AU728560B2

AU728560B2 - A water pump

Info

Publication number: AU728560B2
Application number: AU55929/99A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Mark A. Dawson
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1998-12-14
Filing date: 1999-10-18
Publication date: 2001-01-11
Anticipated expiration: 2018-12-14
Also published as: AU5592999A

Description

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AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR A STANDARD PATENT S.

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*5 Name of Applicant(s): Actual Inventor(s): Address for Service: Invention Title: MARK A DAWSON MARK A DAWSON CULLEN CO., Patent Trade Mark Attorneys, 240 Queen Street, Brisbane, Qld. 4000, Australia.

A WATER PUMP *5*554

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S The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me: A WATER PUMP This invention relates to a water pump and particularly relates to a specialty water pump of the type which uses water flow to compress air to pump water. The pump is therefore driven by the energy of water flowing in a stream, river, diverting pipe and the like.

One of the principal disadvantages with most water pumps is the need for an energy source to drive the pump motor. The pump motor can be an electric motor, hydraulic motor, pneumatic motor or an internal combustion motor. Other pumps use wind power or solar power to drive the motor. These types are quite expensive to manufacture and maintain and there is an ongoing requirement for spare parts, maintenance and repair, all of which make these types of pumps unsuitable or less suitable in developing t nations, wilderness areas or other remote areas.

The water pump which is the subject of the present invention 15 uses a principle which is known. These pumps can also be called "hydraulic ram pumps". These pumps utilize the energy of a flowing stream or other water head by allowing the water to flow through a first flow passageway.

The flow passageway is provided with a valve which can be tuned or balanced to close as water flows along the flow passageway. The closing of the valve creates a pressure pulse upstream of the valve. The pressure pulse provides a pressure larger than the pressure of the water flowing through the flow passageway. The flow passageway has a second outlet fitted with some gotoo type of one-way valve such that the pressure pulse causes a quantity of water to be pumped through the delivery valve. Once the pressure pulse has been exhausted, the main valve again opens and the process is repeated.

There are a number of disadvantages with known hydraulic ram pumps.

One disadvantage is that known hydraulic ram pumps require a fairly large water head in order to operate and require a large volume of water to flow through the pump. This makes these pumps bulky and heavy.

The efficiency of these pumps can vary to a large degree depending on the change in the water head height and any change in the water flow. If such a pump is placed in a stream, the pump needs to be adjusted from time to time to compensate for changes in flow rate and water head. Current pumps have no ready mechanism to allow a quick and easy adjustment to enable them to maintain their pumping efficiency during variations in water flow.

Another disadvantage with hydraulic ram pumps is that because a large flow of water needs to pass through the pump, there is a corresponding large flow of wastewater flowing from the pump. The pump is generally placed on the side of a creek bed or other suitable location and the wastewater gushing from the pump tends to cause erosion in the immediate surrounding area which can cause the pump to become displaced.

Another disadvantage with existing hydraulic ram pumps is that the pumps require a continual intake of air through a snifter valve in order to allow the pump to work properly. The snifter valve can become clogged with 15 mud or other debris. Also, by requiring a continual supply of external air, the pump is not able to be fully submerged in the water stream. Even if the pump is partially submerged, there is always the risk that water will inadvertently pass through the snifter valve which causes loss of efficiency in the working of the pump.

20 The present invention is directed to a water pump of the type which uses water flow to compress air to pump water and which may overcome at least some of the abovementioned disadvantages or provide the public with a useful or commercial choice.

In one form, the invention resides in a water pump which uses water flow to compress air to pump water, the pump having a water inlet, a first flow passageway, a water outlet, and a discharge outlet through which pumped water discharges from the pump, the first flow passageway having a chamber of larger area than the flow passageway, a first valve in the chamber which moves between a closed position where it prevents water from flowing through the outlet, and an open position and which is moved to is closed position by the pressure of water flowing into the chamber, a second flow passageway communicating with the first flow passageway, and which has a second valve which moves between a closed position preventing water from flowing through the second passageway, and an open position, an air chamber communicating with the second flow passageway and downstream from the second valve, a third flow passageway communicating with the second flow passageway between the second valve and the air chamber, and which communicates with the discharge outlet, and which has a third valve moveable between a closed position preventing pumped water from passing through the discharge outlet, and an open position, and means to move the first valve to its open position.

The water pump has a number of advantages. Firstly, the pump *.o*can be made fairly compact allowing it to be more readily positioned amongst 15 trees and rocks. The pump can be made from tough lightweight materials allowing for ease of transportation, fitting and removal. The pump materials can be made from non-corrosive and low friction materials ensuring a long life and promoting maximum flow through the pump.

In one form, the outlet through which the wastewater passes is 20 associated with a baffle to baffle the water thereby at least partially minimizing the problem with erosion. The baffle is preferably operatively associated with the means to move the first valve back to its open position. The means may be in the form of a spring biased pin. The baffle and the pin can be fitted together and can be easily removed from the remainder of the pump allowing adjustments to be made to the mechanism to cope with increasing or depleting water flow by simply adjustment.

The pump and pump components can be made from plastics such as polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride or other tough engineering lightweight non-corrosive plastic or other material preferably with friction modified properties.

One advantage with the pump of the present invention is that a source or external air is not necessarily required. That is, the pump does not require a snifter valve to pass air into the pump. This allows the pump to be used under water which also reduces or eliminates the problem of erosion caused by water flowing through the outlet. The pump can still be used above water and by having the snifter valve not necessarily present on the valve, the disadvantages with the existence of the snifter valve are removed these including clogging with mud or debris.

The valves present in the pump may be poppet valves which are preferably all removable and preferably all have replaceable O-rings which can be made from lurine rubber or other suitable resilient materials.

The valves may be biased by springs and the springs can be made from stainless steel or other non-corrosive materials.

It is preferred that the pump is made from separate components which are coupled together preferably by being threadingly engageable with each other thereby providing ease of removal for unblocking or maintenance .o.

15 and enable greater flexibility and configuration and application.

Embodiments of the invention will be described with reference to the following drawings in which Figure 1 is a section view of a pump according to an embodiment of the invention.

Figure 2 is a view of the enlarged chamber and the baffle of the pump of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a close-up view of the valve in the chamber and the plunger positioned above the valve.

Figure 4 illustrates a pump according to an alternative embodiment of the invention.

Referring to the drawings and initially to Figure 1, there is shown a water pump 10 which uses water flow to compress air to pump water. The basic components of pump 10 are a water inlet 11, a first flow passageway 12, a water outlet 13 (which in the embodiment is baffled by a baffle 14), a discharge outlet 15 through which pumped water discharges from the pump, a chamber 16 in the first flow passageway and which is of larger area, a first valve 17 in chamber 16, a second flow passageway 18 which communicates with the first flow passageway 12, a second valve 19 which is in second flow passageway 18, an air chamber 20 which communicates with the second flow passageway 18 and which is downstream from the second valve 19, a third flow passageway 21 which communicates with the second flow passageway 18 and between second valve 19 and air chamber 20, with the third flow passageway 21 allowing pumped water to pass through discharge outlet and a third valve 22 which is in third flow passageway 21. Finally, the pump according to the embodiment has a means to move first valve 17 to its open position and this is in the form of a plunger 23 which is mounted in baffle 14.

Referring to the various components in greater detail, pump is made from a robust tough plastic material with the various components being threadably coupled together to allow ease in inspection, maintenance .*and repair. The pump is placed relative to a flow of water such that water flows through inlet 11. A turn valve 24 is provided in the embodiment to allow S: 15 the pump to be switched on or off manually by turning of the valve. Not shown in the embodiment is a screen or sieve which is placed somewhere near inlet 11 to stop debris from entering into the pump and causing damage or loss of efficiency. The strained water passes through inlet 11 and into first flow passageway 12. In the initial position, second valve 19 is naturally biased to its closed position where it seals against valve seat 25 to prevent water from flowing up through passageway 18. Also, initially, valve 17 is in the open position. Water flows through inlet 11 and because it cannot flow entirely through second flow passageway 18, will instead flow into and through chamber 16 and out through the baffled outlet 13. As water flows through chamber 16, it moves first valve 17 into a closed position where valve 17 moves upwardly and into engagement with a valve seat (not shown) located at the top of the chamber. As soon as valve 17 is closed, water can no longer flow through chamber 16 and is then forced to flow through passageway 18. Passageway 18 has a reduced diameter portion around valve 19 which increases the pressure of the water and is sufficient to cause valve 19 to be pushed against the bias of its spring into an open position.

Water now flows through passageway 18. At the junction with passageway 21, the third valve 22 is initially biased into its closed position and thus water cannot flow through discharge outlet. Instead, the water flows into air chamber 20 and compresses the air in the air chamber. The efficiency of the pump is enhanced by providing a flexible diaphragm 26 in air chamber The water initially pushes diaphragm 26 upwardly and this results in compression of the air behind the diaphragm which results in a kick-back or pressure pulse. The pressure pulse flows backwardly through passageway 18 and is sufficient to close valve 19 and also to push valve 22 open such that a pulse of water passes through discharge outlet 15. Shortly thereafter, the spring-loaded plunger 23 provides sufficient biasing force to push first valve 17 back downwards into an open position and the cycle repeats itself.

