US20090010768A1

US20090010768A1 - Pumping apparatus for shear-sensitive fluids

Info

Publication number: US20090010768A1
Application number: US11/825,088
Authority: US
Inventors: Dale E. Donovan
Original assignee: Versa Matic Pump Inc
Current assignee: Warren Rupp Inc
Priority date: 2007-07-03
Filing date: 2007-07-03
Publication date: 2009-01-08
Also published as: WO2009005510A1

Abstract

Pumping systems for pumping shear-sensitive fluids between first and second reservoirs. In various embodiments, the pumping system may include a portable platform that supports at least one diaphragm pump thereon. The diaphragm pumps are arranged for fluid communication with first and second reservoirs. Valve arrangements may be provided that enable the shear-sensitive fluid to be pumped from a first reservoir to a second reservoir. In some embodiments, the valve arrangements enable the user to reverse the flow direction to enable the fluid to be pumped back out of the second reservoir into the first reservoir if too much fluid was initially transferred into the second reservoir. Other embodiments may employ a hand activated nozzle to discharge the pumped fluid.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates in general to pumps and, more particularly, to portable assemblies with diaphragm pumps for pumping shear-sensitive fluids.

BACKGROUND

A variety of different pumps are known for pumping fluid materials. One industry that uses pumps for pumping shear-sensitive fluids is the beverage industry. A “shear-sensitive fluid”, as used herein, means a fluid that has one or more properties that may be changed or altered when pumped through a pump that introduces a shearing action thereto. One type of fluid that falls within this category is wine. I believe that when wine is passed through a conventional piston pump or impeller pump, shearing forces can be detrimentally imparted to the wine which could alter the taste of the wine. For example, such undesirable forces may cause unwanted oxidation of the wine. Such problems are not limited to the wine industry, however. For example, such piston and impeller-type pumps are used throughout the beverage industry to pump beverage fluids such as milk, beer, soft drinks, fruit juices, fruit drinks, sports drinks, etc.
Other problems are associated with the use of dedicated piping and pumping arrangements that cannot be readily moved between reservoirs. For example, large winery operations generally use dedicated pumps and piping systems for pumping wine between containers during the aging/storing process or into tanker trucks or other transportable reservoirs. Smaller wineries, however, often cannot afford the large investment of capital often associated with such dedicated systems. Such operations generally rely on the use of manually operated or electrically operated hand pumps to pump the wine between containers. While hand pumps are readily portable and afford the user with a certain amount of flexibility, their use, particularly in the wine producing industry, is fraught with problems and shortcomings.
For example, hand pumps commonly use a piston arrangement or an impeller arrangement to draw the fluid in through an inlet pipe and discharge it through an outlet pipe. Such pump arrangements can undesirably apply a shearing action to the wine. Other problems often experienced when using portable hand pumps is that they are susceptible to spillage of wine when they are introduced into the storage container or removed from such containers. Such spillage can lead to molding and spoilage resulting in unhygienic conditions in the vicinity of the spill. If, during pumping, the user pumps too much wine from one container to another, the pump must be transferred from the first container to the second container and arranged to discharge the fluid from the second container back into the first container. Such manipulation of the hand pump requires more labor and time and can lead to undesirable contamination of the wine.
Thus, there is a need for a pumping system that can be effectively used to pump shear-sensitive fluids that is readily portable and avoids the various problems discussed above associated with dedicated pumping systems and portable hand pumps.

SUMMARY

In one general aspect of an embodiment of the invention, there is provided a pumping system for pumping shear-sensitive fluids between first and second reservoirs. In various embodiments, the pumping system may include a platform that has at least one diaphragm pump supported thereon. The at least one diaphragm pump has a inlet port and an outlet port. At least one valve assembly is in fluid communication with the inlet and outlet ports and the first and second reservoirs such that when the valve assembly is actuated into a first position, the shear-sensitive fluid may be pumped by the at least one diaphragm pump from the first reservoir into the second reservoir and when the valve assembly is actuated into a second position, the shear-sensitive fluid may be pumped from the second reservoir into the first reservoir.
In another aspect of the invention, there is provided a pumping system for pumping shear-sensitive fluids between first and second reservoirs. In various embodiments, the pumping system may include a platform that has first and second diaphragm pumps supported thereon. The first diaphragm pump has a first inlet port and a first outlet port. The second diaphragm pump also has a second inlet port and a second outlet port. An inlet manifold may be in fluid communication with the first inlet port of said first diaphragm pump and the second inlet port of the second diaphragm pump. An outlet manifold may be in fluid communication with the first outlet port of the first diaphragm pump and the second outlet port of the second diaphragm pump. A first valve assembly may be in fluid communication with the first reservoir and the inlet and outlet manifold. A second valve assembly may be in fluid communication with the second reservoir and the outlet and inlet manifold.
In another general aspect of various embodiments of the present invention there is provided a pumping system for pumping shear-sensitive fluids between first and second reservoirs. In various embodiments, the pumping system may include a portable platform that has first and second fluid-operated double diaphragm pumps thereon. The first double diaphragm pump may have a first inlet port and a first outlet port and the second fluid operated double diaphragm pump may have a second inlet port and a second outlet port. An inlet manifold may be in fluid communication with the first inlet port of the first fluid operated double diaphragm pump and the second inlet port of the second fluid operated double diaphragm pump. An outlet manifold may be in fluid communication with the first outlet port of the first fluid operated double diaphragm pump and the second outlet port of the second fluid operated double diaphragm pump. A first valve may be in fluid communication with the first reservoir and the inlet and outlet manifolds. A second valve may be in fluid communication with the second reservoir and the inlet and outlet manifolds. A pulse dampener may be in fluid communication with the outlet manifold.
In still another general aspect of various embodiments of the present invention there is provided a pumping system for pumping shear-sensitive fluids. In various embodiments, the pumping system may include a platform that supports at least one diaphragm pump thereon. The diaphragm pump may have an inlet port and an outlet port. A suction assembly may be in fluid communication with the inlet port and a discharge assembly may be in fluid communication with the outlet port, the discharge assembly may have a discharge hose with a hand activated dispensing nozzle operably coupled thereto.
In another general aspect of various embodiments of the present invention there is provided a pumping system that may include a wheeled platform that has at least one air operated diaphragm pump supported thereon that has an inlet and an outlet port. A blower assembly may be operably supported on the wheeled platform and be configured to supply air to the at least one air operated diaphragm pump. A pulsation dampener may be in fluid communication with the outlet port. A discharge hose may be operably coupled to the pulsation dampener for fluid communication therewith. A hand activated dispensing nozzle may be coupled to the discharge hose.
These and other objects and advantages of the present invention shall be made apparent from the accompanying drawings and the description thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention, and, together with the general description of the invention given above, and the detailed description of the embodiments given below, serve to explain various principles of the present invention.

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of a pumping system embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a top view of the pumping system embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a left side elevational view of the pumping system embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 4 is an exploded assembly view of the pumping system embodiment of FIGS. 1-3;

FIG. 5 is a schematic of the pumping system embodiment of FIGS. 1-4;

FIG. 6 is a front elevational view of another pumping system embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a right side elevational view of the pumping system embodiment of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a rear elevational view of the pumping system embodiment of FIGS. 6 and 7;

FIG. 9 is a is an enlarged view of a flow control valve of the pumping system embodiment depicted in FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is an exploded assembly view of the pumping system embodiment of FIGS. 6-9; and

