CA2030319A1 - High-temperature pump assembly with fluid diverting ribs - Google Patents

High-temperature pump assembly with fluid diverting ribs

Info

Publication number
CA2030319A1
CA2030319A1 CA 2030319 CA2030319A CA2030319A1 CA 2030319 A1 CA2030319 A1 CA 2030319A1 CA 2030319 CA2030319 CA 2030319 CA 2030319 A CA2030319 A CA 2030319A CA 2030319 A1 CA2030319 A1 CA 2030319A1
Authority
CA
Canada
Prior art keywords
drive shaft
housing
fluid
seal
pump assembly
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.)
Abandoned
Application number
CA 2030319
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
David C. Juleff
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Whirlpool Corp
Original Assignee
Whirlpool Corp
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Whirlpool Corp filed Critical Whirlpool Corp
Publication of CA2030319A1 publication Critical patent/CA2030319A1/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

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Abstract

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
A motor-driven high temperature rotary pump assembly including a pump housing, a motor with a rotary drive shaft, and a seal between the shaft and the housing. Lubrication of the seal and the prevention of "seal squeal" is achieved by the provision of diverters to prevent the formation of a laminar vortex in the chamber, and to divert fluid onto the seal. The diverters may take the form of radially opposed ribs extending from the interior of the pump housing. The invention is particularly useful in domestic appliances such as automatic dishwashers in which the temperature of the washing fluid is commonly in the range of 120° to 160°F.

.

Description

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S P E C I F I C A T I O N

T I T L E
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~IG~-TeMpERATuRE P~P ASS~MBLY WIT~ ~LUID DIV~RTING ~IBS~

BACRGRO~ND OF T~ INV~NTIO~
. _ This invention relates to high temperature fluid pump assemblies of the type having a motor with a rotary drive shaft extending into a pump housing.
The use of motor-driven rotary shafts in combination with fluid pumps is well known. Since it is usually desirable to isolate the fluid being pumped from a motor associated with the drive shaft, it is a common practice to provide the housing of such pumps with an aperture through which the drive shaft extends, and to provide a fluid-tight seal at the interface of the aperture and drive shaft. These seals may include two parts:
a stationary part affixed to the aperture, and a rotating part affixed to the drive shaft. In order to prevent degradation and premature wear of such seals due to friction and heat, and to prevent undesirable seal noise ~commonly known as "seal squeal"), the seal must be properly and regularly lubricated. Lubrication is usually accomplished by exposing the seal to the interior of a pump chamber, and thus using the pumped fluid as a lubricant.
The disadvantage of this practice in rotary-driven pumps is that air frequently enters and remains in the pump housing. When a sufficient amount of such air has accumulated, the rotation of the drive shaft and pump impellers causes the formation of a laminar vortex in the pump housing. This laminar vortex is axially aligned with the drive shaft, and has a stable air pocket at its center. ~he a-r pocket allowri the 8eal to run dry, thur ::

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causing friction and heat to build up, causing premature wear and ~seal squealn. These problems are of serious concern in any motor-driven rotary pump, and particularly vexing in a domestic appliance such as an automatic dishwasher in which the temperature of the pumped fluid is commonly between 120 and 160F, which tends to aggravate the problems of seal wear and squealing. In addition to consumer complaints, service calls, warranty costs, and quality problems associated with worn-out seals, the "seal squeal" in and of itself is potentially alarming O and irritatiny.
In the past, it has been proposed to avoid these problems by providing a seal material which requires less lubrication.
However, such materials are prohibitively expensive and of limited availability. Purthermore, these materials merely reduce, rather than eliminate, the need for lubrication.
SUMMARY OF T~E I~VE~TION

. ~
This invention relates to a motor-driven rotary pump assembly including a pump housing, a drive shaft extending into the housing, and a seal between the shaft and the housing. Ribs O located in a chamber inside the pump housing prevent the formation of a laminar vortex in the housing, and direct fluid onto the seal.
It is therefore a primary object of this invention to provide a motor-driven rotary fluid pump assembly wherein proper lubrication of a shaft/housing seal is ensured.
It is another object of this invention to provide a pump assembly with a housing chamber having a pair of ribs extending from an interior surface that are radially opposite one another with respect to the rotational axis of a drive shaft extending ~3~

into the housing.
It is a further object of this invention to provide a pump assembly having a two-part seal, employing a ceramic ring and a phenolic ring, to effect a fluid ~ight seal between a drive shaft and a pump housing.
In attainment of the foregoiny objects, a preferred embodiment of this invention contemplates a pump assembly including a motor with a rotary drive shaft. The drive shaft extends through an aperture in a pump housing into a concave region of an interior chamber. A seal is interposed between the drive shaft and the housing. Ribs extending from an interior surface of the chamber serve to prevent the formation of a laminar vortex in the chamber, while also directing a portion of the fluid to be pumped onto the seal to ensure its proper lubrication.
These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent upon reference to the accompanying description when taken in conjunction with the following drawings.
~0 BRIEF D~CRIPTION OF T~E DRAMINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an automa~ic dishwasher in which an embodiment of the present invention finds utility.
FIG. 2 is a side view, partially broken-away, of the pump assembly of FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 is a sectional view, partially broken-away, taken along line III-III of FIG. 2.
FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional detail of the embadiment of FIG. 3.

~3~
FIG. 5 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 2 but with some components removed for clarity.
FIG. 6 is a perspective view partially broken-away of a pump housing chamber.

DESCRIPTIO~ OF TE~I~ PRE:FERRE:D I~B()DI~ TS
As set forth hereinabove, the present invention is particularly advantageous when employed in an automatic dishwasher in which the ~emperature of the pumped fluid commonly ranges from 120 to 160F, although the invention is not limited ~0 to such an environment. However, in order to disclose a preferred embodiment of the invention, such an environment has been selected as an example. FIG. l shows such a dishwasher 10 having a cabinet 12 and a door 14. The interior of the door carries a rinse additive dispenser 16, a detergent dispenser 18, and baskets 20, which receive silverware and other small objects to be washed. A wash chamber 22 of the cabinet 12 houses dish supporting racks 24 and a rotating spray device 26, including collapsible towers 27. Adjacent the floor 28 of the wash chamber 22 is a raised area 30 which houses a pump assembly 31. A
!0 heating element 32 is disposed in a sump area 33 surrounding the rotating spray device 26 for heating the wash liquid,to a temperature between 120 and 160~.
As shown in FIGS. 2-5, the pump assembly 31 includes a motor 34 and a pump 36. A drive shaft 38 of the motor 34 extends through an aperture 40 in the pump housing 42. From the aperture, the drive shaft continues into a pump chamber 44 where the shaft is attached to an impeller 46. With reference to FIG.
4, the drive shaft 38 extends into a concave region 45 of the pump housing 42 through the aperture 40. A seal 48 is provided P~-5735-0-DW-USA

",~,;
to prevent significant leakage of fluid through the ape~ture 40.
The seal 48 includes an annular stationary part 50 (preferably formed from a ceramic material) affixed by a boot 51 to the pump housing 42, and an annular rotating part 52 (preferably formed from a phenolic material) affixed to and rotating with the drive shaft 38. The respective seal parts form a substantially fluid-tight barrier at a seal interface 54.
In order to ensure proper lubrication of the seal interface 54, ribs 56 are provided which extend axially into the concave O region 45 of the chamber 44. In a preferred embodiment, two ribs 56 are located radially opposite one another with respect to the rotational axis 39 of the drive shaft, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6.
In operation, power is supplied to the motor 34 which causes the rotation of the drive shaft 38. The drive shaft rotates the impeller 46, thus causing rotation of the fluid in the pump housing 42 and tending to form a rotating vortex inside the chamber 44. The vortex has the same rotational axis as the drive shaft 38. Since the ribs 56 extend normal to the rotational direction of fluid circulation within the housing, the ribs block O the rotating fluid to divert at least a portion of the fluid into impingement with the seal interface 54. The diversion of the fluid prevents the formation of a laminar fluid vortex surrounding a stable air pocket, thus preventing the seal from running dry.
As can be seen from the above description, the present invention provides for the elimination of "seal squeal" and the prevention of premature seal wear due to heat and friction. The invention has been described with particular reference to an automatic dishwasher, but it is to be understood that it is PA-5735~0-DW-USA
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equally applicable to any device that includes a rotary-driven pump assembly.
As is apparent from the foregoing specification, the invention is susceptible of being embodied with various alterations and modifications which may differ particularly from those that have been described in the preceding specification and description. It should be understood that I wish to embody within the scope of the patent warranted hereon all such modifications as reasonably and properly come within the scope of 0 my contribution to the art.

