CROSS-REFERNCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This Application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/626,494, filed on February 5, 2018 and entitled“Tie-Rod Frame Plate for Centrifugal Pump,” which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates to pumps, and, in particular, to frame plates for centrifugal pumps.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE Centrifugal pumps are used in a variety of industries to process liquid mixtures containing particulate solids, commonly known as slurries. For example, slurries are moved, and sometimes pressurized, using centrifugal pumps (e.g., a mill circuit pump, etc.) in the mining and dredging industries. Centrifugal pumps generally include an impeller housed within a pump casing. An inlet in the pump casing directs the liquid slurry toward the impeller, and the impeller is rotated to disperse the slurry through the impeller and radially outward into a volute of the pump casing. From the volute, the slurry exits the pump through a discharge outlet of the pump casing. The pump casing therefore provides a pressure vessel which serves the dual function of collecting the slurry expelled by the impeller and converting the high kinetic energy flow at the impeller exit into potential (i.e., pressure) energy at the discharge outlet of the pump casing.

Centrifugal pumps used to pump slurries are subject to erosion and wear by the particles in the slurry flow, which may require costly repair and/or replacement of the pump. One solution for holding the pump casing and other components of centrifugal pumps is to attach front and rear frame plates that are interconnected and spaced apart from each other via tie rods. The pump is held within the cavity defined between the spaced-apart frame plates such that the frame plates cover the front and rear of the pump casing. The side of the pump casing from which the discharge outlet extends is typically larger to accommodate the outlet passage through which the slurry is discharged from the pump. But, while some centrifugal pumps have discharge outlets on the left side (as viewed from the front) of the pump casing, other centrifugal pumps provide the discharge outlet on the right side of the pump casing. Currently, dedicated left and right side frame plates are used to cover the discharge outlet of centrifugal pumps, depending on whether the particular pump has the discharge outlet on the left or right side, respectively, of the pump casing.

SUMMARY

This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter. Nor is it intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.

In a first aspect, a universal frame plate is provided for centrifugal pumps that include a pump casing. The frame plate includes a hub configured to be selectively mounted to a first pump casing having a discharge outlet located on a first side or a second pump casing having the discharge outlet located on a second side that is opposite the first side. The first side segment extends radially outward from the hub. The first side segment is configured to cover a base of the discharge outlet of the first pump casing when the frame plate is mounted to the first pump casing. The second side segment extends radially outward from the hub along opposite radial directions relative to the first side segment. The second side segment is configured to cover the base of the discharge outlet of the second pump casing when the frame plate is mounted to the second pump casing.

In some embodiments, the frame plate includes a central axis that extends approximately parallel to a flow direction of the discharge outlet when the frame plate is mounted to the first or second pump casing. The first and second side segments are symmetrical about the central axis.

In some embodiments, the first and second side segments define respective first and second half portions of the frame plate.

In some embodiments, the first and second side segments include respective first and second wings that extend outward from the hub in opposite directions. The first wing is configured to cover the base of the discharge outlet of the first pump casing when the frame plate is mounted to the first pump casing. The second wing is configured to cover the base of the discharge outlet of the second pump casing when the frame plate is mounted to the second pump casing.

In some embodiments, the first and second side segments include respective first and second wings that extend outward from the hub in opposite directions. The first and second wings being mirror images of each other about a central axis of the frame plate that extends approximately parallel to a flow direction of the discharge outlet when the frame plate is mounted to the first or second pump casing.

In some embodiments, the frame plate includes a circumference having an oblong shape.

In some embodiments, the frame plate includes a scalloped circumference.

In some embodiments, the frame plate includes a plurality of tie rod openings.

In a second aspect, a frame plate assembly is provided for centrifugal pumps having a pump casing that includes a discharge outlet. The frame plate assembly includes a first frame plate configured to be mounted to the pump casing of the centrifugal pump. The first frame plate includes a body having a central axis that extends approximately parallel to a flow direction of the discharge outlet of the pump casing of the centrifugal pump when the first frame plate is mounted to the pump casing. The body of the first frame plate includes first and second side segments that are symmetrical about the central axis such that the first and second side segments are mirror images of each other. The frame plate assembly includes a second frame plate configured to be mounted to the pump casing of the centrifugal pump such that a cavity is defined between the first and second frame plates. The first and second frame plates are configured to hold the pump casing of the centrifugal pump therebetween within the cavity.

