1224results about "Pressure pumps" patented technology

A simple microfluidic actuator includes a sealed vacuum chamber actuated by providing a current to a thin film heater, which in turn weakens and, under the atmospheric pressure differential, breaks a diaphragm sealing said vacuum chamber whereby the vacuum inside said chamber is released. By applying the microfluidic actuator to a microfluidic network the resulting pressure differential can be used to generate a pumping force with the microfluidic network. The chamber may be prepared in a silicon, glass, or plastic substrate. The diaphragm may be a metallic gas-impermeable film. A releasing member comprising a thin-film metallic heater is then microfabricated on the diaphragm. The assembly so prepared may be bonded to a glass or plastic substrate that contains a network of microchannels. The microfluidic actuator is suited for a microfluidic platform in generating driving powers for operations including pumping, metering, mixing and valving of liquid samples.

The present invention relates to regulating the temperature of a desired medium that is applied to the exterior surface of a mammal. These devices have been used in the past but not with the ability to control the temperature of the desired medium in a predetermined ratio to the temperature of the mammal. With such control, the present invention decreases the change of discomforting the patient when the patient's temperature is being brought to a set point temperature body temperature.

A capillary pump is provided for producing pressurized and unpressurized vapor emissions from liquid feed. In its simplest form, the capillary pump incorporates a liquid feed intake, a porous vaporization component, and a heat transfer component. Additional components, such as an insulator component, a feed pre-heat component, a liquid feed reservoir and / or delivery system, an integrated or associated heater component, a vapor collection chamber, a heat distribution component, an orifice component and / or vapor release component, may also be associated with or integrated in the improved capillary pumps. Capillary pump arrays are provided, and numerous applications for capillary pumps are disclosed.

The present invention generally relates to an apparatus and method for improving production from a wellbore. In one aspect, a downhole pump for use in a wellbore is provided. The downhole pump includes two or more chambers for the accumulation of formation fluids and a valve assembly for filling and venting gas to and from the two or more chambers. The downhole pump further includes a fluid passageway for connecting the two or more chambers to a production tube. In another aspect, a downhole pump including a chamber for the accumulation of formation fluids is provided. In another aspect, a method for improving production in a wellbore is provided. In yet another aspect, a method for improving production in a steam assisted gravity drainage operation is provided. Additionally, a pump system for use in a wellbore is provided.

Different types of energy storage systems are described, in particular hydro-pneumatic storage systems. In one, energy is stored by compressing gas in a chamber (44,45,54,55) with a liquid piston and released by gas expansion. A spray head or grid at the top of the chamber (44,45,54,55) supplies liquid as a shower through the gas being compressed or expanding in the cylinder (11,12) to maintain an isothermal condition. In another, energy is stored from an array of solar cells connected to an array of supercapacitors forming an auxiliary storage, and a main energy storage device such as a hydro-pneumatic storage system, for supply to an AC or DC network. The efficiency is improved by connecting the solar cells via the array of supercapacitors to the AC or DC network. An immersed hydro-pneumatic storage device for off-shore / on-shore power generation systems comprises a cylinder that is immersed in a liquid mass, wherein energy is stored by compressing gas with a liquid piston and energy is released by gas expansion. The mass of liquid maintains an isothermal condition in the cylinder during compression and expansion.

Systems and methods for operating a hydraulically actuated device / system are described herein. For example, systems and methods for the compression and / or expansion of gas can include at least one pressure vessel defining an interior region for retaining at least one of a volume of liquid or a volume of gas and an actuator coupled to and in fluid communication with the pressure vessel. The actuator can have a first mode of operation in which a volume of liquid disposed within the pressure vessel is moved to compress and move gas out of the pressure vessel. The actuator can have a second mode of operation in which a volume of liquid disposed within the pressure vessel is moved by an expanding gas entering the pressure vessel. The system can further include a heat transfer device configured to transfer heat to or from the at least one of a volume of liquid or a volume of gas retained by the pressure vessel.

An inerting system is disclosed that is adaptable to inert the fuel tank of a vehicle, most typically an aircraft, that includes an oxygen detector to monitor the oxygen partial pressure of the vapors in the ullage (i.e., the overfuel) volume of the tank, a source of an inert gas (e.g., nitrogen) in valved communication with the ullage of the tank, and a detector for sensing the oxygen content in the ullage of the tank and controlling the flow of inert gas to the tillage to maintain that volume with a proportion oxygen that will not support combustion in the event of an ignition source or intrusion of another potentially explosive occurrence within said tank. A specific fiberoptic probe which enables monitoring oxygen content within the tank without introducing a source of electrical current within the tank is also disclosed.

