Centrifugal Pump Casing with Offset Discharge Nozzles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Centrifugal pumps used in firefighting applications often require a high profile to accommodate discharge at opposite ends, limiting space efficiency and flexibility in vehicle placement and configuration.
Innovation Solution
A single-piece pump casing design with offset discharge nozzles and a joint-water path allows for a low-profile installation on a vehicle, enabling discharge on both sides and accommodating a main drive shaft, while maintaining efficient fluid flow and operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a centrifugal pump is designed with discharge outlets at opposite ends to enable discharge on both sides of a vehicle, then the pump's functionality and versatility are improved, but the pump's profile height increases, reducing space efficiency and flexibility in vehicle placement
Solution Approach 1:
The pump casing employs asymmetric design where the first discharge outlet is positioned at a greater vertical distance from the lower casing wall compared to the second discharge outlet. This asymmetric arrangement allows the pump to achieve dual-sided discharge capability while maintaining a reduced overall profile height, resolving the contradiction between versatility and compactness
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes offset discharge outlets positioned above the horizontal centerline of the casing, transitioning the discharge configuration from a vertical arrangement to a horizontally offset arrangement. This dimensional change enables both sides discharge functionality while minimizing the vertical profile height requirement
2Area of stationary object
If the pump is positioned at a low profile on the vehicle chassis to maximize space utilization, then storage and space efficiency are improved, but the discharge outlets may interfere with the main drive shaft or other vehicle components
Solution Approach 1:
The asymmetric positioning of discharge outlets, with the first outlet extending further from the lower casing wall than the second outlet, creates an offset configuration that clears the main drive shaft path. This allows low-profile installation while preventing interference with vehicle components
Solution Approach 2:
The pump casing integrates multiple discharge configurations within a single low-profile structure, enabling the pump to discharge fluid in multiple directions (upward and downward) while maintaining clearance from the drive shaft, thus achieving both space efficiency and component compatibility
3Length of moving object
If the discharge outlets are offset above the horizontal centerline of the casing, then the pump can be positioned lower to avoid the main drive shaft, but the piping connection complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple discharge functions into a single integrated casing structure with offset outlets. The first and second discharge outlets are both incorporated into the same casing at different vertical positions, simplifying the overall piping configuration while achieving the desired low vertical position
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The design achieves space savings and flexible positioning of the pump within a vehicle, allowing for efficient discharge on both sides and minimizing interference with the vehicle's components, enhancing storage and functionality.
Implementation Method 1
Centrifugal pumps have been commonplace for ages and have been used in numerous applications
Data Source
AI summary
Single suction centrifugal pumps, pump casings, pump systems and vehicles for using pumps which include a single piece casing having a first cut-water fluid flow path, a first discharge nozzle, and a second discharge nozzle, the first cut-water fluid flow path communicating with the first discharge nozzle and the second discharge nozzle and the nozzles being situated at opposing ends of the pump such that center outputs of the nozzles are offset from a horizontal centerline of the casing and the first nozzle is positioned a greater distance from a lower casing wall of the pump as compared to the second nozzle so that the casing may be connected to output piping for both sides of the vehicle and at a low profile within the vehicle.