WO2021198897A1

WO2021198897A1 - A float operated pumping system

Info

Publication number: WO2021198897A1
Application number: PCT/IB2021/052613
Authority: WO
Inventors: Hrishikesh KULKARNI; Sudhir ALANDE; Ameya KULKARNI
Original assignee: Forbes Marshall Private Limited
Priority date: 2020-03-30
Filing date: 2021-03-30
Publication date: 2021-10-07

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to float operated pumping systems. The envisaged system comprises a chamber (102) having at least one inlet port (100) and at least one outlet port (101) for facilitating fluid communication of a liquid with the chamber (102), a pumping mechanism (103) attached to a liquid levelling mechanism (104) enclosed in the chamber (102). The pumping mechanism (103) has a plurality of interconnected passages having valves, and which facilitate fluid communication of a gas with the chamber (102). The liquid levelling mechanism (104) is configured to actuate the valves in response to changes in the level of the liquid in the chamber (102) to pressurize the gas and allow the pressurized gas to pass into the chamber (102) to create a pressure difference in the chamber (102) to facilitate pumping of the liquid to a relatively elevated level.

Description

A FLOAT OPERATED PUMPING SYSTEM

FIELD

The present disclosure is related to the field of float operated pumping systems.

BACKGROUND

The background information herein below relates to the present disclosure but is not necessarily prior art.

Conventional float operated pumping systems use gas to pump the liquid to higher elevation. The pumping system has a receiver tank to store the incoming liquid. The liquid then passes to pump shell through connected piping. As the liquid level in the pump shell rises, the float in the pump shell starts to move upwards. When the liquid level reaches a preset upper limit, then the float opens the gas inlet valve and allows the gas to pressurize the shell. When the shell pressure overcomes the back pressure, then the liquid flows out of the pumping system to higher elevation. This phase is called pumping cycle. When the liquid level in the pumping system drops to preset lower limit, then the float closes the gas valve, depressurizes the shell and the filling cycle starts. The direction control valves are installed at the liquid inlet and liquid outlet which allow one directional flow only. During pumping, the incoming liquid is stored in receiver tank and after pumping the liquid in the tank moves to pump shell. Thus the pumping system operates in a cyclic manner with liquid discharge only during pumping stroke. The capacity of the pumping system is referred to as the amount of liquid passed out of pumping system during one combined filling and pumping cycle. The drawback of the conventional pumping system is that its size increases with increasing capacity.

Thus, there is therefore a need for a pumping system that alleviates the aforementioned drawbacks of a conventional pumping system.

OBJECTS

Some of the objects of the present disclosure, which at least one embodiment herein satisfies, are as follows: An object of the present disclosure is to provide a pumping system with a float operated mechanism that offers reduction in size of the pumping system for a given capacity of fluid handled.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure envisages a chamber having at least one inlet port and at least one outlet port for facilitating fluid communication of a liquid with the chamber.

A pumping mechanism is enclosed in the chamber. The pumping mechanism has a plurality of interconnected passages configured to facilitate fluid communication of a gas with the pumping mechanism, and further configured to facilitate fluid communication of the gas with the chamber. Each passage provided with a valve. The pumping mechanism comprises a gas inlet port for receiving pressurized gas therein, and at least one primary gas inlet passage having a primary inlet valve configured to close the primary gas inlet passage in an inoperative configuration of the pumping mechanism. The pumping mechanism further includes at least one auxiliary gas inlet passage having an auxiliary inlet valve configured to close the auxiliary gas inlet passage in an inoperative configuration of the pumping mechanism. Additionally, the pumping mechanism includes at least one primary gas outlet passage having a primary outlet valve, and at least one auxiliary gas outlet passage having an auxiliary outlet actuating element. The primary gas outlet passage and the auxiliary gas outlet passage are configured to be connected to a vent.