In some embodiments, the frame plate assembly includes tie rods configured to secure the first and second frame plates together.

In some embodiments, the first and second side segments of the first frame plate include respective first and second wings that extend outward relative to the central axis in opposite directions. The first wing is configured to cover a base of the discharge outlet of a first pump casing having the discharge outlet located on a first side. The second wing is configured to cover the base of the discharge outlet of a second pump casing having the discharge outlet located on a second side that is opposite the first side.

In some embodiments, the body of the first frame plate includes a circumference having an oblong shape.

In some embodiments, the body of the first frame plate includes a scalloped circumference.

In some embodiments, the central axis is a first central axis and the body is a first body. The second frame plate includes a second body having a second central axis that extends approximately parallel to the flow direction of the discharge outlet of the pump casing when the second frame plate is mounted to the pump casing. The second body of the second frame plate includes third and fourth side segments that are symmetrical about the second central axis such that the third and fourth side segments are mirror images of each other.

In some embodiments, the body is a first body. The second frame plate includes a second body having third and fourth side segments having respective third and fourth wings that extend in opposite directions. The third wing is configured to cover a base of the discharge outlet of a first pump casing having the discharge outlet located on a first side. The fourth wing is configured to cover the base of the discharge outlet of a second pump casing having the discharge outlet located on a second side that is opposite the first side.

In a third aspect, a universal frame plate assembly is provided for centrifugal pumps that include a pump casing. The frame plate assembly includes a first frame plate configured to be selectively mounted to a first pump casing having a discharge outlet located on a first side or a second pump casing having the discharge outlet located on a second side that is opposite the first side. The first frame plate includes a first side segment configured to cover an enlarged portion of the first pump casing when the first frame plate is mounted on the first pump casing. The first frame plate includes a second side segment configured to cover the enlarged portion of the second pump casing when the first frame plate is mounted on the second pump casing. The frame plate assembly includes a second frame plate configured to be selectively mounted to the first or second pump casings such that a cavity is defined between the first and second frame plates. The first and second frame plates are configured to selectively hold the first pump casing or the second pump casing therebetween within the cavity.

In some embodiments, the first frame plate includes a central axis that extends approximately parallel to a flow direction of the discharge outlet when the first frame plate is mounted to the first or second pump casing. The first and second side segments are symmetrical about the central axis such that the first and second side segments are mirror images of each other. In some embodiments, the second frame plate includes third and fourth side segments. The third side segment is configured to cover the enlarged portion of the first pump casing when the second frame plate is mounted to the first pump casing. The fourth side segment is configured to cover the enlarged portion of the second pump casing when the second frame plate is mounted to the second pump casing.

In some embodiments, the second frame plate includes a central axis that extends approximately parallel to a flow direction of the discharge outlet when the first frame plate is mounted to the first or second pump casing. The second frame plate includes third and fourth side segments that are symmetrical about the central axis such that the third and fourth side segments are mirror images of each other.

In some embodiments, at least one of the first frame plate or the second frame plate includes a circumference having an oblong shape.

Other aspects, features, and advantages will become apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which are a part of this disclosure and which illustrate, by way of example, principles of the inventions disclosed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings facilitate an understanding of the various embodiments.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a centrifugal pump assembly according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a partially broken-away side elevational view illustrating a cross section of a portion of the centrifugal pump assembly shown in FIG. 1 according to an exemplary embodiment. FIG. 3 is a front elevational view of the centrifugal pump assembly shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

FIG. 4 is a front elevational view illustrating a frame plate assembly of the centrifugal pump assembly shown in FIGS. 1-3 fitted to a different centrifugal pump according to an exemplary embodiment.

Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Certain embodiments of the disclosure provide a universal frame plate for centrifugal pumps that include a pump casing. The frame plate includes a hub configured to be selectively mounted to a first pump casing having a discharge outlet located on a first side or a second pump casing having the discharge outlet located on a second side that is opposite the first side. The first side segment extends radially outward from the hub. The first side segment is configured to cover a base of the discharge outlet of the first pump casing when the frame plate is mounted to the first pump casing. The second side segment extends radially outward from the hub along opposite radial directions relative to the first side segment. The second side segment is configured to cover the base of the discharge outlet of the second pump casing when the frame plate is mounted to the second pump casing.

