Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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TIE-ROD FRAME PLATE FOR CENTRIFUGAL PUMP
CROSS-REFERNCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
This Application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent
Application Ser. No. 62/626,494, filed on February 5, 2018 and entitled "Tie-
Rod Frame Plate
for Centrifugal Pump," which is incorporated herein by reference in its
entirety.
TECHNICAL FIELD
This disclosure relates to pumps, and, in particular, to frame plates for
centrifugal
pumps.
BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE
Centrifugal pumps are used in a variety of industries to process liquid
mixtures
containing particulate solids, commonly known as slurries. For example,
slurries are moved,
and sometimes pressurized, using centrifugal pumps (e.g., a mill circuit pump,
etc.) in the
mining and dredging industries. Centrifugal pumps generally include an
impeller housed
within a pump casing. An inlet in the pump casing directs the liquid slurry
toward the impeller,
.. and the impeller is rotated to disperse the slurry through the impeller and
radially outward into
a volute of the pump casing. From the volute, the slurry exits the pump
through a discharge
outlet of the pump casing. The pump casing therefore provides a pressure
vessel which serves
the dual function of collecting the slurry expelled by the impeller and
converting the high
kinetic energy flow at the impeller exit into potential (i.e., pressure)
energy at the discharge
outlet of the pump casing.
Centrifugal pumps used to pump slurries are subject to erosion and wear by the
particles
in the slurry flow, which may require costly repair and/or replacement of the
pump. One
solution for holding the pump casing and other components of centrifugal pumps
is to attach
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front and rear frame plates that are interconnected and spaced apart from each
other via tie
rods. The pump is held within the cavity defined between the spaced-apart
frame plates such
that the frame plates cover the front and rear of the pump casing. The side of
the pump casing
from which the discharge outlet extends is typically larger to accommodate the
outlet passage
through which the slurry is discharged from the pump. But, while some
centrifugal pumps
have discharge outlets on the left side (as viewed from the front) of the pump
casing, other
centrifugal pumps provide the discharge outlet on the right side of the pump
casing. Currently,
dedicated left and right side frame plates are used to cover the discharge
outlet of centrifugal
pumps, depending on whether the particular pump has the discharge outlet on
the left or right
side, respectively, of the pump casing.
SUMMARY
This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified
form that
are further described below in the Detailed Description. This summary is not
intended to
identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter. Nor
is it intended to
be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.
In a first aspect, a universal frame plate is provided for centrifugal pumps
that include
a pump casing. The frame plate includes a hub configured to be selectively
mounted to a first
pump casing having a discharge outlet located on a first side or a second pump
casing having
the discharge outlet located on a second side that is opposite the first side.
The first side
segment extends radially outward from the hub. The first side segment is
configured to cover
a base of the discharge outlet of the first pump casing when the frame plate
is mounted to the
first pump casing. The second side segment extends radially outward from the
hub along
opposite radial directions relative to the first side segment. The second side
segment is
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configured to cover the base of the discharge outlet of the second pump casing
when the frame
plate is mounted to the second pump casing.
In some embodiments, the frame plate includes a central axis that extends
approximately parallel to a flow direction of the discharge outlet when the
frame plate is
mounted to the first or second pump casing. The first and second side segments
are
symmetrical about the central axis.
In some embodiments, the first and second side segments define respective
first and
second half portions of the frame plate.
In some embodiments, the first and second side segments include respective
first and
second wings that extend outward from the hub in opposite directions. The
first wing is
configured to cover the base of the discharge outlet of the first pump casing
when the frame
plate is mounted to the first pump casing. The second wing is configured to
cover the base of
the discharge outlet of the second pump casing when the frame plate is mounted
to the second
pump casing.
In some embodiments, the first and second side segments include respective
first and
second wings that extend outward from the hub in opposite directions. The
first and second
wings being mirror images of each other about a central axis of the frame
plate that extends
approximately parallel to a flow direction of the discharge outlet when the
frame plate is
mounted to the first or second pump casing.
In some embodiments, the frame plate includes a circumference having an oblong
shape.
In some embodiments, the frame plate includes a scalloped circumference.
In some embodiments, the frame plate includes a plurality of tie rod openings.
In a second aspect, a frame plate assembly is provided for centrifugal pumps
having a
pump casing that includes a discharge outlet. The frame plate assembly
includes a first frame
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plate configured to be mounted to the pump casing of the centrifugal pump. The
first frame
plate includes a body having a central axis that extends approximately
parallel to a flow
direction of the discharge outlet of the pump casing of the centrifugal pump
when the first
frame plate is mounted to the pump casing. The body of the first frame plate
includes first and
second side segments that are symmetrical about the central axis such that the
first and second
side segments are mirror images of each other. The frame plate assembly
includes a second
frame plate configured to be mounted to the pump casing of the centrifugal
pump such that a
cavity is defined between the first and second frame plates. The first and
second frame plates
are configured to hold the pump casing of the centrifugal pump therebetween
within the cavity.
In some embodiments, the frame plate assembly includes tie rods configured to
secure
the first and second frame plates together.
In some embodiments, the first and second side segments of the first frame
plate include
respective first and second wings that extend outward relative to the central
axis in opposite
directions. The first wing is configured to cover a base of the discharge
outlet of a first pump
casing having the discharge outlet located on a first side. The second wing is
configured to
cover the base of the discharge outlet of a second pump casing having the
discharge outlet
located on a second side that is opposite the first side.
In some embodiments, the body of the first frame plate includes a
circumference having
an oblong shape.
In some embodiments, the body of the first frame plate includes a scalloped
circumference.
In some embodiments, the central axis is a first central axis and the body is
a first body.
The second frame plate includes a second body having a second central axis
that extends
approximately parallel to the flow direction of the discharge outlet of the
pump casing when
the second frame plate is mounted to the pump casing. The second body of the
second frame
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plate includes third and fourth side segments that are symmetrical about the
second central axis
such that the third and fourth side segments are mirror images of each other.
In some embodiments, the body is a first body. The second frame plate includes
a
second body having third and fourth side segments having respective third and
fourth wings
that extend in opposite directions. The third wing is configured to cover a
base of the discharge
outlet of a first pump casing having the discharge outlet located on a first
side. The fourth wing
is configured to cover the base of the discharge outlet of a second pump
casing having the
discharge outlet located on a second side that is opposite the first side.
In a third aspect, a universal frame plate assembly is provided for
centrifugal pumps
that include a pump casing. The frame plate assembly includes a first frame
plate configured
to be selectively mounted to a first pump casing having a discharge outlet
located on a first side
or a second pump casing having the discharge outlet located on a second side
that is opposite
the first side. The first frame plate includes a first side segment configured
to cover an enlarged
portion of the first pump casing when the first frame plate is mounted on the
first pump casing.
The first frame plate includes a second side segment configured to cover the
enlarged portion
of the second pump casing when the first frame plate is mounted on the second
pump casing.
The frame plate assembly includes a second frame plate configured to be
selectively mounted
to the first or second pump casings such that a cavity is defined between the
first and second
frame plates. The first and second frame plates are configured to selectively
hold the first pump
casing or the second pump casing therebetween within the cavity.
In some embodiments, the first frame plate includes a central axis that
extends
approximately parallel to a flow direction of the discharge outlet when the
first frame plate is
mounted to the first or second pump casing. The first and second side segments
are
symmetrical about the central axis such that the first and second side
segments are mirror
images of each other.
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In some embodiments, the second frame plate includes third and fourth side
segments.
The third side segment is configured to cover the enlarged portion of the
first pump casing
when the second frame plate is mounted to the first pump casing. The fourth
side segment is
configured to cover the enlarged portion of the second pump casing when the
second frame
plate is mounted to the second pump casing.
In some embodiments, the second frame plate includes a central axis that
extends
approximately parallel to a flow direction of the discharge outlet when the
first frame plate is
mounted to the first or second pump casing. The second frame plate includes
third and fourth
side segments that are symmetrical about the central axis such that the third
and fourth side
segments are mirror images of each other.
In some embodiments, at least one of the first frame plate or the second frame
plate
includes a circumference having an oblong shape.
Other aspects, features, and advantages will become apparent from the
following
detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings,
which are a
part of this disclosure and which illustrate, by way of example, principles of
the inventions
disclosed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The accompanying drawings facilitate an understanding of the various
embodiments.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a centrifugal pump assembly according to an
exemplary
embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a partially broken-away side elevational view illustrating a cross
section of a
portion of the centrifugal pump assembly shown in FIG. 1 according to an
exemplary
embodiment.
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FIG. 3 is a front elevational view of the centrifugal pump assembly shown in
FIGS. 1
and 2.
FIG. 4 is a front elevational view illustrating a frame plate assembly of the
centrifugal
pump assembly shown in FIGS. 1-3 fitted to a different centrifugal pump
according to an
exemplary embodiment.
Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the
drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Certain embodiments of the disclosure provide a universal frame plate for
centrifugal
pumps that include a pump casing. The frame plate includes a hub configured to
be selectively
mounted to a first pump casing having a discharge outlet located on a first
side or a second
pump casing having the discharge outlet located on a second side that is
opposite the first side.
The first side segment extends radially outward from the hub. The first side
segment is
configured to cover a base of the discharge outlet of the first pump casing
when the frame plate
is mounted to the first pump casing. The second side segment extends radially
outward from
the hub along opposite radial directions relative to the first side segment.
The second side
segment is configured to cover the base of the discharge outlet of the second
pump casing when
the frame plate is mounted to the second pump casing.
Certain embodiments of the disclosure provide universal frame plates that can
be fitted
to a host of different centrifugal pumps regardless of the position of the
discharge outlet, which
reduces the cost of centrifugal pumps in some examples. Centrifugal pumps can
be originally
manufactured with the frame plate assemblies disclosed herein or retrofitted
with the frame
plate assemblies disclosed herein. With the frame plates disclosed herein
being configured to
cover the bulk of the pump casing regardless of the position of the discharge
outlet, the frame
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plate assemblies disclosed herein can not only be attached to new centrifugal
pumps but can
also be retrofitted to existing centrifugal pumps.
Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, an illustrative embodiment of a centrifugal pump
assembly
100 is presented. The centrifugal pump assembly 100 includes a centrifugal
pump 102 and a
frame plate assembly 104. The centrifugal pump 102 includes a pump casing 106
having an
inlet 108 (sometimes referred to as a "suction branch") and a discharge outlet
110 (sometimes
referred to as a "delivery branch"). In the illustrated example, the pump
casing 106 includes a
case 112, an insert plate 114 (not visible in FIG. 1), and a throatbush 116.
As shown in FIG.
2, inner surfaces of the case 112, the insert plate 114, and the throatbush
116 define a volute
118 of the pump casing 106. An impeller 120 (not visible in FIG. 1) is held
within the volute
118 of the pump casing 106. The impeller 120 is rotatably connected to a shaft
122 that is held
by a base unit 124 of the centrifugal pump 102. The shaft 122 is configured to
be coupled to a
drive means (not shown, e.g., a motor, etc.) that drives rotation of the shaft
122 and thereby
rotates the impeller 120.
In operation, slurry is drawn into the inlet 108 and into an eye 126 of the
impeller 120.
As the impeller 120 rotates, the slurry is driven radially outward through the
impeller 120 and
into the volute 118 of the pump casing 106. From the volute 118, the slurry is
pushed through
the discharge outlet 110 of the pump casing 106 and thereby discharged from
the centrifugal
pump 102.
The present disclosure contemplates any type of centrifugal pump 102. In some
examples, the centrifugal pump 102 is a mill circuit pump, however, other
types of centrifugal
pumps can be used and are contemplated by the present disclosure. In the
illustrated example,
an inner surface of the case 112 defines a portion of the volute 118, as is
described above. In
other examples, the pump casing 106 includes a liner insert (not shown) having
an inner surface
that defines a portion of the volute 118 of the pump casing 106.
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The frame plate assembly 104 includes a frame plate 128 and a frame plate 130.
As
shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the frame plates 128 and 130 are each mounted to the
pump casing
106. Specifically, the frame plate 128 is mounted to a front side 132 of the
pump casing 106
and the frame plate 130 is mounted to a rear side 134 of the pump casing 106.
When mounted
to the pump casing 106 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the frame plates 128 and 130
are spaced
apart such that a cavity 136 is defined between the frame plates 128 and 130.
The pump casing
106 is held within the cavity 136 between the frame plates 128 and 130, as is
shown in FIGS.
1 and 2. The frame plates 128 and 130 are secured together via a plurality of
tie rods 138.
Each of the frame plates 128 and 130 may be referred to herein as a "first"
and/or a "second"
frame plate. For the purposes of this disclosure, the side 132 of the pump
casing 106 that faces
away from the shaft 122 is considered the "front" side of the pump casing 106
while the side
134 the faces toward the shaft 122 is considered the "rear" side of the pump
casing 106. But,
it should be understood that the sides 132 and 134 can alternatively be
considered the rear and
front sides, respectively, of the pump casing 106. As such, each of the frame
plates 128 and
.. 130 can be considered a "front" or a "rear" frame plate.
As briefly described above, the frame plates 128 and 130 are secured together
around
the pump casing 106 through the series of tie-rods 138, which extend through
corresponding
openings 140 in the frame plates 128 and 130. The illustrated example shows
four tie-rods 138
positioned in an upper half of each of the frame plates 128 and 130, and four
tie-rods 138
positioned in a lower half of each of the frame plates 128 and 130. But, the
present disclosure
contemplates using any number of tie rods 138 arranged in any pattern along
the frame plates
128 and 130. The connections of the tie rods 128 and 130 enable the frame
plates 128 and 130
to be installed around any type of centrifugal pump 102 fitting within the
width of the tie-rods
138. In some examples, more tie-rods 138 are used in the upper halves of the
frame plate 128
and 130 than in the lower halves of the frame plates 128 and 130. In other
examples, more tie-
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rods 138 are used in the lower halves of the frame plates 128 and 130 than the
upper halves.
For purposes of this disclosure, the "upper" halves of the frame plates 128
and 130 refer to the
segments of frame plates 128 and 130 that extend above (as viewed in FIGS. 1
and 2) a central
axis 142 (not shown in FIG. 2) that extends through the pump casing 106 (and
are thus closer
to the opening of the discharge outlet 110). Conversely, the "lower" halves of
the frame plates
128 and 130 refer to the segments of the frame plates 128 and 130 that extend
below (as viewed
in FIGS. 1 and 2) the central axis 142 (and are thus further away from the
opening of the
discharge outlet 110).
In some examples, the frame plates 128 and/or 130 are fabricated from various
types of
iron, steel, and/or the like. In some particular examples, one or both of the
frame plates 128 or
130 is made of ductile iron and thus retains optimal impact and fatigue
resistance properties.
Other types of iron are contemplated by the present disclosure, such as, but
not limited to, cast
iron, graphite iron, graphite cast iron, and/or the like. Customers could
retain the frame plate
128 and/or the frame plate 130 and replace the pump casing 106 of the
centrifugal pump 102
or the entire pump 102, as the pump casings 106 of centrifugal pumps 102 are
sometimes
fabricated from one more materials (e.g., a high-chrome material, etc.) that
have a greater wear
rate (i.e., may wear out at an increased rate) as compared to the frame plates
128 and/or 130
(e.g., when the frame plates 128 and/or 130 are fabricated from more durable
iron and/or other
material, etc.).
In some examples, the frame plates 128 and/or 130 include studs 144 and studs
146 that
are used to fasten the frame plates 128 and 130 to the case 112, the insert
plate 114, and the
throatbush 116, respectively, of the pump casing 106. Though, it should be
noted that, in some
examples, the studs 144 are equidistantly positioned around the frame plates
128 and 130 to
allow for uniform attachment to the pump casing 106 and to allow for
relatively uniform
pressure distribution. Similarly, the studs 146 are positioned equidistant
around the frame
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plates 128 and 130 in some examples to provide for uniform attachment to the
insert plate 114
and the throatbush 116 and thereby relatively uniform pressure distribution.
The illustrated
arrangement of the studs 144 and studs 146 represent but one example. Other
examples
position the studs 144 and/or studs 146 in a different manner on the frame
plate 128 and/or the
frame plate 130, and some examples do not include the studs 144 and/or the
studs 146.
Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 3, in the example of the pump casing 106 of the
centrifugal pump 102, the discharge outlet 110 extends on a side 148 of the
pump casing 106.
In other words, the pump casing 106 has the discharge outlet 110 located on
the side 148. But,
the discharge outlet 110 can be positioned on either side of the pump casing
106. In other
words, other pump casings have the discharge outlet 110 located on a side 150
of the pump
casing 106 that is opposite the side 148. For example, Figure 4 illustrates a
centrifugal pump
202 that includes a pump casing 206 having a discharge outlet 210 that is
located on the side
150 of the pump casing 206. Accordingly, the pump casings 106 and 206 have
respective
discharge outlets 110 and 210 located on opposite sides 148 and 150,
respectively. Depending
on the orientation from which the centrifugal pumps 102 and 202 are viewed,
either of the sides
148 or 150 can be considered a right or a left side of the pump casing. When
viewed from the
front as shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 4, the pump casing 106 has the discharge
outlet 110 located
on the right side of the pump casing 106 such that the centrifugal pump 102
can be considered
to have a right-oriented discharge, while the pump casing 206 has the
discharge outlet 210
located on the left side of the pump casing 206 such that the centrifugal pump
202 can be
considered to have a left-oriented discharge. Each of the pump cases 106 and
206 may be
referred to herein as a "first" and/or a "second" pump casing. Each of the
centrifugal pumps
102 and 202 may be referred to herein as a "first" and/or a "second"
centrifugal pump.
In some examples, the pump casing is radially larger on the side of the
discharge outlet.
Specifically, and referring now to FIGS. 1 and 3, the discharge outlet 110
includes a base 152
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that extends from the arcuate portion of the case 112 that defines a radially
outer boundary of
the volute 118 of the pump casing 106. The discharge outlet 110 includes a
linear outlet
segment 154 that extends outward from the base 152 in the direction of the
arrow 156. As is
shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the base 152 of the discharge outlet 110 defines an
enlarged portion
of the pump casing 106. Referring now to FIG. 4, the discharge outlet 210 of
the pump casing
206 of the centrifugal pump 202 includes a base 252 that extends from the
arcuate portion of a
case 212 of the pump casing 206 that defines a radially outer boundary of a
volute 218 of the
pump casing 206. The discharge outlet 210 includes a linear outlet segment 254
that extends
outward from the base 252 in the direction of the arrow 256. The base 252 of
the discharge
outlet 210 defines an enlarged portion of the pump casing 206, as is shown in
FIG. 4.
