GB2302137A

GB2302137A - Cover plate for fluid pumps

Info

Publication number: GB2302137A
Application number: GB9612253A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Alexander Martin Parker
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1995-06-14
Filing date: 1996-06-12
Publication date: 1997-01-08
Anticipated expiration: 2016-06-12
Also published as: GB9612253D0; GB2302137B

Abstract

A cover plate for fluid pumps incorporates an O-ring seal 5 set and secured in a channel 4. The cover may include slots 7 extending some securing holes to allow easy positioning of the cover on to bolts which remain located in the body of the pump. These and the other securing bolts 8 may have large and knurled heads for rapid finger-tightening and avoiding the need for tools.

Description

COVER FOR FLUID PUMPS This invention relates to a cover for fluid pumps.

Many pumps consist of a housing with inlet and outlet pipes and a rotating rubber composition impeller as the component driving the fluid. This composition impeller can deteriorate for a variety of reasons causing the pump to fail. Replacement is a lengthy process because the covers used on these pumps are secured by a number of bolts tightened with spanners or screwdrivers, and require gaskets and sealing compound to provide a secure seal.

This lengthy process has disadvantages in many different pump applications: 1. Lengthy impeller changes and the time taken for checks and maintenance work can cause expensive down time in commercial operations as diverse as: sump emptying bilge pumping sewage tank emptying hose washing mains boosting dockside pumping water sampling fire-fighting wash down systems emergency engine cooling shallow well pumping boat water systems The inconvenience of lengthy change procedures in many of these and other operations with high manpower involvement also has a high commercial value.

The application of pumps extends well beyond these examples and includes fluids of all types and also gases.

2. Motor vessels and sailing craft with diesel engines incorporate in the engine a water pump to circulate water around the engine for cooling purposes. Controlling the temperature of the engine is vital to its proper functioning and failure leads to failure of the engine.

The time taken to replace an impeller may be critical for a boat left without power. In some circumstances this can lead to serious danger for the vessel concerned.

The safety element in this application has a particularly high value.

According to the present invention, there is provided a fluid pump cover plate assembly comprising a rigid plate having, on one surface, a seal set in a channel for providing a sealing connection between the plate and the pump body, and a cover securing means for enabling the plate to be quickly and sealingly secured on the pump body.

A specific embodiment of the invention of a rapid deployment cover for pumps is now described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which Fig 1 shows the body of the pump with the existing cover and gasket removed.

Fig 2 shows an enlargement of a cross-section of the replacement cover with composition 'o' ring seal in position.

Fig 3 shows the replacement cap in position and secured by four thumb bolts tightened only by hand.

Referring to the drawings Fig 1 is a plan view of a pump with the cover removed revealing the body of the pump casing with a central cavity 1. in which the impeller rotates. Around this is the flange onto which the existing cover is sealed by a gasket and sealing compound and secured by six bolts passed through the cover and into the bolt holes 3.

Fig 2 is an enlarged cross-section of the rapid deployment cover. This comprises a rigid plate of brass, bronze or other metals treated for compatibility with the body of the pump in a particular fluid environment. Suitable stable plastics may also be used.

Into this cover plate is cut a circular channel 4 to accommodate the rubber or plastic 'o' ring seal 5. The dimensions of these are such that the seal is held in position by the channel and does not drop out when the cover is removed for impeller inspection or replacement.

The seal composition must be of the correct hardness to allow a satisfactory seal when the cover is tightened by hand as later indicated. It must also be compatible with the liquids and environment involved.

When the cover is placed in position the seal sits immediately inside the circle of securing bolts 3 on the pump casing.

The replacement cover is secured by bolts. The shafts of two of these bolts are retained in the cover by being passed through threaded and stepped holes 6. This ensures that these remain attached to the cover when loosened. The other bolts remain screwed into the body of the pump and when loosened allow the cover to slide sideways without the bolts becoming detached from the body of the pump.

Shaped slots 7 in the side of the cover allow it to slide under the bolt heads until it engages on the shaft of the bolts. When the other bolts have been located and engaged the cover is then in the correct position for tightening.

In the example, four bolts are shown securing the cover. This number might be changed according to the needs of the pump concerned with corresponding changes in the number of slots and bolts used. The provision for bolt retention might also vary.

Round thumb bolt heads 8 are shown holding the cover in position. These bolt heads are cylindrical in shape and have a knurled or serrated outer surface to assist gripping. The under surface of the bolt heads should be sufficiently large to ensure effective gripping and securing of the bolt heads against the top surface of the cover when hand-tightened. This design of bolt head will allow securing and sealing of the cover rapidly by hand without the use of any tools. A variety of other bolt heads, for example wing-headed, could also be used to allow tightening by hand or with tools or using specially adapted tools.

Alternative methods of closure might also be used. These could include hinges, hinged clips, removable clips, screw thread or snap fitting and might incorporate prior adaptation or addition to the pump casing.

Claims

1. A fluid pump cover plate assembly comprising a rigid plate having, on one surface, a seal set in a channel for providing a sealing connection between the plate and the pump body, and a cover securing means for enabling the plate to be quickly and sealingly secured on the pump body.

2. A pump cover plate as claimed in Claim 1 in which the channel cut to accommodate the composition 'o' ring secures the 'o' ring in position during removal or replacement of the cover.

3. A pump cover plate as claimed in Claims 1 and 2 in which the 'o' ring seal fits inside the existing ring of securing bolt holes on the pump casing and provides a seal without the need for the pressure exerted by tools on multiple fixing bolts normally used with gaskets and sealant. Instead a seal is provided by the 'o' ring of the correct composition using a limited number of finger-tightened bolts with large heads shaped for the purpose.

4. A cover plate as claimed in Claims 1, 2 and 3 in which one or more holes for securing bolts have slots extending to the edge of the cover plate such that the bolts can remain in the body of the pump allowing the cover to slide under the heads of these bolts and be rapidly located and secured.

5. A pump cover plate as claimed in Claims 1, 2, 3 and 4 in which the said cover securing means is secured without the use of gaskets, sealing compound or tools.

6. A cover for fluid pumps as claimed in any preceding claim which is made of metal or plastics or any combination of these.

7. A cover plate for fluid pumps substantially as herein described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.