US20200386225A1 - Water Pump For Marine Engine Having Removable Cap Assembly - Google Patents
Water Pump For Marine Engine Having Removable Cap Assembly Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20200386225A1 US20200386225A1 US16/435,991 US201916435991A US2020386225A1 US 20200386225 A1 US20200386225 A1 US 20200386225A1 US 201916435991 A US201916435991 A US 201916435991A US 2020386225 A1 US2020386225 A1 US 2020386225A1
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- United States
- Prior art keywords
- housing
- water pump
- cap
- cartridge
- impeller
- 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
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Classifications
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F04—POSITIVE - DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; PUMPS FOR LIQUIDS OR ELASTIC FLUIDS
- F04C—ROTARY-PISTON, OR OSCILLATING-PISTON, POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; ROTARY-PISTON, OR OSCILLATING-PISTON, POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT PUMPS
- F04C15/00—Component parts, details or accessories of machines, pumps or pumping installations, not provided for in groups F04C2/00 - F04C14/00
- F04C15/0003—Sealing arrangements in rotary-piston machines or pumps
- F04C15/003—Sealings for working fluid between radially and axially moving parts
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F01—MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; ENGINE PLANTS IN GENERAL; STEAM ENGINES
- F01P—COOLING OF MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; COOLING OF INTERNAL-COMBUSTION ENGINES
- F01P5/00—Pumping cooling-air or liquid coolants
- F01P5/10—Pumping liquid coolant; Arrangements of coolant pumps
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F04—POSITIVE - DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; PUMPS FOR LIQUIDS OR ELASTIC FLUIDS
- F04C—ROTARY-PISTON, OR OSCILLATING-PISTON, POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; ROTARY-PISTON, OR OSCILLATING-PISTON, POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT PUMPS
- F04C15/00—Component parts, details or accessories of machines, pumps or pumping installations, not provided for in groups F04C2/00 - F04C14/00
- F04C15/0057—Driving elements, brakes, couplings, transmission specially adapted for machines or pumps
- F04C15/0076—Fixing rotors on shafts, e.g. by clamping together hub and shaft
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F04—POSITIVE - DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; PUMPS FOR LIQUIDS OR ELASTIC FLUIDS
- F04C—ROTARY-PISTON, OR OSCILLATING-PISTON, POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; ROTARY-PISTON, OR OSCILLATING-PISTON, POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT PUMPS
- F04C15/00—Component parts, details or accessories of machines, pumps or pumping installations, not provided for in groups F04C2/00 - F04C14/00
- F04C15/06—Arrangements for admission or discharge of the working fluid, e.g. constructional features of the inlet or outlet
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F04—POSITIVE - DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; PUMPS FOR LIQUIDS OR ELASTIC FLUIDS
- F04C—ROTARY-PISTON, OR OSCILLATING-PISTON, POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; ROTARY-PISTON, OR OSCILLATING-PISTON, POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT PUMPS
- F04C5/00—Rotary-piston machines or pumps with the working-chamber walls at least partly resiliently deformable
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F01—MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; ENGINE PLANTS IN GENERAL; STEAM ENGINES
- F01P—COOLING OF MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; COOLING OF INTERNAL-COMBUSTION ENGINES
- F01P2050/00—Applications
- F01P2050/02—Marine engines
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F01—MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; ENGINE PLANTS IN GENERAL; STEAM ENGINES
- F01P—COOLING OF MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; COOLING OF INTERNAL-COMBUSTION ENGINES
- F01P2050/00—Applications
- F01P2050/02—Marine engines
- F01P2050/04—Marine engines using direct cooling
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F01—MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; ENGINE PLANTS IN GENERAL; STEAM ENGINES
- F01P—COOLING OF MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; COOLING OF INTERNAL-COMBUSTION ENGINES
- F01P5/00—Pumping cooling-air or liquid coolants
- F01P5/10—Pumping liquid coolant; Arrangements of coolant pumps
- F01P5/12—Pump-driving arrangements
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F04—POSITIVE - DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; PUMPS FOR LIQUIDS OR ELASTIC FLUIDS
- F04C—ROTARY-PISTON, OR OSCILLATING-PISTON, POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; ROTARY-PISTON, OR OSCILLATING-PISTON, POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT PUMPS
- F04C2210/00—Fluid
- F04C2210/10—Fluid working
- F04C2210/1094—Water
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F04—POSITIVE - DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; PUMPS FOR LIQUIDS OR ELASTIC FLUIDS
- F04C—ROTARY-PISTON, OR OSCILLATING-PISTON, POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; ROTARY-PISTON, OR OSCILLATING-PISTON, POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT PUMPS
- F04C2230/00—Manufacture
- F04C2230/70—Disassembly methods
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F04—POSITIVE - DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; PUMPS FOR LIQUIDS OR ELASTIC FLUIDS
- F04C—ROTARY-PISTON, OR OSCILLATING-PISTON, POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; ROTARY-PISTON, OR OSCILLATING-PISTON, POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT PUMPS
- F04C2230/00—Manufacture
- F04C2230/85—Methods for improvement by repair or exchange of parts
