GB2120732A

GB2120732A - Pump

Info

Publication number: GB2120732A
Application number: GB08305970A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Alfredo Moreno Anos
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1982-04-15
Filing date: 1983-03-04
Publication date: 1983-12-07
Also published as: PH15408A; JPS5915683A; GB8305970D0

Abstract

A pump comprising a flash boiler 11 having a tube spirally coiled into a conical form, a liquid supply pipe fitted with a check valve 16 in communication with a liquid inlet end of said tube, a solenoid valve assembly 17 having a steam supply passage and a steam outlet in communication with a steam discharge end of said tube, said solenoid valve being operable to regulate the flow of steam from the boiler, an extension pipe 24 connected to said solenoid valve assembly, a diaphragm-type pumping device 25 connected to said extension pipe, and a tube 29 in the form of a U-bend having one end connected to said pumping device and the other end fitted with a check valve 34, said U-bend tube being adapted to be submerged in a liquid and having a suction inlet 30 fitted with a check valve. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Pump This invention relates to a pump for water or other liquids.

More specifically, it relates to a thermal pump in which steam is utilized for pumping a liquid such as water to a given elevation and in which the steam may at the same time be employed for other useful purposes.

The use of steam for driving pumps and other apparatus including external combustion engines is well known. While generally satisfactory, the known arrangements may entail the maintenance of large and expensive boilers.

A feature of this invention is the provision of a flash-type boiler having a tube spirally coiled into a conical shape for generating steam to drive a pump diaphragm.

According to the invention, there is provided a pump comprising a flash boiler having a tube spirally coiled into a conical form, a control valve downstream of the boiler for controlling the discharge of steam therefrom, and a diaphragm-type pumping device operable by the steam from the boiler under the control of the control valve.

The invention thus provides a thermal pump for water or other liquid, which utilizes steam for pumping the liquid and which may be employed for agricultural, industrial or domestic purposes. The pump has a conically shaped spiral coil boiler which supplies steam for driving a diaphragm and the supply of steam is controlled by e.g. a solenoid valve assembly and it is therefore possible for the pump to be simple in structure, easy to operate and economicai to manufacture.

The invention is described further, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a side elevational view of a pump embodying the invention; and Figure 2 is an enlarged side elevational view, partly in section, of the pump shown in Fig. 1 Referring now to the drawings, there is shown a thermal pump or steam pump generally designated as 10. This thermal pump 10 basically comprises a conical flash-type boiler 11 of suitable metallic tubing 1 2 spirally coiled into the conical shape defining at its lower end a water/liquid receiving line 1 3 and at the upper end a steam discharge line 14.The water (or other liquid) circulated in the boiler 11 is heated by a suitable furnace or heater F utilizing thermal energy or heat generated for example by solar power, fluid or solid bio-fuel, conventional fossil fuels, or any type of combustible fuel, the furnace or heater F being installed below the boiler 11. In communication with the water receiving line 1 3 is a supply pipe 1 5 for pre-heated water.

The pipe 1 5 is connected to the line 1 3 by a ball type check valve 16. Fitted to the steam discharge line 14, is a solenoid valve assembly 1 7 having a valve body 1 8 which is formed from cross-fittings and contains a ver tical steam supply passage 1 9 and a horizontal steam outlet 20. The valve 1 7 has a coil 21 and may be energized via terminals 22 to control a spring-biased plunger 23 which regulates the inflow and outflow of steam. Connected to the solenoid valve body 1 8 is a steam conveying extension pipe 24.

In communication with the remote end of this steam extension pipe 24 is a pumping device 25 having a circular housing 26 constructed from two arcuately dished members, which contains within it a rubber diaphragm 27. Connected below this pump housing 26 and submerged in water (or other liquid) below its surface 28 is a tube 29, in the form of a U-bend, having at the lower extremity of the bend, a suction or inlet connection 30 provided with a check valve 31. It may be noted that the limbs of the U-bend constitute a pumping or pressure line 32 and an outlet line 33 for pumped liquid. Fitted to the liquid outlet line 33 is another check valve 34, through which the liquid outlet line 33 communicates with an upwardly extending liquid discharge pipe 35.

OPERATION In operation, pre-heated water from a supply source flows in the supply pipe 1 5 and through the ball-type check valve 1 6 which regulates the flow. The pre-heated water then passes to the boiler 11 where it is converted into steam. In the boiler 11, there is an instant pressure build-up as a result of heating the water. This causes the check valve 1 6 to close and hence to prevent the flow of further water to the boiler 11. Steam is supplied to the solenoid valve assembly 1 7 whose coil 21 is energized causing the plunger 23 to ciose the passage way 1 9 through the solenoid valve 17.

Initially, the pumping device 25 is primed with the water within the U-bend tube reaching up to the underside of the diaphragm 27.

At this stage, the supply of steam from the solenoid valve 1 7 is temporarily shut-off.

However, with the aid of the extension pipe 24 connected between the solenoid valve 1 7 and the upper part of the pump housing 26, ambient pressure is supplied to the upper part of the housing 26. The diaphragm 27 is in the position illustrated.

Upon de-energization of the solenoid valve 17, the valve plunger 23 is released permitting a flow of steam in the passage 1 9. Steam pressure from boiler discharge line 14 is thus conveyed through the solenoid valve 1 7 to the upper side of the pump diaphragm 27. As a result, the diaphragm 27 is depressed, forcing the water below it through the check valve 34 at the outlet end of the U-bend tube 29.

If the solenoid valve 1 7 is now energized, the flow of steam from the boiler 11 is again shut off, and a substantial amount of the steam accumulated in the pump housing 26 and extension pipe 24 discharges through the steam outlet 20 of the valve 1 7. After release of this steam, the diaphragm returns to its normal position, causing a partial negative pressure in the U-bend tube 29. This closes the water outlet check valve 34 while opening the water inlet check valve 31. Further water is therefore drawn into the tube 29 to fill it, through the inlet connection 30, which auto matically closes when the pumping device 25 is primed to complete the first pumping cycle.

Claims

1. A pump comprising a flash boiler hav ing a tube spirally coiled into a conical form, a control valve downstream of the boiler for controlling the discharge of steam therefrom, and a diaphragm-type pumping device oper able by the steam from the boiler under the control of the control valve.

2. A pump comprising a flash boiler hav ing a tube spirally coiled into a conical form, a liquid supply pipe fitted with a check valve in communication with a liquid inlet end of said tube, a solenoid valve assembly having a steam supply passage and a steam outlet in communication with a steam discharge end of said tube, said solenoid valve being operable to regulate the flow of steam from the boiler, an extension pipe connected to said solenoid valve assembly, a diaphragm-type pumping device connected to said extension pipe, and -a tube in the form of a U-bend having on one end connected to said pumping device and the other end fitted with a check valve, said U-bend tube being adapted to be submerged in a liquid and having a suction inlet fitted with a check valve.

3. A pump as defined in claim 1 or 2 wherein the boiler is heated by direct or indirect solar energy or any type of combustible fuel.

4. A pump as defined in claim 1, 2 or 3 which is adjustable or adapted to operate an electric power generating unit.

5. A pump substantially as herein particu larly described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.