United States Patent (19) 11 3,738,773

Tinker
(45) June 12, 1973
54) BLADELESS PUMP MPELLER 2,254,127 8/1941 Underwood.................... 416/179 X
75 Inventor: Walter H. Tinker, Frankfort, Ohio 3,083,538 4/1963 Gross........................... 416/179 UX
73 Assignee: The Tait Manufacturing Company, 3,170,638 2/1965 Burton......................... 416/179 UX
Dayton, Ohio 3,249,340 5/1966 Pinto............................ 416/179 UX
3,278,295 10/1966 Ostberg et al................ 416/179 UX
22 Filed: Oct. 20, 1971 3,504,990 4/1970 Sugden............................... 416/179
(21) Appl. No.: 190,947. FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS
599,519 7/1934 Germany.............................. 415/90
Related U.S. Application Data 102,102 11/1923 Switzerland......................... 416/179
63 Continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 91,767, Nov. 23,
1970, abandoned. Primary Examiner-Everette A. Powell, Jr.
Attorney-Lawrence B. Biebel, Nathaniel R. French,
52) U.S. Cl.................................. 416/179,416/186 Dailey L. Bugget al.
(51 int. Cl................ ..................... F01d 1/34
58 Field of Search..................... 416/179, 184, 186 57 ABSTRACT
56 References Cited A bladeless pump impeller has a hollow, generally tu
UNITED STATES PATENTs bular body with an inlet end and an outlet end commu
3,323,464 6/1967 Benton et al....................... 416/179
nicating with the hollow interior. The inlet to the impel
3,576,316. 4/1971 Kaelin.......................... 416/186 UX
ler is of generally circular cross-section and the outlet
3,647,324 3/1972 Rafferty et al................. 415/90 UX is of generally oblong cross-section, the interior wall of
1645,614 10/1927 Monahan............................ 416/179 the impeller providing a smooth transition from the
inlet to the outlet.
1,865,918 7/1932 - Junkers............................... 416/179
10 Claims, 25 Drawing Figures
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BLADELESS PUMP MPELLER Another type of bladeless pump using an effect simi
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION lar to the Burrell pump is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.
This application is a continuation-in-part application 2,301,722 (C.S. Vaughn, issued Nov. 10, 1942).
Vaughn discloses a pump wherein a paddle wheel flush
of my copending application, now abandoned, entitled with the walls of the container is used to rotate the fluid
BLADELESS PUMP IMPELLERS, Ser. No. 91,767, within the container. The resulting centrifugal vortex
filed Nov. 23, 1970. then expels the fluid over the rim of the container.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Bladeless centrifugal pumps are also known which
rely entirely upon shear forces for rotating the fluid.
This invention relates to pumps, and more particu 10. Such pumps would also be capable of handling fluids
larly to impellers for use in pumping fluids which may containing suspended solids such as are encountered in
have a considerable amount of solid and/or stringy ma some types of sewage systems. Examples of such pumps
terial suspended therein. may be found in U.S. Pat. No. 2,835,202 (F.W. Lauck,
Prior art pumps have generally been of either the re issued May 20, 1958), and pages 49-50 of Product En
ciprocating or continuous type, the latter including 15 gineering, May 6, 1968. These references disclose.
both bladed and bladeless pumps. The bladed type of pumps wherein the container is caused to rotate and
continuous pump is quite familiar in the art, and exam the smooth walls thereof induce a sympathic rotation
ples thereof may be found in such references as U.S. of the fluid due to the shear forces between the fluid
Pat. No, 2,366,964 (G.P.E. Howard, issued Jan. 9, and the walls. The rotating fluid forms a vortex and
1945), and U.S. Pat. No. 3,504,990 (D.B. Sugden, is 20 overflows at the rim of the container.
sued Apr. 7, 1970). The limitations of the bladeless or shear vortex
The Howard patent is an example of a centrifugal pumps as well as the Vaughn paddle pump should be
bladed pump. Such pumps use blades to force the fluid readily apparent. These pumps have only a very limited
to rotate and to generate a centrifugal head, and are pumping capacity and develop relatively low pumping
well known in the art. 25 pressure. Thus although valuable in certain applica
The Sugden patent presents examples of a bladed tions, these pumps would not be practical in the typical
pushing pump which relies primarily on axially pushing sewage handling situation.
