Impeller for a fluid pump

Abstract

A monolithic impeller includes a gear opening defined by a cylindrical member and an inner surface being splined for receiving a gear shaft and defining an impeller axis. A plurality of blades each include an arcuate configuration extending outwardly relative to the impeller axis. The blades include a proximal end disposed proximate the cylindrical member and a distal end disposed radially outwardly from the cylindrical member. A cover member extends radially outwardly to the distal end of the plurality of blades and defines a fluid inlet that is concentric with the impeller axis. A hub member is spaced from the cover member by the blades extending radially outwardly from the cylindrical member. The proximal end of the blades extend radially inwardly of the fluid inlet and the distal end of the blades terminating at a common concentric diameter as an outermost portion of the cover member and the hub member.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An impeller for a fluid pump, comprising:
 a gear opening defined by a cylindrical member including an inner surface being splined for receiving a gear shaft with said cylindrical member defining an impeller axis;   a plurality of blades including an arcuate configuration extending outwardly relative to said impeller axis, each of said plurality of blades including a proximal end being disposed proximate said cylindrical member and a distal end disposed radially outwardly from said cylindrical member;   a cover member extending radially outwardly to said distal end of said plurality of blades and defining a fluid inlet being concentric with said impeller axis;   a hub member spaced from said cover member by said plurality of blades and extending radially outwardly from said cylindrical member; and said proximal end of said blades extending radially inwardly of said fluid inlet and continuously in along said impeller axis to and end portion with said distal end of said blades terminating at a common concentric diameter as an outermost portion of said cover member and said hub member and said impeller including a monolithic construction.   
     
     
         2 . The impeller set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said fluid inlet is defined by a flange being coaxial with said impeller axis and extending outwardly from said cover member. 
     
     
         3 . The impeller set forth in  claim 2 , wherein said flange defines a radially outward wall having a cylindrical surface and a radially inward wall defining blade elements being complimentary to each of said plurality of blades. 
     
     
         4 . The impeller set forth in  claim 3 , wherein each of blade elements define a notch in said radially inward wall. 
     
     
         5 . The impeller set forth in  claim 4 , wherein said proximal end of each of said plurality of blades extends radially inwardly of said fluid inlet at said notch. 
     
     
         6 . The impeller set forth in  claim 3 , wherein each of said plurality of blades extends radially inwardly of said fluid inlet proximate one of said blade elements. 
     
     
         7 . The impeller set forth in any of the preceding claims, wherein at least a portion of said cover member and said hub member extend radially outwardly at an angle being substantially perpendicular to said impeller axis. 
     
     
         8 . The impeller set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said cover member presents an arcuate cross-section relative to said fluid inlet and said impeller axis. 
     
     
         9 . The impeller set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said proximal end of each of said plurality of blades is disposed at an angle being offset from said impeller axis. 
     
     
         10 . The impeller set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said distal end of each of said plurality of blades is parallel to said impeller axis. 
     
     
         11 . The impeller set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said outermost portion of said hub member defines a lip extending in an axial direction. 
     
     
         12 . The impeller set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said proximal end of each of said plurality of blades is spaced from said cylindrical member defining said gear opening.