Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
1~88374
BA~KGROUND OF THE INVENTION:
This invention relates to improvements in self-priming
centrifugal pumps reducing wear in such pumps and providing
them with an extended operating life as well as a capability
of pumping, without perceptible damage, liquids entraining
a great variety of particulate solid materials, such as
sand, pebble5, small stones, gravel and the like. A pump
embodying the features of the present invention has been
found capable of handling solids as large as one-half the
pipe size of the pump. It is therefore particularly advant-
ageous for use as a trash handling pump and will be so
described, but only by way of example and not by way of
limitation.
While the prior art has produced numerous trash
handling pumps they have presented serious maintenance
- problems in their use. They are normally plagued with
early and severe damage to their impeller and volute -
structures due to the nature and character of the materials
which they pump. In many cases their design i9 such,
moreover, that their seals depend for lubrication on the
dirty liquid which is passed through the pump. Under such
circumstances it has been found that the p~mp seals tend to ~ -
quickly deteriorate. In these respects the design of prior
art trash handling pumps has been something les~ than sat-
isfactory.
It is to the solution of the aforementioned problems
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1~883'~
as well as the provision of a simplified construction for
a centrifugal pump that the present invention is directed.
For axt of pertinence to the present invention,
attention is directed to U. S. Letters Patent No. 3,543,368.
.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION:
The centrifugal pump of the present invention is char-
acterized by a simplified construction. It may be made up,
in its entirety, of stampings, castings, plastic moldings
and moldings of rubber or elastomeric material, In pre-
ferred embodiment the operating parts thereof are containedin a two-piece housing which may be readily sealed and
easily opened for maintenance or inspection purposes. The
check valve at the inlet or suction port of the housing
has an improved construction.
In connection with the shaft which drives the impeller
of the pump is a double seal and in association therewith
a lubrication system which is automatically activated by
the pressure developed within the housing of the pump as
it serves it normal function. The impeller and volute
assembly of the pump are constructed to be easily applied
and readily removed. The impeller features a resilient
coating and the volute assembly a backing the nature and
operating relation of which is such to materially increase
their working life and to minimize the chance of damage
by the solid particulate material being handled by the
pump. As arranged, the impeller and volute assembly
Serial No. `296, 483 - 4
108837~
have a capacity to readily accommodate the handling and
passage of particulate solids of significant size, the
nature of which have heretofore caused severe wear and
damage in conventionally constructed trash handling pumps.
An embod~ment of the invention provides a pump particu- -
larly advantageous for use in evacuating liquids and solids
from a given location. It comprises a housing having an
inlet thereto and an outlet therefrom as well as a pass-
age accommodating the projection therein of a drive shaft
arranged to mount an impeller interiorly of the housing.
Means defines a flow passage through said housing one end
of which includes its inlet and the other its outlet, a
part of which means forms a housing for said impeller which
is positioned within said flow passage, intermediate its ends.
The impeller housing is held interiorly of the pump housing
by means projecting from opposite wall portions of the pump
housing. Means interposed between at least a portion of
said projecting means and the impeller housing accommodate
movement of the impeller housing to a slight degree, in a
shock absorbing fashion. The impeller housing has an
opening to the eye of the impeller in a direct communication
with the pump housing inlet and at least one further open-
ing on the discharge side of the impeller which is in
direct communication with the pump housing outlet. A
basic embodiment of the invention is thus definad. A
preferred form of this embodiment will provide that the
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~erial No. 296,483 - 4a
1~88374
pump housing is comprised of two generally cup shaped parts
the lips of which are secured in a directly opposed re-
lation. In such case the previously mentioned means pro-
jecting from opposite wall portions of the housing are
respectively connected to the base portion of the cup
shaped parts and have the form of tubular wall segments.
The interposed means are then positioned to form resilient
seals between the inward projected extremity of one of
the tubular wall segments and means rimming the opening to
the eye of the impeller while the other said tubular wall
segment provides at its projected extremity a mount for
the impeller housing accommodating rotative adjustment
thereof. Means are also provided in this embodiment to
form a resilient connection between the impeller housing
and a portion of the pump housing to restrain said impeller
housing from rotative movement while accommodating shock
applied thereto.
A most preferred embodiment of the invention provides
that the impeller of the basic embodiment is mounted in
connection with the inwardly projected end of the im-
peller drive shaft, the latter of which has a pair of seals
positioned thereabout to bridge the space between the drive
shaft and the means defining the passage accommodating the
drive shaft in its projection into the pump housing. The
seals are arranged in end spaced relation to define there-
between a lubricant receiving chamber and means are provided in-
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Serial No. 296,483 - 4b
88374 ~: `
teriorly of the pump housing to direct a supply of lubri-
cant to said lubricant chamber in an automatic response
to the operation of said pump and in correspondence with
the pressure developed within said pump on operation of
said impeller. A beneficial arrangement provides that
the means to direct the supply of lubricant to the lubri-
cant chamber includes a flexible tube-like portion con-
taining a supply of lubricant which is resilient and free
to flex and be compressed in direc~ response to the pres- -
sure developed in the pump under the influence of the
operation of the impeller, in correspondence with which
the flexible tube will be flexed to induce a transfer of
lubricant as between the tube and the lubricant receiving
chamber.
A most preferred embodiment of the present invention
features an improved impeller and volute assembly which
fàcilitates and simplifies the installation and maintenance
of these parts. The volute assembly, moreover, is fabri-
cated as a two-part plastic unit forming an improved hous-
ing for the pump impeller. In accordance with the in-
vention this unit is installed in a manner to give it a
limited floating mount in the pump housing in which it is
embodied. The features of improvement here noted lend a
pump a more useful and considerably extended operating life
substantially free of chance of malfunction, during which
life maintenance requirements are reduced to a minimum.
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_ Serial No. 296"483 - 4c
~88374
It is accordingly a primary object of the present in-
vention to provide a pump capable of handling "trash" which
is economical to manufacture, more efficient and satis-
factory in use, adaptable to a wide variety of appli-
cations and unlikely to malfunction.
Another object of the invention is to provide an im-
proved centrifugal pump featuring an improved two-part
volute assembly provided with a floating mount.
A further object is to provide centrifugal pumps
with an improved self-pressurized lubrication system.
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~8374
Anothex object is to provide a centrifugal pump,
particularly advantageouS for the handling of tra~h,
with an improved impeller and volute assembly and a mount
thereof the nature of which is to substantially reduce
conventionally expected wear and damage to the elements
of the pump when applied to the handling of liquids, em-
bodying significant amounts of particulate solids.
Another object of the ~nvention i8 to provide a
centrifugal type pump which includes improved sealq and
an arrangement thereof which distinctly separates the
inlet chamber portion of the pump from its discharge
chamber to lend the pump an ability to achieve its maxi-
mum operating efficiency.
A further object of the invention i8 to provide a
centrifugal type pump and parts thereof possessing the
advantageous structural features, the inherent meritorious
characteristics and the means and mode of use and appli-
cation herein described.
With the above and other incidental objects in view -
as will re fully appear in the specification, the in-
vention intended to be protected by Letters Patent con-
sists of the features of construction, the parts and com-
binations thereof, and the mode of operation as hereinafter
described or illustrated in the accompanying drawings, or
their equivalents.
Referring to the accompanying drawing wherein is shown
one but obviously not necessarily the only form of embodi-
ment of the invention,
~8837~
Fig. 1 is a cross sectional view of a centrifugal pump
en~odying features of the present invention, illustrating a
fragment of a prime mover to which the pump is affixed;
Fig. 2 is an exploded view of the pump of Fig. l;
Fig. 3 is a view of the half of the pump housing
which positions adjacent its prime mover;
Fig. 4 is a fragmentary view taken on line 4-4 of
Fig.l and shown in conjun~tion with Fig. l;
Fig. 5 is a fragmentary view, shown in conjunction with
Fig. 3, illustrating the rear volute plate, the volute scroll,
the cut water tip and the impeller of the pump of Fig. 1,
together with detail of a shock absorbing mount for the
volute assembly;
Fig. 6 is a sectional view, shown in conjunction with
Fig. 2, illustrating a fragment of the pump housing embodying
an improved valving element in connection with its inlet port;
Fig. 7 is a cross sectional view of a centrifugal pump
constituting a preferred embodiment of the present invention,
the nature of the view being similar to that illustrated in
Fig. l;
Fig. 8 is an end view of the pump of Fig. 7;
Fig. 9 is a view of the volute assembly taken on line
9-9 of Fig. 7; and
Fig. 10 is a fragmentary sectional view illustrating the
details of the bearing seal provided about the drive shaft of
the pump impeller as illustra*ed in Fig. 7, shown in
conjunction with Fig. 7.
1~88374
. . .
With reference to the accompanying drawings, two sub-
stantially cup-shaped parts la and lb are brought together -
to have the respective lips thereof in face abutting re-
lation, to form thereby the pump housing 1.
For convenience of this disclosure, part la will be
described as the rear half of the housing since the base
2 thereof will position adjacent and in connection with the
prime mover of the pump. The part lb, the base62 of which
will be positioned remote from the prime mover, will be
describçd as the front half of the,housing. '
At the open ends thereof the parts la and lb are com-
plementarily shaped to ne~t, one relative the other. The
peripheral wall of the part la is provided with an out- '
wardly projected circumferentially extending flange 4
located in a plane which is in adjacent spaced relation ; -
to its lip 5. The lip 60f the part lb has integral there-
with a circumferentially extending external flange 7. The
configuration of flange 7 is such that it is offset out- , '~
wardly and forwardly of the lip 6 to provide that as the
lips 5 and 6 are brought together the flange 7 will seat
to the flange 4 and in immediately surrounding relation
to the lip 5. The radially innermost portion of the face ,,
' of the flange 7 which abuts the flange 4 is provided with
a circumferential notch to accommodate therein an 0-ring
type seal 10. The latter serves, in the abutment of the
flanges 4 and 7, and the coupling thereof, to form a liquid
tight seal as between the housiny parts la and lb.
, The flanges 4 and 7 are provided with circumferentially
spaced apertures which are mated in the coupling of the
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~883~7~
parts la and lb. Each mated pair of thesc apertures has
thrust therethrough a bolt 8 the head of which, as illustrated,
abut~ the flange 7 while the remote projected extremity of
which is engaged by a nut 9. As the nuts 9 are turned up
on the bolts 8 and clamped to the surface of the flange 4
remote from the flange 7, a liquid t$ght seal of the joint
between the parts la and lb is insured.
In the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 1 the joint be-
tween the parts la and lb is circumscribed by a lock~ng
band 12. This band may be made up of two or more articulated
segments. ~owever, as shown it is comprised of two arcuateIy
configured segments 12a and 12b hinged together by a pivot
pin 13. In transverse section the channel shaped segments
12a and 12b have a generally U-shaped configuration with
divergent sides. At the end thereof remote from the pivot
13 the segment 12b is shown to mount a strike plate 14
having an angularly offset hook-like end portion for en-
gagement by a pivotally mounted cooperatively shaped latch
element 15 in connection with the free end of the segment
I2a. The latch element 15 is part of a conventional latching
unit, well known to those versed in the art, providing that
it may be swung over, engaged with and locked to the element -
14 in a tensioned arrangement. The details of the latch means
are not further described since in and of themselves they
form no particular part of the present invention. It will
of course be obvious from Figs. 1 and 2 that the segment~
of the band 12 may be easily applied to nest the coupled
flanges 4 and 7 a~ well as their coupling means, the latter
being accommodated by the divergent relation of the sides
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~ 8837~ ~
of the channel shaped elements. Once the segments of the
band 12 are applied to nest about the joint between the
parts la and lb, their latch elements may be interconnected
and interlocked as described, whereupon the joint between - .
the parts la and lb will be protected and the bolts and
nuts will be shielded from encrustation and premature - .
rusting in the operation of the pump.
As an alternative to the use of the bolts 8 and nuts
9, a locking band such as 12 may have the inner surfaces .-
-10 of the sides of its channel-shaped members 12a and 12b
configured so that in the application thereof they wedge
and clamp the flanges 4 and 7 in face abutting relation
with the seal 10 therebetween.
In the connection of the illustrated pump to its
prime mover, tubular bosses 11 formed integral with the ~. :
base 2 project outwardly therefrom and seat on and in
end abutted relation to the prime mover housing 13. .
The ends of the bosses innermost of the base 2 seat
O-ring seals 14 abutted and clamped to the base 2 by
the heads of bolts 15 the ~odies of which are thrust
through the bosses to threadedly engage in the housing
13. The base 2 is thus anchored to the prime mover.
The base 2 is provided with a passage 16 defined by
a short tubular wall segment 17 held within and in con-
centric spaced relation to the outermost end of a rel-
atively longer tubular wall segment 18 by a circumferen-
tially extending integrally connected radial web 19. The
. tubular wall segments 17 and 18 extend inwardly of the
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3~4
housing half la in a sen~e perpendicular to the base 2.
The outermost end of the segment 18 merges with the
base 2 and together with the web 19 and the interconnected
segment 17 forms an extension thereof. The inner surface
of the wall segment 18 ~s provided with a series of longi-
tudinally extending rib~ which are circularly ~paced.
In its assembly to the prime mover the base 2 of
the housing half la accommodates the projection through
the passage 16 of the prime mover drive shaft 20. The
outermost end of the inner wall surface of the segment
17 is stepped to form thereon an outwardly facing shoulder
21 enabling it to nest thereon and about the drive shaft
20 a two-part ring seal. This ring seal includes a rei-
atively rigid, centrally apertured, cap-~haped element
22 which is fixed within the wall segment 17 to have its
outer peripheral wall in engagement therewith while the
lip thereof seat~ to the outer peripheral edge of the
shoulder 21. Nested within the element 22 is a gener-
ally ring-shaped resilient, flexible, sealing element
23. The configuration and dimension of the sealing
element 23 is such that in the application thereof its
inner edge angles away from the base of the element 22
and is inherently biased to seat against and about and
in sealing relation to the shaft 20 which is passed
therethrough as it is directed interiorly of the pump
housing 1. Thu~, noting Fig. 1, in cross section the - -
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~8837~
flexible sealing element 23 i8 cupped and so arranged
that any pressure applied thereto from the interior of
the pump housing will cause it to expand and more firmly
seat in sealing relation to and about the shaft 20 as
well as to the peripheral wall of the element 22 in which
it nests.
