Pump for conveying liquid media

Abstract

The pump has a pump shaft with a drive connection at one end and an impeller at the other end. The pump shaft is rotatably mounted by at least one bearing in a housing that has at least one outlet for the medium to be pumped. The pump shaft consists of an upper and a lower shaft, which are connected to each other in a rotationally fixed manner via a detachable lock.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a pump for conveying liquid media according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0002] Such pumps include, for example, tank pumps, which are used to pump media from a tank. The pump shaft is connected to a drive motor at the upper end and carries an impeller at the lower end, which helps pump the medium out of the tank. For cleaning purposes, as well as for repairs, it is often necessary to disassemble the pump, which involves considerable effort.

[0003] The invention is based on the object of designing the generic pump in such a way that a simple disassembly of at least one part of the pump is possible.

[0004] This object is achieved in the generic pump according to the invention with the characterizing features of claim 1.

[0005] In the pump according to the invention, the pump shaft is formed by two shafts, namely an upper and a lower shaft, which are connected to each other in a rotationally fixed manner via a detachable closure. The detachable closure makes it easy to disassemble the pump shaft if necessary by detaching and removing the lower shaft from the upper shaft.

[0006] In an advantageous embodiment, the upper shaft is formed by a hollow shaft into which the lower shaft engages. The engagement depth of the lower shaft depends on the structural conditions and dimensions of the pump.

[0007] The pump shaft is supported by the upper shaft, which is rotatably mounted in the housing with the bearing. Since the lower shaft engages with the upper shaft, the lower shaft is also rotatably mounted via the upper shaft's bearing.

[0008] The advantage of the lower shaft protruding from the upper shaft is that it is not directly supported in the housing. Therefore, only the bearings for the upper shaft are required to support the entire two-part pump shaft.

[0009] The inventive design contributes to easy disassembly by the fact that the housing consists of a bearing housing and a pump housing detachably connected to it. This makes it easy to remove the pump housing from the bearing housing for repairs or cleaning.

[0010] The upper shaft of the pump according to the invention is advantageously arranged in the bearing housing, so that the pump housing does not have to assume a bearing function for the pump shaft.

[0011] Advantageously, the part of the lower shaft that protrudes beyond the upper shaft extends into the pump housing. Since there are no bearings in the pump housing to support the rotation of the pump shaft, it is easily ensured that such bearings cannot be attacked by the medium being pumped.

[0012] Advantageously, the bearing housing and the pump housing are sealed against each other so that no medium can escape between the bearing housing and the pump housing.

[0013] A secure seal is achieved when the bearing housing and the pump housing are pressed axially against each other.

[0014] For this purpose, a clamping device is advantageously used, with which the bearing housing and the pump housing are pressed axially against each other.

[0015] A very simple yet effective axial force is achieved when the bearing housing and the pump housing are each provided with at least one tapered clamping surface that interacts with corresponding tapered clamping surfaces of the clamping device. When the clamping device is installed, the interacting tapered clamping surfaces generate an axial force that presses the bearing housing and the pump housing axially against each other.

[0016] The tapered clamping surfaces of the bearing housing and the pump housing advantageously extend around their circumference. Therefore, the bearing housing and the pump housing are axially pressed against each other evenly around the circumference.

[0017] The clamping device is advantageously an annular clamp with two pivotable joints. Each of these is curved along its length so that it rests against the clamping surfaces of the bearing housing and the pump housing. This generates a uniform axial force across the circumference of the bearing housing and the pump housing, which axially presses the bearing housing and the pump housing against each other.

[0018] The joint parts of the clamping device are advantageously designed in such a way that they are pivoted about the pivot axis against the bearing housing and the pump housing and that their clamping surfaces rest firmly against the clamping surface of the bearing housing and the pump housing in the circumferential direction.

[0019] To achieve this clamping effect, the joint parts are pulled together by at least one clamping element. This pulls the clamping surfaces of the clamping device against the clamping surfaces of the bearing housing and the pump housing, so that when the joint parts are pulled together, they interact with each other and press the bearing housing and the pump housing axially against each other.

[0020] A very simple design is achieved if the bearing housing and the pump housing are each provided with an end-side ring flange on which the clamping surfaces are provided.

[0021] These two annular flanges of the bearing housing and pump housing rest against each other with at least one seal in between. When the bearing housing and pump housing are pressed axially against each other, the seal between them is elastically compressed, thus achieving a perfect seal. The seal is preferably a ring seal, which is a simple, cost-effective component and easily enables a perfect seal around the circumference of the two annular flanges.

