US3054246A - Vacuum heating pump assembly - Google Patents

Description

Sept. 18, v1962 l. c. JENNINGS VACUUM HEATING PUMP ASSEMBLY 2 Sheecs--SheekI 1 Filed Feb. 4, 1958 www.;

INVENTOR. JPY/NG C'. JENN/NGS /7 7' TORNE YS Sept. 18, 1962 l. c. JENNINGS VACUUM HEATING PUMP ASSEMBLY 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. 4, 1958 INVENTOR. fR v/NQ' C'. WN/NGS IQTTORNEYS United Patented Sept. 18, 1962 tice 3,054,246 VACUUM RATING PUMP ASSEMBLY Irwfng C. Jennings, Nash Engineering Company, South Norwalk, Conn. Filed Feb. 4, 1958, Ser. 'N o. 713,152 13 Claims. (Cl. 55-169) This invention relates generally to vacuum heating systems generally installed in relatively large buildings such as apartments, oflice buildings, etc.

In a vacuum heating system wherein air and condensate are drawn from the system by means of a vacuum heating pump, it is highly desirable that the condensate capacity and air `capacity be independent in order that when pumping air, the water capacity will not be aifected, and neither will the air capacity be reduced when water is being pumped. The independent relationship of the air and water pumping portions of the heating pump is highly desirable in order to attain the highest possible etliciency. Through such independent relationship, it is possible to design independent pumping units without compromising the ability of the pump to perform either as an air pump or a water pump. Separation of the facilities for pumping water and air adapts the pump to all operating conditions of the vacuum heating system. For example, in morning Warm-up periods large volumes of condensate and air are removed, quick circulation is promoted, and operating vacuum rapidly attained through the independent operation of the pumping units. However, during regular or normal operation when the volume of the condensate is reduced, the pumping unit automatically unloads without reducing the full capacity of the air pump for maintaining a vacuum in the system.

A primary object of this invention is to provide in a vacuum heating system, an improved vacuum heating pump including means for pumping condensate from a receiver of the system independently of means for pumping air from the system in order to maintain a vacuum therein, the means for pumping air utilizing condensate from the receiver of the system, and wherein the condensate is discharged with compressed air to an air-andwater separator operatively connected to the receiver of the system.

Another object of this invention is to provide, in a Vacuum heating system of the above character, improved seal means interposed between the means for pumping water and air, the seal means being effective to prevent loss of the liquid seal necessary for the operation of the air pump when the receiver of the system is empty and wherein a lower pressure exists at the means for pumping water than that which exists about the means for pumping air, and further tending to prevent the flow of water from the means for pumping water toward the means for pumping air when a higher pressure exists about the means for pumping water.

Another object of this invention is to provide, in a vacuum heating system, novel air-and-liquid separating means elective to receive the mixture of seal water and compressed air from the means for pumping air, and to separate effectively and eiiiciently the same whereby the compressed air is discharged to the atmosphere and the seal water is returned to the receiver of the system.

Still another object of this invention is to provide an improved combination condensate and suction pump assembly for use in a vacuum heating system including a condensate receiver and -air-and-water separating means, the pump assembly including simultaneously driven and independently operating water and air pumping means including improved seal means interposed between the means for pumping air and water for deterring the How of liquid between the pumping means due to a pressure dierential existing in chambers in which the pumping means operate.

A still further object of this invention is to provide an improved fliquid-and-air separator for use 'with a condensate receiver of a Vacuum heating system which includes an air pump assembly discharging a mixture of air and liquid, the separator assembly including means upon which the mixture of air and liquid will be impinged, this means causing the impinged mixture to separate whereby liquid of the mixture is discharged in one direction and air yof the mixture is discharged in another direction, the separator permitting the separated liquid to be returned to the heating system and the separated air to be discharged to the atmosphere.