- In the a~sembly of the pump structure a bearing type
seal 24 intermediate the length of which i~ a radially
pxojected flange 25 i8 applied over the innermost end
of the shaft 20. In the application of the seal 24 one
end thereof nests in the innermost end of the wall seg-
ment 17 to position in end spaced relation to the flex-
ible seal 23. The position of the outermost end of the
seal 24 is determined by the overlapping abutment of its
flange 25 to the innermost end of the segment 17. The
end spaced relation of the elements 23 and 24 produces
therebetween an annular chamber 26 an opening to which
is provided by a generally radial aperture 27 extending
through the wall segments 17 and 18 and the interconnect-
ing web structure 19.
Secured in the aperture 27 to its rimming wall
structure i8 one open end of a flexible tube-like element
28 the opposite end of which passes through a generally
aligned opening in a recessed flatted wall portion 29
in a peripheral side wall portion of the housing half la.
Immediately outward of the recessed wall portion 29 an
1C~8837~
external flange 28a on the other extremity of the tube
seats thereto. As shown the flange 28a posit~ons at the
top of the pump and defines the inlet to the tube 28
which is filled with lubricatlng oil. The recessed side
wall portion 29 i8 rimmed by a perpendicularly projected
threaded wall portion in which is threadedly engaged a
cylindrical plug element 30. The latter serves to the
clamp flange 28a to the wall portion 29 and to cap the
inlet opening of the tube 28 whereupon the only opening
from the tube 28 is to the annular chamber 26 between
the sealing elements 23 and 24.
~he peripheral wall of the housing half la has a
further aperture forming a filler port for applying prim-
ing liquid to thé interior of the pump. This aperture i8
located in side by side spaced relation to the opening to
the tube 28 which is capped by the plug 30. The filler
port is capped by a plug-like closure element 32.
The housing half la as well as the housing half lb
is formed of high impact strength plastic. In the form-
ation of the housing half la its interior surface is
molded to include a series of relatively projected ribs.
These ribs include a generally circular rib 34 position-
ing in concentric, radially and outwardly spaced relation
to the tube segment 18. Intersecting the rib 34 and
extending to either side thereof is a plurality of radial
ribs 35 which intersect the rib 34 at circumferentially
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~8~337~
spaced location~. Spaced intermediately of adjacent
of the ribs 35 and radiating outwardly from the rib 34
are additional ribs 36.
Also formed integral with and projected perpendicular
to the inner surface of the base 2 are a series of cir-
cularly spaced tubular posts 37. The inwardly projected
ends of posts 37 lie in a common plane commonly occupied
by a shoulder 38 formed on the outer surface of the tubular
wall segment 18 by a reduction in the outer diameter of its
inner end. Seating on and in abutting relation to the
inwardly projected ends of the posts 37 and the shoulder
38 is an annular plate 39 forming the rear part of a
volute assembly 40. The central aperture in the plate 39
permits the inner reduced end of the segment 18 to project
therethrough and beyond its surface 41 which positions inner-
most of the housing half la. The outer peripheral edge of ~ -
the plate 39 is circular except for a truncated edge portion
42, adjacent to one end of which its circular edge portion
is provided with a rectangular notch 43 the purpose of which
will be further described. Adhesively attached to the
radially innermost portion of the surface 41 of the plate
39 to position immediately about the inner end of the seg-
ment 18 is an annular sheet-like segment 60 of resilient
rubber or elastomeric material.
A strip 44 of metal material spiralled into a rigid
volute form has one edge welded to the face 41 of the
plate 39 so that ~t projects in a sense perpendicular
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1~883'7~
thereto. The outermost end of the ~piral of the ~trip 44
i8 welded to a pin 45 connected in and to project per-
pendicular to the plate surface 41 at a location at that
end of its truncated edge portion 42 which is remote from
the notch 43. A further pin 46 similarly fixed to project
perpendicular to and from the face 41 of the plate 39
is welded to an outermost surface portion of the volute 44
at a point spaced somewhat more than 180 from the pin 45.
It i8 noted that the projection of the pin~ 45 and 46
with respect to the surface 41 is somewhat greater than
the depth of the volute 44. The purpose of this will
soon become obvious. The spiral of the strip 44 extends -:
beyond 360 and the extent thereof i8 somewhat less than
4S0. A cut water resilient tip element 47, formed of
rubber or elastomeric material has a notch in one end
accommodating its slip fit mount on and the adhesive -
attachment thereof to the inner end of the volute. The
element 47 thereby provides a resilient projected tip
on the inner end of the element 44 which is adapted to
flex and afford advantages soon to become obvious.
The volute structure so provided serves to nest and
encompass the outer periphery of an eccentrically posi-
tioned impeller unit 49.
The impeller unit 49 includes a shroud plate 50
forming a base for a pair of integrally connected per-
pendicularly projected impeller vanes 51. Integral with
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~8374
the face of the plate 50 opposite that from which pro-
ject the vanes 51 is a generally cylindrical hub portion
52. The end of the hub 52 remote from the plate 50 i8
provided with a blind bore 53 the peripheral wall of
which is threaded whereby to enable the impeller unit
to be threaded on to the projected extremity of the drive
shaft 20 which positions interiorly of the housing half
la in a connection of its base 2 to the prime mover. The
bore 53 is counterbored so that in the assembly of the
impeller unit to the shaft 20 the projected end of the
hub portion 52 will accommodate therein the end of the
bearing seal 24 which is remote from the wall segment 17.
In the fabrication thereof the impeller unit 49 including
it~ hub portion 52 is provided with an outer coating of
rubber or elastomeric material.
I~ will of course be obvious that the invention
construction provide~ for an extremely simple assembly
of the pump to and in connection with its prime mover
and the drive shaft thereof. In the process, as should
be self-evident, highly effective though simple seal
structures are readily and easily provided to accommodate
and mount about the drive shaft 20 in a manner to inhibit
the movement of dirty liquid being handled by the inven-
tion pump from bypassing the volute structure and pass-
ing the seals here described. As is further evident,
the volute and its base plate can be easily and quickly
8~37~
positioned in their required place, following which the
impeller unit can be simply threaded on the drive end o
the shaft 20 to nest within and be peripherally encased
by the inner spiral portion of the volute. Once this is
achieved, the impeller is simply contained by the appli-
cation to the volute structure of a front or outer annuiar
plate 57. The plate 57, formed similarly to the plate 39,
includes apertures repsectively to align with and receive
therein end portions of the pin means 45 and 46 which pro- : :
ject beyond the edge of the strip 44 remote from the
plate 39. The pin means 45 and 46 thereby serve to prop- : :
erly position and mount the plate 57 in alignment with
the plate 39 and to cap the impeller 49. The central
aperture in the plate 57 as thus arranged provides an inlet :~
opening in a direct line with the central pocket of the ~:~
impeller which is defined within the arcuately configured ~ .
impeller vanes 51. Note that there is adhesively fixed ~
about the central opening in the plate 57, to the face ::
thereof adjacent the vanes 51, an annular member 58 similar
to the member 60 previously described. In the application
of the plate 57 to contain the impeller the edges of the
vanes 51 which are coated with resilient material will
position in very closely adjacent relation to the member
58 while the remote face of the plate portion 50 of the
impeller has the resilient coating thereof adjacent its
peripheral edge in very closely adjacent relation to the
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1~883~7~
resilient element 60 which is in backing relation thereto.
The plate 57 includes ~herein, at a ~ix o'clock position,
shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings, a further aperture 59
which ~erves as a priming port. This enables, as will be
obvious from the description of tha structure and its
function, that the pump of the invention is self-priming.
Thus, in the design illustrated, should the pump become air
bound, andthere i8 sufficient water in the pump housing to
cover the aperture 59, the water in the pump housing will
flow through the priming port and try to flood the volute
area and the impeller chamber. However, since the impeller -
i8 still rotating, this water will be induced by the im-
peller to flow through the volute structure to the pump
discharge chamber and in the process it will pick up air
from the impeller. In the discharge chamber the air sep-
arates from the water and the air will be discharged while
the water will remain in the pump housing for priming use.
This continues until the objectionable air is evacuated
and at that point, since the priming liquid is retained in
the pu~p housing, the pump will reestablish its original
pumping operation. This self-priming action of the pump
will become more evident when the foregoing is taken in
conjunction with the following additional detailed descrip-
tion of the pump structure.
As assembled, the cup-shaped front half lb of the hous-
ing 1 i~ provided with an inlet aperture 61 in its base
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portion 62 which is offset from a direct alignment with the
central openlng in the plate 57. Formed integral with the
base 62, rimming the aperture 61, and projecting inwardly .
thereof in a sense perpendicular thereto, is a tubular wali
structure 63 the inwardly projected end portion 64 of which
is obliquely angled. Also formed integral with the base ::
62 and projected inwardly thereof and perpendiculax thereto
is a further generally tubular wall segment 65. The
latter surrounds, positions eccentrically of and projects
inwardly of the ba~e 62 a substantial distànce beyond the ~ .
inwardly projected end of the wall structure 63. A resilient :~
gas~et 66 having a loop-shaped configuration includes a
portion which mounts on and over the inwardly projected ex-
tremity of the wall segment 65 and projects radially out-
ward therefrom and another portion which peripherally en-
compasses the same. The length of the wall segment 65 i5
such that in the clamping of the housing half lb to the
housing half la it will, through the medium of the inter-
~osed gasket 66, clamp to the plate 57 and secure it in
capping relation to the volute structure 44 and the in- :
teriorly nested portion of the impeller unit 49. As this -
assembly is fully achieved, there is defined between the
plate 57 and the base 62, in the area encompassed by the
wall segment 65, an entrance chamber 67 communicating with
the eye of the impeller 49 by way of the inlet aperture
68 provided in its enclosure, which inlet aperture is
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afforded by the central aperture in the plate 57 and
rimmed by the resilient adhesively applied element 58.
At the same time an outlet chamber 69 is provided in
the pump housing peripherally and outwardly of the wall
segment 65, the tubular wall segment 18 and the volute
assembly. The side wall of the housing half lb is pro- :~
vided with a pump outlet opening 70 to one side of the
wall segment 65 and adjacent the base 62. The discharge
passage from the volute assembly which encompasse~ the
shroud plate 50 and the vanes 51 of the impellex 49 is
provided between the overlapped relatively spaced end
portions of the spiral form of the strip 44. Attention
is directed to the fact, observing Fig.-5 of the draw-
ings, that the cut water t~p 47 is in immediate prox-
imity to the radial outermost edges of the impeller
vanes 51 as the impeller is rotated through the medium
of its drive shaft 20.
As seen in Figs. 1 and 6, the oblique innermost
extremity of the tubular wall segment 63 which opens
to entrance chamber 67 is normally capped by a molded
one-piece valve member 72 formed of rubber or elastomeric
material. The member 72 i~ comprised of a main body or
flapper portion 73 having a thickness to assure stiffness,
a limited peripheral edge portion of which is extended
somewhat by a relatively thinner portion 74 having in
connection therewith a tab portion 75. The portion 75
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837~
is fixed, in the molding of the member 72, in a position
to be angularly related to the flapper portion 73.
Formed in the body of the housing half lb, between mo~t
closely related side portions of the tubular wall seg-
ments 63 and 65 is a socket 76 in which the tab portion
75 is wedged and attached to facing portion~ of said
segments by adhesive. The angular relation of the tab
75 to the flapper portion 73 provides that in the anchor-
ing of the tab portion in its socket it extends gener-
all~ perpendicular to the base 3 while the flapper portion
73 is naturally angled to seat in biased capping relation
to the inner end of the wall segment 63. The portion 74
provides a ~ermanent hinge enabling the readydisplace-
ment of the flapper element to and from the wall ~eg~ent
63 in operation of the pump.
In use of the pump free rotation of the volute
assembly of the pump is prevented by the engagement
of a lug 77 in the notch 43 formed in the peripberal
edge of the plate 3~. The lug 77 is capped by a re-
silient layer or coating of rubber or èlastomeric mater-
ial defining thereon the sleeve 78 forming a resilient
shock absorbing interconnection between the lug 77 and
the volute assembly since the lug 77 is formed integral
with and projects inwardly from the inner surface of a
peripheral wall portion of the housing half la.
Noting Fig. 1 of the illustrated embodiment of the
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1~88374
invention, each of the wall segments of the housing half -
lb which define the inlet and outlet portions of the
pump are internally threaded to facilitate the coupling
to the pump of 3uitable lines or condu~ts, through one
of which may be drawn liquids and solids to be evacuated
from a particular location and through the other of which
may be delivered the same liquids and solids to such
areas or means as may be desired in accoxdance with the
service to which this particular pump is applied.
Once su~tably primed, the pump may be maintained in
operating condition by a continued energizing of it3 prime
mover, whereupon rotation is continuously imparted to the
impeller unit 49 by way of its connection to the drive
shaft 20. Since the shroud plate and vanes of the impeller
as related to the re~ilient material of the part 58 cap
the opening 68 which form~ the only entrance to the im-
peller, the operation of the impeller and its vanes will
produce a ~uction effect refiected in the chamber 67 to
lnduce the flapper portion 73 of the valve element 72 to
move inwardly of the chamber 67, whereupon liquids and
solids in the area with which the pump inlet 61 i5 com-
municated will be drawn to and through the inlet and by
way of the chamber 67 and opening 68 into the eye of the
impeller bounded by its vanes 51. Particular attention
is directed to the fact that with the eccentric orien-
tation of the wall structure 63 with reference to the
-21-
.
.~ ~
~883~
wall segment 65 and the angul~r position of the valve
flapper portion 73, as materials are drawn inwardly of
the chamber 67 the flapper 73 will angle to insure the
direction thereof towards the eye of the impeller. In
the operation of the impeller the materials drawn thereto
will be discharged by the vanes thereof and into the spiral ~ -
passage of the volute portion 44 to be moved in an ac-
celerated flow and discharged to the chamber 69 and from
the chamber 69 and the pump by way of the pump outlet 70.
Particular attention is also directed to the fact that on
the pressure side of the impeller the chamber 69 includes
the area in the pump housing external to the wall segment
65, the volute assembly 40 and the wal~ segment 18, within
which the operating elements of the pump are fully pro-
tected and sealed. The pressure developed in the discharge
of materials from the pump will be communicated, therefore,
with the flexible resilient tube 28 which contains a supply
of lubricating oil in direct communication with the annular
chamber 26 between the seal elements 23 and 24. This ar-
rangement in~ures that the pump operation produces a self-
lubrication of its seals. As liquids and solids move into
and fill the chamber 69 and exit by way of the outlet 70
the pressure on the flow thereof will be communicated to
the tube 68 which will be induced thereby to inherently
expel lubricating fluid into the annular chamber 26 under
a pressure the level of which correspond.~ to the pres-
sure developed in the mater~al being discharged under the
-22-
.
