FIELD OF INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a portable pneumatic hydro-testing pump, and more
particularly to the portable pneumatic hydro-testing pump used for testing a fluid system.
BACKGROUND
[0002] It is well known in the art to test lines to find leaks and flaws in fluid systems used in
applications such as pipelines, refineries, chemical plants, oil and gas drilling and production,
plumbing, or other operations. Usage of manually operated lever type fluid pumps for such
testing is also well known to access the integrity of vessels such as pipe. However, these pumps
are not reliable due to causes, such as pressure drop, gland packing leakages, increased testing
time of equipment's etc. Further, the usage of manual operated lever type pump is cumbersome
and requires a person having required muscle strength to constantly provide leverage.
OBJECTIVE OF INVENTION
[0003] It is an object of the invention to solve the problems of the prior art and to provide a
portable pneumatic hydro-testing pump for pumping fluid from a container to a fluid system to
be tested under pressure for leaks.
[0004] Another objective of the present invention is to develop a portable pneumatic hydro-
testing pump to determine whether a particular installation is suitable and safe for use with the
working pressure to which it will be exposed.
[0005] It is further another objective of the present invention to provide a pneumatic hydro-
testing pump which is portable, highly accurate and may be monitored from a distance.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
[0006] This summary is provided to introduce concepts related to pneumatic hydro-testing
pumps. The concepts are further described below in the detailed description. This summary is
not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is
it intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter.
[0007] In one aspect of the present invention, a portable pneumatic hydro-testing pump for
pressure testing a fluid system is provided. The portable pneumatic hydro-testing pump
comprises a pneumatic cylinder comprising a first pressure chamber, and a second pressure
chamber separated from one another by a piston connected to a piston rod. The portable
pneumatic hydro-testing pump also comprises a direction control valve fluidically coupled to
the pneumatic cylinder. The direction control valve is configured to receive a compressed air

flow from a compressed air source. The portable pneumatic hydro-testing pump further
comprises a ram pump operatively coupled to the pneumatic cylinder. The ram pump comprises
a ram chamber. The portable pneumatic hydro-testing pump comprises a container configured
to retain fluid to be pumped into the fluid system to be tested. The portable pneumatic hydro-
testing pump also comprises a piping system. The piping system comprises a container pipe
fluidically coupled to the container. The piping system also comprises a connecting pipe
fluidically coupled to the ram pump. The piping system further comprises an outlet pipe
configured to be coupled to the fluid system to be tested. The outlet pipe, the container pipe,
and the connecting pipe are fluidically coupled to one another. The portable pneumatic hydro-
testing pump further comprises at least two valves including a first valve and a second valve.
The first valve is disposed on the container pipe and the second valve is disposed on the outlet
pipe.
[0008] In an embodiment, the ram pump comprises a ram piston connected to a ram rod. The
ram rod is coupled to the piston rod of the pneumatic cylinder via a clevis.
[0009] In an embodiment, the first valve and the second valve are non-return valves
configured to allow flow of the fluid in only one direction.
[0010] In an embodiment, the direction control valve is actuated manually. In an
embodiment, the direction control valve is actuated using solenoid-control.
[0011] In an embodiment, the direction control valve is configured to selectively load the
first pressure chamber and the second pressure chamber, with compressed air, upon actuation.
[0012] In an embodiment, when the direction control valve is actuated in one direction the
compressed air flows into the first pressure chamber, due to which the piston and the ram piston
starts retracting, this creates a negative pressure inside the ram chamber, which allows the fluid
to fill inside the ram chamber through first valve disposed on the connecting pipe from the
container.
[0013] In an embodiment, once the pneumatic cylinder stroke completes, the direction
control valve is actuated in the opposite direction, the compressed air flows into the second
pressure chamber, due to which the piston and the ram piston starts extending, thereby
pressurizing the fluid filled within the ram chamber, the pressurized fluid passes through
second valve towards the fluid system to be tested.
[0014] In an embodiment, the portable pneumatic hydro-testing pump further comprises a
pressure gauge disposed on the outlet pipe.

[0015] In an embodiment, the at least two valves include at least one ball valve provided as
a reinforcement to ensure no leakages or back pressure.
[0016] In an embodiment, the portable pneumatic hydro-testing pump further comprises a
pressure switch provided on the outlet pipe. The pressure switch is used to set required
hydrotesting pressure and can be interlocked with direction control valve.
[0017] In an embodiment, the portable pneumatic hydro-testing pump further comprises a
plurality of limit switches provided as a safety interlock to control the pneumatic cylinder
stroke.
[0018] In an embodiment, the portable pneumatic hydro-testing pump comprises a stand onto
which all components of the portable pneumatic hydro-testing pump are mounted. The stand
comprises a base, a vertical member and a horizontal member.
[0019] In an embodiment, the fluid stored within the container is water. In an embodiment,
the direction control valve is actuated manually via a lever.
[0020] In an embodiment, the portable pneumatic hydro-testing pump comprising a pressure
transmitter provided on the outlet pipe, wherein the pressure transmitter can be interlocked with
direction control valve.
[0021] Other features and aspects of this disclosure will be apparent from the following
description and the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0022] Figures 1a and 1b illustrate different views of an exemplary portable hydro-testing
pump, according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0023] Figure 2 illustrates a schematic view of the portable hydro-testing pump having a
manually operated direction control valve, according to an embodiment of the present
invention; and
[0024] Figure 3 illustrates a schematic view of the portable hydro-testing pump having an
automated direction control valve, according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0025] The drawings referred to in this description are not to be understood as being drawn
to scale except if specifically noted, and such drawings are only exemplary in nature.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0026] The detailed description of various exemplary embodiments of the disclosure is
described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that the
embodiments are described herein in such details as to clearly communicate the disclosure.
However, the amount of details provided herein is not intended to limit the anticipated
variations of embodiments; on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications,
equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as
defined by the appended claims.
[0027] It is also to be understood that various arrangements may be devised that, although
not explicitly described or shown herein, embody the principles of the present disclosure.
Moreover, all statements herein reciting principles, aspects, and embodiments of the present
disclosure, as well as specific examples, are intended to encompass equivalents thereof.
[0028] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments
only and is not intended to be limiting of example embodiments. As used herein, the singular
forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context
clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises”,
“comprising”, “includes” and/or “including,” when used herein, specify the presence of stated
features, integers, steps, operations, elements and/or components, but do not preclude the
presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements,
components and/or groups thereof.
[0029] It should also be noted that in some alternative implementations, the functions/acts
noted may occur out of the order noted in the figures. For example, two figures shown in
succession may, in fact, be executed concurrently or may sometimes be executed in the reverse
order, depending upon the functionality/acts involved.
[0030] Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used
herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to
which example embodiments belong. It will be further understood that terms, e.g., those
defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is
consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and will not be interpreted in an
idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.
[0031] Referring to Figures 1a, 1b, 2 and 3, an exemplary portable pneumatic hydro-testing
pump (100) for pressure testing a fluid system (102) is depicted. The portable pneumatic hydro-

testing pump (100) comprises a pneumatic cylinder (104), a direction control valve (106), a
ram pump (108), a container (110), a piping system (131), a stand (150) and at least two valves
(112). The pneumatic cylinder (104) is configured to produce a force in a reciprocating linear
motion. The pneumatic cylinder (104) comprises a first pressure chamber (120), and a second
pressure chamber (122) separated from one another by a piston (124) connected to a piston rod
(128). The piston (124) is configured to move within the pneumatic cylinder (104) and the
stroke length of the piston (124) is predetermined and can be set according to requirements,
without any limitations.
[0032] The ram pump (108) is operatively coupled to the pneumatic cylinder (104). The ram
pump (108) comprises a ram chamber (130) and a ram piston (138) connected to a ram rod
(140). The ram rod (140) is coupled to the piston rod (128) of the pneumatic cylinder (104) via
a clevis (115). The container (110) is configured to retain fluid to be pumped into the fluid
system (102) to be tested. In the illustrated example, the fluid stored within the container (110)
is water. In the illustrated example, the container (110) is cylindrical shaped. Alternatively, the
container (110) may have any geometric shape, without limiting the scope of the invention. In
one example, the container (110) may have open top portion to facilitate easy addition or
removal of fluid from the container (110). In another example, the container (110) may be a
closed container having an opening for addition and removal of fluid from container (110),
without limiting the scope of the invention. In the illustrated example, the container (110) is
made of metal. Alternatively, the container (110) may be made of any material, such as plastic,
rubber, resin, etc., without limiting the scope of the invention.
[0033] The piping system (131) comprises a container pipe (133), a connecting pipe (132),
and an outlet pipe (134). The container pipe (133) is fluidically coupled to the container (110).
The connecting pipe (132) is fluidically coupled to the ram pump (108). The outlet pipe (134)
is configured to be coupled to the fluid system (102) to be tested. The outlet pipe (134), the
container pipe (133), and the connecting pipe (132) are fluidically coupled to one another. In
the illustrated example, the outlet pipe (134), the container pipe (133), and the connecting pipe
(132) are made of metal. Alternatively, the outlet pipe (134), the container pipe (133), and the
connecting pipe (132) may be made of any material such as plastic, alloy etc., without limiting
the scope of the invention. The piping system (131) may comprise additional pipes, without
limiting the scope of the invention.
[0034] The at least two valves (112) including a first valve (112a) and a second valve (112b).
The first valve (112a) is disposed on the container pipe (133) and the second valve (112b) is

disposed on the outlet pipe (134). In the illustrated example, the first valve (112a) and the
second valve (112b) are non-return valves configured to allow flow of the fluid in only one
direction. The at least two valves (112) includes at least one ball valve (112c) provided as a
reinforcement to ensure no leakages or back pressure. The at least one ball valve (112c) is
provided on the outlet pipe (134).
[0035] The direction control valve (106) is fluidically coupled to the pneumatic cylinder
(104). The direction control valve (106) is configured to receive a compressed air flow from a
compressed air source (114) (shown in Figure 2). In one example (as shown in Figure 2), the
direction control valve (106) is actuated manually via a lever (151). In another example (as
shown in Figure 3), the direction control valve (106) is automated and is actuated using
solenoid-control. The direction control valve (106) is configured to selectively load the first
pressure chamber (120) and the second pressure chamber (122), with compressed air, upon
actuation. The stand (150) is configured to mount all components of the portable pneumatic
hydro-testing pump (100). More particularly, the pneumatic cylinder (104) and the container
(110) are mounted to the stand (150). As shown in Figure 2, the stand (150) comprises a base
(152), a vertical member (154), a horizontal member (156). The vertical member (154) extends
from the base (152) and the horizontal member (156) extends from the vertical member (154).
In the illustrated example, the pneumatic cylinder (104) is mounted to the vertical member
(154) and the container (110) is mounted to the horizontal member (156).
[0036] Referring to Figure 3, the portable pneumatic hydro-testing pump (100) comprises a
pressure switch (PS) (not shown) provided on the outlet pipe (134). The pressure switch (PS)
is used to set required hydrotesting pressure and can be interlocked with direction control valve
(106). The pressure switch (PS) interlocked with solenoid-controlled direction control valve
(106) automates the portable pneumatic hydro-testing pump (100). In another example, the
portable pneumatic hydro-testing pump (100) comprises a pressure transmitter (PT) (shown in
Figure 3) provided on the outlet pipe (134). The pressure transmitter (PT) can be interlocked
with solenoid-controlled direction control valve (106) to automate the portable pneumatic
hydro-testing pump (100). The portable pneumatic hydro-testing pump (100) further
comprising a plurality of limit switches (129) provided as a safety interlock to control the
pneumatic cylinder (104) stroke.
[0037] During operation, when the direction control valve (106) is actuated in one direction,
the compressed air from the compressed air source (114) flows into the first pressure chamber
(120), due to which the piston (124) and the ram piston (138) starts retracting, this creates a

negative pressure inside the ram chamber (130), which allows the fluid to fill inside the ram
chamber (130) through first valve (112a) disposed on the connecting pipe (132) from the
container (110). Once the pneumatic cylinder (104) stroke completes, the direction control
valve (106) is actuated in the opposite direction, the compressed air flows into the second
pressure chamber (122), due to which the piston (124) and the ram piston (138) starts
extending, thereby pressurizing the fluid filled within the ram chamber (130), the pressurized
fluid passes through second valve (112b) towards the fluid system (102) to be tested.
[0038] The present invention relates to the portable pneumatic hydro-testing pump (100) for
testing the fluid system (102) for leaks and to determine whether a particular installation is
suitable and safe for use with the working pressure to which it will be exposed. The disclosed
portable pneumatic hydro-testing pump (100) is safe to use, cost effective, reliable solution to
provide a simple and convenient method of testing fluid systems and has wide application
range. The portable pneumatic hydro-testing pump (100) is portable, highly accurate and may
be monitored from a distance.
[0039] Furthermore, the terminology used herein is for describing embodiments only and is
not intended to be limiting of the present disclosure. It will be appreciated that several of the
above-disclosed and other features and functions, or alternatives thereof, may be combined into
other systems or applications. Various presently unforeseen or unanticipated alternatives,
modifications, variations, or improvements therein may subsequently be made by those skilled
in the art without departing from the scope of the present disclosure as encompassed by the
following claims.
[0040] The claims, as originally presented and as they may be amended, encompass
variations, alternatives, modifications, improvements, equivalents, and substantial equivalents
of the embodiments and teachings disclosed herein, including those that are presently
unforeseen or unappreciated, and that, for example, may arise from applicants/patentees and
others.
[0041] While the foregoing describes various embodiments of the invention, other and
further embodiments of the invention may be devised without departing from the basic scope
thereof. The scope of the invention is determined by the claims that follow. The invention is
not limited to the described embodiments, versions or examples, which are included to enable
a person having ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention when combined with
information and knowledge available to the person having ordinary skill in the art.

We Claim:
1. A portable pneumatic hydro-testing pump (100) for pressure testing a fluid system
(102) comprising:
a pneumatic cylinder (104) comprising a first pressure chamber (120), and a
second pressure chamber (122) separated from one another by a piston (124) connected
to a piston rod (128);
a direction control valve (106) fluidically coupled to the pneumatic cylinder
(104), wherein the direction control valve (106) is configured to receive a compressed
air flow from a compressed air source (114);
a ram pump (108) operatively coupled to the pneumatic cylinder (104), wherein
the ram pump (108) comprises a ram chamber (130);
a container (110) configured to retain fluid to be pumped into the fluid system
(102) to be tested;
a piping system (131) comprising:
a container pipe (133) fluidically coupled to the container (110);
a connecting pipe (132) fluidically coupled to the ram pump (108); and
an outlet pipe (134) configured to be coupled to the fluid system (102)
to be tested, wherein the outlet pipe (134), the container pipe (133), and the
connecting pipe (132) are fluidically coupled to one another; and
at least two valves (112) including a first valve (112a) and a second valve
(112b), wherein the first valve (112a) is disposed on the container pipe (133) and the
second valve (112b) is disposed on the outlet pipe (134).
2. The portable pneumatic hydro-testing pump (100) as claimed in the claim 1, wherein
the ram pump (108) comprises a ram piston (138) connected to a ram rod (140), wherein
the ram rod (140) is coupled to the piston rod (128) of the pneumatic cylinder (104) via
a clevis (115).
3. The portable pneumatic hydro-testing pump (100) as claimed in the claim 1, wherein
the first valve (112a) and the second valve (112b) are non-return valves configured to
allow flow of the fluid in only one direction.
4. The portable pneumatic hydro-testing pump (100) as claimed in the claim 1, wherein
the direction control valve (106) is actuated manually.
5. The portable pneumatic hydro-testing pump (100) as claimed in the claim 1, wherein
the direction control valve (106) is actuated using solenoid-control.

6. The portable pneumatic hydro-testing pump (100) as claimed in the claims 4 and 5,
wherein the direction control valve (106) is configured to selectively load the first
pressure chamber (120) and the second pressure chamber (122), with compressed air,
upon actuation.
7. The portable pneumatic hydro-testing pump (100) as claimed in the claim 6, wherein
when the direction control valve (106) is actuated in one direction the compressed air
flows into the first pressure chamber (120), due to which the piston (124) and the ram
piston (138) starts retracting, this creates a negative pressure inside the ram chamber
(130), which allows the fluid to fill inside the ram chamber (130) through first valve
(112a) disposed on the connecting pipe (132) from the container (110).
8. The portable pneumatic hydro-testing pump (100) as claimed in the claim 7, wherein
once the pneumatic cylinder (104) stroke completes, the direction control valve (106)
is actuated in the opposite direction, the compressed air flows into the second pressure
chamber (122), due to which the piston (124) and the ram piston (138) starts extending,
thereby pressurizing the fluid filled within the ram chamber (130), the pressurized fluid
passes through second valve (112b) towards the fluid system (102) to be tested.
9. The portable pneumatic hydro-testing pump (100) as claimed in the claim 1, wherein
the portable pneumatic hydro-testing pump (100) comprises a pressure gauge (142)
disposed on the outlet pipe (134).
10. The portable pneumatic hydro-testing pump (100) as claimed in the claim 1, wherein
the at least two valves (112) includes at least one ball valve (112c) provided as a
reinforcement to ensure no leakages or back pressure.
11. The portable pneumatic hydro-testing pump (100) as claimed in the claims 1 and 5,
further comprising a pressure switch (PS) provided on the outlet pipe (134), wherein
the pressure switch (PS) is used to set required hydrotesting pressure and can be
interlocked with direction control valve (106).
12. The portable pneumatic hydro-testing pump (100) as claimed in the claim 1, further
comprising a plurality of limit switches (129) provided as a safety interlock to control
the pneumatic cylinder (104) stroke.

13. The portable pneumatic hydro-testing pump (100) as claimed in the claim 1, further
comprising a stand (150) to mount all components of the portable pneumatic hydro-
testing pump (100), wherein the stand (150) comprises a base (152), a vertical member
(154) and a horizontal member (156).
14. The portable pneumatic hydro-testing pump (100) as claimed in the claim 1, wherein
the fluid stored within the container (110) is water.
15. The portable pneumatic hydro-testing pump (100) as claimed in the claim 4, wherein
the direction control valve (106) is actuated manually via a lever (151).
16. The portable pneumatic hydro-testing pump (100) as claimed in the claims 1 and 5, the
portable pneumatic hydro-testing pump (100) comprising a pressure transmitter (PT)
provided on the outlet pipe (134), wherein the pressure transmitter (PT) can be
interlocked with direction control valve (106).