Abstract: A rotor assembly for a centrifugal pump includes a rotor and a rotor cover, defining a fluid chamber therebetween, and having openings or channels that are provided in either the rotor cover or the rotor, or both, to direct fluid from the fluid chamber into the rotor or rotor cover of the rotor assembly to provide reduction of increased pressure that is experienced within the fluid chamber, especially at or near the center of the fluid chamber.

Abstract: A centrifugal pump of the pitot type is structured with axially-arranged inlet and discharge features positioned on opposing axial sides of a rotor, the rotor being journalled between a rotating sleeve and a suction inlet, and the rotating sleeve being concentric with the discharge, the rotating sleeve being gear-driven by a drive mechanism.

Abstract: A pitot tube assembly for a centrifugal pump includes an extension arm having a tubular body with opposing ends, at least one pickup tube secured to one of the opposing ends of the extension arm, a terminal portion positioned at the other end of the extension arm and a tapered fitting provided toward the end of the extension arm opposite to the end of the extension arm to which the pickup tube is secured, where the tapered fitting provides a frustum surface for registration with a frustoconically-shaped bore of a portion of the pump to provide axial, radial and torsional stability to the pitot tube assembly during pump operation.

Abstract: A rotor assembly for a centrifugal pump includes a rotor and a rotor cover, defining a fluid chamber therebetween, and having openings or channels that are provided in either the rotor cover or the rotor, or both, to direct fluid from the fluid chamber into the rotor or rotor cover of the rotor assembly to provide reduction of increased pressure that is experienced within the fluid chamber, especially at or near the center of the fluid chamber.

Abstract: A centrifugal pump of the pitot type is structured with axially-arranged inlet and discharge features positioned on opposing axial sides of a rotor, the rotor being journalled between a rotating sleeve and a suction inlet, and the rotating sleeve being concentric with the discharge, the rotating sleeve being gear-driven by a drive mechanism.

Abstract: Improvements in the operation and maintenance of non-clogging pumps are provided which increase pump efficiencies through improved impeller design and vacuum assembly design, and which increase seal lubrication efficiencies through improved seal lubricant reservoir system design.

Abstract: A two-piece bearing housing is provided for use in centrifugal pumps having or requiring multiple chambers for enclosing or confining bearings or seals, and/or providing lubricant or coolant to the bearings and seals of the pump, the two-piece housing providing several improvements including the ability to make the two pieces from different materials, the reduction in scrap castings due to imprecision achieved in the casting process and improved structures in the housing for monitoring the lubricant chambers in the housing.

Abstract: A two-piece bearing housing is provided for use in centrifugal pumps having or requiring multiple chambers for enclosing or confining bearings or seals, and/or providing lubricant or coolant to the bearings and seals of the pump, the two-piece housing providing several improvements including the ability to make the two pieces from different materials, the reduction in scrap castings due to imprecision achieved in the casting process and improved structures in the housing for monitoring the lubricant chambers in the housing.

Abstract: A check valve of the flapper type structured for use in a self-primer pump is structured for attachment to the pump casing in a manner that facilitates servicing of the check valve, and includes securement means that are positioned external to the casing and a flapper that is located through an opening of the casing in a manner that enables the servicing of the valve without dropping the flapper or the hardware into the interior of the pump.

Abstract: A check valve of the flapper type structured for use in a self-primer pump is structured for attachment to the pump casing in a manner that facilitates servicing of the check valve, and includes securement means that are positioned external to the casing and a flapper that is located through an opening of the casing in a manner that enables the servicing of the valve without dropping the flapper or the hardware into the interior of the pump.

Abstract: A cutting ring element for a centrifugal pump of the chopper type comprises a ring-like structure having at least one cutting member positioned along the ring-like structure and extending outwardly therefrom. The cutting ring element is structured to be positioned adjacent the drive side of an impeller having cutting structures associated with the drive side of the impeller which interact with the cutting ring element to chop and reduce the size of entrained solids in a pumped fluid, or slurry, to prevent such solids from infiltrating behind the impeller.

Abstract: A centrifugal pump of the chopper type is disclosed which is structured with a chopper plate and impeller that are configured with an open eye or “hubless” arrangement such that processing of solids through the pump does not result in clogging of solids at or near the center of the impeller, thereby producing a dead zone. Because the configuration of the chopper pump of the present invention avoids the development of a central dead zone or clogging of solids, and provides for flow of solids and fluid through the eye of the impeller, pump efficiencies are markedly improved.

Abstract: A centrifugal pump of the chopper type is disclosed which is structured with a chopper plate and impeller that are configured with an open eye or “hubless” arrangement such that processing of solids through the pump does not result in clogging of solids at or near the center of the impeller, thereby producing a dead zone. Because the configuration of the chopper pump of the present invention avoids the development of a central dead zone or clogging of solids, and provides for flow of solids and fluid through the eye of the impeller, pump efficiencies are markedly improved.

Abstract: Axial adjustment apparatus is provided in a centrifugal pump to effect adjustment of the impeller relative to adjacent pump elements. Specifically preferred is adjustment apparatus in a chopper pump that provides adjustment of the impeller relative to a chopper plate to facilitate continuous efficient cutting of solids by the pump. The adjustment apparatus may also include adjustment structure for providing axial adjustment between the impeller and a plate-like member positioned adjacent the drive side of the impeller to effect adjustment of cutting tolerances in cutting elements positioned between the impeller and plate-like member. The invention further includes a seal mechanism configured and positioned to retain the seal height of the seals throughout continuous adjustment of the impeller.

Abstract: A component assembly is provided for converting a conventional centrifugal pump, of the vortex impeller type for example, to a different type of centrifugal pump, such as a spiral impeller pump. The component assembly enables a resident centrifugal pump to be converted to a more efficient or appropriate type of industrial pump when conditions or application processing requirements change, and avoids the need to entirely replace an installed pump for a new type of pump.

Abstract: A pump impeller and associated cutting elements are disclosed which are especially designed and positioned near the periphery of the impeller to reduce the size of entrained solids in a pumped fluid, or slurry, and to expel such solids from the impeller, drive shaft and associated sealing mechanisms.

Abstract: A pump impeller for use in industrial pumps of the centrifugal type is disclosed in which the vanes of the pump impeller are particularly configured to maintain pumping efficiency as the vane wears over continuous use or operation of the pump. The impeller vane is configured to continuously present an aggressive cutting surface at the leading edge of the vane even though the vane may become degraded and worn through continuous use.

Abstract: A centrifugal pump of the chopper type is disclosed which is structured with a chopper plate and impeller that are configured with an open eye or “hubless” arrangement such that processing of solids through the pump does not result in clogging of solids at or near the center of the impeller, thereby producing a dead zone. Because the configuration of the chopper pump of the present invention avoids the development of a central dead zone or clogging of solids, and provides for flow of solids and fluid through the eye of the impeller, pump efficiencies are markedly improved.

Abstract: Methods of producing impeller castings from very hard materials are disclosed in which the formation of a selectively configured core produces an impeller casting that does not need to be machined to receive the drive shaft and eliminates the need for employing a lead babbitt or soft insert, as is known in the prior art, to receive the drive shaft, thereby producing a hard material impeller for a centrifugal pump that is significantly less costly to produce and is environmentally safe.

Abstract: A sealing mechanism for a fluid pump comprises first and second seal members which are coaxially and radially oriented relative to each other, and are positioned between the rotating and non-rotating elements of the fluid pump to maintain a competent seal which is simple to assembly, maintain and repair or replace, and which also improves pump operation when compared to known sealing mechanisms for fluid pumps.