Support for a bearing of an electric pump and electric pump having such a support

Abstract

This application relates to a support for a bearing in an electric pump and an electric pump having such a support. A support (10) for a bearing (12) in an electric pump (50) has shaped portions formed in a single body: a receiving portion (11) for the bearing (12); and a receiving portion (13) for a sealing element (14).

Description

[0001] This invention relates to a support member for a bearing used in an electric pump.

[0002] The present invention also relates to an electric pump having such a bearing support.

[0003] An electric pump is a device for pumping liquids. The electric pump includes a wet region having a suction conduit and a delivery conduit, with one or more impellers immersed in the suction conduit and delivery conduit. A diffuser is staggered between the impellers and is keyed to a rotating shaft rotated by an electric motor.

[0004] The electric motor includes a stator and a rotor, with a rotating shaft extending from the stator and rotor.

[0005] Typically, electric motors are contained in a generally tubular motor housing, which is isolated from the wet area on the rotating shaft by a mechanical seal.

[0006] The mechanical seal is located at the junction between the motor housing and the wet area, surrounding the rotation axis and supported by an annular support element, which also surrounds the rotation axis.

[0007] The rotating shaft supports two bearings, and the rotor of the electric motor is sandwiched between these two bearings.

[0008] These two bearings are designed to keep the rotating shaft aligned during operation and when not in use, and thus keep the rotor axially aligned.

[0009] Specifically, one of the two bearings is located inside the motor housing, near the junction between the motor housing and the wet area.

[0010] In order to keep the bearing in the proper position, there is a generally disc-shaped support element with a receiving portion for the bearing.

[0011] These known methods have some drawbacks.

[0012] First, the support elements for the bearings and the support elements for the mechanical seals are required to be located close to the interface between the wet zone and the motor housing, which makes a considerable number of parts needed at the interface between the wet zone and the motor housing.

[0013] Furthermore, currently, bearing support elements near wet areas are made of metal (usually aluminum), while mechanical seal support elements are made of plastic.

[0014] To ensure that the holes of the two supports are coaxial so that the rotating shaft can pass through, the support of the bearing, made of metal, is aligned with the support of the mechanical seal, made of plastic.

[0015] Over time, due to deformation in the supports of the mechanical seal (made of plastic material), the centering between the two supports may be disrupted, thereby jeopardizing the normal operation of the electric pump.

[0016] Furthermore, the use of plastic materials for the supports of mechanical seals makes it impossible to achieve the dimensional tolerances required for alignment between the two supports, whereas this is possible with other materials.

[0017] Finally, the presence of separate bearing supports and sealing element supports located near / at the junction between the wet zone and the motor housing can determine imperfect coaxiality between the two supports, and can also cause deformation on the support for the mechanical seal made of plastic material, and thus generate bending moment on the rotating shaft, leading to electric pump failure.

[0018] Imperfect coaxiality between the mechanical seal support and the bearing support can shorten the service life of the seal, thereby shortening the service life of the electric pump.

[0019] The object of the present invention is to provide a support for a bearing used in an electric pump, which improves upon the prior art in one or more of the aforementioned aspects.

[0020] Within this scope, the objective of the present invention is to provide a support for a bearing of an electric pump that allows for a reduction in the number of components in the electric pump.

[0021] Another objective of this invention is to design a support for a mechanical seal in an electric pump that is less prone to deformation than similar bearing supports of known types.

[0022] Another objective of the present invention is to provide a support for a bearing of an electric pump that allows for alignment dimensional tolerances similar to those of a support for a mechanical seal, which are lower than those achieved by similar supports of known types.

[0023] A further objective of the present invention is to design a support for a bearing of an electric pump that allows for better coaxiality with a support for a seal used in a wet area compared to similar supports of known types, and thus allows for a reduction in the bending moment generated on the rotating shaft.

[0024] Another objective of this invention is to overcome the shortcomings of the prior art in a manner that can replace any existing solution.

[0025] Another objective of the present invention is to provide a support for a bearing of an electric pump that is highly reliable, relatively easy to provide, and cost-competitive.

[0026] This objective, as will become more apparent below, and these and other objectives are achieved by a support for a bearing of an electric pump, characterized in that the support has a contoured portion formed in a single body:

[0027] - A receiving part for the bearing.

[0028] - A receiving part for sealing elements.

[0029] Further features and advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the description of a preferred, but not exclusive, embodiment of the support for a bearing of an electric pump according to the invention, shown in the accompanying drawings by way of non-limiting example, in which:

[0030] Figure 1 This is an exploded view of a support member for a bearing according to the present invention;

[0031] Figure 2 This is a cross-sectional view of an electric pump with a support for a bearing according to the present invention;

[0032] Figure 3 yes Figure 2 A magnified view of the details of the cross-section;

[0033] Figure 4 yes Figure 3 A detailed exploded view.

[0034] Referring to the accompanying drawings, the support for the bearing 12 of the electric pump 50 according to the present invention is generally indicated by reference numeral 10.

