Pulsator Or Fluid Link Patents (Class 417/383)
  • Patent number: 11052179
    Abstract: A novel artificial circulatory assistance chamber for various uses associated with cardiovascular procedures, having a rigid capsule with a base and a dome, with blood inlet connectors and blood outlet connectors, and respective one-way valves. The rigid capsule contains an impermeable membrane that divides the capsule into a blood compartment and an outer compressible compartment that is filled with a volume of gas/liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2021
    Assignee: ZAMMI INSTRUMENTAL LTDA
    Inventor: Luiz Henrique Vargas Fonseca
  • Patent number: 10683856
    Abstract: A reciprocating pump (10) comprises a first upright leg (12), a second upright leg (14), a first cross-over conduit (18), a second cross-over conduit (18), a lower valve assembly (20) and an upper drive assembly (22). The drive assembly includes plungers (30) which exert alternating downward pumping forces on columns of liquid in the legs (12, 14). The valve assembly is located in a reservoir of water (55) and includes suction openings (80, 64) in the water, which lead into the cross-over conduits (18) and (18), respectively. The valve assembly includes a system of valves and pistons (74, 76) for controlling flow of water into the legs (12, 14) via the cross-over conduits (12, 14) when pumping forces are alternately applied to columns of wafer in the legs (12, 14) wherein water in the legs is raised and lowered in alternating pendulum fashion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2020
    Assignee: UDIFLOW LIMITED
    Inventor: Dirk Pieter Combrink
  • Patent number: 10578094
    Abstract: A system for manufacturing radionuclide generators includes an enclosure defining a radioactive environment. The enclosure includes radiation shielding to prevent radiation within the radioactive environment from moving to an exterior of the enclosure. The system also includes a pump within the enclosure for transferring fluid through tubing. The pump includes a pump head including a casing, a rotor that rotates in relation to the casing, and a clamp. The tubing extends through the pump head. The clamp compresses the tubing against the rotor and directs radioactive fluid through the tubing as the rotor rotates. The pump also includes a servomotor that controls the rotation of the rotor and a coupling connecting the pump head to the servomotor. The coupling prevents backlash between the servomotor and the rotor during rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: Curium US LLC
    Inventors: Martin R. Walker, Ryan W. Lenger, Kevin B. Graves, Bryan S. Petrofsky
  • Patent number: 10508969
    Abstract: A method for testing air tightness includes connecting a testing chamber and a storage chamber, supplying negative pressure to the storage chamber, measuring the pressure in the storage or testing chamber to obtain a first pressure value, determining air tightness of the testing chamber according to the negative pressure and the first pressure value, stopping the negative pressure to the storage chamber, measuring the pressure in the storage chamber to obtain a second pressure value, measuring the pressure in the storage chamber after stopping the negative pressure to the storage chamber to obtain a third pressure value, and determining air tightness of the testing chamber according to the second and third pressure values. The device includes testing and storage chambers, a negative pressure generator, and a pressure gauge connected to the storage chamber, which is connected to the testing chamber. The negative pressure generator is connected to the storage chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: CHROMA ATE INC.
