Shallow-Well Pump with Interchangeable Nozzle

Abstract

A jet pump for pumping fluids is disclosed. The jet pump comprises an impeller, a fluid inlet port and a venturi tube having an inlet opening and an outlet opening. The venturi tube is disposed between the fluid inlet port and the impeller. The jet pump further comprises a fluid outlet port, a pump cavity disposed between the impeller and the fluid outlet port, a return cavity and an externally accessible retaining system disposed between the return cavity and the venturi tube. The retaining system is adapted to receive any of a plurality of nozzles of differing orifice dimensions to provide pump outputs according to a respective plurality of pump performance curves.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority of U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/795,213, filed Apr. 25, 2006.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to shallow well jet pumps.

BACKGROUND

Shallow-well jet pumps make up a large number of centrifugal pumps sold in the water systems market today. They are a centrifugal type pump used for moving water in many different applications. Some of these applications include pumping water from a submersible well, transferring water for irrigation purposes, or boosting city water pressure.

The most common pump for a shallow well (a well with up to 25′ depth to water) is a jet pump. Jet pumps are mounted above the well and draw the water up from the well through suction created by the pump's rotating impeller.

As illustrated in the Figures, a jet pump 10 creates greater suction by the use of a nozzle/venturi combination. The pump 10 is powered by an electric motor 12 that rotationally drives an impeller 14 consisting of many radial vanes. The impeller 14 moves water from the well through a narrow orifice, or nozzle, 16 mounted in a housing 18 in front of the impeller 14. This constriction at the nozzle 16 causes the speed of the moving water to increase, much like the nozzle on a garden hose. As the water leaves the nozzle 16, a partial vacuum is created that sucks additional water from the well. Directly behind the nozzle 16 is a venturi tube 20 that gradually increases in diameter. The function of the tube 20 is to slow down the velocity of the water and increase the pressure. The combined pressure of the re-circulated, pressurized water is combined with the water being drawn into the impeller 14, providing additional suction pressure. The relationship between the size and diameter of the nozzle/venturi combination determines the specific operating characteristics of the pump. In other words, a shallow well jet pump uses water to draw water.

Jet pumps are typically manufactured and sold based on their respective horsepower rating. A typical shallow well jet pump will be offered in various horsepower ratings from ⅓ HP to 2 HP. Every respective jet pump will have what is called a performance curve. The performance curve is a chart that plots the pressure a pump generates against the flow at that same point. It is known that any one jet pump will create only one unique performance curve.

According to the present invention, a shallow well jet nozzle arrangement is provided that will allow an end user to easily change the operating characteristics of a pump. As discussed above, every jet pump will have only one performance curve associated with it. This is because both the nozzle and venturi tube (the heart of the jet pump) have a specific size and orientation and are both sealed inside the pump case.

As discussed above, there are many uses and applications for this one type of pump. The user may want to use this pump to pump water out of a well that has a static water level of 25 feet. In this application, the user would want the pump to have a relatively steeper curve, i.e., more pressure and less flow. The user may also buy this pump to boost incoming city water pressure. It is typical in this application to use a pump that has a relatively shallow pump curve, i.e., less pressure and more flow.

The present invention is provided to solve these and other problems.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side view of one embodiment of the invention, shown with a partial cutaway portion to permit illustration of a nozzle.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the embodiment of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a further sectional view of the embodiment of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

While this invention is susceptible of embodiment in many different forms, there will be described herein in detail, specific embodiments thereof with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiments illustrated.

One aspect of this invention is to manufacture a shallow well jet pump 10 that has a simple, externally accessible, user-changeable nozzle system.

The jet pump 10 comprises an impeller 14, a fluid inlet port 15, a venturi tube 20 having an inlet opening 20a and an outlet opening 20b. The venturi tube 20 is disposed between the fluid inlet port 15 and the impeller 14. The jet pump 10 further includes a fluid outlet port 22, a pump cavity 24 disposed between the impeller 14 and the fluid outlet port 22, a return cavity 26, and an externally accessible retaining system 28 disposed between the return cavity 26 and the venturi tube 20. The retaining system 28 is adapted to receive any of a plurality of nozzles 16 of differing orifice dimensions. One nozzle can be removed and another nozzle installed without disassembly of the pump 10 and/or any piping (not shown) associated with the pump 10. Each of the plurality of nozzles 16 provides a pump output according to one of a respective plurality of pump performance curves.

In a preferred embodiment, the retaining system 28 is threaded to receive cooperatively threaded nozzles 16. Additionally the jet pump 10 includes a nozzle access hole 30 to permit access for removing and installing the respective nozzles 16. The jet pump 10 further includes a removable plug 32 for removably plugging the nozzle access hole 30.

