MAGNETIC PUMPING MACHINES
Magnetic pumping systems and methods of pumping using such systems are disclosed. In one embodiment, a system for pumping fluid comprises: a substantially cylinder-shaped pump housing (200); a magnetic piston (210) residing within the pump housing (200) for displacing the fluid; a magnetic actuator (220) surrounding the pump housing (200), wherein the magnetic actuator (220) is configured to move the piston (210) by a magnetic force between the magnetic piston (210) and the magnetic actuator (220); and a magnetic ring (230) surrounding and attached to the magnetic actuator (220) for increasing a magnitude of the magnetic force. In another embodiment, a system for pumping fluid comprises: a pump housing (10); a magnetic piston (20) residing within the pump housing (10) for displacing the fluid; an electromagnetic actuator (150) outside the pump housing (10) comprising a movable conductive coil (160), wherein the electromagnetic actuator (150) is configured to move the piston (20) by an electromagnetic force; and an external driver for moving the conductive coil (160).
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This disclosure relates generally to fluid movement and, more specifically, to magnetic pumping systems for displacing fluid.
Gas pumps or compressors are widely used for a variety of purposes. For example, they are used in pipeline transport to move natural gas from the production site to the consumer and in refrigeration and air conditioner equipment to move heat from one place to another. They are also used in industrial plants, such as petroleum refineries and chemical plants, to compress intermediate and end product gases. Further, they are used to deliver pressurized auxiliary gas (e.g., inert gas such as nitrogen or process gas such as natural gas) to the gas seals of a larger turbo compressor in order to maintain the sealing functionality of the seals.
Unfortunately, currently used gas pumps are susceptible to leaking, which can be very dangerous when the gas being compressed is highly corrosive or explosive. Gas pumps can be redesigned to fulfill the safety and reliability requirements of such challenging applications. However, this redesign can be costly and time consuming.
One type of gas pump is the reciprocating compressor, which employs a piston driven by a crankshaft to exert force on a fluid within a cylinder, thereby compressing it. Reciprocating compressors have several drawbacks. For example, they are usually powered by a near-by electric supply, which poses a safety hazard in those cases where combustible gases are being compressed. Also, reciprocating compressors have moving parts, e.g., the crankshaft, that compromise their reliability. Further, the flow output and the output pressure of reciprocating compressors are difficult to control.
A need therefore exists for improved pumps for conveying fluids such as gas.
SUMMARYDisclosed herein are magnetic pumping systems. In one embodiment, a system for pumping fluid comprises: a substantially cylinder-shaped pump housing; a magnetic piston residing within the pump housing for displacing the fluid; a magnetic actuator surrounding the pump housing, wherein the magnetic actuator is configured to move the piston by a magnetic force between the magnetic piston and the magnetic actuator; and a ring comprising a magnetic element surrounding and attached to the magnetic actuator for increasing a magnitude of the magnetic force.
In an additional embodiment, a system for pumping fluid comprises: a pump housing; a magnetic piston residing within the pump housing for displacing the fluid; and an electromagnetic actuator outside the pump housing, wherein the electromagnetic actuator is configured to move the piston by an electromagnetic force.
In another embodiment, a system for pumping fluid comprises: a pump housing; a stack of at least two magnetic pistons residing within the pump housing for displacing the fluid; and a stack of at least two magnetic actuators outside the pump housing, wherein the magnetic actuators are configured to move the pistons by a magnetic force between the magnetic pistons and the magnetic actuators.
In yet another embodiment, a system for pumping fluid comprises: at least two magnetic pumps arranged in series or in parallel, wherein each magnetic pump comprises: a pump housing; a magnetic piston residing within the pump housing for displacing the fluid; and an actuator outside the pump housing, wherein the actuator is configured to move the piston by a magnetic or electromagnetic force.
In still another embodiment, a system for pumping a fluid comprises: a pump housing comprising an inner wall laterally spaced from an outer wall; a magnetic piston residing within the inner wall for displacing the fluid; and a plurality of conductive coils arranged inside the outer wall along a periphery of the inner wall, wherein the piston is configured to move upon application of a current in a sequential pattern to the different conductive coils.
