[0001] This invention concerns a check valve for controlling the fluid flow from a pump
and specifically a float supported device which controls the pump outlet with reference
to the receiver.
[0002] When pumping of a liquid into a receiver having a changing liquid level, the outlet
pipe from the pumps must end on a level which is somewhat higher than the maximum
level of the receiver to acertain that the liquid does not flow backwards through
the pump when the latter is not working. A disadvantage is that the static head then
is higher, sometimes much higher, than the difference between the levels of the pump
inlet and the receiver.respectively, thus causing considerable energy losses.
[0003] Another method is to provide the outlet pipe with a check valve which prevents the
liquid from flowing back. Such a valve is however very sensitive to strokes and also
demands an essentially horizontal outlet pipe having additional tube losses.
[0004] A third possibility is to arrange the outlet pipe bent in such a way, that its upper
part always is above the liquid level in the receiver, a so-called siphon. Such a
device has however considerable losses and in addition-there may be problems at pump
start if the liquid level in the receiver goes below the outlet of the siphon.
[0005] The problem to arrange the outlet from a pump at an optimum level is solved by help
of a device according to the following claims.
[0006] The invention is described more closely below with reference to the enclosed drawing.
[0007] In the drawing 1 stands for a submersible pump unit having an inlet 2 and an outlet
3. 4 stands for the outlet pipe and 5 an outer telescopic pipe axially movable on
the first pipe. 6 stands for a float and 7 and 8 different liquid levels.
[0008] The submersible pump unit 1 transports the liquid through the pipes 4 and 5. The
buoyancy of the float 6 is so chosen, that the upper end of the pipe 5 is at a suitable
height above the surface 7 to prevent backflow when no pumping takes place. If the
liquid level changes (7'), the end of the pipe 5 is auomatically adjusted, as the
pipe may be moved along the rigid pipe 4.
[0009] During pumping the downhead force from the pumped liquid lowers the float 6 so that
the static head is minimized for each level of the receiver. This means of course
also that the energy losses are minimized which is also accentuated by the fact that
the liquid flows out around the entire periphery of the pipe.
[0010] The advantages of the invention are above all the following:
The static head, that is the distance between the levels 7 (7') and 8, is always minimized.
[0011] The width of the outlet is maximized as the liquid flows out around the entire periphery
of the pipe.
[0012] No outer controlling means are needed.
[0013] The control forces are balanced and independant of the water depth of the receiver.
[0014] All forces from the liquid are taken u
p radially.
[0015] The closing time is almost zero.
[0016] No pressure strokes occur.
[0017] The energy losses are minimum.
[0018] In the drawings a submersible, so-called propeller pump is shown. The invention is
however possible to use also in connection with other types of pumps within the scope
of the invention.
1 A device for preventing back flow through the outlet pipe of a pump which pipe ends
in a receiver for pumped medium, characterized in, that it comprises a telescopically
movable pipe (5) on the essentially vertical outlet pipe (4), which pipe (5) is connected
to a float (6) which keeps the upper end of the pipe at a suitable height above the
liquid level of the receiver.
2 A device according to claim 1, characterized in, that the float (6) is so dimensioned
that the force from the outgoing liquid influences on the level of the float such,
that the static head, that is the difference between the levels (7) or (7') and (8),
is minimized.