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F04—POSITIVE - DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; PUMPS FOR LIQUIDS OR ELASTIC FLUIDS
- F04C—ROTARY-PISTON, OR OSCILLATING-PISTON, POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; ROTARY-PISTON, OR OSCILLATING-PISTON, POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT PUMPS
- F04C2240/00—Components
- F04C2240/30—Casings or housings
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F04—POSITIVE - DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; PUMPS FOR LIQUIDS OR ELASTIC FLUIDS
- F04C—ROTARY-PISTON, OR OSCILLATING-PISTON, POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; ROTARY-PISTON, OR OSCILLATING-PISTON, POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT PUMPS
- F04C2240/00—Components
- F04C2240/80—Other components
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F04—POSITIVE - DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; PUMPS FOR LIQUIDS OR ELASTIC FLUIDS
- F04C—ROTARY-PISTON, OR OSCILLATING-PISTON, POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; ROTARY-PISTON, OR OSCILLATING-PISTON, POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT PUMPS
- F04C2280/00—Arrangements for preventing or removing deposits or corrosion
- F04C2280/04—Preventing corrosion
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
- Structures Of Non-Positive Displacement Pumps (AREA)
Abstract
A water pump for a marine engine includes a drive flange for rotating a drive shaft, a housing having an internal cavity and a removable cap assembly. The removable cap assembly includes a cap lock ring secured to the housing, a cartridge extending into the internal cavity of the housing and an impeller rotatable inside the cartridge. The cap lock ring and cartridge are snap-fit together. The rotatable drive shaft has splines, which mate with a splined portion of an impeller to rotate the impeller. To replace the impeller, an operator twists the cap lock ring off the housing without any tools and pulls the cap assembly away from the housing disengaging the impeller from the drive shaft. A new cap assembly replaces the worn cap assembly.
Description
- The present invention relates generally to water pumps for marine engines, and more particularly, to a water pump for a marine engine having a removable cap assembly including an impeller.
- Water pumps for marine engines generally include a flexible impeller mounted on a shaft in a pump housing for rotation therein. The flexible impeller should be replaced annually when winterizing the marine engine to prevent the rubber from being damaged due to sand, silt, seaweed and other debris along with freezing and thawing. Because a marine engine is commonly operated in salt water, the impeller may become encrusted with silt and salt. It is common to have to replace the pump impeller after every 100 hours of operation.
- In conventional marine engines, the water pump is mounted in an area dark and difficult to access. To change the flexible impeller, a cover plate must be removed. Known cover plates are screwed into the pump housing. Therefore, one must use a screw driver to remove the screws holding on a cover plate before changing the flexible impeller. Due to the location of the water pump, fitting a screw driver into a tight, dark area is challenging. Once the cover plate is removed, the flexible impeller must be removed from inside the pump housing.
- One method of removing the flexible impeller is to use two sets of pliers. Two impeller blades are gripped on either side using the pliers. Alternatively, a screw driver may be used to pry an impeller from inside the pump housing.
- For large impellers or impellers stuck on a shaft inside the pump housing, the methods described above may not be adequate. In such situations, the user may have to remove the water pump from the marine engine and work on removing the impeller remotely which may not be practical, such as when a marine engine is being used at sea. Alternatively, a separate tool, such as one disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,394,753 or 8,312,607, may be used. However, it is unlikely such a separate tool is carried aboard the vessel driven by the marine engine with a failed water pump.
- Even when an impeller is removed and replaced, the inner surface of the water pump housing against which the impeller rubs may deteriorate over time, thereby decreasing the efficiency of the water pump. In such a situation, replacing the impeller alone does not improve the performance of the water pump for a marine engine. Often, a new water pump must be purchased and installed, which is costly and time-consuming.
- Accordingly, there is a need for a water pump for use in a marine engine with a removable cartridge including an impeller which may be quickly and easily replaced without any special tools.
- According to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, a water pump for a marine engine includes a housing having an internal cavity having an open end. The housing has external threads surrounding a portion of the internal cavity. The water pump further comprises a drive assembly having a drive flange adapted to be rotated by the marine engine and a drive shaft. The drive shaft has splines and extends inside the internal cavity of the housing.
- The water pump further comprises a cap assembly. The cap assembly comprises a cap lock ring having internal threads along a continuous sidewall and a flange defining a central opening. The internal threads of the cap lock ring engage the external threads of the housing to secure the cap lock ring to the housing. The cap lock ring has integral tabs to facilitate rotating the cap lock ring to tighten or loosen the cap lock ring relative to the housing.
- The cap assembly further comprises a cartridge secured to the cap lock ring of the cap assembly. The cartridge is sized to fit inside the internal cavity of the housing. The cartridge is snap-fit to the cap lock ring and rotatable relative to the cap lock ring.
