Split volute for submersible pump
AssigneeIndustrial Flow Solutions Operating, LLC
InventorsKen Patton, Kiritkumar Patel
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A split volute for a centrifugal pump is disclosed that provides a manufacturing advantage by improving the yield of high-chrome iron casting, providing for full surface coating capability using line-of-sight spray coating systems. Performance improvements include improved pump efficiency, abrasion resistance, and volute lifetime. Additional operational cost savings are enabled through reduced time required for common volute maintenance procedures and an increased replacement interval for the volute. Taken together, these advantages reduce the total cost of ownership of the split volute pump system.
Claims16
A volute for a submersible pump for pumping a slurry, the volute comprising:
- an upper portion including one or more upper inner surfaces;
- and
- a lower portion including one or more lower inner surfaces, and a centrally-disposed inlet,
- when in an assembled configuration, said lower portion hermetically, operably couples to said upper portion thereby forming a chamber defined at least in part by said one or more upper inner surfaces and said one or more lower inner surfaces, said lower portion and said upper portion further comprising an outlet characterized by one or more redirecting surfaces,
- wherein a flow moves sequentially through the volute as follows:
- axially through said centrally-disposed inlet in said lower portion, then radially through said chamber, and then axially through said outlet, said axial and radial directions being established by the volute,
- such that said chamber and said outlet are contiguous to thereby allow said radial flow to move unobstructed from said chamber to said outlet while said flow is moving in the radial direction through said chamber.
A method of manufacturing a volute for a submersible pump for pumping a slurry, the method comprising:
- casting an upper portion including one or more upper inner surfaces;
- and
- casting a lower portion including one or more lower inner surfaces, and a centrally disposed inlet;
- wherein, in an assembled configuration, said upper and lower portions hermetically couple to form a chamber defined at least in part by said one or more upper inner surfaces and said one or more lower inner surfaces, said upper and lower portion further comprising an outlet characterized by one or more redirecting surfaces,
- wherein said volute is adapted for moving a flow sequentially through the volute as follows:
- axially through said centrally-disposed inlet, then radially through said chamber, and then axially through said outlet, said axial and radial directions being established relative to said volute,
- such that said chamber and said outlet are contiguous to thereby allow said radial flow to move unobstructed from said chamber to said outlet while said flow is moving in the radial direction through said chamber.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.