FLUID CONTROL MEANS FOR PUMPS AND THE LIKE

Abstract: A fluid machine including a device (30) disposed in the inlet passage (16) of the fluid machine for retarding pump cavitational surging at low flow rates. The device includes an annulus (38) assembly having a series of curved radially disposed vanes (32) for capturing fluid backflowing from the pump chamber (14) and redirecting same toward the center of the inlet passageway (16).

Description: This invention relates to fluid machinery and, more particularly, to a device designed to substantially retard cavitation surging within such machinery. As a skilled artisan may appreciate, fluid machines such as pumps, which operate over a wide range of capacities, are subjected to cavitation surges at low flow rates and at moderate to low values of Net Positive Suction Head (NPSH). A flow rate of less than about 50% of the pump's design flow rate may be considered a low flow rate. Moderate to low values of Net Positive Suction Head (NPSH) are generally those that produce a pump pressure rise reduction of 1% to 3% below the pressure rise obtained in the absence of NPSH influence. When cavitation and recirculation exist simultaneously, cavitation in the pump suction or intake can, and often does, surge far upstream. Such surges often create vibrations characterized by low frequency shuttling. These vibrations, in turn, may cause numerous mechanical problems, i.e., bearing failure, seal failure, and etc. As is evidenced from the art, several attempts at reducing pump cavitation have been made. U. S. Patents 3,504,986; 4,375,937; and, 4,375,938 disclose various pump housings having fluidic passageways provided therein for capturing recirculating fluids in a manner reducing pump cavitation surge. U. S. Patents 3,384,022; 3,664,759; 4,150,916; and, 4,239,453 disclose pumps having various restriction means disposed within the pump inlet passageway for redirecting backflowing fluids in a manner reducing pump cavitation surge. This invention pertains to a fluid machine having a housing including a pumping chamber and conduit means leading from the exterior of the fluid machine to the pumping chamber. A rotodynamic means such as an impeller may be provided within the pumping chamber for pumping fluid by centrifugal force. If the pump means or impeller is operated at flow rates much less than optimum efficiency point, a swirling fluid may eliminate backflow from the pumping chamber. This backflowing fluid usually forms a fluid boundary layer about the fluid flowing toward this pumping chamber. GB-A-2 057 569, upon which is based the prior art portion of claim 1, uses axially extending vanes to guide inlet fluid but does not provide the means provided by the radially curved blades of the present invention to redirect backflowing swirling fluid into the inward flow. The present invention, as defined in claim 1, is not intended to prevent the pump from cavitating. Instead, the apparatus of the present invention suppresses the cavitational surge in the pump intake. With the present invention, operative means, disposed upstream of the impeller and within the conduit means, collects sufficient backflowing fluid and redirects same into the inward flow thereby preventing cavitation surging of the pump. Unlike other devices, the operative means of the present invention requires minimal changes to the pump housing. In contrast to some devices, the operative means of the present invention includes an annulus assemblage having a plurality of radially inward extending stationary blades or vanes which are radially curved but axially straight to capture the swirling backflowing fluid. The vanes are designed, however, by being axially straight, not to restrict or substantially interfere with the inward flowing fluid which is directed toward the pumping chamber. As such, the fluid machine may be operated at flow rates much less than optimum efficiency point without the noise and vibrational characteristics usually associated with such operation. In accordance with the above, a primary object of this invention is to provide novel means which can be used in combination with fluid machinery for retarding pump cavitation surge thereby reducing an occurrence of noise and vibration over a wide range of fluid flow rates. Suitable means redirects counterflow fluid at the suction side of a fluid machine without substantially interfering with ordinary fluid flow. The structure can be used in combination with fluid machinery for retarding pump cavitation surge but requires minimal changes to the pump housing. The invention will be further illustrated with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a fluid machine with which the present invention could be useful. Figure 2 is an end view of a vaned assembly as used by the present invention; and FIGURE 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 3-3 of FIGURE 2. Turning now to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals indicate like parts throughout the several views, in FIGURE 1 there is illustrated a fluid machine 10 which may be a centrifugal pump or the like. The fluid machine 10 includes a housing or casing 12 having a pumping chamber 14 and which is provided with conduit means 16 and 18 defining confined spaces through which fluid flows. In the illustrated embodiment, conduit 16 acts as a fluid suction intake or inlet passageway while conduit 18 acts as an outlet passageway. Rotodynamic means 20 may be rotationally arranged in the pumping chamber 14 in a manner creating fluid flow through said passageways. In the illustrated embodiment, the rotodynamic means includes an impeller 22 and may include an inducer 24 situated upstream from the main impeller 22 and which operates in conjunction therewith. As is known in the art, the rotodynamic means 20 may be operated over a range of flow rates. When the rotodynamic means is operated at flow rates much less than optimum efficiency point, cavitation surging within the fluid machine may occur. It is believed that cavitation surging of the pump occurs when sufficient liquid backflows from the pumping chamber. That is, there may be fluid flow within the inlet passageway extending in two opposed directions. One fluid flow is directed toward the pumping chamber. The other fluid flow is that fluid backflowing upstream from the pumping chamber. The backflowing liquid is caused at low flow rates since liquid cannot move forward through the pump and, hence, backflows upstream. The rotation of the impeller causes this liquid to swirl upstream as it backflows. The swirling backflowing fluid tends to move outward toward the walls of the confined spaces by means of centrifugal force whereby forming a fluid boundary layer about the fluid flowing toward the pumping chamber. To avoid cavitation surging, the swirling and backflowing fluid must be straightened out and redirected toward the center of the intake opening. According to the present invention, a backflow retardation device 30 is provided upstream of the impeller 22 and inducer 24 to suppress the cavitation surge. Unlike other devices, the backflow preventer means 30 may be arranged within the confined spaces of the housing without significant changes to the inlet passageway 16. From the depicted embodiment of the backflow retardation device, in Figures 2 and 3, it may be seen to include an annulus assembly comprised of a plurality of stationary vanes 32 which radially extend transverse to the centerline of the inlet opening. Each radial vane includes a blade portion extending generally parallel to the inward directional fluid flow but which is also curved in design. The curved design enables the blades 32 to act as a catching means for collecting sufficient backflowing fluid and redirecting same toward the center of the inlet passageway. This design allows for backflowing fluid to be caught without interfering with the incoming flow to the pump chamber and hence without interfering with pump performance. As apparent from the drawings, the vanes 32 terminate inwardly short of the center of said inlet passageways. The innermost ends of the vanes 32 may be secured to a hub 34 centrally disposed in the passageway 16. The outermost edges of the vanes 32 may be secured to a ring 38 which acts as a securement means for the annulus assembly. The backflow retardation device 30 according to the invention is capable of collecting sufficient fluid backflow from the impeller and redirecting same into the inlet stream to prevent cavitation surging of the pump. A salient feature of the present invention is that it can accomplish these ends without substantial changes or reworking of the inlet passageway and more importantly the pump housing. Moreover, the present invention effects these desirous ends without adversely effecting the incoming stream of fluid to the pump or the pumps performance.

