US3785752A - Portable submersible pump - Google Patents

Abstract

A submersible pump wherein the motor unit is removed from the liquid environment and the motive force for the pump impeller, located in the liquid to be pumped, is transmitted from the motor unit by means of a flexible power shaft. The pump is portable and may have a gear box or a clutch. In addition, the present submersible pump may take the form of an axial flow pump when low to moderate lifts are required at large capacities. A special flexible shaft terminal is provided wherein the pump and impeller are attached directly to the flexible shaft unit.

Description

. I United States Patent 11 1 1111 3,785,752 Crespo 1 Jan. 15, 1974 [54] PORTABLE SUBMERSIBLE PUMP 504,047 7/1930 Germany 415/122 [76] Inventor: Carlos A. Crespo, PO. Box 906, g g g Stamford Conn. 06904 [22] Filed: Sept 1971 Primary ExamineF-C. .1. l-Iusar [2]] Appl. No.: 180,787 Assistant ExaminerLeonard Smith Attorney-Alfred E. Miller [52] US. C1. ..,4l7/319, 64/2 R, 415/123,

1 417/423 1511 1111.01. F04b 35/06, Fl6c 1/02 [57] ABSTRACT [58] Field of Search 415/122 123 124 1 A submersible pump wherein the motor umt 15 re- 415/140 64/2 417/223 423 moved from the liquid environment and the motive 56] References Cited force for the pumplmpeller, located in the liquid to be pumped, is transmitted from the motor unit by means UNITED STATES PATENTS of a flexible power shaft. The pump is portable and 1,682,502 8/1928 Gusler et a1. 417/319 X may have a-gear box or a clutch. In addition, the pres- 3,308,764 WaIker ent ubmersible pump may take the form of an axial 3,273,189 9/1966 Lemon et 415/123 X flow pump when low to moderate lifts are required at 26436l5 6/1953 Murphy et 415/140 large capacities. A special flexible shaft terminal is 2,788,198 4/1957 Anderson 64/2 R X d h th d n h d 2,784,562 3 1957 Gamundi 417/223 x 1 6 w e pump er are 6 directly to the flexible shaft unit. FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 1,032,542 3/1953 France 415/122 3 Claims, 10 Drawing Figures PATENTEUJAN 1 5:914

SHEET 1 BF 3 FIGI INVENTOR. CARLOS ACRESPO RNEV PATENTED JAN 1 5W4 SHEET 2 UF 3 82 FIG. 5

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CARLOS A. CRESPO RNEY/ 1 PORTABLE SUBMERSIBLE PUMP The present invention relates to a portable submersible pump in which the impeller unit is within the liquid to be pumped, while the motor unit is located outside the liquid in a'dry area.

' It is an object of the present invention to provide a split function submersible pump which permits a motor selection from a wide range of motor types. I

Another object of the present invention is to provide a portable submersible pump that can be manufactured at a' smaller cost than other pumps of this type that are currently available.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a submersible pump which is not restricted to an electric power source but may utilize as a power source any device capable of producing sustained circular motion.

A major object of the present invention is to provide a flexible power transmission line between the separated motor and impeller units of the pump thereby permitting the easy adaptability of the portable pump to different locations as well as locations that may be inacessible to known submersible pumps.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a submersible pump which can be adapted to accomodate a reduction gear box or a clutch. The use of a clutch with the present device can eliminate any undesirable stresses caused by the motor starting torque.

A further object of the present invention is the ability to reduce the size of the pump so that it is comparav tively small aend easy to transport.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a portable submersible pump which is reliably effective for the purposes intended.

The invention will now be more fully described with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:

' FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of the entire assembly of the portable submersible pump constructed according'to the teachings of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a partial sectional and side elevational view of the flexible shaft connecting the motor and the impeller'of the pump.

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of a slightly modified construction of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of another modification of the present invention. I

FIG. 5 is a partial sectional and a partial side elevational view of a portable submersible pump of the volute type.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the pump having a strainer to limit the intake of solids therein.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view of a modification of the present invention in which the impeller and pump units are connected directly to the flexibl shaft.

