Eddy pump impeller

Abstract

An eddy pump impeller includes a hub and a plurality of blades. The hub has a rear surface, and tapers from the rear surface to a front end. The plurality of blades extend from the hub. Each of the plurality of blades has an outer surface essentially parallel to the rotational axis of the hub, inversely tapering from the hub, such that each of the plurality of blades has a width adjacent the hub that is less than a width adjacent the outer surface, and has a front surface tapering in height, such that the plurality of blades is configured to cause an eddy current and cause a fluid stream to be forced to an outside of the impeller.

Claims

1. An eddy pump impeller comprising: a hub having a rear surface, the hub tapering from the rear surface to a front end; and a plurality of blades extending from the hub, each of the plurality of blades having an outer surface essentially parallel to the rotational axis of the hub, and each of the plurality of blades inversely tapering from the hub, such that each of the plurality of blades has a width in a circumferential direction adjacent the hub that is less than a width in the circumferential direction adjacent the outer surface, and having a front surface tapering in height, such that the plurality of blades is configured to cause an eddy current and cause a fluid stream to be forced to an outside of the impeller.

2. The eddy pump impeller according to claim 1 wherein each of the plurality of blades inversely tapers at an angle of between 5 and 20 degrees.

3. The eddy pump impeller according to claim 1 wherein the front surface of each of the plurality of blades tapers in height between 2 and 10 degrees.

4. The eddy pump impeller according to claim 1 wherein the front end of the hub is conical and extends beyond the front surface of each of the plurality of blades.

5. The eddy pump impeller according to claim 1 wherein each of the plurality of blades has a first side surface and a second side surface, each of the first and second sides surfaces being planar.

6. The eddy pump impeller according to claim 1 wherein the impeller is metal selected from a group consisting of alloyed metal, steel, stainless steel, aluminum, zinc, and bronze.

7. The eddy pump impeller according to claim 1 wherein the outer surface of each of the plurality of blades is essentially parallel to an opening in the impeller for a central shaft.

8. The eddy pump impeller according to claim 1 wherein the impeller is configured to be arranged in a housing.

9. The eddy pump impeller according to claim 1 wherein a tip of the conical front end is rounded.

10. The eddy pump impeller according to claim 1 wherein the impeller has a hollow concentric cylindrical opening.

11. The eddy pump impeller according to claim 10, wherein the hollow concentric cylindrical opening is keyed.

12. The eddy pump impeller according to claim 1 wherein the plurality of blades are disposed such as to have equal angular spacing between each blade.

13. The eddy pump impeller according to claim 1 wherein a rear of each of the plurality of blades or the hub is hollow.

14. The eddy pump impeller according to claim 1 wherein the impeller is configured to rotate fluid at a velocity in excess of 1800 r.p.m.

15. The eddy pump impeller according to claim 1 wherein the impeller is configured to pump material having a solids content of greater than 10% by weight of organic material therein.

16. A pump apparatus comprising: the eddy pump impeller according to claim 1; and a housing having an inlet and an outlet.

17. The pump apparatus according to claim 16 further including a motor connected to a central shaft.

18. The pump apparatus according to claim 16 wherein the inlet has an inlet conduit connected to the housing for receiving in the center thereof a rotational column of liquid.

19. The eddy pump impeller according to claim 16 wherein the plurality of blades form a rotor having a diameter and the diameter of the rotor being configured and arranged within the housing so as to provide a clearance within the housing to induce movement of fluid within a pump.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The invention will be explained in more detail hereinafter with reference to the drawings.

(2) FIG. 1 shows an Eddy pump impeller.

(3) FIG. 2 shows a side view of the Eddy pump impeller.

(4) FIG. 3 shows a top plan view of the Eddy pump impeller.

(5) FIG. 4 shows a cross-sectional view of the Eddy pump impeller cut through section line 4-4 from FIG. 3.

(6) FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic view of a pump apparatus.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(7) FIG. 1 shows an Eddy pump impeller 19. This isometric view shows the impeller with five blades or vanes 20, 21, 22, 23 and 24. Each of the five blades 20-24 provide pumping force and the area between each of the five blades 20-24 provides clearance for material and liquid to enter between the blades 20-24 to provide optimal pumping. With four blades there are less blades to provide pumping action and with six blades the blades occupy too much area and prevent sufficient material from entering into the impeller. The five blade design provides the best balance of pumping volume and clearance for movement of material.

(8) The outer diameter enables the outer surface 31 of the rotor 19 to have clearance within the pump housing, which further provides induced movement of fluid within the pump. Minimal flow exists behind the back surface 30 of the rotor 19. Fluids and solid material being pumped are drawn towards the central front cone 40 of the rotor 19. The flow then follows the tapered contour 41 of the rotor. The tapered central hub provides a smooth transition for the material and fluid being pumped to enter into the blades 20-24 of the impeller 19. Material and liquids that enter into the central area of the impeller are typically moving more slowly, a conical central hub divides the inflow to the impeller blades.

(9) In the preferred embodiment the impeller 19 is fabricated from metal as either a cast, molded, forged or a machined impeller 19. While the preferred embodiment is alloyed metal, steel, stainless steel, aluminum, zinc, bronze, metal, other material of plastics, rubbers, or hybrid materials are contemplated that could have equivalent, similar or superior properties. The preferred embodiment is also a material that will not rust or corrode in water, salt water or corrosive fluid environment. The impeller essentially operates by inertial rotation of fluids or material that is “caught” in the Eddy current of the rotating impeller where the centripetal rotating force of the fluid stream is forced to the outside of the impeller 19.

(10) FIG. 2 shows a side view of the Eddy pump impeller 19 and FIG. 3 shows a top plan view of the Eddy pump impeller 19. These views show the geometric features of the impeller 19 and the five blades 20-24. The outer surface 31 of the blades or vanes 20-24 show that the impeller 19 is round in configuration with a flat back surface 30 having an extended hub 42 that extends from the back surface 30 the raised land 43.

(11) In the side view of FIG. 2, the central front cone 40 extends from the blades 20-24 at an angle 53 of between 20 degrees and 40 degrees from the central axis (rotational axis A) with a preferred angle of about 30 degrees. From the side profile of FIG. 2 the rotor angle 49 tapers in height between 2 and 10 degrees. In the preferred embodiment, the taper is about 5 degrees. The transitions from the blades 20-24 to the tapered contour 41 have fillets 44 to smooth the transition between the two surfaces.

(12) From FIG. 3 the five impeller blades 20-24 are shown with an inverse tapering at an angle 54 of between 5 and 20 degrees. In the preferred embodiment the taper angle 54 is about 10 degrees. These figures show contemplated splits or breaks 50 and 51 in the conical section and or blades of the impeller 19. It is contemplated that these breaks can be separations, seam lines or different parts of the assembled impeller 19. These different sections allow for assembled, joined or connected elements of the impeller 19 for fabrication or installation onto a shaft of a motor for the pump. While specific angles and or angle ranges are given in this document, other dimensions and ranges are contemplated. The geometry may also be altered based upon the motor rating, pump geometry and material that is being pumped.

(13) FIG. 4 shows a cross-sectional view of the Eddy pump impeller 19 cut through section line 4-4 from FIG. 3. The solid blade surface 21 is the upper blade in this figure. While this figure shows the blade body as a solid member, it is contemplated that the blade can be hollow or opened at the rear of the blade to reduce weight without compromising pumping efficiency.

(14) The Eddy pump impeller 19 has a central shaft or an opening for a central shaft 60 for mounting the impeller onto a motor. An extended 42 and a raised land 43 extend from the central shaft or the opening 60 for a central shaft of a motor. The hub 42 has a planar rear surface 30 that tapers to a front end of the central front cone 40. The outer surface 31 of the five blades (21 and 24 shown in this view) is essentially parallel to the central shaft or the opening for a central shaft 60.

(15) The five blades extend from the mounting hub 42 from the planar rear surface 30. Each of said five blades inversely tapers from said central shaft or said opening for a central shaft. A front surface of the five blades is tapering in height from the front conical end 40. The fillet 44 is shown in this cross-section as the transition from the tapered contour 41 to the rear surface or back surface 30.

(16) The cross-section shows an open nose area 52. Within this nose area 52, a nut or bolt can be seated on the land area 61. This will secure the impeller 19 onto the shaft of a motor that turns the impeller 19. It is further contemplated that the impeller can be held onto the motor of the pump on a keyed shaft that prevents the impeller 19 from spinning on the shaft, or the impeller can be held with a clutch that allows the impeller to rotate on the shaft if a torque is exceeded. This open area 52 is covered with a cap, the nut or other device that provides a smooth nose area for the flow of fluids.

(17) FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic view of a pump apparatus 10. The pump 112 comprises a pump housing or casing 114 having a pump inlet 116 and a pump outlet 118. Within the pump housing is a chamber 120 containing a rotating impeller or rotor. The rotor is affixed to a drive shaft 124 that extends through an opening 126 in the pump casing. The drive shaft is journaled for rotation within a bearing housing which is bolted to the pump casing at one end thereof. A drive means such as a motor 132 has a rotatable output shaft 134 coupled by a shaft coupling device to the drive shaft 124. Within the bearing housing are radial bearings and thrust bearings that locate and permit the drive shaft to rotate. It is desirable that liquid and foreign material, such as dirt or sand, be prevented from traveling along the shaft 134 from the pump casing opening 126 into the bearings to prevent contamination.

(18) Thus, specific embodiments of an Eddy pump impeller have been disclosed. It should be apparent, however, to those skilled in the art that many more modifications besides those described are possible without departing from the inventive concepts herein. The inventive subject matter, therefore, is not to be restricted except in the spirit of the appended claims.