Centrifugal pump and method for producing a centrifugal pump

Abstract

The invention relates to a centrifugal pump (1) comprising a pump housing (2), a motor housing (3) mounted on the pump housing (2) in any rotational position and defining a longitudinal axis (6), and a plurality of fastening means (9), wherein the motor housing (3) has an annular fastening collar (5) at its end facing the pump housing (2), and the fastening collar (5) is fixed in place on the pump housing (2) by the fastening means (9) provided spaced apart from each other.

Description

Technical field

[0001] The invention relates to a centrifugal pump comprising a pump housing, a motor housing mounted on the pump housing and defining a longitudinal axis, and a plurality of fastening means. The invention further relates to a method for manufacturing a centrifugal pump comprising the step of mounting a motor housing onto a pump housing. Background of the invention

[0002] Centrifugal pumps are known from the prior art and are used to pump a fluid by means of the rotary motion of an impeller located in the pump housing. The impeller is driven by a motor of the centrifugal pump via a rotor shaft. The motor is typically housed in a motor casing, which is mounted on the pump housing and fixed to it by means of four screws spaced 90° apart. A terminal box and / or an electronics housing containing a control unit is regularly provided for connecting the motor, with the terminal box and / or the electronics housing being mounted on the motor casing.

[0003] Although the orientation of the motor housing, including the terminal box and / or electronics housing, can be adjusted to different installation situations using the screws, only four defined orientations are possible due to the 90° spacing of the screws. Furthermore, rotating the motor housing, including the terminal box and / or electronics housing, while the centrifugal pump is installed is generally not possible without draining any pipe system connected to the centrifugal pump.

[0004] WO 2015 / 082462 A1 describes an electric machine, in particular a pump, with a first housing part and a second housing part, wherein at least one clamp, in particular two, three or four clamps, are arranged distributed over the circumference of the electric machine.

[0005] EP 2 469 102 A1 describes a pump comprising a one-piece pump rotor housing part and a one-piece body housing part, each provided with mounting flanges for radially fixing the housing parts to each other.

[0006] EP 2 927 491 A1 describes a liquid circulating pump comprising a housing and an electric motor attached to each other, the motor consisting of two distinct parts: a mechanical part containing a rotor and an electrical part containing a stator, the two parts being mounted so as to be freely rotatable relative to each other. Description of the invention

[0007] Starting from this situation, it is an object of the present invention to provide a centrifugal pump, in particular a heating circulating pump, and a corresponding method for manufacturing a centrifugal pump, in which the motor housing can be manufactured even without emptying a pipe system supplied by the centrifugal pump and / or in the installed state of the centrifugal pump.

[0008] The object of the invention is achieved by the features of the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments are specified in the dependent claims.

[0009] Accordingly, the problem is solved by a centrifugal pump according to claim 1. This centrifugal pump comprises, among other things: a pump housing, a motor housing defining a longitudinal axis and axially mounted on the pump housing in any rotational position, and a plurality of fastening means, wherein the motor housing has a ring-shaped mounting collar at its end facing the pump housing, and the mounting collar is fixed in the rotating position on the pump housing by means of the spaced-apart mounting means.

[0010] A key aspect of the proposed solution is that the motor housing can be fixed to the pump housing in any rotational position. This allows, for example, the motor housing to be rotated relative to the pump housing during operation without draining any pipe system connected to the centrifugal pump. With prior art solutions, such as a motor housing fastened with four screws spaced 90° apart, the motor housing can only be fixed to the pump housing in four defined orientations and must be completely detached from the pump housing for realignment. However, different installation situations often require the motor housing to be oriented relative to the pump housing in a way that is not possible in any of these four predefined orientations, for example, due to existing piping.In this respect, the proposed solution satisfies a long-standing need to obtain a flexible rotary arrangement of the motor housing and to facilitate installation for a fitter.

[0011] The practical advantage of the proposed solution becomes even more apparent when an electronics housing and / or terminal box is mounted on the motor housing. Such an electronics housing and / or terminal box is often rigidly connected to the motor housing and frequently extends perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the motor housing. This means that, particularly in confined installation situations with the aforementioned existing piping, the arrangement of the electronics housing and / or terminal box often prevents the desired installation of a conventional centrifugal pump.The rigid connection of the electronics housing and / or terminal box to the electronics housing allows the proposed solution to rotate the electronics housing and / or terminal box into a position suitable for assembly and to fix the motor housing, including the electronics housing and / or terminal box, in this position.