    Inventors: Po-Kai Cheng, Chang-Chi Yang, Chi-Shu Wang
  • Patent number: 10508647
    Abstract: An electronically controlled diaphragm pump system includes a pump housing with a drive gas chamber, a fluid chamber separated by a diaphragm, gas pressure means for providing a drive gas pressure in response to a control signal, and gas under-pressure means connected to a gas outlet port for providing a gas outlet under-pressure or sucking of gas in response to a control signal. The pump system has a displacement sensor and control circuitry connected to the displacement sensor for determining the displacement or position of the diaphragm and adapted or supplying the control signals to the gas pressure means and the gas under-pressure means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: Stobbe Pharma Tech GmbH
    Inventor: Per Stobbe
  • Patent number: 10443591
    Abstract: Hemodialysis and similar dialysis systems including a variety of systems and methods that make hemodialysis more efficient, easier, and/or more affordable, and include new fluid circuits for fluid flow in hemodialysis systems and a blood pump. The blood pump is configured to pump blood to a dialyzer of a hemodialysis apparatus and comprises a pneumatically actuated or controlled reciprocating diaphragm pump. The diaphragm of the pump comprises a flexible membrane formed or molded to conform to a curved inner wall of a pumping chamber or control chamber of the pump, and the diaphragm is pre-formed or molded to have a control side taking a convex shape, so that any elastic tension on the diaphragm is minimized when fully extended into a control chamber of the pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: DEKA Products Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Michael J. Wilt, James D. Dale, Brian D. Tracey, Kevin L. Grant, Jason A. Demers
  • Patent number: 10350352
    Abstract: A fluid control system for delivery of a liquid includes a pneumatic drive that incorporates a linear actuator to effect known volume changes in a gas reservoir. The gas reservoir is in fluid communication with a gas-side reservoir that is separated from a fluid-side reservoir by a flexible membrane. Movement of the linear actuator effects positive or negative volume differences on the gas in the gas-side reservoir, resulting in a decrease or increase in pressure of the gas that is transmitted to the fluid-side reservoir to draw fluid, primarily liquid, in from a source or deliver liquid out to a sink. In another aspect, a mechanism is provided for the detection and elimination of air bubbles in the fluid path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: TURNPOINT MEDICAL DEVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Jeffrey A. Carlisle, Lawrence M. Kuba
  • Patent number: 10117986
    Abstract: A method for operating a dialysis cassette including a flexible membrane that covers a pump chamber includes allowing a source of fluid to fluidly communicate with the pump chamber of the dialysis cassette, filling the pump chamber with the fluid from the source, mechanically extending the flexible membrane into the pump chamber with a piston head to expel the fluid from the pump chamber through a flow path, and directly sensing a pressure of the fluid flowing through the flow path at a location of the dialysis cassette adjacent to the pump chamber and using the sensed pressure to perform a test prior to delivering fluid to a patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignees: Baxter International Inc., Baxter Healthcare S.A.
    Inventor: Robert W. Childers
  • Patent number: 10107299
    Abstract: The invention relates to a fluid pump having a housing delimiting a fluid chamber and having a conveying element for the fluid disposed in the fluid chamber, the housing, with respect to the shape and/or size thereof, being able to be changed between at least a first, expanded state and a second, compressed state. The object, to stabilize adequately a corresponding housing, is achieved according to the invention by the housing having at least one stabilization chamber which can be supplied with a fluid pressure and is different from the fluid chamber, the first state of the housing being assigned to a first fluid pressure in the stabilization chamber and the second state of the housing being assigned to a second fluid pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Assignee: ECP ENTWICKLUNGSGESELLSCHAFT MBH
    Inventor: Mario Scheckel
  • Patent number: 10100830
    Abstract: A membrane-based piston pump (400) is used for pumping a liquid product. The pump is provided with a device (426) for maintaining a pre-defined hydraulic fluid volume in the pump. The device includes an axle element (440) and a bushing element (432). A method for pumping a liquid product in a pump may use the membrane-based piston pump. A homogenizer may include the membrane-based piston pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance S.A.
    Inventors: Johan Stenbeck, Isac Salman
  • Patent number: 9909576
    Abstract: A cryogenic pump comprising a shaft disposed in a bearing. The shaft rotates with respect to the bearing housing, and the shaft includes an end with an angled face. The pump includes a drive at one end of the bearing housing. A tappet passage is formed through the drive housing. A pushrod housing connects to the drive housing. The pump includes a piston and a tappet sliding within the tappet passage. The tappet has a base end disposed within the tappet passage and a rod end extending below the tappet end of the drive housing. A fluid cavity is in the tappet passage between the piston and the tappet. The pump includes a pushrod connected to the tappet. The angled face of the shaft rotates and drives the piston toward the drive housing, pushing fluid within the fluid cavity against the tappet, driving the pushrod away from the drive housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Cory A. Brown, Bryan E. Nelson, Dana R. Coldren
  • Patent number: 9909715
    Abstract: This invention provides both a pump and a lubrication and cooling system with a pump which includes a pump housing, a rotor, a relief valve and a bypass valve. The relief valve is configured to relieve pump pressure when the pump pressure is indicative of an abnormal restriction of flow. The bypass valve is configured to direct fluid flow from an outlet chamber of the pump to an intake chamber of the pump when pressure in the outlet chamber is at a value associated with a predetermined speed of rotor rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Robert B Craft, Paul J. Mason, Jerry J. Brittan
  • Patent number: 9850889
    Abstract: A hydraulic fluid control system for a hydraulic diaphragm pump including at least one hydraulic diaphragm containing a process fluid surrounded by at least one hydraulic fluid chamber containing a hydraulic fluid is provided. The system includes a differential pressure sensor operable to detect and measure a pressure difference between the process fluid contained in the at least one hydraulic diaphragm and the hydraulic fluid contained in the at least one hydraulic fluid chamber; a hydraulic fluid reservoir containing hydraulic fluid; and a hydraulic fluid pump fluidly connected to the hydraulic fluid reservoir and the at least one hydraulic fluid chamber, and operable to provide a volume of hydraulic fluid to the at least one hydraulic fluid chamber in response to the pressure difference measured by the differential pressure sensor. The system is optionally operable to withdraw a volume of hydraulic fluid from the hydraulic fluid chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: Dajustco IP Holdings Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Van De Velde, Gordon Esplin
  • Patent number: 9784265
    Abstract: A drive system for a pump includes a first housing defining an internal pressure chamber, a working fluid disposed within and charging the internal pressure chamber, a second housing disposed within the first housing, a solenoid disposed within the second housing, a reciprocating member slidably disposed within the solenoid, a pull housing integral with a first end of the reciprocating member, the pull housing defining a pull chamber, a pull disposed within the pull chamber, and a fluid displacement member coupled to the pull.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: Graco Minnesota Inc.
    Inventors: Bradley H. Hines, Brian W. Koehn, Jeffrey A. Earles, Paul W. Scheierl, Adam K. Collins
  • Patent number: 9464609
    Abstract: A fuel delivery system is provided to reduce the pressure pulsations and noise vibration and harshness of direct injection systems. The fuel delivery system includes an elastic fuel line positioned between a first fuel pump and a second fuel pump and a check valve positioned in the elastic fuel line near the inlet of the high pressure pump, the check valve including an external housing having a peripheral surface with a greater diameter than an unstretched inner diameter of the elastic fuel line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jacob Jensen, Dequan Yu, Dennis Morgan, Christopher Arnold Woodring
  • Patent number: 9366244
    Abstract: A drive system for driving a diaphragm pressure wave generator comprising opposed first and second diaphragms (11,13) that are each coupled at or toward opposite ends of a reciprocally moveable drive piston (19). The drive system comprises an operable actuator (27) that generates a reciprocating motion output having a low force and long stroke. The drive system also comprises a hydraulic amplifier that is operatively coupled between the actuator and the drive piston, the hydraulic amplifier being arranged to convert the reciprocating motion output from the actuator into an amplified output having a higher force and shorter stroke, and apply the amplified output to the drive piston (19) to cause the drive piston and opposed diaphragms (11,13) to reciprocate and generate waves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Assignee: Callaghan Innovation
    Inventor: Alan James Caughley
  • Patent number: 9318984
    Abstract: A linear motor device includes a linear motor and a control unit configured to apply a load to a pressurizing object by causing a movable part of the linear motor to move. After causing the movable part to move toward the pressurizing object at a predetermined first speed based on position control, the control unit controls the movable part to move by performing deceleration to a second speed which is slower than the first speed and at which the pressure applied to the pressurizing object is less than or equal to a predetermined pressure when the movable part starts to apply the pressure to the pressurizing object, and the control unit causes the movable part to move until the current flowing through the linear motor is greater than or equal to a predetermined current limit value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: THK CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shuhei Yamanaka, Yuki Nomura
  • Patent number: 9297375
    Abstract: A fluid cylinder block includes a body having a plurality of bores formed therein that intersect at a junction, and a stress distributing joint comprising a groove formed in the body adjacent opposing bores of the plurality of bores on each side of the junction, wherein the grooves include a major dimension that is greater than a diameter of the opposing bores.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: Forum US, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark C. Dille