A liquid levelling mechanism is enclosed in the chamber, and is attached to the pumping mechanism. The liquid level mechanism is configured to actuate the valves in response to changes in the level of the liquid in the chamber to pressurize the gas and allow the pressurized gas to pass into the chamber to create a pressure difference in the chamber to facilitate pumping of the liquid to a relatively elevated level.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWING

A pumping system with float operated mechanism, of the present disclosure, will now be described with the help of the accompanying drawing, in which:

Figure 1 shows an isometric view of a float operated mechanism, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

Figure 2 shows an isometric view of the float operated mechanism of the Figure 1 ; Figure 3 shows a top view of the float operated mechanism of the Figure 1 ;

Figure 4 shows sectional view of the float operated mechanism of the Figure 1 corresponding to filling cycle of the pumping system;

Figure 4a shows small part of Figure 4 marked as ‘A’ ;

Figure 4b shows sectional right hand side view of Figure 4a;

Figure 5 shows a sectional view of the float operated mechanism of the Figure 1 corresponding to pressurization cycle of the pumping system;

Figure 6 shows a sectional view of the float operated mechanism of the Figure 1 corresponding to start position of the pumping cycle;

Figure 7 shows a sectional view of the float operated mechanism of the Figure 1 corresponding to finish position of the pumping cycle; and

Figure 8 shows a sectional view of the float operated mechanism of the Figure 1 corresponding to exhaust cycle of the pumping cycle.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

1 - gas inlet port

2 - auxiliary inlet valve

3 - auxiliary gas inlet passage 4, 7, 13, 16 -passage

5, 15 - ports connected to chamber 102 6 - auxiliary inlet actuating element 8 - primary gas inlet passage

10 - primary inlet valve

11 - primary outlet valve

12 -primary outlet passage

14 - auxiliary outlet actuating element

17 -auxiliary gas outlet port 18 - primary gas outlet passage

100 - liquid inlet port

101 - liquid outlet port

102 - chamber

103 -pumping mechanism

104 - liquid levelling mechanism 1000 - pumping system DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments, of the present disclosure, will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawing.

Embodiments are provided so as to thoroughly and fully convey the scope of the present disclosure to the person skilled in the art. Numerous details are set forth, relating to specific components, and methods, to provide a complete understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure. It will be apparent to the person skilled in the art that the details provided in the embodiments should not be construed to limit the scope of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, well-known processes, well-known apparatus structures, and well-known techniques are not described in detail.

The terminology used, in the present disclosure, is only for the purpose of explaining a particular embodiment and such terminology shall not be considered to limit the scope of the present disclosure. As used in the present disclosure, the forms “a”, “an” and “the” may be intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly suggests otherwise. The terms “comprises”, “comprising”, “including” and “having” are open-ended transitional phrases and therefore specify the presence of stated features, elements, modules, units and/or components, but do not forbid the presence or addition of one or more other features, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

When an element is referred to as being “mounted on”, “engaged to”, “connected to” or “coupled to” another element, it may be directly on, engaged, connected or coupled to the other element. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed elements. The terms first, second, third, etc., should not be construed to limit the scope of the present disclosure as the aforementioned terms may be only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another component, region, layer or section. Terms such as first, second, third etc., when used herein do not imply a specific sequence or order unless clearly suggested by the present disclosure.

Terms such as “inner”, “outer”, “beneath”, “below”, “lower”, “above”, “upper” and the like, may be used in the present disclosure to describe relationships between different elements as depicted from the figures.

A float operated pump pumping system of the present disclosure will now be explained in detail with reference to Figure 1 through Figure 8.

The pump comprises a chamber (102), a pumping mechanism (103), and a liquid levelling mechanism (104). The chamber (102) has at least one inlet port (100) and at least one outlet port (101) for facilitating fluid communication of a liquid with the chamber (102).

The pumping mechanism (103) is enclosed in the chamber (102). The pumping mechanism (103) has a plurality of interconnected passages configured to facilitate fluid communication of a gas with the pumping mechanism (103). The passages are further configured to facilitate fluid communication of the gas with the chamber (102). Each passage is provided with a valve. The pumping mechanism (103) includes a gas inlet port (1) for receiving pressurized gas therein, at least one primary gas inlet passage (8) having a primary inlet valve (10) configured to close the primary gas inlet passage (8) in an inoperative configuration of the pumping mechanism (103), and at least one auxiliary gas inlet passage (3) having at least one auxiliary inlet actuating element (2) configured to close the auxiliary gas inlet passage (3) in an inoperative configuration of the pumping mechanism (103). The pumping mechanism (103) further includes at least one primary gas outlet passage (18) having a primary outlet valve (11), and at least one auxiliary gas outlet passage (17) having at least one auxiliary outlet actuating element (14). The primary gas outlet passage (18) and the auxiliary gas outlet passage (17) are configured to be connected to a vent.

