bellmouth
English
Etymology
bell + mouth
Noun
bellmouth (plural bellmouths)
- A bell-shaped extension at the end of a pipe.
- 2017 December 12, National Transportation Safety Board, “2.4.1 Loss of Propulsion”, in Marine Accident Report: Sinking of US Cargo Vessel SS El Faro, Atlantic Ocean, Northeast of Acklins and Crooked Island, Bahamas, October 1, 2015, archived from the original on 15 May 2022, retrieved 15 May 2022, page 184:
- The pumps were about 9 1/2 feet above the suction bellmouth, which was about 10 inches above the bottom of the tank and about 22 inches starboard of the sump's centerline. Because the bellmouth was offset to the starboard side of the sump's centerline, the system was more susceptible to losing suction from a port list. Thus, the NTSB concludes that the port list, coupled with the vessel’s motion, most likely caused air to enter the bellmouth of the suction pipe to the lube oil service pump, which resulted in a loss of oil pressure that caused the main engine to shut down.
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