Proposition of Unique Pumping System with Counter-Rotating Mechanism

Abstract

Turbo-pumps have weak points, such as when the pumping operation becomes unstable in the rising portion of the head characteristics and/or the cavitation occurs under the intolerably low suction head. To overcome both weak points simultaneously, this article proposes a unique pumping system with counter-rotating mechanism, which consists of two stage impellers and a peculiar motor with double rotors. The front and the rear impellers are driven by the inner and the outer rotors of the motor, respectively, keeping the relative rotational speed constant and counter-balancing the rotational torque. Such driving conditions not only smartly improve the unstable performance at lower discharge, but also suppress the cavitation at higher discharge, in the optimum cooperation with the impeller works and the rotor outputs.