Non-intrusive vapor detector for magnetic drive pump

Abstract

A magnetic drive pump includes a magnetic coupling comprising an outer magnet rotor and an inner magnet rotor. The outer magnet rotor is driven by a separate motor. The outer magnet rotor is positioned radially outward of a sealing wall. The inner magnet rotor is positioned radially within the sealing wall, such that rotation of the inner magnet rotor causes the pump rotor to in turn rotate. The pump rotor drives a centrifugal pump impeller to move a liquid. A bubble detector is positioned outward of the wall such that it is in a dry side of the pump. The bubble detector sends a signal into a wet side of the pump to identify the existence of a gas within a pump fluid.

1 . A magnetic drive pump comprising:
 a motor driving a magnetic coupling via a shaft;   said shaft driving an outer magnet rotor, said outer magnet rotor being positioned radially outward of a sealing wall;   an inner magnet rotor positioned radially within said sealing wall, and such that rotation of said inner magnet rotor causes a centrifugal pump impeller to move a liquid; and   a bubble detector positioned outward of said sealing wall such that it is in a dry side of said pump, said bubble detector sending a signal into a wet side of said pump to identify the existence of a gas within a pump liquid.   
     
     
         2 . The pump as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said bubble detector is an ultrasonic detector. 
     
     
         3 . The pump as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said bubble detector communicates with a control. 
     
     
         4 . The pump as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said bubble detector is positioned adjacent to a portion of the wet side of said pump which is spaced from said centrifugal pump impeller. 
     
     
         5 . The pump as set forth in  claim 4 , wherein a housing separates said centrifugal pump impeller from said portion of said wet side that is associated with said bubble detector.