Pump System
OwnerLaverne Schumanninventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
One embodiment of a method for operating an internal combustion engine under a pressure less than atmospheric pressure includes the steps of positioning a vacuum pump such that said vacuum pump is in fluid communication with a crankcase of said internal combustion engine, connecting a discharge of said vacuum pump to a separator, wherein a portion of said discharge of said vacuum pump condenses in said separator, connecting a vapor discharge of said separator to a filter, wherein said filter removes a portion of volatile organic compounds from said vapor discharge, and venting said filter to an ambient atmosphere.
Claims20
A method of operating an internal combustion engine under a pressure less than atmospheric pressure, said method comprising the steps of:
- a. positioning a vacuum pump such that said vacuum pump is in fluid communication with a crankcase of said internal combustion engine;
- b. connecting a discharge of said vacuum pump to a separator, wherein a portion of said discharge of said vacuum pump condenses in said separator;
- c. connecting a vapor discharge of said separator to a filter, wherein said filter removes a portion of volatile organic compounds from said vapor discharge;
- and,
- d. venting said filter to an ambient atmosphere.
A kit comprising:
- a. a pump housing having an internal portion, wherein said internal portion retains a gear set, and wherein said pump housing is formed with an axial face on a distal surface of said pump housing;
- b. a first gear set having a first axial dimension that is approximately equal to an axial dimension of said internal portion of said pump housing such that a first axial face of said first gear set is approximately flush with said axial face on said distal surface of said pump housing;
- c. a second gear set extending beyond said axial face of said pump housing in a dimension parallel to an axial dimension of said second gear set;
- d. a spacer formed with a central bore therein, wherein said central bore of said spacer has a size and shape approximately equal to a size and shape of said internal portion of said pump housing, and wherein a thickness of said spacer in said axial dimension of said second gear set is equal to a distance said second gear set extends beyond said axial face of said pump housing in said axial dimension of said second gear set;
- and,
- e. a cover engaged with said pump housing, wherein said spacer is positioned between said pump housing and said cover when said second gear set is positioned within said pump housing, and wherein an engagement between said pump housing and said cover secures the relative positions of said pump housing, said spacer, and said cover.
A method of removing vapor and/or gas from a pump, said method comprising the steps of:
- a. forming an aperture through a housing of said pump, wherein said aperture is in fluid communication with a high spot on an interior of said housing;
- b. positioning a vapor/gas removal assembly in said aperture, wherein said vapor/gas removal assembly comprises:
- i. a plug having a bore along a longitudinal access thereof;
- ii. a spring positioned in said bore;
- iii. a ball positioned in said bore and engaged with said spring, wherein said spring biases said ball in a direction toward a first end of said plug;
- c. orienting said vapor/gas removal assembly such that said ball is positioned adjacent said high spot on said interior of said housing;
- and,
- d. orienting said vapor/gas removal assembly such that a second end of said plug opposite said ball is positioned external with respect to said housing, wherein said second end of said plug is formed as an outlet in fluid communication with said bore.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.