.
1~8837~
influence of the operation of the impeller unit 49. Thi~ ~-
lubricating oil will exert pressure on the adjacent op-
posite faces of the seals 23 and 24, producing an ex-
pansion of the seal element 23 to cause it to seal firmly
to and about the shaft 20 at the point where it enters
the pump base 2 and to establish a pressure block in the
chamber 26 in backing relation to the flange 25. Since
the shroud plate and vanes of the impeller unit 49 are con-
tained between the resilient elements 58 and 60 and the
latter has its inner periphery bear peripheral to the in-
wardly projected extremity of the wall segment 18, the
passage of the materials on which the pump impeller operates
to the rear of the impeller ahd in and about its hub is
inhibited. Thus on the inner side of the flange 25 the
pressure will be substantiàlly less than that in the chamber
26 during the operation of the pump. This being the case,
the lubricating system provided in accordance with the in-
vention enables full protection of the pump seals, thereby
giving the pump and its parts a greatly extended operating
life as contrasted to similar pumps of the prior art.
Not only does the close running clearance as between
the impeller and the resilient facing elements 58 and 60
reduce substantially the pressure in the area about the
impeller hub but the arrangement is productive of a high
efficiency of the pump and without damage to the impeller
and volute assembly. It is to be kept in mind that the
~ ~837~ :
impeller has a resilient coating and such resilient ma-
terial is in sufficiently closely adjacent relation with
the resilient elements 58 and 60 to provide for an effect-
ive pumping action on the part of the impeller 49. This
means the full impeller effect i-~ given to the production
of suction and to a positive discharge of the material~
received in the eye of the impeller under the influence
of the developed suction.
The volute assembly is resiliently balanced in re-
spect to the shroud plate and vanes of the impeller,
which have a resilient coating, by reason of the elements
S8 and 60, and the latter in turn resiliently contain
the impeller. Thus, when sand, gravel or like particles
attempt to pass between the impeller and the volute they
will either be inhibited from passage or momentarily im-
bedded in the resilient material of the elements 58 and 60.
As a vane passec these momentarily imbedded particles, they
will pop out again from the resilient material and eventually
pass to the discharge chamber 69 without significant or ma-
terial damage to the parts. The invention arrangement thus
precludes the solids from chewing up the impeller and the
volute structure, so often an early incident of the oper-
ation of conventional pumps ap~lied to similar purposes.
In accordance with this feature of the invention, not only -
are maintenance problems reduced butthe life of the im-
peller and volute structure is extended many, many times.
-24-
1~88374
In the simply fabricated pump here provided the en-
tire volute assembly would be free to turn on its mounting
shoulder except for the fact that the lug 77 capped by
the resilient sleeve 78 projects within the notch 43 in
the volute plate 39. Not only is the volute assembly held
in a proper position by the arrangement thus provided but
the resilient sleeve 78 provides a shock absorber accom-
modating relative movement of and preventing damage to the
volute and the plates which contain the volute 44 when in
the operation of the pump these elements are subjected to
shock in handling stones which seek to move between the
impeller and the sealing elements 58 and 60 or between the
impeller and the cut water tip 47. The latter serves similar
function as well as to protect a vulnerable portion of the
volute.
One further feature of the invention construction
is the seal provided by the gasket 66. As constructed
this gasket has a built-in warpage flange, including not
only a portion peripheral to the inner projected ex-
tremity of the wall segment 65 in the housing half lb
and a portion overlapping the projected extremity thereof
but also a radial portion configured and interrelated with
plate 57 such that-should the pump expand or breathe due
to extremely high pressure developed in the pump, the
gasket and the various part~ thereof will stay close to
the elements to which they relate and maintain a seal
between the gasket and the volute plate and.the wall
-25-
~8837i~
segment 65 which prevents internal leakage between the out-
let portion or discharge chamber of the pump and the inlet
portion defined by the chamber 67.
Of course, the one-piece molded s~ructure of the
check valve 72 and the mount thexeof is of the simplest
nature as i8 the volute assembly wherein the plates 39
and 57 are fabricated so as to be i~entical as to their
basic configuration.
~en one considers together with the foregoing the
simple interrelation of the parts and the assembly ~ ;
thereof which provides that as the housing half lb
i5 clamped to the housing half la that the internal
operating parts are fixed in their respectively required
positions, it becomes readily apparent that there has been
achieved by the present invention a pump which is not
only one which will have extended operating life but one
which is more economical to fabricate, assemble and to
operate than conventional pumps heretofore provided for ~-
similar applications.
Fig. 7 shows a cross sectional view of a preferred
embodiment of the present invention wherein many of the
parts are similar to those included in the first described
embodiment. Such similar parts are designated with like
numerals but distinguished in the preferre~ embodiment by
a prime (') symbol.
~oting Fig. 7, the preferred emhodiment there illus-
trated includes a housing 101 comprised of a pair of
-26-
.
î~8~37~
cup-shaped parts lOla and lOlb. The lips of these parts
include flange~ 104 and 107 formed and shaped like the
flanges 4 and 7 and arranged to interfit and be clamped
together by the application of bolts 108 and nuts 109 in
a manner and by means such as set forth with reference
to the embodiment first described. An O-ring 110 is inter-
posed to form a liquid tight~eal of the joint provided bet-
ween the flanges 104 and 107 as they are clamped together.
The parts lOla and lOlb are distinguished from the
parts la and lb by the fact that their peripheral wall
portions are generally circular in cross section. Formed
integral with the base of 2' of the part lOla, each in
rimming relation to an aperture therein, is a series of
tubular bosses 11'.
As in the case of the base 2, the base 2' is pro-
vided with a pas~age 16' defined by a short tubular wall
segment 17' held within and in concentric ~paced relation
to the outermost end portion of a relatively longer tub-
ular wall segment 18' by a circumferentially extending
integrally connected radial web 19'. The segments 17'
and 18' extend inwardly of the housing half lOla in a
sense perpendicular to the base 2' while the outermost
end of the segment 18' merges with the base 2' and together
with the web 19' and the interconnected segment 17' forms
an extension thereof. The innermost surface of the wall
segment 18' is provided with a series of longitudinally
extending ribs the projected depth of which closely
~L~38837~
approximates the depth of the web 19'. These ribs extend
from the web 19' to points adjacent but spaced from the
inwardly pro~ected extrem$ty of the wall segment 18'.
In coupling the pump constituting this preferred
embodiment of the present invention to its prime mover,
the housing part lOla is first applied to seat the out-
wardly projected ends of the bosses 11' in respective
alignment with and in rimming relation to internally
threaded bores formed in the wall of the prime mover
housing 13'. In the procesq the passage 16'accommodates
the projection therethrough of the pr~me mover drive : -
shaft 20'. The part lOla is then secured to the prime
mover housing 13' using screw~ 115' in a manner believed
obvious from Fi~. 7 of the drawings. The screws are so
applied to extend through the bosses 11' and have the ~ .
heads thereof abut the innermost ends of the bosses while
their pro~ected extremities are threadedly engaged in the
aligned bores and thereby firmly secured to the prime
mover housing 13'.
