Single channel rotor with hollow body

Abstract

The present invention relates to a rotor (14) for a pumping unit, the rotor comprising a body (28) delimited by a peripheral wall (30) extending around an axis of rotation (X) of the rotor (14), the rotor (14) comprising a plate (32) closing a lower end (34) of the rotor (14) and extending in a plane radial with respect to the axis of rotation (X), the peripheral wall (30) and the plate (32) delimiting a cavity (36) open at an upper end (38) of the rotor (14), and a flow channel (44) for a fluid extending at least partially in the cavity, the flow channel (44) comprising a fluid inlet opening (46) and opening into the peripheral wall (30).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a pumping unit, for example, for a fish pond, and particularly to a single-channel rotor of such a pumping unit. Background Technology

[0002] Pumping units used in fish farming (such as in aquaculture) allow fish to be sorted, loaded, or discharged from one rearing tank to another.

[0003] For this purpose, the pumping unit includes a pump body, a fluid inlet passage, and a fluid outlet passage connected to the pump body, which houses a rotor. The rotor is then configured to rotate within the pump body, thereby moving fluid (e.g., fish) from the inlet passage to the outlet passage.

[0004] Pumps can be found in the prior art, such as those disclosed in US2016 / 108927A1 and GB377370A.

[0005] Given the intended use of such pumping units, their dimensions must be designed to allow fish to move, and the rotor must have a specific shape and sufficient size to prevent damage to the fish during transport.

[0006] Therefore, using such pumping units results in high construction costs.

[0007] Furthermore, pumping units are typically mounted on movable frames, allowing them to be moved around the aquaculture area. Therefore, it should be understood that limiting the weight and size of such systems to make them easier for operators to handle is important.

[0008] In addition, the large size and weight of the rotors currently used in pumping units cause them to vibrate significantly when rotating, resulting in rotor balance problems.

[0009] Therefore, the present invention proposes an optimized rotor for pumping units, which has reduced weight and material usage without compromising robustness. Thus, the rotor according to the invention allows for better weight distribution, thereby achieving better balance. Summary of the Invention

[0010] The present invention provides a rotor for a pumping unit, the rotor comprising a body defined by a peripheral wall extending about a rotation axis of the rotor, the rotor including a plate that closes the lower end of the rotor and extends in a plane radially relative to the rotation axis. The peripheral wall and plate define a cavity that opens at the upper end of the rotor, and a flow passage for fluid extends at least partially within the cavity, the flow passage including a fluid inlet opening and leading to the peripheral wall.

[0011] Other features according to the invention: - The plate includes at least one through hole leading to the cavity of the rotor; - The rotor includes a support that extends axially into the cavity between the flow channel and the plate. The support has the shape of a cylinder truncated in the axial plane so as to complement the curved shape of the flow channel in shape. The axis of rotation of the support is different from the axis of rotation of the rotor. - The support includes a recess for receiving the drive shaft of the pumping unit, which extends axially along the rotation axis of the rotor; - The fluid inlet opening of the flow channel is axially centered on the rotor's rotation axis; - The flow channel extends spirally from the inlet opening to the peripheral wall; - The rotor includes a single flow channel; The present invention also relates to a pumping unit comprising at least one pump body, wherein a rotor according to any one of the foregoing features extends into the pump body, the pumping unit comprising a drive shaft rotatably attached to the rotor and extending into a receiving recess of the rotor.

[0012] Based on the characteristics of the pumping unit, the rotor's peripheral wall has a concave shape, which mates with the curved wall of the pump body of the pumping unit to help define the portion of the flow channel that extends to the outside of the rotor cavity. Attached Figure Description

[0013] Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, which can be understood with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 It is an overall view of the axial cross-section of the pump body, including the pumping unit of the rotor; Figure 2 It is an overall perspective view of the pumping unit, including the fluid inlet channel and the fluid outlet channel; Figure 3 yes Figure 1 A top view of the rotor; Figure 4 yes Figure 1 Side view of the rotor; Figure 5 yes Figure 1 An axial cross-sectional view of the rotor. Detailed Implementation

[0014] In the following description, the same, similar or analogous elements will be referred to by the same reference numerals.

