Single-channel rotor to corpus evidence

Abstract

The present invention relates to a rotor (14) for a pumping unit 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 radial plane 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) in which a fluid flow channel (44) extends at least partially, the flow channel (44) comprising a fluid inlet (46) opening into the peripheral wall (30). Figure for the abstract: 1

Description

Title of the invention: SINGLE-CHANNEL HOLLOW BODY ROTOR Technical field of the invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a pumping unit, for example for a fish pond, and in particular to a single-channel rotor of such a pumping unit. Technical background

[0002] Pumping units used in fish farming, for example in aquaculture, allow fish to be sorted, loaded or dumped from one culture tank to another.

[0003] For this purpose, the pumping units comprise a pump body to which a fluid inlet channel and a fluid outlet channel are connected, the pump body housing a rotor. The rotor is then configured to be driven in rotation within the pump body so as to move the fluid, including for example fish, from the inlet channel to the outlet channel.

[0004] Prior art includes pumps such as those disclosed in documents US2016 / 108927A1 and GB377370A.

[0005] Given the intended use of such a pumping unit, the latter must be sized to allow the movement of fish and the rotor must have a particular shape and adequate dimensions so as not to injure the fish in transit.

[0006] Thus, the use of such a pumping unit represents a high construction cost.

[0007] Furthermore, pumping units are usually mounted on mobile frames so that they can be moved within the aquaculture area. Therefore, it is important to limit the weight and size of such an installation to facilitate maneuvering for an operator.

[0008] Also, the large size and weight of the rotors currently used in pumping units result in many vibrations during their rotation, thus causing balancing problems of said rotors.

[0009] The invention therefore proposes an optimized rotor for a pumping unit, the weight and quantity of material of which have been reduced without compromising its robustness. Thus, the rotor according to the invention allows for better mass distribution and therefore better balancing. Summary of the invention

[0010] The invention provides a rotor for a pumping unit comprising a body delimited by a peripheral wall extending around an axis of rotation of the rotor, the rotor comprising a plate which closes one lower end of the rotor and which extends in a radial plane relative to the axis of rotation,

[0011] the peripheral wall and the plate delimiting a cavity open on an upper end of the rotor in which extends at least in part a fluid flow channel, the flow channel comprising a fluid inlet opening and opening into the peripheral wall.

[0012] According to other features of the invention: - the plate includes at least one through-hole which opens into the rotor cavity; - the rotor includes a support which extends into the cavity, axially between the flow channel and the plate, the support having the shape of a truncated cylinder in an axial plane so as to present a complementary shape with a curved shape of the flow channel, an axis of revolution of the support being distinct from the axis of rotation of the rotor; - the support includes a housing for receiving a drive shaft of the pumping unit which extends axially along the axis of rotation of the rotor; - the fluidic inlet opening of the flow channel is axially centered on the axis of rotation of the rotor; - the flow channel extends from the inlet opening to the peripheral wall, presenting a helical shape; - the rotor comprises a single flow channel;

[0013] The invention also relates to a pumping unit comprising at least one pump body in which the rotor extends according to any one of the preceding characteristics, the pumping unit comprising a drive shaft fixed in rotation to the rotor and which extends into the rotor receiving housing.

[0014] According to a feature of the pumping unit, the peripheral wall of the rotor has a concave shape, the peripheral wall of the rotor participating in delimiting a portion of the flow channel which extends outside the cavity of the rotor in cooperation with a curved wall of the pump body of the pumping unit. Brief description of the figures

[0015] Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent upon reading the detailed description that follows, for an understanding of which reference should be made to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0016] [Fig-1] is a general axial cross-sectional view of a pump body from a unit of pumping system comprising a rotor;

[0017] [Fig.2] is a general perspective view of the pumping unit comprising a an input channel and a fluidic output channel;

[0018] [Fig.3] is a top view of the rotor of the [Fig.1];

[0019] [Fig.4] is a side view of the rotor of the [Fig.1];

[0020] [Fig.5] is an axial cross-sectional view of the rotor of [Fig.1]. Detailed description of the invention

[0021] In the description that follows, identical, similar or analogous elements will be designated by the same reference numerals.

