Patent Application
20130330218
Conventional hydrostatic test pumps used to pressurize a closed piping system for leak testing purposes are large, heavy, and bulky. As a result, they are difficult to transport to remote areas and other areas that are physically difficult to access (e.g., second or higher floors without elevator access, construction areas, and areas requiring ladder access). Further, conventional hydrostatic test pumps (e.g., rotary piston pumps) require significant energy to operate. As a result, the large motors required to operate the hydrostatic test pumps are gas powered or powered from the electrical utility service. It is common to have a need to operate a hydrostatic test pump in a construction area prior to the availability of electrical utility service. When electrical utility service is not available, a generator can be used; however, a generator adequate to power a conventional hydrostatic test pump also tends to be large, heavy, and bulky. In many cases, time needed to pressurize the closed piping system to the specified pressure is less than the time to transport the hydrostatic test pump and the generator to and/or from the location where it is used.
Embodiments of the present invention may provide for a portable hydrostatic test pump and a system incorporating the portable hydrostatic test pump to pressurize a closed piping system for leak testing purposes. The portable hydrostatic test pump includes a compact, lightweight, low power pump module operable using a portable power source. This allows the portable hydrostatic test pump to be used for testing closed piping systems located in areas that are physically difficult to access and/or without access to a permanent power source.
In various embodiments, the portable hydrostatic test pump is a modular apparatus. In some embodiment, the modules of the portable hydrostatic test pump physically and operatively connect to form a single portable unit capable of pressurizing a closed fluid distribution system to a selected pressure.
A basic embodiment of the portable hydrostatic test pump includes a pump module designed to work with a drive module and a power supply module. In some embodiments, the pump module also works with one or more optional modules including, but not limited to, a reservoir module. In various embodiments, the pump module includes a low friction pump, a fluid inlet, and a fluid outlet. The fluid inlet is placed in fluid communication with an external fluid supply or a reservoir module. In various embodiments, the pump module is housed in an enclosure and has an externally accessible fluid inlet, an externally accessible fluid outlet, and an externally accessible extension rod or pump shaft. The pump module is compact and lightweight making it highly portable and transportable.
In various embodiments, the drive module includes an independent, portable, battery powered motor that selectively connects to the pump module. In other embodiments, the drive module includes a motor contained carried in an enclosure that is selectively attached to the pump module to form a single operable unit and selectively detached from the pump module for storage. In some embodiments, the drive module is permanently attached to or integrated with the pump module. A power module operatively connects to the drive module to provide power to the motor. A switch operatively connected to the power module and the motor controls the operation of the motor driving the pump.
Some embodiments of the portable hydrostatic test pump include a reservoir module sized to carry sufficient fluid to pressurize a previously filled closed piping system. In some embodiments, the reservoir module is an enclosure that selectively attaches to the pump module and/or other modules to form a single operable unit and selectively detaches for storage. In some embodiments, an enclosure or one of the modules serves as a carrier for the other modules of the portable hydrostatic test pump.
Further features, aspects, and advantages of the invention represented by the embodiments described present disclosure will become better understood by reference to the following detailed description, appended claims, and accompanying figures, wherein elements are not to scale so as to more clearly show the details, wherein like reference numbers indicate like elements throughout the several views, and wherein:
A portable hydrostatic test pump and a system incorporating the portable hydrostatic test pump to pressurize a closed piping system for leak testing purposes is described herein and illustrated in the accompanying figures. The portable hydrostatic test pump includes a compact, lightweight, low power pump module operable using a portable power source. This allows the portable hydrostatic test pump to be used for testing closed piping systems located in areas that are physically difficult to access and/or without access to a permanent power source.