[0015] Figure 1 It shows in Figure 2 The pump body 12 of the pumping unit 10, which is visible in the image, houses the rotor 14 that is driven to rotate via the drive shaft 16.

[0016] exist Figure 2 As can be seen, the pump body is fluidly connected to the fluid inlet channel 18 and the fluid outlet channel 20.

[0017] like Figure 1 As can be seen, the pump body 12 has a shape suitable for receiving the rotor 14 and is defined on the periphery by a curved wall 22 that extends circularly around the axis of rotation X of the rotor 14.

[0018] Axially, the pump body 12 is defined by a bottom wall 24 and a cover wall 26, which are integral with the curved wall 22.

[0019] Therefore, the curved wall 22, the bottom wall 24, and the cover wall 26 define the space for receiving the rotor 14.

[0020] According to a non-limiting example of the invention, the bottom wall 24 includes a channel for a drive shaft 16 to rotate the rotor 14.

[0021] According to another non-limiting example of the invention, the bottom wall may include a region for attaching a drive member for driving a rotor formed on the surface of the bottom wall.

[0022] It should also be understood that the rotor 14 is not forcibly installed in the pump body 12, and a gap is left between the walls 22, 24, 26 of the pump body 12 and the rotor 14 to allow the rotor to rotate in the space that receives the rotor 14.

[0023] The fit between the pump body 12 and the rotor 14 will be described in more detail later in this specification.

[0024] The pumping unit 10, as illustrated in the invention, can be used, for example, in aquaculture operations to move fish between two ponds, each fluidly connected to an inlet channel 18 or an outlet channel 20. The rotor 14 then moves the fluid along with the fish between the inlet channel 18 and the outlet channel 20 of the pumping unit 10.

[0025] For this purpose, the pumping unit 10 can be mounted on a frame (e.g., a movable frame) that includes at least one drive unit (e.g., a direct-drive gear motor) that rotates the rotor via a drive shaft connected to the at least one drive unit.

[0026] Furthermore, considering the application areas of such pumping unit 10, it should be understood that rotor 14 can be large in size to allow large fish (such as salmon) to pass through the rotor.

[0027] As a non-limiting example, the diameter of the rotor 14 used in the fish pumping unit according to the present invention is between 700 mm and 1700 mm.

[0028] exist Figures 3 to 5 The visible rotor includes a body 28 defined by a peripheral wall 30 extending around the rotation axis X of the rotor 14.

[0029] In this case, rotor 14 is cylindrical.

[0030] exist Figure 4 As can be seen, the rotor 14 includes a plate 32 that extends in a plane radially relative to the rotation axis X of the rotor 14 at one of the axial ends (here, the lower end 34) of the body 28.

[0031] It should be understood that the lower end 34 of the rotor is defined according to the rotor's position within the pumping unit, such as... Figure 1 As can be seen in the text.

[0032] The plate 32 of the rotor 14 is in the form of a wall. According to a non-limiting example of the invention, the plate 32 is in the form of a planar wall.

[0033] Therefore, it should be understood that plate 32 extends to the lower end 34 of the main body 28 in order to close the cavity 36 of rotor 14, as... Figure 5 As can be seen in the text.

[0034] Figure 5 The other axial end of the main body 28 is shown, referred to as the upper end 38, which is axially opposite to the lower end 34 along the rotation axis X of the rotor.

[0035] The upper end 38 defines the opening 40 of the cavity 36 of the rotor 14.

[0036] Specifically, the cavity 36 opening 40 of the rotor 14 leads to the cavity 36 of the rotor 14 defined by the peripheral wall 30 and the plate 32.

[0037] according to Figure 4 In the example of the invention shown, plate 32 includes three through holes 42 that extend through plate 32 and lead to cavity 36 of rotor 14.

[0038] The benefits of this type of hole 42 will be explained in detail later.

[0039] The rotor 14 includes a fluid flow channel 44.

[0040] More specifically, the rotor 14 according to the invention is a single-channel rotor, that is, it includes a single fluid flow channel 44.

