WO2012160096A1

WO2012160096A1 - Float switch device for submersible pumps

Info

Publication number: WO2012160096A1
Application number: PCT/EP2012/059603
Authority: WO
Inventors: Girolamo ROCCA
Original assignee: Pedrollo S.P.A.
Priority date: 2011-05-23
Filing date: 2012-05-23
Publication date: 2012-11-29
Also published as: ITPV20110004U1; ITBO20120057U1

Abstract

A float switch device for submersible pumps comprises a floating member (2) linked to the body of a pump (10) for controlling the starting and the stopping of the same pump (10) according to the level of the fluid. The floating member (2) is rigidly constrained to a support swinging arm (3) assembled externally to said body of the pump (10).

Description

FLOAT SWITCH DEVICE FOR SUBMERSIBLE PUMPS

Technical Field

The present invention regards a float switch device for submersible pumps and similar.

Background Art

It has been known that, for the water supply from tanks, reservoirs or relatively deep wells submersible pumps are used, for conveying wastewater and sewage and for other similar uses, both for domestic and for civil or industrial use. Such submersible pumps generally comprise a delivery body, inside which is placed an impeller, communicating with the external environment, and a motor body generally cylindrical, suitable to house a motor member.

According to a known solution, submersible pumps can be provided with an external float switch device suitable to control the starting and the stopping of the pump according to the level of the liquid in the storage. In particular, the float switch device starts up the pump when the fluid level reaches a pre-established height and stops it when the level lowers to a minimum value.

Usually, the float is linked to the body of the pump through a rope of suitable length which enables the same float to follow the level fluctuations of the fluid. Nevertheless such known solution is not free from inconveniences which can compromise the correct operation of the pump. As a matter of facts, it is complained that the float can get stuck against the walls of the well, making the switch device not operational. In other cases, the float constrained to the rope freely moves inside the well without supplying the too-full signal necessary to determine the stopping of the pump. This can evidently lead to the leakage of the water from the well, with the risk of flooding and similar.

Disclosure

The task of the present invention is that of solving the aforementioned problems, by devising a float switch device which enables to safely perform the starting and the stopping of submersible pumps and similar according to the level of the fluid.

Another scope of the invention is that of providing a float switch device of simple assembling and functioning conception, provided with a surely reliable working, with a versatile use and with a relatively low cost.

The cited scopes are attained, according to the present invention, by the float switch device according to claim 1 .

According to the present invention, the float switch device comprises a floating member rigidly constrained to a support swinging arm assembled externally to the body of the pump.

Description of Drawings [09] Details of the invention shall be more apparent from the detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the float switch device according to the invention, illustrated for indicative purposes in the attached drawings, wherein:

[10] figure 1 shows a lateral view of a submersible pump provided with the float switch device;

[1 1 ] figure 2 shows the same pump in use inside a well.

Best Mode

[12] With particular reference to such figures, the float switch device associated with a submersible pump 10 of the type comprising, in known manner, a delivery body 1 1 inside which is placed an impeller and a motor body 12, suitable to house the motor member, is indicated in its entirety with 1 .

[13] The switch device 1 comprises a floating member 2 fixed to one end of a swinging support arm 3 which is borne externally to the delivery body 1 1 of the pump. More precisely, the arm 3 is articulated to the pump 10 through a pin 4 preferably having a horizontal axis.

[14] Suitably at the opposite end of the arm 3 is fixed a counterweight 5 suitable to ease the floating of the floating member 2.

[15] The functioning of the float switch device is easily understandable from the preceding description.

[16] In use, the submersible pump 10 is prearranged in the well 6 inside which the fluid has variable level. The float 2 keeps in contact with the fluid surface, being the relative support arm 3 able to freely swing with respect to the body of the pump 10, at the articulation pin 4.

[17] In particular, the float switch device starts up the pump when the fluid level reaches a pre- established height and stops it when the level lowers to a minimum value, as indicated with a broken line 2a in figure 2. The rotation of the arm 3 operates, in opening and closing, in a known manner, the switch device.

[18] The float switch device attains the scope of safely operating the starting and the stopping of submersible pumps and similar according to the level of the fluid.

[19] Such result is obtained essentially thanks to the inventive idea of constraining the floating member 2 to the body of the pump 10 through a swinging arm 3, articulated on a pin 4, externally to the body of the pump. In such way the float is not free to move inside the well 6 but it is forced to follow the trajectory imposed by the support arm 3. This prevents the risk that the float could get stuck against the walls of the well or, anyway, that it could make the switch device not operational, as it is complained in the background art.

[20] A characteristic of the switch device consists in that the oscillations of the float are limited with respect to the size of the support arm 3. This enables a correct functioning also inside a well of slight dimensions.

[21 ] The switch device disclosed for indicative purpose may vary depending on the requirements.

In practice, the embodiment of the invention, the materials used, as well as the shape and dimensions, may vary depending on the requirements.

Should the technical characteristics mentioned in each claim be followed by reference signs, such reference signs were included strictly with the aim of enhancing the understanding the claims and hence they shall not be deemed restrictive in any manner whatsoever on the scope of each element identified for exemplifying purposes by such reference signs.

Claims

Float switch device for submersible pumps (10) and similar, comprising a floating member (2) able to be linked to the body of the pump (10) for controlling the starting and the stopping of the same pump (10) according to the level of the fluid ; characterized in that said floating member (2) is rigidly constrained to a swinging support arm (3) assembled externally to said body of the pump (10).

Device according to claim 1 , characterized in that said support arm (3) is linked to said body of the pump (10) through a pin (4) having an axis substantially horizontal.

Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that at the opposite end of said support arm (3) is fixed a counterweight (5) suitable to ease the floating of said floating member (2).