Another object of this invention is to provide, in a vacuum heating pump assembly, a hollow condensate receiver with no internal baffles, passages or the like in combination with a pump assembly including condensate and vacuum pumping portions each including a common drive shaft and operating independently, the condensate receiver including means facilitating mounting of the pump assembly, a strainer, and a liquid-and-air separator as accessories aiording ready assembly, maintenance and repair as well as flexibility of arrangement for different requirements of a vacuum heating system.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent during the course of the following description.

In the drawings forming parts of this specification:

FIGURE 1 is a top plan view of a condensate receiver of the vacuum heating system including thereon an airand-liquid separator .and vacuum heating pump assembly, and showing by dotted lines the manner in which a duplex unit is afforded, a portion being broken away for purposes of clarity;

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged fragmentary section through the vacuum heating pump assembly, taken substantially on line 2--2 of FIGURE 1, with portions broken away for purposes of clarity;

FIGURES 3 and 4 are fragmentary sections similar to a portion of FIGURE 2, showing alternate air pump rotor widths which may be utilized in order to afford a variation in the air capacity 1of the air pump;

FIGURE 5 is an enlarged vertical section through the separator, taken substantially on line 5-5 of FIG- URE 6;

FIGURE `6 is a vertical section taken substantially on line 6-6 of FIGURE 5;

FIGURE 7 is a section taken on -line 7--7 of FIGURE- 2, with portions broken away for the purposes of clarity;

FIGURE 8 is a section taken on line 8 8 of FIGURE 2, showing by means of dotted lines the theoretical path of the liquid seal in the air pump rotor; and

FIGURE 9 is a View similar to that of FIGURE 1 showing a condensate pump assembly.

Referring to the drawings in detail, as seen in FIG- URE l, indicated generally at 10 is a hollow condensate receiver tank having a generally rectangular configuration and including means for mounting a horizontal strainer 12 of the character disclosed in detail in U.S. Letters Patent 2,788,898. The rectangular configuration of the condensate receiver lends itself to duplex milling, drilling and tapping operations to facilitate the exterior mounting of an air-and-liquid separator indicated generally at 14 and diametrically opposed vacuum heating pump assemblies indicated generally at 16 and 18. As will subsequently become apparent, the separator 14 and condensate receiver may be utilized with both of the vacuum heating pump assemblies 1'6 and 18 to alford a duplex unit. However, the provision of a duplex unit, while it provides a safety factor in the vacuum heating system, is not necessary Ifor the proper operation of the system inasmuch as the system operates by utilizing a single vacuum heating pump assembly. Thus, detailed description of the vacuum heating pump assembly will be restricted to the vacuum heating pump assembly 16.

Communicating with the strainer 12 of the condensate receiver is a condensate return line 20. The return line 20 will be subject to the vacuum developed in the system as will subsequently become apparent.

The receiver includes through one side 22, see FIGURE 2, an enlarged opening 24 for communicating condensate to the pump 16. Formed in the wall 22 of the receiver, above the level of the condensate normally maintained therein is an air-outlet port 26, which is internally threaded for receiving a laterally extending nipple element 28; an opening and air-outlet port, not shown, will be provided for pump 18.

The vacuum heating pump 16 has a body indicated generally at 29 including a centrifugal water pump casing 30 suitably secured on the side 22 of the receiver in sealed relationship about the opening 24. The casing 30 includes a volute chamber 32 communicating with a discharge line 34, see FIGURE 1, through which condensate will be pumped from the vacuum heating system to the boiler or hot-Well of the heating system. The casing 30 has formed integral therewith a laterally projecting condensate-intake portion 36 opening at 38 with the condensate which will accumulate in the receiver. The intake portion 36 communicates `axially with the volute chamber 32 as indicated at 40 and incorporates therein an annular seal ring 42 for the impeller 110 which will rotate within the volute chamber 32. Formed in the casing 30 is a seal water passage 44 which cornmunicates with the lower portion 45 of the receiver 10 formed by the opening 24 and intake portion 36 for supplying water to the air pumping portion of the pump.

