Pumps – One fluid pumped by contact or entrainment with another – Liquid pumped by supplying or exhausting gaseous motive...
Reexamination Certificate
1999-12-21
2001-04-24
Walberg, Teresa (Department: 3742)
Pumps
One fluid pumped by contact or entrainment with another
Liquid pumped by supplying or exhausting gaseous motive...
C166S372000, C210S104000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06220823
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to fluid pumping apparatus and, more particularly, to a submersible pump that may be used to separate and recover an underground layer of floating fluid, including hydrocarbons.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
It is often desirable, and sometimes required, to decontaminate groundwater by pumping contaminants from a well. This is possible if the contaminant is a separate or floating layer on or within the groundwater. If the contaminant is a hydrocarbon, an added benefit is that the fluid may be recycled for reuse. Pumps used to remove a floating liquid layer to an elevated location are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,147,184; 3,669,275; 4,243,529; 4,273,650; 4,663,037; 4,872,994; and 4,998,585.
A problem with existing designs is that they often require numerous component parts, including moving parts, and therefore tend to be complex. Such products often use stationary inlets in conjunction with hydrophobic screens, floating inlets attached to coils, or more complex inlet structures used in conjunction with sensors and pneumatic cylinders. Stationary inlets may be mispositioned out of the product when the water level drops, or they can be completely submerged under the water if the level raises to an unacceptably high degree. Hydrophobic screens can be easily fouled and plugged, and floating inlets can hang up for various reasons. Coils may also be plugged by discuss hydrocarbons, such as spent motor oil and other thicker fluids.
The need remains, therefore, for a submersible pump that may be used for simple pumping operations, including fluid separation. Ideally, such a pump would be able to handle a large water table fluctuation range, as well as viscous hydrocarbon products.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This invention resides in an air-operated, submersible pump having a simplified inlet design, resulting in an economical and reliable apparatus that many be used for water pumping of fluid separation, including the recovery of viscous hydrocarbon products.
The pump includes a pump body having a length, a wall, an air inlet, and a discharge port. The inlet area fluidly penetrates through a portion of the wall, and a flexible seal, disposed within the pump body, is supported in overlying registration with the fluid inlet. A pressure-operated valve in fluid communication with the discharge port facilitates a refill mode of operation, wherein fluid surrounding the pump flows into the pump body through the inlet area, and a discharge mode of operation wherein the air inlet is pressurized, causing the seal to seat against and seal off the inlet area, and fluid which flowed into the pump body to be discharged through the discharge port.
In the preferred embodiment, the inlet area comprises a plurality of apertures formed through the wall of the pump body arranged as one or more linear arrays lengthwise along the pump. The apertures may include a raised rim where they protrude into the pump body thereby helping the seal to seat thereagainst. Alternatively, the inlet area may incorporate slots, a mesh or screen panel, or a porous member, including a hydrophobic screen.
When deployed to separate and recover a layer of fluid floating on water, a pump according to the invention pump further includes a water outlet and a water-outlet seal. During the refill mode of operation, water including the floating layer of fluid flows into the pump body through the inlet area, and in the discharge mode of operation, the pressurization further causes water which flowed into the pump body to be discharged through the water outlet until the outlet is sealed, after which the fluid which flowed into the pump body is discharged through the discharge port.
According to one embodiment, the water-outlet seal further comprises a check ball seat, and a density-less-than-water check ball which engages with the seat in the presence of fluid from the floating layer. In another configuration, the water-outlet seal further comprises a valve seat, and a water float having a valve stem which engages with the valve seat when the level of water within the pump body falls to a predetermined level.
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Fastovsky L.
Gifford Krass Groh Sprinkle Anderson & Citkowski PC
Walberg Teresa
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