[0022] Fig. 1 illustrates a pump body 12 of a pumping unit 10, visible in Fig. 2, the pump body 12 housing a rotor 14 driven in rotation via a drive shaft 16.

[0023] Visible in [Fig.2], the pump body is fluidically connected to an inlet channel 18 and an outlet channel 20 of a fluid.

[0024] The pump body 12 has a shape suitable for receiving the rotor 14, as seen in [Fig.1], and is peripherally delimited by a curved wall 22 which extends circularly around an axis of rotation X of the rotor 14.

[0025] Axially, the pump body 12 is delimited by a floor wall 24 and by a cover wall 26, said walls 24, 26 being integral with the curved wall 22.

[0026] Thus, the curved wall 22, the floor wall 24 and the cover wall 26 delimit a receiving space for the rotor 14.

[0027] According to a non-limiting example of the invention, the floor wall 24 includes a passage for the drive shaft 16 rotating from the rotor 14.

[0028] According to another non-limiting example of the invention and not illustrated, the floor wall may include a fixing area for a rotor drive element formed on its surface.

[0029] It is also understood that the rotor 14 is not press-fitted into the pump body 12 and that a gap remains between the walls 22, 24, 26 of the pump body 12 and said rotor 14 so as to allow the rotational movement of the latter in the receiving space of the rotor 14.

[0030] The cooperation between the pump body 12 and the rotor 14 will be described in more detail later in the description.

[0031] The pumping unit 10 according to the illustrated example of the invention can be used, for example, in an aquaculture operation to move fish between two tanks, each fluidly connected to the inlet channel 18 or the outlet channel 20. The rotor 14 then allows the movement of the fluid with the fish between the inlet channel 18 and the outlet channel 20 of the pumping unit 10.

[0032] To this end, the pumping unit 10 can be mounted on a chassis, for example mobile, comprising at least one drive device, for example a direct drive geared motor, ensuring the rotational drive of the rotor via the drive shaft to which it is connected.

[0033] Furthermore, given the field of use of such a pumping unit 10, it is understood that the rotor 14 may have a significant dimension in order to allow large fish, such as salmonids, to pass through it.

[0034] By way of non-limiting example, the diameter of the rotor 14 according to the invention, used within the fish pumping unit, is between 700mm and 1700mm.

[0035] The rotor visible in figures 3 to 5, comprises a body 28 delimited by a peripheral wall 30 which extends around the axis of rotation X of the rotor 14.

[0036] It is then understood that the rotor 14 has a shape contained within a cylinder.

[0037] Visible in [Fig. 4], the rotor 14 includes a plate 32 which extends to one of the axial ends of the body 28, here a lower end 34, in a radial plane with respect to the axis of rotation X of the rotor 14.

[0038] It is understood that the lower end 34 of the rotor is defined according to a position of the rotor within the pumping unit as seen in [Fig.1].

[0039] The plate 32 of the rotor 14 takes the form of a wall. According to the non-limiting example of the invention, the plate 32 takes the form of a flat wall.

[0040] It is then understood that the plate 32 extends to the lower end 34 of the body 28 in such a way as to close a cavity 36 of the rotor 14 as seen in [Fig.5].

[0041] On [Fig.5] another axial end of the body 28, called upper end 38, can be seen, axially opposite to the lower end 34 along the axis of rotation X of the rotor.

[0042] The upper end 38 defines an opening 40 of the cavity 36 of the rotor 14.

[0043] More particularly, the opening 40 of cavity 36 of the rotor 14 opens onto the cavity 36 of the rotor 14 delimited by the peripheral wall 30 and the plate 32.

