US20150247501A1 - Anti-airlock valve assembly - Google Patents

Anti-airlock valve assembly Download PDF

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Publication number
US20150247501A1
US20150247501A1 US14/193,210 US201414193210A US2015247501A1 US 20150247501 A1 US20150247501 A1 US 20150247501A1 US 201414193210 A US201414193210 A US 201414193210A US 2015247501 A1 US2015247501 A1 US 2015247501A1
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
pump
valve
housing
vent hole
impeller
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.)
Abandoned
Application number
US14/193,210
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Randall H. Moormann
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.)
Flow Control LLC
Original Assignee
Flow Control LLC
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 Flow Control LLC filed Critical Flow Control LLC
Priority to US14/193,210 priority Critical patent/US20150247501A1/en
Assigned to FLOW CONTROL LLC. reassignment FLOW CONTROL LLC. ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: MOORMANN, RANDALL H.
Priority to PCT/US2015/017177 priority patent/WO2015130620A2/en
Priority to CA2940847A priority patent/CA2940847A1/en
Priority to EP15754789.4A priority patent/EP3111093A4/de
Priority to CN201580015487.3A priority patent/CN106104002A/zh
Priority to AU2015223265A priority patent/AU2015223265A1/en
Publication of US20150247501A1 publication Critical patent/US20150247501A1/en
Priority to AU2018205135A priority patent/AU2018205135A1/en
Abandoned 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
    • F04D—NON-POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT PUMPS
    • F04D9/00—Priming; Preventing vapour lock
    • F04D9/001—Preventing vapour lock
    • F04D9/002—Preventing vapour lock by means in the very pump
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F04—POSITIVE - DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; PUMPS FOR LIQUIDS OR ELASTIC FLUIDS
    • F04D—NON-POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT PUMPS
    • F04D1/00—Radial-flow pumps, e.g. centrifugal pumps; Helico-centrifugal pumps
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F04—POSITIVE - DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; PUMPS FOR LIQUIDS OR ELASTIC FLUIDS
    • F04D—NON-POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT PUMPS
    • F04D9/00—Priming; Preventing vapour lock
    • F04D9/001—Preventing vapour lock
    • F04D9/002—Preventing vapour lock by means in the very pump
    • F04D9/003—Preventing vapour lock by means in the very pump separating and removing the vapour

Definitions

  • This invention relates to a pump; and more particularly, relates to a centrifugal pump, e.g., including a bilge pump.
  • a centrifugal pump cannot begin pumping water until its impeller is immersed in water.
  • the impeller is prevented from engaging any water by air entrapped in the pump's housing or body. This situation is known as air lock and is a problem in the art.
  • air lock e.g., in centrifugal pumps.
  • the present invention may take the form of a pump having a pump housing with an impeller arranged therein, featuring an anti-airlock valve or valve assembly configured with a valve housing in combination with a valve ball.
  • the valve housing may be configured with a passageway having a vent hole to allow air to bleed out of a chamber of the pump housing into the atmosphere so liquid can fill the pump housing, rise and engage the impeller in order to get the pump running.
  • the valve ball may be arranged in the valve housing, configured to rest against one part of the valve housing so air can pass out of the vent hole, and also configured to be light or buoyant enough to respond to the liquid filling the pump housing, float upwardly and rest against another part of the valve housing so as not to allow water to escape readily from the vent hole after the liquid rises to a sufficient level and substantially engages the impeller.
  • the present invention may also include one or more of the following features:
  • the anti-airlock valve assembly may be configured in, or form an integral part of, the pump housing.
  • the anti-airlock valve assembly may be configured on the discharge side of the pump, e.g., including forming part of a discharge chamber of the pump.
  • the anti-airlock valve assembly may be configured on the suction side of the pump, e.g., including forming part of a suction chamber of the pump.
  • the valve housing may include an upper valve seat configured with the vent hole; and a lower valve seat configured to contain the valve ball in the valve housing and allow air to bleed out of the pump housing into the atmosphere via the vent hole.
  • the upper valve seat may include a frustoconical wall configured to form part of the passageway.
  • the frustoconical wall may include one end configured with a wide opening dimensioned to be larger in diameter than the valve ball; and another end configured with the vent hole dimensioned to be smaller in diameter than the valve ball, so that when the valve ball floats upwardly and seals against part of the frustoconical wall, water cannot escape readily from the vent hole after the liquid rises to the sufficient level and substantially engages the impeller.
  • the valve ball may be configured to respond to a suction discharge pressure once the pump is running and seal against the lower valve seat in order to prevent air from passing from the atmosphere into a suction discharge chamber of the pump housing.
  • the pump may be configured as a centrifugal pump, e.g., for use as a bilge pump, including where the bilge pump has an outlet nozzle having a backflow preventer assembly coupled thereto with a duckbill-type check valve arranged therein to allow only liquid flow in only one direction, consistent with that disclosed in patent application Ser. No. _____ (911-17.32-1//M-RLE-X0008), filed on 28 Feb. 2014.
  • FIG. 1 a is a diagram of a centrifugal pump equipped with a discharge type anti-lock valve or valve assembly, according to some embodiments of the present invention.
  • FIG. 1 b is a more detailed view of the discharge type anti-lock valve of the centrifugal pump in FIG. 1 a.
  • FIG. 2 a is a diagram of a centrifugal pump equipped with a suction type anti-lock valve or valve assembly, according to some embodiments of the present invention.
  • FIG. 2 b is a more detailed view of the suction type anti-lock valve of the centrifugal pump in FIG. 2 a.
  • the pump must be configured to release the entrapped air in the pump housing.
  • the air must be allowed to “bleed” out to the atmosphere surrounding the pump allowing the water to rise and engage the impeller.
  • the anti-airlock valve assemblies disclosed herein allow this release of the entrapped air to occur.
  • FIGS. 1 a and 2 a show the present invention in the form of a pump generally indicated as 10 , 10 ′ having the pump housing B with the impeller A arranged therein.
  • the pump 10 , 10 ′ may be configured with an anti-airlock valve (also known as an anti-airlock valve assembly) generally indicated as D, D′ in FIGS. 1 a and 2 a, each configured with a valve housing generally indicated as 12 , 12 ′ in combination with a valve ball G, H as shown in FIGS. 1 b and 2 b .
  • an anti-airlock valve also known as an anti-airlock valve assembly
  • the valve housing 12 , 12 ′ may be configured with a passageway 14 , 14 ′ having a vent hole 16 to allow air to bleed out of a chamber 11 of the pump housing B into the atmosphere surrounding the pump so liquid can fill the pump housing B, rise and engage the impeller A in order to get the pump 10 , 10 ′ running.
  • the valve ball G, H may be arranged in the valve housing 12 , 12 ′, configured to rest against a lower part of the valve housing 12 , 12 ′ so air can pass out of the vent hole 16 , and also configured to be light or buoyant enough to respond to the liquid filling the pump housing B, float upwardly and rest against an upper part of the valve housing 12 , 12 ′ so as not to allow water to escape readily from the vent hole 16 after the liquid rises to a sufficient level and substantially engages the impeller A.
