EP4239202A1

EP4239202A1 - Modular pump assembly

Info

Publication number: EP4239202A1
Application number: EP22159855.0A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Florian SOOR; Tobias DEMMELMAIER
Original assignee: Husqvarna AB
Current assignee: Husqvarna AB
Priority date: 2022-03-03
Filing date: 2022-03-03
Publication date: 2023-09-06
Also published as: CN116696790A; CN219529326U

Abstract

A modular pump assembly (100) includes a pump housing (110) adapted to house a drive motor (112) therein. The modular pump assembly (100) further includes a first fluid channel (114) and at least one second fluid channel (116). The first fluid channel (114) includes a first end (114A) and a second end (114B) such that the first end (114A) of the first fluid channel (114) is fluidly coupled with the pump housing (110). The at least one second fluid channel (116) includes a first end (116A) and a second end (116B) such that the first end (116A) of the at least one second fluid channel (116) is fluidly coupled with the pump housing (110). The modular pump assembly (100) is characterized in that the second end (114B) of the first fluid channel (114) is adapted to be fluidly coupled with one or more first pump component (120). Further, the second end (116B) of the at least one second fluid channel (116) is adapted to be fluidly coupled with one or more second pump component (130).

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a pump assembly. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to a modular structural configuration of the pump assembly.

BACKGROUND

Various types of non-submersible pumps are known in the art such as a garden pump, a pressure tank unit, and an electronic pressure pump. Such pumps may be used for different applications as per usage requirements. Different types of pumps differ from each other in terms of parameters such as type of components, component designs, component placement, fluid flow patterns, operating conditions etc. However, all these pumps have at least some components which are common across all variants. More specifically, all types of pumps have a motor with associated hydraulics.
The garden pump is the simplest type of construction. This pump requires a pipe in front of the hydraulics, which leads to the entrance on the suction side of the pump. After the hydraulics, the pumped medium is pumped via the hydraulic chamber to the pressure-side outlet. To fill the pump, there is a filling opening on the suction or pressure side. For the draining of the fluid inside the pump, there is a drain opening on the pressure side.
The pressure tank unit compensates small leakages and pressure fluctuations in the pump with the help of a tank pre-filled with air. The tank is connected on the pressure side of the pump. Furthermore, this design requires sensors for detecting the pressure level of the tank. This is also located on the pressure side. To prevent the emptying of the tank after switching the pump off, the tank, the pressure pipe with sensors and the outlet area are separated from the rest of the pressure side by a non-return valve.
The electronic pressure pump detects various operating states with electronics. The detection of the operating states usually works via a sensor in the form of a flow sensor and a pressure sensor. The flow sensor is in the pressure line and the pressure sensor is also located on the pressure side. Further, a check valve prevents the pressure lines from being emptied after the pumps have been switched off.
However, there is still a need for a cost-effective manufacturing solution for manufacturing different types of pumps such as, but not limited to, those discussed above.

SUMMARY

In view of the above, it is an objective of the present invention to solve or at least reduce the drawbacks discussed above. The objective is at least partially achieved by a modular pump assembly. The modular pump assembly includes a pump housing containing an impeller arrangement driven by a drive motor, preferably arranged inside the pump housing, such that the drive motor is adapted to drive a fluid at an entrance of the modular pump assembly to a pressure chamber upstream of the main flow direction of the fluid. The fluid exits the pressure chamber via a first fluid channel and at least one second fluid channel. The first fluid channel includes a first end and a second end such that the first end of the first fluid channel is fluidly coupled with the pump housing. The at least one second fluid channel includes a first end and a second end such that the first end of the at least one second fluid channel is fluidly coupled with the pump housing. The modular pump assembly is characterized in that the second end of the first fluid channel is adapted to be fluidly coupled with one or more first pump component. Further, the second end of the at least one second fluid channel is adapted to be fluidly coupled with one or more second pump component.
Thus, the present disclosure advantageously provides a modular pump assembly. The modular pump assembly allows to manufacture different types of pump assemblies such as garden pump assembly, pressure tank unit assembly and electronic pressure pump assembly in a cost-effective manner. The modular pump assembly utilizes the pump housing which is common across different types of the pump assemblies. The pump assembly acts as a universal platform to manufacture all types of pumps. The pump housing is fluidly coupled with one or more pump components required to manufacture different types of pump assemblies. This allows reduction of overall number of parts and processes required on manufacturing different types of pumps. Only a single type of pump assembly is manufactured, and later on fitted with appropriate pump components to get desired type of pump assembly.
According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the second end of the first fluid channel is fluidly coupled with the second end of the second fluid channel. The first fluid channel and the second fluid channel are fluidly coupled using one or more connection pipes. The fluid coupling may serve to completely drain the modular pump assembly during the modular pump assembly decommissioning, among other benefits.
According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the first pump component is an outlet pipe, and the second pump component is a flow pipe. The first pump component and the second pump component may be selected as per the application requirements of the modular pump assembly. In one embodiment the flow pipe might function as a drainage pipe to drain fluid from the garden pump assembly. Additionally or in an alternative embodiment the flow pipe might be connected to a fluid reservoir. Further, the first pump component and the second pump component may be more than one component to advantageously increase the utility of the modular pump assembly.
According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a non-return valve is adapted to be engaged with the outlet pipe. The non-return valve may serve to maintain pressure in the first pump component and the second pump component of the modular pump assembly even when the modular pump assembly is not operating.
According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a pressure tank unit is coupled to the flow pipe. The modular pump assembly is advantageously coupled to the pressure tank unit. The pressure tank unit may supplement the pumping operation of the modular pump assembly. Further, the pressure tank unit may allow the drive motor of the modular pump assembly to be switched OFF while still maintaining the pressure required for the execution of various domestic and industrial operations.
According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a flow measurement impeller is adapted to be engaged with the flow pipe. Different applications may require different fluid flow requirements. Hence, the flow measurement impeller may help in providing the right amount of pressurized fluid for the modular pump assembly applications.
Other features and aspects of this invention will be apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be described in more detail with reference to the enclosed drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates a cross-sectional side view of a pump housing coupled with a first fluid channel and a second fluid channel, in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure;
FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective side view of a modular garden pump assembly, in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure;
FIG. 3A illustrates a cross-sectional side view of a modular garden pump assembly without a non-return valve, in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure;
FIG. 3B illustrates a cross-sectional side view of a modular garden pump assembly with a non-return valve, in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure;
FIG. 4A illustrates a perspective side view of a pressure tank unit assembly, in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure;
FIG. 4B illustrates a perspective front view of a pressure tank unit assembly, in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure;
FIG. 5 illustrates a cross-sectional side view of a pressure tank unit assembly, in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure;
FIG. 6 illustrates a perspective side view of an electric pressure pump assembly, in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure; and
FIG. 7 illustrates a cross-sectional side view of an electric pressure pump assembly, in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

The present invention will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which example embodiments of the invention incorporating one or more aspects of the present invention are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. For example, one or more aspects of the present invention may be utilized in other embodiments and even other types of structures and/or methods. In the drawings, like numbers refer to like elements.
Certain terminology is used herein for convenience only and is not to be taken as a limitation on the invention. For example, "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "side", "longitudinal", "lateral", "transverse", "upwards", "downwards", "forward", "backward", "sideward", "left," "right," "horizontal," "vertical," "upward", "inner", "outer", "inward", "outward", "top", "bottom", "higher", "above", "below", "central", "middle", "intermediate", "between", "end", "adjacent", "proximate", "near", "distal", "remote", "radial", "circumferential", or the like, merely describe the configuration shown in the Figures. Indeed, the components may be oriented in any direction and the terminology, therefore, should be understood as encompassing such variations unless specified otherwise.
FIG. 1 illustrates a modular pump assembly 100, which may be used for irrigation, water supply, sewage movement among other domestic and industrial applications. The modular pump assembly 100 is interchangeably referred to as a pump assembly 100 for the purpose of describing various aspects of the present disclosure. The modular pump assembly 100 includes a pump housing 110. The pump housing 110 includes an impeller arrangement driven by a drive motor 112 arranged inside the pump housing 110. The drive motor 112 is adapted to drive a fluid at an entrance of the modular pump assembly 100 to a pressure chamber upstream of the main flow direction of the fluid. The fluid exits the pressure chamber via a first fluid channel 114 and at least one second fluid channel 116. The first fluid channel 114 includes a first end 114A and a second end 114B such that the first end 114A of the first fluid channel 114 is fluidly coupled with the pump housing 110. The at least one second fluid channel 116 includes a first end 116A and a second end 116B such that the first end 116A of the at least one second fluid channel 116 is fluidly coupled with the pump housing 110.
The pump housing 110, which is fluidly coupled with the first fluid channel 114 and the at least one second fluid channel 116 serves as a basic module for manufacturing different types of the pump assemblies 100. The pump assembly 100 may be a garden pump assembly 102 (as shown in FIGS. 2 , 3A and 3B ), a pressure tank unit assembly 104 (as shown in FIGS. 4A, 4B and 5 ), or an electronic pressure pump assembly 106 (as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 ).
As shown in FIGS. 2 , 3A and 3B , the second end 114B of the first fluid channel 114 is adapted to be fluidly coupled with one or more first pump component 120. However, for the understanding of the present disclosure, the one or more first pump component 120 is only one first pump component 120. Further, the second end 116B of the at least one second fluid channel 116 is adapted to be fluidly coupled with one or more second pump component 130. However, for the understanding of the present disclosure the at least one second fluid channel 116 is only one second fluid channel 116 and the one or more second pump component 130 is only one second pump component 130. Further, the first pump component 120 and the second pump component 130 are fluidly coupled to each other (as shown in FIG. 3B ) by a connection pipe 140 via any means known and understood in the related art.
In the illustrated embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 2 , 3A and 3B , the fluid coupling between the second end 114B of the first fluid channel 114 and the one or more first pump component 120 is achieved by means of a series of annular protrusions 122 provided with the one or more first pump component 120. Similarly, the fluid coupling between the second end 116B of the second fluid channel 116 and the one or more second pump component 130 is achieved by means of a series of annular protrusions 132 provided with the one or more second pump component 130. The series of annular protrusions 122, 132 may snap-fit or friction fit with the inner surface of the first fluid channel 114 and the second fluid channel 116 respectively. However, the fluid coupling between the second end 114B of the first fluid channel 114 and the one or more first pump component 120 or between the second end 116B of the second fluid channel 116 and the one or more second pump component 130 may be achieved by any other means known and understood in the art without restricting the scope of the present disclosure in any manner.
With continued reference to FIGS. 2 and 3B , the pump assembly 100 is the garden pump assembly 102. The first pump component 120 is an outlet pipe 124. A non-return valve 128 is adapted to be engaged with the outlet pipe 124. The non-return valve 128 may serve to maintain pressure in the first pump component 120 and the second pump component 130 of the pump assembly 100 even when the pump assembly 100 is not operating. Further, non-return valve 128 may be equipped with a magnet such that the non-return valve 128 may be used with the necessary electronics for a fluid flow measurement in the garden pump assembly 102. Further, the outlet pipe 124 includes a maintenance opening 126, which may allow an access to the non-return valve 128 adapted to be engaged with the outlet pipe 124. The maintenance opening 126 may allow the removal and cleaning of the non-return valve 128. The maintenance opening 126 is closed by a cap 125 when maintenance or overhauling of the non-return valve 128 is not required. The maintenance opening 126 is closed by a cap 125 so that the pumped fluid does not leak through the maintenance opening 126.
Further, when the garden pump assembly 102 may stop due to normal or abnormal reasons, the fluid may be required to be drained out of the garden pump assembly 102 to prevent the garden pump assembly 102 from damage due to the freezing fluid. Hence, the second pump component 130 is a flow pipe 134 that may function like a drainage pipe to drain the fluid from the garden pump assembly 102. The fluid from a lower part of the garden pump assembly 102 may flow via the flow pipe 134 for drainage. Further, the fluid from an upper part of the garden pump assembly 102 may flow through the first pump component 120 and further flow via the connection pipe 140 to the flow pipe 134 for drainage. This way, complete garden pump assembly 102 may be completely drained.
