AU602406B2 - Improved gland assemblies - Google Patents

Description

PATENTS ACT 1952

COMPLETESPCFATO

(ORIGINAL)

FOR OFFICE USE P,/oo/O1 Form Short Title: Int. Cl Application Number: :~Lodged: 4l CQmpl't' Specification-Lodged: Accepted., Lapsed: Published~ Priority: 6,O2 Re!~tbfi Art: 4 4 $1 14 1 444 1 ,1Mrin mad und- jt ,Sevtiun wd is corm'ct ,~tu Namc~ cf Applicant: Address of Applicant: Actual Inventor,, TO BE COMPLETED BY APPLICANT ALFRED LESLIE GILMORE AND GRACE ADELAIDE GILMORE 3 Creek Street, NORTH MACKAYt QLD. 4740 ALFRnD LESLIE GILMORE Addres for Service, JOHN GARDNER( P.O. BOX 255, BROADBEACH Q 4218 Complete Specification for the Invention entitled: IMPROVED GLAND ASSEMBLIES The follk~wing statement Is a full description of this invention, Including the best method of performing It known to mne THIS INVENTION relates to apparatus for removing water or other liquid from bore holes or the like.

Dewatering apparatus is primarily used for pumping jwater or other liquid from ground bores and for this purpose, such apparatus normally comprise an hydraulically driven pump connected to one end of a flexible pipe which is lowered into the ground bore to be submerged in water or liquid in the bore so that the pump when operating can liquid or water from the bore for passage through the flexible pipe and discharge at 1i ground level. The presently available apparatus have a number of disadvantages particularly associated with the feeding of hydraulic fluid to the pump motor for driving the pump. Tn particular, the presently known dewaterinc apparatus have a limited depth to which they can operate due to frictional 16 overheating of the hydraulic fluid supplied to the pump motor.

I Generally, the hydraulic lines and pump discharge line are located in a sheath which is fed down the bore hole. The cost of sheathing of this form is relatively expensive and furthermore, frictional overheating of the hydraulic fluid as described above still occurs.

The present invention aims to overcome or alleviate the above dis; vantages by providing improved apparatus for removing liquid from bore holes or the like which facilitates the feeding of hydraulic fluid to and discharge of hydraulic fluid from the hydraulic motor of the submergible pump of the apparatus and which operates in a more efficient manner than the presently known apparatus.

With the above and other objects in view, the present i. nvention providea apparatus for removing water or other liquid I from bore holes or the like, said apparatus including pump means adapted for location within said bore hole or the like, discharge conduit means communicating with said pump means, hydraulic motor means operatively coupled to said pump means to drive the latter in use so that water or other liquid in said bore hole or the like may be delivered by said pump means into said conduit means and there being provided an hydraulic fluid supply line coupled to said hydraulic motor means, said line being arranged within said discharge conduit means and extending therealong.

The apparatus also suitably includes an hydraulic fluid discharge line coupled to said hydraulic motor, said discharge line being arranged within said discharge conduit means and extending therealong.

Preferably, said conduit means is adapted to be supported about reel means, said reel means being adapted to be rotated in use so that said pump means and conduit means may be lowered down said bore hole or the like or raised therefrom.

Suitably, gland means are provided for connecting said hydraulic fluid supply and discharge lines to a source of hydraulic fluid and to exhaust respectively, said gland means preferably including an inner part supported for rotation in an outer hollow part, said inner part being fixed to, for rotation with, said reel means. The reel means may suitably includes a hollow support axle communicating with said discharge conduit means and preferably said hollow support axle defines a discharge opening at one end for discharge of said water or other liquid therethrough and said gland means is provided at the opposite end of said axle.

t Preferably, said inner part of said gland means 'means

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i includes respective passageways extending Qlngitudinally thereof, J said passageways communicating with the respective said hydraulic supply and discharge lines and respective ports in said outer hollow part.

The outer hollow part of said gland means suitably includes a removable end cap, said cap including a said port communicating with one of said passageways.

The apparatus may also include roller means for directing said conduit means from said reel means down said bore hole or the like.

I 9 Frame mea,is are further preferably provided for S supporting 3aid reel means for rotation and driv means are provided for driving said reel means.

Preferably, said roller means is supported on said frame means for movement towards or away from said reel means.

'n order that the invention may be more readily understood and put into practical effect, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings which illustrate a preferred embodiment of the invention and wherein:- Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of the apparatus according to the present invention; Fig. 2 is an end view of the apparatus hose reel; Fig. 3 is a sectional view showing details of the connection assembly between the hose and reel axle; Fig. 4 is an enlarged sectional view showing further details of the connection assembly; Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the gland assembly for the feedi.g ana exhaust 3a

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U rC of hydraulic fluid to and from the pump; Fig. 6 illustrates details of the rollers of the driven roller assembly and the suspension therefor; Fig. 7 is an enlarged view along lines A-A of Fig. 1 showing details of the rollers and their engagement with the hose; Fig. 8 is a plan view showing the extension arm assembly which supports the driven roller assembly; "BlO Fig. 9 is a sectional view along lines B-B a"o" of Fig. 8 showing details of the carriage asembly for the extension arm assembly; and Fig. 10 illustrates in part sectional view a 0 the pump shroud assembly.

Referring to the drawings and firstly to FigI.

1 and 2, there is illustrated dewatering apparatus O9 according to the present invention including a frame assembly 11 for supporting a driven hose reel 12 about which is wound a flexible hose or pipe 13 which extends through an adjustable driven roller assembly 14 and communicates with a pump assembly 15, the latter in use being lowered into a bore hole to pump out water or jthe like through the hose 13. The frame assembly 11 includes respective front and rear rectangular frames 16 interconnected by upper and lower pairs of frame members 17. The frame assembly 11 also includes a pair of braced diagonally extending support arms 18 which are opera-tive to support the hose 4 reel 12.

As shown in Figs. 1 and 2 the hose reel 12 includes a hollow axle assembly 19 which communicates at one end with a gland assembly 20 which is operative to communicate hydraulic fluid to and from the motor21 of pump assembly 15 via flexible pipes 22 which extend down the hose 13 to communicate with the pump assembly The gland assembly 20 is supported on one of the diagonal arms 18 and acts also as a bearing to support one end of the axle assembly 19 whilst the opposite end 19'of the axle assembly 19 which is open is supported on the ao opposite diagonal arm 18 by a conventional bearing 23. Respective hubs 24 are fixed to the hollow axle assembly 21 and a plurality of spokes 25 extend radially therefrom to be connected at their free ends to respective a Q* ao annular rims 26. Extending and supported between the s respective sets of spokes 25 is a cylindrical member 27 I I about which the hose 13 may be wound.

A gear wheel or pulley comprising part of a 1,20 reduction assembly 28 is fixed coaxially to the open end 22 of the axle assembly and the reduction assembly 2S communicates via a further reduction assembly 29 with an hydraulic motor 30 so that the reel 12 can be driven at a desired rate.

The axle assembly 19 also communicates with a radially extending pipe 31 which extends outwardly to adjacent th:, cylindrical wall 27 and is connected with one 5 1 end of the flexible pipe 13 which passes through the wall 27. For this purpose, the free end of the pipe 31 is provided with a connection portion 32 and a clamp assembly 33 shown more clearly in Figs. 3 and 4 is arranged to clamp the flexible pipe to the connection portion 32.

For this purpose, the connection portion 32 of the pipe 31 tapers to a leading tubular portion 34 which is inserted into the end of the hose 13 and which is provided with a plurality of annular grooves 35 in its outer surface :o410 the purpose of which will hereinafter become apparent.

aor Disposed rearwardly of the tubular portion is an enlarged shoulder portion 36 provided with an annular locating o groove 37 which defines an annular projection 38. The So clamp assembly 33 is of generally annular form comprising two similar parts 39 and 40 which are arranged to be o0 0 cl&awped together by means of bolts 41 which in use pass 0 0 a through aligned holes in the clamp parts 39 and St, The clamping parts 39 and 40 when assembled define on their inner surface an annular groove 42 arranged in use to receive the annular projection 38 on the connection portion 32 in the manner shown in Fig. 4. The annular groove 42 also defines an annular projection 43 which is arranged to be received in the groove 37. The inner surfaces of the clamping parts 39 and 40 are also provided with a plurality of annular gripping projections 44 which are spaced apart the same distance as the distance between the grooves 35 in the tubular portion 6 I, 1- 41~~1 P Ip Ii

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Irn Ci 34. In use, the end of the flexible pipe 13 is engaged over the tubular portion 34 and the clamp parts 39 and placed therearound and clamped together by the bolts 41 so that the respective annular projections and grooves on the clamp parts 39 and 40 and connecting portion 32 will interengage to prevent detachment of the pipe 13.

