WO1991011618A1

WO1991011618A1 - Pump with funnel shroud

Info

Publication number: WO1991011618A1
Application number: PCT/CA1990/000029
Authority: WO
Inventors: Carl R Bachellier
Original assignee: Bachellier, Carl, R.
Priority date: 1990-01-31
Filing date: 1990-01-31
Publication date: 1991-08-08

Abstract

The present invention provides a motor driven pump comprising a tapered pump member (3) and a funnel shroud (12) with a large end and a small end fitted over the tapered pump member. The pump member is reversible in its direction of operation and the funneling effect of the shroud provides a high speed unidirectional fluid flow from the pump member out through the shroud.

Description

PUMP WITH FUNNEL SHROUD

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a pump comprising in combination a tapered pump member with longitudinally extending impeller blades and a funnel shroud fitted over the pump member.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In fluid conveying arrangements such as a pipe line, many miles in length, it is very difficult to maintain a positive pressure flow along the length of the pipe. To date, there is very little in the way of mechanical assists to be fitted internally of the pipe to alleviate the

pressure drop over an extended pipe length.

In a totally separate field namely, aeration tanks such as those found in sewage treatment plants. It is very difficult to introduce a high quantity of dissolved oxygen over a short period of time into the tank with low

consumption of power. To date, many sewage treatments plants become over taxed cue to low fluid turn over ana poor processing causing relatively untreated affluent to be discharged into local bodies of water. SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

The present invention provides a pump having unique design features useable to overcome each of the problems described above and further useable as a water spray

device. More particularly, the pump of the present

invention comprises an actual pump member having a tapered configuration and a hollow open ended funnel shroud fitted over the pump member. As a result of the funnel shaping of the shroud it has opposing large and small shroud ends conforming to the shape of the pump member over which the shroud is fitted. The pump member is reversible in its direction of operation. The funneling effect of the shroud provides a high speed unidirectional fluid flow from the pump member out of the shroud.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above as well as other advantages and features of the present invention will be described in greater detail according to the preferred embodiments of the present invention in which;

Figure 1 is a partially cut away perspective view of a pump according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a further perspective view taken at the large end of the pump member and the funnel shroud over the pump member.

Figure 3 is a plan view at the opposite end of the pump from that shown in Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a plan view from the end of the pump shown in Figure 2.

Figure 5 shows the pump when operated in a first mode as a liquid aerator and;

Figure 6 shows the pump when operated in a reverse mode from that of Figure 5 and operating as a fountain or spray producing member.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION ACCORDING TO THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE PRESENT INVENTION:

Figure 1 shows a pump member or pump arrangement generally indicated at 1. This pump arrangement comprises an internal pump member 3 covered by an external funnel shape shroud 12.

Pump member 3 comprises a plurality of impeller blades 7 extending longitudinally between a first frame portion 9 and a second frame portion or plate 11. The pump member has a tapered configuration such that the one end of the pump member has a substantially larger diameter than the other end of the pump member. Blades 7 are turned along their length between the first frame portion 9 and the second frame portion 11. Secured to frame portion 11 of the pump member is a shaft 5 for connection to a motor to rotate tne pump

member. As noted above the pump member is reversible in its direction of operation or rotation.

Shroud 12 is fitted over the pump member ano has a funnel shape corresponding to the tapered configuration ot the pump member. In particular, the shroud has a

frustoconical region 13 ana a cylindrical region 17. The cylindrical region extends beyond the smaller end of the pump member ana inciuaes an opening 19. This opening is substantially smaller than the large end 15 at the opposite larger end of the shrouo. Note that the diameter all the way along the cylindrical region 17 of the shrouo is no greater than the minimum diameter of tne frustoconical region of the shroud at the connection between the two shroud regions.

As best seen in Figure 3 of the drawings, the shroud is slightly oversized relative to the pump member to allow fluids as pumped by the pump member to flow through the shroud.

As will be apparent from the above, the shrouo has a funnel effect on any fluids which are drawn by the pump member into the shroud.

When the pump is operated in the direction snown in Figures 3 and 4, the pump member draws fluids from its larger to its smaller end. Shroud 12 enhances the fluid flow from the pump member by its funnel shape creating a venturi effect at the discharge eno of the pump. This venturi effect not only provides an increased flow output from the pump but also enhances the pumps ability to draw in fluids by enhancing the low pressure side at the intake to the pump.

In addition, the funnel shaping of the shroud creates a very concentrated uniform flow from the pump member which minimizes turbulence thereby enhancing fluid flow making the pump member particularly suited for use in providing a mechanical assist in pushing fluids tnrougn very long lengths of pipe.

According to another use of the pump arrangement, it is set up as a liquid aerator as shown in Figure 5 of the drawings. The pump is operated by a motor M having a drive shaft S for rotating the pump member of the pump.

The pump is set up such that the large end 15 is positioned in a liquid tank and the smaller end 19 is positioned out of the liquid in the tank.

When the pump is operated in a second direction opposite to that described with respect to Figures 3 and 4, i.e. the direction indicated by the arrow in Figure 5, air is drawn into the pump at the smaller end 19 ana forced down through the pump into and aerating the liquid in the tank.

However, by reversing the direction of rotation, as

indicated by the horizontal arrow in Figure 6, the pump draws liquid at its larger lower end 15, where that liquid is then moved up through the pump and dispersed in a

spray-like fashion from the upper smaller end df tne pump thereby creating a fountain effect.

As was the case described with respect to Figures 1 through 4 in the arrangement of Figures 5 and 6 the shroud once again enhances the fluid flow from the pump member by its funnel shape. The venturi effect created by the funnel shape of the shroud not only provides an increased flow output by directing the flow but also enhances the

pumpsability to draw in fluid by enhancing ana controlling the low pressure side at the intake to the pump.

In addition, the funnel shaping of the shroud creates a very concentrated uniform fluid flow from the pumpmember which minimizes turbulence at its discharge end.

The venturi effect and subsequent vdrtex action is controlled over a longer period of time than that found with a pump using conventional blades and not covered by a shroud and therefore the pump of the present invention reducescavitation and associated noise and vibration. This in turn substantially reduces the power requirements for operation of the pump. Although various preferred embodiments of the invention have been described in detail, it will be appreciated that variations may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION IN WHICH AN EXCLUSIVE PROPERTY OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:

1. A motor driven pump comprising an internal pump member and an external shroud over said pump member, said pump member having a plurality of longitudinally extending impeller blades and being tapered and said shroud having a hollow open ended funnel shaped configuration fitted over said pump member.

2. In combination a liquid containing tank ana a motor driven pump, said pump comprising a pump member which is inwardly tapered from a first to a second end of said pump member and is formed with a plurality of longitudinally extending impeller blades secured circumferentially around said pump member, a hollow open ended funnel shroud fitted over said pump member, said shroud having a large first opening at said first end of said pump member and a second smaller opening at said second end of said pump member, said first end of said pump member being located within the liquid tank in said tank and the second end of said pump member being located out of the liquid in said tank, saidpump member when rotated in one direction drawing fluid into said funnel shroud and forcing the fluid down into and aerating said tank and when operated in the reverse

direction drawing liquid out of said tank through said funnel shroud.

3. The combination as claimed in Claim 2, wherein said pump provides a fountain-like spray of the liquid drawn out said tank.