  • pressurized air in the chamber 11 may cause the valve ball G, H to lift so as to enable the air to pass around the valve ball G, H, through the passageway 14 , 14 ′ of the valve D, D′, and out the vent hole 16 to the atmosphere surrounding the pump 10 , 10 ′.
  • valve housing 12 , 12 ′ may be configured with an upper valve seat 20 , 20 ′ configured with the vent hole 16 ; and a lower valve seat 22 , 22 ′ configured to contain the valve ball G, H in the valve housing 12 , 12 ′ and allow air to bleed out of the chamber of the pump housing B into the atmosphere via the vent hole 16 , consistent with that shown in FIGS. 1 b, 2 b.
  • the upper valve seat 20 may include a frustoconical wall 24 configured to form one part of the passageway 14
  • the lower valve seat 22 may include a frustoconical wall 26 also configured to form another part of the passageway 14
  • the frustoconical wall 24 may include one end 24 a configured with a wide opening dimensioned to be larger in diameter than the valve ball G; and another end 24 b configured with the vent hole 16 dimensioned to be smaller in diameter than the valve ball G, so that when the valve ball G floats upwardly and seals against part of the frustoconical wall 24 , water cannot escape readily from the vent hole 16 after the liquid rises to the sufficient level and substantially engages the impeller A.
  • the frustoconical wall 26 has an end 26 a configured with an opening dimensioned to be smaller in diameter than the valve ball G to prevent the valve ball G from escaping the valve housing 12 .
  • the upper valve seat 20 ′ may include a wall 28 configured to form one part of the passageway 14 ′
  • the lower valve seat 22 ′ may include a frustoconical wall 30 configured to form another part of the passageway 14 ′.
  • the upper valve seat 20 ′ and the lower valve seat 22 ′ are configured with corresponding openings dimensioned to allow the air out of the valve housing 12 ′ and keep the valve ball H in the valve housing 12 ′, similar to that set forth above in relation to FIG. 1 b.
  • FIG. 1 a shows the pump 10 in the form of a centrifugal pump equipped with a discharge type anti-airlock valve C located on the pump's discharge E.
  • the impeller A causes the air pressure to rise in the pump's discharge chamber 11 .
  • This pressurized air escapes through the vent hole 16 in the valve D and water begins to fill the pump chamber 11 .
  • the valve ball G is forcibly pressed against the top of the valve D creating a seal which prevents water from escaping out the vent hole 16 . See FIG. 1 b for an enlarged and more detailed view of the discharge anti-airlock valve design shown in FIG. 1 a.
  • FIG. 2 a shows the pump 10 ′ in the form of a low profile centrifugal pump having the valve D′ located at the pump's intake F.
  • This pump configuration is basically useful when the central axis of the pump 10 ′ is parallel to the plane of the surface of the water to be pumped. In this situation, the air is allowed to bleed out due to increased pressure of the air in the intake chamber 11 ′ from the turning of the impeller A. Once water is flowing, this intake area is at a negative pressure relative to the atmosphere surrounding the pump 10 ′ and the valve ball H is forced inwards to the bottom of the valve D′ creating a seal. See FIG. 2 b for a detailed view of the intake anti-airlock valve design.
  • the present invention provides anti-airlock valve assembly in two different forms, e.g., including discharge and suction types.
  • the anti-airlock valve assembly includes the valve housing 12 , 12 ′ having the upper valve seat 20 , 20 ′ for the valve ball G, H to set under the water pressure preventing any water to escape through the vent hole 16 .
  • the anti-airlock valve assembly also includes the valve ball G, H that is constructed light enough to allow air to escape yet will easily be forced upward (or downward in the case of the intake valve) to seat against the upper valve housing seat 20 , 20 ′ not allowing water to escape readily.
  • a pump housing receptacle may be configured for receiving the valve housing 12 , 12 ′, including where it is an integral part of the pump 10 , 10 ′, has suitable mating, and also has a diameter and dimensioning for allowing the valve housing 12 , 12 ′ to be securely held to the pump housing B.
  • the lower valve ball seat 22 , 22 ′ is integral to the overall geometry and valve configuration by preventing the valve ball G, H from escaping yet allowing air to escape through the vent hole 16 in the pump housing outlet.
  • Pump may also include, e.g., other parts, elements, components, or circuits that do not form part of the underlying invention, including a motor, diaphragm pumping components, pressure transducers, wiring for coupling the motor to a control circuit, and are thus not identified and described in detail herein.
  • pumps having motors and impeller arranged or configured thereon are known in the art, and the scope of the invention is not intended to be limited to any particular type or kind thereof either now known or later developed in the future.
  • Possible applications are envisioned to include any type or kind of pump or rotary equipment that may be submerged and contain trapped air, e.g., in its housing or impeller housing, including but not limited to centrifugal pumps or other types or kinds of submersible pumps either now known or later developed in the future, including bilge pumps or utility pumps.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Structures Of Non-Positive Displacement Pumps (AREA)
  • Self-Closing Valves And Venting Or Aerating Valves (AREA)
  • Check Valves (AREA)
US14/193,210 2014-02-28 2014-02-28 Anti-airlock valve assembly Abandoned US20150247501A1 (en)

