Universal pump coupling system

• US 5,906,479 A
• Filed: 06/25/1996
• Issued: 05/25/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 03/07/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: David W. Hawes
• Original Assignee: David W. Hawes
• Inventors: Hawes, David W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Izaguirre, Ismael
• Application Number:
  US08/670,365
• Time in Patent Office: 1,064 Days
• Field of Search: 417/360, 417/361, 417/32
• US Class Current: 417/360
• CPC Class Codes: F04D 29/406 especially adapted for liquid pumps
• CPC Class Codes: F04D 29/606 Mounting in cavities
• CPC Class Codes: F04D 29/607 means for positioning from outside
• CPC Class Codes: F05B 2260/303 with a bayonet coupling

Abstract

A universal pump coupling system that allows various style submersible pumps to be mounted to a pump mounting frame assembly to be used interchangeably within a single pump station system. The universal pump coupling system comprises a submersible pump holding device and universal guide rail assembly for use in both submersible and converted dry pit pump stations that allow numerous brands of pumps to be utilized in a single interchangeable system. The universal pump coupling system is particularly suitable for conversion of wet well/dry well pump stations to a single wet well pump station.

Claims

1. A universal pump coupling system, comprising:

a submersible pump having an inlet and a discharge outlet;

a base plate supporting said pump removably mounted thereto, said base plate having an opening therethrough in flow communication with said pump inlet, said base plate including a lower guide means;

a frame extending upwardly from said base plate including an upper guide means positioned to be alignable with said lower guide means of said base plate;

a guide rail defining a vertical longitudinal axis, said guide rail being complementary sized and shaped for slidably engaging said upper guide means and said lower guide means of said base plate, said guide rail being secured to a lift station wall by holding means; and

a flexible discharge conduit attachable to said pump outlet.

2. The universal pump coupling system of claim 1, including means for lifting said frame assembly removably secured to said frame for raising and lowering said frame.

3. The universal pump coupling system of claim 1, wherein said base plate is designed to hold said submersible pump in a fixed position with its discharge outlet angled outwardly from the lift station wall at a range of about 45 degrees to about 135 degrees.

4. The universal pump coupling system of claim 1, wherein said upper guide means is integrally formed within a top plate attached to said frame.

5. The universal pump coupling system of claim 1, wherein said upper guide means and said lower guide means comprises a "T-shaped" slot.

6. The universal pump coupling system of claim 1, wherein said upper guide means and said lower guide means is lined with a friction reducing material to provide a nonbinding surface between said guide means and said guide rail.

7. The universal pump coupling system of claim 6, wherein said friction reducing material is a polymer selected from the group consisting of polyethylene, ultra molecular high weight polyethylene, teflon, or graphite material.

8. The universal pump coupling system of claim 1, including means for sensing the heat generated by said submersible pump or the pump motor.

9. The universal pump coupling system of claim 1, including a means for removably securing said lift means to said frame.

10. The universal pump coupling system of claim 1, wherein said guide rail is comprised of a noncorrosive material selected from the group consisting of aluminum, fiberglass, galvanized steel, or stainless steel.

11. The universal pump coupling system of claim 1, wherein said guide rail is formed having a cross-sectional shape corresponding to the cross-sectional shape of said lower guide means and said upper guide means.

12. The universal pump coupling system of claim 1, including an adapter for connecting said submersible pump outlet to a flexible discharge conduit, said adapter providing a means of orienting said pump outlet in a selected position.

13. The universal pump coupling system of claim 1, wherein said adapter forms an elbow.

14. The universal pump coupling system of claim 1, said pump outlet and said flexible discharge conduit being connected together by a cam-lock quick disconnect assembly.

15. The universal pump coupling system of claim 1, including means for supplying electric current to said submersible pump and an electric power cord having a male portion of a twist lock plug-in for providing electrical communication with a female twist lock plug-in receptacle of a lift station electrical panel, wherein said female twist lock plug-in receptacle wiring is preset based on pump rotation.

16. The universal pump coupling system of claim 8, wherein means for sensing heat in said submersible pump motor is a thermocouple electrically connected to an electric power cord having a male portion of a twist lock plug-in which for providing electrical communication with a female twist lock plug-in receptacle of a lift station electrical panel, and the female power receptacle wiring is preset based on pump rotation, wherein said lift station electrical panel is in communication with means for communicating a message to a control center.

17. The universal pump coupling system of claim 1, wherein said upper guide means supported by said support member is formed within a top plate.

18. The universal pump coupling system of claim 17, wherein said base plate is supported by a plurality of support members.

19. A method of converting a wet well/dry well pump station to a single wet well pump station, including the steps of:

removing approximately the bottom two-thirds of a dividing wall that separates the wet well and the dry well;

leaving the remaining one-third of the dividing wall in an arch shape having the highest point located in the center of the dividing wall;

adding concrete to the floor of the pump station sloping the outer edges toward the center of the station and toward the pump inlet;

removing the existing pump and conduit assembly;

inserting a universal pump coupling system, comprising a submersible pump having an inlet and a discharge outlet, a base plate supporting said pump removably mounted thereto, said base plate having an opening therethrough in flow communication with said pump inlet, said base plate including a lower guide means, a frame extending upwardly from said base plate including an upper guide means positioned to be alignable with said lower guide means of said base plate, a guide rail defining a vertical longitudinal axis, said guide rail being complementary sized and shaped for slidably engaging said upper guide means and said lower guide means of said base plate, said guide rail being secured to a lift station wall by holding means, and a flexible discharge conduit attachable to said pump outlet.