Furthermore, the co-operation between the respective projections 44 and grooves 35 on the clamp parts 39 and and the tubular portion 34 respectively will ensure good sealing of the flexible hose to the connection aI" portion 32.

*oo As stated above, the gland assembly 21 is 41 operative to permit the feed of hydraulic fluid to 0R the pump assembly 15 and exhaust of fluid therefrom during operation of the apparatus and as shown in Fig.

5, the gland assembly 21 includes an outer pa-t e which is mounted on one of the diagonal arms 19 and an inner part 46 which is fixed to one end of the axle Sassembly 20 and supported rotatably within the outer part 45, For this purpose, the outer part 45 includes a ifange portion 47 which in use is bolted to one S arm 19 whilst the inner part 4.6 is provided with an annular flange 48 adjacent one end which is adapted to be fixed to one hub 24 of the hose reel 12 by bolts through the aligned holes 49.

As shown in Fig. 5, the body portion 50 of the inner gland part 46 is substantially solid and stepped

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C- i r i s inwardly at 51 and provided with a threaded end portion 52 for threaded co-operation with an annular end member 53. A first passage 54 extends from one end of the body portion 50 and centrally part way theroalong whereaftel it extends out at ar acute angle to the axis of the body portion 50 to communicate with an hydraulic hose fitting A second passage 56 extends substantially longitudinally of the body portion 50 from a further fitting 57 to open through the side wall of the body portion adjacent the stepped portion 51 thereof.

n The outer part 45 of the gland includes a °o generally hollow cylindrical body 58 open at one end to n receive the inner part 46 and adapted to be closed at its operative end by a removable end cap 59 provided 1 5 with an hydraulic fitting 60. The body 58 is also provided with a further fitting 61 which communicates S, With the interior of the body 58 adjacent the stepped portion 51 of the inner part 45. The body 58 is also I 8I fitted with bushings 62 to support the inner part 46 and is further provided with an internal annular S, bearing shoulder 63.

To assemble the gland 21 the end cap 59 of the outer part 49 is removed as is the end member 53 of the inner part 46. The inner part 46 is then inserted into the outer part 45 and a thrust bearing 64 is engaged over the inner part 45 and forced therealong until it abuts the internal shoulder 63 formed in the outer part. The end 8-

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a :i i j j Ir i i i member 53 may then be screw engaged with the threaded end 52 of the inner purt and is tightened so that the bearing 64 is forced against the shoulder 63. For this purpose, the end member 53 may be provided with a pair of diametrically opposed holes in its outer face to facilitate spannw, engagement. Furthermore, a set screw may be provided to lock the end member 53 to the body part 50. A further bearing 65 is then located between the end member 53 and end cap 59 which is re-engaged with the body 58. To ensure proper sealing, the end member 53 is provided with a plurality of grooves 66 to receive sealing rings whilst the body part is provided 0o with a similar groove 67 for this purpose.

o*0 The hose fitting 57 is coupled to an hydraulic hose 0 0 *00. which extends along the axle assembly 20 through the radially 1 extending pipe 31 and along and within the hose 13 to be coupled to the pump motor exhaust whilst a similar hose ex- 0 06 tends from the motor inlet to the fitting 55. Thus hydraulic fluid introduced into the fitting 60 in the end cap 59 will pass along the passage 54 and to the pump motor to drive same whilst exhaust fluid will pass into the fitting 57 through the passage 56 for exit through the fitting 61.

