Patent Publication Number: US-2017355551-A1

Title: Pump apparatus

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     This disclosure relates generally to pump apparatus for removing water from a work site or a mine site. 
     The management of water at a work or a mine site, where excavation and drilling operations take place, is a significant issue. Generally any water at the work site is removed by the use of pumps. It is important however that the region of the work site is not unduly cluttered with equipment and the pumps do not interfere with the drilling devices. Often the location of the water is some distance from the nearest location that the pump can safely be placed, requiring the use of extended pump hose connections. 
     SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     In a first aspect, embodiments are disclosed of pump apparatus comprising a base having a forward end and a rearward end with a longitudinal axis extending in a direction between the forward and rearward ends, a power unit and a reel assembly operatively mounted to the base, the reel assembly including a reel mounted for rotation about a rotation axis which extends laterally with respect of the longitudinal axis, a fluid conveying conduit operatively carried by the reel and adapted to be wound on or payed out therefrom at the forward end of the base, the fluid conveying conduit being underwound onto the reel so that it is wound on and payed out adjacent the base, a guide device at the forward end of the base for guiding the conduit onto or from the reel, and a vehicle which is at least partially submersible in fluid and which can be propelled over a surface on which it stands, the vehicle including a pump which is operatively connectable to the fluid conveying conduit. 
     In certain embodiments, when the vehicle is propelled out from the forward end region of the base, the fluid conveying conduit is payed out from the underwound reel along a line which is aligned with the longitudinal axis, the guide device and vehicle. 
     In certain embodiments, the vehicle includes an endless flexible track and associated wheels. 
     In certain embodiments, the apparatus includes a propulsion drive for propelling the vehicle. 
     In certain embodiments, the pump apparatus further includes a platform operatively connected to the base at the forward end upon which the vehicle can stand. In certain embodiments the platform is pivotally mounted to the base so that it can be raised and lowered. 
     In certain embodiments, the vehicle includes a housing having an interior space for receiving the pump therein. In certain embodiments the housing comprises a rigid frame having openings therein for providing fluid access to the interior space. 
     In certain embodiments, the guide device comprises a main body which is mounted for lateral movement with respect to the longitudinal axis of the base. 
     In certain embodiments, the pump apparatus includes a control station which is remote from the vehicle for controlling the propulsion and steering of the vehicle and the operation of the pump. 
     In certain embodiments the guide device comprises a main body, a plurality of rollers mounted to the main body and configured to provide for a guide path for the payout and retrieval of the flexible lines in a payout direction, a track and a carriage, the track being mounted to a structure and the main body being mounted to the carriage, the carriage being adapted to move along the track, the arrangement being such that the movement is in a lateral direction with respect to the payout direction, a drive assembly for causing movement of the carriage along the track, the drive assembly comprising a drive and transmission, the transmission comprising a flexible transmission element, the carriage being operatively connected thereto. 
     In certain embodiments, the track comprises an elongated rod operatively mounted to the base and extending laterally with respect to the base longitudinal axis and the carriage comprises a sleeve member mounted for sliding movement along the rod, the sleeve member being operatively connected to the main body of the guide device. 
     In certain embodiments, the transmission comprises a housing for the flexible transmission element the housing being operatively connected to the track, the flexible transmission element comprising an endless element which passes around spaced apart wheels at least one of which comprises a drive wheel. 
     In certain embodiments, the main body comprises spaced apart side wall members connected together to form a rigid structure, the rollers being disposed in a space between the side members, the space and rollers providing for the guide path. 
     Other aspects, features, and advantages will become apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which are a part of this disclosure and which illustrate, by way of example, principles of inventions disclosed. 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
       The accompanying drawings facilitate an understanding of the various embodiments. 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic isometric view of a pump apparatus according to one embodiment view from one side; 
         FIG. 2  is a schematic isometric view of the pump apparatus illustrated in  FIG. 1  viewed from the other side opposite to the one side; 
         FIG. 3  is a first isometric view of a guide device according to one embodiment which is suitable for use with the pump apparatus illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a second isometric view of the guide device illustrated in  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a third isometric view of the guide device illustrated in  FIGS. 3 and 4 ; and 
         FIGS. 6 and 7  are detailed views of parts of the device illustrated in  FIGS. 3, 4 and 5  those parts being circled in  FIG. 5 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring to the drawings, there is illustrated a pump apparatus generally indicated at item  110 . 
     The pump apparatus  110  comprises a base or chassis  120  which comprises two longitudinally extending, generally parallel spaced apart beams  121 ,  122  which are interconnected by a series of cross-members by a base plate, so as to form a rigid structure. The base or chassis  120  can form a skid which can be pulled over the ground on which it stands. In one arrangement the base  120  may be propelled by two endless belts or tracks that pass over a number of wheels, or other traction drive systems to facilitate movement over the ground. The base or chassis  120  is generally elongate in the direction of the longitudinal axis Y-Y and has a forward end portion  123  and a rearward end portion  124  (in terms of its in-use orientation, as will shortly be explained). The base  120  can also be fitted with push bars and alloy wear plates in various ground-engaging locations to facilitate movement over hard rock material without damage being caused. 
     The pump apparatus  110  further comprises a power unit  130  which includes a diesel motor which is adapted to drive a hydraulic pump (not shown). The diesel motor and hydraulic pump (not shown) are mounted to the base or chassis  120  in a region towards the rearward end portion  124  thereof. Reservoirs are arranged adjacent the diesel motor and hydraulic pump for providing storage for fuel for the diesel motor and hydraulic fluid storage for the hydraulic pump and any associated hydraulic devices, as will be hereinafter described. The diesel motor is arranged to drive the hydraulic pump which in turn draws hydraulic fluid from the reservoir which in turn provides hydraulic pressure for the operation of the associated hydraulic devices. A canopy  135  provides a cover for the motor and pump. 
     The apparatus  110  further comprises a reel assembly  150  which is operatively mounted to the base or chassis  120  for rotation about a rotation axis X-X which is at right angles to the longitudinal axis Y-Y ( FIG. 1 ). The reel assembly  150  comprises a reel  151  comprising sides  152 ,  153  and a drum section  158 . The reel  151  further includes bearings  154 ,  155  operatively mounted to frame  159 . The sides  152  and  153  comprise a plurality of spoke-like members which extend from the bearings  154 ,  155  which terminate at a peripheral rim. A drive is adapted to rotate the reel  151 . The drive includes a hydraulic motor and a transmission. A discharge pipe  168  is also provided for reasons which will become apparent. 
     The reel  151  is adapted to carry one or more flexible lines  138  at least one of which is in the form of a conduit for the conveyance of water or slurry therethrough. There may also be a flexible line comprising one or more service lines for the transfer of hydraulic fluid for example for operating various associated hydraulic devices. The service lines may be disposed within a further conduit. The conduits may be formed as a unitary body with a common side wall providing a cross-sectional configuration in the form of a figure of 8. The conduits may also contain electrical cabling, for example to provide power for operating a pump or a propulsion drive, as will be described below. 
     The apparatus further includes a vehicle  140  which is at least partially submersible in fluid such as water or slurry. The vehicle  140  comprises a vehicle body  141  having a pump  145  operatively mounted thereto the pump  145  in use being operatively connected to the conduits in the flexible lines  138  for pumping the fluid through the conduit, as well as receiving the power for its operation. Fluid pumped from the pump  145  when in use passes through the conduit and out via the discharge pipe  168 . 
     The pump apparatus further includes a propulsive drive for propelling the vehicle  140  over the ground or surface on which it is positioned. In one embodiment, the propulsive drive  143  is located on the vehicle and comprises an endless drive track  144  and associated drive wheel  146  for driving the track  144 . Power for the drive  143  is drawn from the service lines referred to above. 
     The vehicle  140  further includes a housing  147  having an interior space  148  therein for receiving the pump  145 . The housing  147  is in the form of a rigid frame structure with a number of openings  149  therein through which fluid can pass. 
     The pump apparatus includes a platform  126  upon which the vehicle  140  stands for deployment therefrom. The platform  126  is pivotally mounted to the forward end portion  124  of the base so that it can be raised and lowered as required. 
     The apparatus further includes a guide device  170  through which the flexible lines  138  pass as they are wound on or payed out from the reel  151 . The guide device  170  is positioned in the region of the forward end portion  123  of the base  120 . In the embodiment shown the flexible lines  138  are underwound on the reel  151  so that when the flexible lines  138  are being payed out the vehicle  140 , guide device  170  and flexible lines  138  are generally horizontal or in line and aligned with the longitudinal axis Y-Y of the base  120 . The guide device  170  comprises opposed side wall members  171 ,  172  which are spaced apart and which are connected together to form a rigid frame structure  173  in the form of a channel or a cradle. The frame structure has open ends  175 ,  176  through which the flexible lines  138  can pass. The guide device  170  further includes a series of rollers  177 ,  178  and  179  which provide a travel path for the flexible lines  138  between the rollers  177 ,  178  and  179 . 
     The guide device  170  comprises a carriage  180  to which the frame  173  is operatively secured. The carriage  180  is a sleeve  182  which, in the form shown, is a tubular member  183  which is generally circular when viewed in cross section. The guide device  170  further includes a track  185  which is adapted to receive the carriage  180  so that the carriage  180  is movable therealong. As shown the track  185  is in the form of an elongated rod  186  which in the form shown is generally circular in cross-section, the sleeve  182  being slidably receivable thereon. As best illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the track  185  is mounted on the base  120  and extends laterally and preferably at right angles to the longitudinal axis Y-Y of the base. 