- The cap assembly further comprises an impeller inside the cartridge. The impeller has a plurality of flexible blades extending radially outwardly from a central portion and a bore extending through the central portion of the impeller. The bore has a splined portion. The splined portion of the impeller bore mates with the splines of the drive shaft such that rotation of the drive shaft rotates the impeller inside the cartridge.
- The cap assembly is capable of being disengaged from the housing and replaced to provide a new impeller, new cartridge and new cap lock ring. Replacement cap assemblies may be sold separately.
- The water pump further comprises a hose bib cap secured to the housing, the hose bib cap comprising first and second nipples, the first nipple being adapted to couple to an inlet hose and the second nipple being adapted to couple to an outlet hose. The first and second nipples may be any desired orientation relative to each other.
- According to another aspect of the invention, a water pump for a marine engine comprises a housing having an internal cavity and external threads on an open end of the internal cavity. The water pump further comprises a rotatable drive shaft having splines. The drive shaft extends inside the internal cavity of the housing.
- The water pump further comprises a cap assembly comprising a cap lock ring having internal threads. The internal threads are adapted to engage the external threads on the open end of the internal cavity of the housing to close the internal cavity of the housing.
- The cap assembly further comprises a cartridge secured to the cap lock ring. The cartridge is sized to fit inside the internal cavity of the housing and cover the open end of the internal cavity of the housing. The cartridge of the cap assembly has first and second openings aligned with first and second openings extending through the housing via locators on the housing and cartridge. A hose bib cap is welded to the housing to provide first and second nipples surrounding the first and second openings of the housing respectively. The first nipple is sized to couple to an inlet hose and the second nipple is sized to couple to an outlet hose. Different nipple assemblies provide different orientations of the nipples.
- The cap assembly further comprises an impeller. The impeller has a plurality of flexible blades extending radially outwardly from a central portion and a bore extending through the central portion of the impeller. The impeller bore has a splined portion which engages the splines of the drive shaft such that rotation of the drive shaft rotates the impeller inside the cartridge of the cap assembly. The cap assembly is removable and replaceable without use of any tools.
- According to another aspect of the invention, a water pump for a marine engine comprises a housing having an internal cavity having an open end. The housing has external threads around the open end of the internal cavity.
- The water pump further comprises a drive shaft and a cap assembly. The cap assembly includes an injection molded plastic cap lock ring having internal threads adapted to engage the external threads around the open end of the internal cavity of the housing. The cap assembly further comprises a cartridge secured to the plastic cap lock ring. The cartridge has a hollow interior and is sized to fit inside the internal cavity of the housing and cover the open end of the internal cavity of the housing. The cartridge has an open bottom such that the drive shaft extends through the housing and into the hollow interior of the cartridge.
- The cap assembly further comprises a rotatable impeller inside the hollow interior of the cartridge. The rotatable impeller has a plurality of flexible blades extending radially outwardly from a central portion. A bore extends through the central portion of the impeller. The bore of the impeller is adapted to engage the drive shaft such that rotation of the drive shaft rotates the impeller inside the hollow interior of the cartridge. The cap assembly is removable from the housing without tools to replace the impeller.
- One advantage of the water pump of the present invention is that the impeller may be replaced quickly and easily without special tools, such as a screwdriver.
- Another advantage of the water pump of the present invention is that a cap assembly, including a removable cartridge and an impeller, may be removed by hand without use of any tools.
- Another advantage of the water pump of the present invention is that by replacing the cap assembly, a new impeller and new critical wear surface is provided without the need to purchase a new water pump.
- Another advantage of the water pump of the present invention is that the water pump has more flow capacity than existing pumps of the same size due to the configuration of the housing including larger inlet and outlet openings, a diverging flow path in the inlet and outlet openings and a longer impeller than previously used.
- Another advantage of the water pump of the present invention is that the two-piece configuration of the water pump housing allows for different inlet/outlet hose configurations.
- Various additional features and advantages of the invention will become more apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon review of the following detailed description of the illustrative embodiments taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
- The drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the general description given above and the detailed description given below, explain the embodiments of the invention.
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FIG. 1 is a top view of a motorboat including an inboard engine. -
FIG. 2A is a perspective view of a portion of a marine engine showing the water pump mounted to the marine engine. -
FIG. 2B is a perspective view of a portion of a different marine engine showing the water pump mounted to the marine engine. -
FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the fully assembled water pump of the present invention. -
FIG. 4A is a perspective partially disassembled view of the water pump showing the cap assembly separated from the remainder of the water pump. -
FIG. 4B is another perspective partially disassembled view of the water pump showing the cap assembly separated from the remainder of the water pump. -
FIG. 5 is another perspective partially disassembled view of the water pump showing the cap assembly separated from the remainder of the water pump. -
FIG. 6 is a perspective disassembled view of the cap assembly of the water pump. -
FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the water pump taken along the line 7-7 ofFIG. 3 showing the bearings of the water pump. -
FIG. 8A is a cross-sectional view of the cap lock ring of the water pump being loosened from the open end of the housing by twisting the cap lock ring. -
FIG. 8B is a cross-sectional view of the cap assembly of the water pump being pulled away from the housing to remove the impeller from inside the water pump housing. -
FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the water pump taken along the line 9-9 ofFIG. 3 showing the impeller's configuration in use. -
FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the drive assembly and impeller of the water pump showing the interaction between the two components. -
FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing an alternative embodiment of water pump fully assembled and having a different hose bib cap. -
FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing an alternative embodiment of water pump fully assembled and having a different hose bib cap. -
FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing an alternative embodiment of water pump fully assembled and having a different hose bib cap. - Referring to
FIG. 2A , awater pump 10, according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, is shown mounted to amarine engine 12 within amotorboat 14. Themotorboat 14 includes abow 16, a stern 18, aport side 20, and astarboard side 22. Theengine 12 is shown mounted in an “inboard” configuration and is coupled to a V-drive transmission 24 that drives a propeller shaft and propeller (not shown) to rotate, which propels themotorboat 14 through the water. - Referring to
FIG. 2B , thewater pump 10 is shown mounted to a different engine 12 a, the water pump being driven by a belt. The marine engines shown herein are not intended to be limiting. Thewater pump 10 of the present invention may be used in any marine engine. - Referring to
FIG. 3 , for purposes of this document,water pump 10 has afront 4 and a rear 6.FIG. 3 illustrates thewater pump 10 in a fully assembled position unattached to any marine engine. When thewater pump 10 is operating and water is moving through the water pump, thewater pump 10 is in its fully assembled position shown inFIG. 3 . - As best seen in
FIGS. 4B and 5 , thewater pump 10 has ahousing 26, which is preferably a unitary member made of injection molded plastic, but may be made of any desired material. In one preferred embodiment, thehousing 26 is made of a phenolic material, which is a thermoset plastic with virtually zero creep and molding accuracy that allows for tight tolerances. One advantage of a plastic housing is that it is corrosion proof. - As best shown in
FIG. 4B ,housing 26 has aflange portion 80 located at the front of thehousing 26, a mountingportion 30 located at the rear of the housing and a generallycylindrical cavity portion 32 between theflange portion 80 and the mountingportion 30. Thehousing 26 has a plurality of spacedexternal ribs 28 extending along the generallycylindrical cavity portion 32 and terminating in the mountingportion 30 of thehousing 26. Thehousing 26 has aninternal cavity 34 having anopen end 36, which is covered with acartridge 40 when thewater pump 10 is fully assembled. - As best shown in
FIG. 5 , theflange portion 80 of thehousing 26 hasexternal threads 82 for engaginginternal threads 84 of acap lock ring 86 to secure thecap lock ring 86 to thehousing 26 with thecartridge 40 therebetween covering theopen end 36 of theinternal cavity 34 of thehousing 26. - The mounting
portion 30 ofhousing 26 comprises twoopenings 43. Inside eachopening 43 is acompression limiter 42 used to mount thewater pump 10 to a marine engine, such as marine engine 12a withfasteners 44, as shown inFIG. 2B . Thecompression limiter 42 is commonly made of rubber, but may be made of any desired material. - As shown in
FIG. 2A , thecavity portion 32 ofhousing 26 ofwater pump 10 further comprises astabilizer portion 46 to which a stabilizingbracket 48 is attached. As best shown inFIG. 4B , an internally threadedboss 38 having internal threads (not shown) is mounted in thestabilizer portion 46 of thehousing 26. A threaded fastener (not shown) is used to secure one end of stabilizingbracket 48 to thestabilizer portion 46 of thehousing 26 using the internally threadedboss 38 to reduce and hopefully prevent movement of the water pump during operation. - As best shown in
