U.S. patent application number 15/837294 was filed with the patent office on 2018-06-14 for impeller pump.
This patent application is currently assigned to MP Pumps, Inc.. The applicant listed for this patent is MP Pumps, Inc.. Invention is credited to Jason A. McClaran.
Application Number | 20180163727 15/837294 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 62488527 |
Filed Date | 2018-06-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20180163727 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
McClaran; Jason A. |
June 14, 2018 |
IMPELLER PUMP
Abstract
A centrifugal pump comprising a motor with a shaft rotatably
extending therefrom and an adapter configured to be mounted to the
motor at a first side, the first side including an opening for
permitting passage of the shaft therethrough. A volute housing is
configured to be mounted to a second side of the adapter, the
adapter and volute housing defining a pumping chamber therebetween.
An impeller is configured to be disposed within the pumping chamber
and rotatably coupled to the shaft via a figured fastener. The
impeller includes a first wall having a figured recess defined
therein, the figured recessed configured to receive the figured
fastener whereby rotation of the shaft causes rotation of the
impeller.
Inventors: |
McClaran; Jason A.;
(Livonia, MI) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
MP Pumps, Inc. |
Fraser |
MI |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
MP Pumps, Inc.
Fraser
MI
|
Family ID: |
62488527 |
Appl. No.: |
15/837294 |
Filed: |
December 11, 2017 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
62432317 |
Dec 9, 2016 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F04D 29/628 20130101;
F04D 9/02 20130101; F04D 29/08 20130101; F04D 9/008 20130101; F04D
29/406 20130101; F04D 29/20 20130101; F04D 29/44 20130101; F04D
9/00 20130101; F04D 13/06 20130101 |
International
Class: |
F04D 9/02 20060101
F04D009/02; F04D 29/44 20060101 F04D029/44; F04D 29/20 20060101
F04D029/20; F04D 29/08 20060101 F04D029/08; F04D 9/00 20060101
F04D009/00 |
Claims
1. A centrifugal pump, comprising: a) a motor with a shaft
rotatably extending therefrom; b) an adapter configured to be
mounted to the motor at a first side, the first side including an
opening for permitting passage of the shaft therethrough; c) a
volute housing configured to be mounted to a second side of the
adapter, the adapter and volute housing defining a pumping chamber
therebetween; and d) an impeller configured to be disposed within
the pumping chamber and rotatably coupled to the shaft via a
figured fastener, wherein the impeller includes a first wall having
a figured recess defined therein, the figured recessed configured
to receive the figured fastener whereby rotation of the shaft
causes rotation of the impeller.
2. The centrifugal pump of claim 1, and further comprising: e) a
bore formed in the volute housing on the side opposite the
impeller; and f) a removable cover secured to the volute housing,
the cover configured to seal the bore in the volute housing.
3. The centrifugal pump of claim 2, wherein the removable cover
further comprises an inlet orifice, the inlet orifice configured to
direct fluid into the volute housing.
4. The centrifugal pump of claim 1, and further comprising: e) a
bore formed in the volute housing on the side opposite the
impeller; f) a removable cover secured to the volute housing, the
cover configured to seal the bore in the volute housing; and g) a
gasket having an integral flapper, the gasket secured between the
volute housing and the removable cover, wherein the flapper aligns
with the fluid inlet orifice to prevent fluid from exiting through
the inlet orifice.
5. The centrifugal pump of claim 4, wherein the flapper further
comprises a weight, wherein the flapper includes a sidewall and
external lip portion configure to removably secure the weight to
the flapper.
6. The centrifugal pump of claim 5, wherein the weight is a washer
and wherein the flapper further includes a central nodule
configured to seat within a central bore of the washer.
7. A centrifugal pump, comprising: a) a motor with a shaft
rotatably extending therefrom; b) an adapter configured to be
mounted to the motor at a first side, the first side including an
opening for permitting passage of the shaft therethrough; c) a
volute housing configured to be mounted to a second side of the
adapter, the adapter and volute housing defining a pumping chamber
therebetween; d) an impeller configured to be disposed within the
pumping chamber and rotatably coupled to the shaft; e) a bore
formed in the volute housing on the side opposite the impeller; f)
a removable cover secured to the volute housing, the cover
configured to seal the bore in the volute housing; and g) a gasket
having an integral flapper, the gasket secured between the volute
housing and the removable cover, wherein the flapper aligns with
the fluid inlet orifice to prevent fluid from exiting through the
inlet orifice.
