Viscous, Inertial Pressure, with Energy Recovery pump

Abstract

A liquid pump comprising a closed and trapped impeller, gas filled chamber, turbine, gas / liquid level controls, liquid reservoir, and volute; configured to; reduce hydraulic losses, capture used kinetic energy, speed liquid rotation at suction eye, and increase efficiency of transporting liquids. This embodiment, eliminates liquid viscous drag between impeller and housing, recovers liquid kinetic energy while maintaining full discharge pressure. The trapped impeller is disposed in the gas filled chamber to rotate and accelerate liquids, thereby; causing the liquid to create inertial resistance to centripetal force, causing a flow which, creates pressure in the air / gas chamber, which is separated from liquid kinetic energy, making kinetic energy easier to recover without reducing pressure. The configuration allows much larger impeller diameters without the devastating hydraulic losses seen when traditional centrifugal pump impeller diameters are increased.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims domestic priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 708,737 filed Oct. 17, 2024, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

[0002] Not applicable.REFERENCE TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT

[0003] Not applicable.REFERENCE TO A SEQUENCE LISTING, A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING APPENDIX, OR TABLE

[0004] Not applicable.BACKGROUND

[0005] All liquid centrifugal pumps use impellers which are submerged in the liquids being pumped. Conventional impeller / housing configurations, grossly, limit achievable efficiency.

[0006] There is a need for pump architectures that; reduce drag and hydraulic losses on the impeller exterior, reduce tight clearances, maintain prime within a gas / air space; separate kinetic energy from pressure energy to enable efficient recovery of the fluid kinetic energy.BRIEF SUMMARY

[0007] This disclosure relates to a pump architecture with a volute, an impeller configured to rotate inside a housing, in a gas-filled region above the volute and liquid reservoir. Said volute accelerates liquid to a high-angular velocity before entering the impeller, which further accelerates the liquid. Rotating in an air / gas space, allows the impeller to rotate, free of exterior, liquid hydraulic losses. A trap, on the perimeter of an impeller, sustains prime by preventing gas / air from entering impeller perimeter. Introducing liquid flow into the air / gas filled region, naturally, Separates kinetic energy of pumped liquid from the pressure energy the liquid's inertia created, A circumferential turbine, disposed coaxially near the perimeter of the impeller outlet, converts a portion of the pumped liquid kinetic energy to mechanical and / or electrical power.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] FIG. 1, is a cross-sectional view of a full pump system.

[0009] FIG. 2, is a cross-section of the closed and trapped impeller.DETAILED DESCRIPTIONSystem Overview (FIG. 1)

[0010] This disclosure relates to a Viscous Inertial Pressure with Energy Recovery (VIPER) pump A VIPER pump assembly includes a housing 9 containing an internal gas-filled, pressurized cavity 11 above a, liquid reservoir 12, an inlet volute 1 receives incoming liquid, at its perimeter, and forces it into a, high velocity vortex. This vortex passes through the sealed suction eye 2 of the closed and trapped impeller 3. The bladeless impeller accelerates liquid to high angular velocity. The impeller 3 does not accelerate liquid radially. By accelerating a liquids angular velocity; the inertia of the liquid's mass, applies pressure against the centripetal force created by downstream system pressure. Accelerating liquid by viscous drag avoids the energy intensive force that blades put on liquid in an effort to mechanically push the liquid radially, tangent to the natural, straight path, of inertia. When liquid exits the trap of the impeller 3 it is traveling tangent to the rotation and passes through a small amount of air / gas on its way to the circumscribing turbine 4. A turbine, connected to a shaft, may drive any mechanical device in an effort to recover a percentage of the liquid's kinetic energy. In some embodiments, this shaft may be connected to an electric generator 5. an air / gas pressure regulator 6, Penetrating the housing 9, well above the liquid level, adds or removes pressure for purposes of regulating the liquid / gas interface level. Before starting the rotation of the impeller 3; the liquid level regulator must regulate the liquid level above the impeller 3 then the impeller drive controller 7 instructs the drive 10 to start at a low RPM in the range of 100 RPM to 200 RPM, then the controller 7, using the liquid level regulator, returns the liquid level back to its lower running level to ensure that liquid is not in contact with the suction plate of the impeller 3, but only contacts a small portion of the, smaller diameter, suction eye 2. If the suction eye seal 2 is capable of keeping an air tight seal, without liquid contact on the pressure side, the operating liquid level can be lower than the suction eye 2, thereby; eliminating more liquid drag on the impeller 3. The entire system must be installed and operated with a vertical rotation axis. This system should be operated with a vertical impeller shaft and turbine shaft and horizontal rotation of impeller 3.