However, in some embodiments, during the normal operation of the garden pump assembly 102, the flow pipe 134 may be a fluid flow pipe that may function like the outlet pipe 124 and may further be fluidly connected to a fluid reservoir or a hose for various applications. Further, in some embodiments, during the normal operation of the garden pump assembly 102, the flow pipe 134 is covered by a cap 135 when the fluid outlet from only the outlet pipe 124 is desired based on application requirement.
In another embodiment of the garden pump assembly 102, as shown in FIG. 3A , the garden pump assembly 102 has simple construction and does not include elements such as the connection pipe 140 or the non-return valve 128. In this embodiment, the maintenance opening 126 may be fluidly coupled to a fluid transfer source such as, but not limited to, the hose for various industrial and domestic applications, or the maintenance opening 126 is simply closed by the cap 125 to prevent leakage of the fluid through the maintenance opening 126. Further, like with embodiment shown in FIG. 3B , the flow pipe 134 may be a fluid flow pipe that may be fluidly connected to the fluid reservoir or the hose for various applications, or the flow pipe 134 is simply covered by the cap 135 as per requirement.
Thus, the garden pump assembly 102 is easily manufactured using the basic module that includes the pump housing 110, first fluid channel 114 and the second fluid channel 116 making the manufacturing of the garden pump assembly 102 cost-effective.
Referring to FIGS. 4A, 4B and 5 , the manufacturing of the pressure tank unit assembly 104 is done in a very simple manner. As with the garden pump assembly 102, the pump housing 110, first fluid channel 114 and the second fluid channel 116 serve as the basic module for the manufacturing of the pressure tank unit assembly 104 too. Further, the pressure tank unit assembly 104 is manufactured by fluidly coupling the second end 114B of the first fluid channel 114 and the second end 116B of the second fluid channel 116. The fluid coupling may serve to completely drain the pressure tank unit assembly 104 or the pump assembly 100 for various reasons known and understood in the art. However, the fluid coupling may advantageously be utilized for other purposes as per the application requirement of the pressure tank unit assembly 104.
The fluid coupling between the second end 114B of the first fluid channel 114 and the second end 116B of the second fluid channel 116 is achieved by coupling the outlet pipe 124 and the flow pipe 134 using one or more connection pipes 140. The one or more connection pipes 140 is only one connection pipe 140. The coupling between the outlet pipe 124 and the flow pipe 134 using the connection pipe 140 is done by any means known in the art. Further, the connection pipe 140 is fluidly coupled to the outlet pipe 124 in a manner such that the fluid coupling between the connection pipe 140 and the outlet pipe 124 is downstream to the non-return valve 128 in the direction of the flow of the fluid.
Further, to complete the pressure tank unit assembly 104, a pressure tank unit (not shown) is coupled to the flow pipe 134 via a pipe 141. The pressure tank unit is further fluidly coupled to the outlet pipe 124 via the connection pipe 140. The pressure tank unit may include a pressure tank (not shown) and a pressure sensor (not shown). The pressure tank unit may supplement the pumping operation of the pump assembly 100. Further, the pressure tank unit may allow the drive motor 112 of the pump assembly 100 to be switched OFF while still maintaining the pressure required for the execution of various domestic and industrial operations.
Referring now to FIGS. 6 and 7 , the manufacturing of the electronic pressure pump assembly 106 is done in a very simple and cost-effective manner. As with the garden pump assembly 102 and the pressure pump unit assembly 104, the pump housing 110, first fluid channel 114 and the second fluid channel 116 serve as the basic module for the manufacturing of the electronic pressure pump 106 too. Further, the electronic pressure pump assembly 106 is manufactured by fluidly coupling the second end 114B of the first fluid channel 114 and the second end 116B of the second fluid channel 116. The fluid coupling between the second end 114B of the first fluid channel 114 and the second end 116B of the second fluid channel 116 is achieved by coupling the outlet pipe 124 and the flow pipe 134 using one or more connection pipes 140. The one or more connection pipes 140 is one connection pipe 140. Further, the connection pipe 140 is fluidly coupled to the outlet pipe 124 in a manner such that the fluid coupling between the connection pipe 140 and the outlet pipe 124 is upstream to the non-return valve 128 in the direction of the flow of the fluid. The connection pipe 140 is shown as a straight shaped and oriented at an angle compared to horizontal level. However, the connection pipe 140 may have any other suitable shape and orientation as well depending upon the space, application requirement among other factors.
Further, the outlet pipe 124 includes a pressure sensor 150 to measure the pressure of the outflowing fluid. Furthermore, to complete the electronic pressure pump assembly 106, a flow measurement impeller 160 is adapted to be engaged with the flow pipe 134. Different applications may require different fluid flow requirements. Hence, the flow measurement impeller 160 may help in providing the right amount of pressurized fluid for the pump assembly applications.
Thus, the present disclosure advantageously provides a modular pump assembly 100. The modular pump assembly 100 allows to manufacture different types of pump assemblies such as the garden pump assembly 102, the pressure tank unit assembly 104 and the electronic pressure pump assembly 106 in a cost-effective manner. The modular pump assembly 100 utilizes the pump housing 110 which is common across different types of the pump assemblies 100. The pump housing 110 is fluidly coupled with one or more pump components (the first pump component 120, the second pump component 130, the one or more connection pipes 140, etc. as discussed in detail in the present disclosure) required to manufacture different types of pump assemblies 100.
In the drawings and specification, there have been disclosed preferred embodiments and examples of the invention and, although specific terms are employed, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for the purpose of limitation of the scope of the invention being set forth in the following claims.

