Drain-back Valve for Well Pump Servicing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional check valves in well systems do not allow for drain-back of fluid, making it cumbersome and messy to service or remove the pump due to trapped water, and existing break-off plugs need to be replaced each time the pump is pulled for servicing.
Innovation Solution
A drain-back valve with a body, end cap, and plunger assembly that allows water to drain back into the well when activated by a dropped weight, preventing the need for frequent replacements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional check valve is used to protect the pump from back flow, then the pump is protected from back flow, but the pump cannot be easily serviced because water is trapped in the riser pipe
Solution Approach 1:
The check valve is divided into two functional segments: a main valve body for back flow protection and a drain-back mechanism with a break-off plug for water drainage. This segmentation allows the valve to provide both pump protection and facilitate easy pump servicing by enabling water to be drained from the riser pipe through the bypass port when the break-off plug is removed.
2Ease of operation
If a break-off plug is installed in the check valve to enable drain-back, then water can escape through the bypass port, but the break-off plug needs to be replaced each time the pump is pulled for servicing
Solution Approach 1:
The break-off plug is designed to remain in place and serve multiple cycles. After the plug breaks off to allow drain-back, it can be manually removed and reinstalled in the bypass port for the next servicing operation. This self-service design eliminates the need to replace the plug each time, reducing maintenance complexity and cost.
3Productivity
If the pump is removed from the well for servicing, then the pump can be maintained, but the process is cumbersome and messy due to the weight of trapped water
Solution Approach 1:
Before removing the pump for servicing, the break-off plug is removed from the bypass port, allowing water to drain back into the well through the drain-back mechanism. This preliminary drainage action eliminates the harmful effect of trapped water weight, making pump removal easier and preventing messy spillage during the servicing process.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables easy and safe removal of the pump without water weight, reducing the risk of spillage and cross-contamination, and eliminating the need for frequent replacement of break-off plugs.
Implementation Method 1
The rubber disk is positioned between the head of the plunger guide and the first end of the plunger. The rubber disk is biased against the valve seat formed on the inlet end of the body in the closed position.
Implementation Method 2
The plunger guide is biased away from the inlet end of the body
Implementation Method 3
At least a portion of the rubber disk is dislodged from the valve seat formed on the inlet end of the body in the open position
Data Source
AI summary
A drain-back valve is provided for draining a submersible pump system in a water well. The drain-back valve includes, for example, a body, an end cap and a plunger assembly. The end cap is inserted into one end of the body includes at least one port that is in fluid communication with an interior passageway of the body. The plunger assembly engages the opposing end of the body. When closed, the plunger assembly prevents water from flowing into the interior passageway of the body. The drain-back valve is activated or opened by dropping a weight into a riser or drop pipe. The weight strikes the plunger assembly and opens the drain-back valve to allow water to flow through the body and out the end cap. This allows well water in the drop or riser pipe to drain back into the water well. With this water drained from the drop or riser pipe, a pump service personnel on the ground surface is able to pull up the pump without the water weight that was in the drop or riser pipe. After servicing and before re-installation back into the well, the drain-back valve is reset to its normally closed position.