[0022] It is particularly advantageous if the detachable lock between the upper and lower shafts is designed as a bayonet lock. This allows for easy detachment of the lower shaft from the upper shaft, while simultaneously ensuring a secure, non-rotatable connection between the two shafts.

[0023] To ensure easy release of the lower shaft from the upper shaft, the shaft is provided with at least one opening for a locking device. During the release process, the locking device is inserted into the opening of the upper shaft, preventing it from rotating when the lower shaft is to be released from the upper shaft by a rotating movement.

[0024] A particularly advantageous design results when this locking part is formed by a part of the clamping element of the clamping device.

[0025] Then no additional tools are required to prevent the upper shaft from rotating during the loosening process.

[0026] The subject matter of the application arises not only from the subject matter of the individual patent claims, but also from all information and features disclosed in the drawings and the description. Even if they are not the subject matter of the claims, they are claimed as essential to the invention insofar as they are novel, individually or in combination, over the prior art.

[0027] Further features of the invention emerge from the further claims, the description and the drawings.

[0028] The invention will be explained in more detail with reference to an embodiment shown in the drawings. Fig. 1 partly in view and partly in section a pump according to the invention with a drive motor, Fig. 2 the pump according to the invention according to Fig. 1 in side view, Fig. 3 an axial section through the pump according to the invention, Fig. 4 the pump according to the invention partly in side view and partly in axial section, Fig. 5 the pump according to the invention partly in axial section and in perspective view.

[0029] The pump described below is connected to a drive 1 ( Fig. 1), which can be an electric motor or a compressed air-powered motor.

[0030] The pump is compact and can be used both mobile and stationary, for example, to pump low- to medium-viscosity liquids. The pump is used for bottom-loading of containers, tanks, IBCs (intermediate bulk containers), and the like.

[0031] The pump is primarily designed for use in hygienic applications and is particularly CIP (Clean-In-Place) and SIP (Steam-In-Place) compatible. Furthermore, the pump can be easily disassembled without tools, making it particularly easy and reliable to clean.

[0032] The pump has a bearing housing 2 which is detachably connected to a pump housing 3.

[0033] The bearing housing 2 is provided at one end with a coupling part 4 with which the pump can be connected to the drive 1 in a known manner.

[0034] The coupling part 4 is provided with Fig. 3 upper end of a pump shaft 5, which consists of an upper shaft 6 and a lower shaft 7. The two shafts 6, 7 are connected to each other in a rotationally fixed manner.

[0035] The upper shaft 6 is designed as a hollow shaft that extends into the coupling part 4 and has positive locking elements 8 at the upper free end. They interact with counter-positive locking elements (not shown) provided on a motor shaft of the drive 1. The positive locking and counter-positive locking elements form a rotationally fixed connection between the motor shaft and the pump shaft 5.

[0036] The upper shaft 6 is rotatably mounted in the bearing housing 2 by at least one bearing, preferably by two spaced-apart bearings 9, 10. The two axially spaced bearings 9, 10 are advantageously roller bearings, particularly ball bearings. Depending on the pump design, the bearings 9, 10 can also be designed as plain bearings.

[0037] The bearings 9, 10 are secured axially to the bearing housing 2 by retaining rings 11, 12. As Fig. As shown in Figure 3, the retaining rings 11, 12 are located on the opposite sides of the bearings 9, 10, which are each axially supported with their other sides on a radial annular shoulder 13, 14 on the inner wall 15 of the bearing housing 2. The bearing housing 2 surrounds the upper shaft 6 at a distance.

[0038] Of course, the storage design can also be chosen differently.

[0039] The end of the upper shaft 6 projecting upwards beyond the upper bearing 9 is provided with the form-locking elements 8, which are advantageously provided such that they do not project axially beyond the coupling part 4.

[0040] The coupling part 4 surrounds the upper end of the bearing housing 2, which is connected to the coupling part 4 in a suitable manner.

[0041] The bearing housing 2 has an axially projecting ring 16 at its upper end, which surrounds the positive-locking elements 8 of the upper shaft 6 at a distance. The ring 16 is advantageously designed such that it does not project axially upwards beyond the coupling part 4.

[0042] The upper shaft 6 has a central receptacle 17 into which the lower shaft 7 partially projects. The receptacle 17 extends from the lower end of the upper shaft 6 to a base 18 that defines the receptacle 17. The base 18 is located at a distance below the upper bearing 9 and serves to support at least one compression spring 19, which is advantageously a helical compression spring. The upper end of the lower shaft 7 rests against the compression spring 19 such that the compression spring 19 is axially compressed and exerts a corresponding axial force on the lower shaft 7.

