Abstract: A filtration barrier includes a filter mesh that has a plurality of groups of flexible filter elements, with each group having at least a first and second flexible filter elements disposed in spaced relation. The first flexible filter element is more flexible than the second. Each flexible filter element is secured to the first and second anchoring members of the mesh and free therebetween. During forward fluid flow, the first and second flexible filter elements are supported against downstream deflection and lie in a common plane. For reverse fluid flow, the first flexible element of a group displaces farther from the common plane than the second flexible filter element of that group, such that a first backwash opening associated with the first flexible element is larger than a second backwash opening associated with the second flexible element. Each group may have more elements, and associated methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: A filtration barrier includes a filter mesh that has a plurality of groups of flexible filter elements, with each group having at least a first and second flexible filter elements disposed in spaced relation. The first flexible filter element is more flexible than the second. Each flexible filter element is secured to the first and second anchoring members of the mesh and free therebetween. During forward fluid flow, the first and second flexible filter elements are supported against downstream deflection and lie in a common plane. For reverse fluid flow, the first flexible element of a group displaces farther from the common plane than the second flexible filter element of that group, such that a first backwash opening associated with the first flexible element is larger than a second backwash opening associated with the second flexible element. Each group may have more elements, and associated methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: A filtration barrier comprises first elements that are fibers, strips, or bristles wherein apertures between elements provide passages for a fluid transporting granules to the filtration barrier, and wherein the elements (11) are supported against deflection by second elements (12) when the fluid is flowing in a forwards direction whereby granules are prevented from accompanying the fluid through said passages by the barrier, but whereby the second elements do not support the first elements against deflection when the fluid flows in a (back-wash) direction opposite the forwards direction, when the elements (11a, 11b, 11c) become deflected by the fluid to increase the size of the apertures. In various embodiments of the invention the elements are supported at one end or both ends, and elements are arranged to deflect differently to further increase the apertures between neighboring elements as shown below.

Abstract: A pipeline (500) equipped with at least one pump (400) transports granules dispersed in a carrier fluid in intervals between co-transported pigs in a pipeline. Each pump and each pig is configured to preserve the intervals between pigs, and the orientation of the pigs, during passage of the pigs and granules through each pump. Also, each pig may comprise peripheral apertures providing a leakage of carrier fluid into the intervals downstream of each pig as a means of preserving the dispersion of granules within the pipeline. In the example shown granules are introduced to the pipeline by inlet feed hopper (400), and granules are removed from the pipeline at outlet delivery hopper 650. Hopper 404 introduces pigs at the pipeline inlet and hopper 652 removes pigs at the pipeline outlet: pigs are returned to hopper (404) by the pipeline (500A).

Abstract: A duck beak valve and/or pumps/pump systems that use such a valve are disclosed. The valve may include a flexible tube having an inlet portion and an outlet portion and a spigot having a spigot inlet portion and a spigot outlet portion. The inlet portion of the flexible tube is sealed relative to the spigot. Inner surfaces of the flexible tube outlet portion downstream of the spigot outlet portion close together when the valve is closed. At least one reinforcement engages the flexible tube and is adapted to pivot at an inlet end so that an outlet end of the reinforcement moves toward and away from a centerline of the flexible tube. The reinforcement reinforces the flexible tube against an externally applied backpressure when the outlet end of the reinforcement is disposed toward the centerline and the valve is closed.

Abstract: A duck beak valve and/or pumps/pump systems that use such a valve are disclosed. The valve may include a flexible tube having an inlet portion and an outlet portion and a spigot having a spigot inlet portion and a spigot outlet portion. The inlet portion of the flexible tube is sealed relative to the spigot. Inner surfaces of the flexible tube outlet portion downstream of the spigot outlet portion close together when the valve is closed. At least one reinforcement engages the flexible tube and is adapted to pivot at an inlet end so that an outlet end of the reinforcement moves toward and away from a centerline of the flexible tube. The reinforcement reinforces the flexible tube against an externally applied backpressure when the outlet end of the reinforcement is disposed toward the centerline and the valve is closed.