The outermo~t end of the inner wall surface of the
segment 17' has a counterbore forming an outwardly facing
shoulder 21'. Positioned in the outermost end of the
passage 16' and seated on the shoulder 21' is a two-part
ring ~eal. This seal includes a relatively rigid cent-
rally apertured cap-shaped element 22'. The latter is
fixed within the wall segment 17' with its outer peripheral
wall ~urface in engagement therewith, its base outermost
-28-
.
~88374
and the lip thereof in seated relation to the,outer per-
ipher'al edge of the shoulder 21'. Nested within the cap
element 22', and facing inwardly of the passage 16', is
a resilient, flexible ring-shaped sealing element 23'.
The configuration and dimens~on of the èlement 23' is
such that in the application thereof its inner surface
is caused to be cupped, thereby causing ~ts outer per-
ipheral edge to bear against the peripheral wall of the
"element 22'and its inner peripheral edge against, about
and in sealing relation to the shaft 2Q',which is passed
therethrough às it extends interiorly of the pump hous-
ing part lOla. By reason of the nature of thé cupping
of the seal element 23', any pressure applied from the
interior of the pump housing will cause it to expand and
to more firmly grip in a sealing relation to and about
the shaft 20', as well as to the peripheral wal.l of the
element 22' in which it nests.
When the housing half lOla is properly secured to
the housing 13', the shaft 20' will project inwardly of
the housing part lOla to a plane which is somewhat beyond
but adjacent to that occupied by the inwardly projected
extremity of the wall segment 18`'. First applied over
the end of the shaft 20' which is innermost with reference
to the housing 101, to partially nest in the tubular wall
segment 17', is a bearing-type seal assembly 24' intermed- '
iate the axial length of which is a radially projected
flange 25'. The extent to which the seal 24' nests is
-29-
~8837 -
determ~ned by the overlapping abutment of the flange 25'
with the inwardly projected extremity of the wall segment
17'. The arrangement i~ such to establish the seal assem- :~
bly 24' in end spaced relation to the seal 23', thereby
to produce therebetween an annular chamber 26'. Opening
to the chamber 26' is one end of a generally radial aper-
ture 27' formed in and extending through the wall segment :
18', the web 19' and the wall segment 17'. Secured in the :
end of the aperture 27' remote from the chamber 26', to ;
its rimming wall structure, is an open end of a flexible
tube-like ele~ent 28', the opposite end of which passes
through an aligned opening provided in a recessed flatted . .
wall segment 29' formed in a peripheral wall portion of the
housing part 101a. The open end of the tubular element 28'
remote from the chamber 26' has an external flange 28a'
positioning exterior to the housing and seated in abutting
relation to the outer surface of the recessed wal~ portion
29'. As shown, the flange 28a' i8 positioned at the top
of the pump in the orientation illustrated and rims the
inlet to the tube 28', which in use of the pump is filled
with lubricating oil. The flatted wall portion 29~is
rimmed by a perpendicularly projected internally threaded
wall portion threadedly engaged by a cylindrical plug
element 30'. The latter, as will be seen from the draw-
ings, serves to clamp the flange 28a' to the wall portion
29', thereby to normally cap and seal the inlet opening to
the tube 28', whereupon the only opening from the tube 28' -
-30-
':
.~ .
-
~08837
is to the annular chamber 26'. Adjacent to the flatted
wall portion 29' the peripheral wall of the housing half
lOla has a further aperture providing a filler port for
applying priming liquid to the interior of the pump as
and when required. This latter aperture is normally
capped by a plug 32', shown to be threadedly engaged to
the wall structure which defines this aperture.
Ih this preferred embodiment of the invention the
seal assembly 24' i8 comprised, basically, of two portions,
one of which is fixed to the wall segment 17' and the
other of which i3 fixed in the hub of the impeller 120
connected to the shaft 2~'. The portion of the seal
assembly 24' in connection with the tubular wall segment
17' includes a ring-shaped seal element 103 which is
axially extended and U-shaped in cross section. This
element 103 is fixed to position between the inner wall
surface of the tube segment 17' and the shaft 20' with
the closed end thereof being positioned most adjacent
the seal 23', to define therewith the annular chamber
26'. The lip of the outermost wall section of the element
103 is formed to include thereon the external flange 25',
which as previously described overlaps the inner projected
extremity of the wall segment 17' and therehy determines
the position of the seal assembly 24' and the element 103
thereof. Nested interiorly of the element 103,to have
one end thereof seat to its base and the other end project
outwardly therefrom to a slight degree, is a cylindrically
, . . . . . . .
: . : .
1C~8837~
configured tubular spring unit 104. The unit 104 is com-
prised of an inner axially compressible generally tubular
sleeve 106 externally flanged to each of its opposite ends .:
and havina intermediate the length thereof an offset por- ¦~
tion 107 arranged to bear on and about the radially
innermost wall sectson of the element 103. Coiled about
the sleeve 106 to extend between and in abutting relation
to its end flanges is a spring 108. By virtue of the shape
of the sleeve 106, the flanged end thereof which is inner- -
most of the housing part lOla and projects slightly beyond
the plane occupied by the flange 25' defines, with the
shaft 20', an annular cup~ e cavity. In this latter
cavity is secured one end of an axially extended carbon-
graphite self-lubricating sealing ring 111. The ring 111
has a radial flange 112 intermediate its axial limits
which project~,to overlie and to fix in abutment with the
ad~acent flange at the innermost end of the sleeve 106.
Completing the seal assembly 24' is a ceramic rinq 113
which, as will be seen, is fixed in connection with the
impeller hub and for rotation therewith in correspondence
with the rotation of the shaft 20'. As may be seen in
Fig. 10 of the drawings, there will be a bearing end
abutting relation as between the ad;acent seal parts 111
and 113.
As in the case of the first described embodiment
the halves of the housing 101 are formed of high impact
strength plastic and the interior surface of each thereof
-32-
~883'7~
i8 molded to include a series of relatively projected
ribs 114. As seen in Fig. 7, the ribs which are integral
with the inner surface of the housing half lOla radiate
from the outer end of the tubular wall segment 18 across
the base 2' and extend upwardly of the side wall portion
of the housing half lOla to a plane which is parallel to
the inwardly projected end of the wall segment 18' and
short thereof. The projected ends of the rihs 114 form
thereby a series of co-planar shoulders 116 which are
spaced in a circumferential sense. The details of the
ribs are not otherwi~e important and therefore not further
described. The ribs may be arranged in any suitable spac-
ing or fashion to serve additionally as reinforcements
for the body of the pump housing. The ribs are designed
to faciliate the formation of the housing halves lOla and
lOlb as thin walled structures.
