June 6, 1967 o. M. THOMPSON 3,
INJECTOR ASSEMBLY AND ASSOCIATED FOOT VALVE ASSEMBLY Filed June 30, 1965 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 &1 cut:
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//v vE/v roR B 0773 M. THOMPSON Y WARHEMBROSLEECYPHER8ANGLIM 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 O. M. THOMPSON INJECTOR ASSEMBLY AND ASSOCIATED FOOT VALVE ASSEMBLY M 4; U 9 MW 5w m a l w w 8 w m 3 co H 8 w 4 9 mr [III] 1 1 I \4 a I w m TY B a m 9 .7 R z 3 7 5 m 7 a d. 5 4 T 4 E 9 w a a w w 3 III, /%//A///// 5 m //A H 1 Z June 6, 1967 Filed June so, 1965 T v ,l. I k L AT TOR/V5 Y5 United States Patent 3,323,468 INJECTOR ASSEMBLY AND ASSOCIATED FOOT VALVE ASSEMBLY Otis M. Thompson, Little Rock, Ark., assignor to Jacuzzi Bros. Incorporated, a corporation of California Filed June 30, 1965, Ser. No. 468,294 12 Claims. (Cl. 103260) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE An injector pump and foot valve assembly made entirely of molded plastic material wherein each element of the assembly is capable of being formed by an injection molding process.
My invention relates primarily to pump systems and more particuluarly to an injector assembly and associated foot valve assembly, as employed in the pumping of water from wells for example.
Injector and foot valve assemblies have previously appeared as metal castings. If of galvanized metal, rusting ultimately occurs, which could not only contaminate the water, but could render servicing somewhat more diflicult. If made of non-corrosive metal such as bronze, as is the case with better quality installations, the installations become somewhat expensive. Also, when of cast metal, they become quite heavy, which not only adds to the labor of handling, but also increases the cost of shipping.
Among the objects of my invention are:
(1) To provide a novel and improved injector assembly and associated foot valve assembly for a water pumping system;
(2) To provide a novel and improved injector assembly which is essentially entirely of non-metallic, noncorrosive material, and of light weight compared to metal castings previously employed;
(3) To provide a novel and improved injector assembly and/or associated foot valve assembly of sufficient strength to withstand stresses to which they may be subjected in use, and which can be fabricated economically;
(4) To provide a novel and improved injector assembly and/ or associated foot valve assembly, to which piping, threaded or unthreaded, may be connected without the use of independent adapters;
(5 To provide a novel and improved injector assembly of non-metal, in which the venturi tube and nozzle can be removed and changed in a very simple manner;
(6) To provide a novel and improved foot valve assembly adapted for the connection thereto of pipes whether threaded or unthreaded, and without the use of adapters; and
(7) To provide a novel and improved foot valve construction.
Additional objects of my invention will be brought out in the following description of a preferred embodiment of the same, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein FIGURE 1 is a view in elevation, of an injector assembly and associated foot valve assembly, fabricated in accordance with the present invention,
FIGURE 2 is a longitudinal view in section through the injector assembly of FIGURE 1,
FIGURE 3 is a View, similar to that of FIGURE 2, but taken in a plane at right angles thereto, in planes 33 of FIGURE 2,
FIGURE 4 is a view in section, taken in the plane 44 of FIGURE 3,
3,323,468 Patented June 6, 1967 FIGURE 5 is a longitudinal view in section through the foot valve assembly of FIGURE 1, and
FIGURE 6 is a view in section through the foot valve of FIGURE 5.
Referring to the drawings for details of my invention in its preferred form, the same involves an injector assembly 1 and associated foot valve assembly 3.
The injector assembly comprises a suction housing 5 designed for fabrication from plastic by available plastic molding methods and a pressure housing 7 also designed for fabrication from similar material and by similar available methods, and adapted for assembly with the suction housing for subsequent plastic welding thereto, to bring about a lighter weight but strong and rugged injector assembly capable of being fabricated economically.
The suction housing as previously indicated is preferably fabricated of plastic, and includes a one-piece bowl section 9 and pipe connection fitting 11 extending from the bottom of the bowl section.
