US1604419A

US1604419A - Pumping mechanism

Info

Publication number: US1604419A
Application number: US645536A
Authority: US
Inventors: Oliphant John
Original assignee: Sullivan Machinery Co
Current assignee: Sullivan Machinery Co
Priority date: 1923-06-15
Filing date: 1923-06-15
Publication date: 1926-10-26
Anticipated expiration: 1943-10-26

Description

Oct. .26 1926. 1,604,419

J. OLIPHANT PUMPING MECHANI SM Filed June 15, 1923 Patented Oct. 26, 1926.

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JOHN OLIPHANT, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO SULLIVAN MACHINERY COM- PANY, A CORPORATION OF MASSACHUSETTS.

PUMPING MECHANISM.

Application filed June 15, 1923. Serial No. 645,536.

My invention relates to pumping mechanism.

It has for its object to provide an improved puinping mechanism. A further object of my invention is to provide an improved pumping mechanism adapted to enable the natural flow from a well to be utilized and having improved means for increasing the natural flow by the use of either vacuum or pressure as conditions require. These and other objects and advantages of my invention will, however, hereinafter more fully appear.

In the accompanying drawing I have shown for purposes of illustration one embodiment which my invention may assume in practice.

In this illustrative construction 1 have shown a pumping mechanism comprising a compressor 1 of any usual construction connected through its discharge pipe 2 to a receiver 3, the receiver in turn being con-- nected through piping 1 with the down-- pipe 5 of an air lift pump 6 disposed in the well, and the pump discharging through an up-pipe 7 surrounding the pipe 5, with a proper closed chamber or casing 8.

In my improved construction, means are provided for utilizing the natural flow oi the well when conditions permit. Referring more particularly to the casing, it will be observed that the up-pipe 7 is provided with a series of perforations 9 above the bottom 01 the casing in order to permit the ordinary flow of the well toenter the bottom of the casing 8. ,Here it will be also noted that a discharge line 10 is provided at the bottom of the casing, the same herein having an outwardly opening check valve 11 of any suitable type disposed therein. Thus it will be observed that with the compressor shut down, the well may operate under its ordinary or natural flow, and that the liquid may flow into the casing 8 and there be caused to develop its own head and flow out through the discharge pipe 10, the valve 11 opening to permit the free flow of the fluid,

Should, however, the ordinary flow of the well not suflice, means are provided for increasing the same by the use of a vacuum in the casing 8. These means herein assume the form of a pipe connection 12 connected between the intake 13 of the compressor and the piping 1 leading to the down-pipe 5 of the air lii't pump. As shown, a valve 14 is provided in this pipe connection, while a valve 15 is provided on the atmosphere side of the compressor intake, a valve 16 is provided in the pipe connection 2 to control the communication with the atmosphere, and a valve 17 is provided to control the flow from the receiver. Here, it will also be noted that a check valve 18 of any suitable outwardly opening type is provided on the top of the casing and that an inwardly opening check valve 19 is provided in the down pipe 5 at a point within and near the top of the casing 8. It will also be noted that an upstanding U-bend 20 of suitable length is provided in the connection to the downpipe 5 and between the receiver and this pipe, to prevent backflow to the compressor. As a result of this construction, it will be observed that by operating the compressor as a vacuum pump, i. e. closing valves 15 and 17 and opening the valves 14 and 16, the valve 18 will be closed and the valve 19 opened. the air in the casing 8 being exhausted through the valve 19 in such a manner as tocreate a partial vacuum in the easing and thereby increase the discharge from the well, any drawing of liquid in to the compressor being prevented by the Ubend 20. The liquid discharges through pipe 22 which terminates at or near the bottom of a sump 23, but below the end of the sump discharge pipe 241. This insures that the liquid level in the sump will always be above the end of pipe 22, thus sealing the same so that the vacuum system can be properly started. During the vacuum operation the valve 11 will close automatically and the valve 25 will be opened- Liquid will then be allowed to flow from the well and discharge into the sump from which it is withdrawn through pipe 2 1 by any suitable means (not shown). It will be seen that the liquid level in the sump will have to be kept lower than the well level so that the vacuum sys tem can operate by itself. Once the system has started the vacuum pump can be shut off and a vacuum held in the casing 8. The vacuum system then works on the siphon principle. It will of course be obvious that the only time when it is necessary to have the level of the liquid in the sump 23 below the well level is when the siphon operation is desired, or, if the sump level is higher than the well level and it is desired to create Well ill) flow by Vacuum, it is only necessary to close the valve 25.

It will also be observed that means are provided whereby a positive air lift may be used when desired, an umbrella top 21 on the up-pipe 7 being provided for use in this connection. An air lift is thus readily obtainable when desired by simply closing the valves 14, 25 and 16 and opening. thevalves and 17, whereupon air will be supplied from the compressor tothe pipe connection 2 and receiver dandfrom the latter. through the pipe connection at, and bend; to the down-pipe 5 of the air lift pump 6; This pump wilhthen inturn mix the air with the liquid in the well in a well-known manner, and causethe resulting. mixture to be discharged up through the up-pipe 7 against the umbrella. top 21, the air andliquid being separated in the casing, in. a well-known manner, and the pressure in the top of the casing being regulated by the valve 18 in such. a manner as to cause the liquidin the casing to be maintained under the proper pressure and forced out. through the discharge linev 10. Obviously, curing the operationof the mechanism as an air lift sy tem, thevalve 19 will be closed by the pressure of the air, while the valve 11 will be openedby the-out flowing liquid.

As a result. of my improvement, it will be observed that it. is possible for a single installation to be used either inv connection with the normal or natural flow of" the well, as a vacuum system, or as a positive air lift system, thereby enal'ilingitv to deal efl ec tively with diverse-conditions of well flow or the like and; maintain a desired constant flow into the discharge line. It will also be observed that the mechanism is of a simple character requiring only minor and convenient adjustments, which are readily made, inorder to enable it to operate as a system of'any of the three types desired.

While I have in this application speciiically described one embodiment which n'iy-invention may assume, it, will of course be understood that this form of the same is usedforillustrative purposes, and that the invention .may be modified and embodied in whole or in part in various other forms without departing from its, spirit or the scope of the appended claims.

IVhatI claim as new. and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a.pumping system, natural wellfiow utilizing mechanism including discharge means, means. for utilizing a vacuum to increase the flow, and means automatically operative to close said natural flow discharge when said vacuum means is utilized.

2. In a well pumping mechanism, natural well How utilizing mechanism, means for,

utilizing vacuum to increase the flow ineluding discharge means, means for supplying pressure to increase the flow, and discharge means for the liquid. from the well separate from said first mentioned discharge means and operative separately therefrom.

In a pumping mechanism, natural well 7" flow utilizing mechanism including liquid discharge means, and means permitting selective employment of suction or of pressure to augment directly liquid flow in said discharge means, said means including a com- 7 mon suction and pressure transmitting pipe,

1. In a pumping mechanism, vacuum, pumping mechanism, anduneans including a fluid pipe common to said pumpingmechanism for substitutin )ressure at will toeffeet actualpumping ofv thetluidto theidischarge end.

5. In a pumping mechanismhaving a,plu rality of discharge means, vacuum pumpingmechanism, means for substituting natural;

well flow utilizing mechanism at will, and. means automatically operative; to close- One. of said discharge means when.said vacuum; mechanism is operative.

6. In a pumping mechanismhauinga pin:

rality of discharge means, vacuumpumping mechanism, means for selectively snbstitut ing natural well low or pressure to meet varying conditions, anduneans automatically,

operative to close one. of: said discharge means whensaidvacuum mechanism isoperative.

7. Ina pumping system, air, lift. pumpingmechanisni, a separator therefor, and means for substitutingnatural well: flowv utilizing mechanism at. will.-

8. Ina pumplng system, a r l ft. pumping mechanism, means for substituting. vacuum pumping mechanism at will, and a common supply pipe for. saidi vacuum and air lift pumping mechanisms.

9. In a pumping system, air lift pumping mechanism, means for selectively substituting natural well flow or-vacuum to meet varying conditions, a natural well flow diserable natural well flowutilizing mechanism,

vacuum operatedlne.chanism, pressure operated pumping mechanism, and a commonpipe for controllingfluidpressure for a plurality of said mechanisms.

11. In a pumpingsystem, a gaseous fluidpump, natural well How utilizing mechaT nism, and'meansfor; enabling said pump to supply gaseous pressure to or to produce.- a vacuuinin said'inechanism, saidJmeans including a fluid connection common to both operations and arrangedbetween .said pump nd mechanism.

12. A pumping system comprising a, casing having a naturalwellflowreceivinginlet and a discharge, means forcreating a vacuum in said casing, and a second discharge from said casing separate from said first discharge.

13. A pumping system comprising a casing having a natural well flow receiving inlet and a discharge, means for selectively creating a Vacuum in said casing or supplying an aerated mixture thereto, and means for automatically closing said discharge upon creation of said vacuum.

14. In con'ibination, an air lift system includinga pump, piping connected thereto and having a U-bend therein, a casing having oppositely opening valves therein, and means for selectively creating a vacuum in said casing or supplying pressure to said pump.

15. In combination, a compressor, an air lift system connected to said compressor and including a casing having oppositely opening valves, and valves for selectively connecting said compressor discharge or said compressor inlet to said air lift system.

16. In combination, a compressor, a receiver connected thereto, an air lift system connected to said receiver and compressor and including a casing having a well flow inlet and oppositely opening valves, and valves for selectively connecting said receiver or said compressor inlet to said air lift system.

17. In combination, a compressor, an air lift system connected to said compressor and including a casing having oppositely opening valves, a well-flow inlet in said casing, and valves for selectively connecting said compressor discharge or said compressor inlet to said air lift system.

18. In combination, an air lift system including a pump, a casing having oppositely opening valves therein, a riser pipe with which said pump cooperates connected to said casing, means for selectively creating a vacuum in said casing or supplying pressure to said pump, and means for preventing the passage of liquid from said casing to said vacuum creating means.

19. A pumping system comprising means whereby natural flow, air lift, or vacuum can be utilized, said means including a common means for receiving and discharging the Well flow.

20. A pumping system comprising selectively operable means whereby natural flow, air lift, or vacuum can be utilized, said means including a common means for receiving and discharging the well flow.

21. A pumping system comprising a re ceptacle, a riser pipe having an opening communicating with said receptacle and adapted to allow the natural flow of the well to freely discharge, an umbrella top disposed over the end of said pipe and within said receptacle, and air lift mechanism adapted to cooperate with said umbrella top. 7

22. A pumping system comprising a riser pipe, a receptacle disposed adjacent the upper end thereof, means whereby the natural flow of the well may discharge freely from said riser and receptacle, and means for creating a vacuum within said receptacle to aid the Well flow.

23. A pumping system comprising a riser pipe and means for increasing the flow therein by subjecting the same to suction or by admitting pressure thereto, said system comprising valve means respectively automatically operative during said different operations.

24. A pumping system comprising a well, a sump, the level of the liquid therein being below the level of the liquid in the well, means for creating a vacuumon said well to permit a flow of fluid into said sump to start a siphon operation, and air lift pumping means for assisting the flow of fluid from said well.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

JOHN OLIPHANT.