PUMP SYSTEM WITH VACUUM SOURCE
First Claim
1. A pump for pumping a fluid, the pump comprising:
- a motor;
a centrifugal pump having a main inlet and a main outlet, the centrifugal pump having an impeller that is driven by the motor;
a separator having an inlet and an outlet, wherein the outlet of the separator is fluidly coupled to the main inlet of the centrifugal pump;
a vacuum pump fluidly coupled to the separator for creating a reduced pressure in the separator to help draw fluid through the inlet of the separator, the vacuum pump having a pumping capacity;
a float positioned in the separator for detecting a fluid level in the separator, wherein when the fluid level in the separator reaches a desired level, the float opens a float valve to let air into the separator to maintain the desired level; and
wherein, when the float valve is in a fully open position, the float valve has a size/capacity that is greater than or equal to the pumping capacity of the vacuum pump.
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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.
84 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A pump for pumping a fluid, the pump comprising:
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a motor; a centrifugal pump having a main inlet and a main outlet, the centrifugal pump having an impeller that is driven by the motor; a separator having an inlet and an outlet, wherein the outlet of the separator is fluidly coupled to the main inlet of the centrifugal pump; a vacuum pump fluidly coupled to the separator for creating a reduced pressure in the separator to help draw fluid through the inlet of the separator, the vacuum pump having a pumping capacity; a float positioned in the separator for detecting a fluid level in the separator, wherein when the fluid level in the separator reaches a desired level, the float opens a float valve to let air into the separator to maintain the desired level; and wherein, when the float valve is in a fully open position, the float valve has a size/capacity that is greater than or equal to the pumping capacity of the vacuum pump. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 17, 18, 19)
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7. A pump for pumping a fluid, the pump comprising:
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a motor; a centrifugal pump having a main inlet and a main outlet, the centrifugal pump having an impeller that is driven by the motor; a separator having an inlet and an outlet, wherein the outlet of the separator is fluidly coupled to the main inlet of the centrifugal pump; a vacuum pump fluidly coupled to the separator for creating a reduced pressure in the separator to help draw fluid through the inlet of the separator, the vacuum pump having a pumping capacity; a float positioned in the separator for detecting a fluid level in the separator, wherein when the fluid level in the separator reaches a desired level, the float opens a float valve to let air into the separator to maintain the desired level; and wherein, when the float valve is in a fully open position, the float valve has a size/capacity that is less than the pumping capacity of the vacuum pump, but large enough to make up for a difference between the pumping capacity of the vacuum pump and an amount of fluid that can be pumped by the centrifugal pump from the separator under all expected head pressures. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A pump for pumping a fluid, the pump comprising:
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a motor; a centrifugal pump having a main inlet and a main outlet, the centrifugal pump having an impeller that is driven by the motor; a separator tank having an inlet and an outlet fluidly coupled to a separator tank interior, wherein the outlet of the separator tank is fluidly coupled to the main inlet of the centrifugal pump; a liquid ring vacuum pump fluidly coupled to the separator tank for creating a reduced pressure in the separator tank to help draw fluid through the inlet of the separator tank; a reservoir for holding and feeding a liquid to the liquid ring vacuum pump, the reservoir and the vacuum pump forming a substantially closed loop system for the liquid; and the reservoir is situated outside of the separator tank interior, and includes a heat exchanger to remove heat from the liquid during operation. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 20)
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Specification