FIG. 4B , thecavity portion 32 of thehousing 26 has a raised portion 61 comprising aninlet opening 62 and anoutlet opening 63, which allow water to flow into theinternal cavity 34 of thehousing 26 to rotate theimpeller 50 inside thecartridge 40. The raised portion 61 of thehousing 26 is generally shaped like a figure eight. Each of the inlet andoutlet openings - As best seen in
FIGS. 5 and 6 , thewater pump 10 further comprises animpeller 50. Theimpeller 50 is sized to rotate inside ahollow interior 41 ofcartridge 40. Theimpeller 50 has acentral portion 52 and a plurality offlexible blades 54 extending radially outward from thecentral portion 52. Although theflexible blades 54 are illustrated having a particular configuration, the drawings are not intended to limit the configuration or shape of the flexible blades. - A bore 56 extends through the
impeller 50 and has asmooth portion 58 at each end and asplined portion 60 therebetween. Thesmooth portions 58 ofbore 56, best shown inFIGS. 5 and 6 , are located at the front and rear of theimpeller 50. Thesplined portion 60 ofbore 56, best shown inFIGS. 5 and 9 , hasinternal ribs 64. The splined portion may extend the full length of thebore 56; the drawings are not intended to be limiting. - As best seen in
FIGS. 4B and 5 , thewater pump 10 further comprises ahose bib cap 66, which is attached to thehousing 26 via linear vibration welding, but may be secured by any known method such as ultrasonic welding. Linear vibration welding creates a watertight seal between thehose bib cap 66 and raised portion 61 of thehousing 26. However, thehose bib cap 66 may be attached to thehousing 26 via any known method, including fasteners as long as the seal therebetween is watertight. - As best seen in
FIGS. 4B and 5 , thehose bib cap 66 comprises a first orinlet nipple 68 having ahollow interior 69 and a second oroutlet nipple 70 having ahollow interior 71 joined by abridge 72. As best shown inFIG. 2A , an inlet hose 76 fits over theinlet nipple 68 and carries water from a raw water source (not shown), such as a lake to thewater pump 10. As best shown inFIG. 2A , anoutlet hose 74 fits over theoutlet nipple 70 and carries water from thewater pump 10 to aheat exchanger 78. As best shown inFIG. 2B , theinlet nipple 68 has a flaredportion 73 to assist securing the inlet hose 76 over thefirst nipple 68. Theoutlet nipple 70 has a flaredportion 75 to assist securing theoutlet hose 74 over thesecond nipple 70. The unitaryhose bib cap 66 has theinlet nipple 68 generally parallel theoutlet nipple 70. - The
water pump 10 further comprises acap assembly 88 shown assembled inFIG. 5 and disassembled inFIG. 6 . Thecap assembly 88 comprises thecap lock ring 86, thecartridge 40, theimpeller 50 and acartridge seal 90. As shown inFIG. 7 , thecartridge seal 90 fits inside agroove 92 of thecartridge 40 and abuts theflange portion 80 ofhousing 26. Thecartridge seal 90 functions to prevent water leaks between thehousing 26 and thecartridge 40 when thecap lock ring 86 is tightened around theflange portion 80 ofhousing 26 by a user twisting thecap lock ring 86. - As best seen in
FIG. 6 , thecap lock ring 86 of thewater pump 10 is a unitary injection molded plastic piece having a ring-shapedbody 94 defining acentral opening 96 therein. The ring-shapedbody 94 comprises acontinuous sidewall portion 98, includingindentations 99 therein to facilitate twisting thecap lock ring 86. As best shown inFIG. 6 , thecap lock ring 86 further comprises a plurality of spaced inwardly directedflexible finger portions 100, which define the size of thecentral opening 96. As best shown inFIG. 3 , the inwardly directedflexible finger portions 100 extend radially inward from thecontinuous sidewall portion 98. Six spacedtabs 102 are integral with the ring-shapedbody 94 and extend upwardly from thecontinuous flange portion 100 to facilitate rotating thecap lock ring 86. Although sixtabs 102 are illustrated, any number of tabs of any desired shape may be used to help rotate thecap lock ring 86. - The second component of the
cap assembly 88 iscartridge 40. Thecartridge 40 is generally cylindrical and sized to fit inside theinternal cavity 34 of thehousing 26. As shown inFIGS. 4A and 6 , thecartridge 40 is a unitary member having a top 104, acontinuous sidewall 106 having an interior surface orimpeller interface 108 and anopen bottom 110. The top 104 ofcartridge 40 has alip 91 underneath, which theflexible finger portions 100 of thecap lock ring 86 snap to secure thecartridge 40 andcap lock ring 86 together, as best shown inFIG. 7 . As best illustrated inFIG. 3 , the top 104 ofcartridge 40 has tworecesses 105 between which is anarrow 107 which aligns with the triangular shapedlocator 118 described below. The top 104 ofcartridge 40 covers theopen end 36 of theinternal cavity 34 of thehousing 26 in a snap-fit connection. - As best shown in
FIGS. 5 and 6 , thecontinuous sidewall 106 ofcartridge 40 has a first orinlet opening 112 and a second oroutlet opening 114. Twofins 116 extend across eachopening water pump 10. Thecartridge 40 is preferably made of thermoset phenolic plastic, but may be made of any desired material. - As best shown in