Certain embodiments of the disclosure provide universal frame plates that can be fitted to a host of different centrifugal pumps regardless of the position of the discharge outlet, which reduces the cost of centrifugal pumps in some examples. Centrifugal pumps can be originally manufactured with the frame plate assemblies disclosed herein or retrofitted with the frame plate assemblies disclosed herein. With the frame plates disclosed herein being configured to cover the bulk of the pump casing regardless of the position of the discharge outlet, the frame plate assemblies disclosed herein can not only be attached to new centrifugal pumps but can also be retrofitted to existing centrifugal pumps.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, an illustrative embodiment of a centrifugal pump assembly 100 is presented. The centrifugal pump assembly 100 includes a centrifugal pump 102 and a frame plate assembly 104. The centrifugal pump 102 includes a pump casing 106 having an inlet 108 (sometimes referred to as a“suction branch”) and a discharge outlet 110 (sometimes referred to as a“delivery branch”). In the illustrated example, the pump casing 106 includes a case 112, an insert plate 114 (not visible in FIG. 1), and a throatbush 116. As shown in FIG. 2, inner surfaces of the case 112, the insert plate 114, and the throatbush 116 define a volute 118 of the pump casing 106. An impeller 120 (not visible in FIG. 1) is held within the volute 118 of the pump casing 106. The impeller 120 is rotatably connected to a shaft 122 that is held by a base unit 124 of the centrifugal pump 102. The shaft 122 is configured to be coupled to a drive means (not shown, e.g., a motor, etc.) that drives rotation of the shaft 122 and thereby rotates the impeller 120.

In operation, slurry is drawn into the inlet 108 and into an eye 126 of the impeller 120. As the impeller 120 rotates, the slurry is driven radially outward through the impeller 120 and into the volute 118 of the pump casing 106. From the volute 118, the slurry is pushed through the discharge outlet 110 of the pump casing 106 and thereby discharged from the centrifugal pump 102.

The present disclosure contemplates any type of centrifugal pump 102. In some examples, the centrifugal pump 102 is a mill circuit pump, however, other types of centrifugal pumps can be used and are contemplated by the present disclosure. In the illustrated example, an inner surface of the case 112 defines a portion of the volute 118, as is described above. In other examples, the pump casing 106 includes a liner insert (not shown) having an inner surface that defines a portion of the volute 118 of the pump casing 106. The frame plate assembly 104 includes a frame plate 128 and a frame plate 130. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the frame plates 128 and 130 are each mounted to the pump casing 106. Specifically, the frame plate 128 is mounted to a front side 132 of the pump casing 106 and the frame plate 130 is mounted to a rear side 134 of the pump casing 106. When mounted to the pump casing 106 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the frame plates 128 and 130 are spaced apart such that a cavity 136 is defined between the frame plates 128 and 130. The pump casing 106 is held within the cavity 136 between the frame plates 128 and 130, as is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The frame plates 128 and 130 are secured together via a plurality of tie rods 138. Each of the frame plates 128 and 130 may be referred to herein as a“first” and/or a“second” frame plate. For the purposes of this disclosure, the side 132 of the pump casing 106 that faces away from the shaft 122 is considered the“front” side of the pump casing 106 while the side 134 the faces toward the shaft 122 is considered the“rear” side of the pump casing 106. But, it should be understood that the sides 132 and 134 can alternatively be considered the rear and front sides, respectively, of the pump casing 106. As such, each of the frame plates 128 and 130 can be considered a“front” or a“rear” frame plate.

As briefly described above, the frame plates 128 and 130 are secured together around the pump casing 106 through the series of tie-rods 138, which extend through corresponding openings 140 in the frame plates 128 and 130. The illustrated example shows four tie-rods 138 positioned in an upper half of each of the frame plates 128 and 130, and four tie-rods 138 positioned in a lower half of each of the frame plates 128 and 130. But, the present disclosure contemplates using any number of tie rods 138 arranged in any pattern along the frame plates 128 and 130. The connections of the tie rods 128 and 130 enable the frame plates 128 and 130 to be installed around any type of centrifugal pump 102 fitting within the width of the tie-rods 138. In some examples, more tie-rods 138 are used in the upper halves of the frame plate 128 and 130 than in the lower halves of the frame plates 128 and 130. In other examples, more tie- rods 138 are used in the lower halves of the frame plates 128 and 130 than the upper halves. For purposes of this disclosure, the“upper” halves of the frame plates 128 and 130 refer to the segments of frame plates 128 and 130 that extend above (as viewed in FIGS. 1 and 2) a central axis 142 (not shown in FIG. 2) that extends through the pump casing 106 (and are thus closer to the opening of the discharge outlet 110). Conversely, the“lower” halves of the frame plates 128 and 130 refer to the segments of the frame plates 128 and 130 that extend below (as viewed in FIGS. 1 and 2) the central axis 142 (and are thus further away from the opening of the discharge outlet 110).

