Patent US3677659A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3677659A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Multi-stage pump and components therefor
Assignee: Studebaker Worthington Inc
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Filing: 1970-07-31
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Granted: 1972-07-18
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Expires: 1990-07-31
Abstract
Abstract A multi-stage pump including a casing having an inducer section and at least one impeller section. A shaft rotatably driven by a suitable prime mover extends into the casing and the inducer and the impeller or impellers as the case may be in the casing are mounted on and are rotatable with the shaft. Novel spaced tapered roller bearing assemblies support the shaft, each bearing assembly being separately lubricated by a lubricant, e.g. grease, which is pumped by the action of the roller bearings through connected chambers and passages about the respective roller bearing assemblies. The spaced roller bearing assemblies are stressed for rigidity in assembled position by a telescoping piston means which defines a fluid chamber into which any suitable fluid can be introduced to force the piston means to engage and exert stress on the outer races of the respective tapered roller bearing assemblies for maintaining the tapered rollers thereof in contact with the races at all times during operation. Alternatively, slingers can be mounted for rotation with the shaft adjacent each of the tapered roller bearing assemblies for assisting the pumping action of the tapered roller bearings and for dissipating bearing heat. Axial thrust along the shaft is balanced by a fluid line connecting a leakage cavity behind the back shroud of the last mounted impeller to the inlet or suction side of the impeller. A pressure regulating valve may be provided in the fluid line for varying the pressure of the fluid in the leakage cavity as a function of variations in the pressure of the fluid flowing into the inlet or suction side of the pump. The pump provides for a reduction in cavitation at low load conditions by withdrawing or passing back flowing fluid from the periphery of the inducer through a leakage passage in communication with the pump suction. Additionally, cavitation over the entire operating range of the pump is reduced by communicating the leakage joints of the impeller casing wearing rings with the pump suction. Also disclosed is novel casing structure for withdrawing gases from suction fluid, withdrawn back flow fluid and fluid leakage from the wearing rings.
Inventors
- 👤 John G Williams
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 06:38
CPC Classifications
F; F04; F04D; F04D29/00; F04D29/04; F04D29/046; F04D29/049; F04D15/00; F04D15/0005; F04D15/0011; F04D29/041; F04D29/0416; F04D29/66; F04D29/669; F04D9/00; F04D9/001; F04D9/002; F04D9/003
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
299 words
A pump including: a casing, said casing defining an inlet opening, a discharge opening, and a pumping chamber disposed therebetween; fluid propulsion means disposed at least partially within said pumping chamber, said fluid propulsion means for establishing a flow of fluid through said inlet opening, said pumping chamber and said discharge opening; prime mover means for imparting operating rotational movement to said fluid propulsion means; shaft means for operably connecting said prime mover means and said fluid propulsion means; bearing means for supporting said shaft for rotation, said bearing means comprising, at least one tapered roller bearing assembly having an upstream end and a downstream end, said assembly including an inner race, an outer race, a plurality of tapered roller bearings operably disposed between said inner race and said outer race, and first passage means disposed outwardly of said roller bearings for communicating the upstream end of said roller bearing assembly and the downstream end of said roller bearing assembly, said first passage means for accommodating a flow of lubricant between said upstream and downstream ends of said roller bearing assembly; and at least a second tapered roller bearing assembly disposed in spaced relation to the first mentioned roller bearing assembly, said second tapered roller bearing assembly having an upstream end and a downstream end, and including an inner race, an outer race, a plurality of tapered roller bearings operably disposed between said inner race and said outer race for the second tapered roller bearing assembly, and second passage means disposed outwardly of said roller bearings for communicating the upstream end of said second roller bearing assembly and the downstream end of said second roller bearing assembly, said second passage means for accommodating a flow of lubricant between said upstream and downstream ends of said second roller bearing assembly.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
299 words