The flexible hose 13 passes from the hose reel 12 through the driven roller assembly 14 to be connected to the pump assembly 15. The driven roller asembly 14 is operative to unwind the hose from the reel and/or assist in winding up the hose and to turn tht through 90° for passage to 1_ and from the bore hole. Referring to Figs. 6 and 7, the driven roller assembly 14 includL_ a pair of spaced side plates 68.which support therebetween respective pairs of roller sets 69,in this instance four,with each roller 70 having a concave outer surface to co-operate with the other roller in each set and neatly engage about the hose 13, One roller 70 in each end set together with both rollers 70 in the other two sets are provided with sprockets 71 outside of the side plates 68 about which an endless chain 72 is looped.

oaK Idler sprockets 73 are provided to maintain chain tension, An hydraulic motor 74 is coupled to the upper roller 70 in the first set so that drive is °on transmitted to the roller sets 69 via the endless chain sQ###o 72. Actuation of the hydraulic motor 74 in one direction will cause the hose 13 to be unwound from the hose reeool *l 12 to lower the pump assembly 15 into the ground bore.

Similarly, rotation of the hydraulic motor 74 in the opposite direction will enable the pump assembly 15 to be raised and the hose 13 to be wound onto the reel 12.

Preferably the roller sets 69 are positioned so that the centre line of the hose is at the same or substantially LO the same radius as the radius of the cylindrical member 27 of the reel 12.

The drive roller assembly 14 is supported at one end of a support arm assembly 75 (see Figs. land 8) which comprises a first hollow member 76 fixed pivotally 10 hi i Ii i 1 i i

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4r 8484 *8I 8 414 4 8*4 8 4848 8 84 88a 8481 88*8~ 8 8 84 8* 4 81 8i 4> .4 I 81 88 444 I at 77 to the end frame 16 for pivotal movement about a vertical axis and a sec r, -mber 78 telescoped therein. As shown in Fig. -he opposite end of the member 76 is supported by a carriage assembly 79 on a transversely extending arcuate track 80 so as to be supported during its transverse movement, Preferably, the arcuate track 80 is of generally T-,shape crnss-section and the carriage assembly includes respective arms 81 disposed on opposite sides of the track 80 supporting rotatably at their upper ends bearings 82 which ride upon the track and at their lower ends the hollow member 76. A ram 83 extends between a lug on the frame member 11 and a lug attached to the hollow member 76 so as to pivot the hollow member 76 about its vertical pivot axis and to move tho carriago assembly 79 along the track 80 in any desired direction.

The second member 78 is preferably supported by means of bearings within the hollow member 76 for smooth inward and outward sliding mov moent and is provided at its free end with a downwardly exterdi ,tember 84 which supports the drive assembly 14 for tranverse pivotal movement. For this purpose, a hollow bar is fixed to the downwardly extending member to support a pair of hangers 86 which are fixed between the side support platos 68 of the roller assembly 14 and which are mounted to the hollow bar via an elongated bolt 87 so that the hangers are free for pivotal movement from -ii

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_f t i i side to side about the axis of the hollow member.

A further hydraulic ram 88 extends between lugs fixed to the first and second members 76 and 78 respectively so that the second member 78 may be extended or retracted as desired place the drive roller assembly 14 and pump assembly 15 in alignment with the bore. This may also be achieved by extension or retraction of the hydraulic ram 83.

Referring now to Fig. 10, there is illustrated the pump shroud and suction cover assembly 89 which includes a L0 frusto conical discharge portion 90 which tapers to a tubular end qI which engages with the end of the hose 13 and is clamped thereto by means of a clamp assembly similar to .that shown in Figs. 3 and 4. The frusto conical discharge portion 90 is fixed to a pump discharge adapter plate 92 which is provided with fittings 93 on either side for coupling to the hydraulic motor supply and discharge lines 22 and further supply and discharge lines 94. The plate 92 also carries a cylindrical shroud 95 in which is located the submersible pump 96. The pump 96 which in this instance compirises a ten stage SP16 Grundfos Pump has its outlet coupled to sleeve 97 of the pump discharge adapter 92 whilst the lower end thereof is coupled to the pump motor 21. The lower.

end of the shroud 95 as shown is proi'ded with a frusto conical perforated hood 98 which is operative to prevent large solids passing to the pump 96.