  • Patent number: 9273676
    Abstract: The piezoelectric pump comprises a housing, containing the following components connected in series: a rear piezoelectric clamp section, a piezoelectric extender section and a front piezoelectric clamp section. A displacer of pumped fluid is connected to the front piezoelectric clamp section. Electric pulses accessing at sections from a control station cause said sections to become fixed alternately inside the housing. Under the effect of electric pulses, the piezoelectric extender section moves the displacer step-by-step in one direction. Positive effect achieved by the invention is that of increasing the service life of the piezoelectric pump, expanding the scope of use thereof by increasing the number of fluids that can be pumped and also providing for a greater pressure by preventing contact between the pumped fluid and the friction surfaces of the housing and the piezoelectric clamp sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: RENK LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY
    Inventor: Andrey Leionidovich Kuznetsov
  • Patent number: 9188110
    Abstract: The pump (10) prevents fluid leaks when a bellows (12) ruptures in a pump incorporating a flexible bellows (12) as a primary seal and prevents fluid from leaking out of a pump (10) or the pump (10) ingesting air in the event of a bellows rupture. This is done by adding an additional seal (22) after the bellows and a large volume backup chamber 24.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: Graco Minnesota Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy S. Roman, Kurt R. Sjodin, Adam L. Kalthoff
  • Patent number: 9188121
    Abstract: A fluid cylinder block includes a body having a plurality of bores formed therein that intersect at a junction, and a stress distributing joint comprising a groove formed in the body adjacent opposing bores of the plurality of bores on each side of the junction, wherein the grooves include a major dimension that is greater than a diameter of the opposing bores.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: Forum US, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark C. Dille
  • Patent number: 9089171
    Abstract: A brassiere structure is provided. The brassiere structure comprises two cups and two lateral wings. Each of the cups has a first attachment structure. Each of the lateral wings has a second attachment structure and an adhesive layer. The second attachment structure is detachablely attached on the first attachment structure, and the adhesive layer is sticking on a lateral of each of the breasts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Assignee: SING YOUNG HONG LTD.
    Inventor: Pai-Chien Chen
  • Publication number: 20150136418
    Abstract: A well pump assembly has an upper plunger and a lower plunger. A working fluid conduit extends between the upper and lower plunger. An upper piston in the working fluid conduit is connected with the upper plunger. A lower piston in the working fluid conduit is connected with the lower plunger. A downstroke working fluid is located between the upper and lower pistons in the working fluid conduit. An upstroke conduit extends between an upper port in the working fluid conduit above the upper piston. and a lower port in working fluid conduit below the lower piston. An upstroke working fluid fills the upstroke conduit and the working fluid conduit above the upper piston and below the lower piston.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2014
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Inventors: David Garrett, Shawn N. Gunter
  • Patent number: 8932030
    Abstract: A piston type pumping apparatus comprises a vertically oriented cylinder having a top and a bottom with a first aperture. There are first and second passageways for liquid in the cylinder at the top and bottom respectively thereof. A piston is reciprocatingly mounted within the cylinder and has an area against which pressurized fluid acts in the direction of movement of the piston. A hollow piston rod is connected to the piston and extends below the piston and slidably through the first aperture. There is a reload chamber below the cylinder. The piston rod extends slidably into the reload chamber and has a third passageway for liquid communicating thereto. A first one-way valve is located in the third passageway. There is also a fourth passageway that extends from the reload chamber to a source of liquid to be pumped and a second one-way valve therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: McNichol, Richard Frederick
    Inventors: Richard F. McNichol, Gordon Bryce
  • Publication number: 20140322035
    Abstract: Pumps are provided, more particularly piston type pumps having increased energy efficiency, systems incorporating such piston type pumps, and methods of operating piston type pumps. The pumps are suitable for pumping of oil from an oil well or for pumping other liquids such as ground water, subterranean liquids, brackish water, sea water, waste water, cooling water, gas, coolants, and the like.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2014
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Inventor: Richard F. McNichol
  • Patent number: 8763641
    Abstract: Plastic microfluidic structures having a substantially rigid diaphragm that actuates between a relaxed state wherein the diaphragm sits against the surface of a substrate and an actuated state wherein the diaphragm is moved away from the substrate. As will be seen from the following description, the microfluidic structures formed with this diaphragm provide easy to manufacture and robust systems, as well readily made components such as valves and pumps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Rheonix, Inc.
    Inventors: Peng Zhou, Lincoln C. Young
  • Patent number: 8646482
    Abstract: Plastic microfluidic structures having a substantially rigid diaphragm that actuates between a relaxed state wherein the diaphragm sits against the surface of a substrate and an actuated state wherein the diaphragm is moved away from the substrate. As will be seen from the following description, the microfluidic structures formed with this diaphragm provide easy to manufacture and robust systems, as well readily made components such as valves and pumps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: Rheonix, Inc.
    Inventors: Peng Zhou, Lincoln C. Young
  • Patent number: 8636477
    Abstract: This invention provides a chemical supply system for supplying chemical solution from a chemical tank. The chemical supply system includes a chemical supply pump, a pressure adjuster configured to suction the chemical solution into the pump chamber by setting the pressure of working gas to a suction pressure, a switching controller configured to switch the suction-side opening-closing valve to the open state for starting to fill the pump chamber with the chemical solution, a pressure detector configured to detect at least one of a gas pressure in a space connected to the working chamber and a gas pressure in the working chamber when the suction-side opening-closing valve is switched to the open state and starts an inflow of the chemical solution to the pump chamber, and a suction controller configured to control the suction pressure applied to the working chamber by the pressure adjuster, based on a detection result of the pressure detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: CKD Corporation
    Inventors: Isao Nagasaki, Akihiro Ito, Tetsuya Toyoda
  • Patent number: 8398379
    Abstract: A chemical liquid supplying apparatus which can discharge chemical liquid with high accuracy is provided. The apparatus is used to discharge the chemical liquid in a chemical liquid tank from an application nozzle. The apparatus has a combined member formed integrally with a pump case and a cylinder, and a flexible tube serving as a pump member is provided in the pump case, wherein its inside is a pump chamber and its outside is a pump-side driving chamber. A piston is assembled to the cylinder and when the piston is reciprocated by a motor, the pump chamber is expanded and contracted. A gap between the piston and the cylinder is covered with a diaphragm, and an interior of the diaphragm is a seal space. Therefore, an incompressible medium having leaked from the gap between the piston and the cylinder enters into the seal space and does not leak to the outside.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: Koganei Corporation
    Inventor: Takeo Yajima
  • Patent number: 8388321
    Abstract: A positive displacement pump apparatus includes a pump chamber in a pipe system for receiving a pumping fluid, the pipe system having an inlet and an outlet which can be shut by a valve. The chamber is connected via an intermediate fluid chamber with a displacement element including a piston head and a piston rod, which is arranged to alternately carry out a suction stroke and a displacement stroke during its movement to displace fluid in the intermediate fluid chamber, thereby increasing or reducing the volume of the pump chamber. A flexible separating element including a diaphragm is provided at the pump chamber to separate the fluid in the intermediate fluid chamber from the pumping fluid. A force member is provided for applying force to the piston head during the displacement stroke to counteract force exerted on the piston head by the fluid in the intermediate fluid chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Weir Minerals Netherlands B.V.
    Inventor: Arnoldus Gertrudis Hendrikus Wilmsen
  • Patent number: 8382451
    Abstract: In a constant rate discharge pump, a rotary drive source is disposed on an end of a housing, and on the other end of the housing, a pump head is provided, having a pump chamber into which a fluid is drawn, and a filling chamber filled with an indirect medium. Further, a displacement mechanism having a displacement nut which is displaced under a driving action of the rotary drive source is disposed in the interior of the housing. A bellows is interposed between a tubular body connected to the displacement nut and a first block of the pump head, wherein the interior of the bellows also is filled with the indirect medium, which is made up from an incompressible fluid. Furthermore, a flexible diaphragm is disposed in the pump head between the fluid and the indirect medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: SMC Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Fukano, Takamitsu Suzuki
  • Publication number: 20130017101