The bowl section is preferably substantially oval in contour, whereby it will have both a major diameter and a minor diameter, while the upper edge thereof is preferably formed with an internal edge recess 19.
The pressure housing like the suction housing, is preferably of plastic, and includes a pressure housing body section 21 having an upward extention 23 and a pressure line passageway 25 therethrough from top to bottom inclusive of said upward extension. In the side of the body section, and in the present embodiment, extending entirely therethrough, is a side opening 27 around or in by-passing relationship to the pressure line passageway.
In the bottom of the bottom section there is a nozzle opening 29 which intersects the aforementioned side opening, such nozzle opening being preferably threaded to rereceive a nozzle 31 which, while it might conceivably be of plastic, is preferably of metal such as bronze, which is noncorrosive.
Extending down through the top of the body section, in line with the nozzle opening, and also intersecting the side opening is a passageway 33 which in conjunction with the side opening, forms a suction line passageway through the body section. The diameter of the aligned portion of the suction line passageway is such as to per mit passage of the nozzle for installation in the nozzle opening. For purposes of installation in this manner, a section of the nozzle is octagonal or hexagonal in contour, to provide for the application of a socket wrench thereto.
Applied to the bottom of the body section of the pressure housing, in spaced relationship to the bottom, is a cap 37 to provide a flow connection from the lower end of the pressure line passageway to the nozzle opening.
Removably installed in the aligned portion of the suction line passageway, is a venturi assembly 41 which is preferably removably threaded into position in alignment with the nozzle.
The pressure housing body section is adapted for insertion into the bowl section of the suction housing, and in the plane of the upper rim of the suction housing, the pres sure housing provides a snug fit, while from the side opening down, the suction housing including the cap, is substantially narrower than the corresponding dimension of the bowl section of the suction housing, to provide flow passage for liquid to the suction line passageway in the pressure housing.
To stabilize and greatly rigidity the assembly at this point, oppositely disposed ribs 45 integrally formed along the inner surface of the bow section, on the minor diameter thereof, and correspondingly located ribs 47 on the pressure housing cap, are adapted to provide complementary fit with each other when the components are as sembled. Also a longitudinal rib 49 along the bottom of the cap is adapted to contact the interior surface of the bowl along the long diameter thereof.
Aside from rigidifying the assembled structure, the complementary fitting ribs of the suction housing and pressure housing can together function as baflles in the flow of liquid from the suction housing to the pressure housing, in preventing turbulence at this point in the flow of such liquid.
Flow connected to the lower end of the suction bowl is the foot valve assembly 3. This foot valve assembly comprises a valve housing 51, open at one end, and at its other end formed with an integral pipe connection fitting 53. Removably secured to the open end of the valve housing is a cage 55, the end facing the valve housing being formed to provide a valve seat 57 for a foot valve 59 located within the housing.
In outer configuration, the foot valve 59 corresponds to conventional foot valves for this purpose, in comprising a flanged body having an inset sealing ring 63 for engaging the valve seat, the body at its upper side being provided with integral guide wings 65 substantially spanning the interior of the valve housing, while on its underside, the valve body is similarly provided with guide wings 67 substantially spanning the proximate interior end of the cage.
I The valve of the present invention, however, differs from the conventional metal cast valve by forming the body of an upper molded hollow plastic section 71 provided with integral guide wings 65, and a lower molded hollow plastic section 73 provided with integral guide wings 67, the two sections when brought together, forming a hollow chamber adapted to receive a weight 75 of corresponding shape.
The upper section may be molded to a larger area to provide an over-hanging flange 77 into which is recessed a sealing ring 63. In assembling the various components of the foot valve, the two body sections are bonded together, with the weight sealed therein.
