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IPC Subclass
F04F

PUMPING OF FLUID BY DIRECT CONTACT OF ANOTHER FLUID OR BY USING INERTIA OF FLUID TO BE PUMPED; SIPHONS

Introduced: September 1968

Last revised: July 1974

Classification Context

Section:
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
Class:
POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; PUMPS FOR LIQUIDS OR ELASTIC FLUIDS
Subclass:
PUMPING OF FLUID BY DIRECT CONTACT OF ANOTHER FLUID OR BY USING INERTIA OF FLUID TO BE PUMPED; SIPHONS

Description

F04F covers fluid pumping mechanisms that operate without conventional rotating impellers or reciprocating pistons. This subclass encompasses jet pumps (eductor pumps) where a high-velocity motive fluid entrains and accelerates the fluid being pumped, ram pumps and hydraulic rams that exploit fluid inertia for intermittent delivery, and siphon systems that utilize gravity and atmospheric pressure differentials. Also included are airlift pumps that use injected gas bubbles to reduce fluid density in a column, enabling upward flow. These technologies are distinct from traditional positive-displacement and centrifugal pump designs, finding application in low-speed transfer, priming operations, and environments where mechanical moving parts are impractical or undesired.

Related Keywords

ASPIRATOR pumpsCOOLING of engines or pumps

8 direct subcodes

Child Classifications

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  • F04F 13/00 Pressure exchangers
  • F04F 3/00 Pumps using negative pressure acting directly on the liquid to be pumped
  • F04F 99/00 Subject matter not provided for in other groups of this subclass

Top Applicants

Top 10 applicants by patent filingsfor class F04, 2013–2023, worldwide · Source: EPO PATSTAT

  1. GREE ELECTRIC APPLIANCES 5,351
  2. LG ELECTRONICS KR 3,502
  3. ROBERT BOSCH DE 3,011
  4. MIDEA 2,258
  5. MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION JP 1,663
  6. ZHUHAI LANDA COMPRESSOR COMPANY 1,639
  7. GREE ELECTRIC APPLIANCES, INC.OF ZHUHAI 1,573
  8. ZHUHAI GREE ENERGY-SAVING REFRIGERATION TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH CENTER COMPANY 1,536
  9. TOYOTA INDUSTRIES CORPORATION 1,347
  10. DAIKIN INDUSTRIES 1,325