Abstract:
A residential water pressure booster is disclosed comprising a housing with a primary inlet attached to a water source and with an outlet supplying the residential water use. Some of the energy of the flowing water is captured by a turbine impeller that is mounted on a drive shaft. The drive shaft transmits this energy to a pump impeller and, in the preferred embodiment, to a centrifugal pump impeller, both of which boost the pressure of the liquid. Water pressure is also increased by a constriction chamber which constricts the flow between the turbine impeller and the pump impeller. The efficiency of the pump impeller is increased by the action of the centrifugal pump impeller and directional fins and directional grooves in the constriction chamber, which impart a rotational motion to the liquid. The device efficiently boosts water pressure with an external power source.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     Lack of adequate water pressure is a problem in many residences. This problem relates to older homes in which the plumbing system may not be capable of providing adequate pressure to operate multiple water-demanding appliances and uses simultaneously. Dwellings supplied by individual wells often have limits on the available water pressure. Moreover, many public water supplies also experience periods of low pressure. Even where adequate pressure is available for ordinary uses, pressure drops will often be experienced when there are extraordinary demands, such as filling a swimming pools or watering lawns/shrubbery.  
         [0002]     Therefore, there exists a need for an inexpensive, compact, easily usable device to augment residential water pressure that does not require an external source of power. In the industrial setting, pressure boosters have utilized pumps driven by booster turbines. Such devices are disclosed by Schwartzman, U.S. Pat. No. 4,067,665, Hansen, U.S. Pat. No. 5,017,086, Murray, U.S. Pat. No. 5,599,164, and Oklejas, Jr., U.S. Pat. No. 6,345,961. However, these references are designed for recovery of energy from industrial pump applications and are not readily adaptable to residential use. The complexity and expense associated with these references is also beyond the capacity of the typical homeowner, who needs a device which is inexpensive and simple to install.  
         [0003]     For the foregoing reasons, there is a need for a water pressure booster which is effective yet has an ease of use and installation suited for the residential user.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0004]     The present invention is directed to a device that satisfies the need for an easily installed, effective, and inexpensive water pressure booster for residential use. The device is compact and readily adaptable to residential plumbing while preserving the practical functions of more sophisticated industrial pressure boosters. Residential plumbing fixtures, pipes or hose lines may be attached easily and quickly to the input and output ends of the device, which performs the function of increasing the water pressure without an outside energy source. This optimizes the efficiency of the residential water supply system by providing an adequate pressure to each individual use.  
         [0005]     A self-powered water pressure booster having features of the present invention comprises a housing having an inlet end and an outlet end. A horizontal axis connects the centers of the inlet and outlet ends and delineates an upstream direction towards the inlet end and a downstream direction toward the outlet end. A primary inlet positioned below the horizontal axis in the inlet end attaches to a water source, while an outlet in the outlet end attaches to a pipe or hose fitting supplying the residential water use. The primary inlet connects to an annular cavity, which forms a lower induction chamber below the horizontal axis and an upper induction chamber above the horizontal axis. Liquid flows from the primary inlet into the lower induction chamber, filling it, and then flows into the upper induction chamber.  
         [0006]     From the upper induction chamber, the liquid flows through a secondary inlet into the turbine chamber. The turbine chamber is axially positioned immediately adjacent to and in the downstream direction from the annular cavity. Inside the turbine chamber is a turbine impeller, which is driven by the force of the liquid entering the turbine chamber through the secondary inlet and thereby extracts energy from the flowing liquid. The turbine impeller is mounted on a drive shaft that runs along the horizontal axis and is supported by bearing mounts on either side, allowing it to rotate freely in either direction. The turbine impeller imparts the energy extracted from the flowing liquid to the drive shaft in the form of rotational motion.  
         [0007]     A constriction chamber is axially positioned immediately adjacent to and downstream of the turbine chamber, to which is hydraulically connected by a tertiary inlet. The constriction chamber has a truncated conical shape such that its cross sectional area decreases in the downstream direction, thereby increasing the velocity of the flowing liquid. The liquid flows from the constriction chamber into a pump chamber, axially positioned immediately adjacent to and downstream from the constriction chamber. The pump chamber houses a pump impeller mounted on the drive shaft, which imparts to the pump impeller the rotational motion supplied by the turbine impeller. The rotational motion of the pump impeller, in turn, imparts energy to the flowing liquid, thereby boosting the velocity and pressure of the liquid. From the pump chamber the liquid flows to the outlet in the outlet end of the housing, which outlet is immediately adjacent to and downstream from the pump chamber. From the outlet, the liquid leaves the housing and flows into a pipe or hose fitting supplying the residential water use.  
         [0008]     In the preferred embodiment, the residential water pressure booster further comprises a centrifugal pump chamber axially positioned between the turbine chamber and the constriction chamber. In the centrifugal pump chamber a centrifugal pump impeller is mounted on the drive shaft and is designed to receive the rotational energy supplied to the drive shaft by the turbine impeller and impart said energy to the flowing liquid, thereby causing the liquid to experience centripetal acceleration and to whirl around the drive shaft as it enters the constriction chamber. The decreasing cross-sectional area of the constriction chamber augments the centripetal acceleration of the flowing liquid as it moves towards the pump chamber. The centripetal acceleration thereby gained increases the efficiency of the pump impeller and results in a greater pressure boost to the liquid.  
         [0009]     In the preferred embodiment, the rotational motion of the water in the constriction chamber is directed and optimized by a series of static directional fins projecting from the walls of the constriction chamber and by a series of static directional grooves formed in the walls of the constriction chamber. The fins and the grooves are oriented in the downstream direction in a spiraling pattern, thereby directing and regulating the whirling motion of the flowing liquid.  
         [0010]     Optionally, a tertiary inlet bypass tube hydraulically connects the turbine chamber with the centrifugal pump chamber, thereby allowing a portion of the flowing liquid to pass from the turbine chamber into the centrifugal pump chamber unobstructed by the turbine impeller. This feature serves to mitigate the reduction of the liquid&#39;s flow rate associated with the interaction of liquid with the turbine impeller.  
         [0011]     Optionally, a recycled flow transfer tube hydraulically connects the area of the pump chamber in the downstream direction from the pump impeller with the turbine chamber. This feature allows some of the pressurized liquid downstream of the pump impeller to flow back in the upstream direction to the turbine chamber and thereby impart additional energy to the drive shaft as the pressurized liquid passes through the turbine impeller. The overall boost in liquid pressure is thereby increased as the liquid makes multiple passes through the device.  
         [0012]     Optionally, in order to avoid cavitation, a tubular flow diffuser may be positioned immediately adjacent to and downstream from the pump impeller. The tubular flow diffuser has a series of openings designed to reduce the turbulence of the flowing liquid, thereby avoiding cavitation on the back of the pump impeller blades. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING  
       [0013]      FIG. 1  is a full section view of a self-powered water pressure booster embodying features of the present invention. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0014]     As shown in  FIG. 1 , a self-powered residential water pressure booster embodying the features of the present invention  10  consists of a housing  11  and a drive shaft  25 , which is supported on either end by a bearing mount  26 . The housing comprises an inlet end  12  and an outlet end  13 , the centers of which are connected by a horizontal axis  14 . With respect to the horizontal axis, there is an upstream direction towards the inlet end  12  and a downstream direction towards the outlet end  13 . The interior of the housing  11  comprises, in order from upstream to downstream, a primary inlet  15 , an annular cavity  16 , a turbine chamber  19 , a centrifugal pump chamber  29 , a constriction chamber  21 , a pump chamber  23 , and an outlet  24 . Mounted on the drive shaft, in order from upstream to downstream, are a turbine impeller  27 , a centrifugal pump impeller  30 , and a pump impeller  28 .  
         [0015]     The primary inlet  15  is positioned on the inlet end  12  for connection to a water source (not shown) whereby a flowing liquid enters the housing  11 . Immediately adjacent to and downstream of the primary inlet, the annular cavity  16  consists of a lower induction chamber  17  below the horizontal axis  14  and an upper induction chamber  18  above the horizontal axis  14 . The liquid from the water source flows through the primary inlet  15 , filling up the lower induction chamber  17 , and then entering the upper induction chamber  18 . Above the horizontal axis  14 , immediately adjacent to and downstream from the upper induction chamber  18 , is located a secondary inlet  20  whereby the liquid enters the turbine chamber  19  and there engages the turbine impeller  27 , causing it to rotate and impart rotational energy to the drive shaft  25 . After passing through the turbine impeller  27 , the liquid flows down through the turbine chamber below the horizontal axis  14  and through the tertiary inlet  22  into the centrifugal pump chamber  29 , which is located immediately adjacent to and downstream of the turbine chamber  19 . In the centrifugal pump chamber  29 , the centrifugal pump impeller  30  is mounted on the drive shaft  25 , from which it receives rotational energy which it, in turn, imparts to the flowing liquid. Immediately adjacent to and downstream from the centrifugal pump chamber  29 , the liquid flows into the constriction chamber  21 , which is configured as a truncated cone, the cross-sectional area of which decreases in the downstream direction, thereby increasing the velocity of the flowing liquid. The liquid then enters the pump chamber  23 , where it is acted upon by the pump impeller  28 . The pump impeller  28  imparts to the liquid the rotational energy transmitted through the drive shaft, thereby boosting the velocity and pressure of the liquid. The pressurized liquid exits the housing  11  through the outlet end  13  out the outlet  24  into a pipe, hose fitting or other connection (not shown) supplying the residential water use.  
         [0016]     The drive shaft  25  extends along the horizontal axis  14  of the housing  11  from the inlet end  12  to the pump chamber  23 , and is connected to the housing  11  via bearing mounts  26  which allow it to rotate freely in either direction. Mounted on the drive shaft  25  are the turbine impeller  27 , the centrifugal pump impeller  30 , and the pump impeller  28 . The turbine impeller  27  is mounted on the drive shaft  25  in the turbine chamber  19 . The turbine impeller  27  captures some of the energy of the flowing liquid and imparts a rotational motion to the drive shaft  25 . In the preferred embodiment, the centrifugal pump impeller  30  is mounted on the drive shaft  25  in the centrifugal pump chamber  29 , which is axially positioned immediately adjacent to and downstream of the turbine chamber  19 . The centrifugal pump impeller  30  receives rotational energy from the drive shaft and imparts said energy to the flowing liquid, causing it to whirl around the drive shaft  25  as it enters the constriction chamber  21 . The decreasing cross-sectional area of the constriction chamber  21  causes the linear and rotational velocity of the fluid to increase as it moves towards the pump chamber  23 . The pump impeller  28  is mounted on the drive shaft  25  in the pump chamber  23 , which is axially positioned immediately adjacent to and downstream from the constriction chamber  21 . The pump impeller  28  receives rotational energy from the drive shaft and imparts said energy to the flowing liquid, thus increasing the velocity and pressure of the liquid, which then exits the housing  11  through the outlet  24 .  
         [0017]     In the preferred embodiment, a series of static directional fins  31  and static directional grooves  32  are formed within the constriction chamber  21 . The static direction fins  31  and the static directional grooves  32  serve to direct and regulate the spiraling motion imparted to the liquid by the centrifugal pump impeller  30 . The static directional fins  31  and static directional grooves  32  guide the liquid&#39;s whirling motion around the drive shaft  25 , which accelerates as the liquid proceeds downstream through the constriction chamber  21 .  
         [0018]     Optionally, a tertiary inlet bypass tube  33  connects the turbine chamber  19  with the centrifugal pump chamber  29 , enable a portion of the liquid flowing through the turbine chamber  19  to bypass the tertiary inlet  22  and maintain a flow rate undiminished by the turbine impeller  27 .  
