The development process
was actually highly involved for what might seem to be a relatively simple piece of engineering. There was sub- stantial retooling involved in making the move and the volute had to be redeveloped from the ground up. This process started with a computer drafted image of the volute and then a plas- tic version that was formed with lasers. The plastic component then received a range of hydraulic tests and once those tests were passed it is sent down to the casting department. The metal cast prototype then received additional tests. Two preliminary prototypes went through this process on the
way to the final design. Along the way, the various prototypes were distributed to the company's distributor focus group where reps and installers worked with the different versions and pro- vided feedback. As a result of this feedback Wilo came up with a third and final version that was placed into production.
Thompson noted that, inter-
estingly, the new development actually increase the hydraulic performance by about 5 per- cent to 10 percent compared to the old Eco simply as a byprod-
uct of the new development. Wilo also took the oppor- tunity to look at the check valve
part of the solution. "We really went the whole nine yards, not just on the rotating flange feature but on the check valve as well," said Thompson. "We include the check valve in the package that the pump comes with, but we do
not install it in the volute because in some applications the check valve is not required such as a retrofit job," said Thompson. "We also went with a black high temperature check valve rated for 250°F whereas most other manufacturers are using a white check valve rated to 205°F. All that adds up, with the eco-and the variable speed drive smart pump technology, we can replace 34 of the competitors' pump models with one of the Eco. So the
www.fueloilnews.com | FUEL OIL NEWS | NOVEMBER 2011 19