surfaces to move the fluid. Propellers, and screws are It may therefore be seen that the bladed type of prior
common examples, and the various impellers disclosed art pump has not been practical for handling fluid con
in Sugden present blades and blade-like sections which 30 taining large amounts of suspended solids because of
are shaped to provide a continuously changing pitch in the risk of fouling. Similarly, prior art bladeless pumps
order to push the fluid along. Sugden also provides ex have suffered either from the risk of fouling or from a
amples of a combined-function type of bladed design limited pumping capacity.
wherein pushing surfaces are also combined with lifting 35 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
surfaces formed by carefully modulating and altering
the shape and pitch of the impeller blade on both sur It is therefore an object of this invention to provide
faces. The Sugden impeller combines the pushing upon an improved bladeless pump impeller having the capac
the fluid with a cyclical and undulating action per ity to pump fluids containing substantial quantities of
formed upon the fluid in order also to obtain a lifting 40 suspended solids and stringy material while remaining
effect with the fluid for enhanced performance. free from fouling or clogging due to the suspended ma
Examples of bladeless pumps may be found in such terial.
patents as German Patent No. 714,289 of 1941, U.S. It is another object of this invention to provide such
Pat. No. 1,074,043 (M.W. Breuer, issued Sept. 23, a bladeless pump impeller which can pump large quan
1913), and U.S. Pat. No. 1,007,266 (D.V. Burrell, is tities of such fluids while developing a substantial pres
sued Oct. 31, 1911). These impellers achieve their 45 sure head.
pumping effects by rotating tubular sections such that A further object of this invention is to provide such
the fluid is carried around in these tubular sections in an improved bladeless pump impeller which is uncom
circular paths. The Volbracht and Breuer devices wind plicated, reliable, durable, and economical in construc
the pipes in screw-like fashion of ever increasing diam 50 tion.
eter so that the increasing centrifugal forces upon the Briefly, one embodiment of this invention includes a
fluid tend to carry it ever farther and farther along the hollow tubular body having an inlet at one end and an
pipes. The Burrell device rotates several pipe branches outlet at the opposite end. The inlet is of circular shape;
at the bottom of a column of water causing the entire the outlet is of a generally oblong shape. The smaller
column to rotate. The rotation causes centrifugal 55 dimension of the outlet is generally as large as the inlet,
forces at the top of the column to carry water over the and the larger dimension of the outlet is greater.
top edges thereof, resulting in the pumping effect. The interior walls of the impeller connect the inlet to
The difficulty with the bladed and bladeless pumps the outlet smoothly. There are no sharp edges nor
thus far discussed is that their capacity for handling flu curved lifting or bladed surfaces. In the preferred em
ids containing suspended solid material, such as sew bodiment, a line traced from a point on the outlet di
age, is generally quite limited. In the bladed pumps, the 60 rectly along an interior wall to its corresponding point
edges of the blades may come into contact with and/or at the inlet will be a straight line, such as is found on
become entangled in the suspended material, as may a straight edge. As the fluid passes through the impel
also internal and external edges and modulations which ler, its configuration is therefore gradually altered from
may have been incorporated to provide lifting surfaces. 65 that of a circular column to that of an oblong column.
Similarly, the tubular portions of the bladeless pumps The impeller is rotated about an axis which passes
may become fouled with the solid and/or stringy mate symmetrically through the centers of both the inlet and
rial suspended in the fluid. outlet. As the fluid passes through the body into the in
 3,738,773
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creasingly oblong portions, it changes its shape accord 19, and showing an embodiment of this invention
ingly. The fluid is therefore increasingly forced to ro adapted for submerged agitation of fluid as well as the
tate with this oblong portion, almost as if it were a solid pumping thereof;
body. Since there is no internal blading, the rotational FIG. 18 is a side view of the impeller of FIG. 17;
acceleration of the fluid is caused solely by the tangen- 5 FIG. 19 is a bottom view of the impeller of FIG. 17;
tial sidewall action within the impeller. FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view of the impeller of
At the outlet end of the impeller, the rotating, FIG. 17 taken along line 20-20 of FIG. 17;
oblong-shaped fluid has developed a significant centrif FIG. 21 is a side view, partially in section, of an em
ugal head. This centrifugal head causes the fluid to be bodiment of this invention according to FIG. 17 em
thrown off as it passes the outlet of the impeller. 10 ployed in an aeration and mixing device;
Succinctly stated, the pumping action of the impeller FIG. 22 is a cross-sectional view of the impeller of
might be described as follows. A sort of "prior displace FIGS. 23-25, taken along line 22-22 of FIG. 23, and
ment' effect is utilized wherein the removal of fluid at showing an impeller adapted for use in a constricted
the outlet of the impeller causes more fluid to be drawn environment such as a pump housing;
into the inlet. The fluid which is drawn into the inlet is 15 FIG. 23 is a cross-sectional view of the impeller of
then forced to undergo a change of shape. The change FIG. 22 taken along the line 23-23 of FIG.22;
of shape into an oblong configuration enables the im FIG. 24 is a cross-sectional view of the FIG. 25 de
peller to force the fluid to rotate. Once the fluid is ro vice taken along line 24-24 of FIG. 25 and showing an
tating, the centrifugal pressures of the rotating fluid impeller according to FIG.22 utilized in a modified vo
expel the fluid from the outlet of the impeller. The dis 20 lute centrifugal pump; and
placement of the rotating fluid from the outlet of the FIG. 25 is a cross-sectional view of the device of FIG.
impeller then causes additional fluid to be drawn into 24 taken along line 25-25 of FIG. 24.
the inlet, and the cycle is continuously repeated. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED
It is also noteworthy that the impeller may be rotated EMBODEMENT
in either direction with equal pumping efficiencies. 25
This reversibility is a result of the absence of conven FIGS. 1-5 show an embodiment of this invention
tional blading within the impeller as well as the lifting suitable for submerged application in pumping fluids
and pushing surfaces associated therewith. containing substantial quantities of suspended solids,
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS such as sewage. The impeller 30 has a generally hollow,
30 tubular body 31. The inlet 32 to impeller 30 is defined
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of this by a portion of impeller wall 33 of generally cylindrical
invention adapted for submerged applications; section, defining thereby a circuit inlet 32. The outlet
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the impeller of 34 of impeller 30 is defined by a portion of wall 33 of
FIGS. 1-5 taken along line 2-2 of FIG. 3; generally oblong section which is located on the end of
FIG. 3 is a cross-sections view of the impeller taken 35 impeller 30 opposite the inlet end.
along line 3-3 of FIG. 2; The outlet end of the impeller has extensions 38 at
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the impeller of tached thereto with a hub portion 39 extending be
FIGS. 1-5 taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 3; tween the extensions 38. Hub portion 39 has a boss 40
FIG. 5 is a side view, partially, in section, of a mixing 40
or other means which may be attached to a drive means
and aeration device utilizing the impeller of FIG. 1; (not shown) to rotate impeller 30 about its principal
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an embodiment of this axis. The principal axis passes symmetrically through
invention for use in surface aeration; inlet 32 and outlet 34. Extensions 38 support the hub
FIG. 7 is a top view of the impeller of FIG. 6. portion 39 at a distance from the outlet end in order to
FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the FIG. 7 device reduce the obstructing effect of hub means 39 opposite
taken along line 8-8 of FIG. 7; outlet 34 of the impeller. It should be noted in this con
FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the impeller of nection that the outlet opening of the impeller extends
FIG. 8 taken along line 9-9 of FIG. 8; completely across the outlet end of the impeller, and
FIG. 10 is a side view, partially in section, of an aera removal of hub 39 to a distance therefrom is therefore
tion device utilizing the embodiment of FIG. 6 of this 50
advantageous to the impeller action.
invention; The maximum diameter of the oblong outlet 34 of
FIG. 11 shows a device similar to the FIG. 10 device, impeller 30, defined by wall portions 33, is greater than
with the impeller having a rounded inlet and with the the minimum diameter thereof and is also greater than
motor mounted above the liquid; the diameter of the inlet 32 of the impeller. The mini
F.G. 12 is a cross-sectional view of a stern of a boat 55 mum diameter of the oblong wall portion of outlet 34
showing an embodiment of this invention in combina of impeller 30 is generally as large as or larger than the
tion with straightening vanes to promote an axial dis diameter of the inlet 32 of impeller 30. The last condi
charge for developing thrust; tion is not necessary but is preferable in order to avoid
FIG. 13 is an end view, looking from the right, show constrictions in the impeller which might lead to clog
ing the straightening vanes therein; 60 ging of suspended solids.
FIG. 14 is a view of the outlet end of the impeller of In the preferred embodiment, the wall portions 33 of
the FIG. 12 device; the interior of impeller 30 define a smooth and continu
FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of the impeller of ous transition from the circular inlet 32 to the oblong
FIGS. 12-16 taken along line 15-15 of FIG. 14; outlet 34. The interior is therefore a single channel
FIG.16 is a cross-sectional view of the impeller taken which changes gradually along the axial direction from
along line 16-16 of FIG. 14; a substantially round passage at the inlet end to an es
FIG. 17 is a side view, partially in section, of the im sentially oblong passage, in cross section, at the outlet
peller of FIGS. 18-21 taken along line 17-17 in FIG. end. The oblong or out of round configuration at the
 5
3,738,773
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outlet 34 is therefore able to rotate the fluid within the means subject to reversals in directions. Whatever may
impeller substantially as a solid body. As shown in be the need to make the drive reversible, the impeller
FIGS. 1-5, the longer wall portions 43 on two sides are of this invention would then require no compensating
generally flat and parallel while the other two shorter gear shift.
sides 44 are curved with increasing radii. The radii of 5 The reversibility of this impeller may also be appreci
the curved walls 44, as measured on the plane of rota ated in certain difficult applications where fluids con
tion of the impeller, increase gradually as one passes taining substantial suspended stringy or solid material
along the axis of rotation from the inlet 32 to the outlet may be encountered. As discussed above, the contour
34. of the impeller presents a smooth exterior and no sharp
That the interior walls of the impeller connect the O contour changes on the interior in order to prevent any
inlet 32 to the outlet 34 smoothly and with no internal of the suspended material from clogging the impeller or
blading may be seen by tracing a line from any point on becoming entangled on the drive shaft. Should clogging
outlet 34 directly along an interior wall to its corre occur in any part of the pump, however, this material
sponding point on the inlet 32. Such a line will be may be disloged simply by reversing the impeller with
straight, such as is commonly found on a straight edge. 5 no change in the impeller functioning.
In order to present a smooth exterior to the fluid in In operation, therefore, the pump utilizes an effect
which impeller 30 is immersed, skirt portions 46 are similar to that of “prior displacement.” The removal of
provided along the exterior of impeller 30. Skirt por the fluid at the outlet 34 of the impeller causes the fluid
tions 46 cooperate with the wall portions 43 and 44 of within the channel to be drawn along toward the outlet
impeller 30 to give impeller 30 a generally circular or 20 and additional fluid to be drawn into the inlet 32. As
conical external outline. That is, the skirt portions co the fluid passes along through the interior of the impel
operate with a wall portion of the impeller to yield a ler, the shape of the fluid is changed, as discussed
circular external outline at any radial section taken above, allowing it to be forced to rotate. The rotation,
along the axis of the impeller. Impeller 30 is then in turn, causes the fluid to be expelled from the outlet
shaped somewhat similarly to a frustum attached to a 25 of the impeller, and this "prior displacement' cycle is
cylindrical section. repeated.
The extensions 38 which support hub portion 39 are The extensions 38 of the wall portions 33 are pro
shown in this embodiment as also comprising exten vided to remove the hub means 39 some distance from
sions 47 of skirt 46 in order to complete the smooth ex the outlet portion of the impeller in order to allow the
terior of impeller 30. Hub portion 39 then fully covers 30 hub means 39 to be larger and stronger without materi
these extensions in order to complete the smooth exte ally affecting the flow of fluid as it leaves the impeller.
O.
This feature may be more fully appreciated by compar
In operation, the impeller is caused to rotate about its ing FIGS. 6 and 22 (which will be discussed in greater
principal axis by means of a drive means (not shown) detail below). The extensions 68, or webs, of the wall
attached to boss 40 on hub portion 39. As impeller 30 35 portion 65 may be clearly seen in FIG. 6, with hub
rotates about this axis, fluid which is contained in the means 69 attached across the ends thereof. The em
oblong portion of the impeller is forced to rotate due bodiment of FIG. 22 does not include such webs and
to the oblong configuration. As it rotates, it experi hub means 140 is attached directly across the outlet
ences centrifugal forces and tends to move toward the 40 136 of impeller 134.