     The guide device  170  further includes a drive assembly  190  for moving the carriage  180  along the track  185 . The drive assembly  190  comprises a flexible transmission element  192  to which the carriage  180  is operatively connected. The transmission element  192  is in the form of an endless chain or belt  193  which extends around spaced apart wheels  194  and  195  which in the form illustrated are sprockets. The wheels  194  are carried by mounts  200  and  201  which are operatively connected to the track  185 . A guard  202  at least partially surrounds the transmission element  192 . 
     The drive assembly  190  further includes a drive  205  which in the form shown comprises a motor  207  operatively connected to one of the wheels  194 . The motor  207  may for example be in the form of a hydraulic motor. 
     One of the advantages of the arrangement shown in the preferred embodiment is that the length of hose on the reel can be significantly longer than in previously known arrangements. In such prior art equipment, an extended hose deployed from the hose reel can become entangled when it is drawn back onto the reel. The use of a guide device allows the hose to be distributed evenly laterally across the width of the hose reel both while it is being deployed and retracted. This means that a larger width hose reel can be used, which in turn means that the overall length of the hose can be significantly longer than in known arrangements. In combination with the feature of the hose reel being underwound, the vehicle and pump can move easily in a line both away from, and towards, the pump apparatus without causing entanglement of the hose, or uneven deployment of the hose off and back onto the reel. This leads to easier overall operation of the pump apparatus when deployed at a mine site or work site. 
     In other embodiments the guide device may comprise a different frame structure to provide a travel path for the flexible conduit line, and may also comprise a different carriage and track configuration. The drive assembly for moving the carriage along the track may also be configured differently to what has been described above. 
     In still further embodiments, the guide device can be in a static form rather than the slidably moveable form with a drive assembly as described above. Such a fixed guide device may be shaped in a manner so as to guide the hose centrally onto and off the reel so that it is unentangled. 
     In the foregoing description of preferred embodiments, specific terminology has been resorted to for the sake of clarity. However, the invention is not intended to be limited to the specific terms so selected, and it is to be understood that each specific term includes all technical equivalents which operate in a similar manner to accomplish a similar technical purpose. Terms such as “front” and “rear”, “inner” and “outer”, “above”, “below”, “upper” and “lower” and the like are used as words of convenience to provide reference points and are not to be construed as limiting terms. 
     The reference in this specification to any prior publication (or information derived from it), or to any matter which is known, is not, and should not be taken as, an acknowledgement or admission or any form of suggestion that prior publication (or information derived from it) or known matter forms part of the common general knowledge in the field of endeavour to which this specification relates. 
     In this specification, the word “comprising” is to be understood in its “open” sense, that is, in the sense of “including”, and thus not limited to its “closed” sense, that is the sense of “consisting only of”. A corresponding meaning is to be attributed to the corresponding words “comprise”, “comprised” and “comprises” where they appear. 
     In addition, the foregoing describes only some embodiments of the invention(s), and alterations, modifications, additions and/or changes can be made thereto without departing from the scope and spirit of the disclosed embodiments, the embodiments being illustrative and not restrictive. 
     Furthermore, invention(s) have described in connection with what are presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the disclosed embodiments, but on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the invention(s). Also, the various embodiments described above may be implemented in conjunction with other embodiments, e.g., aspects of one embodiment may be combined with aspects of another embodiment to realize yet other embodiments. Further, each independent feature or component of any given assembly may constitute an additional embodiment. 
     TABLE OF PARTS 
     
         
         Pump apparatus  110   
         Base  120   
         Beams  121 / 122   
         Cross members  125   
         Forward end  123   
         Rearward end  124   
         Power unit  130   
         Platform  126   
         Canopy  135   
         Reel assembly  150   
         Rotation axis x-x 
         Longitudinal axis y-y 
         Reel  151   
         Sides  152 / 153   
         Flexible lines  138   
         Drum section  158   
         Frame  159   
         Bearings  154 / 155   
         Drive  160   
         Motor  162   
         Sprocket and chain mechanism  164   
         Chain  165   
         Sprocket  166   
         Discharge pipe  168   
         Guide device  170   
         Side wall members  171 / 172   
         Frame  173   
         Open ends  175 / 176 / 177   
         Rollers  178 / 179   
         Carriage  180   
         Sleeve  182   
         Tubular member  183   
         Track  185   
         Rod  186   
         Drive assembly  190   
         Transmission element  192   
         Belt/chain  193   
         Wheels  194 / 195   
         Sprockets  196 / 197   
         Mounts  200 / 201   
         Guard  202   
         Drive  205   
         Motor  207   
         Vehicle  140   
         Vehicle body  141   
         Propulsive drive  143   
         Endless track  144   
         Drive wheel  146   
         Housing  147   
         Interior space  148   
         Openings  149   
         Pump  145