Pumping device having a wear monitoring unit, and method for producing the pumping device.

Abstract

The present invention relates to a pumping device (10) having at least one pumping unit (12) and a wear unit (14) for monitoring wear of the pumping unit (12) during operation. According to the present invention, in order to provide a comprehensive device with improved design characteristics, the pumping unit (12) is covered by the wear unit (14) in at least one covering area (16).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a pump device described in the preamble of claim 1 and a method for producing a pump device described in the preamble of claim 12.

Background Art

[0002] The pump device described in the preamble of claim 1 is known from the prior art. The wear of the pump unit of the pump device depends on the medium to be transported, the solids contained therein, i.e., the amount of solids, and / or the degree of hardness, and / or the size of the solids, and / or the shape of the solids, and / or the toughness of the solids. The harder and / or the more solid the medium is, the greater the wear of the pump unit.

[0003] The object of the present invention is, in particular but not limited to, to provide a comprehensive device with improved characteristics regarding its structure. The object is achieved according to the present invention by the features of claim 1 and claim 12, but advantageous implementations and further developments of the present invention can be obtained from the dependent claims.

Summary of the Invention

[0004] The present invention is based on a pump device comprising at least one pump unit and a wear unit for tracking wear during operation of the pump unit. It is proposed that the pump unit is covered by the wear unit at least in the covering area.

[0005] Such implementation forms allow for structural improvements. Furthermore, a particularly compact and application-friendly structure can be provided. In addition, the wear unit enables efficient, rapid, convenient, and / or user-friendly analysis, detection, and / or tracking of wear during the operation of the pump unit. Moreover, structural optimization can be performed as a result of wear tracking, and therefore the service life of the pump unit can be extended. Further improvements in efficiency can be made with respect to production efficiency, work efficiency, performance efficiency, cost efficiency, and / or material efficiency.

[0006] The pumping device may be part of the pump, specifically realizing a subassembly of the pump. In particular, the pumping device is a functional component of the pump, specifically a structural and / or functional component. The pumping device may also be a complete realization of the pump. The pump may be configured to transport and / or move a medium to be transported, but is not limited to this. The medium to be transported may be a fluid, i.e., a liquid, a solid, and / or a liquid mixed with a solid. The solid may be a natural material, e.g., soil, wood, stone, gravel, mud, and / or sand, plastic, and / or metal. The solid may also be food, e.g., vegetables, fruits. Furthermore, the pump may be a mining pump, etc. The pump is preferably configured to transport a liquid, e.g., water, enriched with and / or mixed with a solid. Alternatively and / or in addition to this, the pump may be configured to transport water containing fish or other organisms, where the fish are preferably alive during transport and, in particular, survive at least substantially unharmed.

[0007] The pumping device may be a radial pumping device or an axial pumping device. The pumping device is preferably implemented as a centrifugal pumping device, particularly a radial centrifugal pumping device, or possibly an axial centrifugal pumping device. The pump may be a radial pump or an axial pump. In particular, the pump is implemented as a centrifugal pump, particularly a radial centrifugal pump or an axial centrifugal pump.

[0008] A pump may be part of a pump system for transporting a medium to be transported. The pump system may, advantageously, include at least one drive unit. The drive unit may be configured by at least one drive member to rotate the shaft of the pump device in at least one operating state. The shaft may be a drive shaft, preferably a pump shaft. In particular, the shaft is a rotary shaft. The drive member may include, for example, at least one electric motor and / or an internal combustion engine and / or a bearing block. The shaft may, advantageously, be realized as an elongated element, with its longitudinal axis oriented parallel to the axial direction. The shaft may be rotatably mounted by at least one plain bearing and / or roller bearing of the drive unit. Particularly preferred, the shaft performs rotational motion along its circumferential direction, at least in the operating state. Advantageously, at least one impeller of the pump unit is positioned on the shaft.

[0009] In particular for the analysis, and / or tracking, and / or detection of wear during the operation of the pump unit, the wear unit is placed in at least the covered area, at least during the operation of the pump unit. Preferably, the wear unit can be placed on the pump unit before the operation of the pump unit. After the operation of the pump unit, wear of the pump unit, preferably the material of the pump unit, can be tracked, analyzed, and / or detected by the wear unit. During the operation of the pump unit, wear of the pump unit may also be perceptible and / or trackable by the detection and / or analysis of the condition of the wear unit. This extends the service life of the pump unit, in particular to enable preventive maintenance.

[0010] The wear unit may, at least partially, cover the front side, particularly the surface, of the pump unit in the covering area. In the covering area, the wear unit may cover and / or conceal at least 20%, advantageously at least 50%, preferably at least 80%, and particularly preferably completely, the front side of the pump unit. It is also conceivable that the pump unit may have additional covering areas in addition to the covering area, e.g., at least two or five covering areas, where the pump unit is at least partially covered by the wear unit. The wear unit may, in some cases, be realized in a plate-like form, at least partially. An object realized in a "plate-like" form should be understood to have a three-dimensional object having a non-circular cross-sectional area, apart from some recesses, particularly through holes and / or blind holes, when viewed in a cross-section perpendicular to the plane in a planar unfolded figure, having at least a substantially constant material thickness perpendicular to the plane, which is less than 50%, preferably less than 25%, and particularly preferably less than 10%, of the area of ​​the area of ​​the three-dimensional object parallel to the plane, particularly the area of ​​the minimum area of ​​the object parallel to the plane. The wear unit may be realized as a shell-like and / or shell-shaped object. Preferably, the material thickness of the shell-like and / or shell-shaped object is equal to at most 50%, particularly at most 20%, advantageously at most 10%, and preferably at most 5%, of the length and / or width of the object. The wear unit may be at least partially bendable and / or at least partially flat.

[0011] "To be configured" here and below means to be specially programmed, designed, and / or equipped. It should be understood that by an object configured for a particular function, the object will perform and / or execute that particular function in at least one applied state and / or operating state.

[0012] Furthermore, in the covered area, it is proposed that the wear unit abuts the pump unit at its contact surface and conforms to the shape of the pump unit. This provides a particularly efficient, compact, and / or application-appropriate structure. Advantageously, the wear unit adheres to the pump unit at least partially or completely. The wear unit may be at least partially or completely bendable, flexible, and / or elastic. In this case, the “elastic element” is an element that can be repeatedly deformed by the effect of external forces without mechanical damage or breakage of the element, and in particular, after deformation, automatically attempts to return to its basic shape, especially its resting position. Preferably, the wear unit is deformable. When the wear unit is positioned on the pump unit in the covered area, the wear unit may be deformed and / or bent and / or adapted to the shape of the pump unit. The wear unit may also contact the pump unit specifically directly, without any intermediates.

[0013] The covering unit—at least the covering area—may, in some cases, have different thicknesses, specifically material thicknesses, in some parts. In order to provide a particularly efficient and user-friendly structure, it has been proposed that the wear unit have at least a substantially constant material thickness in the covering area. The material thickness is constant, in particular, regardless of manufacturing tolerances or within the range of standardized tolerances. The material thickness of the wear unit may be at least 0.5 mm, advantageously at least 1 mm, particularly at most 10 mm, preferably at most 5 mm, and especially preferably at most 3 mm.

[0014] The wear unit may be connected to the pump unit and secured to the pump unit by press-fit and / or shape-fit connections, such as latch connections and / or plug connections and / or swivel connections and / or screw connections and / or hook-and-loop connections.

[0015] It is further proposed that the wear unit be implemented as a coating for the pump unit. This provides a particularly compact and application-appropriate structure. It is possible to further reduce the effort required to install the wear unit on the pump unit, and to further improve efficiency with respect to production efficiency, work efficiency, performance efficiency, cost efficiency, and / or material efficiency. It is also possible to provide a robust and / or stable connection and / or fastening between the wear unit and the pump unit.

[0016] Preferably, the pump unit is covered by the wear unit, at least in its coverage area. In particular, the wear unit is realized integrally with the pump unit. Advantageously, the wear unit is connected to the pump unit by joining of materials. There may be joining connections of materials between the wear unit and the pump unit, for example, resulting from adhesive bonding, welding, and / or melting. Particularly preferably, the wear unit is injection molded to the pump unit.

[0017] In addition, it has been proposed that the wear unit comprises at least two wear layers, which are stacked and differ in at least one parameter. This makes it possible to improve the analytical efficiency and accuracy when evaluating the wear of the pump unit. Depending on the wear, and especially the removal, of the wear layers of the wear unit, the degree of wear can be determined, evaluated, detected, and / or analyzed in a faster, simpler, more convenient, and / or less complex way.

[0018] The wear unit may include a first wear layer, particularly a base layer. Advantageously, the first wear layer is positioned to contact the pump unit, particularly the front side of the pump unit, in a contact-flush manner. The wear unit may further include a second wear layer, particularly a separation layer. The second wear layer does not have to be in direct contact with the pump unit, specifically contact without an intermediate. The second wear layer may indirectly contact the pump unit via the first wear layer and may be positioned on the first wear layer. In particular, the second wear layer is positioned on the first wear layer to contact the pump unit without an intermediate, specifically directly and in a contact manner. The wear unit preferably includes at least one third wear layer, particularly a coating layer. The third wear layer does not have to be in direct contact with the pump unit, specifically contact without an intermediate. The third wear layer may indirectly contact the pump unit via the second wear layer and / or the first wear layer. In particular, the third wear layer is positioned on the second wear layer so as to be in direct, coplanar contact with it, without any intermediate material. Preferably, each individual wear layer of the wear unit is connected to one another by joining of materials. Advantageously, the top wear layer of the wear layers may always be called a coating layer, regardless of the number of wear layers.

[0019] The wear unit may also include further wear layers, which are connected to the first wear layer, second wear layer, and / or third wear layer by joining of materials. Advantageously, all wear layers of the wear unit have a constant material thickness in the covered area.

[0020] The individual wear layers, particularly the first, second, and / or third wear layers in a stacked state, may differ, for example, with respect to material thickness. The parameter may be a material thickness parameter. The material thickness of at least one of the wear layers, particularly the first, second, and / or third wear layers, may be at least 0.3 mm, preferably at least 0.5 mm, preferably at least 1 mm, particularly preferably at most 5 mm, and particularly at most 3 mm. The difference in material thickness between the wear layers, particularly between the first, second, and / or third wear layers, particularly the difference in material thickness parameters, may be at least 0.1 mm, preferably at least 0.3 mm, and particularly preferably at least 0.5 mm.

[0021] Preferably, all wear layers of a wear unit have at least substantially the same material thickness. In this context, "at least substantially" means that the deviation from a given value and / or orientation is less than 25%, preferably less than 10%, and particularly preferably less than 5% of the given value and / or orientation.

[0022] The parameters are material-specific, and it is conceivable that at least two abrasion layers will differ at least in terms of material or material composition. At least one of the abrasion layers, in particular the first abrasion layer, the second abrasion layer, and / or the third abrasion layer, may be realized from natural products, minerals, metals, plastics and / or composite materials, at least largely or entirely. The term “largely” in this case means, for example, at least 55%, advantageously at least 65%, preferably at least 75%, particularly preferably at least 85%, and particularly advantageously at most 95% by volume and / or mass fraction. Preferably, at least one of the abrasion layers, in particular the first abrasion layer, the second abrasion layer, and / or the third abrasion layer, is made at least largely from at least one type of plastic, i.e., thermoplastics, thermosetting plastics and / or elastomers, such as polyurethane (PU) and / or polypropylene (PP).

[0023] The parameters are preferably optical parameters. This makes it possible to perform optimized, more comfortable, simpler, and / or more efficient detection and / or identification of different wear layers of abrasion units in a stacked state. Further efficiency can be increased with respect to wear analysis, detection, tracking, and / or evaluation. In addition, the structure can be improved. Preferably, the optical parameters are parameters that can be seen and / or perceived by at least one user and / or installer. The optical parameters may be structural parameters that characterize the structuring of at least one surface of one of the wear layers.

[0024] When optical parameters are color parameters, wear tracking, detection, and / or evaluation can be made more efficient, more comfortable, more user-friendly, and faster. Furthermore, it is possible to provide particularly compact, cost-effective, and / or efficient structures for tracking wear during the operation of a pump unit.

[0025] Each abrasion layer may have a different color. In this case, color also means a color gradient and / or color structuring. Advantageously, each of the two abrasion layers of an abrasion unit stacked directly, specifically without an intermediate, has a different color. Preferably, the first abrasion layer has a reddish color. The second abrasion layer may have a different color from the first abrasion layer, e.g., a yellowish or orange color. The third abrasion layer may, in some cases, have a color that is at least substantially the same as the first abrasion layer. Preferably, all of the abrasion layers of an abrasion unit have different colors from each other. The second abrasion layer may have a different color from the first abrasion layer and / or the second abrasion layer, e.g., green, blue, or black. Preferably, at least one of the abrasion layers, advantageously always the top abrasion layer, in particular the coating layer, has a color that is appropriate to the color and / or the color-related implementation of the pump unit. Each individual abrasion layer may, in any case, have any conceivable color that is deemed convenient by those skilled in the art.

