Abstract: An image forming apparatus improved in a setting process for a recording medium to thereby make it possible to prevent print processing from failing to be executed. In the image forming apparatus including a plurality of sheet feeders for storing recording sheets, when recording sheets are stored in one of the sheet feeders, at least one of the recording sheets is conveyed from the corresponding sheet feeder, and the type of the conveyed recording sheet is identified. Then, the identified type of the recording sheet is set as the type of the stored recording sheets. This makes it possible to prevent occurrence of a situation in which print processing is not executed because the identified type of the recording sheet does not match the set type of the recording sheets, whereby it is possible to prevent print processing from failing to be executed.

Abstract: Fluid pumping system and method provide a pumping chamber with inlet and outlet ports. The pumping chamber is in thermal communication with a thermal system for alternating the gas temperature inside the pumping chamber between heated and cooled states. A first valve controls a first fluid communication between the pumping chamber and the external environment, and a second valve controls a second fluid communication between the pumping chamber and the fluid container. The pumping chamber and the valves cooperate to generate a vacuum and a negative potential pressure of the gas inside the pumping chamber by the effect of the gas temperature alternation when the gas passes from a heated state to a cooled state and by controlling the first and second fluid communications. The generated vacuum and negative potential pressure inside the pumping chamber enable pumping of the fluid from the fluid container inside the pumping chamber.

Abstract: Disclosed is a pneumatically powered high-pressure and lightweight fluid pump. The pump is useful for pumping fuel for liquid rocket engines and for transferring liquids from one space vehicle to another. During operation of the pump, liquid is drained from a tank into a pump chamber and the chamber is then pressurized to deliver fluid. The chamber is then refilled from the main tank. An auxiliary chamber supplies fuel while the main chamber is being filled, thereby a steady stream is delivered from the pump. The auxiliary chamber is refilled from the tank while the main chamber is delivering fluid. In order to transfer fluid from the tank to the pump chamber, the pressure in the pump chamber is maintained at a pressure higher than the vapor pressure of the fluid being pumped but lower than the pressure in the tank.

Abstract: A system for controlling one or more borehole pumps to enable pumping-on-demand is described. The system uses a computerized controller which, in combination with sensors, monitors and controls the activity of the pump, thereby controlling fluid in the borehole. The system is continually in one of three modes, the monitoring mode, the pump mode, and the recovery mode. Within each cycle of modes, the system performs multiple checks on the apparatus involved. The data obtained during the check is stored in appropriate databases as well as checked against predetermined norms. In the event of a malfunction within the apparatus, or other supervised and/or monitored functions, the system can activate a notification system, such as a centralized monitoring facility. A pump is disclosed with a fluid sensor to detect the presence of fluid and transmit this presence to the computerized monitoring system. A slug sensor notifies the computer of the beginning and end of a predetermined quantity of fluid.

Abstract: A portable system of inter-connected smaller and larger canisters for near simultaneous vacuum and liquid transfer free from any external power. Captured vacuum in the canisters is employed for waste liquid extraction and a subsequent pressure transfer may take place without any liquid being exposed to the atmosphere. A mechanical manifold is adapted to receive the canisters, and one or more canisters may be physically connected to the manifold and are left in place as a user drives to another site location. An intermediate canister in the system is fitted with either manual or a self tending valve for the vacuum and pressure modes of the system.

Abstract: An apparatus for supplying and venting gas to a downhole accumulation chamber that includes a supply valve having an open supply position to supply gas to the chamber and a closed supply position, a vent valve having an open vent position to vent gas from the chamber and a closed vent position, and an actuator communicating with a source of pressurized fluid at the surface for actuating the supply and vent valves. The actuator moves the supply valve to the open position and the vent valve to the closed position, and alternately moves the vent valve to the open vent position and the supply valve to the closed supply position. The actuator may include a single hydraulically actuated reciprocating member or a pair of hydraulically actuated reciprocating members.

Abstract: Two production strings extend downwardly from a well head of an oil well to a point adjacent a producing region. Lower ends of the two production strings are connected by a coupling which allows a mechanical interface launched adjacent the well head of one of the production strings to descend along the production string through the coupling and upwardly through the other production string to displace oil from the production strings to a surge tank. High pressure gas is utilized to move the mechanical interface through the production strings and suitable valves are provided for controlling the flow of gas and oil through the production strings.

