Abstract:
An amphibious pumping vehicle comprising: a floatable vehicle body; ground engaging propulsion structure configured to raise and lower relative to the vehicle body; a fluid pump; a first fluid nozzle configured to direct fluid through the air, the fluid nozzle connected by a fluid conduit to the fluid pump; and, a power source configured to provide power to both the ground engaging propulsion structure and the fluid pump. The vehicle is particularly well suited to pumping and recirculating fluid within manure lagoons and is able to be driven up out of the lagoon when the lagoon level has been lowered.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation of international patent application PCT/CA2014/050789, filed Aug. 19, 2014, which claims the benefit of U.S. patent application 61/867,598 filed Aug. 18, 2013, the entire contents of which are herein incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    The invention relates to pumps and vehicles equipped for pumping. In particular, the invention relates to manure pumps and amphibious vehicles equipped for pumping liquid manure, such as animal manure contained in a farm lagoon. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Manure produced during animal husbandry, particularly hog and cattle manure, is transferred by washing to a pit or lagoon for storage prior to removal for land application or further processing. During storage, a crust can develop on the surface of the pit or lagoon that must be disrupted prior to or during removal of the manure. Pumps are employed for this purpose with jets that return a percentage of the manure back to the pit or lagoon in the form of a high volume spray to disrupt the crust and recirculate the manure. Pumps for use in recirculating manure from smaller pits are known; however, these pumps are typically suitable for accessing the pit or lagoon from its edge and are connected to a tractor or similar land vehicle for operational power. They are therefore limited in their ability to recirculate manure to the middle of large lagoons, which are becoming increasing common as the size of animal husbandry operations increases. 
         [0004]    Accordingly, there is a need for improved pumps and vehicles equipped for pumping, particularly pumps and vehicles suitable for use with large manure lagoons. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    According to the invention, there is provided an amphibious pumping vehicle comprising: a floatable vehicle body; ground engaging propulsion structure configured to raise and lower relative to the vehicle body; a fluid pump; a first fluid nozzle configured to direct fluid through the air, the fluid nozzle connected by a fluid conduit to the fluid pump; and, a power source configured to provide power to both the ground engaging propulsion structure and the fluid pump. 
         [0006]    The floatable vehicle body may be in the shape of a mono-hull, a catamaran or a barge. Floatation of the vehicle body may be provided by a displacement hull, pontoon elements, or buoyant elements, for example foam filled buoyant chambers, such as are used for supporting floating docks. The vehicle body may be made using a variety of suitable materials, for example, fiberglass, aluminum, plastics, steel, etc. 
         [0007]    The ground engaging propulsion structure may comprise ground engaging elements of the type suitable for powering a vehicle across wet or muddy terrain. For example, the ground engaging propulsion structure may comprise an endless track or a set of wheels. The set of wheels may comprise two or more wheels, for example four wheels, six wheels or eight wheels. May be provided in pairs with one wheel of each pair disposed on opposite sides of the vehicle. When the vehicle comprises a set of wheels, any number of the wheels may be driven in order to provide propulsion for the vehicle. Although at least two wheels may be driven, it is preferred that at least four wheels are driven. Although the vehicle may be provided with steering structure configured to change direction of one or more pairs of wheels, it is preferred that the wheels are independently driven at variable speeds, allowing them to be fixed in direction relative to the vehicle body. This provides directional control of the vehicle, even in wet or muddy conditions where conventional steering is likely to be ineffective due to sliding of the steerable set of wheels. A variety of drive mechanisms may be used to operate the wheels independently at variable speed; for example, at least one motor may be connected to each wheel that is hydraulically or electrically operable at variable speed. A transmission may alternatively be provided with structure configured to allow each wheel to be operated at variable speeds. 
         [0008]    The ground engaging propulsion structure is configured to raise and lower relative to the vehicle body. Raising and lowering may be provided by telescoping structure or lever structure configured to pivot relative to the vehicle body. The lever structure may comprise a linear actuator that is driven, for example hydraulically, to cause pivoting of the lever arm relative to the vehicle body and thereby raise or lower the wheels. Each wheel is preferably raised or lowered at the same time. Alternatively, the lever structure may comprise a planetary drive that is either mechanically or hydraulically powered to cause pivoting of the lever arm. 
