Abstract: A centrifugal pump 10 having a centrifugal impeller 12 and a volute housing 56 for collecting flow discharged from the impeller is disclosed. Various construction details are developed which decrease stresses in the components and improve the efficiency of the construction. In one particular embodiment, the volute housing is formed inwardly of the pressure vessel 32 and has at least one sidewall 64 having a pressure region 58 bounded by the sidewall on the interior side of the pressure region and bounded by the outer pressure vessel on the exterior side of the pressure region to exert a pressure force on the sidewall under operative conditions.

Abstract: An outer race carrier (52) is constructed for receiving an outer race (26) of an antifriction bearing assembly (10). The carrier (52) in turn is slidably fitted in an opening (57) of a support wall to accommodate slight axial movements of a shaft (14). A plurality of longitudinal splines (54) on the carrier are disposed to be fitted into matching slots (56) in the opening (57). A deadband gap (60) is provided between sides of the splines and slots, with a radial gap (62) at ends of the splines and slots and a gap (59) between the splines and slots sized larger than the deadband gap. With this construction, operational distortions (slope) of the support wall are accommodated by the larger radial gaps (62, 59) while the deadband gaps (60) maintain a relatively high springrate of the housing. Additionally, side loads applied to the shaft are distributed between sides of the splines and slots, distributing such loads over a larger surface area than a race carrier (28) of the prior art.

Abstract: A rotor disk 18 and rotor blade 26 assembly is disclosed having a blade lock 66 which retains the rotor blade against axial movement in an axially extending blade retention slot 58. Various construction details are developed which shield the dead rim region D.sub.d and shift at least a portion of the loads associated with the locking device from the dead rim. In one detailed embodiment, a projection 68 from the live rim D.sub.1 of the disk 18 is adapted by slots 86 to receive blade locks 66.