outlet end 34 of the impeller. As the fluid passes be FIG. 5 illustrates an application of the impeller of
yond the outlet end of the impeller, extensions 38 FIG. 1 for submerged circulation and aeration of a fluid
maintain the fluid in full rotation and also assist in ac 50 which may or may not contain suspended solid ma
celerating portions of the fluid moving radially out terial. Fluid 50 is shown as being contained generally
wardly. The fluid leaving the impeller draws additional in a container 51. Impeller 30 is driven by a suitable
fluid into and along the interior of the impeller, the im 45 drive means, illustrated here as a submerged motor 52
peller changing the shape of the fluid from columnar to adjacent impeller 30. A hollow air pipe 54 extends
oblong as it passes through. above the surface of the fluid and has a supporting noz
The fluid in the oblong portions of the impeller is zle 55 attached thereto adjacent the inlet 32 to impeller
caused to rotate solely by the tangential sidewall action 30. In operation, impeller 30 will draw fluid in from the
of the walls 33 of the oblong portion of the impeller. 50 regions surrounding inlet 32 and will draw air through
There are no blades or blade-like surfaces in the inte air pipe 54 at the same time. The fluid and air will then
rior fluid channel of the impeller. The impeller func be mixed within impeller 30 and expelled through out
tions by changing the shape of the fluid from circular let 34 of impeller 30. The pumping action of impeller
to oblong whereby it becomes possible to force the 55 30 will simultaneously circulate the fluid 50 within the
fluid to rotate. Further, as the oblong shape of the fluid container 51.
becomes increasingly pronounced, the fluid may be The embodiments disclosed in the remaining figures
found
body.
more and more to rotate similarly as a solid are similar in construction to that shown in FIGS. 1-5,
and all operate on the same principles. The modifica
f's significant in this regard that this impeller is tions shown in these additional embodiments illustrate
equally effective regardless of the direction in which it 60 ways in which the impeller of this invention may be .
is rotated. This complete reversibility results in part adapted to make it particularly well suited to certain
from the absence of any blading or blade-like surfaces applications.
on the interior or the exterior of the impeller. The in Thus in FIGS. 6-11, an embodiment of the impeller
sensitivity of this invention to the direction of rotation 65 of this invention is shown which is particularly well
is in sharp contrast to bladed impellers and makes this suited for applications involving surface spray aeration
impeller particularly useful in those applications where or decorative fountains. The outlet 60 of the impeller
it may be desired to drive the impeller from a drive 61 is located above the surface of the liquid 62 (FIGS.
 3,738,773
7 8
10 and 11) so that the discharge from impeller 61 ex ing the desired thrust from the impeller. Straightening
pels the fluid 62 into the air above the surface of the vanes 104 are of smooth configuration with a taper
fluid. The liquid spray thereby presents a very large sur which retreats in the direction of the fluid flow in order
face area to the surrounding air, effectively aerating it to prevent debris from snagging thereon. Similarly, hub
before it returns. means 95 has been modified to provide a generally
Thus FIGS. 6-9 show the circular inlet 64 and oblong smooth exterior, to direct the fluid into the vanes 104,
outlet 60 of the impeller 61 as defined by the wall por and otherwise to improve the flow characteristics
tions 65 thereof. The dimensions of the inlet and outlet within casing 103. The junction of the hub means 95
portions are similar to those of the embodiment shown with the extensions 106 has been rounded for the same
in FIGS. 1-4. O reason and the dimensions of the hub means 95 itself
The embodiment of FIGS. 6-9 also includes exten have been kept to a minimum in order to reduce inter
sions 68 which connect the hub means 69 with the im ference with the flow from the outlet 107 of the impel
peller 61. Hub means 69 has a boss 70 thereon for con ler 91.
nection with a drive means (not shown) to rotate im FIG. 3 illustrates the thrust embodiment of FIG. 12
peller 61 about its central axis. Web extensions 68 15 as seen when looking in the direction from right to left
serve to support hub means 69 at a distance from the into the right end of the FIG. 12 embodiment. Simi
outlet 60 of impeller 61 in order to minimize the effect larly, FIG. 14 presents an end view of impeller 91 itself.