The body 29 of the pump includes a lobe casing 46 including a suitable shouldered portion 48 which is received within the casing 30 as indicated at 50. Thus, the casing 46 forms one side of the volute chamber 32. The casing 46 has formed therein an air-and-liquid chamber 52, the lower portion of which includes a port 54 which communicates with the passage 44 of the casing 30 to receive condensate or seal water therein. The upper portion of the chamber 52 includes an internally threaded air-ingress port 56 which receives a suitable nipple 58 therein. The nipples 28 and 58 are connected by means of a suitable elbow member 60 which facilitates the assembly and disassembly of the vacuum heating pump on the receiver. The elbow 60 incorporates suitable cap nuts 62 and packing 64 as seen in FIGURE 2. Formed within the chamber 52 is a rotor chamber 66 which has an elliptical cross section. An intermediate chamber 68 is also formed in the casing 46 about an annular hub 70. A tubular seal ring 72 is received within the hub 70 and includes an annular ange 74 extending toward the chamber 66. Circumposed about the inner periphery of the seal ring 72 is a suitable rotor liner 76. v

The body 29 includes a separate head member 78 secured on the casing 46 and having formed therein a chamber 80. The chamber 80 is ported at 82 to cornmunicate with chamber S2 and thus receive condensate or seal water therethrough. The chamber 80 includes at its upper portion a discharge port 84 internally threaded for receiving a discharge conduit 86. Mounted on casing 78 by means of cap screws 87 is an inwardly projecting tubular cone 38 incorporating passages 90.

A suitably rated electric motor indicated generally at 94 extends laterally of and is affixed to head member 78, including a drive shaft 96 extending axially Within the tubular cone 88. Circumposed about the shaft 96 is a suitable shaft seal assembly indicated generally at 98. Indicated generally at 100 is a rotor utilized in a hydroturbine pump of the well known Nash type, the function of which being described in detail in U.S. Letters Patent 2,788,745, including a circular hub 102 having a plurality of radially extending blades 104 which rotate in the elliptical chamber 66. The rotor includes an axial tubular shaft portion 106 extending into the tubular cone 38 and receiving therein the shaft 96 of the electric motor 94. The rotor 100 includes an axially extending integral cast shaft extension 108 which projects through the annular hub 70 of the casing 46 terminating in the volute chamber 32.

Indicated generally at 110 is a centrifugal impeller of a conventional design which rotates within the volute chamber 32. lmpeller 110 includes an axially extending tubular mounting hub 112 keyed on the shaft extension 108 and retained thereon by means of a securing nut 114. The impeller 110 further includes an annular axially extending intake portion 116 received within the seal ring 42 and through which condensate from the receiver 10 enters. Condensate entering the impeller is cast centrifugally by means of radially extending discharge nozzles 118 into the volute chamber 32 and out of the discharge line 34.

An annular plate 119, integral with the hub 102 of the rotor, incorporates an annular shoulder 120, see FIG- URES 2 and 7, disposed adjacent to the `annular flange 74 of the seal ring 72, acting with the flange as a restriction tending to limit the ow of condensate toward the chamber 66, such tiow possibly occuring under certain high pressure conditions in the volute chamber 32. This shoulder restricts the movement of the water to such an extent that the effectiveness of the air pump will not be adversely affected. Extending radially from the shoulder 120, see FIGURE 7, are a plurality of impeller blades 122 providing a. reduced diameter water impeller indicated generally at 124. Under certain conditions of operation when the receiver 10 is substantially emptied by the impeller 110, the seal water or liquid ring necessary for the proper operation of the vacuum pump might be drawn into the volute chamber 32 and be pumped out through the discharge pipe 34. The impeller 124, which is in close proximity to the flange 74, rotates in the chamber 68 and acts as a small centrifugal pump discharging toward the chamber 66 thus preventing water from passing from the vacuum pump to the water pump when the pressure in the volute chamber is lower than that in chamber 66.

