FR2678987A1 - Submerged pump particularly for wells and bore holes, composed of superposable modules - Google Patents

Abstract

The pump is of the type comprising at least one electric motor and at least one fluid-pumping mechanism. It is characterised in that it is formed by the association of modules, each one made up of a motor (1) and a pumping mechanism such as a turbine blade wheel (2) which are both situated coaxially in the centre of a cylindrical chamber (10) exhibiting a fluid inlet (14) facing the pumping mechanism (2), at the lower part of the module, and a fluid outlet (15) above the motor (1), at the upper part of the module, each of the modules possessing electric supply leads (conductors) (20) which extend from a connector (21) situated at the upper part to a connector (22) situated at the lower part, to which leads (20) are connected in parallel all the motors (1) of the modules, means (25-28) being provided for joining the modules together in series so that, on the one hand, the fluid outlet (15) of one communicates with the fluid inlet (14) of another and, on the other hand, so that the connector (21) situated at the upper part of one module interacts with the connector (22) situated at the lower part of another in order to ensure electrical continuity from one end of the joined modules to the other, regardless of how many there are of them.

Description

SUBMERGE PUMP, PARTICULARLY FOR WELLS AND
DRILLS * OPPOSED BY MODUI; ARE OVERLAP
It has been known for a long time for pumps to be placed in drilled and cased wells and which, therefore, are immersed in the liquid to be pumped.

 These are generally wells drilled in the land that separates the soil surface and a groundwater table, in order to pump water from it, in particular for the irrigation of cultivated land and / or watering of cultures.

 But it can also, of course, be petroleum not spouting under natural pressure.

 Since these wells are as narrow as possible to be easy to drill, the pumps used have a very particular morphology so that they can be placed in the well without risk of jamming. They therefore have a minimum diameter and their various components are superimposed at a practically indifferent height because it can only be meters while a well can have a depth of up to kilometers.

 We mainly refer here to submersible pumps intended for wells and boreholes but, as will be seen below, the invention relates to a pump structure independent of its applications and consequently finds many uses: dewatering pumps, emptying, emptying, draining, circulation, etc.

 A traditional pump of this type comprises in the lower part an electric motor, in the upper part a pump mechanism and in the middle part a circular strainer for the radial admission of the liquid, the latter being discharged upwards in a discharge duct s' raising up outside the well for use.

 Naturally, the power of the pump depends on the conditions of each well and the user chooses a pump from a range which covers most of the conditions usually encountered.

 However, it may happen that the conditions of a well change (depth to increase for example) or that other wells are drilled to replace the first, which then requires buying another pump, maybe for everyone successive wells.

 A first object of the invention is to avoid this drawback by allowing the adaptability of the pump to different well specifications.

To situate the state of the art, we can cite - the document FR-A-2,578,587 which describes a motorcycle group
pump formed by the superposition of mo modules
teurs in the lower part and pump modules in par
high tie. The problem that this invention solves is
the protection of the electric power cable
when setting up the group in the
well.

 The group forms a whole that must be dismantled in the event of a fault to be repaired.

- document EP-A-0.089.121 which describes a system of
pumping comprising a plurality of pump sets
page superimposed and joined by an axial duct
continuous extending over the entire height
between ground level and the lowest set,
in order to constitute a forward circuit and a re circuit
turn for a dielectric lubricant set in motion
by a pump located on the ground.

- the document DE-A-1.073.312 which describes an installation
pumping tion comprising several individual groups
duels which include a pump below the
what is an engine and which each have a
suction port between the motor and the pump
eg.

Note that this installation can only work
if the lower slow speed group is OK
Steps. If it fails, the entire pump
stops for lack of power to power the first
high speed group (column 2, lines 30-32).

 No information is given as to the electrical supply of the various motors and one can think, in all rigor, that this supply is of conventional type, that is to say that it is done directly from the surface to each motor by means of cables placed outside the installation. The engines are therefore started simultaneously for all the engines.

 The present invention deviates entirely from known solutions because it makes it possible to constitute modular pumping assemblies practically tailor-made for each use and modifiable at will by adding or removing modules.

 To this end, the subject of the invention is a pump of the type comprising at least one electric motor and at least one fluid pumping mechanism, characterized in that it is formed by the association of modules each consisting of a motor and a pumping mechanism such as an impeller, both located coaxially in the center of a cylindrical chamber having a fluid inlet facing the pumping mechanism, at the bottom of the module and a fluid outlet above the motor, at the top of the module, each of the modules having electrical supply conductors which extend from a connector located at the top to a connector located at the bottom, conductors to which all the motors are connected in parallel modules, means being provided for assembling the modules together in series so that, on the one hand, the fluid outlet of one communicates with the fluid inlet of the other and that, d on the other hand, the connector located at the top of a module cooperates with the connector located at the bottom of the other to ensure electrical continuity from one end to the other of the assembled modules, whatever the number.

According to other characteristics of the invention - each module comprises means of assembly to a
other module, with no interposed element
diary; - two modules are fixed to each other by means of gold
external mechanical ganes; - intermediate elements are inserted between the
modules; - each intermediate element contains components
electrical devices to ensure the connection between
electrical supply conductors and motor
of a module, while ensuring electrical continuity
sticking of said conductors between the two modules
between which the intermediate element is interposed; - each intermediate element contains a time delay
engine designed to delay engine power
electric corresponding to that of the mo
neighboring neighbor; - each intermediate element includes
attachment to two modules between which said element
intermediate is interspersed, as well as conduc
tors to ensure the electrical continuity of
supply conductors between the two modules
that it connects; - the intermediate elements are segments of ca
nalisation; - the pump includes a special module located below
under the lowest module of the pump and comprising
on the one hand a strainer placed opposite the entrance
of fluid from said lowest module and, on the other hand,
electrical and mechanical components ensuring
closing the power supply circuit as well
that the waterproof protection of the module conductors
the lowest; - the pump includes a special module located below
above the highest module of the pump and including
electrical and mechanical components ensuring
connection between an electric current source and the
pump power supply circuit as well
as connecting organs with a sor pipe
fluid tie; - each module includes
a first central housing containing the engine and
formed of a sealed cylindrical outer wall,
a second housing formed by a cylindrical wall
waterproof concentric with the first housing and determined
with it an annular chamber intended for
passage of the fluid and having, for this purpose, a
lower inlet and upper outlet, a sealed cylindrical outer jacket surrounding
concentrically the second housing and determining
with it an annular space in which are located
the electrical conductors connected to the connec
which are located on and under the module,
to the right of this annular space, that is to say
the exterior of the fluid inlet and outlet; - each module has a visible witness from the outside
laughing, without disassembly, of the power supply
correct or interrupted motor of this module.

 The invention will be better understood from the detailed description below made with reference to the accompanying drawing. Of course, the description and the drawing are given only by way of an indicative and nonlimiting example.

 Figure 1 is a schematic sectional view of a pump module according to the invention.

 Figure 2 is a schematic sectional view of a pump according to the invention and formed of modules assembled directly, (only two modules have been shown) without intermediate element.

 Figure 3 is a schematic view in vertical section showing an intermediate element for the connection of two modules.

 Figure 4 is a schematic horizontal sectional view of an intermediate element and showing the electrical connection connections.

 Referring to Figure 1, we see a module according to the invention which comprises an electric motor 1 and a paddle wheel 2 coaxial and mounted on the same central shaft 3, the motor 1 being placed above the wheel 2.

 The motor is placed in a central housing 4 determined by a cylindrical watertight wall 5. The alignment of the shaft 3 and its tightness, in particular between the housing 4 and the wheel 2 are ensured by bearings 6 with packing of any type well known to those skilled in the art.

 This assembly is placed in the axis of a second housing 10 determined by a watertight wall 11 having a generally cylindrical shape with thinned ends 12 and 13, the passage section of which in the lower part constitutes the fluid inlet 14, facing the wheel 2 and in the upper part the outlet 15, above the motor 1.

 For hydrodynamic reasons well known to those skilled in the art, there is above the central housing 4 a deflector 16 which is here represented as a substantially conical body but which could have any other constitution.

 The walls 5 and 11 of the housings 4 and 10 determine an annular space 17 to be traversed by the fluid to be pumped.

 For well-known hydrodynamic reasons, the annular space 17 contains fins 7 forming a diffuser intended to counteract the rotation of the fluid by the wheel 2 and to straighten the fluid stream so that it rises as well as possible.

 Here, the fins 7 also constitute spacers for positioning the housing 4 in the housing 10.

 The whole of the housing 10 and its contents is placed in a cylindrical outer jacket 18 which, with the wall 11 of the housing 10, determines a substantially annular space 19, wider near the ends of the module than in its central part, due to the shape of housing 10.

 In space 19, electrical conductors 20 are placed which connect an upper connector 21 and a lower connector 22 of complementary constitution, so that the upper connector 21 can cooperate with the lower connector 22 of another module.

 Furthermore, the module has mechanical connection members, so that several modules can be assembled in series, the outlet 15 of one being located opposite the inlet 14 of another and so on for a number of modules which depend exclusively on the needs of each case.

 The members shown here are, on the underside of the module, a crown 25 which is provided with two recessed O-rings 26 and 27 and, on the upper face of the module, a groove 28, the internal dimensions of which, apart from play, outer dimensions of the crown 25.

 Referring to Figure 2, we see a pump according to the invention having a number of modules (only two are shown) and placed in a well A provided with a casing B cement, metal tube etc. as is well known in itself.

 The drawing shows that the crown 25 of a module can be tightly engaged in the groove 28 of another module while ensuring the series arrangement of the modules since the outlet 15 of the lower module opens at the inlet 14 of the upper module. .

 For each module, when the motor 1 is supplied, it drives the wheel 2 through the shaft 3 which forces the fluid in which the pump is immersed to rise according to the arrows F1. Then, the fluid is pushed along the arrows F2 and F3 over the entire height of the module to the outlet 15. There, the wheel 2 of the upper module "takes over" and raises the fluid according to the arrows F4 (which correspond to initial arrows Wire).

 It is understood that it suffices to assemble the number of modules required to constitute a pump whose power is exactly adapted to the conditions of use.

 If these conditions change, simply add one or more modules, or delete them.

 To determine the number of modules, account is taken of the total head, that is to say the height of fluid elevation, in the case of submerged pumps placed in wells or boreholes.

 So that the adaptation of the pump is easy by associating and dissociating the modules, the electrical connections must also be easy.

 Here, we have chosen the example of an upper connector 21 of female socket type and of a lower connector 22 of male plug type.

 Thus, the establishment of the crown 25 of a module in the groove 28 of another module, allows simultaneously, without further maneuver, to engage the male plugs 22 in the corresponding sockets 21. In single-phase power supply and earth line for example, there are three upper connectors 21 and three lower connectors 22.

 At the lowest part of the pump, that is to say under the lowest placed module, a specific element 30 is placed which ensures continuity and tight protection of the electrical circuit and which includes a suction strainer .

 The electrical circuit is protected by providing a female socket 31 corresponding to the upper connectors 21, arranged so as to be protected from any entry of fluid.

 The suction strainer is composed of a central orifice 32 located opposite the inlet 14 of the lowest module and provided with a grid 33 which prevents the penetration of foreign bodies: waste, gravel, etc.

 It is noted that according to a specific arrangement of the invention, the suction of fluid is done at the lowest part of the pump and not at a higher level as is currently the case with the pumps of the state of the techniques that provide a suction strainer at a level higher than the height of the engine.

 This arrangement is advantageous because it allows the pump according to the invention to be used for fluids located in reservoirs, tarpaulins and cisterns by placing the grid 33 as close to the bottom as desired, which is very difficult with a pump. having a circular strainer located between the motor (lower) and the wheel (upper).

 To simplify the drawing, the mechanical members ensuring the fixing of the modules are not shown. They are of any known type and, to be as practical as possible, it is good that the fixing is done from module to module and not by group because, then, one can easily add or remove a module independently of the others. These mechanisms can, for example, be of the toggle type, like those generally used for containers such as canteens.

 The presence of a motor 1 and a wheel 2 in each module allows an operating mode specific to the invention, as will be described later, in particular during start-up.

 This is why it is preferable to connect the modules together with the interposition of specific elements comprising both mechanical fixing means and electrical means, as seen in FIGS. 3 and 4.

 A specific element 40 is a module in itself since it is standard and can be interposed between any of two "pumping" modules, this module 40, called "contactor module" having, like the pumping modules, a crown 25 and a groove 28.

 The module 40 comprises two sealed concentric cylindrical walls 41 and 42 which determine between them a sealed annular space 43.

 The outer wall 41 is placed in the extension of the jacket 18 of the pumping modules, so that the outer wall of the entire pump is continuous, smooth and devoid of any annoying protuberance during the placement and removal of the pump, unlike known pumps which have a protector containing the electrical supply conductors.

