Patent ID: 6053698
Filing Date: 2000-04-25
Classification: F04D

Abstract:
A centrifugal pump for pumping a slurry, comprising:a shell in the form of a semi-volute collector formed about a central axis said shell including:a substantially circular front wall and a spaced substantially circular back wall;a generally continuous outer side wall extending between said front wall and said rear wall;a discharge nozzle disposed tangentially with respect to said side wall;a discharge opening at a terminal end of said discharge nozzle;a circular suction inlet defined in said front wall about said axis for allowing the slurry to enter said shell;an impeller rotatably supported within said shell about said central axis, said impeller including:a circular back shroud;a spaced parallel annular shroud; anda plurality of vanes, each of said vanes having a proximal end fastened to said back shroud, a spaced distal end fastened to said annular shroud, a leading edge extending between said proximal and distal ends and inclined in a direction of a path of rotation of said impellers about said axis, and a spaced trailing edge, said vanes being spaced from each other and defining impeller channels therebetween;a circular opening defined by said annular shroud about said central axis in fluid communication with said suction inlet, said circular opening having a diameter approximately equal to the diameter of said suction inlet; anda central shaft rotatably supported on said shell and extending along said axis, said shaft being operably engaged with said back shroud and connected to a prime mover for rotating said impeller about said axis,wherein said proximal end of each vane extends along an arc of approximately 105.degree. from said trailing edge to said leading edge, said distal end of each vane extends along an arc of approximately 78.degree. from said trailing edge to said leading edge.