Abstract:
Improvements in an ejector-less vacuum creation pump using suction from a low vibration and noise Eddy pump to create vacuum from the suction side of the pump volute where a liquid tornado effect feeds into an Eddy current effect located in the tornado center. Low heat is transferred to the fluid used to create the vacuum. The piping provides a fully open looped system, enabling self-priming of the pump where 2″ solid objects can pass thru the pump without clogging or plugging the pump. Fluid can be pumped in any direction with up to a 4 psi head pressure using the pump as a dedicated discharge pump and for quicker discharging of a VCHT tank at increased head pressures. This pump implement continuous vacuum creation, maintaining 18 Hg with a vacuum release valve to prevent build-up of urine crystals and other pipe clogging issues.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    Not Applicable 
       STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
       [0002]    Not Applicable 
       THE NAMES OF THE PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT 
       [0003]    Not Applicable 
       INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC 
       [0004]    Not Applicable 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0006]    This invention relates to improvements in a vacuum creation pump for drawing viscous fluids. More particularly, the present vacuum creation pump utilizes the suction draw of an Eddy pump. The Eddy pump and a special 3″ adapter which is connected to the suction inlet of the Eddy pump, which creates a type of choking effect, increasing the velocity thru the suction, while allowing the air inside the piping to escape, creating the vacuum in the pipeline. 
         [0007]    2. Description of Related Art Including Information Disclosed Under 37 CFR 1.97 and 1.98 
         [0008]    Shipboard and land based vacuum creation systems today have a high rate of maintenance and hardware failures due to the current method used to create vacuum while recirculation of the collected material thru an ejector. Current vacuum systems use ejectors and ejector pumps to create vacuum for VCHT (Vacuum Collection Holding Tank) systems. Other vacuum creation systems use pumps with ejector type mechanics built inside the pump such as used in U.S. Pat. No. 5,535,770 issued on Jul. 16, 1996 to Pekka Nurmi and U.S. Pat. No. 6,474,357 issued Nov. 5, 2002 to Tommi Naski. 
         [0009]    Clogging and breakage of the vacuum creation hardware occurs when a solid object that cannot be chopped up, is larger than the ejector nozzle size, female high gene materials, mop strings and other foreign objects that have been introduced into the waste tank or flushed down the vacuum system. This creates hardware failures, operational downtime and an increase in maintenance time and costs. When vacuum cannot be created for whatever reasons, the use of toilets and other vacuum usage abilities are disabled and non-operational. 
         [0010]    Any need for vacuum creation with the ability to pass solid objects and or while pumping at various liquid viscosities and sledges. Land based system, ship and at sea based systems or any application were vacuum pressure is needed to be created using liquid of various viscosities. Existing vacuum creation systems are available, none create vacuum from the suction side of the pump and do not have the solid object pass-thru. 
         [0011]    Several products and patents have been. Exemplary examples of patents covering these products are disclosed herein. 
         [0012]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,034,421 issued Jul. 12, 1977 to Lars Pihl et al., for a vacuum sewer system including a collecting tank. This patent uses a circulating pump with a liquid jet pump that is inserted in the closed path to establish the vacuum. This patent does not use an Eddy pump to generate the vacuum. 
         [0013]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,488,963 issued Dec. 18, 1984 to Bo G. Hellers discloses a sewage system for waste water. This patent uses a converter in which the partial vacuum is converted into excess pressure. This patent does not use an Eddy pump to generate the vacuum. 
         [0014]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,354,807 issued Mar. 12, 2002 to Serguei Popev et al., for a method for generating vacuum and pumping-ejection apparatus for realizing the same. This patent uses a liquid gas ejector to create the vacuum by transforming a portion of the liquid ejecting medium into the vaporous state. This patent does not use an Eddy pump to generate the vacuum 
         [0015]    Using a liquid “ejector” type of device did not work, this device needs high liquid velocity to create vacuum on a discharge pump device and uses a small nozzle to increase the velocity for vacuum creation by using the jetting effect created by the nozzle. The use of “sanitary wyes” type of piping device did not allow for vacuum creation and air removal for cavitations purposes. 
         [0016]    What is needed is a vacuum system with the ability to pass solid objects and or while pumping at various liquid viscosities and sledges. The Eddy Pump Vacuum pump method of creating vacuum is revolutionary in its method of creating vacuum with the collected liquid and while passing solid objects. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0017]    It is an object of the ejector-less vacuum creation pump using suction that is created from the suction side of the pump. The piping configuration needed provides a fully open looped system, which enables self-priming of the pump. Due to the 2″ solid object pass thru, no object able to be flushed down a vacuum toilet would clog/plug up any part of the pump or vacuum creation process. 
         [0018]    It is an object of the ejector-less vacuum creation pump using suction by balancing the flow, air removal and motor current. The Eddy pump creates inside the pump volute, a liquid tornado effect that feeds into an Eddy current effect located in the center of the tornado. This natural creation of fluid movement has many benefits for a vacuum collection, holding and transfer tank (VCHT) system on board a ship, sea platforms and land based systems. 
         [0019]    It is an object of the ejector-less vacuum creation pump using suction to eliminate the clogging that occurs due to the very effective macerating/chopping effect created with Eddy effect and recirculation of the fluid back to the VCHT tank. 
         [0020]    It is an object of the ejector-less vacuum creation pump using suction to operate with common 3″ suction, 3″ discharge connected into a 4″ discharge piping back to the VCHT. 
         [0021]    It is an object of the ejector-less vacuum creation pump using suction to operate the Eddy pump at a motor speed is 1200 RPM, this assists greatly in low vibration, low noise, along with less wear on the pump material, which is extremely low already with the Eddy pump effect that is created. 
         [0022]    It is an object of the ejector-less vacuum creation pump using suction to use the inline vacuum creation of the Eddy pump thereby eliminating the need to circulate back to the VCHT tank to create vacuum. Fluid can be pumped in any direction with up to a 4 psi head pressure and or using the pump as a dedicated discharge pump and also for quicker discharging of the VCHT tank at increased head pressures. 
         [0023]    It is an object of the ejector-less vacuum creation pump using suction to create vacuum while discharging the VCHT tank. 
         [0024]    It is an object of the ejector-less vacuum creation pump using suction to have a very low heat transfer to the fluid being used to create the vacuum, most of the heat is dissipated in the open air of the closed coupling of the motor shaft and the pump seal dissipating heat to the open air in the pump room. This increases ease of vacuum creation while having to consistently use the same fluid in the tank. 
         [0025]    It is an object of the ejector-less vacuum creation pump using suction to utilize the tornado effect feeding into the Eddy effect to create a non-obstructing, non-internal pump parts contact, macerating/chopping effect with the material suspended in the fluid. The Eddy Pump does not cavitate when the fluid viscosity or head pressure changes occur nor while removing air from the piping system. This also greatly reduces the ability to heat the fluid. 
         [0026]    It is another object of the ejector-less vacuum creation pump using suction as a continuous duty pump. Eddy pump have been used in pumping brine applications for years and only seal changes are typically required for maintenance that require no operational down time. Due to the continuous duty of the Eddy pumps, it is possible to implement continuous vacuum creation, maintaining 18 Hg with a vacuum release valve, verses a 14-18 Hg set point and duty cycling the pumps on and off. This keeps the velocity inside the piping much higher, preventing build-up of urine crystals and other pipe clogging issues that occur when lower velocity is present while passing the material thru the piping. 
         [0027]    It is still another object of the ejector-less vacuum creation pump using suction to use the pump seal in a non-mechanical seal. These seals do not leak or need replacement when worn to operate. The pump seal should never get in the way of using the pump for vacuum creation or tank discharging. 
         [0028]    Various objects, features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention, along with the accompanying drawings in which like numerals represent like components. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S) 
         [0029]      FIG. 1  shows a diagrammatic view of an Eddy pump. 
           [0030]      FIG. 2  shows a cross-sectional view taken along the lines  2 - 2  of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0031]      FIG. 3  shows a pictorial schematic of the ejector-less vacuum creation pump using suction using an Eddy pump. 
           [0032]      FIG. 4  is a cross sectional view of the BGREEN13-VSE showing the flow of media through the BGREEN13-VSE. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0033]      FIG. 1  shows a diagrammatic view of an Eddy pump for purposes of illustration, the invention has embodied a shaft sealing system or apparatus  10  for a pump  12  that comprises a pump housing or casing  14  having a pump inlet  16  and a pump outlet  18 .  FIG. 2  shows a cross-sectional view taken along the lines  2 - 2  of  FIG. 1 . Within the pump housing or casing  14  is a chamber  20  containing a rotating impeller or rotor  22 . The rotor is affixed to a drive shaft  24  that extends through an opening  26  in the pump casing. The drive shaft is journaled for rotation within a bearing housing which is bolted to the pump casing at one end thereof. A drive means such as a motor  29  has a rotatable output shaft  27  coupled by a shaft coupling device to the drive shaft. Within the bearing housing are radial and thrust bearings that locate and permit the drive shaft to rotate. It is desirable that liquid and foreign material, such as dirt or sand, be prevented from traveling along the shaft  24  from the pump casing opening  26  into the bearings to prevent contamination. 
