WO1998055765A1

WO1998055765A1 - Double action piston pump system for irrigation purposes using energy of runnig water

Info

Publication number: WO1998055765A1
Application number: PCT/YU1998/000007
Authority: WO
Inventors: Milorad Obradovic
Original assignee: Milorad Obradovic
Priority date: 1997-06-05
Filing date: 1998-03-23
Publication date: 1998-12-10
Also published as: AU6704598A

Abstract

The invention relates to double action piston pump system for irrigation, by using everywhere present kinetic energy of running water, which is easy for mounting, use and maintenance, with long lasting life time and low price by litre of ejected water. Vessel (1) of the system consists of two floats (1a, 1b) on which is placed at least one each double action piston pump (2) the piston rods of which, through eccenter shaft (3) by couplings (5) are connected to the main shaft (4). The main shaft (4) and eccenter shafts (3) are interconnected and claw coupled (9) with control levers (10) for switching on. On the main shaft (4) is fixed a two-parted driving wheel (6) which both parts are, by perimeter and to the main shaft (4), interconnected by couplings (7, 8). Piston pumps (2) are at the inlet side connected by a suction pipehose (12) with suction baskets (11), placed in the front part of floats (1a, 1b), while at the outlet side of the pump (2) through hose (13) are connected with collecting reservoir (14) on which is placed air damper (15), rear limits (16) of the longitudinal axial distance and ball cocks (17). Floats (1a, 1b) are in the front part interconnected by front support (20), while at the rear part they are interconnected by collecting reservoir (14). In the front part of the vessel (1), that is on the front support (20), is fixed a front protection (24) which is double coned and of latticed construction.

Description

DOUBLE ACTION PISTON PUMP SYSTEM FOR IRRIGATION PURPOSES USING ENERGY OF RUNNING

WATER

FIELD OF TECHNIQUE FOR WHICH THE INVENTION IS INTENDED

Generally, the invention belongs to the field of driving engines, motors and pumps, closer to discharge action "machines" and pumps characteristic by driving or driven means related to their working elements - with liquid fluid, that is - belongs to the field of pumps characteristic by a combination with a separate driving machines or motors which make them run or by their adjustments for them, as well as to the field of pump plants or systems. Further on, the invention belongs also to the field of hydraulic "machines" or hydraulic driving engines, and even closer, to the field of adjusting machines or driving engines for a special implementation. The invention can secondarily belong to the field of agriculture or similar branches, closer - to irrigation and, concretely, to the field of irrigations of gardens, farms and sports courts or similar terrains by use of mobile installations.

According to the international clasification of patents, the subject of the patent is registered and indicated by following marks: F 04B 9/10, F 04B 17/00, F 04B 23/00, F 03B 13/00 and A 01 G 25/00.

TECHNICAL PROBLEM

Technical problem settled by the subject invention consists of a structure of the system of double action piston pumps for irrigation to be placed on a vessel and to be using present kinetic energy of running water, anchored on aselected spot of water current, thus in a simple and cheap way enabling irrigation of agricultural soil, at which this device is for multipurpose implementations, simple for assembling, use and maintenance, durable, low priced as per lit. of ejected water and applicable for serial production. TECHNIQUE POSITION

One of conditions indispensable for growth of crops during vegetation period is water. If there is no water, other important factors cannot be fully expressed either. Plants receive water from atmosphere but as such a water flow is not always sure, it is added artificially. This method of irrigation is important for regions with poor precipitate providing that other conditions required for plant growth in the region are favourable as well.

Irrigation is not only important in dry climate conditions but also in the regions with medium humid or humid climate. Irrigation is one of basic working conditions in contemporary and intensive production and agriculture. Numerous tests proved that other agrotechnical undertakings such as chemical and mechanical land working, without sufficient quantity of water for growth of plants, do not bring desired results.

Irrigation, wetting of soil, can be carried out in different ways. Soil is flooded, water stays there and gradually flows away. This way of irrigation causes spending of lots of water in the field with only a part used. By pouring, water drains out over a mild slope of 3-4%, leaving the soil covered by vegetation. By infiltration, water is distributed through canals and furrows penetrating in the earth. By draining - through underground piping - is irrigated or drained soil of heavy types.

Out of many ways of irrigation, most frequently used method is by artificial rain. This way of irrigation, by its effect, is closest to natural precipitation. Growth of crops is very favourable if irrigation is effected by artificial rain because this is the way of best possible water distribution, not to mention that water losses are quite small and soil structure is not damaged. In comparison with other ways this one shows best characteristics. Some of them are as follows :

^■ possibility of irrigation regardless of profile of the terrain;

^■ possibilities for use of sources of smallest capacity; ^■ approximately two times smaller water consumption for same effect by surface unit (water usage coefficient is approx. 80%); ■ possibility of time water dosing and usage control (profitable use) of water in soil;

■ does not hinder cultivation of soil by machinery as is the case with other systems (canals, furrows, etc.), reduces unused surfaces (canals, furrow, reservoirs);

■ possibility of simultaneous use of irrigation equipment and that for fertilizing;

^■ helps change of air temperature, cooling in summer days and prevents freezing during autumn nights;

^■ mainly, the source of drive is pump set pushing water in pipe network and sprayers.

Shortcomings of these devices are - purchasing costs and assembling of irrigation equipment amount approx. to 100% of invested capital while so far as other devices and methods are concerned, the costs of purchase amount only 50-60%, require stronger mechanical energy to produce higher water pressure for irrigation equipment, water losses occur due to wind, which hinders regular spraying, unclean water causesirregular operation of irrigation equipment, quantity of water to be used for irrigation depends on crops to be irrigated, time when irrigation is to be carried out, place where it is performed, precipitation distribution and intensity of the wind.

As for spraying equipment - three types are known :

^■ moving, where apart from spraying equipment, pumps, pipes and motor is also movable;

^■ stable, where parts of spraying equipment remain in position;

^■ semi-moving, where pump, motor and main pipes are stable and distribution pipes and spraying equipment are transportable.

Rivers, brooks, lakes and wells are sources for spraying water. Water should be available in sufficient quantities, free from mechanical impurities etc. that could be harmful for crops. One of essential elements required for spraying is pumping device, consisting of a pump, pump drive and equipment. Task for a pump is to suck water and discharge it to a required distance and height. They are generally used as high pressure pumps, piston pumps and centrifugal pumps. Piston pumps should operate under regular/uniform pressure to avoid damaging parts and safety devices. Opening should have sufficiently big diameter with safety spring valve which is adjustable to pressure.

The centrifugal pumps are of large capacity and motor driven. They consist of the following parts: base, housing, rotating wheel, suction and discharge pipes. At the base there is a valve used for maintenance of column of water. Operating principle consists of water discharge by rotating wheel blades, due to centrifugal force towards periphery by tangentially positioned discharge pipe.

Propeller pumps are special type of centrifugal pumps used for lifting large water quantities to a small height. There are a housing, propeller and discharge pipes. The housing is cylindrical by appearance and it contains rotating wheel with propeller blades on a vertical shaft.

Place where the pump is placed must have adequate equipment mainly consisting of suction basket with return valve - space for water intake, space for air discharge, for piston pumps - safety device required due to increased pressure, suction and discharge manometers of discharge pipes, closing regulator, discharge - suction pipes.

To start the above mentioned pumps use either electric motors or internal combustion engines.

Properties of electric motors are good as they do not require much involvement of manpower during operation, they are suitable for night work. Irrigation by use of electric motor is possible to automatize in such a way that the irrigation procedure is self adjustable depending on increase or decrease of water level in the recipient from which it is taken. Equipment of standard electric motor includes switching on with fuses, device for measuring consumption of el. power, plug with protection, float with switching on, automatic adjustment, clock mechanism to be used during irrigation for control of given task.

Engines are used only if electric power is not available. So far as economic justifiability is concerned, engines using naphtha could be considered. The set, pump and motor, are adjusted in such a way that they both have corresponding rotation number. When tractors or cars are used as power station, there is a possibility of adjusting rotation number. These motors are cooled by irrigation water although that kind of water - in different time and on different places - have different temperatures and purity. Equipment of engines include 5 cooling device with thermostat, regulators - limiters, devices for water heating by discharge gasses, etc.

Shortcomings of the above mentioned driving devices and, consequently, of irrigation devices, too, are : l o ^■ limited possibility for electric power connection and lack of fuel respectively;

^■ high price of ejected water due to the price of power and electric installations, that is price of fuel and the set;

^■ limited use from the point of view of protection, safety and ecology;

^■ a large number of expensive spare parts for engines, electric motors and pumps; 15 ^■ often repairs caused by operating conditions resulting in dirty pumps and electric motors;

^■ for all such interventions/repairs it is necessary to engage a person who would be specially trained and authorized as well as a well equiped workshop with special and expensive tools;

20 ^■ need for access roads and transport;

^■ indispensable presence of a trained operator;

^■ expensive machine halls;

^■ a large number of expensive parts for motors, pumps and sets;

^■ frequent interventions due to dirty sets, pumps and motors due to operating 25 conditions;

^■ filthy water.

Apart from electric motors and internal combustion engines, it is known that turbines driven by wind power can be used to start pumps. They are not often in use because they 30 can operate only in regions where air continuously flows and their power is not strong enough, too. There are numerous water ejecting devices for land irrigation using for driving power the energy of running water in rivers, rivulets, channels, etc. Thus one of recognized devices is presented in Yu patent files under No. 33 594, named "Device for water ejection or for providing electrical power using the energy of running water for driving". The device is made of interconnected plastic supports in the form of parallelopiped or a cube with axles in bearings, between them, with one or more propeller wheels. To the axle and through interconnected levers is coupled piston rod with hydraulic cylinder piston. On the lower basis of the hydraulic cylinder is vertically positioned a suction tube with inserted permeable valve to which is connected pipe in vertical position. On the upper base of this hydraulic cylinder is vertically positioned a discharge pipe with inserted irreversible valve, with the pipe end passing through the bottom of two parted air chamber. At the bottom of the two parted air chamber there is an elbow pipe with screwed on, vertically, a pipe with nozzle.

There is one more known solution presented in Yu files under No. P-56/94 recognized under the name "Turbine with pump for water ejection". The turbine consists of two sides with paddles placed at an angle at which the shaft, placed through the turbine, is connected with eccentric which moves piston rod and piston of the piston pump. When the piston pump sucks, water enters through suction basket and suction valve into piston pump cylinder. During discharge cycle of the piston, water passes through discharge valve into the air chamber and thereafter in the outlet pipe.

Some defects of known devices is in the fact that their operation requires a certain water level, suitable fall of water in order to provide required rotation number, because pumps cannot efficiently enough suck water due to losses, etc.

PRESENTATION OF THE ESSENCE OF THE INVENTION

This invention, thanks to its structure solution, eliminates all mentioned defects and can be used - except for irrigation purposes - also in agriculture, forestry, fishery, the industry of paper and building materials, for filling in water towers and tanks for fire fighting systems, etc. For its operation, uses kinetic energy of running water. Essence of the invention is based on the fact that the multipurpose system of piston pumps consists of two floats of the vessels which in their front part are constructed in such a way to increase water speed at reaching the driving wheel. At least one piston pump each is placed into the vessels, and the are moved by eccentric shafts.

For one turn of driving wheel and eccentric shaft respectively, piston in the pump makes two work strokes. Double action piston pump means - by piston moving in one direction, the action of water suction and water discharge is simultaneous. At the time of change of piston stroke direction, the procedure is repeated. Eccentric shafts are connected with main shaft on which is two parted driving wheel - the two parts being connected by perimeter and on the main shaft.

In order to separate torque transmission of the main and eccentric shafts, claw couplings with their individual control levers are built-in thus making possible independent switching-off of the piston pumps in each floating body of the vessel or all of them at once. Water supply of the pumps takes place in the front part of the vessel through suction baskets with purifiers and on through suction pipes and hoses. From piston pumps is delivered through discharge hoses into collecting reservoir which is equipped with air damper to ensure uniform discharge.

Back limits of longitudinal axial distance of vessels are built-in on the collecting reservoir, and there are ball cocks for distribution of position of hoses to the places of water ejection. Self adjusting bearings of eccentric and main shafts are positioned on supporting plates which at the same time serve to reinforce supporting construction and to maintain central axle direction.

In order to keep up front longitudinal axle distance, a front limit is built-in. The system is anchored - tied - at a desired spot by ropes through front bollards. There is also built-in a protection against possible arrival of unwanted objects from the direction of water current. To ensure minimum of swaying of suction and discharge hoses, rear bearings of the piston pump should be within the horizontal axis of the driving wheel and eccenter shaft espectively. Except by anchoring, the vessel can be fastened for stationary usage of the system through the support to vertical stable pillars.

