U.S. patent application number 10/847483 was filed with the patent office on 2005-11-17 for quick connect pump to pump mount and drive arrangement.
Invention is credited to Allen, William JR., Jakel, Sandra, Mayer, James.
Application Number | 20050254970 10/847483 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34939854 |
Filed Date | 2005-11-17 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050254970 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Mayer, James ; et
al. |
November 17, 2005 |
Quick connect pump to pump mount and drive arrangement
Abstract
An apparatus and method for pumping fluid. The apparatus
includes a first pump defined by a first housing having a first
primary shaft rotatably attached to a first gear set positioned
internal to the first housing. The apparatus includes a second pump
defined by a second housing having a second primary shaft rotatably
attached to a second gear set positioned internal to the second
housing. The first and second housings being connectible to one
another. A shaft quick connect mechanism is provided to couple the
first and second primary shafts to one another such that when the
first and second pump housings are connected, the first primary
shaft rotatingly drives the second primary shaft.
Inventors: |
Mayer, James; (Cedar Falls,
IA) ; Allen, William JR.; (Cedar Falls, IA) ;
Jakel, Sandra; (Cedar Falls, IA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MARSHALL, GERSTEIN & BORUN LLP
233 S. WACKER DRIVE, SUITE 6300
SEARS TOWER
CHICAGO
IL
60606
US
|
Family ID: |
34939854 |
Appl. No.: |
10/847483 |
Filed: |
May 17, 2004 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
417/410.4 ;
417/360 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F04C 2240/70 20130101;
F04C 2/18 20130101; F04C 2/086 20130101; F04C 15/0073 20130101;
F04C 2230/60 20130101; F04C 11/001 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
417/410.4 ;
417/360 |
International
Class: |
F04B 017/00; F04B
035/00 |
Claims
1. An apparatus for pumping fluid comprising: a first pump defined
by a first housing having a first primary shaft rotatingly attached
to a first gear set positioned internal to the first housing; a
second pump defined by a second housing having a second primary
shaft rotatingly attached to a second gear set positioned internal
to the first housing, the first and second housings connected to
one another for preventing relative movement the first and second
housings; a shaft quick connect mechanism for coupling the first
and second primary shafts to one another.
2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the shaft quick connect
mechanism includes a tang receiving slot formed in the first
primary shaft and a tang formed in the second primary shaft, the
tang being slidingly engageable with the tang receiving slot.
3. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: at least one
threaded fastener for fixedly holding the first and second housings
adjacent one another.
4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein each gear set includes a
primary gear and a secondary gear meshed with one another.
5. The apparatus of claim 4, further comprising: a secondary shaft
connected to each secondary gear.
6. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: at least one
bearing support positioned in each housing for rotatably supporting
a corresponding primary shaft.
7. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: at least one seal
disposed on each primary shaft for preventing fluid from flowing
between the housing and the primary shaft.
8. The apparatus of claim 7, further comprising: at least one snap
ring for retaining each seal in a corresponding housing.
9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein each housing further
comprises: a forward bracket; a pump head connectable to the
forward bracket; and an o-ring seal positioned between the forward
bracket and the pump head.
10. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a woodruff key
adapted to connect the first primary shaft to a power source.
11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the power source is an
electric motor operable for driving both of the first and second
pumps.
12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first housing includes a
bore and the second housing includes a protruding hub, the hub of
second housing being mountable within the bore of the first
housing.
13. The apparatus of claim 12, further comprising: a set screw
positioned in the first housing operable for lockingly engaging the
hub of the second housing.
14. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein each housing further
comprises: at least one fluid inlet port; and at least one fluid
outlet port.
15. A pump apparatus comprising: a plurality of pump housings
coupled to one another; a plurality of primary shafts having first
and second ends positioned internal to the housings; a gear set
disposed in each housing driven by the primary shaft in the
corresponding housing; and a shaft quick connect mechanism for
coupling the primary shafts of each pump to one another.
16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the shaft quick connect
mechanism includes a tang formed in the first end of each primary
shaft and a tang receiving slot formed in the second end of each
primary shaft, the tang in one primary shaft being slidingly
engageable with the tang receiving slot of an adjacent primary
shaft.
17. The apparatus of claim 15, further comprising: at least one
threaded fastener for fixedly holding the plurality of pump
housings together.
18. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein each gear set includes a
primary gear and a secondary gear meshed with one another.
19. The apparatus of claim 18, further comprising: a secondary
shaft connected to each secondary gear.
20. The apparatus of claim 15, further comprising: at least one
bearing support positioned in each housing for rotatably supporting
a corresponding shaft.
21. The apparatus of claim 15, further comprising: at least one
seal disposed on each primary shaft for preventing fluid from
flowing between the housing and the primary shaft.
22. The apparatus of claim 21, further comprising: at least one
snap ring for retaining each seal in a corresponding housing.
23. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein each housing further
comprises: a forward bracket; a pump head connectable to the
forward bracket; and an o-ring seal positioned between the forward
bracket and the pump head.
24. The apparatus of claim 15, further comprising: a woodruff key
adapted to connect one primary shaft to a power source.
25. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein the power source is an
electric motor operable for driving the plurality of pumps.
26. The apparatus of claim 24, further comprising: a recessed bore
area formed on one end of a first housing connected to the power
source; a recessed bore area formed on one end and a protruding hub
formed on an opposing end of intermediate housings; a protruding
hub formed on the last housing of the plurality of housings, the
hubs of the housings being mountable within the recessed bore areas
of each adjoining housing such that the first housing, intermediate
housings, and last housing are connectable to one another.
27. The apparatus of claim 26, further comprising: a threaded
fastener for threadingly engaging through the bore area of one
housing and adapted to lockingly engage the hub of an adjoining
housing.
28. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein each housing further
comprises: at least one fluid inlet port; and at least one fluid
outlet port.
29. A method of pumping a plurality of discreet fluids with a
pumping apparatus comprising the steps of: providing a primary
shaft formed with a quick connect mechanism in a plurality of pump
housings; joining the plurality of pump housings together; coupling
the primary shafts of the pump housings to one another by sliding a
tang formed in one end of each shaft into a tang receiving slot
formed in an adjacent shaft; connecting a power source to one drive
shaft; driving the plurality of pump units with the power source;
and pumping the discreet fluids from one location to another.
Description
FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0001] The present disclosure relates to multiple pump assembly and
more particularly to a multiple pump assembly having a quick
connect coupling and drive arrangement for connecting pumps
together.
BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0002] Pump units connected to one another and driven by one power
source are known. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,672,843 issued to
Holder et al. on Jan. 6, 2004, relates to a dual pump apparatus
comprising dual drive shafts and an auxiliary pump. A dual pump
apparatus is disclosed for use on a vehicle or industrial
application having a housing in which a pair of hydraulic pumps is
mounted. The apparatus includes at least one charge pump mounted on
an end cap with trunnion arms for controlling the hydraulic pumps
that extend out of opposite sides of the housing. A cooling fan may
be mounted on the primary or secondary input shaft on the opposite
side of a pulley that is used to engage the prime mover. An
auxiliary pump may also be mounted on the primary input shaft and
may be located either at the input end adjacent to the pulley or on
the opposite side of the housing.
[0003] U.S. Pat. No. 6,361,282 issued to Wanschura on Mar. 26,
2002, relates to a dual pump unit. The Wanschura patent discloses a
dual pump unit having two hydraulic pumps with coaxially mounted
drive shafts that are coupled to each other. The coupling member
surrounds a connecting member, wherein high pressure lines and low
pressure lines are formed. The connecting member extends between
two control bodies that are respectively associated with one
hydraulic pump and which are used to create a cyclic connection
between the cylinders of the hydraulic pumps and the high pressure
lines and low pressure lines. The connecting member requires two
connector plates defining one of the hydraulic pumps respectively
on the control bodies and an individually formed interchangeable
intermediate element arranged between the connector plates. The
connector plates each have a recess into which the intermediate
element can be respectively inserted so that the connector plates
can radially encompass the intermediate element and the
intermediate element can be fixed between the connector plates.
[0004] The prior art of Holder et al. and Wanschura disclose pump
connections that are complex. A more robust and less complex pump
to pump coupling system is contemplated by the present
invention.
SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0005] In accordance with one aspect of the disclosure, an
apparatus for pumping fluid is provided. The apparatus includes a
first pump defined by a first housing having a first rotating
primary shaft attached to a first gear set positioned internal to
the first housing. A second pump defined by a second housing
includes a second rotating primary shaft attached to a second gear
set. The first and second housings can be connected to one another.
A shaft quick connect mechanism is provided to couple the first and
second primary shafts to one another such that when the first
primary shaft rotates, the second primary shaft is driven in a like
manner.
[0006] In an illustrative embodiment, the shaft quick connect
mechanism includes a tang receiving slot formed in the first
primary shaft and a tang formed in the second primary shaft. The
tang of the second primary shaft can be slidingly engaged with the
tang receiving slot of the first primary shaft causing the shafts
to lockingly engage one another.
[0007] In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, a
pumping apparatus including a plurality of pump housings coupled to
one another is provided. A primary shaft having first and second
ends is positioned internal to each housing. A gear set is
positioned in each housing and is driven by a corresponding primary
shaft. A shaft quick connect mechanism is provided for coupling the
primary shafts of each pump to one another. The shaft quick connect
mechanism includes a tang formed in the first end of each primary
shaft and a tang receiving slot formed in the second end of each
primary shaft. The tang in one primary shaft is slidingly
engageable with a tang receiving slot in an adjacent primary
shaft.
[0008] In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, a
method for pumping a plurality of discreet fluids with a pumping
apparatus having a plurality of pump units connected together is
provided. The method includes positioning a primary shaft having a
quick connect mechanism for coupling the primary shafts of each
pump unit to one another. A power source is connected to one drive
shaft for driving the plurality of pump units together and pumping
the discreet fluids from one location to another.
[0009] Other applications of the present disclosure will become
apparent to those skilled in the art when the following description
of the best mode contemplated for practicing the invention is read
in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a dual pump assembly spaced
apart for clarity;
[0011] FIG. 2A is a cross-sectional view of the dual pump assembly
of FIG. 1;
[0012] FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional view of the dual pump assembly
of FIG. 1 coupled together;
[0013] FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the dual pump assembly of FIG.
1; and
[0014] FIG. 4 is a schematic showing a motor drive coupled to a
plurality of pumps.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0015] Referring to FIG. 1, an apparatus 10 for pumping fluid as
shown therein. The apparatus 10 can include a first pump housing 12
and a second pump housing 14. The pump housings 12, 14 each include
a first primary shaft 16a and 16b, respectively. The primary shaft
16a is rotatably disposed in the first pump housing 12. The second
primary shaft 16b is rotatably disposed in the second pump housing
14. The first primary shaft 16a is coupled with and drives the
second primary shaft 16b. Each pump housings 12, 14 includes a
fluid inlet port 18 and a fluid outlet port (not shown) that can be
positioned on the opposite side of the housing 12, 14. The second
pump housing 14 includes a protruding annular hub 20 formed thereon
for slidingly engaging with the first pump housing 12. The first
and second pump housings 12, 14 are held together via a threaded
fastener 22 that lockingly engages through the first pump housing
12 into a groove 24 of the protruding annular hub 20. The first
pump housing 12 can include a plurality of fasteners 26 to engage
with a power source such as an electric motor (not shown). The
first primary shaft 16a can include a woodruff key 27 to engage
with a power output shaft (not shown) of the electric motor (not
shown).
[0016] Referring now to FIGS. 2A, 2B, and 3, the pump housings 12
and 14 are shown in cross-section and in exploded view
respectively. Each pump housing 12, 14 includes a forward bracket
28 and a head 30. The head 30 and the forward bracket 28 are
connected to one another via a plurality of threaded fasteners 32
that extend through the head 30 and threadingly engage a
corresponding threaded aperture 34 formed in the forward bracket
28.
[0017] At least one alignment sleeve 36 can extend between the
forward bracket 28 and the pump head 30 to align the housings 12,
14 with one another to ensure proper dimensional alignment during
the assembly process. The first primary shaft 16a in the first pump
housing 12 is coupled to the second primary shaft 16b in the second
housing 14 with a quick connect mechanism 40. The quick connect
mechanism 40 can include a tang 42 extending from the second
primary shaft 16b and a tang receiving slot 44 formed in the first
primary shaft 16a. The tang 42 of the second primary shaft 16b is
operable for slidingly engaging with the tang receiving slot 44 of
the first primary shaft 16a. The quick connect mechanism 40 ensures
a positively coupled connection such that when the primary shaft
16a is driven by a power source (not shown), the second primary
shaft 16b is driven in like manner.
[0018] The first and second pump housings 12, 14 are coupled by
sliding the protruding annular hub 20 of the second housing 14 into
a bore 21 formed in the first housing 12. The primary shafts 16a,
16b are coupled to one another after the tang 42 and slot 44 are
aligned and the housings 12, 14 are pressed together such that the
annular hub 20 is inserted into the bore 21 of the first housing
12.
[0019] The first primary shaft 16a includes a first primary gear
46a positioned on the outer diameter of the shaft 16a. The second
primary shaft 16b includes a second primary gear 46b positioned on
the outer diameter of the shaft 16b. The primary gears 46a, 46b are
coupled to secondary gears 48a and 48b, respectively. The secondary
gears 48a and 48b are driven by the primary gears 46a and 46b,
respectively. The secondary gears 48a and 48b are connected to
secondary shaft 50a and 50b, respectively. The secondary gears 48a,
48b rotate with the secondary shafts 50a, 50b when the primary
gears 46a and 46b are rotated.
[0020] A pair of journal bearings, 52a and 52b, are positioned in
the forward bracket 28 and the pump head 30, respectively. It
should be understood to those skilled in the art that other types
of bearings could be used such as roller bearings or ball bearings
and the like. The primary shafts 16a, 16b are rotatingly supported
by journal bearings 52a, 52b. A pair of lip seals 54a and 54b are
positioned in the first pump housing 12 to prevent fluid from
escaping along the interface between the shaft 16a and the housing
12. A pair of retaining rings 56a and 56b prevents the lip seals
54a, 56a from inadvertently disengaging from the housing 12. The
second pump housing 14 includes a lip seal 58 positioned around the
second primary shaft 16b. A retaining ring 60 engages the second
pump housing 14 to prevent the lip seal 58 from inadvertently
disengaging from the pump housing 14. An O-ring 62 is positioned at
the interface between the forward bracket 28 and the head 30 of
each pump housing 12, 14. The O-ring 62 prevents fluids from
escaping at the interface of the forward bracket 28 and the pump
head 30.
[0021] Drive ball elements 63 (best seen in FIG. 3) are positioned
in depressions 64 formed in the primary and secondary shafts 16a,
16b, 50a, and 50b. The primary and secondary gears 46a, 46b, 48a,
and 48b have a matching slot 66 that is formed on the hub of the
gears. The gears 46a, 46b, 48a, and 48b slide over and engage with
the drive ball elements 63 causing a positive engagement with the
primary and secondary shafts 16a, 16b, 50a, and 50b, respectively.
A pair of retaining rings 68a, 68b can be snapped into mating
grooves 70a, 70b formed in the primary and secondary shafts 16a,
16b, 50a, and 50b. The retaining rings 68a, 68b hold the gears 46a,
46b, 48a, and 48b in longitudinal position relative to their
respective shafts.
[0022] Referring now to FIG. 4, a schematic showing a multi-pump
arrangement is depicted therein. A power source such as an electric
motor 80 can be coupled with a plurality of pump units 82. The pump
units 82 are coupled together with quick connect coupling
mechanisms 40 described above. While one aspect of the present
disclosure includes the multiple unit configuration schematically
shown in FIG. 4, it should be understood that the present invention
contemplates a pump arrangement with as many pumps as
advantageously required for a particular application. Also, it is
further contemplated that other shaft quick connect features could
be incorporated, such as a spline coupling.
[0023] In operation, the first pump housing 12 is connected to a
first fluid source (not shown), and the second pump housing 14 is
connected to a second fluid source (not shown). The gear sets 46a,
48a, and 46b, 48b draw fluid from fluid sources (not shown) through
the inlet ports 18 of the first and second pump housings 12, 14 and
pump the fluid out through the outlet ports (not shown). The inlet
ports 18 and outlet ports can be connected to the fluid sources via
conduits such as flexible tubing as desired. A power source such as
an electric motor (not shown) is coupled with and drives the first
primary shaft 16a of the first pump housing 12. The first primary
gear 46a rotates with the first primary shaft 16a and drives the
secondary gear 48a disposed on the secondary rotating shaft 50a.
The rotation of the first gear set 46a, 48a causes fluid to be
pumped from a first fluid source. The primary shaft 16a of the
first pump housing 12 is coupled to the primary shaft 16b of the
second pump housing 14. The primary shaft 16a and 16b are coupled
to one another with a quick connect coupling mechanism 40 wherein
the tang 42 of the second primary shaft 16b engages with a slot 44
formed in the first primary shaft 16a causing the second primary
shaft 16b to be driven by the first primary shaft 16a. The second
primary shaft 16b drives the second primary gear 46b which in turn
meshes with and drives the secondary gear 48b. The rotation of the
second gear set 46b, 48b causes fluid to be pumped from a second
fluid source.
[0024] While the preceding text sets forth a detailed description
of numerous different embodiments of the invention, it should be
understood that the legal scope of the invention is defined by the
words of the claims set forth at the end of this patent. The
detailed description is to be construed as exemplary only and does
not describe every possible embodiment of the invention since
describing every possible embodiment would be impractical, if not
impossible. Numerous alternative embodiments could be implemented,
using either current technology or technology developed after the
filing date of this patent, which would still fall within the scope
of the claims defining the invention.
* * * * *