U.S. patent application number 11/800482 was filed with the patent office on 2007-11-15 for rollable pumping apparatus.
Invention is credited to Georg Holzmeier, Ralf Pfeiffer.
Application Number | 20070264129 11/800482 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38579721 |
Filed Date | 2007-11-15 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070264129 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Pfeiffer; Ralf ; et
al. |
November 15, 2007 |
Rollable pumping apparatus
Abstract
A rollable pumping apparatus includes a collection vessel (4),
an electrically operated delivery system (18) having a pumping
device (20), a feed conduit connection member (22) and a delivery
conduit connection member (24), through which liquid is fed into
and is delivered out of the collection vessel (4), with the entire
delivery system being held in a housing element releasably
mountable on the collection vessel (4).
Inventors: |
Pfeiffer; Ralf; (Sontheim,
DE) ; Holzmeier; Georg; (Untermeitingen, DE) |
Correspondence
Address: |
ABELMAN, FRAYNE & SCHWAB
666 THIRD AVENUE, 10TH FLOOR
NEW YORK
NY
10017
US
|
Family ID: |
38579721 |
Appl. No.: |
11/800482 |
Filed: |
May 4, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
417/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F04D 13/16 20130101;
F04B 17/06 20130101; F04D 13/14 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
417/001 |
International
Class: |
F04B 49/00 20060101
F04B049/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
May 9, 2006 |
DE |
10 2006 000 219.9 |
Claims
1. A rollable pumping apparatus comprising a collection vessel (4);
an electrically operated delivery system (18) including a pumping
device (20), a feed conduit connection member (22) and a delivery
conduit connection member (24), through which liquid is fed into
and is delivered out of the collection vessel (4); and a housing
element on which the entire delivery system is held and which is
releasably mountable on the collection vessel (4).
2. A rollable pumping apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the
housing element is formed by a head (10) which closes the
collection vessel (4).
3. A rollable pumping apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the
housing element is formed by a hood (34).
4. A rollable pumping apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the
pumping device (20) comprises a feed pump (26) connected with the
feed conduit connection member (22) and a delivery pump (28)
connected with the delivery conduit connection member (24).
5. A rollable pumping apparatus according to claim 4, further
comprising an overflow vessel (48) located in the collection vessel
(4) and wherein the delivery pump (26) pumps liquid out of an
overflow region (54) formed between an outer wall (50) of the
overflow vessel (48) and an inner wall (52) of the collection
vessel (4).
6. A rollable pumping apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the
delivery system (18) further includes control electronics (32) for
the pumping device (20).
7. A rollable pumping apparatus according to claim 6, further
comprising a level sensor (44), and wherein the control electronics
(32) controls the pumping device (20) in accordance with signals
generated by the level sensor (44).
8. A rollable pumping apparatus according to claim 1, further
comprising a filtering device (46) for at least partially cleaning
a delivery liquid.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a rollable pumping
apparatus including a collection vessel, an electrically operated
delivery system having a pumping device and a feed conduit
connection member and a delivery conduit connection member through
which liquid is fed into and is delivered out of the collection
vessel.
[0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art
[0004] In the pumping apparatus of a type described above, liquid,
in particular in form of a drilling sludge can be fed into the
collection vessel and be delivered therefrom through both conduit
connection members. The pumping apparatus of the above-described
type can be used in a circuit for removing, cleaning and feeding
back or in an open system for removing, intermediately storing and
delivering further rinsing or cooling liquid. The rollability of
the pumping apparatus provides for a convenient transportation of
the pumping apparatus to an operational site.
[0005] German Publication DE 35 45 328 discloses an apparatus for
separating a rinsing liquid from separated materials. To this end,
the apparatus includes an overflow vat mounted on a rollable vessel
and into which a feed conduits opens. Through the feed conduit, a
rinsing liquid is fed from a drilling tool into the overflow vat in
which the entrained solids are settled. In the overflow vat, a
filtering element is arranged for additionally cleaning the rinsing
fluid before it overflows in the vessel on which the overflow vat
is mounted on. From the vessel, the cleaned fluid is pumped back to
the drilling tool by a pump.
