U.S. patent application number 12/328421 was filed with the patent office on 2009-07-09 for groundwater sampling device.
This patent application is currently assigned to Concurrent Technologies International, LLC. Invention is credited to Craig INTELISANO.
Application Number | 20090175737 12/328421 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40844715 |
Filed Date | 2009-07-09 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090175737 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
INTELISANO; Craig |
July 9, 2009 |
GROUNDWATER SAMPLING DEVICE
Abstract
A groundwater sampling and pumping device and system for
withdrawing groundwater from a well of small size, not exceeding
1.5 inches I.D. The device includes a hollow outer housing having
water inlet ports formed through a bottom thereof and a hollow
inner housing sized to be positioned integrally within the outer
housing and defining a water flow passage therebetween. An electric
motor in the inner housing is connected to a water impeller
operably positioned to draw groundwater into the water passage. The
water passing upwardly through the water flow passage provides
cooling for the motor. Preferably the housing is formed of a
polymer material, and/or a metal, such as stainless steel.
Inventors: |
INTELISANO; Craig;
(Bradenton, FL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Novak, Druce & Quigg LLP
1300 I Street, N.W., Suite 1000, West Tower
WASHINGTON
DC
20005
US
|
Assignee: |
Concurrent Technologies
International, LLC
Sarasota
FL
|
Family ID: |
40844715 |
Appl. No.: |
12/328421 |
Filed: |
December 4, 2008 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60992248 |
Dec 4, 2007 |
|
|
|
61051527 |
May 8, 2008 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
417/244 ;
166/369; 417/423.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F04D 29/588 20130101;
E21B 43/128 20130101; E21B 49/084 20130101; F04D 13/10
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
417/244 ;
166/369; 417/423.1 |
International
Class: |
F04D 1/06 20060101
F04D001/06; E21B 43/00 20060101 E21B043/00; F04D 13/06 20060101
F04D013/06 |
Claims
1. A groundwater sampling and centrifugal pump device comprising a
hollow outer housing having water inlet ports near a bottom thereof
and an integral hollow conduit sized to be positioned as part of
the outer housing; an inner housing sized and shaped to receive a
DC electric motor therein; said motor having a downwardly extending
shaft; said shaft carrying an impeller to move the water from the
inlet ports through said integral hollow conduit; said maximum
outer diameter of the outer housing being smaller than the inner
diameter of 1.5 inches of a well; said device being capable of
lifting groundwater to a height of at least 30 feet.
2. The device of claim 1, further including a voltage/current
controller/booster electrically connected to said motor to provide
a power input to the motor from 0 to 39 V DC.
3. The device of claim 1, wherein the hollow conduit is positioned
adjacent to the inner housing containing the water to provide
cooling to the motor.
4. The device of claim 1, wherein the inner and outer housings are
made of at least one material selected from the group consisting of
polymeric material and stainless steel.
5. The device of claim 1, further comprising a seal between the
shaft and the inner housing.
6. The device of claim 1, further including a flexible conduit
connected to said integral hollow conduit to convey water above the
ground level in which the well is situated.
7. The device of claim 1, further including at least one additional
pumping stage and the hollow conduit conveys water to the at least
one additional stage.
8. The device of claim 7, wherein there are at least three stages
to which water is conveyed before being discharged to above the
ground level.
9. The device of claim 1, coupled to an electric conduit.
10. The device of claim 9, wherein the electrical conduit is
electrically connected to a low flow sampling controller.
11. A method of conveying ground water from a well having a maximum
inner diameter (ID) of 1.5 inches comprising lowering a centrifugal
pump having a DC powered electric motor into said well until it
contacts said groundwater; supplying DC voltage to the electric
motor causing rotation of an impeller to cause flow of water
through an integral hollow conduit adjacent to a housing in which
the motor is contained; and simultaneously cooling the motor and
conveying the groundwater above the level of the ground in which
the well is situated.
12. The method of claim 11, in which the groundwater is conveyed
upwardly to a distance of more than 30 feet.
13. The method of claim 12, wherein the distance is more than 200
feet.
14. The method of claim 11, wherein the groundwater passes through
at least a second stage of the pump before it reaches the level of
the ground in which the well is situated.
15. A method of conveying groundwater from a well having a maximum
inner diameter of 1.5 inches by increasing a centrifugal pump in
said groundwater, emerging the pump through a DC motor and lifting
the groundwater at least 30 feet.