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a pump device having a diaphragm pump head with two fluid delivery chambers, each fluid delivery chamber having a corresponding control chamber separated from the fluid delivery chamber by an associated diaphragm, a piston chamber in fluid communication with both fluid delivery chambers, and a double-acting piston assembly provided in the piston chamber and defining a single piston head that simultaneous acts upon both of the corresponding control chambers to drive the associated diaphragms.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2012
    Publication date: January 17, 2013
    Applicant: Bran+Luebbe GmbH
    Inventors: Bernd Ferk, Gunnar Gode, Henning Ladiges, Dirk Petersen, Uwe Schade
  • Patent number: 8353684
    Abstract: A method for compressing a gas by using energy produced from a heat source. A boiler is provided. The boiler is segregated into an upper chamber and a lower chamber by a barrier such as a piston, a bellows, or a diaphragm. The lower chamber is filled with a liquid having a suitable boiling point and other properties. The upper chamber is filled with a gas to be compressed. Heat from any suitable source is applied to the liquid in the lower chamber in order to bring the liquid to a boil, and thereby produce pressurized vapor in the lower chamber. The rising pressure in the lower chamber moves the barrier in the direction of the upper chamber, thereby compressing the gas in the upper chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2013
    Inventor: Grant Peacock
  • Patent number: 8297939
    Abstract: A method of pumping an agglomerative liquid includes providing a diaphragm pump defined herein and pumping the agglomerative liquid using the diaphragm pump, the diaphragm has an annular thickened portion in the peripheral portion thereof as defined herein, the pump head has at least one channel communicating the inner peripheral edge of the clamping surface and the pump chamber, the diaphragm is reciprocally movable in opposite directions perpendicular to the diaphragm plane to increase and decrease the volume of the pump chamber so as to pump the liquid, the thickened portion of the diaphragm, the holding member, and the pump head are configured to satisfy the relation A<B as defined herein, and the reciprocal movement of the diaphragm is from the flat state toward the pump chamber side and from the flat state toward the side opposite to the pump chamber side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: Fujifilm Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuaki Oguma, Ryuji Abe
  • Publication number: 20120230848
    Abstract: The present disclosure details a thermoacoustic driven compressor having a pressurized housing, which contains within a thermoacoustic engine and a working gas, coupled to a positive displacement reciprocating compressor. The thermoacoustic driven compressor generates scalable compressed air from a given heat source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2012
    Publication date: September 13, 2012
    Applicant: eNova, Inc.
    Inventors: Bryan O. McQuary, Steve M. Cole
  • Patent number: 8172554
    Abstract: In a chemical liquid supplying apparatus, discharge accuracy of chemical liquid is enhanced, and durability of a flexible tube is enhanced. By the flexible tube incorporated into a pump housing, an interior of the pump housing is partitioned into a pump chamber, which communicates with a liquid inlet and a liquid outlet, and a drive chamber in which an incompressible, indirect medium is enclosed. Outer surfaces of end portions of the flexible tube are sealed by outer seal members, and their inner surfaces are sealed by inner seal members. Fastening cylindrical bodies disposed in the end portions of the flexible tube are radially expanded by wedge sleeves, whereby the outer and inner seal members are caused to closely contact with the flexible tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: Koganei Corporation
    Inventor: Takeo Yajima
  • Patent number: 8152476
    Abstract: The present invention relates to positive displacement pumps, and particularly to diaphragm positive displacement pumps. An inventive diaphragm positive displacement pump is provided comprising at least one pumping chamber containing a deformable hose diaphragm, a working fluid cylinder fluidly connected to the deformable hose diaphragm, and at least one linear motor to displace the working fluid within the working fluid cylinder and thereby increase and decrease the volume of the pumping chamber. An inventive method of controlling an inventive diaphragm positive displacement pump comprising at least one pumping chamber and powered by at least one linear motor is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Toyo Pumps North America Corp.
