US2270434A - Pump - Google Patents

Description

Jan. 20, 1942. J. F GOULD PUMP Filed Oct. 12, 1940 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 ZZTEu-E INVENTOR.

I Jan. 20, 1942. J. F. GOULD PUMP Filed Oct. 12, 1940 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN VEN TOR Ja/m E 60w z;

1942- J. F. GOULD I 2,270,434

PUMP Filed Oct. 12, 1940 4 Sheets-Sheet a Jan. 20, 1942. J. F. GOULD 2,270,434

PUMP I Filed Oct. 12, 1940 -4 Sheets-Sheet 4 z fi IN VEN TOR.

y Ja/m/ A 60010,

Patented Jan. 20,. 1942 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE PUMP John F. Gould, Little Rock, Ark. Application October 12, 1940, Serial No. 360,982

12 Claims.

This invention relates generally to pumps, and more particularly to pumps for elevating water by means of compressed air instead of with the use of the usual reciprocating pistons.

The principal object of the invention isto provide a pressure-operated pump including a cylinder adapted to receive a charge of waterto be pumped and fromwhich the water will be raisedto the place of utilization by the admission of compressed airto the cylinder, said cylinder having electrically operated means for admitting the compressedair thereinto, to discharge the water therefrom, and for releasing the compressed air in order that the cylinder may become re-charged with water, the electrically operated means being controlled by the level of the water in the cylinder.

Another object is to provide an arrangement whereby a plurality of the said cylinders may be arranged one above another for use in deep Wells with air at a relatively low pressure, the water being forced from the lowermost cylinder, or terminal unit, to the first auxiliary unit thereabove and continuing in a step-by-step manner from one cylinder to the next until it reaches the point of utilization.

While this invention can be used for pumping liquid of any kind with the use of any fluid under pressure as a lifting force, it will be described herein as used for pumping water with the use of compressed air.

With the foregoing and otherv objects in view, which will appear as this description proceeds,

the invention resides in the combination and line 3 s of Fig. 2,

Fig. 4 is a horizontal sectional View through the head of the terminal unit,

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 1, but showing an auxiliary unit with parts in front elevation,

Fig. 6 is a plan view of an auxiliary unit,

Figl 7 is a detail view showing the type of a5 mercury switch used in connection with the invention, together with its mounting, and

Fig. 8 illustrates the manner in which auxiliary units are used in connection with the terminal unit.

Referring to the drawings, I0 designates a hollow cylinder to the upper end of which there is fitteda circular head II and to the lower end of which is fitted a circular foot plate l2 which has an opening |2a through its center. In the under face of the head II is an annular groove l3'in which the upper end of the cylinder I0 is seated, a corresponding groove l4 being formed in the upper face of the foot plate l2 to receive the lower end of the cylinder I0. If found necessary in order to provide water-tight joints, gaskets may be fitted in these grooves. The foot plate I2 is provided with a number of perforations as indicated at l5, and resting loosely upon its upper face is a circular foot valve l6 having a central circular opening therethrough. The under face of the foot plate I2 is provided with an annular groove I8 corresponding with the groove l4, and seated therein is the upper end of a cylindrical screen l9, the lower end of which is seated in a groove 20 formed in the upper face of a closure plate 2| and also corresponding with the groove l8. The head II has a central bore Ila therethrough, and into its lower end is threaded the upper end of a discharge pipe section 22 having its lower end terminating a short distance above the foot valve l6. Welded, or otherwise suitably secured, within the lower end of the pipe section 22 is an end of a relatively short pipe section 23 of less diameter than the section 22. The section 23 extends downwardly through the openings I1 and |2a of the foot valve and foot plate, respectively, and has its lower end threaded. A pipe coupling 24 is screwed onto this threaded-end so that its upper end engages and binds tightly against the under face of the foot plate |2. The coupling 24 thus forces the foot plate l2 towards the head so that the cylinder I 0 is clamped tightly therebetween. A pipe nipple 25 is screwed into the lower end of the coupling 24 and protrudes througha central opening. in the closure plate 2|. Screwed onto the protruding end of this nipple and into tight engagement with the under face of the plate 2| is a cap 26 which serves to close the nipple and also to force the closure plate 2| towards the foot plate l2 and thus clamp the screen I 9 firmly between the said plates.

