Patent Application
20180142691
This invention relates to improvements in an impeller for pumping fluid. More particularly, the present Eddy pump impeller provides optimal pump efficiency to pump immiscible fluids and solids.
There are a variety of different pumps for pumping a variety of liquids, materials and commingled liquid and solids. The shape of the impeller and the number of blades effects the efficiency of the overall system. The volume of each blade effects also changes the efficiency of the system and the volume of material that is pumped. The profile of the impeller as the fluid flows both into the impeller and out of the impeller further can change the efficiency of the system. Different types of pumps require different types of impeller size and shape. When pumping commingled fluids and solids, it is important to minimize direct contact of solid material to the impeller.
One typical type of pump that satisfies this requirement is an Eddy pump. Different types of impellers have been patented to pump liquids and or commingled liquids and solids. A number of patents and or publications have been made to address these issues. Exemplary examples of patents and or publication that try to address this/these problem(s) are identified and discussed below.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,710,580 issued on Jun. 14, 1995 for H. T. Holzwarth, discloses a Vaned Rotor. This vaned rotor draws fluid into the center of the rotor and uses six curved vanes to push fluid out the sides of the rotor. While this vaned rotor can pump fluids, any debris in the fluid can jamb between the rotor blades and the housing. Any solids must first be pulverized prior to entering the pump.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,594,052 issued on Jun. 10, 1986 to Toivo Niskanen discloses a Centrifugal Pump for Liquid Containing Solid Material. The configuration of this pump utilizes three curved blades that also draw fluid into the center of the impeller and then fling to the exhaust port of the pump. The curved nature of the blades can break small fibers or sticks that enter the curved blades. While this centrifugal pump can pump liquids containing solids, if the solids contain metals, the tight dimensions of the impeller to the pump housing can cause damage to the impeller and the housing.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,318,703 issued on Jan. 15, 2008 for Martin Schober et al., discloses an Impeller for a Pump. This impeller is used for a pump, particularly for a cooling water pump of an internal combustion engine where the input fluid being pumped does not contain any solid material. This impeller further is constructed with six curved blades. That will be damaged from pumping hard solids.
What is needed is an Eddy pump impeller that has a tapered central cone with an optimized number of blades that improves the efficiency of the pump. The impeller presented in this document provides the solution with an impeller that is optimized for use in an Eddy pump.
It is an object of the Eddy pump impeller to have five blades. The five blades provides clearance for material and liquid to enter between the blades and provide optimal pumping. With four blades there are less blades to provide pumping action and with six blades the blades occupy too much area and prevent sufficient material from entering into the impeller. The five blade design provides the best balance of pumping volume and clearance for movement of material.
It is an object of the Eddy pump impeller to have a tapered central hub. The tapered central hub provides a smooth transition for the material and fluid being pumped to enter into the blades of the impeller. Material and liquids that enter into the central area of the impeller are typically moving more slowly, a conical central hub divides the inflow to the impeller blades. Material and enters at the outer sides of the impeller blades will join the movement of the fluid stream and will be pumped out.
It is an object of the Eddy pump impeller to have a flattened end plate. The flattened end or back plate reduces fluids and material from entering behind the impeller. The back plate tapers from the front tapered central hub to provide increased impeller blade surface area to smooth the transition from the leading to the trailing end of the impeller blade.
It is another object of the Eddy pump impeller to operate in an Eddy pump. The use of this impeller on an Eddy pump is an ideal combination where the Eddy pump lifts fluid and debris into the impeller and the impeller can then fling to fluid and debris out of the pump where it can be separated. Even ridged material, rocks and metal can be pumped because these materials are moved through the fluid stream and make minimal or no contact to the impeller.
It is still another object of the Eddy pump impeller to have improved efficiency. The improved efficiency reduces the electrical costs to operate a pump. Even a small change of efficiency can have a significant change for electricity use when multiplied over hours, days, weeks, months and a year. As an example a 1% improvement of efficiency will save almost four day of electricity use in a year.
Various objects, features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention, along with the accompanying drawings in which like numerals represent like components.
The outer diameter 31 of the rotor 19 has clearance within the pump housing the further provide induced movement of fluid within the pump. The back surface 30 of the rotor 19. Minimal flow exists behind the back surface 30 of the rotor 19. Fluids and solid material being pumped is drawn towards the central front cone 40 of the rotor 19. The flow then follows the tapered contour 41 of the rotor. The tapered central hub provides a smooth transition for the material and fluid being pumped to enter into the blades 20-24 of the impeller 19. Material and liquids that enter into the central area of the impeller are typically moving more slowly, a conical central hub divides the inflow to the impeller blades.
In the preferred embodiment the impeller 19 is fabricated from metal as either a cast, molded, forged or a machined impeller 19. The material is further made While the preferred embodiment is alloyed metal, steel, stainless steel, aluminum, zinc, bronze, metal, other material of plastics, rubbers, or hybrid materials are contemplated that could have equivalent, similar or superior properties. The preferred embodiment is also a materiel that will not rust or corrode in water, salt water or corrosive fluid environment. The impeller essentially operates by inertial rotation of fluids or material that is “caught” in the Eddy current of the rotating impeller where the centripetal rotating force of the fluid stream is forced to the outside of the impeller 19.
In the side view 2 the central tapered tip 40 extends from the blades 20-24 at an angle 53 of between 20 degrees and 40 degrees from the central axis with a preferred angle of about 30 degrees. From the side profile of
From
The Eddy pump impeller 19 has a central shaft or an opening for a central shaft 60 for mounting the impeller onto a motor. A mounting hub 42 and 43 extends from the central shaft or the opening 60 for a central shaft of a motor. The hub 42 has a planar rear surface 30 that tapers to a front conical front end 40. The outer surface 31 of the five blade (21 and 25 shown in this view) is essentially parallel to the central shaft or the opening for a central shaft 60.
The five blades extending from the mounting hub 42 from the planar rear surface 30. Each of said five blades inversely tapering from said central shaft or said opening for a central shaft. A front surface of the five blades is tapering in height from the front conical end 40. The fillet 44 is shown in this cross-section as the transition from the tapered hub 41 to the rear surface 30.
The cross-section shows an open nose area 52. Within this nose area 52, a nut or bolt can be seated on the land area 61. This will secure the impeller 19 onto the shaft of a motor that turns the impeller 19. It is further contemplated that the impeller can be held onto the motor of the pump on a keyed shaft that prevents the impeller 19 from spinning on the shaft, or the impeller can be held with a clutch that allows the impeller to rotate on the shaft if a torque is exceeded. This open area 52 is covered with a cap, the nut or other device that provides a smooth nose area for the flow of fluids.
Thus, specific embodiments of an Eddy pump impeller have been disclosed. It should be apparent, however, to those skilled in the art that many more modifications besides those described are possible without departing from the inventive concepts herein. The inventive subject matter, therefore, is not to be restricted except in the spirit of the appended claims.