FIG. 6 , thecontinuous sidewall 106 of thecartridge 40 has a triangular-shapedlocator 118 extending outwardly from thecontinuous sidewall 106 of thecartridge 40 between the inlet andoutlet openings FIG. 4A , thehousing 26 has a triangular-shapedreceptacle 120 extending outwardly from theinside surface 122 of thehousing 26. The triangular-shapedlocator 118 is adapted to be received inside the triangular-shapedreceptacle 120 to properly orient thecartridge 40 relative to thehousing 26 and maintain such orientation. The proper orientation is required so the inlet andoutlet openings cartridge 40 align with the inlet andoutlet openings housing 26 for water to flow throughcartridge 40 and rotate theimpeller 50 therein. - As best shown in
FIG. 6 , additional components ofcap assembly 88 include twoseals 128. Each of theseals 128 is preferably made of silicone rubber, but may be made of any desirable material. Each of theseals 128 fits inside agroove 162 formed around one of inlet andoutlet openings cartridge 40. Each of theseals 128 has spacedbumps 164, which friction-fit theseal 128 inside one of thegrooves 162. - As best illustrated in
FIGS. 3 and 10 , thewater pump 10 further comprises adrive assembly 130 comprising adrive flange 132 and adrive shaft 134 extending outwardly from thedrive flange 132. As best shown inFIGS. 3 and 6 , thedrive flange 132 hasmultiple holes 136 extending through thedrive flange 132. As best illustrated inFIG. 2A , fasteners 140 (only one being shown) extend through theholes 136 in thedrive flange 132 and secure thedrive assembly 130 to the crank shaft of a marine engine. Thedrive flange 132 is preferably made of a phenolic material, which is a thermoset plastic with virtually zero creep and molding accuracy that allows for tight tolerances. Although one configuration ofdrive flange 132 is illustrated, thedrive flange 132 may have any number of holes and/or be any configuration other than as illustrated. - As shown in
FIG. 2B , thewater pump 10 may have adifferent drive assembly 131 having adifferent drive flange 133 specifically designed to receive and retain a drive belt of a marine engine. Otherwise,drive assembly 131 is identical to driveassembly 130. Rotation of the drive belt of the marine engine may rotate thedrive flange 133 of thedrive assembly 131 of thewater pump 10. Thedrive flange 133 has no holes therethrough, and is preferably made of a phenolic material as described above. Although one configuration ofdrive flange 133 is illustrated, the drive flange may be any configuration other than as illustrated. AlthoughFIGS. 3-5, 7, 9 and 11-13 illustratedrive assembly 130 being incorporated intowater pump 10,drive assembly 131 may alternatively be incorporated into any of the embodiments of water pump described or shown herein. - As best illustrated in
FIG. 10 , thedrive shaft 134 of thedrive assembly 130 has asmooth portion 142 and asplined portion 144. Thesmooth portion 142 of thedrive shaft 134 has agroove 124 therein. As best illustrated inFIGS. 4B, 7 and 10 , asnap ring 126 fits inside thegroove 124 ofdrive shaft 134 to keep thebearings 148 as described below in place. Thesplined portion 144 of thedrive shaft 134 has a plurality of longitudinally extendingribs 146 adapted to engage with theinternal ribs 64 of thesplined portion 60 of thebore 56 ofimpeller 50, such that rotation of thedrive assembly 130, regardless of how driven, rotates theimpeller 50 to move water through thewater pump 10. - As best illustrated in
FIGS. 4B and 7 , thewater pump 10 further comprises awear plate 150, which abuts the bottom of theimpeller 50 and has a high wear surface to reduce friction between theimpeller 50 and thewear plate 150 to protect the plastic material of thehousing 26. Thewear plate 150 is preferably made of stainless steel, but may be made of any desired material. As best shown inFIG. 4B , wearplate 150 has anopening 152 therein through which thedrive shaft 134 passes to engage thebore 56 of theimpeller 50. - As best shown in
FIGS. 4B and 7 , behind thewear plate 150 is adrive shaft seal 154, which has acentral opening 156 aligned with theopening 152 in thewear plate 150. Thedrive shaft seal 154 is preferably made of silicone rubber, but may be made of any desired material. Thedrive shaft seal 154 sits in front of thesnap ring 126 as shown inFIGS. 4 and 5 . - As best illustrated in
FIGS. 4B and 7 , thewater pump 10 further comprises awear plate gasket 158, which abuts thewear plate 150. Thewear plate gasket 158 is preferably made of silicone rubber, but may be made of any desired material. Thewear plate gasket 158 functions as a spring to apply constant force to thewear plate 150 andimpeller 50. - As best illustrated in
FIG. 7 , thewater pump 10 further comprises twobearings 148, which fit inside asleeve 160 inside thehousing 26. Thebearings 148 are behind thesnap ring 126 and facilitate rotation of thedrive shaft 134 of thedrive assembly 130. -
FIG. 8A illustrates thecap lock ring 86 ofcap assembly 88 being rotated, such that thecap lock ring 86 is loosened from theexternal threads 82 of theflange portion 80 of thehousing 26.FIG. 8B illustrates thecap assembly 88, including thecartridge 40 and attachedimpeller 50 being pulled out of theinternal cavity 34 of thehousing 26. - As shown in
