Granted Patent B1

US 12,631,185 · App. 19/233,303 · Granted May 19, 2026

Inventor: Robert Keener (Ashland, OH)

Assignee: Gregg Keener

F04D7/045F04D13/08

Abstract

Claims (175)

1 . A pump apparatus comprising:

a housing,

a motor, wherein the motor is in operative connection with the housing, wherein the motor is in operative connection with a drive shaft, wherein the drive shaft extends along an axis, wherein in an operative position of the apparatus the axis extends vertically,

a pump chamber, wherein the pump chamber extends within the housing,

wherein the pump chamber includes

an axially extending inlet opening configured to enable liquid to flow into the pump chamber, and

an outlet opening vertically above the inlet opening and configured to enable liquid to flow out of the pump chamber,

an impeller, wherein the impeller is rotatably positioned in the pump chamber,

wherein the impeller is in operative connection with the drive shaft and is rotatable about the axis,

a slicer plate, wherein in the operative position the slicer plate extends in axially disposed underlying relation of the inlet opening,

wherein the slicer plate includes

a slicer face, wherein the slicer face is in a downward facing direction away from the inlet opening,

an axially aligned slicer drive opening, wherein the drive opening extends through the slicer plate,

at least one slicer plate fluid opening, wherein the at least one slicer plate fluid opening extends vertically through the slicer plate at a location disposed radially away from the slicer drive opening,

a slicer, wherein the slicer

extends in outwardly underlying relation of the slicer face,

is in operatively engaged rotational connection with the drive shaft, whereby the slicer is in operative connection with the drive shaft through the slicer drive opening,

includes at least one blade edge, wherein the at least one blade edge extends radially outward away from the axis and is positioned in immediately adjacent relation to the slicer face,

wherein the impeller includes

a circular axially centered plate portion, wherein the plate portion has an outer periphery, wherein an impeller diameter corresponds to the outer periphery,

an axially centered cylindrical hub, wherein the hub

is operatively attached to the plate portion,

is operatively engaged with the drive shaft, and

is bounded radially outward by a hub outer surface,

a plurality of uniformly angularly spaced impeller vanes in attached connection with the plate portion, wherein in the operative position each impeller vane extends

downward from the plate portion to a radially and horizontally extending bottom edge, and

radially outward from a leading surface to a vertically extending outer vane edge,

wherein the outer vane edge radially corresponds to the outer periphery,

wherein the leading surface is continuously radially disposed away from the hub outer surface between the plate portion and the bottom edge,

wherein each impeller vane has a vane height parallel to the axis from the plate portion to the bottom edge that is at least 30% of the impeller diameter,

wherein rotation of the drive shaft responsive to the motor is operative to cause rotation of the impeller and the slicer, whereby the impeller is operative to cause liquid flow from outside the housing through the at least one slicer plate fluid opening, through the inlet opening and the pump chamber, and outward through the outlet opening while the at least one blade edge of the slicer is operative to slice solid material that extends in the at least one fluid opening.

2 . The apparatus according to claim 1

wherein the respective leading surface of each respective impeller vane extends further downward with further radial distance from the axis.

3 . The apparatus according to claim 1

wherein the respective leading surface of each respective impeller vane

extends further downward with further radial distance from the axis, and

meets with the respective bottom surface of the impeller vane at a respective engagement location,

wherein the inlet opening is circular, is axially centered and has an inlet opening diameter,

wherein the engagement locations of the plurality of impeller vanes extend in an engagement circle, wherein the engagement circle has an engagement circle diameter that is generally the same as the inlet opening diameter.

4 . The apparatus according to claim 1

wherein each impeller vane has a vane height parallel to the axis from the plate portion to the bottom edge that is at least 37% of the impeller diameter.

5 . The apparatus according to claim 1

wherein the leading surface is disposed away from the hub outer surface continuously from the plate portion to the bottom surface at least a minimum radial distance of ½ inch.

