U.S. patent application number 14/083584 was filed with the patent office on 2015-05-21 for pump device for dishwasher appliance.
This patent application is currently assigned to General Electric Company. The applicant listed for this patent is General Electric Company. Invention is credited to Hanping Xu.
Application Number | 20150136188 14/083584 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 53172051 |
Filed Date | 2015-05-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150136188 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Xu; Hanping |
May 21, 2015 |
PUMP DEVICE FOR DISHWASHER APPLIANCE
Abstract
Dishwasher appliances are provided. A pump device of a
dishwasher appliance may include a first centrifugal pump in fluid
communication with a drain and a second centrifugal pump in fluid
communication with a fluid circulation assembly. The pump device
further includes a motor, the motor including a driveshaft, the
driveshaft rotatable in a first direction and a second opposite
direction. The pump device further includes a first one-way bearing
connecting the first centrifugal pump to the driveshaft, the first
one-way bearing operable to rotate the impeller of the first
centrifugal pump when the driveshaft is rotating in the first
direction, and a second one-way bearing connecting the second
centrifugal pump to the driveshaft, the second one-way bearing
operable to rotate the impeller of the second centrifugal pump when
the driveshaft is rotating in the second direction.
Inventors: |
Xu; Hanping; (Louisville,
KY) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
General Electric Company |
Schenectady |
NY |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
General Electric Company
Schenectady
NY
|
Family ID: |
53172051 |
Appl. No.: |
14/083584 |
Filed: |
November 19, 2013 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
134/186 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47L 15/4225
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
134/186 |
International
Class: |
A47L 15/42 20060101
A47L015/42 |
Claims
1. A dishwasher appliance, comprising: a tub that defines a wash
chamber for receipt of articles for washing; a sump for collecting
fluid from the wash chamber; a fluid circulation assembly in fluid
communication with the sump for circulating fluid in the tub; a
drain for draining fluid from the sump; and a pump device in fluid
communication with the sump, the pump device comprising: a first
centrifugal pump, the first centrifugal pump comprising an impeller
and in fluid communication with the drain; a second centrifugal
pump, the second centrifugal pump comprising an impeller and in
fluid communication with the fluid circulation assembly; a motor,
the motor comprising a driveshaft, the driveshaft rotatable in a
first direction and a second opposite direction; a first one-way
bearing connecting the first centrifugal pump to the driveshaft,
the first one-way bearing operable to rotate the impeller of the
first centrifugal pump when the driveshaft is rotating in the first
direction; and a second one-way bearing connecting the second
centrifugal pump to the driveshaft, the second one-way bearing
operable to rotate the impeller of the second centrifugal pump when
the driveshaft is rotating in the second direction.
2. The dishwasher appliance of claim 1, wherein the first
centrifugal pump, the second centrifugal pump, and the motor are
enclosed in a common housing.
3. The dishwasher appliance of claim 2, further comprising a first
bulkhead and a second bulkhead disposed in the common housing, the
first bulkhead partitioning the first centrifugal pump from the
motor, the second bulkhead partitioning the second centrifugal pump
from the motor.
4. The dishwasher appliance of claim 3, further comprising a first
seal disposed in the first bulkhead and a second seal disposed in
the second bulkhead, the first centrifugal pump connected to the
motor through the first seal, the second centrifugal pump connected
to the motor through the second seal.
5. The dishwasher appliance of claim 3, wherein the driveshaft
extends through the first seal and the second seal.
6. The dishwasher appliance of claim 3, further comprising a first
coupling shaft and a second coupling shaft, the first coupling
shaft extending through the first seal and connecting the impeller
of the first centrifugal pump to the driveshaft, the second
coupling shaft extending through the second seal and connecting the
impeller of the second centrifugal pump to the driveshaft.
7. The dishwasher appliance of claim 6, wherein the first one-way
bearing is press-fit into the first coupling shaft and the second
one-way bearing is press-fit into the second coupling shaft.
8. The dishwasher appliance of claim 3, wherein the first one-way
bearing and second one-way bearing are disposed in a motor
compartment of the common housing defined by the first bulkhead and
second bulkhead.
9. The dishwasher appliance of claim 3, wherein the first one-way
bearing is disposed in a first pump compartment of the common
housing defined by the first bulkhead and the second one-way
bearing is disposed in a second pump compartment defined by the
second bulkhead.
10. The dishwasher appliance of claim 3, wherein the first one-way
bearing and second one-way bearing are sealed.
11. A dishwasher appliance, comprising: a tub that defines a wash
chamber for receipt of articles for washing; a sump for collecting
fluid from the wash chamber; a fluid circulation assembly in fluid
communication with the sump for circulating fluid in the tub; a
drain for draining fluid from the sump; and a pump device in fluid
communication with the sump, the pump device comprising: a first
pump, the first pump in fluid communication with the drain; a
second pump, the second pump in fluid communication with the fluid
circulation assembly; a motor, the motor comprising a driveshaft,
the driveshaft rotatable in a first direction and a second opposite
direction; a common housing enclosing the first pump, the second
pump, and the motor; a first bulkhead and a second bulkhead
disposed in the common housing, the first bulkhead partitioning the
first pump from the motor, the second bulkhead partitioning the
second pump from the motor; and a first seal disposed in the first
bulkhead and a second seal disposed in the second bulkhead, the
first pump connected to the motor through the first seal, the
second pump connected to the motor through the second seal.
12. The dishwasher appliance of claim 11, wherein the pump device
further comprises: a first one-way bearing connecting the first
pump to the driveshaft, the first one-way bearing operating the
first pump when the driveshaft is rotating in the first direction;
and a second one-way bearing connecting the second pump to the
driveshaft, the second one-way bearing operating the second pump
when the driveshaft is rotating in the second direction.
13. The dishwasher appliance of claim 12, wherein the first one-way
bearing and second one-way bearing are disposed in a motor
compartment of the common housing defined by the first bulkhead and
second bulkhead.
14. The dishwasher appliance of claim 12, wherein the first one-way
bearing is disposed in a first pump compartment of the common
housing defined by the first bulkhead and the second one-way
bearing is disposed in a second pump compartment defined by the
second bulkhead.
15. The dishwasher appliance of claim 12, wherein the first one-way
bearing and second one-way bearing are sealed.
16. The dishwasher appliance of claim 11, wherein the first pump
and the second pump are centrifugal pumps.
17. The dishwasher appliance of claim 11, wherein the driveshaft
extends through the first seal and the second seal.
18. The dishwasher appliance of claim 11, further comprising a
first coupling shaft and a second coupling shaft, the first
coupling shaft extending through the first seal and connecting the
first pump to the driveshaft, the second coupling shaft extending
through the second seal and connecting the second pump to the
driveshaft.
19. The dishwasher appliance of claim 15, wherein a first one-way
bearing is press-fit into the first coupling shaft and a second
one-way bearing is press-fit into the second coupling shaft.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The subject matter of the present disclosure relates
generally to dishwasher appliances, and more particularly to pump
devices for circulation and drainage purposes in dishwasher
appliances.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Dishwasher appliances generally include a tub that defines a
wash compartment. Rack assemblies can be mounted within the wash
compartment of the tub for receipt of articles for washing. Spray
assemblies within the wash compartment can apply or direct wash
fluid towards articles disposed within the rack assemblies in order
to clean such articles. Multiple spray assemblies can be provided
including e.g., a lower spray arm assembly mounted to the tub at a
bottom of the wash compartment, a mid-level spray arm assembly
mounted to one of the rack assemblies, and/or an upper spray
assembly mounted to the tub at a top of the wash compartment. Other
configurations may be used as well.
[0003] A dishwasher appliance is typically equipped with at least
one pump for circulating fluid through the spray assemblies. Many
known dishwasher appliances additionally include a separate pump
for facilitating drainage of wash fluid from the tub. However, the
use of two separate pumps for circulation and drainage purposes has
a variety of disadvantages. For example, the use of separate
circulation and drainage pumps thus requires the use of two
separate motors for operating the respective pumps, which can
undesirably increase the number of components in the dishwasher
appliance and the associated cost of the dishwasher appliances.
Additionally, the use of two motors and two separate pumps can lead
to space concerns within the dishwasher appliance. Still further,
the use of two separate motors and two separate pumps can cause
undesirable vibrations in the dishwasher appliance during
operation.
[0004] Accordingly, improved dishwasher appliances are desired in
the art. In particular, improved pump devices for dishwasher
appliances which can reduce space and cost concerns while
additionally providing vibration reducing characteristics would be
advantageous.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0005] In one exemplary embodiment, the present disclosure provides
a dishwasher appliance. The dishwasher appliance includes a tub
that defines a wash chamber for receipt of articles for washing, a
sump for collecting fluid from the wash chamber, a fluid
circulation assembly in fluid communication with the sump for
circulating fluid in the tub, and a drain for draining fluid from
the sump. The dishwasher appliance may further include a pump
device in fluid communication with the sump. The pump device
includes a first centrifugal pump, the first centrifugal pump
comprising an impeller and in fluid communication with the drain,
and a second centrifugal pump, the second centrifugal pump
comprising an impeller and in fluid communication with the fluid
circulation assembly. The pump device further includes a motor, the
motor including a driveshaft, the driveshaft rotatable in a first
direction and a second opposite direction. The pump device further
includes a first one-way bearing connecting the first centrifugal
pump to the driveshaft, the first one-way bearing operable to
rotate the impeller of the first centrifugal pump when the
driveshaft is rotating in the first direction, and a second one-way
bearing connecting the second centrifugal pump to the driveshaft,
the second one-way bearing operable to rotate the impeller of the
second centrifugal pump when the driveshaft is rotating in the
second direction.
[0006] In another exemplary embodiment, the present disclosure
provides a dishwasher appliance. The dishwasher appliance includes
a tub that defines a wash chamber for receipt of articles for
washing, a sump for collecting fluid from the wash chamber, a fluid
circulation assembly in fluid communication with the sump for
circulating fluid in the tub, and a drain for draining fluid from
the sump. The dishwasher appliance may further include a pump
device in fluid communication with the sump. The pump device
includes a first pump, the first pump in fluid communication with
the drain, and a second pump, the second pump in fluid
communication with the fluid circulation assembly. The pump device
further includes a motor, the motor including a driveshaft, the
driveshaft rotatable in a first direction and a second opposite
direction., and a common housing enclosing the first pump, the
second pump, and the motor. The pump device further includes a
first bulkhead and a second bulkhead disposed in the common
housing, the first bulkhead partitioning the first pump from the
motor, the second bulkhead partitioning the second pump from the
motor. The pump device further includes a first seal disposed in
the first bulkhead and a second seal disposed in the second
bulkhead, the first pump connected to the motor through the first
seal, the second pump connected to the motor through the second
seal.
[0007] These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the
present invention will become better understood with reference to
the following description and appended claims. The accompanying
drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this
specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and,
together with the description, serve to explain the principles of
the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] A full and enabling disclosure of the present invention
including the best mode thereof, directed to one of ordinary skill
in the art, is set forth in the specification, which makes
reference to the appended figures, in which:
[0009] FIG. 1 provides a front view of a dishwasher appliance in
accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0010] FIG. 2 provides a side, cross-sectional view of a dishwasher
appliance in accordance with one embodiment of the present
disclosure.
[0011] FIG. 3 provides a schematic view of a dishwasher appliance
in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0012] FIG. 4 provides a schematic view of a pump device for a
dishwasher appliance in accordance with one embodiment of the
present disclosure.
[0013] FIG. 5 provides a schematic view of a pump device for a
dishwasher appliance in accordance with another embodiment of the
present disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0014] Reference now will be made in detail to embodiments of the
invention, one or more examples of which are illustrated in the
drawings. Each example is provided by way of explanation of the
invention, not limitation of the invention. In fact, it will be
apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and
variations can be made in the present invention without departing
from the scope or spirit of the invention. For instance, features
illustrated or described as part of one embodiment can be used with
another embodiment to yield a still further embodiment. Thus, it is
intended that the present invention covers such modifications and
variations as come within the scope of the appended claims and
their equivalents.
[0015] As used herein, the term "article" may refer to, but need
not be limited to, dishes, pots, pans, silverware, and other
cooking utensils and items that can be cleaned in a dishwashing
appliance. The term "wash cycle" is intended to refer to one or
more periods of time during the cleaning process where a
dishwashing appliance operates while containing articles to be
washed and uses a detergent and water, preferably with agitation,
to e.g., remove soil particles including food and other undesirable
elements from the articles. The term "rinse cycle" is intended to
refer to one or more periods of time during the cleaning process in
which the dishwashing appliance operates to remove residual soil,
detergents, and other undesirable elements that were retained by
the articles after completion of the wash cycle. The term "drying
cycle" is intended to refer to one or more periods of time in which
the dishwashing appliance is operated to dry the articles by
removing fluids from the wash chamber. The term "fluid" refers to a
liquid used for washing and/or rinsing the articles and is
typically made up of water that may include additives such as e.g.,
detergent or other treatments.
