Patent ID: 6234761
Filing Date: 2001-05-22
Classification: E21B,F04F

Abstract:
A pump comprising:a pump chamber arranged to receive liquid to be pumped and air;a delivery pipe for delivery of the liquid by the air to a location remote from said pump chamber;an air pipe for flow of air therein;said delivery pipe and said pump chamber in fluid communication;said air pipe and said pump chamber in fluid communication;a first air flow control to control air flow via said air pipe during first and second stages of a pumping cycle of the pump;a timer to control the operation of said first air flow control to thereby set the durations of said first and second stages of said pumping cycle; anda first valve to allow, in use, liquid to enter said pump chamber;wherein an air supply pipe is provide to supply the air that is directed by said first air flow control via said air pipe to said pump chamber in said first stage of said pumping cycle of the pump;wherein a branch pipe is provided for air flow from said air supply pipe to said delivery pipe in said second stage of said pumping cycle to assist carriage of liquid along said delivery pipe in said second stage of said pumping cycle;wherein in said first stage of said pumping cycle of the pump, said first air flow control allows air to be directed via said air pipe to said pump chamber for a time period set by said timer to cause liquid to be pushed from said pump chamber into said delivery pipe with the air for delivery via said delivery pipe to said location, and in said second stage of said pumping cycle said first air flow control allows air to vent from said pump chamber via said air pipe for a time period set by said timer and said first valve allows liquid to enter said pump chamber whilst liquid and air are able to continue to travel along said delivery pipe toward said location.