Patent ID: 8246316
Filing Date: 2012-08-21
Classification: B01D,B60P,E03F,F04C,F04D,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A pump for pumping a fluid, the pump comprising: a motor; a centrifugal pump having a main inlet and a main outlet, the centrifugal pump having an impeller that is driven by the motor; a reservoir having an inlet fluidly coupled to the main inlet of the centrifugal pump; a vacuum pump fluidly coupled to the reservoir for creating a reduced pressure in the reservoir to help draw fluid through the inlet of the reservoir, the vacuum pump having a pumping capacity; a float positioned in the reservoir for detecting a fluid level in the reservoir, wherein when the fluid level in the reservoir reaches a desired level, the float opens a float valve to let air into the reservoir to maintain the desired level; and wherein, when the float valve is in a fully open position, the float valve has a size/capacity that is greater than or equal to the pumping capacity of the vacuum pump.