Self-priming adapter apparatus and method

Abstract

Some embodiments of the invention provide a self-priming adapter system including a pump inlet receiving liquid mixed with air, a pump coupled to the pump inlet, and a self-priming adapter coupled to the pump. The self-priming adapter includes a separation chamber. The separation chamber includes one or more baffles to substantially separate the air from the liquid. The self-priming adapter system also includes a recirculation line coupled to the self-priming adapter to return the liquid to the pump inlet. Some embodiments of the invention provide a self-priming adapter for use with existing pumps of any type. Some embodiments of the invention provide a method of self-priming a pump using a self-priming adapter.

1 . A self-priming adapter system comprising: 
 a pump inlet receiving liquid mixed with air;    a pump coupled to the pump inlet;    a self-priming adapter coupled to the pump, the self-priming adapter including a separation chamber, the separation chamber including at least one baffle to substantially separate the air from the liquid; and    a recirculation line coupled to the self-priming adapter to return the liquid to the pump inlet.    
     
     
         2 . The self-priming adapter system of  claim 1  wherein the at least one baffle includes a first wall, a second wall, and a floor mounted in a top portion of the separation chamber.  
     
     
         3 . The self-priming adapter system of  claim 2  wherein at least one of the first wall and the second wall is about two inches in height.  
     
     
         4 . The self priming adapter system of  claim 2  wherein the at least one baffle is mounted within the separation chamber in order to receive liquid from an inlet port; and wherein the at least one baffle is positioned between the inlet port and an outlet port.  
     
     
         5 . The self-priming adapter system of  claim 2  wherein at least one of the first wall and the second wall substantially extends a length of the separation chamber.  
     
     
         6 . The self-priming adapter system of  claim 1  wherein the separation chamber includes at least one anti-vortex screen.  
     
     
         7 . The self-priming adapter system of  claim 1  wherein the self-priming adapter includes at least one of a cylindrical tank, a semi-circular tank, and a half-octagonal tank.  
     
     
         8 . The self-priming adapter system of  claim 1  and further comprising at least one valve to open and close the recirculation line.  
     
     
         9 . The self-priming adapter system of  claim 8  wherein the at least one valve includes a check valve positioned in the recirculation line.  
     
     
         10 . The self-priming adapter system of  claim 8  and further comprising a pressure sensor that measures pressure in the separation chamber and indicates that the pump has been primed; and wherein the at least one valve closes the recirculation line after the pressure sensor indicates the pump has been primed.  
     
     
         11 . A self-priming adapter for use with a pump having a pump inlet receiving liquid mixed with air and a recirculation line, the self-priming adapter comprising: 
 a tank including an inlet port and an outlet port;    a separation chamber within the tank; and    at least one baffle positioned within the separation chamber, the at least one baffle substantially separating the air from the liquid.    
     
     
         12 . The self-priming adapter of  claim 11  wherein the at least one baffle includes a first wall, a second wall, and a floor mounted in a top portion of the separation chamber.  
     
     
         13 . The self-priming adapter of  claim 12  wherein at least one of the first wall and the second wall is about two inches in height.  
     
     
         14 . The self priming adapter of  claim 12  wherein the at least one baffle is mounted within the separation chamber in order to receive liquid from the inlet port; and wherein the at least one baffle is positioned between the inlet port and the outlet port.  
     
     
         15 . The self-priming adapter of  claim 2  wherein at least one of the first wall and the second wall substantially extends a length of the separation chamber.  
     
     
         16 . The self-priming adapter of  claim 11  wherein the separation chamber includes at least one anti-vortex screen.  
     
     
         17 . The self-priming adapter of  claim 11  wherein the tank is least one of a cylindrical tank, a semi-circular tank, and a half-octagonal tank.  
     
     
         18 . The self-priming adapter of  claim 11  and further comprising a pressure sensor that measures pressure in the separation chamber and indicates that the pump has been primed.  
     
     
         19 . A method of priming a pump, the method comprising: 
 receiving liquid mixed with air;    directing the liquid mixed with air over at least one baffle;    substantially separating the air from the liquid; and    returning the liquid to a pump inlet in order to prime the pump.    
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19  and further comprising directing the liquid mixed with air over at least one anti-vortex screen.