8. The centrifugal pump of claim 7, wherein the flapper further
comprises a weight, wherein the flapper includes a sidewall and
external lip portion configure to removably secure the weight to
the flapper.
9. The centrifugal pump of claim 10, wherein the weight is a washer
and wherein the flapper further includes a central nodule
configured to seat within a central bore of the washer.
10. A centrifugal pump, comprising: a) a motor with a shaft
rotatably extending therefrom; b) an adapter configured to be
mounted to the motor at a first side, the first side including an
opening for permitting passage of the shaft therethrough; c) a
volute housing configured to be mounted to a second side of the
adapter, the adapter and volute housing defining a pumping chamber
therebetween; and d) an impeller configured to be disposed within
the pumping chamber and rotatably coupled to the shaft via a
figured fastener, wherein the impeller includes a first wall having
a figured recess defined therein, the figured recessed configured
to receive the figured fastener whereby rotation of the shaft
causes rotation of the impeller, wherein the volute housing
includes an internal chevron-shaped flange proximate an exit of the
impeller at a first end and a volute housing outlet orifice at a
second end, the chevron-shaped flange configured to convert fluid
velocity of a fluid exiting the impeller into fluid pressure at the
outlet orifice.
11. The centrifugal pump of claim 1, and further comprising: e) a
second internal flange within the volute housing, the second flange
defining a floor of a head space within the volute housing, the
second flange recirculating fluid from the head space toward the
impeller.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to impeller-type pumps, such
as centrifugal pumps.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Centrifugal pumps utilize an impeller and a volute to pump
fluids. The impeller, along with other components of the pumping
mechanism, is contained within an adaptor that is connected to a
motor. The adaptor is then positioned within a volute housing and
the motor is connected to the volute housing by a series of bolts.
The impeller is rotated by the motor to move fluid along the volute
and out of the volute housing. Specifically, fluid is received
through an inlet in the volute housing, typically through a check
valve, and is directed to the center of the impeller. The fluid
received at the center of the impeller is, during rotation of the
impeller, moved outward from the impeller's center. The fluid then
leaves the edges of the impeller and is guided by the volute, which
directs the flow of fluid through the volute housing.
[0003] In order to perform maintenance on a centrifugal pump, the
bolts connecting the motor to the volute housing are removed. The
motor may then be slid away from the volute housing and the
impeller, and other components of the pumping mechanism that are
connected to the motor by the adaptor may be disconnected from the
adaptor and then from one another. The entire motor and adaptor
must then be realigned with the volute housing. Once properly
aligned and positioned, the motor is reconnected to the volute
housing by reinserting and tightening the series of bolts.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] The present invention has application to impeller-type
pumps, such as centrifugal pumps. The centrifugal pump of the
present invention includes a motor connected to a volute housing
via an adapter. The volute housing is configured to receive a
pumping mechanism that includes an impeller rotatably connected to
the motor. The volute housing also includes a removable cover that
provides access to the interior of the volute housing and to
components of the pumping mechanism. In one exemplary embodiment,
the removable cover is connected to the volute housing by
fasteners, such as bolts. By removing the cover, the impeller and
other components of the pumping mechanism may be disassembled and,
if necessary, serviced, without the need to remove the adapter from
the motor. In another exemplary embodiment, a gasket having an
integrated weighted flapper valve is secured between the cover and
the volute housing. The weighted flapper valve is positioned to
align with a fluid inlet formed in the cover and acts as a check
valve, substantially preventing fluid within the volute housing
from exiting through the inlet.
[0005] In general, an embodiment the present invention is directed
to a centrifugal pump comprising a motor with a shaft rotatably
extending therefrom. An adapter is configured to be mounted to the
motor at a first side, the first side including an opening for
permitting passage of the shaft therethrough. A volute housing is
configured to be mounted to a second side of the adapter, the
adapter and volute housing defining a pumping chamber therebetween.
An impeller is configured to be disposed within the pumping chamber
and rotatably coupled to the shaft via a figured fastener. The
impeller includes a first wall having a figured recess defined
therein, the figured recessed configured to receive the figured
fastener whereby rotation of the shaft causes rotation of the
impeller.
[0006] In a further aspect of the present invention, the
centrifugal pay may further comprise a bore formed in the volute
housing on the side opposite the impeller; and a removable cover
secured to the volute housing, the cover configured to seal the
bore in the volute housing. The removable cover may further
comprise an inlet orifice, the inlet orifice configured to direct
fluid into the volute housing.
[0007] In another aspect of the present invention, a bore is formed
in the volute housing on the side opposite the impeller. A
removable cover may be secured to the volute housing, the cover
configured to seal the bore in the volute housing. A gasket having
an integral flapper may be secured between the volute housing and
the removable cover, wherein the flapper aligns with the fluid
inlet orifice to prevent fluid from exiting through the inlet
orifice. The flapper may further comprise a weight, wherein the
flapper includes a sidewall and external lip portion configure to
removably secure the weight to the flapper. The weight may be a
washer and the flapper may further include a central nodule
configured to seat within a central bore of the washer.
[0008] In still another aspect of the present invention, a
centrifugal pump, comprises a motor with a shaft rotatably
extending therefrom and an adapter configured to be mounted to the
motor at a first side, the first side including an opening for
permitting passage of the shaft therethrough. A volute housing is
configured to be mounted to a second side of the adapter, the
adapter and volute housing defining a pumping chamber therebetween.
An impeller is configured to be disposed within the pumping chamber
and rotatably coupled to the shaft. A bore may be formed in the
volute housing on the side opposite the impeller and a removable
cover may be secured to the volute housing, the cover configured to
seal the bore in the volute housing. A gasket having an integral
flapper may be secured between the volute housing and the removable
cover, wherein the flapper aligns with the fluid inlet orifice to
prevent fluid from exiting through the inlet orifice. The flapper
may further comprise a weight, wherein the flapper includes a
sidewall and external lip portion configure to removably secure the
weight to the flapper. The weight may be a washer and the flapper
may further include a central nodule configured to seat within a
central bore of the washer.
[0009] In yet another aspect of the present invention, a
centrifugal pump, comprises a motor with a shaft rotatably
extending therefrom and an adapter configured to be mounted to the
motor at a first side, the first side including an opening for
permitting passage of the shaft therethrough. A volute housing is
configured to be mounted to a second side of the adapter, the
adapter and volute housing defining a pumping chamber therebetween.
An impeller is configured to be disposed within the pumping chamber
and rotatably coupled to the shaft via a figured fastener. The
impeller may include a first wall having a figured recess defined
therein, the figured recessed configured to receive the figured
fastener whereby rotation of the shaft causes rotation of the
impeller. The volute housing may also include an internal
chevron-shaped flange proximate an exit of the impeller at a first
end and a volute housing outlet orifice at a second end. The
chevron-shaped flange may be configured to convert fluid velocity
of a fluid exiting the impeller into fluid pressure at the outlet
orifice. The centrifugal pump may further comprise a second
internal flange within the volute housing, the second flange
defining a floor of a head space within the volute housing, the
second flange recirculating fluid from the head space toward the
impeller.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a centrifugal in accordance
with the present invention;
[0011] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the centrifugal
pump of FIG. 1;
[0012] FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional view of the centrifugal
pump of FIG. 1, viewed in the direction of line 3-3 of FIG. 1;
[0013] FIG. 4 is an isolated view of a weighted flapper configured
to be used with the centrifugal pump of FIG. 1;
[0014] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the weighted flapper
viewed in the direction of line 5-5 in FIG. 1;
[0015] FIG. 6 is an expanded detailed view of the weighted flapper
shown in FIG. 5;
[0016] FIG. 7 is an isolated exploded view of an impeller
configured to be used with the centrifugal pump of FIG. 1;
[0017] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the impeller shown in
FIG. 7 with the cap bolt and seal mounted onto the impeller;
[0018] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the volute housing
viewed in the direction of line 9-9 in FIG. 1; and
[0019] FIG. 10 is another cross-sectional view of the volute
housing viewed in the direction of line 9-9 in FIG. 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0020] Referring to FIGS. 1-3, centrifugal pump 10 is shown
including motor 12 and volute housing 14 coupled to one another via
adapter 16. In one exemplary embodiment, centrifugal pump 10 may be
a self-priming pump similar to that described with U.S. Pat. No.
8,202,046, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by
reference. Additionally, centrifugal pump 10 may be a marine
ignition proof pump capable of operating in regulated marine
environments in accordance with the International Organization for
Standardization Standard No. 8846, i.e., IS08846. In one exemplary
embodiment, motor 12 may be configured to operate on both low and
high voltage and include toggle switch configured to switch between
a 115 Volt, 60 Hertz and a 220 Volt, 50-60 Hertz operating mode as
is known in the art.
[0021] With further reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, shaft 18 may extend
from and be rotatably connected to motor 12. Shaft 18 is configured
to pass through opening 20 of adapter 16 when adapter 16 is mounted
onto motor 12. To that end, adapter 16 may include flanges 17
configured to coincide with and be removably couple to motor 12 via
fasteners 19. As shown in FIG. 3, mechanical seal 22 is received
within counter bore 24 which defines opening 20. Mechanical seal 22
is then received on shaft 18 by positioning shaft 18 through
aperture 26 (FIG. 2) of mechanical seal 22. By positioning
mechanical seal 22 on shaft 18 and within counter bore 24, a fluid
tight seal is created between shaft 18 and opening 20 of adapter
16. Adapter 16 is further configured to be mounted around an
impeller aperture 28 defined by volute housing 14, such as through
one or more fasteners 30. An O-ring 32 may be disposed between
adapter 16 and volute housing 14 to create a fluid tight seal
therebetween. The coupled adapter 16/volute housing 14 define an
pumping chamber 34 configure to receive an impeller 36 and fluid to
be pumped therein.
[0022] As shown in FIG. 3, impeller 36 is positioned adjacent
mechanical seal 22 on shaft 18 such that mechanical seal is seated
within seal aperture 38 defined by annular wall 40 extending
outwardly from rear face 41 of first wall 42 of impeller 36 while
shaft 18 seats within shaft aperture 44 defined by first wall 42
(see FIGS. 7 and 8). To secure impeller 36 to shaft 18 and to
prevent translation of impeller 36 along the longitudinal axis of
shaft 18, the interior surface 43 of first wall 42 of impeller 36
is configured to define a cap screw bore 46 therein. Threaded end
48 of cap screw 50 passes through cap screw bore 46 and is
threadingly engaged with female threaded end 52 of shaft 18. In
accordance with an aspect of the present invention, the inner face
43 of first wall 42 may include a figured recess 54 configured to
receive a mating figured head 56 of cap screw 50. An O-ring 58 may
be positioned between head 56 and first wall 42 to provide a fluid
tight seal. By seating head 56 within recess 54 of impeller 36,
rotation of shaft 18 in turn causes rotation of impeller 36.
[0023] Impeller 36 may also include a plurality of blades 60 that
direct the flow of fluid during rotation of impeller 36, as
described in detail below. In order to direct the flow of fluid to
the center of rotation of impeller 36, impeller 36 may include a
second wall 62 having inlet aperture 64 defined at the center of
second wall 62. Referring to FIG. 3, second wall 62 is received
within counter bore 66 machined into volute housing 14.
[0024] Once the pumping mechanism is assembled as described in
detail above, a gasket 68 is positioned between cover 70 and volute
housing 14, as shown in FIGS. 1-3, to create a fluid tight seal
between cover 70 and volute housing 14. Referring to FIGS. 3-6,
gasket 68 may include a flapper 72 connected thereto. In one
exemplary embodiment, flapper 72 is formed as an integral part of
gasket 68. Flapper 72 may be connected to gasket 68 by hinge
portion 74 (FIGS. 4-6). Flapper 72 is larger than inlet orifice 76
defined by cover 70 and, by positioning flapper 72 over inlet
orifice 76, flapper 72 functions in a manner similar to a check
valve. Specifically, flapper 72 allows for fluid to enter volute
housing 14 through inlet orifice 76 by flexing inwardly at hinge
portion 74 and moving into volute housing under pressure from fluid
entering inlet orifice 76. Additionally, when fluid within volute
housing 14 presses against flapper 72, flapper 72 forms a seal
against cover 70 around the periphery of inlet orifice 76 and
prevents fluid from exiting volute housing 14 through inlet orifice
76. In order to allow flapper 72 to flex inwardly, flapper 72 and
hinge portion 74 are formed from a flexible material, such as a
polymer.
