Self-priming adapter apparatus and method
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.