US2303627A

US2303627A - Liquid and air supply system

Info

Publication number: US2303627A
Authority: US
Inventors: Chauncey P Fuller
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1940-01-27
Filing date: 1940-01-27
Publication date: 1942-12-01
Anticipated expiration: 1959-12-01

Description

Dec. 1, 1942. c. P. FULLER 2,303,627

LIQUID AND .un SUPPLY s'YsTEM Y Filed Jan. 27. 1,940 2 sheets-sheet 1 x. fr",

'/3 s I s i995; C'f/Au/vcfr f. FULLER ,l

ATTORNEY De.1,1942. a R FULLER '2,303,627

LIQUID AND AIR SUPPLY SYSTEM Filed Jan. 27. 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.- C'HA u/vcey f? F'UL se ATTORNEY.

WATER fn-1.

/ly WELL Patented Der..` l, 1942 UNITED STATES I PATENT OFFICE LIQUID AND AIR SUPPLY SYSTEM Chauncey P. Fuller, Berkeley, Calif.

Application January 27, 1940, Serial No. 315,966

14 claims.'

This invention relates to automatic control means for centrifugal and injector type deep well pumps and means for automatically supplying air into hydro-pneumatic pressure tanks used in conjunction with such systems, and constitutes improvements on the subjectA matter of Letters Patent Number 2,286,613 issued June 16, 1942, on an application led by me.

One of the objects of this invention is the provision of means whereby the ow of water through the pump discharge conduit shall be so restricted as to maintain the requisite pressures within the pumping means in response to and .conformity with `a varying lift.-

Another object of this invention is to so restrict the flow of water through the pump discharge conduit that the water level in the well shall not be lowered beyond 4a practical value of the lift.

A further object of the invention is the provision of means for preventing loss of prime, in such pumping plants by leakage of water into the well.

Another object of the invention is the provision of means for supplying air into hydropneumatic storage tanks where the same are used in conjunction with pumping plants of the class referred to above.

Other objects 'of the invention will become more apparent as this specification proceeds and the novelty hereof will beparticularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawings forming a part hereof:

Fig. 1 is a schematic` view, partly-in section, showing the application of my invention to an injector type deep well pumping plant,

Fig. 2 is a schematic view showing the application of the invention to a pumping plant utilizing a centrifugal or turbine type pump,

l such as that illustrated in Fig. 1. The numeral 2 indicates a centrifugal' or any other suitable type of pump, 'driven by a prime mover, such as van. electric motor 3, lifting water out of `a deep well byA virtue of the lifting action of a hydraulic injector 4, and deliveringythe watery into a hydro-pneumatic pressure storage tank 5 through conduit 6, or 'to any other point of consumption, through pipe 1.

pump 2 at the suction region 8 at a pressure whichmay he greater or less than atmosphere,

and is delivered at a pressure greater than at.

chamber I3. Water from the well flows through foot valve I4 into chamber I3 and mixes with the high velocity Water from nozzle I2. In this mixed condition it passes through the throat I5 of the Venturi tube I6, in which the velocity la energy is converted into pressure energy, and the water then emerges in pipe I1 under a pressure suflicient to lift the water therein to such a heightfthat it will ow into the pump 2 at 8 under some absolute pressure.

l When the absolute pressure at 8 is not substantially greater than the vapor pressure of the water the pump will break prime and cease to function. VTherefore it is necessary that pressure at 9 be maintained at such a value that injector I shall have suiicient energy to maintain the required pressure at 8; and the value of the pressure required at 9 is a function of the lift L (see dotted lines, Fig. 1).

In the maintenance of prime it is, as hereinbefore stated, an object of this invention to so restrict the ow of Water through conduit I0 as to maintain the requisite pressures at 8 and 9 v in response to and conformity with a Varying lift L (see Fig. 1).