[0043] Advantageously, the lower shaft 7 rests against the inner wall 20 of the upper shaft 6.

[0044] The upper shaft 6 and the lower shaft 7 are connected to each other in a rotationally fixed manner by a quick-release fastener 21. Advantageously, the quick-release fastener 21 is formed by a bayonet lock. The lower shaft 7 is provided with a radial pin 22 that protrudes radially beyond the lower shaft 7 and engages a corresponding bayonet opening 23 at the lower end of the upper shaft 6.

[0045] The lower shaft 7 projects downwards over the upper shaft 6 and carries an impeller 24 at its lower free end, which, during pump operation, sucks the liquid out of the container and conveys it radially outward through an outlet 25. It projects radially from the pump housing 3, with which it is advantageously formed in one piece.

[0046] The impeller 24, which can be an axial or radial impeller, is arranged near a suction port 26, which is provided at the lower end of the pump housing 3 and widens conically. The impeller 24 is located in the area between the suction port 26 and the outlet 25.

[0047] The impeller 24 is advantageously detachably connected to the lower shaft 7 so that it can be replaced if necessary. The impeller 24 is advantageously screwed onto the lower end of the lower shaft 7.

[0048] The outlet 25 is provided at the free end with a pressure nozzle 27, advantageously formed in one piece with it.

[0049] At the lower end of the bearing housing 2, a seal carrier 28 is arranged, which holds at least one seal 29, which sealingly rests against the lower shaft 7 in the area outside the upper shaft 6. In this embodiment, the seal 29 is a radial shaft seal, but can also be a mechanical seal or another dynamic seal. The seal 29 forms a dynamic seal, which ensures that the medium to be pumped does not reach upwards into the area of ​​the lower bearing 10 when the pump shaft 5 rotates.

[0050] The seal carrier 28 has a cylindrical retaining part 30 that rests against the inner wall 15 of the bearing housing 2 near the lower end. A fastening part 31 of the seal 29 is attached, for example, glued, to the inside of the cylindrical retaining part 30. A disc-shaped sealing lip 32 protrudes radially inward from the fastening part 31 and, under elastic deformation, forms a sealing contact against the lower shaft 7 at the transition from the bearing housing 2 to the pump housing 3.

[0051] The retaining part 30 of the seal carrier 28 merges at the lower end facing the impeller 24 into a radially outwardly directed annular flange 33, which bears against the inside of a radially outwardly widening conical end section 34. The conical end section 34 cooperates with a conical end section 35 of the pump housing 3 when the bearing housing 2 and the pump housing 3 are detachably connected to one another via a connecting ring 36 in a manner to be described below.

[0052] A static seal 37 in the form of an O-ring is located between the annular flange 33 of the seal carrier 28 and the end section 35 of the pump housing 3. In the installed position, the O-ring is clamped and elastically deformed between the end section 35 of the pump housing 3 and the annular flange 33 of the seal carrier 28. In this way, the interface between the bearing housing 2 and the pump housing 3 is perfectly sealed by the static seal 37.

[0053] A hinged clamp 38, 39 is releasably attached to the discharge port 27 and the suction port 26, respectively. They are designed identically to the connecting ring 36, which is also a hinged clamp. Therefore, only the hinged clamp 36 will be explained in more detail below.

[0054] The articulated clamp has two partially circular curved joint parts 40, 41, which are connected via a joint connection 42 ( Fig. 3) are connected to each other by hinges. Fig. 3 and Fig. 4, the articulated connection 42 is only visible for the articulated clamps 38 and 39.

[0055] The two joint parts 40, 41 are pivotally connected to one another at their adjacent ends by the joint connection 42, which is formed from two parallel pivot axes 43, 44 and two brackets 45, 46. The pivot axes 43, 44 are formed by bolts that are fastened to the opposite ends of the joint parts 40, 41. The two pivot axes 43, 44 are connected to one another by the brackets 45, 46, which are arranged on the two outer sides of the joint parts 40, 41. The bracket 46 is in Fig. 3 shown only for the articulated clamp 39.

[0056] The joint parts 40, 41 are provided at their other ends with an outwardly angled end section 47, 48 ( Fig. 2). The two end sections 47, 48 are U-shaped and have two superimposed legs 47', 48"; 48', 48".

