Highly accurate pumping device
A highly accurate pumping device for aspirating and dispensing variable volumes of fluid is presented. The pumping device comprises a housing with a slotted optical sensor, a stepper motor with a fine pitch lead screw, a coupling linking the stepper motor shaft and the lead screw, an anti-backlash nut, an anti-rotation arm linking the plunger with the anti-backlash nut, an end of travel sensor feature integrated in the arm, and a top which incorporates a chamber and a lead screw bearing. A seal, located in the top, seals against the plunger and the chamber. The plunger is attached to the anti-rotation arm and eccentrically aligned to the lead screw. The pumping device further includes one or more ports through which fluid may be introduced into or out of the chamber. The pumping device may be easily changed to accommodate different full-scale volume requirements due to the self-aligning features.
Many types of pumps are used to aspirate and dispense fluids. Many applications require accurately dispensing small volumes of fluid. Pumps typically are comprised of many pieces with many stringent manufacturing requirements necessary for such accurate aspirating and dispensing.
There is a need for a pump which is simple to manufacture and is able to provide accurate aspiration and dispensing of a wide range of volumes.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONA highly accurate pumping device for aspirating and dispensing fluids is presented. The pumping device is comprised of a stepper motor, a lead screw, a coupler linking the stepper motor shaft to the lead screw, an anti-backlash nut coupled to the lead screw, an anti-rotation arm coupled to the anti-backlash nut, a plunger coupled to the anti-rotation arm, a top section, an end cap and a housing with a slot for the anti-rotation arm and mounts for an end-of-travel sensor. The top section is comprised of a bearing for locating one end of the lead screw, a pumping chamber, one or more ports and a recessed area for a seal, which seals against the plunger and the sides of the recessed area. The end cap is located such as to retain the seal in the recessed area of the top section. Activation of the stepper motor causes the plunger to move axially into or out of the pumping chamber thus dispensing or aspirating fluid. Accurate aspiration and dispensing of fluids is accomplished with the use of the anti-rotation slot, the anti-backlash nut and by adjusting several factors such as the pitch of the lead screw, the diameter of the plunger and the actuation of the stepper motor. Exchanging a minimal number of parts allows the pump to aspirate and dispense different volumes of fluids. The self-aligning features of the pump allow the pump to be easily reconfigured.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Shown in
As shown in
A second top section 2 is shown in
The end cap 17, shown in
A rear view of the housing 7 is shown in
The anti-rotation arm 6 is shown in
A first seal 14 is shown in
A second seal 15 is shown in
The stepper motor 10 is shown in
The above described pumping device, using the anti-rotation arm, the anti-rotation slot of the housing, the anti-backlash nut with appropriate modifications to the lead screw pitch, plunger diameter and stepper motor control and other features, provides accurate and reliable aspiration and dispensing volumes. The self-aligning features allow the pump to be easily reconfigured to accommodate different full stroke volumes. The self-aligning features, together with the few number of parts, provide for substantial cost savings in the manufacture of the pumping device.
Having described preferred embodiments of the invention, it will become apparent to those of reasonable skill in the art that other embodiments incorporating the above described features may also be developed. Accordingly, it is submitted that the present invention not be limited to the described embodiments but rather by the scope and spirit of the appended claims.
Claims
1. A highly accurate pumping device comprising:
- a housing including an integral anti-rotation groove and mounting location for a slotted optical sensor;
- a first top removably coupled to said housing;
- a first chamber within a portion of said first top, said first chamber having a cone shape at one end;
- a first plunger displaceable within a portion of said first chamber, which, in combination with said first chamber, is adapted for aspirating and dispensing;
- ports within said first top, said ports allowing for the introduction of liquid into or out of said first chamber;
- a coupler linking the lead screw and stepper motor shaft;
- a stepper motor attached to said housing, which turns said lead screw for the purpose of moving said first plunger into or out of said first chamber;
2. The pumping device of claim 1 further comprising an anti-rotation arm removably coupled to an anti-backlash nut, the anti-rotation arm having an end of travel protrusion that interacts with a slotted optical sensor.
3. The pumping device of claim 1 wherein said first plunger is removably coupled to said anti-rotation arm.
4. The pumping device of claim 1 comprising a first seal disposed around said first plunger and against a surface of a recessed area of said first top.
5. The pumping device of claim 1 wherein one port is located proximally to said first seal and oriented with its axis perpendicular to the axis of said first chamber to allow incoming fluid to clear away residual air bubbles from said first seal.
6. The pumping device of claim 1 wherein one port is located distally from said first seal and axially aligned with said first chamber.
7. The pumping device of claim 1 comprising an end cap disposed to restrain said first seal in said first top.
8. The pumping device of claim 1 comprising a bearing disposed in a hole in said first top, said bearing axially aligned with said lead screw, through which one end of said lead screw protrudes.
9. The pumping device of claim 1 further comprising:
- a second plunger having a different size than said first plunger;
- a second top with a second chamber having a different size than said first chamber;
- a second seal having a different size than said first seal, said second seal disposed in recessed area in said second top and restrained by an end cap; said second top, said second plunger and said second seal adapted to aspirate or dispense a second volume of liquid.
Type: Application
Filed: Jan 21, 2004
Publication Date: Jul 21, 2005
Applicant: Innovative Mechanical Designs, Inc. (Lake Villa, IL)
Inventor: Robert Autrey (Lake Villa, IL)
Application Number: 10/760,765