Abstract: The present invention relates to centrifugal pumps, and more specifically to a centrifugal pump device with a governor actuated cartridge seal and a method of attaching a centrifugal pump device with a governor actuated cartridge seal. The centrifugal pump comprises a sealing system that prevents undesirable fluid leaking or air ingestion when in operation while allowing ease of installation and maintenance. The governor actuated cartridge seal automatically increases sealing capabilities by urging a movable seal as a function of impeller or engine drive shaft rotational speed. The governors actuate radially so as to present a minimal profile and therefore not introduce a safety hazard. Scalable weights attached to the governors allow predictable calibration and initialization of the pump under varying hydraulic pressures and rotational speeds.

Abstract: An aluminum alloy product of extremely high hardness is conformable for use in the manufacture of various products, such as, golf clubs and pump partshaving a body or first layer of an aluminum alloy treated by successive precipitation hardening and reverse quenching to produce a hardness exceeding 140 HBN, and an outer alumina layer or surface coating is applied by hard-anodizing to a predetermined thickness on the first layer and being of even greater hardness than the first layer.

Abstract: In a centrifugal pump, a barrier ring in the form of a dynamic seal member is interposed between relatively rotating, generally circular wall portions which undergo relative axial movement to vary the width of a gap between the wall portions, the seal member having an outer jacket of flexible material and an annular spring member of frustoconical configuration inserted into offset grooves in the jacket, and when the seal member is mounted under compression between the confronting surfaces will follow the relative axial movement between the wall portions to maintain liquid-tight sealing engagement with the wall portions. In a modified form of invention, the seal member includes a pair of helical spring members inserted into grooves in an outer flexible jacket and, when the seal is mounted under compression between confronting surfaces of the wall portions as described will maintain liquid-tight sealing engagement notwithstanding variations in the width of the gap between members.

Abstract: An electromagnetic actuating mechanism is provided for a centrifugal pump in which a solenoid ring includes a radially inwardly projecting annular seal movable between open and closed positions with respect to a rotary seal which is mounted for rotation with the drive shaft between the expeller and reservoir region of the pump housing. Spring members are engageable with the ring to normally retain the annular seal in the closed position when the pump is not in operation, and a magnetic drive member is selectively energized to initiate movement of the ring in a direction overcoming the biasing elements to shift the ring to an open position when pump operation is initiated. An energizing control circuit is associated with the pump motor to regulate energizing and deenergizing of the drive member.

Abstract: Centrifugal pumps for handling acids or slurries incorporate a ball bearing assembly as the force-responsive governor to control opening and closing of a fluid path leading from the expeller region into a seal, the seals being composed of hard, low-friction sealing materials for handling acids and of resilient materials for handling slurries owing to the solids content in the slurries.

Abstract: An electromagnetic seal for a centrifugal pump controls movement of a valve member away from a normally closed position against a sealing surface at the entrance to a reservoir behind the expeller region of the pump, the valve member being controlled by a magnetizable clapper movable within a sealed enclosure toward and away from an electromagnetic coil which may be energized either by the drive motor of the pump or a self-contained generator in the pump driver assembly. Circulation of fluids between the impeller and expeller regions of the pump is enhanced by placement of vents in the impeller and a circumferential groove in the path of flow of fluid through the expeller to create increased turbulence and assist in flushing out foreign particles along with fluid in the expeller region when the pump is in operation. The effectiveness of this combination permits the employment of dry running secondary containment seals which do not require elaborate seal support systems.

Abstract: A centrifugal pump of the hydraulic sealing type has a novel and improved sealing apparatus for establishing a hydraulic seal and limiting the flow of liquid from a pump casing into a reservoir or seal housing at one end of the pump casing, and a valve assembly in the seal, housing has a valve member normally urged into engagement with the seal housing to isolate liquid in the seal housing from the casing by washer-like spring elements. When the pump is activated and brought up to speed, centrifugal force-responsive pivot members will impart sufficient opening pressure to overcome the resistance of the spring members when the pump approaches operating speed to move the valve member away from sealed engagement with the seal housing; and when the speed is reduced below the operating speed level the spring elements will rapidly undergo deflection to cause the valve member to return to a closed position.

