Plural Collapsible Walls Patents (Class 417/389)
  • Patent number: 11813429
    Abstract: A bidirectional electroosmotic pump may be provided. The bidirectional electroosmotic pump may be made of materials that are biocompatible and non-ferrous. The bidirectional electroosmotic pump may be part of an implantable medical device for the purpose of medicine delivery. The bidirectional electroosmotic pump may contain a working fluid and may facilitate the delivery of a separate payload fluid. In an exemplary embodiment, the bidirectional pump may contain bellows which may allow the pump to deliver the payload fluid through a series of valves and/or catheters. In another embodiment the bidirectional electroosmotic pump may contain a pump sensing mechanism to monitor the state of the pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2023
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: CraniUS LLC
    Inventors: John Cai, Nathan Scott, Charles Watkins, Ashley Hinga, Elayna Williams, Charlotte Quinn, Mark Gonzales, Owen Friesen, Conner Delahanty
  • Patent number: 11680560
    Abstract: A hydraulically operated compressor has a fixed piston and a fixed compression or outer cylinder. A drive or intermediate cylinder is located between the piston and outer cylinder. A compression chamber is formed between the drive cylinder and the outer cylinder. Drive fluid is pumped into and released from an interior chamber in the drive cylinder to reciprocate the drive cylinder. The drive fluid also provides cooling to the interior of the compressor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Inventor: Wayne A Wolf
  • Patent number: 11603254
    Abstract: A miniature pump including a first chamber, a second chamber, a deformable membrane provided within the second chamber that divides the second chamber into first and second sub-chambers, the second sub-chamber defining a reservoir configured to contain liquid to be dispensed, a passage that connects the first chamber to the first sub-chamber, and an outlet in fluid communication with the reservoir, wherein pressurized fluid within the first internal chamber flows through the passage and into the first sub-chamber to compress the deformable membrane and cause liquid contained within the reservoir to flow out from the reservoir through the outlet and wherein the deformable membrane does not generate significant restoring forces when it is deformed and, therefore, will not return to its initial undeformed shape unless the reservoir is refilled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignee: UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA
    Inventors: Farzad Forouzandeh, David Borkholder, Robert Frisina, Joseph Walton, Xiaoxia Zhu
  • Patent number: 10975860
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for generating a pulsating hydraulic fluid pressure in a working chamber (1) filled with hydraulic fluid, comprising a driveable working piston (4) movably guided in a hollow working cylinder, wherein a working chamber (1) that is in fluid communication with the working piston (4) is provided, such that, by means of the movement of the working piston (4) within the hollow working cylinder, a pulsating hydraulic fluid pressure can be generated in the working chamber (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: ProMinent GmbH
    Inventors: Martin Reinhard, Jorg Maltry
  • Patent number: 10882495
    Abstract: An aspect of the invention refers to a system for cleaning an external vehicle-mounted sensor surface. The system comprises an air nozzle arranged to discharge air onto a sensor surface; an air pump comprising a fluid inlet, an air outlet, an air-fluid interface and a variable volume compression chamber communicated with the air outlet; an air flow control device communicated with the air nozzle and the air outlet for controlling the flow of air therethrough; and a liquid pump communicated with the fluid inlet to supply a flow of pressurized liquid such that the volume of the compression chamber varies to generate a volume of pressurized air with an absolute pressure below 10 bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: FICO TRANSPAR, S.A.
