BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates to a centrifugal pump, and more particularly to an output nozzle which provides stable Head vs. Flow performance at shut-off.

Most centrifugal pumps have a Head vs. Flow curve that tends to flatten out or droop at low flows. This effect becomes more pronounced at shut-off or zero- flow and results in an unstable curve.

Unstable, i.e. droopy or flat, Head vs. Flow performance may complicate operation as slight changes in system resistance may result in large flow variations and/or cause the pump equipment to operate at an unacceptable flow point.

SUMMARY

A flow outlet for a pump according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes a pocket section which defines a pocket section diameter. A throat section downstream of the pocket section, the throat section defines a throat section diameter less than the pocket section diameter.

A centrifugal pump according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes a housing which defines a collector. An impeller within the collector, the impeller defined along an axis of rotation. A pocket section adjacent to the collector, the pocket section defines a pocket section diameter. A throat section downstream of the pocket section, the throat section defines a throat section diameter less than the pocket section diameter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various features will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of the disclosed non-limiting embodiment. The drawings that accompany the detailed description can be briefly described as follows: Figure 1 is a general longitudinal sectional view of a centrifugal pump assembly for use with the present disclosure; Figure 2 is a general lateral sectional view of the centrifugal pump assembly of Figure 1 taken along line 2-2 which illustrates a nozzle according to the present disclosure;

Figure 3 is a general lateral sectional view of a centrifugal pump assembly illustrating a RELATED ART nozzle according to the present disclosure;

Figure 4A is a partial lateral sectional view of a centrifugal pump assembly illustrating one non-limiting embodiment of a nozzle according to the present disclosure;

Figure 4B is an expanded lateral sectional view of the nozzle illustrated in Figure 4A;

Figure 5A is a partial lateral sectional view of a centrifugal pump assembly illustrating another non-limiting embodiment of a nozzle according to the present disclosure;

Figure 5B is an expanded lateral sectional view of the centrifugal pump assembly illustrated in Figure 5 A;

Figure 6 is a Total Dynamic Head (TDH)/Flow curve of the nozzles of Figures 4, 5 and 8 as compared to the RELATED ART nozzle of Figure 3;

Figure 7A is a lateral dimensional relationship of the centrifugal pump assembly illustrating a pocket section adjacent to the nozzle according to the present disclosure;

Figure 7B is a longitudinal dimensional relationship of the centrifugal pump assembly illustrating the pocket section of the nozzle relative to a volute width; and

Figure 8 is a partial lateral sectional view of a centrifugal pump assembly illustrating another non-limiting embodiment of a nozzle according to the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Figure 1 schematically illustrates a centrifugal pump assembly 10. Although a magnetically driven centrifugal pump assembly 10 is illustrated in the disclosed non-limiting embodiment it should be understood that various pumps will benefit from the disclosure herein. The pump assembly 10 generally includes a housing 12, an impeller 14, an inner magnet assembly 16, a shaft 18, shaft supports 20, 22, and a containment shell 24. A flow inlet 26 defines an axis Y and is formed by an annulus about the shaft 18 and the front shaft support 20 (Figure 2) about which the impeller 14 rotates. A flow outlet 28 defines an axis X transverse to the axis Y and is formed as a tangential passage to a collector 30 formed within the housing 12 which contains the impeller 14 such that the flow outlet 28 is in communication with the impeller 14.

In operation, a motor 32 powers an outer magnet assembly 34 to thereby cause rotation of the impeller 14 within housing 12 due to a magnetic response of the inner magnet assembly 16. Magnetically driven centrifugal pumps are well suited for pumping, for example, corrosive type fluids because the pump assembly minimizes seal requirements.

Referring to Figure 2, the flow outlet 28 includes a nozzle 40. Although the nozzle 40 is illustrated as a separate component in the disclosed, non-limiting embodiment, it should be understood that the nozzle 40 may alternatively be integrally machined and/or formed in the flow outlet 28. The nozzle 40 forms an interior shape which advantageously provides a rising Head vs. Flow curve to shut- off as compared to a current art flow outlet F (related art; Figure 3)

Referring to Figure 4A, the nozzle 40, in one non-limiting embodiment, may be a nozzle 40A which generally includes a pocket section 42A, a throat section 44A, a transition section 46A and a diffuser section 48A along axis X.

Referring to Figure 4B, the pocket section 42A generally defines a diameter Dp, the throat section 44A generally defines a diameter Dth, the transition section 46A generally defines a diameter Dt and the diffuser section 48A generally defines discharge diameter Dd.

The pocket section 42A may be formed within the flow outlet 28 upstream of the throat section 44A. The pocket section, in one non-limiting embodiment may be a portion of the housing 12 which receives the separate nozzle 40A. That is, the nozzle 40A is manufactured separately from the housing 12. The nozzle 40A defines a discharge 5OA at a downstream end of the nozzle

40. The throat section 44A is generally cylindrical and is of a diameter less than the pocket section 42A. The throat section 44A is in communication with the transition section 46A. The transition section 46A may be a relatively short, frusto-conical shape in communication with the diffuser section 48A. The diffuser section 48A may be a relatively long frusto-conical shape.

The nozzle 40 configuration allows for pressure recovery at the discharge 5OA as long as flow is established. But at low or zero flow there is little, if any, pressure recovery which may otherwise result in the type of droopy head v. flow curve of conventional related art designs (Figure 3) as represented by the Total Dynamic Head (TDH)/Flow curves. By displacing the throat section 44A back into the flow outlet 28 discharge passage away from the impeller 14, coupled with the diffuser section 48 A, an advantageous rising curve to shut-off is facilitated.

Referring to Figure 5A, another non-limiting embodiment of the nozzle 40 may be a nozzle 40B that generally defines a pocket section 42B, a throat section 44B, a transition section 46B, and a diffuser section 48B along axis X. The transition section 46B is generally stepped out to diameter Dt from the throat section 44B diameter Dth (Figure 5B) .

Referring to Figure 6, nozzle 40A provides a Total Dynamic Head (TDH)/Flow curve (A) that is stable and rising to shut-off but tends to flatten off a bit at a lower TDH value compared to nozzle 40B (curve (B)). The diameter and length of the throat sections 44 change the (TDH)/Flow curve shape but the curve remains stable.

The pocket section 42 defines a pocket height Lp defined by angle ^a between the pump axis of rotation Y and the intersection between the pocket section 42 and the throat section 44 along axis X (Figure 7A). In general, the pocket section 42 stabilizes the curve shape at shut-off. In one non-limiting embodiment, the pocket section diameter Dp is less than or equal to the Volute Width Vw (Figure 7B).

The throat section diameter Dth generally controls the desired operating curve such that a reduction in the throat section 44 diameter results in a steeper curve (C). In one embodiment, the throat section diameter Dth is less than Dp. The shape of the transition section 46 also affects the curve shape. For example, a stepped transition section 46 (Figure 5A) increases the shut-off head and steepens the curve shape (see curve B) while an angled (gradual) transition section 46 (Figure 4) generally reduces the shut-off head and flattens the curve but remains stable. In one embodiment, the transition section 46 diameter: Dt ~ (1.6 to 2.1)Dth.

A transition section length Lt ~ 0.55Ld - Lth.

Where: Ld is diffuser section length.

Lth is throat section length.

A reduction in the impeller diameter, also called trimming, retains the curve shape at lower TDH values (see curve C and curve B'). The performance characteristic may thus be maintained for various impeller diameters. Elimination of the transition section (Lt = 0; Figure 8) results in a reduced shut-off with a relatively flatter shape that delivers more flow. Drop-off occurs at higher flow rates (see curve D). The throat section length Lth is affected by the requirement to maintain an appropriate diffuser section length Ld and a diffuser section angle θd of approximately 5-7 degrees to match the discharge diameter Dd. The diffuser section 48 generally converts velocity head into pressure. The typical diffuser section 48 defines an included angle of 2θd. For a nozzle 40 with a transition section 46 (Figures 4 and 5), the included angle would be approximately 10 to 11 degrees. For a nozzle 40C without a transition section 46 (Figure 8), the included angle could be up to approximately 14 degrees. It should be understood that like reference numerals identify corresponding or similar elements throughout the several drawings. It should also be understood that although a particular component arrangement is disclosed in the illustrated embodiment, other arrangements will benefit herefrom.

Although particular step sequences are shown, described, and claimed, it should be understood that steps may be performed in any order, separated or combined unless otherwise indicated and will still benefit from the present disclosure.

The foregoing description is exemplary rather than defined by the limitations within. Various non-limiting embodiments are disclosed herein, however, one of ordinary skill in the art would recognize that various modifications and variations in light of the above teachings will fall within the scope of the appended claims. It is therefore to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the disclosure may be practiced other than as specifically described. For that reason the appended claims should be studied to determine true scope and content.