This invention relates to systems for removing water from a body of water, such as a pond, canal or ditch, and discharging the water at another position. More particularly, it relates to an engine-driven, trailer-mounted, high volume axial-flow water pump for use in loading water haulage equipment from a pond, canal or ditch.
Previously, mobile water haulage equipment has been loaded with water using a suction-loading pump permanently attached to a water haulage vehicle. This approach however, has presented a number of drawbacks. The mechanically driven water pumps used for this purpose require a rigid connection between the engine and pump. This rigid mechanical connection prevents the pump from being positioned at varying angles to the engine and therefore presents operating angle limitations. The entire mechanically driven pump system (including engine, trailer, etc.) must be positioned at the desired operating angle to the water source for proper operation. This often requires excavation of the berm along the pond or ditch being used as a source of water. If the water level or height of equipment being loaded changes, the entire system may need to be repositioned. In addition, portions of prior mechanical drive systems must operate below the water level, prompting frequent maintenance. Moreover, the rigid connection must be disconnected for transportation and then reconnected again for operation—requiring the time of a skilled mechanic. Also, previous systems are restricted to slow speed transportation and do not have a braking system.
It is an object of the present invention, therefore, to provide an improved engine-driven, trailer-mounted, high volume water pump for use in loading water haulage equipment from ponds or ditches.
Another object of the invention is to provide a pump that overcomes the operating angle limitations of the existing pumps by providing an improved range of possible operating angles for the pump system, thereby eliminating the need to excavate the area around the pump system prior to operation or during operation if the required operating angle changes.
Still another object of the invention is to provide a pump that requires reduced maintenance compared to partially-submerged mechanically drive system components found on existing mechanically-driven pumps.
Yet another object of the invention is to provide a pump system that does not require a skilled mechanic to disassemble it for transportation and to reassemble it prior to operation and that eliminates the need for human-powered mechanical winches for raising or lowering portions of the pump system.
Another object of the invention is to provide a trailer system capable of operation on the highway at normal highway speeds.
Additional objects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the description that follows, and in part will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The objects and advantages of the invention may be realized and obtained by the instrumentalities and combinations pointed out herein.
To achieve the foregoing objects, and in accordance with the purposes of the invention as embodied and broadly described in this document, there is provided a mobile pump system including a wheeled trailer having a trailer frame and being adapted to transport the mobile pump system from one location to another. A self-contained power source is mounted to the trailer. A hydraulic fluid supply system is mounted to the trailer and powered by the power source. An adjustable pipe system includes a discharge pipe section, an intake pipe section and a swivel section mounted to the trailer frame and coupled between the intake pipe section and the discharge pipe section. The swivel pipe section allows the discharge pipe section to be pivoted about a discharge pipe pivot point that is fixed with respect to the trailer frame and allows the intake pipe section to be pivoted about an intake pipe pivot point that is fixed with respect to the trailer frame. A submersible hydraulic pump is mounted to the intake pipe section and is driven by the power source and hydraulic fluid supply system. The system includes a hydraulic cylinder and extensible pivot arm actuated by the hydraulic cylinder. The pivot arm is pivotally coupled to the discharge pipe section so that as the pivot arm is extended and retracted the discharge pipe section pivots about the discharge pipe pivot point, whereby the discharge pipe section can be positioned at various angles with respect to the trailer frame. The system also includes a second hydraulic cylinder and extensible pivot arm actuated by the pivot cylinder. The second pivot arm is pivotally coupled to the intake pipe section so that as the pivot arm is extended and retracted the intake pipe section pivots about the intake pipe pivot point, whereby the intake pipe section can be positioned at various angles with respect to the trailer frame. The hydraulic fluid supply system includes a control valve assembly configured to control and maintain the supply of hydraulic fluid in the hydraulic cylinders and hydraulic pump.
The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate the presently preferred embodiments of the invention and, together with the general description given above and the detailed description of the preferred methods and embodiments given below, serve to explain the principles of the invention.
Referring to the accompanying drawings, the mobile pump system of the present invention is shown generally at 10. The system is self-contained and is mounted on a movable trailer 12. The trailer 12 includes a frame 13, an axle assembly 14, which includes wheels, suspension and braking systems, and a tow bar 15, to facilitate its being towed by a truck, tractor or other vehicle. Tires 16 mounted on the axle assembly 14 are preferably highway or off road tires 16, which allow the trailer 12 to be towed at highway speeds. The wheeled axle preferably includes the braking system to facilitate transporting the mobile pump system 10 on the highway. Adjustable jack supports 18 are fixed to the trailer frame 13 and support and stabilize the trailer 12 when the pump system 10 is placed in an operating configuration for pumping, as shown in
The mobile pump system 10 has a self-contained power source including an engine 20 and fuel tank 22 for supplying fuel to the engine 20, which are mounted on the trailer 12. Preferably, the engine 20 is a diesel engine and the fuel tank has a capacity of at least fifty gallons. A reservoir of hydraulic fluid 24, a hydraulic pump 26, hydraulic fluid supply conduits and a hydraulic control valve assembly 28 provide hydraulic fluid to all the hydraulically activated mechanisms throughout pump system 10, as will be described, including hydraulic lifting cylinders 60, 64. The hydraulic system uses an environmentally friendly hydraulic fluid to prevent contamination of the water source.
Also mounted on the trailer frame 13 is a water pipe system 30 that forms the conduit though which water flows when the mobile pump system 10 is in the operating configuration shown in
The center swivel section 38 is mounted to and carried by the trailer frame 13, as described below. Referring to
Still referring to
A hydraulic pivot actuating system serves to pivot the intake cantilever arm 52 and the attached intake pipe section 34 about the pivot point 57. As shown in
Similarly, the hydraulic pivot actuating system serves to pivot the discharge cantilever arm 54 and the attached discharge pipe section 36 about the pivot point 59. As shown in
Referring to
To pump water 100 from a pond or similar water source into a water hauling vehicle, the mobile water pump system 10 is placed in the operating configuration shown in
From the foregoing, it can be seen that a pump system as disclosed herein presents a number of advantages. Among other advantages, by utilizing a hydraulically driven water pump instead of a mechanically-driven water pump, the pump is free to move relative to the engine and trailer. Thus, the hydraulically operated pump can be positioned at various angles while the engine remains level. Independent adjustment of the operating angles of the intake pipe section and the discharge pipe section can be achieved. The use of hydraulic controls, rather than human-powered mechanical winches, provides for convenient adjustment of the pumping system to adapt to varying terrain. The pump can remain intact for transport. The trailer is capable of operation at highway speeds and includes a hydraulic braking system. The system can be used to fill mobile water haulage equipment in remote locations not serviced by a pressurized water system.
While certain preferred embodiments and methods of the invention have been described, these have been presented by way of example only, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. Additional advantages and modifications will readily occur to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the invention in its broader aspects is not limited to the specific embodiments, methods and conditions described herein, which are not meant to and should not be construed to limit the scope of the invention. Accordingly, departures may be made from such embodiments and methods, variations may be made from such conditions, and deviations may be made from the details described herein without departing from the spirit or scope of the general inventive concept as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.
This application is based on and claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/490,396 filed on Jul. 25, 2003, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by this reference.
Number | Name | Date | Kind |
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3008422 | Crisafulli | Nov 1961 | A |
4130134 | Castle | Dec 1978 | A |
6401829 | Newton | Jun 2002 | B1 |
6701980 | Rothrock | Mar 2004 | B2 |
Number | Date | Country | |
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20050053477 A1 | Mar 2005 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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60490396 | Jul 2003 | US |