A process and system are provided for forming and transporting precise small volumes of liquid samples by means of controlled gas pressures. As the controlled gas pressures are changed at a multiplicity of control points in the fluid circuit, transitions take place involving the transport of small liquid samples. This transport is arrested by the geometry of the fluid circuit to produce a new state, which state remains stable until another transition is initiated by a change in the multiplicity of controlled gas pressures. Various combinations of control elements are described for effecting formation of fixed liquid volumes, transporting, mixing, and removing entrained bubbles from small liquid samples.

Apparatus and methods for improving production from a wellbore are provided. In one embodiment, a downhole pump for use in a wellbore includes a chamber for accumulating formation fluids and a valve assembly for filling and venting gas to and from the chamber. In another embodiment, a gas operated pump for moving wellbore fluids in a wellbore includes a chamber for accumulating wellbore fluids, wherein the chamber in fluid communication with a production tubular and a surface mounted valve assembly in fluid communication with the chamber, wherein the valve assembly adapted to regulate gas flow to or from the chamber. In another embodiment, the valve assembly comprises a removable control valve disposed in a housing.

Gas lift valve designs and gas lift systems are described that feature a positive closure mechanism that is highly resistant to significant wear or damage that would result in fluid leakage. A pivotable flapper member is incorporated into a gas lift valve and used as a flow control mechanism. The flapper member provides a positive barrier to fluid flow from the production tubing to the annulus, even after substantial wear or damage.

An accumulator comprises a housing connected to a hydraulic system, an elastomeric bladder separating a gas compartment from a fluid compartment, and an anti-extrusion device. A method for operating an accumulator comprises connecting the accumulator to a hydraulic system, injecting an inert gas into a gas compartment to a precharge pressure, moving an anti-extrusion device to prevent a bladder from extruding into the hydraulic system, running the accumulator and the hydraulic system downhole, moving the anti-extrusion device to allow fluid communication between the hydraulic system and a fluid compartment, generating pressure fluctuations within the hydraulic system, and expanding or contracting the bladder in response to the pressure fluctuations without moving the anti-extrusion device. A method of improving fluid hammer performance comprises connecting the fluid hammer to an accumulator that produces a greater delivered horsepower from the fluid hammer as compared to a baseline horsepower when operating without the accumulator.

Gas compression system comprising a compression cylinder having a gas inlet, a compressed gas outlet, and one or more liquid transfer ports; a pump having a suction and a discharge; and a compressor liquid. The system also includes any of the following: a pressure intensifier having an inlet in flow communication with the pump and an outlet in flow communication with the compression cylinder; a feed eductor in flow communication with the discharge of the pump, with a reservoir containing a portion of the compressor liquid, and with the compression cylinder; a drain eductor in flow communication with the discharge of the pump, with the compression cylinder, and with a reservoir containing a portion of the compressor liquid; and a variable-volume compressor liquid accumulator in flow communication with the discharge of the pump.

Embodiments of the invention are directed toward a novel pressurized vapor cycle for distilling liquids. In some embodiments of the invention, a liquid purification system is revealed, including the elements of an input for receiving untreated liquid, a vaporizer coupled to the input for transforming the liquid to vapor, a head chamber for collecting the vapor, a vapor pump with an internal drive shaft and an eccentric rotor with a rotatable housing for compressing vapor, and a condenser in communication with the vapor pump for transforming the compressed vapor into a distilled product. Other embodiments of the invention are directed toward heat management, and other process enhancements for making the system especially efficient.

A pump for transferring particulate material from a source to a remote location, including a particulate chamber having open ends, check valves at the open ends, a vacuum source connected to the chamber adjacent one end, a gas source at the opposed end of the chamber and a control which alternatively connects the vacuum to the chamber to draw particulate material from the source to the chamber and connecting the gas under pressure to drive the particulate material to the remote location. In a preferred embodiment, the chamber has a cylindrical inner diameter and the source of vacuum is a venturi pump connected to a pinch valve permitting overflow of particulate material through the pinch valve and venturi pump, which is returned to the source. In one embodiment, the pinch valve surrounds an open end of the chamber permitting overflow while avoiding agglomeration of the particulate material.

