Patent Application
20100300986
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to filtration, and more specifically to well water filtration devices, systems and methods.
2. Description of the Related Art
The use of screened or slotted pipes for the extraction of water from water wells is well known. Screened or slotted pipes are presently being made from a variety of raw materials. These raw material formats that are processed to form a pipe product, and then slotted or screened for use in water extraction all have disadvantages. Metal pipes used in this manner tend to be heavy and deteriorate quickly in the water well environment. This can lead to a potential weakness in the vertical pipe column or allow detritus to build up on the rust and thus harbor potential bacteria. Screened or slotted plastic pipes use a single pipe with a screened or slotted pipe wall tend to allow external materials smaller than the screen or slot size to pass through into the water distribution system.
Screening or slotting of pipes develops a tradeoff between making many cuts as possible to allow significant water flow through the slots, while at the same time not reducing the strength of the pipe by decreasing the amount of material in its construction and minimizing the slot size so as not to allow external material to pass through into the water distribution system.
One aspect of an embodiment of the invention includes a well filtration device comprising a first pipe (inner base pipe) including a first end having a first thickness and first opening diameter, a second end having a second thickness and a second opening diameter, and many openings through a portion of the first pipe. The well filtration device includes a second pipe (outer cover pipe) comprising a first end having a third thickness and a third opening diameter, a second end having the third thickness and the third opening diameter, many openings throughout the second pipe, and reinforcement portions throughout the second pipe. The second pipe (outer cover pipe) is configured to attach over the first pipe (inner base pipe) to allow filtration of a liquid.
Another aspect of an embodiment of the invention provides a well filtration system. The system comprising many first pipes (inner base pipes). Each first pipe (inner base pipe) comprises a first end having a first thickness and first opening diameter, a second end having a second thickness and a second opening diameter, and many openings through a portion of the first pipe. The system further comprising many second pipes (outer cover pipes). Each second pipe (outer cover pipe) comprising a first end having a third thickness and a third opening diameter, a second end having the third thickness and the third opening diameter, many openings throughout the second pipe (outer cover pipe), and reinforcement portions throughout the second pipe (outer cover pipe). The second pipe (outer cover pipe) is configured to couple over the first pipe (inner base pipe) to allow filtration of a liquid.
Yet another aspect of an embodiment of the invention provides a well filtration method. The method includes forming many filtration units by attaching many first pipes (inner base pipes) with many second pipes (outer cover pipes). The filtration units are connected together to form a contiguous filtration pipe. A guide shoe is connected to a first end of the filtration pipe. The filtration pipe is inserted into a well containing liquid. A suction means is attached to a second end of the filtration pipe. The liquid is filtered through the filtration pipe. Each first pipe (inner base pipe) includes a first end having a first thickness and first opening diameter, a second end having a second thickness and a second opening diameter, and many openings through a portion of the first pipe. Each second pipe (outer cover pipe) includes a first end having a third thickness and a third opening diameter, a second end having the third thickness and the third opening diameter, many openings throughout the second pipe (outer cover pipe), and reinforcement portions throughout the second pipe (outer cover pipe).
Other aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, which, when taken in conjunction with the drawings, illustrate by way of example the principles of the invention.
For a fuller understanding of the nature and advantages of the invention, as well as a preferred mode of use, reference should be made to the following detailed description read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
The following description is made for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention and is not meant to limit the inventive concepts claimed herein. Further, particular features described herein can be used in combination with other described features in each of the various possible combinations and permutations. Unless otherwise specifically defined herein, all terms are to be given their broadest possible interpretation including meanings implied from the specification as well as meanings understood by those skilled in the art and/or as defined in dictionaries, treatises, etc. The description may disclose several preferred embodiments for well filtration systems, devices, and methods, as well as operation and/or component parts thereof. While the following description will be described in terms of well filtration devices, systems and methods for clarity and placing the invention in context, it should be kept in mind that the teachings herein may have broad application to all types of systems, devices and applications.
One embodiment of the invention provides a well filtration device comprising a first pipe (inner base pipe) including a first end having a first thickness and first opening diameter, a second end having a second thickness and a second opening diameter, and many openings through a portion of the first pipe. The well filtration device includes a second pipe (outer cover pipe) comprising a first end having a third thickness and a third opening diameter, a second end having the third thickness and the third opening diameter, many openings throughout the second pipe, and reinforcement portions throughout the second pipe (outer cover pipe). The second pipe (outer cover pipe) is configured to attach over the first pipe (inner base pipe) to allow filtration of a liquid.
In one embodiment of the invention, end 101 includes a female socket, where the outer section of the socket is in the range of 100-150 mm in length, and preferably 130 mm in length. In this embodiment of the invention, the formed female socket at end 101 is cut internally in the socket with a thread 102. In this embodiment of the invention the dimensions of the thread at end 101 may be any dimension taken from a variety of international specifications for such or from specific parameters designed to enhance tensile and compression strength performance.