In some examples, the frame plates 128 and/or 130 are fabricated from various types of iron, steel, and/or the like. In some particular examples, one or both of the frame plates 128 or 130 is made of ductile iron and thus retains optimal impact and fatigue resistance properties. Other types of iron are contemplated by the present disclosure, such as, but not limited to, cast iron, graphite iron, graphite cast iron, and/or the like. Customers could retain the frame plate 128 and/or the frame plate 130 and replace the pump casing 106 of the centrifugal pump 102 or the entire pump 102, as the pump casings 106 of centrifugal pumps 102 are sometimes fabricated from one more materials (e.g., a high-chrome material, etc.) that have a greater wear rate (i.e., may wear out at an increased rate) as compared to the frame plates 128 and/or 130 (e.g., when the frame plates 128 and/or 130 are fabricated from more durable iron and/or other material, etc.).

In some examples, the frame plates 128 and/or 130 include studs 144 and studs 146 that are used to fasten the frame plates 128 and 130 to the case 112, the insert plate 114, and the throatbush 116, respectively, of the pump casing 106. Though, it should be noted that, in some examples, the studs 144 are equidistantly positioned around the frame plates 128 and 130 to allow for uniform attachment to the pump casing 106 and to allow for relatively uniform pressure distribution. Similarly, the studs 146 are positioned equidistant around the frame plates 128 and 130 in some examples to provide for uniform attachment to the insert plate 114 and the throatbush 116 and thereby relatively uniform pressure distribution. The illustrated arrangement of the studs 144 and studs 146 represent but one example. Other examples position the studs 144 and/or studs 146 in a different manner on the frame plate 128 and/or the frame plate 130, and some examples do not include the studs 144 and/or the studs 146.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 3, in the example of the pump casing 106 of the centrifugal pump 102, the discharge outlet 110 extends on a side 148 of the pump casing 106. In other words, the pump casing 106 has the discharge outlet 110 located on the side 148. But, the discharge outlet 110 can be positioned on either side of the pump casing 106. In other words, other pump casings have the discharge outlet 110 located on a side 150 of the pump casing 106 that is opposite the side 148. For example, Figure 4 illustrates a centrifugal pump 202 that includes a pump casing 206 having a discharge outlet 210 that is located on the side 150 of the pump casing 206. Accordingly, the pump casings 106 and 206 have respective discharge outlets 110 and 210 located on opposite sides 148 and 150, respectively. Depending on the orientation from which the centrifugal pumps 102 and 202 are viewed, either of the sides

148 or 150 can be considered a right or a left side of the pump casing. When viewed from the front as shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 4, the pump casing 106 has the discharge outlet 110 located on the right side of the pump casing 106 such that the centrifugal pump 102 can be considered to have a right-oriented discharge, while the pump casing 206 has the discharge outlet 210 located on the left side of the pump casing 206 such that the centrifugal pump 202 can be considered to have a left-oriented discharge. Each of the pump cases 106 and 206 may be referred to herein as a“first” and/or a“second” pump casing. Each of the centrifugal pumps 102 and 202 may be referred to herein as a“first” and/or a“second” centrifugal pump.

In some examples, the pump casing is radially larger on the side of the discharge outlet. Specifically, and referring now to FIGS. 1 and 3, the discharge outlet 110 includes a base 152 that extends from the arcuate portion of the case 112 that defines a radially outer boundary of the volute 118 of the pump casing 106. The discharge outlet 110 includes a linear outlet segment 154 that extends outward from the base 152 in the direction of the arrow 156. As is shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the base 152 of the discharge outlet 110 defines an enlarged portion of the pump casing 106. Referring now to FIG. 4, the discharge outlet 210 of the pump casing 206 of the centrifugal pump 202 includes a base 252 that extends from the arcuate portion of a case 212 of the pump casing 206 that defines a radially outer boundary of a volute 218 of the pump casing 206. The discharge outlet 210 includes a linear outlet segment 254 that extends outward from the base 252 in the direction of the arrow 256. The base 252 of the discharge outlet 210 defines an enlarged portion of the pump casing 206, as is shown in FIG. 4.

