A liquid ring pump manifold

Abstract

A liquid ring pump manifold comprising an integrated non-return valve, the integrated non-return valve being configured to permit flow of fluid through the liquid ring pump manifold in a first direction and to prevent or oppose flow of fluid through the liquid ring pump manifold in a second direction, the second direction being opposite to the first direction.

1 . A liquid ring pump manifold, comprising:
 an integrated non-return valve, the integrated non-return valve being configured to permit flow of fluid through the liquid ring pump manifold in a first direction and to prevent or oppose flow of fluid through the liquid ring pump manifold in a second direction, the second direction being opposite to the first direction.   
     
     
         2 . The liquid ring pump manifold of  claim 1 , wherein the integrated non-return valve comprises:
 an annular flange defining an opening; and   an object movable between a first position and a second position, wherein in the first position the object is located away from the opening so as to not block the opening, and in the second position the object abuts the annular flange so as to block the opening.   
     
     
         3 . The liquid ring pump manifold of  claim 2 , wherein the annular flange is integrally formed with a wall of the liquid ring pump manifold. 
     
     
         4 . The liquid ring pump manifold of  claim 2 , wherein the annular flange comprises a chamfered rim circumscribing the opening. 
     
     
         5 . The liquid ring pump manifold of  claim 2 , wherein the integrated non-return valve further comprises a holder configured to hold the object when the object is in the first position, and the holder comprises at least one protrusion extending from an inner surface of the liquid ring pump manifold. 
     
     
         6 . The liquid ring pump manifold of  claim 2 , wherein the object is substantially spherical, and the opening is substantially circular. 
     
     
         7 . The liquid ring pump manifold of  claim 1 , wherein the liquid ring pump manifold further comprises:
 an access port for providing access to an interior of the liquid ring pump manifold from outside of the liquid ring pump manifold; and   a removable cover configured to seal the access port so as to prevent fluid flowing from the interior of the liquid ring pump manifold out of liquid ring pump manifold through the access port.   
     
     
         8 . The liquid ring pump manifold of  claim 7 , wherein the integrated non-return valve further comprises a holder configured to hold the object when the object is in the first position, and the holder is attached to the removable cover. 
     
     
         9 . The liquid ring pump manifold of  claim 1 , further comprising a first branch through which fluid can flow, the first branch splitting into multiple branches through which fluid can flow, wherein the multiple branches include at least a second branch and a third branch. 
     
     
         10 . The liquid ring pump manifold of  claim 9 , wherein the first branch bifurcates into the second branch and the third branch. 
     
     
         11 . The liquid ring pump manifold of  claim 9 , wherein the integrated non-return valve is disposed at least partially within the first branch. 
     
     
         12 . The liquid ring pump manifold of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one integrated spray nozzle, the at least one integrated spray nozzle being configured to spray a liquid into the liquid ring pump manifold. 
     
     
         13 . The liquid ring pump manifold of  claim 9 , wherein the liquid ring pump manifold comprises a first integrated spray nozzle positioned so as to spray liquid into the second branch and a second integrated spray nozzle positioned so as to spray liquid into the third branch. 
     
     
         14 . The liquid ring pump manifold of  claim 1 , wherein the liquid ring pump manifold is selected from the group of manifolds consisting of:
 a liquid ring pump inlet manifold; and   a liquid ring pump outlet manifold.   
     
     
         15 . A liquid ring pump comprising:
 a housing defining a chamber therein;   a shaft extending into the chamber;   an impeller fixedly mounted to the shaft; and   a liquid ring pump manifold comprising an integrated non-return valve, the integrated non-return valve being configured to permit flow of fluid through the liquid ring pump manifold in a first direction and to prevent or oppose flow of fluid through the liquid ring pump manifold in a second direction, the second direction being opposite to the first direction, the liquid ring pump manifold being fluidly connected to the chamber.   
     
     
         16 . The liquid ring pump of  claim 15 , wherein the integrated non-return valve comprises:
 an annular flange defining an opening; and   an object movable between a first position and a second position, wherein in the first position the object is located away from the opening so as to not block the opening, and in the second position the object abuts the annular flange so as to block the opening.   
     
     
         17 . The liquid ring pump of  claim 16 , wherein the annular flange is integrally formed with a wall of the liquid ring pump manifold. 
     
     
         18 . The liquid ring pump of  claim 16 , wherein the annular flange comprises a chamfered rim circumscribing the opening. 
     
     
         19 . The liquid ring pump of  claim 16 , wherein the integrated non-return valve further comprises a holder configured to hold the object when the object is in the first position, and the holder comprises at least one protrusion extending from an inner surface of the liquid ring pump manifold. 
     
     
         20 . The liquid ring pump of  claim 16 , wherein the object is substantially spherical, and the opening is substantially circular.