Liquid Pumped By Supplying Or Exhausting Gaseous Motive Fluid To Or From Pumping Chamber Patents (Class 417/118)
  • Patent number: 11306744
    Abstract: A pump comprises: a vertically-extending conduit having an intermediate portion extending between lower and upper portions, the intermediate portion having a cross-sectional area smaller than that of the upper portions, a lift arrangement including an array of ports arranged over a length of the lower portion, each port of the array having a terminus at the lower portion and extending horizontally away from the terminus such that the working fluid is directed towards a center of the conduit; and an injector having a terminus at the top of the intermediate portion and extending vertically downwardly such that the working fluid is directed vertically upwardly, the terminus of the injector being defined by a cylindrical groove, an annular chamber surrounding the injector, having a length and communicating with the injector through a row of apertures spaced a distance from the junction of the transition portion and the intermediate portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: UNIVERSITY OF GUELPH
    Inventor: Wael Ahmed
  • Patent number: 10883663
    Abstract: A container may be supplied with an incompressible fluid. For example, the container may be partially or completely prefilled with the incompressible fluid. The container may be supplied with a flow of compressible gas via a first valve. The first valve may regulate the flow of the compressible gas supplied to the container based on a pressure setting of the first valve. A second valve may release the incompressible fluid from the container as the container is filled with the compressible gas and in response to a pressure of the container being greater than a pressure setting of the second valve. The pressure setting of the first valve may be greater than the pressure setting of the second valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE NORTH AMERICAN TECHNOLOGIES INC
    Inventor: Michael Karam
  • Patent number: 10794142
    Abstract: A plug seat including a body having a lead in and a tooth, a flow feature disposed at the body, the feature providing fluid access directly to an area immediately adjacent the tooth. A plug seat including a tooth positioned relative to a body to be at an upstream most end of the body, a cage extending from the body immediately downstream of the tooth to an area radially outward of the tooth and upstream thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES, A GE COMPANY, LLC
    Inventors: Matthew Stone, Michael Johnson, Colin Andrew, Keith J. Murphy
  • Patent number: 10730051
    Abstract: A bridge (30) comprises a first inlet port (31) at the end of a capillary, a narrower second inlet port (32) which is an end of a capillary, an outlet port (33) which is an end of a capillary, and a chamber (34) for silicone oil. The oil is density-matched with the reactor droplets such that a neutrally buoyant environment is created within the chamber (34). The oil within the chamber is continuously replenished by the oil separating the reactor droplets. This causes the droplets to assume a stable capillary-suspended spherical form upon entering the chamber (34). The spherical shape grows until large enough to span the gap between the ports, forming an axisymmetric liquid bridge. The introduction of a second droplet from the second inlet port (32) causes the formation of an unstable funicular bridge that quickly ruptures from the, finer, second inlet port (32), and the droplets combine at the liquid bridge (30).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: STOKES BIO LTD.
    Inventors: Mark Davies, Tara Dalton, Kieran Curran
  • Patent number: 10189722
    Abstract: Devices, processes, systems, and articles of manufacture adapted to treat contaminated fluid, such as organic wastewater, are described. These are described to include lifting contaminated fluids, treating contaminated fluids, or both, through gas application. In certain designs, gas, such as pressurized air, may be used to lift contaminated fluids, such as organic wastewater (i.e., water having contaminating organics of some kind, e.g. residential septic wastewater). In certain designs, gas, such as pressurized air, may also be used to treat fluids interfacing with the gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Inventor: David A. Potts
  • Patent number: 10030674
    Abstract: A sterile liquid pump, having replaceable single use components, with a first and second chamber, and a gas valve assembly to selectively communicate gas pressure and vacuum with the chambers, and a resilient tubing liquid manifold loop with a sequence of four ports located within a manifold receiver that supports four pinch actuators aligned to engage and selectively pinch-off flow through the manifold between adjacent pairs ports, and, a controller that operates the valve assembly to alternatingly couple pressure and vacuum to the pump chambers, and that also operates to alternatingly actuate pairs of the pinch actuators to sequentially pump fluid from pump chambers under gas pressure, and through an opposing pair of ports in the resilient tubing manifold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Inventors: C. Anthony Cox, James A. Austin
  • Patent number: 9983105
    Abstract: Improved mechanisms for storing and introducing liquid volumes in a liquid handling device and, in particular, improved mechanisms for rupturing a liquid storage package to introduce liquid into the device, improvements to the stability of a liquid receiving chamber inside the device and improvements to liquid handling in the receiving chamber are achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: Biosurfit, S.A.
    Inventors: Carlota Albuquerque, Tânia Tenreiro, Nuno Reis, João Garcia Da Fonseca, Ricardo Marques Caleiro Cabeça
  • Patent number: 9512857
    Abstract: A liquid lifting device includes: a liquid supply section storing liquid, a tank provided at a position higher than the liquid supply section; a liquid lifting pipe of which one end is inserted into the liquid in the liquid supply section and the other end is connected to the tank; an air pump configured to depressurize the interior of the tank; an air supply pipe in which one end portion of the air supply pipe is connected to the liquid lifting pipe via a branching section at a position halfway in the liquid lifting pipe, and an upright section is provided in the other end portion of the air supply pipe while standing upright from the one end portion; and an air valve provided in the other end portion of the air supply pipe and capable of being opened/closed with respect to the outside air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: MURATA MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Nobuhira Tanaka, Kiyoshi Kurihara
  • Patent number: 9441623
    Abstract: An electromagnetic vibrating diaphragm pump enabling improvement of working efficiency in fitting center plates to a diaphragm, reduction of production cost and stabilization of performance between products. The disk-like second plate includes the cruciform rising portion having the concave portions, and the second ring rib. The first ring rib is formed at the center of the surface of the disk-like first plate coming into contact with the diaphragm, and a fitting groove provided with convex portions to be press-fitted to the concave portions is formed by this first ring rib. The diaphragm has the protrusions for preventing the diaphragm from being pressed out on the periphery of the through-hole at its center, and the protrusions are engaged with the ring ribs from the circumference of the protrusion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: TECHNO TAKATSUKI CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hideki Ishii, Tsuyoshi Takamichi
  • Patent number: 9399216
    Abstract: A method includes flowing a liquid into a channel of a microfluidic cassette filled with a gas. The channel includes an inlet section and an outlet section. The method also includes detecting the liquid, the gas, or a combination thereof at a measuring location within the inlet section. The measuring location has a first sensor that may detect a signal indicative of a presence of the liquid, the gas, or a combination thereof. The method also includes compressing the gas, determining a pressure change of the gas within the channel, and determining a volume of the liquid within the channel based on the pressure change of the gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Victor Donald Samper, Christian Friedrich Peter Rensch, Christoph Boeld, Ruben Julian Salvamoser
  • Patent number: 9316235
    Abstract: A liquid lifting device includes: a liquid lifting tank storing liquid; an air pump pressurizing the interior of the liquid lifting tank; a liquid lifting pipe connecting the liquid lifting pipe to the liquid lifting tank having a liquid delivery port in the other end that stands upright; an air supply pipe in which one end portion of the air supply pipe connected to a branching section provided at a position halfway in the liquid lifting pipe and an upright section provided in the other end portion thereof; an air valve that is provided on the other end portion of the air supply pipe; and a liquid storage section that is formed in part of the liquid lifting pipe at a position between the liquid delivery port and the branching section and that is positioned below the branching section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: MURATA MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Nobuhira Tanaka
  • Patent number: 8881499
    Abstract: Apparatus includes an ignition system that repeats an ignition cycle by providing hydrogen and oxygen and also provides a control spark with a sufficient amount of energy for igniting a combustible mixture of hydrogen and oxygen. The combustion chamber is immersed in an aqueous fluid, fills with the same or other aqueous fluid, receives the hydrogen and oxygen therein, receive the control spark to ignite the combustible mixture of hydrogen and oxygen to cause a combustion reaction to occur and form steam that yields a specific amount of heat energy, and provides the aqueous fluid from the combustion chamber in response to the substantial increase in pressure on the aqueous fluid contained therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Saigeworks, LLC
    Inventors: Timothy F. Dolan, William C. Henderson, IV
  • Patent number: 8858189
    Abstract: A pumping device includes a barrel (1), a top cover (2), a switching valve (3), a cylinder (4), a piston (53), a connecting unit (6), an operation unit (5), a delivery unit (7), a pressure gauge (8), and a pressure release unit (9). Thus, the user has to pull or push the switching valve to extract or suck the air in the barrel so as to deflate or inflate the barrel so that the pumping device has a security process and is operated in a safer manner. In addition, the flow of the fluid is proceeded in the barrel so that the pumping device is operated smoothly and conveniently.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Inventor: Kun-Wang Wang
  • Patent number: 8834727
    Abstract: Devices, processes, systems, and articles of manufacture adapted to treat contaminated fluid, such as organic wastewater, are described. These are described to include lifting contaminated fluids, treating contaminated fluids, or both, through gas application. In certain designs, gas, such as pressurized air, may be used to lift contaminated fluids, such as organic wastewater (i.e., water having contaminating organics of some kind, e.g. residential septic wastewater). In certain designs, gas, such as pressurized air, may also be used to treat fluids interfacing with the gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Inventor: David A. Potts
  • Patent number: 8795926
    Abstract: A pump assembly including a first subassembly and a second subassembly. The first subassembly includes a fluid conduit; an inlet fluidly coupled to the liquid reactant dispenser and the fluid conduit; an outlet fluidly coupled to a reaction chamber and the fluid conduit; and a diaphragm, defining a portion of the fluid conduit, that flexes to pump the liquid reactant from the inlet to the outlet. The diaphragm preferably includes an actuation point coupled to the diaphragm, wherein the liquid reactant is substantially contained within the first subassembly during pumping. The second subassembly is couplable to the first subassembly, and is fluidly isolated from the liquid reactant. The second subassembly includes an actuator that couples to the actuation point, wherein operation of the actuator causes pumping action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Intelligent Energy Limited
    Inventors: Daniel Braithwaite, Tibor Fabian, Tobin J. Fisher, Jonathan Louis Glassman, Andrew Phillip Gust Peterson, Adam Rodriguez, Russell Barton
  • Patent number: 8771612
    Abstract: The present invention provides a photoresponsive gas-generating material that is to be used in a micropump of a microfluid device having fine channels formed therein, and is capable of effectively generating gases for transporting a microfluid in response to light irradiation and transporting the microfluid at an improved transport efficiency. The present invention also provides a micropump incorporating the photoresponsive gas-generating material. A photoresponsive gas-generating material 13 is to be used in a micropump having fine channels formed in a substrate, and comprises a photo-sensitive acid-generating agent and an acid-sensitive gas-generating agent, and a micropump 10 has the photoresponsive gas-generating material 13 housed therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Sekisui Chemical Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masateru Fukuoka, Kazuki Yamamoto, Yoshinori Akagi, Hiroji Fukui
  • Publication number: 20140110335
    Abstract: The scum removal system for liquids is adaptable to wastewater treatment facilities, aquaculture facilities, oil spills, and/or other environments where the removal of a thin, buoyant layer of material from a liquid surface is desired. The system incorporates a geyser pump having one or more inlet pipes, with the inlet pipe(s) collectively having a larger diameter than the discharge pipe. This assures that the volume of water in the inlet pipe is always less than that in the discharge pulse, thus assuring that a steady, constant flow of liquid flows into the inlet opening to assure a uniform inertial flow of the floating contaminants into the inlet. The top of the inlet pipe(s) may be vertically adjustable for variable liquid level. The geyser pump may be submerged within the liquid or may be installed external to the liquid tank with the submerged inlet pipe communicating with the external pump.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2013
    Publication date: April 24, 2014
    Inventors: DANIEL M. EARLY, SCOTT F. EASTER
  • Patent number: 8662357
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for dispensing toners. In one aspect, a cap and valve assembly is provided including a movable valve assembly, the movable valve assembly having a first position and a second position; a toner path, which when open is configured to allow toner to flow from a toner container to an output aperture; and an air inlet path, which when open is configured to couple an air source to the toner container; where in a first valve assembly position the toner path and the air inlet path are closed, and in a second valve assembly position the toner path aid the air inlet path are open.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Charles A. Centofante, Brian S. Boothman
  • Patent number: 8596989
    Abstract: The dual injection airlift pump has a hollow tubular body through which the liquid being pumped passes upward from the lower intake end to the upper outlet end. Air or other gas is injected into the liquid in the pump body, the less dense gas adding buoyancy to the liquid and entraining the liquid to rise toward the outlet end. The dual injection airlift pump includes two air injection stages, with the first or lower stage having a perforated interior sleeve allowing the gas to pass therethrough to be injected radially into the liquid. The second, upper stage has an impervious sleeve defining a gap between the sleeve and the interior surface of the pump wall, the lower end being sealed and the upper end open. Air is injected between the sleeve and pump wall, the air exiting at the upper or downstream end in an axially peripheral flow pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals
    Inventors: Hassan Mohamed Badr, Wael Hasan Ahmed
  • Patent number: 8535018
    Abstract: Liquid from a body of liquid is pumped using two liquid columns connected to a sealable conduit containing gas. The liquid columns are also connected to another conduit having a switched valve. Pumping is initiated by extracting gas from the sealed conduit. Liquid exits one of the liquid columns through the switched valve. Lowering of the liquid level in one of the liquid columns moves gas in the sealed conduit. This in turn induces pumping liquid from the body of liquid in another one of the liquid columns. When the liquid level reaches a minimum in the liquid column, the switched valve changes position, blocking a liquid flow from the liquid column and allowing liquid in the other of the liquid column to exit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Inventor: Jean-Marc Bouvier
  • Publication number: 20130233441
    Abstract: Foam dispenser systems and pumps for use in foam dispenser systems are disclosed herein. A refill unit for refilling a foam dispenser system comprises a container for holding a supply of foamable liquid and a pump housing connected to the container. The pump housing comprises one or more connections for connecting to one or more external air pumps, wherein the air pumps supply air pressure to move the foamable liquid into a mixing chamber and to mix air with the liquid in the mixing chamber and create a foamy air-liquid mixture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2012
    Publication date: September 12, 2013
    Applicant: GOJO INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventors: Nick E. Ciavarella, James M. Yates, Todd A. Spiegelberg, John J. McNulty
  • Patent number: 8511804
    Abstract: The invention relates to an ink cartridge for an ink jet printer. The ink cartridge comprises a cartridge body and a detection mechanism for detecting the ink cartridge and residual quantity of ink, wherein the cartridge body comprises an ink tank for storing ink, an ink outlet for supplying ink to a printing head of the printer and an air inlet, the ink tank comprises a first ink chamber and a second ink chamber, a first negative pressure mechanism and a second negative pressure mechanism are arranged between the first ink chamber and the second cavity, the first negative pressure mechanism and the second negative pressure mechanism cooperatively control the ink inside the first ink chamber to be consumed preferentially than the ink inside the second ink chamber, and the second negative pressure mechanism generates negative pressure when a certain quantity of ink inside the ink tank is used for printing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Zhuhai Ninestar Management Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Haoming Ma
  • Patent number: 8419376
    Abstract: A pumping device includes a barrel, a top cover mounted on the top of the barrel, a first switching valve mounted on the top cover, a base mounted on the bottom of the barrel, a second switching valve mounted on the base, a cylinder connected between the top cover and the base, a piston movably mounted in the cylinder, a plurality of check valves mounted on the piston, an operation unit connected with the piston, and a conduit connected between the barrel and the base. Thus, a user has to pull or push the first switching valve and the second switching valve simultaneously to extract or suck the fluid in the barrel so as to deflate or inflate the barrel so that the pumping device has a security process and is operated in a safer manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Inventor: Shu-Ju Sun
  • Patent number: 8419377
    Abstract: A pumping device includes a barrel, a top cover mounted on an open top of the barrel, a cylinder mounted in the barrel and connected to the top cover, a piston movably mounted in the cylinder, a plurality of check valves mounted on the piston, an operation unit mounted on the top cover and connected with the piston, a connecting unit mounted in the barrel and connected between the barrel and the cylinder, and a pressure adjusting unit connected between the barrel and the top cover. Thus, when the air pressure in the receiving chamber of the barrel reaches a predetermined value, the pressure adjusting unit provides a pressure release function to partially release the air pressure in the receiving chamber of the barrel so as to ensure a safe operation of the pumping device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Crafts & Carriers Taiwan Inc.
    Inventor: Mei-Chin Hsu
  • Patent number: 8371826
    Abstract: A geyser pump includes an air chamber having an air chamber interior, a generally U-shaped bubble-forming loop external to and disposed in fluid communication with the air chamber and a liquid delivery conduit disposed in fluid communication with the bubble-forming loop. A liquid recirculation/transfer system having an orifice disk assembly and a geyser pump is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Inventors: George E. Johnson, Richard G. Dupree
  • Publication number: 20120308407
    Abstract: The dual injection airlift pump has a hollow tubular body through which the liquid being pumped passes upward from the lower intake end to the upper outlet end. Air or other gas is injected into the liquid in the pump body, the less dense gas adding buoyancy to the liquid and entraining the liquid to rise toward the outlet end. The dual injection airlift pump includes two air injection stages, with the first or lower stage having a perforated interior sleeve allowing the gas to pass therethrough to be injected radially into the liquid. The second, upper stage has an impervious sleeve defining a gap between the sleeve and the interior surface of the pump wall, the lower end being sealed and the upper end open. Air is injected between the sleeve and pump wall, the air exiting at the upper or downstream end in an axially peripheral flow pattern.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2011
    Publication date: December 6, 2012
    Applicant: KING FAHD UNIVERSITY OF PETROLEUM AND MINERALS
    Inventors: HASSAN MOHAMED BADR, WAEL HASAN AHMED
  • Patent number: 8202059
    Abstract: A system for pressurizing fluids is provided. The system includes a container with an open end and a closed end. The container contains the fluids to be pressurized. The system further includes a dynamic seal capable of expanding to facilitate sealing of the open end of the container. The system also includes a tube arrangement passing through the dynamic seal into the container. The tube arrangement facilitates passage of a first pressurizing medium to pressurize the fluids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Inventor: Shervin Javadi
  • Patent number: 8137076
    Abstract: A method and a device for extracting a liquid from a liquid pond, wherein in a first phase air is removed from an airtight reservoir, a venting and a rising pipe in order to create depression therein and a suck-up of the liquid in the liquid pond. In a second phase, a distribution device is brought from a first to a second operating position in order to supply pressurized gas to said venting pipe which has an outlet connected to the rising pipe. In a third phase the liquid is pushed from the venting pipe to the rising pipe and thereafter to the reservoir by means of pressurized air and an interface member. In a fourth phase the distribution device is brought back to its first operation position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Inventor: Francois Braun
  • Patent number: 8100176
    Abstract: A device for liquid removal from a drilled hole equipped for gas production from an underground accumulation, under the conditions in which a downward liquid film flow on the tubing string wall occurs, the device comprising a long lower inner liner (4) whose upper end (b) is beveled, surrounded by an “M”-shaped short-circuiting pipe (7), provided with short vertical portions (j and k), which, at the lower side, are secured to elbows (l and m) of an “M”-shaped discharge path (8) which partially surrounds the lower inner liner, the elbows continuing to the lower side with long vertical portions (n and o) and short vertical portions (p and q) which communicate between them through a lower horizontal portion (r), one long vertical portion having a curved lower end (s) mounted in a window (t) cut into the lower inner liner and the other long vertical portion having an open end (u) located in an accumulation chamber (a).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Inventors: Florea Minescu, Valentin Ispas
  • Patent number: 8047808
    Abstract: A system pumps liquid. The system includes a compressed air source and a pump for vertically moving the liquid upward. The pump is powered by the compressed air source. The pump includes a first container, a second container disposed interior to the first container, and a U-shaped tube disposed interior to the first and second containers. The compressed air source supplies compressed air to the U-shaped tube at a vertical portion of the U-shaped tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: Geyser Pump Tech, LLC
    Inventor: Masao Kondo
  • Publication number: 20110171042
    Abstract: An inductor pump system comprises a pump system, a ram system and a bearing assembly. The pump system includes a platen configured to engage a container. The ram system comprises a cylinder configured to support the pump system, and a piston extendable from the cylinder to vary axial positioning of the platen with respect to the container. The bearing assembly links the piston to the cylinder and is configured to prevent rotation of the pump system with respect to the ram system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2011
    Publication date: July 14, 2011
    Applicant: Graco Minnesota Inc.
    Inventor: Paul R. Quam
  • Patent number: 7866954
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are a valve and a micro fluid pump having the same. The valve is mounted in a micro fluid pump having a capillary tube, to which a gas supply unit and a fluid transfer pipe are connected, for controlling the introduction and the discharge of fluid. The valve includes a discharge pipe filled with liquid such that the discharge pipe has a predetermined resistance pressure and constructed in a structure in which one end of the discharge pipe is connected to the capillary tube such that the discharge pipe communicates with the interior of the capillary tube, and the other end of the discharge pipe is open, thereby allowing gas out of the capillary tube through the discharge pipe when a gas pressure in the capillary tube exceeds the resistance pressure of the discharge pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: Korea Institute of Machinery & Materials
    Inventors: Duck-jong Kim, Yun-wook Hwang, Yu-chang Kim, Sang-jin Park, Pil-woo Heo, Eui-soo Yoon, Deuk-yong Koh
  • Patent number: 7740151
    Abstract: A hand operated air pump apparatus comprising an internal bellows in communication with an outer bellows wherein variable force on air pump forces compressed air through a discharge valve into a annulus between a bottle and a flexible bladder wherein said pump is attached upon a container or bottle like vessel wherein pumping action forces from bottle highly viscous substances, that may contain solid or abrasive particles, through a discharge spout without internal substance being contaminated by air or other environmental factors thus allowing for an improved method of removing all contents within a container with greater ease.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2010
    Inventor: William Bundy Stone
  • Publication number: 20090263257
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for distributing products, in particular pyrophoric, from a storage point to a use point. According to the invention, an inert gas is bubbled through the product, in particular pyrophoric, to be purified in the liquid state in order to generate a mixture, the mixture is preferably routed close to the use point, the product, in particular pyrophoric, is separated from the inert gas and from some light impurities, to generate a purified final product, in particular pyrophoric, in liquid or solid form. The purified product is supplied in a quantity just necessary to the use point, particularly when it is solidified in the heat exchanger after the transport of the mixture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2007
    Publication date: October 22, 2009
    Inventors: Guillaume Rameau, Valere Laurent, Jean-Marc Girard
  • Patent number: 7572109
    Abstract: According to various aspects, exemplary embodiments are provided of thermopneumatic capillary micropumps and manufacturing methods thereof. In one exemplary embodiment, a thermopneumatic capillary micropump generally includes a lower substrate having a pump-entrance for injecting fluids and a pump-exit for exhausting the fluids. The micropump also includes one or more micro-heaters for generating heat and electrodes for applying voltage to the micro-heaters. One or more air chambers substantially cover the micro-heaters. A pump chamber unit, which is capable of being filled up with the fluids, is coupled to the air chambers, the pump-entrance, and the pump-exit. An airing channel is coupled to the air chambers for helping maintain the pressure of the air in the air chambers at about the same level. An oxide layer is deposited on an upper substrate of the micropump. The upper and lower substrates are thermopneumatically coupled to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2009
    Assignee: Ajou University Industry-Academic Cooperation Foundation
    Inventor: Sang Sik Yang
  • Patent number: 7565765
    Abstract: Disclosed is a pneumatic liquid nutrient dispensing assembly for hydroponically cultivated plants. The assembly includes a reservoir and a liquid nutrient dispenser disposed within the reservoir. The liquid nutrient dispenser includes a substantially coaxial pump body with inner and outer tubes forming a distribution end having a distribution hub and an inlet end having a liquid intake structure. Airflow in an annular duct formed between the walls of the coaxial tubes enters the inner tube through an annular passage and carries liquid nutrient within the inner tube to the distribution hub. Distribution members fluidly connected to the distribution hub direct a flow of liquid nutrients and air to one or more plants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2009
    Assignee: Lawrence Brooke Engineering, LLC
    Inventors: Lawrence L. Brooke, Brent A. Goetzl, Keith C. Evans, Henry Rie
  • Publication number: 20090116969
    Abstract: A rail tank car evacuation and transfer system and method. A method includes steps of providing an evacuation and transfer line having an inlet end and an outlet end, causing liquid contained inside the rail tank car to flow into the inlet end to at least a first location between the inlet and outlet ends of the evacuation and transfer line by pressurizing the interior of the rail tank car with a gas, sensing, at the first location, a change in the contents of the line from (a) consisting essentially of liquid to (b) including gas, and shutting off the flow through the line in response to the change.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2007
    Publication date: May 7, 2009
    Inventor: R. Vance McVicker
  • Publication number: 20080286122
    Abstract: A gas-driven liquid pump includes a gas source, a tank, a pumping pipe, at least one gas conveying pipe, and at least one liquid conveying pipe. The pumping pipe includes a gas input end, a liquid output end and a suction portion located between the gas input end and the liquid output end. An inner diameter of the pumping pipe gradually decreases from the gas input end to the suction portion, and the inner diameter of the pumping pipe gradually increases from the suction portion to the liquid output end. At least one gas conveying pipe is configured for connecting the gas source and the gas input end of the pumping pipe. One end of the liquid conveying pipe is connected to the tank, and another end is engaged with the suction portion of the pumping pipe.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2007
    Publication date: November 20, 2008
    Applicants: FUKUI PRECISION COMPONENT (SHENZHEN) CO., LTD., FOXCONN ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY INC.
    Inventors: LIAN-DA TONG, YIN-KUI ZHU, CHING-HUNG PI
  • Publication number: 20080286123
    Abstract: An oil pump system for a vehicle includes: a vane pump having a plurality of vanes which respectively project retractably from a plurality of vane accommodating grooves provided in a rotor so as to be brought into sliding contact with a cam surface, the vane pump being adapted to supply a hydraulic fluid to an automatic transmission; an electric power-driven oil pump for assisting the hydraulic pressure of the hydraulic fluid during an idling stop of the automobile; and an ECU for controlling its operation. During an idling stop, the hydraulic fluid is fed to the automatic transmission by the operation of the electric power-driven oil pump to assist the hydraulic pressure, while the hydraulic fluid is fed with pressure also to the vane accommodating grooves to press the vanes against the cam surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2008
    Publication date: November 20, 2008
    Applicant: JTEKT CORPORATION
    Inventor: Koudi Yoshinami
  • Patent number: 7438080
    Abstract: A system and method for dewatering an area in which a catch basin is situated within the area to collect water and conduit conveys the collected water to an elongated discharge chamber having a muzzle at a distal end in communication with a desired outfall body and a substantially closed proximal end. Compressed air released into the proximal end of the discharge chamber forcibly discharges water out of the discharge chamber via the muzzle and into the outfall body to dewater the area. A vent permits escape of air as the discharge chamber fills. Backflow prevention valves maintain discharge out of the muzzle and prevent any water from the outfall body from flowing back into the discharge chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Inventor: Garrett Johnson
  • Patent number: 7367366
    Abstract: A pumping device includes a container having a cover structure. A piston is movably received in the container and is manually operable. The cover structure has an air inlet valve and a slide switch, which, when properly set, allow air to be sucked into or expelled out of the container by the manual operation of the piston to increase or decrease the internal pressure of the container for oil suction and oil drainage. The pumping device also includes another slide switch, whereby when both slide switches are properly set, the internal pressure of the container is increased or decreased due to the supply of pressurized air from an external source and oil can be sucked into and drained out of the container accordingly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2008
    Assignee: Lih Yann Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Po-Lin Liao
  • Publication number: 20080075605
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are a valve and a micro fluid pump having the same. The valve is mounted in a micro fluid pump having a capillary tube, to which a gas supply unit and a fluid transfer pipe are connected, for controlling the introduction and the discharge of fluid. The valve includes a discharge pipe filled with liquid such that the discharge pipe has a predetermined resistance pressure and constructed in a structure in which one end of the discharge pipe is connected to the capillary tube such that the discharge pipe communicates with the interior of the capillary tube, and the other end of the discharge pipe is open, thereby allowing gas out of the capillary tube through the discharge pipe when a gas pressure in the capillary tube exceeds the resistance pressure of the discharge pipe.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2006
    Publication date: March 27, 2008
    Applicant: KOREAN INSTITUTE OF MACHINERY & MATERIALS
    Inventors: Duck-jong Kim, Yun-wook Hwang, Yu-chang Kim, Sang-jin Park, Pil-woo Heo, Eui-soo Yoon, Deuk-yong Koh
  • Patent number: 7316544
    Abstract: An automatic, pneumatic pump having a chamber that is gravity fed through a top opening and through a vertical tube with waste liquid. A buoyant plunger sits on an air inlet nipple, which nipple is located at the bottom of the chamber. Liquid entering the chamber causes the plunger to float and thereby to be unseated from the air inlet nipple. The plunger rises in the tube until it closes the top opening. Pressurized air enters the chamber and forces the waste liquid out through a discharge line. When all air and liquid have been discharged, the plunger falls to the bottom of the tube and reseats on the air inlet nipple so that the cycle can start again.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2008
    Inventor: James D. Vidrine
  • Publication number: 20070166171
    Abstract: A system pumps liquid. The system includes a compressed air source and a pump for vertically moving the liquid upward. The pump is powered by the compressed air source. The pump includes a first container, a second container disposed interior to the first container, and a U-shaped tube disposed interior to the first and second containers. The compressed air source supplies compressed air to the U-shaped tube at a vertical portion of the U-shaped tube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2007
    Publication date: July 19, 2007
    Inventor: Masao Kondo
  • Patent number: 7233492
    Abstract: The described embodiments relate to devices and cooling systems for same. One exemplary device includes a housing and at least one fan unit configured to move air through the housing. The device also includes a fluid channel comprising an impeller for moving fluid contained in the fluid channel, wherein the impeller is configured to be driven, at least in part, by air moving through the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2007
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Paul Ross Staben, Paul E. Westphall
  • Patent number: 7163359
    Abstract: Transport system with several devices (1) for transporting powder, where each device (1) has a transfer chamber (3) into which a supply line (6) and a discharge line (8) for the powder open, and means to generate a negative pressure in the transfer chamber (3), where the means to generate a negative pressure in the device (1) has a piston (11) which is moveable in the transfer chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2007
    Assignee: Ramseier Technologies AG
    Inventor: Jürg Moser
  • Patent number: 7093624
    Abstract: A liquid pumping device includes a barrel, a cylinder, a conducting rod, a piston, an operation lever, and a cover. Thus, the liquid pumping device is operated automatically by the power source or operated manually by the operation lever to suck the liquid from the suction pipe into the inside of the barrel rapidly, so that the liquid pumping device is operated automatically and manually, thereby greatly enhancing the versatility of the liquid pumping device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2006
    Assignee: Yo Lee Manufacturing Inc.
    Inventor: Chi-Liang Chen
  • Patent number: 7007751
    Abstract: The present invention is directed towards a fluid extractor system that has been design to obtain fluid, such as crude oil from wells at a fraction of the cost by using a novel canister assembly lowered in a well to collect the fluid. The canister assembly includes a pump and a storage container for collecting the fluid pumped into it by the pump. When the storage container is full the canister assembly is brought to the surface and emptied. In one embodiment the canister assembly has a battery to independently power the pump. A further feature of the invention includes repeatedly raising and incrementally lowering down the canister assembly to lower levels in the well using a jogging assembly to place the canister assembly only in the top layer of the fluid in the well. The system could also be used for recovering several other types of fluids in a well such as gas or water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2006
    Inventor: Philip W. Eggleston
  • Patent number: 6793462
    Abstract: A fluidic pump (108) comprises an electrolyte cavity (110) and a pump outlet (115) fluidically coupled to the electrolyte cavity that are within at least a portion of a fluid guiding structure (105), two electrodes (112, 113) extending from the fluid guiding structure into the electrolyte cavity; and a vapor permeable membrane (120) that prevents an electrolyte (125) in the electrolyte cavity from passing through the pump outlet while allowing gas to flow through the pump outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2004
    Assignee: Motorola, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas J. Smekal, Piotr Grodzinski, David B. Rhine
  • Patent number: 6722855
    Abstract: A manual/pneumatic oil pumping device having a housing defining therein an oil reserving space and an upper cover. A floating board is disposed in the oil reserving space. The upper cover is equipped with a manual air sucking mechanism, a pneumatic air sucking mechanism and an oil sucking tube. The pneumatic air sucking mechanism is provided with a controlling unit. The control controlling unit includes a seat body, a valve body, a sleeve and a movable block. The movable block is fitted in the sleeve and has a downward extending projecting post. When the oil is pumped to fill up in the oil reserving space, the projecting post is upward pushed by the floating board to make movable block move upward. At this time, the leakproof washer on the movable block seals the through hole of the seat body and the push pin pushes the valve body away from the through hole so as to block the air sucking passage of the pneumatic air sucking mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Inventor: Tseng Tien-Tsai