Pump system with vacuum source
First Claim
1. A tank for holding a liquid for a liquid ring vacuum pump, the liquid ring vacuum pump having a vacuum input port, an exhaust output port and a liquid inlet port, the tank comprising:
- an inlet port in fluid communication with the exhaust port of the vacuum pump;
a first outlet port in fluid communication with atmosphere, the first outlet port positioned above an expected waterline in the tank; and
a second outlet port in fluid communication with the liquid inlet port of the vacuum pump, the second outlet port positioned below the expected waterline in the tank.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A self priming pump system that includes a motor coupled to a centrifugal pump for driving the centrifugal pump. A separator having a reservoir is provided for storing a limited amount of pumped fluid in advance of the centrifugal pump. A vacuum source provides a vacuum suction to the reservoir to draw pumped fluid into the reservoir to prime the pump. To increase the reliability of the vacuum pump system, a deflector and/or extension may be provided in the reservoir to help prevent pumped fluid from entering the vacuum pump input. Also, the configuration of a tank used to store liquid for the vacuum pump system may be configured to separate and collect sediments near a drain port, which then can be easily drained. For positive head pressures, one or more valves may be used to prevent pumped fluid from escaping the reservoir, if desired.
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Citations
37 Claims
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1. A tank for holding a liquid for a liquid ring vacuum pump, the liquid ring vacuum pump having a vacuum input port, an exhaust output port and a liquid inlet port, the tank comprising:
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an inlet port in fluid communication with the exhaust port of the vacuum pump;
a first outlet port in fluid communication with atmosphere, the first outlet port positioned above an expected waterline in the tank; and
a second outlet port in fluid communication with the liquid inlet port of the vacuum pump, the second outlet port positioned below the expected waterline in the tank. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A separator for use with a pump assembly that has a vacuum pump and a main pump, the separator comprising:
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a main reservoir;
a main intake port into the main reservoir;
a main output port from the main reservoir, the main output port in fluid communication with a main intake port of the main pump;
an inner tank disposed within the main reservoir, the inner tank being fluidly isolated from the main reservoir, the inner tank including;
an inlet port in fluid communication with an exhaust port of the vacuum pump;
a first outlet port in fluid communication with atmosphere, the first outlet port positioned above an expected waterline in the inner tank; and
a second outlet port in fluid communication with a liquid inlet port of the vacuum pump, the second outlet port positioned below the expected waterline in the inner tank. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16)
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17. A pump assembly comprising:
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a main pump, the main pump pumping fluid to a pump output, the fluid at the pump output being under pressure;
a liquid ring vacuum pump, the liquid ring vacuum pump having a vacuum input port, an exhaust output port and a liquid inlet port, the liquid inlet port for receiving a liquid;
a vacuum pump supply tank for supplying liquid to the liquid inlet of the liquid ring vacuum pump; and
a valve for selectively providing fluid to the vacuum pump supply tank. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A separator for use in a pump assembly, the separator comprising:
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a reservoir;
a float system including a float that extends into the reservoir and a one-way valve controlled by the float; and
the one-way valve allowing fluids and/or air to enter the reservoir, but not allowing fluids and/or air to exit the reservoir. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25)
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26. A separator for use with a pump assembly that has a vacuum pump and a main pump, the separator comprising:
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a main reservoir for storing pump fluid for the main pump;
a main intake port into the main reservoir;
a main output port from the main reservoir in fluid communication with a main intake port of the main pump;
a vacuum port positioned above an expected waterline in the reservoir, the vacuum port in fluid communication with an inlet port of the vacuum pump; and
deflector means positioned adjacent to, but spaced from, the vacuum port, the deflector means for deflecting pump fluid that is directed at the vacuum port. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34)
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35. A separator for use in a pump assembly, the separator comprising:
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a reservoir;
a first valve for creating variable fluid communication between the reservoir and a vacuum pump;
a second valve for creating variable fluid communication between the reservoir and the atmosphere. - View Dependent Claims (36, 37)
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Specification