Slide displacement pump system

Abstract

A slide pump system that includes a working chamber that comprises an inlet and an outlet. The slide pump system further includes a plurality reciprocating components configured to advance into and retract from the working chamber. The reciprocating components of the plurality of reciprocating components are arranged adjacent to one another. The reciprocating components of the plurality of reciprocating components are configured to reciprocate along the same directional axis to facilitate movement of fluid from the inlet to the outlet. The slide- pump system may optionally and beneficially operate with a one-way valve as an integral part of the system's operation.

Description

SLIDE DISPLACEMENT PUMP SYSTEMCROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

[0001] This application claims priority to United States Provisional Application No. 63 / 523,640, filed on June 27, 2023, and entitled “SLIDE DISPLACEMENT PUMP SYSTEM”, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference for all purposes.BACKGROUND

[0002] Pumps are mechanical devices that are used to move fluids (e.g., liquids or gases). Various types of pumps have been developed for different implementations. Centrifugal pumps utilize rotating impellers to impart centrifugal force on a fluid to cause movement of the fluid. Rotary pumps utilize rotating mechanisms such as gears, lobes, screws, or vanes to move fluid.

[0003] Positive displacement pumps operate by repeatedly creating a cavity that captures and seals a fixed amount of fluid and then mechanically transferring the fluid to the pump’s outlet. Example of types of displacement pumps include piston pumps and diaphragm pumps. Displacement pumps can be used for both high and low-viscosity fluids and are widely used in various domains, such as, by way of non-limiting example, the oil and gas industry, water and wastewater treatment, chemical industry, food and beverage industry, pharmaceutical industry, construction and mining, agriculture and irrigation, power generation, refrigeration systems, and / or others.

[0004] A triplex displacement pump is a type of positive displacement pump . Conventional triplex displacement pumps include three cylinders or plungers that reciprocate back and forth in coordination (e.g., out of phase with one another) to provide a relatively pulsation-free and high-pressure flow of liquid. The cylinders are typically arranged symmetrically to achieve balanced mechanical forces on its main rotating gear and overall flow through the pump.

[0005] The subject matter claimed herein is not limited to embodiments that operate only in environments such as those described above. Rather, this background is only provided to illustrate one exemplary technology area where some embodiments described herein may be practiced.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006] Reference will be made to embodiments of the disclosure, examples of which may be illustrated in the accompanying figures. These figures are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. Although the disclosure is generally described in the context of these embodiments, the scope of the disclosure is not limited to these particular embodiments. Items in the figures are not necessarily drawn to scale.

[0007] Figure 1 illustrates a conceptual representation of components of a slide pump system, in accordance with implementations of the present disclosure.

[0008] Figure 2 illustrates a graph depicting the simplified and approximate positioning of plungers herein called reciprocating components of a slide pump system throughout one pump cycle, in accordance with implementations of the present disclosure.

[0009] Figure 3 illustrates a conceptual representation of the positioning of the reciprocating components of the slide pump system throughout the pump cycle shown in the graph of Figure 2, in accordance with implementations of the present disclosure.

[0010] Figures 4, 5, 6, and 7 illustrate various views of a slide pump system that includes a bar linkage system to facilitate positioning and reciprocation of the reciprocating components of the slide pump system, in accordance with implementations of the present disclosure.

[0011] Figure 8 illustrates isolated views of selected components of the bar linkage system of Figures 4, 5, 6, and 7, in accordance with implementations of the present disclosure.

[0012] Figure 9 illustrates an example slide pump system that includes more than three reciprocating components and a corresponding bar linkage system.

[0013] Figures 10, 11, and 12 illustrate example aspects of a slide pump system that includes a press plunger and a block plunger in addition to other reciprocating components.

[0014] Figure 13 illustrates an example slide pump system that includes two reciprocating components and a one-way valve.

[0015] Figure 14 illustrates an example slide pump system that includes separators between adjacent reciprocating components.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0016] Implementations of the present disclosure extend to displacement pumps, such as slide pump systems that include two or more reciprocating components that are configured to operate in coordination with one another (and optionally a one-way valve, in some instances).

[0017] As noted above, conventional triplex displacement pumps include three or more separate cylinders with plungers that reciprocate back and forth in coordination (e.g., out of phase with one another) to provide a relatively pulsation-free and high-pressure flow of liquid. Conventional triplex displacement pumps are associated with a high level of system complexity and include numerous moving parts. Furthermore, conventional triplex displacement pumps utilize narrow reducers and tight one-way valves, which can contribute to system inefficiency, pump failures when moving fluids with solids, and increased maintenance cost due to blockages and mechanical wear and tear.

[0018] At least some disclosed embodiments are directed to a slide pump system that includes at least one working chamber and multiple adjacently arranged reciprocating components configured to interact snugly with the working chamber, each other, and / or with a thin separator preventing the pumped medium from escaping. The reciprocating components can be arranged such that faces of adjacent reciprocating components slide along one another (or along one or more stationary separator plates located between adjacent reciprocating components) during reciprocation. The reciprocating components may be configured to reciprocate along the same directional axis to advance into and retract from the working chamber. In some implementations, the reciprocating components are configured to reciprocate at least partially out of phase with one another facilitating movement of fluid from an inlet of the working chamber to an outlet of the working chamber while simultaneously acting as a non-retum valve preventing movement of the fluid in the reverse direction.

[0019] In a simple embodiment, the pump system only includes two reciprocating components configured to interact snugly with the working chamber, each other or a relatively thin separator plate between the reciprocating components. In such an embodiment the two reciprocating components work with a one-way valve. The one-way valve can be placed on either side of the pump system, but, in preferred embodiments, can be placed downstream from the reciprocating components.

[0020] In some instances, the working chamber of the slide pump system is arranged proximate to an auxiliary chamber that is configured to receive the reciprocating components when they retract from the working chamber (e.g., the reciprocating components may separate the working chamber from the auxiliary chamber, and the working chamber and the auxiliary chamber may be at least partially defined by walls of a common or shared pump housing). The pressure in the auxiliary chamber may be varied, adjusted, and / or regulated to propel the pump and / or tune the force / torque required to advance and retract the reciprocating components.

[0021] A slide pump system according to the present disclosure may achieve various benefits relative to conventional displacement pumps. For instance, slide pump systems of the present disclosure may achieve a significantly higher amount of pumped volume per pump cycle, resulting in greater efficiency and / or throughput at lower rotations.

[0022] In some instances, because the reciprocating components can themselves operate as one-way valves, the number of moving parts in contact with the fluid is reduced (relative to conventional displacement pumps). The reduced quantity of moving parts can contribute to increased pump reliability and longevity and can contribute to overall higher uptime, as well as simplified maintenance and / or cleaning requirements.

[0023] As noted above, the pressure in the auxiliary chamber of a slide pump system may be advantageously adjusted through the pump’s cycle to cause the force or torque required to retract one or more reciprocating components to be similar to the force or torque required to simultaneously advance one or more other reciprocating components, which can facilitate movement of pump components, reduced wear on pump components, and / or higher pump head. In some instances, the reciprocation direction of the reciprocating components may be aligned with gravitational force, which can enable the weight of the reciprocating components in addition to the pressure in the auxiliary chamber to counter the pressure of the pumped medium or fluid, thereby increasing efficiency and / or decreasing wear on pump components.

[0024] Attention will now be directed to Figures 1 through 12, which provide various supporting illustrations related to the disclosed embodiments.

[0025] Figure 1 illustrates an example of a slide pump system 100 and components thereof. The slide pump system 100 of Figure 1 includes a working chamber 102 that has an inlet region 104 and an outlet region 106. The working chamber 102 also interfaces with reciprocating components 108, 110, and 112 of the slide pump system 100. The direction of the fluid movement depends on the movement of the reciprocating components 108, 110, and 112, which are each configured to be actuated to cause advancement of the reciprocating components 108, 110, and 112 into the working chamber 102 and retraction ofthe reciprocating components 108, 110, and 112 from the working chamber.

[0026] Although Figure 1 focuses on an example in which the slide pump system 100 includes a single working chamber 102 and three reciprocating components 108, 110, and 112, one will appreciate, in view ofthe present disclosure, that a slide pump system 100 may include any quantity of working chambers 102, set in parallel and / or in series, and each working chamber may include any quantity of reciprocating components. Such a configuration can be chosen to achieve higher pressure and / or more uniform flow and / or more pumped volume per unit of time.

