Pumps – One fluid pumped by contact or entrainment with another – Liquid pumped by supplying or exhausting gaseous motive...
Reexamination Certificate
1999-10-07
2001-07-24
Walberg, Teresa (Department: 3742)
Pumps
One fluid pumped by contact or entrainment with another
Liquid pumped by supplying or exhausting gaseous motive...
C417S034000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06264434
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to an air pressure driven two way fluid evacuation and expulsion system. More particularly, the invention relates to a system which employs air pressure to evacuate and store fluids in a storage tank, which is reversible to then expel said fluids from the storage tank under pressure.
A variety of applications require that fluid be removed or evacuated using some type of pumping device. Automotive repair and manufacturing are two examples of fields where pumping of fluids are required on a constant basis. However, often these fluids are too viscous to be pumped using a standard pump. In addition, most pumps require priming, which itself is difficult to achieve when working with viscous liquids.
In addition, once the fluid has been evacuated from a vessel, it is often necessary to return the fluid to the vessel that has been drained, or to simply expel the fluid. Typical pump-out systems require that the operator physically switch hoses, or perform some other operation in order to use the same pump to once again pump the fluid to return it back to the vessel.
Further it is often undesirable to have the fluid actually travel through the pump itself. Certain corrosive materials can have a harmful effect on the pump mechanisms.
While these units may be suitable for the particular purpose employed, or for general use, they would not be as suitable for the purposes of the present invention as disclosed hereafter.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the invention to produce a system which allows fluids to be evacuated from a vessel into a storage tank. Accordingly a system is provided which includes an air pump for creating a low pressure pocket inside the storage tank, and a conduit in communication with the storage tank for drawing fluids into the tank in response to the lower pressure within the storage tank.
It is another object of the invention to provide a system which also expels fluids from the tank. Accordingly, the pump is also capable of pressurizing the tank so as to expel fluids from the tank through the conduit. Advantageously, the conduit extends directly from the bottom of the tank so that all fluid is expelled from the tank.
It is a still further object that the system has safety features to prevent damage to the pump and injury to the user. Accordingly a float actuated shut-off switch will prevent the fluid level from reaching the pump inlet, and a high pressure blow-off valve will prevent the pressure within the tank from exceeding a predetermined safe level.
The invention is a fluid evacuation and expulsion system, having a tank having a tank port, a top, a bottom, and an internal volume defined between the top and bottom, also having a pump having a pump inlet and pump outlet, and having a valve assembly having an actuation lever. A conduit is connected to the tank bottom for allowing fluids to enter and leave the tank. The valve assembly is connected to the pump inlet and pump outlet, as well as the tank port and an environment port. The actuation lever of the valve assembly manipulates four ganged valves which allow the system select between an evacuation mode wherein air is pumped from the tank through the tank port to draw fluids into the tank through the conduit, and an expulsion mode wherein air is pumped into the tank to expel fluids from the tank through the conduit.
To the accomplishment of the above and related objects the invention may be embodied in the form illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Attention is called to the fact, however, that the drawings are illustrative only. Variations are contemplated as being part of the invention, limited only by the scope of the claims.
REFERENCES:
patent: 1746428 (1930-02-01), Jennings
patent: 2400651 (1946-05-01), Marsh
patent: 4021147 (1977-05-01), Brekke
patent: 4057364 (1977-11-01), Bratschitsch
patent: 5749711 (1998-05-01), Park
patent: 5938408 (1999-08-01), Krichbaum
patent: 6089829 (2000-07-01), Gestermann et al.
Goldstein Law Offices P.C.
Van Quang
Walberg Teresa
LandOfFree
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