    Inventors: Matthew Babicki, Steven Noble
  • Patent number: 8096784
    Abstract: A bi-directional continuous peristaltic micro-pump is described. The micro-pump comprises: a substrate, an actuating mechanism and a fluid channel. The actuating mechanism comprises: a first slanted membrane the thickness of which increases progressively from left to right, a first chamber formed between the first slanted membrane and the substrate; and a second slanted membrane, the thickness of which decreases progressively from left to right, the second slanted membrane being located to the first slanted membrane's right side and parallel to the first slanted membrane with a space between the two membranes, a second chamber formed between the second slanted membrane and the substrate. By inflating the first chamber and the second chamber, the first slanted membrane and the second slanted membrane generate a continuous sweeping motion to force the working fluid to flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Assignee: National Taiwan Ocean University
    Inventors: Jyh-Jong Sheen, Shang-Chian Su
  • Patent number: 8047814
    Abstract: A chemical liquid supplying apparatus which can discharge chemical liquid with high accuracy is provided. The apparatus is used to discharge the chemical liquid in a chemical liquid tank from an application nozzle. The apparatus has a combined member formed integrally with a pump case and a cylinder, and a flexible tube serving as a pump member is provided in the pump case, wherein its inside is a pump chamber and its outside is a pump-side driving chamber. A piston is assembled to the cylinder and when the piston is reciprocated by a motor, the pump chamber is expanded and contracted. A gap between the piston and the cylinder is covered with a diaphragm, and an interior of the diaphragm is a seal space. Therefore, an incompressible medium having leaked from the gap between the piston and the cylinder enters into the seal space and does not leak to the outside.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: Koganei Corporation
    Inventor: Takeo Yajima
  • Patent number: 8021129
    Abstract: A submersible pumping system comprises a piston that is axially moveable relative to a body between an extended position and a retracted position. A pump valve is coupled to the body and in fluid communication with a supply of operating fluid. The pump valve has a first position, where the pump valve supplies operating fluid so as to move the piston to the extended position, and a second position, where the pump valve supplies operating fluid so as to move the piston to the retracted position. The pumping system also comprises an upper stop that is coupled to the pump valve so that the pump valve is moved to the first position when the upper stop is engaged by the piston in the retracted position. The pumping system also comprises a lower stop that is coupled to the pump valve so that the pump valve is moved to the second position when the lower stop is engaged by the piston in the extended position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: Smith Lift, Inc.
    Inventors: Leland B. Traylor, Jared Mangum, Paul A. Treaster
  • Patent number: 7980834
    Abstract: A pump for boosting pressure of liquid color for injection into plastic resin in molding or extrusion apparatus includes a housing having a first bore extending in a first direction and second and third bores extending through the housing and communicating with the first bore proximate a first end of the first bore with the first end of the first bore being blind. The pump further includes an inlet check valve connectable to the second bore for permitting liquid flow through the second bore into the first bore. Further included is an outlet check valve connective to the third bore for permitting liquid flow out of the first bore through the third bore. A member is reciprocally axially movable within the first bore. A solenoid applies air pulses to the end of the first member facing oppositely from the blind end of the first bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Inventor: Stephen B. Maguire
  • Patent number: 7967578
    Abstract: A piston type pumping apparatus comprises a vertically oriented cylinder having a top and a bottom with a first aperture. There are first and second passageways for liquid in the cylinder at the top and bottom respectively thereof. A piston is reciprocatingly mounted within the cylinder and has an area against which pressurized fluid acts in the direction of movement of the piston. A hollow piston rod is connected to the piston and extends below the piston and slidably through the first aperture. There is a reload chamber below the cylinder. The piston rod extends slidably into the reload chamber and has a third passageway for liquid communicating thereto. A first one-way valve is located in the third passageway. There is also a fourth passageway that extends from the reload chamber to a source of liquid to be pumped and a second one-way valve therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Inventors: Richard Frederick McNichol, Gordon Bryce
  • Patent number: 7926501
    Abstract: Systems and methods for recovering power fluid from a device under water and for pumping recovered power fluid to a surface of the water, the systems and methods, in certain aspects, including: flowing fluid from a subsurface apparatus to a subsurface recovery system, the fluid initially provided to the subsurface apparatus to power the subsurface apparatus; and the subsurface recovery system including pump apparatus for selectively pumping recovered fluid to a fluid container above a surface of the water. This abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract which will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure and is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims, 37 C.F.R. 1.72(b).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: National Oilwell Varco L.P.
    Inventors: Frank Benjamin Springett, Eric Trevor Ensley
  • Publication number: 20100300097
    Abstract: A heat engine includes a boiler, an injector for injecting working fluid into the boiler, a retainer for releasing the hydraulic fluid for movement away from a start position once working fluid vapour pressure in the boiler reaches a predetermined level, a returner for returning the hydraulic fluid to its start position following expansion of working fluid vapour in the boiler, resulting in reciprocating hydraulic fluid motion, and an exhaust valve to release expanded working fluid vapour from the boiler. The vapour pressure increase in the boiler causes a change of state from liquid to gas of a least a portion of the injected working fluid, followed by a substantially constant pressure heating of the working fluid, giving rise to a change of state from liquid to gas of substantially all of the remaining injected working fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2008
    Publication date: December 2, 2010
    Applicant: Cogen Microsystems Pty Ltd.
