Abstract: An expanded foam material surrounds a relatively thin, metallic motor casing and forms a housing which supports the motor while providing a seal to preclude leakage of liquids into the motor casing and to prevent discharge of dielectric oil from the interior of the motor casing. During manufacture of the pump, the casing is placed within a mold and a portion of the mold structure complementally and firmly engages four radially spaced regions of the generally cylindrical motor casing. Next, a quantity of the initially pourable foam material is introduced into the space between the mold and the casing, and the material self-expands to a solidified, cured condition in firm, surrounding engagement with the motor casing.

Abstract: Structure for guiding a submersible pump along an upright path of travel includes a wire-like connector coupled to the pump unit, and the connector is shaped to slidably engage two outwardly extending portions of an upright guide rail which is I-shaped in transverse configuration. The wire-like connector cleans debris from the rail during vertical movement of the pump and also enables the unit to be tilted as necessary. When the pump unit is shifted to approach a lowermost position for pumping fluids, a directing means comprising outwardly extending plates with inclined surfaces thereon engages horizontal arms connected to a pump outlet flange so that the pump is precisely guided both vertically and horizontally to a position wherein the pump outlet flange is in flat, parallel, face-to-face relationship with an inlet flange of a stationary discharge pipe.

Abstract: A slinger for a submersible electric pump protects a motor shaft bearing as well as a shaft seal. The slinger is provided with four, inclined, curved projections or vanes which are operable to propel sand or other potentially abrasive, grit-like contaminants away from an area adjacent the shaft seal. A pair of outlet slots disposed horizontally adjacent a lowermost portion of the slinger cooperates with the vanes to enable passage of the contaminants to an area external of the pump, such that the contaminants do not accumulate within the pump itself and the likelihood that the contaminants will enter the first pump stage is significantly reduced. Each of the vanes has a face inclined slightly relative to the frustoconical outer surface of the slinger, and each face terminates in a curved leading edge and a curved trailing edge. The vanes direct the contaminants toward the lowermost portion of the slinger where maximum outward thrust is developed.

Abstract: A tank mounted discharge conduit assembly for use with a submersible pump unit comprises a base member connected to the tank as well as an upright body having a fluid conduit therein. The base member has an upwardly extending portion which is complementally received within a lower portion of the upright body, in order to provide support against lateral deflection of the body as well as to prohibit the flow of fluids through a lower end of the conduit. The body also integrally includes a pair of upright, spaced, elongated, U-shaped guides which are configured to slidably receive an outlet flange of the pump and shift the latter toward a position of fluid communication between the pump and an opening in the body communicating with the fluid conduit therein.

Abstract: A valve element for reciprocation within a port has a body member which cooperates with a valve seat defined on a wall around the port. A plurality of resilient legs extend from the body member through the port and terminate in feet which extend radially beyond the periphery of the port. A central bore in the body member, parallel to the legs receives a locking stem which reciprocates between a locked position and an unlocked position. In the locked position, a locking disc on the stem engages projections extending radially inward from the legs to prevent the legs from moving inward, thereby locking the valve element within the port. In the unlocked position, the locking disc is out of alignment with the projections, and bevelled surfaces on the feet cooperate with the wall to cam the legs inwardly, so that the valve element can be removed from the port when it is subjected to sufficient axial force.

Abstract: A discharge head for a submersible pump includes a plastic body having an internally threaded neck for receiving a tapered threaded end of a fluid delivery pipe and a metal shell surrounding and engaging the neck to reinforce the neck against the radial forces developed by the tapered end of the pipe as it is tightened. An annular shoulder extends radially outward and downward from the neck and includes a pair of apertured lugs, each having a pair of laterally extending detents. The shell includes a shoulder corresponding to the annular shoulder and a pair of slots for receiving the lugs and for snapping down over the detents to aid in retaining the shell on the body. In one embodiment of the invention, a skirt extends downwardly from the annular shoulder and includes threads for connection with corresponding threads on a casing of the pump section of the pump.