Abstract: Disclosed is a gradient proportioning valve for use in liquid chromatography that includes a plurality of inlet ports configured to receive a plurality of fluids, a manifold connected to each of the plurality of inlet ports configured to mix the plurality of fluids in a controlled manner to provide a fluid composition, the manifold including a plurality of conduits internal to the manifold, each of the plurality of conduits receiving fluid through a respective one of the plurality of inlet ports, each of the plurality of conduits operatively communicable to a respective actuation mechanism configured to open and close each of the plurality of conduits in a controlled manner, a common outlet port configured to receive the fluid composition, and an active fluidic dampening system configured to dampen unwanted fluidic pressure pulses in the manifold. Liquid chromatography systems and methods are further disclosed.

Abstract: A gas leak determining method for a multi-stage compressor including: a first compressing unit that compresses a gas; and a second compressing unit that further compresses the gas compressed by the first compressing unit includes: a step of calculating a proportion of discharge pressure from the second compressing unit to discharge pressure from the first compressing unit or suction pressure into the second compressing unit; and a step of determining that a gas is leaking from the second compressing unit when the proportion becomes equal to or less than a set value.

Abstract: A gaseous compression system for compressing a gas from an initial pressure to an exit pressure with a first, blower compression bank and a second, mechanical compression bank. Each compression bank has plural stages of gaseous compression with a gaseous fluid compressor and a heat pump intercooler. The heat pump intercooler comprises a cascading heat pump intercooler with a high temperature section, a medium temperature section, and a low temperature section, each temperature section with an intercooler core. Each stage of the blower compression bank has a high-pressure blower, and each stage of the mechanical compressor bank has a mechanical compressor. A final stage of gaseous compression is without a heat pump intercooler. Gas compressed by the gaseous fluid compression system can be injected into a gas-driven generator to generate electric power from movement of a working fluid induced by injection of the compressed gas.

Abstract: An air conditioner and a method of controlling the same are provided.

Abstract: A refrigerant system capable of operating at multiple capacity modes includes an evaporator, a multi-stage compressor assembly, a first fluid flow path, a second fluid flow path, a first valve, and a second valve. The multi-stage compressor assembly has a first stage and a second stage. The first fluid flow path extends from the evaporator to the first stage of the multi-stage compressor assembly. The second fluid flow path connects to the first fluid flow path and to the multi-stage compressor assembly between the first stage and the second stage.

Abstract: A system (20) has a first compressor (22) and a second compressor (52). A heat rejection heat exchanger (30) is coupled to the first and second compressors to receive refrigerant compressed by the compressors. The system includes an economizer for receiving refrigerant from the heat rejection heat exchanger and reducing an enthalpy of a first portion of the received refrigerant while increasing an enthalpy of a second portion. The second portion is returned to the compressor. The ejector (66) has a primary inlet (70) coupled to the means to receive a first flow of the reduced enthalpy refrigerant. The ejector has a secondary inlet (72) and an outlet (74). The outlet is coupled to the first compressor to return refrigerant to the first compressor. A first heat absorption heat exchanger (80) is coupled to the economizer to receive a second flow of the reduced enthalpy refrigerant and is upstream of the secondary inlet of the ejector.

Abstract: The present application discloses a natural gas compressor, a natural gas compressor assembly, a system for compressing natural gas, and a method of compressing natural gas. In certain embodiments, the natural gas compressor comprises a housing, a plurality of cylinder piston assemblies disposed within the housing, and a drive system for moving the pistons of the cylinder piston assemblies to compress natural gas within the cylinders of the assemblies. Each cylinder piston assembly comprises a piston for compressing natural gas within a cylinder of the assembly. The plurality of cylinder piston assemblies are fluidly connected in sequence such that each assembly forms a compression stage of the compressor.

Abstract: A diaphragm circulator for liquid material including a body defining a plurality of propulsion chambers with rigid walls and including a plurality of deformable diaphragms with the chambers being connected in series. In each chamber, between the rigid walls of the chamber, is placed one of the diaphragms with an edge adjacent to an inlet port of the chamber and an edge adjacent to an outlet port of the chamber. A diaphragm-exciting member is arranged to cooperate with the diaphragms in order to generate ripples along the diaphragms. In each diaphragm, at least when the diaphragm ripples, a tension is generated in the diaphragm so that the diaphragm tension on the side of the discharge orifice is greater than on the side of the intake orifice.

Abstract: Provided is a multi-stage compressor which includes: a first-stage compressing unit which includes a first compressing element with an impeller and a second compressing element with an impeller, the first and second compressing elements being connected to each other; and a rear-stage compressing unit which includes at least one rear compressing element with an impeller, wherein the rear-stage compressing unit receives a fluid compressed and output from the first-stage compressing unit.

Abstract: A pumping system comprises a pump, first and second channels, a valve, and an actuator. The pump pumps fluid according to a pumping cycle. The first channel has a first fluid flow orifice with a first diameter, while the second channel has a second fluid flow orifice with a second diameter greater than the first diameter. The valve is configured to direct fluid from the pump to the first channel in a first state, and to the second channel in a second state. The actuator is configured to switch the valve into the first state during a high pressure period of the pumping cycle, and into the second state during a low pressure period of the pumping cycle.

Abstract: A multiple stage pump for delivering fuel to an engine is disclosed which includes a pump housing, a boost stage operable at engine start to draw fuel into the pump housing at a boost stage pressure, a first pumping stage operable upon engine start for receiving fuel from the boost stage and delivering the fuel from the pump housing to a fuel metering unit, a second pumping stage operable upon engine start and during engine cruise operation for receiving fuel from the boost stage and delivering the fuel from the pump housing to said fuel metering unit, and a switching valve in fluid communication with the first and second pumping stages, and configured to control fuel flow through the first pumping stage in dependence on changes in boost stage conditions such as pressure or shaft speed.

Abstract: This disclosure is directed to a novel arrangement for equipment used to compress fluids. A single prime mover is connected to a plurality of compressors. A supply conduit with parallel branch conduits directs fluid to be compressed to at least two compressors and parallel output conduits from each compressor are connected to a common output conduit, which directs compressed fluids to at least one additional compressor.

Abstract: An electrical driven pump unit having two hydraulic pumps and two electric motors that are fitted in such a way as to make it possible to obtain the unit's power by adding together the power of the two motors.

Abstract: A leak detector operating according to the counterflow principle comprises a first high vacuum pump that operates in series with a primary pump. A second high vacuum pump is branched at a connecting point and an entry side thereof is connected to a mass spectrometer. A light test gas in the form of helium flows through the second high vacuum pump in a direction opposite to a transport direction. A conduit connecting an inlet to the entry side of the first high vacuum pump is devoid of restricted flow zones and valves in such a way that the pumping capacity of the leak detector is high for helium, thereby reducing the response time thereof. A valve for blocking the conduit leading via the first high vacuum pump is arranged between the exit side thereof and the entry side of the primary pump.

Abstract: A method for the high-pressure delivery of a mixture comprises delivering at least first and second fluids. The method comprises operations consisting in forming a mixture of fluids in a mixing zone having a pressure that is less than the desired high pressure and bringing the pre-mixed fluids to the high pressure. The first fluid is introduced into the mixing zone by a pumping operation that is performed by a high-pressure pump that is positioned downstream of the mixing zone. A device for performing the method is described.

Abstract: A multi-directional pump is disclosed generally comprising a housing with inlet and outlet ports, a pumping device disposed therein, a first chamber in fluid communication with the inlet port, and a second chamber in fluid communication with the first chamber. The first and second chambers are both in direct fluid communication with the outlet port, such that a double pumping effect is achieved while some of the fluid is compressed in multiple stages. In certain embodiments, one or more sealing mechanisms can be activated when particular conditions are desired in order to seal the first conduit by which the first and second fluid chambers communicate, or by which the second fluid chamber communicates with the inlet port, such that a standard double or single pumping effect is achieved.

Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus and method for controlling pressure, pumping a vacuum and providing abatement for a plurality of vacuum processing chambers. The system may be used in semiconductor manufacture. Multiple vacuum processing chambers are exhausted by turbo pumps into a common abatement chamber, which is maintained at sub-atmospheric pressure by a backing pump. Pressure in the processing chambers is independently controlled. The internal volume of the abatement device provides a buffer that reduces the effect of pressure changes in one processing chamber affecting pressure in the other chambers.

Abstract: Provided are apparatus and methods for manufacturing semiconductor devices and more specifically exhaust system apparatus and methods used in conjunction with a plurality of semiconductor processing chambers. The overall apparatus includes a plurality of process modules in which a semiconductor process is performed and an exhaust module to which the process modules are independently connected by fluid exhaust lines. The exhaust module amplifies an exhaust functionality of the system by more effectively and reliably drawing exhaust material from the process modules to be efficiently and effectively exhausted from the system.

Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus and method for evacuating a number of vacuum processing chambers containing incompatible gases. The gases are directed to a subatmospheric abatement chamber containing preconditioning devices. The gases are treated in the abatement chamber to render them compatible. The compatible gases are then drawn from the abatement chamber as a single stream through a backing pump.

Abstract: The present invention provides a vacuum apparatus that includes a plurality of vacuum containers each having a gas inlet and an exhaust outlet, a gas supply system for introducing a desired gas into each of the vacuum containers through the gas inlet, and an exhaust system for keeping each of the vacuum containers at a low pressure. In this vacuum apparatus, the exhaust system includes a plurality of multistage vacuum pumps connected in series. The exhaust outlet pressure of the last-stage vacuum pump is substantially at atmospheric pressure. The last-stage vacuum pump is designed to exhaust gas from a plurality of vacuum pumps at previous stages.

Abstract: A micropump comprising a pump body including a fluid inlet channel, a fluid outlet channel and pumping reservoir, the fluid inlet channel and the fluid outlet channel communicating with the pumping reservoir, a diaphragm covering the pumping reservoir, a piezoelectric strip actuator attached to the diaphragm such that by applying a voltage to the actuator, the diaphragm can be raised or lowered relative to the pumping chamber, a valve on the inlet channel and the outlet channel, the valve opening and closing the inlet and the outlet channel in response to the raising and lowering of the diaphragm.

Abstract: The invention relates to a piston arrangement for a dual-stage piston compressor, comprising a cranksbaft and several cylinders which house the operating piston. Said arrangement allows two or more low-pressure stages and at least one high-pressure stage to be formed. The invention is characterized in that the two or more low-pressure cylinders are arranged in relation to the high-pressure stage in such a way that said two or more low-pressure cylinders are in phase or are offset by less than ±15° and compress in a position which is offset by 180°±20, in relation to one or more high-pressure cylinders.

Abstract: A vacuum pump including two gas friction pumps arranged parallel to each other and having each at least one stage having an inlet communicating with a common suction region and an outlet communicating with a separate discharge region, a multi-stage pump arranged downstream of the two gas friction pumps, connection conduits for communicating the separate discharge regions with a common discharge chamber, and a conduit for communicating the common discharge chamber with the suction chamber of the downstream pump.

Abstract: The invention is a device and method in a high-pressure chromatography system, such as a supercritical fluid chromatography (SFC) system, that uses a pump as a pressure source for precision pumping of a compressible fluid. The preferred exemplary embodiment comprises a pressure regulation assembly installed downstream from a compressible fluid pump but prior to combining the compressible flow with a relatively incompressible modifier flow stream. The present invention allows the replacement of an high-grade SFC pump in the compressible fluid flow stream with an inexpensive and imprecise pump. The imprecise pump becomes capable of moving the compressible fluid flow stream in a precise flow rate and pattern. The assembly dampens the damaging effects of an imprecise pump, such as large pressure oscillations caused by flow ripples and noisy pressure signals that do not meet precise SFC pumping requirements.

