WO2012019279A1

WO2012019279A1 - Piston pump and kit for assembling the same

Info

Publication number: WO2012019279A1
Application number: PCT/CA2011/000898
Authority: WO
Inventors: Houle Inc. Gea
Original assignee: Courtemanche, Alain; Desrochers, Yann
Priority date: 2010-08-09
Filing date: 2011-08-09
Publication date: 2012-02-16
Also published as: WO2012019280A1; WO2012019279A8

Abstract

A vertical piston pump (1) for pumping waste material (3) containing a mixture of at least liquid and gaseous materials (3a,3b), the piston pump (1) including a vertical cylinder (5), a piston (7), pair of inlet and outlet ports (11a,11b), a gas release channel (15), a floating assembly (23) and a one-way gas relief assembly (29), the floating assembly (23) being cooperable with the first end (17) of the gas release channel (15) for allowing gaseous materials (3b) from waste material (3) being pumped in a lower pumping chamber (9) to evacuate into an upper release chamber (21), and the one-way gas relief assembly (29) coooperable with the second end (19) of the gas release channel (15) for allowing gaseous material (3b) originating from the lower pumping chamber (9) to be evacuated into the upper release chamber (21), and further configured for preventing gaseous material (3b) from the upper release chamber (21) from entering back into the lower chamber (9).

Description

PISTON PUMP, KIT FOR ASSEMBLING THE SAME, AND METHODS OF ASSEMBLING AND OPERATING ASSOCIATED THERETO

Field of the invention:

The present invention relates to a pump. More particularly, the present invention relates to a piston pump, to a kit for assembling the same, to a fluid circuit provided with such a piston pump, and to corresponding methods of assembling and operating associated thereto. The present patent application claims the priorities of US provisional applications Nos. 61/371,859 and 61/371,895 both filed on August 9^th, 2010, the contents of which are both incorporated herein by reference. Background of the invention:

Vertical piston pumps are well known in the art.

For example, known to the Applicant are the following US patents and patent applications which describe various types of pumps, compressors and the like: 3,884,597; 4,832,578; 5,358;389; 5,525,045; 5,846,060; 6,616,426 B1; 6,299,413 B1 ; 6,981 ,851 B2; and 2007/0237661 A1.

It is also well known in the art that there are different reasons for gases to accumulate under the piston of a vertical piston pump used in a vertical position, such as, for example:

a) certain liquids release part of the gases they contain under the effect of vacuum or the lowering of atmospheric pressure;

b) temperature variation; and

c) a lack of liquid to pump causing air intake.

The suction action of the liquid during the filling phase of the pump creates a vacuum above the liquid to be pumped causing the release of gases contained in the liquid. The accumulation of gases, regardless of their sources, creates a compressible space between the piston and the liquid which gradually increases with each suction phase, thus reducing the space available for the liquid in the pumping tube. The part of the piston stroke used for compression and expansion of the gases is lost to pumping. The compression of gases must reach the normal operating pressure to initiate movement of the liquid in order to escape. When the gases almost completely fill the compression chamber of the pumping tube, the piston stroke does not suffice for the pressure of the gases to reach this level.

Ultimately, if initially the pump is unloaded and the compression chamber of the pumping tube is empty of liquid to pump, the movement of the piston could only compress and expand the gases trapped under the piston, without creating movement in the suction pipe and evacuation pipe, and the pump will not self-load.

Hence, in light of the aforementioned, there is a need for an improved system which, by virtue of its design and components, would be able to overcome or at least minimize some of the aforementioned prior art problems.

Summary of the invention:

The object of the present invention is to provide a piston pump which satisfies some of the above-mentioned needs and which is thus an improvement over other related piston pumps and/or pumping methods known in the prior art. In accordance with the present invention, the above object is achieved, as will be easily understood, with a piston pump such as the one briefly described herein and such as the one exemplified in the accompanying drawings. Preferably, the piston pump is provided with an automatic relief valve which enables the automatic evacuation of gases trapped under the piston, so as to continuously eliminate gases accumulating under the piston of the pump while consistently maintaining optimum pumping efficiency and a continuous flow of liquid. More particularly, according to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided (subject matter of claim 1 to be inserted).

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a fluid circuit provided with the above-mentioned piston pump and/or components thereof. According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of installing (i.e. assembling) the above-mentioned piston pump and/or fluid circuit.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of operating the above-mentioned piston pump and/or fluid circuit.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a kit with corresponding components for assembling the above-mentioned piston pump and/or fluid circuit.

