US 12,313,056 B2 · Pumping system

Abstract

A buoy assembly for use with a pumping system to pump liquid and debris from a flooded shaft or well or any such structure with appreciable depth is provided. The buoy assembly includes a proximal tube that can couple to an end of a hose coupled at an opposite end to the pumping system. A buoy is coupled to the proximal tube that provides the buoy assembly with buoyancy that allows the buoy assembly to float on the liquid in the shaft. The buoy can have one or more aeration ports that can be selectively opened (by removing a plug therefrom) to allow airflow therethrough into the buoy. The buoy assembly also has an adapter socket with feet that define vents therebetween to allow passage of debris via the vents into the buoy. Flow of air into the buoy via the aeration ports facilitates lift of liquid and debris through the conduit during a pumping operation.

Claims18

Dependent claims

A pumping system comprising:

an inlet conduit;
a chamber assembly in fluid communication with the inlet conduit;
and
a buoy assembly removably coupleable to an end of the inlet conduit and configured to be deployed in a flooded shaft for removal of debris and liquid therefrom, the buoy assembly comprising a buoy configured to float on a liquid surface and having one or more aeration ports selectively opened to allow airflow therethrough from outside the buoy to inside the buoy to facilitate lifting of liquid and debris along the inlet conduit toward the chamber assembly;
and
one or more baffles in the chamber assembly and one or more sensors that extend into a chamber of the chamber assembly, the baffles configured to direct liquid flowing through the chamber assembly toward the one or more sensors.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Pumping system

Life of this patent

Pumping system

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims18