US 4,664,185 A · Freeze proof control center for submersible pumps

Abstract

A control system for a pump submersible in a well having a water pipe extending upwardly to a water source includes an isolation element that has one fluid chamber in communication with the water pipe and another chamber separated from the first by a flexible diaphragm. The second fluid chamber is filled with a non-toxic antifreeze control fluid and communicates with a fluid conduit which extends upwardly to a pressure switch. The pressure switch is mounted above-ground and monitors the pressure of the control fluid to activate and deactivate the pump. Since the diaphragm is flexible, the pressure of the control fluid corresponds to the water pressure in the water pipe. The isolation element is positioned in the well below the frost line so that all control parts in contact with water are located below the frost line, and all control parts located above the frost line contact only the antifreeze solution. The pressure switch and related electronics may be enclosed in and protected by a bell housing on the upper portion of the well casing to eliminate the standard pump house or well pit.

Claims18

Dependent claims

Apparatus adapted to monitor the water pressure in a well and to control the operation of a pump associated with the well wherein the well has a well casing extending into the ground and a water pipe for carrying water upwardly in said well casing toward a water use station, comprising:

an isolation element having first and second chambers separated from one another by a common flexible wall portion;
and
a pressure switch having a pressure sensor in fluid communication with said first chamber and operative to operate electrical contacts in response to changes in pressure of a substantially non-compressible antifreeze liquid located in said first chamber;
said second chamber containing water in fluid communication with water in said water pipe so that the water in said second chamber exerts force on the flexible wall portion to vary the pressure of the antifreeze liquid whereby the pressure switch electrical contacts are operated to control an electrical power source associated with said pump to control the water supplied to the water use station through said water pipe.

1 more element

A control apparatus for controlling electrical power from a power source to a submersible pump located at a lower end of a well casing which extends from an underground water source to a casing head above the frost line, and wherein a water pipe is connected to the pump for conveying water from the water source to a water use station, comprising:

a pressure switch located at an upper end portion of the casing head and having a control fluid reservoir, sensor means for sensing fluid pressure in the control fluid reservoir and electrical contacts responsive to said sensor means to control a supply of power from a power source to said pump;
an isolation element located below the frost line and having a control fluid chamber and a water chamber separated from one another by a flexible wall portion, said isolation element including first and second fluid ports for said control fluid chamber and said water chamber, respectively;
a fluid conduit interconnecting said control fluid reservoir and said first fluid port whereby said control fluid chamber is in fluid communication with said control fluid reservoir;
and
a substantially non-compressible antifreeze control liquid filling said fluid conduit, said control fluid reservoir and said control fluid chamber whereby the sensor means monitors the pressure thereof, said second fluid port in fluid communication with water in the pipe whereby the pressure of the control liquid correspondingly changes with variation of pressure of the water in said water pipe.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Freeze proof control center for submersible pumps

Life of this patent

Freeze proof control center for submersible pumps

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims18