Apparatus for an air lift and transfer pump

Details Apparatus for an air lift and transfer pump Apparatus for an air lift and transfer pump

1999-06-14

2001-05-22

Thorpe, Timothy S. (Department: 3746)

Pumps

One fluid pumped by contact or entrainment with another

Liquid pumped by supplying or exhausting gaseous motive...

C417S137000, C417S144000, C417S147000, C417S053000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06234761

ABSTRACT:

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a pump. The pump uses compressed air to pump water from a bore, well or similar water source. The pump of the present invention is particularly suited to pumping water. However, the pump is not limited in its use to pumping water and may be used for pumping other liquids.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with one aspect of the present invention there is provided a pump comprising:
pump chamber means,
delivery pipe means,
said delivery pipe means and said pump chamber means in fluid communication,
said air pipe means and said pump chamber means in fluid communication,
first air flow control means to control air flow via said air pipe means, and
first valve means to allow, in use, liquid to enter said pump chamber means,
wherein in a first stage of a pumping cycle of the pump, said first air flow control means allows air to be directed via said air pipe means to said pump chamber means to cause liquid to be pushed into and up said delivery pipe means and, in a second stage of said pumping cycle, said first air flow control means allows air to vent from said pump chamber means via said air pipe means and said first valve means allows liquid to enter said pump chamber means.
Preferably, second valve means is provided to allow water to enter the delivery pipe means. From the pump chamber means during the first stage of the pumping cycle and prevent water escaping from the delivery pipe means into the pump chamber means during the second stage of the pumping cycle.
Preferably, air supply pipe means is provided to supply the air that is directed by said first air flow control means via said air pipe means to said pump chamber means in said first stage of the pumping cycle of the pump.
Preferably, second air flow control means is provided to allow air that is supplied by said air supply pipe means to be directed to said delivery pipe means in said second stage of the pumping cycle of the pump.
Preferably, branch pipe means is provided for air flow from said air supply pipe means to said delivery pipe means.
Preferably, third valve means is provided in said branch pipe means to allow air flow in the direction from said air supply pipe means to said delivery pipe means and prevents flow of liquid in the reverse direction.
Preferably, said third valve means is located downstream of said second air flow control means.
Preferably, said branch pipe means is connected to said delivery pipe means at a location remote from said pump chamber means.
Preferably, said branch pipe means is connected to said delivery pipe means at a location above ground level.
Preferably, timer means is provided to set the durations of the first and second stages of the pumping cycle.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of pumping liquid using a pump comprising:
in a first stage of a pumping cycle, directing air from an air supply to a pump chamber means of said pump to cause liquid to be pushed into and up a delivery pipe means of the pump, and
in a second stage of said pumping cycle, allowing air to vent from said pump chamber means and liquid to enter said pump chamber means via first valve means of said pump.
Preferably, the method further comprises preventing liquid in the delivery pipe means from escaping from the delivery pipe means into the pump chamber means during the second stage of the pumping cycle.
Preferably, the method further comprises directing said air from said air supply to said delivery pipe means in said second stage of the pumping cycle of the pump.
Preferably, the method further comprises allowing flow of said air from said air supply to said delivery pipe means and preventing flow of liquid in the reverse direction in said second stage of the pumping cycle.
Preferably, the method further comprises controlling the durations of the first and second stages of the pumping cycle.


REFERENCES:
patent: 1537264 (1925-05-01), Rogers
patent: 3422768 (1969-01-01), Pepp
patent: 3873238 (1975-03-01), Elfarr
patent: 3991825 (1976-11-01), Morgan
patent: 4527633 (1985-07-01), McLaughlin et al.
patent: 4625801 (1986-12-01), McLaughlin et al.

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