GB2083871A - Improved pumping method and apparatus - Google Patents

Improved pumping method and apparatus Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2083871A
GB2083871A GB8029042A GB8029042A GB2083871A GB 2083871 A GB2083871 A GB 2083871A GB 8029042 A GB8029042 A GB 8029042A GB 8029042 A GB8029042 A GB 8029042A GB 2083871 A GB2083871 A GB 2083871A
Authority
GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
pump
liquid
pump chamber
chamber
pressure
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
GB8029042A
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Stapley F D & Sons Contracts L
Original Assignee
Stapley F D & Sons Contracts L
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Stapley F D & Sons Contracts L filed Critical Stapley F D & Sons Contracts L
Priority to GB8029042A priority Critical patent/GB2083871A/en
Publication of GB2083871A publication Critical patent/GB2083871A/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F04—POSITIVE - DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; PUMPS FOR LIQUIDS OR ELASTIC FLUIDS
    • F04F—PUMPING OF FLUID BY DIRECT CONTACT OF ANOTHER FLUID OR BY USING INERTIA OF FLUID TO BE PUMPED; SIPHONS
    • F04F1/00—Pumps using positively or negatively pressurised fluid medium acting directly on the liquid to be pumped
    • F04F1/06—Pumps using positively or negatively pressurised fluid medium acting directly on the liquid to be pumped the fluid medium acting on the surface of the liquid to be pumped
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02P—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES IN THE PRODUCTION OR PROCESSING OF GOODS
    • Y02P60/00—Technologies relating to agriculture, livestock or agroalimentary industries
    • Y02P60/20—Reduction of greenhouse gas [GHG] emissions in agriculture, e.g. CO2
    • Y02P60/21—Dinitrogen oxide [N2O], e.g. using aquaponics, hydroponics or efficiency measures

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Reciprocating Pumps (AREA)
  • Jet Pumps And Other Pumps (AREA)

