CA1065737A - Well system - Google Patents

Well system

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Publication number
CA1065737A
CA1065737A CA250,056A CA250056A CA1065737A CA 1065737 A CA1065737 A CA 1065737A CA 250056 A CA250056 A CA 250056A CA 1065737 A CA1065737 A CA 1065737A
Authority
CA
Canada
Prior art keywords
water
pump
pressure
outlet
gas
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired
Application number
CA250,056A
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Earl B. Shetler (Sr.)
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of CA1065737A publication Critical patent/CA1065737A/en
Expired legal-status Critical Current

Links

Abstract

WELL SYSTEM
Abstract of the Disclosure A well system comprising a pump having an inlet and an outlet and a combined pressure regulating valve and pressure tank. The combined pressure regulating valve and pressure tank comprises a hollow container having a diaphragm therein overlying an inlet connected to the outlet of the pump and an outlet connected to the system. The diaphragm is urged by a charge of gas in the container to normally seal the inlet and outlet to said chamber in the absence of fluid pressure from the pump sufficient to move the diaphragm away from the inlet and outlet. Thus, the combined pressure regulator valve and pressure tank functions to insure that the flow from the outlet is substantially at a predetermined pressure and that when the pressure falls below a predetermined amount, the diaphragm seals against said inlet and the outlet to said chamber and maintains water in the outlet of the pump sufficient to maintain a prime on the pump and prevent the pump from running dry.

- i -

Description

10~7~ , , This invention relates to well systems.

Background of the Invention In well systems, a common problem is the maintaining of a prime on the pump to insure the start up j 5 of the pump system and to prevent the pump from running dry. It has been common to utilize some type of pressure ~-1 device to attempt to assist in maintaining such head for ~ ;;
prime.
In jet pump systems for deep wells, a jet assembly comprising two pipes is placed in the well and is associated with the pump, one pipe comprising the pump inlet and the other taking a portion of the pump outlet and recirculating it through the jet assembly. In such systems it is common to utilize a manual, semi-automatic pressure operated control valvc to maintain the pressure of the return water to the pump to compensate for varying -~
well depths. Such devices are not only difficult to adjust but are a source of malfunction due to encrustation of the working parts. As a result replacement and repair of such parts is very often necessary. ~ ;
Another problem with well systems is that associated in the encrustation of pressure guages and pressure switches associated with the system. - -~- ' :, .

For example, a pressure gauge associated with a pump or tank may initially have air entrapped therein but, in time, the air becomes absorbed in the water and the water contacts the parts thereof. The 5 resulting encrustation not only causes damage but . ~ -also erratic behavior.
Among the ob~ects of the invention are to provide a system wherein pump prime is insured, wherein the use of a manual, semi-automatic or automatic pressure operated control valve is obviated, and wherein these functions are achieved at minimum cost and with a device that requires minimum maintenance.

Summary of the Invention In accordance with the invention, a combined ~-lS pressure regulator valve and pressure tank is provided in the system. The combined pressure regulated valve and pressure tank includes a container or hous-~ D ~
C ing with a diaphragm that is~urged by a compressiblegas at a prèdetermined pressure to normally close an inlet connected to the pump outlet and an outlet extending to the system. In operation the water from the pump forces the diaphragm upwardly against the pressure of the compressible gas and through the . .

outlet to the system. When the pressure from the pump falls below a predetermined value and the pump operation is stopped, the diaphragm seals both the inlet and outlet, isolating the water from the system from the water from the pump, maintaining a prime on the pump and preventing the pump from running dry. Further in accordance with the invention, a pressure switch is associated with a first chamber and functions to control the operation of the motor.

10DescriPtion of the Drawinas FIGURE 1 is a fragmentary partly diagrammatic view of a system embodying the invention.
FIGURE 2 is a fragmentary partly diagrammatic view of a modified form of the system.
15FIGURE 3 is a part sectional view of a combined pressure regulator and pressure tank utilized in the system.
FIGURE 4 is a part sectional view of a modified ~ ;
form of combined pressure regulator and pressure tank utilized in the system.
FIGURE 5 is a part sectional view of a further modified form of the invention.
FIGURE 6 is a sectional view taken along the line 6-6 in Fig. 5.
25FIGURE 7 is a plan view of a part of the apparatus shown in Fig. 5.

:~ ~ ' 7 ~ .. ' '''' ' ' .