[0016] FIGS. 1 and 2 depict an exemplary domestic dishwasher 100
that may be configured in accordance with aspects of the present
disclosure. For the particular embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2, the
dishwasher 100 includes a cabinet 102 having a tub 104 therein that
defines a wash chamber 106. The tub 104 includes a front opening
(not shown) and a door 120 hinged at its bottom 122 for movement
between a normally closed vertical position (shown in FIGS. 1 and
2), wherein the wash chamber 106 is sealed shut for washing
operation, and a horizontal open position for loading and unloading
of articles from the dishwasher. Latch 123 is used to lock and
unlock door 120 for access to chamber 106.
[0017] Upper and lower guide rails 124, 126 are mounted on tub side
walls 128 and accommodate roller-equipped rack assemblies 130 and
132. Each of the rack assemblies 130, 132 is fabricated into
lattice structures including a plurality of elongated members 134
(for clarity of illustration, not all elongated members making up
assemblies 130 and 132 are shown in FIG. 2). Each rack 130, 132 is
adapted for movement between an extended loading position (not
shown) in which the rack is substantially positioned outside the
wash chamber 106, and a retracted position (shown in FIGS. 1 and 2)
in which the rack is located inside the wash chamber 106. This is
facilitated by rollers 135 and 139, for example, mounted onto racks
130 and 132, respectively. A silverware basket (not shown) may be
removably attached to rack assembly 132 for placement of
silverware, utensils, and the like, that are otherwise too small to
be accommodated by the racks 130, 132.
[0018] The dishwasher 100 further includes a lower spray-arm
assembly 144 that is rotatably mounted within a lower region 146 of
the wash chamber 106 and above a sump 142 so as to rotate in
relatively close proximity to rack assembly 132. A mid-level
spray-arm assembly 148 is located in an upper region of the wash
chamber 106 and may be located in close proximity to upper rack
130. Additionally, an upper spray assembly 150 may be located above
the upper rack 130.
[0019] The lower and mid-level spray-arm assemblies 144, 148 and
the upper spray assembly 150 are part of a fluid circulation
assembly 152 for circulating water and dishwasher fluid in the tub
104. As discussed below, fluid circulation assembly 152 may receive
fluid from a pump device 200 for circulation of the fluid in the
tub 104.
[0020] Each spray-arm assembly 144, 148 includes an arrangement of
discharge ports or orifices for directing fluid onto dishes or
other articles located in rack assemblies 130 and 132. The
arrangement of the discharge ports in spray-arm assemblies 144, 148
provides a rotational force by virtue of washing fluid flowing
through the discharge ports. The resultant rotation of the
spray-arm assemblies 144, 148 and the operation of spray assembly
150 provides coverage of dishes and other dishwasher contents with
a washing spray. Other configurations of spray assemblies may be
used as well.
[0021] Dishwasher assembly 100 further includes a sump 142, which
may be provided in lower region 146 below, for example, lower
spray-arm assembly 144. Sump 142 generally collects fluid from the
wash chamber 106 for circulation within the tub 104, such as back
into the wash chamber 106 through fluid circulation assembly 152,
as well as drainage from the tub 104 and dishwasher appliance 100
in general. Drainage may occur, for example, through a drain 154
which is provided for draining fluid from the sump 142.
[0022] The dishwasher 100 is further equipped with a controller 137
to regulate operation of the dishwasher 100. The controller may
include one or more memory devices and one or more microprocessors,
such as general or special purpose microprocessors operable to
execute programming instructions or micro-control code associated
with a cleaning cycle. The memory may represent random access
memory such as DRAM, or read only memory such as ROM or FLASH. In
one embodiment, the processor executes programming instructions
stored in memory. The memory may be a separate component from the
processor or may be included onboard within the processor.
[0023] The controller 137 may be positioned in a variety of
locations throughout dishwasher 100. In the illustrated embodiment,
the controller 137 may be located within a control panel area 121
of door 120 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. In such an embodiment,
input/output ("I/O") signals may be routed between the control
system and various operational components of dishwasher 100 along
wiring harnesses that may be routed through the bottom 122 of door
120. Typically, the controller 137 includes a user interface
panel/controls 136 through which a user may select various
operational features and modes and monitor progress of the
dishwasher 100. In one embodiment, the user interface 136 may
represent a general purpose I/O ("GPIO") device or functional
block. In one embodiment, the user interface 136 may include input
components, such as one or more of a variety of electrical,
mechanical or electro-mechanical input devices including rotary
dials, push buttons, and touch pads. The user interface 136 may
include a display component, such as a digital or analog display
device designed to provide operational feedback to a user. The user
interface 136 may be in communication with the controller 137 via
one or more signal lines or shared communication busses.
[0024] It should be appreciated that the invention is not limited
to any particular style, model, or configuration of dishwasher. The
exemplary embodiment depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2 is for illustrative
purposes only. For example, different locations may be provided for
user interface 136, different configurations may be provided for
racks 130, 132, and other differences may be applied as well.
[0025] Referring now to FIGS. 3 through 5, various embodiments of a
pump device 200 for use with a dishwasher appliance according to
the present disclosure are illustrated. As discussed, sump 142
advantageously collects fluid for circulation and drainage
purposes. Pump device 200 is in fluid communication with the sump
142, and advantageously facilitates both circulation and drainage,
through selective operation of a single motor connected to two
pumps. Additionally, pump device 200 may include various sealing
and operating characteristics that provide improved performance
relative to known dishwasher appliance pump apparatus, and may
further include features that reduce the noise associated with the
pump device 200 during operation thereof.
[0026] Pump device 200 may include, for example, a motor 202, a
first pump 204, and a second pump 206. First pump 204 may generally
be in fluid communication with the drain 154, and second pump 206
may generally be in fluid communication with the fluid circulation
assembly 152. Motor 202 is generally connected to the first pump
204 and the second pump 206, and is selectively operable to operate
the first pump 204 and second pump 206. For example, motor 202 may
include a driveshaft 210, which may extend between a first end 212
and a second end 214. Driveshaft 210 may be rotatable in a first
direction 216 and a second direction 218 opposite to the first
direction 216. Such rotation 216, 218 may be selectively performed
based on, for example, commands from the controller 137. First pump
204 and second pump 206 may be connected to driveshaft 210, and
each pump may be selectively operable based on rotation of the
driveshaft 210 in a certain direction. For example, first pump 204,
but not second pump 206, may be operable when the driveshaft 210 is
rotating in the first direction 216. Second pump 206, but not first
pump 204, may be operable when the driveshaft 210 is rotating in
the second direction 218.
[0027] As illustrated, in exemplary embodiments, first pump 204 and
second pump 206 are disposed on opposing ends of the motor 202. For
example, first pump 204 may be adjacent and connected to first end
212 of the driveshaft 210, while second pump 206 may be adjacent
and connected to second end 214 of the driveshaft 210.
[0028] In exemplary embodiments, first pump 204 and second pump 206
are centrifugal pumps. A centrifugal pump is generally a pump
wherein fluid enters a pump impeller along or near a rotating axis
and is accelerated by the impeller, flowing radially outward
towards and through an outlet of the pump. Centrifugal pumps are
particularly advantageous for use in dishwasher appliance 100
applications, due to their low cost and reliability. Additionally,
centrifugal pumps are generally more tolerant to, for example, food
particles, than other pumps, etc. Alternatively, however, other
suitable pumps are within the scope and spirit of the present
disclosure. In any case, in some embodiments, first pump 204 and
second pump 206 may each include an impeller 220, 222. The
impellers 220, 222 may be connected to and selectively rotatable by
operation of the driveshaft 210.
[0029] As illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, one-way bearings 230, 232
may be utilized to facilitate selective operation of the pumps 204,
206 due to operation of the motor 202. A one-way bearing generally
engages and rotates a component connected to the one-way bearing
when the one-way bearing is rotated in one direction, but does not
transmit any rotational force or otherwise engage the component
when rotated in an opposite direction. For example, first one-way
bearing 230 may connect the first pump 204 to the driveshaft 210.
The first one-way bearing 230 may be operable to operate the first
pump 204, such as by rotating the first impeller 220, when the
driveshaft 210 is rotating in the first direction 216 (but not the
second direction 218). Second one-way bearing 232 may connect the
second pump 206 to the driveshaft 210. The second one-way bearing
232 may be operable to operate the second pump 206, such as by
rotating the second impeller 222, when the driveshaft 210 is
rotating in the second direction 218 (but not the first direction
216).
[0030] In some embodiments, one-way bearings 230, 232 are sealed
bearings, such that external fluids generally cannot access the
roller components of the bearings. In alternative embodiments,
un-sealed one-way bearings 230, 232 may be utilized.
