Patent · US Expired

Liquid pump with compressed gas motive fluid

US5525042A · kind A · utility

13Cited by
14References
35Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateNov 8, 1993
Grant dateJun 11, 1996
Priority date
Expiry dateNov 8, 2013

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
  • CPC primaryF04F1/06
  • WIPO fieldEngines, pumps, turbines
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

An apparatus for pumping liquids to a destination includes a pipe of a first cross-sectional area extending from the liquid to be pumped to the destination. A body having a cross-sectional area less than twice the first cross-sectional area also has an upper portion, a lower portion, an inlet in the upper portion and an outlet to the pipe in the lower portion, a gas injection port, and a normally open valve between the gas injection port and the inlet, closeable upon an injection of gas through the gas injection port. Gas injection apparatus injects gas through the gas injection port from time to time. When no gas is being injected, liquid may enter the upper portion of the body through the inlet and fall by gravity toward the outlet in the lower portion and the pipe. Upon injection of gas, the valve closes, trapping liquid in the body below the valve, and trapped liquid is forced out the outlet and into the pipe toward the destination.

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