[0012] A centrifugal pump is generally defined as a turbomachine that utilizes rotary motion and dynamic forces to pump predominantly liquids. In addition to the tangential acceleration of the fluid, also called the medium, centrifugal force occurring in radial flow is used for pumping, which is why centrifugal pumps are also referred to as centrifugal pumps. In normal operation, the motor housing of the centrifugal pump is preferably located above the pump housing and / or fixedly connected to it. The fluid preferably comprises water or another liquid medium such as a glycol-water mixture. The centrifugal pump is preferably designed as a heating circulation pump.

[0013] The pump housing can be designed as known from the prior art, for example with two opposing connections for the piping, wherein the normals of the connections can extend orthogonally to the longitudinal axis of the motor housing. Preferably, the normals of the connections extend identically, so that the pump housing is designed as a so-called in-line pump housing. Preferably, an impeller is provided in the pump housing, which can be driven by a motor arranged in the motor housing. A motor shaft can be provided between the motor and the impeller. The design of the motor, the impeller, and / or the motor shaft can be as known from the prior art.

[0014] The motor housing is preferably open on the side that rests on the pump housing. It is also possible for the motor housing to be closed, with the motor shaft extending from the motor housing into the pump housing. "Fixed in place on the pump housing" means, in particular, that the motor housing cannot rotate relative to the pump housing. "Any rotational position" means, in particular, that the motor housing can be placed on the pump housing in any rotational position relative to the pump housing and fixed in place on the pump housing in that position.

[0015] Preferably, a seal is provided between the motor housing and the pump housing, particularly to allow the motor housing to rotate in pressurized pipe systems. The seal can be designed as an O-ring and / or be inserted into the motor housing and / or the pump housing, for example, in a circumferential groove at the end of the motor housing facing the pump housing and / or in a corresponding surface of the pump housing. The seal can also be permanently bonded to the motor housing and / or the pump housing and / or be formed on the motor housing and / or the pump housing. The seal can be cast and / or injection-molded directly onto a corresponding housing part of the motor housing and / or the pump housing, made of a suitable material. The motor housing and / or the pump housing can be made of gray cast iron, plastic, and / or a composite material.

[0016] According to a preferred embodiment, the mounting collar is disc-shaped. Preferably, the mounting collar extends radially away from the axially extending base body of the motor housing, in particular from a cylindrical surface of the motor housing. The motor housing preferably has a circular, in particular a circular, inner and / or outer diameter. A quarter-circle-shaped rounding, as seen from the side, can be provided as a transition between the cylindrical surface and the radially extending mounting collar. In the area of ​​the fastening elements, radially inwardly extending recesses can be incorporated into the rounding to facilitate the installation of the fastening elements. Likewise, radially outwardly extending thickenings can be provided in the rounding to improve the stability between the mounting collar and the base body of the motor housing.

[0017] In a further preferred embodiment, the motor housing is cup-shaped with a radially extending opening, and / or the mounting collar extends radially from the opening, completely enclosing it. Preferably, the mounting collar has a circular outer circumference in plan view, and / or the opening is circular. An end face of the motor housing opposite the opening can be closed or have openings for connecting cables of the motor.

[0018] According to an alternative embodiment of the invention, the fastening means are designed as screws, preferably as socket head cap screws, which are screwed into the pump housing for stationary fixing. In a further preferred embodiment, the screws have a screw head by which the mounting collar is axially held. The fastening means preferably clamp the mounting collar axially against the pump housing. The screws can be designed with a flat top, a hemispherical top, a flat spherical, lenticular top, a cylindrical rim, a conical rim, or another rim as a screw head for axially fixing the mounting collar.

[0019] According to another preferred embodiment, the fastening means extend parallel to the longitudinal axis. In a further preferred embodiment, 2, 4, 6, 8, or 10 fastening means are provided, which are arranged, in particular, at regular intervals from one another, and / or wherein the fastening means radially surround the fastening collar. It is also conceivable that, in the case of a rectangular pump housing (in axial plan view), two fastening means are provided on each of the four sides of the pump housing. In addition to the specified screws, other fastening means are also conceivable, which are designed, in particular, to be releasable for rotating the motor housing.

[0020] According to another preferred embodiment, an electronics housing and / or a terminal box is provided, which is fixedly arranged on the motor housing, particularly at an end of the motor housing facing away from the pump housing. The electronics housing may contain a control unit and / or electronics for controlling the motor. The terminal box preferably includes terminals for connecting the motor. Such terminals may also be provided in the electronics housing. The electronics housing and / or the terminal box is preferably designed to be enclosed within the motor housing, and a cable passage is expediently provided between the electronics housing and / or the terminal box and the motor housing. The electronics housing and / or the terminal box can, in principle, have any shape, for example, be cup-shaped and arranged in axial extension of the motor housing.Similarly, the electronics housing and / or the terminal box can have a cuboid shape, which, for example, can extend orthogonally to the longitudinal axis of the motor housing with regard to its longitudinal extent.

