PUMP FOR IMMERSION WITHIN A FLUID RESERVOIR

Abstract

A pump is provided for immersion in a fluid reservoir, such as a pit or lagoon containing liquid manure, from a position at an edge of the reservoir. The pump may be adapted for connection to a farm vehicle, such as a tractor, positioned at the edge of the reservoir. The pump comprises an extensible body, fluid conduit and drive means in order that a length of the pump may be varied in order to accommodate a variety of reservoir fluid heights. In addition, the pump may be pivotable relative to at least a portion of a frame in order that the entrance angle may be adjusted. The pump may comprise a housing with an inlet and an outlet, the outlet in fluid communication with the fluid conduit. An impeller within the housing may direct fluid from the inlet to the outlet in the housing.

Claims

1. A liquid manure pump for immersion in a liquid manure reservoir comprising: a frame; a pump body connected to the frame; a fluid conduit mounted on the pump body; a housing located at a bottom end of the pump body, the housing comprising a fluid inlet and at least two tangential fluid outlets; a combiner for creating a fluid connection between the at least two fluid outlets and the fluid conduit; a drive shaft mounted on the pump body; an impeller connected to the drive shaft and located within the housing, the drive shaft providing motive power to the impeller to direct the liquid from the inlet to the at least two fluid outlets; and, a rotatable agitator nozzle, in fluid communication with at least one fluid outlet, for directing a portion of the liquid manure outwardly from the pump, the agitator nozzle comprising a valve for controlling liquid manure flow rate through the nozzle, the valve rotatable with the agitator nozzle.

2. The pump of claim 1, wherein the combiner comprises gradual bends to reduce likelihood of pressure loss of the liquid manure.

3. The pump of claim 1, wherein the combiner is located near a top of the pump.

4. The pump of claim 2, wherein the combiner is located near a top of the pump.

5. The pump of claim 1, wherein the frame comprises: a first portion pivotally connected to a second portion, the first portion connected to the pump body, the pump body pivoting about the second portion when the first portion pivots; and, a pivot cylinder connected to the first and second portions, actuation of the pivot cylinder causing the first portion to pivot relative to the second portion thereby adjusting an angular relationship between the pump body and horizontal.

6. The pump of claim 5, wherein the combiner comprises gradual bends to reduce likelihood of pressure loss of the liquid manure.

7. The pump of claim 5, wherein the combiner is located near a top of the pump.

8. The pump of claim 5, wherein the agitator nozzle directs liquid manure to a surface of the liquid manure reservoir.

9. The pump of claim 8, wherein the agitator nozzle directs liquid manure through the air.

10. The pump of claim 1, wherein the combiner comprises gradual bends to reduce likelihood of pressure loss of the liquid manure.

11. The pump of claim 1, wherein the combiner is located near a top of the pump.

12. The pump of claim 1, wherein the agitator nozzle directs liquid manure to a surface of the liquid manure reservoir.

13. The pump of claim 12, wherein the agitator nozzle directs liquid manure through the air.

14. The pump of claim 1, wherein the impeller directs the liquid tangentially within the housing from the inlet to the at least two fluid outlets.

15. The pump of claim 14, wherein the combiner comprises gradual bends to reduce likelihood of pressure loss of the liquid manure.

16. The pump of claim 14, wherein the combiner is located near a top of the pump.

17. The pump of claim 15, wherein the combiner is located near a top of the pump.

18. The pump of claim 14, wherein the frame comprises: a first portion pivotally connected to a second portion, the first portion connected to the pump body, the pump body pivoting about the second portion when the first portion pivots; and, a pivot cylinder connected to the first and second portions, actuation of the pivot cylinder causing the first portion to pivot relative to the second portion thereby adjusting an angular relationship between the pump body and horizontal.

19. The pump of claim 18, wherein the combiner comprises gradual bends to reduce likelihood of pressure loss of the liquid manure.

20. The pump of claim 18, wherein the combiner is located near a top of the pump.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] Having summarized the invention, preferred embodiments thereof will now be described with reference to the accompanying figures, in which:

[0020] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a pump according to the invention in a transport position;

[0021] FIG. 2 shows a right side cut-away view of the pump of FIG. 1 in a working position;

[0022] FIG. 3a shows a left side cut-away view of the pump of FIG. 1 in a working position;

[0023] FIG. 3b shows a left side cut-away view of the pump of FIG. 1 in an extended working position;

[0024] FIG. 4a shows a side view of a pump housing according to the invention;

[0025] FIG. 4b shows a sectional view of the pump housing of FIG. 4a;

[0026] FIG. 5 shows an impeller of a pump according to the invention;

