US3519365A - Centrifugal pump - Google Patents

Description

July 7, 1970 CONHAGEN 3,519,365

CENTRIFUGAL PUMP Filed. Sept. 30, 1968 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 1 I I m l V VA /V708 Alf/750 (ON/$455M- July 7, 1970 I A. CONHAGEN 3,519,365

CENTRIFUGAL PUMP Filed Sept. 30, 1968 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Fig 8. 1:3} M

23 yr H 5/ I III faw eykw United States Patent 3,519,365 CENTRIFUGAL PUMP Alfred Conhagen, 123 Wohockne Road, New Canaan, Conn. 06840 Filed Sept. 30, 1968, Ser. No. 763,532 Int. Cl. F04d 13/12, 1/14 U.S. Cl. 41588 7 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A centrifugal pump has a motor driven tube rotated within a stationary cylindrical casing. In the rotary tube are partitions defining a plurality of passages. A cylindrical liquid expeller with radialnozzles rotates at the top of the casing. The passages in the rotary tube communicate directly with the nozzles via an axial passage in the liquid expeller. The liquid expeller can be used as a suction pump without the stationary cylindrical casing.

This invention concerns a centrifugal pump adapted to pump liquids from wells or ship tanks without the aid of a priming device. The invention involves improvements over those described in my prior Pat. 3,336,875 issued Aug. 22, 1967.

In my prior patent, I disclosed a centrifugal pump in which liquid is drawn up through a rotary tube and discharged into a lower chamber in a casing. From the lower chamber the liquid flows into an upper chamber in the casing in which is a rotary liquid expeller provided with radial nozzles to discharge liquid centrifugally.

In the present invention, I again provide a centrifugal pump having a rotary tube. However, the casing in which the liquid expeller rotates is arranged so that the liquid flows directly from the rotary tube up into the liquid expeller. This improvement results in smoother, continuous flo-w and faster action of the pump. It is now no longer necessary to fill up a lower reservoir chamber before liquid is discharged from the pump. The liquid expeller is provided with a flared passage to facilitate upward, centrifugal flow of liquid from the rotary tube. As a further improvement, the rotary tube is provided with an axial drive shaft to which radial partitions are joined inside the rotary tube.

In a modification of the invention, the liquid expeller is operated as a suction pump without the external stationary casing. The rotary tube is provided with radial partitions. The rotary tube can be integral with or attached to the liquid expeller. The partitions can be attached to a drive shaft or to the inside of the rotary tube. An annular flange or darn may be provided at the inlet end of the rotary tube integral with or attached to the tube to guide liquid flow into the partitioned tube. The flange or dam may have a beveled edge 0t facilitate liquid flow into the partitioned tube. Instead of partitions, the interior of the rotary tube can be formed with a helical groove instead of partitions to guide liquid flow through the tube. v

It is therefore one object of the invention to provide a centrifugal pump in which is a rotary tube divided by partitions into passages through which liquid is centrifugally expelled from a tank or well into a reservoir, and a rotary centrifugal expeller communicating directly with the rotary tube with both the rotary tube and liquid expeller rotating on a common shaft.

A further object is to provide a centrifugal pump as described, wherein the liquid expeller has a passage shaped to facilitate liquid flow through the tube, this passage having outwardly flared walls or a wall formed with helical groove.

Another object is to provide a centrifugal suction Patented July 7, 1970 pump as described, wherein the rotary tube has an annular flange at its inlet end to guide and facilitate liquid flow into the tube.

For further comprehension of the invention and of the objects and advantages thereof, reference will be had to the following description and accompanying drawing and to the appended claims in which the various novel features of the invention are more particularly set forth.

In the accompanying drawing forming a material part of this disclosure:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view partially in section of a pump embodying the invention.

FIGS. 2, 3 and 4 are horizontal sectional views taken on lines 2-2, 33 and 44 respectively of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view with portions broken away of a partition and shaft structure employed in the rotary tube of the pump.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken on line 6-6 of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 6 of another partition and shaft structure.

FIG. 8 is a side view of the invention with portions broken away of another pump embodying the invention.