Priority Applications (7)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US14/193,210 US20150247501A1 (en) 2014-02-28 2014-02-28 Anti-airlock valve assembly
PCT/US2015/017177 WO2015130620A2 (en) 2014-02-28 2015-02-24 Anti-airlock valve assembly
CA2940847A CA2940847A1 (en) 2014-02-28 2015-02-24 Anti-airlock valve assembly
EP15754789.4A EP3111093A4 (de) 2014-02-28 2015-02-24 Ventilanordnung gegen lufteinschluss
CN201580015487.3A CN106104002A (zh) 2014-02-28 2015-02-24 防气锁阀组件
AU2015223265A AU2015223265A1 (en) 2014-02-28 2015-02-24 Anti-airlock valve assembly
AU2018205135A AU2018205135A1 (en) 2014-02-28 2018-07-12 Anti-airlock valve assembly

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US14/193,210 US20150247501A1 (en) 2014-02-28 2014-02-28 Anti-airlock valve assembly

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US20150247501A1 true US20150247501A1 (en) 2015-09-03

Family

ID=54006569

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US14/193,210 Abandoned US20150247501A1 (en) 2014-02-28 2014-02-28 Anti-airlock valve assembly

Country Status (6)

Country Link
US (1) US20150247501A1 (de)
EP (1) EP3111093A4 (de)
CN (1) CN106104002A (de)
AU (2) AU2015223265A1 (de)
CA (1) CA2940847A1 (de)
WO (1) WO2015130620A2 (de)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20140341752A1 (en) * 2013-03-19 2014-11-20 Flow Control Llc. Low profile pump with the ability to be mounted in various configurations
IT201900012861A1 (it) * 2019-07-25 2021-01-25 Dab Pumps Spa Elettropompa con dispositivo perfezionato di sfiato dell'aria

Citations (12)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3915351A (en) * 1974-08-19 1975-10-28 Alexander Enrico Kiralfy Cordless electrically operated centrifugal pump
US5095880A (en) * 1991-08-22 1992-03-17 Ricks Robert C Air purging and shut-down system for diesel engines
US5472054A (en) * 1995-02-09 1995-12-05 Hinds; Arron C. Free pumping apparatus safety valve system and method
US6206632B1 (en) * 1999-03-26 2001-03-27 Timothy D. Gallus Bleed tube for centrifugal pump and method for retrofitting same
US6238191B1 (en) * 1998-07-21 2001-05-29 Robert Bosch Gmbh Apparatus for supplying a fuel by means of a fuel supply unit arranged in a housing
US6390780B1 (en) * 1998-09-24 2002-05-21 Rule Industries, Inc. Pump and controller system and method
US7074014B2 (en) * 2002-06-25 2006-07-11 Smc Corporation Dipping type pump where discharging performance at a time of actuation has been improved
US20060180205A1 (en) * 2005-01-22 2006-08-17 Wolf-Dietrich Gosch Drain valve for freight container
US20080112830A1 (en) * 2006-11-09 2008-05-15 Heiner Ophardt Autoclavable piston guide ring
US7762273B2 (en) * 2007-06-29 2010-07-27 Olab S.R.L. Venting device
US8276616B2 (en) * 2009-03-20 2012-10-02 Xylem Ip Holdings Llc High pressure duckbill valve and insert
US8672289B2 (en) * 2008-04-21 2014-03-18 Pride Technologies International Pty Ltd Domestic water tap or faucet with floating buoyant ball valve and activation rod