The pump module 102 is designed to work with a drive module 116 and its associated power supply module 126. In the illustrated embodiment, the pump module 102 is driven by a drive module 116. In various embodiments, the pump module 102 includes a low friction pump 104, a fluid inlet 106, a fluid outlet 108, a pump shaft 110, and an optional extension rod 112 operably connected to the pump shaft 110. The fluid inlet is placed in fluid communication with an external fluid supply 128 (e.g., a fluid supply line or a fluid tank). The extension rod 112 allows the drive shaft 120 to operably connect to the pump module 102 via a connector 122. Various embodiments of the pump module 102 are capable of pressurizing a closed piping system 130 to a pressure in excess of 3.45 bar (50 psi) when driven by the battery powered motor 118. In some embodiments, the pump module 102 is capable of pressurizing a closed piping system to a pressure in excess of 10.34 bar (150 psi) when driven by the battery powered motor 118. In some embodiments, the pump module 102 is capable of pressurizing a closed piping system to a pressure in excess of 13.79 bar (200 psi) when driven by the battery powered motor 118. One suitable type of low friction pump 104 for use in the pump module 102 is a rotary vane pump. In some embodiments, the low friction pump is self-priming. In various embodiments, the pump module is housed in an enclosure and has an externally accessible fluid inlet, an externally accessible fluid outlet, and an externally accessible extension rod or pump shaft.
In various embodiments, the drive module 116 includes an independent, portable, battery powered motor 118 that selectively connects to the pump shaft 110, either directly or indirectly, and actuates the pump module 102. In other embodiments, the drive module 116 includes a motor 118 contained carried in an enclosure that is selectively attached to the pump module to form a single operable unit and selectively detached from the pump module for storage. In some embodiments, the drive module is permanently attached to or integrated with the pump module. In various embodiments, the chuck (keyed or keyless), clamp, or other connector operatively connects the drive module to the pump shaft. In other embodiments, a keyed or interlocking connection or coupler is used to operatively connect the pump shaft to the drive shaft.
A power module 126 operatively connects to the drive module to provide power to the motor. In various embodiments, the power module includes one or more batteries. In various embodiments, the batteries of the power module are rechargeable. This allows the portable hydrostatic test pump to be used in areas without electrical utility service and without the need for a generator, which are often large and relatively heavy. In some embodiments, the power module includes a transformer that allows the portable hydrostatic test pump to be used with electrical service (when available). A switch 124 operatively connected to the power module and the motor controls the operation of the motor and, therefore, the operation of the pump.
As one purpose of the portable hydrostatic test pump is to pressurize a previously filled closed piping system to a selected pressure and not to fill the closed piping system, the pressure test pump does not require a connection to a municipal utility or access to a significant amount of fluid (e.g., water). Accordingly, some embodiments of the portable hydrostatic test pump include a reservoir module 228 sized to carry sufficient fluid to pressurize the closed piping system. In some embodiments, the reservoir module is an enclosure that selectively attaches to the pump module and/or other modules to form a single operable unit and selectively detaches for storage. In various embodiments, the reservoir is sized to carry water (or other fluid) with a fluid capacity ranging from approximately 3.79 l (1 gal) to approximately 7.57 l (2 gal). In other embodiments, the reservoir has a fluid capacity ranging from approximately 3.79 l (1 gal) to approximately 37.85 l (10 gal). In other embodiments, the reservoir has a fluid capacity ranging from approximately 7.57 l (2 gal) to approximately 18.93 l (5 gal). In other embodiments, the reservoir has a fluid capacity ranging from approximately 11.36 l (3 gal) to approximately 15.14 l (4 gal).
In various embodiments, the portable hydrostatic test pump includes an enclosure that serves as a carrier for some or all of the other modules of the portable hydrostatic test pump. In some embodiments, one of the modules doubles as the enclosure.
The description and illustration of one or more embodiments provided in this application are not intended to limit or restrict the scope of the invention as claimed in any way. The embodiments, examples, and details provided in this application are considered sufficient to convey possession and enable others to make and use the best mode of claimed invention. The claimed invention should not be construed as being limited to any embodiment, example, or detail provided in this application. Regardless of whether shown and described in combination or separately, the various features (both structural and methodological) are intended to be selectively included or omitted to produce an embodiment with a particular set of features. Having been provided with the description and illustration of the present application, one skilled in the art may envision variations, modifications, and alternate embodiments falling within the spirit of the broader aspects of the general inventive concept embodied in this application that do not depart from the broader scope of the claimed invention.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 61656324 | Jun 2012 | US |
