Patent Publication Number: US-2004042907-A1

Title: Ram pump

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001] The present invention relates to the field of hydraulic ram pumps.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002] Hydraulic ram pumps, also called water rams or ram pumps, are well-known devices that, using only a source of flowing fluid, can pump said fluid at relatively high pressure. However, known ram pumps can suffer from the need to utilize a large number of precision parts in the valving areas, at commensurate costs, in order to provide reliable, efficient pumping. There is a need for a relatively efficient and reliable hydraulic ram pump that is relatively inexpensive to construct.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003] In accordance with the present invention there is disclosed an improved ram pump for use with a fluid source having an initial head. The ram pump is of the generally known type that has an intake manifold engagable with the fluid source, the intake manifold defining a waste outlet and a pump outlet therethrough. The ram pump is also of the generally known type that has a waste valve member selectively moveable between a waste configuration whereat the fluid source is flowable through the waste outlet and a closed configuration whereat the waste valve member sealingly obstructs flow of the fluid source through the waste outlet. Further, the ram pump is of the generally known type that has a check valve member selectively moveable between a ram configuration whereat the check valve member substantially obstructs flow of the fluid source through the pump outlet and a pump configuration whereat the fluid source is flowable through the pump outlet. The ram pump is of the type that is generally known to urge the waste valve member towards the closed configuration when the check valve member is in the ram configuration and the waste valve member is in the waste configuration, and when the fluid source is at a first maximum head. The ram pump is also of the type that is generally known to urge the check valve member towards the pump configuration when the waste valve member is in the closed configuration and the check valve member is in the ram configuration, and when the fluid source is at a second maximum head. The ram pump is still further of the type that is generally known to urge the waste valve member towards the waste configuration when the check valve member is in the pump configuration and the waste valve member is in the closed configuration, and when the fluid source is at a first minimum head. The ram pump is yet further of the type that is generally known to urge the check valve member towards the ram configuration when the waste valve member is in the waste configuration and the check valve member is in the pump configuration, and when the fluid source is at a second minimum head. In accordance with the present invention, the improvement comprises the waste valve member being selectively moveable along a path having a vertical component between the default waste configuration and the closed configuration, with the waste valve member being gravity-biased towards the default waste configuration. The check valve member is selectively moveable along a substantially horizontal path between the ram configuration and the pump configuration, with the check valve member being biased towards the ram configuration, wherein the fluid source is substantially horizontally flowable through the pump outlet when the check valve member is in the pump configuration.  
       [0004] According to a further aspect of the invention, a tubular skirt portion extends in a substantially downward direction from a peripheral portion of the waste valve member.  
       [0005] According to another aspect of the invention, the path having a vertical component comprises a substantially vertical axis.  
       [0006] According to a still further aspect of the invention, the intake manifold includes a waste valve body and a manifold casing engagable with the fluid source. The manifold casing securely engages a lower end portion of the waste valve body. The waste valve body defines in throughpassing relation a waste conduit extending between the lower end portion and an upper end portion of the waste valve body. The waste conduit is in fluid communication with the manifold casing substantially adjacent to the lower end portion and in fluid communication with the waste outlet substantially adjacent to the upper end portion of the waste valve body. The waste valve body includes an upper bearing mounted substantially adjacent to the upper end portion and a lower bearing mounted substantially adjacent to the lower end portion. A longitudinal upper piston portion of the waste valve member extends in a substantially upward direction from a central portion of the waste valve member and engages the upper bearing in throughpassing slidable relation. A longitudinal lower piston portion of the waste valve member extends in the substantially downward direction from the central portion of the waste valve member and engages the lower bearing in throughpassing slidable relation.  
       [0007] According to yet another aspect of the invention, a peripheral cushioning member extends transversely from the longitudinal upper piston portion. The peripheral cushioning member selectively engages the upper bearing when the waste valve member is in the default waste configuration.  
       [0008] According to a yet further aspect of the preferred embodiment of the invention, the substantially horizontal path comprises a substantially horizontal axis.  
       [0009] According to another aspect of the preferred embodiment of the invention, the fluid source is substantially unobstructed by the check valve body when the check valve member is in the pump configuration.  
       [0010] According to yet still another aspect of the preferred embodiment of the invention, the fluid source is flowable through the pump outlet into a pressure vessel when the check valve member is in the pump configuration. The pressure vessel defines a vessel outlet and contains a substantially impermeable bladder membrane that is remotely positioned relative to both the pump outlet and the vessel outlet respectively. The bladder membrane encloses a buffer fluid that is elastically pressurized when the check valve member is in the pump configuration.  
       [0011] According to a further aspect of the preferred embodiment of the invention, the manifold casing, the check valve body, and the waste valve body are each respectively constructed from conventional valving mechanisms.  
       [0012] Other advantages, features and characteristics of the present invention, as well as methods of operation and functions of the related elements of the structure, and the combination of parts and economies of manufacture, will become more apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description with reference to the accompanying illustrations, the latter of which is briefly described hereinbelow. 
     
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES  
     [0013] In the accompanying Figures, which should be expressly understood to be for the purpose of illustration and description only, and are not intended as a definition of the limits of the invention:  
     [0014]FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of an improved ram pump according to a preferred embodiment of the invention showing, in phantom outline, the bladder membrane inside the pressure vessel.  
     [0015]FIG. 2 is a partially exploded view of the structure of FIG. 1;  
     [0016]FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of the waste valve body of FIG. 2 showing, in phantom outline, the waste valve member in the waste configuration;  
     [0017]FIG. 4 is a partially sectional view along sight line  4 - 4  of FIG. 3 with the waste valve member in the closed configuration;  
     [0018]FIG. 5 is an enlarged sectional view of the check valve member of FIG. 2 shown in the ram configuration;  
     [0019]FIG. 6 is an enlarged sectional view of the check valve member of FIG. 2 shown in the pump configuration;  
     [0020]FIG. 7 is a front, bottom perspective partial view of the waste valve member of FIG. 4;  
     [0021]FIG. 8 is a front, bottom perspective view of an extender according to a preferred embodiment of the invention; and  
     [0022]FIG. 9 is a view of the extender of FIG. 8, in use with the pump of FIG. 1. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
     [0023] Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown an improved ram pump  20  for use with a fluid source (not shown) having an initial head. The ram pump  20  is of a type that has an intake manifold  22  engagable with the fluid source. The intake manifold  22  defines a waste outlet  36  and a threaded pump outlet  24  therethrough.  
     [0024] The ram pump  20  also includes a waste valve member  42  that is selectively moveable between a waste configuration whereat the fluid source is flowable through the waste outlet  36  (as best seen in FIG. 3) and a closed configuration whereat the waste valve member  42  sealingly obstructs flow of the fluid source through the waste outlet  36  (as best seen in FIG. 4).  
     [0025] Further, the ram pump  20  also includes a check valve member  54  that is selectively moveable between a ram configuration whereat the check valve member  54  substantially obstructs flow of the fluid source through the pump outlet  24  (as best seen in FIG. 5) and a pump configuration whereat the fluid source is flowable through the pump outlet  24  (as best seen in FIG. 6).  
     [0026] As best seen in FIGS. 1, 2 and  6 , the fluid source is flowable through the pump outlet  24  into a pressure vessel  70  when the check valve member  54  is in the pump configuration. The pressure vessel  70  includes a vessel cap member  78  and a hollow vessel body  80  that defines a threaded vessel outlet  72 . The hollow vessel body  80  has a closed end  82  and an open end  84  and is in fluid communication with the vessel outlet  72  which is intermediate the closed end  82  and the open end  84 . The vessel cap member  78  sealingly and threadingly engages the open end  84  of the vessel body  80 , and in this regard, the open end  84  of the hollow vessel body  80  is provided with threads  86  to sealingly engage, in use, corresponding threads  88  provided on the vessel cap member  78 . The vessel cap member  78  has a vessel inlet  79  formed therethrough, and is rigidly connected, by welding or the like, to the manifold casing  26 . The vessel inlet  79  of the vessel cap member  78  and the pump outlet  24  of the manifold casing  26  are in fluid communication with one another.  
     [0027] The pressure vessel  70  contains a substantially impermeable bladder membrane  74  that is positioned within the vessel body  80  adjacent the closed end  82  and remotely positioned relative to both the pump outlet  24  and the vessel outlet  72  respectively. The bladder membrane  74  encloses a buffer fluid  76  that is elastically pressurized when the check valve member  54  is in the pump configuration. The bladder membrane  74 , which is constructed from rubber or a similar elastic material, may be filled with air or any other elastically pressurizable fluid.  
