US2944489A - Self-priming centrifugal pump - Google Patents

Description

J 1960 c. l. LONGENECKER 2,944,489

SELF-PRIMING CENTRIFUGAL PUMP Original Filed April 12, 1951 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 IN VEN TOR. CHARLES LONGENEG/(Ef? ATTORNEY y 1960 c. l. LONGENECKER 2,944,489

SELF-PRIMING CENTRIFUGAL PUMP Original Filed April 12, 1951 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG.5.

I i wrll flf alllllllfflfll 1 VIII!!! INVENTOR. CHARLES [LONGENECKER BY l ATTORNEY 0. l. LONGENECKER SELF-PRIMING CENTRIFUGAL PUMP July 12, 1960 Original Filed April 12, 1951 s Shets-Sheet :5

FIG.9.

INVENTOR. CHARLES LONGENEG/(ER ATTORNEY United States Patent SELF-QPRIMING CENTRIFUGAL PUMP vided' and this application Nov. 21, 1956, No.

9 Claims. (Cl. 103- 113) This invention relates generally to centrifugal pumps of the self-priming type, and morev particularly to a unitary self-priming pump of improved and simplified design. The present specification constitutes adivision of my co-pending application, Serial No. 220,611, filed April 12, 1951, which issued July 9, 1957 as Patent No. 2,798,439. g

A general object of the present invention-is'to pro vide an improved self-priming centfugal pump of ple and rugged construction. i

Another object of the invention is to provide an im' proved adjustable peeler for a centrifugal pump of the self-priming type. a Y

Another object is to provide an improved arrangement whereby a peeler movably mounted within a self-priming centrifugal pump may be adjusted from the outside of the pump housing; I

A more specific object of the invention is to provide an improved peeler arrangement for a self-priming centrifugal pump wherein the adjustable and replaceable peeler blade is in the form of a cylindrical bar.

- g the invention;- I v I a a Fig. 10 is a view in horizontal section taken on the According to this invention, an improved centrifugal pump of the self-priming type is provided with an adjustable peeler that is movably mounted entirely within the pump casing and is secured in adjusted position by securing means rotatably mounted in the wall of the casing and operative from the exterior thereof. pump housing is preferably in the form of an integral casting constituting an impeller chamber and a'super- .imposed priming water chamber interconnected by integrally formed substantially parallel discharge and priming passages. The movably mounted peeler is disposed to cooperate with the periphery of the pump impeller at a position between the discharge passage and the prim ing Water passage. The peeler may be in the form of a bar presenting a chisel-like end to the impeller and may be mounted for either sliding or pivotal movement toward or from the impeller periphery. A set screw threaded through the housing wall or equivalent fastening means may, be used to retain the peeler in adjusted position, the outer end of the screw being covered by one' edge' ,of the pump side plate or left exposed "as may be de sired. For moving the peeler within the housing there may be provided anactuating shaft rotatably mounted in the housing wall and fitted with a cam or eccentric element toengage the peeler. 4 I

The foregoing and other objects of this invention will become more fully apparent as the following detailed description of exemplary embodiments thereof is "read in conjunction withthe accompanying drawings, in which; Figure 1 is a view in front elevation of a self-priming centrifugal pump embodyingfeatures of the present in- I vention, parts having been broken away to better reveal internal details; p

'Fig. 2 is a view in rear elevation of the pump structure shown in Fig. 1 with parts broken away to reveal the pump interior;

' 'Fig. 3 is a view in vertical section taken axially of the 2,944,489 Patented July 12,1960

pump on the planes represented by the lines 33 of 1 and 2; Fig. 4 is a fragmentary detailed view taken through the improved peeler of the pump on the plane represented by the lines 4-4 in Figs. 2 and 3; I V

Fig. 5 is a view in front elevation of the pumpimpeller as partly shown in Fig. 1 illustrating an alternative means for'retaining the impeller on the end'of the shaft;

Fig. 6 is a; fragmentary view in perspective'of part of the impeller and shaft as shown in Fig. 5, together with part of a modified cover plate provided with impeller engaged tool elements p plane represented by the line 10-10 in Fig. 9; and,

Fig. 11 is an enlargedv fragmentary detailed view of the modified peeler taken in vertical section on the plane represented by the lines' 11-11 in Figs. 9 and 10.

, Referring more specifically to the drawings and particularly to Figs. 1, 2. andf3 thereof, the pump there shown as a' preferred embodiment of the present invention isa centrifugal pump of the recirculating or self-priming type, its, housing being of a unitarily cast structure, although it is to be understood that other structures taking various forms may be untilized for practicing the invention without departing from the spirit thereof as defined in the claims. I

As shown in Figs. '1 and 2, the pump embodying the present invention comprises essentially a unitary hous- H ing or casing 10 that is preferably an integral casting of iron or other suitable material and that constitutes the body or frame of the pump. For-med integrally within the casing 10 between its side walls is an impeller space or working chamber 11 in the form of a spiral or volute and adjacent to it is a concentrically arranged intake chamber 12 of scroll shape separatedtherefronpby a diaphragm or partition 13 that has formed centrally thereof an inlet opening or port'14 as shown in Fig. 3. Above the impellerchamber 11 and superimposed thereon is an integrally formed priming water or recirculating cham- -ber 16 into which water is discharged from the impeller chamber through. an interconnecting vertically disposed discharge passage 17 constituting a tangential extension of the impeller chamber volute. The intake chamber 12 is likewise provided with an integrally formed tangential intake passage .18 extending horizontally along its upper side and through which water" is drawn into the pump to be discharged through the vertical passage 17. The water ilowin-gupward through the passage '17 .enters the chambers 16 and overflows from it into asuit;

able dischargeconduit leading away from the pump.

As shown in Figs-1,2 and3, the priming water chamber '16 is provided atjits top witha threaded outlet or disshown in' Fig. 3, the part of the housing forming the impeller chamber 11 is provided at the side" opposite from the inlet opening 14 with an impeller admitting opening 28 through which an impeller or runner 29 may be: introduced intothe chamber 11; theopenihg 28? being closed by a cover or side plate 36 that is secured-'=to-the housing by acircle of retaining studbolts 31: 'Iheimpeller'29 is threaded on the end of androtatably' supported within the volute-chamber 1 1- by means of a shaft 33 that extends centrally through the; intake opening 14 andthrougha shaft receiving opening 3*41'n'the housing wall at the side of the intake chamber 12' opposite" from the inlet opening 14. To prevent leakage of' liquid along the shaft 33'through the opening 34; there is provided asui'table'sealin-g" or packing gland 35"atth'e point where the shaft passes through the side ofthe" housing. The shat 33 may be connected to ormay constitute part of a driving apparatus hererepresentcd byone end of an electric motor 36 to the frame of which the pump housing 10 is iii-this instance attached by suitable bolts 37.

' When the motor 36 is energized to' operate the: pump, the impeller 29 is turnedin the direction indicated. by the-arrow in Fig; 2 in such a manner that rearwardly curved vanes or blades 4-! on theimpeller disk engage the water or other liquid which was introduced through the priming opening 24" and throw it by centrifugal force outward and upward through" the tangential passage '17 together with entrained air which is drawn in through theintake opening 18 in building up' suction to prime the pump. The water thrown upward'throu'gh the yertical passage 17 into'theseparating spacein the priming chamber 1-6 separates from the" air'therein and drains back through an adjacent primingpassage 43 at the bottom of the chamber that is transversely or circumferentially spaced inwardly from and lies in parallel" relationshipwith the discharge passage 17; and that opens into the impeller chamber ll'posteriorly thereof; whereby the water mayreenter the impeller 29 to entrain additional air in continuing the priming process.

Fromthe foregoing description of the arrangement of elements and construction of the housing it will be observed that a minimum of'space is required through the utilization of an impeller chamber of a width just sufiicient to receive the impeller and the superimposing of a priming chamber of substantially greater Width above the impeller chamber, whereby the capacity'of the priming" chamber relative to the capacity of. the impeller is properly balanced. With the inlet scroll disposed below aportion of the priming chamber, in the manner shown, theover-all width of the housing is not increased, and it is possible to utilize an integral cast housingof compact design and minimum weight; In order that the priming water may be caused to recirculate freely into the impeller chamber through the priming passage 43, as much water as possible is deflected from the periphery of the impeller 29' into the discharge passage 17 ahead of the priming passage 43'. This is effected by means of apeeler of the general type disclosed in prior US. Patent No. 1,989,061 for increasing the priming efiiciency.