[0035] One feature of the present invention is that the support member 10 has a shaped portion formed from a single body:

[0036] - Receiving part 11 for bearing 12,

[0037] - Receiving part 13 for sealing element 14.

[0038] Consider the extension axis X of support member 10 as follows:

[0039] - Central axis, which lies on the plane of symmetry of support 10.

[0040] - The planes of the receiving portion 11 for the bearing 12 and the receiving portion 13 for the sealing element 14 are perpendicular to each other.

[0041] The receiving portion 11 for the bearing 12 and the receiving portion 13 for the sealing element 14 are arranged along the extension axis X of the support 10 at two opposite ends of the support 10.

[0042] In this way, the present invention provides a support member that is shared by a bearing and a mechanical seal.

[0043] Specifically, the receiving portion 13 for the sealing element 14 is arranged within the flange element 26, which includes a disc-shaped portion 15 having a first through hole 25 and a surface, and an annular portion 16 extending from the surface, the annular portion 16 being coaxial with the disc-shaped portion 15 and surrounding the first through hole 25.

[0044] In the configuration, the sealing element 14, which is a mechanical seal, is inserted into the annular portion 16 and positioned in the first through hole at / near the disc-shaped portion 15.

[0045] The support 10 is made of a metallic material (e.g., aluminum) and has an element 17 for covering the annular portion 16, the element 17 forming a receiving portion 13 for sealing the element 14.

[0046] Specifically, the sealing element 14 is housed within the covering element 17 in the first through-hole 25 of the annular portion 16.

[0047] The cover element 17 is made of a metallic material (advantageously stainless steel) and is adapted to protect the support 10 from water. The cover element 17 is arranged at the junction between the wet area 51 of the electric pump 50 and the motor housing 52 of the electric pump 50.

[0048] Covering element 17:

[0049] - Co-molded with flange element 26

[0050] -Complementary to ring portion 16

[0051] - It has a shape similar to that of the annular portion 16.

[0052] In the configuration, the sealing element 14 is placed inside and surrounded by the covering element 17.

[0053] With respect to the extended axis X of the support member 10, the support member 10 includes a tray element 19 at one end opposite to the end where the receiving portion 13 for the sealing element 14 is provided. The tray element 19 has a circular profile and an outer peripheral edge 20 with a flange.

[0054] The tray element 19 includes a base 21 and a sidewall 22, with a flanged edge 20 extending from the sidewall 22.

[0055] Specifically, the base 21 is provided with a second through hole 23, which is used to insert the rotating shaft 18 of the electric pump 50.

[0056] Inside the tray element 19 there is a tubular portion 24, which is integral with the tray element 19 and forms the lateral edge of the receiving portion 11 of the bearing 12.

[0057] The inner diameter of the tubular portion 24 is comparable to the outer diameter of the bearing 12, and is larger than the diameter of the second through hole 23.

[0058] In the configuration in use, the bearing 12 is inserted into the tubular portion 24 and generally contacts the base 21 of the tray portion 19.

[0059] The tubular portion 24, the tray element 19, the disc portion 15, and the annular portion 16 are coaxial, and the axes of the tubular portion 24, the tray element 19, the disc portion 15, and the annular portion 16 coincide with the extension axis X of the support 10.

[0060] Specifically, the flange element 26 and the tray element 19 are connected and combined by one or more bridging elements 27, which provide greater rigidity to the support 10.

[0061] These bridging elements 27 have a generally triangular outline.

[0062] Advantageously, there are four bridging elements 27, arranged radially relative to the extension axis X of the support 10, and equidistant from each other.

[0063] The presence of the four bridging elements 27 and their distribution relative to the extended axis X of the support 10 provide stiffness to the support 10.

[0064] The first through hole 25 and the second through hole 23 form a single channel for the rotating shaft 18 of the electric pump 50, and the bridging element 27 is arranged around this channel.

[0065] With respect to the extended axis X of the support 10, the bearing 12 and the sealing element 14 are arranged at opposite ends and toward the outside of the support 10, and thus toward the opposite sides of the support 10.

[0066] It should be noted that the support 10 provides a single component that serves as both support for the bearing and support for the sealing element between the wet zone and the motor housing.

[0067] Figure 2 A cross-section of an electric pump 50 including a support member 10 according to the present invention is shown.

[0068] In the configuration, the electric pump 50 has a vertical extension and includes, from bottom to top:

[0069] -Wet Zone 51,

[0070] -Motor housing 52.

[0071] One or more impellers 54, keyed to the rotating shaft 18, are arranged in the wet zone 51.

[0072] The motor is arranged within the motor housing 52 and includes a rotor 55 (keyed to the rotating shaft 18) for moving the rotating shaft 18 and a stator 56 surrounding the rotor 55.

[0073] The rotating shaft 18 is axially aligned by the following two bearings arranged at both ends of the rotor 55:

[0074] -First upper bearing 57, and

[0075] - Second lower bearing 12, which is arranged in the motor housing 52 near the wet area 51.