[0057] The two legs 47', 47" of the end section 47 are connected to each other by a bolt 49, which runs parallel to the pivot axes 43, 44 of the articulated connection 42 and on which a pivot lever 50 is pivotally mounted at one end. The pivot lever 50 has a thread over part of its length, on which a wing nut 51 is seated.

[0058] In the Fig. 1, Fig. 2 and Fig. In the clamping position shown in Figure 4, the pivot lever 50 is pivoted such that it extends between the legs 48', 48" of the end section 48 and the wing nut 51 is screwed onto the threaded section of the pivot lever 50 until it rests against the end section 48. The wing nut 51 is rotated on the threaded section until the two end sections 47, 48 approach each other, whereby the joint parts 40, 41 are pulled firmly against the end sections 34, 35 of the bearing housing 2 and the pump housing 3.

[0059] The partially circular joint parts 40, 41 are provided on the inside with conical surfaces 52, 53, which run at opposite angles to one another and interact with corresponding conical surfaces 54, 55 on the outside of the end sections 34, 35 of the bearing housing 2 and the pump housing 3. The bearing housing 2 and the pump housing 3 are pulled axially toward one another via the conical surfaces 52 to 55, whereby the static seal 37 is elastically compressed. The connecting ring 36 is designed such that it almost completely surrounds the interface between the bearing housing 2 and the pump housing 3, so that the end sections 34, 35 of the bearing housing and the pump housing 3 are firmly pressed axially against one another in the clamped position.

[0060] The compression spring 19 applies axial load to the lower shaft 7 such that the radial pin 22 of the lower shaft 7 is securely held in the bayonet opening 23. This ensures that the upper shaft 6 and the lower shaft 7 are securely connected to each other. Thus, the impeller 24 can be reliably driven by the drive 1 via the pump shaft 5.

[0061] Since the lower shaft 7 extends into the upper shaft 6 over part of its length, a separate bearing for the lower shaft 7 is not required. Instead, it is reliably supported for rotation by the bearings 9, 10 of the upper shaft 6.

[0062] The bearing housing 2 and the pump housing 3 can be easily separated from each other without the use of additional tools. Simply unscrew the wing nut 51 on the pivot lever 50 far enough to allow it to pivot around the bolt 49. As soon as the pivot lever 50 is released from the end section 48, the two joint parts 40, 41 can be pivoted around the pivot axes 43, 44 and thus released from the end sections 34, 35 of the bearing housing 2 and the pump housing 3.

[0063] Since the two joint parts 40, 41 can each be pivoted about a pivot axis 43, 44, the connecting ring 36 can be opened wide, allowing it to be easily removed from the pump. The pump housing 3 can then be removed from the bearing housing 2.

[0064] To detach the lower shaft 7 from the upper shaft 6, the bayonet lock between the upper shaft 6 and the lower shaft 7 is released. To do this, the upper shaft 6 is secured against rotation, while the lower shaft 7 is rotated relative to the rotationally locked upper shaft 6 so that the radial pin 22 is released from the bayonet opening 23.

[0065] In order to lock the upper shaft 6 against rotation, the bearing housing 2 and the shaft 6 are provided with aligned openings 56, 57 ( Fig. 3), through which a locking pin can be inserted. Shaft 6 is then secured against rotation when the lower shaft 7 is to be released from the upper shaft 6 in the manner described.

[0066] Advantageously, the end of the pivot lever 50 protruding beyond the wing nut 51 serves as a locking pin 58, which can be inserted through the openings 56, 57 when the connecting ring 36 has been removed from the pump. An additional tool for locking the upper shaft 6 against rotation is thus also unnecessary.

[0067] This locking of the upper shaft 6 against rotation simplifies the release of the bayonet connection 22, 23 between the upper shaft 6 and the lower shaft 7.

[0068] The bearing housing 2 and its components do not come into contact with the fluid being pumped. This eliminates the risk of the components in the bearing housing 2 being attacked by the fluid being pumped. The static seal 37 and the dynamic seal 29 ensure that no fluid being pumped enters the bearing housing 2.

[0069] The bearing housing 2 can be provided with at least one leakage opening 59 in the area between the dynamic seal 29 and the lower bearing 10, through which any medium that may have penetrated behind the dynamic seal 29 can flow outward and not reach the critical area of ​​the bearings 9, 10. This also allows the pump user to determine that a leak has occurred, allowing them to check where the seal is no longer working properly. The corresponding seal 29, 37 can then be easily replaced if necessary.