     [0028] The intake manifold  22  includes a tubular waste valve body  28  and a manifold casing  26  that is engagable with the fluid source adjacent a threaded supply inlet  27 A thereof. The manifold casing  26  is in fluid communication with the pump outlet  24  of the intake manifold  22  and has a threaded waste body port  27 B. The manifold casing  26 , as shown in the figures, may be formed from a conventional 2″ tee fitting, constructed out of 316-1 stainless steel and having a ¼″ wall thickness.  
     [0029] The threaded waste body port  27 B of the manifold casing  26  securely, sealingly and threadingly engages a lower end portion  30  of the waste valve body  28 . The waste valve body  28  defines in throughpassing relation a waste conduit  32  extending between the lower end portion  30  and an upper end portion  34  of the waste valve body  28 . The waste conduit  32  is in fluid communication with the manifold casing  26  substantially adjacent to the lower end portion  30  and in fluid communication with the waste outlet  36  substantially adjacent to the upper end portion  34  of the waste valve body  28 . The waste valve body  28  also defines a constricted portion  33  of the waste conduit  32  that is intermediate of the lower end portion  30  and the waste outlet  36 , and has a smaller cross-sectional area than some other portions of the waste conduit  32 . The constricted portion  33  has a seat portion  33 A.  
     [0030] The waste valve body also includes an upper bearing  38  rigidly mounted, by welding or the like, substantially adjacent to the upper end portion  34  and a lower bearing  40  rigidly mounted, by welding or the like, substantially adjacent to the lower end portion  30 . A longitudinal upper piston portion  50  of the waste valve member  42  extends in a substantially upward direction “D” from a central portion  48  of the waste valve member  42 . The longitudinal upper piston portion  50  extends through the constricted portion  33  of the waste conduit  32 , through the waste outlet  36 , and engages the upper bearing  38  in throughpassing slidable relation. The upper piston portion  50  has a threaded upper end portion  51 . A longitudinal lower piston portion  52  of the waste valve member  42  extends in the substantially downward direction “C” from the central portion  48  of the waste valve member  42 . The longitudinal lower piston portion  52  engages the lower bearing  40  in throughpassing slidable relation. The upper and lower piston portions,  50  and  52 , move with the waste valve member  42  between the waste and the closed configurations.  
     [0031] A peripheral cushioning member  60  extends transversely from the longitudinal upper piston portion  50 . The peripheral cushioning member  60  includes a conventional nut or fastening member  62  threadingly engaging the threaded upper end portion  51  of the upper piston portion  50  of the waste valve member  42 . The peripheral cushioning member  60  also includes a compressible pad member  64  positioned about the upper piston portion  50  and securely engaging the fastening member  62 . A reinforcing ring member  66  securely engages the compressible pad member  64  in circumferential relation.  
     [0032] As best seen in FIGS. 3 and 4, the waste valve member  42  is selectively moveable, in use, along a path having a vertical component, and preferably along a substantially vertical axis A-A, between the default waste configuration and the closed configuration, such that the waste valve member  42  is gravity-biased towards the lower end portion  30  of the waste valve body  28  and towards the default waste configuration. As best shown in FIG. 3, the peripheral cushioning member  60 , and more specifically the compressible pad member  64 , selectively engages the upper bearing  38  when the waste valve member  42  is in the default waste configuration.  
     [0033] As best seen in FIG. 7, a tubular skirt portion  46  extends in a substantially downward direction “C” from a peripheral portion  44  of the waste valve member  42 . The tubular skirt portion  46  has a circumference slightly smaller than the base of the peripheral portion  44 , and slightly larger than the constricted portion  33 . As best shown in FIG. 4, the peripheral portion  44  securely engages a peripheral O-ring member  45  that sealingly engages the seat portion  33 A when the waste valve member  42  is in the closed configuration.  
     [0034] It will be appreciated by persons of ordinary skill in the art that the waste valve body  28  and the waste valve member  42 , as best seen in FIGS. 3 and 4, may together be constructed from a 1 ½″ nominal OD threaded coupling  100  and a conventional 1 ¼″ stainless steel gravity-biased check valve  102 , modified as follows: in the provision of the skirt portion  46 ; in the placement of the bearings  38 ,  40 ; in the provision of the cushioning member  60 ; and in the provision of the constricted portion  33 .  
     [0035] As best seen in FIGS. 5 and 6, the check valve member  54  is selectively moveable, in use, along a substantially horizontal path, and preferably along a substantially horizontal axis B-B, between the ram configuration and the pump configuration. The check valve member  54  is spring biased towards the ram configuration by a spring member  58 C. The check valve member  54  also includes a check valve body  56  and a valve cap member  58 . The spring member  58 C is mounted to the check valve body  56  and to the valve cap member  58  to bias the valve cap member  58  for movement towards the ram configuration.  
