Pump assembly

Abstract

A pump assembly including an electric motor, a pumping element mounted in a pump chamber, the motor being connected to the pumping element such that activation of the motor causes movement of the pumping element which in turn causes pumping of fluid in the pump chamber, and a motor controller which includes at least one electrical or electronic component and which controls operation of the motor, wherein at least one electrical or electronic component of the motor controller is mounted on or in a wall of the pump chamber.

1 . A pump assembly including an electric motor, a pumping element mounted in a pump chamber, the motor being connected to the pumping element such that activation of the motor causes movement of the pumping element which in turn causes pumping of fluid in the pump chamber, and a motor controller which includes at least one electrical or electronic component and which controls operation of the motor, wherein at least one electrical or electronic component of the motor controller is mounted on or in a wall of the pump chamber.  
   
   
       2 . A pump assembly according to  claim 1  wherein the pump assembly includes a pump housing with a motor housing portion which encloses the motor, and a volute portion which encloses the pumping element, the or each electrical or electronic component of the motor controller mounted on the pump chamber wall is mounted on a partition plate which separates the motor from the pump chamber.  
   
   
       3 . A pump assembly according to  claim 2  wherein the or each electrical or electronic component is mounted on a surface of the partition plate adjacent the motor.  
   
   
       4 . A pump assembly according to  claim 2  wherein a shaft connecting the pumping element to the motor extends through an aperture provided in the partition plate to the pumping element, and a plurality of electrical or electronic components of the motor controller are mounted on the partition plate in a generally annular array around the aperture.  
   
   
       5 . A pump assembly according to  claim 1  wherein a larger number of electrical or electronic components of the motor controller are located on a portion of the pump chamber wall adjacent a pump outlet than elsewhere on the pump chamber wall.  
   
   
       6 . A pump assembly according to  claim 4  wherein the aperture does not extend through the centre of the partition plate, a larger area of the partition plate being located adjacent the pump outlet, such that a larger number electrical or electronic components may be located adjacent the pump outlet than elsewhere on the partition plate.  
   
   
       7 . A pump assembly according to  claim 1  wherein a surface of the pump chamber wall in contact with fluid within the pump chamber may be provided with topographical features which assist in inducing turbulence in fluid within the pump chamber.  
   
   
       8 . A pump assembly according to  claim 1  wherein the pump chamber wall on which the or each electrical or electronic component is mounted is metallic.  
   
   
       9 . A pump assembly according to  claim 8  wherein the metallic pump chamber wall is made from cast aluminium.  
   
   
       10 . A pump assembly according to  claim 1  wherein the pump chamber wall is provided with integral fastener formations which are adapted to engage with the electronic or electrical component or components of the motor controller mounted on the pump wall, and which may be deformed to retain the electronic or electrical component or components on the pump chamber wall.