Modular Pneumatic Well Pump Interchangeable Casings

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Solution Overview

Problem

Float operated pneumatic pumps require frequent cleaning due to tight clearances, necessitating extensive disassembly and separate inventories for different diameters, limiting their versatility and increasing maintenance time and costs.

Innovation Solution

A modular pump system with interchangeable casings and floats of different diameters, allowing configuration for varying well diameters with minimal additional parts, enhancing clearance and reducing contamination risks.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If the pump diameter is reduced to fit smaller well bores, then the pump can be used in smaller diameter wells, but the internal clearances become tight causing more frequent cleaning needs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepump diameterVSAvoidcleaning frequency
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The pump is divided into modular components (casing, float, rod, seals) that can be independently replaced. This segmentation allows the float and seals to be quickly swapped during cleaning operations, reducing the time and complexity of maintenance while preserving the compact design for small well applications

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention provides different clearance parameters through modular component selection. By changing the float diameter or casing inner diameter, the clearance can be optimized for either compactness (smaller components) or reduced cleaning frequency (larger clearance), allowing the same pump platform to serve different application requirements

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If separate inventories are maintained for different pump diameters, then pumps of different sizes can be supplied, but inventory complexity and costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepump diameter varietyVSAvoidinventory management
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The pump design uses universal mounting interfaces and standardized connection points that allow the same rod, seal, and component patterns to be used across multiple pump diameters. This universality enables manufacturers to maintain a single inventory of critical components that can service multiple pump sizes, dramatically reducing inventory complexity while maintaining the ability to supply different pump diameters

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system allows dynamic reconfiguration of pump diameter by swapping modular components (casing, float, seals) rather than requiring completely different pump designs. This dynamic adaptability means manufacturers can fulfill different diameter requirements using a core set of standardized parts, reducing the need to maintain separate inventories for each pump size

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Object-affected harmful factors

If extensive disassembly is required for pump cleaning, then thorough cleaning can be achieved, but maintenance time and field service difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontamination removalVSAvoidmaintenance time
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The pump components (float, seals, casing) are segmented into independently replaceable modules with standardized connections. This segmentation allows field technicians to quickly disassemble and clean only the contaminated components (float and seals) without needing to completely disassemble the entire pump, significantly reducing maintenance time while ensuring thorough cleaning of the critical parts

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The float and seal components are designed to be easily extracted from the casing through simple removal mechanisms. This extraction capability allows contaminated parts to be removed and cleaned separately in the field without requiring extensive disassembly of the pump housing, reducing maintenance time while ensuring thorough cleaning of the components that require it

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentEP3571417B1Modular pneumatic well pump system
Publication Date: 2022.08.24 QED ENVIRONMENTAL SYSTEMS INC
  • EP3571417B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3571417B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3571417B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to a modular fluid pump system for configuring a fluid pump in a selected one of first and second configurations. The system may have a first pump casing with a first diameter, and a second pump casing with a second diameter smaller than the first diameter. A tubular frame may be included along with a first float having a first diameter positioned over the tubular frame for sliding longitudinal movement along the tubular frame. The first pump casing may be used to configure the fluid pump in the first configuration, to thus provide a first degree of clearance between the first float and an inner surface of the first pump casing, or alternatively the second pump casing may be used to configure the fluid pump in the second configuration, which provides a second degree of clearance between the first float and an inner of the second pump casing.