Referring now to FIGS. 1-3, the frame plates 128 and 130 of the frame plate
assembly
104 are configured (e.g., sized, shaped, and/or the like) such that the frame
plates 128 and 130
can be selectively mounted on a pump casing having the discharge outlet
located on the side
148 (e.g., the pump casing 106 of the centrifugal pump 102, etc.) or on a pump
casing having
the discharge outlet located on the side 150 (e.g., the pump casing 206 of the
centrifugal pump
202 shown in FIG. 4). The frame plate 130 is not visible in FIG. 3. The frame
plates 128 and
130 include respective bodies 158 and 160 and respective hubs 162 and 164. The
hub 164 is
not visible in FIG. 1). The hubs 162 and 164 are configured to be mounted,
whether directly
or indirectly, to the pump casing 106, for example using the studs 144 and/or
the studs 146.
The bodies 158 and 160 include respective central axes 166 and 168 (not shown
in FIG. 1) that
extend approximately parallel to a flow direction (i.e., the direction of the
arrow 156) of the
discharge outlet 110 when mounted to the pump casing 106 as shown in FIGS. 1-
3. Each of
the bodies 158 and 160 may be referred to herein as a "first" and/or a
"second" body.
Optionally, the body 158 of the frame plate 128 and/or the body 160 of the
frame plate 130
includes a scalloped circumference, as is shown in the illustrated example. In
other examples,
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the body 158 and/or the body 160 does not includes a scalloped circumference.
Each of the
central axes 166 and 168 may be referred to herein as a "first" and/or a
"second" central axis.
Referring now to FIG. 3, the configuration of the frame plates 128 and 130
that enable
the frame plates 128 and 130 to be selectively mounted on pump casings having
the discharge
.. outlet located on either of the sides 148 and 150 will now be described
with reference to the
frame plate 128. The body 158 of the frame plate 128 includes side segments
170 and 172 that
extend radially outward from the hub 162. As should be apparent from FIG. 3,
the side
segments 170 and 172 extend radially outward from the hub 162 along opposite
radial
directions. In the illustrated example, the side segments 170 and 172 are
symmetrical relative
to each other about the central axis 166 such that the side segments 170 and
172 are mirror
images of each other, as is shown in FIG. 3. In other words, in the
illustrated example, the side
segments 170 and 172 define two half portions of the frame plate 128 that, if
folded along the
central axis 166, would have substantially the same shape and dimensions. In
other examples,
the side segments 170 and 172 are not symmetrical about the central axis 166.
Each of the side
segments 170 and 172 may be referred to herein as a "first", "second",
"third", and/or "fourth"
side segment. Moreover, each of the side segments 170 and 172 may be referred
to herein as
a "first" and/or a "second" half portion of the frame plate 128.
The side segments 170 and 172 include respective wings 174 and 176 that extend
outward relative to the central axis 166 in opposite directions. As can be
seen in FIG. 3, the
body 158 of the frame plate 128 covers the case 112 of the pump casing 106
when the frame
plate 128 is mounted to the pump casing 106 as shown in FIG. 3. As can also be
seen in FIG.
3, the wing 174 covers the base 152 of the discharge outlet 110 of the pump
casing 106. In
other words, the wing 174 covers the enlarged portion of the pump casing 106
defined where
the base 152 of the discharge outlet 110 extends from the case 112 of the pump
casing 106.
.. Although shown as covering the base 152 and a portion of the linear outlet
segment 154 of the
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discharge outlet 110, the wing 174 may cover any portion and/or amount of the
discharge outlet
110 so long as the wing 174 covers the base 152. In some other examples, the
wing 174 is
configured to cover an approximate entirety of the discharge outlet 110. Each
of the wings 174
and 176 may be referred to as a "first", "second", "third", and/or "fourth"
wing.