A heat exchange system for use in operating equipment in which a working fluid is utilized needing a heat exchange system to provide air and working fluid heat exchanges to cool the working fluid at selectively variable rates in airstreams. The system comprises a plurality of heat exchangers including a first heat exchanger in the plurality of heat exchangers that is mounted with respect to the equipment so as to permit corresponding portions of the airstreams to pass through the core thereof during at least some such uses of the equipment. Also, a second heat exchanger is mounted with respect to the equipment so as to selectively permit corresponding portions of the airstreams to pass through the core thereof during such uses of the equipment. A core actuator is mounted with respect to the second heat exchanger to selectively increase or reduce the passing of those corresponding portions of the airstreams through the core.

A pump for transferring particulate material from a source to a remote location, including a particulate chamber having open ends, check valves at the open ends, a vacuum source connected to the chamber adjacent one end, a gas source at the opposed end of the chamber and a control which alternatively connects the vacuum to the chamber to draw particulate material from the source to the chamber and connecting the gas under pressure to drive the particulate material to the remote location. In a preferred embodiment, the chamber has a cylindrical inner diameter and the source of vacuum is a venturi pump connected to a pinch valve permitting overflow of particulate material through the pinch valve and venturi pump, which is returned to the source. In one embodiment, the pinch valve surrounds an open end of the chamber permitting overflow while avoiding agglomeration of the particulate material.

A joint for duplex storage type fluid container that can attain secure fitting of a liquid discharge tube and can attain easy, secure connection of a passage for fluid emission disposed in a dispenser to the liquid discharge tube. There is provided a joint for fluid container comprising flexible bag (12) furnished with neck part (11) openable for permitting injection of liquid and comprising outside container (13) formed so as to support the neck part (11) by mouth part (13a) and accommodate the bag (12), which joint is so structured that liquid discharge tube (15) with collar part (15a) can be fitted through plug (14) to the mouth part (13a) of the outside container (13), and further so structured that flow channel (21a) fitted to dispenser (2) can be linked directly to fluid passage (15b) of the liquid discharge tube (15).

A heat exchange system for use in operating equipment in which a working fluid is utilized needing a heat exchange system to provide air and working fluid heat exchanges to cool the working fluid at selectively variable rates in airstreams. The system comprises a plurality of heat exchangers including a first heat exchanger in the plurality of heat exchangers that is mounted with respect to the equipment so as to permit corresponding portions of the airstreams to pass through the core thereof during at least some such uses of the equipment. Also, a second heat exchanger is mounted with respect to the equipment so as to selectively permit corresponding portions of the airstreams to pass through the core thereof during such uses of the equipment. A core actuator is mounted with respect to the second heat exchanger to selectively increase or reduce the passing of those corresponding portions of the airstreams through the core.

An on-board inert gas generating system includes a flow control valve modulated according to changes in ambient conditions to minimize changes to oxygen content within a fuel tank. The quality of the nitrogen-enriched air stream that is provided by the air separation module varies in response to flow. Higher flow rates through the air separation module removes less oxygen relative to lower flow rates. The amount of flow through the air separation module that produces the least amount of oxygen within the fuel tank is determined for an ambient pressure and provided by modulating the flow control valve.

The present invention is an apparatus and process for storing and delivering a low vapor pressure process chemical to a process tool for semiconductor fabrication, comprising: a) a bulk container for storing the process chemical; b) a process container for delivering the process chemical to the process tool; c) a first manifold for delivering process chemical from the bulk container to the process container; d) a solvent container containing a quantity of solvent, e) a second manifold for delivering the process chemical from the process container to a process tool; f) a solvent recovery container for containing used solvent and removed process chemical, and, g) a solvent evaporator to differentially remove solvent from process chemical in the solvent recovery container by entrainment in a carrier gas, vacuum removal, heating or combinations thereof. The containers can be baffled on their inert gas inlets. The cabinet can be heated.

In a fluid displacement system having a pressure vessel, an expansion vessel, first and second tubes in fluid communication with the two vessels, and an energy source, fluid contained within the system is transferred from one vessel to the other by activating the energy source, which in turn generates pressure in the pressure vessel. The generated pressure in the pressure vessel, in turn, displaces the fluid in the expansion vessel, and the system advantageously has no moving parts.

