摘要:
Pigs (10) are propelled forwards by a propulsion fluid in a pipeline (21). The pigs (10) have an upstream end (13), a downstream end (11), and an intermediate section (12). The intermediate section has a variable geometry chamber (16) associated therewith and one or more outwardly extending external pawl teeth (15). The pawl teeth are automatically displaceable outwardly relative to a longitudinal axis (9) in response to a pressure differential between a downstream pressure and an upstream pressure. The pig is configured such that a change in a geometry of the chamber in response to the pressure differential between the downstream pressure and the upstream pressure causes the one or more pawl teeth to automatically displace outwardly when the upstream pressure is less than the downstream pressure. When the pawl teeth are deployed, upstream displacement of the pig is inhibited. Various related systems (5) and methods are also disclosed.
摘要:
A check valve is provided comprising a conduit for conveying a fluid, the conduit having an inlet and an outlet, the conduit having a first region adjacent the outlet (13) comprising a flexible wall, two opposing sides of the flexible wall converging towards each other to form a closed geometry when the pressure of the fluid upstream of the inlet and the pressure of the fluid downstream of the outlet are substantially equal, the closed geometry comprising each of the opposing sides (23, 24) being arcuate in cross-section and lying against each other in a substantially sealing relationship (21, 22). Preferably, two connecting regions of the wall connecting the two opposing sides (15, 16) are biased towards each other by a biasing means. Preferably, the biasing means comprises one or more flexible ring members (25) encircling the flexible wall attached at points (25A and 25B). Preferably, the conduit takes the form of a duck beak valve (20). The figure shows an end view onto the check valve outlet.
摘要:
A filtration barrier comprises first elements that are fibers, strips, or bristles wherein apertures between elements provide passages for a fluid transporting granules to the filtration barrier, and wherein the elements (11) are supported against deflection by second elements (12) when the fluid is flowing in a forwards direction whereby granules are prevented from accompanying the fluid through said passages by the barrier, but whereby the second elements do not support the first elements against deflection when the fluid flows in a (back-wash) direction opposite the forwards direction, when the elements (11a, 11b, 11c) become deflected by the fluid to increase the size of the apertures. In various embodiments of the invention the elements are supported at one end or both ends, and elements are arranged to deflect differently to further increase the apertures between neighboring elements as shown below.
摘要:
A check valve (10) comprises, a flexible tube (11) having first and second end portions defining an inlet (13) and an outlet (14), respectively, and a rigid valve body (12) surrounding the flexible tube (11). The end portions of the flexible tube are sealingly fixed to the valve body (12) to define an enclosed space (17) between the exterior of the flexible tube and the interior of the valve body. A fixed volume of a substantially incompressible fluid is located in the enclosed space (17). When the pressure at the outlet (14) is greater than the pressure at the inlet (13), the flexible tube is substantially collapsed so as to close the valve or allow severely restricted flow. However when the pressure at the inlet is greater than that at the outlet, some of the fluid is displaced from the inlet area towards the outlet area so that the flexible tube (11) is expanded in the area adjacent the inlet and the tube is substantially open. A pump based on a series of valves having some of the attributes of the check valve is also disclosed, as is a vacuum driven sewer system that incorporates a pinch valve.
摘要:
A pipeline (500) equipped with at least one pump (400) transports granules dispersed in a carrier fluid in intervals between co-transported pigs in a pipeline. Each pump and each pig is configured to preserve the intervals between pigs, and the orientation of the pigs, during passage of the pigs and granules through each pump. Also, each pig may comprise peripheral apertures providing a leakage of carrier fluid into the intervals downstream of each pig as a means of preserving the dispersion of granules within the pipeline. In the example shown granules are introduced to the pipeline by inlet feed hopper (400), and granules are removed from the pipeline at outlet delivery hopper 650. Hopper 404 introduces pigs at the pipeline inlet and hopper 652 removes pigs at the pipeline outlet: pigs are returned to hopper (404) by the pipeline (500A).
摘要:
Pigs (10) are propelled forwards by a propulsion fluid in a pipeline (21). The pigs (10) have an upstream end (13), a downstream end (11), and an intermediate section (12). The intermediate section has a variable geometry chamber (16) associated therewith and one or more outwardly extending external pawl teeth (15). The pawl teeth are automatically displaceable outwardly relative to a longitudinal axis (9) in response to a pressure differential between a downstream pressure and an upstream pressure. The pig is configured such that a change in a geometry of the chamber in response to the pressure differential between the downstream pressure and the upstream pressure causes the one or more pawl teeth to automatically displace outwardly when the upstream pressure is less than the downstream pressure. When the pawl teeth are deployed, upstream displacement of the pig is inhibited. Various related systems (5) and methods are also disclosed.
摘要:
A filtration barrier comprises first elements that are fibers, strips, or bristles wherein apertures between elements provide passages for a fluid transporting granules to the filtration barrier, and wherein the elements (11) are supported against deflection by second elements (12) when the fluid is flowing in a forwards direction whereby granules are prevented from accompanying the fluid through said passages by the barrier, but whereby the second elements do not support the first elements against deflection when the fluid flows in a (back-wash) direction opposite the forwards direction, when the elements (11a, 11b, 11c) become deflected by the fluid to increase the size of the apertures. In various embodiments of the invention the elements are supported at one end or both ends, and elements are arranged to deflect differently to further increase the apertures between neighboring elements as shown below.