Patent Application
20230228282
The present invention generally relates to minerals processing equipment and more particularly to replaceable wear parts for minerals processing equipment.
Many parts of mining equipment suffer abrasion due to the movement of slurry through or over the equipment. The slurry may vary in concentration of solid particles, size of the solid particles, shape of solid particles, and composition of a solution suspending the particles. The parts, exposed to high rates of wear, may be designed for replacement to improve operational lifespans of the mining equipment. Once the part is sufficiently worn, the part is replaced.
The parts may be used in different types of mining equipment, such as a slurry pump which is a type of pump designed for pumping liquid containing solid particles. Variations in design and construction of the pump may occur to account for the various different types of slurry. An example of a slurry pump is a centrifugal pump.
Due to the abrasive nature of the medium being pumped, such pumps experience a very high wear rate on their internal parts, such as the main liner that houses the impeller and the side liners located on either side of the main liner. The side liners include a front sider liner that is located on the inlet side of the impeller and a rear side liner that is located on the opposing side of the impeller. In particular, the side liner located on the inlet side of the pump (which is also referred to as a front side liner or a throatbush) and the main liner (which is also referred to as a volute liner) are both subjected to a great deal of wear.
As a result of the wear, many of the internal parts are replaceable wear parts. Typically the main liner and the side liners of a slurry pump may be replaceable. Such wear parts may be made of an elastomer, such as natural rubber, polyurethane or neoprene, or made of wear resistant cast alloys. Due to cost, alloy wear parts are typically used for situations where an elastomer wear part is not suitable, such as when the slurry contains particles with coarse or sharp edges or for high operating temperatures or velocities.
Elastomer wear parts are used where possible, although there is variation of wear resistance between different types of elastomers. For example, natural rubber exhibits better wear resistance than synthetic elastomers such as neoprene or butyl. However, synthetic elastomers may have other desirable properties such as greater chemical resistance than natural rubber.
The wear parts may be attached to a non-wearing part or located within a housing. In the case of an elastomer main liner, the liner is located within an outer housing, also known as a casing. Positioning of the main liner within the outer housing is important during installation and operation of a pump to ensure correct operation of the main liner.
The preferred embodiments of the present invention seek to address one or more of these disadvantages, and/or to at least provide the public with a useful alternative.
The reference in this specification to any prior publication (or information derived from the prior publication), or to any matter which is known, is not, and should not be taken as an acknowledgment or admission or any form of suggestion that the prior publication (or information derived from the prior publication) or known matter forms part of the common general knowledge in the field of endeavour to which this specification relates.
This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter.
In a one embodiment, there is provided by way of example only a main liner for a centrifugal pump having a main pumping chamber, the main liner being located within an outer housing of the centrifugal pump, when in use, and comprising: a main pumping chamber; an inlet opening for the introduction of a liquid into the main pumping chamber; a discharge outlet extending from the main pumping chamber; and an outer surface of the discharge outlet for contact with the outer housing for the liner, the outer surface having at least one alignment portion for engaging with a corresponding alignment portion on the outer housing, the engagement of the alignment portion with the corresponding alignment portion limiting movement of the discharge outlet relative to the outer housing.
In one embodiment the alignment portion limits movement of the discharge outlet in a direction towards the main pumping chamber of the liner.
In one embodiment the alignment portion limits movement of the main liner in a direction opposite to a flow direction of the liquid as the liquid exits the discharge outlet when in use.
In one embodiment the alignment portion limits movement of the discharge outlet in a direction away from the main pumping chamber of the liner.
In one embodiment the alignment portion limits movement of the liner in either direction axially of the discharge outlet.
In one embodiment the fluid is a slurry.
In one embodiment the alignment portion is formed from a plurality of discontinuous segments.
In one embodiment the alignment portion limits movement of the discharge outlet to maintain sealing of the discharge outlet.
In one embodiment the liner is formed from a first and second part and the alignment portion of the discharge outlet enables alignment of the first and second part within the outer housing.
In one embodiment the alignment portion is located at an end of the discharge outlet.
In one embodiment, there is provided by way of example only a main liner for a centrifugal pump, the liner being located within an outer housing of the centrifugal pump, when in use, and comprising: a main pumping chamber; an inlet opening for the introduction of an liquid into a main pumping chamber; a discharge outlet extending from the main pumping chamber; and an outer surface of the main pumping chamber for contact with the outer housing for the liner, the outer surface having at least one alignment portion located on a face of the main liner for engaging with a corresponding alignment portion on the outer housing, the engagement of the alignment portion with the corresponding alignment portion limiting movement of the main pumping chamber of the liner relative to the outer housingin a direction parallel to an axis or rotation of an impeller of the centrifugal pump.
In one embodiment the alignment portion protrudes from the outer surface of the main liner.
In one embodiment the alignment portion protrudes from the outer surface of the main liner and is received by a matching recess in the outer housing.
In one embodiment the alignment portion is a central alignment portion.
In one embodiment the alignment portion limits movement in a first lateral direction substantially parallel to an axis or rotation of an impeller of the centrifugal pump.
In one embodiment the alignment portion limits movement in a second lateral direction substantially parallel to an axis or rotation of an impeller of the centrifugal pump.
In one embodiment the alignment portion extends circumferentially around the main liner.
In one embodiment the at least one alignment portion includes a first and a second alignment portion, the first alignment portion limiting movement in a first lateral direction and the second alignment portion limiting movement in a second lateral direction, the first and second lateral directions being substantially parallel to an axis or rotation of an impeller of the centrifugal pump.
In one embodiment the at least one alignment portion further includes a central alignment portion limiting movement in both the first and the second lateral directions.
In one embodiment the at least one alignment portion includes a first alignment portion on an inlet side of the main liner and a second alignment portion on an outlet side of the main liner.
In one embodiment the at least one alignment portion includes an early stage alignment portion and a late stage alignment portion.
In one embodiment the at least one alignment portion is an early stage alignment portion.
In one embodiment the at least one alignment portion is a late stage alignment portion.
In one embodiment the at least one alignment portion is located on a front face of the main liner
In one embodiment the at least one alignment portion is located on a rear face of the main liner.
In one embodiment a first alignment portion of the at least one alignment portion is located on a front face of the main liner and a second alignment portion of the at least one alignment portion is located on a rear face of the main liner.
Example embodiments are apparent from the following description, which is given by way of example only, of at least one non-limiting embodiment, described in connection with the accompanying figures, in which:
The following modes, given by way of example only, are described in order to provide a more precise understanding of one or more embodiments. In the figures, like reference numerals are used to identify like parts throughout the figures.
In some forms of centrifugal pumps an outer housing is provided to encase the main liner shown in
The main liner may be formed from an elastomeric material, such as rubber. The main liner may mate with side liners mounted at respective sides 15, 16 of the main liner 10. As seen in
Located on an inlet side of the main liner 300 is an inlet opening 310 through which a fluid, such as a slurry, may pass into a main pumping chamber 315. On the opposite side, a drive side of the pumping chamber 315, is a drive side opening 312 through which a drive shaft for an impeller passes. The impeller, not shown, operates in the main pumping chamber 315 to pump the fluid out a discharge outlet 320 to allow flow of liquid from the main pumping chamber 315. The main pumping chamber 315 is formed by an inner surface 330 and is sealed using side liners that seal the openings, such as the inlet opening 310 and drive side opening 312, around an opening rim 350.
The main liner 300 has an outer surface 340 that is in contact with an outer housing of the centrifugal pump. While the main liner 300 is typically made of an elastomer, the outer housing is typically made of metal and designed to allow replacement of the main liner 300 as required, for example due to wear. When placed inside the outer housing chamber, liner chamber alignment portions 360 and 365 may correctly position the main liner 300 within the outer housing. The alignment portions 360 and 365 are positioned on the outer surface 340 and protrude to engage with and be received by corresponding, or matching, alignment portions on the outer housing. The alignment portion 360 is located on a face of the main liner 300, being a front face on the inlet side of the main liner 300, with the alignment portion 365 located on the face of the main liner 300, being a rear face on the drive side. The alignment portions 360 and 365 may also be considered to be located on a shoulder region of the main liner 300. When engaged with the corresponding alignment portions, the alignment portions 360 and 365 position the main liner 300 relative to the outer housing and limit lateral movement, the lateral movement being substantially parallel to an axis or rotation of an impeller of the centrifugal pump. Each of the alignment portions may limit movement in at least one lateral direction. The alignment portion 360 may limit movement in a first lateral direction and the alignment portion 365 may limit movement in a second lateral direction. Combined, the alignment portions may limit movement in both lateral directions. In one alternative, the main liner 300 may have only one of the alignment portions 360 and 365. For example, alignment portion 360 may be present while alignment portion 365 is not included on the main liner 300. In another example, alignment portion 360 may not be included on the main liner 300 while alignment portion 365 is present.
