Abstract: This invention relates to a unitary centrifugal fluid fuel pump diffuser ring assembly for use between a low pressure source of fluid on a fluid input side of the diffuser ring and a high pressure fluid exit side of the diffuser ring. In the preferred embodiment of the invention a diffuser ring is disposed in mating engagement between a pair of support structures. The diffuser ring is provided with separate fluid sealing units disposed between a first and a second side of the diffuser ring. The fluid sealing units cooperate with the support structures to provide on the first and the second sides of the diffuser ring regions which are free from the effects of the aforenoted low and high pressures. This arrangement results in a reduction in the force required to hold the diffuser ring and the support structures in a unitary assembly free of fluid leakage.

Abstract: This invention relates to a centrifugal pump, bearing housing, diffuser ring, and volute housing fastening arrangement in which a plurality of containment pump bolts pass through, in one direction, corresponding openings in the bearing housing, the diffuser ring, and the volute housing, whereas gear box mounting bolts pass through in an opposite direction corresponding openings in the bearing housing, the diffuser ring, and the volute housing. The mounting bolts are secured in a portion of a gear box. The mounting bolts therefore provide a function of providing pressure containment for the pump in the event that a containment pump bolt or fastener is missing or ineffective, in which case a load carried by a missing pump bolt is carried by a nearby mounting bolt. The containment pump bolts, having bolt heads adjacent the gear box, to prevent inadvertent torquing during routine maintenance.

Abstract: This invention relates to a fully modulatable centrifugal pump capable of handling a fluid containing solid contaminant particles and minimizing the temperature rise of the pumped fluid. The pump is of the type that includes an impeller to propel the fluid through a radial outlet to a diffuser which includes a plurality of diffuser passages. The improvement is comprised of the following cooperative combination which includes rotatably mounted valve elements passing, in part, through the diffuser and across the diffuser passages. Each of the valve elements have a port therethrough to variably selectively allow fluid passage therethrough upon rotation of the valve element. A driving arrangement is coupled to each of the valve elements to thereby affect a yieldable rotation of the valve elements in one direction to progressively reduce the opening of the valve element port to the diffuser passage.