CA1183405A - Bearing and filter arrangement for submersible pumps - Google Patents
Bearing and filter arrangement for submersible pumpsInfo
- Publication number
- CA1183405A CA1183405A CA000396428A CA396428A CA1183405A CA 1183405 A CA1183405 A CA 1183405A CA 000396428 A CA000396428 A CA 000396428A CA 396428 A CA396428 A CA 396428A CA 1183405 A CA1183405 A CA 1183405A
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- shaft
- bearing
- filter element
- pump
- fluid flow
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired
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- Structures Of Non-Positive Displacement Pumps (AREA)
Abstract
A B S T R A C T
A sleeve bearing and filter for reducing the wear on a submersible electric pump used to pump fluids containing abrasive materials such as sand. The sleeve bearing receives the upper end of the pump shaft and is equipped with a sintered bronze filter element which restricts the flow of abrasives between the shaft and bearing while permitting sufficient fluid flow for lubrication purposes.
A sleeve bearing and filter for reducing the wear on a submersible electric pump used to pump fluids containing abrasive materials such as sand. The sleeve bearing receives the upper end of the pump shaft and is equipped with a sintered bronze filter element which restricts the flow of abrasives between the shaft and bearing while permitting sufficient fluid flow for lubrication purposes.
Description
~3~
This invention relates generally to pumps and rnore particularly to an improved bearing arrangement for the drive shaft of a submersible pumpO
Submersible electric pumps are frequently used to pump well water and other fluids containing abrasive materials such as sand and the like. Typically, the upper end of the drive shaft of the pump is receivecL by a sleeve bearing which allows the water to flow between it and the shaft for lubrication purposes. However, the abrasive materials in the water can cause undue wear on the shaft and bearing, particularly in newly developed wells which tend to contain substantial amounts of sand. Such damage to the components makes the bearing incapable of maintaining the pump shaft in the proper alignment, resulting in inefficiency of the pump or complete pump failure in some cases.
A related problem arises when the pump operation is stopped and the abrasive materials are allowed to settle down into the pump head. The abrasives can then enter the bearing from above and become wedged between the outside of the shaft and the inside of the sleeve bearing. This causes binding of the shaft and can result in failure of the pump to start at all.
It is thus apparent that a need exists for an improved bearing arrangement which reduces the problems associa ted with the pumping of fluids containing abrasive materials such as sand and the like. It is the primary goal of the present invention to meet that need.
According to the invention, there is provided in a submersible pump having a housing with inlet and discharge ends and a fluid flow passage between said ends, a rotary drive shaft in the housing having an upper end, and an impeller mounted on said shaft for rotation therewith to pump fluid through said passage from the inlet encl to the discharge end, the improvement comprising: a hollow sleeve bearing supported on the housing and receiving the upper end of said shaft to assist in maintaining the alignment thereof, said shaft fitting loosely in said sleeve bearing to provide a clearance space communicating with said flow passage to permit fluid flow between said shaft and bearing for lubrication purposes;
and a filter element mounted in said sleeve bearing above 'che upper end of said drive shaft, said filter element being formed of a porous substance restricti.ng fluid flow through saLdclearance space while permitting fluid flow therethrough in sufficient quantity to lubricate the shaft and bearing, said filter element substantially preventing abrasive materials in the fluid such as sand and the like from passing downwardly through said filter element into said clearance space.
In the accompanying drawing, which forms a part of the specification and is to be read in conjunction therewith, and in which like reference numerals are used to indicate like parts in the various views:
Figure 1 is a fragmentary sectional view of a sub-mersible electric pump which is equipped with a sleeve bearing and filter element constructed according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; and Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of the sleeve bearing and filte~ element shown in Figure 1.