         [0034]    The Eddy pump vacuum pump apparatus  10  creates vacuum from the suction inlet side  16  of the pump  12  due to the physical characteristics of the Eddy effect centered inside a liquid tornado feeding the Eddy effect, located inside the pump volute and with the BGREEN13-VSE attached to the suction inlet  16  of the pump  12 . This effect creates a tremendous liquid lift/draw to the volutes suction inlet. When the Eddy pumps suction feed to the pump volute is properly manipulated by a special pump suction piping connector attached to the face of the pump called the BGREEN13-VSE and the volute suction is flooded, vacuum pressure is efficiently and effectively created with without the need for any external hardware, chopping mechanisms and ejector nozzles. Due to the vacuum being created at the suction of the Eddy Pump by the BGREEN-VSE, recirculation back to a tank  38 , as shown in  FIG. 3 , is not needed to create vacuum while discharging from the pump  12  and empting a tank  38  filled with liquid  44 . 
         [0035]      FIG. 3  shows a pictorial schematic of the ejector-less vacuum creation pump using suction using an Eddy pump and  FIG. 4  is a cross sectional view of the BGREEN13-VSE showing the flow of media through the BGREEN13-VSE. A 1200 RPM 10 Horsepower motor  29  drives the 3″ Eddy pump BGREEN13-VSE  33 . While specific size, diameter, output and or dimension may be provided in this detailed description, the values are given for reference to a preferred embodiment. These values can be altered based upon the design installation or criteria. The valves provide a testing, calculation and experimentally achieved embodiment. Some variation for these factors and ratios provide equivalent or superior functionality and are represented in the appended claims. A 3″×4″ pipe expander  39  is connected between the output of the Eddy pump  34  and a 4″ isolation valve  30 . The 3″×4″ pipe expander causes a reduction in the pressure as media flows into 4″ discharge pipe  41  to discharge media  45  from the pump  34  to the vacuum collection, holding and transfer tank (VCHT)  38 . The 4″ discharge pipe  41  is oriented above the Eddy pimp  34  to create a head pressure within the Eddy pump  34  to provide more stable flow through the Eddy pump  34 . The length (or height) of the discharge pipe  41  establishes the back pressure on the discharge of the Eddy pump  34 . 
         [0036]    In this figure, the discharge pipe  41 , is located above the fluid level  44  in the VCHT tank  38  but the level  44  within the VCHT tank  38  can vary and a vent/overflow  43  is shown to prevent pressure variation within the VCHT tank  38  and prevent bursting from an overfill condition. Media from within the VCHT tank  38  is drawn into a 3″ pipe  31  that is in the existing ship that is connected to the VCHT tank  38 . This 3″ pipe is connected to a 3″ isolation valve  32 . The isolation valve  32  is connected to a BGREEN13-VSE  33  where fluid is drawn into  52  the BGREEN13-VSE  33 . The BGREEN13-VSE  33  is a 3″ pipe fabricated with a 2″ Tee. The cross sectional area of the side Tee to the through pipe is approximately 50% but a range of between 25% and 75% will generally provide the desired result. The Eddy pump  34  suction  51  velocity is increased by the BGREEN13-VSE  33 , increasing the suction pull  51  of the Eddy pump  34  which increases the velocity of the fluid passing  53  by a 2″ vacuum pipe connection. This draws the air in the area of the vacuum piping system attached to the 2″ vacuum pipe connection into the pump creating the negative pressure needed to maintain liquid fluid flow which is typically 14 to 18″ Hg. Using the BGREEN13-VSE  33  attached to the Eddy pump  34  can create a vacuum pressure of up to 29″ Hg. The 3″ Eddy pump  34  and BGREEN13-VSE  33  can pump and pass-through the suction and discharge of the pump up to a 2″ solid spherical object while creating vacuum with a vacuum recovery efficient enough to operate in a VCHT vacuum collection system. 
