Patent ID: 6669437
Filing Date: 2003-12-30
Classification: F04D,F05B

Abstract:
A pump comprising:a pump housing having an internal pump chamber; a fluid inlet to, and a fluid outlet from, the pumping chamber spaced arcuately apart about an axis; a pumping element that is disposed within the housing for rotation about the axis and has a vaned periphery that is operable within the pumping chamber to pump fluid from the inlet to the outlet when the pumping element is rotated, said vaned periphery having angled vanes; the pumping chamber being defined at least in part by a main channel extending within the housing arcuately about the axis to one axial side of the pumping element; the main channel having a radially outer margin that opens along at least a portion of the channel's arcuate extent to an adjoining contaminant collection channel which extends arcuately within the housing about the axis and which is effective, as the pumping element rotates, to collect certain fluid-entrained particulates expelled from the main channel and to convey such collected particulates to the outlet, the contaminant collection channel being arranged and constructed in relation to the main channel such that the presence of the contaminant collection channel in the pump creates no substantial change in pumping efficiency; and at least one leakage prevent groove located between said inlet and said outlet, said leakage prevent groove being angled to substantially match the angled vanes.