As the pipe section 23 is of less diameter than that of the section 22, and is fitted therein the lower end of the section 22 presents a shoulder 21 which serves as a stop to limit the upward movement of the foot valve l6. In the side of the pipe section 22, adjacent its lower end, is an opening 28 to permit admission of water to be pumped. Threaded into the upper end of the bore (1 of the head II is the discharge pipe 29 for conveying water from the cylinder H] to the point of utilization. Extending downwardly into the head II from its upper face is an arcuate passage llb, as shown in Fig. 3, the lower end of which communicates with the bore ||a between the upper and lower ends of the pipes 22 and 29 respectively, the upper or outer end of which arcuate passage is normally closed by a screw plug He. The passage ||b serves as means for admission to the bore Ila of a ball check valve 22a which is normally seated upon the upper end of the pipe 22.

Formed in the peripheral face of the cylindrical head II is a recess 30 having a top wall 3|, a bottom wall 32, and a rear wall 33. The edge faces of the walls 3| and 32 are rabbeted to receive an arcuate closure plate 34 which is preferably held to said walls by screws 34a. The plate 34 thus serves as a removable closure for the recess 30.

Extending into the head through the rear wall 33 of the recess 3|! is a tapered bore or valve seat 35 in which is seated a rotary valve 36 having an axial stem 31 which protrudes into the recess 39. Surrounding this stem are spaced packing rings 38' upon the opposing faces of which are washers 39 seated against which washers are the ends of a coil spring 40 which surrounds the stem 31 Threaded into the outer end of the bore 35 is a packing gland 4| which serves to compress the spring 40 and thereby not only compresses the packing rings 38 through the medium of the washers 39 but also holds the valve 36 snugly in its seat as will be clearly understood by reference to the drawings. To provide means for lubricating the valve 33, a passage 35a extends downwardly through the head H to the valve seat 35 and has a closure plug 35b. Passing through the valve 36 and spaced axially thereof are slots 35a and 36b which are at an angle to each other and are adapted to register alternately with air inlet and exhaust passages designated respectively at 36c and 36d, upon partial rotation of the valve 36 The air passages 36c and 36d extend downwardly through the head II and intersect the valve seat 35 Threaded into the outer end of the inlet passage 360 is a pipe 36c whichleads from a source of compressed air not shown, and threaded into the exhaust passage 36d is an exhaust pipe 36].

Extending through the bottom wall 33 of the recess 39, approximately at its center, is a passage 3'9a, and positioned within the recess 39 directly over the upper end of this passage is a supporting member designated generally at 42 formed of hard rubber or other nonconductor of electricity. The member 42 is secured to the bottom wall 32 by screws 43, and has a recess 44 in its under side which communicates with the interior of the cylinder l0 through the passage 30a. Between the supporting member 42 and the wall 32 on which it rests is a gasket 45 to pro vide a water-tight joint. As shown in Fig. 4, extending upwardly from the ends of the supporting member 42 are flanges 46 which support the ends of a tube 41 formed of non-magnetic material such as fibre or a non-magnetic metal. Surrounding the tube 41' and spaced apart by an insulator 48 are solenoids 49 and 50. Slidably mounted in the tube 41 is a core 5| which is adapted to reciprocate between the ends of the tube and pass into the solenoids 49 and 50 when these solenoids are alternately energized in a manner to be described later herein. The movement of the core 5| is limited by stops 46a and 46b mounted on the flanges 46. These stops overlie the ends of the tube and are engaged by the ends of the core when an opening through the valve 35 is in alinement with an air passage. The length of the core is such that when an end thereof engages a stop overlying one extremity of the tube 41, its other end will extend slightly within the solenoid at the opposite end of the tube. Pivoted to one end of the core 5| is an end of a connecting rod 52. The other end of the rod 52 is pivoted to one end of a crank 53 which has its other end fixed to the stem 31 of the valve 36.