According to yet another aspect of the present invention, there is also provided a method of assembling components of the above-mentioned kit.

According to yet another aspect of the present invention, there is also provided a method of doing business with the above-mentioned kit, piston pump, fluid circuit and/or method(s).

According to yet another aspect of the present invention, there is also provided a fluid having been treated with the above-mentioned kit, piston pump, fluid circuit and/or method(s). The objects, advantages and other features of the present invention will become more apparent upon reading of the following non-restrictive description of preferred embodiments thereof, given for the purpose of exemplification only, with reference to the accompanying drawings. Brief description of the drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a twin vertical piston pump provided with automatic air relief assemblies according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a vertical piston pump provided with an automatic air relief assembly according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 2a is an enlarged view of a portion of what is shown in Figure 2.

Figure 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of another vertical piston pump provided with an automatic air relief assembly according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the vertical piston pump being shown in a first suction mode to load the pumping tube.

Figure 3a is an enlarged view of a portion of what is shown in Figure 3.

Figure 4 is another schematic cross-sectional view of what is shown in Figure 3, the vertical piston pump being now shown just before a first pumping cycle.

Figure 4a is an enlarged view of a portion of what is shown in Figure 4.

Figure 5 is another schematic cross-sectional view of what is shown in Figure 4, the vertical piston pump being now shown in a pumping and gas evacuation cycle.

Figure 5a is an enlarged view of a portion of what is shown in Figure 5. Figure 6 is another schematic cross-sectional view of what is shown in Figure 5, the vertical piston pump being now shown in a pumping and liquid evacuation cycle. Figure 6a is an enlarged view of a portion of what is shown in Figure 6.

Figure 7 is another schematic cross-sectional view of what is shown in Figure 6, the vertical piston pump being now shown in a liquid admission cycle with a full pumping tube. Figure 7a is an enlarged view of a portion of what is shown in Figure 7.

Figure 8 is another perspective view of the twin vertical piston pump of Figure 1, the piston pump being now shown provided with automatic air relief assemblies according to another preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 9 a cross-sectional view of an automatic air relief assembly according to another preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 9a is an enlarged view of a portion of what is shown in Figure 9.

Detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention:

In the following description, the same numerical references refer to similar elements. The embodiments, geometrical configurations, materials mentioned and/or dimensions shown in the figures or described in the present description are preferred embodiments only, given for exemplification purposes only.

Moreover, although the present invention was primarily designed for transferring liquid waste materials (ex. manure) via at least one piston pump, preferably built along a vertical configuration, it may be used with other types of pumps and objects, and in other fields, as apparent to a person skilled in the art. For this reason, expressions such as "piston", "pump", "liquid", "vertical", "configuration", "waste", "mixture", "manure", etc., used herein should not be taken as to limit the scope of the present invention and includes all other kinds of objects or fields with which the present invention could be used and may be useful.

Moreover, in the context of the present invention, the expressions "piston", "pump", "kit", "circuit", "device", "assembly", "system", "machine", "unit" and any other equivalent expression and/or compound words thereof known in the art will be used interchangeably. Furthermore, the same applies for any other mutually equivalent expressions, such as "extracting", "suction", "drawing" and "pumping", or "fluid", "liquid", "air, "solid", "flow", "mixture" and "stream", or even "vertical", "horizontal" and "slanted" for example, as also apparent to a person skilled in the art.

In addition, although the preferred embodiment of the present invention as illustrated in the accompanying drawings may comprise various components, and although the preferred embodiment of the piston pump as shown consists of certain geometrical configurations as explained and illustrated herein, not all of these components and geometries are essential to the invention and thus should not be taken in their restrictive sense, i.e. should not be taken as to limit the scope of the present invention. It is to be understood, as also apparent to a person skilled in the art, that other suitable components and cooperation thereinbetween, as well as other suitable geometrical configurations may be used for the piston pump and corresponding parts according to the present invention, as will be briefly explained hereinafter and as can be easily inferred herefrom by a person skilled in the art, without departing from the scope of the invention.

Broadly described, the present invention, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, relates to a piston pump intended to transfer liquid with or without solids, applications including pumping or transferring liquid that could contain solids, adjustable flow, with high stability on short or long distances. Preferably, the piston pump is built in a vertical position with the mechanical components above the pumping tube, such as is well known in the field of pumps and the like. The present piston pump is preferably of simple design and inexpensive to manufacture. As will be shown hereinbelow, the present piston pump possesses several advantages when compared to conventional piston pumps known in the art.

