| 摘要 |
A pump inlet stabilizer for positive displacement reciprocating pumps, which reduces pressure fluctuations at the pump inlet and aids in filling the pump head with fluid during each inlet stroke. The pump inlet stabilizer comprises an accumulator housing with a bladder which creates a gas chamber which is fludically isolated from a fluid chamber within the housing, and a control unit. The control unit consists of a compound pressure gauge to measure positive and negative pressure levels in the gas chamber, a ball valve with an open and closed position for opening or closing an inlet into the gas chamber and a venturi pneumatically coupled to a compressed air source. The control unit is able to use the compressed air source, typically shop air, either to reduce the pressure in the gas chamber or increase the pressure in the gas chamber, depending upon whether the outlet of the venturi is blocked or unblocked. The present invention can condition the pump for either high pressure or high vacuum conditions at the pump inlet. To condition excessive inlet pressure the gas chamber is energized to a predetermined pressure level to cushion the force created by the excessive pressure into the inlet. To condition a high vacuum or suction lift state at the pump inlet, an external pressure source is used to forcibly draw air from the accumulator, thereby creating a vacuum in it. The inlet stabilizer is now under partial vacuum which facilitates fluid flow into the accumulator housing in opposite cooperation with the pump's suction stroke.
|
