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(11) | EP 4 105 488 A1 |
| (12) | EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION |
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| (54) | IMPROVED MAINTENANCE IMMERSION PUMP |
| (57) Described is an electronic immersion pump having a main development axis (A) and
comprising a central body (20) and an upper compartment (10), which can be coupled
to said central body (20), wherein the upper compartment (10) is designed for housing
one or more components (17) for the operation of the pump (100); the upper compartment
(10) comprises a barrier (30) at least partially removable to access the interior
of said upper compartment (10) and reach one or more of said components (17) according
to an access direction (B) different from the main development axis (A) of the pump
(100).
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Technical field
[0002] In particular, the invention relates to an electronic immersion pump with an improved layout to allow an easier and faster maintenance.
[0003] The following description will relate to an immersion pump, but it is evident that it must not be considered to be limited to that specific use.
Background art
[0004] The prior art electronic immersion pumps comprise a hollow body, containing one or more impellers possibly interspersed with diffusers and keyed on the shaft of an electric motor, integral with the rotor of this electric motor which is enclosed inside a motor casing which insulates it from the pumping liquid.
[0005] There are also other components subject to wear, usually present in the upper compartment of the pump, such as a condenser, generally of the self-extinguishing type, an electronic board, a non-return valve, etc.
[0006] Here, and throughout the context of the present patent application, the term "upper compartment" means that compartment of the immersion pump which, in use, is less immersed in water or other liquid than the central compartment.
[0007] In this upper compartment, therefore, it is necessary to house all the components that need to remain dry to ensure the correct operation of the pump itself.
[0008] However, in this area there are usually cables, eyebolts for coupling rope pumps, a carrying handle and sometimes also the delivery duct of the pump itself.
[0009] If the removal of one of the above-mentioned wearing components is required, it is generally necessary to remove all cables, eyebolts and the handle, before accessing one of these components for its repair or replacement.
[0010] Among other things, these components are, for reasons of space, arranged one above the other, so it may happen that, in order to replace a component located lower down, it is necessary to firstly remove all the others arranged above, with the obvious relative drawbacks. In fact, after the repair or replacement, it is necessary to reinstall all the components removed with the risk of possible installation errors and a consequent increase in overall repair times.
[0011] Some prior art solutions provide for the creation of a special compartment, outside the area in which the cables and eyebolts are present, resulting in an obvious increase in volume generally formed above, with the risk of collision with the float, for example if the pump is submerged in a small well, as well as a dangerous shift in the center of gravity of the immersion pump. Generally, this can lead to stability problems in the positioning of the pump itself.
[0012] Moreover, immersion products must have a degree of protection according to the IP68 standard, to prevent liquid from entering the areas where the most delicate components are housed. In this case, creating additional accesses for an easier maintenance of the product increases the risk of liquid entry.
Aim of the invention
[0013] The main aim of the invention is to provide an electronic immersion pump which allows the above-mentioned drawbacks to be overcome and, in particular, allows easy and immediate access to the elements subject to wear.
[0014] In detail, an aim of the invention is to provide an immersion pump which allows a quick replacement of the condenser or of other elements subject to wear without requiring the removal of other components.
[0015] Another aim of the invention is to facilitate accessibility to components subject to wear without compromising the protection of the more delicate components against contact with liquids.
Object of the invention
[0016] The object of the invention is thereof an electronic immersion pump having a main development axis, and comprising a central body and an upper compartment that can be coupled to the central body, wherein the upper compartment is designed for housing one or more components for the operation of the pump, wherein the upper compartment comprises a removable barrier for accessing the interior of the upper compartment and reaching one or more of these components, according to an access direction transversal to the main development axis of the pump itself. In this way, advantageously, the maintenance of one or more components accessible through such access means becomes simple and fast.
[0017] In particular, according to the invention, the direction of access can be perpendicular to the main development axis of the pump, making it advantageously possible to access these components from the side.
[0018] According to the invention, sealing members - such as O-rings, a gasket and the like - can be included associated with the removable barrier to prevent the entry of liquids into the upper compartment when the immersion pump is immersed in a liquid, such as water. Thus, advantageously, the IP68 protection of the pump continues to be guaranteed.
