PORTABLE FUEL PUMP

Abstract

An illustrative embodiment of the present disclosure includes a pump having a rotor and a plurality of vanes. The rotor is attached to a motor that rotates it in first and second directions and is located in a cavity. The plurality of vanes are each pivotally coupled to the rotor so as the rotor rotates, the vanes selectively push fluid from an inlet port out through an outlet port. The plurality of vanes each have an end selected from the group consisting of a lobe, no lobe, and a rod located in the lobe. Each of the plurality of vanes also includes a pivot pin configured to fit in a corresponding receptacle located in the rotor so that each of the plurality of vanes is pivotable with respect to the rotor inside the cavity.

Claims

1. A pump comprising: a motor; a rotor attached to the motor that rotates the rotor; a plurality of vanes each pivotally coupled to the rotor so as the rotor rotates, the vanes selectively push fluid to an outlet port; a power connector coupled to the motor to supply power from a power cord to the motor; a power cord connector that transmits power to the motor from a power supply, through the power cord, and into the power connector; wherein the power connector includes a ground pin extending therefrom; wherein the ground pin is configured to contact a corresponding receptacle in the power cord connector before any other electrical contact; and wherein the ground pin is configured to release from the corresponding receptacle in the power cord connector after any other electrical contact has been released.

2. The pump of claim 1, further comprising a coupler nut that secures the power cord connector to the pump, and creates a weather-tight seal between the power cord connector and the pump.

3. The pump of claim 1, wherein the power cord connector further comprises a ring as part of a plug socket portion, wherein the ring allows a flame path between the power cord and the pump.

4. The pump of claim 3, wherein the ring is made from a material selected from the group consisting of aluminum, brass, bronze, steel, and stainless steel.

5. The pump of claim 1, wherein engagement between the coupler nut and the power connector maintains a flame path with the ring when a connection is broken between the power connector and the power cord connector.

6. The pump of claim 1, wherein the power cord connector further includes a key-shape that connects to the power connector in a defined orientation.

7. The pump of claim 1, further comprising a circuit board that includes a capacitor to provide electromagnetic interference shielding to the pump.

8. The pump of claim 7, wherein the capacitor is configured to suppress the electromagnetic interference at an incoming power connection, wherein the capacitor is coupled to both power leads, as well as the grounding pin.

9. The pump of claim 8, wherein the circuit board is located in a position that provides contact between a ground plan of the circuit board which is connected to a grounding lead and an exposed grounding surface in the pump.

10. The pump of claim 1, wherein the power connector includes a socket that receives the power cord connector from the power cord, wherein a junction connects the power cord to a brushcard to supply power to the motor.

11. The pump of claim 10, wherein the brushcard includes a brush holder, a switch holder, and the circuit board.

12. The pump of claim 10, wherein the ground pin is shown as a potted pin making the ground connection the first to contact the power cord connector, and the last to break from the power cord connector when disconnecting the power cord.

13. A pump comprising: a motor; a rotor attached to the motor that rotates the rotor; a connector coupled to the motor to supply power from a power cord to the motor; wherein the connector includes a ground pin extending therefrom; wherein the ground pin is configured to make contact between the power cord and the motor before any other electrical contact; and wherein the ground pin is configured to release from the connector after any other electrical contact has been released.

14. The pump of claim 13, further comprising a coupler nut that secures a power cord connector to the connector and creates a weather-tight seal between the power cord connector and the connector.

15. The pump of claim 14, wherein the power cord connector further comprises a ring as part of a plug socket portion, wherein the ring allows a flame path between the power cord and the pump.

16. The pump of claim 15, wherein the ring is made from a material selected from the group consisting of aluminum, brass, bronze, steel, and stainless steel.

17. The pump of claim 14, wherein engagement between the coupler nut and the connector maintains a flame path with the ring when a connection is broken between the connector and the power cord connector.

18. The pump of claim 13, wherein the power cord connector further includes a key-shape that connects to the connector in a defined orientation.

19. The pump of claim 13, further comprising a circuit board that includes a capacitor to provide electromagnetic interference shielding to the pump.

20. The pump of claim 19, wherein the capacitor is configured to suppress the electromagnetic interference at an incoming power connection, wherein the capacitor is coupled to both power leads, as well as the grounding pin.

21. The pump of claim 20, wherein the circuit board is located in a position that provides contact between a ground plan of the circuit board which is connected to a grounding lead and an exposed grounding surface in the pump.

22. The pump of claim 13, wherein the connector includes a socket that receives the power cord connector from the power cord, and wherein a junction connects the power cord to a brushcard to supply power to the motor.

23. The pump of claim 22, wherein the brushcard includes a brush holder, a switch holder, and the circuit board.

24. The pump of claim 22, wherein the ground pin is shown as a potted pin making the ground connection the first to contact the power cord connector, and the last to break from the power cord connector when disconnecting the power cord.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] The present disclosure will be described hereafter with reference to the attached drawings which are given as non-limiting examples only, in which:

[0016] FIG. 1 is a top right-hand perspective view of a portable fuel pump;

[0017] FIG. 2 is a perspective exploded view of the portable fuel pump;

[0018] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional elevation view of the portable fuel pump showing an embodiment of the rotor and vanes and the inlet and outlet ports located in a tandem configuration;

[0019] FIG. 4 is another cross-sectional front elevation view showing the outlet port positioned about perpendicular to the inlet port;

[0020] FIG. 5 is another cross-sectional front elevation view of the pump showing both the inlet and outlet ports adjusted to a parallel condition with each other;

[0021] FIG. 6 is another perspective view of the portable fuel pump, showing the inlet port located about perpendicular to the outlet port, opposite the positioning shown in FIG. 19;

[0022] FIGS. 7a through c are perspective views of three different embodiments of a rotor vane;

[0023] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional forward elevation view of the pump showing the vane from FIG. 7b attached to a rotor;

[0024] FIG. 9 is another cross-sectional front elevation view of the portable fuel pump showing the vane from FIG. 7c coupled to the rotor;

[0025] FIG. 10 is another cross-sectional view of the portable fuel pump showing the vanes of FIG. 7a coupled to the rotor and how the hinge configuration between the vane and rotor contributes to not requiring a bypass valve;

[0026] FIG. 11 is another cross-sectional forward elevational view of the portable fuel pump showing how the rotor and vanes may be configured to rotate both clockwise and counterclockwise;

[0027] FIG. 12 is another cross-sectional forward elevational view of the portable fuel pump showing the rotor and vanes with one vane removed for illustrative purposes to show a high pressure relief gland located in the pump cavity;

[0028] FIG. 13 is another cross-sectional front elevation view of the portable fuel pump showing the rotor and vanes positioned such the high pressure relief gland is in communication with both an upper and lower chamber while still sealing off the prior volumetric cavity between vanes to the inlet port so as to create dry suction lift necessary to self-prime;

[0029] FIG. 14 is a top cross-sectional view of the portable fuel pump showing an inline toggle switch;

[0030] FIG. 15 is a top cross-sectional view of the portable fuel pump showing a power cord attached to a port on the motor side of the pump;

[0031] FIG. 16 is a detail cross-sectional view of the pump similar to that shown in FIG. 15 showing the power cord attached to the electrical port on the pump;

[0032] FIG. 17 is a perspective partially cutaway view of the power cord and jack;

[0033] FIG. 18 is an isolated detailed view of a portion of the jack used on the power cord, as well as the ring used for creating a cylindrical flame path joint in the junction box area and the PCB, receptacles, and capacitor mounted in a fashion to suppress electromagnetic interference; and

[0034] FIG. 19 is an isolated perspective view of the receptacle located in the plug socket to receive the power cord jack.

[0035] Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views. The exemplification set out herein illustrates embodiments of the portable fuel pump, and such exemplification is not to be construed as limiting the scope of the portable fuel pump in any manner.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0036] A top right-hand perspective view of a portable fuel pump 2 is shown in FIG. 1. This view shows pump 2 including pump housing 4 attached to motor housing 6. Rotor cover 8 is attached to pump housing 4. Inlet and outlet port flanges 10 and 12, respectively, are also coupled to and extend from pump housing 4. Handle 14 is attached to pump 2, as well as base bracket 16. Power cord 18 attaches to a power socket 102 (see, also, FIG. 15) on pump 2 to provide power to the motor. It is appreciated that, with respect to inlet port flange 10 and outlet port flange 12, they include inlet port 20 and outlet port 22, respectively, as shown.

[0037] An exploded view of pump 2 is shown in FIG. 2. Like FIG. 1, this view shows pump housing 4, motor housing 6, rotor cover 8, inlet and outlet port flanges 10 and 12, respectively, handle 14, base bracket 16, and power cord 18. This view further shows the components of motor assembly 24 including magnets 26, armature 28, rotary shaft 30, and brushcard assembly (brush holder/circuit board) 32 which includes brushes, shunt wires, brush holders, switch, thermal/motor overload protector, electrical pin receptacles and PCB. Bearing 34, e-ring retainer 36, and elastomeric retaining ring 38 round out illustrative components of motor assembly 24. As this view shows, illustrative fasteners 40 attach motor housing 6 to pump housing 4. Similarly, additional fasteners 40 attach handle 14 and base bracket 16 to pump housing 4. It is appreciated that fasteners 40 may be all the same or of different size and configuration depending on the needs of the pump. Likewise, additional fasteners 40 attach rotor cover 8 onto pump housing 4. A junction 42 is attached to power cord 18 and brushcard assembly 32. Because inlet and outlet port flanges 10 and 12, respectively, are adjustable with respect to pump housing 4, they may be illustratively attached thereto via fasteners 44. Additionally, flange seal 46 may follow the periphery of openings 48 in pump housing 4 that are in fluid communication with ports 20 and 22 that allow fluid to go into and out of pump housing 4.

