Patent · US Expired

Low pressure, low head buoyant piston pump for water purification

US5131820A · kind A · utility

12Cited by
10References
18Claims
0Family size

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateMay 9, 1991
Grant dateJul 21, 1992
Priority date
Expiry dateMay 9, 2011

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
  • CPC primaryF04B9/06
  • WIPO fieldEngines, pumps, turbines
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A continuously cycling, low pressure, low head pump utilized for supplying periodic surges of water across an algal turf closely associated with the surface of a body of water, this pump comprising a generally vertically disposed cylinder whose lower end resides below the surface of the body of water and whose upper end is disposed above the surface of the body of water and slightly above the algal turf. An opening is provided adjacent the top of the cylinder, through which water, on occasion, can flow onto the algal turf, and a lightweight, buoyant piston is operatively disposed in the cylinder. A power applying device is utilized for forcing the piston downwardly, such that it moves from a partially submerged, floating position adjacent the upper end of the cylinder, to the lower end of the cylinder. When the piston is suddenly released, it rapidly rises to the upper end of the cylinder, and in doing so, pushes a quantity of water out of the opening in the upper part of the cylinder, and onto the algal turf.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.