Gear pumps and methods for using gear pumps

Abstract

Gear pumps and methods of using the gear pumps are provided. In general embodiments, the pumps comprise a gear housing defining a passage and having an inlet and an outlet and one or more gears contained within the gear housing. The gears can comprise corresponding bearings that are movably engaged with the gear. The bearings are separated from the passage of the gear housing by one or more seals. The bearings can be contained within a bearing housing attached to the gear housing.

1 . A pump comprising:
 a gear housing defining a passage and having an inlet and an outlet; and   at least one gear contained within the gear housing, the gear comprising at least one bearing movably engaged with the gear, the bearing separated from the passage of the gear housing by a seal.   
     
     
         2 . The pump of  claim 1  wherein the bearing is contained within a bearing housing attached to the gear housing. 
     
     
         3 . The pump of  claim 2  wherein the bearing housing defines an inlet and an outlet and a reservoir containing the bearing. 
     
     
         4 . The pump of  claim 1  wherein the gear comprises a shaft attached to a motor. 
     
     
         5 . The pump of  claim 4  wherein the bearing is part of a bearing assembly surrounding the shaft. 
     
     
         6 . The pump of  claim 5  wherein the seal surrounds the shaft and is positioned between the gear and the bearing assembly. 
     
     
         7 . The pump of  claim 6  further comprising a spring assembly surrounding the shaft and positioned between the seal and the bearing assembly. 
     
     
         8 . The pump of  claim 1  wherein the gear comprises a shape selected from the group consisting of studded, spur, helical, herringbone and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         9 . A pump comprising:
 a gear housing defining a passage and having an inlet and an outlet;   a first gear comprising a first shaft and contained within passage of the gear housing, the first gear comprising a first bearing assembly surrounding the first shaft, the first bearing assembly separated from the passage of the gear housing by a first seal; and   a second gear comprising a second shaft and contained within passage of the gear housing, the second gear comprising a second bearing assembly surrounding the second shaft, the second bearing assembly separated from the passage of the gear housing by a second seal.   
     
     
         10 . The pump of  claim 9  wherein the first bearing assembly and the second bearing assembly are contained within a bearing housing attached to the gear housing. 
     
     
         11 . The pump of  claim 10  wherein the bearing housing defines an inlet and an outlet and a reservoir containing the bearing assemblies. 
     
     
         12 . The pump of  claim 9  wherein at least one of the first shaft and the second shaft is attached to a motor. 
     
     
         13 . The pump of  claim 9  wherein the first seal comprises a first seal surrounding the first shaft and positioned between the first gear and the first bearing assembly and the second seal comprises a second seal surrounding the second shaft and positioned between the second gear and the second bearing assembly. 
     
     
         14 . The pump of  claim 13  further comprising a first spring assembly surrounding the first shaft and positioned between the first seal and the first bearing assembly and a second spring assembly surrounding the second shaft and positioned between the second seal and the second bearing assembly. 
     
     
         15 . The pump of  claim 9  wherein the gear comprises a shape selected from the group consisting of studded, spur, helical, herringbone and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         16 . A pump comprising:
 a gear housing defining a passage and having an inlet and an outlet;   a first gear attached to a first shaft extending from both sides of the first gear and contained within the passage of the gear housing, the first gear comprising a first bearing assembly and a second bearing assembly attached to the shaft on each side of the first gear, the first bearing assembly and the second bearing assembly separated from the passage of the gear housing by a first seal and second seal, respectively; and   a second gear attached to a second shaft extending from both sides of the second gear and contained within the passage of the gear housing, the second gear comprising a third bearing assembly and a fourth bearing assembly attached to the shaft on each side of the second gear, the third bearing assembly and the fourth bearing assembly separated from the passage of the gear housing by a third seal and fourth seal, respectively.   
     
     
         17 . The pump of  claim 16  wherein the first and second bearing assembly and the first and second seal are contained within a first bearing housing attached to the gear housing and wherein the third and fourth bearing assembly and the third and fourth seal are contained within a second bearing housing attached to the gear housing. 
     
     
         18 . The pump of  claim 17  wherein at least one of the first bearing housing and the second bearing housing defines an inlet and an outlet and a reservoir containing the bearing assemblies. 
     
     
         19 . The pump of  claim 16  wherein at least one of the first shaft and the second shaft is attached to a motor. 
     
     
         20 . The pump of  claim 16  further comprising a first spring assembly surrounding the first shaft and positioned between the first seal and the first bearing assembly, a second spring assembly surrounding the first shaft and positioned between the second seal and the second bearing assembly, a third spring assembly surrounding the second shaft and positioned between the third seal and the third bearing assembly, and a fourth spring assembly surrounding the second shaft and positioned between the fourth seal and the fourth bearing assembly. 
     
     
         21 . (canceled) 
     
     
         22 . (canceled) 
     
     
         23 . (canceled) 
     
     
         24 . (canceled) 
     
     
         25 . (canceled) 
     
     
         26 . (canceled)