Abstract: The disclosed solid waste pump is a chopper pump, and preferably a chopper pump having a small rated motor and a semi-open impeller design. Particularly, a chopper pump having an impeller, at least one pump-out vane, an end plate, and a back plate including at least one cutting rib is disclosed. The impeller includes a back shroud and cutting vanes sharpened on a first edge extending opposite the back shroud and fixed on a first surface of the back shroud. The at least one pump-out vane is preferably fixed to a second surface of the back shroud opposite the first surface, while the end plate includes a surface adjacent to and facing the first edge of the cutting vanes and at least one internal cutting rib fixed to the end plate surface for shearing operation in combination with the sharpened edge of the cutting vanes of the impeller.

Abstract: A mixing system for a fluid tank is described herein, the system having a drive motor, an impeller capable of being submersed, a shroud having a sidewall enclosing the impeller, and a cutter mounted on the shroud and cooperating with a blade of the impeller to cut solids within the shroud. The shroud is open at both an inlet end and a discharge end for drawing in and discharging fluid from the tank. A recess is provided on the internal surface of the shroud, wherein the cutter is adjustably positioned within the recess. Additionally, the cutter is also detachable from the recess so that it may be replaced when worn.

Abstract: A surface foam diffuser system having a first nozzle disposed above a top surface of the at least partially liquid contents, a splash plate positioned adjacent to the first nozzle outlet, and a second nozzle disposed below the top surface of the at least partially liquid contents is disclosed for suppressing foaming in large processing tanks. The system nozzles each have an inlet for receiving pressurized liquid and an outlet for ejecting a liquid stream into the tank, the depth of the second nozzle and the direction of the liquid stream there from being such that rotation of the top surface is facilitated. The spray of the first nozzle, as dispersed by the splash plate, reduces foam on at least a portion of the top surface, with the rotation of the top surface allowing each portion of the top surface to eventually fall within the reducing spray.

Abstract: A cutting assembly for positioning at the intake end of a centrifugal pump used for pumping liquids and slurries containing solid matter, including various types of refuse, and for chopping the solid matter which may thereafter be processed for disposal is disclosed. The cutting assembly includes an intake end plate having a body defining the opening to allow the passage of material, such as waste water and the like, therethrough. The intake end plate attaches at the intake end of the chopper pump. The assembly also includes at least one, and preferably a plurality of cutter bars projecting from the body of the intake end plate into the opening, and a nut positioned at the intake end and attached to the chopper pump within the opening of the intake end plate.

Abstract: A nozzle ejects a liquid stream generally horizontally inward from a location near the periphery of a tank, and fairly close to the upper surface of liquid in the tank. The liquid stream impinges on a splash plate or deflector to break the liquid stream into a reasonably uniform dispersion of droplets over a substantial area of the surface of the liquid in the tank, which reduces the surface foam.

Abstract: Submerged jet nozzles are located at equal distances from the center of a tank containing a quantity of liquid and solids. Some of the nozzles induce flow partly inward and some induce flow partly outward, but all mixers are directed generally in the same circumferential direction. The inward directed nozzles are located close to the bottom of the tank and direct liquid across the central portion of the tank where solids tend to accumulate. Upper nozzles direct flow at least partly outward but in the same circumferential direction as the lower nozzles. The flow from the upper nozzles tends to reflect off the wall of the tank in addition to inducing a rotational flow of substantially the entire body of liquid in the tank.

Abstract: A nozzle ejects a liquid stream generally horizontally inward from a location near the periphery of a tank, and fairly close to the upper surface of liquid in the tank. The liquid stream impinges on a splash plate or deflector to break the liquid stream into a reasonably uniform dispersion of droplets over a substantial area of the surface of the liquid in the tank, which reduces the surface foam.

Abstract: An improved mechanism is provided for adjusting the clearance between the outer edges of impeller vanes of a centrifugal pump and the interior surface of an adjacent intake plate. The impeller having the vanes is mounted as an assembly to a back plate that can be secured to a casing or housing to which the intake plate is mounted. Threaded adjusters allow adjustment of the clearance between the impeller vanes and the intake plate. Additional modifications include a modified seal design to prevent material from clogging relatively rotatable seal components, a modified intake plate with a shallow recess to increase chopping effectiveness and pump efficiency, impeller vanes with a unique shape to achieve a high head, and a self-priming pump.

Abstract: Submerged jet nozzles are located at equal distances from the center of a tank containing a quantity of liquid and solids. Some of the nozzles induce flow partly inward and some induce flow partly outward, but all mixers are directed generally in the same circumferential direction. The inward directed nozzles are located close to the bottom of the tank and direct liquid across the central portion of the tank where solids tend to accumulate. Upper nozzles direct flow at least partly outward but in the same circumferential direction as the lower nozzles. The flow from the upper nozzles tends to reflect off the wall of the tank in addition to inducing a rotational flow of substantially the entire body of liquid in the tank.

Abstract: Stationary cutter teeth project axially inward into the bowl of a centrifugal pump and cooperate with edge portions of the pump impeller vanes at the closed side of the pump bowl for chopping solid matter in the material being pumped.

Abstract: A centrifugal pump has a bladed impeller rotating in the bowl of the pump casing. The inlet side of the pump bowl is closed by an intake plate. A hub rotated with the impeller extends through the intake plate, generally axially outward from the impeller blades. The hub has an abrupt projection in close cutting relationship with at least a portion of the intake plate as the impeller is rotated.

Abstract: A centrifugal pump has an impeller with vanes including cutting edges at the intake side of the pump bowl. The intake side of the bowl is closed by an intake plate, and an external cutter has blades in close cutting relationship to raised anvil ribs on the intake plate. The intake plate has an outward opening recess including a first portion of one diameter and a second portion of a greater diameter. The external cutter has respective first and second portions closely received in the first and second recess portions, respectively. The first portion of the external cutter cooperates with the first portion of the intake plate recess, and the second portion cooperates with the second recess portion, to chop solid matter entering the pump through the intake plate.

Abstract: The rotary drive shaft of a centrifugal pump extends vertically through a cylindrical housing and into a casing defining a bowl for the impeller of the pump. A mechanical seal and bearings for the drive shaft are positioned between the pump bowl and the interior of the housing which forms a reservoir for liquid lubricant. The impeller includes a radial shroud plate, a first set of pumping blades projecting downward from the shroud plate toward the axial pump inlet and a second set of blades or vanes projecting upward from the shroud plate. The upper vanes result in slight suction being generated in the area of the seal tending to draw lubricant from the housing reservoir through the bearings and seal. Seal failure is detected by a rapid decrease in the level of lubricant in the reservoir.

Abstract: A booster propeller is located at the inlet of a flared funnel leading toward arcuate inlet apertures in an end plate of a centrifugal pump casing. Such propeller has radially projecting blades of generally right triangular cross section with bases formed of the broad trailing sides and broad bottom sides remote from the impeller; the hypotenuse side of each blade being a broad upper surface inclined relative to a plane perpendicular to the axis for propelling slurry toward the inlet apertures. The end plate is recessed into the impeller-receiving bowl of the pump casing such that the inner face of the end plate is flush with the adjoining inner face of the peripheral pump outlet conduit integral with the pump casing. The impeller has a circular shroud plate perpendicular to the axis with vanes or blades projecting toward the end plate and having cupped leading surfaces forming a sharpened edge.

Abstract: The face seal of a centrifugal pump has a stationary seal component mounted on the pump casing and a rotary seal component rotatable with the drive shaft extending into the casing and connected to the inner rotary pumping member or impeller. The rotary seal component is biased against the stationary seal component by a resilient welded metal bellows assembly having its end portion opposite the rotary seal component clamped to the drive shaft. To protect the welded metal bellows assembly against abrasive life-shortening contact with particulates in the liquid being pumped, a rigid shroud is provided including a generally cylindrical cavity having an inner wall portion extending close alongside the bellows for at least substantially the full axial extent of the bellows.

Abstract: Radial runner blades projecting axially from a shroud plate have leading faces inclined from the axial central portions of the blades forward to a cutting edge adjacent to an intake casing wall at an angle of 45.degree.. The trailing wall of each blade is bent to form a reflex angle at approximately its axial central portion, and each blade flares in cross-sectional thickness from its axial central portion toward its edge adjacent to the intake wall. A screw propeller connected to the runner and located at the side of the intake wall opposite the runner facilitates flow of material to the pump toward the casing intake ports, slices sliceable articles into pieces of a size for passage through the intake ports and displaces unsliceable objects for clearing the intake ports.