An energy-conserving fluid pump is an apparatus used to transport low viscosity fluids like water and fuel without experiencing cavitation, recirculation, nor motor locking while also conserving energy. The apparatus includes a fluid diffuser, a fluid densifier, a convergent housing, and a strut assembly. The fluid diffuser improves the efficiency of the apparatus by expanding the fluid inflow and maintaining a fluid pressure buildup. The fluid densifier shears the incoming fluid flow from the fluid diffuser and increases the fluid outflow pressure. The convergent housing encloses the fluid diffuser and the fluid densifier while facilitating the outflow of the pressurized fluid without the loss of fluid pressure nor cavitation. In addition, the convergent housing facilitates the transfer of torque to the fluid diffuser for the operation of the apparatus. The strut assembly keeps the fluid densifier stationary while enabling the rotation of the convergent housing and/or the fluid diffuser.

An appliance includes a tub defining a wash chamber, and a centrifugal pump in fluid communication with the wash chamber. The centrifugal pump includes a motor housing, a motor disposed in the motor housing, and a fluid impeller coupled to the motor. A diffuser housing assembly includes a first diffuser housing portion and a second diffuser housing portion. The first diffuser housing portion includes a groove and the second diffuser housing portion includes an extrusion. A diffuser vane is positioned on the motor housing. The diffuser vane engages in the groove of the first diffuser housing portion. The extrusion of the second diffuser housing portion encloses the diffuser vane into the diffuser housing assembly.

Stationary diffusers, downhole centrifugal pumps, and methods of pressurizing a fluid may include vanes configured to direct fluid flow through fluid passageways, where at least some of the vanes include a bulge or protrusion extending axially beyond the fluid passageways into an open rotational volume of the diffuser in a direction toward an impeller.

An electric submersible pump includes a plurality of centrifugal pump stages, each stage including a rotating impeller and a stationary diffuser mounted on a shaft coupled to a motor. An upthrust washer can be disposed axially between an impeller and its associated diffuser at or near a tip of the impeller, and the gap between the impeller tip and diffuser can define the end play or axial clearance for the pump. If the upthrust washer wears away, upthrust rubbing occurs at the impeller tip instead of proximate the pump shaft to advantageously help protect the shaft from damage or failure related to heat. In some ESPs, an upthrust bearing assembly can be located at the pump head. A downthrust washer can be disposed in an upstream facing groove of the impeller. The downthrust washer can have a thickness greater than 0.10 in.

A dishwashing appliance or fluid pump, as provided herein may include a fluid impeller, an electric motor, and a housing. The fluid impeller may be rotatably receivable within a tub of the dishwashing appliance. The electric motor may be in mechanical communication with the fluid impeller to motivate rotation thereof. The electric motor may include a multi-phase winding set sealed within an overmolded insulation. The housing may enclose the electric motor therein. The housing may be receivable within a sump to which water is directed in the dishwashing appliance.

A centrifugal pump to improve the efficiency of fluid flow r, and minimize long term wear on the pump by progressively increasing fluid pressure as fluid moves from an eye of an impeller towards diffuser blades, into the volute and out through a outlet. The fluid pressure is increased by progressively increasing the volume through which the fluid travels. A tear-drop shaped volute casing surrounding the diffuser and impeller creates a pocket of maximum pressure just below the outlet. A dampener can be provided to dampen the vibration of the motor. A cylindrical basket strainer can be provided with a flat face abutting against the volute casing to distribute pressure evenly, A clamp ring can be provided to easily seal and access the basket strainer using a plain rod.

A dishwashing appliance may include a cabinet, a tub, a fluid pump, and a wireless power transmitter. The tub may define a wash chamber within the cabinet. The fluid pump may be in fluid communication with the tub for motivating a flow of wash fluid from the tub when activated. The fluid pump may include a fluid impeller rotatably positioned in fluid communication with the wash chamber, and an electric motor in mechanical communication with the fluid impeller to motivate rotation thereof. The wireless power receiver may be in electrical communication with the electric motor. The wireless power transmitter may be spaced apart from the wireless power receiver in operable communication with the wireless power receiver to transmit an electromagnetic field thereto.

An electrical submersible well pump has upper and lower diffusers non-rotatably mounted in a housing. A rotatable impeller between the upper and lower diffusers has a bottom shroud. An outward-facing wall is on an upper end of the lower diffuser. A lower end of the upper diffuser has an inward-facing wall that fits closely around the outward-facing wall of the lower diffuser. A key mounted between the inward-facing and outward-facing walls prevents relative rotation between the diffusers. The key extends axially above an upper end of the neck and radially inward from the inward-facing wall of the upper diffuser into close proximity to the bottom shroud, creating a sand dam.

A multi-stage pump includes a first set of pump stages directing fluid in a first direction from a first end of the multi-stage pump to a diffuser casing disposed at a central portion of the multi-stage pump. A second set of pump stages directs the fluid expelled from the diffuser casing in a second direction, opposite to the first direction, from a second end of the multi-stage pump to the diffuser casing. The diffuser casing receives the fluid from the first set of pump stages and directs the fluid toward the second end of the multi-stage pump and receives the fluid from the second set of pump stages and directs the fluid in a radial direction with respect to a longitudinal axis of the multi-stage pump.

A pump assembly and components therefor including an impeller which has flow inducer elements on an inner surface of a front shroud thereof, a flow directing device or strainer having passageways for delivering material to the impeller and at least one flow circulating passageway and a pump casing having an intake section with flow distribution vanes in the region of a feed opening adjacent the intake section.