 The inner wall 42 determines a central passage 44 ensuring the continuity of the fluid passage between the outlet 15 of the lower module and the inlet 14 of the upper module.

 In the sealed annular space 43, the electrical and electronic components necessary for the supply circuit are housed.

 The contactor module 40 ensures the electrical continuity of the conductors 20 of the two modules that it connects, thanks to the presence of connectors 21 and 22. There is therefore electrical continuity over the entire height of the pump, whatever the number of modules. pumping.

 Each contactor module supplies a single motor 1, either that of the upper module or that of the lower module, this choice being left to the discretion of the manufacturer, and it can be seen that all of the motors 1 are supplied with parallel, which has the advantage that if one of the motors 1 has failed, the others are still operating, the consequence of this failure no longer, as is currently the case, pure and simple stopping of the pump but a drop in power which is all the lower as the number of pumping modules is large.

 FIG. 3 shows that inside the contactor module 40, each connector 21-22 is connected by a conductor 50, 51 and 52 respectively to an assembly comprising a timer 53 and a three-pole electromagnetic contactor 54.

 As is well known, the earth line must be continuous and, in practice, it passes directly through the module 40 without passing through the timer 53 and the contactor 54.

 The contactor 54 is itself connected by three conductors 55, 56 and 57 to links such as male pins 58a, 58b and 58c directly connected to the supply terminals (not shown) of the corresponding motor 1.

 This arrangement makes it possible to start the motors 1 one after the other, starting with the motor 1 of the lowest module. The timer 53 is set so that it does not allow the starting of the corresponding motor 1 until after starting of the motor 1 of the module located immediately below. This avoids adding the "starting peaks", that is to say the inevitable overcurrents when the engines are launched.

 It is advantageous to adopt a low power for each engine 1 because the failure of one of them is all the less felt as they are numerous.

 The low nominal power makes it possible to use the same winding for the two basic frequencies that are found internationally: either 50 or 60 Hertz.

 In addition, this low power makes superfluous all the systems currently necessary for starting: star-triangle or stator systems, which are complex, expensive and bulky and which require an electrical cabinet, which is necessarily located on the surface when the pump is used in a well.

 At the upper part of the pump, there is another element called "connection module" 60 intended for the hydraulic connection of the pump to a discharge pipe 61 leading to the use of the fluid, not shown, (sprinkler booms, irrigation pipes, tank, tarpaulin, etc.).

 It also provides the electrical connection and has, for this purpose, a connector 22 cooperating with the connector 21 of the upper pumping module.

This arrangement makes it unnecessary to make a splice between the power cable and the motor cable, a splice which is inevitable, in practice, with most known pumps. At the top of the module 60, there is a waterproof connector 62 to which a general power cable 63 is connected.

 The connection module 60 also includes a non-return valve 64, the utility of which is well known since it prevents the entire column of already elevated fluid from falling to the bottom of the well when the pump is stopped.

 But here, the invention brings a new advantage thanks to the design of the electrical circuit.

 Indeed, with known devices, the non-return valve is strictly mechanical and remains continuously closed since it is only open in the direction of pumping and on condition of being pushed back by the pressure of the fluid set in motion.

 According to the invention, there is electrical energy near the valve 64 and it can be associated with a mechanism of any known type, shown diagrammatically by the global reference 65 and which makes it possible to operate it in the direction of its opening, independently pump operation.

 In normal operation, the fluid pushes the valve 64 which authorizes passage. As soon as the pump 66 stops, the valve 64 is applied to its seat and prevents the fluid column from lowering.

 But if you want to remove the entire pump, you are no longer forced, as is the case with known pumps, to lift the weight of the water column in addition to the weight of the pump itself : a contactor (not shown) is actuated which supplies the mechanism 65 so that it renders the valve 64 inoperative, either by operating it, or by creating a bypass passage, which causes the entire installation to be emptied. The weight to be lifted is then that of the pump and nothing more.

 As each motor 1 operates independently of the others, it is easy, in the event of one of them failing, to quickly determine which one it is.

 For this, the invention provides a witness (not shown) and visible from the outside of the pump, without any disassembly, and it suffices to observe to see if the power supply to the motor is normal or interrupted.

 The simplest is obviously to place behind a transparent and watertight window a fuse which opens the electric circuit of the defective motor 1, because the deterioration of the fuse, visible sign of non-functioning, can come from several causes as well internal to the motor as external .