Referring now to FIGS. 1-3, the frame plates 128 and 130 of the frame plate assembly 104 are configured (e.g., sized, shaped, and/or the like) such that the frame plates 128 and 130 can be selectively mounted on a pump casing having the discharge outlet located on the side 148 (e.g., the pump casing 106 of the centrifugal pump 102, etc.) or on a pump casing having the discharge outlet located on the side 150 (e.g., the pump casing 206 of the centrifugal pump 202 shown in FIG. 4). The frame plate 130 is not visible in FIG. 3. The frame plates 128 and 130 include respective bodies 158 and 160 and respective hubs 162 and 164. The hub 164 is not visible in FIG. 1). The hubs 162 and 164 are configured to be mounted, whether directly or indirectly, to the pump casing 106, for example using the studs 144 and/or the studs 146. The bodies 158 and 160 include respective central axes 166 and 168 (not shown in FIG. 1) that extend approximately parallel to a flow direction (i.e., the direction of the arrow 156) of the discharge outlet 110 when mounted to the pump casing 106 as shown in FIGS. 1-3. Each of the bodies 158 and 160 may be referred to herein as a“first” and/or a“second” body. Optionally, the body 158 of the frame plate 128 and/or the body 160 of the frame plate 130 includes a scalloped circumference, as is shown in the illustrated example. In other examples, the body 158 and/or the body 160 does not includes a scalloped circumference. Each of the central axes 166 and 168 may be referred to herein as a“first” and/or a“second” central axis.

Referring now to FIG. 3, the configuration of the frame plates 128 and 130 that enable the frame plates 128 and 130 to be selectively mounted on pump casings having the discharge outlet located on either of the sides 148 and 150 will now be described with reference to the frame plate 128. The body 158 of the frame plate 128 includes side segments 170 and 172 that extend radially outward from the hub 162. As should be apparent from FIG. 3, the side segments 170 and 172 extend radially outward from the hub 162 along opposite radial directions. In the illustrated example, the side segments 170 and 172 are symmetrical relative to each other about the central axis 166 such that the side segments 170 and 172 are mirror images of each other, as is shown in FIG. 3. In other words, in the illustrated example, the side segments 170 and 172 define two half portions of the frame plate 128 that, if folded along the central axis 166, would have substantially the same shape and dimensions. In other examples, the side segments 170 and 172 are not symmetrical about the central axis 166. Each of the side segments 170 and 172 may be referred to herein as a“first”,“second”,“third”, and/or“fourth” side segment. Moreover, each of the side segments 170 and 172 may be referred to herein as a“first” and/or a“second” half portion of the frame plate 128.

The side segments 170 and 172 include respective wings 174 and 176 that extend outward relative to the central axis 166 in opposite directions. As can be seen in FIG. 3, the body 158 of the frame plate 128 covers the case 112 of the pump casing 106 when the frame plate 128 is mounted to the pump casing 106 as shown in FIG. 3. As can also be seen in FIG. 3, the wing 174 covers the base 152 of the discharge outlet 110 of the pump casing 106. In other words, the wing 174 covers the enlarged portion of the pump casing 106 defined where the base 152 of the discharge outlet 110 extends from the case 112 of the pump casing 106. Although shown as covering the base 152 and a portion of the linear outlet segment 154 of the discharge outlet 110, the wing 174 may cover any portion and/or amount of the discharge outlet 110 so long as the wing 174 covers the base 152. In some other examples, the wing 174 is configured to cover an approximate entirety of the discharge outlet 110. Each of the wings 174 and 176 may be referred to as a“first”,“second”,“third”, and/or“fourth” wing.

