does not provideconstant supply of water and requires physical effort.
Design and application of hand pumps
Vanine hand pumps are a low-power design consisting of a long pipe with a rotary vane pump installed on it. Water or other liquid is sucked from the source (barrel, tank or well) by rotating the pump handle and transferred to the consumer through the tap. The mobile vane pump is easy to install and move to a new location. It only requires a hose to use.
The hand vane pump can also be used for pumping various liquids from barrels, such as engine and transmission oils, diesel fuel and others, to refuel equipment or pour oils into canisters.
How to choose a hand pump?
When choosing a hand pump, it should be understood that such a device is capable of pumping about 30-40 liters of liquid per minute. It is indispensable in remote places in the absence of the possibility of using automatic pumps. A vane pump is useful for periodically watering vegetable beds in the country. But it is not suitable for long-term use, for example, when lifting a large amount of water from a deep well. When purchasing a hand pump, you should pay attention to its appearance: there should be no cracks, chips, or poor-quality seams on the body. The more expensive pump made of time-tested cast iron will last longer. Models made of stainless steel and plastic are popular. Rubber valves wear out faster. And brass or bronze will last much longer. Piston rings can also becast iron or leather and rubber, which affects the life of the pump and its price.
Thus, the choice of a hand pump is based primarily on the expected volume of water or pumped liquid consumption and the appropriateness of its use. And also on its other characteristics.