A feature of the present invention lies in the fact that the injector assembly .and foot valve assembly may be installed utilizing either pipe having threaded ends, which pipe may be of metal or rigid plastic of sufficient thickness to take a thread, or pipe of non-metallic material such as flexible plastic or rubber capable of being clamped to a pipe fitting, or bonded by adhesive or chemical action. This is accomplished by molding the integral pipe fittings with a threaded portion 81 adjacent the housing with which it is associated, and an adjacent portion 83 formed with integrally molded peripheral ribs adapted to frictionally receive and be gripped by flexible piping of plastic or rubber or other material suitable for such use. When the threaded section is utilized in securing a pipe, the ribbed portion may, at the will of the installer, be removed if so desired.
The venturi assembly, like the integral pipe fittings described'above, may also be integrally provided with a threaded portion 81 and an adjacent ribbed portion 83 for connection thereto of either a suction line having a threaded end or one of flexible material capable of frictionally gripping the ribbed portion.
Although the foot valve assembly might be coupled to the suction housing by a flexible plastic coupling, it is preferred to provide for such coupling, a rigid pipe section 85 adapted for threading at each end to the foot valve assembly and suction housing respectively. This same or similar coupling unit can therefore also be utilized for threading to the venturi assembly, where the suction line to the venturi may be of rigid plastic incapable of being clamped to the ribbed portion of the venturi assembly, and of insufficient wall thickness to take a thread. In such unusual situation, an adapter threaded into the exposed end ofthe coupling'is'called'for, but otherwise, no adapters are required in the installation of the injector assembly and foot valve assembly of the present invention.
As previously indicated, in molding the component parts of the injector assembly and foot valve assembly of the present invention, techniques employed in casting such components in metal, cannot be availed of and the molding of such components of plastic presented difficult problems, the solution to which resulted in the molding and assembling of component parts as described above. When the component parts of the injector assembly are fitted together, they are preferably adhesively or chemically bonded together along the engaging rib surfaces within the suction housing bowl section, as well as along the engaging surfaces at the upper edge of the bowl section. When thus bonded, the assembly becomes extremely rigid and strong, and capable of resisting all strains and stresses to which injector and foot valve assemblies are exposed in operation.
The plastic preferred in the molding of the injector and foot valve assemblies, is a polycarbonate available under the trade name Lexan. It is a plastic normally rigid and capable of being readily molded and machined, beside presenting a very attractive appearance in the finished article.
From the foregoing description of my invention in its preferred form, it will be apparent that the same is subject to alteration and modification without departing from the underlying principles involved, and I accordingly do not desire to be limited in my protection to the specific details illustrated and described, except as may be necessitated by the appended claims.
I claim:
1. An injector and foot valve assembly for a pump system, comprising a .suction housing of plastic including a one-piece bowl section and pipe connection fitting extending from the bottom of said bowl section,
a pressure housing of plastic including a pressure housing body section having an upward extension for coupling of a pipe thereto, and a pressure line passageway therethrough from top to bottom inclusive of said upward extension, a side opening in said body section, a nozzle opening in the bottom of said body section and intersecting said side opening, and a passageway through the top of said body section in line with said nozzle opening and intersecting said side opening to form with said side opening, a suction line passageway through said body section, and a cap across the bottom of said body section in spaced relationship thereto to provide a flow connection from the lower end of said pressure line passageway to said nozzle opening, said upward extension having an externally threaded portion and an externally circurnferentially ribbed portion adjacent thereto, while the portion of said suction line passageway in line with said nozzle opening is internally threaded and of a diameter to permit of passage of a nozzle therethrough for installation in said nozzle opening, said body section from said side opening down being narrower than the interior of the bowl section of said suction housing to provide for flow connection from said suction housing to said suction line passageway,
a venturi assembly of plastic including a base portion externally threaded and of an outside diameter to fit the suction line passageway in alignment with said nozzle opening, a venturi axially of said base portion, a second externally threaded portion adjacent said base portion to receive the threaded end of a pipe enclosing said venturi, and a circumferentially ribbed portion adjacent said second externally threaded portion for attachment of unthreaded plastic pipe,
a foot valve assembly comprising a valve housing having valve chamber and a hollow upwardextension at one end for flow of liquid out of said chamber, a strainer cage removably secured to said housing at its other end and providing a valve seat for a valve in said chamber, and a foot valve in said housing,
a means for flow coupling said foot valve assembly to said suction housing.
2. An injector and foot valve assembly for a pump system, comprising a suction housing of plastic including a one-piece bowl section and pipe connection fitting extending from the bottom of said bowl section, said pipe connection fitting including an externally threaded portion adjacent the bottom of said bowl section and an adjacent circumferentially ribbed portion, for selective coupling thereto of a threaded pipe, or a friction fitting pipe of non-metallic material,
a pressure housing of plastic including a pressure housing body section having an upward extension and a pressure line passageway therethrough from top to bottom inclusive of said upward extension, a side opening in said body section around said pressure line passageway, a nozzle opening in the bottom of said body section and intersecting said side opening, and a passageway through the top of said body section in line with said nozzle opening and intersecting said side opening to form with said side opening, a suction line passageway through said body section, and a cap across the bottom of said body section in spaced relationship thereto to provide a flow connection from the lower end of said pressure line passageway to said nozzle opening, said upward extension having an externally threaded portion and an externally circumferentially ribbed portion adjacent thereto, while the portion of said suction line passageway in line with said nozzle opening is internally threaded and of a diameter to permit of passage of a nozzle therethrough for installation in said nozzle opening, said body section from said side opening down being narrower than the interior of the bowl section of said suction housing to provide for flow connection from said suction housing to said suction line passageway,
a venturi assembly of plastic including a base portion externally threaded and of an outside diameter :to fit that portion of the suction line passageway in alignment wit-h said nozzle opening, a venturi axially of said base portion, a second externally threaded portion adjacent said base portion to receive the threaded end of a pipe enclosing said venturi and a circumferentially ribbed portion adjacent said second externally threaded portion for alternative attachment of unthreaded pipe, of non-metallic material,
a foot valve assembly comprising a valve housing having valve chamber and a hollow upward extension at one end for flow of liquid out of said chamber, a strainer cage removably secured to said housing at its other end and providing a valve seat for a valve in said chamber, and a foot valve in said housing comprising hollow body sections of plastic bonded together with a weight insert in the chamber fonrned thereby,
and means flow coupling said foot valve assembly to said suction housing. 3. An injector and foot valve assembly for a pump system, comprising a suction housing of plastic including a one-piece bowl section and pipe connection fitting extending from the bottom of said bowl section,
a pressure housing of plastic including a pressure housing body section having a pressure line passageway therethrough from top to bottom inclusive of means for coupling a pressure line at the upper end of said pressure line passageway, a side opening in said body section around said pressure line passageway, a nozzle opening in the bottom of said body section and intersecting said side opening, and a passageway through the top of said body section in line with said nozzle opening and intersecting said side opening to form with said side opening, a suction line passageway through said body section, and a cap across the bottom of said body section in spaced relationship thereto to provide a flow connection from the lower end of said pressure line passageway to said nozzle opening, said body section from said side opening down being narrower than the interior of the bowl section of said suction housing to provide for flow connection from said suction housing to said suction line passageway,
ribs on said cap adapted to engage the inner surface of said bowl section when said pressure housing is assembled to said suction housing,
and a foot valve assembly coupled to said suction housing in flow communication therewith.
4. An injector and foot valve assembly for a pump system, comprising a suction housing of plastic including a one-piece bowl section and pipe connection fitting extending from the bottom of said bowl section,
oppositely disposed ribs along the inner surface of said bowl section,
a pressure housing of plastic including a pressure housing body section having a pressure line passageway therethrough from top to bottom inclusive of means for coupling a pressure line at the upper end of said pressure line passageway, a side opening in said body section around said pressure line passageway, a nozzle opening in the bottom of said body section and intersecting said side opening, and a passageway through the top of said body section in line with said nozzle opening and intersecting said opening to form with said side opening, a suction line passageway through said body section, and a cap across the bottom of said body section in spaced relationship thereto to provide a fiow connection from the lower end of said pressure line passageway to said nozzle opening, said body section from said side opening down being narrower than the interior of the bowl section of said suction housing to provide for fiow connection from said suction housing to said suction line passageway,
ribs on said cap complementary to those along the inner surface of said bowl section and adapted to engage said bowl section ribs when said pressure housing is assembled to said suction housing.
and a foot valve assembly coupled to said suction housing in flow communication therewith.
