Abstract: A fluid pump having a pump housing that includes at least one expansion joint, provides volume compensation, as needed, to adjust for changes in pressure in the pump housing. Various embodiments automatically and passively reduce static pressure in the pump housing associated with a freezing event, thereby preventing damage to the pump head. Volume compensation is achieved by employing, in each expansion joint, a dynamic seal that allows relative movement of two portions of the pump housing, and a bias that provides a selected counter-force to the movement of the housing portions. The subject pumps are particularly suited for use in automotive and other rugged applications, in which fluid pumps may experience recurring freezing events.

Abstract: A fluid pump having a pump housing that includes at least one expansion joint, provides volume compensation, as needed, to adjust for changes in pressure in the pump housing. Various embodiments automatically and passively reduce static pressure in the pump housing associated with a freezing event, thereby preventing damage to the pump head. Volume compensation is achieved by employing, in each expansion joint, a dynamic seal that allows relative movement of two portions of the pump housing, and a bias that provides a selected counter-force to the movement of the housing portions. The subject pumps are particularly suited for use in automotive and other rugged applications, in which fluid pumps may experience recurring freezing events.

Abstract: Valveless piston pumps are disclosed that are magnetically driven, thereby eliminating a troublesome dynamic seal used on conventional valveless piston pumps. An exemplary embodiment includes a housing defining a bore having a bore axis. A piston is situated in the bore so as to be movable in the bore in a reciprocating manner along the bore axis and in a rotational manner about the bore axis. A magnet is situated in the bore and is coupled to the piston. The magnet is engageable magnetically with a magnet-driving device configured to cause the magnet, and thus the piston, to move in the reciprocating manner and in the rotational manner. An exemplary magnet-driving device is a stator assembly.

Abstract: Gear pumps are disclosed having a gear-assembly section, a drive-assembly section, and at least one passage fluidly connecting the gear-assembly and drive-assembly sections, wherein the passage includes substantially non-movable walls defining a non-linear fluid-flow path. A particular example is a magnetic gear pump having a gear-assembly section; a section that includes a magnet assembly received in a cup cavity; and a third section located between the gear-assembly and magnet-assembly sections, wherein the third section includes a fluid-input port, a fluid-output port, and at least one conduit for fluidly interconnecting the gear-assembly and magnet-assembly sections; and a member defining at least one non-linear passage in fluid connection with the third section conduit and the cup cavity.

Abstract: Gear pumps are disclosed having a gear-assembly section, a drive-assembly section, and at least one passage fluidly connecting the gear-assembly and drive-assembly sections, wherein the passage includes substantially non-movable walls defining a non-linear fluid-flow path. A particular example is a magnetic gear pump having a gear-assembly section; a section that includes a magnet assembly received in a cup cavity; and a third section located between the gear-assembly and magnet-assembly sections, wherein the third section includes a fluid-input port, a fluid-output port, and at least one conduit for fluidly interconnecting the gear-assembly and magnet-assembly sections; and a member defining at least one non-linear passage in fluid connection with the third section conduit and the cup cavity.

Abstract: A gear pump is disclosed. The gear pump has a pump body with an inlet, a discharge and an interior side to the body. The gear pump also has a cavity plate having a gear cavity formed therein facing and abutting the interior side of the pump body. A drive gear and a driven gear are located within the gear cavity and engage one another. Each gear is rotatably supported on a shaft between the pump body and the cavity plate. A drive magnet assembly is connected to the drive gear shaft. A magnet cup has an interior chamber and a sealing surface which abuts against the interior side of the pump body providing the only required seal of the gear pump. The magnet cup is received over and encapsulates the magnet assembly, the cavity plate and the gears within the interior chamber and compresses the gear cavity against the interior surface of the body without requiring additional sealant to seal the gear cavity and magnet cup interior chamber.