List of numerical references for some of the corresponding preferred components illustrated in the accompanying drawinos:

1. piston pump

3. waste material

3a. liquid material

3b. gaseous material

5. cylinder

7. piston

9. lower pumping chamber

11. port

11a. inlet port

11b. outlet port

13. check valve

15. gas release channel

17. first end

19. second end

21. upper release chamber

23. floating assembly

25. floating component

27. guiding component

29. one-way gas relief assembly

31. one-way gas relief valve

33. O-ring seal

35. rod

37. cap

37a. first portion (of cap) 37b. second portion (of cap)

39. nut

41. encasing

101. compressible gaseous area

102. pumping tube

103. piston

104. compression chamber

105. hydraulic cylinder

106. inlet check valve

107. outlet check valve

108. automatic air relief valve

109. check valve seating surface

110. liquid to be transferred

111. suction pipe

112. evacuation pipe

113. check valve of the automatic air relief valve

114. floating component (ex. ball) of the automatic air relief valve

1 5. floating component (ex. ball) seating surface in the automatic air relief valve

Important preferred aspects of the present invention which enable it to distinguish itself from the prior art reside in the fact that the piston pump (1) and correspond components are designed to continuously eliminate gases (3b) accumulating under the piston of the pump while consistently maintaining optimum pumping efficiency and a continuous flow of liquid.

Broadly described, and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, the present invention relates to a vertical piston pump (1) for pumping waste material (3) containing a mixture of at least liquid and gaseous materials (3a, 3b), such a manure, for example. The piston pump (1) comprises at least one vertical cylinder (5). The piston pump (1) also comprises a piston (7) displaceabie along each vertical cylinder (5), and defining a lower pumping chamber (9), for pumping therein and evacuating therefrom waste material (3) via a displacement of the piston (7) along the cylinder (5).

The piston pump (1) also comprises a pair of inlet and outlet ports (11a,11b), each port (11) being fluidly connected to the lower pumping chamber (9), and each port (11) being provided with a corresponding check valve (13) operable between opened and closed configurations for respectively allowing and preventing the passage of waste material (3) through said port (11). The piston pump (1) also comprises a gas release channel (15) extending through the piston (7), the gas release channel (15) having a first end (17) fluidly connected to the lower pumping chamber (9) and a second end (19) fluidly connected to an upper release chamber (21) being separate from the lower pumping chamber (9) via the piston (7).

The piston pump (1) also comprises a floating assembly (23) cooperable with the first end (17) of the gas release channel (15) for allowing gaseous materials (3b) from waste material (3) being pumped in the lower pumping chamber (9) to evacuate into the upper release chamber (21) via the gas release channel (15), the floating assembly (23) having a floating component (25) being "buoyant" (i.e. "floating") with respect to liquid material (3a) present in the lower pumping chamber (9), and also having a guiding component (27) for guiding a vertical displacement of the floating component (25), the floating component (25) being operable between an opened configuration where is it away from the first end (17) of the gas release channel (15) for allowing gaseous material from the waste material (3) being pumped to evacuate through the air release channel (15), and a closed configuration where the floating component (25) is urged against the first end (17) of the gas release channel via liquid material (3a) being pumped in the lower pumping chamber (9) for blocking said first end (15) and preventing said liquid material (3a) from entering the gas release channel (15). The piston pump (1) also comprises a one-way gas relief assembly (29) coooperable with the second end (19) of the gas release channel (15) for allowing gaseous material (3b) originating from the lower pumping chamber (9) to be evacuated into the upper release chamber (21), and further configured for preventing gaseous material (3b) from the upper release chamber (21) from entering back into the lower chamber (9) via the gas release channel (15), the one-way gas relief assembly (29) having a one-way gas relief valve (31) being operable between an opened configuration where is it away from the second end (19) of the gas release channel (15) to allow evacuation of gaseous material (3b) into the air release chamber (21), and a closed configuration where the one-way gas relief valve (31) is urged against the second end ( ) of the gas release channel (15) for blocking said second end (19) and preventing reentering of gaseous material (3b).

Preferably, the first end (17) of the gas release channel (15) is a tapered first end (17) for receiving the corresponding floating component (25) thereagainst, and similarly, the second end (19) of the gas release channel (15) is also preferably a tapered second end (19), for receiving the corresponding one-way gas relief valve (31) thereagainst. The second end (19) of the gas release channel (15) may provided with an O-ring seal (33), as better shown in Figures 9 and 9a.

