EP3228869B1 - Submersible pump and method for starting up such a pump - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a submersible pump for discharging liquids, as well as to a method of operating such a pump.

A submersible pump allowing either the evacuation of a liquid laden with solid particles, or the almost complete evacuation of a clear liquid, is known, in particular from FR-B-2 922 609 . These pumps generally use configurable bases allowing the size of the liquid suction channels to be increased.

However, the suction systems, in particular the turbine, to allow these configuration changes, cannot be as low as possible in the enclosure, which means that a significant height of water, for example 10 cm, must be present for the pump to prime. In the event that a small amount of clear water has to be drawn in, the pump does not start.

In addition, when the pump is stopped, a large quantity of liquid contained in the pump body and the delivery pipe spills onto the ground.

It is to these drawbacks that the invention intends to remedy by proposing a new submersible pump which can be primed in low heights of clear liquids, while also allowing the suction of liquids loaded with particles, and the pump body of which remains waterproof after switching off the suction system.

To this end, the invention relates to a submersible pump as defined in claim 1.

Thanks to the invention, the pump can be filled with a liquid until the suction system is immersed, which allows priming of the pump regardless of the height of liquid in which the pump is placed. In addition, the closure member prevents the liquid from spilling when the pump is stopped.

• En configuration d'aspiration de liquides clairs, l'organe d'obturation est adapté pour être maintenu en position fermée.
• L'organe d'obturation est maintenu en position fermée par gravité et/ou par un ressort.
• Le fonctionnement de l'organe d'obturation est désactivable.
• La pompe comprend des moyens de maintien en position ouverte de l'organe d'obturation, adaptés pour désactiver le fonctionnement de l'organe d'obturation.
• Le fonctionnement de l'organe d'obturation est désactivable par le positionnement de l'embase dans sa position correspondant à la configuration d'aspiration de liquides chargés en particules solides.
• L'embase est adaptée pour être montée de façon inversée entre la configuration d'aspiration de liquides clairs et la configuration d'aspiration de liquides chargés en particules solides, et dans la configuration d'aspiration de liquides chargés en particules solides, l'embase définit des voies d'aspiration de liquide situées à l'écart de l'organe d'obturation.
• L'organe d'obturation est un clapet adapté pour entrer en contact avec un siège formé par l'embase autour de l'orifice d'aspiration de liquide.
• Le clapet comprend une partie supérieure plane adaptée pour venir en contact de bords de l'orifice d'aspiration de liquides, et un joint d'étanchéité prévu sur le pourtour de la partie supérieure plane et adapté pour être pressé entre l'embase et la partie supérieure plane.
• Le siège et/ou l'organe d'obturation comprend un élément souple adapté pour parfaire l'étanchéité entre le siège et l'organe d'obturation.
• Le siège est prévu sur une bague démontable de l'embase permettant l'accès à l'organe d'obturation.
• L'organe d'obturation présente une forme sensiblement sphérique ou conique.

According to advantageous but not compulsory characteristics of the invention, the pump comprises one or more of the following characteristics, taken individually or according to all technically possible combinations:

• In the clear liquid suction configuration, the shutter member is adapted to be kept in the closed position.
• The shutter member is held in the closed position by gravity and / or by a spring.
• The operation of the shutter member can be deactivated.
• The pump comprises means for holding the shutter member in the open position, adapted to deactivate the operation of the shutter member.
• The operation of the shutter member can be deactivated by positioning the base in its position corresponding to the suction configuration of liquids loaded with solid particles.
• The base is adapted to be mounted inversely between the suction configuration of clear liquids and the suction configuration of liquids loaded with solid particles, and in the suction configuration of liquids loaded with solid particles, the base defines liquid aspiration paths located away from the closure member.
• The shutter member is a valve adapted to come into contact with a seat formed by the base around the liquid suction orifice.
• The valve comprises a flat upper part adapted to come into contact with the edges of the liquid suction orifice, and a seal provided around the periphery of the flat upper part and adapted to be pressed between the base and the flat upper part.
• The seat and / or the shutter member comprises a flexible element adapted to perfect the seal between the seat and the shutter member.
• The seat is provided on a removable ring of the base allowing access to the shutter member.
• The shutter member has a substantially spherical or conical shape.

The invention also relates to a method of operating a pump as defined in claim 13.