         [0037]    A 2″ connecting pipe  35  that connects between the BGREEN13-VSE  33  to an output of the vacuum flapper check valve  36 . The vacuum flapper check valve  36  is connected to a vacuum distribution manifold  37  where it can be connected  42  to secondary vacuum pump(s). Solid objects with a mass of up to 1″ less in suction feed pipe size can pass thru the Eddy pump without any blockage or harm to the inside of the volute. Vacuum is still created while pumping the solid objects. Traditional, connecting a vacuum flapper check valve to the suction piping of the Eddy pump allows for collection of the vacuum. Due to the natural Eddy pump effect created, vacuum can be produced in a continuous duty application. 
         [0038]    This preferred embodiment provides the ability to create vacuum pressure in waste and liquid collection systems without the use of an ejector and mechanical macerating type pump. Instead by using the Eddy Pump 3″ pump with a 1200 rpm motor and the BGREEN13-VSE  33  attached to the suction inlet  51  of the Eddy pump  34 , vacuum pressure is created with an tremendous amount of vacuum recovery per flush while at the same time being able to pass solid objects thru the suction and discharge piping. The Eddy pump vacuum pump is the creation of vacuum while discharging without needing to loop-back into a holding tank. This novel method of vacuum creation from the suction/feed inlet of the pump can be used for land-based systems and shipboard systems, while avoiding any clogging in the pump due to not using an ejector, allowing solids objects to pass thru while making vacuum. The Eddy effect that is created by the Eddy pump draws the fluid through the suction inlet  51  with such a tremendous amount of pull that vacuum is created while discharging the fluid at the same time. Choking/reducing the size of the suction piping of the Eddy Pump in comparison with the pumps suction inlet size, and keeping a flooded suction increases the pulling effectiveness of the pump, creating a vacuum while maintaining discharge and flow specifications. Connecting a flapper check valve from the suction of the pump to the vacuum manifold holds the vacuum created, so vacuum toilet flushing can occur, sustaining 7-9 flushes per minute at 2 cubic feet per flush. 
         [0039]    This embodiment is non-clogging, without an ejector, maintenance free, major increase in efficiency of vacuum creation, solid objects pass thru, creation of vacuum while discharging without the need of recirculation back to a holding tank, continuous duty operation with extremely low heat transfer to the fluid being pumped. 
         [0040]    The media that is being transported range from clear and clean water to heavy liquid slurries within a specific gravity of 1.0 or less and objects of 2″ spherical size and shape suspended in liquid, vacuum pressure is created by utilizing the suction pull and lift abilities of a fluid tornado physically feeding into an liquid Eddy Effect mechanical device without cavitations and manipulating the devices suction pull and lift abilities to increase tremendously the vacuum creation effect and recovery of vacuum loss while vacuum pressure is being created or within a holding chamber. 
         [0041]    A key to transporting this media is the ability to remove the air with a volume of space quick enough to not only create absolute vacuum at 29 Hg, but recover lost vacuum that has been created within a certain amount of time in conjunction with the volume area, without creating mechanical cavitations by the air being removed while being able to keep creating vacuum while solid objects within 2″ size are being collected, passed forward or re-circulated and while creating a layer of air removal separate from the fluid in the liquid suction, only to be mixed together in the discharge. This allows for an increase in vacuum fluid or object collection and the removal of cavitations as air is introduced to the Eddy effect device. 
         [0042]    Using a fluid tornado feeding into an Eddy effect mechanical device connection to a recirculation tank was not enough to create the vacuum recovery within a set area of volume space. A balance of liquid fed into the device along with the removal of air, Eddy effect device liquid discharge pressure (psi) range, limitations in power requirements of the Eddy effect device, flooded suction pipe diameter in relation to the devices suction diameter, the location with the flooded suction that the air must be removed from and the removal of greater than minor cavitations of the Eddy effect device being used. BGREEN13-VSE  33  was created to provide the desired result. The diameter of the suction pipe is reduced by ½″ of the Eddy effect devices suction diameter while pulling the air directly above at a minimum of 1″ or greater and in front of the pipe diameter reduction with the suction piping. The location of the air removal device must be 0″-12″ within connection of the Eddy effect device suction connection. The suction piping distance after the air removal device is irrelevant if continuously flooded with liquid. 
         [0043]    Thus, specific embodiments of an ejector-less vacuum creation pump using suction have been disclosed. It should be apparent, however, to those skilled in the art that many more modifications besides those described are possible without departing from the inventive concepts herein. The inventive subject matter, therefore, is not to be restricted except in the spirit of the appended claims.