[0025] To facilitate sealing engagement between flapper 72 and
inlet orifice 76, flapper 72 may be weighted. In accordance with an
aspect of the present invention, flapper 72 may be configured to
include a weight 78, such as but not limited to a stainless steel
or brass washer. To that end, flapper 72 may include an annularly
extended sidewall 80 having an external lip portion 82. Sidewall 80
may be proportion to snuggly receive weight 78 therein while lip
portion 82 may prevent unwanted dislodgment of weight 78 from
flapper 72. When weight 78 is a washer as shown in the various
figures, flapper 72 may be further configured to include a central
nodule 84 proportion to seat within central bore 86 of the washer.
In this manner, weight 78 is securely, but selectively removably,
coupled to flapper 72.
[0026] Referring to FIGS. 3, 9 and 10, with pump 10 assembled,
pipes (not shown) may be connected to fluid inlet orifice 76 and
fluid outlet orifice 88 to provide fluid to and receive fluid from
pump 10, respectively. Once pipes are connected to fluid inlet
orifice 76 and fluid outlet orifice 88, pump 10 is ready for
initial priming. To prime pump 10, priming bolt 90 is removed from
priming aperture 92 to allow for the receipt of fluid into volute
housing 14. Once sufficiently primed, priming bolt 90 is
threadingly engaged within priming aperture 92 to create a fluid
tight seal with volute housing 14. In one exemplary embodiment,
pump 10 is a self priming pump and, once initially primed, pump 10
does not necessitate re-priming.
[0027] During operation of pump 10, motor 12 is activated and shaft
18 of motor 12 is rotated, resulting in corresponding rotation of
impeller 36 within pumping chamber 34 (FIG. 3). As a result of the
rotation of impeller 36, fluid is drawn through inlet orifice 76,
past flapper 72 of gasket 68, and into fluid receiving chamber 94.
The fluid within fluid receiving chamber 94 is then drawn through
aperture 64 in second wall 62. When fluid is drawn through aperture
64 of second wall 62, it enters the center of impeller 36. The
fluid is then accelerated away from the center of impeller 36 as it
rotates and is forced in the direction of arrow A in FIG. 9. The
fluid continues in the direction of arrow A, ultimately reaching
head space 96. As fluid accumulates in head space 96 it is forced
out of outlet orifice 88. To that end, volute housing 14 may
include flanges 98, 100 configured to direct the flow of fluid
within the volute housing. Flange 98 is configured to have a
chevron-shaped profile having a first end 99 and a second end 101
wherein first end 99 is located proximate exit 102 of the impeller
flow channel and second end 101 is positioned a spaced distance
below outlet orifice 88. Flange 100 defines the floor of head space
96 whereby fluid that has not exited through outlet orifice 88 may
fall back toward the impeller through channel 104. As a result of
the form and location of flanges 98 and 100, the velocity of the
fluid generated by impeller 36 is optimally converted into pressure
at outlet orifice 88.
[0028] Once pump 10 is stopped, air may gather in head space 96
and/or pumping chamber 34. In the exemplary embodiment in which
pump 10 is a self priming pump, the need to remove bolt 90 from
priming aperture 92 and refill pump 10 with fluid is eliminated.
Specifically, when pump 10 is restarted, both the fluid and air
contained within volute housing 14 are accelerated by impeller 36.
As the fluid and air are moved in the direction of arrow A, the air
rises into head space 96 because the air is lighter than the fluid.
The fluid then falls back toward impeller 36 through channel 104,
shown in FIGS. 9 and 10. Additionally, flapper 72 of gasket 68
prevents air and/or fluid from exiting volute housing 14 through
inlet orifice 76. Fluid falling back into pumping chamber 34 is
then mixed with additional fluid drawn through inlet orifice 76 and
into fluid receiving chamber 94. This action continues until a
sufficient amount of fluid has built up within head space 96 to
force all of the air out of outlet orifice 88. Once fluid receiving
chamber 94, pumping chamber 34, and head space 96 are filled with
fluid, pump 10 begins to operate at its normal capacity.
[0029] While this invention has been described as having a
preferred design, the present invention can be further modified
within the spirit and scope of this disclosure. This application is
therefore intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of
the invention using its general principles. Further, this
application is intended to cover such departures from the present
disclosure as come within known or customary practice in the art to
which this invention pertains and which fall within the limits of
the appended claims.
* * * * *