An efficient reverse-thrusting modular propeller combines a center hub and a set of identical and replaceable blades. Each such blade has a radially and laterally symmetrical hydrofoil cross-section but disposed along a full wave (360) sinusoidal mean camber line. The blades all feature a very strong thicker symmetric hydrofoil cross-section at the propeller root which widens with a longer sinusoidal mean camber line wavelength, and thins in amplitude moving outward, and then the blades narrow again in shorter wavelength and thin more in diminishing amplitudes progressing toward the distal tip. Localized cupping on the leading or trailing edges is ruled-out as undesirable and counterproductive.

A method for priming of a pump in response to a priming condition includes confirming that the liquid level in the reservoir is located at the same level or above the upper portion of the impeller, driving the impeller in a reverse direction of rotation for a time duration between 2 seconds and 5 seconds, stopping the impeller from rotating in the reverse direction of rotation, driving the impeller in a forward direction of rotation, detecting, during the forward operation of the impeller, whether too much gas is present in the volute, and in response to detection of too much gas in the volute, stopping the impeller from rotating in the forward direction of rotation and driving the impeller in the reverse direction of rotation, and in response to non-detection of too much gas in the volute, exiting the priming of the pump.

A computer-implemented method for determining a forward flow rate of fluid flow through a pump, the pump comprising an impeller and a pump motor, the forward flow rate being responsive to the impeller being driven by the pump motor to rotate in a forward direction and at a forward speed, the method comprising: obtaining an observed reverse power of the pump motor when the pump motor is operated to drive the impeller in a reverse direction, opposite the forward direction, and at a reverse speed; computing an estimate of the forward flow rate from at least the observed reverse power.

Disclosed herein are a pump and a method for controlling the pump for discharging a fluid. The pump may have an impeller configured to move fluid through the pump in a common direction regardless of which way the impeller rotates, an electric motor configured to drive the impeller, and a controller configured to detect potential failure of the impeller to rotate, and, in response to detection of the potential failure, reverse polarity of current to the electric motor to reverse rotation of the impeller.

The invention comprises a pumping apparatus, system and method for increasing the flow of the in a first direction to boost liquid flow and in a reverse second direction to remove blockages and/or self-clearing, with operation having an rotor/impeller that can use a shredder and/or shearing action utilizing blades for processing to pass solids, debris and other things to prevent clogging and/or self-cleaning of the unit.

Various devices, systems, and methods are described herein that provide bi-directional, and even multi-directional airflow within fan systems. These fan systems can be utilized by devices such as datacenter switches to change from one direction of airflow (such as port side inlet) to another direction (such as port side exhaust). This can be done manually by having a multi-directional fan housed within an enclosure that provides access through a hatch door. The multi-directional fan can be removed and reoriented to a second direction, thus providing airflow with the same quality and pressure in multiple directions. Fan changes can also be automated through one or more interlocking rotational gears coupled to the fans within a housing, such that rotating one gear will rotate each of the fans within the housing, thus changing the direction of the airflow. By doing this, only one fan is needed to provide airflow in multiple directions.

A system includes a first pump having a first outlet and a first inlet, and a controller. The first pump is configured to continuously receive a flow of a slurry into the first outlet at a first pressure and to continuously discharge the flow of the slurry from the first inlet at a second pressure less than the first pressure. The controller is configured to control a first speed of the first pump against the flow of the slurry based at least in part on the first pressure, wherein the first speed of the first pump is configured to resist a backflow of the slurry from the first outlet to the first inlet.

Various devices, systems, and methods are described herein that provide bi-directional, and even multi-directional airflow within fan systems. These fan systems can be utilized by devices such as datacenter switches to change from one direction of airflow (such as port side inlet) to another direction (such as port side exhaust). This can be done manually by having a multi-directional fan housed within an enclosure that provides access through a hatch door. The multi-directional fan can be removed and reoriented to a second direction, thus providing airflow with the same quality and pressure in multiple directions. Fan changes can also be automated through one or more interlocking rotational gears coupled to the fans within a housing, such that rotating one gear will rotate each of the fans within the housing, thus changing the direction of the airflow. By doing this, only one fan is needed to provide airflow in multiple directions.

The invention provides a liquid pumping apparatus, system and method for increasing the flow of fluid in a gravity feed network. The invention provides an in-line main pipe with upstream and downstream portions flanking a manifold that houses a check valve. One or more branch pipes may form a fluid bypass around the manifold. Each branch pipe includes a pump configured to accelerate the fluid in at least partially the same direction as the downstream flow. A sensor may be adapted to measure a parameter related to the liquid level in the main pipe. A rotary encoder may be adapted to measure the flow rate in the main pipe as a proportional function of the check valve angle, under gravity flow conditions. A control system may energize the pumps when the liquid level in the main pipe is above a predetermined threshold according to the parameter.

An electrical submersible pumping system (ESP) for use in a wellbore includes an electrical motor, a pump, a shaft coupled between the motor and pump, and a lubricant pump for circulating lubricant within the ESP. The lubricant pump includes a diffuser and an impeller that mounts onto and rotates with shaft rotation. A portion of the impeller has a frusto-conical outer surface, which is circumscribed by a portion of the diffuser profiled complementary to the frusto-conical portion of the impeller. The pump directs lubricant flow in a single direction irrespective of the rotational direction of the shaft.