• la figure 1 est une coupe d'une pompe conforme à l'invention;
• la figure 2 est une vue à plus grande échelle du détail II à la figure 1, montrant un organe d'obturation en position fermée ;
• la figure 3 est une vue similaire à la figure 2, l'organe d'obturation étant en position ouverte ;
• la figure 4 est une vue en perspective de dessous de l'organe d'obturation des figures 2 et 3 ;
• les figures 5 et 6 sont des vues similaires à la figure 2, montrant l'organe d'obturation respectivement ouvert et fermé dans une seconde configuration d'utilisation de la pompe ;
• la figure 7 est une vue similaire à la figure 2, pour un second mode de réalisation de l'invention.

The invention and its advantages will be better understood on reading the description which follows, given solely by way of example, and made with reference to the appended drawings, in which:

• the figure 1 is a section of a pump according to the invention;
• the figure 2 is an enlarged view of detail II at the figure 1 , showing a shutter member in the closed position;
• the figure 3 is a view similar to the figure 2 , the shutter member being in the open position;
• the figure 4 is a perspective view from below of the shutter member figures 2 and 3 ;
• the Figures 5 and 6 are views similar to the figure 2 , showing the shutter member respectively open and closed in a second configuration of use of the pump;
• the figure 7 is a view similar to the figure 2 , for a second embodiment of the invention.

The figure 1 illustrates a submersible pump P comprising an enclosure 21 intended to contain the liquid to be evacuated. The enclosure 21 can be partially or totally immersed in a liquid. The terms up, down, upper and lower refer to the operating position of the pump P, that is to say vertical with respect to the surface of the ground, assumed to be horizontal in this example, as illustrated by the figure 1 .

The enclosure 21 defines a main volume 20, in which is housed an electric actuator formed by a motor 22 in this example. The motor 22 comprises a rotary output shaft 225 and extending along an axis Z22. The Z22 axis is vertical on the figure 1 and when the pump P rests on horizontal ground.

An impeller 5 is secured to the output shaft 225 by means of a nut (not shown). The impeller 5 rotates around the axis Z22 when the output shaft 225 is rotated by the motor 22.

The pump P includes a base 3 at which the liquid to be evacuated is sucked. The pump P is equipped with an outlet nozzle 13 through which the liquid L. can be discharged. Whatever the nature of the liquid L, charged or clear, its flow takes place from the bottom of the pump P, where it is sucked at the level of the base 3, up to the top of the pump P, where it is discharged through the end piece 13. The end piece 13 therefore places the enclosure 21 in communication with the outside of the enclosure 21.

The base 3 is adapted to be reversibly positioned in a first and a second position corresponding respectively to two distinct configurations of the pump P, a first configuration shown in the figure 1 being intended for the suction of a clear liquid, the other configuration, shown in Figures 5 and 6 , being intended for the suction of a liquid charged with solid particles. By charged water is understood a liquid which can include particles such as leaves, gravel which can go up to 30 mm, muddy water, etc. By reversible is meant that the base 3 can be removed to easily move from its first position to its second position, and vice versa. The main difference between the configurations of pump P for discharging a charged liquid or a clear liquid lies in the dimensions of the respective flow sections delimited by the geometry of the base 3. The base 3 is adapted to be mounted inversely between the suction configuration of clear liquids and its suction configuration of liquids loaded with solid particles. This operation is described in the patent FR-B-2 922 609 and will not be repeated in detail in this description.

The enclosure 21 comprises a bottom provided with an opening 24. The opening 24 is surrounded by a gasket 26. The base 3 comprises an orifice 30 for the suction of liquid, forming with the opening 24 a liquid flow path between the interior volume 20 and the exterior of the enclosure 21 on the side of the base 3. The base 3 comprises a conduit 31 coaxial with the orifice 30 and which bears on the seal 26 so that a liquid flowing from the volume 20 must pass through the orifice 30. The seal between the base 3 and the enclosure 21 is therefore ensured. In the second position of the base 3, the duct 31 is no longer in abutment against the seal 26. The seal between the base 3 and the enclosure 21 is eliminated, and the liquids therefore pass into spaces 36 of the base 3 located away from the duct 31.

According to the invention, the base 3 comprises a member for closing the orifice 30. This shutter member is adapted to allow the tight retention of a quantity of liquid in the enclosure 21 in the absence of activation of the electric actuator 22.