         [0019]     Optionally, a recycled flow transfer tube  34  hydraulically connects the area of the pump chamber  23  downstream of the pump impeller  28  and the turbine chamber  19 . This feature allows some of the pressurized liquid downstream of the pump impeller  28  to flow back in the upstream direction to the turbine chamber  19  and thereby impart additional energy to the drive shaft  25  as the pressurized liquid passes through the turbine impeller  27 . The overall boost in liquid pressure is thereby increased as the liquid makes multiple passes through the device.  
         [0020]     Optionally, in order to avoid cavitation, a tubular flow diffuser  35  may be positioned immediately adjacent to and downstream from the pump impeller  28 . The tubular flow diffuser  35  has a series of openings designed to reduce the turbulence of the flowing liquid, thereby avoiding cavitation on the back of the pump impeller blades  28 .  
         [0021]     The moving parts of the device can be fabricated of steel or steel alloy of suitable strength, while the housing can any of the durable metal or plastic materials typically used in residential plumbing applications.  
         [0022]     The operation of the residential water pressure booster  10  would be as follows: Liquid would enter the primary inlet  15  from a source connected thereto by a pipe or hose fitting. The liquid would then flow into the annular cavity  16 , first filling the lower induction chamber  17  then reaching the upper induction chamber  18  and flowing through the secondary inlet  20  into the turbine chamber  19 . In the turbine chamber  19 , the liquid would provide energy to the turbine impeller  27 , causing it to rotate and turn the drive shaft  25 , which would in turn rotate the centrifugal pump impeller  30  and the pump impeller  28 . The liquid would then pass through the tertiary inlet  22  into the centrifugal pump chamber  29 . Optionally, an additional path, the tertiary inlet bypass tube  33 , would allow excess liquid that is unnecessary for the powering of the turbine impeller  27  to bypass the turbine impeller  27  and retain its initial velocity as it passes into the centrifugal pump chamber  29 , thus maintaining pressure.  
         [0023]     The rotation of the centrifugal pump impeller  30  in the centrifugal pump chamber  29  is powered by the rotation of the turbine impeller  27  transmitted through the drive shaft  25 . The centrifugal pump impeller  30  rotates the liquid and gives it a centrifugal force, whirling it around the drive shaft  25  as it enters the constriction chamber  21 , where the decreasing cross-sectional area causes the linear and rotational velocity of the liquid to increase Additionally, in the preferred embodiment, static directional fins  31  and static directional grooves  32  formed in the walls of the constriction chamber  21  direct and regulate the accelerating rotational motion of the liquid.  
         [0024]     The liquid then flows from the constriction chamber  21  into the pump chamber  23  where the liquid is acted upon by the rotating pump impeller  28 , which has the effect of boosting the velocity and pressure of the liquid. The efficiency of the pump impeller  28  in imparting energy to the liquid is improved by the rotational motion of the liquid in the same direction as the rotation of the pump impeller  28 .  
         [0025]     Optionally, the pressurized liquid passing through the pump impeller  28  may be directed through a tubular flow diffuser  35 , the openings of which tend to restore laminar flow, thereby reducing turbulence and avoiding cavitation on the back of the pump impeller blades  28 . Also optionally, a portion of the pressurized liquid passing through the pump impeller  28  may be directed back upstream to the turbine chamber  19 , where it can provide additional energy to the turbine impeller  27  and attain additional pressurization by multiple passes through the device.  
         [0026]     The present invention is, therefore, well adapted to satisfy the need for increased residential water pressure without external power in an easy and convenient way. The present invention, moreover, allows for multiple residential applications to be utilized on the same well or public water source without concern for pressure loss, as well as enabling better efficiency in individual domestic water uses.  
         [0027]     While the present invention has been described in some detail with references to certain currently preferred embodiments, other embodiments are feasible and will readily suggest themselves to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the spirit and scope of the appended claims is not limited to the description of the preferred embodiments contained herein.