Claims:WE CLAIM:
1. An arrangement (100) for lowering the critical submergence of a pump (1) configured to be installed for a reservoir, the pump (1) being operatively located above the free surface of liquid stored in the reservoir, said arrangement (100) comprising:
• a suction pipe (2) extending from the pump (1) into the reservoir, said suction pipe (2) having an operative outlet (6) in liquid communication with a suction port of the pump (1) , and an operative inlet located in the reservoir near its bed; and
• a submerged hollow tubular element (3) extending from said suction pipe (2), said element (3) being closed at least one end and having a plurality of holes configured along an operative length thereof for fitting nozzles (4) thereon, each nozzle (4) having an inlet port directed towards the bed of the reservoir, said inlet ports being spaced apart from the bed at a predetermined distance from the bed thereof, thereby reducing the critical submergence of the liquid intake for the pump (1).
2. The arrangement (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said element (3) is configured integral with said suction pipe (2), said element (3) having a first operative end extending from said operative inlet of said suction pipe (2), and a closed second operative end.
3. The arrangement (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said element (3) is attached transversely to said pipe (2).
4. The arrangement (100) as claimed in claim 3, wherein said element (3) is angularly aligned to the operative inlet of the suction pipe (2).
5. The arrangement (100) as claimed in claim 4, wherein said element (3) is aligned perpendicular to the operative inlet of the suction pipe (2).
6. The arrangement (100) as claimed in claim 3, wherein both ends of said element (3) are closed.
7. The arrangement (100) as claimed in claim 3, wherein said element (3) includes a central opening configured thereon, and fitted to said operative inlet of said suction pipe (2).
8. The arrangement (100) as claimed in claim 7, wherein said central opening is diametrically opposite to said holes.
9. The arrangement (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said element (3) has a cross-sectional configuration selected from the group consisting of circle, ellipse, rectangle, or polygon.
10. The arrangement (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said holes have uniform dimensions.
11. The arrangement (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said holes have varying dimensions.
12. The arrangement (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said holes are spaced apart from each other equidistantly.
13. The arrangement (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said nozzles (4) have an elbow shaped configuration.
14. The arrangement (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said inlet ports of said nozzles (4) are at an axis substantially parallel to the bed.
15. The arrangement (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said inlet ports are spaced apart from the bed at a predetermined distance ranging from 0.3D to 0.5D, where D is the diameter of the suction pipe.
16. The arrangement (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein ratio of the dimension of said holes configured on said element (3) to the dimension of said operative inlet of said suction pipe ranges from 0.1 to 1.
17. The arrangement (100) as claimed in claim 1, which includes a supporting means (5) provided on said bed for supporting said element (3) thereon.

Dated this 9th day of February, 2022

MOHAN RAJKUMAR DEWAN, IN/PA-25
of R.K. DEWAN & COMPANY
APPLICANT’S PATENT ATTORNEY
, Description:FIELD
The present disclosure relates to the field of pumps.
DEFINITIONS
As used in the present disclosure, the following terms are generally intended to have the meaning as set forth below, except to the extent that the context in which they are used indicate otherwise.
SUBMERGENCE: The expression ‘submergence’ used hereinafter in the specification is defined as the vertical distance measured from the free surface of the liquid to an inlet of suction pipe of liquid pump.
CRITICAL SUBMERGENCE: The expression ‘critical submergence’ used hereinafter in the specification is defined as the minimum vertical distance required between the free surface of the liquid and the centerline of an inlet suction pipe to prevent formation of liquid vortices while the liquid pump is in operation.
These definitions are in addition to those expressed in the art.
BACKGROUND
The background information herein below relates to the present disclosure but is not necessarily prior art.
Generally, a liquid pump is located on the bank of a reservoir. An inlet pipe of the pump is submerged into the liquid body to a sufficient depth to avoid formation of vortices during the suction process. However, some reservoirs are too shallow and the desired depth for submerging the inlet of the suction pipe cannot be achieved. Therefore, to increase an available submergence, pockets are dug in the bed of the reservoir to create a localized sump.
Alternatively, the diameter of the inlet suction pipe is increased to reduce instant liquid velocity at the entry of the suction pipe and thereby avoid the creation of vortex. However, it is observed that, increasing the diameter of the suction pipe beyond a specific limit increases the required (or critical) submergence as shown in figure 1. Further, increasing the diameter of the suction pipe increases the weight of the suction pipe and therefore handling of the suction pipe becomes difficult. As a result, the cost of the suction pipe increases.
Therefore, there is felt a need for an arrangement for lowering the critical submergence of a pump by alleviating the above mentioned drawbacks.
OBJECTS
Some of the objects of the present disclosure, which at least one embodiment herein satisfies, are as follows:
An object of the present disclosure is to provide an arrangement for lowering the critical submergence of a pump.
Another object of the present disclosure is to provide an arrangement which is easy to be installed for lowering the critical submergence of all types of pump.
Still another object of the present disclosure is to provide an economical arrangement for lowering the critical submergence of a pump.
Still another object of the present disclosure is to provide a modular arrangement for lowering the critical submergence of a pump.
Still another object of the present disclosure is to provide an arrangement for lowering the critical submergence of a pump that does not require digging small pockets on the bed of shallow reservoirs.
Other objects and advantages of the present disclosure will be more apparent from the following description, which is not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.
SUMMARY
The present disclosure envisages an arrangement for lowering the critical submergence of a pump configured to be installed for a reservoir. The pump is operatively located above the free surface of liquid stored in the reservoir. The arrangement includes a suction pipe and a submerged hollow tubular element. The suction pipe extends from the pump into the reservoir. The suction pipe has an operative outlet in liquid communication with a suction port of the pump. The suction pipe has an operative inlet located in the reservoir near its bed. Further, the element extends from the suction pipe. The element is closed at least one end and having a plurality of holes configured along an operative length thereof for fitting nozzles thereon. Each nozzle has an inlet port directed towards the bed of the reservoir. The inlet ports are spaced apart from the bed at a predetermined distance from the bed, thereby reducing the critical submergence of the liquid intake for the pump.
In an embodiment, the element is configured integral with the suction pipe. The element has a first operative end extending from the operative inlet of the suction pipe, and a closed second operative end.
In another embodiment, the element is attached transversely to the pipe.
In yet another embodiment, the element is angularly aligned to the operative inlet of the suction pipe.
In still another embodiment, the element is aligned perpendicular to the operative inlet of the suction pipe.
In another embodiment, both ends of the element are closed.
In yet another embodiment, the element includes a central opening configured thereon, and fitted to the operative inlet of the suction pipe.
In still another embodiment, the central opening is diametrically opposite to the holes.
In one embodiment, the element has a cross-sectional configuration selected from the group consisting of circle, ellipse, rectangle, or polygon.
In another embodiment, the holes have uniform dimensions.
In yet another embodiment, the holes have varying dimensions.
In still another embodiment, the holes are spaced apart from each other equidistantly.
In an embodiment, the nozzles have an elbow shaped configuration.
In another embodiment, the inlet ports of the nozzles are at an axis substantially parallel to the bed.
In yet another embodiment, wherein the inlet ports are spaced apart from the bed at a predetermined distance ranging from 0.3D to 0.5D, where D is the diameter of the suction pipe.
In an embodiment, the ratio of the dimension of a hole configured on the element to the dimension of the operative inlet of the suction pipe ranges from 0.1 to 1.
In yet another embodiment, the arrangement includes a supporting means provided on the bed for supporting the element thereon.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWING
An arrangement for lowering the critical submergence of a pump of the present disclosure will now be described with the help of the accompanying drawing, in which:
Figure 1 illustrates a graphical illustration of the relation between suction pipe diameter of liquid pump and the required (critical) submergence;
Figure 2A illustrates a plan view of a conventional pumping system;
Figure 2B illustrates an elevation view of a conventional pumping system of Figure 2a;
Figure 3A illustrates a plan view of the arrangement, of the present disclosure, for lowering the critical submergence of a pump, in accordance with a first embodiment of the present disclosure;
Figure 3B illustrates an elevation view of the arrangement, for lowering the critical submergence of a pump, of Figure 3;
Figure 4A illustrates an elevation view of an arrangement for lowering the critical submergence of a pump, in accordance with a second embodiment of the present disclosure; and
Figure 4B illustrates a plan view of the arrangement, for lowering the critical submergence of a pump of, Figure 4A.
LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS
50 – Conventional pumping system
100 – Arrangement for lowering the critical submergence
1 – Pump
2 – Suction pipe
3 – Submerged hollow tubular element
4 – Nozzle
5 – Supporting means
6 – Outlet of the suction pipe
8 – First supporting means of the conventional pumping system
10 – Pump of the conventional pumping system
12 – Suction pipe of the conventional pumping system
14 – Outlet of the suction pipe of the conventional pumping system
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Embodiments, of the present disclosure, will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawing.
