Flexible impeller removal and installation method

Abstract

Flexible vane pumps (also referred to as rubber impeller pumps) are commonly used in the marine engine coolant market. Replacement of the flexible (rubber) impeller has proven to be difficult, particularly for larger pumps located in the confines of an engine compartment of a boat and for impellers encrusted with salt, sand or otherwise stuck to the pump shaft. To aid in extracting impellers, an end piece on the impeller has been added such that a tool having flanges can be inserted into a space between the end piece and the impeller. The end piece on the impeller can also be used as an end plate to engage a threaded shaft for jacking the impeller onto a pump shaft. An alignment cone can be added to the pump housing for aligning the impeller with the pump shaft and pump housing bore.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.