Abstract: A pump, submerged in a fluid in a pump or well, has a buoyant outer, enclosing casing. Communicated to the casing are a conduit to supplying compressed air to the casing, a conduit for carrying the exhausted air away from the casing, an inlet and check valve for permitting entry of fluid into the casing, and an outlet and a check valve connected to discharge piping for carrying fluid away from the casing. The outer casing slides vertically relative to the discharge piping and is supported by the discharge piping for vertical movement between upper and lower stops where the casing actuates an air exhaust valve and a compressed air inlet valve. When the buoyant casing is in the upper position, air within the casing can escape through the open chamber air exhaust valve and compressed air entry is blocked to the casing through the closed compressed air inlet valve.

Abstract: A pump, submerged in a fluid in a pump or well, has a buoyant outer, enclosing casing. Communicated to the casing are a conduit to supplying compressed air to the casing, a conduit for carrying the exhausted air away from the casing, an inlet and check valve for permitting entry of fluid into the casing, and an outlet and a check valve connected to discharge piping for carrying fluid away from the casing. The outer casing slides vertically relative to the discharge piping and is supported by the discharge piping for vertical movement between upper and lower stops where the casing actuates an air exhaust valve and a compressed air inlet valve. When the buoyant casing is in the upper position, air within the casing can escape through the open chamber air exhaust valve and compressed air entry is blocked to the casing through the closed compressed air inlet valve.

Abstract: An air-operated pump includes a pair of poppet valves affixed to a vertical valve shaft and arranged so that the upper valve is closed when the lower valve is open, and vice versa. When a connected displacer is immersed in tank fluid, its buoyancy in combination with a bias spring translates the valve shaft to operate the poppet valves. An upper poppet valve chamber is connected [1 ] via a restrictance to an auxiliary air supply, and also [2] to an air operator that triggers a three-way pneumatic valve, an inlet port of which controls a main air supply while a second port is vented to atmosphere. A third port transmits an air supply to the tank through the intermediation of a quick exhaust valve, which rapidly vents the tank at the end of each pump cycle and also serves to isolate the three-way valve from any tank-fluid contamination.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of use thereof includes a rechargeable, pre-charged vacuum canister used to remove viscous fluids, e.g., waste oil, from containers such as engine crankcases through an opening, such as a dipstick tube. The self-contained canister is first pre-charged with a near absolute vacuum. Due to the compressibility characteristics of air, conventional, active, continuous pumping techniques, which rely on partial vacuums, do not achieve the pulling force of the near absolute vacuums achieved by the invention. The use of a self-contained, pre-charged near absolute vacuum canister system significantly increases the force applied to the viscous fluid to be extracted. Furthermore, the fluid can be simultaneously contained in a proper disposal container. As a result shortcomings of manual and electric pumping systems are overcome with the added advantage that no external pumping force is required at the site of fluid removal.

Abstract: A pump for liquid or slurry is valve controlled to fill a pumping chamber to an upper predetermined level; valve controlled to supply gas under pressure to the top of the liquid to force it out a lower outlet port down to a lower predetermined level and to alternate such cycles with all valves being located outside the chamber.

Abstract: A well pumping system uses a closed gas cycle to periodically unload a pumping chamber in a well. The system includes a tubing string having a downhole pumping chamber providing a check valve at the lower end. A packing assembly defines the upper end of the pumping chamber and includes a dip tube having a check valve allowing upward liquid movement through the dip tube. A conduit passes through the packing assembly. Pressurized gas is periodically pumped down the conduit to force liquid upwardly through the dip tube and tubing string. Cycling of the pressurized gas is controlled by a liquid seal control assembly at the surface. When the pumping chamber has been unloaded, the gas therein flows up the conduit and through the seal control assembly to a suction tank. The pressurized gas is thus maintained in a closed cycle.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed to detect periodic well loading by produced accumulated secondary fluids, and accordingly to remove the undesired secondary fluid from the tubing of a hydrocarbon producing well. The method according to the present invention employs a surface control system that controls the operation of the fluid removal cycle, and the production cycle of the hydrocarbon producing well. Periodically, the well is "shut-in" and upper and lower flow control valves, connected at a predetermined depth to the well tubing, are actuated to a closed position to form an accumulation chamber within the tubing. The closed flow control valves block off the fluid in the accumulation chamber formed in the lower portion of the tubing string, which contains the undesired accumulated secondary fluids.

