Pump for immersion within a fluid reservoir

Abstract

A pump is provided for immersion in a fluid reservoir, such as a pit or lagoon containing liquid manure, from a position at an edge of the reservoir. The pump may be adapted for connection to a farm vehicle, such as a tractor, positioned at the edge of the reservoir. The pump comprises an extensible body, fluid conduit and drive means in order that a length of the pump may be varied in order to accommodate a variety of reservoir fluid heights. In addition, the pump may be pivotable relative to at least a portion of a frame in order that the entrance angle may be adjusted. The pump may comprise a housing with an inlet and an outlet, the outlet in fluid communication with the fluid conduit. An impeller within the housing may direct fluid from the inlet to the outlet in the housing.

1 . A pump comprising:
 a telescoping pump body;   an elongated telescoping fluid conduit mounted on the pump body and extensible along a longitudinal axis of the fluid conduit;   a telescoping drive shaft extensible parallel to the longitudinal axis;   a housing located at a bottom end of the pump body, the housing comprising a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet, the fluid outlet in fluid communication with the fluid conduit; and,   an impeller connected to the drive shaft and located within the housing to direct the fluid from the inlet to the outlet in the housing.   
     
     
         2 . The pump according to  claim 1 , wherein the fluid conduit has telescoping connections to permit variation in the length. 
     
     
         3 . The pump according to  claim 1 , further comprising a hydraulic cylinder configured to extend parallel to the longitudinal axis to telescope the fluid conduit and the drive shaft. 
     
     
         4 . The pump according to  claim 3 , wherein the hydraulic cylinder is further configured to change a length of the pump body when the hydraulic cylinder extends. 
     
     
         5 . A pump comprising:
 an extensible pump body;   an elongated fluid conduit extensible along a longitudinal axis of the fluid conduit;   a drive means extensible parallel to the longitudinal axis;   a hydraulic cylinder configured to extend parallel to the longitudinal axis to change a length of the pump body, the fluid conduit and the drive means;   a housing located at a bottom end of the pump body, the housing comprising a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet, the fluid outlet in fluid communication with the fluid conduit;   an impeller connected to the drive means and located within the housing to direct fluid from the inlet to the outlet in the housing;   a frame comprising a first portion pivotally connected to a second portion, the first portion connected to the pump body, the pump body pivoting about the second portion when the first portion pivots; and,   a frame adjustment means comprising a pivot cylinder connected to the first and second portions, actuation of the pivot cylinder causing the first portion to pivot relative to the second portion thereby adjusting an angular relationship between the pump body and horizontal.   
     
     
         6 . The pump according to  claim 5 , wherein the fluid conduit is telescoping. 
     
     
         7 . The pump according to  claim 5 , wherein the fluid conduit has telescoping connections to permit variation in the length. 
     
     
         8 . The pump according to  claim 5 , wherein the drive means provides power to the impeller. 
     
     
         9 . The pump according to  claim 5 , wherein the drive means comprises a telescoping drive shaft. 
     
     
         10 . The pump according to  claim 5 , wherein the fluid conduit is telescoping, the drive means comprises a telescoping drive shaft and the hydraulic cylinder is configured to telescope both the fluid conduit and the drive shaft. 
     
     
         11 . The pump according to  claim 5 , wherein the hydraulic cylinder is further configured to change a length of the pump body when the hydraulic cylinder extends. 
     
     
         12 . The pump according to  claim 5 , wherein the pump body is telescoping. 
     
     
         13 . The pump according to  claim 12 , wherein the hydraulic cylinder is further configured to telescope the pump body when the hydraulic cylinder extends.