[0041] The flow passage 44 of the rotor 14 extends at least partially into the cavity 36 of the rotor 14 and leads to the peripheral wall 30.

[0042] More specifically, the first portion 44a of the flow channel 44 is defined to extend between the fluid inlet opening 46 and the peripheral wall 30, and the second portion 44b of the flow channel 44 extends outside the rotor cavity and Figure 1 As can be seen in the text.

[0043] As shown in the axial cross-section of rotor 14 Figure 5 As can be seen, the first portion 44a of the flow channel 44 extends axially beyond the cavity 36 of the rotor 14.

[0044] In another example not shown according to the invention, the first portion of the flow channel may extend only into the rotor cavity.

[0045] More specifically, the first portion 44a of the flow channel 44 extends axially such that the inlet opening 46 extends to the outside of the cavity 36 and is centered on the rotation axis X of the rotor 14.

[0046] It should be understood that the entrance opening 46 is axially opposite to that of plate 32.

[0047] It should also be understood that the first portion 44a of the flow channel 44 passes through the opening 40 of the previously described cavity 36.

[0048] Therefore, starting from the inlet opening 46 of the flow channel 44, the first portion 44a extends to the peripheral wall 30, thus presenting... Figure 3 and Figure 5 It is basically spiral-shaped as seen in the image.

[0049] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As can be seen, the inlet opening 46 of the flow channel 44 is fluidly engaged with the inlet channel 18 of the pump body 12 of the pumping unit 10.

[0050] The cover wall 26 of the pump body 12 is thus at least partially truncated conical in shape to receive the portion of the first part 44a of the flow passage 44 that extends axially beyond the cavity 36 of the rotor 14.

[0051] The first part 44a of the flow channel 44 leads to the peripheral wall 30, thereby forming a central opening 48. Figure 4 As can be seen in the text.

[0052] In particular, such as Figure 5 As can be seen, the rotor 14 includes a support 50 for the flow channel 44. More specifically, the support 50 extends into the cavity 36 of the rotor 14 and is axially located between the first portion 44a of the flow channel 44 and the plate 32.

[0053] The support member 50 is thus configured to fit into the helical shape of the first part 44a in order to ensure the robustness of the rotor 14.

[0054] Thus, the support member 50 is substantially cylindrical, comprising a base 52 extending from the plate 32 and a truncated end 54 integral with the first portion 44a of the flow channel 44. It should be understood that the truncated end 54 of the support member 50 is complementary in shape to the curved shape of the first portion 44a of the flow channel 44.

[0055] According to the features of the invention, the substantially cylindrical support 50 includes a rotation axis R parallel to the rotor's rotation axis X but offset from the rotation axis X.

[0056] In other words, the rotation axis X and the gyration axis R are offset from each other.

[0057] According to a non-limiting example of the invention, the support 50 includes a recess 56 for receiving the drive shaft of the pumping unit, the recess extending axially along the rotation axis X.

[0058] The recess 56 that receives the drive shaft is coaxial with the rotation axis X of the rotor 14.

[0059] like Figure 5 As can be seen, the peripheral wall 30 of the rotor 14 has at least a partially concave shape in the axial section.

[0060] In other words, the peripheral wall 30 has a generally parabolic profile, with one vertex pointing to the rotation axis X of the rotor 14.

[0061] For example, the peripheral wall 30 has a concave shape on at least 70% of its periphery in a circular direction about the axis of rotation X.

[0062] More specifically, the peripheral wall 30 has a concave shape starting from the central opening 48 of the flow channel 44, so as to mate with the curved wall 22 of the housing to form a second portion 44b of the flow channel 44, which extends to the outside of the rotor 14, as shown. Figure 1 As can be seen in the text.

[0063] According to the example shown in the invention, the concave shape of the peripheral wall 30 has an axial dimension along the rotation axis X, which decreases from the central opening 48 toward one end of the concave shape of the peripheral wall 30.

[0064] In other words, the concave peripheral wall 30 takes the form of a groove whose depth decreases from the middle opening 48 to the end.