The wing 176 of the frame plate 130 is configured to cover the base 252 of the
discharge
outlet 210 of the pump casing 206 of the centrifugal pump 202 when the frame
plate 128 is
used with the centrifugal pump 202. Specifically, and referring now to FIG. 4,
the body 158
of the frame plate 128 covers the case 212 of the pump casing 206 of the
centrifugal pump 202
when the frame plate 128 is mounted to the pump casing 206 of the centrifugal
pump 202. As
can be seen in FIG. 4, the wing 176 covers the base 252 of the discharge
outlet 210 of the pump
casing 206. In other words, the wing 176 covers the enlarged portion of the
pump casing 206
defined where the base 252 of the discharge outlet 210 extends from the case
212 of the pump
casing 206. The wing 176 may cover any portion and/or amount of the discharge
outlet 210 so
long as the wing 174 covers the base 252. In some other examples, the wing 174
is configured
to cover an approximate entirety of the discharge outlet 210. Accordingly, the
frame plate 128
provides a universal frame plate that can be used selectively with either of
the pump casings
106 or 206.
In the illustrated example, the wings 174 and 176 are symmetrical relative to
each other
about the central axis 166 such that the wings 174 and 176 are mirror images
of each other. In
other examples, the wings 174 and 176 are not symmetrical about the central
axis 166 so long
as the wings 174 are configured (e.g., sized and shaped, etc.) to cover the
respective bases 152
and 252. In the illustrated example, the wings 174 and 176 provide the body
158 of the frame
plate 128 with a circumference having an oblong shape. In other examples, the
circumference
of the body 158 does not have an oblong shape. The present disclosure
contemplates that the
circumference of the frame plate 128 include a variety of different shapes,
such as, but not
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limited to, planar, straight, curved (e.g., having a curvature matching a
curvature of the pump
casing 106 and/or 206, etc.), angled, and/or the like.
While the universal nature of the frame assembly 104 is specifically described
and
illustrated herein with respect to the frame plate 128, it should be
understood that in some
examples the frame plate 130 is similarly configured to be selectively used
with either of the
pump casing 106 or 206. For example, in the illustrated example, the frame
plate 130 includes
side segments 178 and 180 having wings 182 and 184. As shown in FIG. 1, the
wing 182 is
configured to cover the base 152 of the discharge outlet 110 of the pump
casing 106 when the
frame plate 130 is used with the centrifugal pump 102 (i.e., is mounted to the
pump casing
106). The wing 184 of the frame plate 130 is configured to cover the base 252
of the discharge
outlet 210 of the pump casing 206 when the frame plate 130 is used with the
centrifugal pump
202 (i.e., is mounted to the pump casing 206). In some examples, the frame
plate 130 has a
different hub geometry as compared to the frame plate 128 to accommodate
mounting the
frame plate 130 to (e.g., fitting the frame plate 130 around components) on
the rear side (e.g.,
the side 134 of the pump casing 106) of the pump casing. Each of the side
segments 178 and
180 may be referred to herein as a "first", "second", "third", and/or "fourth"
side segment.
Each of the wings 182 and 184 may be referred to herein as a "first",
"second", "third", and/or
"fourth" wing.
As should be apparent from the above description and FIGS. 1-4, the frame
plates 128
and 130 are shaped, in some examples, to cover the pump casing of a
centrifugal pump
regardless of whether the pump casing includes a right-oriented discharge
outlet (e.g., on the
side 148, etc.) or a left-oriented discharge outlet (i.e., on the side 150,
etc.). Accordingly, the
frame plate assemblies disclosed herein (e.g., the frame plate assembly 104,
etc.) provide a
universal frame plate assembly that can be fitted to a host of different
centrifugal pumps
regardless of the position of the discharge outlet, which reduces the cost of
centrifugal pumps
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in some examples. In other words, the frame plates disclosed herein can be
universally fit to a
host of different pump casings. Centrifugal pumps can be originally
manufactured with the
frame plate assemblies disclosed herein or retrofitted with the frame plate
assemblies disclosed
herein. With the frame plates disclosed herein being configured to cover the
bulk of the pump
casing regardless of the discharge outlet being on the left (e.g., the side
150, etc.) or right side
(e.g., the side 148, etc.) of the centrifugal pump, the disclosed frame plate
assemblies can be
easily disassembled from one centrifugal pump and attached to another
centrifugal pump.
Thus, the frame plate assemblies disclosed herein can not only be attached to
new centrifugal
pumps but can also be retrofitted to existing centrifugal pumps.
The following clauses describe further aspects of the disclosure:
Clause Set A:
Al. A universal frame plate for centrifugal pumps having a pump casing, the
frame
plate comprising:
a hub configured to be selectively mounted to a first pump casing having a
discharge
outlet located on a first side or a second pump casing having the discharge
outlet located on a
second side that is opposite the first side;
a first side segment extending radially outward from the hub, wherein the
first side
segment is configured to cover a base of the discharge outlet of the first
pump casing when the
frame plate is mounted to the first pump casing; and
a second side segment extending radially outward from the hub along opposite
radial
directions relative to the first side segment, wherein the second side segment
is configured to
cover the base of the discharge outlet of the second pump casing when the
frame plate is
mounted to the second pump casing.
A2. The universal frame plate of clause Al, wherein the frame plate comprises
a central
axis that extends approximately parallel to a flow direction of the discharge
outlet when the
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frame plate is mounted to the first or second pump casing, the first and
second side segments
being symmetrical about the central axis.
A3. The universal frame plate of clause Al, wherein the first and second side
segments
define respective first and second half portions of the frame plate.
A4. The universal frame plate of clause Al, wherein the first and second side
segments
comprise respective first and second wings that extend outward from the hub in
opposite
directions, the first wing being configured to cover the base of the discharge
outlet of the first
pump casing when the frame plate is mounted to the first pump casing, the
second wing being
configured to cover the base of the discharge outlet of the second pump casing
when the frame
plate is mounted to the second pump casing.
AS. The universal frame plate of clause Al, wherein the first and second side
segments
comprise respective first and second wings that extend outward from the hub in
opposite
directions, the first and second wings being mirror images of each other about
a central axis of
the frame plate that extends approximately parallel to a flow direction of the
discharge outlet
when the frame plate is mounted to the first or second pump casing.
A6. The universal frame plate of clause Al, wherein the frame plate comprises
a
circumference having an oblong shape.
A7. The universal frame plate of clause Al, wherein the frame plate comprises
a
scalloped circumference.
A8. The universal frame plate of clause Al, further comprising a plurality of
tie rod
openings.
Clause Set B:
B1 . A frame plate assembly for centrifugal pumps having a pump casing that
includes
a discharge outlet, the frame plate assembly comprising:
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a first frame plate configured to be mounted to the pump casing of the
centrifugal pump,
the first frame plate comprising a body having a central axis that extends
approximately parallel
to a flow direction of the discharge outlet of the pump casing of the
centrifugal pump when the
first frame plate is mounted to the pump casing, the body of the first frame
plate comprising
first and second side segments that are symmetrical about the central axis
such that the first
and second side segments are mirror images of each other; and
a second frame plate configured to be mounted to the pump casing of the
centrifugal
pump such that a cavity is defined between the first and second frame plates,
the first and
second frame plates being configured to hold the pump casing of the
centrifugal pump
therebetween within the cavity.
B2. The frame plate assembly of clause B1 , further comprising tie rods
configured to
secure the first and second frame plates together.
B3. The frame plate assembly of clause Bl, wherein the first and second side
segments
of the first frame plate comprise respective first and second wings that
extend outward relative
to the central axis in opposite directions, the first wing being configured to
cover a base of the
discharge outlet of a first pump casing having the discharge outlet located on
a first side, the
second wing being configured to cover the base of the discharge outlet of a
second pump casing
having the discharge outlet located on a second side that is opposite the
first side.
B4. The frame plate assembly of clause B1 , wherein the body of the first
frame plate
comprises a circumference having an oblong shape.
B5. The frame plate assembly of clause Bl, wherein the body of the first frame
plate
comprises a scalloped circumference.
B6. The frame plate assembly of clause B1 , wherein the central axis is a
first central
axis and the body is a first body, the second frame plate comprising a second
body having a
second central axis that extends approximately parallel to the flow direction
of the discharge
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outlet of the pump casing when the second frame plate is mounted to the pump
casing, the
second body of the second frame plate comprising third and fourth side
segments that are
symmetrical about the second central axis such that the third and fourth side
segments are
mirror images of each other.
B7. The frame plate assembly of clause Bl, wherein the body is a first body,
the second
frame plate comprising a second body comprising third and fourth side segments
having
respective third and fourth wings that extend in opposite directions, the
third wing being
configured to cover a base of the discharge outlet of a first pump casing
having the discharge
outlet located on a first side, the fourth wing being configured to cover the
base of the discharge
outlet of a second pump casing having the discharge outlet located on a second
side that is
opposite the first side.
Clause Set C:
Cl. A universal frame plate assembly for centrifugal pumps having a pump
casing, the
frame plate assembly comprising:
a first frame plate configured to be selectively mounted to a first pump
casing having a
discharge outlet located on a first side or a second pump casing having the
discharge outlet
located on a second side that is opposite the first side, the first frame
plate comprising a first
side segment configured to cover an enlarged portion of the first pump casing
when the first
frame plate is mounted on the first pump casing, the first frame plate
comprising a second side
segment configured to cover the enlarged portion of the second pump casing
when the first
frame plate is mounted on the second pump casing; and
a second frame plate configured to be selectively mounted to the first or
second pump
casings such that a cavity is defined between the first and second frame
plates, the first and
second frame plates being configured to selectively hold the first pump casing
or the second
pump casing therebetween within the cavity.