In the present construction, an improved adjustable peeler 4 4- is movably mounted inthe housing between the discharge passage 17 and. the priming passage 43 and in eflEect constitutes a guide vane forming part of the inner side wall of the passage 17. As shown in Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 4, the peeler 44 may be in the'form of a rectangular blade or plug ofmaterial such as steel that is sharpened at one end to a straight sharp edge or chisel-like point and is disposed vertically in the housing 10 with its pointed endv lowermost and adjustably positioned adjacent to. the periphery of the impeller 29, the arrangement being such that the peeler 44 engages water and entrained air rotating with the impeller 29 and diverts it from the impeller pea riphery into the passage 17. As shown, the peeler 44 is in this instance pivotall'y suspended in the housing 10 upon a pivot stud or pin 45 in such a manner that its lower pointed end is free to" swing toward or from the impeller periphery for adjustment. As best shown in Figs. 3 and 4, the pivot pin 45 may be in the form of a cap screw or the like threaded through the front wall of the casing 10 and providedwit-h -a lock nut 46 to retain it in PQSilEiOII-z Preferably awasher. 47 of. copper or like suitable material is ihterposed Between the lock nut 46 and the: surface ofitherhousing. 10* as: a. packing toseal-the opening against leakage from the interior.- of the pump.

By reason 0t its pivotal. movement, thepeeler blade 44' may'he adjustabl'y positioned to bring: its. pointed; end asrnearv as. practicable to' the, periphery'of the. impeller 29 for enhancing its efiectiveness in diverting water therefrom into the dischargepassage 17. After the peeler 44 has been suitably adjusted, it"may'be locked in adjusted position by a securing or fastening means which in: the. structure ShOWIl'alS -lIL the form of a retaining set screw 49 that is threaded through. the wall of the housing 10 in. position to engage the peeler near its. lowen end for forcing it against theninner wall- 13 of the impeller. chamber 11: to retain it in adjusted. position. Aszbest shown in Fig. 1-, thelocking set screw 49. is threaded through a portion of the wall of the housing 10 adjacent to? the: opening. 28.- that. has been 'faced't'o. form anencircling annular surface 50" to receive the cover plate 30, the arrangement being such that when the cover plate is in position to close the opening 28 the plate also covers the outer: end of the set screw: 49 to protect: it from inadvertent misadjustment. A suitable packing ring 54.. is interposed: between the cover plate- 30 and the faced su-rfaceifi'tl of thehousing to prevent leakage in the region. of the cover plate; the packing serving alsoto prevent leakage around the locking set screw 49.

In adjusting the peeler 44, the cover plate 30 isremoved from the housing, after which. the set screw 49' may be loosened and the peeler point moved to the desired position relative to the impeller periphery while under observation through the impeller admitting opening 28. The set screw 49 is then tightened to hold the peeler in adjustedposition and the-cover plate is replaced. If desired, two setscrews may be employed in. series, in the same threaded opening; with one serving to lock the other toprevent accidental loosening.

To remove the peeler 44 for repair or replacement, the cover plate 3 0 is firstremovedand the impeller 29 is then. withdrawnfromtheend of the shaft 3-3. An annular wear plateor backingplate 52 that is secured to the partition l3zbehind the impeller 29" by screws 53 islikewise removed through the opening 28 after withdrawing the screws. which. secure the plate to the partition. The retaining set screw 49 and the lock nut 46 may then be loosened and the stud bolt 45. unscrewed from the. housing, whereupon the. peeler 44. may be removed through the opening. 28. i

In. reassembling the. pump, the new or repaired peeler 44 is inserted into. its position in the housing and. the stud bolt 45'constituting the suspension pivotv is replaced and locked in. position by the lock nut 46 andv packing washer 47, as shown in-Figs. 3.and. 4. The annular wear plate 52 is. then introduced into the chamber 11 in position toencircle the inlet port14 and is held in place by replacing the screws 53. The impeller 29. is then. replacedwithin the chamber 11' by securing it on the end of. the shaft 33. With. the parts thus reassembled in the chamber,. the new peeler is then adjusted relative to they impeller periphery as. previously explained and the set screw 49 tightenedtojhold it in adjusted position, after whichthe packing ring. 51 and cover plate 30 are replaced to close the opening 2.8 and cover the set screw 49 as previously explained.

By mounting. the peeler 44 for adjusting movement relative-to the impeller periphery as herein described and securing it in adjusted position as by the locking set screw 49, there has been provided through the present invention a compact and readilyadjustable' peeler arrange" housing to accommodate arrangements foradjusting v the peeler. a a

Y'Althoughth'e adjustable peeler of Figs. 1, 2, 3 and iis shown as being locked in adjusted position by the set screw-"49that is covered by the'edge of the cover plate 30, it is to be understood that by slightly modifying-the structure, a suitable locking' set screw maybe applied to ithe peeler by threading it through a portion of the housing not covered by the plate 30. In this event it is desirable to use a somewhat'longer set screw and to provide the'set screw with a locking nut and-a packing washer similar to the nut 46 and washer 47 of the stud bolt 45 to: prevent leakage, as shown-in Fig. l1 and de scribedjhereinafter in 'connection'therewith.

When thef pum is started, as PI'CVIOUSlY explained,

the water thrown into the priming chamber 16" isse'pa impeller onto theishaft; As a matter of convenience,

asuitably. shaped lug 66 may be formed integrally with" the cover plate 30 in such a manner that it is alwaysa vailable for use instead of a bar as an instrument for.

removing or replacing the impeller.

As previously explained, the packing gland 35, through which the driving shaft 33 enters the pump housing, 'is mounted in the outer wall of the intake compartment 12.- Since during normal operation of the pump the intake compartment is subjected tosuction from the pump impellerrather thanpositive pressure, there is no tendency I for; abrasive material carried by the liquid being pumped rated from entrained air therein and flows back through thefpriming passage 43 into theimpelIer chamber 11 where it is mixed with air drawn in through the intake I wards through the priming passage 43 into the impeller chamber and. since some liquid is thrown'tangentially from the impeller beneath the passage 43 the flow therethrough is actually reversed and serves to supplement to a small extent the fiow through the discharge passage 17. As best shown in Fig. 1, the intake passage 18 may be provided with an intake connector 55 including a check valve arrangemenuthat is bolted to the housing liland that is adapted to effect a connection with a suc-,

tion .pipe 56 or the like. The connector structure 55 is. provided with an inwardly extending sleeve 57 fitted with a circumferential O ring 58 that forms a seal between the periphery of the. sleeve 57 and the interior of the intake passage 18. As shown, the sleeve 57 terminates in a downwardly and inwardly sloping surface formin g'an angularly disposed-inner face or seat that is to be forced between the shaft and th'e'packing 35,and the packing' is therefore less liable to damage than it would be if it were operating under pressure of the liquid being pumped. Consequently the" packing lastsflonger and is more readily maintained in tight engagement with the shaft to prevent inward leakage of air,:which might otherwise destroy the vacuum at the pump intake. 1 i

In the modification of the invention shown in Figs. 7 and 8, the improved adjustable peeler is in the form of a horizontally disposed bar or plug 7 4, having one end 'posi tioned to constitute part of the inner side of the dis charge passage 17 with its-lower edge pointed to constitute the peeler blade and being pivotally mounted at its'Fothr end on a pivot pin'75 that is disposed substantially in the vertical medial plane of the pump housing. Bygthis arrangement, the end of the' peeler 74 adjacent tothe discharge passage maybe raised or lowered to' moveits lower pointed peeler edge way from or toward the periphery of the impeller 29. As shown, the peeler 74 is provided above its pointed end with a slot 76 that engages an eccentric-pin or cam element 77 on the'inner end of an actuating shaft 78 that is provided with external screw threads and is rotatably mounted'in a threaded opening 'extending'thr'ough the front wall of the'housing 10 above the edge of the cover plate for rotation in adjustinglthe'.peeler'.- Upon turningthe threaded shaft 78 by engaged byga flap valveor check valve 59 of "weighted flexible material. "The flap valve 59 is secured at thetop of the structure'55 'by-ascrew Gland is free to deflect inwardly and upwardly to admit water 'from the pipe 56 into the intake passag'e lti, the arrangement being such that the valve flap 59 jcloses downwardly upon' the sloping seat. in the event'of' a return flow tolpr'eventthe priming water from being siphoned out of the pump hous ingintothe'pipe 56.