of the hub portion 69 upon the exiting fluid. The utility of this impeller for certain propulsion ap
This embodiment also includes skirt portions 75 plications becomes readily apparent where fluids con
which serve to present a smooth exterior to the fluid 62 20 taining substantial amounts of suspended solids and
when this portion is immersed therein. The skirts 75 co stringy material, such as plants and debris, are encoun
operate with the wall portions 65 of impeller 61 giving tered. Such debris can cause considerable difficulty for
it a generally circular or conical exterior outline. The conventional bladed propulsion means, and may even
smooth exterior of the impeller serves to minimize agi be hazardous. The embodiment of FIGS. 12-16, how
tation of the fluid and to minimize fluid drag on the im 25 ever, provides propulsion in such debris-laden environ
peller, in order to improve the efficiency thereof. ments with a minimum of difficulty.
Similarly, the edges 76 and 77 of inlet 64 and outlet The initial starting thrust produced by the embodi
60 have been rounded in order to provide a smoother ment of FIGS. 12-16 is also likely to be greater than
flow pattern for fluid 62 as it enters and leaves impeller 30
that of conventional bladed impellers. At zero vehicle
61. velocity bladed impellers tend to suffer from cavitation
FIGS. 10 and 11 illustrate aeration or fountain appli when high thrust is desired. The impeller of this inven
cations utilizing the impeller of FIGS. 6-9. In FIG. 10 tion, however, is much more resistant to cavitation and
the impeller 61 is driven by a submerged motor 78 with the initial thrust produced thereby should be enhanced
the drive shaft 79 passing along the axis of rotation of accordingly.
the impeller and connected to the boss 70 on hub 35
It should also be noted that unlike bladed impellers,
means 69. Motor 78 and impeller 61 are suspended in the impeller of this invention is also relatively insensi
fluid 62 by a flotation device 80 with appropriate tive to off-axis inlet flow. Conventional bladed impel
bracket means 81 connecting to the motor 78. lers suffer from inlet flows which are not axial, thus
FIG. 11 illustrates an embodiment similar to FIG. 6-9 making the impeller of this invention useful in those ap
wherein the motor 84 is not submerged as in FiG. 10. 40
plications where an on-axis inlet flow is difficult to
Instead, drive motor 84 is suspended above a float 85 maintain. In applications such as shown in FIGS. 12-16
by means of brackets 86 and cross bar 87. One advan it becomes possible for example to develop maximum
tage of the FIG. 11 application is that the drive shaft 88 efficiency while simultaneously optimizing the fluid
is external to fluid 62 and debris will therefore not wind
45
flow configuration.
around shaft 88. The inlet 64 to the impeller in FIG. 11 FIGS. 17-21 illustrate an application of this inven
is also shown as being modified by the addition of a tion for agitation as well as aeration of the fluid suspen
wide scooping mouth 89 in order to develop a sion. In this embodiment, wall portion 111 of the impel
smoother flow pattern at the inlet 64. FIG. 11 therefore ler 112, which defines the inlet 113, outlet 114, and in
illustrates one of many configurations which may be 50 terior of impeller 112, also defines the exterior of the
adopted without departing from the scope of the inven impeller. The hub portion 117 is attached to the impel
tion. ler by means of extensions 118. By presenting an irreg
FIGS. 12-16 illustrate an embodiment of the inven ular circumferential exterior to the medium in which it
tion adapted to provide an axial discharge to develop is immersed, impeller 112 will both pump and agitate
thrust. The impeller 91 is shown as being adapted for 55 the fluid as it rotates about its central axis.
propelling a boat 92 or other marine craft. Impeller 91 Thus in FIG. 21, the impeller 112 is shown mounted
is mounted on the stern 93 and is driven by a drive shaft in a container 121 and submerged in a fluid 122 which
94 connected to the hub means 95. Drive shaft 94 and is to be aerated and agitated. The hub portion 117 of
impeller 91 are supported by a stationary shroud 96, impeller 112 is attached to a shaft 124 which is driven
drive shaft 94 turning in a water lubricated rubber 60 by a motor 125. An aeration tube 127 is provided and
bearing 97. is connected to a source of air such as the surface of the
The boat is provided with a conventional water inlet container 121. The aeration tube 127 delivers the air
100 connecting directly to the impeller inlet 101. An to an air nozzle 128 adjacent the inlet 113 to impeller
outer casing 103 provided with straightening vanes 104 112. In operation, fluid and air are drawn through im
on the rear portion thereof surrounds impeller 91. The 65 peller 112, mixed, and caused to circulate within tank
casing 103 and straightening vanes 104 work coopera 121. Simultaneously impeller 112 agitates the fluid 122
tively to convert the generally radial and spiral dis in its immediate vicinity. This process may be per
charge from impeller 91 into an axial flow, thus provid formed satisfactorily even when fluid 122 contains con
 3,738,773
10
siderable suspended solid material. In fact, this impeller therefore present but one example of the adaptation of
is well adapted for emulsifying certain types of suspen the impeller of this invention to virtually any applica
SOS tion where existing bladed impellers would prove un
FIGS. 22-25 illustrate still another embodiment of satisfactory due to the presence of solid or stringy ma
this invention adapted for use, for example, in a volute terial within the liquid.