A liquid levelling mechanism (104) is enclosed in the chamber (102), and is attached to the pumping mechanism (103). The liquid levelling mechanism (104) is configured to actuate the valves in response to changes in the level of the liquid in the chamber (102), to pressurize the gas by compressing the gas, and allow the pressurized gas to pass into the chamber (102) to create a pressure difference in the chamber (102) to facilitate pumping of the liquid to a relatively elevated level.

The pumping mechanism (103) includes a primary inlet passage (8) configured to fluidly communicate with the gas inlet port (1), and a primary outlet passage (12) configured to fluidly communicate with the primary gas outlet passage (18).

In a first embodiment, when the liquid level in the chamber (102) reaches a pre-set upper limit the liquid levelling mechanism (104) is configured to displace the primary inlet valve (10) to open primary inlet passage (8). Simultaneously the primary outlet valve (11) is displaced to close the primary outlet passage (12) to facilitate pressurization of the gas.

The pumping mechanism (103) includes a passage (4) configured to facilitate fluid communication of a port (13) with the auxiliary gas inlet passage (3). The pumping mechanism (103) further includes a port (5) configured to be in fluid communication with the auxiliary gas inlet passage (3), and further configured to be in fluid communication with the chamber (102). Moreover, the pumping mechanism (103) includes a passage (9) configured to be in fluid communication with the primary inlet passage (8), and further configured to be in fluid communication with the chamber (102) to allow flow of the pressurized gas into the chamber (102). The pumping mechanism (103) includes a port (15) configured to be in fluid communication with the chamber (102). Further, the pumping mechanism (103) includes a passage (13) configured to receive the pressurized gas for displacing the auxiliary outlet actuating element (14) to close the port (15) and the auxiliary gas outlet passage (17).

In an embodiment, the auxiliary inlet valve (2) is attached to an auxiliary inlet actuating element (6).

In a pumping operative configuration, the pressurized gas is configured to displace the auxiliary inlet actuating element (6) to open the auxiliary inlet passage (3) and allow pressurized gas to enter the chamber (102) through the port (5) to allow the pressurized gas to enter the chamber (102) and create an adequate pressure in the chamber (102). More specifically, the pressurized gas coming out from passage (9) as well as the port (5) pressurizes the chamber (102). The pressure causes the liquid accumulated in the chamber (102) to be pushed out through the liquid outlet port (101). In a second embodiment, when the liquid level in the chamber (102) drops to the pre-set lower limit, the liquid levelling mechanism (104) is configured to displace the primary outlet valve (11) downwards to open the primary outlet passage (12). Simultaneously the primary inlet valve (10) is displaced downwards to close the primary inlet passage (8), thereby cutting off the gas supply to the mechanism (103).

The downward displacement of the primary outlet valve (11) opens the primary outlet passage (12) to allow the gas from the passage (7) and passage (13) to pass through primary outlet passage (18), thereby depressurizing the passage (13). Depressurization of the passage (13) causes depressurization of the chamber (102) through the port (5). Consecutively, the gas present in the passage (7) passes through port (9) which results in the depressurization of passage (7). Due to depressurization of the passage (7), the pressurized gas from the port (1) moves the auxiliary inlet valve (3), thereby blocking the auxiliary inlet port (2). At this stage, the gas supply to the chamber (102) through the pumping mechanism (103) is totally disconnected. Due to gas pressure in the chamber (102), the port (15) is still pressurized, while due to unblocking of the primary outlet passage (12), the passage (13) is depressurized.

Due to this difference in pressure, the auxiliary outlet piston (14) moves down thereby unblocking the auxiliary passage inlet port (16) and the auxiliary outlet port (17) as shown in Figure 8.

The gas in the chamber (102) flows through the passage (16) connecting port (17) and the entire chamber (102) gets depressurized. The liquid starts filling in the chamber (102) through liquid inlet port (100) and the entire cycle is repeated.