5. An injector and foot valve assembly for a pump system, comprising a suction housing of plastic including a one-piece bowl section and pipe connection fitting extending from the bottom of said bowl section,
oppositely disposed ribs along the inner surface of said bowl section,
a pressure housing of plastic including a pressure housing body section having a pressure line passageway therethrough from top to bottom inclusive of means for coupling a pressure line at the upper end of said pressure line passageway, a side opening in said body section around said pressure line passageway, a nozzle opening in the bottom of said body section and intersecting said side opening, and a passageway through the top of said body section in line with said nozzle opening and intersecting said side opening to form with said side opening, a suction line passageway through said body section, and a cap across the bottom of said body section in spaced relationship thereto to provide a flow connection from the lower end of said pressure line passageway to said nozzle opening, said body section from said side opening- 7 and a foot valve assembly coupled to said suction housing in flow communication therewith. 6. An injector and foot valve assembly for a pump system, comprising a suction housing of plastic including a one-piece bowl section and pipe connecton fitting extending from the bottom of said bowl section, said pipe connection fitting including both an externally threaded portion adjacent the bottom of said bowl section and an adjacent circumferentially ribbed portion, for selective coupling of a threaded pipe, or a friction fitting pipe of non-metallic material,
oppositely disposed ribs along the inner surface of said bowl section,
a pressure housing of plastic including a pressure housing body section having a pressure line passageway therethrough from top to bottom inclusive of means for coupling pressure line at the upper end of said pressure line passageway, a side opening in said body section around said pressure line passageway, a nozzle opening in the bottom of said body section and intersecting said side opening, and a passageway through the top of said body section in line with said nozzle opening and intersecting said side opening to form with said side opening, a suction line passageway through said body section, and a cap across the bottom of said body section in spaced relationship thereto to provide a flow connection from the lower end of said pressure line passageway to said nozzle opening, said body section from said side opening down and said cap being narrower than the interior of the bowl section of said suction housing to provide for flow connection from said suction housing to said suction line passageway,
a venturi assembly coupled to the upper end of said suction line passageway, and including a threaded portion and an adjacent circumferentially ribbed portion, for selective coupling of a threaded pipe, or a friction fitted pipe of non-metallic material,
ribs on said cap complementary to those along the inner surface of said bowl section and adapted to engage said bowl section ribs when said pressure housing is assembled to said suction housing,
additional ribs on said cap adapted to engage the inner surface of said bowl section when said pressure housing is assembledto said suction housing,
and a foot valve assembly coupled to said suction housing in flow communication therewith.
7. An injector assembly for a pump system, comprising a suction housing of plastic including a one-piece bowl section and pipe connection fitting extending from the bottom of said bowl section, said pipe connection fitting including a threaded portion and an adjacent circumferentially ribbed portion, for selective coupling thereto of a threaded pipe, or a friction fitting pipe of non-metallic material,
a pressure housing of plastic including a pressure housing body section having a pressure line passageway therethrough from top to bottom, a side opening in said body section, a nozzle opening in the bottom of said body section and intersecting said side opening, and a passageway through the top of said body section in line with said nozzle opening and intersecting said side opening to form with said side opening, a suction line passageway through said body section, and a cap across the bottom of said body section in spaced relationship thereto to provide a flow connection from the lower end of said pressure line passageway to said nozzle opening, while the portion of said suction line passageway in line with said nozzle opening is of a diameter to permit of passage of a nozzle therethrough for installation in said nozzle opening, said body section from said side opening down being narrower than the interior of the bowl section of said suction housing to provide for flow connection from said suction housing to said suction line passageway, and
a venturi assembly removably secured to the upper end of the suction line passageway in alignment with said nozzle opening.
