Inventors:
Chris MELCER - Aptos CA, US
Jamie A. GRAVES - Portland OR, US
Bryan FLETCHER - Portland OR, US
Koh I. MURAI - Yamhill OR, US
David D. KANDIYELI - Mesa AZ, US
Assignee:
MEGA FLUID SYSTEMS, INC. - TUALATIN OR
International Classification:
F17D 1/00, F04B 25/00, G01M 19/00
Abstract:
A method and apparatus for delivering process materials in a bulk delivery system includes a plurality of pumps arranged in series along a material supply line, wherein the capacity of each pump is such that less than all of the pumps operating simultaneously can provide a desired level of system performance for a given application. In at least one preferred embodiment, a plurality of pumps include three pumps are arranged in series. Preferred embodiments provide several benefits over a parallel arrangement of two larger pumps including, in the case of a single pump failure, that the remaining pumps are signaled to increase speed to restore system performance to restore supply line pressure with less perturbation than that realized in a two-pump, parallel arranged system. Methods are also provided herein for determining which of the three pumps is a failed pump in such a case.