Mobile pump system having several pumps, two prime movers and a clutch

Abstract

The present invention relates to a mobile pump system for pumping water and / or fire extinguishing agent and an associated method therefor, the mobile pump system comprising: a frame for housing the pump system; a booster pump disposed within the frame; one or more submersible pumps disposed within the frame; a booster pump motor drive configured to drive the booster pump; a hydraulic motor drive configured to drive the one or more submersible pumps, the hydraulic motor drive configured to function as an auxiliary drive for the booster pump; and a coupling for coupling the booster pump to the hydraulic motor drive such that the hydraulic motor drive can function as an auxiliary drive for the booster pump.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a mobile pump system for pumping water and / or a fire extinguishing agent, the pump system being provided with a motor drive unit. Such a mobile pump system is used, for example, in the case of fires and floods in industrial estates, buildings, natural areas.

Background Art

[0002] A mobile pump system for pumping water, which is actually known, uses a frame provided with a so-called booster pump, whereby water (for digestion) can be moved over a relatively large distance. The frame of the pump system is further provided with a submersible pump operably connected to this frame. A motor drive unit is used to drive the booster pump. An independent motor drive unit is used for the submersible pump.

[0003] The problem with such mobile pump systems is that they are actually used in places that are usually remote and difficult to reach. This means that a stand-alone type of mobile pump system is required. Thus, here, conventional pump systems usually use heavy drive units of dimensions that are too large. This makes such mobile pump systems inefficient, expensive to use and purchase, whereby these systems are frequently used below the optimum operating point, which, in addition, usually results in relatively high emissions.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] The present invention aims to provide an improved mobile pump system for pumping water and / or a fire extinguishing agent, thereby eliminating or at least reducing the above-mentioned drawbacks so as to be able to more effectively combat the source of fire and / or floods.

Means for Solving the Problem

[0005] This object is achieved by a mobile pump system for pumping water and / or fire extinguishing agent according to the present invention, - a frame for housing the pump system; - a booster pump disposed within the frame; - one or more submersible pumps disposed within the frame; - a booster pump motor drive unit configured to drive the booster pump; - a hydraulic motor drive unit configured to drive one or more submersible pumps and further configured to function as an auxiliary drive unit for the booster pump; - a coupling for coupling the booster pump to the hydraulic motor drive unit so that the hydraulic motor drive unit can function as an auxiliary drive unit for the booster pump; which is achieved by a mobile pump system comprising.

[0006] The fire extinguishing agent is, in particular, water for fire extinguishing provided with one or more additives such as, for example, a foaming agent selectively. The frame is, in particular, a housing in the form of a container that can be moved, preferably. Moving it in this way is possible by a vehicle suitable for this purpose. It is equally possible to integrate the frame with a vehicle and / or to provide a drive unit for moving the frame. The booster pump is suitable for moving water and / or fire extinguishing agent over a relatively large distance. Thereby, for example, it is possible to supply water for fire extinguishing from a drain, a lake or other water supply to combat a fire. The frame is further provided with at least one submersible pump disposed within the frame for pumping water for fire extinguishing and / or for pumping flood water.

[0007] The booster pump motor drive unit is configured to drive a booster pump. According to the present invention, an independent hydraulic motor drive unit is configured to drive one or more submersible pumps. Thereby, it is achieved that the booster pump and the one or more submersible pumps can be driven independently, preferably at their own desired and most appropriate operating points. Thereby, emissions are limited to a minimum.

[0008] According to the present invention, a coupling is further provided to couple the booster pump to the hydraulic motor drive unit such that the hydraulic motor drive unit can function as an auxiliary drive unit for the booster pump. Such a coupling is realized, for example, as a reverse clutch. The hydraulic motor drive unit can thereby be operated in an effective manner. It is obvious that other couplings are conceivable. Coupling the hydraulic motor drive unit to the booster pump motor drive unit provides additional power to the booster pump, thereby enabling, for example, moving water and / or fire extinguishing agent over a greater distance. Thereby, a flexible drive is provided and the output can be adjusted to the actual requirements in an effective manner.