Embodiments are provided so as to thoroughly and fully convey the scope of the present disclosure to the person skilled in the art. Numerous details are set forth relating to specific components, and methods, to provide a complete understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure. It will be apparent to the person skilled in the art that the details provided in the embodiments should not be construed to limit the scope of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, well-known processes, well-known apparatus structures, and well-known techniques are not described in detail.
The terminology used, in the present disclosure, is only for the purpose of explaining a particular embodiment and such terminology shall not be considered to limit the scope of the present disclosure. As used in the present disclosure, the forms "a,” "an," and "the" may be intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly suggests otherwise. The terms "comprises," "comprising," “including,” and “having,” are open ended transitional phrases and therefore specify the presence of stated features, elements, units, modules and/or components, but do not forbid the presence or addition of one or more other features, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.
Generally, to pump liquid from a reservoir to a predefined location a conventional pumping system 50 is used as shown in Figure 2A and 2B. The conventional pumping system includes a pump 10, a suction pipe 12 and a delivery pipe. The pump 10 is operatively located above the free surface of liquid. The pump 10 is supported by a first supporting means 8 on the bank of the reservoir. An operative outlet 6 of the suction pipe 12 is in liquid communication to a suction port of pump 10.
The suction pipe 12 is submerged into the reservoir to sufficient depth. A second supporting means 14 is provided on the bed of the reservoir. The second support frame 14 is configured to fix the suction pipe 14 thereon.
The suction pipe 12 is configured to suck liquid therein from the reservoir. The liquid pump 10 is configured to receive sucked liquid from the suction pipe 12. Liquid pump 10 is further configured deliver liquid to the predefined location through the delivery pipe.
In many reservoirs the depth of the liquid level is very limited. Therefore, an available submergence of the pumping system may less than the critical submergence. Therefore, the liquid pumping process may create air entrained vortices which can damage the pumping system.
Generally, to increase the available submergence of the pumping system a small pocket is dug on the bed of the reservoir. However, digging the hole in the bed of the reservoir is inconvenient method to increase the available submergence.
Alternatively, the diameter of the inlet of the suction pipe 12 is increased to reduce intake liquid velocity at the inlet of the suction pipe 12 to avoid the creation of vortexes. However, it is observed that, increasing the diameter of the suction pipe 12 beyond a specific limit results in further increase in the critical submergence as shown in Figure 1. Further, increasing the diameter of the suction pipe 12 increases the weight of the suction pipe 12 and therefore handling of suction pipe 12 becomes difficult. Further, increasing the diameter of the suction pipe 12 increases the cost of the suction pipe 12.
Referring to Figure 3A through 4B, the present disclosure envisages an arrangement 100 for lowering the critical submergence of a pump 1 configured to be installed for a reservoir. The pump 1 is operatively located above the free surface of liquid stored in the reservoir. The arrangement 100 includes a suction pipe 2 and a submerged hollow tubular element 3.
The suction pipe 2 extends from the pump 1 into the reservoir. The suction pipe 2 has an operative outlet 6 in liquid communication with a suction port of the pump 1, and an operative inlet below the free surface of liquid.
The element 3 extends from the suction pipe 2. The element 3 is operatively located below the free surface of liquid. The element is closed at least one end. A plurality of holes is configured along an operative length of the element 3 for fitting nozzles 4 thereon. In an embodiment, the configuration of the holes on the element 3 is similar to the configuration of a plurality of tone holes on the length of a flute. Each nozzle 4 has an inlet port directed towards the bed of the reservoir at a predetermined distance from the bed, thereby reducing the critical submergence of the liquid intake for the pump 1. In one embodiment, the element 3 is configured integral with the suction pipe 2. The element 3 has a first operative end extending from the operative inlet of the suction pipe 2, and a closed second operative end.
In another embodiment, the element 3 is attached transversely to the pipe. In yet another embodiment, the element 3 is angularly aligned to the operative inlet of the suction pipe 2. In yet another embodiment, the element 3 is aligned perpendicular to the operative inlet of the suction pipe 2.
In one embodiment, it is preferred that the connection between the suction pipe 2 and the element 3 is an air-tight connection.
In an embodiment, the nozzles 4 are integral to the element 3. In another embodiment, the nozzles 4 are fitted to the element 3 by fastening or welding the nozzles 4 to the element 3.
In another embodiment, both ends of the element 3 are closed. The element 3 includes a central opening configured thereon, and fitted to the operative inlet of the suction pipe 2. The central opening is diametrically opposite to the holes.
In one embodiment, the element 3 has a cross-sectional configuration selected from the group consisting of circle, ellipse, rectangle, or polygon.