FIG. 11 is a schematic of the pumping system embodiment of FIGS. 61-0.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Turning to the Drawings, wherein like numerals denote like components throughout the several views, FIGS. 1-4 depict a pumping system 10 which is capable of practicing various unique benefits of the present invention. While the pumping system 10 and the other pumping system embodiments disclosed herein are particularly well-suited for use in connection with shear-sensitive fluids such as beverages and other ingestible fluids, their uses should not be so limited. For example, the various pumping systems disclosed herein may find utility in pumping any type of fluid material wherein it is desirable to avoid the shearing actions encountered when using other types of conventional pumps and arrangements. Thus, as used herein, the term “shear-sensitive fluid” not only encompasses any ingestible fluids/beverages, such as, for example, wine, beer, milk, juices, fruit drinks, soft drinks, flavored drinks, sports drinks, etc. wherein one or more properties such as taste, consistency, etc. may be altered, but also encompasses other fluids wherein one or more properties may be detrimentally altered or affected when encountering the shearing action associated with conventional piston and impeller-type pumps.
As illustrated in FIGS. 1-4, the pumping system 10 may include a platform 20 that may be fabricated from any suitable material. For example, the platform 20 may be fabricated from metal such as steel, stainless steel, aluminum, titanium, etc. In other embodiments, the platform 20 may be fabricated from polymer materials such as polyvinyl chloride “PVC” or the like. In various embodiments, the platform 20 may be mounted on wheels 22 or a combination of wheels and skid plates (not shown) and have a vertically extending handle assembly 30 to facilitate manipulation of the platform 20. In other embodiments, the platform may comprises a substantially permanent/non-movable structure.
In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1-4, a first diaphragm pump 40 and a second diaphragm pump 50 are employed. In various embodiments, the first diaphragm pump 40 and the second diaphragm pump 50 may each comprise an air-actuated double diaphragm pump of the type disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,962,487 to Caldwell, or U.S. Pat. No. 5,326,234 to Versaw et al., the disclosures of which are herein incorporated by reference in their entireties. However, other known double diaphragm pumps or single diaphragm pumps and other quantities of such pumps may be employed as will be discussed in further detail below. In the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 1-4, the first diaphragm pump 40 has a “first” inlet port 42 and a “first” outlet port 44. Similarly, the second diaphragm pump 50 has a “second” inlet port 52 and a “second” outlet port 54.
As can be seen in FIGS. 3 and 4, the first inlet port 42 and the second inlet port 52 are fluidically coupled together by an inlet manifold 110 to form a common inlet port 112. As used herein the term “fluidically coupled” means that the elements are coupled together with an appropriate pipe, conduit, tubing, pipe fittings or other means to permit the passage of fluid therebetween. As used herein, the term “line” refers to an appropriate passage formed from rigid or flexible conduit, pipe, tubing, etc. for transporting fluid between elements of the systems disclosed herein. The term “fluid communication” as used herein in a manner such as, for example, “a first element is in fluid communication with a second element” means that the first element is fluidically coupled to the second element or is otherwise oriented relative thereto to receive fluid therefrom or to discharge fluid therein.
Also in various embodiments, the first outlet port 44 and the second outlet port 54 may be fluidically coupled to a pulsation dampener assembly 60. The pulsation dampener assembly 60 may include a conventional dampener 62 such as that dampener manufactured by Versa-Matic Pump Company of Export, Pa. under Model No. VTA2N1A. However, other conventional pulsation dampeners may be employed without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. The dampener 62 may be fluidically coupled to the first and second outlet ports 44, 54 by a dampener manifold 70. As can be seen in FIG. 4, the dampener manifold 70 has a first dampener inlet port 72 that is coupled to the first outlet port 44 and the dampener manifold 70 has a second dampener inlet port 74 that is coupled to the second outlet port 54 of the second diaphragm pump 50. In addition, the dampener manifold 70 has an outlet port 76 that serves as the common outlet for the first and second pumps 40, 50. The person of ordinary skill in the art will understand that the dampener 62 will serve to reduce or minimize pulsation of the fluid as it is pumped by the pumps 40, 50.
In the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 1-5, the common outlet port 76 is coupled to a valve manifold assembly 80. In various embodiments, the valve manifold assembly 80 may include a first valve assembly 90 and a second valve assembly 100. The first valve assembly 90 may comprise a conventional three-way valve 92 of the type, for example, manufactured by QSM, Inc. of Easley, S.C. under Model No. Tru-Flo Valve No. TF-3308-SN-CV-T-1.0. However other valve arrangements could be employed. Similarly, the second valve assembly 100 may comprise a second three way valve 102 of similar construction as the first three way valve 92. The first three way valve 92 may have a first valve port 94, a second valve port 96, and a third valve port 98. Similarly, the second three-way valve 102 may have a first valve port 104, a second valve port 106, and a third valve port 108. In the embodiments depicted in FIGS. 1-5, the common inlet port 112 is coupled to an inlet pipe assembly 120 that is fluidically coupled to the ports 94, 104. Similarly, the common outlet port 76 may be fluidically coupled to an outlet pipe assembly 130 that is fluidically coupled to ports 96, 106.
The third valve port 98 of the first three-way valve 92 may be fluidically coupled to a first line 140 that is fluidically coupled to or is otherwise arranged to discharge the shear-sensitive fluid into or to draw the shear-sensitive fluid out of a first reservoir 150. As used herein, the term “reservoir” may mean any permanent or portable tank or storage vessel including tanks that are mounted on vehicles. Similarly, the third valve port 108 of the second three way valve 102 may be fluidically coupled to a second line 142 that is fluidically coupled to or is otherwise arranged to discharge the shear-sensitive fluid into or to draw the shear-sensitive fluid out of a second reservoir 160. See FIG. 5. The first and second lines 140, 142 may comprise, for example, flexible pipe or rigid pipe. The lines 140, 142 may each be equipped with one or more conventional quick disconnect fittings to facilitate easy attachment and detachment between the pumping system 10 and the reservoirs 150, 160. In other embodiments, however, the pipelines may be coupled with other more permanent fitting arrangements.
In various embodiments, the first valve assembly 90 may have a “first” actuator 93 thereon that, when actuated, can move a flow control member (not shown) therein to form a fluid path between ports 94 and 98 or between ports 96 and 98. Similarly, the second valve assembly 100 may have a “second” actuator 103 thereon that, when actuated, can move a flow control member (not shown) therein to form a fluid path between ports 104 and 108 or between ports 106 and 108. In one embodiment for example, the first actuator 93 and the second actuator 103 may be mechanically linked by an actuator handle 170 such that the user may simply pivot the actuator handle 170 between one position wherein the first valve assembly 90 creates a flow path between ports 98, and 94 and the second valve assembly 100 creates a flow path between ports 106 and 108 and a second position wherein the first valve assembly 90 creates a flow path between ports 96 and 98 and the second valve assembly 100 creates a flow path between ports 108 and 104. However, other actuation arrangements may be employed.
As indicated above, the first and second pumps 40, 50 may each comprise air actuated double diaphragm pumps. In the embodiments employing those types of pumps, an air manifold assembly 180 may be coupled to corresponding control ports in the first and second pumps 40, 50 and also have an attachment port 182 that can be coupled to a source of control air 190 or other actuation fluid. The source of control air 190 may comprise a permanent compressed air system or air supply (“shop air”) located in the facility apart from the platform 20. In those cases, an airline arrangement with one or more conventional quick disconnect fittings attached thereto may be employed to fluidically couple the air manifold assembly 180 to the source of air 190. Other sources of air such as blowers, compressors, etc. may be employed.
Use of the pumping system 10 will now be explained with particular reference to FIG. 5. As indicated above, the first and second reservoirs 150, 160 may comprise a variety of different tanks/receptacles, including vehicle mounted tanks. Assuming for this example, that the first reservoir 150 comprises a substantially nonmovable tank that contains shear-sensitive fluid that must be pumped therefrom into the second reservoir 160 which may comprise, for example, a tanker truck. To commence the pumping process, the user would position the platform 20 in a location that would facilitate fluid communication between the pumping system 10 and the reservoirs 150, 160. For example, the platform 20 would be positioned to permit the source 190 of actuation air or fluid to be coupled to the air manifold assembly 180 and also permit the pipeline 140 to be fluidically coupled between the first reservoir 150 and the port 98 in the first valve assembly 90 and the second pipeline 142 to be fluidically coupled between the second reservoir 160 and the port 108 on the second valve assembly 100.
After the user has coupled the air manifold 180 to the source 190 of actuation air or other fluid and has also fluidically coupled pipeline 140 to port 98 and first receptacle 150 as well as coupled the pipeline 142 to the port 108 and the second receptacle 160, the user may then move the actuator handle 170 to the first position. When in that position, the flow control member in the first valve assembly 90 establishes a flow path between the port 98 and the port 94 and the flow control member in the second valve assembly 100 establishes a flow path between the ports 106 and 108. Such positioning of the flow control members of the first and second valve assemblies 90, 100 enable the first and second pumps 40, 50 to draw the shear-sensitive fluid from the first receptacle 150. As the first and second pumps 40, 50 are operated, the shear-sensitive fluid is drawn out of the first receptacle 150 through pipeline 140 into port 98 in the first valve assembly 90. The shear-sensitive fluid passes through port 94 in the first valve assembly 90 into the inlet pipe assembly 120 into the common inlet port 112 in the manifold assembly 110 and into inlet ports 42, and 52 in the first and second pumps 40, 50, respectively. The shear-sensitive fluid is pumped out of the outlet ports 44, 54 in the first and second pumps 40, 50, respectively, into the dampener manifold 70 and out through the common outlet port 76 into the outlet pipe assembly 130. The shear-sensitive fluid passes through the outlet pipe assembly 130 into the ports 96 and 106 in the valve assemblies 90, 100, respectively. Because of the position of the flow control member in the first valve assembly 90, port 96 is closed. Thus, the shear-sensitive fluid flows through the ports 106 and 108 in the second valve assembly 100 into line 142 and is ultimately discharged into the second receptacle 160.
If during the pumping process, the user discovers that too much of the shear-sensitive fluid has been pumped from the first receptacle 150 into the second receptacle 160, the user simply can move the actuator handle 170 to the second position. When in that position, the flow control member in the second valve assembly 100 establishes a flow path between ports 108 and 104 and the flow control member in the first valve assembly 100 establishes a flow path between ports 98 and 96. When the flow control members are in those second positions, the shear-sensitive fluid is drawn from the second reservoir 160 through pipeline 142 into the port 108 in the second valve assembly 100. The shear-sensitive fluid passes through port 104 in the second valve assembly 100 into the inlet pipe assembly 120. The fluid then passes into the common inlet port 112 in the manifold assembly 110 and into inlet ports 42, and 52 in the first and second pumps 40, 50, respectively. The shear-sensitive fluid is pumped out of the outlet ports 44, 54 in the first and second pumps 40, 50, respectively, into the dampener manifold 70 and out through the common outlet port 76 into the outlet pipe assembly 130. The shear-sensitive fluid passes through the outlet pipe assembly 130 into the ports 96 and 106 in the valve assemblies 90, 100, respectively. Port 106 is closed, so the fluid passes out through port 98 in the first valve assembly 90 through pipeline 140 into the first receptacle 150.
Those of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate that the pumping system 10 of the present invention represents a vast improvement over prior pumping arrangements used to pump shear-sensitive fluids. The diaphragm pumps employed thereby avoid the application of shear forces to the fluid that are often encountered when using other conventional pumps. In addition, the platform arrangement enables the user to move the system to convenient locations adjacent receptacles. Also, in the event that too much fluid has been transferred from one receptacle into the other receptacle, fluid may easily be pumped out of the overfilled receptacle back into the first receptacle simply by actuating the valves in the proper positions. Such arrangement avoids the spillage commonly associated when using prior hand pump arrangements.
While the embodiment of the pumping system 10 described above employs two double diaphragm pumps to pump a desired volume of shear-sensitive-fluid, the person of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that only one double diaphragm pump need be employed or, if desired, more than two double diaphragm pumps could conceivably be employed. Thus, the protection afforded to such embodiments should not be limited to use of two double diaphragm pumps. It will be further appreciated that, one convention single diaphragm pump or multiple single diaphragm pumps may be employed instead of double diaphragm pumps.
FIGS. 6-11 illustrate another pumping system 210 of the present invention. In various embodiments, the pumping system 210 may include a wheeled platform or dolly 220 that may be fabricated from any suitable material. For example, the wheeled platform 220 may be fabricated from metal such as steel, stainless steel, aluminum, titanium, etc. In other embodiments, the wheeled platform 220 may be fabricated from polymer materials such as polyvinyl chloride “PVC” or the like. In various embodiments, the wheeled platform 220 may include a base portion 222 that has a vertically extending handle assembly 230 attached thereto. Wheels 224 are attached to the base portion 222 to enable the platform 220 to be easily moved/positioned by the user.
In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 6-11, only one double diaphragm pump 240 is employed. In various embodiments, the diaphragm pump 240 may comprise an air-actuated double diaphragm pump of the type disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,962,487 to Caldwell, or U.S. Pat. No. 5,326,234 to Versaw et al., the disclosures of which were previously herein incorporated by reference. However, other known double diaphragm pumps or single diaphragm pumps and other quantities of such pumps may be employed as will be discussed in further detail below. In the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 6-11, the diaphragm pump 240 has an inlet port 242 and an outlet port 244. A suction assembly 250 is coupled to the inlet port 242 and may comprise a flexible hose 252 that is configured to be operably placed in fluid communication with or fluidically coupled to a first reservoir 150. See FIG. 11. The outlet port 244 is coupled to a discharge assembly 260.
In various embodiments, the discharge assembly 260 may include a conventional pulsation dampener 270, a discharge hose 280 and a hand activated dispensing nozzle 290. The hand activated dispensing nozzle 290 may comprise a conventional nozzle of the type commonly employed on gasoline pumps. However, the dispensing nozzle may be fitted with the seals and components that are compatible with the type of fluids being discharged therethrough.
The diaphragm pump 240 may be air powered by a source of air 300 which may comprise, for example, a portable blower 302 also supported on the base portion 222 of the wheeled platform 220. The blower 302 may discharge the air through an air supply line 306 that is fluidically coupled to another supply line 307 that is operably coupled to the diaphragm pump 240. The air supply line 307 may have a flow control valve 308 mounted therein for controlling the flow of air to the pump 240 to enable the user to control the fluid pumping rate. See FIGS. 8 and 9. In various embodiments, the vertical handle assembly may also be provided with hooks 232 or other arrangements to support the suction hose 252 and discharge hose 280 thereon.
Those of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate that the pumping system 10 of the present invention represents a vast improvement over prior pumping arrangements used to pump shear-sensitive fluids. The diaphragm pumps employed thereby avoid the application of shear forces to the fluid that are often encountered when using other conventional pumps. In addition, the platform arrangement enables the user to move the system to convenient locations adjacent receptacles. The system may also be quickly and easily reversed in the event that too much fluid has been transferred from one receptacle into the other receptacle thus avoiding spillage commonly associated when using prior hand pump arrangements.
While several embodiments of the invention have been described, it should be apparent, however, that various modifications, alterations and adaptations to those embodiments may occur to persons skilled in the art with the attainment of some or all of the advantages of the invention. For example, according to various embodiments, a single component may be replaced by multiple components, and multiple components may be replaced by a single component, to perform a given function or functions. This application is therefore intended to cover all such modifications, alterations and adaptations without departing from the scope and spirit of the disclosed invention as defined by the appended claims.
Any patent, publication, or other disclosure material, in whole or in part, that is said to be incorporated by reference herein is incorporated herein only to the extent that the incorporated materials does not conflict with existing definitions, statements, or other disclosure material set forth in this disclosure. As such, and to the extent necessary, the disclosure as explicitly set forth herein supersedes any conflicting material incorporated herein by reference. Any material, or portion thereof, that is said to be incorporated by reference herein, but which conflicts with existing definitions, statements, or other disclosure material set forth herein will only be incorporated to the extent that no conflict arises between that incorporated material and the existing disclosure material.
The invention which is intended to be protected is not to be construed as limited to the particular embodiments disclosed. The embodiments are therefore to be regarded as illustrative rather than restrictive. Variations and changes may be made by others without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Accordingly, it is expressly intended that all such equivalents, variations and changes which fall within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined in the claims be embraced thereby.

Claims

1. A pumping system for pumping shear-sensitive fluids between first and second reservoirs, said pumping system comprising:

a platform;

at least one diaphragm pump having an inlet port and an outlet port and being operably supported on said platform; and

at least one valve assembly in fluid communication with said inlet and outlet ports and said first and second reservoirs such that when the valve assembly is actuated into a first position, the shear-sensitive fluid may be pumped by the at least one diaphragm pump from the first reservoir into the second reservoir and when said valve assembly is actuated into a second position, the shear-sensitive fluid may be pumped from the second reservoir into the first reservoir.

2. The pumping system of claim 1 wherein said at least one diaphragm pump is a double diaphragm pump.

3. The pumping system of claim 1 wherein said platform is portable.

4. A pumping system of claim 1 further comprising a pulsation dampener assembly in fluid communication with said outlet port of said at least one diaphragm pump.

5. The pumping system of claim 1 wherein said at least one diaphragm pump is operated by a source of air.

6. The pumping system of claim 5 wherein said source of air comprises a blower supported on said platform.

7. The pumping system of claim 5 wherein said source of air comprises a compressed air system located apart from said platform.

8. The pumping system of claim 1 wherein said platform comprises a wheeled platform.

9. The pumping system of claim 1 wherein the shear-sensitive fluid is selected form the group of shear-sensitive fluids consisting of wine, beer, milk, fruit juice, soft drinks, flavored drinks, fruit drinks and sports drinks.

10. A pumping system for pumping shear-sensitive fluids between first and second reservoirs, said pumping system, comprising:

a platform;

a first diaphragm pump having a first inlet port and a first outlet port, said first diaphragm pump supported on said platform;

a second diaphragm pump having a second inlet port and a second outlet port, said second diaphragm pump supported on said platform;

an inlet manifold in fluid communication with said first inlet port of said first diaphragm pump and said second inlet port of said second diaphragm pump;

an outlet manifold in fluid communication with said first outlet port of said first diaphragm pump and said second outlet port of said second diaphragm pump;

a first valve assembly in fluid communication with said first reservoir and said inlet and outlet manifold; and

a second valve assembly in fluid communication with the second reservoir and said outlet and inlet manifold.

11. The pumping system of claim 10 wherein said first valve assembly comprises a first three way valve and said second valve assembly comprises a second three way valve.

12. The pumping system of claim 10 wherein said first and second diaphragm pumps are double diaphragm pumps.

13. The pumping system of claim 10 wherein said platform is portable.

14. The pumping system of claim 11 wherein said first three way valve has a first actuator and wherein said second three way valve has a second actuator and wherein said first and second actuators are operably connected together.

15. A pumping system of claim 10 further comprising a pulsation dampener assembly in fluid communication with said first outlet port of said first diaphragm pump and said second outlet port in said second diaphragm pump and said outlet manifold.

16. The pumping system of claim 10 wherein said first and second diaphragm pumps are operated by a source of air.

17. The pumping system of claim 16 wherein said source of air comprises a blower supported on said platform.

18. The pumping system of claim 10 wherein said platform comprises a wheeled platform.

19. The pumping system of claim 16 wherein said source of air comprises a compressed air system located apart from said platform.

20. The pumping system of claim 10 wherein the shear-sensitive fluid is selected form the group of shear-sensitive fluids consisting of wine, beer, milk, fruit juice, soft drinks, flavored drinks, fruit drinks and sports drinks.

21. A pumping system for pumping shear-sensitive fluids between first and second reservoirs, comprising:

a portable platform;

a first fluid-operated double diaphragm pump having a first inlet port and a first outlet port, said first fluid-operated double diaphragm pump operably supported on said portable platform;

a second fluid operated double-diaphragm pump having a second inlet port and a second outlet port, said second fluid-operated double diaphragm pump supported on said portable platform;

an inlet manifold in fluid communication with said first inlet port of said first fluid operated double diaphragm pump and said second inlet port of said second fluid operated double diaphragm pump;

an outlet manifold in fluid communication with said first outlet port of said first fluid operated double diaphragm pump and said second outlet port of said second fluid operated double diaphragm pump;

a first valve in fluid communication with the first reservoir and said inlet and outlet manifolds;

a second valve in fluid communication with the second reservoir and said inlet and outlet manifolds; and

a pulse dampener in fluid communication with said outlet manifold.

22. A pumping system for pumping shear-sensitive fluids, said pumping system comprising:

a platform;

at least one diaphragm pump supported on said platform, said diaphragm pump having an inlet port and an outlet port;

a suction assembly in fluid communication with said inlet port; and

a discharge assembly in fluid communication with said outlet port, said discharge assembly having a discharge hose with a hand activated dispensing nozzle operably coupled thereto.

23. The pumping system of claim 22 wherein said discharge assembly further comprises a pulsation dampener.

24. The pumping system of claim 22 wherein said diaphragm pump is a double diaphragm pump.

25. The pumping system of claim 24 wherein said diaphragm pump is operated by a source of air supported on said platform.

26. The pumping system of claim 25 wherein said source of air comprises a blower supported on said platform.

27. The pumping system of claim 24 wherein said diaphragm pump is operated by a compressed air system located apart from said platform.

28. The pumping system of claim 22 wherein said platform comprises a wheeled platform.

29. The pumping system of claim 28 wherein said wheeled platform comprises:

a base portion;

a vertical handle assembly; and

at least two wheels situated adjacent a juncture between said base portion and said vertical handle assembly.

30. The pumping system of claim 29 further comprising at least one first hook on said vertical handle assembly for receiving at least a portion of at least one of said suction assembly and said discharge assembly thereon.

31. A pumping system comprising:

a wheeled platform;

at least one air operated diaphragm pump having an inlet and an outlet port and being supported on said wheeled platform;

a blower assembly operably supported on said wheeled platform and configured to supply air to said at least one air operated diaphragm pump;

a pulsation dampener in fluid communication with said outlet port;

a discharge hose coupled to said pulsation dampener for fluid communication therewith; and

a hand activated dispensing nozzle coupled to said discharge hose.

32. A method for pumping shear-sensitive fluid between two reservoirs, said method comprising:

providing a pumping system according to claim 10;

fluidically coupling said first valve assembly to said first reservoir;

fluidically coupling said second valve assembly to said second reservoir;

actuating said first valve assembly to a first position to permit the shear-sensitive fluid to flow from the first reservoir therethrough into the inlet manifold;

actuating said second valve assembly to a first position to permit the shear-sensitive fluid in the first reservoir to flow into the second reservoir; and

activating said first and second diaphragm pumps to cause the shear-sensitive fluid to be drawn from the first reservoir and pumped into the second reservoir.

33. The method of claim 32 further comprising:

deactivating the first and second diaphragm pumps;

actuating the second valve assembly to permit the shear-sensitive fluid in the second reservoir to flow from the second reservoir through the second valve assembly into the inlet manifold;

actuating the first valve assembly to permit the shear-sensitive fluid to be pumped into the first reservoir;

reactivating the first and second diaphragm pumps to pump the shear-sensitive fluid from the second reservoir back into the first reservoir.

34. A method for pumping shear-sensitive fluid between two reservoirs, said method comprising:

providing a pumping system according to claim 21;

placing said suction assembly in fluid communication with a first reservoir;

orienting the hand activated dispensing nozzle for discharge into a second reservoir;

activating the diaphragm pump; and

activating the hand activated nozzle to discharge the shear sensitive fluid being pumped from the first reservoir into the second reservoir.