MONOBLOCK AXIAL PUMP
A pump device includes an axially rotating tube having an internal impeller affixed. Each opposite end of the tube has an inlet and outlet so that a powering means to axially engage the tube results in moving of a fluid. The supports or monoblocks at each end of the tube provide for sealing of the fluid passing through the tube and bearing support for the rotating tube. Quick pump disassembly and assembly and the feature of simple interchangeability of impeller types result in a variety of fluids to be pumped and fast and easy pump maintenance.
The invention is in the field of pumps, and more particularly axial flow pumps of the type having a fixed impeller within an axially rotating tube having inlet and outlet openings at opposite ends.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION AND DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ARTThe term “pump” is used herein to refer to a device comprising a rotating tube having a fixed impeller secured therein. As a powering means causes the tube to rotate, an inlet and outlet stream results within the tube to cause intake, compression, and the exhaust of a fluid medium such as a gas, a liquid, or combination thereof. Further, the term “pump” embraces a reverse operation in which fluid drives an impeller rather than the impeller driving the fluid, i.e., in reverse operation most every pump is effectively a motor. The term “monoblock” is used herein to refer to the unitized, or one piece, construction of the member that holds the rotating tube, incorporates the tube seal, and provides a bearing surface for the rotating tube while also providing the means for expeditious serviceability.
An example of an axial flow pump is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,163,120 to J. A. Richards. The Richards patent and present commercially available axial flow pumps differ from the invention being they all have in common impellers driven independently of the housings encapsulating them. It is relatively easy to seal tubing and piping that are not rotating with an impeller fixed therein. In comparison to the invention, disassembly time for maintenance is longer and therefore changing impellers for various applications and cleaning has associated labor and time penalties and therefore limiting applications.
An example of an axial pump with a rotating housing and impeller configuration is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,655,294 to Thatcher. The Thatcher patent shows an axially rotating ductwork with a substantially developed impeller, connected to ductwork for support. The patent does not fully address the difficulties of dissembling the rotating ductwork and impeller for maintenance and the complexity in sealing the rotating ductwork.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention comprises a pump structure benefiting from the variety of impeller types and exploits the potential of an axially rotating tube pump design. The rotating tube has bearing and seal surfaces and includes the means to secure an impeller. Impellers not requiring powering means associated with shafts and the streamlining as a result can be beneficial to flow characteristics. The invention advances this concept further to provide the means for quick pump disassembly and provide the means to have the rotating tube adaptable to a variety of impellers. The invention creates a new range of applications for the field of axial flow pumps.
In the illustrative embodiment, the rotating tube fits into two opposing monoblocks. The monoblocks provide both a bearing for the rotating tube and seal the rotating tube to allow the pumping of compressed gases or liquids through the tube all the while maintaining a leak free environment.
In a further illustrative embodiment, the opposing monoblocks provide both the structure for the tube during rotation and also allow for quick disassembly of the rotating tube and impeller and general maintenance.
In another illustrative embodiment, the rotating tube both affixes the impeller and allows the impeller to be easily removed from the tube for cleaning or substitution.
In accordance with a preferred embodiment hereafter described, the rotating tube is secured by the opposing monoblocks that also provide the rotary seals of the rotating tube and the tube bearing surfaces. The features of the invention also provide the means to disconnect the rotating tube from the structure easily and dependent upon scale of the invention, without tools and quickly. Moreover, due to these features, impellers can be also cleaned and/or switched easily creating new opportunities for axial flow pumps. As will be understood from the following specification, the pump of the present invention can be scaled to various capacities with pump components being constructed using materials or combination of materials including a hard dense plastic such as UHMWPE (Ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene) or softer easier to machine but possessing higher chemical resistance PTFE (Polytetrafluoroethylene), composites, ceramics, and/or metals.
These and other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the detailed description below, in light of the accompanying drawings.
For purposes of clarity and brevity, like elements and components will bear the same designations and numbering throughout the Figures.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTIONReferring to
The rotating tube (4) must move freely without any binding from misalignment to assure maximum life of seal and bearing surfaces. When the monoblocks (3) are removed from the pump base (1), the rotating tube (4) can be simply grasped and pulled out to remove from the monoblocks (3) or in the case of assembling the pump can be reinserted (pushed-in) into each monoblock (3) with the monoblocks (3) then put back into the pump base (1). Since both monoblocks (3) are a duplicate of each other and with the rotating tube (4) once inserted, the assembly remains in perpendicular alignment and having said location and fit feature in the pump base (1) assures this alignment will not alter when the monoblocks (3) are set into the pump base pockets (2). After inserting the monoblocks (3) and rotating tube assembly (4) into the pump base pockets (2), the rotating tube gear (5) and motor gear (6) location needs to be checked and adjusted if necessary to assure the correct meshing of the gears. Under normal conditions, once the initial setup of the motor is performed, no further adjustment should be required. Rotating tube (4) drive means can also be friction drive, pulley arrangement or other gearing configurations such as a worm gear. When the invention is scaled-up, e.g. a large increase in motor horsepower as compared to a laboratory or metering pump application, then a method to lock the monoblocks (3) into the pump base (1) is warranted. The powering means of an electric motor can be substituted with a gasoline, diesel or natural gas motor for the industrial version of the invention. These powering means are pertinent to disaster relief and remote locations without electricity for water transferring.
