Abstract: A ripple diaphragm circulator includes a body inside which there is an internal chamber comprising an inlet opening and an outlet opening for fluid; and a flexible diaphragm placed in the chamber so as to be able to ripple there. The circulator further includes an actuating mechanism including at least one motor and a mechanical linking part linking the motor to the first edge of the diaphragm so as to move it in a reciprocating motion. The circulator also includes a device for detecting at least one value representative of a movement of the diaphragm, a power supply unit delivering an electrical power supply signal to the motor according to a detection signal.

Abstract: An electro-active, valveless pump having a pumping chamber with at least one chamber wall. There is at least one opening in the at least one chamber wall. An electro-active actuator is located over each of the openings for inducing fluid flow.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for transporting a fluid, an object to be transported, in the vertical or horizontal direction. More particularly, the apparatus of the present invention has a surface formed into a pattern recursively alternating in a fluid transfer direction such that the surface of the apparatus has a contact angle different from that of the fluid, and the transportation of the fluid is controlled by the hydrodynamic force generated by the difference of the contact angles.

Abstract: A spacer forming device according to the present invention includes glass plate fixing means for fixing one glass plate, an applicator head for applying a spacer forming material, spacer forming material supply means having an extruding means that extrudes the spacer forming material while melting and mixing the material and a fixed displacement pump for supplying the spacer forming material extruded from the extruding means to the applicator head, and an articulated robot that moves the applicator head along the periphery of the one glass plate. By using the spacer forming device, the spacer forming material is applied from the applicator head along the periphery of the upper surface of the one glass plate thereon to form a spacer.

Abstract: A fluid pump comprising one or more actuators, two end walls, a side wall; a cavity which, in use, contains fluid, the cavity having a substantially cylindrical shape bounded by the end walls and the side walls, at least two apertures through the cavity walls, at least one of which is a valved aperture, wherein the cavity radius, a, and height, h, satisfy the following inequalities: a/h is greater than 1.2; and h2/a is greater than 4×10?10 m; and wherein, in use, the actuator causes oscillatory motion of one or both end walls in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the end walls; whereby, in use, the axial oscillations of the end walls drive radial oscillations of fluid pressure in the cavity.

Abstract: A microfluidic device including a fluidic pumping system is provided. Some embodiments include a fluid-carrying channel, a plurality of acoustic pumping elements arranged along the fluid-carrying channel, wherein the acoustic pumping elements are configured to form an acoustic wave focused within the channel, and a controller in electrical communication with the plurality of acoustic pumping elements, the controller being configured to activate the acoustic pumping elements in such a manner as to cause the acoustic wave to move along the channel to move the fluid through the channel.

Abstract: A biphase conveyor of a mixture of fine solid components with pasty and liquid components based on the use of rotational and periodic inertial forces is described. In accordance with the present invention the conveyor comprises a mechanism which impresses on the identical rotor pair R1 and R2 a periodic oscillatory motion with identical frequency and with phase other than 90°. The oscillation mechanism can consist indifferently of a connecting rod & crank system or a rotating bearing with eccentric axis between two guides fastened to the rotor. On R1 is rigidly fastened a biphase circuit whose inlet E01 is connected with the feeder of the materials to be conveyed and the outlet U01 with the inlet E02 of an identical biphase circuit fastened on R2 whose outlet U02 is connected with the user. All this develops a resultant of continuous inertial forces with constant direction from E01 to U02 which causes the flow of the materials making up the mixture.

Abstract: A vibrating membrane fluid circulator comprising an internal hydraulic circuit made up in succession of an admission orifice (1), a pump body (2), and a delivery orifice (3), the pump body (2) defining, in operation, a space (4, 18, 30) having rigid walls (5, 6) between which a deformable membrane (9) is placed having means for coupling its end (11) adjacent to the admission orifice to a motor member (39) generating a periodic excitation force substantially normally to the surface thereof, said membrane (9) being associated with means for creating tension parallel to the fluid circulation direction, said membrane constituting the medium for waves travelling from the end subjected to the excitation force towards its opposite end situated adjacent to the delivery orifice, said displacement being accompanied by forced damping due to the shape of the rigid walls so as to transfer energy from the membrane to the fluid giving rise to a pressure gradient and to fluid flow related to the dimensions of the pump body a

