US2372538A - Flushing means for centrifugal pumps - Google Patents

Description

March 27, 1945. .1. c. WHITE FLUSHING MEANS FOR CENTRIFUGAL PUMPS Filed Sept. 6, 1943 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTEIR JAME'5.E.WHITE A THE EY March 27,1945. J. c WHITE 2,372,538

FLUSHING MEANS FOR CENTRIFUGAL PUMPS Filed Sept. 6, 1943 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVEN'T'EIR TAIYlE Ei E.WHITE Patented Mar. 27, 1945 UNlTED; STATES PATENT OFFICQ'E'Z...

James 0. White, Birmingham, Ala.

Application September 6, 1943, Serial No. 501,411

6 Claims.

This invention relates to pumps or blowers of the centrifugal, impeller, or turbine types, or other pumps or blowers which derive their pumping or blowing action by imparting a velocity to the fluid being handled, rather than by positive displacement; such velocity being used to cause flow or to change the pressure on the intake or exhaust side of the pump, depending on whether the pump be used to create a partial vacuum or a positive pressure. My invention is particularly adapted to such pumps when used to pump fluids which are of a gummy, waxy, or an adhesive nature, or where they are used to pump fluids containing dissolved or suspended matter of a gummy, waxy, or adhesive nature.

One object of my invention is the provision of apparatus of the character designated which shall be simple and economical of design and which shall comprise means associated with the pump casing and adapted to direct a cleaning fluid inwardly of the casing at various angles whereby to clean the blades and other parts of the interior of the pump rapidly and effectively.

A further object of my invention is to provide one or more nozzles fitting permanently into the pump casing and directed inwardly toward the pump impeller to flushaway accumulations of solid materials which collect on the blades and the interior of the pump.

A more specific object of my invention is to provide a nozzle for a cleaning fluid, fitted permanently into the periphery of the pump casing of an impeller type centrifugal pump, and including means to change the angle of discharge of the nozzle inwardly of the casing to flush away accumulations of solid materials formed on the blades and interior of the pump.

Difliculties have heretofore been experienced in the operation and maintenance of pumps of the type mentioned because the fluid or mixture being pumped forms a film or deposit on one or more parts of the pump or on the inside of the pipes or channels directly adjacent to the pump. This film or deposit impedes the flow of fluid and may otherwise be detrimental to the proper and efficient operation of the pump. Furthermore, the adhesive nature of these deposits prevents their being washed away by the circulation within the pump which is incident to its normal operation, or by any haphazard washing or flushing while the pump is or is not in operation. These conditions have heretofore necessitated the partial or complete dismantling of such pumps in order to permit mechanical or other drastic cleaning measures to be employed for the removal of the adhering deposits. In accordance with my invention I provide for the rapid and easy removal ofadhering deposits Without dismantling the pump or without making major adjustments in it.

My invention comprises one or more nozzles for directing jets of a cleaning fluid, which may be steam, air, water, organic solvents, or other suitable fluid, so positioned with respect to the pump casing that the cleaning fluid may be directed toward any or all parts of the interior of the pump on which gummy-or adhesive deposits may form. My invention also employs such valves, ports, and drains as may be needed to facilitate the ready removal of the foreign material after it has been cut away from the surface of the pump parts. Another feature of my invention is the provision of such valves, ports, or other means to prevent the influx of any fluid other than that employed for the specific purpose of cutting or scouring away the foreign material deposited on the pump parts.

Apparatus embodying features of y invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings forming a part of this application in which Fig. 1 is an elevational view showing a typical centrifugal pump having my invention applied thereto, together with'the necessary valves and drains for using the invention most advantageously.

Fig. 2 is a View drawn to a larger scale to show in greater detail the mounting of the cleaning nozzles in the pump casing.

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken along the line III-III of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 2 showing a different arrangement of the cleaning nozzles, the nozzles being shown in section.

Fig. 5 is an elevational view at right angles to Fl .4.

iig. 6 is a sectional View of a conventional closed impeller type centrifugal pump having a modified form of my invention applied thereto.

Fig. 7 is a sectional view taken along the line VII-VII of Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is a detailed sectional view of the nozzle shown in Figs. 6 and 7. a

Fig. 9 is a detailed elevational view of the nozzle shown in Fig. 8.