Referring now to the drawi.ng in detail, numeral 10 generally designates a submersible electric pump which is used to pump well water and other fluids that may contain abrasive materials. Pump 10 is constructed conventionally '~9 for the most part and includes a suhmersible electric motor (not shown) which is drlvingly coupled with the lower end of a pump shaft 12. The lower end of shaft 12 is suitably ~ournalled near the bottom or intake end of the pump. The pump housing i.ncludes the usual shell (not shown) which extends between the 2a 3~S
lower inlet end of the pump and an upper discharge head which will subsequentl~ be described. Pump 10 is a multi-stage pump having a plurality of impellers 14 carried on hubs 16 which are fitted on shaft 12 and connected thereto by splines or the like (not shown). Each impeller 14 has lower and upper shrouds 18 and 20 and a plurality of curved vanes 22 which direct fluid outwardly withln the impeller through a generally radial passage 24 located between the vanes and shrouds 18 and 20. Each pass-a~e 24 has an inlet 26 located adjacent to hub 16.
Underlying each impeller 14 is a diffuser disc 28 having an enlarged rim portion 30 on its outer periphery.
Upper and lower flanges 32 and 34 project from the rim of each diffuser disc and interfit with grooves formed in an outer wall portion 36 of a diffuser bowl 38 included in each stage of the pump. Each diffuser bowl 38 has a disc portion 40 adjacent hub 16. A small duct 42 is formed in each bowl 38 in communication with the outlet end of the corresponding impeller passage ~. A pair of curved vanes 44 are formed on the upper surface of each disc 40 to direct fluid inwardly from duct 42 into a passage 46 which connects with the inlet 26 of the next impeller passage.
The upper stage of the pump connects with a hollow discharge head 48 having a flange 50 on its lower end which interfits with the upper groove in wall 36 of the upper diffuser bowl 38. The fluid passing through the pump is thus directed upwardly from the upper passage 46 and through the hollow interior of discharge head ~8. A hollow condui-t 52 is threaded to the top end of discharge head 48 to direct the fluid upwardly.
The construction and operation of pump 10 are sub-stantially the sarne as the pump shown in U.S. Patent No.
3r 477~ 384. However, 3~
the arrangement prov.L~ecl by the present lnventionis not limited to any particular type of pump and may be used with any suit-able submersible pump.
In accordance with the invention, the top end of p~lmp shaft 12 is reduced in diameter as indi.cated at 12a and is received wlthin a hollow sleeve bearing 54 mounted to an internal l.ug 56 projecting from discharge head 48. Bearing 54 is closely fitted in an opening 5~ formed in lug 56 and is suitably secured to the lug. An enlarged flange 54a is formed on the lower end of bearing 5~ and is positioned against the underside o lu~ 56 a slight distance above the upper hub 16. Shaft portion 12a fits .rather loosely in bearing 54 such that the fluid ~eing pumped is able to pass upwardly between the outer diameter of shaft portion 12a and the inside diameter of bearing 54. This fluid flow is for the purpose of lubricating the shaft and bearing.
A filter 60 is press fitted into bearing 54 at the top end thereof above the upper end of shaft portion 12a.
Filter 60 is a disc shaped element which is preferably formed of a porous metal substa~ce such as sintered bronze. Although any suitable material can be used, it is preferred that filter 60 be constructed by combining selected metal powders and compacting them under pressure and/or heat until they become permanently bonded. This sintering technique results in the formation of a permanent metal matrix having a porosity in the range of approximately 35% to 65%, with approximately 50% porosity being preferred in most applications of the pump. The matrix can be formed such that it is capable of filtering out particles of any desired size, depending on the particle size expected to be encountered in a particular application of t:he pump~ In a preferred form of the invention, filter 60 is sintered bronze having a chemical composition of 3~
89% to 96% copper with the balance being t:in.
In operation of pump 10, shaft 12 is rot.ated by the electric motor (not shown) to drive impellers 14. The fluid drawn i.nto the lower or inlet end of the pump is thereby pumped upwardly into the inlet 26 of each impeller, outwardly through passage 24, upwardly through duct 42, and then inwardly through passage ~l6 of each pump stage until the fluid eventually passes t:hrough each stage of the pump and reaches discharge head 48. The fluid is then directed out of thepump through the discharge end which connects with conduit 52.
Due to the loose fit of shaft portion 12a in sleeve beariny 54, a small clearance space is provided between the outside diameter of the shaft and the inside diameter of the bearing. Consequently, fluid is able to flow through the clearance space to adequately lubricate shaft 12 and bearing 54a The porosity of filter 60 is selected such that the fluid is able to pass through the filter in sufficient quantity to effect adequate lubrication of thepump components. At the same time, the restriction to fluid flow provided by filter 60 reduces the fluid flow through bearing 54 in comparison to that which would occur in the absence of a filter in the bearing.
Consequently, when the fluid contains significant quantities of abrasive materials such as sand, the flow of abrasive materials passing between the shaft and bearing is reduced, resulting in reduced abrasion and wear on the shaft and bearing~ It is thus apparent that filter 60 reduces the wear and abrasion on the components while assuring that they are adequately lubricated by the fluid.
When pump 10 is stopped, the abrasive materials in discharge head 48 are allowed to settle downwardly into the discharge head. ~Iowever, due to the presence of filter ~0, the abrasive materials are prevented from entering bearing 54 ~ ~3~
Erom the top. Consequently, filter 60 eliminates the prohlem o~ abrasive materials settling into the top of bearing 54 ancl becoming wedged between the outside diameter of shaft portion 12a and the inside diameter of bearing 54.
From the foregoing it will be seen that this invention is one well adapted to attain all the ends and objects hereinabove set forth together with other advantages which are obvious and which are inherent to the structure.
It will be understood that certain Eeatures and subcombinations are of utility and may be employed without reference to other features and subcombinations. This is contemplated by and is within the scope of the claims.
Since many possible embodiments may be made of the invention without departing from the scope thereof, it is to be understood that all matter herein set forth or shown in the accompanying drawings is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.
This invention relates generally to pumps and rnore particularly to an improved bearing arrangement for the drive shaft of a submersible pumpO
Submersible electric pumps are frequently used to pump well water and other fluids containing abrasive materials such as sand and the like. Typically, the upper end of the drive shaft of the pump is receivecL by a sleeve bearing which allows the water to flow between it and the shaft for lubrication purposes. However, the abrasive materials in the water can cause undue wear on the shaft and bearing, particularly in newly developed wells which tend to contain substantial amounts of sand. Such damage to the components makes the bearing incapable of maintaining the pump shaft in the proper alignment, resulting in inefficiency of the pump or complete pump failure in some cases.
A related problem arises when the pump operation is stopped and the abrasive materials are allowed to settle down into the pump head. The abrasives can then enter the bearing from above and become wedged between the outside of the shaft and the inside of the sleeve bearing. This causes binding of the shaft and can result in failure of the pump to start at all.
It is thus apparent that a need exists for an improved bearing arrangement which reduces the problems associa ted with the pumping of fluids containing abrasive materials such as sand and the like. It is the primary goal of the present invention to meet that need.
According to the invention, there is provided in a submersible pump having a housing with inlet and discharge ends and a fluid flow passage between said ends, a rotary drive shaft in the housing having an upper end, and an impeller mounted on said shaft for rotation therewith to pump fluid through said passage from the inlet encl to the discharge end, the improvement comprising: a hollow sleeve bearing supported on the housing and receiving the upper end of said shaft to assist in maintaining the alignment thereof, said shaft fitting loosely in said sleeve bearing to provide a clearance space communicating with said flow passage to permit fluid flow between said shaft and bearing for lubrication purposes;
and a filter element mounted in said sleeve bearing above 'che upper end of said drive shaft, said filter element being formed of a porous substance restricti.ng fluid flow through saLdclearance space while permitting fluid flow therethrough in sufficient quantity to lubricate the shaft and bearing, said filter element substantially preventing abrasive materials in the fluid such as sand and the like from passing downwardly through said filter element into said clearance space.
In the accompanying drawing, which forms a part of the specification and is to be read in conjunction therewith, and in which like reference numerals are used to indicate like parts in the various views:
Figure 1 is a fragmentary sectional view of a sub-mersible electric pump which is equipped with a sleeve bearing and filter element constructed according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; and Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of the sleeve bearing and filte~ element shown in Figure 1.