6 . The apparatus according to claim 1

wherein the leading surface of each impeller vane extends downward away from the plate portion at a vane angle between 45° and 90°.

7 . The apparatus according to claim 1

wherein the leading surface of each impeller vane extends downward away from the plate portion at a vane angle of generally 60°.

8 . The apparatus according to claim 1

wherein the impeller includes a radially extending annularly continuous impeller open area, wherein the impeller open area extends continuously

horizontally between the hub outer surface and the respective leading surface of each of the plurality of impeller vanes, and

vertically between the plate portion and the respective bottom edge of each of the plurality of impeller vanes.

9 . The apparatus according to claim 1

wherein the impeller includes a radially extending annularly continuous impeller open area, wherein the impeller open area extends continuously

horizontally between the hub outer surface and the respective leading surface of each of the plurality of impeller vanes, and

vertically between the plate portion and the respective bottom edge of each of the plurality of impeller vanes,

wherein the impeller open area has a larger horizontal radial dimension between the hub outer surface and the respective leading surfaces of the impeller vanes with vertical proximity to the respective bottom edges of the respective impeller vanes.

10 . The apparatus according to claim 1

wherein the impeller includes a radially extending annularly continuous impeller open area, wherein the impeller open area extends continuously

horizontally between the hub outer surface and the respective leading surface of each of the plurality of impeller vanes, and

vertically between the plate portion and the respective bottom edge of each of the plurality of impeller vanes,

wherein a horizontal radial dimension of the impeller open area between the hub outer surface and the respective leading surface of each of the plurality of impeller vanes is in a range of 5 percent to 30 percent of the impeller diameter.

11 . The apparatus according to claim 1

wherein the impeller includes a radially extending annularly continuous impeller open area, wherein the impeller open area extends continuously

horizontally between the hub outer surface and the respective leading surface of each of the plurality of impeller vanes, and

vertically between the plate portion and the respective bottom edge of each of the plurality of impeller vanes,

wherein a horizontal radial dimension of the impeller open area between the hub outer surface and the respective leading surface of each of the plurality of impeller vanes is in the range of from 9 percent to 27 percent of the impeller diameter.

12 . The apparatus according to claim 1

wherein the impeller includes a radially extending annularly continuous impeller open area, wherein the impeller open area extends continuously

horizontally between the hub outer surface and the respective leading surface of each of the plurality of impeller vanes, and

vertically between the plate portion and the respective bottom edge of each of the plurality of impeller vanes,

wherein a horizontal radial dimension of the impeller open area between the hub outer surface and each engagement location at which a respective leading surface meets a respective bottom edge of a respective impeller vane, is between 20% to 30% of the impeller diameter.

13 . The apparatus according to claim 1

wherein the impeller includes a radially extending annularly continuous impeller open area, wherein the impeller open area extends continuously

horizontally between the hub outer surface and the respective leading surface of each of the plurality of impeller vanes, and

vertically between the plate portion and the respective bottom edge of each of the plurality of impeller vanes,

wherein the impeller open area has a larger horizontal radial dimension between the hub outer surface and the leading surface of each of the impeller vanes with vertical proximity to the respective bottom edges of the respective impeller vanes,

wherein the horizontal radial dimension varies from less than 10% of the impeller diameter at the plate portion to greater than 25% of the impeller diameter at engagement locations at which the leading surfaces meet the bottom edges.

14 . The apparatus according to claim 1

wherein each of the bottom edges extend horizontally a distance that is at least 10% of the impeller diameter.

15 . The apparatus according to claim 1

wherein each of the bottom edges extend horizontally a distance that is between 10% and 20% of the impeller diameter.

16 . The apparatus according to claim 1

wherein the impeller rotates in a rotational direction,

wherein each of the impeller vanes are curved away from the rotational direction.

17 . The apparatus according to claim 1

wherein each of bottom edges extend linearly straight horizontally, and

wherein each of the outer vane edges extend linearly straight vertically.