According to a particular embodiment of the present invention, and as exemplified in Figure 9, the floating assembly (23) may comprise a rod (35) operatively interconnecting the floating component (25) to the one-way gas relief assembly (29), where a vertical displacement of the rod (35) via a displacement of the floating component (25) in turn leads to a corresponding displacement of the one-way gas relief valve (31), as can be easily understood by a person skilled in the art.

Preferably, the range of vertical displacement of the rod (35) is adjustable via an adjustment of components of the one-way gas relief assembly (29), as can also be easily understood by a person skilled in the art when referring to the accompanying drawings. Namely, as better shown in Figure 9, the rod (35) has a first extremity capable of being removably connectable to the floating component (25), and a second extremity capable of being removably connectable to the one-way gas relief assembly (29).

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, and as better shown in Figures 9-9a, the first extremity of the rod is threadedly insertable into the floating component (25). Preferably also, the one-way gas relief assembly (29) comprises a cap (37) having a first portion (37a) threadedly mountable onto a first threaded portion of the rod (35), the cap (37) defining the second end (19) of the air release channel (15), the cap (37) having a second portion (37b) threadedly mountable onto a corresponding threaded portion of the air release channel (15). In this particular embodiment, the second end (19) of the air release channel (15) defined by the cap (37) is preferably a tapered second end (19) also for receiving the corresponding one- way gas relief valve (31) thereagainst. Preferably also, the one-way gas relief assembly (29) comprises a valve (31) threadedly mountable onto a second threaded portion of the rod (35), adjacent to the first threaded portion thereof.

The one-way gas relief assembly (29) may also comprise a nut (39) threadedly mountable onto a third threaded portion of the rod (35), adjacent to the second threaded portion thereof, namely for removably and selectively securing the valve (31) in place with respect to the rod (35).

For an improved seal during a closed configuration, the one-way gas relief assembly (29) may comprise an O-ring seal (33) provided about the second end (19) of the air release channel (15) defined by the cap (37).

As can be easily understood by a person skilled in the art, the floating component (25) according to the present invention may take on various suitable shapes and forms (conic elements, etc.), but according to a preferred and convenient embodiment, the floating component (25) is simply a "ball" (i.e. a sphere).

Preferably, components of the present piston pump (1) interacting with one another as selected to avoid galvanic corrosion thereinbetween, and as a result, the rod (35) is preferably made of a light weight non-metallic material (ex. plastic, composite, etc.), whereas the floating component (25) is made of a metallic material, in that metal hollow balls or spheres of various dimensions are easily available. It is worth mentioning that according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the gas release channel (15) is intended to extend through the piston (7) and to be displaceable along the cylinder (5) along with said piston (7), but that other various different modifications could be made, without departing from the scope of the present invention, in that the gas release channel (15) could be made to be displeable with respect to the piston (7) so long as the first and second ends (17,19) of the gas release channel (15) are provided respectively in the lower pumping chamber (9) and upper release chamber (21), and so long as they are respectively provided with a floating assembly (23) and one-way gas relief assembly (29), operating in an manner as explained hereinabove.

Various other corresponding modifications could be made to the present piston pump (1). For example, referring to the embodiment illustrated in Figures 2-7a, the floating component (25) may comprises a ball, and instead of a rod assembly, the guiding component (27) may comprises an open-ended encasing (41) located in the lower pumping chamber (9) and operatively mounted onto a lower side of the piston (7) for displacement therewith along the cylinder (5), the encasing (41) being configured for containing the ball therein and for allowing a vertical displacement of said ball within the encasing (41), and wherein the one-way gas relief assembly (29) would be operatively mounted onto an upper side of the piston (7) for displacement therewith, the encasing (41) and the one-way gas relief assembly (29) cooperating respectively with the first and second ends (17,19) of the gas release channel (15), in the manner explained hereinabove.