[0027] FIG. 6 shows an embodiment of a nozzle orientation means according to the invention in a first position;

[0028] FIG. 7 shows the nozzle orientation means of FIG. 6 in a second position;

[0029] FIG. 8 shows the nozzle orientation means of FIG. 6 in a third position;

[0030] FIG. 9 shows a perspective view of another embodiment of a pump according to the invention having two fluid outlets;

[0031] FIG. 10 shows a perspective view of yet another embodiment of a pump according to the invention having four fluid outlets; and,

[0032] FIG. 11 shows a perspective view of yet another embodiment of a pump according to the invention, having an alternative nozzle orientation means.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0033] Referring to FIG. 1, an embodiment of a pump according to the present invention is shown comprising a pump body 1 and an elongated fluid conduit 2 with a centrally located longitudinal axis 11. A pump housing 3 is mounted to a bottom end of the pump body and comprises a fluid inlet 4 located on a bottom thereof and three upwardly oriented tangential fluid outlets 5a, 5b, 5c evenly spaced about the circumference of the housing 3 for directing fluid upwardly along the body 1. The outlets 5a, 5b, 5c are connected to outlet conduits 6a, 6b, 6c that are in turn connected to a fluid combiner 7. The combiner 7 directs the flow from the outlet conduits 6a, 6b into the elongated fluid conduit 2, where it moves upwardly towards the conduit outlet 8. A flow control valve 36, comprising a hydraulically actuated gate valve, is flange mounted at the outlet 8. Fluid exiting the outlet 8 can be delivered to rigid or flexible conduit, depending on what is best suited to the application, attached to the pump via outlet connector 37.

[0034] Turning additionally to FIGS. 6 through 8, the fluid conduit 2 comprises a nozzle body 110 that is connected to an agitator nozzle 109, both of which are movable via a nozzle orientation means 113. The nozzle body 110 comprises a section of the fluid conduit 2 that is rotatable about a longitudinal axis 11 by way of engagement between a nozzle sun gear 118 and a nozzle moon gear 119 that is actuated by a hydraulic motor 120. Suitable seals, such as O-rings, are provided to maintain a fluid seal between the combiner 7 and the upper portion of the fluid conduit 2, despite the rotational movement of the nozzle body 110. The nozzle body 110 comprises a T-shaped portion 121 to which a nozzle gate valve 122 is flange mounted. The nozzle gate valve 122 is hydraulically actuated and can be adjusted in order to provide a means for controlling the fluid flow rate through the nozzle 109. A second sun gear 123 is engaged with a second moon gear 124 that is actuated by a second hydraulic motor 125. Rotation of the motor 125 causes the nozzle 109 to rotate about an axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 11. The nozzle 109 is equipped with a fixed 45° elbow 126. By selecting a desired combination of rotation of the nozzle sun gear 118 and the second sun gear 123, a wide range of fluid exit trajectories can be obtained from the nozzle 109. A number of potential trajectories are illustrated with reference to FIGS. 6-8. This allows a stream of the fluid being pumped to exit the pump and be re-directed back to the surface of the fluid reservoir in order to provide agitation and to break-up any solid clumps of debris or foam that may have accumulated at the surface.

[0035] Returning now to FIG. 1, the pump further comprises a frame 19 that comprises a first portion 19a pivotally connected to a second portion 19b via a frame pivot shaft 20. The first portion 19a is attached to the pump body 1. A frame adjustment means is provided for adjusting an angular relationship of the pump body relative to horizontal. The frame adjustment means comprises a pair of frame dogs 21a, 21 b that are attached to the first frame portion 19a proximal the pivot shaft 20. The frame dogs 21a, 21b are interconnected with a pair of pivot cylinders 22a, 22b mounted to pivot lugs 23a, 23b of the second portion 19b. Actuation of the cylinders 22a, 22b causes the first portion 19a to rotate about the pivot shaft 20 relative to the second portion 19b in order to change the angular orientation of the pump body 1 from a substantially horizontal transport position, as shown in FIG. 1, to a non-horizontal working position, for example a vertical working position as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3a, 3b. This allows the pump body to be positioned at any desired angle relative to the surface of the fluid reservoir, in order to accommodate a variety of reservoir edge conditions and surface heights.

[0036] In one embodiment, the frame 19 is adapted for connection to a farm tractor; however, in other embodiments, the frame may be adapted for connection to a truck or other vehicle. The frame 19 shown is adapted for connection to the farm tractor by a three-point hitch mechanism that is well known in the art; however, in other embodiments, the frame may be wheeled or otherwise mounted for independent connection to the farm tractor in order that it may be readily disconnected from the tractor and left in a desired location. Various means of connecting the pump to the farm tractor are known to persons skilled in the art.

[0037] The pump housing comprises a bottom rest 24 attached to a bottom thereof. The bottom rest is used to support the base of the pump against a bottom of the fluid reservoir and prevents damage to the housing when the pump is set down when not in use. The bottom rest 24 also provides a minimum spacing between the bottom of the fluid reservoir and the inlet 4. An access door 25 is provided proximal the bottom of the pump body 1. The access door is used to connect or dis-connect a pump drive means (not shown in FIG. 1) from a pump impeller 26 located within the housing 3, in a manner that will be further described hereinafter.

[0038] Referring to FIG. 2, the pump is shown in a substantially vertical working position. The frame cylinders 22b (22a not shown) are extended such that the first portion 19a of the frame and the pump body 1 are pivoted downwardly relative to the second portion 19b. The bottom rest 24 is positioned against the bottom of the fluid reservoir 27, ensuring that the housing 3 is not damaged and keeping a certain minimum spacing between the bottom of the reservoir 27 and the pump inlet 4 in the bottom of the housing. A cutaway portion of the body 1 shows a pump drive means comprising a rigid Power Take-Off (PTO) shaft 28 that is connected to the tractor via a PTO connector 29. A flexible knuckle (not shown) behind the connector allows the rotation of the PTO connector 29 to be translated down the shaft 28 to the impeller 26. The access door 25 is used to detach the shaft 28 from the impeller for maintenance purposes. The shaft 28 is of a telescoping type that permits its length to be adjusted with changes in length of the pump body 1.

[0039] Referring to FIGS. 3a and 3b, in FIG. 3a the cutaway portion of the body 1 shows a hydraulic body cylinder 30 in a retracted position. The body cylinder 30 may be extended, as shown in FIG. 3b, along the longitudinal axis 11 to change the length of the pump body 1, the fluid conduit 2 and the PTO shaft (28, not shown in FIGS. 3a and 3b), which are all telescopic. This allows the depth of the pump to be increased in the event that the fluid reservoir 27 is deeper, as shown in FIG. 3b. By accommodating variable depth and variable entrance angle (by adjustment of the angle between the first portion 19a of the frame relative to the second portion 19b) a variety of different types of reservoir edge conditions and depths can be accommodated.

[0040] Referring to FIG. 4a, the housing 3 is shown in greater detail. The outlets 5a, 5b, 5c are tangential to the radius of the housing and are also angled upwardly, relative to when the housing is in a working position. In conventional pump housings, fluid exits tangentially and is then required to execute a 90° bend; by providing an upward angle to the tangential housing, a more gradual transition is created, resulting in less fluid pressure loss. Referring additionally to FIG. 4b, it can also be seen that providing the upward angle to the tangential outlets 5a, 5b, 5c results in a much larger opening area, denoted as 5a′, 5b′, 5c′ within the housing. This opening area 5a′, 5b′, 5c′ eventually constricts down to the diameter of the outlet conduits 6a, 6b, 6c. However, by providing a larger opening area within the housing and gradually transitioning to a smaller opening area, fluid pressure drop is reduced. The tangential fluid outlets 5a′, 5b′, 5c′ therefore allow higher flow rates for a given power input due to the upward angle, which makes the upward turn more gradual and creates a larger opening within the housing that gradually transitions to the outlet connector diameter. The impeller 26 is also shown.

[0041] For manure pumping applications, in particular, it is known that fluid conduits and pump outlets having diameters of less than about 5″ are prone to plugging with debris. It is important to provide a certain minimum outlet area in order to reduce pump pressure drop and energy loss for a given flow rate. It has been found that use of multiple smaller outlets allows the desired minimum outlet area to be provided, while advantageously allowing the impeller size to be reduced as compared with a single opening. This leads to a reduction in the power required to provide a certain flow rate. An alternative approach is to provide a larger or similar sized impeller as would be used with a single outlet opening and realize an increased flow rate through the pump at a given power input. The multiple outlet configuration thereby co-operates with the impeller design to provide a number of potential benefits, according to the application requirements.

[0042] Referring additionally to FIG. 5, the impeller 26 is shown in greater detail. It can be seen that each of the vanes 31 comprises a flat portion 32, perpendicular to the direction of rotation of the impeller 26 (clockwise about the center 33), and a curved portion 34 that is curved forwardly in the direction of travel. The area of the curved portion 34 and thus the degree of curvature increases progressively with distance from the center 33 of the impeller. This has the effect of directing the fluid both tangentially and upwardly, towards the upwardly angled outlets 5a, 5b, 5c. Since the fluid is already being directed upwardly by the impeller 26, the result is less fluid pressure loss upon entering the outlets 5a, 5b, 5c than would otherwise occur if a directional change were induced solely due to friction between the fluid and the housing 3. The forwardly curved vane portion 34 therefore co-operates synergistically with the housing, specifically the upwardly angled tangential outlets 5a, 5b, 5c, to reduce pressure loss and therefore provide a greater flow rate for a given power input than would otherwise be obtained.

