Abstract: A micro-pump is disclosed for pneumatically causing a bulging/retracting motion of a plurality of micro-diaphragms disposed in an array along a channel through which a fluid is being driven. The pump includes channel means (10) including a first port (11), a second port (12) and a flow-through space (13) providing a communication therebetween; a plurality of diaphragms (21a-21e) disposed in an array along the flow-through space (13); diaphragm support means (20) including a plurality of actuating gas spaces (22a-22e) which opposes the rear surfaces of the respective diaphragms; a plurality of reciprocatory motion means for individually imparting an oscillation of pneumatic pressure to the respective actuating gas spaces (22a-22e), and drive means for driving the reciprocatory motion means for driving motion with phase differences therebetween so that the upper dead center shifts in the direction of the array.

Abstract: A hygienic tank truck pump for pumping liquid articles of food, such as milk, from either a stationary tank to the tank of a tank truck or between the tank truck and a tailer trunk coupled to the tank truck. The hygienic pump includes a side channel pump, a hydraulic motor for driving the side channel pump, and a hydraulic system of the tank truck for supplying hydraulic fluid to the motor. As a result, the tank truck pump is self-priming and presents a high capacity relative to weight and the capability of simple cleaning.

Abstract: A fan drive with high torque release embodying the concepts of the present invention is adapted to disengage the fan drive under high torque conditions. The fan drive includes an input shaft member and an output shaft member. A torque transfer device operatively connects the input shaft member with the output shaft member. A spring apply mechanism is provided for engaging the torque transfer device at low speeds and under low torque loading, and a centrifugal apply mechanism is provided for maintaining engagement of the torque transfer device under higher operating speeds and at properly anticipated torque loading. A release mechanism substantially disengages the torque transfer device upon the application of higher than desired torque loading conditions.

Abstract: A manually operable vacuum pump having a housing including first and second pump chambers whose volume is altered by movement of a displaceable piston which is moved by means of a piston rod attached thereto and fed through one of the first and second pump chambers. The first and second pump chambers are configured such that gas which is fed into the vacuum pump is compressed in two steps, primarily in the first pump chamber and secondarily in the second pump chamber to provide a suitable endvacuum. Thereafter, the gas is expelled from the second pump chamber through the second end cap.

Abstract: A vapor recovery system for use with fuel dispensing nozzles. The system includes a fuel dispensing nozzle and a vapor piping line operably connected to the nozzle for insertion into a tank for receiving fuel. The line has a small diameter with respect to the diameter of the fuel dispensing hose supplying fuel to the nozzle. A sump is connected to the other end of the line and has a source of vacuum for positively assisting flow of vapor through the line. The sump includes a filter for separating fuel from the vapor to produce vapor clean air. It also has both a vent for venting the vapor clean air and a drain for removing the separated fuel. The system preferably further includes a vacuum regulator means for regulating the vacuum in the vapor piping line by controlling the vacuum at about 1 to about 5 inches of mercury in the line.

Abstract: A magnetically-driven pump transferring fluid through a conduit is provided, having an electromagnet assembly selectively excited by a power source, and a non-ferromagnetic lever structure extending from the electromagnet assembly to the conduit, the lever structure having a ferro-magnetic portion, which may consist of a plate, at one end movable by the electromagnet assembly between a release position where the ferro-magnetic portion is angularly offset relative to the electromagnet assembly and a compression position where the ferro-magnetic portion is in substantially parallel contact with the electromagnet assembly, the ferro-magnetic portion enabling a striker portion at another end of the lever structure to compress the conduit at a predetermined frequency. The lever structure couples movement of the ferro-magnetic portion at one end with movement of a striker at the other end such that the ferro-magnetic portion moves within a lesser arcuate range and the striker moves within a greater arcuate range.

Abstract: A peristaltic pump having a pump conduit with an occlusive inlet segment. The pump includes a frame with rollers carried by rotor and rotated by a motor. A flexible conduit having an inlet end and an outlet end is positioned around the rollers and includes an occlusive segment and non-occlusive segment. In its free condition, the occlusive segment is collapsed and the passageway through it substantially completely occluded when the pressure within the occlusive segment is equal to or less than pressure acting on the outside of the occlusive segment. The non-occlusive segment is mildly biased to exhibit an inflated condition with an open passage when in its free condition with the pressure within the non-occlusive segment equal to pressure acting on the outside of the non-occlusive segment.

Abstract: A swash plate type variable displacement compressor comprises cylinder bores, pistons, a suction chamber and a discharge chamber. A suction valve introduces a low pressure gas into a working chamber in each cylinder bore. A discharge valve introduces a high pressure gas in the working chamber into the discharge chamber during a compression stroke. A crank chamber communicates to each of the cylinder bores at rear sides of the pistons. A swash plate is tiltably supported on a drive shaft and connected to each of the pistons through associated rods. The swash plate makes the pistons reciprocate in response to its undulating swing motion and varies its inclination angle based upon pressure differential between pressure in the suction chamber and pressure in the crank chamber therefore adjusting discharge displacement.

Abstract: A centrifugal pump system including a pump having a rotating seal disposed therein, the temperature of the seal being substantially maintained at an acceptable level by circulating a temperature stabilizing liquid to and from a chamber arranged immediately adjacent the rotating seal. A cooling or barrier tank is positioned adjacent the pump, the cooling tank for receiving the temperature stabilizing liquid from the chamber, allowing it to cool, and directing it back into the chamber thereby maintaining the temperature of the liquid adjacent the rotating seal at a substantially constant and acceptable level. A blower or fan is positioned adjacent both the pump and the cooling tank so as to simultaneously blow air across both of them in order to maintain the temperatures of the pump motor, the liquid within the cooling tank, and the rotating seal at acceptable levels.

Abstract: A positive displacement centrifugal pump comprises (a) a pressure generating mass rotatable about a first axis and radially movable relative to it upon rotation of the mass, (b) a pumping unit, and (c) a flexible, non-elastic tensioning element operatively connected to the mass and operable in the course of rotation of the mass to cause the mass to move radially inwardly toward the axis so as to effect intake and/or exhaust of fluid within the pump.

Abstract: A peristaltic pump includes a pump race for receiving a flexible tubing. A rotatable pump rotor carries at least one roller for contacting the tubing. A roller locating mechanism moves the pump roller between a retracted position free of contact with the tubing and an extended position making operative contact with the tubing. A controller operates the pump (i) in a pumping mode, during which the rotor is rotated with the roller located in its extended position, and (ii) in a valving mode, during which rotation of the rotor is terminated and the roller is selectively moved between its extended position to block fluid flow through the tubing and its retracted position to permit fluid flow through the tubing. The pump thus provides a peristaltic pump pumping function, as well as serving as a valve element.

Abstract: A medical infusion pump (10) including an improved electric motor assembly (256). The medical infusion pump (10) includes a pumping mechanism (250) and a pump chamber (132) in an operative position with respect to the pumping mechanism (250), the pumping mechanism (250) manipulating the pump chamber (132) to pump liquid through the pump chamber. An electric motor (256) having a rotatable drive shaft (316) is operably linked to the pump driving mechanism (250) and the pump driving mechanism (250) pumps a select amount of liquid through the pump chamber (132) on each rotation of the electric motor drive shaft (316). The improved electric motor assembly (256) includes a motor having a portion of a drive shaft (388) extending therefrom. A magnet (392) is attached to the extending portion of the drive shaft for rotation with the drive shaft.

Abstract: A radial piston hydrostatic machine contained within a housing and comprising a cylinder-barrel mounted to rotate on a pintle-valve fixed to said housing. Two hydraulic-rams operatively acting on a track-ring to provide eccentric displacement relative to the pintle-valve to change the rate of fluid output from the machine. The hydraulic-rams being of unequal size and subjected to the same level of machine discharge pressure during periods when the level of discharge pressure is insufficient to cause an internally disposed pressure relief-valve to "open". A throttle-valve disposed in a fluid channel linking the cylinders of said hydraulic-rams and arranged to introduce a pressure differential across two said two cylinders during periods when the machine discharge pressure is sufficiently high to cause said pressure-relief-valve to "open".

Abstract: A blood processing assembly includes a separation element for separating blood from a source into a first component and a second component. The assembly also includes a fluid path that conveys blood between the source and the separation element. The fluid path includes one or more in-line cassettes that serve in association with peristaltic pumps to centralize pumping and valving functions of the system. The cassettes also serve to segregate the flow paths of the blood components from each other.

Abstract: A medical infusion pump (10) using a pump chamber cassette (86) has a housing (20,22) defining a pump chamber cassette receptacle (84) and a pump driving mechanism (250) for propelling liquid through the pump chamber cassette. A door (50) holds the pump chamber cassette (86) within the cassette receptacle (84) in an operative position relative to the driving mechanism (250). The cassette includes an elastomeric conduit (132), a frame (134) and clips (146,148) for attaching the elastomeric conduit (132) to the frame (134) for holding the elastomeric conduit (132) in a select position relative to the pump driving mechanism (250) of the infusion pump upon placement of the cassette (86) in an operative position relative to the pump driving mechanism (250).

Abstract: The disclosure relates to an underwater excavation apparatus comprising a tube (10) in which a propeller (18) is mounted for rotation. The tips of the propeller blades are formed with jets (30) supplied from a high pressure water supply through passages in the propeller blades. The jets impinge on vanes (31) mounted on the tube wall around the propeller to cause the propeller to rotate and thereby draw water through the tube from an inlet at one end to an outlet at the other end to act on the seabed. The apparatus is particularly useful for excavating trenches on the seabed and exposing previously covered installations on the seabed.

Abstract: Method for manufacturing pumping devices, particularly usable in sports shoes, including the monolithic molding of a body having at least one tubular passage and a first and a second seat for air venting and intake valves. The body furthermore includes at least one chamber with a partially open elastically deformable wall. The method entails the closure of the chamber, whereas the valves and at least one inflatable plenum chamber are associable within the body thus obtained, before closing it. The pumping device thus obtained has optimum functional characteristics as well as very low manufacturing costs.

Abstract: A peristaltic pumping apparatus includes a peristaltic pump rotor and pump race. A pump tube cassette includes a body for supporting a flexible tubing loop in an erect, outwardly bowed position for placement within the pump race and for removal from the pump race. A surface juxtaposed the peristaltic pump rotor and race carries a gripping jaw assembly. The gripping jaw assembly opens to receive the pump tube cassette body as the body is moved toward the pump rotor to place the tubing loop within the pump race. The gripping jaw assembly closes to secure the pump tube holder body on the surface in an orientation in which the tubing loop lies within the pump race for engagement with the peristaltic pump rotor.

Abstract: A rotary gas compressor and vacuum pump apparatus which utilizes a central rotor with a slot formed therein to slidably receive a piston eccentrically connected onto a disk which covers the slot to form a cylinder is disclosed. The distance between the rotor axis and disk axis is equal to the distance between the disk axis and the off-center shaft axis, with all axes being parallel. Upon rotation of the disk, the rotor rotates at one-half the rotational velocity of the disk causing the piston to reciprocate in the cylinder, with gas flowing into the increasing cylinder volume and being compressed and discharged in the decreasing cylinder volume. This cyclic process continues with continued rotation of the central rotor.

Abstract: An ambulatory infusion pump system provides a continuous source of liquid medication to an ambulatory patient. The ambulatory infusion pump system includes a liquid medication reservoir (64) and a conduit (16) for conveying liquid medication from the reservoir to the patient. An ambulatory infusion pump (10) pumps liquid medication from the reservoir (64) to the patient (14) by manipulation of the conduit (16). A case (12) is provided for the ambulatory infusion pump (10) and the liquid medication reservoir (64). The case (12) includes a first chamber (440) receiving the ambulatory pump (10) and a second chamber (442) receiving the liquid medication reservoir (64). The first and second chambers are maintained in a juxtaposed position. An outlet through the case receives the conduit (16).