Wave-driven variable leverage pump for water desalination.

Abstract

A wave-driven variable leverage pump for water desalination is disclosed. According to one embodiment, the variable leverage pump comprises a platform and a paddle with at least one lever arm extending therefrom. The at least one lever arm is pivotally coupled to the platform. The pump further comprises a pump having a first end pivotally coupled to the platform and a second end pivotally coupled to the paddle. A pivot point of the at least one lever arm is located above a pivot point of the pump relative to the platform.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] (CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS) This application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 276,683, filed November 8, 2021, entitled "Wave Driven Variable Leverage Pump For Water Desalination," which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0002] (Technical field) FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE The present disclosure relates generally to pump technology, and more particularly to motion-driven pumps for desalination. [Background technology]

[0003] (background) In some cases, the reverse osmosis process can be used to remove salt from seawater to produce drinking water. Removing salt from water may be referred to herein as "desalination." In order for water to pass through a reverse osmosis membrane, the water may need to be pressurized to at least 800 PSI. Therefore, an improved pump that allows for dynamic desalination of water is desired.

[0004] The foregoing examples of the related art and their attendant limitations are intended to be illustrative and not exclusive, and are not admitted to be "prior art." Other limitations of the related art will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading this specification and studying the drawings. Summary of the Invention [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] (Abstract) A wave-driven variable leverage pump for water desalination is disclosed. According to one embodiment, the variable leverage pump (e.g., wave-driven variable leverage pump) includes a platform and a paddle, the paddle including at least one lever arm extending therefrom. The at least one lever arm is pivotally coupled to the platform. The pump further includes a pump having a first end pivotally coupled to the platform and a second end pivotally coupled to the paddle. A pivot point of the at least one lever arm is located above a pivot point of the pump relative to the platform.

[0006] The above and other preferred features, including various novel details of implementation and combinations of events, will now be more particularly described with reference to the accompanying drawings and pointed out in the claims. It will be understood that the specific systems and methods described herein are shown by way of illustration only and not as limiting. As will be understood by those skilled in the art, the principles and features described herein can be employed in various and numerous embodiments without departing from any scope of the present invention. As can be inferred from the foregoing and following descriptions, each and every feature described herein, and each and every combination of two or more such features, is included within the scope of the present disclosure, provided that the features included in such combinations are not mutually inconsistent. In addition, any feature or combination of features may be specifically excluded from any embodiment of the present invention.

[0007] The foregoing summary, including the description of some embodiments, the motivation therefor, and / or their usefulness, is intended to aid the reader in understanding the present disclosure and in no way limits the scope of any of the claims. The present invention provides, for example, the following. (Item 1) 1. A variable leverage pump, comprising: Platform and a paddle having at least one lever arm extending therefrom, the at least one lever arm pivotally coupled to the platform; A pump, a first tip pivotally coupled to the platform; and a second tip pivotally coupled to the paddle, the pivot point of the at least one lever arm being located above a pivot point of a pump relative to the platform; a pump comprising: A variable leverage pump. (Item 2) Item 10. The variable leverage pump of item 1, wherein the paddle is buoyant. (Item 3) Item 1. The variable leverage pump of item 1, wherein the at least one lever arm comprises a first lever arm and a second lever arm, the first lever arm extending from a first tip of the paddle and the second lever arm extending from a second tip of the paddle. (Item 4) Item 1. The variable leverage pump of item 1, wherein the pump is configured to output a water pressure of at least 800 pounds per square inch (PSI). (Item 5) Item 1. The variable leverage pump of item 1, wherein the second end of the pump comprises a piston rod pivotally coupled to the paddle. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] The accompanying drawings, which are included as part of this specification, illustrate presently preferred embodiments and, together with the general description given above and the detailed description of the preferred embodiments given below, serve to explain and teach the principles described herein.

[0009] [Figure 1A] FIG. 1A is an illustration of an exemplary variable leverage pump, according to some embodiments.

[0010] [Figure 1B] FIG. 1B is an illustration of an exemplary variable leverage pump, according to some embodiments.

[0011] [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is an illustration of an exemplary desalination system that accommodates a variable leverage pump, according to some embodiments.

[0012] While the present disclosure is subject to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in detail herein. The present disclosure should not be construed as limited to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the intent is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] (Detailed explanation) A variable leverage pump for water desalination is disclosed. For simplicity and clarity of illustration, it is contemplated that, where considered appropriate, reference numerals may be repeated among the figures to indicate corresponding or analogous elements. Additionally, numerous specific details are set forth to provide a thorough understanding of the exemplary embodiments described herein. However, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the exemplary embodiments described herein may be practiced without these specific details.