[0006] With such pumping apparatuses, for better its transportation
and maintenance such as replacement of seals, often the attached
conduits and connection elements such as unions, need to be
removed. In addition, the pumps, control elements, and filter
elements are also subjected to maintenance and replacement. Also,
the related housing elements often can be accessed with much
difficulty and are difficult to dismount.
[0007] Accordingly, the object of the invention is to provide a
mobile pumping apparatus in which the above-discussed drawbacks are
eliminated and a comfortable maintenance of the delivery system is
insured.
[0008] Another object of the invention is to provide a mobile
pumping apparatus in which attachment and detachment of conduits is
facilitated.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] These and other objects of the present invention, which will
become apparent hereinafter, are achieved by securing the entire
delivery system on a housing element which is releasably mountable
on the collection vessel.
[0010] With the entire delivery system being mounted on a removable
housing element, the pumping apparatus is divided in a
maintenance-free portion and a maintenance-intensive portion, with
the maintenance-intensive and maintenance-free portions capable of
being separated for better handling, e.g., for a better access to
certain elements of the delivery system. Thereby, maintenance and
repair of the delivery system can be carried out very
comfortably.
[0011] According to a particular advantageous embodiment of the
present invention, the housing element is formed by a head
mountable on the collection vessel. With the housing element being
formed as a head mountable on the collection vessel, the conduit
connection members or unions are so positioned that they are
particularly easily accessible. Simultaneously, such housing
element also serves as a cover for the collection vessel, which
simplifies the construction of the pumping apparatus.
[0012] It is advantageous when the housing element is formed as a
hood, which provides for a particular easy access to the delivery
system received therein.
[0013] Advantageously, the pumping device has a feed pump connected
with the feed conduit connection member and a delivery pump
connected with the delivery conduit connection member. Thereby, a
very compact pumping apparatus is obtained in which all of the
pumps for feeding liquid to the collection vessel and delivery
therefrom are integrated. In this way, the pumping apparatus
includes all of the necessary components for providing a water
circuit for a drilling tool, independent of other components. In
addition, feeding of a liquid to the pumping apparatus can take
place independent from delivery of the liquid.
[0014] Advantageously, an overflow vessel is located in the
collection vessel. The delivery pump pumps liquid out of an
overflow region formed between an outer wall of the overflow vessel
and an inner wall of the collection vessel. Thereby, the solids,
which are entrained with the liquid, can be settled in the overflow
vessel. In this way, the liquid delivered by the delivery pump is
at least partially cleaned.
[0015] Advantageously, the delivery system includes control
electronics for the pumping device and which is also arranged in
the housing element. This insures a better operation of the pumping
device, with the control electronics being well protected by being
located in the housing element.
[0016] Advantageously, a lever sensor is provided, and the control
electronics controls the pumping device in accordance with signals
generated by the level sensors. This insures a particularly
economical operation of the delivery pump.
[0017] Advantageously, the delivery system includes a filtering
device that retains solids during pumping of the liquid out of the
pumping apparatus. The filtering device can be removed, together
with the delivery system and the housing element, from the
remaining portion of the pumping apparatus. This insures a
particularly good cleaning and replacement of the filtering
device.
[0018] The novel features of the present invention, which are
considered as characteristic for the invention, are set forth in
the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its
construction and its mode of operation, together with additional
advantages and objects thereof, will be best understood from the
following detailed description of preferred embodiment, when read
with reference to the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0019] In the drawings:
[0020] Single FIGURE shows a partially cross-sectional view of a
rollable pumping apparatus according to the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0021] A rollable pumping apparatus 2 according to the present
invention which is shown in the drawings can be used in a circuit
or a delivery system with intermediate storage of a waste treatment
system such as a waste water channel for handling rinsing or
cooling liquid of a drilling system, not shown.
[0022] The pumping apparatus 2 has a cylindrical collection vessel
4. On the bottom 5 of the collection vessel 4, there are provided
rollers 6 and support feet 7 which provide for support or rolling
of the collection vessel 4, i.e., of the entire pumping apparatus 2
over a constructional component U. With the use of a handle 8 the
collection vessel 4 can be conveniently rolled up to a site of its
use and be then secured there. A separate housing element in form
of a head 10 is held above an opening 12 of the collection vessel 4
remote from the bottom 5 of the collection vessel 4.