In Nge, the apparatus lO may be supported say 12 .li wrt-~; on the tray of a truck or the like and driven to the required site whereafter the rams 83 and 88 may be actuated to position the pump assembly 15 over the bore hole. When the pump assembly is aligned with the bore hole, the driven roller motor 74 is actuated together with the reel motor 30 so that the hose 13 is unwound and the pump assembly 15 lowered into the bore hole. For this purpose, the hydraulic motors of the driven roller assembly 14 and the hose reel 12 are coupled via a valve to a pressurized source so that when the pump assembly 15 is being lowered into o the bore hole, fu 1 pressure is applied to the roller assembly motor 74 and less pressure to the reel motor 30 so that the hose 13 is somewhat pulled from the reel. When the pump assembly is submerged, hydraulic fluid is supplied through the gland assembly 20 to the motor 21 to cause operation thereof and the I 01'5, pump 96 to be driven so that water or liquid from the bore hole passes upwardly through the hose 13 and about the supply and VI discharge hydraulic fluid lines 22, through the radial pipe 31 and into the axle assembly 19 for discharge through the open end 19' thereof which may be connected to a discharge hose, When the pumping has been completed, the hydraulic supply to the pump motor 21 is stopped and the reel motor 30 and roller motor 74 actuated to wind in the hose. In this instance, full pressure is applied to the reel motor 30 with less oressure to the roller motor 74. During windilig up of the hose the ram 83 may be actuated to move the driven roller assembly 14 from side to side to ensure smooth passage of the hose 13 onto the reel 12.

The present invention therefore provides an effective apparatus for removing water or other liquid from bore holes or the like. As at least the hydraulic supply 22 for the pump 13 ^sr I drive motor 41 is located within the flexible discharge hose 13, Shydrauli fluid flowing therein is subject to the cooling effect of water or other liquid in the discharge hose 13. Accordingly the effective operating depth of the pump assembly 15 is increased as frictiona; heating effects are significantly reduced.

Of course, it will be realized that many variations may be made to the above embodiment without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, the hydraulic drive tiO motors may be replaced by other equivalent arrangements whilst the hydraulic rams 83 and 88 may be substituted by manually operable means or any other extension arrangement.

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Claims (13)

1. Apparatus for removing water or other liquid from bore holes or the like, said apparatus including pump means adapted for location within said bore hole or the like, discharge conduit means communicating with said pump means, hydraulic motor means operatively coupled to said pump means to drive the latter in utss so that water or other liquid in said bore hole or the like may be delivered by said pump means into said conduit means and there being provided an hydraulic flid supply line coupled to said hydraulic motor means, said line being arranged within said discharge conduit means and extending therealong.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 and further including an hydraulic fluid discharge line coupled to said hydraulic motor, said discharge line being arranged within said discharge conduit means and extending therealong. O t i,

3. Apparatus according to Claim 2 wherein said conduit means is adapted to be supported about reel means said reel means being adapted to be rotated in use so that said pump means and conduit means may be lowered down said bore hole or the like or raised.

4. Apparatus according to Claim 3 and including gland means for a 4 connecting said hydraulic fluid supply and discharge lines to a source of hydraulic fluid and to exhaust respectively.

Apparatus according to Claim 4 wherein said gland means includes an inner part supported for rotation in an outer hollow part, said inner part being fixed to, for rotation with, said reel means.

6. Apparatus according to Claim 5 wherein said reel means includes a hollow support axle communicating with said discharge conduit means. i r i

7. Apparatus according to Claim 6 wherein said hollow support axle defines a discharge opening at one end for discharge of said water or other liquid therethrough and wherein said gland means is provided at the opposite end of said axle.

8. Apparatus according to any one of Claims 4 to 6 wherein said inner part of said gland means includes respective passageways extending longitudinally th'ereof, said passageways communicating with the respective said hydraulic supply and discharge lines and respective ports in said outer hollow part. S

9. Apparatus according to Claim 8 wherein said outer hollow part includes a removable end cap, said cap including a said port communicating with one of said passageways.

Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims and including roller means for directing said conduit means from said reel means down said bore hole or the like.

11. Apparatus according to Claim 10 and including frame 4' means for supporting said reel means for rotation and drive means for driving said reel means.

12. Apparatus according to Claim 11 wherein said roller means is supported on said frame means for movement towards or away from said reel means.

13. Apparatus for removing water or other liquid from bore holes or the like substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings. DATED this nineteenth day of July 1990 ALFRED LESLIE GILMORE AND GRACE ADELAIDE GILMORE By ,ratent Attorney 16,S g JOHN RISGQ. GARDNER I