     [0036] The check valve body  56  has a downstream end  57 B, an internally threaded portion  57 A, and a threaded check valve coupling  55  sealingly, threadingly engaged within the internally threaded portion  57 A of the check valve body  56 . The check valve body  56  has a check valve seat  59  formed therein, substantially adjacent to the downstream end  57 B. The valve cap member  58  has a valve cap  58 A and a stem  58 B, and is mounted to the check valve body  56 . In use, the valve cap member  58  moves along the substantially horizontal axis B-B between the ram configuration whereat the valve cap  58 A rests on the check valve seat  59  to substantially obstruct flow of the fluid source through the pump outlet  24  and the downstream end  56 B of the check valve body  56 , as best seen in FIG. 5, and the pump configuration whereat the valve cap  58 A is disposed apart from the check valve seat  59  to permit substantially unobstructed fluid flow through the check valve member  54 , as best seen in FIG. 6.  
     [0037] In use, the check valve member  54  is disposed within the pressure vessel  70 . The threaded check valve coupling  55  extends from the internally threaded portion  57 A, through the vessel inlet  79  of the vessel cap member  78 , to securely, sealingly and threadingly engage the pump outlet  24  of the manifold casing  26 . It will be noted that the check valve member  54  of the preferred embodiment may be formed from a conventional 1 ¼ check valve, constructed of stainless steel, modified only by the removal of a tubular portion which, as purchased, extends slightly beyond the valve cap  70  when seated, so as to shield the same when in the check valve member is in the pump configuration. With this modification, and as best seen in FIG. 6, the fluid source is substantially horizontally flowable through the pump outlet  24 , and substantially unobstructed by the check valve body  56 , when the check valve member  54  is in the pump configuration.  
     [0038] As such, it will be appreciated from the foregoing that the manifold casing  26 , the check valve body  54 , and the waste valve body  28  may each respectively be constructed from conventional valving mechanisms.  
     [0039] In use, the supply inlet  27  of the manifold casing  26  is coupled to the fluid source (not shown), so as to permit flowing water or some other fluid to enter the manifold casing  26  through the supply inlet  27 . The valve cap member  58  of the check valve member  54 , being biased as aforementioned towards the ram configuration, substantially obstructs the flow of fluid into the pressure vessel  70 , causing fluid to instead flow into the waste valve body  28 , around the waste valve member  42 , which is initially positioned in the waste configuration as shown in FIG. 3, and out of the waste outlet  36 . The ram pump  20  is of a type that urges the waste valve member  42  towards the closed configuration when the check valve member  54  is in the ram configuration and the waste valve member  42  is in the waste configuration, and when the fluid source is at a first maximum head, namely, when the fluid source reaches a certain maximum speed through the waste outlet  36  sufficient to overcome the gravity-biasing of the waste valve member  42  towards the waste configuration. That is, the flowing force of said fluid source ultimately (i.e., at the first maximum head) drags the waste valve member  42  to the closed configuration, as best seen in FIG. 4, to sealingly obstruct flow through the waste outlet  36 .  
     [0040] Thereafter, the momentum of the flowing water (a “water hammer”) from the fluid source causes a temporary increase in pressure within the manifold casing  26  to reach a second maximum head that is sufficient to overcome the bias of the spring member  58 C and permit a charge of water to enter the pressure vessel  70 , and to elastically pressurize the air or other fluid contained within the bladder membrane  74 . That is, the check valve member  54  is urged towards the pump configuration when the waste valve member  42  is in the closed configuration and the check valve member  54  is in the ram configuration, and when the fluid source is at the second maximum head.  
     [0041] Next, at a first minimum head, once the pressure between the manifold casing  26  and the pressure vessel  70  has substantially equalized, the waste valve member  42  tends to move, under force of gravity, away from the closed configuration and towards the waste configuration, as best seen in FIG. 3, since any drag forces (at the first maximum head) which may have previously caused it to move towards the closed configuration have dissipated and no longer exist, such that flow can again occur through the waste valve body  28 . To put it another way, the ram pump  20  urges the waste valve member  42  towards the waste configuration when the check valve member  54  is in the pump configuration and the waste valve member  42  is in the closed configuration, and when the fluid source is at the first minimum head.  
