| Fill port for a self-priming centrifugal pump, with safety device -> Monitor Keywords |
|
|
 
Fill port for a self-priming centrifugal pump, with safety deviceRelated Patent Categories: Pumps, Including Separate Port On Noncyclic Valve For Venting Or Filling Pump PortionFill port for a self-priming centrifugal pump, with safety device description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070071619, Fill port for a self-priming centrifugal pump, with safety device. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION [0001] This application is a non-provisional application claiming priority to provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/707,097 filed Aug. 10, 2005. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] 1. Field of the Invention [0003] This invention relates to self-primer centrifugal pumps, and specifically relates to a fill port assembly having improved safety construction. [0004] 2. Description of Related Art [0005] Self-priming centrifugal pumps are well-known and frequently used in industries where processing fluids with entrained solids is required. Self-primer pumps, also known as trash pumps, are characterized as having a casing which houses a suction chamber and a separation chamber divided by a wall or plenum. An impeller positioned in a volute section of the pump receives fluid from the suction chamber and delivers it by centrifugal action into the separation chamber where it is eventually expelled through an outlet. [0006] In operation of a self-primer pump, fluid enters through an inlet into the suction chamber of the pump. A check valve is positioned to seat against the inlet in a manner such that while the pump is operating, the check valve remains open; but when the pump stops, the check valve will seat against the inlet opening to prevent fluid from leaving the suction chamber of the pump. If the check valve remains open or does not seat properly against the inlet, fluid is siphoned back out of the suction chamber until the siphoning action, or leg, is broken. As a result, the fluid level in the suction chamber is very low making re-priming of the pump very difficult. It is desirable, therefore, to assure that fluid remains in the suction chamber. [0007] Self-primer pumps are conventionally structured to keep as much fluid in the pump as is necessary for re-priming. However, low fluid levels may occur for a number of reasons, including back siphoning of fluid from the pump. If the fluid levels are low and the pump will not prime (i.e., pull fluid up through the suction piping into the pump), the pumping action of the pump can turn what water does exist in the pump into steam. [0008] Self-primer pumps are often constructed with a fill port, usually near or at the top of the pump casing, which allows access for adding fluid to the pump. Accessing the interior of the pump through the fill port can be extremely dangerous, however, especially when the pump fails to prime and turns the water in the pump into steam. Removing the cover of the fill port can result, and has resulted, in significant to severe injury, usually due to steam escaping through the fill port. Consequently, safety covers have been developed for the fill port in an attempt to reduce accidents and injury. Despite these efforts, numerous injuries continue to occur due to the design of the safety cover. [0009] Thus, it would be advantageous in the art to provide a safety cover for the fill port of a self-primer pump that prevents injury and accidental exposure to steam exiting from the pump under the conditions noted. BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0010] In accordance with the present invention, a safety cover for the fill port of a self-primer pump is provided which improves the seal between the fill port cover and the fill port in the pump casing and which assures securement of the fill port cover to the fill port during release of steam from the pump so that injury can be avoided. [0011] The fill port cover and safety device of the present invention generally comprises a cover for occluding the fill port of the pump, a retaining clamp and an anchor bolt positioned between the retaining clamp and the fill port cover, as is conventionally known. However, the fill port cover of the present invention is configured with a depression to receive the end of the anchor bolt in a manner that assures that the fill port cover will remain in place positioned above the fill port when steam is released under pressure from the pump casing. [0012] The safety device also comprises a sealing band which is positioned between the fill port and the fill port cover. The sealing band may be configured as an o-ring, which provides improved steam release from the fill port. The o-ring may, most suitably, be coated with Teflon.RTM., or otherwise treated with or made from a material that imparts a non-adherent quality to the sealing band. [0013] The retaining clamp of the safety device of the present invention may also be structured with recesses or depressions at either end of the retaining clamp in order to accommodate the head of a socket cap head screw in the retaining clamp as the clamp is connected to the pump casing. The depressions retain the head of the screws and prevent the retaining clamp from releasing away from the screws or the fill port cover. [0014] The three safety elements of the present invention may be employed together or in various combinations to provide a fill port cover that is structured to assure that the fill port cover releases steam from the pump at a more controlled rate than is possible in prior art systems. The safety elements also assure that the fill port cover is not blown or jettisoned away from the fill port of the pump casing under release of high pressure steam from the pump. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS [0015] In the drawings, which illustrate what is currently considered to be the best mode for carrying out the invention: [0016] FIG. 1 is a view of an upper portion of a prior art self-primer pump illustrating the fill port and an exploded view of the fill port cover of a conventional prior art pump; [0017] FIG. 2 is a view of the fill port cover shown in FIG. 1 when the cover is in place over the fill port; [0018] FIG. 3 is a plan view of the fill port shown in FIG. 2; [0019] FIG. 4 is a view of an upper portion of a self-primer pump illustrating in an exploded view the fill port and safety device of the present invention; [0020] FIG. 5 is a view of the fill port and safety device of the present invention when the safety cover is in place over the fill port; and Continue reading about Fill port for a self-priming centrifugal pump, with safety device... Full patent description for Fill port for a self-priming centrifugal pump, with safety device Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Fill port for a self-priming centrifugal pump, with safety device patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Fill port for a self-priming centrifugal pump, with safety device or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Drain pump for home appliances Next Patent Application: Fuel pump assembly Industry Class: Pumps ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Fill port for a self-priming centrifugal pump, with safety device patent info. IP-related news and info Results in 0.83596 seconds Other interesting Feshpatents.com categories: Canon USA , Celera Genomics , Cephalon, Inc. , Cingular Wireless , Clorox , Colgate-Palmolive , Corning , Cymer , 174 |
 * Protect your Inventions * US Patent Office filing 
PATENT INFO |
|
