Impeller removal and installation
OwnerMichael Keyinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The application is directed to non-destructive manipulation, removal and installation of a centrifugal pump impeller in a manner effective to maintain the original manufacture balanced condition of the impeller and other pump components. Tools are used at the drive end and the wet end of the centrifugal pump for manipulating, removal and installation of a pump impeller.
Claims19
A system for acting on a wet end and a drive end of a pump drive shaft to promote engagement and disengagement of a vaned pump impeller to and from the pump drive shaft, the system including:
- a first tool member operationally configured to communicate with the drive end of the pump drive shaft;
- and
- a second tool member for communicating with a vaned pump impeller attachable at the wet end of the pump drive shaft, the second tool member including a face member with a first support surface and an opposing second surface, the face member having (1) a perimeter edge defining the perimeter of the first support surface and the opposing second surface and (2) one or more raised vanes disposed along the first support surface, wherein the one or more raised vanes are each defined by a distal end terminating at a location different than the perimeter edge of the face member.
A tool set for the assembly and disassembly of a centrifugal pump including the removal and installation of a centrifugal pump impeller having a particular vane count including:
- a first tool member releasably attachable to a drive end of a drive shaft of the pump, the first member being operationally configured to act on the drive shaft;
- and
- a second tool member including a face member with a first support surface and an opposing second surface, the face member having (1) a perimeter edge defining the perimeter of the first support surface and the opposing second surface and (2) one or more raised vanes disposed along the first support surface, wherein the one or more raised vanes are each defined by a distal end terminating at a location out beyond said perimeter edge, the second tool member being operationally configured to engage a vaned impeller of the pump.
A method of altering an engagement position of a vaned centrifugal pump impeller in relation to a pump drive shaft, including:
- providing a tool set including (A) a first tool member operationally configured to communicate with a drive end of the pump drive shaft;
- and (B) a second tool member for communicating with a vaned pump impeller attachable at a wet end of the pump drive shaft, the second tool member including a face member having a first support surface and an opposing second surface, the face member having (1) a perimeter edge defining the perimeter of the first support surface and the opposing second surface and (2) one or more raised vanes disposed along the first support surface, wherein the one or more raised vanes are each defined by a distal end terminating at a location different than the perimeter edge of the face member, the second tool member being operationally configured to contact the pump impeller at various points during manipulation, engagement and disengagement of the pump impeller;
- with the impeller of the centrifugal pump in an exposed position and in communication with the pump drive shaft at a first engagement position, mating a first tool member with the drive end of the pump drive shaft and mating a second tool member with the vaned centrifugal pump impeller;
- and
- with the first and second tool members set at fixed mated positions, manipulating the first tool member in a manner effective to turn the pump drive shaft and alter the engagement position of the second mating tool from said first engagement position.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.