Pumps – One fluid pumped by contact or entrainment with another – Liquid pumped by supplying or exhausting gaseous motive...
Patent
1995-02-03
1997-06-24
Thorpe, Timothy
Pumps
One fluid pumped by contact or entrainment with another
Liquid pumped by supplying or exhausting gaseous motive...
417131, 417134, 417146, 137393, 137498, 251 46, 251 65, F04F 106
Patent
active
056412711
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to a pneumatic pump and in particular to a valve assembly.
The invention has been developed primarily for use in removing water from mining excavations and will be described hereinafter with reference to that application. However, it will be appreciated that the invention is not limited to this particular field of use and is also suitable for pumping water and other fluids from wells, tanks and other reservoirs.
BACKGROUND ART
Hitherto, pneumatically operated pumps for use in mining applications have generally included a sump into which water flows for subsequent propulsion therefrom by an impeller or double acting diaphragm which is driven by compressed air. It is standard practice to leave such pumps running continuously to ensure a substantially water free mining environment at all times. However, such a mode of operation leads to high levels of wear and failure, especially when water is not passing into the sump.
Automatic control systems and valves have been contemplated, however, these involve complicated switching systems which due to their intricate nature are not suitably durable for use in a mining environment.
Moreover, to leave such pump running dry is highly inefficient since each pump requires 50 to 100 cubic feet of compressed air per minute, the large majority of which is wasted. These pumps are also bulky and cumbersome and as such difficult to move in the confined spaces in a mine.
Prior art pumps and the valve systems used therein are generally expensive to produce, require a relatively large number of moving parts, and incorporate a large number of aluminum components which are readily corroded by the alkaline or acidic waters often encountered.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention, at least in its preferred embodiment, to overcome or substantially ameliorate at least some of these deficiencies of the prior art.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a simple and durable pump and valve which are ideally suited to mining applications.
According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a valve assembly for selectively supplying a fluid through a passageway having a seat face, the valve assembly including: pliant diaphragm and including a port, said first diaphragm being biased toward the first compartment; second end disposed outside said chamber, said plunger being responsive to movement of said first diaphragm for selectively sealingly engaging the seat face with said second end, wherein said plunger extends through and sealingly engages said port; upstream of the seat face for allowing fluidic communication therebetween; selectively movable into an open position for allowing the fluid to enter the valve chamber and move the diaphragm against the bias and thereby withdraw the second end of said plunger from the seat face; and allowing a gradual equalisation of fluidic pressure therebetween; whereby movement of the pilot valve into the closed position effects a delayed presentation of the plunger to the seat face. Preferably, the fluid is compressed air.
Preferably also, the second compartment is in fluidic communication with the atmosphere and the bleed passage is in the form of a small aperture in the diaphragm.
In a preferred form, the valve assembly includes switching means for selectively actuating said assembly and which is more preferably responsive to a magnetic field of predetermined magnitude. Even more preferably, the switching means includes a magnet movable in response to the magnetic field.
According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a pneumatic pump including: outlet through which the liquid respectively enters and exits the main chamber; level of the liquid in the main chamber; and the seat face, opens into the main chamber, wherein movement of the float into and from the raised position moves the pilot valve to an opened and closed position respectively for selectively supplying compressed air to the main chamber to remove the liquid ther
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Forrester Alan J.
Laukkanen Paavo M.
Kim Ted
M.I.M. Holdings Limited
Thorpe Timothy
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