Fluid pump

Abstract

A fluid pump includes an inlet for introducing fluid into the fluid pump and an outlet for discharging fluid from the fluid pump. The fluid pump also includes a motor having a shaft with an upper end and lower end that rotates about an axis. The fluid pump also includes a motor frame having a top section, a base section, and a plurality of legs that axially separate the top section and the base section. The fluid pump also includes a lower bushing for radially supporting the lower end of the shaft. The top section defines an upper bushing therein for radially supporting the upper end of the shaft and the base section maintains a coaxial relationship between the lower bushing and the upper bushing.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A fluid pump comprising:
 an inlet for introducing fluid into said fluid pump;   an outlet for discharging fluid from said fluid pump;   a motor having a shaft that rotates about an axis, said shaft having an upper end and a lower end;   a motor frame having a top section, a base section, and a plurality of legs axially separating said top section and said base section; and   a lower bushing for radially supporting said lower end of said shaft;   wherein said top section defines an upper bushing therein for radially supporting said upper end of said shaft; and   wherein said base section maintains a coaxial relationship between said lower bushing and said upper bushing.   
     
     
         2 . A fluid pump as in  claim 1  wherein said plurality of legs define motor frame openings spaced circumferentially therebetween. 
     
     
         3 . A fluid pump as in  claim 2  further comprising a plurality of magnets wherein each one of said plurality of magnets is disposed within a respective one of said motor frame openings. 
     
     
         4 . A fluid pump as in  claim 1  wherein said base section connects each of said plurality of legs. 
     
     
         5 . A fluid pump as in  claim 4  wherein said base section includes a recess extending axially thereinto. 
     
     
         6 . A fluid pump as in  claim 4  wherein said base section is annular in shape. 
     
     
         7 . A fluid pump as in  claim 5  further comprising:
 an impeller having an array of blades radially surrounding said axis, said impeller being rotatable by said shaft of said motor wherein rotation of said impeller pumps fluid from said inlet to said outlet; 
 an inlet plate adjacent to said impeller and including said inlet, said inlet plate includes an inlet plate flow channel aligned with said array of blades; and 
 an outlet plate adjacent to said impeller on the side said impeller that is opposite said inlet plate, said outlet plate having an outlet passage in fluid communication with said outlet and an outlet plate flow channel aligned with said array of blades; 
 wherein said outlet plate defines said lower bushing; and 
 wherein said outlet plate is disposed coaxially within said recess. 
 
     
     
         8 . A fluid pump as in  claim 7  wherein said base section is annular in shape. 
     
     
         9 . A fluid pump as in  claim 4  wherein said base section defines a shoulder facing toward said top section. 
     
     
         10 . A fluid pump as in  claim 9  further comprising a flux carrier radially surrounding said plurality of legs and axially abutting said shoulder. 
     
     
         11 . A fluid pump as in  claim 10  wherein said shoulder is annular in shape. 
     
     
         12 . A fluid pump as in  claim 10  further comprising an end cap positioned over said top section and defining said outlet. 
     
     
         13 . A fluid pump as in  claim 12  wherein said flux carrier is captured axially between said end cap and said shoulder of said base section. 
     
     
         14 . A fluid pump as in  claim 1  further comprising:
 an armature having a plurality of circumferentially spaced windings wherein said armature is fixed to said shaft; and 
 a pair of brushes to deliver electrical power to said windings; 
 wherein said pair of brushes are supported in respective brush holders defined by said top section of said motor frame. 
 
     
     
         15 . A fluid pump comprising:
 an inlet for introducing fluid into said fluid pump;   an outlet for discharging fluid from said fluid pump;   a motor having a shaft that rotates about an axis, said shaft having an upper end and a lower end;   a motor frame having a top section, a base section, and a plurality of legs axially separating said top section and said base section;   an impeller having an array of blades radially surrounding said axis, said impeller being rotatable by said shaft of said motor wherein rotation of said impeller pumps fluid from said inlet to said outlet;   an inlet plate adjacent to said impeller and including said inlet, said inlet plate includes an inlet plate flow channel aligned with said array of blades; and   an outlet plate adjacent to said impeller on the side said impeller that is opposite said inlet plate, said outlet plate having an outlet passage in fluid communication with said outlet and an outlet plate flow channel aligned with said array of blades, said outlet plate defining a lower bushing for radially supporting said lower end of said shaft;   wherein said top section defines an upper bushing therein for radially supporting said upper end of said shaft; and   wherein said base section maintains a coaxial relationship between said lower bushing and said upper bushing.   
     
     
         16 . A fluid pump as in  claim 15  wherein said base section includes a recess extending axially thereinto. 
     
     
         17 . A fluid pump as in  claim 16  wherein said base section connects each of said plurality of legs. 
     
     
         18 . A fluid pump as in  claim 17  wherein said base section is annular in shape. 
     
     
         19 . A fluid pump as in  claim 16  wherein said wherein said outlet plate is disposed coaxially within said recess. 
     
     
         20 . A fluid pump as in  claim 19  wherein said base section defines a shoulder facing toward said top section. 
     
     
         21 . A fluid pump as in  claim 20  further comprising a flux carrier radially surrounding said plurality of legs and axially abutting said shoulder. 
     
     
         22 . A fluid pump as in  claim 21  further comprising an end cap positioned over said top section and defining said outlet. 
     
     
         23 . A fluid pump as in  claim 22  wherein said flux carrier is captured axially between said end cap and said shoulder of said base section.