Liquid pump and method for pumping a liquid that may have gas coming out of solution

A pump, for pumping liquids that may have gas coming out of solution, comprising:

• a manifold having an upper inlet chamber connected to at least one lower valve chamber with a substantially smooth upper side and having first and second ends, the first end adjacent to the upper inlet chamber and the second end adjacent and above a compression chamber with an inlet valve between the second end of the at least one valve chamber and the compression chamber, then at least one valve chamber being downwardly angled by positioning the second end of the valve chamber lower than the first end of the valve chamber;
• a plunger displaceable in the compression chamber;
• an outlet valve in a lower portion of the compression chamber;
• a downwardly declining inlet conduit in fluid communication with the upper inlet chamber;
• an upwardly inclining vapor release conduit in fluid communication with the upper inlet chamber;
• and
• a supply tank in fluid communication with the inlet conduit and vapor release conduit, the supply tank containing liquid, wherein the pump is at a lower level than the level of liquid in the supply tank.

A method for reducing cavitation in a pump, for pumping liquids that may have gas coming out of solution, the method comprising:

• locating the upper inlet chamber adjacent to and above the valve chamber;
• locating the valve chamber adjacent to and above a compression chamber with an inlet valve therebetween;
• locating an outlet valve in a lower portion of the compression chamber;
• facilitating the removal of vapor released by the liquid while held in the upper inlet chamber and valve chamber;
• and
• providing an upwardly inclined conduit for vapor released by the liquid while held in the upper inlet chamber and valve chamber to return to the liquid supply tank.

A method for reducing cavitation in a pump for pumping a liquid that may have gas coming out of solution, the method comprising:

• locating the upper inlet chamber adjacent to and above the valve chamber;
• locating the valve chamber above a compression chamber with an inlet valve therebetween, wherein the valve chamber is downwardly angled so that the second end of the valve chamber is lower with respect to the first end of the valve chamber and the upper side of the valve chamber is substantially smooth;
• facilitating the removal of vapor released by the liquid while held in the upper inlet chamber and valve chamber;
• and
• providing an upwardly inclined conduit for vapor released by the liquid while held in the upper inlet chamber and valve chamber to return to the supply tank, wherein the pump is placed at a lower level than the liquid in the supply tank.

A method for reducing the unswept volume in a pump for pumping a liquid that may have gas coming out of solution, the method comprising:

• locating the upper inlet chamber adjacent to and above the valve chamber;
• locating the valve chamber above a compression chamber with an inlet valve therebetween;
• minimizing the distance between the inlet valve and the compression chamber by downwardly angling the inlet valve;
• facilitating the removal of vapor released by the liquid while held in the upper inlet chamber and valve chamber;
• and
• providing an upwardly inclined conduit for vapor released by the liquid while held in the upper inlet chamber and valve chamber to return to the liquid supply tank, wherein the pump is lower than the level of liquid in the supply tank.

A method for increasing the efficiency of a pump for pumping liquids a liquid source that may have gas coming out of solution, the method comprising:

• locating the upper liquid gas inlet chamber adjacent to and above the valve chamber;
• locating the valve chamber above a compression chamber with an inlet valve therebetween, wherein the valve chamber is downwardly angled so that the second end of the valve chamber is lower with respect to the first end of the valve chamber and the upper side of the valve chamber is substantially smooth;
• facilitating the removal of vapor released by the liquid while held in the upper inlet chamber and valve chamber;
• minimizing the distance between the inlet valve and the compression chamber by downwardly angling the inlet valve;
• and
• providing an upwardly inclined conduit for vapor released by the liquid while held in the upper inlet chamber and valve chamber to return to the supply tank, wherein the pump is placed at a lower level than the liquid in the supply tank.