16. The method of claim 15, wherein the groundwater is lifted
between 30 and 200 feet.
17. The method of claim 15, wherein the groundwater is lifted at
least 200 feet.
18. The method of claim 15, wherein the centrifugal pump is a
single stage pump.
19. The method of claim 16, wherein the centrifugal pump is a
multi-stage pump.
20. The method of claim 11, wherein the housing is made of
polymeric material and/or stainless steel.
21. The device of claim 1, wherein the pump has an outer housing of
not greater than 0.8 inch.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a non-provisional claiming domestic
benefit of provisional application No. 60/992,248 filed Dec. 4,
2007 and provisional application No. 61/051,527 filed May 8, 2008,
the entire disclosures of which are herein incorporated by
reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] This invention relates generally to systems and methods for
gathering liquid samples using a submersible pump placed into a
pre-established well for analysis and/or groundwater removal and
groundwater remediation and circulation of fluids, and more
particularly to a device and system for these purposes with
includes a centrifugal pump which is sized to fit into a well of
1.5 inches, or less, such as a well having an inner diameter of one
inch, or less, and capable of sending a water sample upwards of 30
feet for collection and/or analysis.
[0004] 2. Description of Related Art
[0005] The taking of groundwater samples from a pre-established
well for the purpose of groundwater sampling and/or removal is well
known. These samples are typically taken by a submersible pump
device which is descended into the well as supported and controlled
by electrical power conduits and a flexible fluid conduit for
conveying groundwater up to the ground surface by the pump device
for removal or analysis.
[0006] A number of prior art devices are known to applicant which
are disclosed in the following U.S. patents:
[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 5,238,060 to Niehaus, et al.
[0008] U.S. Pat. No. 6,158,509 to Peterson
[0009] U.S. Pat. No. 5,708,220 to Burge
[0010] U.S. Pat. Re. 34,754 to Dickinson, et al.
[0011] U.S. Pat. No. 5,220,820 to Manke, et al.
[0012] U.S. Pat. No. 6,758,273 to Learned
[0013] U.S. Pat. No. 7,252,141 to Intelisano
[0014] U.S. Pat. No. 5,238,060 to Niehaus discloses a fluid
sampling apparatus for withdrawing samples of groundwater or other
fluids. The pump includes a packer associated therewith which
minimizes the amount of liquid which must be pumped to purge the
well prior to obtaining an acceptable sample.
[0015] A method and apparatus for gathering liquid samples using a
submersible pump is further disclosed by Peterson in U.S. Pat. No.
6,158,509. The submersible pump is operated by means of a surface
valving system and solenoid systems mounted on the submersible
pump. U.S. Pat. No. 5,708,220 to Burge teaches a liquid sampling
device comprising a submersible liquid sampling device and a ground
level sample receiving and control facility.
[0016] Dickinson, et al., in U.S. Pat. Re. 34,754 discloses a fluid
sampling apparatus for withdrawing samples of groundwater or other
fluids from a well or other monitoring site, said apparatus
comprising a pump means, conduit means and a wellhead assembly.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,220,829 to Manke, et al. teaches a down hole
formation test pump including a progressive cavity pump and Learned
discloses methods, apparatus and a low-flow groundwater sampling
system in U.S. Pat. No. 6,758,273.
[0017] My previous U.S. Pat. No. 7,252,141 discloses a pump having
a replaceable motor. Each of the disclosures of these patents is
herein incorporated by reference,
[0018] The present invention provides such a groundwater sampling
device and system for withdrawing groundwater from a
pre-established well having an inner diameter (ID) not exceeding
1.5 inches, typically not exceeding an ID of 1.0 inches which
device is readily insertable and removable from such a small well
and can lift a sample at least 30 feet, and up to or exceeding 200
feet, for collection and/or analysis. The pump must obviously be
smaller than the ID of the well to assure insertion and removal.
Thus, I have found that a pump of an outer dimension (OD) of about
1.4 inches is sufficiently small enough to use with a 1.5 inch ID
well, and a pump of an OD of less than about 0.8 inches, e.g.
preferably an OD not greater than 0.75 inch is sufficiently small
to use with an 1.0 inch ID well.
[0019] Heretofore, only peristaltic pumps were capable of obtaining
a sample from small wells but they were limited by lifting the
sample not more than 25 feet. The inventive pump is the first
centrifugal pump capable of being inserted into the well having an
ID of not more than 1.5 inches and lifting a sample at least 30
feet, and no one has heretofore lifted a sample from a 1.0 inch
well more than 30 feet with a pump small enough to fit with the ID
of a 1.0 inch well.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0020] This invention is directed to a groundwater sampling and
pumping device and system for withdrawing groundwater from a well.
The device includes a hollow outer housing having water inlet ports
formed near a bottom thereof and an integral hollow conduit sized
to be positioned as part of the outer housing and defining a water
flow passage therethrough. An electric motor in the inner housing
is connected to a water impeller operably positioned to draw
groundwater into the water passage. The water passing upwardly
through the integral hollow conduit can be carried directly to the
surface through a flexible pipe or tube or into another stage of
the pump for further increasing the pressure of the water.
[0021] It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a
groundwater sampling device for withdrawing groundwater from a
pre-established well of small ID which is readily insertable and
removable from the well and can lift a sample a minimum of 30
feet.
[0022] It is still another object of this invention is to provide a
high quality and high lifting capacity groundwater sampling device
and system for withdrawing groundwater from a pre-established well
of small ID and which includes an integral water passage for water
flow around the motor for heightened cooling and increased motor
longevity.
[0023] Yet another object of this invention is to provide a
groundwater sampling device for pumping groundwater from a
pre-existing well of small ID which is capable of lifting a water
sample at least 30 feet from a single stage pump, but which can be
combined into a multi-stage pump having a greater lifting capacity
in a small ID well.
[0024] In accordance with these and other objects, which will
become apparent hereinafter, the instant invention will now be
described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)
[0025] FIG. 1 is a simplified front view of the groundwater
sampling device of the invention.
[0026] FIG. 2 is a right side view of the device of FIG. 1.
[0027] FIG. 3 is a left side view of the device of FIG. 1.
[0028] FIG. 4 is a partial cross sectional view of a typical first
stage of the device of FIG. 1.
[0029] FIG. 5 is a top view of the groundwater sampling device of
FIG. 3.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0030] Referring now to the drawings, and firstly to FIGS. 1, 2 and
3, the groundwater sampling device is shown in FIG. 1 generally by
numeral 10 and includes a water sampling device 12 in the form of a
submersible groundwater pump, an electrical conduit 14 which
interconnects a voltage controller/booster device 16 to the device
12 and further includes a collector (not shown) into which the
groundwater is pumped out of a pre-established well of small
internal ID (not greater than 1.5 inches) through a water conduit
22 for collection and/or analysis.
[0031] The device 12 is described in more detail hereinbelow and is
positionable within the well formed into the ground below grade
level. The depth to which the device 12 descends is controlled
primarily by the feeding of the electrical conduit 14. An optional
system voltage/current controller/booster 16 as will be further
discussed below includes a connection to the electrical conduit 14.
Electrical contacts 34, which are attachable to the terminals of a
low voltage D.C. electrical power source, such as a 12 volt
battery, provide the power input into the electric motor 48 and/or
controller 16. By the adjustment of a variable voltage adjuster,
which can be monitored by a liquid crystal display, voltage output
from the controller 16 into the motor contained within the device
12 can thereby be provided. Controller 16 can be used to adjust the
voltage applied to the DC voltage driven electric motor 48 (FIG.
4). Electric motor 48 is designed to operate between 0 and 39 VDC
and can thus be powered by typical power supply of a vehicle
battery (12V) adjusted down or up to 39 volts by controller 16.
Amperage may also be controlled by controller 16.
[0032] The controller 16 inputs direct current from the 12-volt
battery and produces an output voltage to run the device 12 within
the specified parameters. In one embodiment, the controller 16
boosts the voltage to a fixed 39 volts and then, using a buck
converter, puts out a selected fixed voltage to the pump to operate
the device 12 at the selected parameters. Consideration is given to
the effective wire loss to maximize water output or pressure head
that can be pumped. In some circumstances known as a low flow
sampling, the motor 48 will be able to pump at very low voltages
near 0 volts. In such circumstances it is preferred to employ as
controller 16 a low flow sampling controller.
[0033] Still referring to FIG. 1, when the sampling device 12 is
activated, groundwater is forced upwardly through hollow conduit 22
and then through a flexible conduit 24 for dispersion of a
controlled volume of groundwater into a collection vial (not
shown). Alternatively, the device 10 may also be used to simply
evacuate groundwater from a pre-established well in which case the
upper end of the flexible conduit 24 is directed to discharge the
groundwater into a suitable container, above ground basin or the
like.