[0076] As described above, the support member 10 for the bearing 12 is arranged inside the electric pump 50, at the junction between the wet area 51 and the motor housing 52.

[0077] The sealing element 14 is keyed to the rotating shaft 18 at the junction between the wet zone 51 and the motor housing 52, and prevents liquid from flowing from the wet zone 51 to the motor housing 52.

[0078] In practice, it has been found that the present invention achieves the intended purpose and objective by providing a support for a bearing of an electric pump that allows for a reduction in the number of components in the electric pump.

[0079] This invention provides a common support for bearings and mechanical seals made entirely of metallic materials.

[0080] It should be noted that the present invention provides a support for a bearing of an electric pump, which, since it is integrally disposed with the support of a mechanical seal and is made of a metallic material, allows for a smaller centering dimensional tolerance compared to that achieved by similar supports of known types.

[0081] Furthermore, the present invention provides a support for a bearing of an electric pump that allows for better coaxiality with a support for a sealing element used in a wet area than similar supports of known types, and therefore, since the flange element of the support (which defines the receiving portion for the sealing element) and the tubular element of the support (which defines the receiving portion for the bearing) are coaxial, a reduction in bending moment generated on the rotating shaft is allowed.

[0082] The invention conceived thus allows for numerous modifications and variations, all of which are within the scope of the appended claims; furthermore, all details may be replaced by other technically equivalent elements.

[0083] In practice, the materials used (as long as they are compatible with the specific application) and the possible shapes and sizes can be arbitrary, depending on requirements and existing technology.

Claims

1. A support (10) for a bearing (12) of an electric pump (50), the support (10) having a shaped portion formed in a single body and comprising: - Receiving part (11) for the bearing (12). - A receiving portion (13) for a sealing element (14), the receiving portion (13) for the sealing element (14) being arranged within a flange element (26), the flange element (26) comprising: - A disc-shaped portion (15) having a first through hole (25). - An annular portion (16), which is coaxial with the disc-shaped portion (15) and surrounds the first through hole (25). The support member (10) is provided with a covering element (17) for covering the annular portion (16), the covering element (17) forming the receiving portion (13) for the sealing element (14). Wherein, the covering element (17): - Made of metallic materials, - Co-molded with the flange element (26), - Complementary to the annular portion (16), - It has a shape similar to that of the annular portion (16).

2. The support member (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The support (10) is made of metal.

3. The support member (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The receiving portion (11) for the bearing (12) and the receiving portion (13) for the sealing element (14) are arranged at two opposite ends of the support member (10) along an extending axis (X) of the support member (10), the extending axis (X) being: - A central axis, which lies on the plane of symmetry of the support (10). - It is perpendicular to the arrangement plane of the receiving portion (11) for the bearing (12) and the receiving portion (13) for the sealing element (14).

4. The support member (10) according to claim 3, characterized in that, With regard to the extended axis (X), the support (10) includes a tray element (19) at one end opposite to the end of the receiving portion (13) provided for the sealing element (14), the tray element (19) having a circular profile.

5. The support member (10) according to claim 4, characterized in that, The tray element (19) includes a base (21) and a sidewall (22), the base (21) being provided with a second through hole (23).

6. The support member (10) according to claim 4, characterized in that, The tray element (19) has an integral tubular portion (24) inside it, which forms the lateral edge of the receiving portion (11) for the bearing (12).

7. The support member (10) according to claim 6, characterized in that, The tray element (19) includes a base (21) and a sidewall (22), the base (21) being provided with a second through hole (23), and the inner diameter of the tubular portion (24) being larger than the diameter of the second through hole (23).

8. The support member (10) according to claim 6, characterized in that, The tubular portion (24), the tray element (19), the disc portion (15), and the annular portion (16) are coaxial, and the axes of the tubular portion (24), the tray element (19), the disc portion (15), and the annular portion (16) coincide with the extension axis (X) of the support member (10).

9. The support member (10) according to claim 4, characterized in that, The flange element (26) and the tray element (19) are connected and combined by one or more bridging elements (27).

10. The support member (10) according to claim 9, characterized in that, The one or more bridging elements (27) have a generally triangular profile and are arranged radially relative to the extension axis (X) of the support (10).

11. The support member (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The cover element (17) is made of stainless steel.

12. An electric pump (50), comprising: - A wet zone (51), in which one or more impellers (54) keyed to a rotating shaft (18) are arranged. - Motor housing (52). - A motor disposed within the motor housing (52), the motor comprising a rotor (55) for moving the rotating shaft (18) and a stator (56) surrounding the rotor (55), the rotor (55) being keyed to the rotating shaft (18). The rotating shaft (18) is kept axially aligned by the following two bearings arranged at the end of the rotor (55): - First bearing (57) - A second bearing (12) is arranged inside the motor housing (52) near the wet area (51). The electric pump (50) is characterized in that it includes a support (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 11 at the junction between the wet area (51) and the motor housing (52), the support (10) being used to support the second bearing (12).

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