Methods and systems for detecting the presence of a gas in a pump and preventing a gas from being pumped from a pump
US6302653A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 20, 1999 |
| Grant date | Oct 16, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 20, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF04B2205/503
- WIPO fieldEngines, pumps, turbines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A method and system are disclosed for detecting the presence of a gas in a pump chamber of a pumping system. The methods, and systems employing the methods, involve isolating a pump chamber from its surroundings, for example by closing an inlet and outlet valve on lines to and from the chamber, and determining the volume of the pump chamber with a force applied to a moveable or flexible surface of the pump chamber. The volume of the pump chamber is then redetermined in a similar fashion but with a second, different level of force applied to the surface of the pump chamber. The volumes thus determined can then be compared to detect the presence of a gas in the pump chamber.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.