[0001] This non-provisional utility patent application claims priority to Applicant's copending provisional patent application, entitled “PUMP BUSHING”, U.S. Serial No. 60/297,971, filed Jun. 13, 2001, which is hereby incorporated in full by reference.
[0002] The present invention relates generally to a pump bushing device and associated methods. More specifically, the present invention relates to a rotary pump bushing that is adapted and configured to admit pressurized flushing fluid into a seal cavity of a pump, flushing debris therefrom without removal of the pump bushing.
[0003] In centrifugal or rotary pumps, such as those used in pulp and paper manufacturing, mining operations, and similar working environments, a slurry of abrasive debris may collect in a seal cavity of the pump. Typically, this debris is trapped in the seal cavity by a pump bushing that accommodates an impeller shaft of the pump. The result is increased friction, decreased pump efficiency, and decreased pump life.
[0004] Thus, what is needed is a rotary pump bushing that is adapted and configured to admit pressurized flushing fluid into the seal cavity of the pump, flushing the debris therefrom without removal of the pump bushing. What is also needed is a rotary pump bushing that has a relatively simple design, is relatively easy to manufacture, and is relatively inexpensive to produce.
[0005] In various embodiments of the present invention, a rotary pump bushing is provided that is defined by a cylindrical body having an axial bore extending therethrough for accommodating an impeller shaft of a pump. A plurality of circumferentially spaced-apart, axially-extending, angled slots are formed in an inner peripheral wall of the axial bore. The angled slots receive pressurized flushing fluid through a plurality of corresponding apertures that extend radially inward at an angle from the outer periphery of the cylindrical body to the axial bore. This angular orientation of the slots and the apertures imparts rotation to the pressurized flushing fluid, aiding in the removal of debris from a seal cavity of the pump.
[0006] In one preferred embodiment of the present invention, a pump bushing device that is adapted and configured to admit pressurized flushing fluid into a seal cavity of a pump, flushing debris therefrom without removal of the pump bushing device, includes a cylindrical body defining an axial bore extending therethrough for accommodating a shaft of a pump; a plurality of circumferentially spaced-apart, axially-extending, angled slots formed in an inner peripheral wall of the axial bore; and a plurality of apertures corresponding to the plurality of angled slots, the plurality of apertures extending radially inward at an angle from the outer periphery of the cylindrical body to the axial bore. Wherein the plurality of angled slots and the plurality of apertures receive pressurized flushing fluid.
[0007] In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, a method for admitting pressurized flushing fluid into a seal cavity of a pump, flushing debris therefrom without removal of a pump bushing device, includes providing a cylindrical body defining an axial bore extending therethrough for accommodating a shaft of a pump; providing a plurality of circumferentially spaced-apart, axially-extending, angled slots formed in an inner peripheral wall of the axial bore; and providing a plurality of apertures corresponding to the plurality of angled slots, the plurality of apertures extending radially inward at an angle from the outer periphery of the cylindrical body to the axial bore. Wherein the plurality of angled slots and the plurality of apertures receive pressurized flushing fluid.
[0008] These and other aspects of the present invention will become more readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art based upon the following detailed description of the invention taken in conjunction with the drawings described herein below.
[0009] So that those of ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains will more readily understand how to make and use the pump bushing device of the present invention, preferred embodiments thereof will be described in detail herein below with reference to the drawings, wherein:
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[0021] Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals identify like structural elements and features of the pump bushing of the present invention, there is illustrated in
[0022] Referring to
[0023] Referring to
[0024] In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, each of the plurality of angled slots
[0025] Referring to
[0026] Referring to
[0027] The pump bushing
[0028] Although the pump bushing device and associated methods of the present invention have been illustrated and described with reference to preferred embodiments and examples thereof, other embodiments and examples may achieve the same results and/or perform similar functions. Accordingly, changes in and modifications to the pump bushing device and associated methods of the present invention will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention. The following claims are intended to cover all such equivalent embodiments and examples.