Referring now to
In
Selection of the monoblock (3) construction material is based on several factors such as economy, the fluid or gas being pumped, and whether or not to use a material that will be sacrificial, specifically the seal and bearing surfaces. In a one-piece monolithic monoblock, the term “sacrificial” relates to using a material that is the wearing component of the pump. For instance, a monoblock (3) made entirely of PTFE and a rotating tube made of type 316 stainless steel will allow the pumping of the majority of chemicals on the condition that the tube fittings and the tubing are also made of similar materials. Relatively inexpensive and easy to machine, a PTFE monoblock (3) will after a period of time have both its seal and bushing wear to a point where the monoblock will require replacement. Substituting UHMWPE for a PTFE monoblock (3) is feasible and it should wear longer but the fluids and or gases are limited as compared to using PTFE and is harder to machine. A stainless steel monoblock will last even longer but will be more expensive to machine than a plastic monoblock (3) and will require the additions of a commercial seal and bearing or bushing.
In addition, larger capacity pumps may require additional seal and bearings components such as bronze bushings, ball bearings and seals such as standard radial and mechanical seals. Also, the monoblock structure can be a variety of geometric shapes such as cylindrical. With miniature pump versions, another means to secure the monoblock to the pump base would be provide a location or dowel pin and accompanying hole in either the monoblock or the pump base instead of incorporating pump base pockets (2).
Shown in
Referring to
Under normal conditions, providing there is a stop to affix the impeller (24) inside the rotating tube (4), the impeller will lodge itself utilizing the impeller's own force in a fluid stream to hold it in place. One simple method to provide the stop is to fabricate a protrusion (27) into the rotating tube (4). Another method to provide a stop for the impeller is to indent a slight deformation in the rotating tube, as long as the rotating tube remains straight, that will cause the impeller to lodge itself with no further travel up to that stop. It is imperative to design the stop as to prevent the impeller traveling into the monoblock under operating conditions. To remove the impeller from the tube, being careful not to damage the rotating tube ends (29), tap on a soft or wooden surface and the impeller should fall out if not frozen which would then require a drift to dislodge it.
It will finally be understood that the disclosed embodiments represent presently preferred forms of the invention, but are intended to be explanatory rather than limiting of the invention. Reasonable variation and modification of the invention as disclosed in the foregoing disclosure and drawings are possible without departing from the scope of invention. The scope of the invention is defined by the following claims.
Claims
1. A pump comprising:
- the rotating tube having the internal impeller,
- the monoblock supporting each end of the rotating tube,
- the monoblock providing sealing and bearing surfaces with the rotating tube,
- the monoblock providing connections for inlet or outlet tubing,
- the monoblock secured to the pump base, and
- the motor providing axial rotation of the tube.
2. As defined in claim 1, wherein the preferred means to secure each monoblock is the pocket in the pump base having the slide-in fit maintaining the alignment of the rotating tube.
3. As defined in claim 1, wherein the monoblock provides for pullout release and push-in insertion of the rotating tube.
4. As defined in claim 1, wherein the monoblock having the rotary shaft seal pocket comprised of the path machined with the ball cutter to provide a round contour to fit and locate an o-ring to energize the radial seal for the rotating tube.
5. As defined in claim 1, wherein the rotating tube wall having integral indentations to provide impeller vanes to provide the same effect as an impeller.
6. As defined in claim 1, wherein the molded or cast metal or plastic axially rotating tube with tubing wall having integral indentations or vanes to provide the same effect as having a separate impeller.
7. As defined in claim 1, wherein the rotating tube and impeller having the matching taper to provide the impeller to become fixed inside the rotating tube during pumping rotation.
8. As defined in claim 1, wherein the monoblock integral bearing surface for the rotating tube is substituted with a bronze type bushing, ball or roller bearing.
9. As defined in claim 1, wherein the monoblock integral seal for the rotating tube is substituted with a radial seal or mechanical seal.
10. As defined in claim 1, wherein the monoblock is made from PTFE or UHMWPE.
11. As defined in claim 1, wherein the rotating tube having grooves at or near the rotating tube bearing surfaces provides the impeller creating sealing action by controlling leaking of fluid by centrifugal force.
12. (canceled)
13. A pump component comprising the rotating tube providing the same effect as having a separate impeller thereby:
- the tube wall with integral indentations to provide impeller vanes or
- the tube of molded or cast metal or plastic having integral indentations or vanes.
14. (canceled)
15. A pump component comprising the rotating tube having grooves at or near the rotating tube bearing surfaces provides the impeller creating sealing action by controlling leakage of fluid by centrifugal force.
Type: Application
Filed: Jul 29, 2015
Publication Date: Feb 2, 2017
Inventor: John McIntyre (Traverse City, MI)
Application Number: 14/813,090