A pump including: a casing, said casing defining an inlet opening, a discharge opening, and a pumping chamber disposed therebetween; fluid propulsion means disposed at least partially within said pumping chamber, said fluid propulsion means for establishing a flow of fluid through said inlet opening, said pumping chamber and said discharge opening; prime mover means for imparting operating rotational movement to said fluid propulsion means; shaft means for operably connecting said prime mover means and said fluid propulsion means; bearing means for supporting said shaft for rotation, said bearing means comprising, at least one tapered roller bearing assembly having an upstream end and a downstream end, said assembly including an inner race, an outer race, a plurality of tapered roller bearings operably disposed between said inner race and said outer race, and first passage means disposed outwardly of said roller bearings for communicating the upstream end of said roller bearing assembly and the downstream end of said roller bearing assembly, said first passage means for accommodating a flow of lubricant between said upstream and downstream ends of said roller bearing assembly; and at least a second tapered roller bearing assembly disposed in spaced relation to the first mentioned roller bearing assembly, said second tapered roller bearing assembly having an upstream end and a downstream end, and including an inner race, an outer race, a plurality of tapered roller bearings operably disposed between said inner race and said outer race for the second tapered roller bearing assembly, and second passage means disposed outwardly of said roller bearings for communicating the upstream end of said second roller bearing assembly and the downstream end of said second roller bearing assembly, said second passage means for accommodating a flow of lubricant between said upstream and downstream ends of said second roller bearing assembly.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
78 words
A pump according to claim 1 and further including: an outer bearing cover, and wherein said bearing cover cooperates with said one and said second tapered roller bearing assemblies to define with respect to each said tapered roller bearing assembly an upstream lubricant chamber and a downstream lubricant chamber, and wherein said first and second passage means communicate said upstream lubricant chambers with said downstream lubricant chambers of said one and said second tapered roller bearing assemblies, respectively.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
A pump according to claim 2 and further including: slinger means secured to said shaft means for rotation therewith, said slinger means extending from said shaft radially into said upstream lubricant chamber.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
44 words
A pump according to claim 2 and further including: a plurality of slinger means secured to said shaft means for rotation therewith, said plurality of slinger means comprising at least one slinger means extending from said shaft radially into each said upstream lubricant chamber.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
82 words
A pump according to claim 1 and further including: means on the inner race of eaCh said one and said second tapered roller bearing assembly for restraining axial movement of said tapered roller bearings; and means for exerting a pressure against each said outer race whereby to maintain said inner race, said outer race and said tapered roller bearings of each said one and said second tapered roller bearing assembly in rolling contact at all times during operation of said bearing means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
181 words
A pump according to claim 5 wherein said means for exerting a pressure comprises: an outer bearing cover, said outer bearing cover for engaging the peripheral surface and at least one radial surface of said outer race of said one tapered roller bearing assembly, and said outer bearing cover for engaging the peripheral surface of said outer race of said second tapered roller bearing assembly to permit axial movement of said outer race of said second tapered roller bearing assembly therebetween; a piston means slidably received within said outer bearing cover, said piston means in engagement with a radial surface of said outer race of said second tapered roller bearing assembly, and said piston means cooperating with said outer bearing cover to define a fluid chamber; and means for introducing pressurized fluid to said fluid chamber, said pressurized fluid for urging said piston means slidably out of said outer bearing cover whereby to establish a force against said outer races for urging said outer races against said tapered roller bearings of each said one and said second tapered roller bearing assemblies.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
71 words
A pump according to claim 6 wherein said outer bearing cover cooperates with said one and said second tapered roller bearing assemblies to define with respect to each said tapered roller bearing assembly an upstream lubricant chamber and a downstream lubricant chamber, and wherein said first and second passage means communicates said upstream lubricant chambers with said downstream lubricant chambers of said one and said second tapered roller bearing assemblies, respectively.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
44 words
A pump according to claim 7 and further including: a plurality of slinger means secured to said shaft means for rotation therewith, said plurality of slinger means comprising at least one slinger means extending from said shaft radially into each said upstream lubricant chambers.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
242 words