[0009] In a presently preferred embodiment, the booster pump motor drive unit and the hydraulic motor drive unit are realized to be substantially the same, especially with regard to motor power. Thereby, a motor drive unit that is smaller than a conventional motor drive unit for such a booster pump is sufficient. This makes the purchase and maintenance of such drive units more efficient. Thus, this increases the options for the practicality of the mobile pump system according to the present invention. In addition, this makes more commercially available motor drive units suitable for use. This increases the flexibility of the design of the mobile pump system according to the present invention.

[0010] The mobile pump system is preferably operatively connected to a reel set and / or is provided with a reel set, thereby enabling the pump system to be used in an even more effective manner. The reel set is preferably used for hydraulic drive. In particular, the effect of the so-called stand-alone mobile pump system according to the invention is thereby enhanced.

[0011] In an advantageous embodiment according to the invention, the coupling is provided with a hydraulic drive unit that can be driven by a hydraulic motor drive unit.

[0012] By providing the hydraulic drive unit, the hydraulic motor drive unit is used to function indirectly as an auxiliary drive unit for the booster pump. The coupling or operation of the hydraulic motor drive unit is thereby simplified as required. Such a coupling can, in addition, be carried out without significant shock or interruption during operation. This increases the reliability of the operation of the pump system according to the invention.

[0013] In an advantageous embodiment according to the invention, a controller is further provided for controlling the booster pump and the hydraulic motor drive unit.

[0014] By providing such a controller, the management and control of the mobile pump system according to the present invention are further enhanced. Here, in particular, in order to provide extra power for the booster pump, it is possible to switch at an appropriate moment and, for example, to operate the hydraulic motor drive automatically or semi-automatically. This makes it possible to utilize the drive at the most suitable operating point as optimally as possible. This reduces the operating costs and emissions for the pump system according to the present invention, or at least considerably reduces those costs. In a preferred embodiment, the pump system is further provided with one or more sensors connected to the controller for controlling the booster pump motor drive and the hydraulic motor drive. Examples of such sensors are, for example, pressure gauges and flow meters. Such sensors make it possible to provide an autonomous or semi-autonomous system. Central control for all or at least most of the components of the mobile pump system is preferably made possible. This is particularly advantageous for these mobile pump systems according to the present invention, which are used relatively rarely so that the user, for example the operator, has limited experience with the pump system. This operates the pump system according to the present invention relatively simply, which results in a more reliable use in operation, especially in emergency situations.

[0015] In an advantageous preferred embodiment according to the present invention, the mobile pump system further comprises a control panel for operating and / or setting the pump system. Providing a control panel further simplifies the operation for the operator. The already described effect of a reliable use in operation is thereby achieved even in situations where the mobile pump system according to the present invention is used rarely and thus the operator has little experience.

[0016] In the present preferred embodiment, the control panel is provided outside the frame. Providing the control panel outside increases the ease of use. This prevents an increase in noise emissions when the mobile pump system is not placed within a closed frame and the operator has to enter the housing to control the system. In a preferred embodiment according to the invention, the frame is provided with a container-type housing, preferably with a heat-insulating wall, whereby the noise emissions are further reduced even more. By providing the control panel outside, this noise reduction is maintained during use.

[0017] In an advantageous embodiment according to the invention, the booster pump motor drive is provided with water cooling.

[0018] By providing water cooling to the booster pump drive, effective and efficient cooling is provided for this drive. The water cooling preferably uses here the pumped water for fire extinguishing. The hydraulic motor drive is preferably provided with radiator cooling. Optimal cooling is thereby also achieved for this hydraulic motor drive. The radiator cooling for the hydraulic motor drive is preferably combined with the water cooling for the booster pump motor drive to provide cooling for the entire motor drive of the mobile pump system according to the invention. In the present preferred embodiment of the invention, the hydraulic motor drive is started together with the hydraulic pump. This is provided with radiator cooling. As soon as water is carried through the in-water pump to the booster pump, the booster pump (diesel) motor drive of the booster pump is started. This is preferably done automatically. The booster pump motor drive for the booster pump is then preferably cooled by water for fire extinguishing. This results in a compact system and produces further noise reduction.

[0019] In a further advantageous preferred embodiment according to the invention, the mobile pump system further comprises a metering pump or a foam pump.