like pump housing 131. In this embodiment, the walls While the preferred embodiments of this invention
133 of the impeller 134 again define a circular inlet 135 have been shown in the drawings as having generally
and an oblong outlet 136 with dimensions similarly re flat impeller wall portions along the longer dimension,
lated as the other impellers. Skirt portions 138 are pro it should be clear that these walls could also have a
vided in order to give the impeller a smooth exterior. 10 curved configuration, such as an oval shape. If the walls
As with the other embodiments, therefore, the impeller were selected so that the plane tangential to any point
takes on a shape similar to that of a frustum. on the wall would be coincident with a plane tangential
This embodiment illustrates one modification of the to a point on the wall of a cylinder or frustum having
impeller which may be made where space limitations its axis coincident with the axis of rotation of the impel
are significant. The dimensions of impeller 134 have 15 ler, then no internal blade-like effects would obtain
been reduced by the elimination of the extensions of even though the walls of the impeller were not flat. The
the other embodiments. Instead, the hub means 140 in propulsion of the fluid would be strictly due to centrifu
this embodiment is attached directly to the walls 133 of gal forces. And, of course, such an impeller would still
the impeller 134 at the outlet end. In this case hub be completely reversible. It will be observed in this re
means 140 has been especially contoured with smooth, 20 gard that the shorter walls of the impeller, as described
curved surfaces in order to minimize the interference in the various embodiments above, are in fact curved
thereof with the fluid exiting from the impeller. As in as just set forth. However, experimental evidence at
the other embodiments hub means 140 is provided with this time indicates that where the longer dimension is
a boss 141 for attachment of the impeller 134 to a drive concerned, substantially flat or planar walls are supe
means for rotation of the impeller about its central axis. 25 O.
FIGS. 24 and 25 show the impeller within a volute It should also be noted that where the exterior outline
like pump housing 131 having an inlet 145 and an out of the impeller is circular or frustoconical, the body of
let 146. The pump housing 131 is not shown as being the impeller could equally well be considered as being
a true volute because this application is intended for the frustoconical exterior. In that case the internal wall
use where the fluid may contain considerable quantities portions would comprise a pair of internal partition
of suspended solids which might be sizeable. The re means which generate the oblong internal cross
gion 148 above the outlet end of the impeller 134 is ac section.
cordingly shown as being large in relation to the size of While the forms of apparatus herein described con
the pump housing inlet 145 and to the impeller inlet 35 stitute preferred embodiments of the invention, it is to
134. Likewise, as may be seen in FIGS. 24 and 25, the be understood that the invention is not limited to these
circumference of the discharge portion 149 of the precise forms of apparatus, and that changes may be
pump housing 131 is larger than the maximum diame made therein without departing from the scope of this
ter of the oblong portion of the outlet end of impeller invention.