Abstract: The details necessary for embodying the present invention are: a supporting frame; two rotors; a system for the periodic alternating motion thereof with phases of 0° and 90°; two tubular 2-phase circuits (CB) consisting of two parallel identical tubes termed “active circuits” with an inlet and outlet tube at the connection points; starting from the inlet, where to each circuit is applied a one-way valve with the task of allowing only inlet of the liquid, the two circuits constituting the CB are wound one with right-hand direction and the other with left-hand direction; on each rotor an identical CB is fastened. The inlet of the first CB is connected with the feed source and the outlet with the inlet of the other CB, whose outlet is connected with the user. The connections of the 2-phase circuits are made with flexible tubes. With crankshaft rotation the two CBs develop a pressure differential and a continuous flow with valves constantly open.

Abstract: By applying balance between atmospheric pressure and gravity, Torricelli's vacuum is formed, and by utilizing the vacuum, power is generated. When an operating tube directs to nearly the right above, because of the weight of a liquid on the inside of the operating tube, Torricelli's vacuum is formed under a piston, and by this vacuum, the piston is lowered to rotate an operating crankshaft. Then, linking to the rotation of the operating crankshaft, the operating tube inclines, causing the piston to be pushedly returned to the original position by the liquid. In this state, the operating tube is returned to the above-described position. A plurality of operating tubes which are balanced in gravity by a balance weighing means repeat this operation in different phases, thus causing the operating crank to continuously rotate.

Abstract: A compression-evaporation refrigeration system, wherein gaseous compression of the refrigerant is provided by a standing wave compressor. The standing wave compressor is modified so as to provide a separate subcooling system for the refrigerant, so that efficiency losses due to flashing are reduced. Subcooling occurs when heat exchange is provided between the refrigerant and a heat pumping surface, which is exposed to the standing acoustic wave within the standing wave compressor. A variable capacity and variable discharge pressure for the standing wave compressor is provided. A control circuit simultaneously varies the capacity and discharge pressure in response to changing operating conditions, thereby maintaining the minimum discharge pressure needed for condensation to occur at any time. Thus, the power consumption of the standing wave compressor is reduced and system efficiency is improved.

Abstract: A positive displacement pump comprises a mass such as a liquid filled pressure chamber or an annular ring which is rotated at high speed about a first axis so that centrifugal force acting on the liquid or ring creates zones of differential pressure within the interior of the pressure chamber or along the wall of the ring. At least one pumping unit having a pressure-responsive member is oscillated or rotated between the zones of differential pressure while the center of gravity of the pressure chamber or ring is maintained at a fixed distance from the first axis. In the course of moving into one zone having one pressure, the pressure-responsive member of the pumping unit is effective to intake a fluid such as air into the pumping unit. Air is discharged from the pumping unit by the pressure-responsive member in the course of moving from such one zone into another zone having a different pressure.

Abstract: A compression-evaporation refrigeration system, wherein gaseous compression of the refrigerant is provided by a standing wave compressor. The standing wave compressor is modified so as to provide a separate subcooling system for the refrigerant, so that efficiency losses due to flashing are reduced. Subcooling occurs when heat exchange is provided between the refrigerant and a heat pumping surface, which is exposed to the standing acoustic wave within the standing wave compressor. A variable capacity and variable discharge pressure for the standing wave compressor is provided. A control circuit simultaneously varies the capacity and discharge pressure in response to changing operating conditions, thereby maintaining the minimum discharge pressure needed for condensation to occur at any time. Thus, the power consumption of the standing wave compressor is reduced and system efficiency is improved.