FIG. 9 , theinternal cavity 34 of thehousing 26 has a kidney-shaped cross-section so that theblades 54 ofimpeller 50 are bent more in some locations than other locations. Therefore, theblades 54 ofimpeller 50 continue to change shape as the water pump operates. Consequently, in previous water pumps for marine engines, a portion of the inside or “cam” surface of the pump would become worn due to foreign material intrusion or dry running, i.e. wear of the impeller blades against the inside or “cam” surface of the pump. When the inside surface became uneven, the efficiency of the pump in gallons per minute is decreased. Furthermore, rotation of the impeller could vibrate the pump at which point the pump would have to be replaced. One advantage of the present invention is that thecap assembly 88 may be replaced when the inside surface of thecartridge 40 becomes worn quickly and easily without having to replace the entire pump. The ability to replace the cap assembly results in a cost savings too because the impeller and cartridge are replaced together without the need for a new pump. -
FIG. 11 illustrates an alternative water pump 10 a in which all components are the same as inwater pump 10, except the hose bib cap. The unitary hose bib cap 66 a of water pump 10 a comprises a first or inlet nipple 68 a having a hollow interior 69 a and a second or outlet nipple 70 a having a hollow interior 71 a joined by abridge 72 a. An inlet hose (not shown) fits over the inlet nipple 68 a and carries water from a raw water source (not shown) such as a lake to thewater pump 10. An outlet hose (not shown) fits over the outlet nipple 70 a and carries water from thewater pump 10 to aheat exchanger 78 as shown inFIG. 2A . As best shown inFIG. 11 , the inlet nipple 68 a has a flared portion 73 a to assist securing the inlet hose over the first nipple 68 a. The outlet nipple 70 a has a flaredportion 75 a to assist securing the outlet hose over the second nipple 70 a. The unitary hose bib cap 66 a has the inlet nipple 68 a generally parallel the outlet nipple 70 a. -
FIG. 12 illustrates analternative water pump 10 b in which all components are the same as inwater pump 10, except the hose bib cap. The unitary hose bib cap 66 b ofwater pump 10 b comprises a first or inlet nipple 68 b having a hollow interior 69 b and a second oroutlet nipple 70 b having ahollow interior 71 b joined by abridge 72 b. An inlet hose (not shown) fits over the inlet nipple 68 b and carries water from a raw water source (not shown), such as a lake to thewater pump 10. An outlet hose (not shown) fits over theoutlet nipple 70 b and carries water from thewater pump 10 to aheat exchanger 78 as shown inFIG. 2A . As best shown inFIG. 12 , the inlet nipple 68 b has a flared portion 73 b to assist securing the inlet hose over the first nipple 68 b. Theoutlet nipple 70 b has a flaredportion 75 b to assist securing the outlet hose over the second nipple 70 a. The unitary hose bib cap 66 b has the inlet nipple 68 a generally perpendicular theoutlet nipple 70 b. - Although
FIGS. 11 and 12 illustrate unitary hose bib caps 66 a, 66 b, respectively, showing specific orientations of the inlet and outlet nipples, it is within the scope of the present invention that any hose bib cap may have inlet and outlet nipples at any desired orientation relative to each other. Thus, the raw water pump of the present invention may be used in different marine engines with inlet and outlet hoses to and from a heat exchanger at any desired orientation. -
FIG. 13 illustrates an alternative water pump 10 c in which all components are the same as in water pump 10 a except the hose bib cap. The unitary hose bib cap 66 c of water pump 10 c has threadedinteriors 69 c, 71 c within the inlet and outlet nipples 68 c, 70 c. Any of the embodiments of hob bib caps shown or described herein may have inlet and outlet nipples with threaded interiors. - While the present invention has been illustrated by the description of specific embodiments thereof, and while the embodiments have been described in considerable detail, it is not intended to restrict or in any way limit the scope of the appended claims to such detail. The various features discussed herein may be used alone or in any combination. Additional advantages and modifications will readily appear to those skilled in the art. The invention in its broader aspects is therefore not limited to the specific details, representative apparatus and methods and illustrative examples shown and described. Accordingly, departures may be made from such details without departing from the scope of the general inventive concept.
Claims (20)
1. A water pump for a marine engine, the water pump comprising:
a housing having an internal cavity having an open end and external threads;
a drive assembly comprising a drive flange adapted to be rotated by the marine engine and a drive shaft having splines, the drive shaft extending inside the internal cavity of the housing;
a cap assembly comprising a cap lock ring, a cartridge secured to the cap lock ring and an impeller inside the cartridge, the cap lock ring having internal threads along a continuous sidewall, the internal threads of the cap lock ring engaging the external threads of the housing to secure the cap lock ring to the housing; and
the cartridge of the cap assembly being secured to the cap lock ring of the cap assembly and being sized to fit inside the internal cavity of the housing,
the impeller of the cap assembly having a plurality of flexible blades extending radially outwardly from a central portion, a bore extending through the central portion of the impeller, the bore having a splined portion, the splined portion of the impeller bore mating with the splines of the drive shaft such that rotation of the drive shaft rotates the impeller inside the cartridge, and
wherein the cap assembly is capable of being disengaged from the housing and replaced to provide a new impeller, new cartridge and new cap lock ring.
