Definition

This is the class for apparatus, and corresponding methods of operating such apparatus, comprising a runner*, and in which a working fluid* is guided to, around, or from, the runner.

A means for guiding or confining (e.g., casing*, distributing means*, etc.), the working fluid* must be present, at least by implication, in a claim for classification in this class unless specifically indicated otherwise, the mere recitation of the moving member or runner* being insufficient. A reference in a claim to a control or regulating means for the working fluid* is considered to imply the presence of such guiding or confining means. In such an instance, the claim will be classified in this class, despite the lack of an explicit inclusion in the claim of the guiding or confining means for the working fluid*.

This class includes typically turbines, wind and water wheels, centrifugal pumps* and blowers; and such casings*, conduits, guide means and other elements peculiar to the subject matter of this class not otherwise classifiable.

Also included is apparatus of the type described, but which has no shaft to transmit mechanical power output therefrom, unless the sole specific disclosure is for a flow meter of the turbine type, see References To Other Classes, below, for a class reference to measuring and testing.

Also specifically included in this class is a device comprising a container or receptacle supported for orbiting movement and in which (1) a working fluid* flows into and out of the container to cause the orbiting motion or (2) the container is caused to move by a force to retain and raise a supply of working fluid* to a higher relative elevation before the fluid is discharged from the container.

This class will also take a "black box" motor which is clearly shown as rotary unless specifically described as of the expansible chamber type; see Class 418, for such expansible chamber motor.

Lines with other classes and within this class

This class will not take an apparatus of the type described which includes an expansible chamber in which the working fluid* acts, i.e., a chamber which varies in volume by virtue of one wall moving towards or away from another wall. Examples of such devices are the sliding vane*-type rotary devices or the nutating axis-type rotary pump*. See References to Other Classes, below, for such apparatus.

This class will not take a pump of any type whose driving means, no matter how broadly recited, is controlled by a condition of the pumped fluid; see See References to Other Classes, below, Class 417, appropriate subclasses, especially 1+ for such devices.

A "black box" pump clearly disclosed as rotary will be found in Classes 417 and 418; see the respective line notes of these classes.

GENERAL RELATIONSHIP WITH OTHER CLASSES

This class relates to apparatus of the type described usable as a pump* or as a motor* or as both alternatively. It does not theoretically provide for: (1) the combination of a pump* and a motor* driving the pump*, (2) the combination of a motor* and a load driven thereby, or (3) the combination of a motor* and a source of working fluid* or an energy increasing means (e.g., pump*) for the working fluid*.

However, all of the above combinations are common and are frequently mentioned broadly in the claims even though of substantially no significance for search purposes.

Therefore where a motor* or a pump* is so claimed as to afford a basis for classification in this class, the mere nominal recitation in the claim of one of the above common combination features and also a mere nominal recitation of a relationship of such features with the motor* or pump* will not cause exclusion from this class.

(1) NOTE. WHEN THE PUMPS* FORM THE BASIS OF CLASSIFICATION FOR THIS CLASS. A. The following examples of terminology are considered to be mere nominal recitations of a drive means for the pump* which would not preclude classification in this class: (1) drive means, or means for driving; (2) motor* drive in which the motor* is disclosed as a well known type and identified merely by its generic name or merely as turbine, electric, magnetic, internal combustion, etc. B. The following examples of terminology are considered to be minimum significant or specific recitations of a drive means for the pump* which would preclude classification in this class and indicate classification in Class 417, Pumps. 1. language reciting enough of the driving structure to identify the type of motor* or to permit or cause cooling, (other than merely mounting the unit in a duct where it would inherently be cooled) lubricating or sealing the motor* elements or the motor* housing, e.g. a. for an electric motor*, the stator and rotor or a specific housing for sealing or cooling; b. for a turbine motor*, the runner* and a fluid distributing means; c. for a reciprocating motor*, the piston and fluid guiding or confining means; d. for a magnetic motor*, the arrangement of the magnets around the rotor; e. for the appropriate motor*, the electric circuit or control therefor, or the fluid circuit or control therefor, including, in the case of a single blade*, part of which is used as the driving turbine and the remainder as the pumping element, the two fluid paths. 2. an art device (door, vehicle part, etc.), recited as the driving means. 3. a common supporting base for the pump* and motor*; the motor* or its housing supported on the pump* housing or vice versa; a motor* mounted on a tank, or a tank mounted on the motor*; details of the motor support*. (2) NOTE. WHEN THE MOTOR* FORMS THE BASIS OF CLASSIFICATION FOR THIS CLASS; A. The following examples of terminology are considered to be mere nominal recitations of a load driven by the motor* which would not preclude classification in this class: 1. a propeller 2. a rotary or reciprocating fan, pump* or impeller 3. an electric generator 4. indicating means B. The following examples of terminology are considered to be specific or significant recitations of a load driven by the motor* which would preclude classification in this class and indicate classification in the class in which the load is classified: 1. a three bladed propeller (Class 416, Fluid Reaction Surfaces, (i.e., Impellers); 2. a centrifugal, positive displacement or gear pump* (Classes 417, Pumps, or 418, Rotary Expansible Chamber Devices); 3. an electric generator in which is included any detail of the generator or any relationship between a generator part and a motor* part (Class 290, Prime-Mover Dynamo Plants); 4. an electric generator in which, as claimed, part of the electricity is used for control purposes and part of power purposes (Class 290, Prime-Mover Dynamo Plants); 5. a dial and needle, number wheels, or other specific meter or register mechanism (Class 73, Measuring and Testing) C. The following examples of terminology are considered to be nominal recitations of a source or energy level increasing means for the working fluid* for driving the motor* which would not preclude classification in this class: 1. a boiler 2. a flowing fluid stream 3. a rotary or reciprocating fan or pump* 4. a motor* (named) driven fan or pump* 5. a plurality of pumps* in parallel D. The following examples of terminology are considered to be significant or specific recitations of a source or energy level increasing means for the working fluid* for driving the motor*, which would preclude classification in this class and indicate classification in Class 60, Power Plants; 1. a firetube or watertube boiler 2. a dam or earthworks (nominally or broadly recited) bearing some physical relationship with the motor*; 3. a fan or pump* characterized as to type more specifically than rotary or reciprocating (e.g., centrifugal, positive displacement, pulsator, etc.), or reciting any detail thereof (e.g., piston, lobe, etc.); 4. a motor* driven pump* in which a detail of the motor* is recited and by which the type of motor* can be identified (e.g., combustion chamber, armature, field, turbine rotor and flow means, etc.), or in which a specific motor housing is recited for sealing or cooling motor* elements; 5. a plurality of pumps* in series E. If what appears to be a load (e.g., pump* or fan) on the motor* is actually disclosed for internal purposes only to affect a motor* condition or operation, (e.g., lubrication, sealing, control), then the load is considered to be a part of the motor* itself, no matter how specifically it is recited, and would not exclude a claim from this class. If the load output is disclosed for external use only, classification is on the basis of the load in the appropriate class if the claimed recitations of the load warrant. If the load output is divided and part is used internally for affecting a motor* condition or operation, and another part used externally, classification is on the basis of the load. (3) Note. When a motor*-pump* combination is claimed so broadly so that the recitations applicable to either the pump* or motor* cannot form the basis for classification in this class, the combination is classified in the appropriate pump* class if the motor* drives the pump* or in Class 60, Power Plants, if the pump* is an energy increasing means for the working fluid* for driving the motor*. PUMP-TANK RELATIONSHIP The combination of a pump and a tank is generally classified in Class 137. However, a single, nominally recited tank, reservoir, chamber, pump or other similar fluid holding means will be considered as merely a flow line or conduit and will be classified in Class 415. However, see Class 222, Dispensing, class definition, paragraph 91 regarding other pump-tank relationships. PUMP-ACCUMULATOR RELATIONSHIP An accumulator or surge damping device is usually connected to a pump inlet or outlet for the purpose of maintaining a smooth flow to or from the pump. When disclosed for the purpose of surge damping or insuring smooth flow, the combination of an accumulator and pump is classified in Class 415. PUMP-LIQUID ACCUMULATION CONTROL RELATIONSHIP 1. A pump claimed in combination with a liquid accumulation controlled valve is classified in Class 137 except for the following which will be found in Class 415. When the liquid accumulation or level responsive valve which controls a liquid flow to the pump or a gas relief from the pump is for the specifically disclosed purpose of priming the pump, see Class 415, subclass 24. 2. A pump claimed in combination with a drive transmission therefor which is controlled by liquid accumulation is classified in Class 415, subclasses 24 or 122.1+. PUMP-PLURAL SERIAL VALVE RELATIONSHIP A pump claimed in combination with plural serial valves in either or both the inlet and outlet flow path, and without any branched flow path is classifiable in Class 415, even though one or more of the valves is manually operated or condition responsive. PUMP-MAIN FLOW PATH AND BRANCHED FLOW PATH RELATIONSHIP Generally a branched flow system having a main flow path and a branched flow path, with or without a pump is classifiable in Class 137. However, several exceptions, which usually depend on the disclosure in the particular case, are set forth below: 1. A pump having plural branched flow paths, whether valved or not, communicating with a single source or receiver is classifiable in Class 415. Where there is no specific disclosure of the sources or receivers for the flow paths, the disclosure will be considered as if there were a single source or receiver and will be classified in Class 415. 2. A pump having a main flow path and a branched flow path, each communicating with separate sources or receivers is classifiable in Class 415, if: (A) The source or receiver for the main flow path is unclaimed or nominally claimed and (B) the branched flow path is specifically disclosed as a relief inlet or outlet to the pump a priming inlet to the pump, a bypass around the pump, or a vent, waste or drain outlet from the pump, and either (i) the main flow path is uncontrolled or (ii) the main flow path is controlled and the branched flow line is (a) uncontrolled, (b) manually controlled or (c) controlled by a condition responsive valve responding to a condition in the main flow path which is sensed between the pump and the main flow path controller.