[0011] The configuration, in FIG. 1, also has the advantage of utilizing larger impeller 3 diameters, this will increase head and GPM, while viscous drag and hydraulic losses remain very low, in comparison to, standard centrifugal pump impellers with increased diameters.Variations

[0012] The toroidal trap and / or Closed and Trapped Impeller are suggested variations but represent an impeller perimeter control system that allows liquid to pass out but will not allow air / gas to enter the impeller's perimeter, therefore maintaining prime. Some embodiments could include but are not limited to; pipe configurations with standard pipe traps, Spring actuated flow restrictors on the perimeter of impeller, Rubber strip seals that remain tight together at low RPM but will expand apart as impeller speed and internal pressure builds. Some embodiments could replace the air pressure controller with any type of external liquid priming mechanism.

Examples

Embodiment Construction

System Overview (FIG. 1)

[0010]This disclosure relates to a Viscous Inertial Pressure with Energy Recovery (VIPER) pump A VIPER pump assembly includes a housing 9 containing an internal gas-filled, pressurized cavity 11 above a, liquid reservoir 12, an inlet volute 1 receives incoming liquid, at its perimeter, and forces it into a, high velocity vortex. This vortex passes through the sealed suction eye 2 of the closed and trapped impeller 3. The bladeless impeller accelerates liquid to high angular velocity. The impeller 3 does not accelerate liquid radially. By accelerating a liquids angular velocity; the inertia of the liquid's mass, applies pressure against the centripetal force created by downstream system pressure. Accelerating liquid by viscous drag avoids the energy intensive force that blades put on liquid in an effort to mechanically push the liquid radially, tangent to the natural, straight path, of inertia. When liquid exits the trap of the impeller 3 it is traveling tange...

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims domestic priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 708,737 filed Oct. 17, 2024, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

[0002] Not applicable.REFERENCE TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT

[0003] Not applicable.REFERENCE TO A SEQUENCE LISTING, A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING APPENDIX, OR TABLE

[0004] Not applicable.BACKGROUND

[0005] All liquid centrifugal pumps use impellers which are submerged in the liquids being pumped. Conventional impeller / housing configurations, grossly, limit achievable efficiency.

[0006] There is a need for pump architectures that; reduce drag and hydraulic losses on the impeller exterior, reduce tight clearances, maintain prime within a gas / air space; separate kinetic energy from pressure energy to enable efficient recovery of the fluid kinetic energy.BRIEF SUMMARY

[0007] This disclosure relates to a pump architecture with a volute, an impeller configured to rotate inside a housing, in a gas-filled region above the volute and liquid reservoir. Said volute accelerates liquid to a high-angular velocity before entering the impeller, which further accelerates the liquid. Rotating in an air / gas space, allows the impeller to rotate, free of exterior, liquid hydraulic losses. A trap, on the perimeter of an impeller, sustains prime by preventing gas / air from entering impeller perimeter. Introducing liquid flow into the air / gas filled region, naturally, Separates kinetic energy of pumped liquid from the pressure energy the liquid's inertia created, A circumferential turbine, disposed coaxially near the perimeter of the impeller outlet, converts a portion of the pumped liquid kinetic energy to mechanical and / or electrical power.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] FIG. 1, is a cross-sectional view of a full pump system.

[0009] FIG. 2, is a cross-section of the closed and trapped impeller.DETAILED DESCRIPTIONSystem Overview (FIG. 1)

[0010] This disclosure relates to a Viscous Inertial Pressure with Energy Recovery (VIPER) pump A VIPER pump assembly includes a housing 9 containing an internal gas-filled, pressurized cavity 11 above a, liquid reservoir 12, an inlet volute 1 receives incoming liquid, at its perimeter, and forces it into a, high velocity vortex. This vortex passes through the sealed suction eye 2 of the closed and trapped impeller 3. The bladeless impeller accelerates liquid to high angular velocity. The impeller 3 does not accelerate liquid radially. By accelerating a liquids angular velocity; the inertia of the liquid's mass, applies pressure against the centripetal force created by downstream system pressure. Accelerating liquid by viscous drag avoids the energy intensive force that blades put on liquid in an effort to mechanically push the liquid radially, tangent to the natural, straight path, of inertia. When liquid exits the trap of the impeller 3 it is traveling tangent to the rotation and passes through a small amount of air / gas on its way to the circumscribing turbine 4. A turbine, connected to a shaft, may drive any mechanical device in an effort to recover a percentage of the liquid's kinetic energy. In some embodiments, this shaft may be connected to an electric generator 5. an air / gas pressure regulator 6, Penetrating the housing 9, well above the liquid level, adds or removes pressure for purposes of regulating the liquid / gas interface level. Before starting the rotation of the impeller 3; the liquid level regulator must regulate the liquid level above the impeller 3 then the impeller drive controller 7 instructs the drive 10 to start at a low RPM in the range of 100 RPM to 200 RPM, then the controller 7, using the liquid level regulator, returns the liquid level back to its lower running level to ensure that liquid is not in contact with the suction plate of the impeller 3, but only contacts a small portion of the, smaller diameter, suction eye 2. If the suction eye seal 2 is capable of keeping an air tight seal, without liquid contact on the pressure side, the operating liquid level can be lower than the suction eye 2, thereby; eliminating more liquid drag on the impeller 3. The entire system must be installed and operated with a vertical rotation axis. This system should be operated with a vertical impeller shaft and turbine shaft and horizontal rotation of impeller 3.

[0011] The configuration, in FIG. 1, also has the advantage of utilizing larger impeller 3 diameters, this will increase head and GPM, while viscous drag and hydraulic losses remain very low, in comparison to, standard centrifugal pump impellers with increased diameters.Variations

[0012] The toroidal trap and / or Closed and Trapped Impeller are suggested variations but represent an impeller perimeter control system that allows liquid to pass out but will not allow air / gas to enter the impeller's perimeter, therefore maintaining prime. Some embodiments could include but are not limited to; pipe configurations with standard pipe traps, Spring actuated flow restrictors on the perimeter of impeller, Rubber strip seals that remain tight together at low RPM but will expand apart as impeller speed and internal pressure builds. Some embodiments could replace the air pressure controller with any type of external liquid priming mechanism.

Examples

Embodiment Construction

System Overview (FIG. 1)

[0010]This disclosure relates to a Viscous Inertial Pressure with Energy Recovery (VIPER) pump A VIPER pump assembly includes a housing 9 containing an internal gas-filled, pressurized cavity 11 above a, liquid reservoir 12, an inlet volute 1 receives incoming liquid, at its perimeter, and forces it into a, high velocity vortex. This vortex passes through the sealed suction eye 2 of the closed and trapped impeller 3. The bladeless impeller accelerates liquid to high angular velocity. The impeller 3 does not accelerate liquid radially. By accelerating a liquids angular velocity; the inertia of the liquid's mass, applies pressure against the centripetal force created by downstream system pressure. Accelerating liquid by viscous drag avoids the energy intensive force that blades put on liquid in an effort to mechanically push the liquid radially, tangent to the natural, straight path, of inertia. When liquid exits the trap of the impeller 3 it is traveling tange...

Claims

1. A liquid pump apparatus comprising: a volute disposed to increase angular acceleration of liquid before entering the suction eye of impeller; a closed impeller rotatable on an axis with a perimeter trap configured to maintain impeller prime as it rotates in an air / gas filled section of the housing or in open air applications with no housing; a housing configured to maintain liquid / gas pressure and provide open area for liquid to fall, by gravity, to the pool at the bottom section of the housing for discharge into piping system, also to provide connection points for piping systems; a turbine circumscribing the impeller in the gas filled portion of the housing configured to recover residual kinetic energy from impeller discharge; gas / liquid level controls used to control liquid level, in housing, for startup or operation modes.

2. The pump apparatus of claim 1, wherein a volute is used to increase angular acceleration of liquid prior to entering impeller suction eye.

3. The pump apparatus of claim 1, wherein a closed impeller may have or not have internal blades and has a trap mechanism manufactured as part of or added to its perimeter in a manner that enables it to accelerate and eject liquid while rotating in an air / gas filled environment, without allowing gases to enter impeller's perimeter.

4. The pump apparatus of claim 1, wherein a turbine circumscribing the impeller is utilized to capture residual kinetic energy of the impeller's discharge liquid within an open gas / air space and having no contact with low kinetic energy liquid.

5. The pump apparatus of claim 1, wherein a control system regulates air pressure to adjust liquid levels within the pump housing, for startup or run levels, in coordination with the RPM of the drive motor and splitting drive motor electric supply between mains, battery, and generator.

6. The pump apparatus of claim 1, wherein a gas such as helium may be utilized in the pump housing to further reduce the viscous drag resistance of air and reduce flammability or explosion issues when pumping flammable liquids.

7. The pump apparatus of claim 1, wherein a housing is configured to provide mounting surfaces for liquid level sensors, gas pressure injection or release, inlet piping, outlet piping, and mounting brackets of inner tank features such as the volute.

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