[0014] (Wave-driven variable leverage pump) Embodiments of variable leverage pumps are described herein. Variable leverage pumps can use buoyancy and inertia forces to pump water (e.g., seawater). As an example, variable leverage pumps can use wave power to pump seawater at high pressures (e.g., pressures greater than 800 pounds per square inch (PSI)). As described herein, the reverse osmosis process can be used for desalination to produce drinking water. Thus, the variable leverage pumps described herein can be used to pump water (e.g., seawater) through a reverse osmosis membrane for the desalination process.

[0015] In some embodiments, the variable leverage pump (also referred to herein as a "variable leverage actuator") may include a paddle. The paddle may be a buoyant (e.g., floating) paddle. The paddle may be coupled (e.g., attached) to one or more levers. The fulcrum of each of the one or more levers may be pivotally coupled (e.g., attached) to a platform. By way of example, the platform may be a stable platform positioned adjacent to (e.g., on) the bottom of a body of water (e.g., the seabed). In some cases, the variable leverage pump may be submerged to a suitable depth in a body of water (e.g., seawater) such that the paddle floats near the surface of the water. The levers 102 may rotate about their respective lever fulcrums 104.

[0016] 1A and 1B are diagrams of an exemplary variable leverage pump 100. The variable leverage pump 100 may include a paddle 101, one or more levers 102, a pump 103 (also referred to as a piston 103), one or more lever fulcrums 104, a piston rod 105, a force coupling 106, a pump fulcrum 107, and a platform 108. As shown in FIG. 1A, the paddle 101 may be coupled to levers 102a and 102b (collectively referred to as levers 102). In some cases, the paddle 101 may be an elliptical solid or other shape. The paddle 101 may have at least a threshold level of buoyancy to support the weight of the levers 102 (e.g., when the variable leverage pump 100 is submerged in water). Each of the levers 102 may be coupled (e.g., coupled collectively) to the platform 108 by a respective lever fulcrum 104. As shown in FIG. 1A, levers 102a and 102b may be pivotally coupled to platform 108 by lever fulcrums 104a and 104b, respectively (pivotally referred to as lever fulcrums 104).

[0017] In some embodiments, the paddle 101 may be coupled (e.g., pivotally coupled) to the piston rod 105 by a force coupling 106. The piston rod 105 may be coupled to the pump 103 (also referred to as a "piston"). The pump 103 may be a single-action pump such that the pump 103 may only generate pressure when the piston rod 105 enters the pump 103 (e.g., while the paddle 101 is deflected from a vertical position). The pump 103 may be coupled (e.g., pivotally coupled) to the platform 108 by a pump fulcrum 107. The pump 103 may rotate about the pump fulcrum 107. Based on the coupling of the paddle 101, the lever 102, the pump 103, the piston rod 105, and the platform 108, the lever 102 may actuate the piston rod 105 within the pump 103. The lever 102 rotates, and the paddle 1 01 The rotational movement of the piston rod 105 may cause actuation of a piston rod 105 within the pump 103. Actuating the piston rod 105 within the pump 103 may cause the pump 103 to pressurize a liquid (e.g., water) available to the pump 103.

[0018] In some embodiments, the paddle 101 may include and / or consist of a buoyant material including a fiberglass material (e.g., a low-mass fiberglass material). Each lever 102 may include and / or consist of a stainless steel and / or Monel alloy material. The pump 103 and piston rod 105 may include and / or consist of a stainless steel and / or Monel alloy material, respectively. In some cases, the platform 108 may include a mortar and / or gypsum (e.g., cement) material. In some cases, the platform 108 may include one or more metal (e.g., steel, iron, etc.) structures. The platform 108 may be comprised of a ferrocement material including a mortar and / or gypsum material combined with a metal structure(s).

[0019] In some cases, a reverse osmosis membrane may be coupled to pump 103. An example of a reverse osmosis membrane for use with variable leverage pump 100 may be the Model M-S2521A membrane manufactured by Applied Membranes, Inc. The reverse osmosis membrane may have a threshold pressure of 800 PSI such that when a liquid is applied to the side of the membrane with a minimum pressure of 800 PSI, a liquid (e.g., water) may flow through the membrane. A housing may include the reverse osmosis membrane and may be coupled to pump 103. The housing containing the membrane may include and / or be made of stainless steel and / or Monel alloy material. An example of a housing containing a reverse osmosis membrane for use with variable leverage pump 100 may be a housing manufactured by Spectra Watermakers, Inc.

[0020] In some embodiments, lever fulcrum 104 corresponding to lever 102 can be positioned a distance above pump fulcrum 107 corresponding to pump 103. Lever fulcrum 104 can be positioned above pump fulcrum 107 relative to platform 108. Such positioning enables variable leverage capabilities of variable leverage pump 100, which can be advantageous for extracting power from variable waves when variable leverage pump 100 is submerged in water. Variable waves can refer to waves of varying amplitude and / or varying period.

[0021] In some embodiments, when the variable leverage pump 100 is submerged in water, the pulsating motion is generated by the paddle 1. 01The wave motion can act on the paddle 101 in multiple ways, including through buoyancy and inertia. Buoyancy can be a force that moves the paddle 101 and lever 102 toward a vertical (e.g., upright) position. Inertia can be a force that deflects the paddle 101 and lever 102 from a vertical position toward a horizontal position. The inertia can deflect the paddle 101, thereby creating a downward force on the piston rod 105 through the force coupling 106. The downward force on the piston rod 105 through the force coupling 106 can actuate the piston rod 105, thereby pressurizing the pump 103. Actuating the pump 103 can cause water (e.g., seawater) contained in and / or available to the pump 103 to be pushed through a reverse osmosis membrane as described herein. For example, when the variable leverage pump 100 is submerged in water, actuation of the piston rod 105 in the pump 103 by wave forces (e.g., including inertial forces) can force water through the reverse osmosis membrane, causing the pump 103 to pressurize the water at a threshold level of pressure (e.g., 800 PSI).

[0022] In some embodiments, when the paddle 101 is positioned in a vertical position as described herein, any suitable wave can act on the paddle 101, causing it to move (e.g., displace) and generate pressure in the pump 103. Waves that exert a greater force on the paddle 101 can cause increased displacement of the paddle 101 and lever 102 from the vertical position. The optimal force applied to the paddle 101 can be the force that causes the maximum displacement of the paddle 101 from the vertical position (e.g., toward a horizontal position). The maximum force that can be applied to the pump 103 (e.g., via the piston rod 105) can be a function of the area of ​​the pump 103 (e.g., the area through which the piston rod 105 is actuated) and a threshold pressure corresponding to the reverse osmosis membrane coupled to the pump 103. By way of example, the maximum force that can be applied to the pump 103 can be defined as the area of ​​the pump 103 multiplied by the threshold pressure of the membrane, where the threshold pressure of the membrane can be 800 PSI.

[0023] With reference to FIG. 1B, the paddle 101, lever 102, pump 103 and piston rod 105 are in a vertical (e.g., upright) position 1 2 When positioned at zero, the mechanical advantage of variable leverage pump 100 approaches infinity as the movement onto pump 103 via piston rod 105 approaches zero. As paddle 101 is deflected (e.g., via inertial forces) from vertical position 120 toward a horizontal position, the mechanical advantage decreases proportionally and the movement of piston rod 105 increases. Figure 1B illustrates the relationship between deflection and mechanical advantage for variable leverage pump 100.

[0024] 1B, the geometric center of paddle 101 may be referred to as force center 109. The length of lever 102 may be referred to as L. The length between lever fulcrum 104 and force coupling 106 may be referred to as L'. The vertical distance between lever fulcrum 104 and pump fulcrum 107 (e.g., fulcrum offset) may be referred to as E. The variable load arm may be referred to as T and may be defined by Equation 1. (1) T=tan(Φ')L'

[0025] Angle Φ' may be the angle between lever 102 and piston rod 105, as shown in FIG. 1B. Angle Φ may be the angle of the center of force point 109 of paddle 101 relative to vertical position 120, as shown in FIG. 1B, which may be referred to as paddle deflection. When the center of force point 109 of paddle 101 is positioned at vertical position 120, angle Φ may be 0°. When the center of force point 109 of paddle 101 is positioned parallel to platform 108, angle Φ may be 90°. Leverage at force coupling 106 may be defined by Equation 2:

number

[0026] As the paddle 101 and lever(s) 102 are deflected further from the vertical position 120, T becomes larger and the leverage at the force coupling 106 decreases accordingly. When the paddle deflection angle Φ is 90°, T may be equal to E, where E is the fulcrum offset. The minimum leverage of the variable leverage pump 100 may be defined by Equation 3:

number

[0027] The greater the deflection of the lever(s) 102 from the vertical position 120 (as measured by the paddle deflection angle Φ), the greater the force required to move the lever(s) 102 from the vertical position 120. As an example, when the variable leverage pump 100 is submerged in water, smaller, less forceful waves can actuate the piston rod 105 in the pump 103 with a small deflection of the lever(s) 102. Larger, more forceful waves can actuate the piston rod 105 in the pump 103 with a large deflection of the lever(s) 102. The waves can deflect the paddle 101 and the lever(s) 102 until an equilibrium is reached between the wave force and the resistance of the pump 103. The wave force and the resistance of the pump 103 can form an automatic power matching system. With the paddle 101 and lever(s) 102 deflected from the vertical position 120, the buoyancy of the paddle 101 can move the unloaded paddle 101 and lever(s) 102 back to the vertical position 120.

[0028] In some cases, when variable leverage pump 100 is submerged in water, the cavity (e.g., contained within pump 103) in which pump 103 operates may be filled with water. The cavity (e.g., contained within pump 103) may be completely filled with water when paddle 101 and lever(s) 102 are positioned in vertical position 120. When paddle 101 and lever(s) 102 are deflected from vertical position 120 (e.g., based on force from waves), pump 103 may push water contained within pump 103 out of pump 103 through a reverse osmosis membrane (e.g., for desalination), thereby reducing the amount of water contained within pump 103. When the unloaded paddle 101 and lever(s) 102 return to the vertical position 120 (e.g., by the buoyancy of the paddle 101) and the piston rod 105 is moved out of the pump 103, the cavity of the pump 103 can refill with water.

[0029] As an example, the variable leverage pump 100 may include lever(s) 102 with a length L=20 feet and a fulcrum offset E=2 feet. For such an example, the leverage range of the variable leverage pump 100 may be from 8 to less than infinity. A 1 ton inertial wave force applied to the paddle 101 and lever(s) 102 can generate a minimum piston rod 105 force of 16 tons. Each full stroke of the piston rod 105 may be equivalent to a fulcrum offset of 2 feet. For a 6-inch diameter pump 103, pressures in excess of 1100 PSI can be generated, which may require the variable leverage pump 100 to include a platform 108 at least approximately 60 feet in length. Such a variable leverage pump 100 may be capable of routinely producing thousands of gallons of desalinated water.

[0030] In another example, variable leverage pump 100 may include lever(s) 102 with a length L=20 feet, a fulcrum offset E=2 feet, a 5-inch diameter for pump 103, a 3-foot stroke length for pump 103, and a platform 108 with dimensions of 60 feet by 30 feet. For such variable leverage pump 100, when paddle 101 is moved 45° from vertical position 120 (e.g., moved to half deflection) for each stroke of pump 103 at 4 seconds per stroke, piston rod 105 can move approximately 1 foot to cause pump 103 to pump approximately 1 gallon of water per stroke through the reverse osmosis membrane. For a 24-hour period in which variable leverage pump 100 operates at 4 seconds per stroke, variable leverage pump 100 can operate at approximately 21,600 strokes per day and pump approximately 21,600 gallons of water through the reverse osmosis membrane. In some cases, approximately 80% of the water pumped produces potable water, so the variable leverage pump 100 produces approximately 17,280 gallons of potable water over a 24-hour period.

[0031] FIG. 2 is an illustration of an exemplary desalination system 200 that accommodates a variable leverage pump, according to some embodiments. As shown in FIG. 2, the desalination system 200 may include an intake 202, a prefilter 206, a pump 210, a reverse osmosis membrane 214, a water output 218, and a brine output 222. The intake 202 may be coupled to the prefilter 206. The prefilter 206 may be coupled to the intake 202 and the pump 210. The pump 210 may be coupled to the prefilter 206 and the reverse osmosis membrane 214. The reverse osmosis membrane 214 may be coupled to the pump 210 and may include a water output 218 and a brine output 222. The prefilter 206 and the reverse osmosis membrane 214 may each be contained within a respective housing. Each housing may be coupled to the pump 210 by one or more connectors (e.g., brackets).

[0032] In some embodiments, pump 210 may include and / or otherwise be coupled to piston rod 212. Pump 210 may include any and / or all of the characteristics of a pump as described herein (e.g., pump 103). In some cases, pump 210 may be similar to pump 103 as described herein with respect to FIGS. 1A and 1B. Piston rod 212 may include any and / or all of the characteristics of a piston rod as described herein (e.g., piston rod 105). In some cases, piston rod 212 may be similar to piston rod 105 as described herein with respect to FIGS. 1A and 1B. Pump 210 and piston rod 212 may be part of a variable leverage pump as described herein (e.g., variable leverage pump 100). Piston rod 212 may be actuated within pump 210 via a paddle (e.g., paddle 101), thereby pushing water through reverse osmosis membrane 214 for the desalination process.

[0033] In some embodiments, desalination system 200 may be submerged in water and desalinate water received through intake 202. The directional arrows shown in FIG. 2 indicate an exemplary direction of water flowing through desalination system 200. When desalination system 200 is submerged in water, water may flow into intake 202. After flowing into intake 202, the water may flow through prefilter 206. Prefilter 206 may filter debris and / or any other foreign matter from the water. After prefilter 206 filters the water flowing through prefilter 206, the water may flow to pump 210. The water may flow and fill a cavity corresponding to pump 210. In some cases, the water may remain in pump 210 and not flow through reverse osmosis membrane 214. A threshold amount of pressure may be required to be applied to the water (e.g., by pump 210) to cause the water to flow through reverse osmosis membrane 214. As an example, the threshold amount of water pressure required for water to flow through a membrane may be 800 PSI.

[0034] In some cases, piston rod 212 may actuate within pump 210, thereby applying pressure to water stored in pump 210. Actuating piston rod 212 within pump 210 may pressurize water and force the pressurized water through reverse osmosis membrane 214. The water flowing through reverse osmosis membrane 214 may be fresh drinking water. The drinking water may exit the housing of reverse osmosis membrane 214 through water output 218. Water output 218 may be a storage tank and / or any suitable container configured to receive drinking water. In some cases, saltwater containing substances that do not permeate reverse osmosis membrane 214 may exit the housing of reverse osmosis membrane 214 through saltwater output 222.

[0035] (term) The phrases and terminology used herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

[0036] Measurements, sizes, amounts, and the like may be expressed herein in range format. Descriptions in range format are provided merely for convenience and brevity and should not be construed as an inflexible limitation on the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the description of a range should be considered to have specifically disclosed all possible subranges as well as individual numerical values ​​within that range. For example, the description of a range such as 1 to 20 meters should be considered to have specifically disclosed subranges such as 1 meter, 2 meters, 1 to 2 meters, less than 2 meters, 10 to 11 meters, 10 to 12 meters, 10 to 13 meters, 10 to 14 meters, 11 to 12 meters, 11 to 13 meters, etc.

[0037] Additionally, connections between components or systems in the figures are not intended to be limiting as to the direction of the connections. Rather, data or signals between these components may be modified, reformatted, or otherwise altered by intermediate components. Also, additional or fewer connections may be used. It will be understood that the terms "coupled," "connected," or "communicatively coupled" include direct connections, indirect connections through one or more intermediate devices, wireless connections, etc.

[0038] References in the specification to "one embodiment," "a preferred embodiment," "an embodiment," "some embodiments," or "embodiments" mean that a particular feature, structure, characteristic, or function described in connection with that embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the invention, and may be included in more than one embodiment. Also, the appearance of the above-noted phrases in various places in the specification does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or embodiments.

[0039] The use of certain terms in various places in the specification is for illustrative purposes only and should not be construed as limiting. A role, function, or resource is not limited to a single role, function, or resource. The use of these terms may refer to a grouping of related roles, functions, or resources, which may be separate or combined.

[0040] Additionally, one skilled in the art will recognize that: (1) certain steps may be performed optionally; (2) steps may not be limited to the particular order set forth herein; (3) certain steps may be performed in different orders; and (4) certain steps may be performed simultaneously or concurrently.

[0041] As used in the specification and claims, the term "approximately," the phrase "approximately equal," and other similar phrases (e.g., "X has a value of approximately Y" or "X is approximately equal to Y") should be understood to mean that one value (X) is within a predetermined range of another value (Y). The predetermined range can be plus or minus 20%, 10%, 5%, 3%, 1%, 0.1%, or less than 0.1%, unless otherwise specified.

[0042] The indefinite articles "a" and "an," as used in the specification and in the claims, should be understood to mean "at least one" unless clearly indicated to the contrary. The phrase "and / or," as used in the specification and in the claims, should be understood to mean "either or both" of the elements so connected, i.e., elements present in some conjunctival and other conjunctival states. Multiple elements listed with "and / or" should be construed in the same manner, i.e., "one or more" of the elements so connected. Other elements other than those specifically identified by the "and / or" clause may optionally be present, whether related or unrelated to those elements specifically identified. Thus, as a non-limiting example, a reference to "A and / or B," when used in conjunction with open-ended language such as "comprising," can refer, in one embodiment, to A only (optionally including elements other than B), in another embodiment to B only (optionally including elements other than A), and in yet another embodiment to both A and B (optionally including other elements).

[0043] When used in the specification and in the claims, "or" should be understood to have the same meaning as "and / or" as defined above. For example, when grouping items in a list, "or" or "and / or" will be construed as inclusive, i.e., including more than one, as well as including at least one of a number or list of elements and, optionally, additional items not listed. Only terms clearly indicated to the contrary, such as "only one of" or "exactly one of," or "consisting of," as used in the claims, will refer to the inclusion of exactly one element of a number or list of elements. In general, the use of the term "or" will only be construed as indicating exclusive alternatives (i.e., "one or the other, but not both") when followed by terms of exclusivity, such as "either," "one of," "only one of," or "exactly one of." When used in the claims, "consisting essentially of" will have its ordinary meaning as used in the field of patent law.

[0044] As used in the specification and in the claims, the phrase "at least one," when used in reference to a list of one or more elements, should be understood to mean at least one element selected from any one or more of the elements in the list of elements, but not necessarily including at least one of each and every element specifically listed within the list of elements, and not excluding any combinations of elements in the list of elements. This definition also allows for elements other than those specifically identified in the list of elements to which the phrase "at least one" refers, optionally being present, whether related or unrelated to those elements specifically identified. Thus, as a non-limiting example, "at least one of A and B" (or, equivalently, "at least one of A or B" or, equivalently, "at least one of A and / or B") can refer in one embodiment to at least one (optionally more than one) A with no B present (and optionally including elements other than B), in another embodiment to at least one (optionally more than one) B with no A present (and optionally including elements other than A), and in yet another embodiment to at least one (optionally more than one) A (optionally including other elements) and at least one (optionally more than one) B.

[0045] The terms "including," "comprising," "having," "containing," "including," and variations thereof are meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and additional items.

[0046] The use of ordinal numbers such as "first," "second," "third," etc. to modify claim elements in a claim does not, by itself, imply any priority, precedence, or ordering of one claim element relative to other claim elements, or the chronological order in which method actions are performed. Ordinal numbers distinguish one claim element with a certain name from other elements with the same name (excluding the use of ordinal numbers), and are used merely as labels to distinguish between claim elements.

[0047] Specific embodiments of the subject matter have been described. Other embodiments are within the scope of the following claims. For example, the actions recited in the claims can be performed in a different order and still achieve desirable results. As one example, the processes depicted in the accompanying figures do not necessarily require the particular order or sequential sequence shown to achieve desirable results. In some implementations, multitasking and parallel processing may be useful. Other steps or stages may be provided, or steps or stages may be omitted from the described processes. Accordingly, other implementations are within the scope of the following claims.

[0048] It will be contemplated by those skilled in the art that the preceding examples and embodiments are illustrative and do not limit the scope of the present disclosure. All permutations, extensions, equivalents, combinations, and improvements thereof that become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading this specification and studying the drawings are intended to be included within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. It is also noted that elements of any claim may be arranged differently, including having multiple dependencies, configurations, and combinations.

[0049] Having thus described several aspects of at least one embodiment of this invention, it is contemplated that various alterations, modifications, and improvements will readily occur to those skilled in the art. Such alterations, modifications, and improvements are intended to be part of this disclosure, and are intended to be within the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the foregoing description and drawings are by way of example only.

Claims

1. 1. A variable leverage pump, comprising: The platform, a paddle having at least one lever arm extending therefrom, the at least one lever arm being pivotally coupled to the platform; A pump comprising: a first tip pivotally coupled to the platform; and a second tip pivotally coupled to the paddle, the pivot point of the at least one lever arm being located above a pivot point of a pump relative to the platform; A pump comprising: A variable leverage pump comprising:

2. 10. The variable leverage pump of claim 1, wherein said paddle is buoyant.

3. 2. The variable leverage pump of claim 1, wherein the at least one lever arm comprises a first lever arm and a second lever arm, the first lever arm extending from a first end of the paddle and the second lever arm extending from a second end of the paddle.

4. 10. The variable leverage pump of claim 1, wherein the pump is configured to output a water pressure of at least 800 pounds per square inch (PSI).

5. 2. The variable leverage pump of claim 1, wherein the second end of the pump comprises a piston rod pivotally coupled to the paddle.

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