[0034] Referring now to FIG. 4, the preferred groundwater sampling
device 12, as best seen collectively in FIGS. 1-4, may be viewed
and best understood in their separate component stages, most of
which are generally formed of substantially noncorrosive materials,
such as a polymeric material which may be a homopolymer, copolymer
or blend for strength. Other materials of construction can be
employed, such as stainless steel and/or polytetrafluoroethylene
(available under the trademark TEFLON.RTM.) as very high quality
materials for device 12. As seen in FIG. 4 in which a partial cross
section is shown, an outer cylindrical housing 40 formed of a
polymeric material (or stainless steel or other materials) is
hollow on the interior thereof, includes a matable bottom 42
threadably engaged into the tubular material which is formed as an
attached nose having water inlet ports 44 formed therethrough as
also best shown in FIG. 4. These inlet ports 44 lead to an interior
chamber 86 into which groundwater is drawn in the direction of
arrows A in FIG. 4. When employing pumps small enough to enter into
a 1.0 inch ID well it is most preferable that the greatest strength
of the housing be made with the thinnest cross-section of tubing
possible. Thus, stainless steel or other high strength metallic
alloys are preferred for the housing of pumps small enough to fit
into a 1.0 inch ID well.
[0035] In FIG. 4, the inner hollow cylindrical tubular housing 46,
also formed of polymeric, stainless steel, or other material,
includes a bottom 46 having a water seal 80 disposed and having an
axial passageway to receive an output shaft 52 of a D.C. motor 48
sealingly fit there-through upon motor 48 insertion into the inner
housing 46. A water impeller 50 is attached to the output shaft 52
and is positioned (as best seen in FIG. 4) within the interior
chamber 86. A hollow gap is established by the spacing between the
inner diameter of the outer housing 40 and the outer diameter of
the inner housing 46 to define a water passage 88 which upwardly
receives groundwater in the direction of the arrows caused to flow
into the inlet ports 44 in the direction of arrow A, continuing
through the interior chamber 86, again in the direction of the
arrows into the water passage 88.
[0036] The upper end of the motor 48 includes two electrical
contacts 56 and 58 which receive electrical D.C. current and
voltage either directly from a power source or optionally from the
controller 16 through the electrical conduit 14 as will be
described in more detail hereinbelow. The preferred motor operating
parameters are from 12.6 to 17.4 VDC, more preferably 12.6 and 16.4
VDC, but as stated above the motor is designed to operate between 0
and about 39 volts D.C.
[0037] Note that the flow of water though water passage 88 cools
the motor 48 for increasing motor life and efficiency.
[0038] Although, I have described my invention with regard to use
in a well not exceeding 1.5 inch ID, preferably not exceeding 1.0
inch ID that is only illustrative of the invention and my invention
could be used in a well having smaller than 1.0 inch ID provided
the maximum exterior dimensions of device 12 are reduced to fit
with such wells.
[0039] Referring now to FIGS. 1-3, an alternative embodiment of the
sampling device having a single stage will be explained with regard
to a multi-stage device, which includes the components previously
described in connection with FIG. 4, except as noted hereinbelow.
However, in these embodiments, multi-stage pumps are provided to
increase the water pressure, and thus the height to which they are
capable of lifting the water.
[0040] Although I have illustrated three stages at 12', 12'' and
12''', it should be understood that fewer or more stages can be
provided to achieve the desired pressure (and have the required
lifting height) of a groundwater liquid to 200 feet, or more.
[0041] In this embodiment the groundwater entering the first stage
from the well is pumped through water passage 88 and then into a
second stage 12'' where another impeller further acts upon the
groundwater, thereby increasing its pressure and delivering it to a
third stage 12''', where the process is repeated. The device 12 may
be provided with sufficient stages to lift the groundwater sample
to the desired height. In a particularly preferred embodiment of
the pump fitting within a well of one inch ID, 24 stages have been
employed.
[0042] While the instant invention has been shown and described
herein in what are conceived to be the most practical embodiments,
it is recognized that departures may be made therefrom within the
scope of the invention, which invention is therefore not to be
limited to the details disclosed herein, but is to be afforded the
full scope of the claims so as to embrace any and all equivalents
thereof.
* * * * *