FIG. 8 is a partial sectional and a partial elevational view of some of the details of construction of the flexible driving shaft and its coupling means.

FIG. 9 is a partial sectional and apartial elevational view of an alternative construction of the present invention utilizing an axial flow pump and FIG. 10 is a bottom plan view of the structure-shown in FIG. 9.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, there is shown a portable 2. submersible pump referred to generally by humeral 14 in which theimpeller unit 16 only is submerged in the liquid L. It will be noted that the motor unit 24 is not in the liquid environment but is mounted a distance away from theimpeller 16 on dry land.

The power transmission between the motor unit 24 and theimpeller unit 16 takes the form of a flexible driveshaft referred to generally by thenumeral 18. Adischarge hose 22 is shown for evacuating the liquid handled by theimpeller unit 16 of thesubmersible pump 14. Acoupling 32couples discharge hose 22 to thedischarge conduit extension 34.

Connected between theflexible drive shaft 18 and theimpeller unit 16 is amechanism 26 such as gears or a hydraulic system (not shown) that is operative to increase or reduce the torque or RPM, as required. At the other end of the flexible shaft 18 adevice 28 can be connected between theflexible shaft 18 and motor unit 24 in the form of a clutch-whereby the stresses created by the starting torque of the motor may be reduced or entirely eliminated.

When it becomes necessary to recover a pump from a hole or crevice,'a rope orchain 36 is attached at one end to aneyebolt 40 on the housing of theimpeller unit 16 while the other end of the rope is secured on dry land. Astrainer 42 is attached to the impeller housing in order to eliminate the ingestion of solid particles into theimpeller unit 16 with the liquid.

Theflexible shaft 18 is shown in greater detail in FIG. 2. In this regard, the flexible driving core constitutes a multiplicity of layers ofwire 44 which rotate within a 1 bendable metal, or rubber-coveredflexible casing 46.

Mounted on the ends of thecasing 46 areferrules 48 andfittings 49 which attach to terminals (not shown) for thedrive shaft 18.

FIG. 3 shows a slightly modified construction of the present invention in which theflexible shaft 52 and thedischarge hose 53 are secured together by means ofclamps 54. Moreover, the impeller housing is provided withhinged legs 51, for elevating the housing from the surface beings pumped, if desired. Ahandle 55 is shown for ease in transporting the pump from one location to another.

As seen in FIG. 4, an exterior sheath orcover 58 may be installed on theimpeller housing 59 by means of an annular flexible belt orclamp 62. This arrangement creates a unitary construction of thepump impeller unit 59,discharge hose 60 andflexible shaft 61. The sheath '58 is of a strong durable material such as rubber, plastic or canvas. It can be readily seen that this construction permits the recovery of the pump by means of gripping thesheath 58 and lifting, thereby eliminating a device such as a chain orrope 36 as seen in FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 illustrates a portable submersible pump of the volute casing type which is desirable for use under conditiosn where there is a high percentage of solids in the liquids. Thereference numeral 64 refers to the volute casing which is provided with apump housing bottom 66 secured thereto by means ofbolts 77. A bearing supportis secured to thevolute casing 64 bybolts 76. Thecasing 64 is furthermore provided with apump stand 68. Theimpeller 71 in thevolute casing 64 is connected through adischarge hose 78. The bottom ofcasing 64 is provided with a pump intake opening 81. The rotatingcentrifigal pump impeller 71 is driven by animpeller shaft 72 rotatably mounted inbearing 73. The

impeller shaft 72 is connected toflexible shaft 74 by means of acoupling 79. The impeller shaft seal bears thereference numeral 80 whileth eyebolts 75 anchor thelift rope 82.

FIG. 6 discloses a pump embodiment having astrainer 88 at the inlet of the impeller in orderto limit the intake of solids into the pipe. Thepump housing 85 has alower diffuser 86 in the pump intake which is secured to thehousing 85 by means of bolts 87. The de vice is provided withball bearings 93 having a bearingcover 91. The bearings are also' provided withseals 92. Adischarge hose 95 evacuates the liquid from the pump as described hereinbefore.