This is effected through the provision of the device illustrated to best advantage in Figs. 3 and 4'. A hollow body .28 has an inlet opening 2|, threaded for connection to the pump d ischarge conduit I8, and an outlet opening 22,

40 threaded for ctinnection to the distribution pipe 6. The body 20 is divided into the

upper chambers

25 and 26 and a lower chamber 21 by the transversely..extending partition 28, having a medially disposed ridge 29 arranged at right angles to the inlet and outlet ports 2I and 22 (see Fig. 3). The ridge 29 in partition 28 is depressed, as at 30 (see Fig. 4), in approximately the form of a circular arc to provide a constrictablepassageway` between chambers 25 and Anopening 35 in the top of body 20, directly ,4

above ridge 29 in the partition 2 8, is closed by a flexible impervious diaphragm 36, clam between the top of the body and a. cup -3 In such a pumping plant` water enters the cured thereto in any conventional manne water.

rst mentioned diaphragm 36, defines an air-tight chamber 48 within the cup 31. An anvil 4I within chamber 48 presents a lower spheroidal surface against diaphragm 36 and an upper spheroidaly surface against diaphragm 38. Diaphragm 36, when depressed by anvil 4I, in a manner which will hereinafter become apparent, constitutes, in a sense, a valve with respect to which the depression 30 in the ridge 28 of partition 28, becomes a valve seat, and this combination of elements constitutes means for constricting the water stream owing from conduit I8 to conduit 6 to regulate the quantity of liquid diverted through line II and jet I2 and thus control the priming of the pump. A chamber 42, defined by diaphragm 38 and the cover 38 communicates with atmosphere through port 43 in the latter.

Communication between chamber 21 `and pipe I1, or the body of pump 2 at a point relatively very close to 8, as regards the usual water level in the well, is establlshedthrough nipple 45, formed on the bottom of body 28, and the conduit 46 (see Fig. l).

Chambers

21 and 48 are also in communication through the medium of an externally disposed conduit 41, the lower end of which terminates in a chamber 48 in nipple 45, below'a valve seat 48 formed in the bottom of body 28.

` It is obvious that, if desired, the conduit 41 may Achamber 21 and is 'adapted to drop into the seat i through the nipple 45.

Chamber 21 is also in communication with chamber 25 through the restricted aperture 5I and with chamber 26 through a restricted aperture 52, or, if preferred,'a conventional one-way check valvevmeans (not shown) in the partition 28 (see Fig. 3); and has-an air intake through passageway 53 wherein there is disposed a conventional ball check 54 or an equivalent nonreturn mechanism to prevent outow of air or 'I'he operation of Fig. 1 is as follows:

The pump 2,` at the moment it is started, creates a definite impulse of vacuum or low,v abmy invention asutilized in `v the apparatus forming the subject-matter of' solute pressure at 8 because of the inertia of A the water at rest in pipe I1. This impulse, transmitted through conduit 46 to chamber 21,

draws water out of the chamber 21 to satisfy.

8 in the pump 2 is less. Water pressure in

chambers

25 and 26 at the tank, the upper portion of tank 5 contains air under pressure sulcient to deliver water through opening 56 to the point of consumption when the pump 2 is idle. Some of this air becomes dissolved in the water or dissipated by leakage or other causes, .and must be replenished to prevent tank 5 from becoming water logged.- Thus the fourth object of my invention, namely, to replenish and maintain automatically a sumcient supply of air in tank 5 is accomplished.

When the pressure at area 8 in pump 2, either at the moment when pump 2 starts or at anyl time while the pump is operating, is at a value less than atmospheric, this pressure, transmitted through the

conduits

46 and 41; creates a partial vacuum in chamber 46. Atmospheric pressure,

communicated through the aperture 43 to th'e chamber 42 therefore sets up a force to depress diaphragm 38 `'and consequently move anvil 4I downwardly against diaphragm 36. This force will be greater as the absolute pressurev atarea same time sets up a force to raise diaphragm 36 and anvil 4I, but in my invention, the effective operating area'of, diaphragm 38 is made -to be substantially greater than the effective operating area of diaphragm 36, so that a given value of the absolute pressure at area 8 in pump 2 will overcome a given greater value of th'e mean absolute pressure beneath diaphragm 36 and thus cause diaphragm 36 to be depressed toward or against the ridge 28 of partition 28 setting it in the depression 38 therein, as a valve against a valve seat. to constrict the passageway for the ow of waterfrom chamber 25 to chamber 26.

I have found that by properly proportioning the areas of

diaphragms

36 and 38, theilow across the depression 38 in ridge 26, from chamber 25 to chamber 26, can be' so governed as to,

assure an absolute pressure at area 8 in pump 2 substantially above the vapor pressure. of th'e water, and thus accomplish the rst and second objects of this invention, namely, to restrict the flow of water throughpump discharge conduit I8 so as to'maintain the requisite pressures in .areas 8 and 8 of the pumping system in reout of'chamber 21 through conduit 46 is replaced f with air ilowirm through passageway 53, the buoyant valve 58 drops to its seat 43 and .thus prevents the ow of air from chamber 21 into conduit 46. Chamber 21 is, at this point, substantially lled with air at apressure on the order of atmospheric.

