Pumping method and system

Abstract

A pumping system having a main pump with a controller and a primer. The primer includes a vacuum source for drawing priming fluid into the pump, a vibratory fork liquid sensor which constantly senses for priming fluid, and a primer controller which connects the vacuum source as soon as the sensor does not sense priming fluid. The main pump controller initiates operation of the main pump substantially immediately upon receiving an indication that pumping is desired. A related pump operating method includes continuously sensing for the presence of adequate priming fluid, adding priming fluid to the pump whenever the presence of priming fluid is not sensed, and initiating operation of the pump substantially immediately upon receiving an indication that pumping is desired.

1 . A pumping system, comprising: 
 a main pump for fluid;    a primer for said main pump including 
 a vacuum source for drawing priming fluid into said pump,  
 a priming fluid sensor adapted to substantially constantly sense the presence of priming fluid at a selected level,  
 a primer controller adapted to actively connect said vacuum source to draw priming fluid into said pump substantially immediately upon said sensor not sensing priming fluid at said selected level; and  
   a main pump controller adapted to initiate operation of said main pump substantially immediately upon receiving an indication that pumping is desired.    
   
   
       2 . The pumping system of  claim 1 , wherein said priming fluid sensor comprises a vibratory fork liquid sensor located at said selected level.  
   
   
       3 . The pumping system of  claim 1 , further comprising a valve between said vacuum source and said priming fluid sensor, said valve opening and closing responsive to said primer controller.  
   
   
       4 . The pumping system of  claim 3 , wherein said valve opening and closing is responsive to said primer controller substantially constantly.  
   
   
       5 . The pumping system of  claim 1 , wherein said vacuum source comprises a selectively operable venturi air pump.  
   
   
       6 . The pumping system of  claim 5 , wherein said venturi air pump is operable by compressed air, and further comprising a second valve between said venturi air pump and a source of said compressed air wherein said second valve opens and closes responsive to said primer controller.  
   
   
       7 . The pumping system of  claim 5 , further comprising a valve between said venturi air pump and said priming fluid sensor, said valve opening and closing responsive to said primer controller.  
   
   
       8 . The pumping system of  claim 7 , further comprising a float check valve between said venturi air pump and said valve.  
   
   
       9 . A method of operating a pump, comprising: 
 continuously sensing for the presence of adequate priming fluid;    adding priming fluid to the pump whenever the presence of priming fluid is not sensed; and    initiating operation of said pump substantially immediately upon receiving an indication that pumping is desired.    
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein said step of adding priming fluid comprises creating a vacuum in a priming fluid chamber whenever priming fluid is not sensed at a selected level in said priming fluid chamber.  
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein said pump is shut down if the presence of priming fluid is not sensed during pump operation.  
   
   
       12 . A pumping system, comprising: 
 a main pump for fluid;    a primer for said main pump including 
 a vacuum source for drawing priming fluid into said pump,  
 a vibratory fork liquid sensor adapted to selectively sense the presence of priming fluid at a selected level,  
 a primer controller adapted to actively connect said vacuum source to selectively draw priming fluid into said pump when said sensor does not sense priming fluid at said selected level; and  
   a main pump controller adapted to initiate operation of said main pump upon receiving indications that both pumping is desired and priming fluid is sensed at said selected level.    
   
   
       13 . The pumping system of  claim 12 , further comprising a valve between said vacuum source and said priming fluid sensor, said valve opening and closing responsive to said primer controller.  
   
   
       14 . The pumping system of  claim 13 , wherein said valve opening and closing is responsive to said primer controller substantially constantly.  
   
   
       15 . The pumping system of  claim 13 , wherein said valve opening and closing is also responsive to said indication that pumping is desired, whereby said valve is unresponsive to said primer controller when pumping is not desired.  
   
   
       16 . The pumping system of  claim 12 , wherein said vacuum source comprises a selectively operable venturi air pump.  
   
   
       17 . The pumping system of  claim 16 , wherein said venturi air pump is operable by compressed air, and further comprising a second valve between said venturi air pump and a source of said compressed air wherein said second valve opens and closes responsive to said primer controller.  
   
   
       18 . The pumping system of  claim 16 , further comprising a valve between said venturi air pump and said priming fluid sensor, said valve opening and closing responsive to said primer controller.  
   
   
       19 . The pumping system of  claim 18 , further comprising a float check valve between said venturi air pump and said valve.  
   
   
       20 . A pumping system for fluid having solid particles therein, comprising: 
 a main pump for said fluid;    a primer for said main pump including 
 means for priming said pump with said fluid,  
 a vibratory fork liquid sensor adapted to selectively sense the presence of priming fluid at a selected level,  
 a primer controller adapted to selectively engage said priming means to bring fluid into said pump responsive to said vibratory fork liquid sensor sensing no priming fluid at said selected level; and  
   a main pump controller adapted to initiate operation of said main pump upon receiving indications that both pumping is desired and priming fluid is sensed by said vibratory fork liquid sensor at said selected level.