Technical Field
[0001] The present invention relates to a pump for circulating or removing heavy liquids,
such as mud, sludge, or slurry from a pit or tank.
Summary of the Invention
[0002] The invention provides a pit pump having a submersible hydraulic drive motor, a pump,
and a bearing block assembly. The pump has a body, a fluid inlet in the body, a fluid
outlet in the body, and an impeller operatively positioned in the body, whereby fluid
can be pumped between the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet. The bearing block assembly
operatively connects the hydraulic drive motor to the impeller of the pump, whereby
the submersible hydraulic drive motor is spaced apart from the pump.
Brief Description of the Drawings
[0003] The accompanying drawings are incorporated into and form a part of the specification
to illustrate several examples of the present inventions. These drawings together
with the description serve to explain the principals of the invention. The drawings
are only for the purpose of illustrating preferred and alternative examples of how
the invention can be made and used and are not to be construed as limiting the invention
to only the illustrated and described examples. The various advantages and features
of the present invention will be apparent from a consideration of the drawings in
which:
FIGURE 1 is an exploded view of a pit pump according to the presently most-preferred
embodiment of the invention.
Detailed Description of Presently Most-preferred Embodiments of the Invention
[0004] As used herein, the word fluid includes any fluid that can be pumped, including heaving
liquids such as mud, sludge, and slurry.
[0005] The present invention will be described by referring to drawings of apparatus and
methods of use showing various examples of how the invention can be made and used.
Referring to Figure 1 of the drawing, a pit pump according to the invention is illustrated.
According to the presently most-preferred embodiment of the invention, the pit pump
generally includes a hydraulic drive motor 3, a bearing block assembly 7, and a pump
28.
[0006] The illustrated pit pump is for a 3" or 4" pump size, but as can be appreciated by
those skilled in the art, is substantially representative of any convenient size,
such as a 6" pump size. The overall size and weight of the pit pump is still convenient
for ease of putting the pump in a pit or tank or retrieving it from the pit or tank
as needed.
[0007] The hydraulic drive motor 3 is preferably provided with appropriate hydraulic fittings
24, each of which is equipped with an appropriate quick coupler, such as a ½" quick
coupler (male) 23, and a ½" quick coupler (female) 25. The quick couplers can be used
to quickly attach or remove appropriate hydraulic hoses to supply the hydraulic fluid
for operating the drive motor 3. The use of a hydraulic drive motor 3 is much safer
than the use of an electrical motor, eliminating the risk of spark or fire associated
with electrically-operated equipment.
[0008] The pump 28 has a pump body 20, which preferably includes a pump lid 12. The pump
lid 12 is sealed with the pump body 20 with an appropriate seal, such as a 1/8" neoprene
rubber gasket 15. The pump lid 12 can be removably secured to the rest of the pump
body 20 using, for example, a plurality of ½" x 1-1/4" UNC bolts 10 with ½" SAE washers
11. The lid 12 of the pump body allows the interior of the pump to be accessible for
assembly and maintenance of the pump.
[0009] The interior of the pump body 20 has an appropriate fluid inlet port (not shown)
that is spaced apart from an appropriate fluid outlet 29. The pump body 20 also provides
an appropriate impeller cavity 30 for positioning an impeller 18 for rotational movement
within the pump body 20. The impeller 18 is adapted for rotation within the impeller
cavity 30. Upon rotation of the impeller, it draws fluid through the inlet port and
expels it through the outlet port 29. The pump body 20 and the impeller 18 can be
made of any metal or plastic material that has sufficient strength and toughness for
the desired application. According to the presently most-preferred embodiment, the
pump body and impeller are made of a strong metal material, such as an iron based
material.
[0010] According to the presently most-preferred embodiment of the invention, the inlet
port is positioned on a lower facing surface of the pump body 20, and the pump body
20 preferably has a plurality of downwardly extending tabs 31 to help prevent the
fluid inlet port from becoming blocked by the bottom of the pit or tank on which the
pit pump rests. So long as the pump 28 can be primed, the inlet port can be, but does
not need to be at the very bottom of the pit or tank.
[0011] According to the presently most-preferred embodiment of the invention, the outlet
port 29 has an appropriate adapter portion, which can be used for connecting pipe
or flexible conduit, for transferring fluid away from the pump and out of the pit
or tank. A reliable and appropriate connector for removably attaching pipe or conduit
to the adapter portion in a heavy liquid environment includes, for example, a camlock
19.
[0012] The pump body 20 is preferably provided with one or two handles, such as handles
32 connected to the pump lid 12. Such handles 32 allow the pit pump to be easily grasped
and carried. Such handles can also be useful for fishing the pit pump out of a mud
pit with a pole and hook.
[0013] The bearing block assembly 7 operatively connects the hydraulic drive motor 3 to
the impeller 18 of the pump 28, whereby the submersible hydraulic drive motor 3 is
connected to but spaced apart from the pump 28. According to the presently-most preferred
embodiment of the invention, the bearing block assembly 7 is at least about 6 inches
long, which helps provide an adequate length of isolation between the pump and the
hydraulic drive motor.
[0014] According to the presently most-preferred embodiment, the bearing block assembly
7 includes a bearing housing 7a and a drive shaft 7b operatively positioned for rotational
movement within the bearing housing 7a, whereby rotational movement can be transferred
from the hydraulic drive motor 3 to the impeller 18 of the pump 28. The drive shaft
7b is operatively mounted for rotational movement on bearings (not shown) in the bearing
housing 7a. The drive shaft 7b is adapted to be operatively connected at one end thereof
to the rotational output of the hydraulic drive motor 3, and adapted to be operatively
connected at the other end thereof to the impeller 18.