[0065] Therefore, it should be understood that the second part 44b of the flow channel 44 fluidly cooperates with the outlet channel 20 of the pump body 12 of the pumping unit 10, in Figure 1 and Figure 2 As can be seen in the text.

[0066] It should also be understood that the fluid path of the pumping unit 10 begins in the inlet channel 18, then enters the first part 44a of the flow channel 44, then enters the second part 44b of the flow channel 44, and finally reaches the outlet channel 20.

[0067] The rotation of rotor 14 within pump body 12 allows fluid to move within pumping unit 10, thereby generating a circulating fluid flow.

[0068] Specifically, the rotation of rotor 14 within pump body 12 allows fish to be transported from first section 44a of flow channel to outlet channel 20 by generating a circulating fluid flow within second section 44b.

[0069] Furthermore, the pump body 12 is designed to be filled with fluid during the use of the pumping unit, and the through holes 42 formed in the plate 32 of the rotor 14 limit the friction between the rotor 14 and the bottom wall 24 by allowing a liquid layer to be formed between the rotor and the bottom wall.

[0070] The specific structure of the rotor according to the invention allows the rotor to be manufactured, for example, by molding and then assembling or by injection molding. For example, the rotor can be made of injection-molded polyester or other composite materials, thereby limiting its weight while increasing its strength.

[0071] In addition, molding and assembly or injection molding are advantageous for obtaining parts of constant thickness.

[0072] As already mentioned, the rotors installed in fish pumping units are relatively large, considering their application areas. Therefore, the rotor with an internal cavity, as described above, benefits from reduced weight. This reduced weight decreases vibrations generated during rotation. The rotor according to the invention also provides an improved weight distribution. This improves the stability and balance of the rotor within the fish pumping unit.

[0073] Furthermore, the specific structure of the rotor according to the invention improves the rotor's balance without compromising its robustness and durability.

Claims

1. A rotor (14) for a pumping unit (10), the rotor comprising a body (28) defined by a peripheral wall (30) extending about a rotation axis (X) of the rotor (14), the rotor (14) comprising a plate (32) closing the lower end (34) of the rotor (14) and extending in a plane radially relative to the rotation axis (X), The peripheral wall (30) and the plate (32) define a cavity (36) that opens at the upper end (38) of the rotor (14) and a flow channel (44) for fluid extends at least partially in the cavity, the flow channel (44) including a fluid inlet opening (46) and leading to the peripheral wall (30). The rotor (14) includes a support (50) that extends axially into the cavity (36) between the flow channel (44) and the plate (32). The support (50) has the shape of a cylinder truncated in an axial plane so as to complement the curved shape of the flow channel (44) in shape. The axis of rotation (R) of the support (50) is different from the axis of rotation (X) of the rotor (14).

2. The rotor (14) according to the preceding claim, wherein, The plate (32) includes at least one through hole (42) leading to the cavity (36) of the rotor (14).

3. The rotor (14) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The support member (50) includes a recess (56) for receiving the drive shaft (16) of the pumping unit (10), the recess extending axially along the rotation axis (X) of the rotor (14).

4. The rotor (14) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The fluid inlet opening (46) of the flow channel (44) is axially centered on the rotation axis (X) of the rotor (14).

5. The rotor (14) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The flow channel (44) extends spirally from the inlet opening (46) to the peripheral wall (30).

6. The rotor (14) according to any one of the preceding claims, the rotor comprising a single flow channel (44).

7. A pumping unit (10) comprising at least one pump body (12) into which a rotor (14) according to any one of the preceding claims extends, the pumping unit (10) comprising a drive shaft (16) rotatably attached to the rotor (14) and extending into the receiving recess (56) of the rotor (14).

8. The pumping unit (10) according to the preceding claim, wherein, The peripheral wall (30) of the rotor (14) has a concave shape, and the peripheral wall (30) of the rotor (14) cooperates with the curved wall (22) of the pump body (12) of the pumping unit (10) to help define the portion (44b) of the flow channel (44) extending to the outside of the cavity (36) of the rotor (14).

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