System and method of fluid transfer using devices with rotatable housings

Abstract

Embodiments of the present invention are directed toward systems and methods of transferring fluid using devices that have a rotatable housing. One embodiment of the invention attaches a fluid-drive element to a rotatable housing to drive fluid into a conduit for transfer. In another embodiment, a pitot tube is attached to the rotatable housing, the motion of the housing driving fluid into the conduit for transfer. Other embodiments of the invention may utilize a pressure difference to drive fluid through a conduit. Embodiments of the invention may also utilize baffles to alter circulation of fluid that may be induced by the motion of the rotating housing, to promote fluid transfer through a conduit. Some of the aforementioned embodiments may be especially useful in transporting fluid in a liquid ring pump with a rotatable housing.

1 . A fluid transfer system comprising: 
 a rotatable housing defining at least a part of a boundary of a first chamber;    a fluid-drive element attached to the rotatable housing; and    a conduit for transferring fluids, wherein the fluid-drive element is configured to force fluid through the conduit when the rotatable housing rotates.    
   
   
       2 . A fluid transfer system according to  claim 1 , wherein the rotatable housing includes a shaft, and the fluid-drive element is attached to the shaft of the rotatable housing.  
   
   
       3 . A fluid transfer system according to  claim 1 , wherein the rotatable housing is a portion of a liquid ring pump.  
   
   
       4 . A fluid transfer system according to  claim 1  further comprising a second chamber for containing fluid, wherein the first chamber is nested in the second chamber.  
   
   
       5 . A fluid transfer system according to  claim 4 , wherein the fluid-drive element is an impeller of a centrifugal pump, the impeller located outside the first chamber.  
   
   
       6 . A fluid transfer system according to  claim 4 , wherein the fluid-drive element is located outside the first chamber, and the conduit is a pitot tube attached to a stationary boundary of the second chamber.  
   
   
       7 . A fluid transfer system according to  claim 6 , wherein the pitot tube is routed through a hollow portion of a shaft that is included in the rotatable housing.  
   
   
       8 . A fluid transfer system comprising: 
 a rotatable housing defining at least a part of a boundary of a first chamber; and    a pitot tube for transferring fluids, the pitot tube configured such that fluid is driven into the pitot tube when the rotatable housing rotates.    
   
   
       9 . A fluid transfer system according to  claim 8 , wherein the pitot tube is attached to the rotatable housing.  
   
   
       10 . A fluid transfer system according to  claim 8 , wherein the pitot tube is detached from the rotatable housing.  
   
   
       11 . A fluid transfer system according to  claim 10  further comprising a partially enclosed track attached to the rotatable housing for holding fluid, wherein the pitot tube is configured to transfer fluid from the partially enclosed track when the rotatable housing rotates.  
   
   
       12 . A fluid transfer system according to  claim 8 , wherein the rotatable housing is a portion of a liquid ring pump.  
   
   
       13 . A fluid transfer system according to  claim 8  further comprising a second chamber capable of holding fluid, wherein the first chamber is nested in the second chamber, and the pitot tube connects the first chamber and the second chamber.  
   
   
       14 . A fluid transfer system comprising: 
 a rotatable housing defining at least a part of a boundary of a first chamber;    a second chamber capable of holding fluid, the first chamber being nested in the second chamber; and    a conduit connecting the first chamber and the second chamber, wherein the conduit is configured such that fluid is driven through the conduit when a pressure difference exists between the first chamber and the second chamber.    
   
   
       15 . A fluid transfer system according to  claim 14 , wherein the rotatable housing is a portion of a liquid ring pump.  
   
   
       16 . A fluid transfer system according to  claim 14 , wherein fluid is driven from the second chamber to the first chamber when pressure in the second chamber is higher than pressure in the first chamber.  
   
   
       17 . A fluid transfer system comprising: 
 a rotatable housing defining at least a part of a boundary of a first chamber capable of holding fluid;    a second chamber capable of holding fluid, the first chamber nested in the second chamber;    a conduit for transferring fluid between the first chamber and second chamber; and    a baffle attached to a stationary boundary of the second chamber, the baffle configured to keep an opening of a conduit submerged in fluid in the second chamber when the rotating housing rotates.    
   
   
       18 . A fluid transfer system according to  claim 17 , wherein the rotatable housing is a portion of a liquid ring pump.  
   
   
       19 . A fluid transfer system according to  claim 17  further comprising a pump configured to drive fluid through the conduit between the first chamber and the second chamber.  
   
   
       20 . A method of transferring fluid between two containers comprising the steps of: 
 providing a conduit to connect a first container and a second container, each container holding fluid; and    rotating at least part of a boundary of the first container to drive fluid into the conduit to transfer fluid between the first container and the second container.    
   
   
       21 . A method of transferring fluid between a liquid ring pump and a fluid reservoir comprising the steps of: 
 providing a liquid ring pump with a rotatable housing;    providing a conduit to connect the liquid ring pump with a fluid reservoir; and    rotating the rotatable housing to drive fluid into the conduit to transfer fluid between the liquid ring pump and the fluid reservoir.    
   
   
       22 . A fluid transfer system comprising: 
 a rotatable housing defining at least a part of a boundary of a first chamber;    a second chamber capable of holding fluid, the first chamber being nested in the second chamber; and    a conduit connecting the first chamber and the second chamber, wherein the conduit is configured such that fluid is driven through the conduit by a pump.