Abstract An impeller for a bi-directional single impeller centrifugal pump characterized by a blade configuration capable of pumping water at different capacities from a common pump cavity to either of two outlets depending upon the direction of rotation of the impeller. The capacity of the pump is generally much larger through one outlet than the other. In order to prevent unwanted discharge through the higher capacity opening when the impeller is rotating to pump through the other opening, each of the impeller blades includes a blocking segment at the discharge end of the blade which is defined by a circumferential extension of the blade having a center of curvature at essentially the axis of rotation of the impeller and extending for a distance from the blade discharge end.
In a bi-directional centrifugal pump having a housing defining a single inlet and a plurality of outlets, a single impeller rotatably mounted within said housing for selectively pumping the water through said outlets depending upon the forward or reverse direction of rotAtion of said impeller said housing further having restrictions generally adjacent said outlets on the downstream side thereof to assist in determining the flow rate and forcing the flow through said outlets said impeller being of the reversible type having blades thereon, each of said blades having as viewed in a plane perpendicular to its axis of rotation, an arcuate profile continuous through its width defined by at least two distinct arcuate segments, with one of said arcuate segments describing an arc having a component extending radially with respect to said impeller and at least another of said arcuate segments describing an arc having a center of curvature at the axis of rotation of said impeller, said at least another arcuate segment of said blade thereby providing only a circumferentially extending component with respect to said impeller for effectively performing a blocking function with respect to at least one of said outlets during rotation of said impeller in one direction.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
201 words
In a bi-directional centrifugal pump having a housing defining a single inlet and a plurality of outlets, a single impeller rotatably mounted within said housing for selectively pumping the water through said outlets depending upon the forward or reverse direction of rotAtion of said impeller said housing further having restrictions generally adjacent said outlets on the downstream side thereof to assist in determining the flow rate and forcing the flow through said outlets said impeller being of the reversible type having blades thereon, each of said blades having as viewed in a plane perpendicular to its axis of rotation, an arcuate profile continuous through its width defined by at least two distinct arcuate segments, with one of said arcuate segments describing an arc having a component extending radially with respect to said impeller and at least another of said arcuate segments describing an arc having a center of curvature at the axis of rotation of said impeller, said at least another arcuate segment of said blade thereby providing only a circumferentially extending component with respect to said impeller for effectively performing a blocking function with respect to at least one of said outlets during rotation of said impeller in one direction.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
Structure according to claim 1 wherein said at least another of said arcuate segments comprising a circumferentially extending component forms the radially outermost extremity of said blade.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
171 words
Structure according to claim 1 wherein said pump housing further defines a generally annular pump cavity having a circular outer wall and wherein at least one of said plurality of outlets comprises a relatively large opening through said outer wall, said large opening bounded externally of said housing by an integral conduit the outermost wall of which is substantially tangential to said circular outer wall, and at least another of said outlets comprises a relatively smaller opening through said outer wall bounded exteriorly of said housing by an integral conduit extending in substantially the same direction and generally parallel to said first named conduit and radially inboard from said circular outer wall, the smaller opening further bounded inwardly of said housing by said restrictions including opposed facing projections, and another of said restrictions projecting inwardly adjacent said larger opening and generally in opposed facing relation to said tangential outermost wall of said conduit bounding said larger opening said projections cooperating with said blades to determine the relative flow out said outlets.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
Structure according to claim 3 wherein said another of said restrictions extend internally to a position substantially adjacent the normal path of said circumferential segment of said impeller blade.