     [0042] To complete the cycle, the check valve member  54  is urged towards the ram configuration when the waste valve member  42  is in the waste configuration and the check valve member  54  is in the pump configuration, and when the fluid source is at a second minimum head. That is, flow of the fluid source through the waste outlet  36  results in insufficient pressure within the manifold casing  26  to continue to resist the spring-biasing of the check valve member  54  towards the ram configuration, and therefore, the valve cap  70  in the check valve member  54  naturally returns to the ram configuration, thereby substantially obstructing further flow between the manifold casing  26  and the pressure vessel  70 .  
     [0043] Over time, and with repeated cycles of the improved ram pump  20  as aforesaid, pressure in the air or other fluid contained within the bladder membrane  74 , and pressure on any water or other fluid within the pressure vessel  70 , will build until it is sufficient to expel such water or other fluid through the vessel outlet  72  against any stationary head that may exist, or until it matches the instantaneous pressure created by the water hammer. The pressure in the buffer fluid  76  may also act as a steady exhausting force to remove fluid from the vessel body  80  at a substantially more uniform rate than any rate at which it may be supplied from the manifold casing  26  through the pump outlet  24 . That is, an intermittent flow of fluid may be converted by the bladder membrane  74  and the buffer fluid  76  into a more uniform and constant stream.  
     [0044] Depending, inter alia, upon the initial head of the water supplied to the supply inlet  27 , and the stationary head which needs to be overcome before water or other fluid can be expelled through the vessel outlet  72 , adjustments to a stroke length and/or to an effective weight of the waste valve member  42 , such as are known to persons of ordinary skill in the art, may need to be made to the ram pump  20 . Adjustments to the stroke length can be achieved simply by manipulation of the fastening member  62  of the cushioning member  60 , and sliding the pad member  64  and the reinforcing ring member  66  accordingly. Adjustments to the effective weight of the waste valve member  42  can be achieved by affixing a suitable weight to the threaded upper end portion  51  of the upper piston portion  50 . Nuts, for example, could be used. However, in circumstances where the water or other fluid is delivered to the supply inlet  27  at a substantial initial head or pressure, substantial forces may need to be applied to the upper piston portion  50  in order to overcome same. In such case, relatively more massive objects need be used. For this purpose, an extender  90 , as illustrated in FIG. 8, may be threaded onto the threaded upper end portion  51  of the upper piston portion  50  in the manner illustrated in FIG. 9, to permit larger weights to be employed.  
     [0045] Without intending to be bound by theory, the relatively high efficiency of the present invention is obtained inter alia through the modification of the check valve member  54 , as aforesaid, which is believed to improve flow characteristics between the manifold casing  26  and the pressure vessel  70 ; through the substantially horizontal orientation of the check valve member  54  along axis B-B; and through the provision of the skirt portion  46  and the constricted portion  33 , which are believed to provide an advantageous swirling flow (not shown) in the waste valve body  28 . Similarly, without intending to be bound by theory, the relatively high reliability of the present invention is obtained inter alia through the positioning of the upper and lower bearings  38 ,  40  and in the provision of the cushion member  60 , which lessens the shock that would otherwise be placed on the waste valve member  42 . The use of conventional valving mechanisms, in part, is responsible for the relatively low cost of the structure.  
     [0046] Of course, various modifications may be made to the present invention without departing from its spirit or scope. Accordingly, the present invention should be understood as being limited only by the accompanying claims, purposively construed. An example of one such modification is the replacement of the vessel cap member  78  with a cap plate (not shown) that may be rigidly connected, by welding or the like, directly to the threaded check valve coupling  55 . In such a modification, the cap plate and the vessel body  80  might also be adapted to securely and sealingly engage one another by way of a clamp member (not shown). Likewise, it will be appreciated that the vessel outlet  72 , although shown in the accompanying figures to have a substantially vertical axis, may be oriented along an axis that does not even have a vertical component (i.e., that is horizontal). As well, and as best seen in FIG. 4, the threaded coupling  100  may be provided with or without a constricted upper portion; such a constricted upper portion would serve to accelerate passage of the fluid source through the coupling  100 . Another modification that is specifically contemplated by the invention, and one that may be of particular application inter alia where there is a low existing stationary head, is that of a ram pump  20  provided without a pressure vessel  70 , that instead feeds fluid directly from the pump outlet  24  to an end user. In light of the various exemplary modifications and alterations outlined above which do not depart from the spirit or scope of the invention, it should once again be noted that the present invention is limited only by the accompanying claims.