Pumps

Whether it is filling gas in the car at a local gasformer type forces the fluid from one chamber
station, pumping water into the backyard pool orto another by reducing the volume of the first
blowing balloons for a kids birthday party, pumpschamber while increasing the volume of the
have played an important part in our lives sincesecond. A pump usually maintains a constant flow
their discovery several centuries ago.unless the intake pressure drops below a certain
A pump is a mechanical device used to lift,limit and causes a phenomenon called cavitation.
transfer or increase the pressure of a fluid or toMoreover, when the pressure exceeds the
create a vacuum in an enclosed space by thecapacity of the pump, the pump may fail.
removal of gas. The history of the first pumpReciprocating pumps, power pumps, steam
traces back to several centuries. The first knownpumps and rotary pumps are a few examples of
pump is the Archimedes screw pump in the 3rdpositive displacement pumps.
century BC. The concept behind pumps hasThe second type, dynamic pumps, causes the
remained the same since then.fluid to move from the inlet to the outlet under
We encounter pumps in all aspects of life. Fromits own momentum. Unlike the positive
medicine and industry to entertainment anddisplacement pumps, dynamic pumps do not need
household uses, the pump has been a vital part ofa release valve for the extra pressure. Today,
our lives over the years. Pumps can be broadlythese simple devices have become an integral
classified into two categories: positivepart of our lives. Pumps have certainly influenced
displacement pumps and dynamic pumps. Theour lives in a positive way.