~065737 De sc ription ~ eferring to Fig. 1, the invention is described in association with a shallow well jet system comprising a pump io which is connected through a jet pump assembly 11 and an inlet pipe 12 to a front valve 12a of the well. The pump 10 is driven by a motor 13 and has one or more stages for directing water to an outlet 14. The outlet 14 passes to an inlet 15 of a combined pressure regulator and pressure tank 16. The tank 16 includes an outlet 17 passing to the system.
Referring to Fig. 3, the combined pressure regulator and pressure tank 16 comprises a hollow sheet metal housing or container 18 that is made of two halves. A diaphragm 19 of flexible material is provided on the lower portion of the ~
container 18. The portion above the diaphragm 19 defines a first -gas receiving chamber A, and the portion,below the diaphragm defines a water receiving chamber. The gas receiving chamber is , ~`
filled with a compressible gas such as air through a one-way valve 20 to a pressure which has an initial predetermined value when the water receiving chamber is empty, i.e. with the dia-phragm in the position shown in Fig. 3, but which is susceptible to fall below that value to a value not less than atmospheric owing to possible leakage from the gas receiving chamber. A cap 21 is positioned over the valve 20 when water is flowing through inlet 15 and out of outlet 17, the diaphragm 19 is in inter-mediate position such as the broken line position so that in effect the diaphragm divides the container into two chambers A
and B that vary in volume. The diaphragm 19 conforms in the `~ untensioned state, as shown in Fig. 3 with the interior of the ~ :, container 18 and has thickened portions 22, 23 overlying the inlet and outlet 15, 17 respectively.

.: .

.~ :

: ' The combined pressure regulator and pressure tank is preferably made by modifying an expansion tank such as shown in the United States Patent 3,524,475 to C. H Kirk, Jr. issued August 18, 1970 and includes a 5 plastic liner 24 that has the sàme configuration as the lower internal surface of the container 18, which liner protects the water from contact with the interior of the container. The portion of the liner surrounding the inlet 15 and outlet 17 is clamped by means of the fittings 10 forming the inlet 15 and outlet 17 and more particularly by an 0-ring 25, 26 which is made of rubber or the like -and compressed between a lip 27, 28 on the upper end of the fitting.
Referring to FIG. 1, a line 29 extends from ~ ' 15 the upper chamber A to a pressure gauge and pressure switch P, the latter controlling the motor 13.
Alternatively the combined pressure regulator and pressure tank may comprise two formed halves 30, 31 as shown in FIG. 4 which have flanges 32, 33 between ~0 which the dlaphragm 34 is clamped. As shown in FIG. 4, integral pipes 35, 36 form the inlet and outlet respectively. ~-In this form, integral fitments 37, 38 are provided for r connecting of a pressure switch and pressure gauge respectively.

'' : ' . ~, . ' ,. - . : .
, . , - , . . ..

In the form of the in~ention shown in Figs. 5-7, the combined pressure regulator and pressure tank comprises a tank or container 40 and a diaphragm 41 which in the untensioned state extends along the one wall of the tank 40 and has a central thickened portion 42 overlying an opening 43. A fitting 44 is mounted in the opening 43 and provides a combined inlet and out- .
let. The fitting 44 includes a central wall 45 so that an inlet 46 is formed on one side and an outlet 47 on the other side.
The combined pressure regulator and pressure tank operates otherwise in the same manner as the heretofore describedcombined pressure regulator and pressure tanks.
In operation, when the pump 10 is operating water will flow through pump outlet 14 to tank inlet lS raising the dia-phragm 19 away fromthe inlet 15 and permitting the water to flow through the outlet 17 to the system. As the system demands vary, the diaphragm will assume different positions within the container to maintain substantially uniform sys~em pressure.
. In normal opération, when the system water pressure exceeds a second predetermined value, pressure switch P will stop the operation of the pump. When the water pressure in the system falls below a third predetermined value, less than the .:
second predetermined value, the pressure switch P will start the operation of the pump 13. Clearly, the second predetermined value in not less than the first predetermined value, so the pump will normally be energized as the diaphragm reaches the . position shown in Fig. 3.
In the.event that the pressure in the system falls below the prevailing pressure in the gas receiving chamber ~..
. when the water receiving chamber-is empty but the pump fails to:
start, due to a power failure.or the like,. the , ~ , . .

~ C

diaphragm 19 will move against the inlet 15 and outlet 17. This isolates the water in the system from the water in the pump. In addition, it insures that sufficient water will remain in the outlet of the pump to maintain a prime and prevent the pump from running dry.
In the form of the invention shown in FIG. 2, a deep well jet system is shown wherein the pump 10' includes an inlet 11' and an outlet lOa whereby a portion of the water under pressure returns to the jet assembly ~ ;
12a in the well in accordance with well known practice.
In all other respects the system is identical to that shown in FIG. 1.
In operation, when the pump 10' is operating water will flow through pump outlet 14 to tank inlet 15 raising the diaphragm 19 away from the inlet 15 and permitting the water to flow through the outlet 17 to the system. As the system demands vary, the diaphragm will ~ -assume different positions within the container to maintain substantially uniform system pressure. As the height of water well varies, the diaphragm will assume different positions to maintain the desired pressure in the jet assembly to continue operation theraof. If the system demand exceeds the pump capacity, the diaphragm will move to limit output to the pump capacity.
Thus the combined pressure regulator valve and pressure tank functions to replace manual, semi-automatic or automatic valves commonly used. Moreover, 10~5737 in the case of manual valves, they are usually set at the lowest value for which the pump is to operate. As a result, when the pump starts up, the pump will only operate at the set lowest pressure. This may be contrasted to the present invention where-in the system, on restart, will operate at higher permissible pressure since the diaphragm will move to accommodate higher output pressure.
In each of the systems described, the combined pressure regulator and pressure tank can be mounted in any position and need not be vertical as shown.
It can thus be seen that there has been provided a system where the need for an automatic, semi-automatic or manual pressure operated control is obviated; where the prime on the pump is maintained; and wherein this is achieved with a device that required minimum maintenance.
Furthermore, it is apparent from the drawings that, even in the event of a loss in pressure in the gas receiving chamber and a pump failure, the diaphragm will still seal the water outlet and water inlet as the water pressure falls below the prevailing pressure in the gas receiving chamber when the -water receiving chamber is empty, thereby preventing a loss of prime in the pump.

