GB2250547A - Atmospheric pressure pump - Google Patents

Abstract

A pump is provided with; a closable intake pipe 13 located in a renewable water supply 1, a top 7 with a closable passage 11 extending through it connected via a two way junction 29 to a closable vent pipe 30 extending above the top of the pump, a closable outlet pipe 32 extending downward from said junction to a further water supply 33 located below the top of the pump, but at a higher level than the first supply 1, a movable shuttle 21, its base having a closable entry 25 and a diameter extended as a sealed hollow wall, the top of which is located in an annular cavity formed by the internal downward extension of the pump top 7, leaving a variable chamber within itself, a means to maintain the level of both water supplies, displace liquid from the pump chamber before recycling, and priming the pump in the first instance. <IMAGE>

Description

Atmospheric Pressure Pump This invention relates to a pump, in particular it relates to a pump for raising liquid from one level to a higher level under the influence of atmospheric pressure.

According to the present invention there is provided a pump comprising: a chamber defining a passage having a substantially uniform cross-section and having a base; a first valve operable to close the base of the chamber; a said top extending downwardly inside the chamber as a solid unit with a reduced diameter re-defining part of the existing passage as a further annular passage, said top further defining a further passage extending through said top capable of allowing fluid flow from below its lower end to above its upper end and second valve operable to close said further passage and means to maintain at least a partial vacuum above the top of this passage; a non-return valve may be provided in the said annular passage to allow any unwanted contents to be expelled;; a reservoir for liquid arranged so that the normal level of the liquid in the reservoir is substantially level with the inside surface of the base of the chamber; a shuttle located inside the said passage having sufficient clearance between itself and the passage for movement along the passage, said shuttle having a base and an open top, said top arranged to locate as a sliding fit in said annular passage and be free from pressure, said shuttle defining a further passage extending through the base of the shuttle and capable of allowing fluid flow from below the lower end of the shuttle to its inside volume; a valve operable to close said further passage.

In a preferred embodiment the third valve is an adjustable non-return valve operated by pressure differences.

Seals may be provided around the top and bottom of the shuttle to ensure that the shuttle makes a dynamic seal in the said annular passage and the said first passage.

Preferably the pump further includes a first pipe extending from the top of the chamber to a further fluid reservoir located below the top of the said chamber but at a higher level than the first reservoir.

A valve may be provided towards the end of the first pipe, this valve being located below the normal liquid level in the further reservoir, an overflow pipe may allow water to flow from the further reservoir into the first reservoir.

The first reservoir may be provided with a drain pipe and liquid may be continuously fed into the first reservoir to maintain the level of water at the level of the drain pipe.

A second pipe and suitable means may be provided for pumping water from the first reservoir to an entry pipe at the base of the chamber.

A valve may be provided and arranged to close or open the top of the chamber to atmospheric pressure.

A suitable double acting ram unit may be provided on the bottom of the pump to displace water from its chamber, said unit being provided with valves that allow its entry and exit ports to be opened or closed.

Preferably the pump further includes a third pipe that extends from the bottom of the second reservoir to permit liquid flow from the second reservoir to the entry ports of the ram unit, also an exit pipe to allow liquid flow from the exit ports into the first reservoir.

A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example only, this with reference to the accompanying drawings, which are schematic diagrams of the pump and ram unit.

The drawing in figure 1A shows a container 1, it has a rectangular base and four upstanding walls and is 15 feet (5m) wide, by 20 feet (6.7m) long, by 6 feet (2m) deep.

On the left hand side of the container, as orientated in the drawing figure 1A, there is a water supply pipe 2, this said pipe is fitted with a valve 3, connected to a water supply not shown.

Towards the right hand side of the container there is a water drain pipe 4 which is connected to a suitable drain, said drain pipe 4, is arranged to maintain the water at level 5 in container 1.

Located above container 1, there is a upwardly extending chamber 6 with an internal diameter of 36 inches (lm), an overall length of 45 feet (15m) and with a top 7 and a bottom 8.

The centre of the inside face of top 7, extends downwardly inside chamber 6, at a reduced diameter of 30 inches (75cm) for an overall distance of 23 feet (7.0104m) to provide the parallel cavity 9 with an annular cross-section.

The said cavity may be fitted with a pressure operated non-return valve 10, arranged to permit a flow towards the outside of chamber 6 to vent any unwanted contents.