         [0009]    The vehicle further comprises a power source configured to provide power to both the ground engaging propulsion structure and the fluid pump. The power source may be self-contained on the vehicle or may be linked to shore. For example, the power source may comprise an internal combustion engine, a fuel-cell, electric batteries, etc. The power source may comprise an electric motor that may be driven from shore via an electrical cable. The power source may be connected to a generator for supplying electrical power to electrical systems on board the vehicle. The power source may be connected to a hydraulic pump for supplying hydraulic fluid pressure to hydraulic systems on board the vehicle. The power source may be connected to the fluid pump hydraulically, electrically, or via a mechanical drive. A single power source may be used to provide power to all vehicle systems, including the fluid pump. In one embodiment, the power source is an internal combustion engine that is connected to the fluid pump and a hydraulic pump via a mechanical drive. The mechanical drive may comprise a gearbox to provide an appropriate rotational speed for the fluid pump. The mechanical drive may comprise a gearbox to provide an appropriate rotational speed for the hydraulic pump. The fluid pump and hydraulic pump may be operated at the same or different rotational speeds. 
         [0010]    The fluid pump may comprise a pump housing configured for immersion within the fluid. The pump housing may comprise a bottom fluid inlet and at least two tangential fluid outlets. A greater number of tangential fluid outlets may be provided, for example three fluid outlets. The tangential fluid outlets may be combined into a single fluid conduit for directing the combined output of the fluid pump to a desired location. The vehicle may comprise structure configured to cause raising and lowering of the fluid pump, especially the fluid pump housing, relative to the vehicle body. For example, a hydraulically or electrically driven linear actuator may be provided on the vehicle and configured to raise and lower the fluid pump. This may be accomplished via a telescoping structure or a lever structure of the vehicle. The tangential fluid outlets may be equipped with flexible or telescoping connections to the single fluid conduit. Lowering the fluid pump for immersion into the fluid obviates the need for priming the fluid pump, which can be problematic when the fluid is manure comprising solid materials that can plug the pump or priming structure. Immersion of the pump also simplifies intermittent operation of the pump, due to eliminating potential loss of prime, and reduces the need for pump maintenance. 
         [0011]    The vehicle comprises a first fluid nozzle configured to direct fluid through the air. The fluid nozzle is connected by fluid conduit to the fluid pump. The fluid conduit connecting the fluid nozzle to the fluid pump may comprise the single fluid conduit that is connected to the tangential fluid outlets of the pump. The vehicle may further comprise a plurality of fluid nozzles comprising the first fluid nozzle and at least one second fluid nozzle connected to the fluid conduit. The first fluid nozzle may comprise a front nozzle and the second fluid conduit may comprise the rear nozzle or a pair of rear nozzles. The plurality of fluid nozzles may comprise at least two side fluid nozzles on opposite sides of vehicle connected to the fluid conduit. The at least two side fluid nozzles may comprise a pair of fluid nozzles on opposite sides of the vehicle connected to the fluid conduit; thus, the at least two side fluid nozzles may comprise a total of four fluid nozzles. The vehicle may further comprise valve structure configured to proportion fluid flow between the plurality of fluid nozzles. The valve structure may comprise a valve corresponding to each fluid nozzle. The valve corresponding to each fluid nozzle may be actuatable, for example hydraulically or electrically. The valve structure may be actuatable remotely. 
         [0012]    The plurality of fluid nozzles and the valve structure may cooperate to provide directional control, motive power, or a combination thereof for the vehicle when floating. For example, by closing valve structure associated with the fluid nozzle(s) on the right side of the vehicle, fluid flow is directed to the nozzle(s) on the left side of the vehicle, causing the vehicle to turn to the right. In one embodiment, steering is achieved solely by cooperation of the plurality of fluid nozzles and the valve structure; accordingly, the vehicle does not comprise a rudder. In one embodiment, movement of the vehicle while floating is achieved solely by cooperation of at least the second fluid nozzle and the valve structure; accordingly, the vehicle does not comprise a propeller. 
         [0013]    One or more fluid nozzles may comprise adjustment structure that is powered and configured to adjust an angle of the fluid nozzle relative to the floatable vehicle body. For example, the first fluid nozzle may comprise first adjustment structure and the second fluid nozzle(s) may comprise second adjustment structure, each adjustment structure configured to adjust an angular orientation of its respective fluid nozzle(s) in a vertical and/or horizontal plane. In one embodiment, both the first fluid nozzle and the second fluid nozzle(s) are adjustable in a vertical plane. The second fluid nozzle(s) is/are adjustable in the vertical plane by an amount sufficient to cause forward or backward movement of the vehicle when floating. In other words, the second fluid nozzle(s) is/are adjustable to point at least partially toward the front of the vehicle at least partially toward the rear of the vehicle. The second fluid nozzle(s) may be configured to direct fluid through the air in a substantially downward direction. The first fluid nozzle may be configured to direct fluid through the air in a substantially upward direction. The side fluid nozzle(s) may be configured to direct fluid through the air in a substantially downward direction. One or more side fluid nozzle(s) may comprise adjustment structure configured to adjust an angular orientation of its respective side fluid nozzle(s) in a vertical plane. 
