Assembly and system for pumping a volume of fluid through a body of water

Abstract

An assembly and system for pumping a volume of fluid over a body of water, comprising a shell (12) defining a volumetric space within a vessel (10) in which air is extractible from and introducible into, an opening (18) to allow air to be extracted from and supplied into the vessel (10) to allow fluid to be drawn in and expelled from the vessel (10), a first valve (16a) and a second valve (16b) to permit and restrict fluid entering and exiting the vessel (10) and a pump (20) to extract and introduce air from and into the vessel (10) to cause fluid to be drawn into and expelled out of the vessel (10). The vessel (10) floats in the body of water.

Description

FIELD OF INVENTION[0001]The present invention relates to an assembly and system for pumping a volume of fluid through a body of water. More particularly, the present invention relates to an assembly and system for pumping a large volume of fluid such as water over a large body of water such as rivers, lakes, and oceans.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]The world is facing serious challenges in the management of water due to climate change, which has caused rainfall patterns to become unpredictable and creating serious ramifications for food production and survival of communities living in these areas prior to changed rainfall patterns. Further, arid areas of the world are expanding and one of the more serious consequences is conflict over water resources especially in rivers shared by two or more countries.[0003]The expanding area of desert caused by the warming of the planet is reducing the areas of the earth covered by plant life. Compounded by the activities of man that also destr...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention is about a new invention that allows for efficient pumping of fluids by using large quantities of low pressure gas and a large floating vessel, pipeline system, and control valves. The invention combines the movement of air and gas to create a very energy efficient movement of fluids. During the process of filling and emptying the vessel, a system of valves separates the inflows and outflows into separate pipes, with the inflow pipe coming in from the source of the water and the outflow pipe connected to a receiving or transporting source that might be a rigid, semi-rigid or flexible vessel used to transport the water to its final destination. The invention also allows for the use of large diameter pipes to increase in length and reduce the distance the vessels need to move over time. Another aspect of the invention is to have one or more pumping systems to feed or remove water from large reservoir bladders submerged in the seas and oceans. The invention can be used to collect and move non-hazardous fluids, slurries, hazardous spills, leaks, and other fluids in an efficient manner.

Problems solved by technology

The world is facing serious challenges in the management of water due to climate change, which has caused rainfall patterns to become unpredictable and creating serious ramifications for food production and survival of communities living in these areas prior to changed rainfall patterns.

Further, arid areas of the world are expanding and one of the more serious consequences is conflict over water resources especially in rivers shared by two or more countries.

Whilst in theory this is good, supplying the volume of water to support this increased area for the growth of plants remains a major challenge as rivers in areas around the arid regions of the world are also experiencing lower and unpredictable flows due to climate change and supporting activities of increased populations in their respective areas.

Whilst some areas of the world face water shortage, there are also many other areas in the world that have too much rainfall.

This excess water problem often results in death and destruction of property due to flooding.

Existing bulk handling of water across water bodies has been limited to large ships or bulk carriers.

These bulk carriers with thick steel hulls and holding areas are expensive and take very long periods of time to build.

The use of these carriers which currently are used to transport primarily oil, gas and other more expensive chemicals would be too prohibitive for the transport of agricultural grade water.

In recent times the use of large floating zippered flexible bags containing as much as 3,000 cubic metres of water has also been attempted but the acceptance has been slow due to damage and tearing of the bags during towing operations that can extend to hundreds or even thousands of kilometres.

The main reason for the failure of this has been that transport of the bags has been limited to the shallow water depths below the surface of the water body which area is both turbulent during storms as well as the area in which a lot of floating debris are present and can damage and tear the membrane of the bags.

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