The wing 176 of the frame plate 130 is configured to cover the base 252 of the discharge outlet 210 of the pump casing 206 of the centrifugal pump 202 when the frame plate 128 is used with the centrifugal pump 202. Specifically, and referring now to FIG. 4, the body 158 of the frame plate 128 covers the case 212 of the pump casing 206 of the centrifugal pump 202 when the frame plate 128 is mounted to the pump casing 206 of the centrifugal pump 202. As can be seen in FIG. 4, the wing 176 covers the base 252 of the discharge outlet 210 of the pump casing 206. In other words, the wing 176 covers the enlarged portion of the pump casing 206 defined where the base 252 of the discharge outlet 210 extends from the case 212 of the pump casing 206. The wing 176 may cover any portion and/or amount of the discharge outlet 210 so long as the wing 174 covers the base 252. In some other examples, the wing 174 is configured to cover an approximate entirety of the discharge outlet 210. Accordingly, the frame plate 128 provides a universal frame plate that can be used selectively with either of the pump casings 106 or 206.

In the illustrated example, the wings 174 and 176 are symmetrical relative to each other about the central axis 166 such that the wings 174 and 176 are mirror images of each other. In other examples, the wings 174 and 176 are not symmetrical about the central axis 166 so long as the wings 174 are configured (e.g., sized and shaped, etc.) to cover the respective bases 152 and 252. In the illustrated example, the wings 174 and 176 provide the body 158 of the frame plate 128 with a circumference having an oblong shape. In other examples, the circumference of the body 158 does not have an oblong shape. The present disclosure contemplates that the circumference of the frame plate 128 include a variety of different shapes, such as, but not limited to, planar, straight, curved (e.g., having a curvature matching a curvature of the pump casing 106 and/or 206, etc.), angled, and/or the like.

While the universal nature of the frame assembly 104 is specifically described and illustrated herein with respect to the frame plate 128, it should be understood that in some examples the frame plate 130 is similarly configured to be selectively used with either of the pump casing 106 or 206. For example, in the illustrated example, the frame plate 130 includes side segments 178 and 180 having wings 182 and 184. As shown in FIG. 1, the wing 182 is configured to cover the base 152 of the discharge outlet 110 of the pump casing 106 when the frame plate 130 is used with the centrifugal pump 102 (i.e., is mounted to the pump casing 106). The wing 184 of the frame plate 130 is configured to cover the base 252 of the discharge outlet 210 of the pump casing 206 when the frame plate 130 is used with the centrifugal pump 202 (i.e., is mounted to the pump casing 206). In some examples, the frame plate 130 has a different hub geometry as compared to the frame plate 128 to accommodate mounting the frame plate 130 to (e.g., fitting the frame plate 130 around components) on the rear side (e.g., the side 134 of the pump casing 106) of the pump casing. Each of the side segments 178 and 180 may be referred to herein as a“first”,“second”,“third”, and/or“fourth” side segment. Each of the wings 182 and 184 may be referred to herein as a“first”,“second”,“third”, and/or “fourth” wing.

As should be apparent from the above description and FIGS. 1-4, the frame plates 128 and 130 are shaped, in some examples, to cover the pump casing of a centrifugal pump regardless of whether the pump casing includes a right-oriented discharge outlet (e.g., on the side 148, etc.) or a left-oriented discharge outlet (i.e., on the side 150, etc.). Accordingly, the frame plate assemblies disclosed herein (e.g., the frame plate assembly 104, etc.) provide a universal frame plate assembly that can be fitted to a host of different centrifugal pumps regardless of the position of the discharge outlet, which reduces the cost of centrifugal pumps in some examples. In other words, the frame plates disclosed herein can be universally fit to a host of different pump casings. Centrifugal pumps can be originally manufactured with the frame plate assemblies disclosed herein or retrofitted with the frame plate assemblies disclosed herein. With the frame plates disclosed herein being configured to cover the bulk of the pump casing regardless of the discharge outlet being on the left (e.g., the side 150, etc.) or right side

(e.g., the side 148, etc.) of the centrifugal pump, the disclosed frame plate assemblies can be easily disassembled from one centrifugal pump and attached to another centrifugal pump. Thus, the frame plate assemblies disclosed herein can not only be attached to new centrifugal pumps but can also be retrofitted to existing centrifugal pumps.

The following clauses describe further aspects of the disclosure:

Clause Set A:

Al. A universal frame plate for centrifugal pumps having a pump casing, the frame plate comprising:

a hub configured to be selectively mounted to a first pump casing having a discharge outlet located on a first side or a second pump casing having the discharge outlet located on a second side that is opposite the first side;

a first side segment extending radially outward from the hub, wherein the first side segment is configured to cover a base of the discharge outlet of the first pump casing when the frame plate is mounted to the first pump casing; and

a second side segment extending radially outward from the hub along opposite radial directions relative to the first side segment, wherein the second side segment is configured to cover the base of the discharge outlet of the second pump casing when the frame plate is mounted to the second pump casing.