It appears from the above description that a pump according to the invention provides decisive advantages compared to the state of the art: - greater operating safety, - the failure of an engine does not lead to 'stop
the pump, - better use of each motor, including the
sance is perfectly adapted to the needs of each
module, possibility of operation at 50 or 60 Hertz, - elimination of cable passage outside the
pump and over its entire height, - removal of a splice when connecting the
pump to power supply, - direct start, whatever the total power
of the group of assembled modules, - perfect cooling of all the motors by the
fluid itself which surrounds the central housing 4, - aspiration of the fluid at the lowest level of the pump
eg, - removal of oil baths, - removal of electrical conductors especially
designed to additionally serve as oil piping
cooling, - possibility of piloting the non-return valve 64, - manufacturing the modules in large series, and not
manufacture of pre-designed pumps according to a range of
small series, - easy and inexpensive storage of individual modules
to respond immediately to the needs of the client
tèle (including by immediate replacement of a module
faulty during repair).

Claims (12)

 1- Pump of the type comprising at least one electric motor and at least one fluid pumping mechanism, characterized in that it is formed by the association of modules each consisting of a motor (1) and a pumping mechanism such that '' an impeller (2) both located coaxially in the center of a cylindrical chamber (10) having a fluid inlet (14) facing the pumping mechanism (2), at the bottom of the module and a fluid outlet (15) above the motor (1), at the top of the module, each of the modules having electrical supply conductors (20) which extend from a connector (21) located at the top to a connector (22) located at the bottom, conductors (20) to which all the motors (1) of the modules are connected in parallel, means (25-28) being provided for assembling the modules together in series so that, from on the one hand, the fluid outlet (15) of one communicates with the inlet of f luide (14) on the other and that, on the other hand, the connector (21) located at the top of a module cooperates with the connector (22) located at the bottom of the other to ensure continuity electric from one end to the other of the assembled modules, whatever the number.  2- Pump according to claim 1, characterized in that each module comprises means of assembly (25-28) to another module, without interposition of intermediate element.  3- Pump according to claim 2, characterized in that two modules are fixed to one another by means of external mechanical members.  4- Pump according to claim 1, characterized in this flood of intermediate elements (40) are interposed between the modules.  5- Pump according to claim 4, characterized in this flood each intermediate element (40) contains electrical components (53 to 58) to ensure the connection between the electrical supply conductors (20) and the motor (1) of a module, while ensuring the electrical continuity of said conductors (20) between the two modules between which the intermediate element (40) is interposed.  6- Pump according to claim 5, characterized in that flood each intermediate element (40) contains a timer (53) intended to delay the supply of the corresponding electric motor (1), relative to that of the neighboring module.  7- Pump according to claim 4, characterized in this flood each intermediate element (40) comprises fastening members with two modules between which said intermediate element (40) is interposed, as well as conductors to ensure the electrical continuity of the conductors power supply (20) between the two modules it connects.  8- Pump according to claim 4, characterized in that Bue the intermediate elements are pipe segments.  9- Pump according to claim 1, characterized in that it includes a particular module (30) located below the lowest module of the pump and comprising on the one hand a strainer (32-33) placed opposite the fluid inlet (14) of said lowest module and, on the other hand, electrical and mechanical members (31) ensuring the closing of the electrical supply circuit as well as the watertight protection of the conductors (20) of the lowest module .  10- Pump according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a particular module (60) located above the highest module of the pump and comprising electrical (22) and mechanical (25) organs ensuring the connection between a source electric current and the electric supply circuit of the pump, as well as connecting members () with a fluid outlet pipe ().  11- Pump according to claim 1, characterized in that flood each module comprises  - a first central housing (4) containing the motor (1) and formed by a sealed cylindrical outer wall (5),  - A second housing (10) formed of a sealed cylindrical wall (11) concentric with the first housing (4) and determining with the latter an annular chamber (17) intended for the passage of the fluid and having, for this purpose, an inlet lower (14) and an upper outlet (15),  a sealed cylindrical outer jacket (18) concentrically surrounding the second housing (10) and determining with it an annular space (19) in which the electrical conductors (20) connected to the connectors (21-22) are located, which are located, on and under the module, to the right of this annular space (19), that is to say outside the inlet (14) and the outlet (15) of fluid.  12- Pump according to claim 1, characterized in that each module has a visible witness from the outside, without disassembly, of the correct or interrupted electrical supply to the motor (1) of this module.