US2552762A - Multiple pump unit for a well installation - Google Patents

Description

May 15, 1951 E. K. BAKER 2,552,762

MULTIPLE PUMP UNIT FOR A WELL INSTALLATION My 15, 1951 E. K. BAKER 2,552,762

MULTIPLE PUMP UNIT FOR A WELL INSTALLATION Filed July 14, 1948 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 NVENTOR. Zza I BY @WL W PMF Patented May 15, 1951 UNITED I STATES PATENT GFFICE MULTIPLE PUMP UNIT FOR A WELL INSTALLATION Erle K. Baker, Detroit, Mich., assignor to VBaker Axle Company, Cleveland, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Application July 14, 1948, Serial No. 38,730

3 Claims. l

of the type of the hand operated lift pump `rdi narily employed on farms and in rural dwellings,

to shelter the pump within a pump house excavated below the frost line, particularly if suitable heating facilities are not available. Frequently in such installations, Water which collects by condensation on the comparatively cool walls of the underground pump house in warm weather,

or seeps through the walls, or which is acci-A dentally spilled from the pump, becomes objectionable and must be pumped from the pump house. V

It is also often desirable in such installations, particularly with the hand operated lift pump, to employ a power driven pumping mechanism cooperable with the hand pump for delivering water The `problem immediately arises under pressure. regarding the provision of a mechanism foroper-f ating the several pumps involved With optimum economy and efciency and with a minimum of maintenance expenses and unnecessary operation and Wear. Y

Inasmuch as the reciprocating plunger type of pump commonly available for small installations only delivers during half of each pumping` cycle and is under no load during. each non-pumping. half cycle, the conventional practice of provid--` Accordingly, an important object of the present invention is to provide an improved simplified and highly efficient pumpoperating means which is particularly but not exclusively adapted for operating an existing hand operated lift pump installed in an underground pump house and for simultaneously operating a sump pump.

Another object is to provide `an eliicient, eco. nomical pumping mechanism which is` adapted,

for operating a sump pump` and a conventional hand operated liftpump, and which is cooperable with the latter for effecting delivery under.

pressure.

Other objects of the present invention are to provide an improved simple and eilicient pumping mechanism which may be readily detachably connected with a hand operated lift pump for operation thereof, or readily disconnected therefrom,

to permit hand operation of the pump, and which is operatively connected with a sump pump and a pressure pump, the latter being in series with theA lift pump for effecting delivery under pressure; and to provide such a pumping mechanism which is readily adapted for power operation.

Another object is to provide a pumping mechanism of the character described employing a pivotal pump operating lever pivotally connected to a fixed support and operatively connected with a sum pump, a pressure pump, and a lift pump at corresponding points spaced at progressively larger distances from said iixed pivot support in the foregoing order, the sump and lift pumps being operated upon pivotal movement of the pump operating lever in one direction and the pressure pump being operated upon pivotal moverment of the pump operating lever in the other direction, thereby achieving optimum utility and operating efficiency from the pumping mechanism and the several pumps and avoiding the necessity of multiple pumping mechanisms or an over-size pumping mechanism to operate the several pumps simultaneously.

Another object is to provide such a pumpingr mechanism which is particularly but not exclu' sively adapted for use with the reciprocating plunger type of pump.

Other objects of this invention will appear in the following description and appended claims, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this speciiication wherein like reference characters designate corresponding parts in the several views.

The above and other objects are accomplished in a preferred embodiment of the present invention comprising a conventional hand operated reciprocating plunger type lift pump mounted within an underground pump house below the frost line. The plunger of the lift pump is operatively connected with a pivotallyA oscillating power driven pump operating lever which is pivotally secured to a xed pivot support. In order to supply water from the lift pump under pressure, a comparatively high pressure reciprocating plunger type pressure pumpis employed in seriesbetween the lift pump and a pressure storage tank and is operatively connected with the aforesaid.

asser/ea 3 pivotal lever. Adequate leverage to operate the pressure pump is assured by operatively connecting the latter with the pivotal lever at a point intermediate the fixed pivot supportJ and the aforesaid operative connection between the piv otal lever and the lift pump plunger.