[0043] Returning briefly to FIG. 1, due to the enhanced flow rate provided by the design of the housing 3 and impeller 26, the pump inlet 4 in the bottom of the housing is preferably provided as a single central opening having a diameter that is at least a third of the diameter of the housing, more preferably at least half the diameter of the housing. This over-sized pump inlet allows the desirable high fluid flow rate to pass through the pump without internal cavitation. Resuming with FIGS. 4-5, in order to prevent pump inefficiency due to fluid short circuiting at the center of the impeller 26, the lower edge of each vane 31 is equipped with a blocking plate 35 that is perpendicular to the flat portion 32. The plate 35 has a curved edge and increases in area towards the center 33 of the impeller 26. The blocking plate 35 has the effect of occluding some of the area of the inlet 4 near the center 33 to prevent short-circuiting of fluid between the vanes 31 due to the large area of the inlet 4. This illustrates yet another manner in which the design of the impeller 26 co-operates with the design of the housing 3 to improve pump performance.

[0044] Referring to FIG. 9, a pump according to the invention is shown that is similar in most respects to the pump described with reference to FIGS. 1-8, with features denoted by like reference numerals. However, the housing 103 has two fluid outlets 105a, 105b. The fluid outlets 105a, 105b are connected to two connectors 106a, 106b that meet at a substantially Y-shaped combiner 107. The function and operation of the remaining components are otherwise similar.

[0045] Referring to FIG. 10, a pump according to the invention is shown that is similar in most respects to the pump described with reference to FIGS. 1-8, with features denoted by like reference numerals. However, the housing 203 has four fluid outlets 205a, 205b, 205c, 205d. The fluid outlets 205a, 205b, 205c, 205d are connected to four connectors 206a, 206b, 206c, 206d that meet at a combiner 207. The function and operation of the remaining components are otherwise similar.

[0046] Referring to FIG. 11, a pump as described with reference to FIG. 9 is shown. However, the fluid conduit 2 comprises a nozzle body 10 to which is connected an agitator nozzle 9. The nozzle body 10 provides a fluid connection between the fluid conduit 2 and the nozzle 9 via a flexible connector 12. The flexible connector 12 may be made from, for example, an elastomeric material. The flexible connector 12 allows the angular orientation of the nozzle 9 to be adjusted relative to the longitudinal axis 11.

[0047] A nozzle orientation means 13 is provided for effecting this adjustment in orientation. In the embodiment shown, the orientation means 13 comprises a pair of C-shaped linkages 14a, 14b located on either side of the nozzle 9 and connecting the nozzle 9 to the nozzle body 10. The C-shaped linkages 14a, 14b are each actuated by a pair of hydraulic linkage cylinders 15a, 15b. Each C-shaped linkage pivots in the middle upon actuation of the cylinders to open or close, thereby adjusting the angular orientation of the nozzle 9 relative to the pump body. However, due to limitations in the stroke of the linkage cylinders 15a, 15b, the orientation means also comprises an orientation cylinder 16 interconnected by orientation linkages 17a and 17b with one of the C-shaped linkages 14a and the nozzle body 10. The orientation cylinder 16 permits larger macro adjustments to be made to the orientation of the nozzle 9, whereas the smaller linkage cylinders 15a, 15b permit fine adjustments to be made.

[0048] The nozzle body 10, and therefore the nozzle 9, are rotatable about the longitudinal axis 11. The nozzle body 10 includes sealing means, such as O-rings, to prevent fluid leakage at the site of rotation. The nozzle body comprises a nozzle sun gear 18, which is engaged by a nozzle moon gear (not shown in FIG. 11) that is driven by a hydraulic motor (not shown in FIG. 11). Activation of the motor in a clockwise or counter-clockwise direction causes an opposite rotation of the sun gear 18 and the nozzle body 10. By adjustment of both the rotation of the nozzle body 10 about the longitudinal axis 11 and the angular orientation of the nozzle 9, any desired orientation of the nozzle may be created relative to the pump.

[0049] The foregoing describes preferred embodiments of the invention and is not meant to be construed in a limiting sense. Persons skilled in the art will readily appreciate other variants and mechanical equivalents that may achieve the objects and advantages of the present invention without departing from the scope of the accompanying claims.