    Inventors: Paul Van De Loo, David Robert Barduca
  • Patent number: 7841842
    Abstract: A chemical liquid supplying apparatus capable of discharging chemical liquid with high accuracy and monitoring a leakage of an incompressible medium from a region between a piston and a cylinder is provided. A pump has a flexible tube for partitioning a pump chamber and a drive chamber, and the incompressible medium is supplied to the drive chamber by the piston reciprocating within a cylinder hole of the cylinder. A first bellows cover for forming a first seal chamber is provided between a large-diameter piston portion and the cylinder, and a second bellows cover for forming a second seal chamber is provided between a small-diameter piston portion and the cylinder. To detect pressure of the incompressible medium enclosed in the seal chambers, a seal-chamber pressure sensor is attached to the cylinder, and a deterioration degree of seal members is determined by detecting the pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2010
    Assignee: Koganei Corporation
    Inventor: Takeo Yajima
  • Patent number: 7832429
    Abstract: Plastic microfluidic structures having a substantially rigid diaphragm that actuates between a relaxed state wherein the diaphragm sits against the surface of a substrate and an actuated state wherein the diaphragm is moved away from the substrate. As will be seen from the following description, the microfluidic structures formed with this diaphragm provide easy to manufacture and robust systems, as well readily made components such as valves and pumps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: Rheonix, Inc.
    Inventors: Lincoln Young, Peng Zhou
  • Patent number: 7806668
    Abstract: A flexible tube 20 has an inlet side fixed end 21, and an outlet side fixed end 22, and an elastic deformation portion 23 is provided between them. The elastic deformation portion 23 is provided with convex arc portions 42. In the convex arc portions 42, three apices 41 provided apart at approximately regular intervals in the circumferential direction are each curved in a convex shape outward so as to have smaller curvature radius than that of a virtual circle S tangent to the apices 41 from each apex as a center for deformation. Concave arc portions 43 are formed consecutively between the respective convex arc portions 42 in circumferential direction, and the concave arc portions 43 are each curved in a concave shape outward. At a time of expansion and shrinkage of the elastic deformation portion, the respective convex arc portions 42 elastically deform in the circumferential direction, and the concave arc portions 43 elastically deform in the radial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Assignee: Koganei Corporation
    Inventor: Takeo Yajima
  • Publication number: 20080118376
    Abstract: A novel method of designing a pump by utilizing a cylinder with pistons inserted from each end. The cylinder contains two ports along the top for connection of a prime fluid chamber, a bulk fluid supply chamber and a fluid reservoir. These ports and corresponding connection details are arranged in a fashion that is perpendicular to the axis of the cylinder that comprises the pump chamber. Directly below at a different relative position also perpendicular to the axis of the pump chamber is an exit port for extrusion of fluid. The pump contains no valves or ancillary passages to direct flow between the different machine states of prime, refill, translate and dispense. The states are activated by relative position of the pistons with respect to each port. Fluid moves by translation within the pump by filling the chamber volume between the two pistons with a liquid and synchronizing the advance of the left piston with the retreat of the right piston.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2007
    Publication date: May 22, 2008
    Inventor: Brian Leonard Verrilli
  • Patent number: 7134489
    Abstract: A drilling system is provided for drilling a borehole into an earth formation, the drilling system comprising pump means for pumping drilling fluid into the borehole and discharge means for discharging drilling fluid from the borehole. The discharge means comprises at least one pressure chamber for temporarily accommodating drilling fluid being discharged from the borehole, and control means for controlling the fluid inflow into each pressure chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2006
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventor: Egbert Jan Van Riet
  • Patent number: 7004731
    Abstract: A scarred surface structure on the cover curvature of a diaphragm compressor is created by shot blasting. The scarred surface structure hinders the sealing effect between the cover curvature and the diaphragm and thereby counteracts the formation of gas cushions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2006
    Inventor: Horst Kleibrink