A multi-stage pump including: a casing comprising, an inducer section for defining a suction chamber and an induction pumping chamber, said inducer section having an inlet opening for allowing flow of fluid into said suction chamber and a discharge opening for allowing flow of fluid out of said induction pumping chamber; an impeller section for defining an impeller inlet opening, an impeller pumping chamber having a volute, and a pump discharge opening, said impeller inlet opening being in communication with said pump discharge opening through said impeller pumping chamber; inducer means disposed within said induction pumping chamber, said inducer means for establishing a flow of fluid through said inlet opening, said suction chamber, said induction pumping chamber and said discharge opening; impeller means disposed within said impeller pumping chamber, said impeller means for establishing a flow of fluid through said impeller inlet opening, said impeller pumping chamber and said pump discharge opening; prime mover means for imparting operating rotational movement to said inducer means and said impeller means; shaft means for operably connecting said prime mover means to said inducer means and said impeller means; and a first casing wearing ring disposed between said casing and said impeller means adjacent said impeller inlet opening, said first wearing ring defining a leakage joint one side of which is in communication with said pumping chamber adjacent said discharge opening, the other side of said leakage joint being in fluid communication with said suction chamber.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
242 words
A multi-stage pump including: a casing comprising, an inducer section for defining a suction chamber and an induction pumping chamber, said inducer section having an inlet opening for allowing flow of fluid into said suction chamber and a discharge opening for allowing flow of fluid out of said induction pumping chamber; an impeller section for defining an impeller inlet opening, an impeller pumping chamber having a volute, and a pump discharge opening, said impeller inlet opening being in communication with said pump discharge opening through said impeller pumping chamber; inducer means disposed within said induction pumping chamber, said inducer means for establishing a flow of fluid through said inlet opening, said suction chamber, said induction pumping chamber and said discharge opening; impeller means disposed within said impeller pumping chamber, said impeller means for establishing a flow of fluid through said impeller inlet opening, said impeller pumping chamber and said pump discharge opening; prime mover means for imparting operating rotational movement to said inducer means and said impeller means; shaft means for operably connecting said prime mover means to said inducer means and said impeller means; and a first casing wearing ring disposed between said casing and said impeller means adjacent said impeller inlet opening, said first wearing ring defining a leakage joint one side of which is in communication with said pumping chamber adjacent said discharge opening, the other side of said leakage joint being in fluid communication with said suction chamber.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
32 words
A multi-stage pump according to claim 9 and further including: passaGe means formed in said casing, said passage means for communicating said other side of said leakage joint with said suction chamber.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
66 words
A multi-stage pump according to claim 9 and further including: a second casing wearing ring disposed between said casing and a back shroud of said impeller means, said second wearing ring defining a leakage joint one side of which is in communication with said pumping chamber adjacent said discharge opening and the other side of said leakage joint being in fluid communication with said suction chamber.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
62 words
A multi-stage pump according to claim 11 and further including: a leakage cavity formed in said casing; and a fluid line for communicating said leakage cavity with said suction chamber, said leakage cavity and said fluid line cooperating to define a fluid passage for communicating said other side of said leakage joint of said second casing wearing ring with said suction chamber.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
49 words
A multi-stage pump according to claim 12 and further including: valve means disposed in said fluid line, said valve means for selectably controlling the flow of fluid from said leakage cavity to said suction chamber in response to variations in the pressure of fluid at said impeller inlet opening.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
58 words
A multi-stage pump according to claim 10 and further including: slot means formed in said casing upstream of said inducer means, said slot means for communicating said induction pumping chamber with said passage means in said casing whereby backflowing fluid from said propeller means flows from said induction pumping chamber and through said passage into said suction chamber.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
162 words
A pump including: a casing, said casing for defining an inlet opening, a suction chamber, a fluid pumping chamber and a discharge opening; fluid propulsion means disposed at least partially within said pumping chamber, said fluid propulsion means for establishing a flow of fluid through said inlet opening, said suction chamber, said fluid pumping chamber and said discharge opening; prime mover for imparting operating rotational movement to said fluid propulsion means; shaft means for operably connecting said prime mover means and said fluid propulsion means; passage means formed in said casing, said passage means in communication with said suction chamber; means for communicating said fluid pumping chamber upstream of said prime mover means with said passage whereby backflow generated by said prime mover means flows out of said fluid pumping chamber, through said passage and into said suction chamber; and said passage means includes, a gas collection space and said gas collection space communicates with an exhaust port formed in said casing.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