In an embodiment, the pumping mechanism (103) includes a resilient member (not shown in the figures) configured to assist the movement of the auxiliary elements (6, 14). In another embodiment, the resilient member is a spring.

In a preferred embodiment, the liquid levelling mechanism (104) is a float mechanism.

In one embodiment, the vent is a zone with pressure less than the pressure at the gas inlet port. In yet another embodiment, the actuating elements (6, 14) are selected from the group consisting of a piston, a diaphragm or a bellow.

The auxiliary inlet port and the auxiliary outlet port allow for handling higher pressures of gas, as the auxiliary valves need to be displaced by the float mechanism. The technical advantage obtained by the system of the present disclosure enables reducing the size of the pumping system, while maintaining the existing capacity of the pump.

The foregoing description of the embodiments has been provided for purposes of illustration and not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. Individual components of a particular embodiment are generally not limited to that particular embodiment, but, are interchangeable. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the present disclosure, and all such modifications are considered to be within the scope of the present disclosure.

TECHNICAL ADVANCEMENTS

The present disclosure described hereinabove has several technical advantages including, but not limited to, the realization of a pumping system with float operated mechanism that:

• results in smaller size of the pumping system for existing capacity of fluid being handle;

• facilitates quicker exhaust times, and hence has increased total discharge capacity as compared to same size of conventional pump;

• reduced the pumping times and hence has a relatively increased total discharge capacity as compared to same size of conventional pump;

• has reduced reservoir size due reduced pumping times as compared to same size of conventional pump;

• can be operated at higher motive pressure and back pressure than conventional pump due to small orifices being used therein;

• has reduced spring stiffness and float size resulting in a compact design.

The foregoing disclosure has been described with reference to the accompanying embodiments which do not limit the scope and ambit of the disclosure. The description provided is purely by way of example and illustration.

The embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained with reference to the non-limiting embodiments in the following description. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the embodiments herein may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the embodiments herein. Accordingly, the examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments herein.

The foregoing description of the specific embodiments so fully reveal the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the embodiments as described herein.

The use of the expression “at least” or “at least one” suggests the use of one or more elements or ingredients or quantities, as the use may be in the embodiment of the disclosure to achieve one or more of the desired objects or results.

Any discussion of materials, devices, articles or the like that has been included in this specification is solely for the purpose of providing a context for the disclosure. It is not to be taken as an admission that any or all of these matters form a part of the prior art base or were common general knowledge in the field relevant to the disclosure as it existed anywhere before the priority date of this application.

The numerical values mentioned for the various physical parameters, dimensions or quantities are only approximations and it is envisaged that the values higher/lower than the numerical values assigned to the parameters, dimensions or quantities fall within the scope of the disclosure, unless there is a statement in the specification specific to the contrary.

While considerable emphasis has been placed herein on the components and component parts of the preferred embodiments, it will be appreciated that many embodiments can be made and that many changes can be made in the preferred embodiments without departing from the principles of the disclosure. These and other changes in the preferred embodiment as well as other embodiments of the disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the disclosure herein, whereby it is to be distinctly understood that the foregoing descriptive matter is to be interpreted merely as illustrative of the disclosure and not as a limitation.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A float operated pumping system comprising:

• a chamber (102) having at least one inlet port (100) and at least one outlet port

(101) for facilitating fluid communication of a liquid with the chamber (102);

• a pumping mechanism (103) enclosed in said chamber (102), said pumping mechanism (103) having a plurality of interconnected passages configured to facilitate fluid communication of a gas with said pumping mechanism (103), and further configured to facilitate fluid communication of the gas with said chamber

(102), each passage provided with a valve, said pumping mechanism (103) comprising: o a gas inlet port (1) for receiving pressurized gas therein, o at least one primary gas inlet passage (8) having a primary inlet valve (10) configured to close said primary gas inlet passage (8) in an inoperative configuration of said pumping mechanism (103), o at least one auxiliary gas inlet passage (3) having an auxiliary inlet valve (2) configured to close said auxiliary gas inlet passage (3) in an inoperative configuration of said pumping mechanism (103), o at least one primary gas outlet passage (18) having a primary outlet valve (11), said primary gas outlet passage (18) configured to be connected to a vent, and o at least one auxiliary gas outlet passage (17) having an auxiliary outlet actuating element (14), said auxiliary gas outlet passage (17) configured to be connected to said vent; and

• a liquid levelling mechanism (104) enclosed in said chamber (102) and attached to said pumping mechanism (103), said liquid levelling mechanism (104) configured to actuate said valves in response to changes in the level of the liquid in said chamber (102), to pressurize the gas and allow the pressurized gas to pass into said chamber (102) to create a pressure difference in said chamber (102) to facilitate pumping of the liquid to a relatively elevated level.

2. The pump as claimed in claim 1, wherein said pumping mechanism (103) includes a primary inlet passage (8) configured to be in fluid communication with said gas inlet port (1).

3. The pump as claimed in claim 1, wherein said pumping mechanism (103) includes a primary outlet passage (12) configured to be in fluid communication with said primary gas outlet passage (18).

4. The pump as claimed in claim 3, wherein said liquid levelling mechanism (104) is configured to displace said primary inlet valve (10) to open primary inlet passage (8) and simultaneously displace said primary outlet valve (11) to close said primary outlet passage (12) to facilitate pressurization of said gas, when the liquid level in said chamber (102) reaches a pre-set upper limit.

5. The pump as claimed in claim 1, wherein said pumping mechanism (103) includes a passage (4) configured to facilitate fluid communication of a port (13) with said auxiliary gas inlet passage (3).

6. The pump as claimed in claim 1, wherein said pumping mechanism (103) includes a port (5) configured to be in fluid communication with said auxiliary gas inlet passage (3), and further configured to be in fluid communication with said chamber (102).

7. The pump as claimed in claim 1, wherein said pumping mechanism (103) includes a passage (9) configured to be in fluid communication with said primary inlet passage (8), and further configured to be in fluid communication with said chamber (102) to allow flow of the pressurized gas into said chamber (102).

8. The pump as claimed in claim 1, wherein said pumping mechanism (103) includes a port (15) configured to be in fluid communication with said chamber (102).

9. The pump as claimed in claim 1, wherein said pumping mechanism (103) includes a passage (13) configured to receive the pressurized gas for displacing said auxiliary outlet actuating element (14) to close said port (15) and auxiliary gas outlet passage (17).

10. The pump as claimed in claim 1, wherein said auxiliary inlet valve (2) is attached to an auxiliary inlet actuating element (6).

11. The pump as claimed in claim 10, wherein the pressurized gas is configured to displace said auxiliary inlet actuating element (6) to open said auxiliary inlet passage (3) and allow pressurized gas to enter said chamber (102) through said port (5), to allow the pressurized gas to enter said chamber (102) and create an adequate pressure to push out the liquid accumulated in the chamber (102) through said liquid outlet port (101).

12. The pump as claimed in claim 11, wherein the liquid levelling mechanism (104) is configured to displace said primary outlet valve (11) downwards to open said primary outlet passage (12) and simultaneously displace said primary inlet valve (10) downwards thereby to close said primary inlet passage (8), thereby cutting off the gas supply to said mechanism (103) when the liquid level in the chamber (102) drops to the pre-set lower limit.

13. The pump as claimed in claim 12, wherein downward displacement of said primary outlet valve (11) opens the primary outlet passage (12) to allow the gas from the passage (7) and passage (13) to pass through primary outlet passage (18), thereby depressurizing the passage (13).

14. The pump as claimed in claim 13, wherein depressurization of said passage (13) causes depressurization of said chamber (102) through said port (5) thereby, depressurizing said passage (7) through port (9).

15. The pump as claimed in claim 1, wherein said liquid levelling mechanism (104) is a float mechanism.

16. The pump as claimed in claim 1, wherein said vent is a zone with pressure less than the pressure at said gas inlet port.

17. The pump as claimed in claim 1, wherein said actuating elements (6, 14) are selected from the group consisting of a piston, a diaphragm or a bellow.

18. The pump as claimed in claim 1, wherein said pumping mechanism (103) includes a resilient element configured to assist the movement of said actuating element (6, 14).