As may now be better appreciated, the present invention present several advantages with respect to other piston pumps known in the art, in the present piston pump enables the provision and/or installing of an automatic air relief valve, which preferably operates as follows:

a) the automatic air relief valve (108) located on the piston (103) of the present piston pump evacuates accumulated gases (101) without letting the liquid pass through (110);

b) during the descent of the piston (103) under the pressure of the hydraulic cylinder (105) in the evacuation phase, gases (101) between the piston

(103) and the liquid, evacuate through the automatic air relief valve (108) until the liquid (110) reaches the float (114) which makes it close; c) for the remainder of the evacuation cycle, the piston (103) pushes the liquid toward the evacuation pipe (112);

d) when the piston (103) rises back up, the check valve (113) of the automatic air relief valve (108) remains closed, preventing air from penetrating and allowing aspiration of the liquid to be pumped (110) which will gradually completely fill the space in the compression chamber of the pumping tube

(104) ;

e) each compression cycle involving the descent of the piston ( 03), gases are discharged until eliminated;

f) when starting the pump, if it is completely discharged, the gases (101) will be completely evacuated after a few pumping cycles;

g) when the pump is fully charged, the only gases to evacuate are the small amount liberated at each cycle of filling due to the vacuum effect; and h) thus, the compression chamber (104) of the pumping tube is completely filled with a non-compressible material maintaining continuous optimal pumping performance. The automatic air relief valve (108) is preferably composed of an airtight check valve (113) allowing gases to continuously escape from under the piston, without letting air penetrate during the vacuum phase of the liquid to be pumped (110). This automatic air relief valves is also preferably equipped with a float (114), which will rise on top of the liquid (110) to seal the opening (115) once the gases (101) fully escape and thus prevent the escape of liquid from above the piston, as can be easily understood by a person skilled in the art.

It is understood that for this invention, the term "automatic air relief valve" includes any concept of automatic air relief valve or group of components, which together perform the functions described above, and may be located at various other appropriate locations within the piston pump, as can also be easily understood by a person skilled in the art.

Finally, and according to the present invention, the piston pump (1) and corresponding parts are preferably made of substantially rigid materials, such as metallic materials, hardened polymers, composite materials, and/or the like, as well as possible combinations thereof, whereas other components of the present invention, in order to achieve the resulting advantages briefly discussed herein (ex. seal), can be made of a polymeric material (plastic, rubber, etc.), and/or the like, depending on the particular applications for which the piston pump (1) is intended for and the different parameters in cause, as apparent to a person skilled in the art.

Furthermore, the present invention is a substantial improvement over the prior art in that, by virtue of its design and components, the piston pump (1) is simple and easy to use, as well as is simple and easy to manufacture and/or assemble, without compromising the reliability of its functions. Hence, it may now be appreciated that the present invention represents important advantages over other piston pumps known in the prior art, in that, the piston pump (1) according to the present invention enables to continuously eliminate gases accumulating under the piston of the pump while consistently maintaining optimum pumping efficiency and a continuous flow of liquid, in a very quick, easy and efficient manner, as briefly explained hereinabove, something that is not possible with conventional piston pumps.

Of course, numerous modifications could be made to the above-described embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention, as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A vertical piston pump (1) for pumping waste material (3) containing a mixture of at least liquid and gaseous materials (3a,3b), the piston pump (1) comprising: at least one vertical cylinder (5);

a piston (7) displaceable along each vertical cylinder (5), and defining a lower pumping chamber (9), for pumping therein and evacuating therefrom waste material (3) via a displacement of the piston (7) along the cylinder (5);

a pair of inlet and outlet ports (11a,11b), each port (11) being fluidly connected to the lower pumping chamber (9), and each port (11) being provided with a corresponding check valve (13) operable between opened and closed configurations for respectively allowing and preventing the passage of waste material (3) through said port (11);

a gas release channel (15) extending through the piston (7), the gas release channel (15) having a first end (17) fluidly connected to the lower pumping chamber (9) and a second end (19) fluidly connected to an upper release chamber (21) being separate from the lower pumping chamber (9) via the piston (7);

