Patent Application
20220333616
This application claims priority to European Patent Application No. 21168863.5, filed Apr. 16, 2021, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.
The present disclosure relates to a debris trap for capturing debris flowing in a stream of liquid and a priming assembly for a centrifugal pump.
Pumps are mechanical equipment which can lift a fluid from low level to high level or cause fluid to flow from a low pressure area to a high pressure area. Pump priming is the process of removing air from the pump and its suction line. Priming is only not required when the pump is either capable of removing air and gases from itself or the layout conditions are so arranged that the pump will be always adequately filled with the liquid to be pumped.
In the priming process the pump is filled with the liquid being pumped and the liquid forces all the air, gas, or vapor contained in the passageways of pump to escape out.
Conventional pumps can be primed using an ejector or a jet pump. For example, the document EP2481928A1 discloses an ejector in connection with a pump.
Document EP 1024293 A2 discloses a debris trap for capturing debris flowing in a stream of liquid, which debris trap comprises a housing having a space inside the housing, a fluid inlet channel in connection with the space, a fluid outlet channel in connection with the space, the fluid outlet channel comprising a fluid outlet port, a float member arranged in the space, a guide means or device configured to guide the float member's movement as the liquid level in the space changes when in use for capturing debris flowing in a stream of fluid, and a stopper in connection with the fluid outlet port configured to stop the float member's movement as liquid level in the space raises.
It has been determined that an ejector, or a jet pump, has substantially narrow passageways for the fluid to be pumped. Even if the drive fluid used to operate the jet pump can easily be arranged to be clean enough, using a jet pump, operated for example with pressurized air, in connection with a pump configured to pump liquid which contains debris, can be problematic. It has been found that it is quite probable that the debris can enter into the jet pump and clog the narrow passageways, resulting in disturbance of its operation and failing of the priming of the pump. Likewise, should the priming be performed making use of another kind of source of vacuum, entering of debris, at least debris of greater size, to the source of vacuum is problematic.
An object of the present disclosure is to provide a debris trap for capturing debris flowing in a stream of liquid and a priming assembly for a pump, by which the operation of a priming jet pump is considerably improved compared to the prior art solutions.
Objects of the present disclosure can be met substantially as is disclosed herein which describe in more detail different embodiments of the invention.
In one embodiment, a debris trap for capturing debris flowing in a stream of liquid is provided. The debris trap comprises
Such a debris trap minimizes escape of debris flowing in a stream of liquid and still causes only minimal pressure loss when used in a priming assembly for a centrifugal pump. The debris trap is particularly for capturing debris floating in a stream of liquid in a priming assembly for a centrifugal pump. In the beginning of priming, the float member is practically not effecting on the transmitting vacuum from the fluid outlet channel to the space of the housing. But, when the float member is against the stopper, the fluid outlet port is configured to remain partially open, and while being fully open, the fluid outlet port cross sectional flow area corresponds to that of the fluid outlet channel. When the float member and the fluid outlet port are brought into effect with each other, size of the debris which can flow through the outlet port is restricted, even though the flow communication is open and vacuum is still transmitted from the fluid outlet channel to the space in the housing.
Such a debris trap minimize escape of debris flowing in a stream of liquid and causes only minimal pressure loss when used in a priming assembly.
According to an embodiment of the invention the float member, when brought against the stopper, form a fluid communication path between float member and the fluid outlet port having an area of 5-90% of the area of the fluid outlet channel. Such a debris trap, in addition to minimizing escape of debris flowing in a stream of liquid and causing only minimal pressure loss when used in a priming assembly for a centrifugal pump, minimizes possible agglomeration of debris in the trap.
According to an embodiment of the invention the float member, when brought against the stopper, form a fluid communication path which creates pressure difference between the space in the housing and the fluid outlet channel. The pressure difference can be utilized for detecting the state of the priming process since when the float member is against the stopper, the priming has been completed.
According to an embodiment of the invention the float member, when brought against stopper, form a fluid communication path between float member and the fluid outlet port comprising at least two distinct flow paths. Providing a number of small, separate flow paths to form the fluid communication makes it possible to restrict escape of debris through the trap, and still causing only minimal pressure loss when used in a priming assembly for a centrifugal pump. By the distinct flow path it is possible to determine the size of the debris which is caught by the trap and problems caused by the debris to a source of vacuum can be minimized.
According to an embodiment of the invention the least two distinct flow paths comprise axial notches arranged to an inlet edge of the fluid outlet port. Arranging the flow path by downwardly open axial notches in the edge of the fluid outlet minimize the possibility of agglomeration of debris to the fluid outlet port since, after the space of the housing of the debris trap has emptied from the liquid the float member moves away from the fluid outlet and any debris can fall down and be conveyed with the liquid away.
Depending on the case, decreasing the fluid communication through the fluid outlet port, when the float member and the fluid outlet port are brought into effect with each other, can be accomplished also such that the least two distinct flow paths comprise holes arranged to extend from a side wall of the float member to a top wall of the float member.
According to an embodiment of the invention the least two distinct flow paths comprise holes arranged to the fluid outlet channel.
The guide element is advantageously a linear guide, which provides a reliable operation and simple construction of the debris trap.
According to an embodiment of the invention the guide element comprises at least three guide bars spaced around the outlet between which the float member is slidably supported.
According to an embodiment of the invention the element means is an external guide to the float member. This way the outlet port flow area can be set effectively.
According to an embodiment of the invention the guide element comprises a retainer coupled to the at least three guide bars at a distance from the outlet and the float member is arranged between guide bars and the retainer.
According to an embodiment of the invention the guide element comprises radial extensions, which extend from the float member towards inner wall of the housing of the debris trap.
Priming assembly according to the invention for a pump, which pump comprising a suction side and discharge side, the assembly comprises a source of vacuum controllably connected to the suction side of the pump, and a debris trap according to anyone of the embodiments herein, wherein the fluid outlet channel of the debris trap is connected between the source of vacuum and the suction side of the pump.
Priming assembly according to an embodiment the invention for a pump, which pump comprises a suction side and discharge side, wherein the source of vacuum comprising a jet pump having
The priming assembly is particularly advantageous for use in priming of a centrifugal pump.
Embodiments of the present invention can also provide the following advantageous effect when using the air as the drive fluid. When the fluid communication path with reduced area, which is formed when the float member is brought against the stopper, is dimensioned suitably, it is possible to prevent an excess amount of liquid from entering the jet pump throat. This way a throat of the jet pump will not be clogged by the liquid, not even temporarily. If the throat becomes clogged, the drive fluid, that is the air, will find its way into the suction side of the pump via the debris trap. This is particularly undesirable in terms of operation of the pump when the working fluid is compressed air.
In this application the word vacuum should not be understood to mean an absolute vacuum, like a space devoid of matter, but merely a partial vacuum at suitable level providing required technical effect in the sense of embodiments of the present invention.
The exemplary embodiments of the invention presented in this patent application are not to be interpreted to pose limitations to the applicability of the appended claims. The verb “to comprise” is used in this patent application as an open limitation that does not exclude the existence of also unrecited features. The features recited in depending claims are mutually freely combinable unless otherwise explicitly stated. The novel features which are considered as characteristic of the invention are set forth in particular in the appended claims.
The invention will be explained in more detail hereinafter with reference to the drawings.
The jet pump 26 comprises a first inlet 28 for the priming liquid. The priming assembly 10 comprises a priming conduit 27 which connects the pumps 12 suction side 16 to the first inlet 28. There is a first control valve 29 arranged to the priming conduit 27 connected to the first inlet 28. The first inlet is thus connected to the suction side 16 of the pump 12. The connection to the suction side means that the actual connection is provided to the suction pipe 20 or to the pump 12 itself at a location that the impeller housing will be filled with liquid when the jet pump is operated during the priming process. The jet pump 26 comprises further a second inlet 30 for drive fluid. The second inlet 30 for the drive fluid is connected to source of pressurized drive fluid 32 by a feed pipe 33. There is a second control valve 31 connected to the second inlet 30. In this connection the drive fluid is advantageously pressurized air, and the source of pressurized drive fluid is a source of pressurized air. The jet pump 26 comprises further an outlet 34 for discharging the priming liquid and the drive fluid from the jet pump 26. The outlet 34 is advantageously connected to the liquid storage 15.
