Abstract: A circulation system is provided to move a coolant liquid in a coolant chamber (44) formed between a housing (40) and a motor shroud (42) of a pump (10) for a fluid being worked upon. The circulation system has a coolant impeller (54) in a coolant impeller chamber (56). The coolant impeller is driven by a drive shaft (20) that also drives a primary impeller (24) that moves the fluid being worked on. The coolant impeller is positioned along the drive shaft between the motor and the primary impeller. The coolant impeller has a wide inner portion (74) and a peripheral base disk (76) that define a radially-offset suction eye (72) and support a plurality of impeller blades (70). A seal spring (86) compressively acts on the inner portion, providing a mechanical seal.

Abstract: A break-away fitting facilitates installation and removal of a pump in wet well system, along at least one guide rail. When installed, the fitting mates an outlet of the pump to an outlet pipe of the wet well. The fitting has a body with a first and a second surface, the surfaces arranged to be substantially perpendicular to each other. A flanged opening in the first surface is sized and adapted for attaching the body to the outlet flange of the pump. The second surface has indentations for engaging the at least one guide rail, so that the body slides in the vertical channel. To minimize the dangers from static electricity in the wet well, the body may be formed from a non-sparking material, such as brass or bronze, or a surface of the indentations may be covered by a non-sparking material, including high-density polyethylene or poly(tetrafluoroethylene).

Abstract: A pump is provided to convey solids-containing wastewater from a basin, such as a sewage basin. The pump has a pump housing that is adapted to be arranged in the basin with an inlet thereof positioned to receive the solids-containing wastewater. An outlet of the pump housing is arranged to eject pressurized wastewater through an outlet of the basin. A pump chamber is arranged in a flow conduit formed in the pump housing between the inlet and the outlet. A regenerative turbine impeller is arranged for rotation in the pump chamber. A grinder is also arranged for rotation in the pump housing between the inlet and the outlet, especially between the inlet and the pump chamber.

Abstract: A break-away fitting facilitates installation and removal of a pump in wet well system, along at least one guide rail. When installed, the fitting mates an outlet of the pump to an outlet pipe of to wet well. The fitting has a body with a first and a second surface, the surfaces arranged to be substantially perpendicular to each other. A flanged opening in the first surface is sized and adapted for attaching the body to the outlet flange of the pump. The second surface has indentations for engaging the at least one guide rail, so that the body slides in the vertical channel. To minimize the dangers from static electricity in the wet well, the body may be formed from a non-sparking material, such as brass or bronze, or a surface of the indentations may be covered by a non-sparking material, including high-density polyethylene or poly(tetrafluoroethylene).

Abstract: A vortex pump impeller utilizes primary blades in combination with splitter blades. An increase in total head is observed through exemplary impellers in a vortex pump, compared to an impeller lacking the splitter blades. Single stage and dual stage pumps utilizing the exemplary impellers are also disclosed. Exemplary pumps may also contain a grinder assembly.

Abstract: A device for interfacing power from an electrical supply having power terminals, that permits implementation of a wide range of power cord lengths and voltage connection combinations. The device includes a body having a cord side and an appliance side. The body has four or more terminals located on the cord side of the body, with one terminal being a ground terminal. At least one electrical connecting device is adapted to connect terminals. In a first configuration, the device is used at a lower voltage. In a second configuration, the device is used at a higher voltage.

Abstract: A device for interfacing power from an electrical supply having power terminals, that permits implementation of a wide range of power cord lengths and voltage connection combinations. The device includes a body having a cord side and an appliance side. The body has four or more terminals located on the cord side of the body, with one terminal being a ground terminal. At least one electrical connecting device is adapted to connect terminals. In a first configuration, the device is used at a lower voltage. In a second configuration, the device is used at a higher voltage.

Abstract: An arrangement (10) for controlling the liquid level in a basin (60) by selectively actuating a pump (64) has an environmentally-sealed enclosure (22) with an internal volume subject to thermal and pressure effects. A first (14) and a second (16) pressure sensing means are positioned in the enclosure and a barrier fluid (18) fills a balance of the internal volume. The first sensing means (14) is in a first chamber (22a) of the enclosure (22) and the second sensing means (16) is in a second chamber (22b). The barrier fluid (18) has a first portion (18a) in the first chamber (22a) and a second portion in the second chamber (22b). The first pressure sensing means (14) communicates an “on/off” signal to the pump (64). Diaphragms (26, 40) in the respective chambers (22a, 22b) allow the device to adjust to changes in atmospheric pressures. The barrier fluid (18) is electrically non-conductive, chemically non-reactive with any materials comprising the pressure sensing means and, preferably, an oil.

Abstract: A vortex pump impeller utilizes primary blades in combination with splitter blades. An increase in total head is observed through exemplary impellers in a vortex pump, compared to an impeller lacking the splitter blades. Single stage and dual stage pumps utilizing the exemplary impellers are also disclosed. Exemplary pumps may also contain a grinder assembly.

Abstract: A two-stage sewage grinder pump (10) having two impellers (30, 32) and a grinder (60) attached to the motor shaft (24). Preferably, both impellers are vortex impellers and are positioned between the grinder and the motor. The motor housing includes a discharge conduit (70) that is monolithic with the motor housing (20). An anti-siphon valve (71) is integral with the discharge conduit. An integral discharge flange (75) and check valve (78) are attached to the discharge conduit to connect the sewage grinder pump to a sewage outlet.

Abstract: A grinder pump system that is simpler to install, and permits ready access to the pump system components, has a grinder pump station for receiving a grinder pump. The pump station has a basin with an interior volume to provide a well for receiving sewage. A sewage inlet port and a sewage discharge port allow, sewage to flow into and out of the basin interior volume. The basin is positioned below grade, and sewage is directed thereto through a sewage source. An access riser is selectively coupled to the basin, and extends to the ground surface. Pump system components mounted within the basin are accessible via the access riser and an opening on the basin top surface. A lid assembly is selectively removably coupled to the access riser to close the system from the environment.

Abstract: An arrangement (10) for controlling the liquid level in a basin (60) by selectively actuating a pump (64) has an environmentally-sealed enclosure (22) with an internal volume subject to thermal and pressure effects. A first (14) and a second (16) pressure sensing means are positioned in the enclosure and a barrier fluid (18) fills a balance of the internal volume. The first sensing means (14) is in a first chamber (22a) of the enclosure (22) and the second sensing means (16) is in a second chamber (22b). The barrier fluid (18) has a first portion (18a) in the first chamber (22a) and a second portion in the second chamber (22b). The first pressure sensing means (14) communicates an “on/off” signal to the pump (64). Diaphragms (26, 40) in the respective chambers (22a, 22b) allow the device to adjust to changes in atmospheric pressures. The barrier fluid (18) is electrically non-conductive, chemically non-reactive with any materials comprising the pressure sensing means and, preferably, an oil.

Abstract: A sewer basin has a tube mounted longitudinally in the basin to isolate the level sensing elements from particulate and non-soluble materials present in the basin which could contaminate the elements, which are used for selectively activating a pump in the basin. The liquid level in the tube is kept in equilibrium with the liquid outside of the tube by an aperture below the normal low liquid level. A filter is provided in the tube between the aperture and the level sensing elements. The filter is formed by a stack of filter elements mounted on an axial post extending into the tube from a bottom end cap. The elements are limited in their axial mobility on the axial post.