[0031] In exemplary embodiments, pump device 200 may include a
common housing 240 in which the motor 202, first pump 204, and
second pump 206 may be enclosed. The use of a common housing 240 to
enclose these components may provide noise and vibration reduction
characteristics to the dishwasher appliance 100. For example, due
to the use of a common housing 240, the natural frequency of the
pump device 200 is lowered relative to if these components were not
enclosed in a common housing. Lowering of the natural frequency can
reduce the noise and vibration of the dishwasher appliance 100
during operation thereof. Additionally, counterweights or other
components are not required in the dishwasher appliance 100 to
attempt to reduce noise and vibration, because these reductions are
accomplished through use of the common housing 240.
[0032] Within common housing 240, bulkheads 242, 244 may partition
the pumps 204, 206 and motor 202 from each other. For example,
first bulkhead 242 disposed in the common housing 240 may partition
the first pump 204 from the motor 202. Second bulkhead 244 disposed
in the common housing 240 may partition the second pump 206 from
the motor 202.
[0033] Further, the connection of the pumps 204, 206 to the motor
202 may extend through the bulkheads 242, 244. For example, a first
seal 252 may be disposed in the first bulkhead 242 and a second
seal 254 may be disposed in the second bulkhead 244. The first pump
204 may be connected to the motor 202 through the first seal 252,
and the second pump 206 may be connected to the motor 202 through
the second seal 254. Seals 252, 254 may be any suitable seals. For
example, lip seals, such as those formed from plastic or rubber,
may be utilized. Alternatively, mechanical seals, such as face
seals with spring elements, may be utilized. Further, o-rings and
any other suitable sealing apparatus are within the scope and
spirit of the present disclosure. The use of seals 252, 254 in pump
devices 100 according to the present disclosure may be particularly
advantageous by improving the performance of the pump devices 100
in general. For example, seals 252, 254 may allow a common housing
240 to be utilized, while preventing motor 202 from encountering
fluid during operation. Motor 202 may thus not require an
individual fluid-tight housing, and may operate efficiently in a
generally dry environment.
[0034] In some embodiments as illustrated in FIG. 5, the driveshaft
210 may extend through the seals 252, 254. Driveshaft 210 may, for
example, be directly connected to pumps 204, 206 through bearings
230, 232. In other words, driveshaft 210 may be a common driveshaft
210 for the motor 202 and pumps 202, 204. Alternatively, pump
device 200 may further include a first coupling shaft 256 and a
second coupling shaft 258. The driveshaft 210 may be directly
connected to the coupling shafts 256, 258 through bearings 230,
232, and the coupling shafts 256, 258 may connect to the pumps 204,
206. Bearings 230, 232 may, for example, be press-fit into the
first coupling shaft 256 and second coupling shaft 258,
respectively. As illustrated in FIG. 4, the coupling shafts 256,
258 may extend through the respective seals 252, 254.
[0035] In some embodiments, as shown for example in FIG. 5,
bearings 230, 232 may be disposed in first and second pump
compartments 264, 266 of the common housing 240 that are defined by
the bulkheads 242, 244. Such compartments 264, 266 may generally
allow fluid flow therein, such that in some embodiments bearings
230, 232 may be sealed bearings as discussed herein. First pump
compartment 264 may define a fluid inlet 272 and a fluid outlet
274, and second pump compartment 266 may define a fluid inlet 276
and a fluid outlet 278. Fluid inlets 272, 276 may be in fluid
communication with the sump 142, such that fluid may flow through
either inlet 272, 276 depending on the desired output location of
the fluid. Fluid outlet 274 may be in fluid communication with the
drain 154, while fluid outlet 278 may be in fluid communication
with the fluid circulation assembly 152.
[0036] A motor compartment 262 may additionally be defined by the
bulkheads 242, 244. In some embodiments, as shown for example in
FIG. 4, bearings 230, 232 may be disposed in motor compartment 262.
As discussed, motor compartment 262 may be partitioned form the
first and second pump compartments 264, 266, such that fluid from
these compartments 264, 266 may generally not access the motor
compartment 262. Thus, in some embodiments, bearings 230, 232 may
be unsealed bearings as discussed herein.
[0037] This written description uses examples to disclose the
invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person
skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and
using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated
methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the
claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled
in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope
of the claims if they include structural elements that do not
differ from the literal language of the claims or if they include
equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from
the literal language of the claims.
* * * * *