Referring now to the Figures, which are exemplary embodiments, and wherein the like elements are numbered alike:
Systems for pumping fluid that comprise magnetic pistons and permanent-magnetic or electromagnetic actuators for moving the pistons are described. In an embodiment, these pumping systems are suitable for use in high-pressure applications, e.g., greater than about 400 psi which, could be required in oil and gas production units. As used herein, the term “magnetic” refers to an ability to exhibit an attractive or repulsing force on other materials (i.e., magnetism) resulting from the quantum-mechanical spin and orbital motion of electrons, wherein magnetic objects/materials are considered to be “permanent” magnetic objects/materials since the magnetism occurs even when no electrical current is applied. As used herein, the term “electromagnetic” refers to an ability to exhibit an attractive force on other materials resulting from electric currents, wherein electromagnetic objects/materials are considered to be “temporary” magnetic objects/materials since a magnetic field is generated only when an electric current flows through the objects/materials. The pumping systems described herein are referred to as “magnetic pumping systems”, meaning that they operate by means of a magnetic or electromagnetic force.
Tuning to
The operation of the magnetic pumping system shown in
The movement of the magnetic piston 20 can be controlled such that it repeatable slides forward in a first stroke that is parallel to an axis of the pump housing 10 and backward in a second stroke that is counter/opposite to the first stroke. When the piston 20 slides forward, the check valve 70 to the discharge line 60 can open as a result of the pressure inside the adjacent chamber rising above the pressure of the discharge line 60, allowing fluid to flow out of that chamber. At the same time, the pressure in the opposite chamber can drop, causing the check valve 90 to the suction line 80 to open such that fluid flows back into that chamber. When the piston 20 slides backward, the check valve 110 to the discharge line 100 can open to allow fluid to be forced out of the adjacent chamber. At the same time, the check valve 50 to the suction line 40 can open to allow fluid to flow back into the opposite chamber. Hence, both chambers can be used for fluid delivery.
Another embodiment of a magnetic pumping system is shown in
The conductive coil 150 can be oriented as shown in
Two magnetic pumping system designs/embodiments that overcome the problems associated with moving parts are depicted in
The conductive coils 160 can be oriented as shown in
Turning to
A multi-pole design of a magnetic pumping system in accordance with an embodiment is shown in
Yet another embodiment of a magnetic pumping system is shown in
In an additional embodiment, a pumping system can include two or more magnetic pistons 310 cascaded in a spaced apart orientation as shown in
A solution to this limitation on the reduction of the distance between the magnetic piston and the conductive coils is illustrated by the magnetic pumping system shown in
The magnetic pumping systems described above have several advantages over currently used pumping systems. For example, the magnetic actuator and the magnetic piston are not physically connected, thus allowing the pump housing to be “hermetically sealed”. As used herein, “hermetically sealed” refers to the ability of the pump housing to prevent any material from moving into or out of the pump housing except through a line or conduit connected to the pump housing. As such, the fluid passing through the pump housing cannot escape into the atmosphere. This benefit is especially useful when the fluid being delivered is corrosive or explosive. Further, the pumping systems can be actuated without utilizing a high power electrical supply that could pose a danger if placed near a combustible and explosive fluid. In addition, the pumping systems can be volumetric acting devices that deliver the fluid in an unsteady pulsating mode. Thus, in contrast to other volumetric acting machines, the flow output and the output pressure can be controlled easily by a suitable actuating mechanism, e.g., by the aforementioned electrically driven actuator. Another advantage is that moving parts outside the pump housing can be avoided by employing conductive coils to actuate the magnetic piston, thereby improving reliability and reducing cost. Keeping the actuator and the piston separated also makes the system modular, meaning that several pumps can be easily stacked together in series or in parallel to increase differential pressure and/or mass flow.
As used herein, the terms “a” and “an” do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced items. Reference throughout the specification to “one embodiment”, “another embodiment”, “an embodiment”, and so forth means that a particular element (e.g., feature, structure, and/or characteristic) described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment described herein, and may or may not be present in other embodiments. In addition, it is to be understood that the described elements may be combined in any suitable manner in the various embodiments. Unless defined otherwise, technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as is commonly understood by one of skill in the art to which this invention belongs.
While the invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.
Claims
1. A system for pumping fluid, comprising:
- a substantially cylinder-shaped pump housing;
- a magnetic piston residing within the pump housing for displacing the fluid;
- a magnetic actuator surrounding the pump housing, wherein the magnetic actuator is configured to move the piston by a magnetic force between the magnetic piston and the magnetic actuator; and
- a magnetic ring surrounding and attached to the magnetic actuator for increasing a magnitude of the magnetic force.