         [0014]    The location of at least the ground engaging propulsion structure, the power source and the fluid pump may be selected to provide a desired location for a center of gravity of the vehicle. The desired location for the center of gravity of the vehicle may be selected to improve handling characteristics of the vehicle while floating. The center of gravity may be located along the longitudinal centerline of the vehicle. The center of gravity may be located substantially in the middle of the vehicle, for example at an intersection of longitudinal centerline of the vehicle and the transverse centerline of the vehicle. The center of gravity may be located rearward of the transverse centerline of the vehicle. The center of gravity may be located forward of the transverse centerline of the vehicle. Thus the ground engaging propulsion structure, power source, and fluid pump cooperate together to improve handling characteristics of the vehicle. 
         [0015]    The vehicle may comprise remote control structure configured to cause the vehicle to be remotely controllable by an operator remote from the vehicle. The vehicle may be remotely controllable by an operator remote from the vehicle when the vehicle is ground engaging and when the vehicle is floating. The remote control structure may comprise a wireless transmitter and a wireless receiver. The remote control structure may be configured to control the speed and or direction of the vehicle when ground engaging and when floating. The remote control structure may be configured to control an amount of fluid flow from at least the first nozzle. The remote control structure may be configured to control an angular orientation of at least the first nozzle relative to the vehicle body. The remote control structure may be configured to control an amount of fluid flow from at least the second nozzle(s). The remote control structure may be configured to control an angular orientation of at least the second nozzle(s) relative to the vehicle body. The remote control structure may be configured to control the valve structure in order to proportion fluid flow between the plurality of fluid nozzles. The remote control structure may be configured to control rotational speed of the fluid pump. The remote control structure may be configured to raise and lower the fluid pump. The remote control structure may be configured to raise and lower the ground engaging propulsion structure. The remote control structure may be configured to start and stop the power source. 
         [0016]    Further features of the invention will be described or will become apparent in the course of the following description. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0017]    In order that the invention may be more clearly understood, embodiments thereof will now be described in detail by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
           [0018]      FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the vehicle with wheels lowered; 
           [0019]      FIG. 2  shows another perspective view of the vehicle with wheels raised; 
           [0020]      FIG. 3  shows a perspective view of the underside of the vehicle; and, 
           [0021]      FIG. 4  shows a perspective view of a set of wheels of the vehicle from the underside of the vehicle; 
           [0022]      FIG. 5  shows a perspective view of the first fluid nozzle of vehicle; 
           [0023]      FIG. 6  shows a perspective view of a second fluid nozzle of the vehicle; 
           [0024]      FIG. 7  shows a perspective view of a mechanical drive connecting the power source of the vehicle to the fluid pump and a hydraulic pump of the vehicle; 
           [0025]      FIG. 8  shows a perspective view of the fluid pump from the underside of the vehicle. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0026]    In describing the figures, like features are referred to by like reference numerals. Although not all features indicated on a particular drawing are necessarily described with reference to that drawing, all of the features are described with reference to at least one of the drawings. 
         [0027]    Referring to  FIGS. 1-3 , an amphibious vehicle comprises a vehicle body  1  incorporating buoyant elements  2 . The buoyant elements comprise flotation tanks of the type that may be foam filled and used, for example, in the construction of floating docks. The vehicle comprises a ground engaging propulsion structure comprising two sets of wheels  3 ,  4 . Each wheel is rotatably mounted to lever structure  5  that is pivotally attached to the vehicle body. Each lever structure  5  is driven by a hydraulic actuator  6  that is operable to cause raising and lowering of the wheels  3 ,  4  by pivoting of the lever structure  5 . A power source  7  comprising an internal combustion engine, for example a diesel engine, is mounted to the vehicle body. A mechanical drive  8  connects the power source  7  to the fluid pump  9  and a hydraulic pump  10  that is used to provide hydraulic system fluid pressure for the vehicle. 
         [0028]    The fluid pump  9  comprises a pump housing  18  with three tangential fluid outlets  19  that are combined into a single fluid conduit  20 . The single fluid conduit  20  is then split into left side  21  and right side  22  fluid conduits which connect at the front and rear of the vehicle to form a complete circuit. The fluid pump  9  is thus fluidically connected to all fluid nozzles of the vehicle via the fluid conduits  20 - 22 . 