The priming assembly comprises further a debris trap 40 arranged to the priming conduit 27 between the suction pipe 20 and the jet pump 26. Here the priming conduit 27 is coupled to the upper-most location of the suction pipe 20. The debris trap 40 is arranged to capture debris flowing in a stream of priming liquid towards the jet pump 26. The debris trap 40 is positioned in a vertical level above the pump's shaft, advantageously above the impeller of the pump 12. The first control valve 29 is between the debris tramp 40 and the jet pump 26 in
There is a float member 52 arranged in the space 44 of the housing 42. The debris trap 40 further includes a guide means or element 54 in the space 44. The guide element 54 comprises linear guides, such as bars, arranged to extend vertically around the guide element 54. The guide element 54 is external to the float member 52. The debris trap 40 includes a stopper 53 arranged in the space 44 at an upper end of the guide element 54. The stopper 53 is in connection with the fluid outlet port 28 and it is configured to stop the float member's movement, as liquid level in the space rises in the space 44, before the fluid outlet port closes totally. The float member 52 in
When the float member 52 is against the stopper 53 the flow communication through the outlet port remains partially open with a restricted area and therefore the size of the debris which can flow through the outlet port 50 is restricted, even though the flow communication is open and vacuum is still transmitted from the fluid outlet channel 48 to the space 44.
The priming assembly 10 functions in a following manner, applicable to all embodiments of the debris trap. After the pump 12 has been stopped and it has been emptied from the pumped liquid i.e. the pump is filled with the air. When the pump is desired to be started the priming steps are executed as follows. First, the discharge valve 24 is closed separating the discharge pipe 22 from the pump 12. Next, the second control valve 31 is opened which connects the source of pressurized air to the jet pump 26. Pressurized air is led to the jet pump 26 and out through the outlet 34. The first control valve 29 is now opened. This starts the operation of the jet pump. Vacuum is generated to the first inlet 28 of the jet pump and liquid begins to rise up from the liquid storage 15 to the suction pipe 20. After the jet pump has been operating for a while, the liquid surface rises up to the debris trap 40 and the liquid level is thus so high that the pump housing is also filled with the liquid. Adequate level of the liquid can be detected in the debris trap. Now the pump 12 can be started and the discharge valve 24 opened. The first valve 29 of the jet pump can now be closed and also the introduction of the pressurized air can be stopped.
The priming assembly is advantageous for use in practical applications where the liquid, such as water, contains small, debris in it, wherein the debris trap is configured particularly to capture debris floating in a stream of liquid. When priming a pump, the most problematic debris is floating debris which does not experience gravity force substantially greater than the buoyance caused by the liquid. Floating debris can be floating on the surface of the liquid or it can be partially or fully submerged in the liquid.
