Pump Casing With Integral Support Flange for Bracket-Free Mounting
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current support arrangements for vertically oriented centrifugal pumps in marine environments require additional parts and increase production and installation time and cost, while also increasing the overall height, weight, and footprint of the pump due to the need for external brackets to secure the pump to the ship's foundation.
Innovation Solution
A pump casing with an integral support flange that is cast as a single piece with the suction flange, providing a direct and stable attachment to the foundation without the need for external brackets, utilizing a radial extension of the suction flange with fastener openings positioned radially outward for secure fixation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If external brackets are used to support the pump to the foundation, then the pump can be securely fixed to withstand sea forces, but the overall height, weight, and footprint of the pump increases
Solution Approach 1:
The support flange is integrated directly into the pump casing structure, merging the support function with the existing pump body. This eliminates the need for separate external brackets while maintaining the ability to securely fix the pump to the foundation, thereby reducing overall height, weight, and footprint.
Solution Approach 2:
The pump casing is designed to serve multiple functions: it contains the impeller, provides suction and discharge connections, and simultaneously acts as a support structure through the integrated support flange. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for dedicated external support brackets.
2Reliability
If external brackets are used to support the pump, then the pump can be securely fixed to the foundation, but production and installation time and cost increase due to additional parts fabrication and joining
Solution Approach 1:
The support flange is cast as an integral part of the pump casing during the same manufacturing process, eliminating the need for separate fabrication and joining operations. This reduces both production time and installation time while maintaining secure support capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The support flange is pre-formed as part of the pump casing manufacturing process, so that when the pump is installed, the support structure is already in place and ready for immediate bolting to the foundation, eliminating on-site fabrication and reducing installation time.
3Reliability
If external brackets are used to support the pump, then the pump can be securely fixed, but the overall height and weight of the pump increases
Solution Approach 1:
The support function is merged into the pump casing itself, eliminating the need for separate external brackets. This integration reduces the overall weight of the pump assembly while maintaining the ability to securely support the pump against heavy sea forces.
Solution Approach 2:
The support function is extracted from the external bracket system and incorporated directly into the pump casing structure. This eliminates the additional weight of separate support components while maintaining the necessary support stability.
Data Source
AI summary
A grey water treatment system includes a first tank configured to receive grey water via a grey water supply conduit and that comprises an overflow, a second tank configured to store grey water, and at least one transfer conduit configured to at least transfer grey water between the first tank and the second tank. A control is configured to maintain a water level in said first tank sufficiently close to the overflow to allow floating contaminants to pass over the overflow. A method of treating grey water includes: receiving grey water in a first tank of a grey water treatment system; transferring grey water via at least one transfer conduit between the first tank and a second tank of said treatment system; and controlling a water level in said first tank sufficiently close to an overflow of said first tank to allow floating contaminants to pass over the overflow.