FIG. 7 discloses a pump construction wherein the pump bearings and seals have been eliminated from the pump. Thus, the impeller unit inhousing 100 is attached directly to the flexible shaft unit. Thepump impeller 71 is seen attached to the fitting 103 by means of anut 102. Additionally, theflexible shaft terminal 104 is secured to the pump by means of thecover 105 secured byscrews 99 and sealed by agasket 98. Astrainer 118, the function of which is explained above, is secured to the bottom of thehousing 100.

The special flexible shaft terminal of FIG. 7 is shown in greater detail in FIG. 8. This terminal is so constructed to form a mechanical seal unit to protect the bearings and the flexible core of the shaft. Thus, the outer conical surface of the casing terminal mates precisely with the flexibleshaft terminal cover 105 and makes rigid the connection with the pump. Accordingly, the fitting 103 for securing theimpeller 71 is provided with a woodruff key 109. The unit further has amechanical seal unit 110 and spaced ball bearings 111. A pair of retainingrings 114 are provided for the ball bearings. Theseal unit 110 has a cover'115, and theflexible casing 112 is shown cut away to reveal the interiorflexible core 113. Bearing lubrication of the device may be achieved throughopening 117 which is closed byscrew 119.

FIGS. 9 and illustrate another embodiment of the present invention in which an axial flow or propeller pump type is used. This construction is particularly desirable for low to moderate lifts at large capacities. In

this structure, apump housing 120 is shown having a flexibleshaft terminal holder 121 and abracket 122. The latterby means ofscrews 123 secures theflexibl shaft terminal 126 in the pump. Theimpeller 124 is secured to the flexible shaft terminal 135' by means ofnut 125. Thepump discharge 133 is connected to thepump housing 120 and is in turn connected to theflexible hose discharge 132. Aflexible shaft unit 127 is shown having a flexibleshaft entry unit 130 which is sealed by means of an elastic grommet andcover 128. Theshaft 127 is further provided with areinforcement section 131 which is sealed around the flexible casing in order to avoid the compression of the rotating flexible core in that sealed area.

I claim:

1. A portable submersible pump comprising an impeller provided with a pump housing, the latter having a liquid inlet therein, an impeller mounted in said pump housing and adapted to be operative in a liquid environment, a separate motor unit spaced from said pump and adapted to be located in a dry environment, a flexible power shaft having a rotatable core and having one end connected to said motor unit, a casing for said flexible shaft provided with a terminal secured to said pump housing, said rotatable core having a fitting at the end of the rotatable core which is connected to the impeller whereby the motor operates said impeller, a bearing and a mechanical seal in said flexible shaft casing terminal and said seal surrounding said fitting and being placed between said fitting and said bearing, and a discharge connection connected to said pump housing for discharging said liquid.

2. A portable submersible pump as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a woodruff key for securing said fitting to said impeller.

3. A portable submersible pump as claimed in claim 1 wherein said casing terminal is provided with an external conical surface, and a cover secured to said pump housing having an internal conical surface which mates precisely with said external conical surface of said casing terminal.

Claims (3)

1. A portable submersible pump comprising an impeller provided with a pump housing, the latter having a liquid inlet therein, an impeller mounted in said pump housing and adapted to be operative in a liquid environment, a separate motor unit spaced from said pump and adapted to be located in a dry environment, a flexible power shaft having a rotatable core and having one end connected to said motor unit, a casing for said flexible shaft provided with a terminal secured to said pump housing, said rotatable core having a fitting at the end of the rotatable core which is connected to the impeller whereby the motor operates said impeller, a bearing and a mechanical seal in said flexible shaft casing terminal and said seal surrounding said fitting and being placed between said fitting and said bearing, and a discharge connection connected to said pump housing for discharging said liquid.

2. A portable submersible pump as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a woodruff key for securing said fitting to said impeller.

3. A portable submersible pump as claimed in claim 1 wherein said casing terminal is provided with an external conical surface, and a cover secured to said pump hoUsing having an internal conical surface which mates precisely with said external conical surface of said casing terminal.

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