Thi~ embodiment of the invention utilizes a volute
assembly of an improved nature which is a two-part unit. -~
It includes a double volute structure wherein the volutes --
136, 138 are split in a plane which i5 centered inter-
mediate their axial limits and the respective halves thereof
are made integral with and perpendicular to a base plate ~;
portion 140, 142. The base plate portions 140, 142 re-
spectively provide a rear 140 and a front plate portion
142 of the volute assembly here provided. The base plate
portions have identical configurations such that each ef-
fectively includes two plate section~ of somewhat semi-
.~08837~
circular outline integrated in co-planar relation so that -
their diametral edge~ angularly overlap to a ~light degree
and are merged with their center~ offset. The respective
half sections of the two volutes 136, 138 are integrated
and extend coextensively with and perpendicular to the
arcuate peripheral edge portions of the base plate portions
to which they connect. Since the longitudinal extent of
the spiral form of each volute half section i9 about 180
in the one case tl38) and greater than 180 in the other
(136), thi~ give~ the volute half sections an arrangement
wherein they are in respectively overlapping spaced relation
at the ends thereof which pos$tion radially innermost of
the base plate portion to which they connect. The volute
half sections 136, 138 not only define volute shaped flow
paths but peripheral outer wall portions of the two-part
volute-housing assembly here disclosed. As will be seen,
in completing the assembly of the volute structures, the
two parts of the assembly 130, 132 which are simllarly
formed, are superposed to align, in an axial sense, the
respective half section~ of the volute strips 136, 138
which they embody. In the process the volute housing
thereby formed will exhibit openings 144 and 146 at re-
spectively opposite side portions thereof. The parts
130, 132 will be molded, preferably, of high impact
strength plast~c. Slipped over the radially innermost
end of the volute sections 136 is a aerodynamically shaped
cut water tip element 47'. This element is ~imilar to the
element 47 previously described except that axially
-34-
. ~ ,
~883~7~
thereof it has a bore 137. The radially innermost end of
each volute ~ection 138 is extended by an adhe~ively and
co-extensively attached molded rubber part 139 having a
similar bore 137 ax~lly thereof. The purpose of the bores
137 will be further described.
~ he innermost extremity of the tube segment 18' i8 re-
duced in external diameter to form on its outer surface
an annular shoulder 38' which faces inwardly of the housing
half lOla. The central portion of the base plate 140 of
the part 130, within the area bounded by its integrated
volute strip portions 136 and 138, i8 dished. Central to
this dished portion of the base plate 140 i~ an aperture
143. The latter i8 so dimen~ioned to provide for a ~lip
fit therethrough of the reduced inner end portion of the
tube segment 18' as the part 130 is assembled as required.
The arrangement i5 such to provide that the volute half
sections al~o pro~ect inwardly of the part lOla as the
rearmost surface portion of the base plate 140, immediately
about its aperture 143, seats to the shoulder 38'. At
the same time, diametrally opposite peripheral portions
of the rear surface of the plate 140 seat to and are
bac~ed by shoulders 116 provided by a pair of generally
diametrically spaced ribs 114. One of these diametrically
spaced ribs 114 is widened at its shoulder portion 116
and has formed therein a notch 117. In the placement of
the part 130 on the tube segment 18' and against the
shoulder~ 116, a lug llB integral with and projected from
.
-35-
. , , . . :,
- 1~88374
the rearmost surface of the ba~e plate portion 140 $s
caused to be disposed in the notch in the widened ~houlder
116. ~ining such notch are layers of resilient material
which re~iliently acco~modate slight movements of the lug
118,and thereby of thc part 130, ~n a rotative sense. By
such means,as the part 130iR restrained from rotational
movement on the reduced end portion of the tube segment
18', the restraint is achieved~ in a shocking absorbing
fashion.
Once the part 130 is applied in the housing half 101a
as described, a sleeve element 119 iq slipped over and
keyed to the inner end of the drive shaft 20' to nest within
the area bounded by the inner wall of the.segment 18' and
in spaced relation thereto. AS will be seen, the sleeve
element forms the hub of the impeller 120. The end of
the sleeve 119 most adjacent the base 2' i6 counterbored
to have auitably fixed therein the ceramic rlng 113 which
engage~ the carbon graphite ring 111 and forms the rotating
part of the seal assembly 24'. The dimension and position~
ing of the sleeve 119 i5 such that its innermost end and
the projected extremity of the shaft 20' are co-planar.
Once the part 130 i~ mounted as aescribed, it is
secured in place by application of the impeller 120 which
is connected to the shaft 20'. The impeller 120 is
comprised of a centrally apertured shroud plate 150 having
a pair of integrally connected perpendicularly projected
impoller vane~ 151. As in the casc of the ~hroud plat- 50
. ` ' .
-36-
1~8t~374
and the vane~ 51, these items are prov~ded w$th a coating
of rubber or elastomeric material. The central aperture
in the shroud plate 150 i8 provided with a diameter which
i8 le~s than the diameter of the inwardly projected end
surface of the drive shaft 20'. In view of this fact,
when the impeller 120 is positioned coaxially with the
~haft 20' and its central aperture is centered on the end
~urface of the shaft 20', the shroud plate will have its
rear surface portion, about its central aperture, bear
thereon. At the same time the rear outer peripheral edge -
portion of the coated ~hroud plate will position over and
in ad~acent, very closely spaced relation to the inwardly
projected extremity of an annular rib 141 formed on the
adjacent inner surface of the plate portion 140. When :
80 positioned, the shroud plate 150 is fixed to the shaft ~-
20'. To this end there i8 fir~t applied a sleeve 162. ~ :
The sleeve 162 has a tubular form and the inner wall thereof -~
is threaded while its outer wall is reduced in diameter to :
one end to form thereon a ~houlder 163. In the application
thereof the reduced end portion of the sleeve 162 is in-
serted in the central opening in shroud plate 150 to abut
the end portion of * e shaft 20' whlch is rimmed by the ~ :
inner edge of the shroud plate 150. This establishes the
shoulder 163 in overlapping abutted relation to the inner- :
most ~urface portion of the shroud plate, immediately about
its central aperture. Once the ~leeve 162 is 80 positioned,
the body of a headed screw 160 is thrust therethrough and
-
88374
threadedly engaged in a threaded bore provided in and
opening from the end face of the shaft 20' which is
surrounded by the abutted end of the sleeve 162. By
such means the impeller 120 i~ fixed to its hub 119 and
in a driven relation to the ~haft 20'.
Particular attention iQ direct~d to the fact that the
$nternal diameter of the sleeve 162 i8 greater than the
diameter of the body of the screw 160. If there ~hould be
difficulty in removing the impeller and the sleeve 162
upon removal of the screw 160 at a later date, one may
apply a larger diameter ~crew in its place the threads of
which are complementary to the threads of the sleeve 162.
Upon ~crewing thi~ larger diameterscrew into the sleeve
to have it~ projected extremity abut the end face of the
shat 20' and then continuing to turn this screw one may
jack the sleeve off of the shaft 20' and thereby effect a
ready release of the impeller.
Once the impeller i~ fixed to its hub the second part
132 of the volute-housing structure i~ then applied over
the part 130, to place the respective half section~ of
the volute strips 136 and 138 in a direct axial alignment
and in end abutting relation. This completes the double
volute structure and creates a volute hou3ing peripheral
wall portions of which are provided by the volute seg-
ments themselve~. The simplicity and advantage of the
fabrication of the volute-housing structure in this manner
iS believed self-evident. A~ the part~ 130 and 132 are
-38-
1088374
.
brought together, the half portions of the elements 47'
and 139 are also aligned, to have the bores 137 thereof
define through pa~sage~ accommodating in each case the
body of a bolt 170 the head of which, as shown, abuts
the outermost surface of the base plate portion 142 while
its threaded extremity i8 engaged by a nut 171, at a
location exterior to the opposite base plate portion 140.
The molded two-part structure forming the volute~
and their hou~ing, unitized by bolts 170 and nuts 171 in
a very simple fashion, i~ held in position in an axial
~en~e by the fixing of the impeller 120 to the drive shaft
20' as previously described. The arrangement is such
that the rotation of the impeller could well cause a
tendency of the volute-housing structure to rotate also.
