Patent Application
20240271633
The present disclosure generally relates to an explosion proof motor, pump system, and method thereof, and more particularly, the structure, features, and construction of the explosion proof motor and pump assembly, a method of constructing the explosion proof motor and pump assembly, and a method of operating the explosion proof motor and pump assembly.
Fluid transfer pumps move fluid from one location to another. One example includes a pump that acts as a conduit to move fluid such as fuel from a storage tank to an internal combustion engine such as a generator and other fuel outlets throughout on-road, off-road, off-highway vehicles, and the like. The fluid transfer pump may move fluid from a storage tank to a dispensing nozzle for filling a land, marine, or snow vehicle. One example of such a pump's construction and operation is described in U.S. Pat. No. 10,590,939, which is owned by the assignee of the present disclosure. U.S. Pat. No. 10,590,939 is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety for all purposes.
The pump may employ vanes, diaphragms, or other like structures that are rotated or oscillated inside the pump via some motive force such as an electric motor. The vanes are located in a pump enclosure that is in fluid communication with inlet and outlet manifolds.
The inlet manifold may also be in communication with the fuel in the storage tank while the outlet manifold may also be attached to a hose or other structure configured to deliver the fuel to another location. As the motor in the pump rotates the vanes, a vacuum is created in the pump enclosure to cause the fuel already present in the tank to be drawn up through the inlet manifold. The vanes then rapidly push the fuel out through the outlet manifold and the hose or fuel line, to be delivered to the other location. An electric motor is a suitable means for rotating the vanes inside the pump. The motor is also able to generate enough rotational velocity to effectively draw up and dispense the fluid at a sufficient rate.
One aspect of the present disclosure includes an explosion proof motor and pump. The motor and pump assembly includes a motor housing having a circular first end spaced by a cylindrical wall to a circular second end, a motor housing cavity formed therebetween within the cylindrical wall, the circular first end having an opening for receiving a motor, the circular second end formed by a bell wall. The cylindrical first end and circular second end share a longitudinal axis that extends concentrically from the first and second ends. The motor and pump assembly also includes a pump housing having a pump housing cavity for nesting a pump having a rotor with a plurality of blades and vanes for rotational movement, the rotor coupling to a motor shaft of the motor during use; and the pump housing cavity further formed by the cylindrical wall of the motor housing cavity, wherein the cylindrical wall has an inner surface and an outer surface, and the outer surface runs parallel longitudinally about the longitudinal axis and the inner surface runs transversely about the longitudinal axis.
Another aspect of the present disclosure includes a motor and pump assembly. The motor and pump assembly has a motor housing having a shroud forming a cavity for positioning a motor therein with an opening for receiving the motor during installation at a first end and a bell wall at a second end; a pump that when rotatably coupled to a motor provides for the transfer of fluid from the pump; a switch plate having a plurality of electrical components for providing power to a motor that is positioned in the motor housing during use, the switch plate having an exterior surface and an interior surface, the interior surface having at least one cavity for supporting the plurality of electrical components therein; a switch arm for activating the motor from an on position to an off position; a sleeve for supporting a locking bolt of a lock on the exterior surface; and an aperture located in a switch arm for the passage of the locking bolt to prevent the switch arm from moving from the off position to the on position.
Yet another aspect of the present disclosure includes a motor and pump arrangement. The motor and pump arrangement has a motor and pump housing defined by a cylindrical cavity having an opening at a first end and a bell wall at a second end, the opening for receiving a motor, a pump enclosure, and pump, such that the pump enclosure spaces the motor from the pump within the motor and pump housing. The pump has a rotor having a plurality of blades and vanes for rotational movement within a fluid passage, the rotor coupling to a motor shaft of the motor during use; and the fluid passage connecting an input passage to an output passage, wherein the fluid passage has a cammed surface for axial movement of blades and vanes during rotation of the rotor.
Yet another aspect of the present disclosure includes a method of assembling an explosion proof motor pump assembly. The method includes the steps of: providing a motor housing having a circular first end spaced by a cylindrical wall to a circular second end, forming a cavity therebetween within the cylindrical wall, the circular first end having an opening for receiving a motor, the circular second end formed by a bell wall; aligning a longitudinal axis concentrically from the first end to the second end; casting with the motor housing a pump housing having a pump enclosure with a fluid cavity for nesting a pump, the pump having a rotor having a plurality of blades and vanes for rotational movement, the rotor coupling to a motor shaft of the motor for rotational movement of the pump during use; and providing the cavity formed by the cylindrical wall such that the cylindrical wall has an inner surface and an outer surface, wherein the outer surface runs parallel longitudinally about the longitudinal axis and the inner surface runs transversely about the longitudinal axis.
Yet another aspect of the present disclosure includes an explosion proof motor housing for an explosion proof motor and pump assembly. The explosion proof motor housing includes a motor housing formed by first, second, and third volumes and first and second side walls; the first volume having a cylindrical wall sized and configured to receive a motor; the second volume having a passage to the first volume and having a mounting arrangement for a switch plate assembly; the third volume having a passage to the second volume, the second and third volumes having a plurality of openings extending through the second and third volumes for assisting in coupling a plurality of corresponding motor leads extending from the motor to a power supply coupling; wherein the first volume of the motor housing is dimensioned and configured to receive and be coupled with the motor such that at least part of the motor does not contact the cylindrical wall of the first volume or first and second side walls of the motor housing when the motor is coupled to the motor housing to create an air gap for prevention of conductive heat transfer through the cylindrical wall of the motor housing.
The foregoing and other features and advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent to one skilled in the art to which the present disclosure relates upon consideration of the following description of the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals, unless otherwise described refer to like parts throughout the drawings and in which:
Skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help to improve understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure. Further, the utility and purpose of many structures are shown in the figures are described throughout the specification. However, it should be appreciated that some of the structures shown in the figures have been selected or invented for aesthetic appearance and ornamental design independent of its utilitarian operation or lack thereof.
The apparatus and method components have been represented where appropriate by conventional symbols in the drawings, showing only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present disclosure so as not to obscure the disclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the description herein.
Referring now to the figures wherein like numbered features shown therein refer to like elements throughout unless otherwise noted. The present disclosure relates generally to an explosion proof motor and pump system, and method thereof, and more particularly, the features, structures, and construction of the explosion proof motor and pump assembly, the method of constructing an explosion proof motor and pump assembly, and a method of operating the explosion proof motor and pump assembly.
In
In one example embodiment, the explosion proof motor and pump assembly 10 includes a motor 18 coupled to a rotor 22 and vane assembly 22 (see
In the illustrated example embodiment, the pump 10 has a volumetric flow rate between one gallon per minute to sixteen gallons per minute, and typically approximately eight gallons per minute. However, it should be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that greater and smaller volumetric flow rates motor, pump arrangements, and vane/rotor combinations can be used without departing from the scope and claims of the present disclosure after having the benefit of this specification and associated figures.
In the illustrated example embodiment, the explosion proof motor and pump assembly 10 is a class 1 division 2 assembly constructed from cast metals such as aluminum and machined to be assembled into a complete assembly with moving components. In another example embodiment, the assembly is all or in portion zinc plated, painted, or any combination thereof. The motor 18 in one example embodiment is provided power through a cable (not shown) extending from a power supply coupling 34 in such a way that it maintains a class 1 division 2 construction and the explosion proof pump assembly 10 typically weighs between 10 to 11 pounds. One of ordinary skill in the art would also understand that the weight of the pump assembly may vary.
In another example embodiment, the explosion proof motor housing 12 is made from metal, such as aluminum on steel casting with subsequent machining operations to make a tapered cavity 70. The tapered cavity 70 could also be cast into the housing 12 without any further machining operations.
As shown in
In the illustrated example embodiment of
The explosion proof motor and pump assembly 10 further comprises a switch plate arrangement 40 for enabling the pump assembly 10 to shift from an on and off state to the motor 18, which rotates the pump arrangement 24 such that the transfer of fluid occurs along a flow path from the input port 28 to the output port 30. The switch plate arrangement 40 receives its power from a supply power cable (not shown) that is adapted to the power supply coupling 34. The switch plate arrangement 40 includes a lever arm 42 fastened to a switch shaft 44 that is coupled to a position switch 46 that includes motor lead 48 power supply coupling 34 that passes through the cable gland assembly 37, as would be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art with the benefit of the subject specification and associated figures.