18 . A pump apparatus comprising:

housing,

a motor, wherein the motor is in operative connection with the housing,

a drive shaft, wherein the motor is in operative connection with the drive shaft, wherein in the operative position of the apparatus the drive shaft extends along a vertical axis,

a pump chamber within the housing, wherein the pump chamber includes

an axially extending inlet opening configured to enable liquid flow into the pump chamber, and an outlet opening vertically above the inlet opening and configured to enable liquid to flow from the pump chamber,

an impeller, wherein the impeller is rotatably positioned in the pump chamber, wherein the impeller is in operative connection with the drive shaft and is rotatable about the axis,

a slicer plate, wherein the slicer plate

includes a plurality of slicer plate fluid openings, wherein the slicer plate fluid openings are in fluid connection with the inlet opening, and

wherein in the operative position the slicer plate extends below and fluidly in advance of the inlet opening,

a slicer, wherein the slicer

includes at least one blade edge,

wherein the at least one blade edge extends in downward immediately adjacent relation with the slicer plate fluid openings,

wherein the slicer is in operative connection with the drive shaft, wherein rotation of the drive shaft is operative to cause the at least one blade edge to move across the fluid openings,

wherein the impeller includes

a circular plate portion, wherein the plate portion has a circumferential periphery, wherein an impeller diameter corresponds to a distance through the axis across the circumferential periphery,

a plurality of uniformly angularly spaced impeller vanes, wherein each of the impeller vanes

is in fixed connection with the plate portion,

extends radially outward and vertically downward from the plate portion,

an impeller open area, wherein the impeller open area comprises an axially centered radially extending annularly continuous open area that is bounded vertically by the plate portion and radially outwardly by respective leading surfaces of the impeller vanes,

wherein each of the impeller vanes extend downward from the plate portion a distance that is at least 30% of the impeller diameter,

wherein rotation of the drive shaft responsive to the motor is operative to cause rotation of the impeller and movement of the slicer, whereby the impeller is operative to cause liquid flow from outside the housing through the at least one slicer plate fluid opening, through the inlet opening and the pump chamber, and outward through the outlet opening while the at least one blade edge of the slicer is operative to slice solid material that extends in the at least one fluid opening.

19 . The apparatus according to claim 18

wherein the impeller includes an axially centered cylindrical hub,

wherein the hub

is in fixed connection with the plate portion,

is in fixed operative connection with the drive shaft,

extends downward from the plate portion,

is bounded radially outwardly by a cylindrical hub outer surface,

wherein the impeller open area extends radially outward from the hub outer surface.

20 . The apparatus according to claim 19

wherein each of the impeller vanes terminate vertically downward at a horizontally extending bottom edge,

wherein the leading surface of each respective impeller vane extends from the plate portion to the bottom edge of the respective impeller vane,

wherein the impeller open area has a larger horizontal radial dimension between the hub outer surface and the respective leading surfaces of the impeller vanes with vertical proximity to the respective bottom edges of the impeller vanes.

21 . The apparatus according to claim 20

wherein the inlet opening comprises an axially centered circular opening and has an inlet opening diameter,

wherein each leading surface of each respective impeller vane meets the respective bottom edge of the respective impeller vane at an engagement location,

wherein the engagement locations of the plurality of impeller vanes extend in an engagement circle, wherein the engagement circle has an engagement circle diameter,

wherein the engagement circle diameter is generally the same as the inlet opening diameter.

22 . The apparatus according to claim 21

wherein a minimum horizontal radial dimension of the impeller open area between the hub outer surface and the respective leading surface of each of the plurality of impeller vanes is continuously at least ½ inch.

23 . The apparatus according to claim 22

wherein the horizontal radial dimension of the impeller open area between the hub outer surface and the respective leading surface of each of the plurality of impeller vanes is in a range of 5% to 30% of the impeller diameter.

24 . The apparatus according to claim 23

wherein a horizontal radial dimension of the impeller open area between the hub outer surface and each of the engagement locations of the impeller vanes is between 20% and 30% of the impeller diameter.