A2. The universal frame plate of clause Al , wherein the frame plate comprises a central axis that extends approximately parallel to a flow direction of the discharge outlet when the frame plate is mounted to the first or second pump casing, the first and second side segments being symmetrical about the central axis.

A3. The universal frame plate of clause Al, wherein the first and second side segments define respective first and second half portions of the frame plate.

A4. The universal frame plate of clause Al , wherein the first and second side segments comprise respective first and second wings that extend outward from the hub in opposite directions, the first wing being configured to cover the base of the discharge outlet of the first pump casing when the frame plate is mounted to the first pump casing, the second wing being configured to cover the base of the discharge outlet of the second pump casing when the frame plate is mounted to the second pump casing.

A5. The universal frame plate of clause Al, wherein the first and second side segments comprise respective first and second wings that extend outward from the hub in opposite directions, the first and second wings being mirror images of each other about a central axis of the frame plate that extends approximately parallel to a flow direction of the discharge outlet when the frame plate is mounted to the first or second pump casing.

A6. The universal frame plate of clause Al, wherein the frame plate comprises a circumference having an oblong shape.

A7. The universal frame plate of clause Al, wherein the frame plate comprises a scalloped circumference.

A8. The universal frame plate of clause Al, further comprising a plurality of tie rod openings.

Clause Set B:

Bl . A frame plate assembly for centrifugal pumps having a pump casing that includes a discharge outlet, the frame plate assembly comprising: a first frame plate configured to be mounted to the pump casing of the centrifugal pump, the first frame plate comprising a body having a central axis that extends approximately parallel to a flow direction of the discharge outlet of the pump casing of the centrifugal pump when the first frame plate is mounted to the pump casing, the body of the first frame plate comprising first and second side segments that are symmetrical about the central axis such that the first and second side segments are mirror images of each other; and

a second frame plate configured to be mounted to the pump casing of the centrifugal pump such that a cavity is defined between the first and second frame plates, the first and second frame plates being configured to hold the pump casing of the centrifugal pump therebetween within the cavity.

B2. The frame plate assembly of clause Bl, further comprising tie rods configured to secure the first and second frame plates together.

B3. The frame plate assembly of clause Bl, wherein the first and second side segments of the first frame plate comprise respective first and second wings that extend outward relative to the central axis in opposite directions, the first wing being configured to cover a base of the discharge outlet of a first pump casing having the discharge outlet located on a first side, the second wing being configured to cover the base of the discharge outlet of a second pump casing having the discharge outlet located on a second side that is opposite the first side.

B4. The frame plate assembly of clause Bl, wherein the body of the first frame plate comprises a circumference having an oblong shape.

B5. The frame plate assembly of clause Bl, wherein the body of the first frame plate comprises a scalloped circumference.

B6. The frame plate assembly of clause Bl, wherein the central axis is a first central axis and the body is a first body, the second frame plate comprising a second body having a second central axis that extends approximately parallel to the flow direction of the discharge outlet of the pump casing when the second frame plate is mounted to the pump casing, the second body of the second frame plate comprising third and fourth side segments that are symmetrical about the second central axis such that the third and fourth side segments are mirror images of each other.

B7. The frame plate assembly of clause Bl , wherein the body is a first body, the second frame plate comprising a second body comprising third and fourth side segments having respective third and fourth wings that extend in opposite directions, the third wing being configured to cover a base of the discharge outlet of a first pump casing having the discharge outlet located on a first side, the fourth wing being configured to cover the base of the discharge outlet of a second pump casing having the discharge outlet located on a second side that is opposite the first side.

Clause Set C:

Cl . A universal frame plate assembly for centrifugal pumps having a pump casing, the frame plate assembly comprising:

a first frame plate configured to be selectively mounted to a first pump casing having a discharge outlet located on a first side or a second pump casing having the discharge outlet located on a second side that is opposite the first side, the first frame plate comprising a first side segment configured to cover an enlarged portion of the first pump casing when the first frame plate is mounted on the first pump casing, the first frame plate comprising a second side segment configured to cover the enlarged portion of the second pump casing when the first frame plate is mounted on the second pump casing; and

a second frame plate configured to be selectively mounted to the first or second pump casings such that a cavity is defined between the first and second frame plates, the first and second frame plates being configured to selectively hold the first pump casing or the second pump casing therebetween within the cavity. C2. The universal frame plate assembly of clause Cl, wherein the first frame plate comprises a central axis that extends approximately parallel to a flow direction of the discharge outlet when the first frame plate is mounted to the first or second pump casing, the first and second side segments being symmetrical about the central axis such that the first and second side segments are mirror images of each other.

C3. The universal frame plate assembly of clause Cl, wherein the second frame plate comprises third and fourth side segments, the third side segment being configured to cover the enlarged portion of the first pump casing when the second frame plate is mounted to the first pump casing, the fourth side segment being configured to cover the enlarged portion of the second pump casing when the second frame plate is mounted to the second pump casing.

C4. The universal frame plate assembly of clause Cl, wherein the second frame plate comprises a central axis that extends approximately parallel to a flow direction of the discharge outlet when the first frame plate is mounted to the first or second pump casing, the second frame plate comprising third and fourth side segments that are symmetrical about the central axis such that the third and fourth side segments are mirror images of each other.

C5. The universal frame plate assembly of clause Cl, wherein at least one of the first frame plate or the second frame plate comprises a circumference having an oblong shape.

It is to be understood that the above description is intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive. For example, the above-described embodiments (and/or aspects thereof) may be used in combination with each other. Furthermore, invention(s) have been described in connection with what are presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the disclosed embodiments, but on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the invention(s). Further, each independent feature or component of any given assembly may constitute an additional embodiment. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the disclosure without departing from its scope. Dimensions, types of materials, orientations of the various components, and the number and positions of the various components described herein are intended to define parameters of certain embodiments, and are by no means limiting and are merely exemplary embodiments. Many other embodiments and modifications within the spirit and scope of the claims will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. The scope of the disclosure should, therefore, be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled.

In the foregoing description of certain embodiments, specific terminology has been resorted to for the sake of clarity. However, the disclosure is not intended to be limited to the specific terms so selected, and it is to be understood that each specific term includes other technical equivalents which operate in a similar manner to accomplish a similar technical purpose. Terms such as“clockwise” and“counterclockwise”,“left” and right”,“front” and “rear”,“above” and“below” and the like are used as words of convenience to provide reference points and are not to be construed as limiting terms.

When introducing elements of aspects of the disclosure or the examples thereof, the articles "a," "an," "the," and "said" are intended to mean that there are one or more of the elements. The terms "comprising," "including," and "having" are intended to be inclusive and mean that there may be additional elements other than the listed elements. For example, in this specification, the word“comprising” is to be understood in its“open” sense, that is, in the sense of“including”, and thus not limited to its“closed” sense, that is the sense of“consisting only of’. A corresponding meaning is to be attributed to the corresponding words“comprise”, “comprised”,“comprises”,“having”,“has”,“in cludes”, and“including” where they appear. The term“exemplary” is intended to mean“an example of.” The phrase“one or more of the following: A, B, and C” means“at least one of A and/or at least one of B and/or at least one of C." Moreover, in the following claims, the terms "first," "second," and "third," etc. are used merely as labels, and are not intended to impose numerical requirements on their objects. Further, the limitations of the following claims are not written in means-plus-function format and are not intended to be interpreted based on 35 U.S.C. § 112(f), unless and until such claim limitations expressly use the phrase“means for” followed by a statement of function void of further structure.

Although the terms“step” and/or“block” may be used herein to connote different elements of methods employed, the terms should not be interpreted as implying any particular order among or between various steps herein disclosed unless and except when the order of individual steps is explicitly described. The order of execution or performance of the operations in examples of the disclosure illustrated and described herein is not essential, unless otherwise specified. The operations may be performed in any order, unless otherwise specified, and examples of the disclosure may include additional or fewer operations than those disclosed herein. It is therefore contemplated that executing or performing a particular operation before, contemporaneously with, or after another operation is within the scope of aspects of the disclosure.

Having described aspects of the disclosure in detail, it will be apparent that modifications and variations are possible without departing from the scope of aspects of the disclosure as defined in the appended claims. As various changes could be made in the above constructions, products, and methods without departing from the scope of aspects of the disclosure, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description and shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.