Such applications where the liquid contains small debris can be found for example in the forest industry, and waste treatment processes, just to mention a few. In
As a first measure, since the float member extends above the surface liquid surface level, the float member is guided by the guide element 54 to move to in front of the fluid outlet port 50 before the rising liquid. This alone decreases the possibility of larger debris escaping through the fluid outlet port 50. As a next measure, since the float member 52 is guided by the guide element 54 to move towards the fluid outlet port 50, without totally closing the fluid communication through the fluid outlet port 50, the jet pump still effects on the space 44 of the debris trap 40 and the priming conduit 27, maintaining the liquid up in the priming conduit 27, suction pipe 20 and the pump housing 12. This position is shown in the
Even if a spherical float member, as is shown in
The housing includes a liquid inlet channel 46 which is formed by a first flange 42.3. The first flange is rigidly connected to the tube part 42.1. The tube part 42.1 and the first flange 42.3 have substantially equal inner diameters forming a cylindrical space 44 in the housing 42. The fluid outlet channel 48 is a pipe which is arranged extend through the end plate 42.2 into the space 44. The fluid outlet channel 48 has smaller diameter than the tube part 42.1 such that an annular space is formed between the fluid outlet channel 48. The fluid outlet channel 48 comprises a fluid outlet port 50 which provides fluid communication between the space 44 and the fluid outlet channel 48. The fluid outlet channel comprises further a flange 42.4 at its upper end, rotatably assembled in respect to the outlet channel 48. The housing structure shown in
Also, in the improved form of the debris trap there is a float member 52 arranged in the space 44 of the housing 42, which is arranged to move vertically under control of guide element 54 in the space 44. The float member is substantially cylindrical having a lightening recess 52.1 at its bottom, which is the opposite end to the one configured to cooperate with the stopper 53. By the lightening recess 52.1 it is possible to adjust and set the height of the float member 52 above the liquid surface, while axial length of its side wall provides adequate guidance from the guide element. The guide element comprises linear bars 54 arranged to extend vertically downwards from the end plate 42.2. Each guide bar 54 is fixed to lower surface of the end plate 42.2 evenly around the fluid outlet 48. The lower end of formed set of guide bars, which can also be referred to as a cage, has a retainer ring 55 at its lower end. The guide bars 54 form an external guide to the float member 52. The retainer ring 55 has an opening at its center area for increasing flow area in the space 44 at the axial location of the retainer ring 55. The retainer ring 55 keeps the float member 52 inside the cage.
The float member 52 is arranged to be guided by the guide bars 54 into contact, and from contact, with the fluid outlet port 50 as the liquid level in the space 44 changes vertically when in use for capturing debris flowing in a stream of liquid during the priming operation of the assembly 10. The end of the fluid outlet channel 48 is also the stopper 53 for the upwards movement of the float member 52. The fluid outlet port 50 comprise several axially extending notches 50.1 arranged to the inlet edge of the fluid outlet channel 48. This way the outlet port, when the float member 52 is against the stopper 53, comprises several separate, or distinct flow paths. Here the distal ends of the notches form the stopper 53. The float member 52, the guide element 54 and the notches 50.1 of the fluid outlet port 50 together control fluid communication from the space 44 to the fluid outlet channel 48 of the debris trap 40. Now the notches have an axial depth which is substantially equal to its width. This way the embodiment prevents escape of substantially compact debris, and also prevents efficiently escape of substantially elongated debris which has its diagonal dimension smaller than the slot.
In
The float member 52, when the float member is brought against the stopper 53, decreases fluid communication through the fluid outlet port such that the separate notches have a common area of 5-90% of the area of the fluid outlet channel, but does not totally close the flow connection from the space 44 to the fluid outlet channel 48.
Also, in the embodiment of
The priming assembly further comprises a debris trap 40 arranged to the priming conduit 27 between the suction pipe 20 and the source of vacuum 11. Here the priming conduit 27 is coupled to the upper-most location of the suction pipe 20. The debris trap 40 is arranged for capturing debris flowing in a stream of priming liquid towards the jet pump 26. The debris trap 40 is positioned to a vertical level above the pump's shaft, advantageously above the impeller of the pump 12. The first control valve 29 is between the debris trap 40 and the source of vacuum 11. By the debris trap 40 it is ensured that only debris of limited size can proceed towards the source of vacuum 11.
While the invention has been described herein by way of examples in connection with what are, at present, considered to be the most preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments, but is intended to cover various combinations or modifications of its features, and several other applications included within the scope of the invention, as defined in the appended claims. The details mentioned in connection with any embodiment above can be used in connection with another embodiment when such combination is technically feasible.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 21168863.5 | Apr 2021 | EP | regional |
