A Study on a Novel PCP's Structure Using Finite Element Analysis

Abstract In a progressive cavity pump (PCP), the rubber stator is not only susceptible to damage, and thus is a major factor affecting the pump’s performance. To date, however, an experimental method to test the deformation and forced state of the elastomer of a stator under real operating conditions is still not available. In order to study the deformation of PCP’s elastomer, a numerical simulation method, finite element analysis (FEA), has been successfully applied. In order to improve PCP’s working efficiency and life, a novel structure, in which the elastomer is covered over the rotor rather than over the stator, is put forward, and the general structure performance is analyzed by FEA. Hereinafter PCP with this novel structure is called "construction A". Another idea to improve the failure resistance of PCP’s elastomer is to use some kind of reinforced material inside the rubber sleeve. Similar reinforced structures have been widely applied in other products, for instance, car tires. In a tire, there are various cords which are used as reinforcement layers. Steel cords, nylon cords, polyester cords, rayon cords and some hybrid cords are mature reinforcement materials in the tire industry. In this study, nylon cords are adopted to reinforce the structure of "construction A", which is hereinafter called "construction B". A comparison of structure performance between "construction A" and "construction B" has been conducted based on FEA results. It should be noted that even though stress and strain in both constructions are the same, "construction B" will have longer lifetimes than "construction A" because of greater failure resistance exhibited by "construction B". The purpose of this research is to find the difference between the two proposed novel constructions and the conventional construction. Based on the FEA analysis, the practicability of the novel PCPs can be assessed.