Abstract:
An apparatus for elevating a fluid includes: a pumping member rotatable about a vertical axis, the pumping member having at least one ramped path, the ramped path having a lowermost portion insertable below the surface of a fluid to be elevated, and an uppermost portion that is more distant from the vertical axis than the lowermost portion thereof; a catch chamber surrounding a circular trajectory of the uppermost portion as it rotates about the vertical axis and positioned to receive fluid expelled from the uppermost portion; and a motor coupled to the pumping member for imparting rotational motion to the pumping member about the vertical axis, the motor having sufficient power to generate a centrifugal force that will drive the fluid from the lowermost portion of the ramped path to the uppermost portion and into the catch chamber.

Description:
This application has a priority based on the filing of Provisional Patent Application No. 60/737,794 on Nov. 17, 2005. 

   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   This invention relates to pumps and, more particularly, to centrifugal pumps capable of continuous elevation of massive flows of fluids to higher elevations. 
   2. Description of the Prior Art 
   In the realm of industrial equipment, pumps are indispensable. They are used to raise water from wells, move gases and fluids through pipelines, compress gases, create partial vacuums, pressurize fluids, and for countless other uses. 
   There are two basic kinds of pumps: mechanical and non-mechanical. Mechanical pumps, which are the most common type, rely on moving parts to generate the pumping action. Non-mechanical, on the other hand, move fluids by means of either electromagnetic force or the force of another fluid such as compressed air. 
   Most mechanical pumps are driven by a rotational power source, such as an electric motor, an internal combustion engine, a steam engine, a turbine engine, or a windmill. 
   Pumps are typically rated by the pressure that they can generate and the volume of fluid which they can deliver per unit of time. Certain types of pumps can deliver up to 2,650,000 liters (700,000 gallons) per minute, while other types of pumps can generate pressures up to 14,000 kg/cm 2  (200,000 lbs/in 2 ). 
   Many different types of mechanical pumps are available. Reciprocating pumps, which provide a discontinuous, or pulsating, supply of fluid, generally employ either a single-acting or double acting piston. The most common types of rotary pumps are gear pumps and sliding vane pumps. The former generally has a pair of meshed gears that are rotated inside an oblong chamber. Fluid is carried in spaces between the teeth of the gears and the walls of the chamber, thereby creating a partial vacuum at the inlet and drawing in addition fluid. Sliding vane pumps employ a rotor that is eccentrically mounted within a circular chamber so that it almost touches the chamber at a line parallel to the axis of rotation. Vanes, installed in slots evenly spaced about the circumference of the rotor, are generally pressed against the circular wall by centripetal force. As the rotor turns, fluid is carried in the cavities formed by the vanes and the wall of the chamber from one side of the chamber to the other. The off-center mounting of the rotor prevents backflow of fluid. Centrifugal pumps, which generally provide high rates of flow at moderate pressures, have an impeller with multiple curved blades mounted within a generally circular chamber having an axial intake and a rim outlet. As the impeller spins, the blades throw the fluid toward the rim, creating a partial vacuum near the impeller axle. Axial flow pumps have a bladed impeller mounted axially within a cylinder. As the impeller spins, the blades on the impeller cause fluid inside the cylinder to flow parallel to the impeller&#39;s axis of rotation. Mixed flow pumps combine the operating features of centrifugal and axial-flow pumps. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   This invention includes four primary embodiments of a motor or engine driven centrifugal pump that rotates about a vertical axis. For several of the primary embodiments the pumping action is effected by purely centrifugal action. Certain enhancements may be added to these several primary embodiments to generate a siphon effect which assists in the pumping action. For one of the embodiments, pumping action is effected solely by a siphon effect created by centrifugal action. 