[0044] According to the example of the invention illustrated in [Fig.4], the plate 32 includes three through orifices 42 which extend through the plate 32, and which open into the cavity 36 of the rotor 14.

[0045] The advantage of such orifices 42 will be discussed later in the detailed description.

[0046] The rotor 14 includes a fluidic flow channel 44.

[0047] More specifically, the rotor 14 according to the invention is a single-channel rotor, that is to say comprising a single fluidic flow channel 44.

[0048] The flow channel 44 of the rotor 14 extends at least partly into the cavity 36 of the rotor 14 and opens onto the peripheral wall 30.

[0049] More precisely, a first portion 44a of the flow channel 44 is defined which extends between a fluidic inlet opening 46 and the peripheral wall 30, and a second portion 44b of the flow channel 44 is defined which extends outside the rotor cavity and is visible in [Fig.1].

[0050] As seen in [Fig.5] showing an axial cross-sectional view of the rotor 14, the first portion 44a of the flow channel 44 extends axially beyond the cavity 36 of the rotor 14.

[0051] According to another example of the invention not shown, the first portion of the flow channel can extend only into the cavity of the rotor.

[0052] More particularly, the first portion 44a of the flow channel 44 extends axially such that the inlet opening 46 extends outside the cavity 36 and is centered on the axis of rotation X of the rotor 14.

[0053] It is then understood that the inlet opening 46 is axially opposed to the plate 32.

[0054] It is also understood that the first portion 44a of the flow channel 44 passes through the opening 40 of cavity 36 described previously.

[0055] Thus, from the inlet opening 46 of the flow channel 44, the first portion 44a extends to the peripheral wall 30, presenting a substantially helical shape visible in figures 3 and 5.

[0056] As can be seen in figures 1 and 2, the inlet opening 46 of the flow channel 44 cooperates fluidly with the inlet channel 18 of the pump body 12 of the pumping unit 10.

[0057] The cover wall 26 of the pump body 12 then has at least in part the shape of a truncated cone so as to receive the part of the first portion 44a of the flow channel 44 which extends axially beyond the cavity 36 of the rotor 14.

[0058] The first portion 44a of the flow channel 44 opens onto the peripheral wall 30 by forming an intermediate opening 48, visible in [Fig.4].

[0059] As particularly visible in [Fig.5], the rotor 14 includes a support 50 for the flow channel 44. More specifically, the support 50 extends in the cavity 36 of the rotor 14, axially between the first portion 44a of the flow channel 44 and the plate 32.

[0060] The support 50 is then configured to follow the helical shape of the first portion 44a so as to ensure the robustness of the rotor 14.

[0061] The support 50 then appears substantially as a cylinder comprising a base 52 which extends from the plate 32, and a truncated end 54 integral with the first portion 44a of the flow channel 44. It is understood that the truncated end 54 of the support 50 has a complementary shape with the curved shape of the first portion 44a of the flow channel 44.

[0062] According to a feature of the invention, the substantially cylindrical support 50 comprises an axis of revolution R parallel to the axis of rotation X of the rotor, but offset from the axis of rotation X.

[0063] In other words, the axis of rotation X and the axis of revolution R are offset from each other.

[0064] According to a non-limiting example of the invention, the support 50 includes a receiving housing 56 for the drive shaft of the pumping unit which extends axially along the axis of rotation X.

[0065] The receiving housing 56 of the drive shaft is coaxial with the rotation axis X of the rotor 14.

[0066] As can be seen in [Fig.5], the peripheral wall 30 of the rotor 14 has at least partly a concave shape in axial section.

[0067] In other words, the peripheral wall 30 has a substantially parabolic profile, one apex of which is directed towards the axis of rotation X of the rotor 14.

[0068] For example, the peripheral wall 30 has a concave shape over at least 70% of its periphery in a circular direction around the axis of rotation X.