Referring now to the drawi.ng in detail, numeral 10 generally designates a submersible electric pump which is used to pump well water and other fluids that may contain abrasive materials. Pump 10 is constructed conventionally '~9 for the most part and includes a suhmersible electric motor (not shown) which is drlvingly coupled with the lower end of a pump shaft 12. The lower end of shaft 12 is suitably ~ournalled near the bottom or intake end of the pump. The pump housing i.ncludes the usual shell (not shown) which extends between the 2a 3~S
lower inlet end of the pump and an upper discharge head which will subsequentl~ be described. Pump 10 is a multi-stage pump having a plurality of impellers 14 carried on hubs 16 which are fitted on shaft 12 and connected thereto by splines or the like (not shown). Each impeller 14 has lower and upper shrouds 18 and 20 and a plurality of curved vanes 22 which direct fluid outwardly withln the impeller through a generally radial passage 24 located between the vanes and shrouds 18 and 20. Each pass-a~e 24 has an inlet 26 located adjacent to hub 16.
Underlying each impeller 14 is a diffuser disc 28 having an enlarged rim portion 30 on its outer periphery.
Upper and lower flanges 32 and 34 project from the rim of each diffuser disc and interfit with grooves formed in an outer wall portion 36 of a diffuser bowl 38 included in each stage of the pump. Each diffuser bowl 38 has a disc portion 40 adjacent hub 16. A small duct 42 is formed in each bowl 38 in communication with the outlet end of the corresponding impeller passage ~. A pair of curved vanes 44 are formed on the upper surface of each disc 40 to direct fluid inwardly from duct 42 into a passage 46 which connects with the inlet 26 of the next impeller passage.
The upper stage of the pump connects with a hollow discharge head 48 having a flange 50 on its lower end which interfits with the upper groove in wall 36 of the upper diffuser bowl 38. The fluid passing through the pump is thus directed upwardly from the upper passage 46 and through the hollow interior of discharge head ~8. A hollow condui-t 52 is threaded to the top end of discharge head 48 to direct the fluid upwardly.
The construction and operation of pump 10 are sub-stantially the sarne as the pump shown in U.S. Patent No.
3r 477~ 384. However, 3~
the arrangement prov.L~ecl by the present lnventionis not limited to any particular type of pump and may be used with any suit-able submersible pump.
In accordance with the invention, the top end of p~lmp shaft 12 is reduced in diameter as indi.cated at 12a and is received wlthin a hollow sleeve bearing 54 mounted to an internal l.ug 56 projecting from discharge head 48. Bearing 54 is closely fitted in an opening 5~ formed in lug 56 and is suitably secured to the lug. An enlarged flange 54a is formed on the lower end of bearing 5~ and is positioned against the underside o lu~ 56 a slight distance above the upper hub 16. Shaft portion 12a fits .rather loosely in bearing 54 such that the fluid ~eing pumped is able to pass upwardly between the outer diameter of shaft portion 12a and the inside diameter of bearing 54. This fluid flow is for the purpose of lubricating the shaft and bearing.
A filter 60 is press fitted into bearing 54 at the top end thereof above the upper end of shaft portion 12a.
Filter 60 is a disc shaped element which is preferably formed of a porous metal substa~ce such as sintered bronze. Although any suitable material can be used, it is preferred that filter 60 be constructed by combining selected metal powders and compacting them under pressure and/or heat until they become permanently bonded. This sintering technique results in the formation of a permanent metal matrix having a porosity in the range of approximately 35% to 65%, with approximately 50% porosity being preferred in most applications of the pump. The matrix can be formed such that it is capable of filtering out particles of any desired size, depending on the particle size expected to be encountered in a particular application of t:he pump~ In a preferred form of the invention, filter 60 is sintered bronze having a chemical composition of 3~
89% to 96% copper with the balance being t:in.