The advantage of the invention in comparison with known devices is in continuous operation without need for any additional energy, rational construction and make, long lasting durability and neglectable consumption of spare parts. Further, operating the system during exploitation is not required because there are no parts or sets of machines susceptible to deffects, while for mounting of the system and placing on running water, highly skilled staff is not required, r.p.m. of driving wheel, of all bearings and piston stroke speed in the pumps are slow thus securing very long life. Piston pumps do not have idle strokes, spring valves are replaced by ball valves activated by kinetic energy. Pumps have common suction and discharge branches for both directions of piston movements. Serial production is possible.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

For easy understanding of the invention as well as with a view to present possibility of realization in practice, the applicant for registration calls the attention to the enclosed drawing, where :

^■ Fig. 1 shows double action piston pump system for irrigation purposes, according to the invention, view from above; Fig. 2 shows piston pump system, as per Fig. 1 , side view; Fig. 3 shows piston pump in horizontal projection, view from suction hose side;

Fig. 3a shows piston pump as per Fig. 3, side view;

Fig. 3b shows piston pump as per Fig. 3, horizontal projection and discharge hose side view; Fig. 4 shows claw coupling with control; ^■ Fig. 4a shows claw coupling with control as per Fig. 4 ,side view;

Fig. 5 shows a detail of driving wheel connection, and

Fig. 5a shows a detail of driving wheel connection as per Fig. 5, side view DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Double action piston pump system for irrigation purposes makes use of the energy of running water, according to the invention, Fig. 1 & 2, consist of a vessel 1, at least one piston pump 2 of double action, driving wheel 6 and claw coupling 9 with control lever 10 as base elements. The system being symmetrical, on the drawings only one element each will be marked at one of the sides.

The vessel 1 consists of two floats moved apart la, lb, tied to the bank for supports 26 placed at the sides of the structure, that is, on supporting plates 19. Each float la, lb are sloped in front side that is, they are constructed in such a way to enable water acceleration at the arrival to the driving wheel 6. At the front part of the vessel 1, front support 20, a protection stop 24 is fixed, which is double coned and of latticed construction, to lessen water resistivity and prevent unwanted objects from getting in contact with driving wheel 6. Vessel 1 - with a view to enable successful and safe functioning of the system - should be anchored by means of bollards 22 fixed at the front part of upper horizontal surfaces of floats la, lb, and tied by rope 23 to the bank or anchor.

Front and rear distances, that is, parallel position of longitudinal axis, of floats la, lb of the vessel 1, is achieved by mentioned front support 20 with limits 21 and the rear collecting reservoir 14 with limits 16. Each of the floats la, lb of the vessel 1, contains at least one doubleaction piston pump 2 which piston rods move over eccentric shaft 3 connected to the main shaft 4 by couplings 5. Eccentric shaft 3 is placed in selfadjusting support bearings 18 on supporting plates 19 where supporting plates have an additional role, to reinforce vessel 1 and to maintain its central axial direction. On the main shaft 4 is fixed a two parted driving wheel 6, its both parts being interconnected by couplings 7 and 8, Fig. 5, 5a, by perimeter and on the main shaft 4. Main shaft 4 and eccentric shafts 3 are interconnected by limit couplings 5, couplings 7, 8 and claw couplings 9 with control lever 10, Fig. 4, 4a. Piston pumps 2, Fig. 3 to 3b, from the inlet side, are by suction pipe - hose 12 connected with suction baskets 11, situated at the bottom and in the front part of the float la, lb of the vessel 1. At the outlet side pumps 2 through hose 13 are connected with the collecting reservoir 14 where are air damping 15, rear limits 16 of longitudinal axis distance and ball cocks 17.

Functioning of double action piston pump system for irrigation, which uses energy of running water, according to the invention, is performed in the following way :

Vessel 1 with floats la, lb is taken down to the water near bank and tied for supporters 26. After that, in floats la, lb are to be mounted piston pumps 2 and their piston rods are to be connected to eccenter shafts 3 which are to be further connected to the main shaft 4 by couplings 5. To the main shaft 4 is previously mounted two parted driving wheel 6 the parts of which are interconnected by couplings 7 and 8. During that time claw couplings 9, between shafts 3 and 4, are disconnected by means of control levers 10 and consequently there is no transmission of rotation to eccenter shaft 3. After checking if the suction basket 11 is clean, suctionhoses 12 are to be connected to it while discharge hoses 13 are to be connected to collecting reservoir 14. Pumps 2 are supplied by water at the front part of the vessel 1 through suction baskets 11 with purifier and on through suction pipes and hoses 12.

Further on, by exactly marked (in production process) rear limits 16 and front limits 20, longitudinal axial distances of floats la, lb of the vessel 1. After that, through bollard 22 and by rope 23 the system is anchored at the required place to prevent dragging off by the main current of the river to another place where water runs with higher speed. At that time ropes fixing the vessel 1 to the bank are released. By reconnecting claw couplings 9 through control levers 10 rotation of eccenter shaft 3 starts, due to rotation of driving wheel 6, whereby the system is put into operation. When required, depending on the quality of running water, it is possible to mount in the front part of the vessel 1 a latticed protection 24 of the driving wheel 6.

Transmission of torque from running water through driving wheel 6 to eccenter shaft 3 is realized by claw coupling 9 and control lever 10, at which water suction in both directions of piston pump run 2 is effected through suction baskets and on through suction pipes and hoses 12. Change of position of pistons in pumps 2 is carried out due to water effect on the wheel 6 causing suction and discharge of water through discharge hoses 13 in collecting reservoir 14, where through ball cocks 17 water is distributed under pressure. Namely, collecting reservoir is equipped at its ends with ball cocks 17 for distribution of position of hoses to the places of water ejection. Collecting reservoir 14 also is equipped with air damper 15 to ensure uniform discharge.

Selfadjusting bearings 18 of eccenter shafts 3 as wellas rear bearings 25 of piston pumps 2 make possible long lasting and safe operation of the system, ecologically and free from any additional driving energizers. To ensure less swinging of suction and discharge hoses 12, 13 rear bearings 25 of piston pumps should be in horizontal axis of driving wheel 6 rotation and eccenter shaft 3 respectively.

For one turn of driving wheel 6, that is eccenter shaft 3, the piston in pump 2 makes two working strokes. Pump 2 is of double action effect because at one piston moving in one direction it simultaneously performs suction and discharge of water and at change of direction of piston movement, the procedure is repeated, and - instead of spring valves - they are equipped with a set of kinetically active ball valves.

In order to be able to separate transmission of main shaft 4 torque and eccenter shafts 3, claw couplings 9 are built-in with their control levers 10, so that piston pumps 2 can be switched off independently in each float la, lb of the vessel 1 or all at one time.

Vessel 1 , for stationary use of the system, instead of anchoring can be fastened through supports 26 to vertical stable pillars.

Thanks to characteristics and the essence of the invention, the system can work continually without any need for additional source of energy or operator. It is only necessary, from time to time or in case of interruption in water ejection, to check discharge and suction hoses, because other breakdown in operation is not possible.

INDUSTRIAL AND OTHER APPLICATION OF THE INVENTION

The way of implementation of the invention is clear on the basic of the above text as well as from the enclosed drawings and does not need further description, All structural characteristics are cheched by the inventor on a prototype.

Claims

PATENT CLAIMS

1. Double action piston pump system for irrigation, using the energy of running water, i d e n t i f i e d b y t h a t , as each of the floats (la, lb) of the vessel (1) contains at least one piston pump (2) of double action the piston rods of which, through eccenter shaft (3) are by couplings (5) connected to the main shaft (4), the main shaft (4) and eccenter shafts (3) being interconnected and claw coupled (9) with control lever (10) for switching on, at which eccenter shaft (3) is placed in selfadjusting support bearings

(18) on support plates (19), as on the main shaft (4) is fixed two-parted driving wheel (6) both parts of which being, by perimeter and to main shaft (4), interconnected by couplings (7, 8) and as piston pumps (2) are at the inlet side by suction pipe - hose (12) coupled to suction baskets (1 1), placed at the bottom and in front part of the float (la, lb) of the vessel (1), while at the outlet side of the pump (2) through hose (13) are coupled to collecting reservoir (14) with air damper (15), rear limits (16) of longitudinal axial distance and ball cocks (17) are on it.

2. Double action piston pump system, according to the application 1 , is i d e n t i f i e d b y t h a t, as the floats (la, lb) of the vessel (1) are in the front part interconnected by front support (20) with limits (21) of the distance, while at the rear part they are interconnected by the collecting reservoir (14) with limits (16) of the distance.

3. Double action piston pump system, according to the application 1 , is i d e n t i f i e d b y t h a t, as the vessel (1) on supporting plates (19) contains supports (26) and bollards (22) fixed in the front part of upper horizontalsurfaces of floats (l a lb), for fixing of the vessel (1) by rope (23) to the bank and that on the vessel's front part (1 ), that is on front support (20), a protection (24) is fastened which is double coned and of latticed construction.