Multiple tank fluid pumping system using a single pump
AssigneeRafael Advanced Defense Systems Ltd.
InventorMeir Kogan
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Abstract
Disclosed is a system for pumping of fluid by a single pump from a plurality of storage tanks in situations where some of the tanks should be pumped simultaneously at predefined, equal or unequal flow rates, and where some of the tanks should be pumped sequentially, in an orderly manner. The system needs no restrictors or valves to determine the flow rate or the sequence of pumping. In some embodiments, the rate of flow out of the pump does not change when one tank becomes empty before another.
Claims8
A system for sequentially pumping a liquid from multiple storage tanks, the system comprising:
- a) a rotor pump having:
- i) a pump housing;
- ii) at least two inter-engaged rotor elements deployed within said pump housing, each of said rotor elements having a plurality of successively inter-engaging projections, such that a dynamic seal is formed between walls of said pump housing and inter-engaged ones of said projections;
- iii) at least two spaced apart liquid supply ports configured to supply liquid to at least a first rotor element of said rotor pump, such that a second of said at least two supply ports is reached by said projections of said rotor element after said projections have passed a first of said supply ports;
- and
- iv) an outlet for flow of liquid out of said pump housing;
- b) a first liquid storage tank of variable volume in fluid communication with said first supply port;
- and
- c) a second liquid storage tank of variable volume in fluid communication with said second supply port;
- wherein when said first storage tank is full, liquid is drawn primarily from said first storage tank and as the liquid of said first storage tank is depleted so as to no longer supply the liquid to said first supply port, liquid is drawn primarily from said second storage tank.
A method for sequentially pumping a liquid from multiple storage tanks, the system comprising:
- a) providing a rotor pump having:
- i) a pump housing;
- ii) at least two inter-engaged rotor elements deployed with in said pump housing, each of said rotor elements having a plurality of successively inter-engaging projections, such that a dynamic seal is formed between walls of said pump housing and inter-engaged ones of said projections;
- iii) at least two spaced apart liquid supply ports configured to supply liquid to at least one rotor element of said rotor pump, such that a second of said at least two supply ports is reached by said projections of said rotor element after said projections have passed a first of said supply ports;
- and
- iv) an outlet for flow of liquid out of said pump housing;
- b) establishing fluid communication between a first liquid storage tank of variable volume and said first supply port;
- c) establishing fluid communication between a second liquid storage tank of variable volume and said second supply port;
- and
- d) operating said rotor pump so as to pump liquid sequentially first from said first storage tank and then from said second storage tank;
- wherein when said first storage tank is full, said liquid is drawn primarily from said first storage tank and as the liquid of said first storage tank is depleted so as to no longer supply the liquid to said first supply port, the liquid is drawn primarily from said second storage tank.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.