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(11) | EP 3 208 463 A1 |
| (12) | EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION |
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| (54) | IMPROVED MOTOR PUMP |
| (57) The motor pump (1) comprises: a combustion engine (2) provided with a cooling device
(3), a pump (4) driven by the engine (2), a delivery device (10, 12) which is in fluid
communication with the pump (4), the cooling device (3) comprising a cooling circuit
(31) into which a working fluid flows, wherein said cooling circuit (31) passes into
the delivery device (10, 12), so as to cool the fluid.
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[0001] The object of the present invention is an improved motor pump, specially designed for use in the agricultural sector for farmland irrigation.
[0003] There are known motor pumps that comprise a combustion engine and a pump driven by the engine, and that are mounted for example on a wheeled transport chassis.
[0004] The pump is used to suck irrigation water, for example from a well, and to deliver it under pressure to a pipe that supplies an irrigation device or other devices.
[0005] The combustion engine of the motor pump needs to be cooled during use, which currently takes place using a radiator and a fan, which is powered by the energy produced by the engine.
[0007] Therefore, the technical task underlying the present invention is to offer a motor pump that is capable of overcoming the drawbacks of the prior art. The technical task is achieved by the motor pump realized in accordance with claim 1 and by the method implemented according to claim 13. Further characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the approximate and thus non-limiting description of a preferred, but not exclusive, embodiment of a motor pump according to the invention, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, of which:
- Figure 1 is a schematic view of the motor pump of the invention; and
- Figure 2 is a schematic view of a portion of the motor pump of Figure 1 in which a cooling device for cooling the engine of the motor pump is shown in a stylized manner.
[0008] With reference to the figures cited, a motor pump according to the invention is indicated by the number 1.
[0009] The proposed motor pump 1 is specially designed for use in the agricultural sector for the irrigation of farmland and it can be functionally associated with an irrigation device or another device located downstream. However, the motor pump 1 of the invention can be employed in other applications, for example for drafting wastewater for the purpose of extinguishing fires, or suchlike.
[0010] Herein below, for the purposes of simplifying exposition and without loss of generality, reference is made to the particular case of the use of the motor pump for irrigation purposes.
[0011] The motor pump 1 includes a combustion engine 2 provided with at least one cooling device 3 (schematized view in Figure 2) and an irrigation pump 4, for example a centrifugal type of pump, which is driven by the engine 2.
[0012] The motor pump 1 of the invention is preferably equipped with a wheeled chassis 5 for supporting and transporting at least the engine 2, the pump 4 and the cited cooling device 3.
[0013] The invention preferentially comprises a suction conduit 6, which is in communication with the inside of the pump and fixed to or integrated into the pump 4.
[0014] This suction conduit 6 is suitable for being connected to a pipe 7 for drawing irrigation water from a source 8 (such as the well appearing in a schematized view in Figure 1) or from an external water tank. Preferentially, the invention includes a one-way valve 9, such as a swing-type check valve, that is suitable for allowing water to enter the pump 4 through the suction conduit 6 and for preventing water from exiting the pump 4 via the suction conduit 6.
[0015] The valve 9, which is represented in a stylized manner in the attached figures, can be housed in the suction conduit 6; the use of this one-way valve 9 is defined in further detail below, in the description of the operation of the invention.
[0016] In a preferred embodiment, the motor pump 1 of the invention shown in the attached drawings comprises a delivery conduit 10 that is set in communication with the inside of the pump 4, and fixed to or integrated into the pump 4.
[0017] The delivery conduit 10 is suitable for connection to an irrigation pipe 11, which, for example, supplies the irrigation water to the irrigation device or to other devices.
[0018] Moreover, in this preferred embodiment, a tank 12 is also provided and it is set in communication with the pump 4 and/or the delivery conduit 10.
[0019] In this case, the delivery conduit 10 and the tank 12 define, together, a delivery device 10, 12.
[0020] In more general terms, the invention comprises the use of a delivery device 10, 12 that is in fluid communication with the pump 4 and it is suitable for supplying irrigation water downstream of the motor pump 1.
[0021] This device 10, 12 can comprise the delivery conduit 10 and/or the tank 12 and/or an irrigation pipe, or it can have alternative configurations as long as they fall within the scope of the inventive concept disclosed herein.
[0022] In any case, the delivery device 10, 12 defines, partly or entirely, a fluid flow path of the irrigation water that is pumped out from pump 4.
[0023] In general, the delivery device 10, 12 can be joined to the pump 4, as in the example shown in the attached figures, or integrated into the pump 4 or even connected to it by means of an intermediate element. Preferentially, the delivery device 10, 12 is located at a height that is higher than the suction conduit 6. However, this configuration is not obligatory.
[0024] According to an important aspect of the invention, the cooling device 3 comprises a cooling circuit 31 into which a working fluid flows, for example a liquid, wherein the circuit passes into said delivery device 10, 12, as shown in Figure 2.
[0025] In practice, the path of the cooling circuit 31 enters and exits the delivery device 10, 12, so that an internal section 33 "inside" said device 10, 12 intercepts the delivery (i.e., exiting) fluid flow path of the irrigation water, so as to allow the working fluid and thus the engine 2 to be cooled.
[0026] In practice, together with other components of the cooling device 3 (e.g. a radiator 32 of the engine 2 or similar components), the circuit defines a heat exchanger that cools the endothermic engine 2 of the motor pump 1. In other words, the engine 2 of the proposed motor pump 1 is cooled by water exiting from the pump 4 and the water is at a relatively low temperature, especially if it originates from a well 8.
[0027] In this manner, the proposed motor pump 1 does not require the use of fans, as it was in the prior art, or other energy-intensive cooling systems.
[0028] The cooling circuit 31 can be defined by a pipe that has a first branch, which departs from the engine 2 and reaches the cited internal section 33 contained in the delivery device 10, 12, and a second branch that departs from this internal section and returns to the engine 2.
[0029] Preferentially, the cooling circuit 31 passes within the above-mentioned tank 12. However, a version in which the circuit 31 passes within the delivery conduit 10 is possible.
[0030] In any case, the internal section 33 of the cooling circuit 31 can have a coil-like configuration or other configurations suitable for optimizing heat exchange.
[0031] A particular embodiment of the invention, specially devised to be used with a centrifugal pump 4, is disclosed herein below.
[0032] In particular, this embodiment comprises a particular procedure for making the pump 4 of the invention self-priming.
[0034] In this case, the invention comprises a valve 13 that can be a manual or electrically actuated valve, so as to allow/inhibit communication between the device 10, 12 and the suction conduit 6.
[0035] Preferentially, this channel 14 joins the tank 12 to the suction conduit 6 and the water can pass through it by virtue of gravity, providing that the valve 13 cited is open. In fact, as mentioned above, the delivery device 10, 12 is preferably located at a height that is higher than the suction conduit 6.
[0036] In further detail, the above-mentioned valve 13 can be included in the tank 12, preferably within a sleeve 15 connected to the return channel 14 (see the attached figures).
[0037] For an understanding of the advantages and operation of this embodiment, it should be noted that in order to operate effectively, centrifugal irrigation pumps must have a minimum amount of water internally, that is, in the cavity in which the turbine is active, with which the turbine "works".
[0038] Initially, prior to start-up, the tank 12 internally comprises a volume of water substantially equal to that which can be contained in the pump 4, and the valve 13 for the return channel 14 is closed.
[0039] In a first step, the valve 13 regulating the passage of water into the return channel 14 opens, so that the water descends into the above-mentioned suction conduit 6 and from there it enters the pump 4.
[0040] In fact, the above-mentioned one-way valve 9 prevents the water in the tank 12 from exiting through the suction conduit 6 or, in any case, from flowing out of the motor pump 1.
[0042] In this manner, the pump 4 begins operation with an effectiveness that is partial, but sufficient to begin pumping out air mixed with water.