.. . . .

Claims (3)

THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION IN WHICH AN EXCLUSIVE
PROPERTY OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:
1. A closed water pressurizing and regulating tank adapted to be serially connected for one-way flow of the entire water output from a well pump via said tank to a well water distribution system supplied by said well pump, said tank com-prising a hollow container having (1) a first wall defining a water receiving chamber, (2) a second wall defining a gas receiving chamber, (3) a water inlet in said first wall adapted to be connected to the outlet of the well pump, (4) a water outlet in said first wall adapted to be connected to the water distribution system, said water outlet being separate from said water inlet but in relatively closely spaced adjacent relationship with said water inlet, (5) a diaphragm made of flexible gas and water imper-meable material and secured about its periphery in sealed relation to the interior of said tank intermediate said first and second walls so as to provide a movable barrier between said chambers, said diaphragm being made to conform closely to the shape of said first wall such that in the untensioned state of said diaphragm material said diaphragm engages said first wall and extends therealong in conformity therewith, said diaphragm thereby sealing said water inlet and said water outlet in the untensioned state, and said water receiving chamber being emtpy in the untensioned state of the diaphragm, (6) A one-way gas valve in said second wall adapted for complying with a gas charging conduit for filling said gas chamber with a compressible gas to a pressure which has an initial predetermined value when the water receiving chamber is empty, but which over a period of time is susceptible to fall below said initial value to a value not less than atmospheric pressure owing to leakage from the gas chamber, (7) Said diaphragm being movable by flexure thereof to inversely vary the volumes of said chambers in response to water pressure variations in excess of the prevailing pressure in said gas receiving chamber when said water chamber is empty, said relatively closely spaced relationship with said water inlet being such that said diaphragm seals against both said inlet and outlet substantially simultaneously as the water pressure fails below said prevailing pressure, including when said gas charge is completely lost and said prevailing pressure is atmospheric/ so as to prevent water remaining in said water inlet from flowing backward via the pump into the well to thereby maintain a prime on the pump and prevent the pump from running dry, whereby the pump is kept in a fail-safe primed condition both in the event of loss of motive power to the pump and loss of the gas charge in said gas chamber.
2. A pressurizing and regulating tank according to Claim 1, and further including in combination therewith a water well storage and distribution system in which said tank water inlet is in fluid communication with the outlet of a water pump of the well system and said tank water outlet is in fluid communication with said water distribution system, said system including a pressure switch responsive to a second predetermined gas pressure, not less than said initial predetermined value of said gas in said gas receiving chamber, to initiate operation of said pump and responsive to a given pressure higher than said second pre-determined pressure to stop said pump, whereby said tank and switch function as a combined pressure regulator valve, water pressurizing source and loss of prime back-check valve to insure the water flow from the tank outlet to the water distribution system, to maintain such flow as the system demands on the outlet vary and the height of the well varies, to limit the flow from the tank outlet as the system demand on said tank outlet exceeds the pump capacity, and to prevent back flow of air into said tank inlet and pump serially via said water distribution system, said tank outlet and said tank water chamber in the event water pressure from said pump falls below said prevailing gas pressure, including when said gas charge is completely lost and said pre-vailing pressure is atmospheric.
3. A pressurizing and regulating tank according to Claim 2, wherein said pressure switch is in gas communication with the interior of said gas chamber and wherein said pump comprises a deep well pump and associated deep well jet system.
CA250,056A 1975-04-18 1976-04-12 Well system Expired CA1065737A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US56922075A 1975-04-18 1975-04-18

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
CA1065737A true CA1065737A (en) 1979-11-06

Family

ID=24274556

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
CA250,056A Expired CA1065737A (en) 1975-04-18 1976-04-12 Well system

Country Status (1)

Country Link
CA (1) CA1065737A (en)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN114876422A (en) * 2022-05-12 2022-08-09 中国科学院武汉岩土力学研究所 Flow control and multi-stratum fluid integrated injection device and method

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN114876422A (en) * 2022-05-12 2022-08-09 中国科学院武汉岩土力学研究所 Flow control and multi-stratum fluid integrated injection device and method
CN114876422B (en) * 2022-05-12 2023-06-02 中国科学院武汉岩土力学研究所 Flow control and multi-layer fluid unification device and method

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