Impeller and method of manufacturing same

Abstract

A method of manufacturing a pump impeller and a pump impeller which is constructed primarily in a single molding operation. The pump impeller has a shroud which includes an inlet opening located on one side of a series of vanes. On the opposite side of the series of vanes is a hub and from the hub extends a shaft sleeve. The axis of rotation of the shaft sleeve aligns with the longitudinal center axis of the inlet opening.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A method of manufacturing a pump impeller comprising: 
 forming in a single molding operation a shroud, vanes and shaft sleeve so as to precisely obtain alignment of an axis of rotation of said sleeve with a longitudinal center axis of an annular inlet ring mounted on said shroud where said annular inlet ring and said sleeve are on opposite sides of said shroud, whereby during rotation of said impeller smooth, efficient substantially noise-free operation is obtained because said sleeve is in balance with said annular inlet ring.    
     
     
         2 . A pump impeller comprising: 
 a series of vanes having an outer end which is integrally mounted on a shroud, said shroud having a centrally located annular inlet ring which provides an inlet to an eye of said impeller; and    a hub integrally connected to an inner end of said vanes, said hub having a sleeve connected thereto, said sleeve having an axis of rotation, said inlet having a longitudinal center axis, said axis of rotation being aligned with said longitudinal center axis, whereby rotation of said impeller produces essentially no vibration with said impeller rotating smoothly, efficiently and substantially noise-free.    
     
     
         3 . The pump impeller as defined in  claim 2  wherein: 
 a cover mounted on said hub covering said vanes, said cover being located opposite said shroud relative to said vanes substantially enclosing said vanes.  
 
     
     
         4 . The pump impeller as defined in  claim 2  wherein: 
 said sleeve located on one side of said vanes and said shroud being located on the opposite side of said vanes.  
 
     
     
         5 . The pump impeller as defined in  claim 4  wherein: 
 said sleeve being at least one inch in length.  
 
     
     
         6 . The pump impeller as defined in  claim 2  wherein: 
 said inlet being larger in size than said hub, whereby said inlet being larger than said hub, said pump impeller can be manufactured in a single molding operation.