         [0029]    A first fluid nozzle  11  is provided at a front of the vehicle. The first fluid nozzle  11  comprises first articulation means  12  that is hydraulically powered to cause the nozzle to change angular orientation relative to the vehicle body  1  in a vertical plane. A pair of second fluid nozzles  13  is provided at a rear of the vehicle. The second fluid nozzles  13  comprise a second articulation means  14  that is hydraulically powered to cause the nozzles to change angular orientation relative to the vehicle body  1  in a vertical plane. The first and second fluid nozzles are part of a plurality of fluid nozzles of the vehicle. The plurality of fluid nozzles further comprises side fluid nozzles  16 ,  17  on opposite sides of the vehicle. A pair of left side fluid nozzles  16  and a pair of right side fluid nozzles  17  are provided. 
         [0030]    Valve structure comprising a valve  15  corresponding to each fluid nozzle  11 ,  13 ,  16 ,  17  is also provided. The valves  15  are powered and operable to open or close. The valves  15  may be opened fully or partially to proportion flow between the plurality of fluid nozzles. Cooperation between the valves  15  and the plurality of fluid nozzles is used to provide directional control and motive power for the vehicle while floating. For example, proportioning fluid flow from the right side fluid nozzles  17  to the left side fluid nozzles  16  causes the vehicle to turn to the right will floating. Similarly, fluid flow may be proportioned between the first fluid nozzle  11  and the second fluid nozzles  13  to cause the vehicle to move forward or backward. By rotating the second fluid nozzles  13  fully downwardly and then up toward the front of the vehicle using the second articulation means  14 , the vehicle may also be directed rearward and/or slowed in its forward movement speed. Thus, the combination of proportioning flow between the plurality of fluid nozzles using the valve structure and/or articulating the nozzles may be used to control forward, rearward, left and right movement and speed of the vehicle. The flow rate of the fluid pump  9  may also be adjusted to enhance directional and speed control via the plurality of nozzles while floating. 
         [0031]    Referring additionally to  FIG. 4 , each wheel of the front set of wheels  3  is rotatably attached to its corresponding lever  5  by a spindle  23 . Fixedly mounted to lever  5  is a bracket  24  supporting a pair of hydraulic motors  25 . Each hydraulic motor  25  has an output gear (not shown) that is engaged with a drive gear  26 . The drive gear  26  is fixedly attached to a rim  27  of each wheel  3  concentric with the spindle  23 . Referring to the right side wheel of the set of wheels  3  (showing an interior of the rim  27 ), operation of the hydraulic motors  25  in a clockwise direction causes the drive gear  26  to rotate in a counterclockwise direction, moving the vehicle forward. Reversing the direction of operation of the hydraulic motors  25  causes the vehicle to move rearward. By increasing the rotational speed of the hydraulic motors  25  on the right side relative to the motors  25  on the left side, the vehicle is caused to turn to the left. The motors  25  connected to the rear set of wheels  4  work in a similar manner to those described for the front set of wheels  3 . Thus, directional and motive control of the vehicle (forward/reverse) while on land is controlled by varying the relative speed and rotational direction of the hydraulic motors  25 . 
         [0032]    Turning now to  FIG. 5 , the first fluid nozzle  11  is able to change angular direction in a vertical plane relative to the vehicle body  1  through operation of a powered first articulation means  12 . The first articulation means  12  comprises a hydraulic first articulation cylinder  28  that is coupled to a four bar linkage  29 . The four bar linkage serves to amplify the effective stroke length of the first articulation cylinder  28  to cause the nozzle to move through a larger degree of motion in the vertical plane than if the linkage  29  were not present. The first fluid nozzle  11  is connected to the fluid conduits  21 ,  22  via a flexible conduit  30  that permits articulation of the nozzle. Valves  15  are provided to proportion flow to the first fluid nozzle in a manner as described previously. 
         [0033]    Referring to  FIG. 6 , the second fluid nozzles  13  are connected to the fluid conduits  21 ,  22  by articulation means  14  that comprises a hydraulic second articulation cylinder  31  mounted to the vehicle body  1  and connected to a rotatable conduit section  32 . Actuation of the second articulation cylinder  31  causes the rotatable conduit section  32  to rotate relative to the first and second fluid conduits  21 ,  22 . The second fluid nozzles  13  are provided on rotatable conduit section  32  and thus rotate with the conduit section  32  upon actuation of the articulation cylinder  31 . This causes the nozzles  13  to change angular orientation relative to the vehicle body  1  in a vertical plane. The geometry of the second articulation cylinder  31  and the rotatable conduit section  32  is such that the nozzles  13  may be rotated fully downwardly and then upwardly towards the front of the vehicle. This allows an operator to change the amount of forward movement to slow or even reverse forward movement of the vehicle. When operated in conjunction with the valves  15 , the nozzles  13  and second articulation structure  14  provide a high degree of control over forward and reverse movement of the vehicle. 