At end 103 of the inner base pipe 100 a thread 110 is cut on the outer portion of the inner base pipe 100. The thread on the end 103 is configured to allow other inner pipes 100 to be connected (i.e., screwed) together to form a tight and resolute joint. In one embodiment of the invention the thread 110 at end 103 is in the range of 100-150 mm in length, and preferably 130 mm in length, and sized to match the thread 102 of end 101. The inner base pipe 100 is then drilled, screened or slotted in such a manner as to form a set pattern of cuts 104, which allow significant water throughput while maintaining maximum integrity of pipe tensile and compression strength. In one embodiment of the invention slot cut dimensions in length and width can be set to a variety of sizes to accommodate water well parameters and water flow. In some embodiments of the invention, screen or slot 104 patterns may be vertical, horizontal, a combination of vertical and horizontal, vary in shape (e.g., square, rectangular, polygonal, oval, round, etc.), vary in diameter, vary in length, vary in size, vary in number of slots, vary in spacing between slots, vary in groupings of patterns, etc. depending on well parameters. In one embodiment of the invention the slots 104 are sized to maintain maximum water throughput while retaining strength.
The dimension of length and width of slots or cuts 105 can be set to a variety of sizes to accommodate water well filter parameter and water flow. In some embodiments of the invention, the screen or slot 105 pattern may be vertical, horizontal, a combination of vertical and horizontal, vary in shape (e.g., square, rectangular, polygonal, oval, etc.), vary in diameter, vary in length, vary in size, vary in number of slots, vary in spacing between slots, vary in pattern grouping, etc. depending on well filtering parameters. In one embodiment of the invention the slots 105 are sized to maintain the finest filter characteristics against external particulate contents for the particular well.
In one embodiment of the invention the external covering pipe 107 has reinforcement ribs 106 that may have an internal size that slides over internal base pipe 100 creating an equidistant annular gap 109 all around the internal base pipe 100 and at the same time add support for external cover pipe 107 against internal base pipe 100 in order to handle external loads and pressure within the well assembly. The internal diameter of external cover pipe 107 reinforcement ribs 106 is set at a dimension so that the external cover pipe 107 slides over the inner base pipe 100 with an equidistant gap 109 all around the inner base pipe 100. The gap 109 is then sealed at both ends with closing end rings 108. Thus threaded, screened or slotted and installed pipes are then screwed together and placed into a water well to form a strong pipe column which is gradually lowered down into the well until the formed pipe reaches the required depth. In one embodiment of the invention the end rings 108 may be welded onto the inner base pipe 100 and the external cover pipe 107 to seal the ends of the external cover pipe 107 and may also further attach the external cover pipe 107 to the inner base pipe 100. In one embodiment of the invention the end rings 108 may be made of compounded UPVC material of same specific gravity as these pipes. In other embodiments of the invention, the end rings 108 may be made of other similar materials, such as Steel, GRP, ABS, PP, etc. as per material chosen for internal base pipe and external cover pipe.
In one embodiment of the invention, well water containing particulate matter (not shown) will encounter the outer cover pipe 107 slots 105. The slots 105 will prevent even minute particles from entering through the outer cover pipe 107. As filtered water enters through the outer cover pipe 107, the annular gap 109 allows it to accumulate and maintain water volume sufficient enough for water throughput according to a particular water well environment. Unlike prior art filters which only include one pipe wall that has to filter the water allowing water throughput according to a water well environment through slotting of this pipe forces one to develop a trade off with its strength, the water well filter system 900 comprises fine level of filtering between the exterior of the outer cover pipe 107 and the interior of the inner base pipe 100 with maximum water throughput while still retaining its strength for assembly into deep water well. Moreover, the outer cover pipe filtering design of water well filter system 900 allows its fine size slot machining, thus filtering of even minute external particle while retaining the system strength jointly with inner base pipe 100 is achieved.
In block 1040 the filtration pipe (e.g., filtration pipe system 900 shown in
The embodiments of the invention overcome the disadvantages of the prior art by combing pipe strength, light weight materials, significant water flow throughout, fine external material filtering qualities, long life, the reduction of potential detritus buildup due to pipe deterioration and the ability to be formed from a base material that can be recycled.
Therefore, it can be appreciated that the water well filter 1010 provides more extensive and effective filtering, which leads to cleaner water than prior art filters. Since the outer pipe 107, inner pipe 100, sealing rings 108 all comprise of UPVC, the various components will not mix or react chemically with each other. Also, since UPVC can be recycled, the use of UPVC leads to greater efficiency and less expense in the manufacturing of the water well filters 1010. Furthermore, UPVC will not react or undergo detritus as a result of prolonged contact with water. Being low in density, UPVC is lighter in weight, and yet more durable, than metal, thus making the water well filter 1010 easier to use and longer lasting
Reference in the specification to “an embodiment,” “one embodiment,” “some embodiments,” or “other embodiments” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiments is included in at least some embodiments, but not necessarily all embodiments. The various appearances of “an embodiment,” “one embodiment,” or “some embodiments” are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiments. If the specification states a component, feature, structure, or characteristic “may,” “might,” or “could” be included, that particular component, feature, structure, or characteristic is not required to be included. If the specification or claim refers to “a” or “an” element, that does not mean there is only one of the element. If the specification or claims refer to “an additional” element, that does not preclude there being more than one of the additional element.
While certain exemplary embodiments have been described and shown in the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that such embodiments are merely illustrative of and not restrictive on the broad invention, and that this invention not be limited to the specific constructions and arrangements shown and described, since various other modifications may occur to those ordinarily skilled in the art.
