Pressure pumping system with sealed pressure container

Claim 1

A pressure-pumping system for the pumping of a fluid therefrom at substantially constant flow rate comprising, a pressure container having fluid inlet means and fluid outlet means, respectively, means to supply said fluid to said container through said fluid inlet means, means to pressurize said container at substantially constant pressure to pump said fluid therefrom through said fluid outlet means at substantially constant flow rate, means operative in response to the level of said fluid within said pressure container to control said fluid supply means and maintain said fluid level within a predetermined range within said pressure container, said fluid supply means comprising a container of said fluid, and said fluid supply means and said means to pressurize said pressure container comprising pump means having inlet means extending into communication with said container of said fluid and outlet means extending into communication with said pressure container, fluid directing means disposed in said pump inlet means and operative in a first condition thereof to direct air into said pump inlet means for pressurization of said pressure container by said pump means, and operative in a second condition thereof to direct said fluid from said fluid container into said pump inlet means for supply by said pump means to said pressure container, means operatively connecting said means to control the level of said fluid in said pressure container with said fluid-directing means to operate the latter between said first and second conditions thereof in accordance with said fluid level in said pressure container, and means operatively associated with said pressure container to prevent the pressure therein from exceeding a predetermined maximum.