The solenoids. 49 and 50 each have one end of their windings connected together by a screw 54 mounted in the insulator 48 and have the other end of their windings respectively connected to the upper ends of binding posts 55 and 56 which pass through the upper wall of the recess 44.

Rockably mounted on a pin 51 supported in a wall of the recess 44 is an angle bracket 58, one arm of which supports a mercury switch indicated in general at 59 and having a pair of contacts at each end of its mercury tube 69, the contacts of each pair being adapted to be electrically connected in the manner common to mercury switches One of each pair of contacts is connected by a wire 6| to the inner end of a binding post 62 mounted upon the supporting member 42 and extending into the recess 44, while the other contacts of each pair are respectively connected to the binding posts 55 and 56 by wires cm. Leading from a suitable source of electricity and extending into the recess 30 through its upper wall 3| are electrical conductors 53 and 64, the former being connected to the screw 54 and thus to an end of the windings of the solenoids 49 and 50, while the conductor 64 is connected to the binding post 62. It will thus be seen that when the mercury tube 69 is rocked in one direction, the terminals at one end thereof will become electrically connected so as to energize the solenoid 49, and when rocked in the opposite direction, the terminals at the opposite end will become electrically connected so as to energize the solenoid 50.

Secured to the discharge pipe section 22 slightly above its opening 28 is a bracket 65 to which is pivoted a frame 66 which supports a float 61. The bracket 65 is provided with a laterally projectin stop 68 which serves to prevent the frame 66 from rising above a horizontal position. Also secured to the pipe section 22, but adjacent its upper end is a bracket 59 to which is pivoted a frame 1|) which supports a float 1|, the outer end of the frame being forked as at 12. Pivoted to the free end of the frame 66 is the lower end of a rod 13 the upper end of which is slidably connected to the lower end of a rod 8|] by means of a slip joint 15. This slip joint consists of an elongated body 16 having an axial bore 11 extending into its lower end and having a transverse slot 18 intersecting said bore. The upper end of the rod 13 extends loosely into the bore 11, and secured in a perforation through the upper end of the rod is a pin 19 the ends of which protrude into and are adapted to slide within the slot 18. The pin 19 thus serves to limit the movement of the rod 13 within the body 16. Secured to the upper end of the body 16 is the lower end of the rod 80 the upper end of which is pivotally connected to one arm of the angle bracket 58, as at Ma, (see Fig. 7). The rod 80 passes through the fork l2, and secured to said rod above the fork so as to be engaged by the latter when the float H is raised is an abutment 8|. The raising of the float H thus lifts the rod 89 which, being pivoted to the angle bracket 58, causes the same to rock, carrying with it the mercury switch 59.

The operation of the parts heretofore described is as follows: The cylinder is placed below the surface of the water to be pumped, the air inlet passage 360 being connected to a source of compressed air and the exhaust pipe 36d extending above the water line, the electrical conductors 63 and 64 being connected to a source of electricity, and the water discharge pipe 29 leading to the point of utilization. Assuming that the cylinder Ill contains no water, the floats 61 and II will be in their lowermost positions because of which the rods 13 and 80 will also be in lowered position. The mercury switch 59 will therefore have been rocked so as to energize the solenoid 59, thus causing the rotary valve 36 to have closed the air inlet passage 36c and opened the air exhaust passage 36d. Hydrostatic pressure will then lift the foot valve l6 and cause the cylinder 10 to fill with water. As the water rises in the cylinder II], the float 61 will be raised until its supporting frame, 66 engages the stop 68 and is thereby held against upward movement beyond horizontal position. As the water continues to rise, it raises the float 'H which lifts the rod. 80 because of engagement'of the fork 12 with the abutment 8|, lifting of the rod 80 after the frame 65 has been stopped in a horizontal position being permitted by the slip joint 15. This will rock the bracket 58 and cause the mercury switch to so operate as to energize the solenoid 49, and cause the core 5| to move thereinto. This will cause the valve 36 to rotate so as to open the air inlet passage 36c and close the exhaust passage 36d.

The compressed air which will then flow into the cylinder ill will produce sufficient pressure theresume a horizontal position so that the mercury therein does not engage and electrically connect either pair of contacts. No current is then flowing through either solenoid, thus giving them an opportunityto cool, and also permitting the water to be discharged to a level below the float 61 before the exhaust passage 38d is again opened. When the water recedes below the float 61 permitting the same to fall, the mercury switch is so rocked as to assume the position described at the outset which permits the compressed air to escape from the cylinder I0 and allows it to again fill with water. These operations then continue so long as electricity is supplied to the conductors 63 and 64. It will be understood that if one charge of water forced from the cylinder I0 is not suflicient to reach the point of utilization it will be held in the discharge pipe, above the cylinder, by the ball check valve 22a and will be forced out by a subsequent pumping operation. Under some conditions it may be considered advisable to employ auxiliary units indicated generally at A, in addition to the terminal unit just described. These auxiliary units will be arranged one above another in the discharge pipe line in the manner shown in Fig. 8. The construction and operation .of each auxiliary unit will be identical with that of the terminal unit excepting that air inlet and exhaust pipes 82 and 83, respectively, will extend downwardly from above the surface of the ground and will pass completely through each auxiliary unit and into the terminal or lowermost unit. Each auxiliary unit will then be served by branch pipes 82a and 83a leading respectively from these main pipes. In a similar manner, the electrical conductors 63 and 64 will be arranged in conduits 84 passing through each auxiliary unit to the terminal unit. Each auxiliary unit will also differ from the terminal unit in that its lower end will be closed by a cover plate 85 which is unperforated except for a central opening to receive the discharge pipe 29, and an upwardly opening check valve 86 will take the place of the coupling 24 in the terminal unit. The screen I9 and closure plate 2| of the terminal unit will also be omitted from the auxiliary units. When auxiliary units are used the terminal unit discharges to the auxiliary unit next thereabove, which unit raises the liquid to the next auxiliary unit, and so on until the water is discharged at the point of'utilization.

What is claimed, is:

1. A pump of the character described comprising a tank having a water inlet valve at its lower end, a head on the upper end of the tank having a recess therein, a water discharge pipe opening through the head and having an end positioned within the tank, said discharge pipe having a water inlet therein, air inlet and outlet passages communicating with the interior of the tank through said head, a valve for controlling said air passages, solenoids in the recess, a core mounted for reciprocation within the solenoids and operatively connected to said valve, means for supplying a current of electricity to the solenoids, means for controlling said current to alternately energize the solenoids whereby to re? ciprocate the core, means operable by water in the tank for actuating the current controlling means, and means for supplying compressed air to the air inlet passage.

5 2. A pump of the character described comprising a tank having a water inlet valve at its lower end, a head on the upper end of the tank having a recess therein, a water discharge pipe opening through the head and'having an end positioned within the tank, said discharge pipe having a Water inlet therein, air inlet and outlet passages communicating with. the interior of the tank through said head, a valve for controlling said air passages, solenoids disposed within the recess, a core mounted for reciprocation within the solenoids and operatively connected to said valve, means for supplying a current of electricity to the solenoids, means for controlling said current to alternately energize the solenoids whereby to reciprocate the armature, means operated by water in the tank adapted to cause energizing of one of said solenoids, like operated means adapted to cause energizing of the other of said solenoids, and means for supplying compressed air to the air inlet passage.

3. A pump of the character described comprising a tank having a water inlet valve at its lower end, a head on the upper end of the tank having a recess therein, a water discharge pipe opening 2 through the head and having an end positioned within the tank, said discharge pipe having a water inlet therein, air inlet and outlet passages communicating with the interior of the tank through said head, a valve for controlling said an passages, a supporting member mounted in the recess, a tube carried by said member, solenoids surrounding the tube, a core mounted for reciprocation within the tube, said core being operatively connected to said valve, stops carried by the supporting member for limiting the movement of the core, means for supplying a current of electricity to the solenoids, means for controlling said current to alternately energize the solenoids whereby to reciprocate the core, means operable by water in the tank for actuatingthe current controlling means, and means for supplying compressed air to the air inlet passage. 4. A pump of the character described comprising a tank having a water inlet valve at its lower end, a head on the upper end of the tank and having a recess therein, a water discharge pipe opening through the head and having an end positioned within the tank, said discharge pipe having a water inlet therein, air inlet and outlet passages communicating with the interior of the tank through said head, a valve for controlling said air passages, a supporting member mounted in the recess, a tube carried by said member, a pair of solenoids surrounding the tube, a core mountedfor reciprocation within the tube, said core being operatively connected to said valve, stops carried by the supporting member for limiting the movement of the core, means for supplying a current of electricity to the solenoids, means for controlling said current to alternately energize the solenoids whereby to reciprocate the core, means operated by water in the tank adapted to cause energizing of one of said solenoids, like operated means adapted to cause energizing of the other of said solenoids, and means for supplying compressed air to the air inlet passage.

5. A pump of the character described comprising a tank having a water inlet valve at its lower end, a head on the upper end of the tank having a recess therein, a water discharge pipe opening through the head and having an end positioned within the tank, said discharge pipe having a Water inlet therein, air inlet and outlet passages communicating with the interior of the tank through said head, a valve for controlling said air passages, a supporting member mounted in the recess, a tube carried by said member, a pair of solenoids surrounding the tube, a core mounted for reciprocation with in the tube, said core being operatively connected to said valve, stops carried by the supporting member for limiting the movement of the core, means for supplying a current of electricity to the solenoids, means for controlling said current to alternately energize the solenoids whereby to reciprocate the core, means operated by water in the tank for actuating the current controlling means to energize one of said solenoids, like operated means adapted to actuate the current controlling means for energizing the other of said solenoids, and means for supplying compressed air to the air inlet passage.

6. t A pump of the character described comprising a tank having a water inlet valve at its lower end, a head on the upper end of the tank having ,a recess therein, a water discharge pipe opening through the head and having an end positioned .within the tank, said discharge pipehaving a water inlet therein, air inlet and outlet passages communicating with the interior of the tank through said head, a valve for controlling said air passages, solenoids disposed within the recess, a core mounted for reciprocation within the solenoids and operatively connected to said valve, means for supplying a current of electricity to the solenoids, means for controlling said current to alternately energize the solenoids whereby to reciprocate the core, means operated by water in the tank for actuating the current controlling means to energize one of said solenoids, like op erated means adapted to actuate the current controlling means for energizing the other 01 said solenoids, and means for supplying compressed air to the air inlet passage.

7. A pump of the character described comprising a tank having a valve controlled water inlet at its lower end, a head on the upper end of the tank having a recess therein, a water discharge pipe opening through the head and having an end positioned within the tank, said discharge pipe having a water inlet therein, air inlet and outlet passages communicating with the interior of the tank through said head, a valve for controlling said air passages, solenoids mounted within the recess, a core mounted for reciprocation within the solenoids and operatively connected to said valve, means for supplying a current of electricity to the solenoids, a switch for controlling said current to alternately energize the solenoids whereby to reciprocate the core, an operating rod having an end connected to the switch and an end extending into the tank, a float mounted within the tank and adapted to engage and operate said rod for moving the switch to cause energizing of one of the solenoids, a float within the tank connected to said rod and adapted to operate the same for moving the switch to cause energizing of the other of the solenoids, and means for supplying compressed air to the air inlet passage.