[0023] For holding the head 10 in place, there are provided holding
means 14 that secures the support 16 of the head 10 to the
collection vessel 4. The holding means 14 can be formed, e.g., by
buckles that can be released and closed without using any tool. The
holding means 14 can also include a hinge, not shown, that would
provide for pivoting of the head 10 away from the collection vessel
2.
[0024] A delivery system 18 is held on the head 10. The delivery
system 18 includes a pumping device generally designated with a
reference numeral 20, a union-shaped feed conduit connection member
22, and a union-shaped delivery conduit connection member 24. The
feed conduit connection member 22 and the delivery connection
member 24 are connected respectively, with a feeding pump 26 and a
delivery pump 28 of the pumping device 20.
[0025] The delivery system 18 further includes an electrical
connection device 30 with control electronics 32 and connected with
both the feeding pump 26 and the delivery pump 28. The pumps 26 and
28 and the electrical connection device 30 are secured on the
support 16 of the head 10 and are closed with a hood 34 placed on
the support 16 and removably held thereon. In this way, the
delivery system 18 is arranged almost completely between the
support 16 and the hood 34. The connection members 22, 24, with
which a feeding conduit 36 and a delivery conduit 38 are connected,
respectively, a tubular outlet element 40 projecting from the feed
pump 26 into the collection vessel 4, and a tubular inlet element
42 projecting from the delivery pump 28 into the collection vessel
4, all partially project out of the hood 34 or from the support
16.
[0026] During the operation, a fluid in question is fed into the
collection vessel 4 in the direction shown with arrow Z through the
outlet element 40. The fluid is delivered from the collection
vessel 4 in the direction shown with arrow A through the inlet
element 42. Both pumps 26, 28 can be turned on and off by the
control electronics 32. To this end, e.g., a level sensor 49 can be
provided and which either generates a signal at a predetermined
level of liquid in the collection vessel 4 or generates a
continuous signal that is communicated to the control electronics
32.
[0027] In this way, liquid can be pumped by a feed pump 26, e.g.,
from a drilling system, through the feed conduit 36, the feed
connection member 22, and the outlet element 40 into the collection
vessel 4 and be stored there for some time. When the liquid reaches
a predetermined level, the level sensor 44 generates a signal that
is communicated to the control electronics 32 which actuates the
delivery pump 28. The pump 28 pumps the liquid through the inlet
element 42 out of the collection vessel 4 through the delivery
connection member 24 and the delivery conduit 38, e.g., into a
waste disposal system, not shown, such as a waste water
channel.
[0028] In addition, the pumping apparatus 2 can be provided with
means for at least partially cleaning the delivery liquid. E.g., a
filtering device 46 can be provided on the inlet element 42 and
which retains solids when the pump 28, which can be formed as a
compression pump, pumps the liquid out of the collection vessel 4.
Thereby, the pumping apparatus 2 can operate in a circuit in which
liquid, e.g., from a drilling system, is pumped by a feed pump 26
into the collection vessel 4 and is cleaned there before being
pumped again by the delivery pump 28 back to the drilling system
where it can be used again.
[0029] In order to increase the separation output of solids in the
pumping apparatus 2, an overflow vessel 48, which is shown with
dash lines, can be provided in the collection vessel 4. The
overflow vessel 48 forms an overflow region between its outer wall
50 and an inner wall 52 of the collection vessel 4 and in which
only one filtering device 46 is provided in a single inlet 42a.
[0030] With the later arrangement, the liquid that flows out of the
outlet element 40, firstly, into the overflow vessel 48, and, in
particular, heavy solids partially settle in the overflow vessel
48. The pre-cleaned liquid flows into the overflow region 54 and is
pumped out therefrom, in a manner described above, through the
inlet element 42a, is pumped out of the collection vessel 4.
[0031] Though the present invention was shown and described with
references to the preferred embodiment, such is merely illustrative
of the present invention and is not to be construed as a limitation
thereof and various modifications of the present invention will be
apparent to those skilled in the art. It is therefore not intended
that the present invention be limited to the disclosed embodiment
or details thereof, and the present invention includes all
variations and/or alternative embodiments within the spirit and
scope of the present invention as defined by the appended
claims.
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