Automatic Initiation of Priming Sequence for Metering Pumps

Abstract

Metering pumps are typically used to move a specified volume of liquid in a specified time to provide an accurate flow rate. A recurring automatic priming function is provided for operating such a metering pump by running the pump for a short duration and periodically thereafter. This may maintain fluid in the pumping system such that the pump is automatically in a primed configuration.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for automatically priming a pump comprising the steps of:
 operating the pump in a priming mode at a priming capacity for a duration period;   starting a recurrence timer;   operating the pump in its normal operational mode; and   operating the pump in the priming mode for the duration period upon expiration of the recurrence timer.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising resetting the recurrence timer if the pump pumps fluid during its normal operational mode. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the duration period is selectively adjustable by a duration period timer. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein a recurrence period measured by the recurrence timer is selectively adjustable. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the priming capacity comprises an elevated pump capacity that is higher than the pump capacity in its normal operational mode. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the priming capacity comprises a maximum pump capacity of the pump. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the pump runs at a selected stroke speed during the duration period. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the pump runs at a selected stroke length during the duration period. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising operating the pump in the priming mode when an unprimed condition is sensed. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising operating the pump in the priming mode until a primed condition is sensed. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising operating the pump in the priming mode when the pump powers on. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising selectively enabling the priming mode. 
     
     
         13 . A pump comprises:
 an electronic power unit comprising a solenoid assembly and a clapper assembly;   a diaphragm coupled to the electronic power unit, wherein the diaphragm is operable to pump fluid when the diaphragm is actuated by the electronic power unit; and   a control assembly coupled with the electronic power unit, wherein the control assembly is operable to actuate the electronic power unit;   wherein the control assembly is programmed to operate the pump in a priming mode at a priming capacity for a duration period upon expiration of a recurrence timer.   
     
     
         14 . The pump of  claim 13 , wherein the control assembly comprises an external control input, wherein an external control is operable to operate the pump remotely through the external control input. 
     
     
         15 . The pump of  claim 13 , wherein the control assembly comprises a source tank input, wherein the control panel assembly is operable to detect a low level of fluid in a source tank through the source tank input. 
     
     
         16 . The pump of  claim 15 , wherein the control assembly is operable to stop the pump when the low level of fluid is detected in the source tank. 
     
     
         17 . The pump of  claim 13 , wherein the control assembly comprises a keypad operable to input pump settings. 
     
     
         18 . The pump of  claim 17 , wherein the control assembly comprises an LCD screen operable to display the pump settings. 
     
     
         19 . The pump of  claim 13 , wherein the pump is activated to pump fluid from a source tank to a process fluid tank. 
     
     
         20 . A method for operating a metering pump, wherein the metering pump is fluidly coupled to a source tank, wherein the metering pump is fluidly coupled to a process fluid tank, wherein the method comprises activating the pump after a selected amount of time at an elevated capacity for a duration period to pump fluid from the source tank such that the pump is in a primed configuration to actively inject fluid into the process fluid tank.