Abstract: A fluid pump which uses a motive fluid for pumping liquid or gaseous fluids by use of a fluid inlet, a fluid exchange chamber, and a fluid exhaust means operates as follows: A fluid which is to be pumped is introduced into a fluid exchange chamber. The exchange chamber then isolates itself from the fluid source. Now a motive fluid is introduced to the exchange chamber. The fluid which is to be pumped is carried away from its intended use while the motive fluid displaces the previously existing fluid in the exchange chamber. The exchange chamber is then exhausted of its motive fluid contents and more fluid which is to be pumped, is once again introduced to the exchange chamber to repeat the cycle.

Abstract: Ground water pollutant floating above the water table in a water-bearing formation is removed through a well penetrating the formation by lowering the water level so that pollutant from the region surrounding the well will flow into the well due to gravitational force, and lowering a liquid-retaining vessel into the well to a depth whereby a liquid entry port in the vessel is in the pollutant layer above the water level. The vessel is constructed to receive the liquid pollutant by gravitational flow through the liquid entry port, the displaced gas leaving through a vent. A compressed air line feeds the vessel to purge its interior of accumulated liquid through an exit port on an intermittent basis. Check valves associated with each port are actuatable by the influence of the compressed air to prevent leakage of discharged pollutant back into the vessel and to provide complete and efficient purging when the compressed air is flowing.

Abstract: An artificial lifting device has a downhole valve which intermittently directs operating gas to the top of a collection chamber to promote the lifting of oil below the valve upwardly through an annulus defined between a cylindrical housing supporting the valve and an external cylindrical member through which the housing extends. Gas is alternately injected to the top of the chamber through an injection port and vented to the surface through a vent port. An exhaust conduit, separate from the source of pressurized gas running from the surface to the valve, communicates the vent port with the surface when the device is in the vent mode.

Abstract: A system for transporting a highly corrosive liquid solely by pressure differential without the need of mechanical pumps for transporting the corrosive liquid. The system includes a source of gas under pressure (78,82) and first and second corrosive liquid reservoirs (22,24) connected in parallel to the source via a valve (80) such that one or the other, but not both, may receive pressurized gas. A valve (20) connects one or the other, but not both concurrently, of the reservoirs to a point of use (10) of the corrosive liquid and is specifically designed for connecting the reservoir receiving the pressurized gas to the point of use. A valve (36) receives corrosive liquid from the point of use and directs the same to one or the other, but not both concurrently, of the reservoirs, and is specifically designed to provide the corrosive liquid to the reservoir not then receiving pressurized gas from the source.

Abstract: The invention is concerned with an improvement in a gas pressure driven pump which comprises a vessel, means for introducing a liquid into the vessel, means for preventing reverse flow of the liquid into the liquid introducing means, means for introducing a pressurized gas to the vessel, and means responsive to a gas pressure increase in the vessel for flowing the liquid out of the vessel. The invention is an improved system for controlling the flow of pressurized gas into the vessel responsive to the liquid level therein, which system is substantially independent of the density of the liquid. More specifically the improved system comprises a valve having a first, a second and a third port, the valve providing a first mode in which the first port is in communication with the second port and a second mode in which the first port is in communication with the third port. The second port communicates in both modes with the surrounding outside atmosphere.

Abstract: A slurry pump including a pressure tank with an inlet and a lower outlet and having a pneumatically operated, inwardly opening closure at the inlet and a hinged, outwardly opening door at the outlet swingable between opened and closed positions. An external source of air under pressure hydraulically shuts the closure and pressurizes the tank, forcing a semi-liquid slurry such as liquid manure contained within the tank through the outlet and into a duct leading to a lagoon or the like. A slurry level sensor shuts off the supply of air to the tank when the slurry reaches a given level in the tank.