[0027] The inlet region 104 of the slide pump system 100 may be connected to a source of pumped medium (or simply “medium”) such as a fluid (e.g., a liquid or a gas), and reciprocation ofthe reciprocating components 108, 110, and 112 (as described herein) may cause the medium to be drawn and progressively transferred from the inlet region 104 toward the outlet region 106 of the working chamber 102. As shown in Figure 1, the reciprocating components 108, 110, and 112 are arranged adjacent to one another. For instance, the reciprocating components 108, 110, and 112 may comprise precision machined sides that are placed snugly together to allow the sides of adjacently arranged reciprocating components to slide along one anotherduring reciprocation. Alternatively, although such a configuration may require the pump to have more surface area of wide -precision seals, the sides of the reciprocating components 108, 110 and 112 may slide along a separator plate placed between the reciprocating components in the auxiliary chamber 122 (which may, in some instances, at least partially extend into the working chamber 102). The wide-precision seals described here can limit or mitigate leakage of the pumped medium into the auxiliary chamber 122 during the pump’s operation, or vice- versa (e.g., leakage of a medium from the auxiliary chamber 122 into the working chamber 102). Figure 14, described hereinafter, provides an example of a slide pump system 1400 that includes separators between adjacent reciprocating components. The reciprocating components 108, 110, and 112 may comprise different (or the same) lengths, cross-sectional areas, weights, and / or other characteristics to achieve a desired force suiting different pressure gradients and / or fluid densities. Although the Figures illustrate reciprocating components of slide pump systems as having a generally rectangular shape, any shape may be utilized (e.g., trapezoidal, positive meniscus or other curved shaped, and / or others). In some instances, reciprocating components of a slide pump system are tapered or angled (e.g., for a vertical reciprocation axis, so that the reciprocating component is narrower at lower points along the reciprocation axis, or so that the cross-sectional area of the reciprocating component gets progressively smaller for progressively lower section planes taken along the reciprocation axis).

[0028] The surface of the reciprocating components 108, 110 and 112, as well as the surface of the working chamber, may furthermore be made of and / or coated and / or plated with material that has suitable characteristics in relation to its function and the pumped medium. For example, if the pumped medium is hot steam, a suitable surface material could be a metal or specialized ceramic of sufficient hardness that has high infrared reflectivity, is temperature resistant and / or non-corrosive, and / or that acts as an effective seal.

[0029] The reciprocating components 108, 110, and 112 may be configured to reciprocate along the same reciprocation axis 114 (e.g., up and down, in the example of Figure 1). The reciprocating components 108, 110, and 112 may be configured to reciprocate at least partially out of phase with one another, allowing the reciprocating components 108, 110, and 112 to facilitate movement of fluid from the inlet region 104 to the outlet region 106 (or vice-versa) while also acting as a non-retum valve preventing the fluid from traversing in the opposite direction. In this regard, the reciprocating components 108, 110, and 112 may reciprocate rapidly in a predetermined and / or harmonious manner to achieve (i) displacement and pressure increase in the pumped medium as it is moved through the working chamber 102 and (ii)simultaneous one-way valve functionality of the reciprocating components themselves (i.e., they prevent the medium from traveling in the reverse direction).

[0030] In some embodiments, a slide pump system 100 as disclosed herein can include one or more additional one-way valves positioned at or proximate to the outlet region 106 and / or the inlet region 104, which can improve pump efficiency in some instances. Figure 1 illustrates example positioning of a one-way valve 134 downstream of the outlet region 106 and a oneway valve 132 positioned upstream of the inlet region 104. Figure 1 illustrates two one-way valves by way of illustrative example. In preferred embodiments, a slide pump system 100 would include (or be installed in conjunction with) a single one-way valve (e.g., preferably on the outlet side) or would omit one-way valves (apart from the inherent one-way valve functionality of the reciprocating components). Figure 13, described hereinafter, illustrates an example slide pump system 1300 that includes two reciprocating components and a one-way valve.

[0031] In some implementations, the slide pump system 100 is arranged such that the reciprocation axis 114 along which the reciprocating components 108, 110, and 112 are configured to reciprocate is aligned with the direction of gravitational force (e.g., the reciprocating components 108, 110, and 112 may be arranged vertically). Such an arrangement may enable the pump to beneficially use the relative weight of the reciprocating components in relation to the density of the pumped medium to counteract the pressure of the pumped medium within the working chamber 102, which can contribute to pump efficiency and / or reduced wear on pump components.

[0032] In the embodiment depicted in Figure 1, the working chamber 102 defines a plurality of wall guides 116 that define paths of movement for the correspondingly shaped reciprocating components 108, 110, and 112. The wall guides 116 of the working chamber 102 of Figure 1 comprise wall grooves 118 and wall rails 120, which are each configured to interface with corresponding surfaces 124 and / or recesses 126 of the reciprocating components 108, 110, and 112 during reciprocation thereof. The wall guides 116 defined by the working chamber 102 (and the corresponding surfaces 124 and / or recesses 126 can stabilize the movement of the reciprocating components 108, 110, and 112 and can prevent fluid from leaking from the pump’s working chamber 102 (e.g., from the pump’s outlet region 106 into the auxiliary chamber 122) and / or gas / liquid from seeping down from the auxiliary chamber 122 to the working chamber 102.

[0033] In some embodiments, to further prevent misalignment of the reciprocating components and / or unwanted angular deviation during their reciprocating movement, one ormore of the reciprocating components may have one or more extrusions running along their reciprocation axis, which may snugly fit one or more similarly shaped, corresponding grooves on their adjacent reciprocating component(s) and / or end walls of the pump’s auxiliary chamber 122 (and / or working chamber 102).

[0034] Figure 1 illustrates that the slide pump system 100 may further comprise an auxiliary chamber 122 that is arranged proximate to the working chamber 102. For instance, the auxiliary chamber 122 can be separated from the working chamber 102 by the reciprocating components 108, 110, and 112. In some instances, the working chamber 102 and the auxiliary chamber 122 are defined by a common housing 128. For example, the wall guides 116 noted above (and / or components thereof) may extend into (and / or at least partially define) both the auxiliary chamber 122 and the working chamber 102. The reciprocating components 108, 110, and 112 may be configured to (i) advance into the auxiliary chamber 122 during retraction from the working chamber 102 and (ii) retract from the auxiliary chamber 122 during advancement into the working chamber 102. Figure 1 show wall guides 116 extending from the working chamber 102 into the auxiliary chamber 122 (and vice-versa) to guide movement of the reciprocating components 108, 110, and 112 between the working chamber 102 and the auxiliary chamber 122.

[0035] The pressure in the auxiliary chamber 122 is controllable or is uncontrolled (e.g., open to the atmosphere). In some instances, the pressure in the auxiliary chamber 122 is controlled to be higher or lower than the ambient pressure surrounding the auxiliary chamber 122, or is controlled to be higher or lower than the pressure at the inlet region 104 or the outlet region 106. In some implementations, the pressure in the auxiliary chamber 122 is varied through each pump cycle. In some implementations varied pressure is beneficially used to assist and / or drive the movement of the reciprocating components. In such implementations the pressure in the auxiliary chamber 122 may be the highest when reciprocating component 112 is advancing into the working chamber 102 moving against the high pressure of the pumped medium at the outlet region 106 of the slide pump system 100.

[0036] In some implementations where the pressure in the auxiliary chamber 122 is repeatedly oscillating during each pump cycle, the movement of the reciprocating components 108, 110, 112 may be designed in such a way that the volume of the auxiliary chamber 122 is increasing when pressure in the auxiliary chamber 122 is increasing and vice-versa, such that the volume of the auxiliary chamber 122 is by means of the position of the reciprocating components 108, 110, 112 reduced when pressure in the auxiliary chamber 122 is reduced. Insuch an implementation, the oscillating pressure would assist and / or drive the movement of the pump.

[0037] In an implementation, the pressure in the auxiliary chamber 122 is varied by means of expanding steam and subsequent steam collapse. In such an implementation, steam is momentarily injected into the auxiliary chamber 122 when pressure in the auxiliary chamber 122 should be increased. If correctly administered, the steam will expand and / or cool down, and at a beneficial moment for the pump’s operation rapidly start to condense and reduce the pressure in the auxiliary chamber 122, further assisting it’s movement.