   The first primary embodiment includes a conical funnel rotating about its central vertical axis, through which is installed a drive shaft. At least one and, preferably, multiple, generally vertical ribs or partitions are affixed to the inner wall of the funnel. An electric motor or engine applies rotational torque to the drive shaft. As the funnel rotates, fluid enters the bottom of the funnel and begins to rotate. As it rotates, it climbs the inner wall of the funnel and is expelled at the top of the funnel. A first enhancement includes the addition of a generally cylindrical extension attached to the bottom of the conical funnel. The cylindrical extension reduces turbulence at the point of entry by gradually accelerating the rotation of the fluid until it reaches the conical portion. A second enhancement includes the addition of an inverted inner cone having it apex positioned at the center of the top of the cylindrical extension. The inverted cone is concentric with the conical funnel portion, but has a larger angle of revolution than the funnel portion, such that the area between the funnel and the cone exposed by a horizontal section taken through the cone at any elevation is generally the same as the area of a horizontal section taken through the cylindrical extension. A third enhancement includes the addition of a pair of generally horizontal flanges. One of the flanges is coupled to the top edge of the inverted inner cone; the other is coupled to the top edge of the funnel portion. For a preferred embodiment of the invention, the horizontal flanges converge toward one another as the distance from their center increases, thereby maintaining the constant area relationship of fluid flow. Centripetal force experienced by the fluid exiting in a generally horizontal direction exerts a siphoning effect on fluid climbing between the funnel and the cone, thereby enhancing pumping efficiency. A fourth enhancement includes the addition of generally vertically-oriented ribs within the cylindrical section, which angle toward the center of the cylindrical extension near the top thereof, thereby expelling fluid into the conical portion that is rotating at the same angular speed as the conical walls. For preferred embodiments of the invention, vertically oriented anti-vortex baffles are installed in the sump and prevent vortices from being created by the rotation of the pump. 
   The second primary embodiment utilizes principles similar to those employed by the first primary embodiment combined with the first four enhancements thereto, but with a very different structure. Two or more tubes are arranged in a rotationally balanced, vertically-diverging relationship. Although it is conceivable that a single tube could be used in combination with a counterbalance, the balance will vary as fluid climbs the single tube, thereby complicating any attempt at counterbalancing the single tube. The bottom ends of the tubes are preferably connected to a vertically-oriented cylindrical extension, and are also preferably shaped so that, together, they form a circular array, with each tube forming an equi-angular portion of the circle. The upper ends of the tubes are angled horizontally so that as the assembly of tubes rotates about a horizontal axis, all of them discharge fluid radially. The centripetal force experienced by fluid in the horizontal portion of a tube when the assembly spins exerts a siphoning effect on fluid climbing the angled portion of the tube. Alternatively, each of the tubes can terminate without a horizontal extension, thereby eliminating any siphoning effect. A first enhancement to the second primary embodiment is identical to the fifth enhancement of the first primary embodiment of the invention, and includes the addition of generally vertically-oriented ribs within the cylindrical section, which angle toward the center of the cylindrical extension near the top thereof, thereby expelling fluid into the rotating tubes that is rotating at the same angular velocity as the tubes. A second enhancement to the second primary embodiment includes the addition of right-angled terminations at the ends of the horizontal extensions. The terminations are angles opposite the direction of pump rotation so that the pump benefits from the opposite and equal reaction of fluid expelled therefrom. This jet effect recovers some of the energy used to rotate the pump. 
   The third primary embodiment, which relies entirely on siphoning action to raise the fluid, has a central vertical tube open at the bottom end thereof. The central vertical tube is capped with two or more balanced horizontal tubes which radiate from the axis of the central vertical tube and terminate in a vertical right angle turn. Alternatively, the horizontal tubes may be replaced with tubes that are ramped to a height of at least about the diameter thereof. The assembly rotates about the vertical axis of the central vertical tube. Fluid being forced through the horizontal tubes as the assembly spins draws fluid up the central vertical tube. The third primary embodiment pump must be primed in order to begin the pumping action. This may be accomplished either with a one-way valve near the base of the central vertical tube or with sealing caps on the tops of the right angle turns which are either spring-loaded or gravity actuated to a normally-closed position. 
   The fourth primary embodiment most easily utilizes the funnel structure of the first primary embodiment. However, instead of having a central axis drive shaft, the funnel structure is equipped with a pair of annular support flanges, which are laterally and vertically supported by rollers, thereby permitting the funnel structure to operated by a belt or gear drive. 
   Any of the four primary embodiments may be equipped with an turbine which is able to recover some of the energy in contained by the radially expelled fluid. The turbine encircles the pump outlet, and is installed concentric with the pump rotational axis, so that the expelled fluid impacts the turbine blades. 
   The second primary embodiment of the centrifugal pump may be equipped with turbines at the exit end of each of the horizontal outlet tubes. Each of the turbines is spaced from the exit end so that it does not consume power provided by the pump motor, but merely recovers kinetic energy from the expelled fluid. 