Abstract: A centrifugal pump of the hydraulic sealing type has a novel and improved sealing apparatus for establishing a hydraulic seal and limiting the flow of liquid from a pump casing into a reservoir or seal housing at one end of the pump casing, and a valve assembly in the seal housing has a valve member normally urged into engagement with the seal housing to isolate liquid in the seal housing from the casing when the pump is not in operation. When the pump is activated and brought up to speed, centrifugal force-responsive pivot members are operative to move the valve member away from sealed engagement with the seal housing to establish fluid communication between the seal housing and pump casing. The force-responsive pivot members are fully enclosed so as to be completely isolated from the liquid in the seal housing and yet be capable of operating directly in opposition to the resilient or spring-loaded valve to move the valve away from sealed engagement with the seal housing.

Abstract: A hydrocyclone device having complementary upper vortex finder and lower cone units each made of hard polyurethane together with a resilient, flexible, replaceable, polyurethane liner having a positive sealing flange associated therewith. The sealing flange of the liner complements with and engages with complementary sealing surfaces on the vortex finder and the lower cone unit when they are joined together by respective threaded portions. Thus, only three elements make up the basic hydrocyclone device with greatly improved resistance to leakage thereof. An outlet opening at the bottom end of the lower cone unit can also be provided with an adjusting unit and a wear insert therewith.

Abstract: A pump of centrifugal type having both an impeller unit and an expeller unit coupled together for effecting frictionless hydraulic seal during operation within an appropriate housing therefor. By providing an expeller unit separate from the impeller unit, the portions of the impeller unit which wear fastest can be replaced as needed without the need for replacing other components as soon. This greatly reduces the cost of maintenance and replacement. Also, rotor vanes and stacked separator discs in a preferred embodiment provide for greatly reduced manufacturing and assembly costs, and yet allow the flexibility of easy replacement of only parts that are severely worn or corroded as needed. Both the method of making and the method of assembly are encompassed by this invention.Furthermore, all of the component elements are preferably rubber covered for maximum protection against abrasion and corrosive action of the liquid being pumped.

Abstract: A plurality of gas diffusers and accompanying piping system which includes lengths of supply pipe for introducing gas into a body of liquid in which the apparatus is submerged. A combination gas diffuser inlet tube and supply pipe drainer stem is incorporated into the piping system between each length of supply pipe and each gas diffuser located above the length of supply pipe. The inlet tube/drainer stem extends downward from the plenum into the supply pipe to a location closely adjacent to, but with at least part of the bottom end of the combination member spaced from, the bottom wall of the supply pipe. As the pipe is pressurized with gas, gas fills the top portion of the pipe and unwanted accumulated liquid is forced down in the supply pipe, up through each drainer stem, and out the porous plate of the associated gas diffuser.

Abstract: A fluid diffuser for dispersing a gas or liquid into a body of receiving liquid in which it is immersed. The diffuser includes a rotatable shaft, a thin disk-like member mounted for rotation on the shaft, and an annular ring positioned adjacent the outer perimeter of the disk-like member. At least one of the top and bottom walls of the annular ring is porous. These top and bottom walls define a fluid plenum, into which gas or liquid under pressure is introduced to be emitted from the plenum as small, nascent fluid spheroids on the surface of the annular ring. The boundary layer flow from rotation of the disk-like member within the body of receiving liquid shears fine gas bubbles or liquid particles from the foraminous surface or surfaces of the annular ring. The annular ring may be fixed, or rotatable in the opposite annular direction from the rotation of the disk. Impeller blades may be mounted on the top and/or bottom surfaces of the rotatable disk.

Abstract: A mixer for mixing a body of receiving liquid with solids, liquids or gases introduced therein. The mixer includes a rotatable shaft, a thin disk-like member mounted for rotation on the shaft, and at least one thin annular ring mounted on the disk-like member spaced from, parallel to and concentric with it. The flow of liquid perpendicular to the annular ring through the inner opening thereof, when the mixer is immersed and rotating in the body of receiving liquid, is unimpeded by any structural member. The annular ring may be mounted on either side of the disk, and a plurality of annular rings may be employed. The annular ring or rings may be mounted on the disk-like member by at least three elongated support posts spaced equally around the outer perimeter of the disk, the transverse cross-section of each post being curvilinear, preferably circular, in shape. The mixer is disclosed for use in a tank.