Seawater hydraulic vane type pump

Abstract

A vane type hydraulic energy translating device for pumping filtered seawater and which uses seawater as a lubricating fluid. The pump is a compact, light weight design in which the bearings and certain other critical components are fabricated from corrosion resistant, low friction, high strength materials. The vanes as well as flexible side plate members are formed of these corrosion resistant materials. The pump body is formed of high corrosion resistant stainless steel. The side plates are flexible and act as wear surfaces for the ends of the vanes as well as sealing surfaces about the rotor thereby preventing leakage of seawater from high to low pressure areas. Each vane is spring biased radially outward from the rotor axis with four springs disposed within apertures located in the vane base. The vanes are generally rectangular in shape and have an outer end portion which serves as a sliding seal against a cam ring track. The rotor of the pump is uniquely splined to the shaft such that axial forces along the shaft do not translate to the rotor. A unique under vane pressurization system facilitates the passage of pressurized seawater to the base of the vane to assist in urging the vane radially outward against the cam track ring.