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary sectional view similar to a portion of FIG. 1, showing another pump structure according to the invention.

FIG. 10 is a horizontal sectional view taken on line 1010 of FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is a side elevational view, partially in section, and similar to FIG. 1 of another pump embodying a modification of the invention.

FIG. 12 is a horizontal cross-sectional view taken on line 1212 of FIG. 11,

FIG. 13 and FIG. 15 are longitudinal sectional views of two liquid expellers embodying further modifications of the invention.

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 1414 of FIG. 13.

Referring first to FIGS. 1-4, there is shown pump 10 provided with an electric drive motor 12 having an axially vertical drive shaft 14. The motor is mounted in a stationary position by a bracket 20 secured to a stationary support 22. The shaft is secured by a coupling 16 to shaft 18. Shaft 18 extends axially of a sealing ring 21 in a generally cylindrical axially vertical casing 24 having liquid discharge chamber 25. The casing includes a lower cylindrical block 27 and an upper circular head 28. Annular flanges 23, 31 of the head and block are abutted and secured together by bolts 29. Block 27 has an axial passage 32 formed with a recess 26 at its upper end and a recess 33 at its lower end.

Secured in recess 33 and sealed to casing 24 is an axially vertical stationary cylindrical casing 34. Ball bearing races 36 and 38 are secured at upper and lower ends of casing 34. Axially disposed in casing 34 is a rotary tube 40. This tube is supported by inner rings 37, 39 of the ball bearing races and rotates freely inside casing 34.

Secured to the inside of tube 40 is a shaft and partition structure 42. This structure, as clearly shown in FIGS. 1-5, includes shaft 18 to which three radially disposed partition plates 44 are secured to define three passages 45 extending the full length of tube 40. The upper end of shaft 18 extends beyond the partitions through block 27 and head 28. Secured on shaft 18 near its upper end in casing 24 is rotary liquid expeller 46. This liquid expeller has a cylindrical bottom base portion 48, formed with internal radial vanes 48', which is rotatably disposed in recess 26. The upper end of tube 40 is abutted to the bottom face of the liquid expeller to form liquid tight, leakproof joint thereat. The liquid expeller has an upper cylindrical head portion 49 which is rotatably disposed in recess 50 formed in the underside of easing head 28. The liquid expeller has four radially disposed discharge nozzles 52. They are axially horizontal and are spaced circumferentially apart around the expeller. Passages 54 in the nozzles communicate with the upper end of a flaring passage 56 formed axially inside the expeller. The lower narrower end of passage 56 is open to the upper ends of passages 45 defined by partition plates 44. A cylindrical sleeve 60 depends from head portion 49 of the expeller. This sleeve surrounds and grips the shaft 18. It also serves as a guide for liquid passing upwardly through flaring passage 56.

Casing 24 has an annular bottom flange 62 provided with holes 63 for receiving bolts 64. The pump can be mounted on the upper wall 66 of a tank 68 containing liquid 69, with casing 34 extending through the top tank opening 70. In order for the pump to be operative, the.

liquid level 72 must be above the bottom open end of tube 40. When electric motor 12 is energized, the expeller 46 and tube 40 with partition plates 44 are driven at high speed. Liquid enters the passages 45 at the open bottom end of tube 40 and climbs up these passages to flaring passage 56. From this passage the liquid flows into nozzles 52 and is discharged centrifugally under pressure from outlet port 74 opening radially of chamber 25 in which the nozzles 52 rotate. Outlet conduit 75 may be connected to port 74 to receive the discharged liquid.

It will be noted that the pump 10 operates mechanically by centrifugal forces induced by the high speed of rotation of tube 40 and expeller 46. The tubes 34 and 40 can be of any desired length depending on the lift of liquid desired. Since tube 40 is spaced from liquid 69 by stationary casing 34 turbulence and friction are minimized. The pump thus operates efliciently and is capable of continuous operation at any level of liquid, provided it covers the bottom of tube opening 41. The pump is held stationary by bolts 64 on tank wall 66. The freely rotating tube 40 is held by the thrust bearing races 36, 38 so that it rotates without lateral vibration.

In the shaft and partition plate structure 42 shown in FIG. and FIG. 6, shaft 18 carries partition plates 44 which are secured in slots or grooves 76 in sides of the shaft. FIG. 7 shows another structure 42 in which shaft 18' and partition plates 44 are integrally formed with each other. This structure can be used in place of the one shown in FIGS. 1-6.

In FIG. 8, pump is employed to remove all liquid 79 from a tank 80 in which support is provided at bottom wall 82 of the tank rather than at top wall 83. The bottom end of stationary casing 34 seats in cup-like support 85 having a cylindrical wall 86 provided with radial ports 88. The bottom end of the tube rests on a seat 89 formed in wall 86. This defines chamber 90 under the casing 34 and tube 40. Liquid 79 enters through ports 88 and passes through chamber 90 to passages 45 in rotary tube 40. Support 85 has an annular bottom flange 92 which can be secured to the bottom wall 82 of the tank by bolts 94. Casing 34 extends upwardly through opening 95 in top wall 83 of the tank. A resilient buffer ring 96 can be provided in opening 95. The inside diameter of ring 96 is larger than the diameter of casing 34 to provide clearance around the casing. This clearance allows for movement of a ship in which the pump may be installed while pumping liquid out of the tank.

In FIGS. 9 and 10, pump 10A is similar in structure to pump 10 and corresponding parts are identically numbered. Passage 56a in base 48a of liquid expeller 46a is defined by a cylindrical bore in the impeller. This bore can be provided with a tapered or frustoconical section 56' to register with the inner diameter of tube 40 so that liquid flows smoothly from passages 45 into passage 56a. The lower end of sleeve 60a inside passage 56a can be provided with a tapered or frustoconical section 60a. This arrangement facilitates frictionless liquid flow by guiding the liquid outwardly and upwardly as it flows to the expeller nozzles 52.

In FIGS. 11 and 12, pump 10B is constructed so that the external stationary casing 34 is not required. Other parts corresponding to those of pumps 10 and 10A are identically numbered. In pump 10B rotary tube 40b is an integral part of the liquid expeller 46b. Shaft 18b has a threaded stud 98 at its bottom end on which is engaged a nut 99 securing the shaft to sleeve 60 of the expeller. Three partitions or partition plates 44b extend radially inward from tube 40b. These partition plates can be welded or otherwise secured to the tube 40b or they can be integrally formed therewith. The tube 40b can be any desired length but it must be long enough to reach below the level 72 of liquid 69 in tank 68. The tube 40b extends axially through axial passage 32b in block 27b of easing 24b. At the lower inlet end of tube 40b is secured a ring 100 having a radial flange 102 extending inwardly of the tube. Partition plates 44b extend down to the bottom plane of the flange 102. The flange 102 serves as a dam over which the liquid is drawn by suction as indicated by arrow B in FIG. 11. The three passages 45b extend the full length of tube 40b and communicate with radial passages 54 in nozzles 52. When the motor 12 is run at high speed, the liquid is drawn up by suction and discharged centrifugally from the nozzles and outlet conduit 75.

In FIGS. 13 and 14 is shown expeller 460 which can be substituted in casing 24b in place of expeller 46b. Corresponding parts are identically numbered. In expeller 46c radial flange 1020 at the bottom of rotary tube 400 is integral with the tube and is formed with a beveled edge 104 so that the bottom rim 105 of the flange is located closer to the central axis of the tube than the upper edge 106 of the flange. Partition plates 44c extend down to the bottom of flange 1020. The beveled edge will facilitate fluid flow into the three passages 45c defined by the partition plates. The partition plates may be integrally formed with tube 400 as indicated in FIG. 14 and the tube can be as long as desired as indicated by the broken away parts of the tube and partition plates in FIG. 13. Tube- 40c can be a separate member which is secured to the bottom of expeller base portion 480 by a joint 108.

In FIG. 15, there is shown another expeller 46d which can replace expellers 46b and 460. Parts corresponding to those of expellers 46b and 460 are identically numbered. The tube 40d which can have any desired length is integral with the expeller and is formed with a helical groove 110 for the full length of its inner wall. The groove terminates at the dam defined by annular flange 102d which extends radially inwardly and is integral with tube 40d. When the expeller 46d is rotated by shaft 18d, liquid will be guided up over the flange or dam 102d as indicated by arrow C and along helical groove 110 until it reaches the passage 54 in nozzle 52.

In the pumps described, an expeller operates in a chamber which receives liquid centrifugally discharged from the nozzles of the expeller. The expeller may have any desired number of nozzles which may be other than four as illustrated. Instead of an electric motor drive, air or steam turbines may be used. They later may be preferred when pumping flammable liquids. Instead of a mounting bracket some other type of mechanical support for the motor can be provided. In any case, the construction should be such that the entire unit including motor and pump casings can be removed. If desired, a thrust bearing can be provided in the pump casing to help support the weight of the motor. Sleeve or drag bearings can be provided at lower ends of the rotary tube to permit it to find its own center of gravity. If desired, the top of the stationary cylindrical casing 34 can be secured to the top of the bank from which liquid is drawn.

The entire assembly can be operated in an axially horizontal position if desired, with both casings 24 and 34 wholly immersed in liquid. For some applications, the annular flange or dam at the bottom end of the rotary tubes 40b, 40d can be omitted, depending on the length of the rotary tube head of liquid to be lifted, and speed of rotation of the expeller.

While I have illustrated and described the preferred embodiments of my invention, it is to be understood that I do not limit myself to the precise construction herein disclosed and that various changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A centrifugal pump comprising a stationary, generally cylindrical casing, said casing having a liquid dis charge chamber therein, said chamber having an outlet port, said casing being formed with an axial bore; a liquid expeller having a generally cylindrical body with radial nozzles rotatably disposed in said liquid discharge chamber to discharge liquid centrifugally therein, said nozzles having axial first passages, said body having an axial other passage communicating directly with the passages in the nozzles; a rotatable driven shaft extending axially of said body for rotating the same; a rotary tube coaxial with said cylindrical body and rotatable therewith, said tube having an open inlet end; means in said tube comprising partition plates disposed radially in the tube, spaced circumferentially apart, and extending substantially the full length of the tube to said inlet end and defining at least one further passage communicating with said other passage in said body, whereby liquid is drawn up through said further pasasge in said tube, then through said other passage in said body and radially out of said body through the passages in the nozzles; a stationary generally cylindrical other casing, said other casing being non-rotationally secured at one end thereof to the first named casing at the outer end of said bore, said rotary tube being rotatably disposed within said second casing and being concentric and coaxial therewith; and bearing means in said other casing rotatably supporting the rotary tube.

2. A centrifugal pump as defined by claim 1, further comprising a circumferential radially inwardly extending flange at the inlet end of the tube serving as a dam to guide liquid into said further passage.

3. A centrifugal pump as defined by claim 1, further comprising a circumferential radially inwardly extending flange at the inlet end of the tube serving as a dam to guide liquid into said further passage, said flange having an inwardly beveled edge to facilitate flow of liquid into said further passage in the tube.

4. A centrifugal pump as defined by claim 1, wherein said other axial passage is frusto-conically shaped with its narrow end communicating with said further passages in said tube, and with its wider end communicating with the passages in said nozzle.

5. A centrifugal pump as defined by claim 1, wherein said other axial passage is cylindrical with a frustoconical end surrounding said shaft in said other axial passage to guide liquid to the axial passage in the nozzles.

6. A centrifugal pump as defined by claim 1, wherein said expeller has a central sleeve and a cylindrical bottom base formed with radial vanes surrounding said shaft in said other axial passage to guide liquid through the axial passage.

7. A centrifugal pump as defined by claim 1, wherein the first named casing further comprises a circular head; said shaft extending through said head; and motor means operatively connected to said shaft to drive the shaft, expeller and rotary tube.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,376,071 5/1945 Miess 103-101 2,946,289 7/1960 Love 103-400 2,984,189 5/1961 Jekat 10388 3,336,875 8/1967 Conhagen 103-88 ROBERT M. WALKER, Primary Examiner US. Cl. X.R.

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