Self-priming transfer pump with quick pump attachment/detachment

Abstract

A self-priming transfer pump incudes fluid inlets and outlets that employ camlock fittings. The self-priming transfer pump also includes a unique motor plate and pump housing to allow a quarter-turn attachment after lining a splined motor shaft to a unique splined female mating portion. There exists a pump cartridge permanently affixed to the pump housing to eliminate user exposure and need for tools when replacing or changing out the pump. A quick connection and disconnection of pumping section from motor section requires no tools. An external locking mechanism prevents the pump section from rotating and disengaging from motor section. Multiple pump sections are usable with a single motor to prevent cross-contamination between products being pumped.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A self-priming transfer pump, comprising:
 a pump section;   a pump cartridge permanently affixed to the pump section without bolts and such that guts within the pump cartridge are hermetically sealed from the environment, wherein the guts comprise at least:
 a diaphragm; 
 a wobble plate; and 
 a valve plate; 
   a motor section housing a motor;   a toolless attachment mechanism allowing connection and disconnection between the pump section and the motor section;   an external locking mechanism to prevent the pump section from rotating and disengaging from the motor section during operation of the pump; and   a relief valve that allows fluid to flow away from the main flow path when a predetermined pressure is reached, wherein the relief valve is separately installed as a component in the fluid path.   
     
     
         2 . The self-priming transfer pump of  claim 1 , wherein the external locking mechanism comprises a locking tab and a toolless head screw. 
     
     
         3 . The self-priming transfer pump of  claim 1 , further comprising a clamp plate. 
     
     
         4 . The self-priming transfer pump of  claim 1 , wherein the pump section further comprises an inlet, an outlet, and a main flow path between the inlet and the outlet. 
     
     
         5 . The self-priming transfer pump of  claim 4 , further comprising a relief valve cover in the pump section that allows access to the relief valve. 
     
     
         6 . The self-priming transfer pump of  claim 4 , wherein a portion of the pump section comprising the inlet includes a radially recessed groove and another portion of the pump section comprising the outlet includes a radially recessed groove for receiving a cam of a camlock fitting. 
     
     
         7 . The self-priming transfer pump of  claim 1 , further comprising a switch that controls power to the motor, said switch having an on position and an off position. 
     
     
         8 . The self-priming transfer pump of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the motor section comprises a motor mounting plate that contacts the pump section during operation of the self-priming transfer pump;   the toolless attachment mechanism comprises protrusions at a periphery of the pump section and notches at a periphery of the motor mounting plate; and   the protrusions and notches cause the pump section to lock to the motor section after turning the pump section at least forty-five degrees.   
     
     
         9 . The self-priming transfer pump of  claim 1 , wherein the toolless attachment mechanism is selected from the group consisting of:
 threads;   a clamp; and   a bracket.   
     
     
         10 . The self-priming transfer pump of  claim 1 , wherein the toolless attachment mechanism employs, at least in part, a magnetic, pneumatic, or compressive force to pull the pump section and the motor section toward each other. 
     
     
         11 . The self-priming transfer pump of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a connection between the motor section and the pump section comprising:
 (i) a male splined motor shaft associated with the motor section; and 
 a female splined section associated with the pump section; 
 wherein the male splined motor shaft is configured to mate with the female splined section; or 
 (ii) a hex shaped shaft; 
 a hex drive motor; 
 a plurality of set screws between the hex shaped shaft and the hex drive motor; 
 a hex drive bearing surrounding the hex drive motor; and 
 an annular bearing surrounding a portion of the hex drive bearing. 
   
     
     
         12 . A pump housing comprising:
 an interchangeable pump section comprising:
 a first portion comprising an inlet that includes a radially recessed groove; and 
 a second portion comprising an outlet that includes a radially recessed groove for receiving a cam of a camlock fitting; 
   wherein connecting and disconnecting hoses is possible via the camlock fitting without the use of tools.   
     
     
         13 . The pump housing of  claim 12 , wherein the cam lies at a female end of a lever of the camlock fitting. 
     
     
         14 . The pump housing of  claim 13 , wherein the cam aligns with a circumferential groove on a male end of a lever of the camlock fitting. 
     
     
         15 . The pump housing of  claim 14 , wherein when the levers are rotated to the locked position, they pull the male end into the female end, creating a tight seal against a gasket within the female end. 
     
     
         16 . The pump housing of  claim 14 , wherein the levers lock into position using over-center geometry, preventing accidental decoupling. 
     
     
         17 . The pump housing of  claim 14 , further comprising lever safety pins for additional security. 
     
     
         18 . The pump housing of  claim 13 , wherein the lever is a self-locking lever. 
     
     
         19 . An interchangeable pump section for use with a self-priming transfer pump, the interchangeable pump section comprising:
 a pump housing, comprising:
 an inlet, 
 an outlet, and 
 a series of notches and a series of protrusions symmetrically arrayed about an internal peripheral surface of the pump housing, each protrusion of said series of protrusions comprising a ramp at one end and a tooth at the other end and each notch of the series of notches comprising a taper between one and two degrees that establishes an interference fit; 
   a pump cartridge permanently affixed to the pump housing without bolts and such that a hermetic seal is established, to eliminate user exposure and need for tools when replacing or changing out the pump, said pump cartridge comprising therewithin:
 a diaphragm; 
 a wobble plate; and 
 a valve plate with valves; and 
   an external locking mechanism to prevent the interchangeable pump section from rotating and disengaging from a motor section, said external locking mechanism comprising a locking tab and a head screw.   
     
     
         20 . The interchangeable pump section of  claim 19 , further comprising ribs reinforcing the pump housing from an internal side of the pump housing.