[0019] Moreover, according to the invention, the upper compartment can have a first compartment accessible through the removable barrier, so that only a part of the components present in the upper compartment is accessible through this transversal access.
[0020] Again, according to the invention, the first compartment can be sized in such a way as to receive and maintain the component in a fixed position. This can be achieved, for example, by means of special shapes and dimensions that do not allow movement of the component. Advantageously, therefore, the component subject to wear remains oriented so that it can be easily extracted once the removable barrier has been removed.
[0021] Furthermore, according to the invention, the first compartment can be insulated in a self-extinguishing manner, so that any flame goes out inside this compartment, affecting exclusively the component housed therein, subject to wear and replacement, without compromising other fundamental components of the pump.
[0022] Furthermore, according to the invention, the component can be a capacitor, and the removable barrier can be positioned in correspondence with this capacitor.
[0023] Again according to the invention, the access means can comprise a plurality of removable barriers, so that the seal is guaranteed even after the removal and/or accidental breaking of a first barrier.
[0024] Lastly, according to the invention, the upper compartment can have at least a second compartment accessible through the access means, insulated from the first compartment, to allow the housing of a second component subject to wear, according to the housing methods of the first, but separately from the latter. Advantageously, the removable barriers can each be arranged in correspondence with a respective compartment.
Brief description of drawings
[0025] The invention will now be described by way of non-limiting example according to some of its preferred embodiments, with the aid of the attached drawings, in which:
Figure 1 is a front view of the pump according to the invention;
Figure 2 is a side view of the pump of Figure 1;
Figure 3 is an enlarged detail of the pump of Figure 1, in a first position;
Figure 4 shows the detail of Figure 3, in a second position;
Figure 5 shows the detail of Figure 3, in a third position;
Figure 6 shows the detail of Figure 3, in a fourth position.
Detailed description
[0026] The similar parts will be indicated in the various drawings with the same numerical references.
[0027] Figures 1-2 show an immersion pump 100 equipped with a main development axis A, and with an upper compartment 10.
[0028] Following the main development axis A of the pump 100, the upper compartment 10 is connected, at a first end 11, to the central body 20. At the second end 12, opposite the first end 11, the upper compartment has the cable 13 for connection to the float 14, gripping means 15 and other upper protections 16.
[0029] Transversely to the development axis A of the pump 100, there is a first cover 30, the details of which are visible in figures 3-5, which is described below.
[0030] The cover 30 is fixed to the upper compartment 10 by means of removable fixing means, for example screws 31 or the like. The first cover 30 comprises sealing means 32, preferably an O-ring, which make it possible to guarantee the required IP68 degree of protection.
[0031] According to some variants of the invention, not shown in the drawings, the cover can be hinged to the upper compartment and be only partially removable, so as to allow access to at least a part of the interior of the upper compartment. Moreover, as an alternative to the cover, another type of removable barrier may be present, such as for example a hatch, a cap or the like.
[0032] Inside the upper compartment 10, in correspondence with the cover 30, there is a container 33, insulated from the rest of the upper compartment 10 and preferably with the main development axis B transversal to the main development axis A of the pump 100.
[0033] This container 33 is sized so as to house a component of the pump 100 subject to wear, such as a condenser, and preferably to keep it in a fixed position.
[0034] This allows the element subject to wear to be maintained in a predefined fixed position, avoiding shocks and unwelcome noises.
[0035] Preferably, the container 33 has a second cover 34 (Figures 4 and 5), which is able to advantageously ensure the self-extinguishing insulation from the rest of the upper compartment 10, which is necessary to house some components 17 subject to wear and combustion, such as a condenser.
[0036] This advantageously allows a protection of the rest of the pump 100 to be obtained against a possible fire of the condenser, also in the case in which the use of a non-self-extinguishing condenser 17 has been chosen, with an obvious saving in the production of the pump.
[0037] Moreover, the transversal access solution solves the above-mentioned limit to accessibility from above.
[0038] According to preferred variants of the invention, the pump can also comprise a second or more transversal accesses for separately accessing each of the different components subject to wear.
[0039] For example, the transversal accesses can all be protected by the first cover 30, and then each have an individual removable barrier (of the type of the second cover 34 shown in Figures 4 and 5) so as to insulate the respective compartments designed to house a different component subject to wear.
[0040] In other words, it is possible to provide a division of the upper compartment 10 into a plurality of compartments, preferably each one insulated from the other in a self-extinguishing manner, to house other components subject to wear and accessible according to the direction B which according to the present embodiment is transversal to the main development axis of the pump. According to other embodiments, the access direction B (shown in Figure 2) may not be transversal to the main development axis A of the immersion pump 100.
[0041] Moreover, the covers of the respective compartments may be present and - to protect them from the outside - a single overall cover.
[0042] Alternatively, the above-mentioned plurality of compartments can be accessible from different points of the external surface of the upper compartment of the pump, according to different directions, all transversal to the main development axis of the pump itself.
[0043] Operationally, as can be seen in the sequence of Figures 3-6, the operator who is preparing to carry out maintenance on the immersion pump 100, initially acts on the screws 31. These, once removed, allow removal of the first cover 30, to which the O-ring 32 is integral (Figure 3).
[0044] At this point, it is possible to act on the second cover 34 of the compartment 33 which, according to the preferred embodiment shown in the drawings, has a Snap-On closing mechanism, which is sufficient for self-extinguishing insulation (Figure 4).
[0045] When the second cover 34 has also been removed (Figure 5), the condenser 17 inside it is accessible and it is possible to remove it (Figure 6). Once the replacement and/or the other necessary maintenance operations have been carried out, it is possible to close the second cover 34 and subsequently the first cover 30, so that the tightening of the screws 31 produces a pressure by the first cover 30 on the O-ring 32 and on the corresponding stop of the access hole on the surface of the upper compartment 10, so as to restore the seal necessary for the IP68 protection.
[0046] The invention described may be modified and adapted in several ways without thereby departing from the scope of the inventive concept.
[0048] Lastly, the components used, providing they are compatible with the specific use, as well as the dimensions, may vary according to requirements and the state of the art.
[0049] Where the characteristics and the techniques mentioned in the following claims are followed by reference signs, the reference signs have been used only with the aim of increasing the intelligibility of the claims themselves and, consequently, the reference signs do not constitute in any way a limitation to the interpretation of each element identified, purely by way of example, by the reference signs.
1. Electronic immersion pump (100), having a main development axis (A) and comprising:
a central body (20); and
an upper compartment (10), which can be coupled to said central body (20), wherein the upper compartment (10) is intended for housing one or more components (17) for the operation of the pump (100);
characterized in that the upper compartment (10) comprises an at least partially removable barrier (30) to access the interior of said upper compartment (10) and reach one or more of said components (17) according to an access direction (B) different from the main development axis (A) of the pump (100).
2. Immersion pump (100) according to the previous claim, characterized in that the access direction (B) is perpendicular to the main development axis (A) of the
pump (100).
3. Immersion pump (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises sealing members (32) such as O-rings, a gasket and the like,
associated with said removable barrier (30),
to prevent the entry of liquids into the upper compartment (10) when the immersion pump (100) is immersed in a liquid, such as water.
4. Immersion pump (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the upper compartment (10) has a first section (33) accessible through the removable
barrier (30).
5. Immersion pump (100) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the first section (33) is sized so as to receive and maintain the component (17)
in a fixed position.
6. Immersion pump (100) according to any one of claims 4 or 5, characterized in that the first section (33) is insulated in a self-extinguishing manner.
7. Immersion pump (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the component (17) is a condenser, and in that the removable barrier (30) is placed in correspondence with said condenser (17).
8. Immersion pump (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in comprising a plurality of removable barriers.
9. Immersion pump (100) according to the preceding claim, characterized
in that the upper compartment (10) has a plurality of sections, and
in that said removable barriers are each arranged in correspondence with a respective section.