Abstract: A hydraulic ram includes a water inlet conduit, a draining conduit with a main clapper valve and a bell or cup valve. The bell or cup valve communicates with the chamber through a plurality of individual clapper arranged parallel to one another. Each of the individual clapper valves block one passage orifice. The bell or cup valve has a water backflow outlet connection. The individual clapper valves include spheres of resilient material located adjacent seats arranged in a wall separating the chamber from the bell or cup valve. The wall includes separating barriers and a perforated back-up plate. The draining conduit is arranged vertically under the chamber. The main clapper defines a vertical axis extending into the chamber and is mounted slidably in a stationary bearing, while being pulled back constantly and elastically into a top open position of the main clapper valve. The main clapper valves also includes an element serving as a shock absorber for an end of a downstroke.

Abstract: A pump for heating high viscosity oil and elevating it to a ground level from a subterranean level. The pump, which is preferrably of the type which produces and is operated by sonic pressure waves of special character, includes a ground level generator for producing pump operating forces that are transmitted to the subterranean level for reciprocally operating a subterranean heating and oil elevating unit which has a special magnetic piston reciprocal in a non-permanently magnetizable housing for generating heat and further has a reciprocal operating mechanism for intaking the heated oil and elevating it to the ground level.

Abstract: An energy transfer device comprising a tube coiled in the form of an open helix and anchored permitting bending of the tube about the axis of the helix. The tube is bent by being oscillated about the axis of the helix alternately increasing and decreasing the diameter of the helix resulting in a progressive change in axial tube velocity. This effectively squeezes and releases the fluid in the conduit causing the fluid to flow. Unidirectional flow is obtained by locating two one-way flow control valves in the flow path at respective ones of first and second positions spaced apart from one another and having the oscillated portion of the tube located between such valves. The amount of energy transferred is increased substantially when the system is tuned and this is accomplished by having the tube of selected length between the two flow control valves co-related to the fluid wave propagated along the tube with the velocity of sound in the fluid relative to the fluid.

Abstract: A fluid pressure ratio transformer which may be utilized to couple pressure variations in a working fluid operating at a given input pressure ratio to a fluid coupled load operating at a different required output pressure ratio. The device is self-modulating to pump-load, whether operating at fixed stroke or fixed frequency. The pressure ratio transformer comprises a housing and a positive displacement element within the housing dividing the housing interior into first and second chambers, each of which is filled with a compressible fluid. The working fluid in the first chamber is subjected to periodic pressure oscillations while the fluid in the second chamber is either coupled to a fluid load or may itself be the pumped fluid. The effective spring coefficients and the mass of the piston are matched to the frequency of operation so that the piston oscillates at its natural frequency.

Abstract: An integral valve and pumping unit is provided for infusing medication into the body which employs only one moving part. This pumping unit is connected to the medication supply reservoir through a first flow restriction device which has no moving parts but has directional flow characteristics so that liquid medication can flow readily from the reservoir to the pumping unit but flow from the pumping unit to the reservoir encounters a relatively high resistance. A second flow restriction device is connected between the pumping unit and the outlet catheter which is employed to infuse medication into the body, this second flow restriction device likewise having no moving parts and offering relatively little resistance to liquid flow from the pumping unit to the catheter while having relatively high resistance to flow in the opposite direction.

Abstract: A liquid pump comprises two flexible impulsion members disposed in series between inlet and outlet openings of the pump casing. The members are engageable with sealing means to form an intermediate chamber in the casing between the inlet and outlet. Both members are connected to a common pivot shaft which is rocked to reciprocate the members 180.degree. out of phase in order to drive liquid through the pump. The pivot shaft is sealed from the exterior by torsionally flexible sleeves clamped at opposite ends to the shaft and to the casing.

Abstract: A sonic pressure wave surface operated pump is provided with a mechanism for controlled movement of a flexible production tube and pumping assembly into and out of contact with a liquid to be pumped and is provided with a sonic pressure wave generator which produces sonic pressure waves of special character in a column of liquid carried in the pump. The sonic pressure waves are transmitted through the flexible production tube by the column of liquid to the pumping assembly for operation thereof and are reflected by the pumping assembly back through the flexible production tube and carry the liquid being pumped in the same direction.