Fig. 10 is a detailed sectional view showing a further modified form of my invention.

Referring to the drawings, I show in Fig. 1 a typical centrifugal pump I0 having an intake conduit l.l connected thereto and a discharge conduit l2. A valve controls the supply of fluidto the intake conduit, and a similar valve l4 controls the discharge conduit. In the bottom of the pump I connect a drain conduit [6 provided with a valve I1. The pump l shown in Figs. 1 to 5 inclusive is intended to be representative of any pump or blower which derives its pumping or blowing action by imparting a velocity to the fluid being handled rather than by positive displacement. Connected to the pump casing and directed inwardly thereof are a plurality of rows of nozzles l8, l9, and 2|, which are in turn connected to a manifold 22 to which a conduit 23 for a suitable cleaning fluid is connected. The conduit 23 is provided with a valve 24 to close off communication with the interior of the pump when desired. The nozzles l8, I9 and. 2| are directed somewhat radially inwardly of the pump casing at such angles as to direct the cleaning fluid toward the surfaces upon which the deposits hereinbefore referred to collect. Where fluids of a gummy, waxy, or adhesive nature are being pumped, deposits are likely to be formed on the impeller blades, indicated in dotted lines by the numeral 26. The nozzles I8, l9 and 2| shown in Figs. 2 and 3 are so directed as to strike and flush away such deposits from the blades and other parts of the interior of the pump Where deposits collect.

In Figs. 4 and 5 I show a modified form of my invention adapted particularly for use with pumps of the open impeller type, having blades indicated in dotted lines by the numeral 21, .to which access for the'cleaning fluid may be had from the side; With such a pump, I mount a plurality of rowsof nozzles 28, 29and 3|, con nected to a manifold 32 and supplied by a conduit 33 for a suitable cleaning fluid. It will be noted that these nozzles are directed laterally inwardly of the pump, rather than radially inwardly as in Figs. 2 and 3.

In Figs. 6 to 9 I show \a practical embodiment of my invention applied to a conventional centrifugal'pump 3'4. The pump 34 has avolute cas ing 36 and .an impeller of the closed type 3'! having blades 38.. The pump has an inlet 39 and a discharge outlet 4| and is provided with a drain outlet d2 in the bottom, it being understood that the inlet and outlet conduits and the drain are controlled by suitable valves as in Fig. l. Formed in the upper part of the casing 36 is a nozzle housing '43 which extends transversely of the-casing and is provided with a relatively wide flaring opening :45 inwardly of the casing. An axial tapered opening M is p-I=O vided in the housing 43 in which is fitted, j-W-ith a leak tight lit, a nozzle body '46.. The nozzle body 46 has anelongated opening 41 therein extending across the casing substantially the .full length of the housing and is held in lead: tight engagement with the opening 44 by a spring :43v

which surrounds the protruding end of the :body 46 and bears against the housing 144, and" .a handle Ml secured to the outer .end of the nozzle body. The :nozzle :body :46 is supplied with a suitable cleaning fluid through a conduit .5! which is controlled in-the same manner :as shown in connection with the supply .conduit 2'3 of Fig. 1. With the modification shown in Figs. ,6 to 9 it will be seen that the single nozzle opening ill is adapted to direct cleaning fluid at variousangles into the interior of the pump casing and against the impeller blades 38, the handle :48 being utilized to :vary the angle of direction :01 the cleaning fluid.

Ind lig. 10 .I 'ShOlW :a still further modified form of :my invention inwhich the upper part-of the pump casing 52 is provided with a housing 53 having a hemispherical seat 54, closed by a cap 56 having a complementary hemispherical seat 51. The housing 53 is provided with a relatively wide inward opening 55. Mounted in the housing 53 is a spherical nozzle body 58 having an opening 59 therein directed inwardly through the opening 55. The cap 56 is provided with a relatively wide opening 6| through which the outer end 62 of the nozzle body 58 protrudes whereby it may be manipulated to direct a cleaning fluid inwardly of the casing at various angles. Connected to the outer end 52 of the nozzle is a flexible conduit 63 through which a cleaning fluid may be supplied.

pump, the valves 13 and I4 are closed'to shut off the inlet and discharge conduits of the pump, and the drain valve I1 is opened. The power by which the pump is operated may be shut off entirely and the pump impeller turned over by hand or else operated by power very slowly, depending on the construction of the pump, the type of power employed, and the cleaning need. Draining the pump permits the cleaning fluid to be supplied through the cleaning jets or nozzles at a high velocity to impinge upon the adhering deposits on the impeller blades and other parts of the interior of the pump without being forced through liquid which might otherwise sub rnerge the parts to be cleaned. It is contemplated that when the pump has been properly drained and is being turned over slowly, a clean ing fluid at sufiiciently high pressure is provided to afford a cutting jet against the parts to be cleaned. If water is used as the cleaning fluid, a pressure of from pounds per square inch upwards is preferred.

The introduction of the cleaning fluid at various angles, as by the devices shown in Figs. 6 to 9 and the slow motion'of the pump impeller permits the cleaning jets to traverse a wider area than could be done with stationary jets unless an excessively large number of stationary jets be employed. The movable, or adjustable cleaning jets permit the washing and solvent action of the cleaning fluid to be supple mented by the cutting and securing action of the high velocity jets which are adapted to cover large areas with direct impingement of the cleaning stream. As the cleaning fluid is introduced into the pump casing, it falls to the bottom and is drained out through the drain conduit H5;

For this purpose, the drain should be of sufflcient capacity to remove promptly the cleaning fiuid discharged into the casing.

From the foregoing it will be apparent that I have devised an improved flushing means for centrifugal pumps andthe like which is simple and economical of design and which is effective to clean the interior of such a pump of adhering deposits, without the necessity of dismantling the pump.

While I have shown my invention in several forms, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that it is not so limited, but is susceptible of various other changes and modifications, without departing from the spirit thereof, and I desire, therefore, that only such limitations shall be placed thereupon as are specifically set 'fort-l-i of the character described having an impeller with a plurality of blades mounted therein, nozzle means mounted in the casing for directing a cleaning fluid toward the faces of the impeller blades to remove adhering accumulations of material therefrom, valve means for closing off the admission of other fluid into the casing while said nozzle means are being employed, means to drain the casing, and means to adjust the angle of direction of the nozzle means with respect to the casing.

2. In a centrifugal pump having a volute casing and an impeller with a plurality of blades mounted in the casing, a nozzle mounted in the wall of the casingopposite the tips of the blades and directed radially inwards for discharging a cleaning fluid against the faces of the blades, means to vary the angle of discharge of the cleaning fluid with respect to the casing, and means to close off the admission of-other fluid into the casing while said nozzle is being employed.

3., In a centrifugal pump having a volute casing and an impeller with a plurality of blades mounted in the casing, a nozzle comprising a hollow body mounted in the periphery of the casing and extending axially across opposite the tips of the impeller blades and having a discharge opening inwardly of the casing toward the impeller blades, means to adjust the position of the discharge opening angularly with respect to the casing, means to supply a cleaning fluid under pressure to the nozzle body, and means to drain the casing of the fluid.

4. In combination with the casing of a pump of the character described having an impeller with a plurality of blades mounted therein, a

nozzle mounted in the periphery of the casing and directed inwardly thereof, means to vary the angle of direction of the nozzle, means to supply a cleaning fluid t the nozzle under pressure sufficient to discharge a cutting stream against the interior surfaces of the pump, an inlet conduit and a discharge conduit connected to said casing,- valves in both of said conduits to close I off communication with the interior of the pump,

and drain means in the bottom of said casing.

5. Apparatus as defined in claim 4 in which a housing for the nozzle is formed in the upper part of the periphery of the casing and extends axially across the casing, said housing having a relatively wide lateral opening into the casin and an axial tapered opening therein extending across the casing, a nozzle body fitting into the tapered opening and having a discharge slot directed inwardly of the casing through the lateral opening of the housing, and a handle on the end of the nozzle body to vary its angle of discharge into the casing.

6. Apparatus as defined in claim 4 in which a housing for the nozzle is formed in the upper part of the periphery of said casing, a hemispherical seat in the housing opening inwardly of the casing, a spherical body for the nozzle fitting into the hemispherical seat and having a discharge opening directed inwardly of the easing, a cap for the housing having a hemispherical seat fitting over the nozzle body and having a relatively wide opening outwards, and adjustin means for the body extending outwardly through said last mentioned opening.

JAMES C. WHITE.

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