A sump is provided within the floor of the pump house to collect Water slowly accumulating within the latter and is in communication with the inlet conduit of a reciprocating plunger type sump pump. The discharge conduit of the sump pump leads to the exterior of the pump house. The plunger of the sump pump is operatively connected to the pivotal lever for actu*- ation thereby at a point intermediate the -Xed pivot support and the operative connection between the pressure pump and the pivotal lever. By this construction, the operating stroke of the sump pump will be comparatively short with respect to the stroke of the lift pump and will be. in. accordance with the output normally required from that pump. Thus, needless opera.- tion and the pumping of air :by the sump pump is 'largelyV avoided, maintenance and repairs are minimized, and a longer operating life is assured.

It is `apparent that the power required 'to operate the pressure pump, so as to effect delivery from the 'lift pump under comparatively high pressure, 'will be .appreciably greater than. the power :required to operate the lift pump and the sump pump combined in ordinary circumstances. Likewise, it is apparent that upon each non-pumping return stroke of the vreciprocating pressure pump plunger, the power means therefor 'will be running idly under essentially no load. Without. a provision to the contrary, expensive power equipment `will be effectively utilized only half. the time. Inorder to avoid such waste arid to utilize eiciently the available power of the pressure pump driving means on each nonpumping half cycle of the pressure pump, the sump pump and -lift pump are 4adapted for yoperation 'upon movement of the pivotal lever lin one direction The pressure -pump lis adapted for oper-ation upon-movement of .the pivotal lever in Athe other direction. Thus, the power means employed to Aoscillate the pivotal lever is `-u-r-uller load regardless of' the direction of movement of the latter and is utilized-at all times at essentially itsemos't eiiicient rated capacity.

Details of a preferred embodiment .of vthe present invention are illustra-ted in the drawings wherein:

Fig. l isa fragmentary ver-tical'sectionthrough a pump house showing in side elevation a pump operating mech-anism embodying the present invention.

-Fig. 2 is a fragmentary elevation showing the fulcrumed handle for the 'hand operated lift pump operatively coupled with the lift pump plunger for hand operation.

Fig. I3 lis a fragmentary vertical section through a pump `.house showing in side elevation another embodiment of a pumpoperating mechanism of the present invention.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary vertical section taken in the direction of t'he arrows along the line 'Before explaining the present .invention in detail itis to be understood that the invention is not limited iin its rapplication 'to the details of construction and arrangement of parts .illustrated in the :accompanying drawings, since Athe invention vis rcapable of .other embodiments .and of beingpract'iced' 'or Vcarried 'out in'various ways.

Also it is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation.

Referring to Figs. l and 2, a conventional hand operated lift pump, indicated generally by the numeral I0, is shown with the conventional reciprocating plunger shaft I2 'adapted `for an adjustable operative connection with the pump handle I4. As indicated in Fig. 2 and in the phantom portion of Fig. l, one end of the pump handle I4 provides a conventional clevis I6 adapted for selective detachable pivotal connection with one of the adjusting pivot holes I8 in the shaft I2. The handle I4 is also adjustably fulcrumed at one -of the adjusting pivot holes 2U within theccmiecting link 22. The latter is pivotally connected at 24 to the lower end of the supporting bracket 26 of the pump l0 and having the upper guide 28 which encircles and guides the reciprocating plunger shaft I2. By selectively connecting the handle I4 at the pivot holes I8 'and 28; the stroke and operative positions of the handle I4-and shaft 2I2 may be suitably determined. It is apparent from the construction shown that by `disconnecting the clevis I6 'from its pivot hole I8. the link 22 may be dropped pivotally downward to swing the handle I4 out of the Way when the pump IIJ is power operated.

herein shown, -the pump l0 is suitably mounted Within an underground .pump house 3B which is preferably 'sufciently below vthe ground level 32 to minimize rthed'anger Aof freezing water Within thepump mechanism. Access to the pump house `3l) is achieved 'by the stairs 34' leading to the exterior through a `*door not shown.

The upper portion yof the pump house '30 is suitably enclosed within. a shelter having side Walls V36, a roof 381and whichisuppoirts a platform'.

40 `for the pump actuating :power mechanism. The latter includes .a pump jack *42 .secured to the platform 40 and operatively driven by the large pulley 44 for oscillating the lever arm 46 about the .pivot 48. *Ihelar'ge pulley 44 is operatively coupled with. the motor .50 by means -of the motor pulleys `52 and `drive belt -54 for rotation thereby. The motor 50'is supported onaplatform -56 which in turn is 4mounted lon the pump jack 42. Details fof the construction and operationof a suitable pump ljac'k mechanism for pivotally -oscillating the lever 46 #upon-rotation of the pulley 4:4 are Well known to the art and are accordingly not described herein.

The Adistal Vend of 'the lever '46V is pivotally connected -at158 itc theupper end of -a iconriecting shaft "or rod 60, which is pivotally secured at `62 at its Ilower end t'o the `pivotal 4pump operating lever y64. The latter `has oneend pivotally secured to a fixed pivot support "6'6 and is also vpivotally Y connected -at `ilvvith the upper end 44of thereciprocating pumpplunger I 2.

Upon pivotal oscillation of the arm 46', the' pivotal 4lever 64 vis `also pivotally oscillated toreciprocate the plunger I2 and operate -thefpump I0. -The discharge -foutlet flu-of the latteris -de tachably connected through a flexible conduit 12 andv 'check-'valve 14 ytoi-the 4i'nlet lof a Apressure Vpump 'luhavingia'n output y'comparable to the output of the 'pump IIJ for delivering Water received therefrom at high pressure through the'ch'eck valve 'I4 and into the -pressurejstorage tank 80. Y

The pump T16 isactuated by `a reciprocating plunger '82 pivotallyf'oonnected Vat L84 to `the lower end of lafshaft or rod 8'6 'which in turn isp'ivotally .secured at its upper 'end-fat 8'8 fto fthe pivotal lever 64. Also'operatively connected at 90 to the pivotal lever 64 is the upper end of a plunger 92 for` a sump pump 94 having its lower inlet port 96 in communication with a sump 98 in the iioor of the' pump house 39. The discharge outlet IDU of the sump pump 94 is communicated to the exterior of the pump house 30.by conduit means not shown. i

The sump pump 94 is preferably of the lift pump type and operates under load with the lift pump I upon upward movement of the pivotal lever 64. The pump 16 is preferably of the comn` pression type and operates under load `on the.

downward stroke of the pivotallever 64.A It 'is thus apparent that the arrangement described herein is adapted for operating the pumps I Il and 94 under load during the half-cycle when the pump 16 is not under load, permitting eflicient utilizationof the pumping mechanism throughout the pumping cycle.

Inasmuch as the sump pump 94 4'is ordinarily required merely to drain the sump 98 from water slowly accumulating within the pump house 38. as by vapor condensation on its comparatively cool walls or by seepage throughA the latter, the

capacity or output of theV pump 94 will be lap-V preciably less than the capacity of the pump I6. The -requirements of the pump 94 will be satisfied' with a much smaller cylinder diameter and operating stroke than required for the pump I0. The preferred construction shown locates the pivotal connection 96 comparatively close to the fixed pivot support l66 whereat the magnitude of pivotal movement of the lever 64 is relatively small. Thus, the stroke of the plunger 92 is maintained at the desired small value required to to keep the sump 98 drained, and excess plunger movements which Would result in urinecessary wear and maintenance expenses are avoided.

In operation of the present invention, the motor 59 drives the large pulley 44, which in turn pivotally oscillates the arm 46 through the mechanism of the pump jack 42. The pivotal movement of the arm 46 is imparted to the pump operating lever 64 by the connecting link 68, thereby reciprocating the plungers or" the pumps Ill, I6 and 94. On the upward stroke of the lever 64. the pumps IU and 94 are under their operating pumping loads. A charge of water is then delivered under 'low pressure from the pump I0 via the check valve 'I4 to the pump 'I6 during the non-pumping half cycle of the latter. On the downward stroke of the lever 64, the pump 'I6 is under its operating load and pumps the water therein through the check valve 'I8 and under high pressure into the pressure storage tank 80. During this stroke, the pumps I6 and 94 are in their non-pumping half cycles.

When the pumps are power driven as above described, the pump handle I4 may be disconnected from the plunger shaft I2 if desired and allowed to hang in the inoperative position shown in solid lines, Fig. 1. In the event of power failure or for other reasons, the link 60 may be disconnected at 62 from the lever 64. The handle clevis I6 is then suitably connected to the shaft I2 at one of the pivot holes I8 to permit manual operation of the pumping apparatus shown. In this connection, it is to be observed that the operative connection 88 between the plunger shaft 86 and the lever 84 is appreciably nearer the pivot support 66 than is the connection 68 between the shaft I2 and lever 64, so as to provide the increased leverage required for manual opachieved by locating the pivot support 66 interf-V mediate the ends of the lever 64. In such a situation, one or more of the connections 68, 88 or 96may be located on the other side of the pivot. support at distances therefrom corresponding to, the distances shown. The pumps I0, 'I8 and 94.

will be adapted accordingly so that the pump 'I6 will be under pumping load upon pivotal move--V ment of the lever 64 in one direction, and the..

pumps I0 and 94 will be under pumping load upon pivotal movement of the lever 64 in the other direction.

