Inlet design for a pump assembly

Abstract

One embodiment includes a housing ( 14 ) and an impeller ( 34 ). The housing ( 14 ) comprises an inlet portion ( 24 ) which in turn defines an inlet passage ( 28 ). The inlet passage ( 28 ) leads to the impeller ( 34 ) and directs fluid flow substantially perpendicular with respect to an axis of rotation ( 38 ) of the impeller ( 34 ).

1 . A product comprising:
 a housing ( 14 ) of a pump assembly ( 12 ), the housing ( 14 ) comprising an inlet portion ( 24 ) which defines an inlet passage ( 28 );   an impeller ( 34 ) located in the housing ( 14 ); and   wherein the inlet passage ( 28 ) leads to the impeller ( 34 ) and directs fluid flow substantially perpendicular with respect to an axis of rotation ( 38 ) of the impeller ( 34 ).   
   
   
       2 . A product as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the inlet portion ( 24 ) has a circular cross-section which defines the inlet passage ( 28 ). 
   
   
       3 . A product as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the impeller ( 34 ) comprises a plurality of blades ( 44 ) disposed about the circumference of the impeller ( 34 ), the blades ( 44 ) each comprising a face ( 48 ) that is oriented axially with respect to the impeller ( 34 ). 
   
   
       4 . A product as set forth in  claim 3  wherein the inlet passage ( 28 ) directs the fluid flow generally at the faces ( 48 ) of the blades ( 44 ) adjacent the inlet passage ( 28 ). 
   
   
       5 . A product as set forth in  claim 3  wherein a center of flow (B) of the fluid coming out of the inlet passage ( 28 ) is directed generally at a middle of the faces ( 48 ) of the blades ( 44 ) adjacent the inlet passage ( 28 ). 
   
   
       6 . A product as set forth in  claim 1  wherein a center of flow (B) of the fluid coming out of the inlet passage ( 28 ) is directed substantially tangentially with respect to a circumference ( 40 ) defined by the impeller ( 34 ). 
   
   
       7 . A product as set forth in  claim 6  wherein the center of flow (B) of the fluid lies parallel with a radially oriented plane ( 42 ) defined by the impeller ( 34 ). 
   
   
       8 . A product as set forth in  claim 1  wherein a center of flow (B) of the fluid coming out of the inlet passage ( 28 ) is directed substantially perpendicular with respect to the axis of rotation ( 38 ) and intersects the axis of rotation ( 38 ). 
   
   
       9 . A product as set forth in  claim 1  wherein a center of flow (B) of the fluid coming out of the inlet passage ( 28 ) lies parallel with a radially oriented plane ( 42 ) defined by the impeller ( 34 ). 
   
   
       10 . A product comprising:
 a pump assembly ( 12 ) comprising:
 a housing ( 14 ) forming an inlet portion ( 24 ) which defines an inlet passage ( 28 ); 
 an electric motor ( 16 ) carried at least partially by the housing ( 14 ); 
 an impeller ( 34 ) located in the housing ( 14 ) and being driven by the electric motor ( 16 ), the impeller ( 34 ) comprising a plurality of blades ( 44 ); and 
 wherein a center of flow (B) of a fluid coming out of the inlet passage ( 28 ) is directed generally parallel to a radially oriented plane ( 42 ) defined by the impeller ( 34 ). 
   
   
   
       11 . A product as set forth in  claim 10  wherein the center of flow (B) of the fluid is directed substantially tangentially with respect to a circumference ( 40 ) defined by the impeller ( 34 ). 
   
   
       12 . A product as set forth in  claim 10  wherein the plurality of blades ( 44 ) each have a face ( 48 ) oriented axially with respect to the impeller ( 34 ), and wherein the center of flow (B) of the fluid is directed generally at a middle of the faces ( 48 ) adjacent the inlet passage ( 28 ). 
   
   
       13 . A product as set forth in  claim 10  wherein the center of flow (B) of the fluid lies perpendicular to an axis of rotation ( 38 ) of the impeller ( 34 ). 
   
   
       14 . A product as set forth in  claim 13  wherein the center of flow (B) of the fluid intersects the axis of rotation ( 38 ). 
   
   
       15 . A product as set forth in  claim 13  wherein the housing ( 14 ) further comprises an outlet portion ( 26 ) that lies perpendicular to the axis of rotation ( 38 ) of the impeller ( 34 ). 
   
   
       16 . A product comprising:
 a secondary air pump assembly ( 12 ) comprising:
 a housing ( 14 ) comprising an inlet portion ( 24 ) which defines an inlet passage ( 28 ), and an outlet portion ( 26 ); 
 an electric motor ( 16 ) carried at least partially by the housing ( 14 ); 
 an impeller ( 34 ) located in the housing ( 14 ) and being driven by the electric motor ( 16 ), the impeller ( 34 ) defining an axis of rotation ( 38 ), a circumference ( 40 ) outside of the axis of rotation ( 38 ), and a radially oriented plane ( 42 ) lying perpendicular to the axis of rotation ( 38 ) and intersecting the circumference ( 40 ); and 
 wherein a center of flow (B) of air coming out of the inlet passage ( 28 ) lies perpendicular to the axis of rotation ( 38 ) and lies parallel to the radially oriented plane ( 42 ). 
   
   
   
       17 . A product as set forth in  claim 16  wherein the center of flow (B) is substantially tangential to the circumference ( 40 ). 
   
   
       18 . A product as set forth in  claim 16  wherein the impeller ( 34 ) comprises a plurality of blades ( 44 ) that each has a face ( 48 ) oriented axially with respect to the impeller ( 34 ), and wherein the center of flow (B) is directed generally at a middle of the faces ( 48 ) adjacent the inlet passage ( 28 ). 
   
   
       19 . A product as set forth in  claim 16  wherein the center of flow (B) intersects the axis of rotation ( 38 ).