This invention relates to a security system aimed at closing and locking a cover of an opening of a tank trailer to avoid any tampering of its content and to prove that the content of the tank has not been tampered. The security system comprises a locking member movable between a lock position to prevent the opening of the cover, and an unlock position to allow the opening of the cover. The invention also comprises an actuating device mounted to the tank trailer operatively connected to the locking member for moving it between the lock and the unlock positions. A sealing mechanism engages the actuating device when the locking member is in the lock position to prevent any movement of the locking member. The sealing mechanism comprises a breakable indicator which is broken upon disengagement from the actuating device, thereby indicating that the openable cover has been tampered with.

An intermittent gas lift well pumping system containing an accumulator, a gas line, a liquid discharge line, and a battery operated controller. By using one or more constrictions in the gas line and acoustical techniques, accurate liquid level is determined in the pumping system for optimum production. Bypasses are connected between the gas line and the liquid discharge line. Each contains a valve that opens at a preset absolute pressure in the gas line, an orifice, and a one-way valve. The bypasses are strategically placed to prevent overloading of the system. A liquid slug sensor on the upper end of the liquid discharge line and a rabbit in this line enables optimum production and gas conservation.

An apparatus for containing and delivering hazardous gases at sub-atmospheric pressure from a pressurized container is provided which includes a valve body in sealed communication with an outlet orifice of the pressurized container. The outlet orifice of the pressurized container is open to an interior chamber of the pressurized container. A fluid discharge path is located in the valve body, between the outlet orifice of the pressurized container and an outlet orifice of the valve body. A pressure regulator having a pressure sensing means capable of responding to sub-atomospheric pressure, is integral to the valve body, in-line in the fluid discharge path with the pressure regulator pre-set to a pressure below atmospheric pressure to allow the gas to be delivered through the regulator from the interior chamber only when the pressure regulator senses a downstream pressure at or below the pre-set pressure. Finally, a high pressure shut-off valve integral to the valve body and in-line in the fluid discharge path and upstream from the pressure regulator is included. The gas flows through from the interior chamber of the pressurized container through the fluid discharge path, through the outlet orifice of the pressurized container, and through the outlet orifice of the valve body only when the outlet orifice is connected to a vacuum system. A method of containing and delivering hazardous gases at sub-atmospheric pressure is also provided.

Electromagnetic wave absorbing materials comprising magnetic alloy particles and an insulating matrix are disclosed. The magnetic alloy particles comprise a transition metal such as Fe and / or Co, and further comprise at least one refractory metal such as Ti, V, Cr, Zr, Nb, Mo, Hf, Ta and W. The magnet alloy particles may further include Ni and / or Al, or other alloying additions which provide the desired absorption characteristics. In a preferred embodiment, the magnetic alloy particles comprise an Fe-Cr-Ni-Al alloy. The insulating matrix of the electromagnetic wave absorbing material may comprise a water miscible polysilicate or a refractory cement. The materials may be provided in the form of coatings that are applied to a substrate, such as the hot engine exhaust area of an aircraft. The electromagnetic wave absorbing materials are capable of functioning at very high temperatures for extended periods of time while retaining satisfactory electromagnetic wave absorbing properties.

Multistage hydraulic systems and methods for converting the potential energy of a pressurized gas, particularly air, into mechanical work when operating in motor, and for producing compressed gas from the mechanical work of the rotating shaft when rotating when operating in compressor mode, by performing a successive expansion / compression of the said gas. Each of the systems comprises: a multistage Compression-Expansion Unit made of several hydraulic Compression-Expansion Modules having different capacity and integrating a gas / liquid separating heat exchanger, designed to convert pressure power into a hydraulic power and vice-versa, by performing an essentially isothermal compression / expansion of the gas; a single stage or multistage, direct or indirect, external forced-air Heat Exchanger for maintaining the active liquid at ambient temperature; and a multi-circuit, multi-displacement Hydraulic Motor / Pump for converting hydraulic power into mechanical power and vice-versa.

A fluid connector system features a stopper and an extending section. Installable within an outlet of a fluid container, the stopper defines a passage therethrough. Defining air and fluid conduits, the extending section has a first abutment member threadably connectible thereto and a second abutment member affixed thereto. The extending section is adapted to be extended through the passage of the stopper when assembled thereto. When the first abutment member is tightened about the extending section, the first and second abutment members abut against the exterior and interior sides, respectively, of the stopper. With the stopper installed within the outlet and the extending section and the abutment members therewith assembled to the stopper thereby sealing the passage therein, fluid within the container may be extracted via the fluid conduit as air exterior to the container flows therein via the air conduct to displace the fluid being extracted from the container.