[0038] An inlet screen 50 may be placed between inlet port 20 and opening 48 in pump housing 4 to keep any solid debris out of the same. A switch actuator 52 may be located in pump housing 4 with actuator seals 54 about the periphery adjacent each end of same. It is appreciated that switch actuator 52 may engage toggle switch 56 to activate pump 2. Pump cavity 58 in pump housing 4 is in fluid communication with ports 48 and rotor 60 may be located and coupled to rotary shaft 30. Hinged vanes 62 pivotally attach to rotor 60 to move fluid from the inlet port 20 to outlet port 22. Also, as part of the assembly, is bearing 64 and seals 66 and 68 to prevent fluid from leaking.

[0039] An embodiment of the present disclosure includes adjustable inlet and outlet port flanges 10 and 12, respectively. These flanges, which include ports 20 and 22, may be attached in a variety of orientations to make the versatility of pump 2 that much greater. As shown in FIG. 3, ports 20 and 22 are positioned in a co-axial-type arrangement so that the inlet and outlet form a straight line as shown. It is appreciated that flanges 10 and 12 are selectively attachable to pump housing 4 via fasteners 44. Flange seals 46 are positioned on flanges 10 and 12 between ports 20, 22, and 48, to prevent any fluid from leaking between housing 4 and flanges 10 and 12 during fluid delivery. Also, an inlet screen 50 is positioned between inlet 20 and opening 48 to prevent debris from entering cavity 58, as previously discussed.

[0040] The view shown in FIG. 4 demonstrates the adjustability of inlet and outlet port flanges 10 and 12. For example, here port flange 10 is located in the same position as that shown in FIG. 3, but flange 12 has been rotated so outlet port 22 extends essentially perpendicular to port 20. It is also evident in this view how regardless of how flanges 10 or 12 are moved, their associated ports always maintain fluid communication with cavity 58 via openings 48. Further, the view in FIG. 5 now shows flange 10 moved to an upright position being now parallel to flange 12. Again, ports 20 and 22 maintain their fluid communication with openings 48 maintaining fluid communication with pump cavity 58. As shown in FIG. 6, flange 12 is adjusted back essentially 90 degrees from flange 10 making port 22 essentially perpendicular to port 20. This is again accomplished while maintaining fluid communication with opening 48. Accordingly, the versatility of these independently adjustable ports is evident.

[0041] In another illustrative embodiment of the present disclosure, pump 2, and particularly rotor 60, are configured to accommodate a variety of vane configurations. For example, as FIG. 7 shows, three illustrative embodiments of vanes 62, 70, and 72 may be pivotally coupled to rotor 60. The ability to change the vanes may accomplish different flow rates and discharge pressures which may be useful for compatibility with a variety of chemical fluids or downstream plumbing configurations. The vanes may be made with different materials which could change their rotary mass, thus increasing or decreasing flow without changing motor characteristics. As shown, vane 70 includes an encapsulated rod 74 which increases vane 72s mass. This increased mass increases the output flow of pump and available discharge head 2. Vane 62 is similar to that of vane 70, except that no encapsulated rod 74 is included. This means there will be a different flow output than if vane 70 is used. Lastly, vane 72 has a portion of its lobe removed further decreasing its mass and modifying the vane's geometry, which decreases the flow output. It is appreciated that the vanes may be further configured to affect the flow rate of chemicals based on the vanes' mass and geometry.

[0042] Each vane includes a pivot pin-like structure 76 in each vane and is configured to be received in a receptacle 78 in rotor 60. This creates a modular fitting for any of the vanes while allowing them to pivot with respect to rotor 60. The view of pump 2 in FIG. 8 shows vane 62 coupled to rotor 60. Similarly in FIG. 9, vanes 72 are substituted for vane 62 or 70 in the same rotor 60. This demonstrates the modularity of the different vanes for use with rotor 60.

[0043] Another illustrative embodiment of the present disclosure includes the ability to no longer require a relief valve if the outlet port 22 is closed off. Conventionally when this happens, a bypass valve exists so there is no pressure generated on the drive mechanism by the rotor and vanes continue to pump fluid. In this case, because each vane 70 (also applies to vanes 62 and 72) is hinged on rotor 60 at 78 via pivot pin 76, if the outlet is closed off, vanes 70 are unable to seal off cavity wall 80 due to the pressure. Without this seal, vanes 70 will continue to rotate and pressurize fluid at the outlet, but will not move any fluid. Depending on the predetermined outlet pressure dictated by vane mass and geometry, the vanes will continue to relieve themselves until an equilibrium position is reached, which means there is no longer any need for a bypass valve. If outlet port 22 opens again, the outlet pressure will drop, making the vanes' seal cavity wall 80 or ride on a thin fluid film bearing (depending on the downstream configuration) again and begin moving fluid. This also makes the hinged vanes self-regulating by reacting to the outlet pressure.