[0038] Furthermore, in some instances, the slide pump system 100 may be configured such that substantially constant pressure is maintained in the auxiliary chamber 122 during reciprocation of the reciprocating components 108, 110, and 112. For instance, the shape of the reciprocating components and the phasing of the reciprocation of the reciprocating components may be selected to achieve substantially constant or stable pressure in the auxiliary chamber 122 during reciprocation (e.g., throughout working cycles). Stated differently, the movement mechanism for moving the reciprocating components 108, 110, and 112 of the slide pump system 100 may be set such that the marginal volume increase (in the auxiliary chamber 122) caused by a descending reciprocating component is at any moment substantially equivalent to the marginal volume decrease created by the displacement of an ascending reciprocating component. Such a configuration may advantageously increase the efficiency and / or power of the slide pump system 100 by achieving pressure regulation in the auxiliary chamber 122 such that the force or torque required to retract a reciprocating component will be similar to the force or torque required to advance a reciprocating component.

[0039] Although depicted in Figure 1 as of the same size, the reciprocating components 108, 110, and 112 may be of different weight, height, and / or surface area to achieve desired operational characteristics.

[0040] As noted above, the reciprocating components 108, 110, and 112 of the slide pump system 100 may be configured to reciprocate at least partially out of phase with one another (i.e., where at least two reciprocating components are configured to reciprocate out of phase with one another or with a phase delay relative to one another). Figure 2 illustrates an approximate graph depicting example positioning of reciprocating components 108, 110, and 112 of a slide pump system 100 throughout a pump cycle. The graph of Figure 2 includes reference numerals (i.e., “202”, “204”, “206”, “208”, “210”, and “212”) that refer to different completion percentages or temporal instances associated with the pump cycle (i.e., different percentages along the horizontal axis of the graph of Figure 2). At the percentages associatedwith these different reference numerals, the vertical axis of the graph of Figure 2 indicates the height (or translational position) of the different reciprocating components 108, 110, and 112, with each different reciprocating component being represented by a different line type in the graph of Figure 2. Figure 2 provides a guide below the graph indicating which line type corresponds to which reciprocating component 108, 110, and 112. Specifically, the guide indicates that the solid line is associated with reciprocating component 108, the dashed line is associated with reciprocating component 110, and the dotted line is associated with reciprocating component 112. In some implementations, the movement characteristics of the different reciprocating components 108, 110, and 112 may be characterized as the movement of a person’s fingers when repeatedly and sequentially tapping on a flat surface in an impatient manner.

[0041] Figure 2 shows a simplified graph of one embodiment of a three plunger system. Two observations could be highlighted. Firstly, the graph demonstrates an example in which when one reciprocating component is accelerating and moving in a direction, another one is accelerating and moving in the opposite direction. Secondly, the graph demonstrates an example in which, at all times, at least one reciprocating component is at its lowest position, effectively preventing reversed flow of the pumped medium.

[0042] Figure 3 illustrates conceptual representations of the positioning of the reciprocating components 108, 110, and 112 ofthe slide pump system 100 throughout the pump cycle shown in the graph of Figure 2. In particular, Figure 3 depicts the positions of the different reciprocating components 108, 110, and 112 at the different completion percentages of the pump cycle indicated by the reference numerals of Figure 2 (i.e., “202”, “204”, “206”, “208”, “210”, and “212”). Figure 3 depicts corresponding reference numerals for illustrations of the reciprocating components 108, 110, and 112 associated with the different completion percentages of the pump cycle. As shown in Figure 3, at instance 202, reciprocating components 108 and 110 are fully descended, while reciprocating component 112 is fully ascended. At instance 204, reciprocating component 108 is ascending, reciprocating component 110 is fully descended, and reciprocating component 112 is descending. At instance 204 the slide pump system 100 is drawing, from the pump’s inlet, a new batch of fluid in the volume generated by the ascension of reciprocating component 108, while reciprocating component 112 is reducing the volume at the pump’s outlet and pushing the previous batch out at the outlet. At instance 206, reciprocating component 108 is fully ascended, having fully drawn in the new batch of fluid, while reciprocating components 110 and 112 are fully descended. At instance 208, reciprocating component 108 is descending, reciprocatingcomponent 110 is ascending, and reciprocating component 112 is fully descended. The new batch of fluid is at this instance traveling from under reciprocating component 108 to the newly generated volume under reciprocating component 110. At instance 210, reciprocating component 108 is fully descended, reciprocating component 110 is fully ascended, and reciprocating component 112 is fully descended. The new batch of fluid is now “trapped” in the volume under reciprocating component 110. At instance 212, reciprocating component 108 is fully descended, reciprocating component 110 is descending, and reciprocating component 112 is ascending, moving the new batch of fluid to the volume generated under reciprocating component 112. In this way, the reciprocating components 108, 110, and 112 can reciprocate in concert with one another to define a volume within the working chamber 102 (e.g., defined by the bottom and / or stroke length and / or side surfaces of the various reciprocating components at different parts of the pump cycle) and propagate the volume through the working chamber from the inlet region 104 toward the outlet region 106, enabling movement of fluid from the inlet region 104 toward the outlet region 106. The volume defined by the reciprocating components 108, 110, and 112 within the working chamber 102 may propagate through the working chamber 102 along a propagation axis 130 (see Figure 1) that is angularly offset from the reciprocation axis 114 along which the reciprocating components 108, 110, and 112 reciprocate.

[0043] Actuation or reciprocation and relative position of the reciprocating components of a slide pump system through each pump cycle, as described herein, may be achieved by any suitable means, such as, by way of non-limiting example, bar-linkages, gears, crankshaft, a camshaft and an optional follower (with shaped cams offset from one another, such as by 120 degrees), linear actuators (e.g., using gears, electromagnetism, memory alloy, etc.), hydraulic, pneumatic or electric pistons with a control system, rail system, and / or others.

[0044] In some implementations, the movement regulation of the reciprocating components is achieved via a bar linkage system. Figures 4, 5, 6, and 7 illustrate various views of a slide pump system 400 that includes a bar linkage system 430 configured to facilitate reciprocation ofthe reciprocating components 408, 410, and 412 ofthe slide pump system 400. In the example of Figures 4, 5, 6, and 7, the bar linkage system 430 includes a plurality of different types of linkage bars, including connection bars 432, end bars 434, v-bars 436, and reciprocator bars 438.

[0045] Figures 4, 5, 6, and 7 depict the reciprocator bars 438 as extending from the reciprocating components 408, 410, and 412, to a vertex or tip of a corresponding v-bar 436. The reciprocator bars 438 are rotatably connected to the vertex or tip of the v-bars 436. Figure8 depicts an isolated representation of a v-bar 436. As shown in Figure 8, a v-bar 436 may comprise separate members 802 that are angularly offset from one another about a rotation axis that extends through the vertex or tip 804 of the v-bar 436 (e.g., a rotation axis that extends from one member 802 to the other member 802 through the vertex or tip 804). In some instances, the relative lengths and angles between the members of the v-bar 436 are the same as in the sublime triangle. Such an instance is depicted in Figure 8. where the angular offset between the members 802 of the v-bar 436 is 36 degrees. In other embodiments the angular offset between the members 802 is another value. The members 802 of the v-bars 436 may comprise openings 806 (or other types of connectors) configured to rotatably interface with other linkage bars, in particular the connection bars 432 (and / or end bars 434).

[0046] Figures 4, 5, 6, and 7 depict the v-bars 436 as rotatably / pivotally connected to the connection bars 432 and / or end bars 434 and / or reciprocator bars 438. Figure 8 depicts an isolated representation of a connection bar 432. As shown in Figure 8, a connection bar 432 may comprise separate members 812 that are angularly offset from one another about a rotation axis that extends through the vertex or tip 814 of the connection bar 432 (e.g., a rotation axis that extends from one member 812 to the other member 812 through the vertex or tip 814). In some instances, the angular offset between the members 812 of the connection bar 432 is 120 degrees (or another value). In some instances, the angular offset between the members 812 of a connection bar 432 may be determined to be 360 degrees divided by the number of reciprocating components to be used in the working chamber (in addition to a one-way valve, if employed). For some instances, in embodiments using two reciprocating components in concert with a one-way valve, the angular offset may be 120 degrees. The members 812 of the connection bar 432 may comprise protrusions 816 (or other types of connectors) configured to rotatably interface with other linkage bars, in particular the v-bars 436. The vertex or tip 814 of the connection bars 432 may be configured to rotatably interface with fixed pivot locations 440 of the slide pump system 400. The connection bars 432 may connect the movement of adjacent reciprocating components (e.g., by connecting at the protrusions 816 to different openings 806 of different v-bars 436 that are connected to different reciprocator bars 438 associated with different reciprocating components or vice-versa). The connections between the different types of bars can alternatively be other typical means such as a pin (hinge, clevis, cotter or other type), nut and bolt, rivet or bushing.

[0047] In the examples of Figures 4, 5, 6, and 7, the end bars 434 are similar to the connection bars 432 in that they are configured to rotatably interface with fixed pivot locations 440 of the slide pump system 400. The fixed pivot locations 440 with which the end bars 434and the connection bars 432 rotatably interface are arranged along longitudinally along the slide pump system 400 (e.g., from left to right or from right to left from the perspective depicted in Figure 5). Figures 4, 5, 6, and 7 illustrate the end bars 434 as including only a single member (e.g., omitting an angularly offset separate member) with a protrusion (or another type of connector) configured to interface with other linkage bars, in particular the v-bars 436.

[0048] Although the term “fixed” is here used, the fixed pivot locations 440 may be so configured that they can move slightly during the pump’s cycle and / or allow limited movement of the bar linkage system 430 for dampening and / or shock absorption and / or improved seal contact of the reciprocating components 408, 410, and 412 to the bottom of the working chamber.

[0049] The bar linkage system 430 may be a passive mechanism ensuring the coordination and relative positioning of the reciprocating components through each of the pump’s cycles. In some embodiments the bar linkage system 430 may additionally be driven by one or more drive motors or other mechanisms, which may operate at or cause the same or different rotation speeds at the different components of the slide pump system 400.

[0050] In some instances, adjacent linkages for adjacent reciprocating components may comprise at least some oppositely oriented components (e.g., v-bars 436 associated with adjacent reciprocating components may be oppositely oriented, with one having an angular offset of 36 degrees, and another having an angular offset of -36 degrees). Such a configuration can be seen in Figure 5, where the middle v-bar 436 has an angular offset that is oppositely oriented to the two v-bars located on either side of the middle v-bar 436.

[0051] In some instances, the axis of rotation of at least one of the fixed pivot locations 440 is aligned with the axis of rotation of at least one other fixed pivot location 440. Furthermore, in some instances, the axis of rotation of at least one of the fixed pivot locations 440 is offset from the axis of rotation of at least one other fixed pivot location 440. For instance, Figure 5 illustrates an axis 440A along which two fixed pivot locations 440 are aligned and an axis 440B along which two other fixed pivot locations 440 are aligned. In some instances, fixed pivot locations 440 alternate between alignment with different axes across the length of the slide pump system 400. For instance, beginning at a left side of the bar linkage system 430 from the perspective shown in Figure 5, the first fixed pivot location 440 is aligned with axis 440A, and, moving to the right therefrom, fixed pivot locations 440 alternate between alignment with axis 440B and alignment with 440A. Such an alternating configuration of the alignment of fixed pivot locations with two different axes can be embodied for slide pump systems implementing any quantity of reciprocating components (and corresponding barlinkage components). Stated differently, along the longitudinal length of the slide pump system 400 depicted in Figure 5 (e.g., from left to right or from right), the fixed pivot locations 440 may alternate between alignment with the axes 440A and 440B.

[0052] In some implementations, the arrangement of linkage bars for a bar linkage system 430 may be characterized as follows (arranged from the inlet toward the outlet): end bar (aligned along a first fixed axis) «-> v-bar «-> connection bar (aligned along a second fixed axis) «-> v-bar (with oppositely oriented angle) «-> connection bar (aligned along the first fixed axis) «-> v-bar «-> end bar (aligned along the second fixed axis).

[0053] The following table provides a combination of relative lengths and angles that may be implemented for an example bar linkage system, providing about l.Ox range of motion (stroke-length) for the reciprocating components in a compact unit of about 3 ,5x high and 1.5x wide, the minimum height and width mostly influenced by the maximum movement of the v- bars and connection bars in the auxiliary chamber and combined length of the reciprocating components and the reciprocator bars.

[0054] Although the bars of the bar linkage system 430 (as well as other bars of other bar linkage systems described herein) are shown as being straight, one of skill in the art will appreciate that, in some embodiments, it may be advantageous for bars or bar linkage systems to be curved. Curved bars of a bar linkage system may beneficially and intentionally bend temporarily, thereby preventing damage to the bar linkage system during strenuous operation of the pump system or if a solid in the fluid becomes lodged under a reciprocating component.

[0055] Figure 7 illustrates that, in some implementations, the bar linkage system 430, when viewed from the side, has the shadow casting of a star or pentagram.

[0056] Although many examples included herein are directed to a bar linkage system implemented in conjunction with a slide pump system, one will appreciate, in view of the present disclosure, that a bar linkage system (or components thereof) as disclosed herein may be implemented in other contexts, such as in combustion engines, walking machines, mechanical computing systems, and / or others.

[0057] A slide pump system as disclosed herein may include any quantity of working chambers (e.g., three working chambers arranged in parallel or series, or greater or fewer than three), and each working chamber may include any respective quantity of reciprocating components (e.g., three respective reciprocating components, or greater or fewer than three). Figure 9 provides an example slide pump system 900 that includes a working chamber 902, an inlet 904, an outlet 906, and six reciprocating components 908, 910, 912, 914, 916, and 918. The slide pump system 900 further includes a bar linkage system 930 that includes bar types similar to those described hereinabove with reference to Figures 4, 5, 6, and 7 (e.g., connection bars, end bars, v-bars, and reciprocator bars). For systems with four or more reciprocating components, different angles in the connection bar can be translated into forming partial to several “waves” of volume translated through the slide pump system 900.

[0058] In some implementations, a slide pump system includes a working chamber that uses only two reciprocating components (or plungers) that operate in concert with a one-way valve. In one embodiment, the one-way valve is placed at (or downstream from) the outlet side of the slide pump system, with a first reciprocating component being positioned closer to the inlet, and with a second reciprocating component being positioned closer to the outlet. Under such a configuration, with the one-way valve shut, the first reciprocating component may be lowered while the second reciprocating component is raised. Such an action draws liquid previously under the first reciprocating component to the volume generated under the second reciprocating component. When the first reciprocating component reaches a fully descended position, it prevents the liquid from returning to the inlet side (or low-pressure side) of the slide pump system. When the first reciprocating component has reached its fully descended position, the second reciprocating component may be lowered to reduce the volume of the outlet side of the slide pump system, thus increasing the pressure of this region until the one-way valve is pushed open to allow the liquid to exit through the outlet (or the high-pressure side). When the second reciprocating component is fully lowered, the pressure at the outlet side may stabilize, causing the one-way valve to close. The first reciprocating component then ascends, generatingvolume which is filled with the next batch of liquid from the inlet. The cycle may then be repeated for continued pumping of fluid.

[0059] In an alternative embodiment of a slide pump system that includes two reciprocating components and a one-way valve, the one-way valve may be located at (or upstream of) the inlet side. In such a configuration, the pumping action can be achieved by lifting first reciprocating component while the second reciprocating component is fully descended. The lifting motion of the first reciprocating component pulls fluid under it while reducing pressure at the inlet. The reduced pressure opens the one-way valve (in this embodiment located at the inlet), allowing fluid to flow toward the lifting reciprocating component. When the first reciprocating component has fully ascended, the one-way valve automatically closes, allowing for simultaneous descent of the first and ascent of the second reciprocating components. This motion pushes the fluid to the newly generated space under the second reciprocating component. Finally, the second reciprocating component descends, and, with the first reciprocating component stationary in its fully descended position, the fluid is pushed out of the outlet. A person skilled in the art will appreciate that placing a one-way valve downstream is generally more favorable than at the inlet, as the pump might otherwise be susceptible to boil or evaporate the liquid instead of pumping it.

[0060] In some instances, a slide pump system as disclosed herein can utilize multiple working chambers in parallel, which can enable the slide pump system to achieve a higher and / or more steady flow. In some instances, a slide pump system as disclosed herein can utilize multiple working chambers in series, which can enable the pump system to achieve higher pressure.

[0061] In some embodiments, a slide pump system as described herein can include one or more additional reciprocating components that can perform additional functions, such as facilitating condensate removal, operating as a drive mechanism for the pump system, amplifying pressure, and / or others.

[0062] Figures 10, 11 and 12 illustrate aspects of an example slide pump system 1000 that includes a working chamber 1002, an inlet region 1018, an outlet region 1006, reciprocating components 1008, 1010, and 1012, and an auxiliary chamber 1022 (e.g., separated from the working chamber by the reciprocating components 1008, 1010, and 1012). The reciprocating components 1008, 1010, and 1012 are conceptually similar to reciprocating components 108, 110, 112, 408, 410, and 412 described hereinabove with reference to Figures 1 and 4. In the example shown in Figure 10, the slide pump system 1000 also includes additional reciprocating components embodied as a press plunger 1014 and a block plunger 1016. The press plunger1014 and the block plunger 1016 can be configured to reciprocate along the same axis as the other reciprocating components 1008, 1010, and 1012 (shown as up / down Figures 10 and 11). Reciprocation of the reciprocating components 1008, 1010, and 1012, the press plunger 1014, and the block plunger 1016 may be governed by a bar linkage system 1030. The sides of the press plunger 1014 can be configured to slide along adjacent sides of reciprocating component 1008 and of block plunger 1016 (and / or, as indicated above, along intervening separator plates) during reciprocation, which can mitigate leakage during operation.

[0063] In some implementations, such as the one depicted in Figures 10, 11 and 12 the press plunger 1014 and the block plunger 1016 can facilitate important aspects of operation of a slide pump system 1000, such as removal of unwanted fluid and / or condensate from the auxiliary chamber 1022, augmenting the head pressure of the slide pump system 1000, and / or acting as a drive mechanism for the movement of the slide pump system 1000.

[0064] Figure 10 depicts an example momentary state of the operation of the slide pump system 1000 where reciprocating component 1010 is next required to move down while reciprocating component 1012 moves up. Their movement will propel the batch of fluid trapped in the enclosed volume under reciprocating component 1010 onwards and toward the higher-pressure outlet region 1006. If a one-way valve is located downstream, it will remain closed during the simultaneous and offsetting movement of the two reciprocating components.

[0065] When reciprocating component 1012 has fully ascended and reciprocating component 1010 has fully descended, reciprocating component 1012 will need to descend again against the high-pressure fluid at the outlet 1006, opening the optional one-way valve located further downstream (not shown). This movement of 1012 can be facilitated by the approximately simultaneous lifting of the block plunger 1016 and reciprocating component 1008, which combined may have significantly larger surface areas facing the lower pressure in the inlet region 1018 of the slide pump system 1000. In the illustrated example, to facilitate even higher head pressure, the downward movement of reciprocating component 1012 is furthermore set slower than movement of other plungers by the arrangement of the components of the bar linkage system 1030. At the instant depicted in Figure 10 unwanted fluid or condensate is allowed to flow into the intermediate space 1020 generated under the at least partially raised press plunger 1014 for removal later in the pump’s cycle.Figure 12 shows numerical approximation of height and relative positions of the five reciprocating components (i.e., reciprocating components 1008, 1010, 1012, 1014, and 1016) of the slide pump system 1000 depicted in Figures 10 and 11.

[0066] For clarity the various operational stages over the pump cycle of the slide pump system 1000 are conceptually depicted with roman numerals in Figures 11 and 12. Stage (i) is the state shown in Figure 10 and is arbitrarily selected as the starting phase of the pump cycle for the reason that the overall flow of pumped medium through the system is at that point zero, and the reciprocating components have, at the start of stage (i), relatively low momentum. At the beginning of stage (i) reciprocating component 1012, located near the high-pressure outlet region 1006, starts to lift or retract from the working chamber 1002. At the same time, the adjacent reciprocating component 1010 is pushed into the working chamber 1002. It should be noted that if the slide pump system includes a one-way valve located downstream (not shown), the net work done by the two reciprocating components 1012 and 1010 is limited, as the oneway valve would stay closed while pumped medium is transferred from the space under reciprocating component lOlO to the space under reciprocating component 1012 and / ormixing with other fluid at the outlet 1006. During stage (i), the block plunger 1016 initiates its lift (e.g., retraction from the working chamber 1002), in this embodiment due to the relatively higher pressure at the inlet region 1018 in comparison to the pressure in the auxiliary chamber 1022.

[0067] During stage (ii), depicted in Figures 11 and 12, reciprocating component 1012 starts its relatively slow and energy intensive descent against the higher-pressure pumped fluid at the outlet 1006. In embodiments having a one-way valve placed downstream (not shown), the one way valve is forced open during stage (ii) as the pumped fluid volume under reciprocating component 1012 is unable to traverse backward due to the downward position of reciprocating component 1010 blocking its way. The energy required push reciprocating component 1012 against the high pressure at the outlet region 1006 is, in some embodiments, derived from the ascending reciprocating components 1016 and 1008, which are lifted into the auxiliary chamber 1022 by the pressure difference between the inlet region 1018 and the auxiliary chamber 1022.

[0068] Initially during stage (ii), intermediate space 1020 under the press plunger 1014 is close to its minimum allowing excess fluids or condensate from the auxiliary chamber 1022 to flow into it. The intermediate space 1020 is subsequently closed from the auxiliary chamber 1022, by the ascending reciprocating component 1008, and shortly thereafter opened toward the inlet region 1018 by the ascent of the block plunger 1016. In one configuration, the movement of the press plunger 1014 is at that moment configured to fully descend to its minimum before starting its ascent, quickly pushing out any condensate stored in the intermediate space 1020 into the inlet region 1018, allowing unwanted fluid from the auxiliary chamber 1022 to be repeatedly removed.

[0069] In stage (iii), the press plunger 1014 starts to lift, taking in a small amount of steam (the pumped medium in this particular example) from the inlet region 1018. The ascent of press plunger 1014 is offset by the descent of block plunger 1016, largely canceling out the energy required and / or given by their movement. Soon thereafter, at the beginning of stage (iii), reciprocating component 1008 descends, with its motion offset with the upward motion of reciprocating component 1010, effectively moving fluid to the middle of the pump (e.g., to the space below reciprocating component 1010). At the middle of stage (iii), block plunger 1016 has descended sufficiently to effectively close off the intermediate space 1020 from the inlet region 1018. The closed off intermediate space 1020, which now contains steam recently gathered from the inlet region 1018, continues to expand and propel the press plunger 1014 upwards, as its content is at higher pressure than exists in the auxiliary chamber 1022. Around the time when the press plunger 1014 has reached its highest point and has largely depleted the energy from the expanding gas, its position in relation to reciprocating component 1008 allows for an opening from the intermediate space 1020 to the auxiliary chamber 1022, allowing the steam to escape.

[0070] During stage (iv) the press plunger 1014 falls again due to own weight, since the pressure above and below it is equalized with its intermediate space 1020 open to the auxiliary chamber 1022. The energy of the falling press plunger 1014 is transferred to the bar linkage system 1030, assisting with the continued movement of the system. During stage (iv) reciprocating components 1010 and 1008 continue their respective ascent and descent, approximately cancelling out the effort required via augmentation by the weight of the falling press plunger 1014 and optionally a drop in pressure in the auxiliary chamber 1022 as the small pocket of steam recently released from the intermediate space collapses.

[0071] At least some implementations of a slide pump system 1000, as described herein, may therefore entirely or partly be driven by the enthalpy of the pumped medium whereas (a small) part of the pumped medium is allowed to “escape” from the inlet region 1018 of the slide pump system 1000 to the intermediate space 1020, where its enthalpy is partly removed via volume expansion. When the content of the intermediate space 1020 is released to the auxiliary chamber 1022, it would further expand and then condense, which could also be harnessed if incited at the correct moment in the pump’s cycle. Inversely, embodiments of the slide pump system 1000 could be driven by intentional pressure drop during rapid condensation of part of the pumped medium in the intermediate space 1020 when closed off by adjacent plungers (or reciprocating components).

[0072] The press plunger 1014 and the block plunger 1016 may be arranged to operate in concert to move fluid and / or condensate from the auxiliary chamber 1022 to the inlet region 1018 of the working chamber 1002. For instance, prior to (or during) initiation of a subsequent pump cycle in which the reciprocating components 1008, 1010, and 1012 urge fluid from the inlet region 1018 to the outlet region 1006, the block plunger 1016 may become arranged in a lower position (e.g., as governed by actuation of the bar linkage system 1030). Example lower positioning of the block plunger 1016 is depicted in Figure 10. Such positioning allows the block plunger 1016 to close off the inlet region 1018 from the auxiliary chamber 1022. After (or while) the inlet region 1018 becomes closed off from the auxiliary chamber 1022, the press plunger 1014 may be elevated sufficiently (e.g., as governed by actuation of the bar linkage system 1030), allowing unwanted fluid to flow from the auxiliary chamber 1022 to an intermediate space 1020 below the lifted press plunger 1014. Example upper positioning of the press plunger 1014 is depicted in Figure 10.

[0073] The following discussion concerns the relative position of reciprocating component 1008, the press plunger 1014, and the block plunger 1016 so that beneficial use is made of the intermediate space 1020 and so that a seal is maintained between the auxiliary chamber 1022 and inlet region 1018.

[0074] In one embodiment, the slide pump system 1000 is arranged in such a way that liquid from the inlet region 1018 is at pressure higher than in the auxiliary chamber 1022 and is intentionally allowed to partly go into the auxiliary chamber 1022 via the intermediate space 1020 from the inlet region 1018. Such functionality may enable the slide pump system 1000 to be propelled by the momentum gained by the liquid forcefully lifting the press plunger 1014 while entering the intermediate space 1020 and exiting the inlet region 1018. When the press plunger has reached its highest position, the push plunger 1016 would close off the intermediate space 1020 from the inlet region 1018 while reciprocating component 1008 descends sufficiently for the liquid to escape to the auxiliary chamber 1022 from the intermediate space 1020, where it is then diverted away. In such a configuration, the slide pump system 1000 effectively uses the energy in the pressure head of part of inlet liquid (in relation to the pressure in the auxiliary chamber 1022) to propel the remainder of the liquid through the slide pump system 1000 and increase its pressure.

[0075] In several of the embodiments described, the function can be conceptually equated with a classic hydraulic ram pump which is propelled by the energy harnessed from the liquid at its inlet. For instance, maintaining a lower pressure in the auxiliary chamber 1022 than the inlet region 1018 can enable the slide pump system 1000 to operate in conjunction with apressure head (at the inlet 1018) to elevate the remainder of the pumped liquid in a self-driven manner.

[0076] In some implementations, a slide pump system is driven by repeatedly injecting voluminous low enthalpy steam into the auxiliary chamber (e.g., 122 or 1022), which causes the two or more reciprocating components (108, 110 and / or 112 in Figure 1 or 1008, 1010, and / or 1012, the press plunger 1014, and / or block plunger 1016 in Figure 10) to move in reaction to the pressure variations in the auxiliary chamber (e.g., 122 or 1022) as the steam is injected and as it condensates.

[0077] In one embodiment the auxiliary chamber is full of liquid while the pumped medium is high enthalpy gas (such as steam). Such a configuration might have the benefit of reducing strain on the operating mechanism (such as the bar-linkages) due to the liquid’s incompressibility and therefore orderly movement. Such a configuration might also ensure instant collapse of the higher enthalpy gas when subjected to the liquid inciting a pressure drop, which could be harnessed in driving the operation of the pump. In larger configurations, the liquid would furthermore uniformly add to the effective weight of the plungers and the pump’s maximum head-pressure, as well as maintain low temperature of the pump’s mechanism. In one such embodiment, the intermediate space 1020 would fully close during the pump’s operation to prevent seepage of liquid into the inlet region (e.g., 1018) of the pump.

[0078] In another implementation of using the press plunger 1014 and the block plunger 1016 to contribute to driving of the slide pump system 1000, high-pressure steam or gas may be injected into the auxiliary chamber 1022, and the high-pressure steam or gas may be repeatedly allowed to escape through the intermediate space 1020. For instance, when the block plunger 1016 opens the inlet region 1018 to the intermediate space 1020, high-pressure steam or gas may escape from the intermediate space 1020 to the inlet region 1018, which may immediately lower the pressure within the intermediate space 1020 and effectively pull the press plunger 1014 downward. This pressure differential may be beneficially used to drive the slide pump system 1000 for another cycle.

[0079] The slide pump system 1000 may be driven by causing a gas in the auxiliary chamber 1022 to have an even lower pressure than the pressure at the inlet region 1018. In such an example embodiment, the movement of the reciprocating components 1008, 1010, and 1012, the press plunger 1014, and block plunger 1016 described hereinabove for ejecting condensate from the auxiliary chamber 1022 to the inlet region 1018 is reversed, and the process begins with lifting the block plunger 1016 and allowing gas from the inlet region 1018 to flow into the expanding intermediate space 1020. This absorption of gas from the inlet region1018 into the intermediate space 1020 under the press plunger 1014 can effectively push the press plunger 1014 upward, which can drive the subsequent rotation of the reciprocating components 1008, 1010, and 1012, the press plunger 1014, and block plunger 1016. The process can end with the lowering of the block plunger 1016, and the subsequent lowering of reciprocating component 1008 can allow the higher-pressure gas to flow into the auxiliary chamber 1022 from the intermediate space 1020. To maintain the lower pressure in the auxiliary chamber 1022 (relative to the pressure at the inlet region 1018), the higher-pressure gas that flows into the auxiliary chamber 1022 from the intermediate space 1020 at the aforementioned end of the cycle can be caused to exit the auxiliary chamber 1022.

[0080] The configuration described above of maintaining a lower pressure in the auxiliary chamber 1022 than the inlet region 1018 can enable the slide pump system 1000 to operate as a self-driven booster pump (e.g., where the pump is driven by the medium being pumped). Using steam as an example fluid to be pumped, the slide pump system 1000 may allow a small percentage of the steam (e.g., 10% per cycle) from the inlet region 1018 to flow into the intermediate space 1020, where the steam would become sealed (e.g., by reciprocating component 1008 and the block plunger 1016 acting as sidewalls) and then allowed to expand with its energy transferred to the slide pump system 1000 via torque and rotation. Optionally, the steam, following its expansion and pressure drop, may condense, causing significant pressure drop in the auxiliary chamber 1022 and / or intermediary space 1020. The significant forces brought about by the condensation can drive the movement of the reciprocating components 1008, 1010, and 1012, the press plunger 1014, and block plunger 1016 in their efforts to transfer the remaining steam (e.g., the remaining 90% per cycle) through the slide pump system 1000, while beneficially significantly increasing the pressure and / or overall enthalpy in the fluid at the outlet 1006.

[0081] For liquids or gases, the slide pump system 1000 can be advantageously configured to maintain a predetermined pressure head between the inlet region 1018, the auxiliary chamber 1022 and / or the outlet region 1006 by allowing for intermediate operation and pressure regulation. In such an embodiment, the pump remains stationary while pressure at the inlet region 1018 builds up . When the pressure at the inlet region exceeds a predetermined limit, the pump springs into action due to the force enacted on the bottom of push plunger 1016 and reciprocating component 1008, causing the slide pump system 1000 to complete a sufficient number of pump cycles to bring the pressure at the inlet region 1018 or relative pressure between the inlet region 1018 and the outlet region 1006 down to a targeted level. The slide pump system 1000 can furthermore be configured to reverse its movement when required, suchas when pressure at the outlet region 1006 is too high to bring head pressure across the pump back to the desired state.

[0082] In another example embodiment for using the press plunger 1014 and the block plunger 1016 to contribute to driving of the slide pump system 1000, the press plunger 1014 and the block plunger 1016 can be alternatively located on the high-pressure outlet region 1006 side of the slide pump system 1000. This can allow high-pressure gas to be ejected to the auxiliary chamber 1022 or vice versa in each cycle via the intermediate space 1020.

[0083] In some implementations, as noted above, the block plunger 1016 (and / or the press plunger 1014) of the slide pump system 1000 can function to increase the pressure capacity of the slide pump system 1000. For example, with the bottom surface area of the block plunger 1016 facing the inlet region 1018 (or low-pressure inlet side), the pressure at the inlet region 1018 may act to lift to the block plunger 1016 as reciprocating component 1012 (at the high- pressure side) is being lowered thereby increasing pressure capacity via the inherent gearing of the bar linkage system 1030 that governs reciprocating component 1012 and the block plunger 1016. The combined power of the rise of reciprocating component 1008 (at the low pressure side) and the rise of the block plunger 1016 is transferred via the bar linkage system 1030 to power the strenuous efforts of reciprocating component 1012 pushing down, moving the now high-pressure fluid toward the outlet 1006.

[0084] To increase the operational capabilities and overall robustness of the pump system 1000, the plungers or reciprocating components may optionally be configured with nubs that fit a corresponding groove running partly along the side of the adjacent plunger and / or reciprocating component. Such a protrusion could for instance ensure that the relative position of the two adjacent moving parts never exceed a predetermined limit, as the nub would under those circumstances reach the end of its corresponding groove and define the upper or lower bounds of the relative positioning of the two adjacent plungers, which might prevent damage to the drive system and / or leakage when the pump is forced to operate outside the pump system’s 1000 intended design limits. Such a protrusion and groove could furthermore allow one plunger to assist another during a particularly strenuous part of the pump cycle.

[0085] As noted above, Figure 13 illustrates an example slide pump system 1300 that includes two reciprocating components 1310 and 1312 coupled to a bar linkage system 1330 that governs the relative positioning of the reciprocating components 1310 and 1312 during pump cycles. Rotation arrow 1332 indicates an example direction of rotation for components of the bar linkage system 1330 during pump cycles. Reciprocating components 1310 and 1312 are configured to advance into and retract from a working chamber 1302 to achieve movementof a medium (e.g., a fluid, such as a liquid or gas) from an inlet region 1318 to an outlet region 1306. The slide pump system 1300 includes a one-way valve 1340 which, in the embodiment shown, includes a weighted clack-valve disk 1342. The clack-valve disk 1342 is configured to temporarily lift to allow flow of the pumped medium into the outlet region 1306 in response to pressure increases brought about by descent of reciprocating component 1312 (depicted by the downward arrow on reciprocating components 1312 in Figure 13) while reciprocating component 1310 is already descended (as depicted in Figure 13). Although a clack-valve disk 1342 implementation is illustrated for the one-way valve 1340, a one-way valve 1340 of a slide pump system 1300 can take on various forms.

[0086] As noted above, Figure 14 illustrates an example slide pump system 1400 that includes separators 1450 between adjacent reciprocating components 1408, 1410, and 1412. The slide pump system 1400 also includes a separator 1452 that intervenes between reciprocating component 1412 and part of the housing (on the outlet side) that defines the working chamber 1402 that the adjacent reciprocating components 1408, 1410, and 1412 advance into and retract from (as governed by the bar linkage system 1430) to move a pumped medium from the inlet region 1418 to the outlet region 1406. Rotation arrow 1432 indicates an example direction of rotation for components of the bar linkage system 1430 during pump cycles. Separators 1450 and / or 1452 of a slide pump system can eliminate the need for large interfacing surfaces on adjacent reciprocating components, which can allow for greater flexibility in the shape of the reciprocating components 1408, 1410, and 1412 (e.g., cylindrical reciprocating components may be used). However, various limitations may be associated with slide pump systems that implement separators as described above, such as requiring a higher surface area of wide-precision seals, increased head-loss, less efficiency when working with compressible fluids, increased likelihood of cavitation and / or leakages, and / or others.

[0087] Embodiments disclosed herein can include those in the following numbered clauses:

[0088] Clause 1. A slide pump system, comprising: a working chamber comprising an inlet region and an outlet region; and a plurality of reciprocating components, wherein the reciprocating components of the plurality of reciprocating components are configured to advance into and retract from the working chamber to define a volume within the working chamber and propagate the volume through the working chamber from the inlet region toward the outlet region to facilitate movement of a medium from the inlet region toward the outlet region.

[0089] Clause 2. The slide pump system of clause 1, wherein the reciprocating components of the plurality of reciprocating components are configured to reciprocate along a same reciprocation axis to facilitate propagation of the volume through the working chamber from the inlet region toward the outlet region.

[0090] Clause 3. The slide pump system of clause 2, wherein the plurality of reciprocating components is configured to propagate the volume through the working chamber along a propagation axis that is angularly offset from the same reciprocation axis.

[0091] Clause 4. The slide pump system of clause 1, wherein adjacent reciprocating components of the plurality of reciprocating components are configured to at least partially slide along one another during advancement into and retraction from the working chamber.

[0092] Clause 5. The slide pump system of clause 1, further comprising a one-way valve arranged at or downstream of the outlet region.

[0093] Clause 6. The slide pump system of clause 1, wherein the working chamber is at least partially defined by a plurality of wall guides that define reciprocation paths for each of the plurality of reciprocating components.

[0094] Clause 7. The slide pump system of clause 6, wherein the plurality of wall guides further define an auxiliary chamber arranged proximate to the working chamber, wherein the plurality of reciprocating components separate the working chamber from the auxiliary chamber.

[0095] Clause 8. The slide pump system of clause 1, further comprising an auxiliary chamber arranged proximate to the working chamber, wherein the reciprocating components of the plurality of reciprocating components are configured to advance into the auxiliary chamber when retracting from the working chamber.

[0096] Clause 9. The slide pump system of clause 8, wherein pressure in the auxiliary chamber is controllable to assist reciprocation of the reciprocating components of the plurality of reciprocating components.

[0097] Clause 10. The slide pump system of clause 1, further comprising a bar linkage system connected to the plurality of reciprocating components and configured to control movement and relative positioning of the plurality of reciprocating components.

[0098] Clause 11. The slide pump system of clause 10, wherein the bar linkage system comprises one or more connection bars, one or more end bars, one or more v-bars, and one or more reciprocator bars.

[0099] Clause 12. The slide pump system of clause 11, wherein the one or more end bars and the one or more connection bars rotatably interface with respective fixed pivot locations arranged longitudinally along the slide pump system.

[0100] Clause 13. The slide pump system of clause 12, wherein, longitudinally along the slide pump system, the respective fixed pivot locations alternate between alignment with two different rotation axes.

[0101] Clause 14. The slide pump system of clause 1, further comprising a press plunger and a block plunger, wherein a lower surface of the press plunger and side surfaces of the block plunger and a reciprocating component of the plurality of reciprocating components define an intermediate space when (i) the press plunger and the reciprocating component are at least partially retracted and (ii) the block plunger is at least partially advanced.

[0102] Clause 15. The slide pump system of clause 14, further comprising an auxiliary chamber arranged proximate to the working chamber, wherein the press plunger, the block plunger, and the reciprocating component are configured to selectively open the intermediate space to the auxiliary chamber, the inlet region, or the outlet region.

[0103] Clause 16. The slide pump system of clause 15, wherein the press plunger, the block plunger, and the reciprocating component are configured to selectively open the intermediate space to the auxiliary chamber and the inlet region, wherein pressure of the medium at the inlet region is greater than pressure of the medium in the auxiliary chamber to enable the medium to enter the auxiliary chamber from the inlet region via the intermediate space to increase pressure within the auxiliary chamber to drive reciprocation of the plurality of reciprocating components.

[0104] Clause 17. The slide pump system of clause 14, wherein the press plunger and the block plunger are configured to reciprocate along a same reciprocation axis as the reciprocating components of the plurality of reciprocating components.

[0105] Clause 18. A slide pump system, comprising: a working chamber comprising an inlet region and an outlet region; and a plurality of reciprocating components, wherein the reciprocating components of the plurality of reciprocating components are configured to advance into and retract from the working chamber to function as a series of one-way valves to facilitate movement of a medium from the inlet region to the outlet region.

[0106] Clause 19. The slide pump system of clause 18, wherein the reciprocating components of the plurality of reciprocating components are configured to reciprocate along a same reciprocation axis.

[0107] Clause 20. A slide pump system, comprising: a working chamber comprising an inlet region and an outlet region; an auxiliary chamber arranged proximate to the working chamber; and a plurality of reciprocating components, wherein reciprocating components of the plurality of reciprocating components are configured to reciprocate along a same directional axis, wherein a subset of reciprocating components of the plurality of reciprocating components is configured to advance into and retract from the working chamber during reciprocation along the same directional axis, wherein the plurality of reciprocating components comprises a press plunger and a block plunger, wherein a lower surface of the press plunger and side surfaces of the block plunger and a reciprocating component of the plurality of reciprocating components define an intermediate space when (i) the press plunger and the reciprocating component are at least partially retracted along the same directional axis and (ii) the block plunger is at least partially advanced along the same directional axis, wherein the press plunger, the block plunger, and the reciprocating component are configured to selectively open the intermediate space to the auxiliary chamber, the inlet region, or the outlet region.Conclusion

[0108] While certain embodiments of the present disclosure have been described in detail, with reference to specific configurations, parameters, components, elements, etcetera, the descriptions are illustrative and are not to be construed as limiting the scope of the claimed invention.

[0109] Furthermore, it should be understood that for any given element of component of a described embodiment, any of the possible alternatives listed for that element or component may generally be used individually or in combination with one another, unless implicitly or explicitly stated otherwise.

[0110] In addition, unless otherwise indicated, numbers expressing quantities, constituents, distances, or other measurements used in the specification and claims are to be understood as optionally being modified by the term “about” or its synonyms. When the terms “about,” “approximately,” “substantially,” or the like are used in conjunction with a stated amount, value, or condition, it may be taken to mean an amount, value or condition that deviates by less than 20%, less than 10%, less than 5%, less than 1%, less than 0. 1%, or less than 0.01% of the stated amount, value, or condition. At the very least, and not as an attempt to limit the application of the doctrine of equivalents to the scope of the claims, each numerical parameter should be construed in light of the number of reported significant digits and by applying ordinary rounding techniques.

[0111] Any headings and subheadings used herein are for organizational purposes only and are not meant to be used to limit the scope of the description or the claims.

[0112] It will also be noted that, as used in this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an” and “the” do not exclude plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, an embodiment referencing a singular referent (e.g., “widget” or “gadget”) may also include two or more such referents.

[0113] It will also be appreciated that embodiments described herein may also include properties and / or features (e.g., ingredients, components, members, elements, parts, and / or portions) described in one or more separate embodiments and are not necessarily limited strictly to the features expressly described for that particular embodiment. Accordingly, the various features of a given embodiment can be combined with and / or incorporated into other embodiments of the present disclosure. Thus, disclosure of certain features relative to a specific embodiment of the present disclosure should not be construed as limiting application or inclusion of said features to the specific embodiment. Rather, it will be appreciated that other embodiments can also include such features.

[0114] It will also be noted that the terms “phase”, “out of phase” and similar references do not necessarily imply that the two or more movements being described are the same or follow the same temporal movement during the pump cycle.

[0115] It will be noted that terms such as “pump cycle” and references to percentages of a cycle do not necessarily correspond to time, rotational angle of the drive system at any particular point, or relative location of one of the plungers but are meant as approximations to explain the workings of the pump.

Claims

CLAIMSWhat is claimed is:

1. A slide pump system, comprising: a working chamber comprising an inlet region and an outlet region; and a plurality of reciprocating components, wherein reciprocating components of the plurality of reciprocating components are configured to advance into and retract from the working chamber to define a volume within the working chamber and propagate the volume through the working chamber from the inlet region toward the outlet region to facilitate movement of a medium from the inlet region toward the outlet region.

2. The slide pump system of claim 1, wherein the reciprocating components of the plurality of reciprocating components are configured to reciprocate along a same reciprocation axis to facilitate propagation of the volume through the working chamber from the inlet region toward the outlet region.

3. The slide pump system of claim 2, wherein the plurality of reciprocating components is configured to propagate the volume through the working chamber along a propagation axis that is angularly offset from the same reciprocation axis.

4. The slide pump system of claim 1, wherein adjacent reciprocating components of the plurality of reciprocating components are configured to at least partially slide along one another during advancement into and retraction from the working chamber.

5. The slide pump system of claim 1, further comprising a one-way valve arranged at or downstream of the outlet region.

6. The slide pump system of claim 1, wherein the working chamber is at least partially defined by a plurality of wall guides that define reciprocation paths for each of the plurality of reciprocating components.

7. The slide pump system of claim 6, wherein the plurality of wall guides further define an auxiliary chamber arranged proximate to the working chamber, wherein the plurality of reciprocating components separate the working chamber from the auxiliary chamber.

8. The slide pump system of claim 1, further comprising an auxiliary chamber arranged proximate to the working chamber, wherein the reciprocating components of the plurality of reciprocating components are configured to advance into the auxiliary chamber when retracting from the working chamber.

9. The slide pump system of claim 8, wherein pressure in the auxiliary chamber is adjustable to assist reciprocation of the reciprocating components.

10. The slide pump system of claim 1, further comprising a bar linkage system connected to the plurality of reciprocating components and configured to control movement and relative positioning of the plurality of reciprocating components.

11. The slide pump system of claim 10, wherein the bar linkage system comprises one or more connection bars, one or more end bars, one or more v-bars, and one or more reciprocator bars.

12. The slide pump system of claim 11, wherein the one or more end bars and the one or more connection bars rotatably interface with respective fixed pivot locations arranged longitudinally along the slide pump system.

13. The slide pump system of claim 12, wherein, longitudinally along the slide pump system, the respective fixed pivot locations alternate between alignment with two different rotation axes.

14. The slide pump system of claim 1, further comprising a press plunger and a block plunger, wherein a lower surface of the press plunger and side surfaces of the block plunger and a reciprocating component of the plurality of reciprocating components at least partially define an intermediate space when (i) the press plunger and the reciprocating component are at least partially retracted and (ii) the block plunger is at least partially advanced.

15. The slide pump system of claim 14, further comprising an auxiliary chamber arranged proximate to the working chamber, wherein the press plunger, the block plunger, and the reciprocating component are configured to selectively open the intermediate space to the auxiliary chamber, the inlet region, or the outlet region.

16. The slide pump system of claim 15, wherein the press plunger, the block plunger, and the reciprocating component are configured to selectively open the intermediate space to the auxiliary chamber and the inlet region, wherein pressure of the medium at the inlet region is greater than pressure of the medium in the auxiliary chamber to enable the medium to enter the auxiliary chamber from the inlet region via the intermediate space to increase pressure within the auxiliary chamber to drive reciprocation of the plurality of reciprocating components.

17. The slide pump system of claim 14, wherein the press plunger and the block plunger are configured to reciprocate along a same reciprocation axis as the reciprocating components of the plurality of reciprocating components.

18. A slide pump system, comprising: a working chamber comprising an inlet region and an outlet region; and a plurality of reciprocating components, wherein reciprocating components of the plurality of reciprocating components are configured to advance into and retract from the working chamber to function as a series of one-way valves to facilitate movement of a medium from the inlet region to the outlet region.

19. The slide pump system of claim 18, wherein the reciprocating components of the plurality of reciprocating components are configured to reciprocate along a same reciprocation axis.

20. A slide pump system, comprising: a working chamber comprising an inlet region and an outlet region; an auxiliary chamber arranged proximate to the working chamber; and a plurality of reciprocating components, wherein reciprocating components of the plurality of reciprocating components are configured to reciprocate along a same directional axis, wherein a subset of reciprocating components of the plurality of reciprocating components is configured to advance into and retract from the working chamber during reciprocation along the same directional axis, wherein the plurality of reciprocating components comprises a press plunger and a block plunger, wherein a lower surface of the press plunger and side surfaces of the block plunger and a reciprocating component of the plurality of reciprocating components at least partially define an intermediate space when (i) the press plunger and the reciprocating component are at least partially retracted along the same directional axis and (ii) the block plunger is at least partially advanced along the same directional axis, wherein the press plunger, the block plunger, and the reciprocating component are configured to selectively open the intermediate space to the auxiliary chamber, the inlet region, or the outlet region.

Images