162 words
A pump including: a casing, said casing for defining an inlet opening, a suction chamber, a fluid pumping chamber and a discharge opening; fluid propulsion means disposed at least partially within said pumping chamber, said fluid propulsion means for establishing a flow of fluid through said inlet opening, said suction chamber, said fluid pumping chamber and said discharge opening; prime mover for imparting operating rotational movement to said fluid propulsion means; shaft means for operably connecting said prime mover means and said fluid propulsion means; passage means formed in said casing, said passage means in communication with said suction chamber; means for communicating said fluid pumping chamber upstream of said prime mover means with said passage whereby backflow generated by said prime mover means flows out of said fluid pumping chamber, through said passage and into said suction chamber; and said passage means includes, a gas collection space and said gas collection space communicates with an exhaust port formed in said casing.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
49 words
A pump according to claim 15 wherein said casing includes an impeller section and said fluid propulsion means includes an impeller and further including: a wearing ring having a leakage joint disposed between said impeller and said casing; and means for communicating said leakage joint with said passage means.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
255 words
A multi-stage pump including: a casing comprising, an inducer section for defining a suction chamber and an induction pumping chamber, said inducer section having an inlet opening for allowing flow of fluid into said suction chamber and a discharge opening for allowing flow of fluid out of said induction pumping chamber, and an impeller section for defining an impeller inlet opening, an impeller pumping chamber having a volute and a pump discharge opening, said impeller inlet opening being in communication with said discharge opening of said inducer section; inducer means disposed within said induction pumping chamber, said inducer means for establishing a flow of fluid through said inlet opening, said suction chamber, said pumping chamber and said discharge opening; impeller means having at least vanes and a back shroud disposed within said impeller pumping chamber, said impeller means for establishing a flow of fluid thRough said impeller inlet opening, said impeller pumping chamber and said pump discharge opening; prime mover means for imparting operating rotational movement to said inducer means and said impeller means; shaft means for operably connecting said prime mover means to said inducer means and said impeller means; a leakage chamber disposed behind said back shroud of said impeller means; a fluid line for communicating said leakage chamber with said suction chamber of said inducer section; and means disposed in said fluid line for selectively controlling the flow of fluid from said leakage chamber to said suction chamber in response to variations in the pressure of fluid at said impeller inlet opening.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
255 words
A multi-stage pump including: a casing comprising, an inducer section for defining a suction chamber and an induction pumping chamber, said inducer section having an inlet opening for allowing flow of fluid into said suction chamber and a discharge opening for allowing flow of fluid out of said induction pumping chamber, and an impeller section for defining an impeller inlet opening, an impeller pumping chamber having a volute and a pump discharge opening, said impeller inlet opening being in communication with said discharge opening of said inducer section; inducer means disposed within said induction pumping chamber, said inducer means for establishing a flow of fluid through said inlet opening, said suction chamber, said pumping chamber and said discharge opening; impeller means having at least vanes and a back shroud disposed within said impeller pumping chamber, said impeller means for establishing a flow of fluid thRough said impeller inlet opening, said impeller pumping chamber and said pump discharge opening; prime mover means for imparting operating rotational movement to said inducer means and said impeller means; shaft means for operably connecting said prime mover means to said inducer means and said impeller means; a leakage chamber disposed behind said back shroud of said impeller means; a fluid line for communicating said leakage chamber with said suction chamber of said inducer section; and means disposed in said fluid line for selectively controlling the flow of fluid from said leakage chamber to said suction chamber in response to variations in the pressure of fluid at said impeller inlet opening.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-07-18 | 1976-01-17 | 1976-07-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-07-18 | 1980-01-17 | 1980-07-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-07-18 | 1984-01-17 | 1984-07-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |