GB1300401A - A pumping arrangement comprising means for subjecting a fluid to be pumped to repetitive pulses - Google Patents

Abstract

1300401 Conveying liquids by heating; reciprocating pumps UNITED KINGDOM ATOMIC ENERGY AUTHORITY 22 April 1970 [27 Jan 1969 21 Oct 1969] 4523/69 and 51464/69 Headings F1A and F1R A pumping arrangement comprises a chamber 11 having inlet and outlet connections 12, 13 and a means 15 for subjecting a fluid to be pumped in the chamber to repetitive pulses, there being a first fluid diode 17 in the outlet connection to permit easy outflow therethrough and a second fluid diode 18 in the inlet connection to permit easy inflow into the chamber but which restricts reverse flow therethrough. The fluid diodes may be of the scroll, vane or vortex type. The inlet connection may include a head tank (122) Fig. 3 (not shown), connected to the chamber' by a U-tube (112), and partially filled with liquid e.g. a noxious liquid, below a gas space (123 ), a tank inlet (124) includes the second fluid diode 18. The tank, U-tube and chamber 11 form an oscillatory liquid column whereby the means 15, consisting of a heating element embedded in a cover 14, vapourises liquid in contact with lower surface 16 so causing a pulse which pumps the liquid. The vapourised liquid condenses on expanding away from surface 16, and contacts surface 16 again to give a further pulse, a condenser may be provided to increase the pulse rate. The pulsing means may be electrolytic or mechanical e.g. a piston or it may include an air pulse acting through an intermediate fluid, compatible with the fluid to be pumped, (see Specification 831383). When an intermediate fluid is used this may be separated by a diaphragm from the fluid to be pumped. The pumping arrangement may be incorporated in a system employing four diodes in a manner analoguous to electrical diodes in a full wave A.C. rectifying system Fig.4 (not shown). Alternate positive and negative pulses e.g. air pressure are applied across one pair of terminals (315, 317) and inlet and outlet connections act as the other pair of opposed terminals (212, 213).