The nozzle 16 has a configuration allowing it to be interchanged with a different size nozzle without disassembly of the pump 10. If the nozzle 16 is changed from a standard diameter orifice to a second nozzle 16′ having a larger diameter, the performance curve would become steeper. This would lend itself to be a better performing pump for someone drawing water from a deeper well. If the nozzle 16 is changed from a standard diameter orifice to a smaller diameter, the performance curve would become shallower. This would lend itself to be a better performing pump for someone boosting city water pressure.

The end user will be able to purchase a pump that can be easily modified to meet their specific application. The jet pump 10 can be supplied with one standard nozzle installed and a plurality of others of a different size in the pump box. The nozzle 16 includes an internal drive so that it can easily be removed and replaced with a tool having a conventional toolhead (i.e., allen, star, philips, or the like) without dismantling the pump 10. The fact that the nozzle 16 has an internal drive for ease of installation and removal is another unique feature of this pump. Alternatively the nozzle 16 could have an external drive.

While the preferred embodiment contemplates a threaded retaining system 28, the nozzle 16 could be retained such as by a snap ring, a press fit, an adhesive, or the lbike.

It is also contemplated that there could be a single, adjustable nozzle in the same case.

From the foregoing, it will be observed that numerous variations and modifications may be effected without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is to be understood that no limitation with respect to the specific apparatus illustrated herein is intended or should be inferred. It is, of course, intended to cover by the appended claims all such modifications as fall within the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A jet pump for pumping fluids, the jet pump comprising:

an impeller;

a fluid inlet port;

a venturi tube having an inlet opening and an outlet opening, the venturi tube disposed between the fluid inlet port and the impeller;

a fluid outlet port;

a pump cavity disposed between the impeller and the fluid outlet port;

a return cavity; and

an externally accessible retaining system disposed between the return cavity and the venturi tube, the retaining system adapted to permit removal and replacement of any of a plurality of nozzles of differing orifice dimensions, without disassembly of the pump or associated piping, to provide pump outputs according to a respective plurality of pump performance curves.

2. The jet pump of claim 1 wherein the retaining system is threaded to receive cooperatively threaded nozzles.

3. The jet pump of claim 1 including a nozzle access hole to permit access for removing and installing the respective nozzles.

4. The jet pump of claim 3 including a removable plug for plugging the nozzle access hole.

5. The jet pump of claim 1 wherein the nozzle is configured to receive a toolhead to assist in the installation and removal of the nozzle.

6. A system for providing a jet pump having a pump output according to a plurality of performance curves comprising:

a jet pump including an impeller, a fluid inlet port, a venturi tube having an inlet opening and an outlet opening, the venturi tube disposed between the fluid inlet port and the impeller, a fluid outlet port, a pump cavity disposed between the impeller and the fluid outlet port, a return cavity; and an externally accessible retaining system disposed between the return cavity and the venturi tube, the retaining system adapted to receive a nozzle; and

a plurality of nozzles of differing orifice dimensions and adapted to be removably retained by the retaining system, each of the nozzles to provide the pump outputs according to the respective plurality of pump performance curves, wherein the nozzles are externally accessible to permit removal and replacement without disassembly of the pump or associated piping.

7. The system of claim 6 wherein the retaining system is threaded to receive cooperatively threaded nozzles.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the jet pump includes a nozzle access hole to permit access for removing and installing the respective nozzles.

9. The system claim 8 including a removable plug for plugging the access hole.

10. The jet pump of claim 6 wherein the nozzle is configured to receive a toolhead to assist in the installation and removal of the nozzle.

11. A method for providing a jet pump having a pump output according to a plurality of performance curves comprising:

providing a jet pump including an impeller, a fluid inlet port, a venturi tube having an inlet opening and an outlet opening, the venturi tube disposed between the fluid inlet port and the impeller, a fluid outlet port, a pump cavity disposed between the impeller and the fluid outlet port, a return cavity; and an externally accessible retaining system disposed between the return cavity and the venturi tube, the retaining system adapted to receive a nozzle; and

providing a plurality of nozzles of differing orifice dimensions and adapted to be removably retained by the retaining system, each of the nozzles to provide the pump outputs according to the respective plurality of pump performance curves, wherein the nozzles are externally accessible to permit removal and replacement without disassembly of the pump or associated piping.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein the retaining system is threaded to receive cooperatively threaded nozzles.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the jet pump includes a nozzle access hole to permit access for removing and installing the respective nozzles.

14. The system claim 13 including a removable plug for plugging the access hole.

15. The jet pump of claim 11 wherein the nozzle is configured to receive a toolhead to assist in the installation and removal of the nozzle.

16. A jet pump for pumping fluids, the jet pump comprising:

an impeller;

a fluid inlet port;

a venturi tube having an inlet opening and an outlet opening, the venturi tube disposed between the fluid inlet port and the impeller;

a fluid outlet port;

a pump cavity disposed between the impeller and the fluid outlet port;

a return cavity; and

an externally accessible nozzle having a dimensionally adjustable orifice to provide pump outputs according to a respective plurality of pump performance curves.