25 . A pump apparatus comprising:

a housing,

a motor, wherein the motor is in operative connection with the housing,

wherein the motor is in operative connection with a drive shaft, wherein the drive shaft extends along an axis, wherein in an operative position of the apparatus the axis extends vertically,

a pump chamber, wherein the pump chamber extends within the housing,

wherein the pump chamber includes

an axially centered vertically extending inlet opening configured to enable liquid to flow into the pump chamber, and

an outlet opening vertically above the inlet opening and configured to enable liquid to flow out of the pump chamber,

an impeller, wherein the impeller is rotatably positioned in the pump chamber,

wherein the impeller is in operative connection with the drive shaft and is rotatable about the axis,

a slicer plate, wherein in the operative position the slicer plate extends in axially disposed underlying relation of the inlet opening,

wherein the slicer plate includes

a slicer face, wherein the slicer face extends in a downward facing direction away from the inlet opening,

an axially aligned slicer drive opening, wherein the drive opening extends through the slicer plate,

at least one slicer plate fluid opening, wherein the at least one slicer plate fluid opening is fluidly in advance of the inlet opening, extends vertically through the slicer plate at a location disposed radially away from the slicer drive opening and is vertically in direct underlying relation below the inlet opening,

a slicer, wherein the slicer

extends in outwardly underlying relation of the slicer face,

is in operatively engaged rotational connection with the drive shaft, whereby the slicer is in operative connection with the drive shaft through the slicer drive opening,

includes at least one blade edge, wherein the at least one blade edge extends radially outward away from the axis and is positioned in immediately adjacent relation to the slicer face,

wherein the impeller includes

a circular axially centered plate portion, wherein the plate portion has an outer periphery, wherein an impeller diameter corresponds to the outer periphery,

an axially centered cylindrical hub, wherein the hub

is operatively attached to the plate portion,

is operatively engaged with the drive shaft, and

is bounded radially outward by a hub outer surface,

a plurality of uniformly angularly spaced impeller vanes in attached connection with the plate portion, wherein in the operative position each impeller vane extends

beginning radially outward away from the outer surface of the hub, downward from the plate portion to a radially and horizontally extending bottom edge, and

radially outward from a radially innermost leading surface to a vertically extending outer vane edge, wherein the outer vane edge radially corresponds to the outer periphery,

wherein the leading surface is continuously radially disposed away from the hub outer surface and is disposed radially further away from the hub outer surface with increasing proximity to the bottom edge,

wherein in each of the leading surfaces bound a continuous annular open area, wherein the open area extends continuously

radially between the hub outer surface and the leading surfaces,

and

immediately above the inlet opening,

wherein each impeller vane has a vane height parallel to the axis from the plate portion to the bottom edge that is at least 30% of the impeller diameter,

wherein rotation of the drive shaft responsive to the motor is operative to cause rotation of the impeller and the slicer, wherein the impeller is operative to cause liquid flow from outside the housing through the at least one slicer plate fluid opening, through the inlet opening and the pump chamber, and outward through the outlet opening while the at least one blade edge of the slicer is operative to slice solid material that extends in the at least one fluid opening, wherein solids are suspended within the liquid in the continuous annular open area until the liquid in which the solids are suspended flows radially outward between the vanes.

26 . The apparatus according to claim 25

wherein the continuous annular open area extends parallel to the axis from the lower surface of the plate portion to the bottom edge of each of the impeller vanes.

27 . The apparatus according to claim 25

wherein the inlet opening has an inlet opening diameter,

wherein the continuous annular open area has an open area diameter at the bottom edges of the plurality of impeller vanes that is at least as large as the inlet opening diameter.

28 . The apparatus according to claim 25

wherein each leading surface of each impeller vane in a radially inward direction comprises a continuously curved smooth surface,

wherein solid material engaged with a respective leading surface is caused to slide downward along the respective leading surface during impeller rotation.

Assignments (1)

Continuity (1)

References Cited (10)