2. The water pump of claim 1 , further comprising a hose bib cap secured to the housing, the hose bib cap comprising first and second nipples, the first nipple being adapted to couple to an inlet hose and the second nipple being adapted to couple to an outlet hose.
3. The water pump of claim 1 , wherein the housing has a mounting portion for mounting the housing to a marine engine.
4. The water pump of claim 1 , wherein the cap lock ring is rotatable relative to the cartridge of the cap assembly.
5. The water pump of claim 1 , wherein the cap lock ring and the cartridge of the cap assembly are snap-fit together.
6. The water pump of claim 1 , further comprising bearings inside the housing to facilitate rotation of the drive shaft.
7. The water pump of claim 1 , wherein the cap lock ring has integral tabs to facilitate rotating the cap lock ring.
8. A water pump for a marine engine, the water pump comprising:
a housing having an internal cavity and external threads on an open end of the internal cavity;
a rotatable drive shaft having splines, the drive shaft extending inside the internal cavity of the housing;
a cap assembly comprising a cap lock ring having internal threads, the internal threads of the cap lock ring being adapted to engage the external threads on the open end of the internal cavity of the housing;
the cap assembly further comprising a cartridge secured to the cap lock ring, the cartridge being sized to fit inside the internal cavity of the housing and cover the open end of the internal cavity of the housing,
the cap assembly further comprising an impeller, the impeller having a plurality of flexible blades extending radially outwardly from a central portion, a bore extending through the central portion of the impeller, the bore having a splined portion which engages the splines of the drive shaft such that rotation of the drive shaft rotates the impeller inside the cartridge of the cap assembly;
wherein the cap assembly is removable and replaceable without use of any tools.
9. The water pump of claim 8 , wherein the cartridge has first and second openings aligned with first and second openings extending through the housing.
10. The water pump of claim 9 , further comprising a hose bib cap removably attached to the housing, the hose bib cap comprising first and second nipples surrounding the first and second openings in the housing, the first nipple being sized to couple to an inlet hose and the second nipple being sized to couple to an outlet hose.
11. The water pump of claim 8 , wherein the housing has a mounting portion for mounting the housing to a marine engine.
12. The water pump of claim 8 , wherein the cap lock ring and cartridge are snap-fit together.
13. The water pump of claim 8 , further comprising bearings inside the housing to facilitate rotation of the drive shaft.
14. The water pump of claim 8 , wherein the cap lock ring is a unitary member having tabs to facilitate rotating the cap lock ring.
15. A water pump for a marine engine, the water pump comprising:
a housing having an internal cavity having an open end, the housing having external threads around the open end of the internal cavity;
a drive shaft;
a cap assembly comprising a cap lock ring having internal threads adapted to engage the external threads around the open end of the internal cavity of the housing; and
the cap assembly further comprising a cartridge secured to the cap lock ring, the cartridge having a hollow interior and being sized to fit inside the internal cavity of the housing and cover the open end of the internal cavity of the housing, the cartridge having an open bottom, such that the drive shaft extends though the housing and into the hollow interior of the cartridge;
the cap assembly further comprising a rotatable impeller inside the hollow interior of the cartridge, the impeller having a plurality of flexible blades extending radially outwardly from a central portion, a bore extending through the central portion of the impeller, the bore being adapted to engage the drive shaft such that rotation of the drive shaft rotates the impeller inside the hollow interior of the cartridge;
wherein the cap assembly is removable from the housing without tools to replace the impeller.
16. The water pump of claim 15 , wherein the housing comprises two mounting bosses for mounting the housing to a marine engine.
17. The water pump of claim 15 , the cartridge has first and second openings aligned with first and second openings extending through the housing.
18. The water pump of claim 17 , further comprising a hose bib cap secured to the housing, the hose bib cap comprising first and second nipples surrounding the first and second openings in the housing, the first nipple being sized to couple to an inlet hose and the second nipple being sized to couple to an outlet hose.
19. The water pump of claim 15 , wherein the cartridge and cap lock rings are plastic and snapped fit together.
20. The water pump of claim 15 , further comprising bearings inside the housing to facilitate rotation of the drive shaft.
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US16/435,991 US20200386225A1 (en) | 2019-06-10 | 2019-06-10 | Water Pump For Marine Engine Having Removable Cap Assembly |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US16/435,991 US20200386225A1 (en) | 2019-06-10 | 2019-06-10 | Water Pump For Marine Engine Having Removable Cap Assembly |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
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US20200386225A1 true US20200386225A1 (en) | 2020-12-10 |
Family
ID=73650255
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
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US16/435,991 Abandoned US20200386225A1 (en) | 2019-06-10 | 2019-06-10 | Water Pump For Marine Engine Having Removable Cap Assembly |
Country Status (1)
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US (1) | US20200386225A1 (en) |
-
2019
- 2019-06-10 US US16/435,991 patent/US20200386225A1/en not_active Abandoned
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