When delivery under pressure is not required,

the shaft 86 may be disconnected at 88 from the. lever 64, and the flexible coupling 'I2 may be.

disconnected from the pump Ill, permitting deliveryjvdirectly from the discharge outlet 10 according to conventional practice. Similarly, the:

shaft 92 may be disconnected at 98 from the lever 64 duringdry seasons, for example, when operation of the sump pump 92 is not required.

Figs. 3 and 4 show another embodiment of the present invention which is similar in construction and operation to that described above. The primary modification shown is the mounting of the power mechanism on the iioor of the pum-p house 38a, adapting the present invention to situations wherein the head room provided by the roof 38a, for example, is less than the head room available under the roof 38.

The connecting link 60 and oscillating arm 46 of Fig. l are shown as double links 60a and 60h which extend upright from the double arms 46a and 46h respectively in Figs. 3 and 4. The pivotal connection1 62 at the end of the pivotal lever 64 is completed with the cross bar 62a joining the upper ends of connecting arms 60a, 60h. In all other respects, the operation and construction of the apparatus disclosed in Figs. 3 and 4 are the same as the corresponding apparatus described in connection with Figs. 1 and 2, and bear the same identifying numerals.

I claim:

1. In a pumping mechanism for a pump house below ground level, a lift pump having a reciprocating plunger, a fixed pivot support, means detachably connected with said plunger for reciprocation thereof and including a swinging lever pivotally connected at one end to said fixed pivot support, mechanism for providing delivery under pressure from said pump and including a motor operatively connected to the other end of said lever for pivotally oscillating the latter and also including a pressure pump having a reciprocating plunger operatively connected with said lever for actuation thereby, the inlet of said pressure pump being detachably coupled with the outlet of said lift pump, and a sump pump having a reciprocating plunger operatively connected with said lever for actuation thereby, the connection of said sump pump plunger with said lever being at a distance intermediate said fixed pivot support and the connections of said lever with said pressure pump and lift pump, said lift and sump pumps being adapted for operation 'under'..load on the pivotal movement of said lever.

in one..idirection and said pressure pumpv being adapted for operation under load vupon pivotal movement of` said 'lever in the other direction.

.2.V In a pumping mechanism useful within an underground pump house,..a lift pump having' a reciprocating plunger, a ixed pivot support. means connected to said plunger for 4reciprocation thereof and including a swinging lever .pvotally connected to said -iixed pivot support, actua'ting means for pivotally oscillating said lever, a sump pump having a reciprocating plunger operatively connected to said swinging lever for reciprocation thereby .and a pressure pump in series .with said lift pump for effecting delivery under pressure and having a reciprocatingplunger operatively connected to said lever for reciprocation thereby, the connection of said sump pumpv plunger with said lever being at a distance from said .fixed pivot support less than the distance between said xed pivot support-and the connection of said lever with said lift pump plunger or said pressure pump plunger, said lift and sump pumps being adapted for operation under load on the pivotal movement of said lever inl one direction and said pressure pump being adapted for operation under load upon pivotal movementrof said lever in the other direction.

3. Inga pumping mechanism for a pump house below ground level, a lift pump having a re- 30 ci'procatng plunger, .a pressure pump injsere's withlsaid lift pump for effecting delivery under.,v

pressure and having la reciprocating plunger; aA fixed pivot support,` a swinging lever pivotally f connected to said xed pivot. support and pivotally connected to each yof said lift pump and pressure pump plungers, a sump pump having.. a reciprocating plunger pivotally connectedv to said lever at a distance from said pivot support load upon pivotal movement of said lever in the other direction. f

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in thei le of this patent: t

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,571,915 Frier Feb. `2, 1926v 2,168,669V Ernst Aug. 18,1939 2,429,384

ERLE K. BAKER.

Baker oct. 21, 194i

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