8. An injector assembly for a pump system, comprising a suction housing of plastic including a one-piece bowl section and pipe connection fitting extending from the bottom of said bowl section, said pipe connec tion fitting including an externally threaded portion section and an adjacent circumferentially ribbed portion, for selective coupling thereto of a threaded pipe, or a friction fitting pipe of non-metallic material,
a pressure housing of plastic including a pressure housing body section having an upward extension and a pressure line passageway therethrough from top to bottom inclusive of said upward extension, a side opening in said body section around said pressure line passageway, a nozzle opening in the bottom of said body section and intersecting said side opening, and a passageway through the top of said body section in line with said nozzle opening and intersecting said side opening to form with said side opening, a suction line passageway through said body section, and a cap across the bottom of said body section in spaced relationship thereto to provide a flow connection from the lower end of said pressure line passageway to said nozzle opening, said upward extension having an externally threaded portion and an externally circumferentially ribbed portion adjacent thereto, while the portion of said suction line passageway in line with said nozzle opening is internally threaded and of a diameter to permit of passage of a nozzle therethrough for installation in said nozzle opening, said body section from said side opening down being narrower than the interior of the bowl section of said suction housing to provide for flow connection from said suction housing to said suction line passageway, and
a venturi assembly of plastic including a base portion externally threaded and of an outside diameter to fit the suction line passageway in alignment with said nozzle opening, a venturi axially of said base portion, a second externally threaded portion adjacent said base portion to receive the threaded end of a pipe enclosing said venturi, and a circumferentially ribbed portion adjacent said second externally threaded portion for attachment of unthreaded pipe of non-metallic material.
9. An injector assembly for a pump system, comprising a suction housing of plastic including a one-piece bowl section and pipe connection fitting extending from the bottom of said bowl section,
ribs along the inner surface of said bowl section,
a pressure housing of plastic including a pressure housing body section having a suction line passageway therethrough inclusive of a side opening in said body section, said body section from said side opening down being narrower than the interior of the bowl section of said suction housing to provide for flow connection from said suction housing to said suction line passageway,
and ribs on the bottom of said body section, complementary to those along the inner surface of said bowl section and adapted to engage said bowl section ribs when said pressure housing is assembled to said suction housing.
10. An injector assembly for a pump system, comprising a suction housing of plastic including a one-piece bowl section and pipe connection fitting extending from the bottom of said bowl section,
ribs along the inner surface of said bowl section,
a pressure housing of plastic including a pressure housing body section having a suction line passageway therethrough inclusive of a side opening in said body section, said body section from said side opening down 'being narrower than the interior of the bowl section of said suction housing to provide for flow connection from said suction housing to said suction line passageway,
ribs on the bottom of said body section complementary to those along the inner surface of said bowl section and adapted to engage said bowl section ribs when said pressure housing is assembled to said suction housing,
and additional ribs on the bottom of said body section adapted to engage the inner surface of said bowl section when said pressure housing is assembled to said suction housing.
11. A foot valve assembly comprising a pair of molded plastic sections including an upper section having a plu- 3O rality of guide wings extending therefrom and a lower section having a plurality of guide Wings extending therefrom, said hollow plastic sections when assembled, forming a body having a chamber, a weight in said chamber, means securing said sections together with said weight in said chamber, and a sealing ring affixed to the underside of said body.
12. A foot valve assembly comprising a pair of molded hollow plastic sections including an upper section having a plurality of guide Wings extending therefrom and a lower section of smaller area than said upper section and having a plurality of guide wings eXtending therefrom, said hollow plastic sections when assembled, forming a body having a chamber, with said upper section extending beyond said lower section to provide an overhanging flange, a weight in said chamber, means securing said sections together with said weight in said chamber, and a sealing ring afiixed to the underside of said flange.
References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 209,740 11/1878 Williams 137-533.17 257,088 4/1882 Shepard 137-53317 1,758,400 5/1930 Jacuzzi 103260 2,236,687 4/1941 Jacuzzi 103260 2,595,737 5/1952 Von Rotz lO32-60 2,633,081 3/1953 Ruth 103-260 3,070,019 12/1962 Sies 1035 3,208,399 9/1965 Keller l0-3-260 DONLEY J. STOCKING, Primary Examiner.
W. J. KRAUSS, Assistant Examiner.