As'previouslymentioned; the impeller 29 in this instance threaded ontheendfof the driving shaft 33, the shaft'being'provided with external screw. threads 63 for this purpose, as shown in Fig. 3.. The impeller 29 is likewise provided with complementary internal screw threads 64 and presents in' its outer face a transverse slot 65 that is' shaped to'receive'the'end of a suitable actuating instrument such as a piece of bar stock that may be used in a manner similar to-a screw driver for screwing the means of a screw driver or the like, the eccentricpin 77 is caused to operate within the slot 76 in a manner to raise or'lo'wer thepeeler 74, whereby the relationship of its lower pointed end to the periphery of the impeller may be adjusted. After the position of the peeler has been thus adjusted, the shaft 78 may be locked in position bytightening a lock nut 79 threaded thereon. To prevent leakage, a washer 80 of copper or the like is preferably interposed between the lock nut 79 and the surfaceof the housing. a I m Because of the fact that the modified peeler 74 extends horizontally, it :lies directly beneath and across the path of the priming water passage 43, as shown in Fig. 7. In order that the peeler may not interfere with the flow of primingiw'ater, it may be provided with a vertically disposed transverse passage 81 that is aligned with and constitutes anextension of the priming water passage 43 leading radially toward the periphery of the impeller 29. Although the passage 81 is illustratedas passing through the interior of the peeler 74, as best shown in'Fig- 8, it isto be understood that the passage might be formed in one side of the peeler by way of a recess such as a notch orfgr'oove therein. Furthermore, the notch orgrodve may be formed in either or both sides of the peeler or the housing maybe correspondingly notched org'r'oovedadjac'ent to the peeler to bypass the priming water around it. modification of the invention is further provided with an improved form of impeller cover plate or side plate 'that'i's especially adapted to be removed and replaced readily'without the use of tools; As shown in Figs. 6, 7 and .8, an improved cover plate 82 is so ar-" ranged that its periphery fits within the impeller-admittingopening 28 and is provided about its edge with a circumferential groove that receives an O ring 83 which serves as a sealbetween the outer periphery of the cover plate and the inner" surface of the opening 28 to prevent theO ring 83 permits the cover platev to beinsertedtinto the direction ofthe arrow tobring the notches 85 inthe;

arms into engagementwith the shanks of headed retain-- ingstuds or pins 86 projecting from the-housingat. oppo=- site sidesiof-the opening 28'.- The directionof rotationiof. the cover plate 82 for locking. it is preferably the same; asthedirectionof rotation of the impeller 29, asindicated by the arrow, inorder that frictional forces acting upon. the cover when the-pump; is operating will tendto-tightent rather an'loosen. the engagement of. the hooks withthe pins. 86-. Furthermore,- the pressure exerted upon thecover plate by the liquid being pumpedtends; to. force: the-plate outwardly and forces the endsofthe armz8d into: tight frictional engagement withrthe heads oftheretaining. studs. a

The threadedconnection between the impeller 29 andz the shaft 33.- shown in- Fig. Sisespecially adapted foruse in pumps driven by gasoline engines or the like which rotate inonly one direction, the direction of rotation-being selected -to .-turn the shaft threads 63 into the impeller threads'64. However when a pump of-this type is driven: by. arr electric. motor, there is always the; possibility that? through improper electrical connections or errors in; switching the motor may be caused to? operateinthe. wrong: direction, and this might-: result in unscrewing the shaft from-the impeller with consequential damage tol thewpump; Toobviate this possibility, in pumps.- to be driven by electric motors the impeller. is preferably keyed.- to the shaft. in'the manner best illustrated in-Figs. and.- 6." In order that the impeller may be. readily removed; from and replaced on the shaft, theshaft receiving openingintheimpeller I isrelieved or enlarged atthe keyed side thereof as indicated by the clearance 87', theother' sidebeing bored concentric anddrawn into tight centering; engagement with the shaft by the wedging action of akey 825; As shown,.the key 8% is driveninto'complementarykey seats in the shaft and the impeller respectively; As best shown in Fig. 6, the key 88 is provided with-.a head'or lug 89; bymeans of whichrit'maybeengaged'by a suitable toolto! withdrawit fromthe key seats, thereby? releasing the-impeller 29 so. thatit may be removedfromthe end of the shaft 33;

. During'cold weatherthe impeller-290m a pump-of. this nature? may become frozen to the. pump casingthrough the freezing of moisturewhich remainsin'the casingrafter. the pump has been drained. Inathis-event. itis necessary; to freetthe. impeller in order to startthe pump, andifor thisipurpose a: pair of diametrically opposedslotS on grooves-91 may be provided in the impeller hub to receive anactuating instrument of the screw driveror spanner. type: The grooves 91 constitute a'butmentsfor turning the impeller, there being. noother part-'ofthe: rotating structure exposed'for. engagement to-turn it;

Suitable means may be provided conveniently for en gagingthe-slots91-,in the fornrof ab-ifurcated-instrument presenting a pair of lugs 92 formed integrally with andprojecting outward-from the center of the cover plates82; as shown in Figs; 6;: 7 "and 8-. The lugs? 92-are-spacedto straddle-the end of 'theshaft 33-for engagement withz-the slots'-*-91', the arrangem'ent being such that when: the-cover plate? 82 is removed fromthe housing and reversed to en-:- gage the lugs 92. inthex slots: 91,1 the cover plate-maybe grasped in: the manner of a hand: wheel to turn: the. impellerafor freeing'it for IOtfltiOlIWlthiflzthB housing; The covercplate may. thenbe replaced in positionzand th83fl10t01 energized for-operating the pump in the normalmanneng. Obviously.- the. lugs 92am. the. cover. plate may, be: adapted. for use witli a slottedimpeller ofthetypeshown. iirEi gi 3 for screwingit onto orxunscrewinggit. f-rom theend-ofithe threaded. shaft, V p

A modified instrument. for effecting-rotation of-Ithe-iin peller isrshown formed integrallyon a covenplate 940i another embodiment ofithe pump that isillustratedinFig: 9.- Aslthere shown,. .the modified actuating. instrumentis I arranged to 'fit overathev end. of the shaft-33 andengage the: key- Sfi, the sidesof which constitute;the- .force re-- ceivinggabut-mentsthe slots on grooves 91. being.then.un necessary. This modified instrument is in the form of. an. integrally cast lug; 951 projecting: axially outward. from the lower part 'of the'coveriplate 94-and presenting ashaft;

receiving, opening. orsocket 96' disposed radially of-the. cover plate.

In. the event that'it becomes necessary to. free the in) peller, thecover platei94-may be turned clockwise to-disengage" the locking arms 84from the-retaining studs 86. and? the cover theniwithdrawn from the opening28'. The: cover plate=94- is then presented edgewise to the opening. 28: andrthelug95 positioned to. fitthe shaft receivingopem ing, 96 over therendof the shaftB-d.v A slot or notch 97 in the lug 95 is arranged tofit overand engage :thekey 88. at opposite sides, whereupon the cover plate maybe used in: the manner ofa socket wrench to. turn .theim. peller in either direction. 7

After the impellerchas been; freed, the cover plate is.- withdrawn from. the shaft and replaced in the opem'ngZS'l. The plate" isthen. turned counter-clockwise to lock the arms-84m thestuds 86. To. tighten the platein gaosition, the. projecting. lug. 95 may be .utilized as. an abutmentthat' may be engagedby. alever bar. or struck withahammer: or :the like toseat the notches on the studs.86l Likewise'in removingthe cover, thelug may be struck. on. the other side to disengagethe= notches 85 from the studs 86' and turn the cover in clockwise direction for releasingit,

In theqembodiment ofthe invention shownin'Fi'g's. 9} 10 and 11 there isv employedv a modified peeler .104 which isinthe form of a replaceable cylindrical bar that may be: ofnon-corroding material such as bronze, and that is vertically disposedin the pump housing 10 between the discharge passage 17' and the priming. water passage 43 in a. position. similar to that of. the rectangular peeler bar. 44 shown in Figs. 1 to.4.= Asshow-n, the lower end of the modified peeler 104 is tapered and sharpened 'to form. astraight transverse chisel-like beveled edge or peeler blade that lies. adjacent to the periphery of the impeller 29 in such a manner that the leading beveled side or face thereof: constitutes part of the inner wall of the discharge passage 17 and operates as a guide vane to deflectwater. from the-periphery of the impeller in. a man! nento divert. it into the discharge passage. The cylindrieal peeler bar is movably mounted in the housing 10 forvertical sliding adjustment therein toward or from the impeller periphery and the pointed or tapered end of the-peeler is ordinarily positioned as nearly as praoti 61 016101116 periphery of theimpeller. As best shown in Fig. ll, thepeeler bar 104is held. in adjusted. position. by theclampingaction of a set screw 105 that isthreaded through the frontwall. of. the housing inv a position to operatively engage and secure the peeler, the. set screw being providedwith a lock nut 106 and a packingwasher 107 which function to lock the screw in clampingposition and to prevent. leakage :alongits threads. If desired, the peeler bar 104 maybe provided with a tapered peeling point or blade at eachend in order that by reversing; the position of. the bar a new peelingedg e may bepresented after the edge first used has become dulled As shown, the peeler bar-104- is'slida-bly supported within the housing by means of an inwardly projecting lug'or abutment 109 through which there hasbeen drilled a vertical; cylindrical. bore- 11-0 of suitable size: toreceive charge passage 17 and to permit the entry of a drill through the outlet to drill the opening'110. To assist in guiding the discharged liquid-into the outlet opening -111 the1'e is provided within thepriming water chamber I 16 a curved baffle wall 112 that extends fromthe front to the back of the chamber between the peeler bore -110 and the priming water passage 43 in a manner to-form an; upward extension'of the inner wall of the discharge passage 17. p