In another embodiment, the element 3 is a rigid element. In yet another embodiment, the element 3 is a flexible or a semi-flexible element. In still another embodiment, the element is manufactured from a material selected from the group consisting of steel, rubber, polymer and concrete. In another embodiment, the suction pipe 2 and the element 3 are of the same material. In yet another embodiment, the suction pipe 2 and the element 3 are of different material.
In an embodiment, the openings have uniform dimensions. In an embodiment, the openings have varying dimensions.
In an embodiment, the holes are spaced apart from each other equidistantly.
In one embodiment, the nozzles 4 have an elbow shaped configuration.
In an embodiment, the effective height of each nozzle 4 is the same. In another embodiment, the effective height of each nozzle 4 differs from the other nozzles 4.
In an embodiment, the inlet ports of the 4 nozzles are at an axis substantially parallel to the bed.
In an embodiment, the inlet ports are spaced apart from the bed at a predetermined distance ranging from 0.3D to 0.5D, where D is the diameter of the suction pipe.
In an embodiment, the ratio of the dimension of a hole configured on the element 3 to the dimension of the operative inlet of the suction pipe 2 ranges from 0.1 to 1.
The arrangement 100 is cost effective and simple in construction. Further, the arrangement 100 is easy to be implemented on all existing pumps. Further, the arrangement 100 is economical and modular in construction. Furthermore, the arrangement 100 is possible to suck liquid from shallow reservoirs. Hence, the arrangement 100 does not require digging small pockets on the bed of shallow reservoirs.
In one exemplary embodiment, the submergence of a conventional pumping arrangement is calculated as follows:
The suction pipe diameter (D) is considered as 450 mm (0.45 m). The suction pipe area (A) is calculated as (3.14*0.25*0.45*0.45) = 0.15896 m2. Further, flow rate (Q) of the pump is considered as 1250 m3/h.
The submergence (S) is calculated as : S = D*(1+2.3*Fd)
wherein Fd is Froude number calculated as V/v(g*D)
wherein V is Velocity near suction pipe entry, calculated as (Q/A)
= (1250/3600)/(0.15896) = 2.18 m/s.
Therefore, for the conventional arrangement, Fd = 1.037
From the above formulae, the submergence required by the conventional arrangement is calculated as 1.52 m.
For calculating the submergence obtained by the arrangement 100 of the present disclosure, using three nozzles, each of 450mm diameter, consider the same parameter of flow rate considered for the conventional arrangement.
Flow of each nozzle is = (1250/3) = 416.67 m3/h.
V is the Velocity near suction pipe entry
= (416.67/3600)/(0.15896) = 0.728 m/s.
D = Suction pipe diameter at entry = 0.45 m
For the arrangement 100, Froude number Fd is calculated as 0.165
From the above formulae, the submergence required by the arrangement 100 is calculated as 0.620 m.
Comparing the submergence values derived, it is observed that the submergence required by the conventional arrangement is reduced by approximately 60% after using the arrangement 100 of the present disclosure.
In another exemplary embodiment, the arrangement 100 was used to draw water from a deep water reservoir having a surface area of 6kms. Due to the provision of the element 3 and the nozzles 4, it was observed that air intake inside the suction pipe 2 was completely eliminated, thereby preventing creation of vortices inside the pump. It was further noticed that using the conventional methods, i.e., only the suction pipe, water could be drawn from the reservoir till a lower limit of water level of 1 meter. However, with the arrangement 100, of the present disclosure, water could be drawn even when the water level fell down to 0.8 meters.
Considering the surface area of the reservoir, drawing an additional 0.2 meters depth of water is a significantly large quantity of water which is at least one or two day’s supply of water for a town. The foregoing description of the embodiments has been provided for purposes of illustration and not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. Individual components of a particular embodiment are generally not limited to that particular embodiment, but, are interchangeable. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the present disclosure, and all such modifications are considered to be within the scope of the present disclosure.
TECHNICAL ADVANCEMENTS
The present disclosure described hereinabove has several technical advantages including, but not limited to, the realization of an arrangement for lowering the critical submergence of a pump, that:
is easy to be installed for all types of pumps; is economical and modular in construction;
can suck liquid from shallow reservoirs; and
does not require digging of small pockets on the reservoir bed of shallow reservoirs.
The embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained with reference to the non-limiting embodiments in the following description. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the embodiments herein may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the embodiments herein. Accordingly, the examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments herein
The use of the expression “at least” or “at least one” suggests the use of one or more elements or ingredients or quantities, as the use may be in the embodiment of the disclosure to achieve one or more of the desired objects or results.
The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fully reveal the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the embodiments as described herein.