In this example embodiment, the leads 48 that are in electrical communication with the power coming from the power supply coupling 34 are all mounted to the motor housing 12 and only the mechanical switch lever arm 42 is attached to the switch shaft 44 of switch plate arrangement 40. The motor housing 12 has a plurality of main volumes, in this example embodiment, 3 volumes, the first of which 12a is the approximately cylindrical volume comprising a cavity wherein the motor 18 will reside. The second volume 12b is connected to the first volume 12a and contains a mounting provision for the switch plate arrangement 40 and space for connecting the leads 48 to the switch shaft 44 and motor 12. The third volume 12c is the field wiring compartment or junction box that forms a coupling between the motor leads 48 and the power supply coupling 34. The motor leads 48 pass through small openings formed within the motor housing 12 that connect second volume 12b and third volume 12c. These leads 48 are subsequently sealed and secured between second volume 12b and third volume 12c by a sealant material such as epoxy or cement.
The switch 46 and leads 48 reside in a first chamber 50 of the switch plate 40, isolated by the switch or lever arm 42 that is external to the first chamber 50. The switch shaft 44 in the illustrated example embodiment runs parallel with a motor shaft 20 and is rotatably connected and/or coupled between the switch 46 and lever arm 42 as it passes externally into the first chamber 50. A second chamber 52 is adjacent the first chamber 50 within the switch plate arrangement 40. The second chamber 52 includes a passage extending from the first chamber 50 for a housing a wiring harness 54 formed by wires connected to the leads 48 of the switch 46. A cover 56 from the switch plate arrangement 40 is removed in
Within the second chamber 52 the wiring harness 54 is coupled to power supply coupling 34 that passes through the cable gland assembly 37. The construction and components located within the first and second chambers 50, 52, respectively form a class 1 division 2 explosion proof assembly. In one example embodiment, the switch plate assembly 40 is removed (see
As seen in
In the prior art, conventional nozzle pumps have been designed to lock the actual nozzle, which causes congestion around the pump, inhibits operation by the user, and limits access of wrenches for bolts and fasteners, lost locks, and the like. Advantageously, the locking assembly 58 described and shown in the present disclosure opens the area around the pump for ease of maintenance and access. The lock 60 is also advantageously retained in the sleeve 62 when in an unlocked position, preventing lost or misplaced locks after use that often occurs in traditional pump systems.
Illustrated in the example embodiment of
As shown in
Also assisting in the dissipation of heat is the frustoconical shape 80 of the cavity 70 about axis A-A. As illustrated in
The air gap 72 also permits varying size motors 18 so that different pumps can be used for varying applications and can be easily replaced with different brands and physical sizes from prior and subsequent motors. In the illustrated example embodiment, the air gap 72 is substantially a constant in a plane parallel with the end bell 14 between the motor 18 and housing 12. The air gap in this area can increase in space to accommodate longitudinally longer motors without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.
Referring again to
The main assembly 90 is formed by inserting a motor 18 into the motor housing 12 to form the air gap 72 around the cylindrical perimeter and end of the motor 18. Keepers 88 of cylindrical or linear shape having a selectable thickness are attached to the face 92 of the motor 18 with fasteners 93. The pump housing 16 is advanced so that the exterior threads 94B engage interior flange 82 threads 94A and the pump housing 16 is rotated relative to the motor housing 12 until the cylindrical slot 86 is reduced to the thickness of the keeper(s) 88 forming a tight connection 95 between the housings to form the main assembly 90. This connection 95 forming the main assembly 90 draws convective heat from the air gap 72 and conductive heat from the motor 18 face 92 through the keepers 88 such that desirable heat transfer occurs from the motor cavity 12 into the pump housing 16, and then into the fluid being transferred when the pump 10 is in operation. In one example embodiment, the main assembly 90 contains ribs and/or additional features to help promote efficient heat transfer.
The pump housing 16 incudes a main bore 98 for coupling with the motor shaft 20 and rotor cavity 99, thus providing relief for the pump assembly 10. The pump housing 16 advantageously supports the internal components of the pump assembly 10 without use of a traditional straight wall bore or rear bearing assembly. Moreover, in one example embodiment of the present disclosure, the motor housing 12 and pump housing 16 comprise die cast housings, which allow for the addition of other desired features in its manufacture. Traditionally, a motor and pump housing features a stator in tube form which does not allow for additional details to be added in its manufacture because the stator frame is an external housing and completes the magnetic circuit. The pump assembly 24 of the present disclosure does not utilize a stator frame, and, thus, allows for the addition of additional features such as inlets and passages as shown in
Referring now to
When the fluid pressure is too high, the bypass valve 27 opens and allows a percentage of all flow to be returned to the inlet side of the pump. The bypass valve 27 permits the transfer of fluid without the operation of the pump arrangement 24 and motor 18.
In the foregoing specification, specific embodiments have been described. However, one of ordinary skill in the art appreciates that various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the disclosure as set forth in the claims below. Accordingly, the specification and figures are to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of present teachings.
The benefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and any element(s) that may cause any benefit, advantage, or solution to occur or become more pronounced are not to be construed as a critical, required, or essential features or elements of any or all the claims. The disclosure is defined solely by the appended claims including any amendments made during the pendency of this application and all equivalents of those claims as issued.
Moreover, in this document, relational terms such as first and second, top and bottom, and the like may be used solely to distinguish one entity or action from another entity or action without necessarily requiring or implying any actual such relationship or order between such entities or actions. The terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “has”, “having,” “includes”, “including,” “contains”, “containing” or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises, has, includes, contains a list of elements does not include only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. An element proceeded by “comprises . . . a”, “has . . . a”, “includes . . . a”, “contains . . . a” does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of additional identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises, has, includes, contains the element. The terms “a” and “an” are defined as one or more unless explicitly stated otherwise herein. The terms “substantially”, “essentially”, “approximately”, “about” or any other version thereof, are defined as being close to as understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. In one non-limiting embodiment the terms are defined to be within for example 10%, in another possible embodiment within 5%, in another possible embodiment within 1%, and in another possible embodiment within 0.5%.
The term “coupled” as used herein is defined as connected or in contact either temporarily or permanently, although not necessarily directly and not necessarily mechanically. A device or structure that is “configured” in a certain way is configured in at least that way but may also be configured in ways that are not listed. The term “integral” as used herein unless defined otherwise means configured in such a way that separation would require destruction to the parts or the assembly of the parts.
It should be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art after having the opportunity of reviewing the drawings and/or specification of the present disclosure that it may include one or more embodiments, e.g., E1, E2, . . . En and that each embodiment E may have multiple parts A1, B1, C1 . . . . Zn that (without further description) could be combined with other embodiments En, embodiment parts e.g. A1, C1, or lack of parts originally associated with one or all embodiments En, or any combination of parts and/or embodiments thereof. It should further be appreciated that an embodiment En may include only one part e.g. A1 or a lesser number of parts e.g. B1, C1 of any embodiment or combination of embodiments that was described or shown in the specification and/or drawings, respectively in ways not enumerated or illustrated.
To the extent that the materials for any of the foregoing embodiments or components thereof are not specified, it is to be appreciated that suitable materials would be known by one of ordinary skill in the art for the intended purposes after having the benefit of reviewing the subject disclosure and accompanying drawings.
The Abstract of the Disclosure is provided to allow the reader to quickly ascertain the nature of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. In addition, in the foregoing Detailed Description, it can be seen that various features are grouped together in various embodiments for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed embodiments require more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive subject matter lies in less than all features of a single disclosed embodiment. Thus the following claims are hereby incorporated into the Detailed Description, with each claim standing on its own as a separately claimed subject matter.
The following application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) to co-pending U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 63/445,165 filed Feb. 13, 2023 entitled EXPLOSION PROOF MOTOR, PUMP SYSTEM, AND METHOD. The above-identified application is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety for all purposes.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63445165 | Feb 2023 | US |