In this example, the shutter member is a valve 32 adapted to come into contact with a seat 34 formed by the base 3 around the orifice 30. The valve 32 comprises a flat upper part 320 adapted to come into contact edges of the orifice 30 forming the seat 34, and a seal 322 provided on the periphery of the planar upper part 320 and adapted to be pressed between the base 3 and the planar upper part 320.

The valve 32 can advantageously consist at least in part of a polymer loaded with fibers, capable of withstanding abrasion and impact by particles, such as stones, transported by the liquid to be discharged.

In the suction configuration of clear liquids, the valve 32 is adapted to be kept in the closed position, when the enclosure 21 is empty and the pump P is in the operating position, that is to say placed on a surface. substantially flat in vertical position shown at figure 1 , and ready to go. This holding in the closed position of the valve 32 allows the filling and therefore the priming of the pump P.

In the example shown, the valve 32 is held in the closed position by gravity. An approximate force of 0.5 N is necessary to ensure the correct closing of the valve 32.

In this closed position, the internal volume 20 can be filled with liquid without this liquid flowing through the orifice 30. This makes it possible in particular to avoid the flow of liquid when the pump P is stopped.

When a small height of liquid must be aspirated, for example 5 mm, the pump P is started up by successive steps consisting in positioning the base 3 in its first position, corresponding to the configuration of suction of clear liquids, then to fill the enclosure 21 with liquid so that the impeller 5 is submerged. This filling can advantageously be done by the nozzle 13. Finally, the electric actuator 22 is started. With the impeller 5 immersed, the pump P is correctly primed.

When the pump P starts, the rotation of the impeller 5 creates a vacuum which has the effect of detaching the valve 32 from the seat 34, according to the arrow F1 at the figure 3 . The orifice 30 is therefore open, which allows the suction of liquid.

The valve 32 comprises a lower part 324 forming a stop which limits the vertical stroke of the valve 32 by coming into contact with the periphery of the orifice 30. The upper part 320 and the lower part 324 are connected by spaced branches 326, or at least one branch, to allow the flow of liquid.

The operation of the valve 32 can be deactivated, advantageously in the suction configuration of charged liquids. By deactivable, it is meant that the valve 32 can be locked in the open or closed position according to the choice of the user of the pump P. In the example, the operation of the valve 32 can be deactivated by positioning the base 3 in its second position, corresponding to the suction configuration of liquids loaded with solid particles. Indeed, as can be seen from the figure 6 , when the base 3 is in its second position, the valve 32 is directed by gravity to its open position. In a variant not shown, the pump P may comprise means for holding the valve 32 in the open position, such as for example, a pin, adapted to deactivate its operation.

In the suction configuration of liquids loaded with solid particles, the base 3 defines liquid suction paths, represented by the arrows F2 at the figure 5 , located away from the valve 32, which prevents its deterioration by particles contained in the sucked liquid.

According to an optional aspect of the invention, the seat 34 is provided on a removable part such as a ring 35, which can be secured to the base 3 by clipping or screwing, so as to allow access to the valve 32, or more generally to the shutter member, in particular for cleaning it.

A second embodiment of the invention is shown in the figure 7 . In this embodiment, the elements common to the first embodiment bear the same reference and operate in the same way. Only the differences compared to the first embodiment are detailed below.

In this embodiment, the valve 32, or more generally the shutter member, has an external shape defining a substantially spherical surface 328, so as to automatically seal when gravity keeps the valve 32 in its closed position. The valve 32 can in particular present the shaped like a ball. Preferably, the seat 34 is shaped to receive the valve 32 so that the seal is optimal. For example, the seat 34 can be shaped according to a spherical geometry complementary to that of the valve 32.

In a variant not shown, the valve 32 can have a substantially conical or frustoconical external shape widening in the direction of the opening 24.

According to an optional aspect of the invention shown in the figure 7 , but which can be applied to the first embodiment, the valve 32 can be held in the closed position by a spring 38 acting in place of gravity or else in conjunction. By way of example, the spring 38 can be placed between the valve 32 and elements 40 projecting from the conduit 31. In the suction suction configuration, the valve 32 is held in the closed position by the spring 38, this which limits the clogging of the valve 32 and the orifice 30.

According to an embodiment not shown of the invention, the pump P can comprise more than one orifice 30 for sucking liquids. At least one of these orifices is equipped with a closure member, and it can be envisaged that several of these orifices, or even all of them, are equipped with them.