Extending through the centre of top 7 from one end to another is a passage 11 with a diameter of 3 inches (7.5cm) a valve 12 is fitted inside said passage and located at its beginning, being operated to open or close the fluid flow from chamber 6.

The inside surfaces of both chamber 6 and cavity 9 should be of a uniform cross-section and be smooth and free from any distortions.

An intake pipe 13 depends off centre from bottom 8 of the chamber 6 to an end 14, said end 14 being fitted with a filter unit 15, a valve 16 operable to close pipe 13 is provided towards its bottom end.

A pump supply pipe 17 extends from the intake pipe 13 to connect to the pump unit 18 with a working pressure of not less than 25 psi.

A valve 19 operable to close supply pipe 17 is provided between pipe 13 and pump 18, a filter unit 20 is fitted to the intake of pump 18.

The chamber 6 is suitably secured so that it is orientated substantially vertically over container 1, said bottom 8 of chamber 6, being at the level of the water in outlet pipe 4 and the water level 5.

Located inside chamber 6 is shuttle 21, constructed as a unit with an annular cross-section and an overall length of 22 feet, 6 inches (675cm), it has a hollow wall with an approximate thickness of 3 inches (7.5cm), surrounding an inside volume with a diameter of 30 inches (75cm).

The top of the wall is sealed to ensure no leaks into its interior and arranged to locate in the parallel cavity 9, the bottom of the wall is sealed against leaks into its interior with the base 22, that also acts to form a chamber inside the shuttle.

The centre of base 22, tapers downwardly from a reduced diameter of 4 inches (10cm) a distance of 1 inch (2.5cm) to end at a diameter of 3 inches (7.5cm) resulting in stop 23, which leaves a cavity 24 between base 22 and the bottom of chamber 65, when the shuttle is in its lowest position.

Extending through the centre of base 22 and stop 23 is the transfer passage 25, said passage being provided with an adjustable non-return valve 26 that is operated by pressure differences and being arranged to permit a flow upwards as orientated in figure 1.

The outside diameter of the shuttle is dimensioned to allow it to move freely up and down the inside diameter of the parallel cavity 9 and the chamber 6 An annular sealing ring 27 is fitted to the bottom of the shuttle to provide a dynamic seal and ensure that there is no leakage of liquid between the sides of the shuttle.

The inside diameter of the shuttle is dimensioned to allow it to move freely up and down the outside diameter or the top 7 inside the cavity 9.

An annular sealing flange 28, is fitted to the top of the shuttle to form a dynamic seal and ensure that there is no leakage of liquid into cavity 9.

Junction piece 29 is fitted to the top of passage 11 of top 7 and is connected to a vent pipe 30, that extends upwards for a distance of 6 inches (15cm), and is fitted with a valve 31.

An outlet pipe 32, extends downwardly from the junction piece 29 a distance of 36 feet (10.9728m) to terminate 2 feet (.6096m) from the top of a further container 33, that has a rectangular base with four upstanding walls, a width of 15 feet (5m), a length of 10 feet (3.35) and a depth of 6 feet (2m).

A valve 34 is fitted inside pipe 32, said valve being located towards its bottom end.

A return pipe 35 is located on one side of container 33, at a distance of six inches (15cm) from its top, this is to feed liquid into container 1 and maintain the liquid level 36, a ram supply pipe 37 depends from container 33 and is connected to a displacement unit 38, fitted to chamber 6 and located on the underside of base 8.

The drawing in figure 2A shows a unit 38, with an upwardly extending chamber 39 having a diameter of 12 inches (30cm), a top 40 and a bottom 41, said chamber having an internal depth of 2.5 inches (6.25cm).

The body of chamber 39 further extends upwards from the top 40, to form a recess 42, having a depth of 2.5 inches (6.25cm) and ending as a fixing flange 43, said flange having suitable means for fixing and provided with a gasket 44 to form a seal between it and the base 8 of chamber 6.

The inside faces of both the chamber 39 and the recess 42 are smooth and free from any distortions.

A ram unit 45 is located inside chamber 39 and comprises three sections A.B. and C.

Section A, a solid unit with an annular cross-section, a thickness of 1 inch (2.5cm) and a diameter dimensioned to move freely up on the inside of chamber 39.

A sealing ring 46, is provided to form a dynamic seal and ensure that there is no leakage of liquid between the sides of section A.

From the centre of the top face of said section A, there extends upwards an integral shaft B, with a diameter of 1.25 inches (3.125 cm) and having a length of .5 of an inch (1.25cm), this acts as a stop to limit the upward movement of the said ram 45.

The integral shaft B further extends upwards at a reduced diameter of 1 inch (2.5cm), where it defines a passage through the centre of the top 40, terminating at a fixed distance of .5 of an inch (1.25cm) above the bottom of recess 42, where it is then securely fixed to the centre of the bottom face of a section C, located in said recess.

The section C is a solid unit with an annular crosssection having a thickness of 1 inch (2.5cm), it has a diameter that is dimensioned to move freely up and down the inside of recess 42, and a sealing ring 47, provided to form a dynamic seal to ensure there is no leakage of liquid past the sides of recess 42.

A pressure operated non-return valve 48 may be provided in the bottom 41 and arranged to allow a fluid flow downwards into container 1.

Located on the right hand side of the chamber 39 are two input ports 49 and 50, and on the left hand side are two outlet ports 51 and 52, port 49 provides entry into the top of chamber 39 to fill a cavity that varies with the movement of the ram 45, a valve 53 is further provided operable to close the said port 49.

The port 50 provides entry into the bottom of recess 42 to fill a cavity that varies with the movement of ram 45, a valve 54 is further provided operable to close the said port 50.

The port 51 provides an exit from the cavity filled by the port 49, and a valve 55 is provided operable to close the said port 51.

The port 52 provides an exit from the cavity filled by the port 50, and a valve 56 is provided operable to close the said port 52.

In both instances these valves exhaust into container 1.

All metric measurements (in brackets) are approximate.

All pipes, except where otherwise stated, have a diameter of 3 inches (7.5cm).

The pumps working function will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings figures 1A and 2A.

In operation to prime the pump all valves are initially closed.

Valve 3 is then opened and this allows a flow of water through the water inlet pipe 2, to fill container 1 until it overflows through drain pipe 4 into a suitable drain, the steady flow of water into the container through pipe 2 ensures that the level 5 remains constant.

Valves 12, 19, 31 and 34 are then opened, the pump 18 is operated to draw water through filter unit 20 and pump it through the pump supply pipe 17 into the intake pipe 13, where it fills the cavity 24, to continue and fill the transfer passage 25, through non-return valve 26, until it has completely filled the inside of shuttle 21, passage 11, outlet pipe 32, container 33, and the displacement unit supply pipe 37, at which point it will overflow through the return pipe 35, into container 1 and out through drain pipe 4 to a drain.

Valve 34 is then closed, the water will then fill any remaining space in extension pipe 32 and junction piece 29, before it overflows through the vent pipe 30.

This indicates that the pump is completely filled, at which point, valve 19 and 31 are closed.

The atmospheric pressure at level 36 which at sea level is approximately 14.7 psi (101.3kn/m/2) will only support a column of water in the outlet pipe 32 as high as level 57, so if valve 34 remains open the water will drain from the system so that it rests at level 57 in pipe 32 and level 58 in junction piece 29.

The excess water flows out through the bottom of pipe 32, through outlet pipe 35, to displace an equal volume of water into container 1 and thence into the drain.

The space above levels 57 and 58, will be a "torricelli" vacuum containing only water vapour.

Valve 19 is now opened for a second time and with the non-return valve 26 remaining shut, the shuttle now rises to displace water up passage 11, where it overflows into the outlet pipe 32 and flows down to level 57, to displace an equal volume of water into container 33, at the same time, the shuttles movement acts to expel air from the cavity 9, out through the non-return valve 10.

When the shuttle reaches the top of chamber 6, valves 12 and 19 are closed and the pump switched off.

Next, valve 16 is opened and with reference to drawing figure 2A, a schematic diagram of the displacement unit 38, the valves 54 and 55 are also opened to allow water under the influence of the atmospheric pressure at level 36, to enter port 50 from supply pipe 37, where it exerts an increased pressure on the underside of section C, of approximately 19 psi, due to the potential difference of the height of the water in container 1 and container 33.

This pressure enables the ram 45 to overcome the pressure of 14.7 psi applied through intake pipe 13 and move to the top of its stroke, in so doing, allows its section C to displace the volume of water from the recess 42 through pipe 13 into container 1.