Family Cites Families (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1993268A (en) * 1929-08-16 1935-03-05 Ferguson Charles Hiram Centrifugal pump
US1944249A (en) * 1933-05-19 1934-01-23 John K Lencke Protective device for hose lines
US2144613A (en) * 1935-03-19 1939-01-24 Laval Steam Turbine Co Priming system for centrifugal pumps
US2757616A (en) * 1953-01-21 1956-08-07 Waterous Co Priming valve for a centrifugal pump
US3769779A (en) * 1971-09-27 1973-11-06 Smith International Degassing apparatus
NL9401455A (nl) * 1994-09-07 1996-04-01 Andre S J Van Coillie En Johan Zelfaanzuigende centrifugaalpomp-vakuumpomp-kombinatie voor o.a. vloeibare brandstoffen zoals benzine, gasoil, kerozene enz. met verbeterde ontgasser en geintegreerde övapor recoveryö mogelijkheid.
GB9901547D0 (en) * 1999-01-26 1999-03-17 H J Godwin Limited Improvements in or relating to pumps
DE10346196A1 (de) * 2002-10-12 2004-04-22 Laing, Oliver Umwälzpumpe

Patent Citations (12)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3915351A (en) * 1974-08-19 1975-10-28 Alexander Enrico Kiralfy Cordless electrically operated centrifugal pump
US5095880A (en) * 1991-08-22 1992-03-17 Ricks Robert C Air purging and shut-down system for diesel engines
US5472054A (en) * 1995-02-09 1995-12-05 Hinds; Arron C. Free pumping apparatus safety valve system and method
US6238191B1 (en) * 1998-07-21 2001-05-29 Robert Bosch Gmbh Apparatus for supplying a fuel by means of a fuel supply unit arranged in a housing
US6390780B1 (en) * 1998-09-24 2002-05-21 Rule Industries, Inc. Pump and controller system and method
US6206632B1 (en) * 1999-03-26 2001-03-27 Timothy D. Gallus Bleed tube for centrifugal pump and method for retrofitting same
US7074014B2 (en) * 2002-06-25 2006-07-11 Smc Corporation Dipping type pump where discharging performance at a time of actuation has been improved
US20060180205A1 (en) * 2005-01-22 2006-08-17 Wolf-Dietrich Gosch Drain valve for freight container
US20080112830A1 (en) * 2006-11-09 2008-05-15 Heiner Ophardt Autoclavable piston guide ring
US7762273B2 (en) * 2007-06-29 2010-07-27 Olab S.R.L. Venting device
US8672289B2 (en) * 2008-04-21 2014-03-18 Pride Technologies International Pty Ltd Domestic water tap or faucet with floating buoyant ball valve and activation rod
US8276616B2 (en) * 2009-03-20 2012-10-02 Xylem Ip Holdings Llc High pressure duckbill valve and insert

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20140341752A1 (en) * 2013-03-19 2014-11-20 Flow Control Llc. Low profile pump with the ability to be mounted in various configurations
US9810241B2 (en) * 2013-03-19 2017-11-07 Flow Control LLC Low profile pump with the ability to be mounted in various configurations
US10323646B2 (en) 2013-03-19 2019-06-18 Flow Control LLC Low profile pump with the ability to be mounted in various configurations
IT201900012861A1 (it) * 2019-07-25 2021-01-25 Dab Pumps Spa Elettropompa con dispositivo perfezionato di sfiato dell'aria
EP3770436A1 (de) * 2019-07-25 2021-01-27 Dab Pumps S.p.A. Elektrische pumpe mit entlüftungsvorrichtung

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP3111093A2 (de) 2017-01-04
AU2015223265A1 (en) 2016-09-15
EP3111093A4 (de) 2017-11-22
CN106104002A (zh) 2016-11-09
CA2940847A1 (en) 2015-09-03
AU2018205135A1 (en) 2018-08-02
WO2015130620A2 (en) 2015-09-03
WO2015130620A3 (en) 2015-11-26

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