   In addition, a turbine may be installed where fluid flows into the sump from a greater elevation with recoverable kinetic energy. 
   In order to prevent fluid that is expelled at the top of the pump from spinning in the collection chamber, baffle plates may be installed about the inner periphery of the collection chamber. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is cross-sectional elevational view of a first primary embodiment of the new centrifugal pump; 
       FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional top plan view of the first primary embodiment pump of  FIG. 1 , taken through section line  2 - 2 ; 
       FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional elevational view of an enhanced first primary embodiment centrifugal pump having a lower cylindrical extension equipped with partitions; 
       FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional elevational view of an enhanced first primary embodiment centrifugal pump having a coaxial inner cone and converging, but nearly horizontal exit flanges; 
       FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional elevational view of a second primary embodiment of the new centrifugal pump; 
       FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional elevational view of an enhanced second primary embodiment centrifugal pump having horizontal extensions attached to the upper ends of the diverging tubes; 
       FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional elevational view of an enhanced second primary embodiment centrifugal pump having a right angle termination on each of the horizontal extensions; 
       FIG. 8  is an elevational view of a third primary embodiment of the new centrifugal pump which has a single vertical center tube with multiple balanced generally horizontal tubes coupled to the top of the center tube; 
       FIG. 9  is an elevational view of a fourth primary embodiment of the new centrifugal pump; 
       FIG. 10  is an elevational view a second primary embodiment centrifugal pump which has been fitted with power-generating turbines at the end of each exit tube; 
       FIG. 11  is an elevational view of an enhanced second primary embodiment pump which has been equipped with a power-generating turbine around the inner periphery of the pump discharge chamber; and 
       FIG. 12  is a bottom plan view of the turbine wheel of the apparatus of  FIG. 11 . 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   The various embodiments of the new centrifugal pump will now be described in detail, with reference to the attached drawing  FIGS. 1 through 13 . It should be understood that the drawings of the various embodiments of the invention are intended to be merely illustrative of the invention. It should not be assumed that they are either drawn to scale or that they are engineering drawings. 
   Referring now to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a first primary embodiment  100  of the new centrifugal pump includes a truncated right conical member (also known as a funnel)  101  rotating about its central vertical axis  102 , through which is installed a drive shaft  103 . At least one and, preferably, multiple, generally vertical partitions  105 A,  105 B and  105 C are affixed to the inner wall of the funnel. An electric motor  106  or engine applies rotational torque to the drive shaft  103 . As the funnel  101  rotates, fluid  107  residing in the sump  108  enters the bottom of the funnel and begins to rotate. As it rotates, it climbs the inner wall of the funnel  101  and is expelled at the top  109  of the funnel  101  into a catch chamber  110 , from whence it exits through a discharge chute  111 . A circular array of baffle plates  112 A- 112 L may be positioned around the catch chamber  110  to prevent expelled fluid from spinning therein. In addition, a plurality of anti-vortex baffles  113  are positioned within the sump  108  to prevent vortices from being created by the rotation of the pump. The pump frame  114  interconnects the various non-rotating parts of the pump, incuding the top bearing  104 T and the bottom bearing  104 B that support the ends of the drive shaft  103 . 
   Referring now to  FIG. 3 , a first enhancement to this design includes the addition of a generally cylindrical extension  301  attached to the bottom of the conical funnel  101 . The cylindrical extension  301  reduces turbulence at the point of entry by gradually accelerating the rotation of the fluid  107  until it reaches the conical funnel portion  101 . Also seen within the cylindrical extension  301  is a partition extension  302 A that is coextensive with the vertical partition  105 A. Each of the other vertical partitions  105 B and  105 C has a partition extension  302 B and  302 C (not shown), respectively. These partition extensions  302 A- 302 C gradually accelerate rotation of the fluid as it enters the cylindrical extension  301  so that it is rotating at the same rate as the funnel portion  101  as it begins to enter the latter. 