The position of the peeler bar 104 is ordinarily adjusted while the cover plate 82 is detached from the housing and may be accomplished'conveniently byplacing a measuring shim of suitable thickness between the edge of the peeler blade and the periphery of the impeller to provide the desired clearance therebetwee n. The locking set screw 105 is-then tightened to engage ':and secure'the peeler in adjusted position and the' mea suring shim re -s moved. 7 y 4 To assist in the adjusting operationthere is also provided an eccentric shaft 115 which is threaded through the front face of the housing abovethe set screw 105 and is provided at its inner end with an eccentric pin-or cam element 116 that operativelyzengages a circumferential groove 117 in the peeler .bar 104. By turning the threaded shaft 115 by means of a screw driver or the like, the cam element 116 is caused to operate upon the sides of the groove 117 in a manner to raise .or lower the peeler bar in effecting the desired adjustment. The threaded shaft 115 may then be locked in position by tightening a lock nut 118 against a packing washer 118 as previously described. By this arrangement it is also possible to adjust .the position of the peeler blade without removing the cover plate 82 or otherwise dismantling the pump. This is accomplished by first loosening the retaining set screw 105 and then turning the adjusting shaft 91:15 until the sharpened lower end of the peeler bar is brought into engagement with the periphery of the impeller 29. The peeler blade is then elevated or backed off somewhat by turning the shaft 115 in the other direction just enough to lift it out of contact with the impeller periphery, as may be ascertained by turning the impeller to see that it does not rub on the blade. The blade is then looked in position by tightening the set screw 105 together with its lock nut 106 and by tight- I ening the lock nut 118 on the adjusting shaft 115 as previously explained.

From the foregoing description and explanation of the operation of the improved self-priming centrifugal pump herein set forth, it is apparent that there has been provided by the present invention a new centrifugal pump of compact unitary and rugged construction that is provided with an improved adjustable peeler arrangement adapted to enhance its selfapriming qualities.

Although only a few modifications of a specific embodiment of the invention have been described in illustrating improved apparatus for practicing the present invention, it is to be understood that the improved pump herein set forth constitutes a particular exemplification of the invention, and that the structures shown may be changed and modified without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the subjoined claims.

Having now been fully described, the invention is hereby claimed as follows:

1. In a self-priming centrifugal pump of unitary construction, a housing in the form of an integrally cast her having :vertical integrally formed substantially parallel circumferentially spaced discharge and priming passages connecting said priming water ch'amberwith said impeller chamber and having a cylindrical peeler receiving open disposed vertically between and generallyparallel with said passages, a centrifugal pump impeller rotatably mounted within said impeller chamber in a manner opera ative to eject liquid tangentially through said vertical dis charge passage, a round bar constituting a replaceable cylindrical peeler slidably received in said peeler receiving opening and having its lower end sharpened to a straight transverse edge disposed to be adjusted into'and to cooperate in closely spaced relationship with the periphery-'of' said impeller in "amanner operative to deflect therefrom liquid rotating therewith to divert it into said vertical discharge passage, and releasable fastening means" it in adjusted position;

2.. Ina self-p" 'ngcentrifugal pump of unitary con struction, ahousing' in the form of an integral casting con stitu'ting, 'an impeller chamber having a superimposed priming water chamber and having integrally formed closely spaced parallel discharge and priming pass-ages connectinglsaid priming water chamber with said impeller 'chamben' there' being .-a cylindrical peeler receiving open-- ingdisposed between said passages; .a cylindrical peeler elements slidablyfreceived in said opening, and fastening means' operable-to engage and retain said cylindrical peeler element in adjusted position in said opening.

'3. In a centrifugal pump of the self-priming type, an integral housing; constituting" an impeller chamber having a superimposed priming water chamberand vertical parallelly disposed circumferentiallyspaced discharge and priming water passages connecting said priming water chamber with said impeller chamber, an impeller rot-at- =ably mounted within said impeller chamber, a vertically disposed cylindrical bar constituting a peeler movably mounted within said housing between said vertical parallel passages and arranged for adjustment into cooperative relationship with said impeller, and securing means rotatably mounted in the wall of said housing and extending therethrough in a manner to be operative from the exterior thereof to engage and retain said peeler in adjusted position.

4. A self-priming centrifugal pump as set forth in claim 3 in which said rotatably mounted securing means comprises a set screw threaded through said wall of said housing in position to engage and retain said peeler in adjusted relationship with said impeller.

5. A centrifugal pump comprising a casing constituting operatively engaging said cylindrical peeler bar to retain;

an impeller chamber and an integrally formed tangential of said casing to effect movement of said peeler inv adjusting it relative to the periphery of said impeller.

6. In a centrifugal pump, an integrally formed housing constituting an impeller chamber having a tangentially disposed discharge passage, said housing being provided with a cylindrical peeler receiving bore disposed parallel to and transversely inwardly of said' discharge passage closely adjacent thereto and opening into said discharge passage at its inner end, a peeler of cylindrical shape with a beveled end slidably fitted in said bore and impeller chamber and superimposed priming water champresenting said beveled end to said impeller chamber said peeler being in position to present a beveled side as forming part of the inner wall of said discharge passage, an impeller rotatably mounted in said impeller chamber,

'a-ndan eccentric, shaft rotatably mountedins'aid housing;

and arranged v to. engz a ge said tpeel'er for effecting; movemerit-thereonin adjnsting ithe positionof itstpointedi end relative to the periphery; oi 'saidtimpeller; t

7L.A self-priming, centrifugal. pump-as set. fonthqim. claim-6 in which saidcylindricaL-peeler bar is provided; with-a recessthat is: engaged by a said eccentric: shaft toefl'ect; adjusting movement of said peeler.

8-.aIn a: centrifugal pump, a casing constituting; a work-: ing', chamber, for receiving an impeller, and having a-v superimppsedg integrally; formed pnimingqwaten chamber;v

andaver-tical-discharge passaget-disppsedwtangentially of; said working chamber andan adjacent vertical primingv water passage disposedincircumferentiaily spaced2 par?- allel relationshipg-w with said dischargegt passa-get saidnpas saggssconnecting said-spinning; ,Waten chamben-itoisaidi'intpellerchamber,; a: peel'en supporting-wing; presenting; a

peeler receiving bore vertically disposedwithingsaidz casing between; saiddischarge-passage. andsaid adjacent primingewater passage a cylindrical. peeler: b'ar slidably received within said :peeler receiving bore anddepending: vertically' therefrom between said. discharge: passage; and" said adjacent priming; Water passage andihaving its lower end tapered constitutinga peeling blEldG'dlSPOSQdtLlE-POS'F tion to-cooperate with the. pen'pherytofamimpeller im sa-idworking chamber; and retaining :means:;engaging: and securing. said depending: peeler bar; in: adjustedz position:

withits peeling blade 1 adj acent' to; the impellerrperiphery' to constitute a separating guide=vane-betwee1r said: dis.-:

charge passage andsa-id priming: Water passage for diverting water fromthe impeller periphery into? saidv dis; charge'passage;

9: In. a self-priming;centriiugahpump-ofunitary: con-1 strnction; a, housing in the form of an integral casting constituting an impeller chamber having "a superimposed; priming water chamber and integrally formed parallel discharge andpriming passages. connecting said priming, 1 watcrIchamberWit-h' saidimpeller chamber, said priming;

Water; chamber having an -outlet opening in its top, there beinga drilled cylindrical peeler receiving bore open at both ends: disposed betweensaid parallel passages and so positioned-that anextension of its axis passes through said out-let opening, a cylindrical peeler element slidably received in said cylindrical. peeler receiving bore, and

fastening means adjustably engaging said cylindrical peeler element in adjusted position to retain said element in said cylindrical peelerreceiving bore, the arrangement being; such that in constructing said pump said cylindrical peeler' r.er-:eivingborev may be formed by adrill introduced through said outlet opening at the top of saidprimingwater chamben References. Citedin the file of this patent- V UNITED'STATES PATENTS 2,221,189

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