Abstract: A method of controlling the application of power to a plurality of metering devices in a pesticide dispensing system permits operator controlled designation of row numbering, row-specific dispensing quantity of both seed and pesticide, and accurate records of starting and stopping times and locations. The method also permits operation of a large number of dispensing devices with a normal electrical system capacity by controlling the application or sequencing of power, the maximum power required by the system can be reduced at maximal speed and efficiency.

Abstract: A metering device for controlling the flow of granular material from a container. The metering device includes an electromechanical solenoid connected to a pivoting metering bar. When the solenoid is energized, the metering bar is pivoted away from an outlet aperture, permitting the flow of material from the container. When the solenoid is de-energized, a spring causes the metering bar to pivot into contact with the outlet aperture, closing the outlet aperture and stopping the flow of material from the container.

Abstract: A fluid impeller for us in applications requiring superior cavitation erosion resistance. The impeller has a body fabricated from a castable metastable austenitic steel alloy which has a preferred chemical composition in the range of 17.5-18.5% chromium, 0.5-0.75% nickel, 0.45-55% silicon, 0.2-0.25% nitrogen, 15.5-16.0% manganese and 0.1%-0.12% carbon. Quantitative testing has shown cavitation resistance of four to six times that of standard boiler feed pump materials. A method for making cavitation resistant fluid impellers is also disclosed.

Abstract: A multistage centrifugal pump having a last stage diffuser which acts as a compensator to load the suction and intermediate pressure gaskets during pump operation and pump stand-by. The last stage diffuser is designed as a spring which deflects under varying conditions and imparts a spring force on the channel rings during assembly, stand-by and other operating conditions.

Abstract: A pumping system including a bulk liquid container having a pump mounted in the container top with a suction tube attached to the pump and extending into the container. A drive motor is drivably attached to the pump. The pumping system includes an automatic shut-off valve which closes in response to an accidental dislodging of the pump motor from the pump.

Abstract: A multi-stage open impeller centrifugal pump, primarily used for charging service. The pump uses multivane, 27 vanes, impellers, mounted on a single shaft. Rotor parts are a loose fit to the pump shaft and channel rings are pulled together with bolts. Jackbolts are used to separate the channel rings. A channel ring bushing is provided with a loose fit. The channel ring bushing is axially and radially retained by the channel ring and diffusor.

Abstract: An automatic shut-off valve for use with a chemical container and installed pump. The shut-off valve closing in response to an accidental dislodging of the pump motor from the pump.

Abstract: A segmental ring centrifugal pump wherein the channel ring and the diffuser/crossover hydraulics are formed as a single monolithic casting. By casting the diffuser and the channel ring as a unit, the monolithic diffuser channel ring member and the diffuser vanes provide structural support to the channel ring. The channel ring wall thickness has been reduced by taking advantage of the reinforcing function of the monolithic cast piece. The reinforcement of the channel ring wall and the minimum wall thickness can be adjusted by modifying the radius between the diffuser vanes and the channel ring.

Abstract: A radial diffuser for a centrifugal pump. The diffuser has a plurality of diffusing passages wherein the width of the diffusing passage is constant and the cross-sectional area of the diffusing passage increases from the inlet of the diffusing passage to the outlet of the diffusing passage. This type of diffuser has a reduced outer diameter relative to prior art diffusers.

Abstract: A floating seal ring is disposed within a retainer ring encircling a shaft which extends through the retainer ring. The seal ring is permitted to float radially with respect to the shaft but is retained axially with respect to the shaft. A pin protrudes from the seal ring into a bore in the retainer ring to preclude rotational movement of the seal ring relative to the shaft. The seal ring has an inner diameter which is greater at one end thereof than at the other end thereof so that fluid flow through an annular clearance between the seal ring and the shaft is accelerated. In one embodiment, the seal ring has an annular inner surface that is tapered. In another embodiment, the seal ring has an annular inner surface that is stepped.

Abstract: A corrosion detector for use with a sealless centrifugal pump. The corrosion detector having a corrosion coupon at one end of the detector. The corrosion coupon being formed of the same material as the pump containment shell and having a thickness approximately two thirds the thickness of the containment shell. The corrosion detector is preferably installed in a bore in the pump discharge flange such that the corrosion coupon is exposed to the velocity of the pumped fluid. A detector is mounted within the corrosion detector to detect any leakage of the pumped fluid through the corrosion coupon. The corrosion coupon is designed so that this leakage will occur before the containment shell has failed or begun leaking due to corrosion.

Abstract: A single stage end suction centrifugal pump with a close coupled motor radial magnetic drive. The pump is comprised of a pump housing with a pumping chamber and having an inlet and an outlet. A sealing diaphragm is removably mounted to the pumping chamber to seal the pump from the exterior and prevent pumped fluid from leaking from the pumping chamber. A separate support housing for attaching a motor to the pump housing. The sealing diaphragm and the support housing each being separately attached to the pump housing. Therefor, the support housing and motor can be removed from the pump housing without removing the sealing diaphragm.

Abstract: A configuration of pumps is presented which eliminates problems of leakage, particularly leakage from pumps handling toxic or other fluids which might pollute the atmosphere. The leak contained pumps prevent leakage to the environment and/or pump motors upon the failure of pump seals as a result of wear or other reasons by providing confinement of any potential fluid leakage between the pump and motor, said leakage being channeled to a collector sensor associated with the pump which activates introduction of additional inert gas to the motor chamber and leakage confinement zone to provide motivational pressure to the leakage fluid as needed, the leakage fluid and inert gas being transferred to a separator after passing through the sensor.

Abstract: A volumetric measuring/dispensing device for liquids is provided which has a measuring container having graduation markings thereon for measuring the quantity of liquid in the container. The container has an upper valve housing and a lower valve housing mounted in the top and bottom of the container. A valve stem having a single handle extends through the upper and lower valve housings and is selectively turnable by a turning the single handle to a selected one of three different positions, namely: a filling position, a closed position and an emptying position. When in the filling position, the upper and lower housings in conjunction with the valve stem respectively provide for the entrance of liquid into the interior of the container while at the same time provide for the exit of air out of the container. When in the closed position, the upper and lower housings in conjunction with the valve stem respectively provide for the closure of all entrances into and exits out of the container by both liquid and air.

Abstract: A magnetically coupled centrifugal pump comprising a pump housing containing a pumping chamber and having an inlet and an outlet, a shaft mounted in the pump housing for rotation, a pump impeller attached to the forward end of the shaft for rotation with the shaft in the pumping chamber and a first magnet attached to the rear end of the shaft, the first magnet adapted to be magnetically coupled to a second magnet rotated by a rotary driving device, the shaft being mounted in at least two bearings spaced from each other along the length of the shaft and located between the impeller and the first magnet, a shell surrounding the shaft bearings and first magnet to seal the pump from the exterior and prevent the pumped fluid from leaking, the shell being located between the two magnets and being able to transmit magnet forces between the two magnets for magnetically coupling the two magnets together, the pump housing containing a passage for conducting cooling fluid from the discharge of the pump impeller to the b

Abstract: A boiler feed pump including an elongate casing adapted to be interconnected in a pipeline and a variable speed electrical motor driving an axially extending shaft, which drives a condensate inducer pump and a multiple stage centrifugal pump, all of which are housed within the casing. The inducer pump comprises a series of axially spaced rotating annular disks which the condensate flows between. The centrifugal pump receives the condensate from the inducer pump and pumps it to a higher pressure suitable for feeding a boiler. The motor can operate at a variable speed to handle various flow demands. The motor also serves as a thrust balancing device for the multiple stage centrifugal pump.

Abstract: A cavitation resistant impeller for liquid-conveying centrifugal pumps has a plurality of impeller vanes, each vane having, in combination, a leading inlet edge with a root portion extending upstream of its tip portion; a vane thickness that is greater upstream of the impeller throat than the vane thickness downstream of the impeller throat; and an elliptical nose on the leading inlet edge. The invention can be used in straight-vaned impellers or in Francis-type impellers.