Lifting pump for manganese nodules

Abstract

A lifting pump for manganese nodules includes: a cylindrical body that is sealed at upper and lower portions thereof by a semi-spherical upper cap having a fluid outflow port and a cable insertion tube, and by a semi-spherical lower cap to which an inflow case of a pump unit is coupled; a pumping motor that has a fluid passage formed between an inner surface of the body and an outer surface thereof, is vertically fixed in the body, and drives the pump unit using electric power supplied through a cable; a cover that provides a seal around a shaft of the pumping motor; the pump unit that is installed between the shaft of the pumping motor and the semi-spherical lower cap, is driven by the rotation of the pumping motor, and lifts seawater together with the manganese nodules; a sealing means that provides a seal between the pumping motor and the pump unit; and a reducer that is coupled to the bottom of the pump unit and guides the seawater including the manganese nodules to the pump unit.

1 . A lifting pump for manganese nodules, comprising:
 a cylindrical body that is sealed at upper and lower portions thereof by a semi-spherical upper cap having a fluid outflow port and a cable insertion tube and by a semi-spherical lower cap to which an inflow case of a pump unit is coupled;   a pumping motor that has a fluid passage formed between an inner surface of the body and an outer surface thereof, is vertically fixed in the body, and drives the pump unit by electric power supplied through a cable;   a cover that provides a seal around a shaft of the pumping motor;   the pump unit that is installed between the shaft of the pumping motor and the semi-spherical lower cap, is driven by the rotation of the pumping motor, and lifts seawater together with the manganese nodules;   a sealing means that provides a seal between the pumping motor and the pump unit; and   a reducer that is coupled to a bottom of the pump unit, and guides the seawater, including the manganese nodules, to the pump unit.   
   
   
       2 . The lifting pump as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the pump unit includes:
 at least two impellers fixed to the shaft of the pumping motor in sequence;   the inflow case fixed to the semi-spherical lower cap with outer surfaces of the impellers enclosed thereby; and   an inflow cover installed in one opening of the inflow case with the reducer coupled thereto.   
   
   
       3 . The lifting pump as set forth in  claim 1  or  2 , wherein the pump unit is installed in multiple stages. 
   
   
       4 . The lifting pump as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the sealing means installs a mechanical seal around the shaft of the pumping motor, which is exposed between a motor case and an inside of the cover, fills the inside of the cover with oil, and installs an upper ball bearing at an upper end of the shaft of the pumping motor supported in the motor case. 
   
   
       5 . The lifting pump as set forth in  claim 1 , further comprising a stand that is vertically installed on a bottom of the lower cap so as to maintain the lifting pump itself in a vertically installed state.