Claims: 1. A fluid machine adapted to move fluids and including a housing (12) having a pumping chamber (14), conduit means (16) leading from the housing exterior to said pumping chamber, rotodynamic means (22-24) arranged for rotation in said pumping chamber for creating a fluid flow in said conduit means and which, when operated at flow rates much less than optimum efficiency point, causes a swirling fluid backflow which forms a fluid boundary layer about fluid flowing toward said chamber, and operative vaned means (30) for retarding the cavitational surge effects and backflowing fluid has on machine operation, characterised in that said operative vaned means (30) comprises a fixed annulus assembly (38) including a series of radially curved and axially straight blades (32) disposed within said conduit means (16) transversely of the centreline thereof for forcing the swirling and recirculating fluid flow toward the centre of said conduit means thereby retarding the cavitational surge effects created. 2. A fluid machine according to claim 1, wherein the conduit means (16) is axially aligned with the axis of rotation of the rotodynamic means (22-24). 3. A fluid machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein each of said blades (32) terminate inwardly short of the centre of said conduit means. 4. A fluid machine according to claim 3, further including a hub (34) to which the radial innermost ends of the blades (32) are secured. 5. A fluid machine according to any preceding claim, wherein the annulus assembly includes a mounting ring (38) adapted for securement to said housing (12) and to which each of said blades are secured.

Inventors: KUAH, LEONG POK
Applicants: BW/IP INTERNATIONAL, INC.
Application year: 1987
Main classification: F04D29
IPC codes: F04D29