[0026] The pump unit is proposed to include at least one impeller, and / or at least one pump housing, and / or at least one pump cone, and / or at least one inlet element, in particular a wear ring, with a coating area at least partially extending on its front side. This enables improving the structure and providing wear tracking of the impeller, and / or pump housing, and / or pump cone, and / or inlet element. Furthermore, it is thus possible to extend the service life of at least the impeller, and / or pump housing, and / or pump cone, and / or inlet element, and thus also to increase efficiency.

[0027] The impeller may include at least one flow engagement element and / or conveying element for conveying the medium to be transported. Preferably, the impeller includes at least one impeller blade. In this case, "impeller" means an element configured to set the movement of conveying the medium to be transported by rotational movement. Advantageously, the impeller is arranged and / or fixed to the shaft. In particular, at least the impeller is arranged in the accommodation area of the pump housing. The impeller may be at least partially, preferably completely, surrounded by the pump housing in the circumferential direction. Advantageously, the impeller is supported so that it can be rotated and / or turned in the accommodation area of the pump housing.

[0028] During the operation of the pump unit, the medium to be transported may enter through the inlet element. The impeller may receive the medium to be transported from the inlet element and transport it further. Preferably, the inlet element is a wear ring. In particular, the impeller is configured to transport the medium to be transported from the inlet element to the outlet element of the pump unit. The covering area preferably extends at least partially to the outlet element. Advantageously, the impeller is positioned between the inlet and outlet elements. The outlet element may be positioned downstream of the impeller such that, viewed axially, the inlet element, impeller, and outlet element are arranged in a line, front to back. If the pump device is implemented as a radial pump device, the outlet element may be positioned at least substantially perpendicular to the inlet element, and the angle between the inlet and outlet elements may differ from a right angle by at most 5°, preferably at most 2°, and especially advantageously at most 1°. Advantageously, the medium to be transported may exit radially, i.e., at least substantially perpendicular to the inlet element. In this context, "at least substantially perpendicular" means an angle of 85° to 95°, preferably 88° to 92°, and especially favorably 90°.

[0029] The pump cone may be connected to the inlet element or implemented integrally with the inlet element, particularly in a one-piece mounting configuration. Advantageously, the pump cone may have a conical or frustoconical shape. Starting from the inlet element, the pump cone may extend in the direction of the impeller when viewed axially. The impeller may contact the pump cone, at least partially, particularly in its accommodating region, and / or abut the pump cone. Preferably, at least partially, a gap, particularly a sealing gap, is located between the pump cone and the impeller. The pump unit may include at least one additional pump cone in addition to the pump cone already described. Alternatively, and / or in addition, the drive unit may include at least one cone. Advantageously, the drive unit includes at least one drive cone, which is positioned opposite the pump cone to the impeller. The drive cone may contact the impeller, at least partially. Advantageously, at least partially, a further gap, particularly a further sealing gap, is located between the drive cone and the impeller. The gap and / or seal gap between the pump cone and the impeller and / or between the drive cone and the impeller may have a width, particularly a distance, of at most 5 mm, advantageously at most 1 mm, preferably at most 0.5 mm, and especially preferably at most 0.1 mm.

[0030] The inlet element, the pump cone, and / or at least the outlet element could each be considered to implement a sub-assembly of the pump housing. The inlet element, the pump cone and / or the outlet element could be implemented at least partially or completely integrally with the pump housing, particularly in a one-piece mounting form. "Integrally" means being at least connected by a joining of materials, for example an adhesive bonding process, an injection molding process, and / or a welding process, and / or another process considered convenient by a person skilled in the art. Furthermore, "in a one-piece mounting form" means being formed in one piece. This one piece is preferably produced from individual blanks, masses, and / or castings, particularly preferably by an injection molding method, particularly a single-component and / or multi-component injection molding method, and / or a sand casting method, and / or a punching method, and / or a sheet metal bending process, and / or a printing process, for example a 3D printing process, and / or thermoforming, and / or a deep drawing process, and / or by another method / process considered convenient by a person skilled in the art from individual blanks.

[0031] In addition to this, further constituent elements and / or structural elements of the pump unit, such as seals, screws, joints, grooves, and / or adjustment units, etc., could be at least partially covered by the wear unit. Any conceivable constituent elements and / or structural elements of the pump unit considered convenient by a person skilled in the art could be at least partially covered by the wear unit.

[0032] The present invention is further based on a method for producing a pump device, particularly a method for producing the aforementioned pump device comprising at least one pump unit and a wear unit for tracking wear during operation of the pump unit.

[0033] In a processing step, it is proposed that the pump unit is covered by the wear unit at least in the covering region. Such a production method can increase process efficiency and provide a compact and efficient structure.

[0034] The method may comprise multiple method steps and / or method substeps. The processing step may comprise at least one chemical, mechanical, thermal, and thermomechanical method for covering the pump unit with the wear unit. Preferably, in the processing step, the pump unit may be coated by the wear unit, at least in the covered area. In the processing step, the wear unit may be connected integrally to the pump unit, specifically by joining the materials. In the processing step, the wear unit may be bonded, welded, and / or melted to the pump unit, for example. In particular, the processing step is a surface coating step for coating the pump unit with the wear unit.

[0035] Particularly preferable, the wear unit is injection molded to the pump unit, at least partially. This allows for further efficiency in terms of process efficiency, material efficiency, cost efficiency, labor efficiency, and / or production efficiency, and provides a particularly stable structure. The wear layer may be injection molded to the pump unit by a thermal injection molding process.

[0036] Regarding preparation, specifically to ensure uniform application of the wear unit to the pump unit, it is proposed that in the preparation step, the material is at least partially removed from the pump unit. Furthermore, the wear unit can be applied to the pump unit efficiently, specifically without increasing the overall material thickness of the pump device in the coated area.

[0037] Prioritizing the progression of time, the preparation step is performed before the processing step. In particular, during the preparation step, material is removed from the pump unit only in the covering area, specifically where the wear unit is intended to cover the pump unit. However, it is also conceivable that further material from the pump unit outside the covering area may be removed during the preparation step. A layer of material with a thickness of at least 1 mm, preferably at least 3 mm, and more preferably at least 5 mm may be removed from the pump unit during the preparation step. Material removal can be carried out, for example, by grinding, laser processing, especially laser grinding, electron beam processing, etching, especially plasma etching, milling, cutting, electrochemical removal, and / or waterjet cutting. In particular, the material is preferably removed uniformly from the front side, especially the surface, of the pump unit.

[0038] The preparation step can be omitted, and the wear unit may be applied to the coating area of ​​the pump unit in the processing step without pretreatment, specifically without material removal from the pump unit. Particularly in the case of continuous production of pumps, the omission of the preparation step increases efficiency, at least in terms of process efficiency, work efficiency, cost efficiency, and / or material efficiency.

[0039] Furthermore, in the post-processing step, it is proposed that the material be removed at least partially from the wear unit. This allows for subsequent repair and / or improvement of the dimensional structure of the pump device, and specifically, allows for the refinement of the final dimensions of the structure before delivery to at least one customer and / or before the pump unit is used. Moreover, this makes it possible to increase efficiency with respect to process efficiency, work efficiency, cost efficiency, and / or production efficiency.

[0040] Prioritizing the progression of time, the post-processing steps are performed after the processing steps. In particular, during the post-processing steps, the material is removed from the wear unit only in the coated area, specifically where the wear unit covers the pump unit. During the post-processing steps, a material layer with a thickness of at least 0.1 mm, preferably at least 0.3 mm, and more preferably at least 0.5 mm, may be removed from the wear unit. Material removal can be carried out by, for example, grinding, laser processing, especially laser grinding, electron beam processing, etching, especially plasma etching, milling, cutting, electrochemical removal, and / or waterjet cutting. In particular, the material is preferably removed uniformly from the front side, especially the surface, of the wear unit.

[0041] It may even be possible to eliminate the post-processing step. In particular, in the case of continuous pump production, eliminating the post-processing step would improve efficiency, at least in terms of process efficiency, work efficiency, cost efficiency, and / or material efficiency.

[0042] Pumping devices and / or methods are not limited to the applications and implementations described herein. In particular, pumping devices and / or methods may have a number of individual elements, components, units and method steps different from the number given herein in order to perform the functions described herein. Furthermore, with respect to the range of values ​​shown herein, values ​​within the stated limits are also disclosed and are considered to be usable as desired.

[0043] Further advantages will become apparent from the following description of the drawings. Exemplary embodiments of the present invention are shown in the drawings. The drawings, specification and claims include a combination of numerous features. Those skilled in the art will also find further convenient combinations by considering the features individually for the purpose of this invention. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0044] [Figure 1] This shows a pump system including a pump and a drive unit for transporting the medium to be transported. [Figure 2] A detailed diagram of a pumping device for a pump is shown, comprising a pump unit and a wear unit that covers the pump unit in at least its covering area. [Figure 3] This shows an enlarged cross-sectional view of a wear unit having at least two wear layers arranged in a pump unit and stacked on top of each other. [Figure 4] Figure 2 shows a cross-sectional view of the pumping device. [Figure 5] This shows a schematic flow chart of the process for producing a pump device. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0045] In the following, the drawings are schematic and not to scale. Unless otherwise indicated, if there are two or more identical objects, only one will be assigned a reference numeral. Figure 1 shows a pump system 60 including a pump 50 configured to transport a medium to be transported. In this exemplary embodiment, the pump 50 is implemented as a centrifugal pump. The pump 50 includes a pumping device 10. Thus, the pumping device 10 is implemented as a centrifugal pumping device. It is also conceivable that the pumping device 10 forms the entire pump 50. The pump 50 is configured to transport and / or move a medium to be transported, but is not limited thereto. In this embodiment, the medium to be transported is implemented as a liquid mixed with a solid. The solid may be a natural material, e.g., soil, wood, stone, gravel, mud, and / or sand, plastic, and / or metal. In this embodiment, the pump 50 is configured to transport a liquid, e.g., water enriched with and / or mixed with a solid. The medium to be transported may be a natural material, e.g., soil, wood, stone, and / or sand, plastic, and / or metal. Alternatively, and / or in addition thereto, the pump 50 is configured to transport a fluid, in particular a liquid, or a fluid, in particular a liquid, to which a substance has been added.

[0046] The pump system 60 includes at least one drive unit 62. The drive unit 62 is configured to rotate the shaft 64 of the pump device 10 by at least one drive member in at least one operating state. In this embodiment, the shaft 64 is the pump shaft. The drive member is, for example, at least one electric motor and / or internal combustion engine.

[0047] Figure 2 shows a detailed view of the pump device 10. Figure 4 further shows a cross-section of at least the pump device 10. The pump device 10 includes a pump unit 12. The pump unit 12 includes a pump housing 30. In this embodiment, the pump unit 12 further includes an impeller 28. The impeller 28 is at least a flow-engaging element and / or a conveying element for transporting the medium to be transported. At least the impeller 28 is located in the housing area 52 of the pump housing 30. To transport and / or convey the medium to be transported, the impeller 28 is supported so that it can be rotated and / or circulated within the housing area 52 of the pump housing 30. The impeller 28 is located on and / or fixed to a shaft 64.

[0048] The pump unit 12 includes an inlet element 32. In this embodiment, the inlet element 32 is realized as a wear ring. During the operation of the pump unit 12, the medium to be transported enters through the inlet element 32. The impeller 28 is configured to receive the medium to be transported from the inlet element 32 and transport it further. As can be seen from Figures 2 and 4, the impeller 28 is configured to transport the medium to be transported from the inlet element 32 to the outlet element 38 of the pump unit 12. In this exemplary implementation, the outlet element 38 is positioned at least substantially perpendicular to the inlet element 32. The medium to be transported exits radially, specifically at least substantially perpendicular to the inlet element 32.

[0049] The pump unit 12 further includes at least one pump cone 34. In this exemplary configuration, the pump cone 34 is realized integrally with the inlet element 32, particularly in a one-piece configuration. The pump cone 34 has a conical or frustoconical shape. In this embodiment, at least partially, there is a gap, specifically a sealing gap, between the pump cone 34 and the impeller 28. Alternatively, and / or in addition, the impeller 28 may contact the pump cone 34, at least partially. The pump unit 12 may include at least one further pump cone in addition to the pump cone 34 already described. The drive unit 62 further includes at least one cone, specifically at least one drive cone 36, which is located on the opposite side of the pump cone 34 from the impeller 28. The drive cone 36 may contact the impeller 28, at least partially. In this embodiment, at least partially, there is a further gap, particularly an additional sealing gap, between the drive cone 36 and the impeller 28. The gaps and further gaps specified herein have a certain distance, specifically a specified distance of 1 mm in this embodiment. The distance depends on the pump size, application and / or the material thickness of the material used. In this exemplary configuration, the inlet element 32, the pump cone 34 and at least the outlet element 38 are realized at least partially integrally with the pump housing 30.

[0050] The pump device 10 includes a wear unit 14 for tracking wear of the pump unit 12 during operation. The pump unit 12 is covered by the wear unit 14 in at least a covering area 16. After the operation of the pump unit 12, wear of the pump unit 12, specifically wear of the material of the pump unit 12, is traceable, analyzable, and / or perceptible by the wear unit 14. During the operation of the pump unit 12, wear of the pump unit 12 may also be perceptible and / or traceable by detecting and / or analyzing the condition of the wear unit 14.

[0051] The wear unit 14 is positioned on the front side, specifically the surface, of the pump unit 12. In the covering area 16, the wear unit 14 contacts the pump unit 12 at its contact surface and conforms to the shape of the pump unit 12. When the wear unit 14 is positioned on the pump unit 12 in the covering area 16, the wear unit 14 is deformable and / or flexible and / or bendable and can conform to the shape of the pump unit 12. In this embodiment, the wear unit 14 is in direct contact with the pump unit 12, specifically without any intermediates. In this exemplary implementation, the wear unit 14 is realized as a coating of the pump unit 12.

[0052] Figure 3 shows a cross-sectional view of the wear unit 14 located in the pump unit 12. It can be seen that the wear unit 14 includes at least two wear layers 18, 20, and 26 in a stacked state. In this exemplary implementation, the wear unit 14 includes at least three wear layers, specifically a first wear layer 18, a second wear layer 20, and at least one third wear layer 26. The wear unit 14 may also include further wear layers. The wear unit 14 has at least a substantially constant material thickness in the covered area 16. In this embodiment, all wear layers 18, 20, and 26 of the wear unit 14 have a constant material thickness, which is constant regardless of manufacturing tolerances or constant within a standardized tolerance range. In this exemplary implementation, the material thickness of the wear unit 14 is at least 3 mm.

[0053] In this embodiment, the first wear layer 18 is a base layer positioned to contact the pump unit 12, specifically the front side of the pump unit 12, in a coplanar manner. The second wear layer 20 forms a separation layer. The second wear layer 20 does not directly contact the pump unit 12, specifically, it does not make contact without an intermediate. The second wear layer 20 is indirectly in contact with the pump unit 12 via the first wear layer 18, and is positioned on the first wear layer 18 to make contact in a coplanar manner, specifically directly, without an intermediate. In this embodiment, the third wear layer 26 is a coating layer. The third wear layer 26 does not directly contact the pump unit 12, specifically, it does not make contact without an intermediate. The third wear layer 26 is indirectly in contact with the pump unit 12 via the second wear layer 20 and / or the first wear layer 18. The third wear layer 26 is positioned on the second wear layer 20 to make contact in a coplanar manner, specifically directly, without an intermediate. The individual wear layers 18, 20, and 26 of the wear unit 14 are connected to each other by joining the materials.

[0054] The abrasion layers 18, 20, and 26 differ in at least one parameter. The abrasion layers 18, 20, and 26 may differ in at least material thickness. In this embodiment, all abrasion layers 18, 20, and 26 of the abrasion unit 14 have at least substantially the same material thickness. The material thickness of the first abrasion layer 18, the second abrasion layer 20, and the third abrasion layer 26 is at least 1 mm.

[0055] The parameters may be material-specific parameters. With regard to the optimization of the recognition and / or identification of the different wear layers 18, 20, 26 of the stacked wear unit 14, and / or a more comfortable, simpler, and / or more efficient implementation form, the parameters are optical parameters. Optical parameters are parameters that are visible and / or perceptible to at least one user and / or installer. Furthermore, the parameters are color parameters. Alternatively, and / or in addition thereto, the parameters may be structural parameters that characterize the structuring of at least one surface of one of the wear layers.

[0056] The abrasion layers 18, 20, and 26 each have different colors. In this embodiment, the two abrasion layers 18, 20, and 26 of each abrasion unit 14, which are stacked directly, specifically without an intermediate layer, have different colors. In this exemplary implementation, the first abrasion layer 18 has a reddish color. The second abrasion layer 20 has a different color from the first abrasion layer 18, specifically, for example, a yellowish or orange color. The third abrasion layer 26 has a different color from the first abrasion layer 18 and / or the second abrasion layer 20, specifically, for example, green, blue, or black. Otherwise, each of the individual abrasion layers 18, 20, and 26 may have any conceivable color that is deemed convenient by those skilled in the art. In this embodiment, the abrasion layer implemented as a coating layer, here the third abrasion layer 26, has a color that matches the color of the pump unit 12 and / or the implementation configuration in terms of color.

[0057] In this embodiment, the covering area 16 extends at least partially to the impeller 28, pump housing 30, inlet element 32, and at least to the pump cone 34. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the covering area extends at least partially to the outlet element 38 and the drive cone 36 (see Figure 4).

[0058] Figure 5 schematically shows a progress flow diagram of a method for producing the pump unit 10. In this embodiment, the method for producing the pump unit 10 includes at least one preparation step 98. In preparation step 98, material is removed at least partially from the pump unit 12. In this exemplary implementation, in preparation step 98, a material layer with a thickness of at least 3 mm is removed from the pump unit 12, specifically in the coating area 16. The material is removed uniformly from the pump unit 12. As a result, uniform application of the wear unit 14 in the coating area 16 can be ensured. Furthermore, it is also conceivable that the material of the pump unit 12 is removed outside the coating area 16. Alternatively, preparation step 98, specifically material removal, can be omitted. In particular, in the production of pumps manufactured continuously, preparation step 98 may be omitted for process engineering reasons.

[0059] In processing step 100, the pump unit 12 is covered by the wear unit 14 in at least the covering area 16. With respect to the time progression of the method, processing step 100 is performed after preparation step 98 (see Figure 5). In processing step 100, the wear unit 14 is attached integrally to the pump unit 12, specifically by joining the materials. Processing step 100 is a surface coating step for coating the pump unit 12 with the wear unit 14. In this exemplary embodiment, the wear unit 14 is at least partially injection molded onto the pump unit 12.

[0060] The method for producing the pump device 10 includes a post-processing step 102. With respect to the time progression of the method, the post-processing step 102 is performed after the processing step 100 (see Figure 5). In the post-processing step 102, the material is removed from the wear unit 14, at least partially. In the post-processing step, a layer of material with a thickness of at least 0.1 mm is removed from the wear unit 14. In this embodiment, the material is removed uniformly from the front side of the wear unit 14. This allows for repairs and / or improvements in the dimensionality of the structure of the pump device 10, and allows for refinement of the final dimensions of the structure. [Explanation of symbols]

[0061] 10 Pumping device 12 Pump Units 14 wear units 16 Covered area 18 Abrasion layer 20 wear layers 26 Abrasion layer 28 Impeller 30 Pump Housing 32 Entrance Elements 34 Pump Cone 36 Drive cone 38 Exit element 50 pumps 52 Containment Area 60 Pump System 62 Drive Unit 64 shaft 98 Preparation Steps 100 processing steps 102 Post-processing steps

Claims

1. The system comprises at least one pump unit (12) and a wear unit (14) for tracking wear of the pump unit during operation. The pump device (10) is such that the pump unit (12) is covered by the wear unit (14) in at least the covering area (16).

2. In the covered area (16), the wear unit (14) abuts against the pump unit (12) at its contact surface and conforms to the shape of the pump unit (12), as described in claim 1, the pump device (10).

3. The pump device (10) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the wear unit (14) has at least substantially constant material thickness in the covered area (16).

4. The pump device (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the wear unit (14) is realized as a coating of the pump unit (12).

5. The pump device (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the wear unit (14) comprises at least two wear layers (18, 20, 26) which are stacked and differ in at least one parameter.

6. The pump device (10) according to claim 5, wherein the aforementioned parameters are optical parameters.

7. The pump device (10) according to claim 6, wherein the optical parameter is a color parameter.

8. The pump device (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the pump unit (12) comprises an impeller (28) on which the covering area (16) extends at least partially.

9. The pump device (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the pump unit (12) comprises a pump housing (30) to which the covering area (16) extends at least partially.

10. The pump device (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the pump unit (12) comprises an inlet element (32), particularly a wear ring, to which the covering area (16) extends at least partially.

11. The pump device (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the pump unit (12) comprises a pump cone (34) to which the covering area (16) extends at least partially.

12. A method for producing a pump device (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, comprising at least one pump unit (12) and a wear unit (14) for tracking wear of the pump unit during operation, A method wherein, in processing step (100), the pump unit (12) is covered by the wear unit (14) in at least the covering area (16).

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein the wear unit (14) is at least partially injection-molded onto the pump unit (12).

14. The method according to claim 12 or 13, wherein in the preparation step (98), the material is at least partially removed from the pump unit (12).

15. The method according to claim 14, wherein in the post-processing step (102), the material is at least partially removed from the wear unit (14).

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