Air diffuser system for industrial pumps

An air diffuser device suitable for use in an air diffuser system for a centrifugal pump, the pump including a pump casing with a pumping chamber therein, an impeller mounted within the pumping chamber for rotation about a rotation axis, the impeller including a front side and a rear side, the air diffuser system comprising one or more passages extending through the impeller from the front side to the rear side, the or each passage having a first opening at the rear side and a second opening at the front side of the impeller, the air diffuser device comprising a main body having a first side and a second side, and at least one channel extending through the main body from the first side to the second side, the or each channel having an in use intake opening at the first side and a discharge opening at the second side, and wherein the main body has an element which extends radially outwardly therefrom and which is arranged in use to be positioned in a close facing relationship with the rear side of the impeller so as to define a chamber therebetween, such that in use the discharge opening and the first opening of the passage in the impeller are placed in fluid communication via the said chamber.

(canceled)

An air diffuser device suitable for use in an air diffuser system for a centrifugal pump, the pump including a pump casing with a pumping chamber therein, an impeller mounted within the pumping chamber for rotation about a rotation axis, the impeller including a front side and a rear side, the air diffuser system comprising one or more passages extending through the impeller from the front side to the rear side, the or each passage having a first opening at the rear side and a second opening at the front side of the impeller, the air diffuser device comprising a main body having a first side and a second side, and at least one channel extending through the main body from the first side to the second side, the or each channel having an in use intake opening at the first side, a discharge opening at the second side, wherein the device is arranged such that in use the or each channel alone places the first side of the body in fluid communication with the first opening of the passage in the impeller.

(canceled)

An air diffuser device comprising a main body having a first side and a second side, and at least one channel extending through the main body from the first side to the second side, the or each channel being configured so that, when the device is rotated in use, a vortex or swirling flow is created causing material to flow therethrough.

17-18. (canceled)