US 5,470,206 A · Pneumatically powered submersible fluids pump with casing activator

Abstract

A pump, submerged in a fluid in a pump or well, has a buoyant outer, enclosing casing. Communicated to the casing are a conduit to supplying compressed air to the casing, a conduit for carrying the exhausted air away from the casing, an inlet and check valve for permitting entry of fluid into the casing, and an outlet and a check valve connected to discharge piping for carrying fluid away from the casing. The outer casing slides vertically relative to the discharge piping and is supported by the discharge piping for vertical movement between upper and lower stops where the casing actuates an air exhaust valve and a compressed air inlet valve. When the buoyant casing is in the upper position, air within the casing can escape through the open chamber air exhaust valve and compressed air entry is blocked to the casing through the closed compressed air inlet valve. When the casing is in the lower position, air within the casing is blocked from escape by the closed chamber air exhaust valve and compressed air entry enters the casing through the open compressed air inlet valve. Fluid to be pumped, entering and exiting the casing, changes the casing buoyancy, and this buoyancy acts with full force, opening and closing the valves to cycle the pump between the upper and lower position, causing pumping to occur.

Claims28

Dependent claims

An apparatus for pumping fluids utilizing a compressed gas power source comprising:

an enclosed buoyant casing having (1) a top, a bottom, and at least one side for defining an interior volume for pumping fluids, (2) a positive buoyancy with respect to the fluids to be pumped when the interior volume is at least partially empty of fluids to be pumped, and (3) a negative buoyancy with respect to fluids to be pumped when the interior volume is at least partially flooded with fluids to be pumped;
means for mounting said enclosed buoyant casing for sliding sealed movement with respect to a discharge pipe between an upper position and a lower position;
an outlet to said discharge pipe located inside and below the top of said enclosed buoyant casing;
means for allowing fluid out said discharge pipe but not back in;
an inlet to said enclosed buoyant casing having means for allowing fluid into said enclosed buoyant casing but not out;
an air exhaust valve communicating proximate to an upper portion of said enclosed buoyant casing, said valve having an open position and a closed position;
a compressed air inlet valve communicating to said enclosed buoyant casing, said valve having a closed position and an open position;
and
means for actuating said air exhaust valve and said compressed air inlet valve for opening said air exhaust valve and for closing said air inlet valve when said enclosed buoyant casing is in said upper position and for closing said air exhaust valve and opening said compressed air inlet valve when said enclosed buoyant casing is in said lower position.

6 more elements

Apparatus in combination for pumping of fluid from a body of fluid comprising in combination;

(a) a discharge pipe;
(b) said discharge pipe having an opening;
(c) a compressed gas power source;
(d) an enclosed buoyant casing having (1) a top, a bottom, and at least one side for defining an interior volume for pumping fluids, (2) a positive buoyancy with respect to the fluids to be pumped when the interior volume is at least partially empty of fluids to be pumped, and (3) a negative buoyancy with respect to fluids to be pumped when the interior volume is at least partially flooded with fluids to be pumped;
means for mounting said enclosed buoyant casing for sliding movement with respect to said discharge pipe between an upper position and a lower position;
an outlet to said discharge pipe located inside and below the top of said enclosed buoyant casing;
means for allowing fluid out said discharge pipe but not back in the enclosed buoyant casing from said discharge pipe;
an inlet to said enclosed buoyant casing having means to allow fluid in and not out;
an air exhaust valve to discharge air from an upper portion of said enclosed buoyant casing, said air exhaust valve having an open position and a closed position;
a compressed air inlet valve communicated to the enclosed buoyant casing having a closed position and an open position;
and
means for actuating said air exhaust valve to open and said compressed air inlet valve to close when said buoyant casing is in said upper position and said air exhaust valve to close and said compressed air inlet valve to open when said buoyant casing is in said lower position.

9 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Pneumatically powered submersible fluids pump with casing activator

Life of this patent

Pneumatically powered submersible fluids pump with casing activator

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims28