Component assembly for reconfiguring a centrifugal pump

• US 20050013690A1
• Filed: 06/01/2004
• Published: 01/20/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 06/02/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Brandon R. Doering, David P. Borrowman
• Original Assignee: Brandon R. Doering, David P. Borrowman
• Inventors: Doering, Brandon R., Borrowman, David P.
• Granted Patent: US 7,121,794 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 415/214.100
• CPC Class Codes: F03B 3/02 with radial flow at high-pressure side and axial flow at low-pressure side of rotors, e.g. Francis turbines rotors per se F03B3/125
• CPC Class Codes: F03B 3/125 Rotors for radial flow at high-pressure side and axial flow at low-pressure side, e.g. for Francis-type turbines
• CPC Class Codes: F05B 2240/30 Characteristics of rotor blades, i.e. of any element transforming dynamic fluid energy to or from rotational energy and being attached to a rotor
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/20 Hydro energy
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/72 Wind turbines with rotation axis in wind direction
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 415/912 Interchangeable parts to vary pumping capacity or size of pump
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49238 Repairing, converting, servicing or salvaging
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49318 Repairing or disassembling
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49716 Converting

Abstract

A component assembly is provided for converting a conventional centrifugal pump, of the vortex impeller type for example, to a different type of centrifugal pump, such as a spiral impeller pump. The component assembly enables a resident centrifugal pump to be converted to a more efficient or appropriate type of industrial pump when conditions or application processing requirements change, and avoids the need to entirely replace an installed pump for a new type of pump.

Claims

1. A component assembly for reconfiguring a centrifugal pump to a different type of centrifugal pump, comprising:

back plate sized to be received adjacent an existing drive casing and to accommodate an existing drive shaft;

a new impeller of a type different from an original impeller of an existing pump, said new impeller being configured to register against said back plate and being structured for securement to the terminal end of an existing drive shaft of a centrifugal pump; and

a suction side cover having a central opening defining an inlet for a pump, said suction side cover being configured to accommodate said new impeller.

2. The component assembly of claim 1 further comprising an impeller adapter structured to receive the terminal end of an existing drive shaft and configured to register between said back plate and said new impeller.

3. The component assembly of claim 2 wherein said impeller adapter is structured with a central opening to receive the terminal end of an existing drive shaft of a pump.

4. The component assembly of claim 2 wherein said back plate is structured with a central opening sized to receive an existing drive shaft of a pump and to receive said impeller adapter therein.

5. The component assembly of claim 1 wherein said new impeller is a spiral type impeller.

6. The component assembly of claim 5 further comprising an impeller flange having a conically-shaped surface for positioning toward said spiral type impeller, said impeller flange further being structured with a central opening for receiving a drive shaft therethrough.

7. The component assembly of claim 1 wherein said back plate is formed with a central opening to receive an existing drive shaft therethrough.

8. A component assembly for reconfiguring a centrifugal pump to a different type of centrifugal pump, comprising:

an impeller adapter structured to receive the terminal end of an existing drive shaft of a centrifugal pump and configured to register against the pump casing of a centrifugal pump;

a new impeller of a type different from the original impeller of an existing centrifugal pump, said new impeller being structured for securement to the terminal end of an existing drive shaft of an existing pump; and

a suction side cover having a central opening defining an inlet for a pump, said suction side cover being configured to accommodate said new impeller.

9. The component assembly of claim 8 wherein said new impeller is a spiral-type impeller.

10. The component assembly of claim 9 wherein said impeller adapter is an impeller flange configured with a conically-shaped surface for orientation toward said spiral type impeller.

11. A method for reconfiguring an existing type of centrifugal pump to a different type of centrifugal pump, comprising:

providing a centrifugal pump of a first type having a resident impeller and further comprising;

a drive side casing;

a drive shaft extending through said drive side casing;

a volute casing secured to said drive side casing;

a resident impeller received by and secured to said drive shaft; and

an existing suction side cover secured to said volute casing and sized to accommodate said resident impeller;

providing a component assembly for converting the centrifugal pump to a new type of centrifugal pump, comprising at least one of a back plate or an impeller adapter, and comprising a new type of impeller and a new suction side cover configured to accommodate said new type of impeller;

removing said existing suction side cover from said volute casing;

releasing said resident impeller from securement with said drive shaft;

positioning and securing at least one or either said back plate or said impeller adapter from said component assembly against said drive side casing and about said drive shaft and securing to said pump;

positioning said new impeller in registration against at least one of said back plate or impeller adapter;

securing said new impeller to said drive shaft; and

positioning said new suction side cover, configured to accommodate said new impeller, against said volute casing and securing said new suction side cover to said volute casing.

12. The method according to claim 11 wherein both said back plate and said impeller adapter are installed in the existing casing.

13. The method according to claim 12 wherein said centrifugal pump is of the vortex type and said resident impeller is a vortex impeller, and wherein said new impeller of said component assembly is a spiral type impeller.