134. These larger dimensions are provided in order to 40 What is claimed is:
maintain a clearance for the suspended materials. 1. An impeller especially adapted to pump liquids
It will be recalled that in the typical volute pump containing substantial quantities of suspended solids,
housing, the diameter of the discharge end of the hous comprising:
ing increases in the direction of rotation of the impeller
a. a tubular body open at both ends and throughout
as the outlet of the pump housing is approached. the interior thereof and having a central axis;
Where sizeable suspended solids are present, however, 45 b. said body having adjacent one end thereof a wall
the restrictions which are presented by the usual volute portion of cylindrical section defining a circular in
pump housing are likely to provide impediments to the let;
'solid material. Thus sizeable clearances are maintained c, said body having at the opposite end thereof a wall
in this embodiment in order to allow the solid material 50 portion of generally oblong section defining the
freely to pass. outlet of the impeller;
It is also clear that impeller 134 would be equally ef d. the maximum diameter of said oblong wall portion
fective in a standard volute-type centrifugal pump being substantially greater than the minimum di
housing when no solids were present or the solids were ameter thereof and the diameter of said inlet;
already highly emulsified. 55. e. the interior of said body defining a continuous axi
Impeller 134 produces a varying pressure head at ally extending pumping channel having a continu
varying radii which terminates as an average pressure ous, gradual, and smooth transition, free of internal
head at the outlet 146 of pump housing 131. blading, from said circular inlet wall portion to said
FIGS, 23 and 25 show the region 152 between the oblong outlet wall portion, said pumping channel
impeller walls 133 and the exterior skirt portions 138 60 having a substantially uniformly increasing oblong
as being filled with a suitable filler material 152. Filler cross section in the plane of rotation from said inlet
material 152 is selected for compatability with the sur toward said outlet;
rounding fluid medium. Of course the analogous re f, and hub means on said body for mounting said
gions in other embodiments may likewise be similarly body on a shaft for rotation on said axis to subject
filled where it is considered appropriate. 65 liquid in the interior of said body to increasingly
The embodiment of FIGS. 1-4 may also be used in positive rotation normal to said central axis, as the
applications such as volute pumps, and experiments shape of the fluid column gradually becomes in
therewith have proven highly successful. FIGS, 22-25 creasingly oblong in said pumping channel, said ro
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tation causing such liquid to flow from said inlet to said body;
said outlet. e. said partition means cooperating with portions of
2. An impeller as defined in claim 1 wherein the mini said outer wall to define a generally oblong outlet
mum diameter of said oblong portion is substantially from said body having a maximum diameter sub
the same as the diameter of said inlet. 5 stantially greater than the diameter of said inlet;
3. An impeller as defined in claim 1 wherein said hub f. the interior of said body defining a continuous axi
means comprise extensions on one end of said body, ally extending pumping channel having a continu
4. An impeller as defined in claim 1 wherein said hub ous, gradual, and smooth transition, free of internal
means comprise extensions on said oblong wall portion, blading, from said circular inlet to said oblong out
and a hub portion connected between the outer ends of 10 let, said pumping channel having a substantially
said extensions externally of said body. uniformly increasing oblong cross section in the
5. An impeller as defined in claim 1 comprising skirt plane of rotation from said inlet toward said outlet;
portions forming external continuations of said oblong g, and hub means on said body for mounting said
portion and cooperating therewith to impart a circular body on a shaft for rotation on said axis to subject
external outline to said body at all radial section lines 15 liquid in the interior of said body to increasingly
along said axis. positive rotation normal to said central axis, as the
6. An impeller as defined in claim 5 comprising shape of the fluid column gradually becomes in
means closing the interiors of said skirt portions sub creasingly oblong in said pumping channel, said ro
stantially flush with the outlet end of said body. tation causing such liquid to flow from said inlet to
7. An impeller as defined in claim 1 wherein the ex 20 said outlet.
ternal outline of said body in radial section varies pro 9. An impeller as defined in claim 8 wherein said hub
gressively from circular at said inlet to said oblong sec means comprise extensions on said partition means,
tion at the outlet end of said body. and a hub portion connected between the outer ends of
8. An impeller especially adapted to pump liquids said extensions and cooperating therewith to define a
containing substantial quantities of suspended solids, 25 pair of radially directed discharge ports from said out
comprising: let.
a. a tubular body open at both ends and throughout 10. An impeller as defined in claim 9 comprising cy
the interior thereof and having a central axis; lindrically curved skirt portions extending axially be
b. the outer wall of said body having a substantially yond said body from the larger end thereof substan
symmetrical frustoconical shape; 30 tially coextensive with said extensions on said partition
c. the smaller end of said body defining a circular means, said skirt portions cooperating with said exten
inlet to the impeller; sions and with said hub portion to enclose the spaces
d. a pair of partition means extending within said between said partition means and the surrounding wall
body in symmetrically opposed relation from a lo portions of said body.
cation adjacent said inlet to the opposite end of 35 k is a se

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