[0015] The bearing block assembly 7 and the hydraulic drive motor 3 are removably secured
together using, for example, a plurality of ½" x 3/4" UNC bolts 1 with ½" SAE washers
2. Depending on the relative sizes of the parts involved, adapters, such as splined
adapter 4, splined spacer 5, and spacer plate 6, can be appropriately used for operatively
adapting the rotational output of the hydraulic drive motor 3 and the upper end of
the drive shaft 7b of the bearing block assembly 7.
[0016] The bearing block assembly 7 and the lid 12 of the pump body 20 are removably secured
together using, for example, a plurality of ½" x 3/4" UNC bolts 13 with ½" SAE washers
14. According to the presently most-preferred embodiment of the invention, a silicone
sealant 33 is used to help seal the connection between the bearing block assembly
7 and the lid 12 of the pump body 20.
[0017] The lower end of the drive shaft 7b of the bearing block assembly 7 is adapted to
connect to and drive the impeller 18. According to the presently-most preferred embodiment,
a 1/4" x 2" square key 17 is positioned between the lower end of the drive shaft 7b
and the impeller 18, which causes the impeller 18 to rotate with the drive shaft 7b
of the bearing block assembly 7. The impeller 18 is retained on the lower end of the
drive shaft 7b using, for example, a UNC crown nut 21 and a cotter pin 22. Depending
on the relative sizes of the parts involved, an adapter or spacer, such as 1" SAE
washer 16, can be appropriately used for operatively adapting the lower end of the
drive shaft 7b and the impeller 18.
[0018] Of major importance is that the rotational movement of the drive shaft 7b within
the bearing block assembly 7 be well lubricated. According to the presently most-preferred
embodiment of the invention, a grease nipple 9 and a bleeder nipple 8 are provided
in the bearing housing 7a for maintaining adequate grease lubrication within the bearing
block assembly 7.
[0019] The bearing block assembly 7 is most-preferably lubricated with a multi-purpose,
extreme-pressure ("E.P."), water-resistant, and high-temperature grease. Such a grease
is suitable for wet and hot applications, preferably specified up to +300°F.
[0020] At the high local temperatures associated with metal-to-metal contact, an E.P. additive
combines chemically with the metal to form a surface film that prevents the welding
of opposing asperities, and the consequent scoring that is destructive to sliding
surfaces under high loads. Reactive compounds of sulfur, chlorine, or phosphorus are
used to form these inorganic films. A suitable grease includes a "moly" grease. Moly
is short for molybdenum disulfide, a solid lubricant and friction reducer, colloidally
dispersed in some oils and greases. The micron or sub-micron size molybdenum disulfide
(moly) particles tends to bond to the metal surface. This plating action is believed
to improve the metal finish and develop a smoother surface, thus reducing friction.
A presently most-preferred commercially-available grease is Schaeffer's Moly Pure
Ultra 800 E.P., water-resistant, and high-temperature grease.
[0021] The bearing block assembly 7 separates the hydraulic drive motor 3 from the pump
28, making it difficult for water in the fluid or particles in the fluid from getting
through to the hydraulic drive motor 3. Maintaining the proper grease lubrication
in the bearing block assembly 7is simple, and allows the pit pump to operate reliably
and with minimal down time for service or repair.
[0022] The embodiments shown and described above are only exemplary. Many details are often
found in the art, therefore, such details are neither shown nor described. It is not
claimed that all of the details, parts, elements, or steps described and shown were
invented herein. Even though numerous characteristics and advantages of the present
invention have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details
of the structure and function of the invention, the disclosure is illustrative only,
and changes may be made in the detail, especially in matters of shape, size and arrangement
of the parts within the principles of the invention to the full extent indicated by
the broad general meaning of the terms used in the attached claims.
[0023] The restrictive description and drawings of the specific examples above do not point
out what an infringement of this of this patent would be, but are to provide at least
one explanation of how to make and use the invention. The limits of the invention
and the bounds of the patent protection are measured by and defined in the following
claims.
1. A pit pump comprising:
a submersible hydraulic drive motor;
a pump further comprising a body, a fluid inlet in the body, a fluid outlet in the
body, and an impeller operatively positioned in the body, whereby fluid can be pumped
between the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet; and
a bearing block assembly operatively connecting the hydraulic drive motor to the impeller
of the pump, whereby the submersible hydraulic drive motor is spaced apart from the
pump.
2. The pit pump according to Claim 1, wherein the hydraulic drive motor is further provided
with quick coupler fittings for connecting hydraulic fluid lines to the hydraulic
drive motor.
3. The pit pump according to Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein the body of the pump further
comprises a lid portion, whereby the interior of the pump can be accessible for assembly
and maintenance.
4. The pit pump according to any preceding claim, wherein the body of the pump further
comprises at least one handle for grasping or carrying the pit pump.
5. The pit pump according to any preceding claim, wherein the bearing block assembly
is at least about 15.2 cm (6 inches) long, which helps provide an adequate length
of isolation between the pump and the hydraulic drive motor.
6. The pit pump according to any preceding claim, wherein the bearing block assembly
further comprises a housing and a drive shaft operatively positioned for rotational
movement within the housing, whereby rotational movement can be transferred from the
hydraulic drive motor to the impeller of the pump.
7. The pit pump according to any preceding claim, wherein the bearing block assembly
further comprises a grease nipple and bleeder nipple for maintaining grease lubrication
within the bearing block assembly.
8. The pit pump according to any preceding claim, wherein the bearing block assembly
is lubricated with an extreme-pressure, water-resistant, and high temperature grease.