According to another embodiment not shown, the seat 34 and / or the valve 32, or more generally the shutter member, may comprise a flexible element adapted to perfect the seal between the seat and the shutter member . By flexible element is meant an element at least partially soft or deformable, for example a rubber rubber.

The technical characteristics of the embodiments and variants described above can be combined to form new embodiments of the invention. The scope of the invention is defined only by the claims.

Claims (13)

1. Submersible pump (P) for evacuating liquids, comprising a housing (21), a base (3) of the housing (21), comprising at least one orifice (30) for suction of liquid, being adapted to be reversibly positioned in two distinct configurations of the pump (P), a first configuration being intended for suction of a liquid loaded with solid particles, the other configuration being intended for suction of clear liquid, characterised in that the base (3) comprises a conduit (31) suitable, in the configuration for suction of clear liquids, for coming into abutment against a gasket (26) surrounding an opening (24) in the housing (21) so as to connect the conduit (31) to the housing (21) in a sealed manner and in order that a liquid flowing from the housing (21) via the opening (24) must pass via said at least one orifice (30) for suction of liquid, and in that the base (3) comprises at least one member (32) for closing said at least one orifice (30) for suction of liquid, adapted to permit sealed retention of a quantity of liquid in the housing (21) in the configuration for suction of clear liquids and in the absence of activation of the pump (P).
2. Pump as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that in the configuration for suction of clear liquids, the closing member (32) is adapted to be held in the closed position.
3. Pump as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that the closing member (32) is held in the closed position by gravity and/or by a spring (38).
4. Pump as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the operation of the closing member (32) can be deactivated.
5. Pump as claimed in claim 4, characterised in that it comprises means for holding the closing member (32) in the open position, the means being adapted to deactivate the operation of the closing member (32).
6. Pump as claimed in claim 4, characterised in that the operation of the closing member (32) can be deactivated by the positioning of the base (3) in its position corresponding to the configuration for suction of liquids loaded with solid particles.
7. Pump as claimed in claim 6, characterised in that the base (3) is adapted to be mounted in an inverted manner between the configuration for suction of clear liquids and the configuration for suction of liquids loaded with solid particles, and in that, in the configuration for suction of liquids loaded with solid particles, the base (3) defines channels (F2) for suction of liquid, which are located spaced apart from the closing member (32).
8. Pump as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the closing member is a valve (32) adapted to come into contact with a seat (34) formed by the base (3) around said at least one orifice (30) for suction of liquid.
9. Pump as claimed in claim 8, characterised in that the valve (32) comprises a planar upper part (320) adapted to come into contact with edges of said at least one orifice (30) for suction of liquids, and a sealing gasket (322) provided on the perimeter of the planar upper part (320) and adapted to be pressed between the base (3) and the planar upper part (320).
10. Pump as claimed in any one of claims 8 and 9, characterised in that the seat (34) and/or the closing member (32) comprises a flexible element adapted to perfect the sealing tightness between the seat (34) and the closing member (32).
11. Pump as claimed in any one of claims 8 to 10, characterised in that the seat (34) is provided on a ring (35) detachable from the base (3) permitting access to the closing member (32).
12. Pump as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the closing member (32) is of a substantially spherical or conical shape.
13. Method of bringing into operation a pump (P) comprising a housing (21), a base (3) of the housing (21), comprising at least one orifice (30) for suction of liquid, being adapted to be reversibly positioned in two distinct configurations of the pump (P), a first configuration being intended for suction of a liquid loaded with solid particles, the other configuration being intended for suction of clear liquid, the base (3) comprising a conduit (31) suitable, in the configuration for suction of clear liquids, for coming into abutment against a gasket (26) surrounding an opening (24) in the housing (21) so as to connect the conduit (31) to the housing (21) in a sealed manner and in order that a liquid flowing from the housing (21) via the opening (24) must pass via said at least one orifice (30) for suction of liquid, the base (3) comprising at least one member (32) for closing said at least one orifice (30) for suction of liquid, adapted to permit sealed retention of a quantity of liquid in the housing (21) in the configuration for suction of clear liquids and in the absence of activation of the pump (P), the method comprising successive steps of:

    a) positioning the base (3) in its position corresponding to the configuration for suction of clear liquids,

    b) filling the housing (21) with liquid in such a way that a suction system (5) of the pump (P) is submerged,

    c) starting up an actuator (22) of the pump (P) driving the suction system (5).

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