Patent ID: 6402461
Filing Date: 2002-06-11
Classification: F04D,F16J

Abstract:
A fluid pump comprising a pump body housing a fluid pumping chamber having a rotatable pumping member, a drive shaft which passes through an aperture in the pump body into the pumping chamber to effect rotation of the pumping member in use, and a seal between the pump body and drive shaft to inhibit fluid moving along the shaft out of the pumping chamber, characterized by a dividing shroud operably located between the seal and the rotatable pumping member to divide the fluid pumping chamber between the seal and the rotatable pumping member, wherein a fluid inlet is provided into a first portion of the divided fluid pumping chamber, which first portion is adjacent the seal and the fluid inlet is at least in part defined by a radially outer portion of the dividing shroud and a portion of the pump body, and wherein the dividing shroud operably creates a pressure gradient across the fluid inlet and first portion of the divided fluid pumping chamber, thereby to effect fluid flow into the first portion.