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US 6,575,706 B2Granted
Vacuum-assisted pump
AssigneeRoper Holdings, Inc.
InventorsWilliam B. Carnes, Milton K. Leonard
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A self-priming centrifugal pump including a supplementary vacuum pump and a float valve. The vacuum pump serves to draw liquid to the pump for priming and the float valve shut of flow to the vacuum pump when liquid reaches a predetermined level to prevent entry of liquid into the vacuum pump. In some embodiments the float valve includes an o-ring valve seal and the vacuum pump includes an oil delivery system to distribute oil from an oil reservoir to improve lubrication.
Claims53
A self-priming pump comprising:
- a centrifugal pump section having an inlet and an outlet, the outlet including a check valve to prevent backflow;
- a vacuum pump assembly having an intake port connected to the inlet of the centrifugal pump section;
- and
- a float valve disposed between the intake port of the vacuum pump assembly and the inlet of the centrifugal pump section, where the float valve includes a float disposed in a float box, the float being linked to a valve stem having an o-ring valve seal, whereby, when the float is raised by water entering the float box, the valve seal is urged toward a valve seat to close the float valve and, when the float lowers as water leaves the float box, the valve seal is pulled away from the valve seat to open the float valve.
1 more element
A self-priming pump comprising:
- a centrifugal pump section having an inlet and an outlet;
- a vacuum pump assembly having an intake port connected to the inlet of the centrifugal pump section;
- and
- a float valve disposed between the intake port of the vacuum pump assembly and the inlet of the centrifugal pump section, including a float disposed within a float box and coupled via a linkage structure to a valve seal, such that the valve seal moves into engagement with a valve seat to close the float valve when liquid rises to a predetermined closing level within the float box,
- where the valve seal is secured to a valve stem that extends along an axis through the valve seat and is received by a guide, the guide being configured to substantially prevent lateral movement of the valve stem and valve seal relative to the axis.
2 more elements
A self-priming pump comprising:
- a centrifugal pump section having an inlet and an outlet;
- a vacuum pump assembly including a diaphragm-type vacuum pump having an intake port connected to the inlet of the centrifugal pump section;
- and
- a float valve disposed between the intake port of the vacuum pump assembly and the inlet of the centrifugal pump section, the float valve including:
- a float disposed within a float box;
- a valve seal operatively coupled with the float and selectively engageable with a valve seat to open and close the float valve;
- and
- a linkage structure coupled between the float and valve seal and configured to support the float within the float box and allow the float to swing within the float box, where the linkage structure is configured to urge the valve seal toward engagement with the valve seat when liquid rises within the float box so as to raise the float.
5 more elements
A sell-priming pump comprising:
- a centrifugal pump section having an inlet and an outlet;
- a vacuum pump assembly having an intake port connected to the inlet of the centrifugal pump section;
- and
- a float valve disposed between the intake port of the vacuum pump assembly and the inlet of the centrifugal pump section, including a float disposed within a float box and coupled via a linkage structure to a valve seal, such that the valve seal moves into engagement with a valve seat to close the float valve when liquid rises to a predetermined closing level within the float box,
- where the intake port of the vacuum pump assembly is coupled with the float valve such that closing of the float valve results in an increased vacuum between the vacuum pump assembly and float valve which tends to maintain the float valve closed until liquid in the float box falls to an opening level which is spaced below the predetermined closing level,
- where the linkage structure includes a plurality of pivotally interconnected links between the float and the valve seal,
- where the self-priming pump further comprises a float box cover removably secured to a top portion of the float box,
- where the valve seat is formed in a valve body that is secured to the float box cover, and
- where the valve seal is secured to a valve stem that extends along an axis through the valve seat and into the valve body, the valve body including a guide configured to receive the valve stem and thereby constrain the valve stem and valve seal to move relative to the valve body along the axis.
6 more elements
A self-priming pump comprising:
- a centrifugal pump section having an inlet and an outlet;
- a vacuum pump assembly having an intake port connected to the inlet of the centrifugal pump section;
- and
- a float valve disposed between the intake port of the vacuum pump assembly and the inlet of the centrifugal pump section, the float valve including:
- a float disposed within a float box;
- a valve seal operatively coupled to the float and selectively engageable with a valve seat to open and close the float valve;
- and
- a linkage structure coupled between the float and valve seal and configured to support the float within the float box and allow the float to swing within the float box, where the linkage structure is configured to urge the valve seal toward engagement with the valve seat when liquid rises within the float box so as to raise the float,
- where an o-ring is provided to produce sealing between the valve seal and valve seat,
- where the linkage structure is secured to a float box cover that is removably secured to a top portion of the float box,
- where the valve seat is formed in a valve body that is secured to the float box cover, and
- where the valve seal is secured to a valve stem that extends along an axis through the valve seat and into the valve body, the valve body including a guide configured to receive the valve stem and thereby constrain the valve stem and valve seal to move relative to the valve body along the axis.
9 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.