[0070] If the pump housing 3 is removed from the bearing housing 2 in the manner described, the two seals 29, 37 are freely accessible, making it easy to check whether the seals themselves are damaged. The static seal 37, in the form of an O-ring, can be easily removed from the seal carrier 28. The dynamic seal 29 can also be replaced if necessary. In this case, it is also possible to replace not only the dynamic seal 29, but also the entire seal carrier 28.

[0071] The pump can be used vertically or horizontally.

[0072] With the help of the articulated clamp 39, components such as hoses and the like can be easily connected to the pressure port 27.

[0073] Instead of the described design, other connection types, such as threaded connections, are also possible on the suction and pressure sides.

[0074] Using the articulated clamp 38 on the suction port 26, a pressure disc (not shown) can be attached in order to use the pump with a radial impeller for higher pressures.

[0075] The suction nozzle 26 and the pressure nozzle 27 are each provided with a conical surface 60, 61 ( Fig. 3) which interact with the corresponding conical surfaces 52 of the articulated clamps 38, 39.

[0076] The bearing housing 2 and the pump housing 3 are advantageously made of metallic material, which is selected according to the application of the pump.

Claims

[1] Pump for conveying liquid media, with a pump shaft (5) which has a connection to a drive (1) at one end and an impeller (24) at the other end and is rotatably mounted by at least one bearing (9, 10) in a housing (2, 3) which has at least one outlet (25) for the medium to be conveyed, characterized by that the pump shaft (5) is formed by an upper shaft (6) and a lower shaft (7) which are connected to one another in a rotationally fixed manner via a releasable closure (22, 23). [2] Pump according to claim 1, characterized by that the upper shaft (6) is a hollow shaft into which the lower shaft (7) engages. [3] Pump according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by that the upper shaft (6) is rotatably mounted with the bearing (9, 10). [4] Pump according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by that the part of the lower shaft (7) protruding from the upper shaft (6) is not directly supported in the housing (2, 3). [5] Pump, in particular according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by that the housing consists of a bearing housing (2) and a pump housing (3) detachably connected to it. [6] Pump according to claim 5, characterized by that the upper shaft (6) is arranged in the bearing housing (2). [7] Pump according to claim 5 or 6, characterized by that the lower shaft (7) protrudes into the pump housing (3). [8] Pump according to one of claims 5 to 7, characterized by that the bearing housing (2) and the pump housing (3) are sealed against each other. [9] Pump according to one of claims 5 to 8, characterized by that the bearing housing (2) and the pump housing (3) are pressed axially against each other. [10] Pump according to one of claims 5 to 9, characterized by that the bearing housing (2) and the pump housing (3) are pressed axially by a clamping device (36). [11] Pump according to one of claims 5 to 10, characterized bythat the bearing housing (2) and the pump housing (3) each have at least one conical clamping surface (54, 55) which interact with corresponding conical clamping surfaces (52, 53) of the clamping device (36) in such a way that the axial force is generated by the interaction of the clamping surfaces (52 to 55). [12] Pump according to claim 11, characterized by that the clamping surfaces (54, 55) extend over the circumference of the bearing housing (2) and the pump housing (3). [13] Pump according to claim 11 or 12, characterized by that the clamping device (36) has an annular clamping clamp with two mutually pivotable joint parts (40, 41) which are curved in such a way that they bear against the clamping surfaces (54, 55) of the bearing housing (2) and the pump housing (3) over the circumference. [14] Pump according to claim 13, characterized bythat the joint parts (40, 41) are pulled together by at least one clamping element (50, 51), wherein the clamping surfaces (54, 55) of the clamping device (36) press the bearing housing (2) and the pump housing (3) axially against one another via their clamping surfaces (52, 53). [15] Pump according to one of claims 1 to 14, characterized by that the bearing housing (2) and the pump housing (3) each have an end-side annular flange (34, 35) on which the clamping surface (54, 55) is provided. [16] Pump according to claim 15, characterized by that the two annular flanges (34, 35) of the bearing housing (2) and the pump housing (3) lie against one another with at least one seal (37) interposed. [17] Pump according to one of claims 1 to 16, characterized by that the releasable closure (22, 23) between the upper and lower shaft (6, 7) is designed as a bayonet closure. [18] Pump according to one of claims 1 to 17, characterized bythat the upper shaft (6) is provided with at least one opening (57) for a locking part (58). [19] Pump according to claim 18, characterized by that the locking part (58) is formed by a part of the clamping element (50, 51).

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