When water is forced into the air chamber, the change in *"*direction of the water and pressure from the wastewater valve to the air 00 chamber momentarily leaves a small void which is sufficient to kick valve 17 back into the open position.

The chamber 16 is larger in volume than the remainder of flow passageway 12 to cause an expansion in the water volume. The restriction in the second flow passageway which is around valve 19 promotes a higher *pressure of water entering into air chamber The plunger 23 and its adjusting nuts can be made from stainless steel or some other hard wearing and non-corrosive substance. In the embodiment, the plunger is threaded along two-thirds of its length and has a hexagonal head at one end. The plunger bushing should be replaceable and is mounted in the removable water baffle 14 and is preferably made from brass or some other non-corrosive low wearing substance.

Figure 4 illustrates a second embodiment of the invention and like numbers have been used to illustrate like components.

It should be appreciated that the pump according to the embodiment has a number of advantages. Firstly, the pump is compact due to its make-up and is therefore more easily transported being less bulky and much lighter than previous pumps. The pump may work with a lower head height than previously required and with reliance on less volume of flowing water. The pump is easily adjustable using plunger 23 and other components to allow the pump to exhibit maximum efficiency depending on the water flow and water pressure. All the valves are preferably poppet valves and are removable and have replaceable O-rings ensuring a good seal and inexpensive trouble free replacement of the O-rings.

The pump does not require a snifter valve which means that the pump can be used underwater or in a water environment where snifter valves may become clogged or may inadvertently intake water.

It should be appreciated that various other changes and modifications may be made to the embodiment without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed.

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Claims

1. A water pump which uses water flow t6bcompress air to pump water, the pump having a water inlet, a first flow passageway, a water outlet, and a discharge outlet through which pumped water discharges from the pump, the first flow passageway having a chamber of larger cross-sectional area than the flow passageway, a first valve in the chamber which moves between a closed position where it prevents water from flowing through the outlet, and an open position and which is moved to its closed position by the pressure of water flowing into the chamber, a second flow passageway communicating with the first flow passageway, and which has a second valve which moves between a closed position preventing water from flowing through the second passageway, and an open position, an air chamber communicating with the second flow 0% 15 passageway anddownstream from the second valve, a third, flow passageway communicating with the second flow passageway betvkeen the second valve and the air chamber, and which communicates with the discharge outlet, and which has a third valve moveable between a closed position preventing pumped water from passing through the discharge outlet, and anopen position, and means to move the first valve to its open position, the means being a two piece adjustable plunger which is housed in a removable water baffle Which is on the water outlet.

2. A water pump which uses water flow to compress air to pump water,-the pump having a water inlet, a first flow passageway, a water outlet, and discharge outlet through which pumped water discharges from the pump, the first flow passageway having a chamber of larger cross-sectional area than the flow passageway, a first valve in the chamber which moves between a closed position where it prevents water from flowing through the outlet, and an open position and which is moved to its closed position by the pressure of water flowing into the chamber, a second flow passageway communicating with the first flow passageway, and which has a second valve which moves between a closed position preventing water from flowing through the second passageway, and an open position, an air chamber communicating with the second flow passageway and downstream from the second valve, a third flow passageway communicating with the second flow passageway between the second valve and the air chamber, and which communicates with the discharge outlet, and which has a third valve moveable between a closed position preventing pumped water from passing through the discharge outlet, and an open position, and means to move the first valve to its open position.

3. The pump of claim 2, which includes a water baffle on the water outlet.

4. The pump of claim 3, wherein the means to move the first valve to its open position is a two piece adjustable plunger housed within the baffle.

The pump of claim 4, wherein the baffle and plunger are removably attached to the outlet. 20

6. The pump of any one of claims 1 to 5 wherein the air chamber is provided with a flexible diaphragm.

7. The pump of any one of claims 1 to 6 wherein the second flow passageway has a reduced diameter portion about the second valve.

8. The pump of any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein first valve is biased towards the open position by a biasing means associated with the plunger.

9. A water pump which uses water flow to pump air to compress water, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the Figures. DATED this 12th day of April 2000 Mark A. DAWSON By his Patent Attorneys /y CULLEN CO.