초록 ▼

A configuration of pumps is presented which eliminates problems of leakage, particularly leakage from pumps handling toxic or other fluids which might pollute the atmosphere. The leak contained pumps prevent leakage to the environment and/or pump motors upon the failure of pump seals as a result of

A configuration of pumps is presented which eliminates problems of leakage, particularly leakage from pumps handling toxic or other fluids which might pollute the atmosphere. The leak contained pumps prevent leakage to the environment and/or pump motors upon the failure of pump seals as a result of wear or other reasons by providing confinement of any potential fluid leakage between the pump and motor, said leakage being channeled to a collector sensor associated with the pump which activates introduction of additional inert gas to the motor chamber and leakage confinement zone to provide motivational pressure to the leakage fluid as needed, the leakage fluid and inert gas being transferred to a separator after passing through the sensor.

대표청구항 ▼

A motor driven pump comprising: a motor for rotating a shaft, the motor sealed housing; a pump housing having an inlet and an outlet; a fluid impeller in the pump housing being driven by the motor shaft for pumping fluid from the inlet to the outlet; a gas seal between the motor shaft and the motor

A motor driven pump comprising: a motor for rotating a shaft, the motor sealed housing; a pump housing having an inlet and an outlet; a fluid impeller in the pump housing being driven by the motor shaft for pumping fluid from the inlet to the outlet; a gas seal between the motor shaft and the motor housing and a fluid seal between the motor shaft and the pump housing; a fluid confinement chamber sealably-coupling the motor housing to the pump housing such that any fluid leaking past the pump housing seal is collected in the confinement chamber; a fluid collector coupled to the confinement chamber for receiving any leakage fluid therein by gravity flow; a fluid level sensor means in the fluid collector for detecting a predetermined fluid level therein and generating an electrical signal at the predetermined level; a source of pressurized inert gas coupled to the motor housing interior; an electrically operated valve controlling the flow of the inert gas to the housing interior; and a circuit conductor for using the generated signal to open the inert gas control valve to increase gas pressure in the motor housing to seal the housing against the fluid leakage.