   Referring now to  FIG. 4 , a second enhancement to the first primary embodiment design includes the addition of an inverted inner cone  401  having it apex  402  positioned at the center  403  of the top of the cylindrical extension  301 . The inverted cone  401  is coaxial with the conical funnel portion  101 , but preferably has a larger apex angle than the interior angle of the funnel portion  101 , such that the area between the funnel  101  and the inverted cone  401  exposed by a horizontal section taken through the rotating assembly  406  at any elevation is generally constant and the same as the area of a horizontal section taken through the cylindrical extension  301 . In other words, the angles of the funnel  101  and the inverted cone  401  are selected so that the upward velocity of fluid flow remains constant. Because of the constant area relationship, this design utilizes siphoning action to help raise the fluid. Although not a preferred embodiment of the invention, the wall of the inverted cone  301  and that of the funnel  101  may be parallel. In such a case, siphoning action would be absent, as cavitation would occur as air mixed with the liquid as in the funnel. 
   Still referring now to  FIG. 4 , a third enhancement to the first primary embodiment design includes the addition of a generally horizontal annular outlet  407  at the top of the assembly, which ducts the fluid passing between the funnel  101  and the inverted cone  401  in a radially outward direction. The annular outlet  407  includes a first annular flange  408  that is sealably coupled to an upper circumferential edge of the inverted cone  401 , and a second annular flange that is sealably coupled to an upper circumferential edge of the concial funnel portion  101 . In order to take advantage of siphoning action, the annular outlet becomes restricted as its distance from the center axis increases, thereby creating an generally horizontal discharge path that maintains the constant area relationship of fluid flow. The centripetal force experienced by the exiting fluid exerts a siphoning effect on fluid climbing between the funnel and the cone, thereby enhancing pumping efficiency. 
   Referring now to  FIG. 5 , a second primary embodiment  500  of the new centrifugal pump utilizes principles similar to those employed by the first primary embodiment  100 , combined with the first three enhancements thereto, but with a very different structure. Two or more tubes  501  are arranged in a rotationally balanced, vertically-diverging relationship. The bottom ends  502  of the tubes  501  are connected to a vertically-oriented cylindrical extension  301 , and are preferably shaped so that, together, they form a circular array, and each tube forms an equi-angular portion of the circle. For example, for a four-tube configuration, the bottom of each tube  502  has a generally quarter-pie shape with a notch for the drive shaft  103  at the center. For the embodiment shown in this drawing figure, the upper ends  503  of the tubes  501  terminate just above the catch chamber  110 . A conical sheath  504  wraps at least a bottom portion of the tubes  501  in order to minimize turbulence as the pump rotates about the vertical axis  102 . A second enhancement to the second primary embodiment is very similar to the enhance first primary embodiment of  FIG. 3 , with respect to the addition of the partition extensions  302 A- 302 C. In this case, angled partitions  505  are placed between the openings of each pair of diverging tubes  501 . As the assembly of tubes  501  rotates about the axis  102 , centrifugal action lifts the fluid  107  up through each of the tubes  501  to the catch chamber  110  from whence it is discharged through the discharge chute  111 . 
   Referring now to  FIG. 6 , a first enhancement to the second primary embodiment is the addition of horizontally angled extensions  601  to the tops of the diverging tubes  501 , so that as the assembly of tubes is rotated about its horizontal axis  602  by the pump motor  105 , all of them discharge fluid  106  radially. The centripetal force experienced by fluid  106  in the horizontal portion of a tube when the assembly spins exerts a siphoning effect on fluid that is climbing the vertically diverging tubes  501 . These angled partions  505  gradually accelerate rotation of the fluid as it enters the cylindrical extension  301  so that it is rotating at the same angular velocity as the diverging tubes when it enters them. 
   Referring now to  FIG. 7 , a third enhancement to the second primary embodiment is the addition of right-angled terminations  701  to the open ends of the horizontal extensions  601  of  FIG. 6 . The right-angled terminations  701  are angled opposite the direction of pump rotation so that the pump benefits from the opposite and equal reaction of fluid expelled therefrom. This jet effect recovers some of the energy used to rotate the pump. 