Abstract: A sonic pressure wave operated pump is provided with a rotary sonic pressure wave generator which impactingly generates sonic pressure waves of special character in a column of liquid contained in the pump with the generated sonic pressure waves being transmitted through a metallic production tube about the inner walls of the tube to a pumping unit which is in communication with a liquid to be pumped. The pumping unit reflects the generated sonic pressure waves back into the center of the production tube for movement countercurrent to the movement of the generated sonic pressure waves with the pumping unit reacting to the reflection of the sonic pressure waves by intaking the liquid that is to be pumped so that it is carried through the production tube with the reflected sonic pressure waves.

Abstract: A pump for pumping liquids which may contain solid debris, comprising a conduit having an orifice at its lowest region for the ingress of liquid when the lowest region is submerged in the liquid, one end of the conduit being connected to a sources of pulses of propellant fluid (e.g. air) and the other end being adapted to deliver slugs of liquid to a receiving vessel. The conduit may be U-shaped with the orifice at the bottom, or it may comprise one conduit portion within and open to another conduit portion having the orifice at the bottom thereof.

Abstract: A variable volume single tube surface operated pump including a piston reciprocally mounted in a cylinder for alternately opening and closing a liquid delivery port formed in the sidewall of the cylinder and for generating a sonic pressure wave by impacting a column of liquid in a metallic tube extending from the cylinder to a remote pumping mechanism located in communication with the liquid to be pumped. The piston is especially configured with a central recess in the face thereof so that the sonic pressure waves generated thereby will pass through a sonic inductor and move downwardly toward the pumping mechanism in a spiral-like motion against the inner wall of the metallic tube and enter into a sonic intensifier chamber where they are reflected off the pumping mechanism into a central column which travels back toward the cylinder and causes the liquid to be pumped to move in that same direction.

Abstract: A single tube surface operated pump including a piston reciprocally mounted in a cylinder for alternately opening and closing a liquid delivery port formed in the side of the cylinder and for generating a sonic pressure wave by impacting a column of liquid contained in a metallic tube extending from the cylinder to a remote pumping mechanism located in communication with the liquid to be pumped. The piston is especially configured with a central recess in the face thereof so that the sonic pressure waves generated thereby will pass through a sonic pressure wave swirl chamber and move toward the pumping mechanism in a spiral-like motion against the inner wall of the metallic tube and enter into a sonic intensifier chamber where they are reflected off the pumping mechanism into a central column which travels back toward the cylinder and causes the fluid to be pumped to move in that same direction.

Abstract: A sonic pressure wave surface operated pump for use in pumping liquid from low production wells. The pump includes an aboveground generator which produces sonic pressure waves of special character in a liquid column. The sonic pressure waves are transmitted by the liquid column through a normally closed liquid discharge unit to a subterranean pumping assembly which is operated by the waves to draw the liquid into the pumping assembly and build the hydrostatic pressure thereof to a point where the liquid discharge unit will move to its open position which allows the sonic pressure waves which are reflected by the subterranean pumping assembly to carry the liquid to the surface.

Abstract: A single tube surface operated pump including a piston reciprocally mounted in a cylinder for alternately opening and closing a lateral fluid delivery port and for generating a sonic pressure wave by impacting a column of fluid in a metallic tube extending from the cylinder to a remote pumping mechanism located in communication with the fluid to be pumped. The piston is especially configured with a central recess in the face thereof so that the sonic pressure waves generated thereby will pass through a sonic nozzle and move downwardly toward the pumping mechanism in a spiral-like motion against the inner wall of the metallic tube and enter into a sonic intensifier chamber and are reflected off the pumping mechanism into a central column which travels back toward the cylinder and causes the fluid to be pumped to move in that same direction.

Abstract: A pump for raising liquids through a height exceeding the barometric height has adjacent to an outlet of the pump a pumping chamber whereof one end is defined by a reciprocable center portion and a rubber annulus which is in non-sliding engagement with the center portion and with a peripheral wall of the chamber. Openings in the center portion are normally closed by a flap valve. The valve is held closed whenever the center portion is being moved in a direction to reduce the volume of the pumping chamber. Adjacent to an inlet to the pump, there is a chamber having a wall portion formed by an elastomeric sleeve which can store potential energy. Contraction of the sleeve is limited by a perforate metal support.

Abstract: Transmission of a slurry along a pipeline by ultrasonic sound waves introduced at an angle to the direction of flow of the slurry particles to intersect the moving particles with a forward and lifting component. Ultrasonic generators or transducers are placed along the bottom of a pipeline at preselected angles relative to the pipeline and flow of material therealong. The ultrasonic waves are in the nature of mechanical waves and may be of a given frequency for specific types of solids. The slurry for which this apparatus is particularly adapted is a slurry of coal particles in the range of approximately 30 to 70% solids by weight with a general spatial concentration of approximately 50%. The mechanical ultrasonic waves propagating in the slurry, which is an elastic body, lift the particles by the angular components of the waves and propel the particles along the pipeline by the horizontal components of the ultrasonic waves.

Abstract: The present invention relates to improvements on an "inertia" type pumping system (actually using kinetic energy) including elimination of springs in the valves, include pressure dampening or cushioning means for dampening sharp liquid pressure rises inherent in an inertia type pump, and discharge of pumped fluid directly into a tank rather than through a circulation pump of the system, all of which results in longer pump life, less down time for repairs, smoother, quieter and more efficient operation, and avoids shutdown of the inertia pumping system by eliminating gas entering the circulation pump when pumping oil having entrained gas from a formation.

Abstract: A fixed structure encloses a vertically spaced plurality of superimposed channels that are open at one end of the sea to receive deep sea waves approaching a shoreline. Each of the channels has an entrance ramp that slopes upwardly shorewardly to induce breaking of a wave at and over an apex of trailer service ramp that merges into a shorewardly downwardly sloping convergent conduit having fluid communication with a pressure chamber of the structure through a one-way valve controlled aperture at which the wave energy is concentrated. A portion of each ramp is overlain by a roof which may comprise the underside of a superimposed ramp of another channel. Each of the ramps is of upwardly convex configuration, transversely to the wave direction, and at opposite sides is provided with re-entrant scuppers for draining backwash from a receding wave.

Abstract: A sonic or energy wave generator to create and transmit sonic or energy waves of controllable and variable characteristics and which may be utilized to transport sensible heat at sonic velocities to sonic wave or heat reception locations. Self induced or artificially created liquid-gas phase changes are a means for this sonic wave or heat reception, which may be at the surface as in ore reduction, concrete breaking, ice breaking or various extrusion or pressing operations, or in subsurface operations through well bores to selectively and variably mine ores, treat fluid containing formations or to drive various subsurface fluids to adjacent well bores.

Abstract: A centrifugal fluid pump comprising a driven rotary assembly having at least two pumping stages operatively associated therewith and rotatable therewith as said rotary assembly is driven, each stage including a plurality of circumferentially spaced hydraulic cylinders operatively interconnected between a fluid supply tank that furnishes the respective hydraulic cylinders with the fluid and a pressure tank adapted to receive fluid under pressure from the respective hydraulic cylinders as the rotary assembly is driven. In operation, fluid is drawn into the hydraulic cylinders, and as the rotary assembly is driven the respective pistons of the hydraulic cylinders are driven radially outward causing fluid disposed on the outer sides thereof to be forced outwardly from the hydraulic cylinders under the influence of the centrifugal force generated by the rotary assembly.

Abstract: A wave-actuated bilge pump for pumping foul bilge gases from a boat. The pump includes a generally inverted U-shaped section of hollow tubing with generally downwardly directed legs having open ends. One of the ends is positioned to receive bilge gases from within the boat, and the other end is immersed below the surface of the water outside the boat. A freely-opening check valve permits bilge gases to flow within the tubing only away from the fume-receiving end. A gas-escape port opened to the atmosphere is provided in the tubing above the lower, open tubing end immersed in the water, and a second, freely-opening check valve is provided to permit flow of bilge fumes through the port only outwardly of the tubing of the atmosphere. Wave-action causes the level of water in the exterior leg of the tubing to rise and to fall such that bilge gases are drawn into the tubing as the water level falls, and the gases are exhausted from the tubing as the water level rises.