[0021] In a further preferred embodiment, the fastening means press the mounting collar axially against the pump housing. Preferably, the fastening means grip the mounting collar, particularly axially and / or at a radial outer edge of the mounting collar. The axial clamping force can be applied by screwing a screw into the pump housing as a fastening element.

[0022] According to another or additional alternative of the invention, the centrifugal pump has a mounting disc, wherein the mounting collar is provided axially between the mounting disc and the pump housing, and the fastening means fix the mounting disc to the pump housing in a fixed position. The mounting disc allows for better distribution of the axial contact pressure applied by the fastening means. At the same time, such a mounting disc enables a more reliable fastening. The mounting disc preferably has an opening that radially surrounds the motor housing. Preferably, the mounting disc rests in contact with the mounting collar, particularly at least on an outer radial edge of the mounting collar.

[0023] Preferably, the mounting washer has a circular opening that corresponds to an outer diameter of the motor housing, particularly in the area of ​​the mounting collar. The mounting washer can have a circular or rectangular outer shape. Preferably, a mounting opening, for example a bore, is provided in the mounting washer for each fastening element, through which the fastening element is inserted into the pump housing. Even more preferably, in the case of a screw as the fastening element, the screw head rests axially against the mounting washer to fix it relative to the pump housing.

[0024] In a further preferred embodiment, the mounting disc radially surrounds the motor housing. Preferably, the mounting disc rests axially and / or radially against the motor housing, whereby a mounting gap may be provided in the radial direction.

[0025] According to another preferred embodiment, the motor housing can be mounted on the pump housing and rotated 360°. This means that when the fastening means are released, the motor housing can be rotated about its axis relative to the pump housing and, after such rotation, can be fixed in its new rotational position on the pump housing.

[0026] The problems are further solved by a method for manufacturing a centrifugal pump according to claim 12, which includes, among other things, the following steps: Mounting a motor housing defining a longitudinal axis with its ring-shaped mounting collar axially onto a pump housing in any rotational position, fixing the mounting collar in a fixed position on the pump housing by means of spaced-apart fastening means.

[0027] The fixing preferably includes a way to release the fixing, for example in the form of a screw as a fastening means that can be screwed into the pump housing.

[0028] According to a preferred training method, the procedure includes the following step after setup: Rotate the motor housing on the pump housing into a mounting position and secure the mounting collar in the mounting position of the motor housing.

[0029] To allow the motor housing to rotate, the fasteners are preferably not completely fixed to the pump housing. In the case of a screw as a fastener, this means, for example, that the screw is loosened but not removed from the pump housing, allowing the motor housing to rotate.

[0030] Further advantages and features of the method become apparent to the person skilled in the art by analogy to the centrifugal pump described above. Brief description of the drawings

[0031] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and by way of preferred embodiments.

[0032] The drawings show Fig. 1 a centrifugal pump comprising a pump housing with a motor housing mounted on the pump housing in an arbitrary rotational position in a perspective view according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, Fig. 2 the centrifugal pump of the Fig. 1 in a perspective exploded view according to the preferred embodiment of the invention, Fig. 3 the centrifugal pump of the Fig. 1 with an electronics housing mounted on the motor housing in a perspective view according to the preferred embodiment of the invention, Fig. 4, the centrifugal pump of the Fig. 1with a mounting disc placed on the motor housing in a perspective view according to the preferred embodiment of the invention, Fig. 5, the centrifugal pump of the Fig. 4 in a perspective exploded view according to the preferred embodiment of the invention, and Fig. 6 the centrifugal pump of the Fig. 4 with an electronics housing mounted on the motor housing in a sectional view according to the preferred embodiment of the invention. Detailed description of the implementation examples

[0033] Fig. 1 Figure 1 shows a centrifugal pump comprising a pump housing 2 with a motor housing 3 mounted on the pump housing 2 in an arbitrary rotational position in a perspective view according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.

[0034] The pump housing 2 is designed as an in-line housing with opposing connections 4, wherein an impeller (not shown in the figures) for pumping a fluid is arranged in the pump housing 2. The impeller is driven in a conventional manner by a motor (not shown in the figures) provided in the motor housing 3. The pump housing 2 and / or the motor housing 3 can be made of cast iron, plastic, or a composite material.

[0035] The motor housing 3 is cup-shaped, forming a longitudinal axis 5, and accordingly has a circular inner and outer diameter. The longitudinal axis 5 of the motor housing 3 runs orthogonally to the normal or longitudinal extent of the connections 4. On its end face facing the pump housing 2, the cup-shaped motor housing 3 forms an opening, the area of ​​which extends orthogonally to the longitudinal axis 5 of the motor housing 3. The opening is radially framed by an annular mounting collar 6, which extends circumferentially around the opening and rests in contact with the pump housing 2. A seal (not shown) is provided between the mounting collar 6 and the pump housing 2.

[0036] As can be seen from the exploded view of centrifugal pump 1 according to Fig. 2As can be seen, the mounting collar 6 is disc-shaped, with an outer radial edge of the mounting collar 5 extending axially in the direction of the longitudinal axis 5 of the motor housing 3. Accordingly, the mounting collar 6 rests on the pump housing 2 with a radial surface. The mounting collar 6 is integrally formed with the cup-shaped portion 7 of the motor housing 3. The circular outer diameter of the cup-shaped portion 7 increases towards the mounting collar 6, so that, in a side view, the transition 8 from the mounting collar 6 to the cup-shaped portion 7 is quarter-circle in shape.

[0037] The motor housing 3 is fixed to the pump housing 2 by means of four fasteners 9. The fasteners 9 are designed as socket head cap screws or, as shown in the figures, as round head screws with a hex socket or Phillips head. Screws with a flat-spherical and / or lenticular top surface, a hemispherical top surface, a flat top surface, or other screws with a top surface or screw head 10 projecting radially beyond the thread can also be used. The round head screws are screwed into the pump housing 2 in the direction of the longitudinal axis 5 such that the screw head 10 axially engages the mounting collar 6 and thus presses it axially against the motor housing 3.

[0038] Four fastening elements 9 are shown, arranged at regular intervals, namely at 90° intervals around the motor housing 3, circumferentially encircling it. Alternatively, for example, 2, 3, 5, 6, 8, 10 or another number of fastening elements 9 can be provided, preferably arranged at regular intervals. In the area of ​​the fastening elements 9, alternating radially extending material recesses 11 and material thickenings 12 are provided in the transition 8.

[0039] Because the fasteners 9, or the cylinder head bolts, press the mounting collar 6 axially against the motor housing 3 with their screw heads 10, the motor housing 3, which is axially mounted on the pump housing 2, can be fixed in any desired rotational position. To rotate the motor housing 3 relative to the pump housing 2, the fasteners 9, or the cylinder head bolts, can be loosened, for example, by a few turns, so that the motor housing 3 remains connected to the pump housing 2 but is no longer fixed to it. After rotating the motor housing 3 relative to the pump housing 2, the fasteners 9, or the cylinder head bolts, can be re-tightened, for example, by screwing them in, to secure the mounting collar 6 axially to the motor housing 3 again.

[0040] Fig. 3 The centrifugal pump 1 of the Fig. 1with an electronics housing 14 mounted on the motor housing 3 in an extension of the longitudinal axis 5 in a perspective view according to the preferred embodiment of the invention. In this way, the motor housing 3 is positioned between the pump housing 2 and the electronics housing 14, particularly with respect to the longitudinal axis 5. The cuboid-shaped electronics housing 14, which extends orthogonally to the longitudinal axis 5 of the motor housing 3 with respect to its longitudinal extent, contains electronics and / or control (not shown) for controlling the motor of the centrifugal pump 1.

[0041] Alternatively or additionally, the electronics housing 14 can be designed as a terminal box containing terminals for connecting the motor. The electronics housing 14 is permanently connected to the motor housing 3, for example, by being screwed onto or snapped into place on the motor housing 3. If, as described above, the motor housing 3 is rotated relative to the pump housing 2, the electronics housing 14 rotates with it.

[0042] Fig. 4 The centrifugal pump 1 of the Fig. 1 with a mounting disc 13 attached to the motor housing 3 in a perspective view according to the preferred embodiment of the invention. The mounting disc 13 is more clearly visible in the perspective exploded view in Fig. 5 the centrifugal pump 1 according to the Fig. 4, is designed in a disc-like shape and has a circular opening that corresponds to an outer diameter of the motor housing 3 in the area of ​​the mounting collar 6.

[0043] As seen in the sectional view of the Fig. 6 , which the centrifugal pump 1 of the Fig. 4 As can be seen with the electronics housing 14 mounted on the motor housing 3, the mounting disc 13 extends radially beyond the mounting collar 6 in the area of ​​the circular opening, while an outer radial edge has a rectangular shape in plan view, at the four corners of which bores 15 are provided for the fastening means 9 or the cylinder head screws.

[0044] To mount the centrifugal pump 1, the motor housing 3 is first placed onto the pump housing 2 in any desired rotational position, as before. The mounting washer 13 is then axially positioned onto the motor housing 3 such that it rests on the side of the mounting collar 6 facing away from the pump housing 2. The fasteners 9, or cylinder head bolts, are then inserted through the bores 15 and screwed to the pump housing 2, thus fixing the motor housing 3 to the pump housing 2. The mounting collar 6 is thus positioned axially between the mounting washer 13 and the pump housing 2.

[0045] To rotate the motor housing 3 relative to the pump housing 2, the fastening elements 9 or the cylinder head bolts can be loosened as described previously, but not removed, so that the motor housing 3 remains held to the pump housing 2 by means of the mounting washer 13. After rotating the motor housing 3 into any desired rotational position, the fastening elements 9 or the cylinder head bolts are tightened again to fix the motor housing 3 in the new rotational position on the pump housing 2.

[0046] The described embodiments are merely examples that can be modified and / or supplemented in various ways within the scope of the claims. The scope of protection of the invention is defined by the following claims. Reference symbol list centrifugal pump 1 Pump housing 2 engine housing 3 Connection 4 Longitudinal axis 5 fastening collar 6 Pot-shaped remnant 7 transition 8 Fasteners 9 screw head 10 Material recess 11 Material thickening 12 Mounting washer 13 Electronic housing 14 Drilling 15

Claims

1. A centrifugal pump (1) comprising a pump housing (2), a motor housing (3), which defines a longitudinal axis (5) and is axially mounted on the pump housing (2) in any rotational position, and a plurality of fastening means (9), the motor housing (3), at the end thereof facing the pump housing (2), comprising an annular fastening collar (6), and the fastening collar (6) being fixed in a stationary manner on the pump housing (2) in the rotational position by the fastening means (9) which are provided spaced apart from one another, characterized in that the fastening means (9) are designed as screws which are screwed into the pump housing (2) for stationary fixation, and / or that the centrifugal pump (1) comprises a fastening disc (13), the fastening collar (6) being provided axially between the fastening disc and the pump housing (2), and the fastening means (9) fixing the fastening disc in a stationary manner on the pump housing (2).

2. The centrifugal pump (1) according to the preceding claim, comprising a seal provided between the motor housing (3) and the pump housing (2).

3. The centrifugal pump (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the fastening collar (6) is designed in the form of a disc.

4. The centrifugal pump (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the motor housing (3) is designed in the form of a crucible having a radially extending opening, and the fastening collar (6) extends radially away from the opening, surrounding the opening circumferentially.

5. The centrifugal pump (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the fastening means (9) are designed as cylinder head screws.

6. The centrifugal pump (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the screws have a screw head (10) by which the fastening collar (6) is held axially.

7. The centrifugal pump (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the fastening means (9) extend parallel to the longitudinal axis (5).

8. The centrifugal pump (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising 2, 4, 6, 8, or 10 fastening means (9) which are in particular arranged at regular intervals with respect to one another, and / or the fastening means (9) radially surrounding the fastening collar (6), and / or the fastening means (9) pressing the fastening collar (6) axially against the pump housing (2).

9. The centrifugal pump (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising an electronics housing (14) and / or a terminal box, which is arranged in a stationary manner on the motor housing, in particular at an end facing away from the pump housing (2).

10. The centrifugal pump (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the fastening disc (13) radially surrounds the motor housing (3) circumferentially.

11. The centrifugal pump (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the motor housing (3) can be mounted on the pump housing (2) so as to be rotatable 360°.

12. A method for producing a centrifugal pump (1), comprising the following steps: axially mounting a motor housing (3), which defines a longitudinal axis (5), with the annular fastening collar (6) thereof on a pump housing (2) in any rotational position; fixing the fastening collar (6) in a stationary manner on the pump housing (2) by fastening means (9) which are provided spaced apart from one another, wherein the fastening means (9) are designed as screws which are screwed into the pump housing (2) for stationary fixation, and / or comprising a fastening disc (13), wherein the fastening collar (6) is provided axially between the fastening disc and the pump housing (2), and the fastening means (9) fix the fastening disc in a stationary manner on the pump housing (2).

13. The method according to the preceding claim, comprising the step, after the mounting, of: rotating the motor housing (3) on the pump housing (2) into a fastening position; and fixing the fastening collar (6) in the fastening position of the motor housing (3).

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