Claims (21)

1. A motor driven rotary high temperature pump assembly comprising in combination:
a pump housing:
a fluid pump within said housing;
a rotary drive shaft having a rotational axis and extending into said pump housing;
seal means for effecting a fluid-tight seal between said drive shaft and said housing; and diverting means for preventing the formation of a laminar vortex within said pump housing in the vicinity of said seal means, and for directing fluid onto said seal means.
2. The pump assembly of claim 1, further wherein said diverting means includes at least one rib extending from an interior surface of said pump housing.
3. The pump assembly of claim 2, further wherein said at least one rib includes a pair of ribs extending radially opposite one another with respect to the rotational axis of said drive shaft.
4. In an automatic dishwasher, a motor-driven rotary pump assembly for pumping high temperature washing fluid, said pump assembly comprising in combination:
a pump housing;
a fluid pump within said housing;
a rotary drive shaft having a rotational axis and extending into said pump housing;
seal means for effecting a fluid-tight seal between said drive shaft and said housing; and diverting means for preventing the formation of a laminar vortex within said pump housing in the vicinity of said seal means, and for directing fluid onto said seal means.
5. In an automatic dishwasher, the pump assembly of claim 1, further wherein said diverting means includes at least one rib extending from an interior surface of said pump housing.
6. In an automatic dishwasher, the pump assembly of claim 2, further wherein said at least one rib includes a pair of ribs extending radially opposite one another with respect to the rotational axis of said drive shaft.
7. A high temperature fluid pump assembly comprising in combination:
a motor including a rotary drive shaft having an axis of rotation;
a housing defining a chamber for containing fluid, and having an aperture receiving said drive shaft;
an impeller rotationally driven by said drive shaft in said housing and causing a fluid to circulate in said chamber in a direction around the drive shaft;
seal means interposed between the housing and the drive shaft for preventing the escape of significant amounts of fluid from said aperture; and diverting means for preventing the formation of a laminar vortex in said chamber and for directing a portion of said circulating fluid onto said seal means.
8. The pump assembly of claim 7 further wherein said drive shaft extends axially through said seal means and into a concave region of the chamber.
9. The pump assembly of claim 8 further wherein said diverting means comprises at least one rib extending into said chamber from an interior surface of said concave region.
10. The pump assembly of claim 9 further wherein said at least one rib comprises a pair of ribs disposed radially opposite one another with respect to the rotational axis of said drive shaft and extending axially inward of said aperture.
11. The pump assembly of claim 7 further wherein said diverting means comprises a plurality of stationary ribs, each of which extends normal to the direction of fluid circulation within said housing.
12. The pump assembly of claim 7 further wherein said seal means comprises a first part mounted within said chamber and attached to said housing, and a second part attached to said drive shaft within said chamber, said second part being rotatable with said shaft relative to said first part and being in contact with said first part to form a watertight seal therebetween.
13. The pump assembly of claim 12 further wherein said first part of said seal means comprises a ceramic ring attached to said housing, and said second part of said seal means comprises a phenolic ring attached to said drive shaft.
14. The pump assembly of claim 12 further wherein said diverting means comprises a pair of ribs adjacent said aperture and radially opposite one another with respect to the rotational axis of said drive shaft.
15. An automatic dishwasher of the type having a pump assembly for pumping a high temperature washing fluid, said pump assembly including a motor with a rotary drive shaft having a rotational axis and extending through an aperture in a pump housing, wherein said pump housing comprises in combination:
a chamber;
impeller means for causing fluid to circulate in said chamber in a direction around said drive shaft, said impeller means being driven by said drive shaft;
drive shaft seal means between the aperture and the drive shaft for preventing significant fluid flow from said chamber through said aperture; and diverting means for preventing the formation of a laminar vortex in said chamber adjacent said seal means and directing a portion of the fluid onto the drive shaft seal.
16. The dishwasher of claim 15 further wherein said chamber comprises a concave region adjacent to said aperture having said drive shaft seal axially disposed therein and said drive shaft extending axially therethrough.
17. The dishwasher of claim 16 further wherein said diverting means comprises a pair of ribs disposed radially opposite one another with respect to the rotational axis of said drive shaft and extending axially inwardly from an interior surface of the concave region.

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18. The dishwasher claim 17 further wherein each of said ribs is disposed in a direction normal to the direction of fluid circulation within said chamber.
19. The dishwasher of claim 15 further wherein said drive shaft seal means comprises a first part mounted within said chamber and attached to said housing, and a second part attached to said drive shaft within said chamber, said second part being rotatable with said shaft relative to said first part and being in contact with said first part to form a watertight seal therebetween.
20. The dishwasher of claim 20 further wherein said first part comprises a ceramic ring attached to said housing, and said second part comprises a phenolic ring attached to said drive shaft.
21. The dishwasher of claim 15 further comprising heating means for heating the fluid to between 120° and 160°F.
CA 2030319 1989-12-06 1990-11-20 High-temperature pump assembly with fluid diverting ribs Abandoned CA2030319A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US44685289A 1989-12-06 1989-12-06
US446,852 1989-12-06

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
CA2030319A1 true CA2030319A1 (en) 1991-06-07

Family

ID=23774063

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
CA 2030319 Abandoned CA2030319A1 (en) 1989-12-06 1990-11-20 High-temperature pump assembly with fluid diverting ribs

Country Status (1)

Country Link
CA (1) CA2030319A1 (en)

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