a floating assembly (23) cooperable with the first end (17) of the gas release channel (15) for allowing gaseous materials (3b) from waste material (3) being pumped in the lower pumping chamber (9) to evacuate into the upper release chamber (21) via the gas release channel (15), the floating assembly (23) having a floating component (25) being buoyant with respect to liquid material (3a) present in the lower pumping chamber (9), and also having a guiding component (27) for guiding a vertical displacement of the floating component (25), the floating component (25) being operable between an opened configuration where is it away from the first end (17) of the gas release channel (15) for allowing gaseous material from the waste material (3) being pumped to evacuate through the air release channel (15), and a closed configuration where the floating component (25) is urged against the first end (17) of the gas release channel via liquid material (3a) being pumped in the lower pumping chamber (9) for blocking said first end (15) and preventing said liquid material (3a) from entering the gas release channel (15); and a one-way gas relief assembly (29) coooperable with the second end (19) of the gas release channel (15) for allowing gaseous material (3b) originating from the lower pumping chamber (9) to be evacuated into the upper release chamber (21), and further configured for preventing gaseous material (3b) from the upper release chamber (21) from entering back into the lower chamber (9) via the gas release channel (15), the oneway gas relief assembly (29) having a one-way gas relief valve (31) being operable between an opened configuration where is it away from the second end (19) of the gas release channel (15) to allow evacuation of gaseous material (3b) into the air release chamber (21), and a closed configuration where the one-way gas relief valve (31) is urged against the second end (19) of the gas release channel (15) for blocking said second end (19) and preventing reentering of gaseous material (3b).

2. A piston pump (1) according to claim 1 , wherein the first end (17) of the gas release channel (15) is a tapered first end (17) for receiving the corresponding floating component (25) thereagainst.

3. A piston pump (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the second end (19) of the gas release channel (15) is a tapered second end (19) for receiving the corresponding one-way gas relief valve (31) thereagainst.

4. A piston pump (1) according to any one of claims 1-3, wherein the second end (19) of the gas release channel (15) is provided with an O-ring seal (33).

5. A piston pump (1) according to any one of claims 1-4, wherein the floating assembly (23) comprises a rod (35) operatively interconnecting the floating component

(25) to the one-way gas relief assembly (29), and wherein a vertical displacement of the rod (35) via a displacement of the floating component (25) in turn leads to a corresponding displacement of the one-way gas relief valve (31).

6. A piston pump (1) according to claim 5, wherein a range of vertical displacement of the rod (35) is adjustable via an adjustment of components of the oneway gas relief assembly (29).

7. A piston pump (1) according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the rod (35) has a first extremity removably connectable to the floating component (25), and a second extremity removably connectable to the one-way gas relief assembly (29).

8. A piston pump (1) according to claim 7, wherein the first extremity of the rod is threadedly insertable into the floating component (25).

9. A piston pump (1) according to any one of claims 5-8, wherein the oneway gas relief assembly (29) comprises:

a cap (37) having a first portion (37a) threadedly mountable onto a first threaded portion of the rod (35), the cap (37) defining the second end (19) of the air release channel (15), the cap (37) having a second portion (37b) threadedly mountable onto a corresponding threaded portion of the air release channel (15); and

a valve (31) threadedly mountable onto a second threaded portion of the rod (35), adjacent to the first threaded portion thereof.

10. A piston pump (1) according to claim 9, wherein the one-way gas relief assembly (29) comprises:

a nut (39) threadedly mountable onto a third threaded portion of the rod (35), adjacent to the second threaded portion thereof.

11. A piston pump (1) according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the one-way gas relief assembly (29) comprises:

an 0-rtng seal (33) provided about the second end (19) of the air release channel (15) defined by the cap (37).

12. A piston pump (1) according to any one of claims 1-11, wherein the second end (19) of the air release channel ( 5) defined by the cap (37) is a tapered second end (19) for receiving the corresponding one-way gas relief valve (31) thereagainst.

13. A piston pump (1) according to any one of claims 1-12, wherein the floating component (25) comprises a ball.

14. A piston pump (1) according to any one of claims 1-13, wherein the rod

(35) is made of a non-metallic material.

15. A piston pump (1) according to any one of claims 1-14, wherein the floating component (25) is made of a metallic material.

16. A piston pump (1) according to any one of claims 1-15, wherein the gas release channel (15) extending through the piston (7) is displaceable along the cylinder (5) along with said piston (7).

17. A piston pump (1) according to any one of claims 1-16, wherein the floating component (25) comprises a ball, wherein the guiding component (27) comprises an open-ended encasing (41) located in the lower pumping chamber (9) and operatively mounted onto a lower side of the piston (7) for displacement therewith along the cylinder (5), the encasing (41) being configured for containing the ball therein and for allowing a vertical displacement of said ball within the encasing (41), and wherein the one-way gas relief assembly (29) is operatively mounted onto an upper side of the piston (7) for displacement therewith, the encasing (41) and the one-way gas relief assembly (29) cooperating respectively with the first and second ends (17,19) of the gas release channel (15).

18. A kit with components for assembling a piston pump (1) according to any one of claims 1-17.

19. A fluid circuit provided with a piston pump (1) according to any one of claims 1-17.