Reversible Fluid Pump with Pressure Relief Mechanism

Abstract

A reversible fluid pump, such as a screw pump, includes a housing defining a first chamber and a second chamber sealed from the first chamber. The pump further includes a pressure relief mechanism configured to limit excessive pressure during operation of the pump in either direction. The pressure relief mechanism includes at least one fluid passage providing fluid communication between the first chamber and the second chamber, and at least one check valve associated with the fluid passage. The check valve is configured to open when pressure in one of the chambers exceeds a predetermined pressure threshold to permit fluid flow from the higher-pressure chamber to the other chamber through the fluid passage. In this manner, excess pressure in either chamber can be relieved while the chambers remain sealed from each other during normal operating conditions. The pressure relief mechanism thereby reduces the risk of overpressure and improves operational reliability of the reversible fluid pump.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.