[0069] More specifically, the peripheral wall 30 has a concave shape from the intermediate opening 48 of the flow channel 44 so as to form the second portion 44b of the flow channel 44 which extends outside the rotor 14, in cooperation with a curved wall 22 of the housing, as seen in [Fig.1].

[0070] According to the illustrated example of the invention, the concave shape of the peripheral wall 30 has an axial dimensioning along the axis of rotation X, decreasing from the intermediate opening 48 to an end end of the concave shape of the peripheral wall 30.

[0071] In other words, the concave peripheral wall 30 is in the form of a groove whose depth decreases from the intermediate opening 48 to a fine end.

[0072] It is then understood that the second portion 44b of the flow channel 44 cooperates fluidly with the outlet channel 20 of the pump body 12 of the pumping unit 10, visible in figures 1 and 2.

[0073] It is also understood that the fluidic path of the pumping unit 10 begins in the inlet channel 18, then in the first portion 44a of the flow channel 44 and in the second portion 44b of the flow channel 44 until the outlet channel 20.

[0074] The rotational drive of the rotor 14 in the pump body 12 then allows the movement of the fluid within the pumping unit 10 by creating a circular fluidic flow.

[0075] More specifically, the rotation of the rotor 14 within the pump body 12 makes it possible to convey a fish from the first portion 44a of the flow channel up to the outlet channel 20 by generating a circular fluidic flow within the second portion 44b.

[0076] Furthermore, the pump body 12 is intended to be filled with fluid during the use of the pumping unit, and the through orifices 42 formed in the plate 32 of the rotor 14 make it possible to limit the friction between the rotor 14 and the floor wall 24 by allowing the formation of a liquid layer between them.

[0077] The particular structure of the rotor according to the invention allows it to be manufactured, for example, by molding and then assembly, or by plastic injection molding. The rotor can, for example, be made of injection-molded fiber-reinforced polyester or another composite material, thus limiting its weight while increasing its strength.

[0078] In addition, manufacturing by molding and assembly or by plastic injection advantageously allows obtaining a part of constant thickness.

[0079] As mentioned previously, the rotors installed in fish pumping units are quite large given their application. The rotor described above, with its internal cavity, offers an advantage in terms of its reduced weight. This reduced weight limits the vibrations generated during its rotation. Furthermore, the rotor according to the invention allows for better mass distribution, thus improving the stability and balance of the rotor within the fish pumping unit.

[0080] Moreover, the particular structure of the rotor according to the invention makes it possible to improve the balance of the rotor without compromising its robustness and durability.

Claims

Demands

1. A rotor (14) for a pumping unit (10) 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 radial plane 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) in which a fluid flow channel (44) extends at least partially, the flow channel (44) comprising a fluid inlet (46) opening into the peripheral wall (30), the rotor (14) comprising a support (50) extending in the cavity (36), axially between the flow channel (44) and the tray (32),the support (50) having the shape of a truncated cylinder in an axial plane such as to present a complementary shape with a curved shape of the flow channel (44), an axis of revolution (R) of the support (50) being distinct from the axis of rotation (X) of the rotor (14).

2. Rotor (14) according to the preceding claim, in which the plate (32) includes at least one through orifice (42) which opens into the cavity (36) of the rotor (14).

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

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

5. Rotor (14) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the flow channel (44) extends from the inlet opening (46) to the peripheral wall (30) in a helical shape.

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

7. A pumping unit (10) comprising at least one pump body (12) in which the rotor (14) extends according to any one of the preceding claims, the pumping unit (10) comprising a

8. drive shaft (16) fixed in rotation to the rotor (14) and which extends into the receiving housing (56) of the rotor (14). Pumping unit (10) according to the preceding claim, in which the peripheral wall (30) of the rotor (14) has a concave shape, the peripheral wall (30) of the rotor (14) participating in delimiting a portion (44b) of the flow channel (44) which extends outside the cavity (36) of the rotor (14) in cooperation with a curved wall (22) of the pump body (12) of the pumping unit (10).

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