         [0034]    Referring to  FIG. 7 , the power source  7  comprises an internal combustion engine connected to a mechanical drive  8  that delivers power to the pump  9  (not shown in  FIG. 7 ) and also to the hydraulic pump  10  that is used to provide hydraulic fluid pressure to the vehicle&#39;s hydraulic systems. A transmission is provided within the mechanical drive  8  that allows the rotational speed of the fluid pump  9  to be adjusted independently of the rotational speed of the hydraulic pump  10 . The power source  7  is thus mechanically connected to both the fluid pump  9  and the hydraulic pump  10 . 
         [0035]    Referring to  FIG. 8 , the fluid pump  9  comprises a pump housing  18  comprising three tangential fluid outlets  19  that are connected via flexible pump outlet conduits  33  to a combiner  34  that is used to combine the fluid output of the tangential fluid outlets  19  into the single conduit  20 . A pump actuation cylinder  35  is provided to cause raising and lowering of the pump  9  and especially the pump housing  18  relative to the vehicle body  1 . A telescoping pump support structure  36  is provided for use in combination with the pump actuation cylinder  35 . A mechanical drive shaft (not shown) runs through the telescoping pump support structure  36  to provide power to the pump impeller  37 . When powered, the impeller  37  draws the fluid to be pumped through an enlarged bottom fluid opening  38  of the pump housing  18 . By immersing the pump housing  18  in the fluid, fluid is allowed to enter the pump housing, thereby obviating the need for priming the pump. Raising the pump  9  via the pump actuation cylinder  35  and telescoping pump support structure  36  allows the vehicle to exit the lagoon (or similar fluid reservoir) without damaging the pump. Thus, these structures cooperate with the ground engaging propulsion structure to allow the vehicle to operate on land. 
         [0036]    An example of a pump  9  suitable for use with the vehicle is disclosed in co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/038,189 filed Mar. 1, 2011, entitled Pump for Immersion Within a Fluid Reservoir, which is incorporated herein by reference. 
         [0037]    The location of at least the ground engaging propulsion structure, the power source and the fluid pump are selected to provide a desired location for a center of gravity of the vehicle. The desired location for the center of gravity of the vehicle is selected to improve handling characteristics of the vehicle while floating. The center of gravity is located along the longitudinal centerline of the vehicle, substantially in the middle of the vehicle. 
         [0038]    A remote control structure  40  comprises an antenna configured to cause the vehicle to be remotely controllable by an operator remote from the vehicle. The remote control structure comprises a wireless transmitter used by the operator and a wireless receiver on the vehicle. The wireless receiver interfaces with a hydraulic control center on the vehicle to permit control of hydraulically operated components, such as hydraulic cylinders, valves, motors, etc. This allows the operator to control vehicle speed and direction on land or when floating, to raise the wheels and to change the angular orientation of the first and second fluid nozzles. A wireless engine starter is provided to control operation of the internal combustion engine used as a power source. A set of hydraulic controls is optionally provided to modulate engine speed and/or fluid pump rotational speed. Thus, a variety of functions may be controlled remotely that allow the vehicle to operate on land or when floating. 
         [0039]    In operation, an operator uses the remote controls to maneuver the vehicle to the lagoon entrance, drive the vehicle into the lagoon, raise the ground engaging propulsion structure (wheels), lower the fluid pump, begin pumping fluid with the fluid pump through the fluid conduits and selectively open at least the second fluid nozzles to cause the vehicle to move out on to the surface of the lagoon. The valves associated with the side fluid nozzles may also be opened or closed to provide directional control of the vehicle on the lagoon. Once the vehicle is in the desired position, the valves associated with the first fluid nozzle are opened and the first articulation structure is used to position the first fluid nozzle at a desired angular orientation relative to the vehicle body. This is generally an upward orientation so that the fluid is sprayed widely to break crusts of material floating on the surface of the lagoon. In this manner, fluid is recirculated and directed to desired locations in the lagoon. As fluid is emptied from the lagoon, the floating vehicle is permitted to lower with the fluid level. When the lagoon has been sufficiently emptied, the operator is able to reverse the foregoing process in order to maneuver the vehicle to the lagoon exit, lower the wheels, and drive the vehicle up the muddy bank out of the lagoon. 
         [0040]    The novel features will become apparent to those of skill in the art upon examination of the description. It should be understood, however, that the scope of the claims should not be limited by the embodiments, but are intended by the inventor to be given the broadest interpretation consistent with the wording of the claims and the specification as a whole.