[0044] In another embodiment, pump 2 may include a reversible rotor 60 and vanes 62 (or alternatively vanes 70 and 72). The end view shown in FIG. 11 is an elevation view of cavity 58 with rotor 60 driving vanes 62 in direction 82 to move fluid out of outlet port 22. In this case, when rotating rotor 60 in direction 82 the pump still functions, but the vanes do not de-latch from cavity wall 80, so there is no bypass function. If the direction of motor rotation was reversed and rotor and vanes were reversed (as mentioned above), the pump would turn in direction 84 and be fully functional with the bypass feature.

[0045] The end views of pump 2 shown in FIGS. 12 and 13 assist illustrating another embodiment of the same that includes a high pressure relief gland 86 which is illustratively located in the floor 88 of cavity 58. This gland 86 allows some of the fluid volume to blow back to the previous hinged cavity portion 90. (See, also, FIG. 13). As shown, rotor 60 may be positioned such that high fluid pressure from chamber 90 could be displaced into an adjacent lower chamber 92 via relief gland 86. Relieving this pressure may be useful, as it may prevent cavitation behind the trailing vane leading to a more even flow (i.e., reducing pulse).

[0046] Another embodiment of this present disclosure is depicted in FIG. 14 showing an inline toggle switch 56. In this embodiment, switch 56 is coupled to straight rod 96. O-rings 98 are illustratively located at each end of straight rod 96 to seal cross hole 100 which is illustratively machine into housing 6 of pump 2. Rod 96 has adequate length for a two sided cylindrical flame path joint.

[0047] A top cross-sectional view of pump 2 is shown in FIG. 15 including power cord 18 extending into socket 102 formed in pump housing 4. As shown, junction 42 connects power cord 18 to the circuit board portion of the brushcard (brush holder/switch holder/circuit board) assembly 32 to supply power to motor assembly 24. The power cord assembly may further include a consistent orientation via a key flat (shown here opposite from the ground connection) to guarantee proper current and grounding location in the electrical union itself. Ground pin 108 is shown in FIG. 16 at junction 42 as a longer interior potted pin making the ground connection the first to contact when coupled, and the last to break when disconnecting the cord. A coupler nut 104 secures power cord 18 to socket 102 to create a secure and potentially weather tight seal. A flame path dimensional compliant ring is an integral part of the plug socket itself being encapsulated within the molded plug housing. It is appreciated that the ring may be made of any UL compliant materials such as aluminum, brass, bronze, steel, and stainless steel. This allows for a UL compliant flame path between the power cord and the pump housing. A PCB board, which in turn houses a capacitor to provide EMI shielding to the pump, is also provided. A capacitor provides an effective means of suppressing EMI at the entrance of the incoming power connection. The capacitor is coupled to both power leads, as well as the grounding lead. The PCB is located in a position that provides solid contact between the ground plane of the board (which is connected to the grounding lead) and an exposed grounding surface in the mating housing. By grounding the board that houses the capacitor in this manner, the EMI is effectively suppressed.

[0048] A detail view of power cord 18 engaging junction 42 to supply power to circuit board portion of brushcard assembly 32 is shown in FIG. 16. Cord 18 and associated structures to cord 18 are shown in FIGS. 17-19. Wiring and routing of motor enclosures, especially of the explosion-proof type, present many difficulties in a manufacturing environment and can consume a significant amount of space in a product design. By integrating a majority of the necessary components into a single pre-routed and assembled brushcard assembly 32 and providing a means to connect to mating electrical components, the final assembly is greatly simplified and the overall space constraints of said assembly are significantly condensed. With the right angle plug of junction 42 and switch rod 96 already installed in the pump/motor housing, the brushcard assembly 32 can then be installed and fastened in place using fasteners as illustratively shown in FIG. 2. This action simultaneously establishes all electrical connections between the brushcard assembly 32 and the pins of junction 42, engages switch rod 96 with toggle of switch 56 (mounted on PCB of brushcard assembly 32), and completes the ground connection to the housing through the fasteners that hold the brushcard assembly 32 in place. Once in place, the brushcard assembly can create a cover over the potting cavity that junction 42 dwells in, so as to create a guided means of potting over junction 42 to complete explosion-proof motor construction requirements.

[0049] Although the present disclosure has been described with reference to particular means, materials, and embodiments, from the foregoing description, one skilled in the art can easily ascertain the essential characteristics of the present disclosure and various changes and modifications may be made to adapt the various uses and characteristics without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as set forth in the following claims.