Abstract: An intensifier pump system includes a supply pump for delivering fluid products at an intermediate pressure. The products are delivered to one or more intensifier pumps that take advantage of hydraulic intensification to expel the product at high pressures to assure continuous product deployment in various systems. After an extension cycle in one of the intensifier pumps, product is delivered from the supply pump at a pressure sufficient to retract the intensifier pump and fill the chamber with fluid.

Abstract: A vacuum pump including two gas friction pumps arranged parallel to each other and having each at least one stage having an inlet communicating with a common suction region and an outlet communicating with a separate discharge region, a multi-stage pump arranged downstream of the two gas friction pumps, connection conduits for communicating the separate discharge regions with a common discharge chamber, and a conduit for communicating the common discharge chamber with the suction chamber of the downstream pump.

Abstract: A piston sealing ring assembly (70) for sealing the piston/cylinder interface of a double-acting gas compressor including a first and second cut piston sealing ring (54,72) each bounded by first and second planar surfaces (6,8), the first piston sealing ring (54) having an overlapped cut with generally circumferentially extending inner and outer overlapping portions (56,58) which contact each other to form a continuous seal extending from the first surface (6) to the second surface (8) of the first piston sealing ring (52) and separating an inner ring gap (62) from an outer ring gap (64). The periphery of the outer ring gap (64) of the first piston sealing ring (54) at the first surface (6) is sealed by the second surface (8) of the second piston sealing ring (72). The second piston sealing ring (72) is similarly disposed in relation to the first piston sealing ring (54) so its outer ring gap (64) is sealed at the second surface (8) by the first surface (6) of the first piston sealing ring (54).

Abstract: A vacuum pump including suction and discharge regions, two gas friction pumps arranged on opposite side of the suction region and parallel to each other and each having at least one stage and a discharge region channels connecting the discharge regions and providing for gas flow from the discharge regions into a common discharge region of the two gas friction pumps, and a multi-stage pump located downstream of both gas friction pumps for compressing the gas flowing through the multi-state pump and having a suction region and a discharge region connected with the discharge region of the vacuum pump, with gas flowing into the suction region from the common discharge region of the two gas friction pumps.

Abstract: A multi-stage pump device includes a plurality of pump devices, each of the pump devices having a pump portion feeding working fluid under pressure, and a connecting portion provided between at least two of the pump devices, through which working fluid pumped by the respective pump devices passes. The connecting portion is expandable in a direction of the length thereof and is provided with a sealing structure to prevent a leakage of the working fluid. The connecting portion may be two telescopically arranged pipes or a bellows.

Abstract: A multistage vacuum pump assembly comprising plural independent pumping stages connected in series is disclosed. A first pumping stage located at one end of the series is connected to a room to be evacuated, and a final pumping stage located at the other end of the series is connected to the atmosphere. At least the first pumping stage comprises plural pumps connected mutually in parallel, so that the plural pumps together can achieve the vacuum capacity expected without being driven to an excessive rate of rotation.

Abstract: At least two progressing cavity pumps or pump sections are connected in series. The flow volume rate of the second pump or pump section is less than the flow volume rate of the first pump or pump section. If there are more than two pumps or pumps sections, the flow volume rate of the third pump or pump section would be less than the flow volume rate of the second pump or pump section, and so on. The cascade arrangement of progressing cavity pumps can be achieved by interconnecting separate pump assemblies end to end. The cascade arrangement of progressing cavity pump sections can be achieved by the attachment of the rotor/stator pairs of each pump section in series with suitable universal mechanisms and housings. Such a cascade arrangement of progressing cavity pumps or pump sections allows and compensates for the compressibility of the gas in the two-phase or multi-phase fluid being pumped, especially in pumping operations requiring high differential pressures.

Abstract: A compressor having plural banks of cylinders can be operated multi-stage, single stage, plural parallel single stages and, when multi-stage, with or without an economizer. One of the low stage banks of cylinders can be unloaded to reduce the first stage output during multi-stage operation or to permit operation of a single stage when the second stage is bypassed.

Abstract: A pumping system in accordance with the invention comprises n (n.gtoreq.1) piston or diaphragm primary pumping modules (P1 to Pn) including each at least one pumping unit, connected by means of unidirectional valves (V11-V1n) respectively to n tanks (R1-Rn) containing fluids, a collecting head (CH) receiving the fluids delivered by the various primary modules, and a secondary piston pumping unit (S) for discharging the mixture of fluids collected in this head with a substantially constant flow rate. The pistons are shifted alternately for example by the translation motion of endless screws (9) driven by motors (12). A control set (17-20) associated with position detectors (AC1-ACn) and pressure detectors (C1 to Cn, Cs) proportion the fluids injected and adjust the phases, the piston strokes and their velocities in order to obtain a substantially constant discharge rate. Each primary module can also comprise a second pumping module also allowing a constant rate to be obtained during the suction phase.

Abstract: A motor pump group has a plurality of centrifugal pumps of the same nominal port diameter including a plurality of impellers having stepwise greater outside diameters for stepwise higher pump heads, and a plurality of respective motors for actuating the pumps. The pump heads are classified into a low head section and a high head section. The low head section is handled by a single-stage impeller, and the high head section is handled by multi-stage impellers. The centrifugal pumps have respective pressed-sheet pump casings. The outside diameters of the impellers are not required to be increased in the high head section, and the outside diameters of the pump casings fall in a relatively small range.

Abstract: A motor pump group has a plurality of centrifugal pumps of the same nominal port diameter including a plurality of impellers having stepwise greater outside diameters for stepwise higher pump heads, and a plurality of respective motors for actuating the pumps. The pump heads are classified into a low head section and a high head section. The low head section is handled by a single-stage impeller, and the high head section is handled by multi-stage impellers. The centrifugal pumps have respective pressed-sheet pump casings. The outside diameters of the impellers are not required to be increased in the high head section, and the outside diameters of the pump casings fall in a relatively small range.

Abstract: A vacuum pump includes a positive displacement vacuum pump structure section disposed on a discharge opening side; a kinetic vacuum pump structure section, disposed on a suction opening side, for providing a high vacuum; and a kinetic vacuum pump structure section, disposed on a suction opening side, for providing a high pumping speed. The construction of the kinetic vacuum pump structure section is different from that of the kinetic vacuum pump structure section so as to differ relative thereto in one of ultimate pressure, pumping speed, and pumping speed of sucked gas with respect to a molecular weight of the sucked gas.

Abstract: A pumper system is adapted to enable pumps to be switched between parallel operation, for the high flow conditions normally desired for in-situ pigging operations within a line to be cleaned, and series operation, for the high pressure conditions needed in the event the pigging device becomes obstructed in the line.

Abstract: There is disclosed a refrigeration system employing multi-stage compressors, several unique modes of operation thereof, a sub-cooler/economizer for sub-cooling the condensed refrigerant prior to vaporization in the evaporator, as well as an improved expansion valve arrangement for controlling second stage discharge temperature, another valve arrangement for controlling economizer liquid discharge temperature, an interstage intercooler for use in a hot water system, a satellite compressor arrangement for ultra-low temperature applications, and an improved liquid-suction heat exchange arrangement.

Abstract: A hydraulic pump assembly includes a cam shaft, a pair of high pressure plunger pumps opposed to each other on a first common axis, each of the high pressure plunger pumps having a first plunger of small diameter perpendicular to the cam shaft for reciprocation by engagement therewith, a low pressure plunger pump arranged on a second axis angularly displaced with respect to the first common axis in a circumferential direction of the cam shaft, the low pressure plunger pump having a second plunger of large diameter perpendicular to the cam shaft for reciprocation by engagement therewith, an accumulator arranged to temporarily store hydraulic fluid under pressure discharged from the low pressure plunger pump, and a relief valve arranged to release an excessive hydraulic pressure from the accumulator for maintaining the hydraulic pressure in the accumulator in a predetermined value. The high pressure plunger pumps are arranged to be supplied with the hydraulic fluid under pressure from the accumulator.

Abstract: Vacuum pumping system comprises a plurality of vacuum processing vessels, semiconductor processing reactors, and the like, connected to a common manifold evacuated by a generously large central vacuum unit. The manifold is maintained at a substantially constant designated pre-set pressure higher than the pressures within the reactors by means of a gas bleed inlet valve controllably feeding an inert gas into the manifold. A blower package with valving, interposed between each reactor and the common manifold, discharges directly into the manifold and prevents pressure surges and excursions in the manifold and reactors as well as permitting each reactor to operate at different pressures independently of the existing manifold pressure.

Abstract: An energy-conserving refrigeration apparatus which employs a atmospheric pressure and vacuum-pressure actuated partial compressor for a refrigerant gas in combination with a conventional prime mover-driven compressor and also achieves lower compressor head pressure and increased condenser cooling of the refrigerant gas.

Abstract: A high speed centrifugal fuel pump delivers fuel to the main metering valve of a fuel control of a gas turbine engine for feeding the engine's burners, and a boost pump and positive displacement pump pressurize fuel for the servo medium for actuating the various valves and engine geometry actuators. The boost pump also assures that the vapor/liquid flow relationship satisfies the engine's requirements.

Abstract: A high pressure meter pump system with improved accuracy is provided by subdividing a large meter pump capacity into metered subvolume charges which are incrementally delivered to a high pressure slave pump.This enables the pump sytem to achieve improved accuracy independent of flow rate and therefore increasing the range of flow rates available with acceptable accuracy. Additionally, the pump system self-primes independently of flow rate and therefore does not require degassing of the solvent being pumped.

Abstract: This hydraulic engine utilizes two sets of hydraulic cylinders connected to a shaft so as to be alternately pressurized as the shaft is reciprocally driven by a pair of conventional internal combustion chambers. The outlets of all hydraulic cylinders are connected to a common output line via valves. During each power stroke certain of the hydraulic cylinders being pressurized are selectively disconnected (depressurized) from the output line. This effectively decreases the load on the driving chamber, and insures a relatively constant, high pressure hydraulic fluid output level despite changes in supplied force during each power stroke. The selective cylinder disconnection may be implemented programmatically in response to changes in engine parameters such as combustion pressure. The engine also includes a pump for supplying input hydraulic fluid to each set of cylinders while that set is not being compressed. The input fluid force is additive to the power supplied by the operative combustion chamber.

Abstract: A pumping system is provided in which a low pressure metering pump injects fluid charges into a high pressure pump which in turn operates into a high pressure load. The high pressure pump is designed to always present a low pressure at its input on its intake stroke. This insures that the metering pump will always operate into a low pressure regardless of the load, and will therefore be enabled to always accurately meter charges into the high pressure pump.In various embodiments, the high pressure pump and/or the low pressure pump include spring elements for providing well defined pumping pressures.In some embodiments, an oil reservoir and diaphragm provide a well defined pressure against which the metering pump can operate.

Abstract: A high pressure positive displacement gradient pump for two flowable materials utilizing two reciprocating pistons with the pair of pistons pumping in an overlapping reasonably pulse free manner. The gradient of the two flowable materials is created by adjustment of the stroke of each piston. Streams for the pair of pistons are combined and mixed in a mixing chamber. A third pair of pistons may deliver the mixed stream at high pressure to the desired location.