2. The system of claim 1, further comprising an external driver for moving the magnetic actuator and the magnetic ring, wherein the external driver is capable of moving the magnetic actuator and the ring repeatedly in a first direction parallel to an axis of the pump housing followed by a second direction opposite the first direction.
3. The system of claim 2, wherein the external driver is selected from the group consisting of a pneumatic driver, a hydraulic driver, a piezoelectric driver, and an electric driver.
4. The system of claim 1, wherein the fluid is hermetically sealed within the pump housing when the fluid passes through the pump housing.
5. The system of claim 1, wherein the magnetic piston is substantially cylinder-shaped, and wherein the magnetic ring comprises iron.
6. The system of claim 1, wherein the magnetic piston comprises a magnetic core surrounded by piston magnets arranged around a periphery of the magnetic core, and wherein the magnetic actuator comprises a plurality of actuator magnets aligned to the piston magnets.
7. The system of claim 1, comprising two or more pumps arranged in series or in parallel, wherein each pump comprises the pump housing, the magnetic piston, the magnetic actuator, and the ring.
8. A system for pumping fluid, comprising:
- a pump housing;
- a stack of at least two magnetic piston residing within the pump housing for displacing the fluid; and
- a stack of at least two magnetic actuators outside the pump housing, wherein the magnetic actuators are configured to move the pistons by a magnetic force between the magnetic pistons and the magnetic actuators.
9. The system of claim 8, further comprising an external driver for moving the at least two magnetic actuators, wherein the external driver is configured to move the at least two magnetic actuators repeatedly in a first direction parallel to an axis of the pump housing followed by a second direction opposite the first direction.
10. The system of claim 8, wherein the fluid is hermetically sealed within the pump housing when the fluid passes through the pump housing.
11. A system for pumping fluid, comprising:
- at least two magnetic pumps arranged in series or in parallel, wherein each magnetic pump comprises:
- a pump housing;
- a magnetic piston residing within the pump housing for displacing the fluid; and
- an actuator outside the pump housing, wherein the actuator is configured to move the piston by a magnetic or electromagnetic force.
12. A system for pumping a fluid, comprising:
- a pump housing comprising an inner wall laterally spaced from an outer wall,
- a magnetic piston residing within the inner wall for displacing the fluid; and
- a plurality of conductive coils arranged inside the outer wall along a periphery of the inner wall, wherein the piston is configured to move upon application of a current in a sequential pattern to the different conductive coils.
13. The system of claim 12, wherein the outer wall is thicker than the inner wall.
14. The system of claim 12, wherein a solid or liquid material fills unoccupied space provided between the inner wall and the outer wall.
15. The system of claim 12, wherein the fluid is hermetically sealed within the pump housing when the fluid passes through the pump housing.
16. A system for pumping fluid, comprising:
- a pump housing;
- a magnetic piston residing within the pump housing for displacing the fluid;
- an electromagnetic actuator outside the pump housing comprising a movable conductive coil, wherein the electromagnetic actuator is configured to move the piston by an electromagnetic force; and
- an external driver for moving the conductive coil.
17. The system of claim 16, wherein the external driver is configured to move the conductive coil repeatedly in a first direction parallel to an axis of the pump housing followed by a second direction opposite the first direction.
18. The system of claim 16, wherein the fluid is hermetically sealed within the pump housing when the fluid passes through the pump housing.
19. The system of claim 16, further comprising one or more additional magnetic pistons spaced from and in parallel to the magnetic piston within the pump housing.
20. The system of claim 16, comprising two or more pumps arranged in series or in parallel, wherein each pump comprises the pump housing, the magnetic piston, and the electromagnetic actuator.
Type: Application
Filed: Jan 25, 2008
Publication Date: Jul 30, 2009
Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY (Schenectady, NY)
Inventors: Herbert Kopecek (Hallbergmoos), Michael Bernhard Schmitz (Freising), Johannes Eckstein (Ismaning), Nicola Marcucci (Florence), Stefano Meucci (Florence), Carlos Jimenez Haertel (Muenchen)
Application Number: 12/019,697
International Classification: F04B 17/00 (20060101); F04B 35/04 (20060101);