   Referring now to  FIG. 8 , a third primary embodiment  800  of the new centrifugal pump, which relies entirely on siphoning action to raise the fluid, has a central vertical tube  801  open at a bottom end  802  thereof. The central vertical tube is capped with two or more rotationally balanced horizontal tubes  803 , which radiate from the axis of the central vertical tube  801 . Each horizontal tube terminates in a 90-degree elbow  804  that is upwardly angled. Alternatively, the horizontal tubes  803  may be replaced with ramped tubes (not shown), that are ramped at least about the diameter thereof. The assembly comprising the vertical tube  801 , the horizontal tubes  803  and the 90-degree elbows  804  rotates about the vertical central axis  102  of the vertical tube  801 . Fluid  107  being expelled through the horizontal tubes  803  as the assembly spins draws fluid up the central vertical tube  801 . This third primary embodiment pump  800  must be primed in order for the pumping action to begin. This may be accomplished either with a one-way valve  808  at the base of the central vertical tube  801  or with spring-loaded, fluid-tight caps  809  on the tops of the right angle elbow  804  or at the end of each ramped tube, or both. With the one-way valve  808  and caps  809  in place, the central vertical tube  801  and the horizontal tubes  803  or ramped tubes may be filled with fluid before beginning rotation of the pump with the motor  810 . 
   Referring now to  FIG. 9 , a fourth primary embodiment  900  of the new centrifugal pump is most easily adapted to use the funnel structure of the first primary embodiment  100 . This particular embodiment is most like the funnel structure of  FIG. 4 . However, instead of having a central axis drive shaft  103 , the funnel structure  901  of the fourth embodiment  900  is equipped with an upper support flange  902  that is maintained in axial alignment by a first set of at least three, equiangularly-spaced rollers  903 , each of which is rotatable about a verical axis  904 , and vertically supported by a second set of at least three, equiangularly-spaced rollers  905 , each of which is rotatable about a horizontal axis  906 . The funnel structure  901  is also equpped with a lower support flange  907  that is maintained in axial alignment by a third set of at least three, equiangularly-spaced rollers  908 , each of which is rotatable about a vertical axis  909 . This support arrangement permits the funnel structure  901  to be rotated by a belt or gear drive acting on the upper circumferential rim  906  of the funnel structure  901  or by driving the second set of rollers  905 . The various frame elements are tied together as a unit  910 . 
   Referring now to  FIG. 10 , the enhanced second primary embodiment centrifugal pump of  FIG. 6  is shown equipped with a power generating turbine  1001  coupled to the discharge outlet of each of the horizontal extensions  601  of the tubes  501 . Each of the turbines  1001  is spaced from the horizontal extensions  601  so that it does not require the expenditure of additional power by the pump motor  106 , but merely recovers kinetic energy from the expelled fluid  107 . Each of the turbines  1001  is coupled to an electrical generator  1003 . The term “generator” is intended to include both generators and alternators. A bracket assembly  1002  secures the generator  1003  to the outer end of each horizontal extension  601 . 
   Referring now to  FIG. 11 , any of the four primary embodiments may be equipped with an turbine wheel  1101  which is able to recover some of the energy in contained by the radially expelled fluid. The turbine  1101  encircles the rotatable pumping member, which may be the truncated conical member  101  such as that shown in  FIG. 1 , the vertically diverging tubes  501  of  FIGS. 5 ,  6 ,  7  or  11 , the combination of a truncated right conical member and an inverted conical member as shown in  FIG. 4 , or the combination of multiple horizontal upper tubes coupled to a single vertical tube as shown in  FIG. 8 . The turbine  1101  is installed concentric with the pump rotational axis  102  so that the expelled fluid  107  impacts the blades of the turbine  1101 . Power takeoff is via a turbine output shaft  1102  that is concentric with the drive shaft  103 . The turbine output shaft  1102 , which rides within bearings  1103  and  1104 , is rigidly coupled to a generator rotor or armature  106 . A generator stator  107  surrounds the armature  106 . An collar  1105  is secured to the turbine output shaft  1102  and rides against the top surface of bearing  1104 . The drive shaft  103  is rigidly coupled to a motor armature  1108 , which rotates within a motor stator  1109 . 
   Referring now to  FIG. 12 , a bottom view of the turbine  1101  shows the  28  turbine blades  1201  which are rigidly affixed thereto. 
   It will be noted that each of the principal embodiments  100 ,  500  and  800  of the new centrifugal pump incorporates anti-vortex partitions  113  around the periphery of the intake. Without the partitions, the spinning of the pump will create a vortex that lessens the efficiency of the pump by making it difficult for fluid to enter the intake. 
   Although only several embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, it will be obvious to those having ordinary skill in the art that changes and modifications may be made thereto without departing from the scope and the spirit of the invention as hereinafter claimed.