[0043] While the air is expelled through the delivery device 10, 12 (and particularly through the delivery conduit 10, if present), the water recirculates by virtue of gravity through the return channel 14, as it is heavier and not yet subjected to the maximum pressure of the pump 4.
[0044] During this priming step, the pump 4 begins to create the vacuum internally, which will enable to draw water from the outside through the suction conduit 6.
[0046] The invention can also comprise a processing unit (or "control unit") for automating the operation of the motor pump 1, particularly with reference to activating and regulating the operation of the engine 2.
[0047] In this case, the valve 13 that enables the passage of water into the return channel 14 can consist of a solenoid valve or, in any case, a valve controlled by the control unit and moreover, the use of a pressure switch is preferably comprised, said pressure switch being located for example in the delivery device 10, 12 and connected to the control unit.
[0048] Furthermore, in this version of the invention, the control unit can comprise a control module configured to start a programmed start-up cycle for starting up the motor pump 1, upon a command given by a user, preferably after a start-up signal has been received.
[0049] This start-up signal can be transmitted at radiofrequencies, for example by means of a mobile device. In this case, the control module comprises an antenna and management logic for managing radio signals according to the GSM and UMTS standards, or according to the TCP/IP protocol, etc.
[0051] The user commands the starting-up of the motor pump 1, for example by means of a call via the mobile device, or other means.
[0052] The control unit opens the valve 13 that controls the passage of water into the return channel 14 and then starts the engine 2.
[0053] When the pressure switch detects that the pressure of the irrigation water has reached or exceeded a threshold, for example 1 - 1.5 bar, the control unit commands the closure of the valve 13 for the return channel 14.
[0054] At this point, the control unit commands the engine 2 so that it drives the pump 4 up to the desired pressure, which can be pre-programmed or set by the user by means of interface means located on board the motor pump 1 (in the form of displays, keypads, etc.) or by means of mobile devices or the Internet.
1. A motor pump (1) comprising a combustion engine (2) provided with at least one cooling
device (3) and a pump (4) driven by the engine (2), characterized in that it comprises at least one delivery device (10, 12) which is in fluid communication
with the pump (4), said cooling device (3) comprising a cooling circuit (31) into
which a working fluid flows, wherein said cooling circuit (31) passes into said delivery
device (10, 12), so as to cool said fluid.
2. The motor pump (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein said delivery device
(10, 12) comprises at least one delivery conduit (10) connectable to an irrigation
pipe (11).
3. The motor pump (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims, comprising at
least one suction conduit (6) connectable to a pipe for drawing water from a source
or an external tank.
4. The motor pump (1) according to the preceding claim, comprising a one-way valve (9)
that is suitable for allowing water to enter the pump (4) through the suction conduit
(6) and for preventing water from exiting the pump 4 via the suction conduit (6).
5. The motor pump (1) according to claim 3 or claim 4, wherein said delivery device (10,
12) is connected to said suction conduit (6) via a return channel (14), and wherein
a valve (13) is provided to allow/inhibit the communication between the device and
the suction conduit (6).
6. The motor pump (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein said
delivery device (10, 12) comprises a tank (12).
7. The motor pump (1) according to claims 5 and 6, wherein said return channel (14) connects
said tank (12) to the suction conduit (6).
8. The motor pump (1) according to claim 6 or claim 7, wherein said cooling circuit (31)
passes within said tank (12).
9. The motor pump (1) according to at least one of claims 2 to 8, wherein said cooling
circuit (31) passes within said delivery conduit (10).
10. The motor pump (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein said
pump (4) is of the centrifugal type.
11. The motor pump (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims, comprising a
processing unit configured to automatically activate and regulate the operation of
the engine (2).
12. The motor pump (1) according to the preceding claim and claim 5, wherein said valve
(13) is subject to the control of said processing unit.
13. A method for cooling the combustion engine (2) of a motor pump (1) provided with a
pump (4), comprising the following steps:
providing a working fluid for cooling said engine (2);
cooling said working fluid by means of water exiting from said pump (4).