In operation of pump 10, shaft 12 is rot.ated by the electric motor (not shown) to drive impellers 14. The fluid drawn i.nto the lower or inlet end of the pump is thereby pumped upwardly into the inlet 26 of each impeller, outwardly through passage 24, upwardly through duct 42, and then inwardly through passage ~l6 of each pump stage until the fluid eventually passes t:hrough each stage of the pump and reaches discharge head 48. The fluid is then directed out of thepump through the discharge end which connects with conduit 52.
Due to the loose fit of shaft portion 12a in sleeve beariny 54, a small clearance space is provided between the outside diameter of the shaft and the inside diameter of the bearing. Consequently, fluid is able to flow through the clearance space to adequately lubricate shaft 12 and bearing 54a The porosity of filter 60 is selected such that the fluid is able to pass through the filter in sufficient quantity to effect adequate lubrication of thepump components. At the same time, the restriction to fluid flow provided by filter 60 reduces the fluid flow through bearing 54 in comparison to that which would occur in the absence of a filter in the bearing.
Consequently, when the fluid contains significant quantities of abrasive materials such as sand, the flow of abrasive materials passing between the shaft and bearing is reduced, resulting in reduced abrasion and wear on the shaft and bearing~ It is thus apparent that filter 60 reduces the wear and abrasion on the components while assuring that they are adequately lubricated by the fluid.
When pump 10 is stopped, the abrasive materials in discharge head 48 are allowed to settle downwardly into the discharge head. ~Iowever, due to the presence of filter ~0, the abrasive materials are prevented from entering bearing 54 ~ ~3~
Erom the top. Consequently, filter 60 eliminates the prohlem o~ abrasive materials settling into the top of bearing 54 ancl becoming wedged between the outside diameter of shaft portion 12a and the inside diameter of bearing 54.
From the foregoing it will be seen that this invention is one well adapted to attain all the ends and objects hereinabove set forth together with other advantages which are obvious and which are inherent to the structure.
It will be understood that certain Eeatures and subcombinations are of utility and may be employed without reference to other features and subcombinations. This is contemplated by and is within the scope of the claims.
Since many possible embodiments may be made of the invention without departing from the scope thereof, it is to be understood that all matter herein set forth or shown in the accompanying drawings is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.
Claims (4)
PROPERTY OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:
1. In a submersible pump having a housing with inlet and discharge ends and a fluid flow passage between said ends, a rotary drive shaft in the housing having an upper end, and an impeller mounted on said shaft for rotation therewith to pump fluid through said passage from the inlet end to the discharge end, the improvement comprising: a hollow sleeve bearing supported on the housing and receiving the upper end of said shaft to assist in maintaining the alignment thereof, said shaft fitting loosely in said sleeve bearing to provide a clearance space communicating with said flow passage to permit fluid flow between said shaft and bearing for lubrication purposes; and a filter element mounted in said sleeve bearing above the upper end of said drive shaft, said filter element being formed of a porous substance restricting fluid flow through said clearance space while permitting fluid flow therethrough in sufficient quantity to lubricate the shaft and bearing, said filter element substantially preventing abrasive materials in the fluid such as sand and the like from passing downwardly through said filter element into said clearance space.
2. The improvement set forth in claim 1, wherein said filter element is formed of a sintered metal substance.
3. The improvement set forth in claim 1, wherein said filter element is formed of sintered bronze.
4. The improvement set forth in claim 1, wherein said filter element has a porosity in the range of approximately 35% to 65%.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000396428A CA1183405A (en) | 1982-02-17 | 1982-02-17 | Bearing and filter arrangement for submersible pumps |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000396428A CA1183405A (en) | 1982-02-17 | 1982-02-17 | Bearing and filter arrangement for submersible pumps |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1183405A true CA1183405A (en) | 1985-03-05 |
Family
ID=4122077
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000396428A Expired CA1183405A (en) | 1982-02-17 | 1982-02-17 | Bearing and filter arrangement for submersible pumps |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA1183405A (en) |
-
1982
- 1982-02-17 CA CA000396428A patent/CA1183405A/en not_active Expired
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| MKEX | Expiry |