However, any tendency in this respect is re~iliently
restrained by the engagement of the lug 118 ~n the notch 117.
A central area of the plate portion 142 of the part
132 i~ al~o d$~hed inwardly of the compo~ite structure 130-
132, in the area thereof fac$ng the outer projected ex-
tremitie~ of the impeller blade~ 151. Formed on the inner
surface of the plate port$on 142 i~ an annular rib-like
projection 174 which i8 adjacent and slightly spaced from
the outermo~t tips of the impeller blades 151 and defines
therewith the inlet ~ide of the impeller. A central -
aperture 173 in the plate portion 142 defines the inlet
to the eye of the impeller 120 and is surrounded at the
outer surface of the base plate portion 142 by an
.
-39-
: '
-
1~883~
eccentrically positioned, generally tubular, integrally
formed projection 175.
The base portion 62' of front half lOlb of the housing
101 includes an inlet aperture 61' which i~ offset from a
direct al~gnment with the inlet 173 which opens to the eye
of the impeller. Formed integral with the inner surface
of the base 62', to rim the aperture 61' and project in-
wardly thereof, in a sense perpendicular thereto, i~ a
tu~ular wall structur~ 63' the inwardly projected end
portion 64' of which i8 obliquely angled. Also formed
integral with the base 62' and projected inwardly thereof
and perpendicular thereto, in ~urrounding spaced relation
to the wall structure 63', is a further generally tubular
wall segment 65'. The construction and arrangement of the
part~ 63' and 65' are the same a~ that of the elements 63
and 65 first de~cribed. Moreover, the oblique inner end
64' of the tubular wall ~egment 63' i8 capped by a one-
piece valve member 72' the configuration and installation
of which i5 identical to that illustrated with reference ~ -
to member 72 in the embodiment previou~ly described.
In applying the housing half lOlb the projected ex-
tremity of the tubular wall segment 65' i9 placed in
~ubstantial alignment with the projection 175. The pro-
jected extremity of the latter i~ reduced in external
diameter to form thereon an annular shoulder 179 which
faces the adjacent end of the projection 65', in closely
spaced relation thereto. A ring type elastomeric seal
-40-
la8~3374 :
176 which is U-shaped in cross section is positioned on
its side to fill the gap between the shoulder 179 and the
adjacent end o~ the wall segment 65'. The disposition
of the -~eal 176 provides that the open end thereof is t
peripheral to and directed radially and outwardly of the
reduced end of the pro~ection 175. The arrangement and
nature of the seal 176 i~ such as to accommodate slight
breathing and d~splacement of the adjacent parts while
preventing the breaking of a seal which it provides to
5eparate the inlet chamber 67' defined wi~hin the bounds
of the tubular projection 65' from the di~charge chamber
69' which is exterior thereto and to the two-part volute-
housing structure 130, 132.
In this preferred embodiment the pump discharge open
ing 70' is located in the side wall of the hou~ing part
lOlb, considering the orientation of the pump as shown in
Fig. 7, intermediate its vertical limit~. The pump drain
hole i8 located in the base 62' to one side of and remote
from the discharge opening 70'. This drain hole is capped
by a plug 177.
Attent$on is d~rected to Fig. 8 of the drawings
wherein a baffle 180 is illustrated to extend across the
discharge chamber 69', from the side of the tubular wall
segment 65', in an arcuate fashion, to a point on the
outer peripheral wall of the housing part lOlb which is
just below the di~charg~ outlet 70'. A8 seen from Fig. 8,
with the orientation of the pump as illustrated, the
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~88374
baffle 180 insures that, once water is introduced, the
discharge chamber of the pump hous~ng will ~tay full of
water to the level of the inlet 61'.
The outlet 70' is ~hown at a 3 o'clock position rather
than at the top of the pump as in the embodiment first
illustrated. This saveff the requirement for a 90 elbow
and places the pump di~charge closer to the ground, thus
reducing the danager of an undesirable bend in the dis-
charge hose which i8 utilized in connection with the pump.
The embodiment of the invention shown in Figs~ 7
through 10 will function similarly to the fir~t described
embodiment, but in the function thereof it will have the
benefit of the various difference~ in structure here di~-
closed. In this latter re~pect, attention i5 particularly
directed to the details of the seal which are specifically
illu~trated in Fig. 10. A~ shown, there is slight spacing
between the inner periphery of the elements comprised in
the ~eal part 24' and the shaft 20' which projects there-
through. This permits a slight amount of lubricant to pa88
to and to gradually move outward between the adjacent faces
of the seal elements 111 and 113 under the differential
pre~sure condit$ons which ex~st a~ between the chamber 26'
and the chamber 69' a~ previou~ly de~cribed. The move-
ment of the lubricant between the element~ 111 and 113
will be slow, molecule by molecule and not only provide
additional lubrication between these ~urfaces but flush-
ing away of any dirt that tr~es to move outwardly along
the shaft 20'.
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188S~'7~
.
. :
In the embodiment of Figs. 7-10, the volute housing
structure has a limited movement in an axial sense and
is damped as to rotational movement so it floats, to a
limited degree, with attendant benefits as in the case
of the first described embodiment. --
Considerable benefits also obtain, from the stand-
point of economy and precision of fabrication, in the
formation of this volute-housing structure of two plas-
tic parts.
Attention is also directed to the cut-water struc-
tures 47' and 139 in connection with the double volute
arrangement. Their design not only facilitates the
connection of the volute-housing parts 130 and 132 but
they provide functional advantages as in the case first
described. That of the cut-water 47' is the same as in
the case of the cut-water 47. The cut-water extension
139 serves likewise in protection of the volute 138 and
by its spacing from the periphery of the impeller as
illustrated, when the impeller becomes airbound allows
water to get into the impeller and the volute chamber
and achieve a priming action in a manner believed obvious.
~ :
. .
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~`~8~3374
Of course, ~n the operation of the pump of Figs. 7-10
the supply of lubricant in the element 28' i8 maintained
under pressure, under the influence of the materials being
discharged, in a fashion ident~cal to that previously
described with reference to the element 28.
In any case, the invention provides simplicity and
economy of f~brication and maintenance and ease of assembly
and disassembly while exhibiting the functional features
herein described.
In the case of the preferred embodiment of the in-
vention, one can adhere annular rubber or elastomeric
elements, similar to the element~ 60 and 58 previously
described, to the inner surfaces of the.plate portions 140
and 142 re~pectively to rim the inner projected reduced
extremity of the tubular wall Yegment 18' and the inlet
aperture 73 within the bounds,respectively, of the annular
ribs 141 and 174.
From the above description it wlll be apparent that
there i8 thus provided a device of the character described
pos~essing the particular features of advantage before
enumerated as desirable, but which obviously iB susceptible
of modification in itB form, proportions, detail con-
struction and arrangement of parts without departing from
the principle involved or sacrificing any of its advantages.
While in order to comply with the statute the invention
has been described in language more or less specific a~ to
~tructural features, it ~s to be understood that the in-
vention is not limited to the specific features ~hown, but
` 1~88;37~ ~
that the means and construction herein disclosed comprise
but one of ~everal mode~ of putting the invention into
effect and the invention ls therefore claimed in any of
itq forms or modifications within the legitimate and valid
scope of the appended claim~.
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