US1380943A - Submersible motor - Google Patents

Description

W. BAUM.

SUBMERSIBLE MOTOR.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT.27, 97.

-1 380 943 V v Patented June 7, 1921.

lrventor: Wi Ham Baum,

H isa ttorneg.

UNITED srATEs PATENT OFFICE."

WILL-Im ZBATIM, OF MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN, ASSIGNOR '1'0 GENERAL ELECTRIC 4 'V COMPANY, A CORPO RATION OF NEW`YORK. i

SUBMERSIBLE MOTOR.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June '7, 1921.

Application filed September 27, 1917. Serial No. 193576.

This invention relates to the protection of' electric. motors, which are so located that they may. at times be submerged in water. For instance, electric motors are now commonly installed for driving pumps in mines, excavations and like places where the pump e uipments are frequently 'submerged. ost sea-going vessels, both merchant and war ships, have water-tight compartments, and in case of damage to a compartment an eflicient and successful equip-.

ment of pumps may materially assist in keeping the vessel afloat. Inasmuch as such pumps are frequently and most efficently driven by electric motors, the protection of the motors from injury is of great importance.

Varous methods of protecting submersible motors have been attempted; for instance, it has been suggested to operate the motor within a diving bell to which air pressure is furnished by a compressor, to counterbalance the pressure of the water and keep it out of the diving bell, permitting the motor to operate without coming in contact with the water. This arrangement,

however, is objectionable especially on ships,

because of the space required.

Air pressure has also been successfully applied directly to the interior of the motor for counterbalancing the water pressure, a

central air compressor furnishing the required air pressure to a number of pump motors, but this system has the serious disadvantage that all of the pump motors are affected if the compressor set, or pipe system suffers any injury or trouble.

The object of this invention is to provide a submersible motor with self-contained means for maintaining the proper air pressure within the motor casing to counterbalance the water pressure and thus protect the motor parts from injury.

Other objects of my invention and the means of accomplishing them will appear hereinafter. i

For a full and clear understanding of my invention reference may be had to the accompanying drawing, in which Figure 1 is a longtudinal' section of an electric motor equpped n accordance with myinvention', and Fig. 2 is a diagram of electrical connections utilized in the preferred embodiment of. my invention.

My invention will more readily be understood by re ferring to the accompanying drawing in which is shown an air pump 1 connected to the shaft 2 of an inclosed electric motor through gearing 13, the pump being arranged to supply compressed air to the interor of the motor. A suction pipe 4 leads from the pump 1 to the atmosphere,

outside the compartment, mine or excavation.

The pump is shown as being connected to an air tank 3, which forms the base of the motor. The tank is connected with the interior of the motor by a discharge pipe 5, which may be closed by a valve 6, which is arranged to be operated automatically, when water rushes into the compartment. The valve 6 is preferably operated by electric means, although this could be accomplished by other means, such, for example,a s a float mechanically connected with the valve.

As illustrated inFig. 2 the valve is arranged to be operated eleetrically by a circuit which is closed by the water covering two metallic plates 7 installed side by side in close proximity.

In order to maintain a constant air pressure" in the base, an air 'compressor governor 8 is provided in the motor circuit and auto matically starts the motor when the air pressure falls below a predetermined amount, in

a manner well understood by those familiar with the art. Assuming now that water rushes into the compartment, the valve 6 is opened, as described above, and as there is a considerable air leakage through the bearings and other operation.

' `W hile my invention may be used in connection withany type of inclosed electric 'moton ll have illustrated it in connection with au induction motor 'of common design comprsing an armature 9 mounte'd on a shaft 2,`and field windings 10 carried in a' laminated structure on the inner periphery of the field ring 11. The shaft 2 is mounted in bearings in the end frames 12, which with the field ring 11, form a casing completely inclosing the working;parts; the field ring 11 being corrugated to provide additional radiating surface for dissipating the heat developed in the motor; i

The invention as described provides a self-contained, compact equipment which is adaptable to varying conditions of employment, and I have disclosed it as embodied in what I now considerthe best form, but the arrangement is subject to modification and change without departing from the spirit of my invention, the scope of which is set forth in the appended claims. What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is:

motor having a shaft and provided with an inclosing casing, of an air pump, gearing connecting the pump with the motor shaft, a tank forming a base for the motor and receiving compressed air from said pump, said tank being arranged to discharge compressed air into the interior of the motor, and a suction pipe extending from the pump to the outer atmosphere.

3. The combination with a submersible motor having a shaft and provided with an inclosing casing, of means for preventing water from entering said motor when' said motor is submerged eomprising an air pump, gearng connectng the pump to the motor shaft, a tank recevngcompressed air from said pump, a suction pipe extending from the pump to the outer atmosphere, a pipe arranged to discharge compressed air from the tank to the interior of the motor, and adapted to maintain therein the proper pressure to counterbalance the water pressure outside said motor, and a valve in said discharge pipe.

4. The combination with a submersible motor having a shaft and provided with an inclosing casing, of an air-pump, gearing connecting the pump to the motor shaft, a tank receiving compressed air from said pump, a suction pipe extending from the pump to the outer atmosphere, a pipe arranged to discharge compressed air from the tank to the interior of the motor, a valve in said discharge pipe, and means arranged to be actuated by the water rising about the motor for Operating said valve.

5. The combination with a submersible motor having a shaft and provided with an' inclosing casing, of an air-pump, gearing connecting the pump to the motor shaft, a tank receiving compressed air from said pump, a suction pipe extending from the pump to the outer atmosphere, a pipe arranged to discharge compressed-air from the tank to the interior of'the motor, a valve in said discharge pipe, means actuated by water rising about the motor for Operating said valve, and means subject to the pressure in the tank for controlling the operation of the motor.

6. The combination with a submersible motor having a shaft and provided With an inclosing casing, of an air pump, gearing connecting the pump to 'the motor shaft within the casing, a tank receiving compressed-air from said pump, a suction-pipe for the pump extending through the motor casing to the outer atmosphere, a pipe arranged to discharge air from the tank to the interier of the 'motor, a valve in said discharge pipe, means controlled by water rising about the motor for Operating said valve and means subject to the pressure in the tank for controlling the operation of the motor. v

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 24th day of September, 1917.

WILLIAM BAUM,

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