New vane shape

Abstract

A vane for use in a rotary pump “R” a first portion P1 having a first thickness T1 and a second portion P2 which has a second thickness T2 that is greater than the first thickness T1. In some examples, the vane has an L-shaped cross-section. In other examples, said second portion P2 has a circular cross-section.

1 . A rotary pump vane comprising:
 a first portion P1 having a first thickness T1; and   a second portion P2 which has a second thickness T2 that is greater than the first thickness T1.   
     
     
         2 . The vane of  claim 1 , wherein said second portion P2 comprises a first ledge  20  provided on one side of the vane. 
     
     
         3 . The vane of  claim 2 , wherein said ledge protrudes from only one side of the vane. 
     
     
         4 . The vane of  claim 1 , wherein said ledge extends along the entire width W of the vane  16 . 
     
     
         5 . The vane of  claim 2 , wherein said ledge does not extend along the entire width W of the vane. 
     
     
         6 . The vane of  claim 1 , wherein said vane has an L-shaped cross-section. 
     
     
         7 . The vane of  claim 1 , wherein said second portion P2 comprises a ball-shaped edge. 
     
     
         8 . The vane of  claim 1 , wherein said second portion P2 of said vane has a circular cross-section. 
     
     
         9 . The vane of  claim 7 , wherein said ball-shaped edge extends along the entire width W of the vane. 
     
     
         10 . The vane of  claim 7 , wherein said ball-shaped edge does not extend along the entire width W of the vane. 
     
     
         11 . A rotary pump, comprising at least one slot configured to receive said vane of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         12 . The rotary pump of  claim 11 , wherein said at least one slot comprises a first portion S1 that has a first slot width SW1 and a second portion S2 that has a second slot width SW2, wherein the second width SW2 of the second portion S2 of the slot is greater than the first slot width SW. 
     
     
         13 . The rotary pump of  claim 11 , wherein the junction between the first slot portion S1 and the second slot portion S2 creates an end-stop, configured to contact said vane at the junction between said first vane portion P1 and said second vane portion P2 to thereby prevent the vane from exiting said slot. 
     
     
         14 . The rotary pump of  claim 11 , wherein said vane has a length L that extends between a first edge of the vane and a second edge and wherein, use, the vane is provided within the slot of the rotor R such that the second edge is closer to a central axis of the rotor R than the first edge of the vane, and wherein said second portion P2 is provided at said second edge.