This movement also acts to displace into container 1, any water from chamber 39 out through the exhaust port 51, and any contents below section A out through the nonreturn valve 48.

Valves 16, 54 and 44 are then closed, leaving the chamber 6 completely filled with no further movement possible, at this point, with reference to drawing figure 2A, the valves 53 and 56 are now opened, this allows water under the influence of the atmospheric pressure at level 36 to enter port 49 through supply pipe 37 and exert an increased pressure of approximately 19 psi, due to the potential difference between the height of the water in container 1 and container 33.

This pressure enables the ram 45 to overcome the pressure of 14.7 psi applied through intake pipe 13 and to move to the bottom of its stroke, this movement, displacing any water from under its section C out through the exit port 52 into the container 1.

This same movement also acts to increase the total volume of chamber 6 and allows its contents to sink and form a cavity located inside the bottom of the shuttle.

The shuttle weight now exerts on the water that supports it, a total force able to produces a pressure per unit area, calculated by the use of the formula, (P = F / A).

This pressure is able to open the non-return valve 26 and allow the shuttle 21 to continue to sink, so that under Archimedes Principle, it will transfer the water that supports it through the transfer passage 25, into the said cavity inside of the shuttle.

This in effect, increases the total weight of the shuttle, which in turn will increase the pressure on the surface that supports it, and so on.

The end result being, that when a sufficient amount of the water that supports the shuttle has been transferred to fill the shuttle, it will have returned to a position supported by the balance of water remaining in the bottom of chamber, the valves 53 to 56 are now closed completing the pumps priming cycle.

To run the pump, open valves 12, 16, 54 and 55, this will as previously stated, allow the unit 38 to displace liquid from chamber 6, as the shuttle 21 rises to discharge its contents into container 33.

When the shuttle 21 reaches the top of chamber 6, indicated by the cessation of liquid flow into container 33, the valves 12, 54 and 55 are then shut and valves 53 and 56 are opened.

This, as previously stated, will allow the unit 38 to increase the volume of chamber 6 and allow the shuttle to sink back to the position from which it started, at which point, the valves 53 and 56 are closed and the cycle can be repeated.

Although valves 10, 26 and 48 are described as pressure operated non-return valves, they may be replaced by valves operated by any suitable means.

Although the displacement unit 33 is described as being a unit operated by water pressure, it may be replaced by a unit that operates by any suitable means.

Although the top 7 is described as a solid, it may be constructed in a manner that reduces its weight but not its structural strength.

In its present embodiment the shuttle should be made from a suitable material able to withstand a structural stress through its longitudinal axis of approximately 25 psi and have a mass that should not exceed 400 pounds.

It should also be noted that the diameter of the shuttles internal chamber, is less by a proportion of one sixth of the value of its external diameter, this proportion still applying, even should the diameter of the pump be increased or decreased to vary its volume.

Claims (8)

CLAINS

1. A pump that uses the atmospheric pressure on the free surface of a liquid at one level, to transfer it so as to leave it with a free surface at a higher level.

2. A pump as claimed in Claim 1 wherein a first reservoir for liquid is provided and arranged so that the normal level of the liquid is maintained consistently level with the base of the pump.

3 A pump as claimed in Claim 1 wherein a shuttle with an open top is provided inside the pump able to move and form in conjunction with the inside extension of the pump top, a variable chamber within itself that will have a maximum internal diameter that is less by a proportion of one sixth of its external diameter.

4. A pump as claimed in Claim 1 and Claim 3, wherein a closable one way means of liquid entry is provided into the variable chamber of the shuttle through its base.

5. A pump as claimed in Claim 1 and Claim 3, wherein a closable one way means of liquid outlet from the variable chamber of the shuttle is provided through the pump top into a second liquid reservoir.

6. A pump as claimed in Claim 1, wherein a ram unit operated by liquid pressure is provided on the bottom of the pump and arranged to displace liquid from below the shuttle in the pump chamber out into the first liquid reservoir.

7. A pump as claimed in Claim 1 and Claim 6, wherein a liquid supply is provided from a second liquid reservoir to operate the ram unit.

8. A pump as claimed in Claim 1 and Claim 6 wherein a closable means of liquid outlet is provided from the ram unit into the first liquid reservoir.