Shallow-Well Pump with Interchangeable Nozzle

Abstract

A jet pump for pumping fluids is disclosed. The jet pump comprises an impeller, a fluid inlet port and a venturi tube having an inlet opening and an outlet opening. The venturi tube is disposed between the fluid inlet port and the impeller. The jet pump further comprises a fluid outlet port, a pump cavity disposed between the impeller and the fluid outlet port, a return cavity and an externally accessible retaining system disposed between the return cavity and the venturi tube. The retaining system is adapted to receive any of a plurality of nozzles of differing orifice dimensions to provide pump outputs according to a respective plurality of pump performance curves.

1 . A jet pump for pumping fluids, the jet pump comprising:
 an impeller;   a fluid inlet port;   a venturi tube having an inlet opening and an outlet opening, the venturi tube disposed between the fluid inlet port and the impeller;   a fluid outlet port;   a pump cavity disposed between the impeller and the fluid outlet port;   a return cavity; and   an externally accessible retaining system disposed between the return cavity and the venturi tube, the retaining system adapted to permit removal and replacement of any of a plurality of nozzles of differing orifice dimensions, without disassembly of the pump or associated piping, to provide pump outputs according to a respective plurality of pump performance curves.   
   
   
       2 . The jet pump of  claim 1  wherein the retaining system is threaded to receive cooperatively threaded nozzles. 
   
   
       3 . The jet pump of  claim 1  including a nozzle access hole to permit access for removing and installing the respective nozzles. 
   
   
       4 . The jet pump of  claim 3  including a removable plug for plugging the nozzle access hole. 
   
   
       5 . The jet pump of  claim 1  wherein the nozzle is configured to receive a toolhead to assist in the installation and removal of the nozzle. 
   
   
       6 . A system for providing a jet pump having a pump output according to a plurality of performance curves comprising:
 a jet pump including an impeller, a fluid inlet port, a venturi tube having an inlet opening and an outlet opening, the venturi tube disposed between the fluid inlet port and the impeller, a fluid outlet port, a pump cavity disposed between the impeller and the fluid outlet port, a return cavity; and an externally accessible retaining system disposed between the return cavity and the venturi tube, the retaining system adapted to receive a nozzle; and   a plurality of nozzles of differing orifice dimensions and adapted to be removably retained by the retaining system, each of the nozzles to provide the pump outputs according to the respective plurality of pump performance curves, wherein the nozzles are externally accessible to permit removal and replacement without disassembly of the pump or associated piping.   
   
   
       7 . The system of  claim 6  wherein the retaining system is threaded to receive cooperatively threaded nozzles. 
   
   
       8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the jet pump includes a nozzle access hole to permit access for removing and installing the respective nozzles. 
   
   
       9 . The system  claim 8  including a removable plug for plugging the access hole. 
   
   
       10 . The jet pump of  claim 6  wherein the nozzle is configured to receive a toolhead to assist in the installation and removal of the nozzle. 
   
   
       11 . A method for providing a jet pump having a pump output according to a plurality of performance curves comprising:
 providing a jet pump including an impeller, a fluid inlet port, a venturi tube having an inlet opening and an outlet opening, the venturi tube disposed between the fluid inlet port and the impeller, a fluid outlet port, a pump cavity disposed between the impeller and the fluid outlet port, a return cavity; and an externally accessible retaining system disposed between the return cavity and the venturi tube, the retaining system adapted to receive a nozzle; and   providing a plurality of nozzles of differing orifice dimensions and adapted to be removably retained by the retaining system, each of the nozzles to provide the pump outputs according to the respective plurality of pump performance curves, wherein the nozzles are externally accessible to permit removal and replacement without disassembly of the pump or associated piping.   
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the retaining system is threaded to receive cooperatively threaded nozzles. 
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the jet pump includes a nozzle access hole to permit access for removing and installing the respective nozzles. 
   
   
       14 . The system  claim 13  including a removable plug for plugging the access hole. 
   
   
       15 . The jet pump of  claim 11  wherein the nozzle is configured to receive a toolhead to assist in the installation and removal of the nozzle. 
   
   
       16 . A jet pump for pumping fluids, the jet pump comprising:
 an impeller;   a fluid inlet port;   a venturi tube having an inlet opening and an outlet opening, the venturi tube disposed between the fluid inlet port and the impeller;   a fluid outlet port;   a pump cavity disposed between the impeller and the fluid outlet port;   a return cavity; and   an externally accessible nozzle having a dimensionally adjustable orifice to provide pump outputs according to a respective plurality of pump performance curves.