Suction diffuser

Abstract

A suction diffuser comprising a housing 12 and a strainer element 11. The element 11 is arranged within the housing 12 with its axis in line with the direction of inlet flow into the strainer so that, in operation, incoming contaminated liquid flows first into the interior of the element 11 and then out through the element to the exterior thereof. Particles suspended in the liquid are retained within the element, where there is more space, and sink to the base of the element where they may be removed via a drain plug 15 in the housing 12. In this way the restricted space between the element and surrounding body of the strainer is kept free of material thus avoiding any resultant restriction of the flow.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A suction diffuser for use in a liquid pumping system comprising a pump having an inlet and an outlet and strainer having a housing and a strainer element disposed in the housing and an inlet and an outlet connected to the pump in which the strainer element is arranged in relation to the inlet of the strainer so that in use liquid flows through the strainer element and into the housing of the strainer before entering the pump.  
     
     
         2 . A suction diffuser as claimed in  claim 1 , in which the strainer element is cylindrical and is coaxially arranged with the inlet of the strainer.  
     
     
         3 . A suction diffuser as claimed in claim, in which flow straighteners are disposed between the strainer element and the pump.  
     
     
         4 . A suction diffuser as claimed in  claim 1 , in which a drain is provided in the strainer to enable material collected by the element to be removed from the strainer.  
     
     
         5 . A suction diffuser as claimed in  claim 4 , in which the drain comprises a plug arranged coaxial with or parallel to the strainer elements.  
     
     
         6 . A suction diffuser as claimed in  claim 1 , in which magnets are provided to facilitate removal of magnetic material.  
     
     
         7 . A suction diffuser as claimed in  claim 1 , in which the strainer housing comprises a removable cover to enable access to the strainer element.  
     
     
         8 . A suction diffuser as claimed in  claim 1 , in which the strainer element comprises handles to facilitate insertion into and removal from the strainer housing.