Variable Displacement Linkage Pump
Dr. James D. Van de Ven
Associate Professor The Problem: Pump Efficiency
Existing Solutions
Energy Losses Do NOT Scale:
• Port Plate
• Swashplate
• Compressibility
Our Solution: Variable Linkage
Youtube video: http://youtu.be/ZDaojFR8Ktg
Our Solution - Radial
Why it Works
• Rolling Element Bearings
• Joint Rotation Scales with Displacement
• Constant TDC
• Crosshead Bearing
• No Port Plate
Benefits
Benefits
• High Efficiency – Wide Range
• Reaches True Zero Displacement
• Water Compatible
• No Piston Side Load
• Manufacturability – 2D Links
• Tunable Flow Ripple
• Displacement Dense
Knowledge Generated
Full Dynamic Model:
• Linkage Kinematics & Kinetics
• Coulomb & Viscous Friction
• Kinetic Energy Storage
• Fluid Dynamics
• Compressibility, Flow Forces, Check Valve Dynamics, Leakage
Load
Check
Valves
Manifold
Exhaust
Line
Pumping
Cylinders
Mechanism
Experimental Validation
Validated Model
Multi-Objective Optimization
Operational Prototypes
Evolution & Current Status
Intellectual Property
• US Patent:
• “Adjustable Linkage for Variable Displacement” 9,441,483
• US Provisional Patents:
• “Modular Crank Shaft Assembly”
• “Cam-Driven Variable Displacement Linkage
Mechanism for Piston Machines & MultiDisplacement Piston Head”
Funding
History
• NSF EFRI/GOALI
• MnDRIVE Commercialization Award
• NSF PFI: AIR-TT
• NSF GOALI Supplement
• Sponsored Research: Racing Team
Future
• NSF SBIR – Dec 2017
• Other Opportunities
Partnering Opportunities
• Technology Licensing
• Alpha Customers
• Sponsored / Collaborative Research
Contact: Dr. James D. Van de Ven
E-mail: [email protected]
Variable Displacement Linkage Pump
Project Description: This is a novel pump design that uses and adjustable linkage to vary the piston displacement. The linkage uses rolling element bearings (no hydrostatic surfaces) for high efficiency across a broad operating range. To date, three generations of an inline architecture prototypes and one radial architecture have been designed and tested. Value Proposition: The pump is highly efficient across a wide range of displacement, pressure, and speed due to: rolling element bearings, no piston side‐load, constant TDC, and no port plate. The pumping fluid can be separated from the lubricating fluid, allowing operation with water or corrosive fluids. The torque/pressure ripple can be directly controlled through the kinematics, creating less ripple with five pistons than existing 11 piston pumps.
Research student profile: Shawn Wilhelm is co‐inventor of the variable linkage pump (protected by three patents) and has been working on the linkage pump for the past five years, completing his PhD in June 2015. During his graduate studies demonstrated a strong entrepreneurial mindset, through taking classes (New Product Design and Business Development and STARTUP: Customer Development and Training), actively engaging and networking through the UMN Venture Center, and holding weekly meetings with individuals from the UMN Office of Technology Commercialization to guide the development of a start‐up company. Dr. Wilhelm turned down employment opportunities at major fluid power companies to pursue the commercialization of the pump. He is currently a Post‐
Doc, supported by an NSF PFI:AIR grant and sponsored research to design the pump for a racing application.
Sources of support: We have been actively seeking and obtaining support for research and commercialization. The lineage of support to date includes: NSF EFRI award, NSF PFI:AIR‐TT award, MnDRIVE commercialization award, sponsored research from a racing team. Dr. Wilhelm has been a significant contributor to writing the proposals for three of these four grants. The funding opportunities we are currently exploring include: 1) NSF GOALI supplement –
April 2016, 2) NSF SBIR – June 2016, and 3) phase 2 support from current racing team sponsor. We are continuously exploring other funding opportunities and welcome advise or partnerships with CCEFP member companies.