Axially compact gear pump

Abstract

The invention provides an axially compact gear pump comprising a housing ( 13 ) and end plate ( 14 ). Dowels ( 18 ) extend from the housing through the end plate to locate the end plate ( 14 ) relative to the housing ( 13 ), and project from the end plate ( 14 ) for locating the assembled gear pump ( 10 ) on its drive means in use. Assembly bolts ( 20 ) extend through the housing ( 13 ) and into the end plate ( 14 ) to hold the gear pump together for transportation prior to use, but mounting bolts ( 22 ) for mounting the gear pump on the drive means or on a test plate in use pass completely through both the housing ( 13 ) and end plate ( 14 ), providing enhanced rigidity to the assembly.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An axially compact gear pump comprising a housing and end plate defining therebetween a gear pumping chamber housing a pair of meshing gears of the pump wherein: 
 dowel means extend from the housing through the end plate to locate the end plate relative to the housing, and project from the end plate for locating the assembled end plate and housing relative to a drive means in use;    assembly bolts for holding together the end plate and housing prior to mounting the gear pump on a test plate or on the drive means extend through the housing and into the end plate; and    mounting bolts for mounting the gear pump on the test plate or the drive means extend through the housing and end plate and project from the end plate for connection to the test plate or drive means.    
     
     
         2 . A gear pump according to  claim 1 , wherein the dowel means are two in number.  
     
     
         3 . A gear pump according to  claim 2 , wherein the assembly bolts are two in number.  
     
     
         4 . A gear pump according to  claim 3 , wherein the dowel means and assembly bolts are arranged at the corners of an imaginary rectangle having the dowel means at opposite corners and the assembly bolts at opposite corners.