Abstract

A pump for delivering liquids which may contain particles comprising a non-return valve 4 through which liquid may flow into a pump chamber defined between concentric tubes 1 and 2 when the pump chamber is at ambient pressure. A pulse of air supplied through a branch 6 causes the liquid to be delivered through the tube 1 to an outlet 7. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improved pumping method and apparatus The inventive concept relates to the pumping of liquids containing particles of matter, and to a pump suited to this and other pumping operations.
The conventional piston pump used for raising liquids is not ideal for pumping liquids which contain particles of matter, for example fertilizers used in hydroponic gardening and other horticultural operations, because of the tendency of the particles to interfere with operation of the valve. This problem is avoided by the inventions defined in general terms in the Claims which follow and which are described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: Figure 1 is a longitudinal section through a first embodiment of a pump, Figure 2 is a longitudinal section through a second embodiment of pump, and Figure 3 is a side elevation of the second pump supported by a float on the liquid to be pumped.
Referring to Figure 1, the pump shown therein includes a tube assembly comprising concentric inner and outer tubes 1 and 2, respectively, formed into the shape of an inverted U with arms of unequal length. The inner, or delivery tube is slightly shorter in length than the outer tube and, part way along its length, is surrounded by an annular seal which divides the space defined between the two tubes into two chambers. The chamber located within the longer arm of the tube assembly is referred to herein as the pump chamber and the other chamber as the delivery chamber. The lower end of the longer arm of the outer tube carries the housing of a non-return valve 4 through which liquid may enter the pump chamber, the valve housing being covered by a filter element 5.Opening into the pump chamber is a branch 6 for connection to an air supply line coupled with a device for alternately supplying pulses of pressure air to the pump chamber and relieving the pressure in the pump chamber. The lower end of the shorter arm of the outer tube receives a nozzle 7 to which may be fitted a pipe for conducting away liquid delivered by the pump.
Vents 8 in the wall of this part of the outer tube ensure that the delivery chamber is at ambient pressure and prevents siphoning. The tubes may be made of any suitable material and it may be found convenient for the delivery chamber to be defined within a casing or larger diameter than the outer tube.
In use, the longer arm of the tube assembly is immersed in liquid to be pumped. During the phase of operation in which the pump chamber is relieved, liquid enters the tube assembly through the non-return valve and rises within the inner tube and the pump chamber to a level equal to that of the external liquid level indicated by L. In the alternate phase in which a pulse of pressure air is supplied to the pump chamber, the level within the pump chamber is depressed and the body of liquid therein, unable to escape from the tube assembly, rises within the inner tube and enters the delivery chamber. By controlling the length and pressure of the pulses supplied to the pump chamber, and the depth to which the longer arm of the tube assembly is immersed, the quantity of liquid delivered may be predetermined.
interference with the operation of the non-return valve caused by particles of matter does not affect the operation of the pump to an appreciable extent.
In the second embodiment shown in Figure 2, the pump includes a pump head 9 including a tubular casing 10 supporting the non-return valve and filter and surrounding the delivery tube 1 2.
The casing is connected to an air line 11 surrounding concentrically the length of delivery tube 12' which extends from the casing to a remote delivery point. The air line 11 is terminated by a plug 13 sealing the space between the air line and the delivery tube and having and inlet 14 by which the air line is alternately supplied with pulses of pressure air and relieved, under the control of a control unit 1 5.
Two pumps as described above may be connected to a common air supply line or device in order to pump liquids simultaneously from two separate tanks. Provided that both liquid levels are the same and the pumps are at the same heights relative to the levels, both liquids will be delivered at the same rate. If the liquid levels differ, they will tend to equalise because the pump operating on the tank having the lower level will deliver less liquid for each pulse of air.
Unless the liquid in the tank with which the pump is associated is continuously replenished, the pump will progressively deliver less liquid as the level falls. This problem may be avoided by mounting the pump head 9 of the pump shown in Figure 2 on a float so that the depth by which the head is immersed in the liquid remains constant.
The control unit 1 5 may be mounted on the side of the tank and be connected with the pump head by flexible concentric air line and delivery tubes.
Downward travel of the float may be limited by a tether 1 6 or the air line 11 may serve this purpose.
In this way, over-pumping as the result of a control failure may be prevented.
The delivery tube may, if desired, be connected by way of a further non-return valve into another pressure line into which liquid will be pumped provided that the pressure of air supplied to the pump chamber is greater than that in the second pressure line.
Other modifications may of course be made.
Thus, for example, the tubes forming the pump head need not have the concentric arrangement illustrated, neither is it essential for these tubes to be oriented vertically, or for the non-return valve to be located at the lower end of the pump chamber.
1. A pump comprising a pump chamber having a non-return valve through which liquid may flow into the pump chamber, a delivery tube extending