Impellers 110 may be designed for different capacities depending on the requirements of the particular vacuum heating system in which the pump is installed by varying the diameter of the impeller and the openings of the nozzles 118. In this regard, considering FIGURES 3 and 4, the rotor indicated generally at 100 may incorporate blades 104 which are of a lesser width than those of FIGURE 2, and in this manner the capacity of the vacuum pump may be decreased. In this event, the casing 46' will be so designed to afford this expedient. Referring to FIGURE 4, the rotor indicated generally at 100" incorporates blades 104 which are of a decreased width thus atording a reduced capacity vacuum pump, whereas in FIGURE 3 the rotor indicated generally at 100 is provided with blades 104 wider than those shown in FIGURE 4, thus giving greater capacity to the pump. Thus it is readily apparent that various air capacities can be combined with various water capacities to suit the requirements of the particular vacuum heating system involved.

A mixture of air and water is discharged by the rotor 100 through the conduit 86 to the separator 14. Air enters the chamber 52 from the upper portion of the receiver through the outlet port 26 of the receiver and enters with seal water from the receiver into the lower portion of the chamber passing through the cone inlet ports 90. Referring to U.S. Letters Patent 2,788,745 and FIGURE 8, as the rotor rotates inthe elliptical chamber 66, seal water disposed within pockets or chambers formed by the blades 104 will assume the path shown by the dotted line indicated Iat 126. The water turning with the rotor is constrained to follow the elliptical casing by centrifugal force, and alternately recedes twice during each revolution of the rotor, and as the Water recedes air is drawn from the pump inlet in the cone, through the cone inlet ports, and as the water follows the path shown due to the elliptical casing, air is `discharged through the ports out of the -pump discharge.

Considering FIGURES l, 5 and 6, the separator 14 comprises a hollow casing member 128 secured on a suitably milled pad formed on the receiver, the receiver communicating by means of a port 130 with the interior of the casing member 128. Communication of separated water from the member 128 is controlled by a ball lloat valve indicated generally at 132, the function of which is described in detail in U.S. Letters Patent 2,794,445. As shown in FIGURES 5 and 6, ball float valve 132 includes a body member 133 communicating with opening 130 in receiver 10, and having a lateral inlet port 135. This port is adapted to be opened and closed by a valve bead 137 mounted at the end of a valve stem 139 which is pivoted at 141 and extends at right angles to body member 133. A ball lloat 143 is mounted on the outer end of stern 139. This construction of the valve permits its attachment to the side of receiver on a finished or machined pad 145 without cutting into the walls of separator 14 and provides a direct passage from the Valve body 133 into the receiver without piping.

Opening through the top 134 of the casing 128 is an internally threaded port 136 receiving a vertically extending pipe 138 through which air separated from the mixture discharged from the vacuum pump will be vented to the atmosphere. The discharge line or conduit 86 from the vacuum pump will communicate with an inlet port 140, see FIGURE 5. Formed integrally with the casing 128 and depending from the top 134 thereof is Ian arcuate baille plate 142, the inner concave surface 144 of which extending in spaced relation from the port 140. The lower edge of the plate as indicated at 146 terminates in spaced transverse relationship from the inner surface 148 of the side of the casing through which the port 140 extends and defines therewith an elongated slot 150 through which Water will be discharged into the casing. As seen in FIGURE 6, the baille plate is integral with the -side of the casing spaced from the outer surface of the receiver 10, the baille extending toward the receiver and terminating short thereof as indicated at 152 defining with the side of rthe receiver a lateral air egress Slot 154.

