Belt drive system for centrifugal pump priming accessories

An engine bracket for a centrifugal pump, the engine bracket comprising:

• a faceplate including bolt holes that align with a bearing frame of the centrifugal pump;
• a flange including connections for a primary driver of the centrifugal pump;
• a central opening for a drive shaft;
• an internal cavity configured to substantially encircle the drive shaft and a drive sprocket;
• a second opening that provides access to the internal cavity;
• and
• a mounting hole configured to receive an idler pulley assembly, wherein the mounting hole is located lower, in relation to the second opening, than the central opening.

A self-priming pump system, comprising:

• a main centrifugal pump including a pump casing and drive shaft, the drive shaft including a first end and a second end,
• wherein the first end is enclosed within the pump casing, and
• wherein the second end is connected to a primary driver that drives the drive shaft;
• an engine bracket mounted between the main centrifugal pump and the primary driver, wherein the engine bracket includes a cavity in which the drive shaft connects to the primary driver;
• a drive sprocket attached to the drive shaft within the cavity;
• an auxiliary shaft configured to drive a vacuum pump assembly mounted on the pump casing;
• an auxiliary sprocket attached to the auxiliary shaft;
• an idler pulley mounted in the cavity of the engine bracket;
• and
• an endless drive belt having an inner side and an outer side,
• wherein the outer side of the drive belt includes a first toothed surface that engages the drive sprocket,
• wherein the inner side of the drive belt includes a second toothed surface that engages the auxiliary sprocket and the idler pulley, and
• wherein the endless drive belt is configured to be installed without encircling the drive sprocket.