When the pump 2 sponse to and conformityI with varying lift L, and to prevent the lowering of the water level in the well beyond a practical value of lift L, rel spectively, while at the same time permitting the system to' deliver to the conduit 6 the maximum quantity of which it is capable under the mo`- mentarily lvariable condition. l

When the pumping plant is standing idle, the hydrostatic pressure residing in tank 5 orvin the distribution system, as the case may be, is transmitted alike and equally to all parts of the apparatus, mutually communicated from chamber 26 through chamber 25, and the pump discharge conduit I8, thence through area 8 and the is operating normally the '75 conduit I1 to the hydraulic injector 4 and into' conduits II and area 8 in thepump 2, and from th'e conduit I1 through conduit 46 to chamberall parts of the system between Il) and i4 shall be primed with water, so long as any water whatever remains in the distribution system, thusv accomplishing the third object of my invention.

Itis obvious from the foregoing that in attaining the fourth object of my invention, namely, the replenishment and maintenance of a suflicient supply of air in tank 5, the elements disposed above the opening 35 in body2li, and this includes the conduit 41, serve no function. In fact the `device would accomplish the desired and stated result were opening 35 rigidly sealed.

Likewise chamber 21, the buoyant valve 50, its seat 49, the chamber 48 in nipple 45, and the restricted ports and'52 and the air intake passageway 53 with its associated check valve 54, are in no way .related tothe rst and second objects of my invention, namely, the restriction of the iiow of water through pump discharge I0 to maintain requisite pressures in areas 8 and 9 of pump 2 in response to and conformity with varying lift L and to prevent the lowering of the water level in the well,beyond a practicall value of lift L, respectively.

Therefore, within the scope of my invention it would be possible t0 construct an apparatus including an intake port 2|, a discharge port 22,

partition 28 having a ridge 23 between the ports 2| and 22 to constitute a dam therefor, a depression v3l) in the ridge 29, the, diaphragms 36 and and described are to be deemed as examples .only

and not denoting a limited use of the device.

While none is shown, it will be understood that there may be utilized with tank 5 any conventional means of stopping operation of the system when the desired pressure of water is reached in the tank, such as a pressure or float actuated switch controlling the, circuit to motor 3.. Likewise, any one of several means may be employed to avoid building excess air volume in tank 5, such as a manuallyv operated air venting cock 51 (see Fig. 2).

It should also be apparent that the invention may take other forms than that shown and described without departing from the spirit thereof, Therefore protection is desired in accordance with the full scope of the appended claims.

'I'he invention claimed is:

1. In a water system including a water supply conduit and al pump for delivering water from a source of supply through the conduit to a point of consumption, means for maintaining requisite depressing the diaphragm constricty the passageway between the said chambers.

2. In a water system including a water supply conduit and a pump for deliveringwater from a source of supply through the. conduit to a point .of consumption, means for maintaining requisite absolute suction pressure in, the pump, compris- 38, an anvil 4| in the chamber defined therebetween, a chamber 42 above the diaphragm 38, an aperture to atmosphere therefroma conduit 41 establishing communication between the chamber d8 defined by the two diaphragms and the conduit 46, 'to accomplish only the above stated iirst and second objectsv of th'e invention.

It will be obvious from the foregoing that the attainment of the third object of the invention would be inherent in either of the two above noted combinations.

Fig. 2 illustrates the application of my invention to a pumping plant consisting of a-centrifugal or turbine type pump 2 driven by prime mover 3 to lift water by so-called suction out of a relatively shallow well through a lift L substantially less than the height of a column of water equivalent to barometer, and to deliver the water through discharge pipe lli to the point of consumption similarly to Fig. 1. If the pump 2 is allowed to take water out of the well faster than water flows from the ground nto the well, lift L will eventually reach such a value that the absolute pressure at 8 will approach the vapor pressure of the water and the pump will break prime and cease to function.

From the foregoing it will be apparent that the operation of the device forming the subjectmatter hereof, will function when used with a system such as that illustrated in Fig. 2 as it does in the system shown in Fig. l. Moreover, the device may be used with other pumping a hollow body member having therein a pair of chambers,'said chambers being in communication `with the supply conduit as intake and output chambers, a. constrictable passageway between said intake and output chambers, and a conduit and a pump for delivering water from av l source of supply through the conduit to a point ing systems, hence the two uses herein illustrated of consumption, means for maintaining requisite absolute suction pressure in the pump, comprising a hollow body member having therein a pair of chambers, said chambers being in communicationnwith the supply conduit as intake and output chambers, a. constrictable passageway between said intake and output chambers, a diaphragm in juxtaposition to and in part dening said passageway, and means operated by a lowering of the absolute suction pressure in the pump from the requisite value for depressing the diaphragm to constrict the passageway between the said chambers. v

4. In a water system including a water supplyconduit 'and a pump for delivering Water from a source of supply through the conduit to a point of consumption, means for maintaining requisite absolute suction pressures in the pump, comfining said passageway, a cup over the said diaphragm, a cover for said cup, va. second diaphragm disposed between said `cup and vsaid cover, y'said second named diaphragm with the 4 erst diaphragm and said cup defining u. cnamber, an anvil within the chamber, said second named diaphragm and said cov er dening a.

fourth chamber, the fourth chamber having an aperture to atmosphere, and means establishing communication between the aforesaid diaphragms and the said pump.

the chamber defined by 5; In a water system including a pressure storage tank, a water supply conduit, and a pump for delivering water from a source of'supply through the conduit to the storage tank, means in communication with the waterA supply conduit for successively trapping quantities of air drawn from atmosphere and introducing it into the water stream passing to said storage tank, comprising a hollow body member divided into a lower chamber and a pair of upper-chambers, the upper chambers being in communication with the water supply conduit, there being a passagel' way between the two upper chambers to characterize the same as intake and` output chambers, i

restricted passageways between the lower and intake and output chambers, respectively, a discharge port in the bottom of the lower chamber,

communicating with the water supply conduit,

prisinga hollow body member divided into a ldwer chamber and a pair of upper chambers, the upper chambers being in communication with the water supply conduit, there being a passageway between the two upper chambers to characterize thesame as intake and output-chambers, a restricted water passageway between the intake chamber and the lower chamber, a re stricted air vent from the lower chamber to the output chamber, a discharge port in the bottom of the lower chamber, communicating with the water supply conduit, buoyant valve means for said discharge port, said lower chamber also having an air intake communicating with .atmosphere, and one-way check valve means in said air intake.

'1. In a water system includingya pressure storage tank, a water supply conduit, a pump for delivering water from a source o f supply through the conduit to the` storage tank, means in communication with the water supply` conduit for successively trapping quantities of air drawn-,from atmosphere and introducing it into the water stream passing to said storage tank, comprising a hollow body memberdivided into ber having an air intake communicating with atmosphere, and one-way check valve means `in said air intake.

8. In a water system including a pressure storagetank, a water supply conduit, and a pump for delivering water from a source of supply through the conduit to' the storage tank.

means in communication with the water supply conduit for successivelytrapping quantities ot- -air drawn from atmosphere and introducing it into the water stream passing to said storage tank, comprising a hollow body member divided into a lower chamber and a pair of upper chambers, the upper chambers being in communication with the water supply conduit, there being a passageway betweenv the two upper chambers to characterizethe same as intake and output chambers, a restricted water passageway between the intake chamber and the lower chamber, a restricted air vent from the lower chamber to the outputchamber, a discharge port in the bottom of the lower chamber, communicating with the water supply` conduit. buoyant valve means for said discharge port, meansv for returning the water discharged from the -lower chamber .to the suction region of the pump, said lower -air drawn from atmosphere and introducing it into the water stream passing to said storage tank, comprising a hollow body member divided into a lower chamber and a pair 'of upper chambers, the upper chambers being in communication with the water supply conduit, there being -a passageway between the two upper chambers to characterize the same as intake and output chambers, a restricted water passageway between the intake chamber and said lower chambenan 'air vent frcm the lower chamber to the output chamber, a discharge port in the bottom of the lower chamber of substantially greater area than `the restricted passageway between the intake a lower chamber a d a pair of upper chambers,

ing with thewater supply conduit, buoyant valve means for said discharge port, said lower cham- 'I5 chamber and the lower chamber, said discharge port in the bottom of the lower chamberl communicating with the water supply conduit, buoyant valve means` for said discharge port, said lower chamber also having an air intake communicating with atmosphere, and one-way check valve means in said air intake.

10.'In a water system including a water sup- -conduit as intake and output chambers, there.

being a passageway between the two upper chambers, a restricted water passageway between the intake chamber and the lower chamber, a restricted air vent from the lower chamber to -the output chamber, a discharge port in the bottom of the lower chamber, buoyant valve means for said discharge port, a return conduit for water discharged from the lower chamber in communication with the suctionregion of the pump, said lower chamber also having an air' atmosphere, a one-way check valve means in said intake communicating with atmosphere, a one- 'in spaced relation to the'rst diaphragm, there being a chamber defined between the said diaphragms, an anvil in the chamber between the two diaphragms, and a conduit establishing communication between the chamber between the two diaphragms and the water return conduit.

11. In a water system including a water supply conduit and a pump for delivering water from a source of supply through a conduit to the point of consumption, means for maintaining requisite absolute suction pressures in the way check valve means in said air intake, ,a

pump and for supplying quantities-of air into the water stream in said conduit, comprising: a hollow body member divided into a lower chamber and a pair'of upper chambers, the upper chambers being in communication with the water supply conduit as intake and output chambers, there being a passageway between the two upper chambers, a restricted water passageway between the intake chamber and the lower chamber, an air vent from Vthe lower chamber to the output chamber, a discharge port in the bottom of the lower chamber, buoyant valve means for said discharge port, a return conduit for water discharged from the lower chamber in communication with the suction region of the pump, said lower chamber also having an air intake communicating with atmosphere, a one-way check valve means in said air intake, a diaphragm in juxtaposition to and in part defining the passageway between the intake and output chambers, a second diaphragm above and in spaced relation to the rst diaphragm, there being a chamber deilned between the said diaphragms, an anvil in the chamber between the two diaphragms, a conduit establishing communication between the chamber between the two diaphragms and the water return conduit, a cover defining an air chamber above the upper diaphragm, and a port in said cover opening to atmosphere.

l2. In a water system including a water supply conduit and a pump for delivering water from a source of supply through a conduit to the point of consumption, means for maintaining requisite absolute suction pressures in the pump and for supplying quantities of air into the water stream -air vent from the lower chamber to the output chamber, a discharge port in the bottom of the lower chamber, buoyantvalve means for said discharge port, a return conduit for water discharged from the lower chamber in communication with the suction region of the pump, said lower chamber also having an air intake communicating with -air intake, a diaphragm in juxtaposition to and in part dening the passageway between the intake and output chambers, and means responsive to the lowering of the absolute suction pressure in the pump operable to move the said diaphragm to constrict the passageway between the said chambers.v

13. In a water system including a water supply conduit and-a pump for delivering water from a source of supply through a conduit to the point of consumption, means for maintaining requisite absolute suction pressures in the pump and for supplying quantities of air into the water stream in said conduit, comprising: a hollow body member divided into a lower chamber and a pair of upper chambers, the upper chambers being in communication with the water supply conduit as intake and output chambers, there being a passageway between the two upper chambers, a restricted water passageway between the intake chamber and the lower chamber, an air vent from the lower chamber to the output chamber, a discharge port in the bottom of the lower chamber, buoyant valve means for said discharge port,

a return conduit for water discharged from the lower chamber in communication with the suction region of the pump, said lower chamber also having an air intake communicating with atmosphere, a one-way check valve means in said air intake, yieldable means in juxtaposition to and in part defining the passageway between the intake -and output chambers, and means operable upona lowering of the absolute suction pressure in the pump for moving the said yieldable means to constrict the passageway between the said chambers.

14. In a water system including a water supply conduit and a pump for delivering water from a source of supply through a conduit to the point of consumption, means for maintaining requisite absolute suction pressures in the pump and for sup plying quantities of air into the water stream in said conduit, comprising: a hollow body member divided into a lower chamber and a-pair of upper chambers, the upper chambers being in communication with the water supply conduit as intake and output chambers, there being a passageway between the two upper chambers, a restricted water passageway between the intake chamber and the lower chamber, a restricted air vent'from the lower chamber to the output chamber, a discharge port in the bottom of the lower chamber,

buoyant valve means for said discharge port, a`

return conduit `for water discharged from the lower chamber in communication with the suction region of the pump, said lower chamber also having an air intake communicating with' atmosphere, a one-way check valve means in said air intake, a movable member in juxtaposition to and in part dening the passageway between the intake and output chambers, and means operable upon a lowering of the absolute suction pressure in the pump for moving the said yieldable means to constrict the passageway between the said chambers.

CHAUNCEY P. FULLER.