8'. A pump of the character described comprising a tank having a valve-controlled water inlet at its lower end, a head on the upper end of the tank, a water discharge pipe opening through the head and having an end positioned within the tank, said discharge pipe having a water inlet therein, air inlet and outlet passages communicating with the interior of the tank through said head, a valve for controlling said air passages, solenoids associated with the head, a core mounted for reciprocation within the solenoids and operatively connected to said valve, means for supplying a current of electricity to the solenoids, a switch for controlling said current to alternately energize the solenoids whereby to reciprocate the core, an operating rod having an end connected to the switch and an end extending into the tank, a float mounted within the tank and adapted to engage and operate said rod for moving the switch to cause energizing of one of the solenoids, a second float within the tank. an operating rod connected to the second float, a joint connecting said rods adapted to permit limited longitudinal movement of each with respect to the other, said second-named float being adapted to move said switch to cause energizing of the other solenoid, and means for supplying compressed air to the air inlet passage.

9. A pump of the character described comprising a tank having a valve controlled water inlet at its lower end, a head on the upper end of the tank and having a recess therein, a water discharge pipe opening through the head and having an end positioned within the tank, said discharge pipe having a water inlet therein, air inlet and outlet passages communicating with the interior of the tank through said head, a valve for controlling said air passages, a supporting member mounted in the recess, a tube carried by said member, solenoids surrounding the tube, a core mounted for reciprocation within the tube, said core being operatively connected to said valve, stops carried by the supporting member for limiting the movement of the core, means for supplying a current of electricity to the solenoids, a switch for controlling said current to alternately energize the solenoids whereby to reciprocate the core, an operating rod having an end connected to the switch and an end extending into the tank, a float adapted to engage and operate said rod for moving the switch to cause energizing of one of the solenoids, a float connected to said rod adapted to operate the same for moving the switch to cause energizing of the other of the solenoids, and means for supplying compressed air to the air inlet passage.

10. A pump of the character described comprising a tank having a water inlet valve at its lower end, a head on the upper end of the tank, a Water discharge pipe opening through the head and having an end positioned within the tank, said discharge pipe having a water inlet therein, air inlet and outlet passages communicating with the interior of the tank through said head, a valve for controlling said air passages, a pair of solenoids associated with the head, a core mounted for reciprocation within the solenoids and operatively connected to said valve, means for supplying a current of electricity to the solenoids, a switch for controlling said current to alternately energize the solenoids whereby to reciprocate the core, an operating rod having an end connected to the switch and an end extending into the tank, a float mounted within the tank and adapted to engage and operate said rod for moving the switch to cause energizing of one of the solenoids, a second float within the tank, an operating rod connected to the second float, a joint connecting said rods adapted to permit limited longitudinal movement of each with respect to the other, said second-named float being adapted to move said switch to cause energizing of the other solenoid, and means for supplying compressed air to the air inlet passage.

11. A pump of the character described comprising a tank having a water inlet at its lower end, a head on the upper end of the tank having a recess therein and a bore therethrough, a water discharge pipe having an end supported in the lower end of the bore and an end positioned within the tank, a water inlet in said pipe, a water discharge pipe supported in the upper end of the bore, a check valve within said bore adapted to close the first-named discharge pipe against receding water, a passage leading from said bore through the head, a closure for the passage, air inlet and outlet passages communicating with the interior of the tank, a valve for controlling said air passages, solenoids in the recess, a core mounted for reciprocation within the solenoids and operatively connected to said valve, means for supplying a current of electricity to the solenoids, means for controlling saidcurrent to alternately energize the solenoids whereby to reciprocate the core, means operable by water in the tank for actuating the current-controlling means, and means for supplying compressed air to the inlet passage.

12. A pump of the character described comprisinga tank having a water inlet valve at its lower end, a head on the upper end of the tank having a recess therein, a water discharge pipe opening through the head and having an end positioned within the tank, said discharge pipe having a. water inlet therein, air inlet and outlet passages communicating with the interior of the tank through said head, a valve for controlling said air passages, solenoids in the recess, a core mounted for reciprocation within the solenoids and operatively connected to said valve, means for supplying a current of electricity to the solenoids, rockable means for controlling said current whereby to alternately energize the solenoids, a rod connected to said rockable means, a float mounted within the tank adapted to raise the rod, a float mounted within the tank beneath the first-named float, a slip-joint connecting said rod and second-named float, and means for supplying compressed air to the air inlet passages. I

JOHN F. GOULD.

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