Method and apparatus for gathering liquid sample using a submersible pump
US5839509A · kind A · utility
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 7, 1997 |
| Grant date | Nov 24, 1998 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 7, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01N33/1886
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
This invention is directed toward apparatus and methods for gathering liquid samples from a reservoir of liquid using a submersible pump and subsequently retrieving the samples for analysis. The invention is more specifically directed toward the gathering and preparing of water samples for analysis for tritium content, where the samples are collected from underground formations penetrated by a borehole or collected at varying depths in surface canals and the like. The samples are subsequently transferred to the surface of the earth for analysis. The submersible pump is operated by means of a surface valving system and a valving system mounted on the submersible pump. The pump inlet valve is set to open or "crack" at a predetermine pressure, however the pump is not filled until a vacuum is applied to the pump. After filling, the pump is purged thereby transporting the sampled liquid to the surface by applying pressure. Vacuum and pressure are supplied to the submerged pump by means of a surface vacuum/compressor system. No electrical valves or electrical power sources are required in the submersible pump.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.