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C2. The universal frame plate assembly of clause Cl, wherein the first frame
plate
comprises a central axis that extends approximately parallel to a flow
direction of the discharge
outlet when the first frame plate is mounted to the first or second pump
casing, the first and
second side segments being symmetrical about the central axis such that the
first and second
side segments are mirror images of each other.
C3. The universal frame plate assembly of clause Cl, wherein the second frame
plate
comprises third and fourth side segments, the third side segment being
configured to cover the
enlarged portion of the first pump casing when the second frame plate is
mounted to the first
pump casing, the fourth side segment being configured to cover the enlarged
portion of the
second pump casing when the second frame plate is mounted to the second pump
casing.
C4. The universal frame plate assembly of clause Cl, wherein the second frame
plate
comprises a central axis that extends approximately parallel to a flow
direction of the discharge
outlet when the first frame plate is mounted to the first or second pump
casing, the second
frame plate comprising third and fourth side segments that are symmetrical
about the central
axis such that the third and fourth side segments are mirror images of each
other.
C5. The universal frame plate assembly of clause Cl, wherein at least one of
the first
frame plate or the second frame plate comprises a circumference having an
oblong shape.
It is to be understood that the above description is intended to be
illustrative, and not
restrictive. For example, the above-described embodiments (and/or aspects
thereof) may be
used in combination with each other. Furthermore, invention(s) have been
described in
connection with what are presently considered to be the most practical and
preferred
embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to
the disclosed
embodiments, but on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications
and equivalent
arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the invention(s).
Further, each
independent feature or component of any given assembly may constitute an
additional
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embodiment. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular
situation or
material to the teachings of the disclosure without departing from its scope.
Dimensions, types
of materials, orientations of the various components, and the number and
positions of the
various components described herein are intended to define parameters of
certain
embodiments, and are by no means limiting and are merely exemplary
embodiments. Many
other embodiments and modifications within the spirit and scope of the claims
will be apparent
to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. The scope
of the disclosure
should, therefore, be determined with reference to the appended claims, along
with the full
scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled.
In the foregoing description of certain embodiments, specific terminology has
been
resorted to for the sake of clarity. However, the disclosure is not intended
to be limited to the
specific terms so selected, and it is to be understood that each specific term
includes other
technical equivalents which operate in a similar manner to accomplish a
similar technical
purpose. Terms such as "clockwise" and "counterclockwise", "left" and right",
"front" and
"rear", "above" and "below" and the like are used as words of convenience to
provide reference
points and are not to be construed as limiting terms.
When introducing elements of aspects of the disclosure or the examples
thereof, the
articles "a," "an," "the," and "said" are intended to mean that there are one
or more of the
elements. The terms "comprising," "including," and "having" are intended to be
inclusive and
mean that there may be additional elements other than the listed elements. For
example, in this
specification, the word "comprising" is to be understood in its "open" sense,
that is, in the sense
of "including", and thus not limited to its "closed" sense, that is the sense
of "consisting only
of'. A corresponding meaning is to be attributed to the corresponding words
"comprise",
"comprised", "comprises", "having", "has", "includes", and "including" where
they appear.
The term "exemplary" is intended to mean "an example of" The phrase "one or
more of the
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following: A, B, and C" means "at least one of A and/or at least one of B
and/or at least one of
C." Moreover, in the following claims, the terms "first," "second," and
"third," etc. are used
merely as labels, and are not intended to impose numerical requirements on
their
objects. Further, the limitations of the following claims are not written in
means-plus-function
format and are not intended to be interpreted based on 35 U.S.C. 112(f),
unless and until such
claim limitations expressly use the phrase "means for" followed by a statement
of function
void of further structure.
Although the terms "step" and/or "block" may be used herein to connote
different
elements of methods employed, the terms should not be interpreted as implying
any particular
order among or between various steps herein disclosed unless and except when
the order of
individual steps is explicitly described. The order of execution or
performance of the
operations in examples of the disclosure illustrated and described herein is
not essential, unless
otherwise specified. The operations may be performed in any order, unless
otherwise specified,
and examples of the disclosure may include additional or fewer operations than
those disclosed
herein. It is therefore contemplated that executing or performing a particular
operation before,
contemporaneously with, or after another operation is within the scope of
aspects of the
disclosure.
Having described aspects of the disclosure in detail, it will be apparent that
modifications and variations are possible without departing from the scope of
aspects of the
disclosure as defined in the appended claims. As various changes could be made
in the above
constructions, products, and methods without departing from the scope of
aspects of the
disclosure, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description
and shown in the
accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a
limiting sense.
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