When the mixture of water and air passes from the conduit or pipe 86 and is impinged on the inner arcuate surface 144 of the baille plate, the water due to centrifugal force ilows around the curved surface of this baille plate and is discharged out of the downwardly opening slot 150, and through the medium of the tloat valve assembly 132 enters the receiver through the port 130. Air which was mixed with the water will traverse sideways and pass through the air egress slot 154, and since the interior of the separator is subject to pressure, will pass out of the pipe 138.

Extending through the side wall 156 of the casing is a second inlet port 158 for receiving a conduit or pipe 86' when the vacuum heating pump 18 is utilized `in the system to provide a duplex unit. A depending baille plate 142 functioning in the same manner as the baille plate 142 is provided in depending and spaced relationship from the port 158 and -accordingly performs the same function as the baille plate 142. When a single vacuum heating pump assembly 16 is utilized, a conventional plug 160 is inserted in the port 158.

FIGURE 9 shows an arrangement similar to -that shown in FIGURE l which serves as a condensate pump. This arrangement includes the same receiver 10 and the pump 16, or pumps 16 and 18 if a dual unit is desired. The separator 14 and ball tloat valve 132 and their connections are omitted. The openings 26 and 130 of the receiver are plugged by `any suitable means such as threaded plugs. The pipe 34 form-s the condensate outlet of the pump. The use of receivers and pumps of the same construction for both condensate pumps and vacuum heating pumps has the important adv-antage of reducing manufacturing costs and greatly reducing the number of parts which must be carried in stock.

il have described what I believe to be the lbest embodiments of my invention. I `do not wish, however, to be conned to the embodiments shown, but what I desire to cover by Letters Patent is set forth in the appended claims.

I claim:

l. In a vacuum heating pump assembly of the type having a condensate receiver including a separate casing, said receiver including a return-line inlet port, a condensate outlet port and an upper air outlet port; an airwater separator assembly on an exterior wall of the casing of said receiver compri-sing `a chamber including an air egress port, a controlled water outlet port communicating interiorly of said receiver, an air-water inlet port and air-and-water separating means operatively associated with said air-water inlet port; the improvement comprising a combination pump assembly having condensate and suct-on pump portions on said receiver, said condensate pump portion being capable of pumping operation independent of pumping operation of said suction pump portion, said condensate 'and said suction pump -assembly including `a body comprising a water impeller casing, an air-chamber body land head member, said water impeller casing including a volute chamber communicating axially with said condensate outlet port and including a discharge outlet port for directing condensate to the system, said air-chamber body including an air-inlet port communicating with said air-outlet port of the receiver, a rotor chamber formed in said air-chamber body communicating axially with said volute chamber, said head member including an internal chamber communicating axially with said rotor chamber and including a lower seal water port, `said air-chamber body including `a lower seal water inlet port communicating with said seal water port of the head member and a lower portion of the condensate outlet port of said receiver, an air-water outlet port communicating with said internal chamber of said head member and communicating with said air-Water inlet port of -said separator assembly, a shaft journalled in said body member 'axially of said volute chamber, rotor chamber and head member chamber, said shaft terminating in said volute chamber, a centrifugal condensate impeller on said shaft in said volute chamber, an air-and-water rotor integral with said shaft in said internal chamber of the air-chamber body and including means for Iforcing seal water `and air through said air-water outlet port of said internal chamber of said head member, power means on said head member drivingly connected to said shaft for simultaneously rotating said impeller and rotor, and seal means serially interposed between said volute and rotor chambers to deter iluid ilow in either direction therebetween due to a pressure differential existing between said chambers, said -seal means including centrifugal impeller means operative with said rotor for receiving seal Water from said rotor chamber and centrifugally discharging the same back toward said rotor chamber for preventing loss of seal water at the rot-or to maintain pumping eliciency of said suction pump portion during periods when said adjacent condensate pump portion is at a lower pressure `due to absence of water in said volute chamber, said suction pump portion and said separating means beind disconnectable `from said system t-o permit independent operation of said condensate pump.

2. lIn a vacuum heating pump assembly as set forth in claim l in which said seal means comprises an intermediate chamber formed between said volute and rotor chambers, one side of said rotor defining one side of said intermediate chamber Iand wherein said `centrifugal impeller means includes radially extending blades integral with the side of said rotor defining one side of said intermediate chamber rotatable in said intermediate chamber.

3. In a vacuum heating pump assembly as set forth in claim 2 in which said rotor includes an integral annular shoulder about which said radially `extending blades are formed, said shoulder aiding to deter the flow of condensate from said volute chamber toward said rotor chamber when the pressure in said volute chamber is greater than that in said rotor chamber.

4. In a vacuum heating pump assembly as set forth in claim 1 in which said air-and-water separating means of said air-water separator assembly comprises a vertically depending batlle plate extending across the chamber of said separator assembly in spaced relation from said air-inlet port, said baffle plate including a depending concave surface upon which the mixture of air and water discharged by said rotor is impinged, said bafe plate terminating at its lower edge in spaced relation from the inner surface of said separator chamber and providing a downwardly opening water egress slot through which separated water will pass when following the curvature of the concave surface, said plate terminating at one end in spaced relation from the inner surface of said chamber and providing a lateral air-egress slot through which air passes in its movement out of said chamber.

5. In 1a combination condensate and suction pump assembly for use in a vacuum heating system of the type including a condensate receiver having a housing having a machined exterior surface and air-and-water separating means including a separate housing mounted directly on said exterior surface of the receiver, the improvement comprising a pump including a suction pump portion and a condensate pump portion capable of pumping operation independent of pumping operation of said suction pump portion comprising a water impeller casing for receiving condensate from the receiver, an air-chamber body for receiving air from the system through the receiver, a head member including a seal-water ingress port `for condensate from the receiver and an air-water discharge port for communicating a mixture of seal-water and air to the separating means, said water impeller casing including a volute chamber having an axial opening Ifor receiving condensate therethrough, said volute chamber including a discharge portion for returning condensate to the system, said air-chamber body including `a rotor chamber communicating axially with said volute chamber, said head member including an internal chamber communicating axially with said rotor chamber, said seal-water ingress port communicating with the lower portion of said internal chamber and said air-water discharge port communicating with an upper portion thereof, a support shaft journalled in said body member and extending axially through said chambers, said shaft terminating at one end in said volute chamber, a centrifugal condensatae impeller on said shaft in said volute chamber for receiving condensate axi-ally and radially discharging the same, an air-and-water rotor integral with said shaft and disposed in said internal cham-ber and including means for forcing seal-water land air through said air-water discharge port, said air-chamber body having a predetermined width in the axial direction and abutting said head member `in a predetermined plane in accordance with a selected axial width of the rotor, and seal means interposed between said volute and rotor chambers to deter fluid flow in either direction therebetween due to a pressure differential between said chambers, said seal means including centrifugal seal means operative with said rotor for receiving seal water from said rotor chamber and centrifugally discharging the same back toward said rotor chamber for preventing loss of seal water at the rotor to maintain pumping efficiency of said suction pump portion during periods when said adjacent condensate pump portion is at a lower pressure due to absence of water in said volute chamber, said suction pump portion and said separating means being disconnectable from said system to permit independent oper. ation of -said condensate pump.

6. In a pump assembly as set forth in claim 5 in which said seal means comprises an intermediate chamber formed between said volute `and rotor chambers, one side of said rotor defining one side of said intermediate chamber and wherein said centrifugal seal means is rotatable in said intermediate chamber and includes radially extending blades integral with the side of said rotor defining one side of said intermediate chamber.

7. In a pump assembly as set forth in claim 6 in which said rotor includes an integral annular shoulder about which said radially extending blades are formed, said shoulder aiding to deter the flow of condensate from Said volute chamber toward said rotor chamber when the pressure in said volute chamber is greater than that 1n said rotor chamber.

8. In a vacuum heating pump assembly of the type having a condensate receiver including a hollow shell-like body having at least one lateral opening, a return line inlet opening in said receiver for receiving air and condensate from a vacuum heating system, an ar-water separator assembly having a ball oat valve secured exteriorally of and directly upon said receiver and including means for venting `the separator assembly to the atmosphere and directing separated water to the receiver, the improvement comprising a combination condensate and suction pump assembly, said assembly including a condensate pump portion 'and a suction pump portion, said condensate pump portion being capable of unimpaired pumping operation independent of pumping operation of said suction pump portion, said assembly comprising a body mounted on said receiver, power means mounted on said body, and including a drive shaft extending into said body, said pump assembly including separate condensate and suction pump portions respectively including an impeller and rotor mounted on said drive shaft in separate chambers in said body, said condensate pump portion including an axial intake portion extending -into said lateral opening of said receiver and a discharge opening for pumping condensate to a vacuum heating system, said suction pump portion including a portion for receiving air and seal water from said receiver and a discharge portion for directing a mixture of seal water and air to said air-Water separator assembly, said body including seal means interposed between said condensate and `suction pump portion for deterring the flow of condensate and seal water between said condensate and suction pump portion in either direction when la pressure differential exists between said pump portions, said seal means including centrifugal impeller means operative with said rotor for receiving seal water from said rotor chamber and centrifugally discharging the saine back toward said rotor chamber for preventing loss of seal water at the rotor to maintain pumping efciency of said suction pump portion during periods when said adjacent condensate pump portion is at a lower pressure than the suction pump portion, said suction pump portion and said separator assembly being disconnectable from said system to permit independent operation of said condensate pump portion.

9. In a vacuum heating pump assembly, a. condensate receiver comprising a hollow shell-like body including at yleast one lateral opening and machined pads of uniform height on an exterior wall thereof, a return line inlet opening in said receiver for receiving condensate from a vacuum heating system, an air-water separator assembly including a housing secured exteriorally of said receiver `directly on one of said pads and means for venting the separator assembly to the atmosphere and directing separated water to the receiver through a port in portion of a wall of the receiver which is Within the separator assembly housing, a ball float valve in said separator housing, comprising a body member mounted on the exterior of said receiver on one of said machined pads over said port, a Valve head for a port in said body member, a i'loat and a pivoted ball float rod interconnecting the float and valve head and extending substantially parallel to said wall of thc receiver, and a combination condensate and suction pump assembly comprising a body mounted on said receiver, said assembly including a condensate pump portion and a suction pump portion, said condensate pump portion being capable of unimpaired pumping operation independent of pumping operation of said suction pump portion, said condensate pump portion including an intake portion extending into said lateral opening of said receiver and a discharge opening for pumping condensate to a vacuum heating system, said suction pump portion including a portion :for receiving air and water from said receiver and a discharge portion for directing a mixture of water and air to said air-water separator assembly, said suction pump portion and said separator assembly being disconnectable from said system to permit independent operation of said condensate pump portion.

10. In a vacuum heating pump assembly of the type having a condensate receiver comprising a hollow shelllike body including at least two lateral openings, a return line inlet opening in said receiver for receiving air and condensate from a vacuum heating system, the improvement comprising an air-water separator assembly secured exteriorly of and directly upon said receiver including means for venting the separator assembly to the atmosphere and directing separated water to the receiver, and two combination condensate and suction pump assemblies extending from opposite sides of the receiver and each comprising a body mounted on said receiver, power means mounted on said body and including a drive shaft extending into said body, each said pump assembly including separate condensate and suction pump portions, said condensate pump portion being capable of pumping operation independent of pumping operation of said suction pump portion, said condensate and suction pump portions respectively including an impeller and rotor mounted on said drive shaft in separate chambers in said body, said condensate pump portion including an axial intake portion extending into one lateral opening of said receiver and a discharge opening for pumping condensate to a vacuum heating system, said suction pump portion including a portion `for receiving air and seal water from said receiver and a discharge portion for directing a mixture of seal water and air to said airwater separator assembly, each said body including seal means interposed between said condensate and suction pump portion for deterring the flow of condensate and seal water in either direction between said condensate and suction pump portion when a pressure diiferential exists between said pump portion, said seal means including centrifugal impeller means to maintain pumping eiciency of said suction pump portion during periods when said adjacent condensate pump portion is at a lower pressure than said suction pump portion, said separator assembly including two air-water separator means each positioned to receive the mixture of air and water from one of the suction pump assemblies, said suction pump portion and said separator being disconnectable from said system to permit independent operation of said condensate pump.

11. In a vacuum heating system of the type which includes a vacuum heating pump assembly discharging a mixture of air-and-water from a condensate receiver within said system, the improvement comprising a waterand-air separator assembly having a substantially rectangular casing member including top, bottom, side and end walls forming a closed chamber in cooperation with an exterior side wall of said receiver, an air egress port extending through the top wall of said casing member, an inlet port in an end wall of said casing member for receiving the air-water mixture discharged from the pump assembly, and a bati'le plate in said chamber in spaced transverse relationship from said inlet port, said battle plate including a transverse cylindrically concave surface upon which the air-and-water mixture will be impinged, said plate terminating at its lower edge in spaced relation from said bottom of said chamber and forming a downwardly opening water egress slot with said end wall, said inlet port being at a location removed from said slot, through which slot separated water will pass when following the curvature of said concave surface as it is directed against said baie from said inlet port, a slot between said concave surface and said exterior side wall through which air of the air-water mixture will pass in its movement out of said chamber, and a float valve within said chamber attached to the exterior side wall of said receiver to control a drain opening in the exterior side wall for discharge of separated liquid from said chamber into said condensate receiver.

12. In a heating pump assembly of the type having a condensate receiver and a pump directly mounted upon Said receiver, said pump having a condensate pumping portion adapted to remove condensate from said receiver and having a liquid ring pumping portion adapted to employ condensate from said receiver as seal liquid and to remove vapors from said receiver, the improvement comprising, a machined exterior substantially vertical surface on said receiver, a vapor and liquid separating chamber affixed to the exterior of said receiver, said vertical surface forming an interior wall of said chamber, said separating chamber including an inlet port in communication with the discharge of said liquid ring pump portion, a depending baflie plate afxed to the upper wall of said chamber in spaced relation from said inlet port and extending laterally into proximate spaced relation with said vertical surface of said receiver dening a narrow, substantially vertical slot therebetween, vapor outlet means in said chamber and Heat-controlled valve means attached to said machined vertical surface of said receiver within said chamber to permit return of liquid accumulated in a lower portion of said chamber through an opening in said surface to said receiver.

13. Apparatus as set forth in claim 12 wherein said depending baffle plate includes a concave cylindrical portion facing said inlet port terminating at its lower edge in spaced relation from the wall of said chamber having said inlet port to provide a downwardly opening liquid egress slot therebetween.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 557,221 Parker Mar. 31, 1896 652,070 Baker June 19, 1900 1,096,110 Kinney May 12, 1914 1,185,286 Brown May 30, 1916 1,567,148 Jennings Dec. 29, 1925 1,592,024 Jennings July 13,v 1926 1,870,734 Jennings Aug. 9, 1932 1,890,318 Durdin Dec. 6, 1932 1,993,832 Durdin Mar. 12, 1935 2,258,527 Wai-man Oct. 7, 1941 2,349,731 Hornschuch May 23, 1944 2,547,769 Packie et al. Apr. 3, 1951 FOREIGN PATENTS 637,005 Great Britain May 10, 1950 1,018,944 France Oct. 22, 1952 495,897 italy June 25, 1954

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