LIST OF ELEMENTS

100: Pump Assembly/ Modular Pump Assembly
102: Garden Pump Assembly
104: Pressure Pump Unit Assembly
106: Electronic Pressure Pump Assembly
110: Pump Housing
112: Drive Motor
114: First Fluid Channel
114A: First End
114B: Second End
116: Second Fluid Channel
116A: First End
116B: Second End
120: First Pump Component
122: Annular Protrusions
124: Outlet Pipe
125: Cap
126: Maintenance Opening
128: Non-Return Valve
130: Second pump Component
132: Annular Protrusions
134: Flow Pipe
135: Cap
140: Connection Pipe
141: Pipe
150: Pressure Sensor
160: Flow Measurement Impeller

Claims

A modular pump assembly (100) comprising:
a pump housing (110) containing an impeller arrangement driven by a drive motor (112), preferably arranged inside the pump housing (110), wherein the drive motor (112) is adapted to drive a fluid at an entrance of the modular pump assembly (100) to a pressure chamber upstream of the main flow direction of the fluid, and wherein

the fluid exits the pressure chamber via a first fluid channel (114) and at least one second fluid channel (116) such that the first fluid channel (114) having a first end (114A) and a second end (114B), wherein the first end (114A) of the first fluid channel (114) is fluidly coupled with the pump housing (110); and

the at least one second fluid channel (116) having a first end (116A) and a second end (116B), wherein the first end (116A) of the at least one second fluid channel (116) is fluidly coupled with the pump housing (110);

characterized in that:
the second end (114B) of the first fluid channel (114) is adapted to be fluidly coupled with one or more first pump component (120); and

the second end (116B) of the at least one second fluid channel (116) is adapted to be fluidly coupled with one or more second pump component (130).
The modular pump assembly (100) of claim 1, wherein the second end (114B) of the first fluid channel (114) is fluidly coupled with the second end (116B) of the second fluid channel (116).
The modular pump assembly (100) of any of the preceding claims, wherein the first pump component (120) is an outlet pipe (124), and the second pump component (130) is a flow pipe (134).
The modular pump assembly (100) of claim 3, wherein a non-return valve (128) is adapted to be engaged with the outlet pipe (124).
The modular pump assembly (100) of claim 3, wherein a pressure tank unit is coupled to the flow pipe (134).
The modular pump assembly (100) of claim 3 or 5, wherein a flow measurement impeller (160) is adapted to be engaged with the flow pipe (134).