[0020] By providing a metering pump or a foam pump, an additive such as a foaming agent is added to the water for fire extinguishing, thereby further increasing the practicality of the mobile pump system.

[0021] The metering pump or the foam pump is preferably provided with a movable metering pump frame, thereby further increasing the flexibility for the practicality of the metering pump or the foam pump.

[0022] In a further advantageous embodiment according to the invention, one or more submersible pumps are provided with a movable submersible pump frame.

[0023] Providing a movable submersible pump frame enables one or more submersible pumps to be moved to a desired location in an effective manner.

[0024] The present invention relates to a method for pumping water and / or a fire extinguishing agent, - preparing a mobile pump system according to the embodiment of the present invention described above; - installing the mobile pump system; - operating the mobile pump system; - pumping water and / or excess water for fire extinguishing; and further relates to a method comprising the steps of.

[0025] The method provides advantages and effects similar to those described for the mobile pump system.

[0026] In an advantageous embodiment, the method further comprises operating a hydraulic motor drive unit as an auxiliary drive unit to drive the booster pump through hydraulic drive of the coupling. Thereby, effective drive is achieved.

[0027] In a further advantageous embodiment, the method includes automatically controlling the mobile pump system. This is particularly advantageous in a mobile pump system that is only used within a limited range, for example, only in the emergency situations already described above for the mobile pump system.

[0028] Further advantages, features, and details of the present invention are revealed based on the preferred embodiments of the present invention, and reference is made to the accompanying drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0029]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0030] The mobile pump system 2 (Figs. 1 and 2) is provided with a container 4 as a frame, and in the container, a booster pump (diesel) motor drive unit 6 is arranged for pumping water. In the container 4, a hydraulic motor drive unit 8 for other components including submersible pumps 10, 12, metering pumps or foam pumps 14, a booster pump 24 and a ventilation device is also arranged. In the illustrated embodiment, the mobile pump system 2 is further provided with two hydraulic submersible pumps 10, 12 for supplying water. A removable foam pump 14 is also arranged. Reel sets 16, 18, 20 are provided for the submersible pumps 10, 12 and the foam pump 14 respectively. A control panel 20 is further arranged outside the container 4.

[0031] In the current preferred embodiment, the user selects to start the drive unit 6, and thereafter, the hydraulic drive unit 8 is started at a desired moment by controlling the control panel 22.

[0032] The booster pump motor drive unit 6 (Fig. 3) is used to drive the booster pump 24. In the illustrated embodiment, a coupling 26 is operably connected to a hydraulic drive unit 28 powered by the hydraulic motor drive unit 8. The hydraulic motor drive unit 8 is provided with a radiator 30 for cooling.

[0033] The outlet 32 (Figs. 4 and 5) of the pump system 2 is preferably operably connected to a fire hose or a discharge section. The inlet / supply section 34 (Figs. 1 and 5) is further operably connected to a supply conduit for supplying water, especially for fire fighting, during use.

[0034] During use (Fig. 6), the pump system 2 having the container 4 is installed near a waterway W or another water supply. Thereafter, a conduit 36 extends between the container 4 and the submersible pump 10 arranged in the water W. A fire hose 38 forms a connection to spray nozzles 40, 42 via the inlet / supply section 34 and the outlet 32 in / on the container 4 to counter the source of fire.

[0035] In a possible application, the mobile pump system 2 having the container 4 is used, for example, to combat (an oil well) fire. Here, foam can be applied as a fire extinguishing agent. For this purpose, a foam pump 14 having a movable frame 44 is utilized, and the foam pump 14 is provided with a double coupling 46 having connections 48, 50, and shut-off valves / (ball) valves 52, 54 (FIG. 7) are provided at the connections 48, 50. Thereby, the foam pump 14 is connected to the containers / IBCs 56, 58 to supply the foaming agent. The foaming agent is thereby further transported from the containers 56, 58 and the conduit 60 towards the container 4 and is added, for example, to the water for fire extinguishing to achieve the desired foaming.

[0036] In the case of an emergency such as a fire or a flood, for example, the mobile pump system 2 is installed near the waterway W. One or more submersible pumps 10, 12 are installed in the waterway W. The foam pump 14 is optionally arranged, for example, near the foaming agent supplied into the containers 56, 58. The double coupling 46 to the valves 52, 54 greatly simplifies the switching from an almost empty container to a new container without impeding the response to the emergency. When starting the operation, the user preferably switches on the hydraulic drive unit 8. The booster pump motor drive unit 6 is preferably automatically started by a controller of the control panel. The devices 6, 8 are thereby utilized at the optimum operating point as much as possible. The user can optionally manually control the booster pump and / or the hydraulic motor drive units 6, 8.

[0037] In the present preferred embodiment, two substantially identical 588 kW motor drive units are used, and the hydraulic motor drive unit 8 is utilized, inter alia, partly for the submersible pumps 10, 12 in water and partly for the booster pump 24. In the comparative test, the mobile pump system 2 was compared with a conventional pump system provided with an 800 kW booster pump and a 240 kW submersible pump in water. In this conventional system, a motor drive unit for the booster pump made to appropriate specifications therefor is used. The comparison shows that the emissions are quite significant in such a conventional system compared with the pump system 2 according to the invention, or that the costs are at least considerably higher. In the mobile pump system 2 according to the invention, it has been found that two drive units 6, 8, preferably providing the same power, result in a significant reduction in emissions. This applies to both exhaust emissions and noise emissions. Such a preferred embodiment has been found to result in wide applicability, low cost and greatly reduced exhaust emissions and noise emissions.

[0038] The present invention is not limited to the above-described preferred embodiment of the present invention. The claimed rights are defined by the following claims, and within the scope of the claims, many modifications can be envisaged.

Explanation of reference numerals

[0039] 2 Mobile pump system, 4 Frame, 6 Booster pump motor drive unit, 8 Hydraulic motor drive unit, 10, 12 Submersible pumps, 14 Metering pump, 22 Control panel, 24 Booster pump, 26 Coupling, 28 Hydraulic drive unit, 30 Radiator

Claims

1. A mobile pump system for pumping water and / or fire extinguishing agent, comprising: - A frame for housing the mobile pump system; - A booster pump disposed within the frame; - One or more submersible pumps disposed within the frame; - A booster pump motor drive unit configured to drive the booster pump; - A hydraulic motor drive unit configured to drive the one or more submersible pumps and configured to function as an auxiliary drive unit for the booster pump; - A coupling for coupling the booster pump to the hydraulic motor drive unit such that the hydraulic motor drive unit can function as an auxiliary drive unit for the booster pump; wherein the booster pump is configured to transfer water and / or fire extinguishing agent, and the submersible pumps are configured to lift water for fire extinguishing and / or lift flood water; the mobile pump system is characterized in that the coupling comprises a hydraulic drive unit drivable by the hydraulic motor drive unit.

2. The mobile pump system according to claim 1, further comprising a controller for controlling the booster pump and the hydraulic motor drive unit.

3. The mobile pump system according to claim 2, wherein the mobile pump system is provided with one or more sensors operably connected to the controller for controlling the booster pump and the hydraulic motor drive unit.

4. The mobile pump system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a control panel for operating and / or setting the mobile pump system.

5. The mobile pump system according to claim 4, wherein the control panel is provided outside the frame.

6. The mobile pump system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the booster pump motor drive unit is provided with water cooling.

7. The mobile pump system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the hydraulic motor drive unit is provided with radiator cooling.

8. The mobile pump system according to any one of claims 1 to 7, further comprising a metering pump.

9. The mobile pump system according to claim 8, wherein the metering pump is provided with a movable metering pump frame.

10. The mobile pump system according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the one or more submersible pumps are provided with a movable submersible pump frame.

11. A method for pumping water for fire extinguishing and / or excess water, comprising: - preparing a mobile pump system according to any one of claims 1 to 10; - installing the mobile pump system; - operating the mobile pump system; - pumping water for fire extinguishing and / or excess water. A method characterized by including the above steps.

12. The method according to claim 11, further comprising the step of operating the hydraulic motor drive unit as an auxiliary drive unit for driving the booster pump through the hydraulic drive of the coupling.

13. The method according to claim 11 or 12, further comprising the step of autonomously controlling the mobile pump system.

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