Abstract: A filtration barrier comprises first elements that are fibres, strips, or bristles wherein apertures between elements provide passages for a fluid transporting granules to the filtration barrier, and wherein the elements (11) are supported against deflection by second elements (12) when the fluid is flowing in a forwards direction whereby granules are prevented from accompanying the fluid through said passages by the barrier, but whereby the second elements do not support the first elements against deflection when the fluid flows in a (back-wash) direction opposite the forwards direction, when the elements (11a, 11b, 11c) become deflected by the fluid to increase the size of the apertures. In various embodiments of the invention the elements are supported at one end or both ends, and elements are arranged to deflect differently to further increase the apertures between neighbouring elements as shown below.

Abstract: A check valve (10) comprises, a flexible tube (11) having first and second end portions defining an inlet (13) and an outlet (14), respectively, and a rigid valve body (12) surrounding the flexible tube (11). The end portions of the flexible tube are sealingly fixed to the valve body (12) to define an enclosed space (17) between the exterior of the flexible tube and the interior of the valve body. A fixed volume of a substantially incompressible fluid is located in the enclosed space (17). When the pressure at the outlet (14) is greater than the pressure at the inlet (13), the flexible tube is substantially collapsed so as to close the valve or allow severely restricted flow. However when the pressure at the inlet is greater than that at the outlet, some of the fluid is displaced from the inlet area towards the outlet area so that the flexible tube (11) is expanded in the area adjacent the inlet and the tube is substantially open.

Abstract: A check valve (10) comprises, a flexible tube (11) having first and second end portions defining an inlet (13) and an outlet (14), respectively, and a rigid valve body (12) surrounding the flexible tube (11). The end portions of the flexible tube are sealingly fixed to the valve body (12) to define an enclosed space (17) between the exterior of the flexible tube and the interior of the valve body. A fixed volume of a substantially incompressible fluid is located in the enclosed space (17). When the pressure at the outlet (14) is greater than the pressure at the inlet (13), the flexible tube is substantially collapsed so as to close the valve or allow severely restricted flow. However when the pressure at the inlet is greater than that at the outlet, some of the fluid is displaced from the inlet area towards the outlet area so that the flexible tube (11) is expanded in the area adjacent the inlet and the tube is substantially open.

Abstract: A surface arrangement (30) adapted for use in a travelling volume pump. The pump (50) has a pumping chamber defined between first and second opposed pumping chamber surfaces (52, 54), which extend from an inlet to an outlet of the pump in a pumping direction (58). The surface arrangement (30) includes a plurality of flexible ridges (32) inclined in the pumping direction (58) and forming one or more of the first and second pumping chamber surfaces (52, 54). The ridges (32) span across the one or more pumping chamber surfaces (52, 54) in a direction generally transverse to the pumping direction (58) and have distal peaks (34) adapted to abut and substantially seal against the opposed second pumping chamber surface in the presence of a localised force displacing one of the first or second pumping chamber surfaces (52, 54) towards the other of the first or second pumping chamber surfaces (52, 54).

Abstract: A surface arrangement (30) adapted for use in a travelling volume pump. The pump (50) has a pumping chamber defined between first and second opposed pumping chamber surfaces (52, 54), which extend from an inlet to an outlet of the pump in a pumping direction (58). The surface arrangement (30) includes a plurality of flexible ridges (32) inclined in the pumping direction (58) and forming one or more of the first and second pumping chamber surfaces (52, 54). The ridges (32) span across the one or more pumping chamber surfaces (52, 54) in a direction generally transverse to the pumping direction (58) and have distal peaks (34) adapted to abut and substantially seal against the opposed second pumping chamber surface in the presence of a localised force displacing one of the first or second pumping chamber surfaces (52, 54) towards the other of the first or second pumping chamber surfaces (52, 54).

Abstract: A pump (10) comprising an inlet (12), an outlet (14) and a pumping chamber (16) between the inlet (10) and the outlet (12). The pumping chamber (16) has first and second opposed interior pumping chamber surfaces (18, 20) extending from the inlet (12) to the outlet (14) in a pumping direction (PD). The pump (10) also has a flexible diaphragm (22) between the first and second pumping chamber surfaces (18, 20) which is adapted to substantially sealingly separate the first and second pumping chamber surfaces (18, 20) from one another. The diaphragm (22) has first and second layers (24, 26) adjacent the first and second pumping chamber surfaces (18, 20) respectively. A means (38) is also provided which induces substantially sinusoidal motion in the diaphragm (22) in the pumping direction (PD) without inducing relative movement between the diaphragm (22) and the pumping chamber (16) in the pumping direction (PD).