**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (2)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Improved pumping method and apparatus The inventive concept relates to the pumping of liquids containing particles of matter, and to a pump suited to this and other pumping operations. The conventional piston pump used for raising liquids is not ideal for pumping liquids which contain particles of matter, for example fertilizers used in hydroponic gardening and other horticultural operations, because of the tendency of the particles to interfere with operation of the valve. This problem is avoided by the inventions defined in general terms in the Claims which follow and which are described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: Figure 1 is a longitudinal section through a first embodiment of a pump, Figure 2 is a longitudinal section through a second embodiment of pump, and Figure 3 is a side elevation of the second pump supported by a float on the liquid to be pumped. Referring to Figure 1, the pump shown therein includes a tube assembly comprising concentric inner and outer tubes 1 and 2, respectively, formed into the shape of an inverted U with arms of unequal length. The inner, or delivery tube is slightly shorter in length than the outer tube and, part way along its length, is surrounded by an annular seal which divides the space defined between the two tubes into two chambers. The chamber located within the longer arm of the tube assembly is referred to herein as the pump chamber and the other chamber as the delivery chamber. The lower end of the longer arm of the outer tube carries the housing of a non-return valve 4 through which liquid may enter the pump chamber, the valve housing being covered by a filter element 5.Opening into the pump chamber is a branch 6 for connection to an air supply line coupled with a device for alternately supplying pulses of pressure air to the pump chamber and relieving the pressure in the pump chamber. The lower end of the shorter arm of the outer tube receives a nozzle 7 to which may be fitted a pipe for conducting away liquid delivered by the pump. Vents 8 in the wall of this part of the outer tube ensure that the delivery chamber is at ambient pressure and prevents siphoning. The tubes may be made of any suitable material and it may be found convenient for the delivery chamber to be defined within a casing or larger diameter than the outer tube. In use, the longer arm of the tube assembly is immersed in liquid to be pumped. During the phase of operation in which the pump chamber is relieved, liquid enters the tube assembly through the non-return valve and rises within the inner tube and the pump chamber to a level equal to that of the external liquid level indicated by L. In the alternate phase in which a pulse of pressure air is supplied to the pump chamber, the level within the pump chamber is depressed and the body of liquid therein, unable to escape from the tube assembly, rises within the inner tube and enters the delivery chamber. By controlling the length and pressure of the pulses supplied to the pump chamber, and the depth to which the longer arm of the tube assembly is immersed, the quantity of liquid delivered may be predetermined. interference with the operation of the non-return valve caused by particles of matter does not affect the operation of the pump to an appreciable extent. In the second embodiment shown in Figure 2, the pump includes a pump head 9 including a tubular casing 10 supporting the non-return valve and filter and surrounding the delivery tube 1 2. The casing is connected to an air line 11 surrounding concentrically the length of delivery tube 12' which extends from the casing to a remote delivery point. The air line 11 is terminated by a plug 13 sealing the space between the air line and the delivery tube and having and inlet 14 by which the air line is alternately supplied with pulses of pressure air and relieved, under the control of a control unit 1 5. Two pumps as described above may be connected to a common air supply line or device in order to pump liquids simultaneously from two separate tanks. Provided that both liquid levels are the same and the pumps are at the same heights relative to the levels, both liquids will be delivered at the same rate. If the liquid levels differ, they will tend to equalise because the pump operating on the tank having the lower level will deliver less liquid for each pulse of air. Unless the liquid in the tank with which the pump is associated is continuously replenished, the pump will progressively deliver less liquid as the level falls. This problem may be avoided by mounting the pump head 9 of the pump shown in Figure 2 on a float so that the depth by which the head is immersed in the liquid remains constant. The control unit 1 5 may be mounted on the side of the tank and be connected with the pump head by flexible concentric air line and delivery tubes. Downward travel of the float may be limited by a tether 1 6 or the air line 11 may serve this purpose. In this way, over-pumping as the result of a control failure may be prevented. The delivery tube may, if desired, be connected by way of a further non-return valve into another pressure line into which liquid will be pumped provided that the pressure of air supplied to the pump chamber is greater than that in the second pressure line. Other modifications may of course be made. Thus, for example, the tubes forming the pump head need not have the concentric arrangement illustrated, neither is it essential for these tubes to be oriented vertically, or for the non-return valve to be located at the lower end of the pump chamber. CLAIMS
1. A pump comprising a pump chamber having a non-return valve through which liquid may flow into the pump chamber, a delivery tube extending into the pump chamber, and means for alternately increasing the pressure of air in the pump chamber and relieving the pressure therein.
2. A method of pumping liquids containing particles or matter, for example fertilizers, wherein the pressure of air within a pump chamber is alternately increased and relieved, and wherein during periods of relieved pressure liquid flows through a non-return valve into the pump chamber and during periods of increased pressure, liquid is expelled from the pump chamber through a delivery tube.
GB8029042A 1980-09-09 1980-09-09 Improved pumping method and apparatus Withdrawn GB2083871A (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB8029042A GB2083871A (en) 1980-09-09 1980-09-09 Improved pumping method and apparatus

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB8029042A GB2083871A (en) 1980-09-09 1980-09-09 Improved pumping method and apparatus

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB2083871A true GB2083871A (en) 1982-03-31

Family

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Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
GB8029042A Withdrawn GB2083871A (en) 1980-09-09 1980-09-09 Improved pumping method and apparatus

Country Status (1)

Country Link
GB (1) GB2083871A (en)

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