The alignment portions 360 and 365 are shown extending partially around the outer surface 340. The alignment portions 360 and 365 may be longer or shorter than shown in
A central alignment portion 370, is also shown on the outer surface 340. The central alignment portion 370 may operate in a similar manner to the alignment portions 360 and 365 by engaging with a corresponding, or matching, central alignment portion on the outer housing. When engaged, the central alignment portion 370 aligns the main liner 300 with the outer housing and may limit lateral movement of the outer surface 340 relative to the outer housing in two directions, the lateral direction being substantially parallel to an axis or rotation of an impeller of the centrifugal pump. The central alignment portion 370 protrudes from and extends around the external circumference of the main liner 300, starting near a flange 380 of the discharge outlet 320. As with the alignment portions 360 and 365, the central alignment portion 370 may be shorter or formed from two or more discontinuous segments. A shape of the central alignment portion 370 will be discussed in more detail below in relation to
The main pumping chamber 315 has a recirculation flow that is sent to the discharge outlet 320. The flow of the fluid in the pumping chamber 315 may be considered a flow path of circulation for the liquid with the discharge outlet being the last part of the flow path. The flow path will travel in a circular direction within the pumping chamber 315, based on the direction of spin of the impeller. For
When placed inside the outer housing chamber, early stage alignment portions 390 and 395 may correctly position the main liner 305 within the outer housing. The early stage alignment portions 390 and 395 are positioned on the outer surface 340 and protrude to engage with and be received by corresponding, or matching, alignment portions on the outer housing. The early stage alignment portion 390 is located on the face of the main liner 300, being a front face on the inlet side of the main liner 305, with the alignment portion 395 located on the face of the main liner 300, being a rear face on the drive side. The alignment portions 390 and 395 may also be considered to be located on the shoulder region of the main liner 300. When engaged with the corresponding alignment portions, the early stage alignment portions 390 and 395 position the main liner 305 relative to the outer housing and limit lateral movement substantially parallel to an axis or rotation of an impeller of the centrifugal pump. Each of the alignment portions may limit movement in at least one lateral direction. The early stage alignment portion 390 may limit movement in a first lateral direction and the alignment portion 395 may limit movement in a second lateral direction. Combined, the alignment portions may limit movement in both lateral directions. In one alternative, the main liner 300 may have only one of the alignment portions 390 and 395. For example, alignment portion 390 may be present while alignment portion 395 is not included on the main liner 300. In another example, alignment portion 390 may not be included on the main liner 300 while alignment portion 395 is present.
The early stage alignment portions 390 and 395 are shown extending partially around the outer surface 340. The early stage alignment portions 390 and 395 may be longer or shorter than shown in
The early stage alignment portions 390 and 395 may be used to locate the main liner 305 relative to the outer housing when installing the main liner 305. Additional alignment portions may also be added to the main liner 305. For example, a mid stage alignment portion may be located between the early stage alignment portions 390 and 395 and the late stage alignment portions 360 and 365. The mid stage alignment portions may assist in locating the main liner relative to the outer housing. The alignment portions 390, 395, 360 and 365 may be located on the outer surface 340 wherever positioning of the main liner 305 in the outer housing is important or for areas where misalignment tolerances are lower. An example is the location of the early stage alignment portions 390 and 395 being close to the discharge outlet 320 as the position allows the discharge outlet to be more accurately positioned relative to the outer housing.
A configuration of the discharge outlet 320 will now be described in relation to a liner 400 of
A second housing outlet alignment portion 430 of the outer housing is also shown in
While
Located on the main liner 510 are a left liner alignment portion 550 and a right liner alignment portion 555. The two alignment portions of the main liner 510 protrude to engage with corresponding, recessed, alignment portions on the outer housing, being the left housing alignment portion receiver 560 and the right housing alignment portion receiver 565. Also shown in
The liner alignment portions, located on the liner 510, are shown as protrusions from an outer surface of the main liner 510 engaging with the corresponding alignment portions recessed in the outer housing. In an alternative embodiment, one or more of the alignment portions located on the main liner 510 may be formed from recesses and engage with corresponding alignment portions formed from protrusions located on the outer housing. However, one consideration that should be factored into determining a shape and location of the alignment portions is how the main liner 510 is placed inside the outer housing. For example, if the central liner alignment portion 570 was recessed, instead of protruding as seen in
In addition to allowing engagement, a shape of the alignment portions may also determine directional resistance to forces on the main liner 510. For example, the left liner alignment portion 550 is shaped to limit movement of the main liner 510 to the left and downwards, as shown in
The right alignment portion 555 and alignment portion receiver 565 will work in a similar manner to limit movement to the right, downwards or for some combination of the two directions. As with the left alignment portion 550 and alignment portion receiver 560, the shape of the alignment portions may be varied.
The central alignment portion 570 and central alignment portion receiver 580 may limit movement to the left, right, downwards or some combination of those directions. While the central liner alignment portion 570 forms only a small protrusion, a larger protrusion may be used when larger lateral forces may act on the main liner 510. The protrusion shape may also be changed. In one embodiment, the central alignment portion 570 and central alignment portion receiver 580 may be formed in a dovetail shape. Such a shape may limit the main liner 510 pulling away from the outer housing.
A conventional main liner will now be described in relation to the centrifugal pump 600 of
The main liner has a single alignment portion to engage with the outer housing. Located on both sides of the main liner is a protruding alignment portion 670 and a corresponding central housing alignment portion 680. Unlike the central housing alignment portion 570 of
Returning to the liner 500 of
While the alignment portions have been described as limiting or reducing movement of the main liner, in respect to the outer housing, such movement may occur in a localised manner. For example, the movement may not be for the entire main liner. Instead the alignment portions may limit or prevent local deformation, assist the main liner to maintain an intended shape, maintain a location relative to the outer housing or a combination of the above. Prevention of deformation may allow the main liner to operate more efficiently as deformation of the main liner may reduce the efficient movement of the liquid over the inner surface of the main liner as a shape of the main liner no longer matches an intended operational shape.
The embodiments described above provide a novel main liner for a centrifugal pump. The main liner uses one of more alignment portions on a surface of the main liner that may assist in positioning the main liner as well as keeping the main liner in position relative to an outer housing. The alignment portions may also assist in keeping the main liner in position, relative to the outer housing, during operation of the centrifugal pump as well as assist in maintaining a suitable shape of the main liner.
The alignment portions located on the discharge outlet of the main liner may also assist in maintaining a seal between the main liner and a pipe attached to the discharge outlet. The discharge outlet may be held in position by the alignment portions and maintain the seal during pumping operations.
In the foregoing description of preferred embodiments, specific terminology has been resorted to for the sake of clarity. However, the invention is not intended to be limited to the specific terms so selected, and it is to be understood that each specific term includes all technical equivalents which operate in a similar manner to accomplish a similar technical purpose. Terms such as “front” and “rear”, “above” and “below” and the like are used as words of convenience to provide reference points and are not to be construed as limiting terms.
Optional embodiments may also be said to broadly include the parts, elements, steps and/or features referred to or indicated herein, individually or in any combination of two or more of the parts, elements, steps and/or features, and wherein specific integers are mentioned which have known equivalents in the art to which the invention relates, such known equivalents are deemed to be incorporated herein as if individually set forth.
Although a preferred embodiment has been described in detail, it should be understood that modifications, changes, substitutions or alterations will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention.
Throughout this specification and the claims which follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the word “comprise”, and variations such as “comprised”, “comprises” or “comprising”, will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or step or group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers or steps.
As used herein, a, an, the, at least one, and one or more are used interchangeably, and refer to one or to more than one (i.e. at least one) of the grammatical object. By way of example, “an element” means one element, at least one element, or one or more elements.
In the context of this specification, the term “about” is understood to refer to a range of numbers that a person of skill in the art would consider equivalent to the recited value in the context of achieving the same function or result.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020902178 | Jun 2020 | AU | national |
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/AU2021/050521 | 5/28/2021 | WO |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63032104 | May 2020 | US |