    Inventors: Robert López Galera, Miguel Mota López, Carlos Esteller Pitarch, Jose Manuel Espinosa, Olallo Alcaide Hernández, Cristian Rodríguez Estévez
  • Patent number: 9732743
    Abstract: A pneumatic micropump is provided. The pneumatic micropump includes a fluidic channel layer, an upper substrate, a lower substrate, an upper membrane and a lower membrane. The fluidic channel includes a fluid inlet a reservoir, and a fluid outlet, wherein the fluid passes through the fluid inlet, the reservoir and the fluid outlet, successively. The upper substrate includes an upper pneumatic chamber facing the reservoir. The lower substrate includes a lower pneumatic chamber facing the reservoir. The upper membrane is disposed between the upper pneumatic chamber and the reservoir, and the lower membrane is disposed between the lower pneumatic chamber and the reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventors: Liang-Ju Chien, Chi-Han Chiou
  • Publication number: 20140134002
    Abstract: A microfluidic peristaltic pump has an inflow channel, a first pumping chamber, which is operatively connected to the inflow channel by a first channel, and a first membrane. The pump also has a second pumping chamber, which is operatively connected to the inflow channel by a second channel, and a second membrane. A fluidic resistance of the first channel is different from a fluidic resistance of the second channel, and each channel is configured to realize a throttling function, such that the first and second membranes are deflected in a time sequence when a pressure is applied in the inflow channel, to realize a pumping function.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2013
    Publication date: May 15, 2014
    Applicant: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Brettschneider, Christian Dorrer
  • Patent number: 8602750
    Abstract: A drive characteristic and durability of a liquid supply device having a flexible pump member such as a bellows are improved. A drive pump in the liquid supply device has a bellows as the pump member that is elastically deformed axially by a drive rod. A drive pump chamber and a communication chamber are formed by the bellows and the housing, and the communication chamber and the drive pump chamber are partitioned by the orifice member. At a drive operation time of the drive rod, the through hole is blocked by the valve member, and a liquid flows in between the communication chamber and the drive pump chamber via a communication gap formed between the orifice member and an inner circumferential face of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Koganei Corporation
    Inventor: Toshio Takeishi
  • Patent number: 8449273
    Abstract: A fluid transporting device is provided with a pump chamber that has a pump function for sucking and discharging a fluid, and is filled therein with the fluid, a casing unit which forms one portion of a wall surface of the pump chamber, a diaphragm which is formed by a conductive polymer film that is subjected to electrochemomechanical expansion and contraction, and forms one portion of the wall surface of the pump chamber, an electrolyte chamber that contains an electrolyte therein, with one portion of the electrolyte being made in contact with the diaphragm, a power supply that applies a voltage to the diaphragm, and a pressure maintaining unit that maintains a pressure of the diaphragm within a predetermined range by moving or deforming the one portion of the wall surface of the electrolyte chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Kimiya Ikushima, Kazuo Yokoyama
  • Publication number: 20130101444
    Abstract: In a chemical liquid supplying apparatus 10a for discharging chemical liquid by expanding and contracting a pump chamber 16 which communicates with a chemical liquid inlet 21 and a chemical liquid outlet 22, the apparatus has a cylinder 12 in which a piston 31 is accommodated and reciprocally movable in an axial direction. A bellows 35 which is elastically deformable in the axial direction is mounted to a cylinder hole 30 between the tip of a connection rod 34 and the cylinder 12. On the inside of the bellows 35, an expanding/contracting chamber 37 is formed as a compartment between the connection rod 34 and the bellows 35, a pressure chamber 38 which communicates with the expanding/contracting chamber 37 is provided on the tip side of the piston 31, and an incompressible indirect medium 39 is enclosed in the expanding/contracting chamber 37 and the pressure chamber 38.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2011
    Publication date: April 25, 2013
    Applicant: KOGANEI CORPORATION
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Muraoka
  • Patent number: 8382451
    Abstract: In a constant rate discharge pump, a rotary drive source is disposed on an end of a housing, and on the other end of the housing, a pump head is provided, having a pump chamber into which a fluid is drawn, and a filling chamber filled with an indirect medium. Further, a displacement mechanism having a displacement nut which is displaced under a driving action of the rotary drive source is disposed in the interior of the housing. A bellows is interposed between a tubular body connected to the displacement nut and a first block of the pump head, wherein the interior of the bellows also is filled with the indirect medium, which is made up from an incompressible fluid. Furthermore, a flexible diaphragm is disposed in the pump head between the fluid and the indirect medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: SMC Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Fukano, Takamitsu Suzuki
  • Patent number: 8360750
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a pump device with a first diaphragm pump head having two or an integral multiple of two fluid delivery chambers and diaphragms associated therewith, which are hydraulically coupled to a second diaphragm pump head. The second diaphragm pump head has two additional fluid delivery chambers and additional membranes associated therewith, which are drivable by a double-acting piston via associated diaphragm control chambers, a refilling valve being connected in each case to the diaphragm control chambers and the diaphragm control chambers being temporarily impinged with a diaphragm control pressure, which is greater than atmospheric pressure, using the refilling valve. The piston may thus be activated using a relatively small force to achieve a delivery action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: Bran+Luebbe GmbH
    Inventors: Bernd Ferk, Gunnar Gode, Henning Ladiges, Dirk Petersen, Uwe Schade, Wilfried Tille
  • Patent number: 7871250
    Abstract: A chemical liquid supplying apparatus can discharge chemical liquid with high accuracy and monitor a leakage of an incompressible medium from a region between a piston and a cylinder. A pump has a flexible tube for partitioning a pump chamber and a drive chamber, and the incompressible medium is supplied to the drive chamber by the piston reciprocating in a cylinder hole of the cylinder. A bellows cover is provided between the piston and the cylinder, and forms a seal chamber contiguous to a sliding face of the piston. A seal-chamber pressure sensor is attached to the cylinder so as to detect the pressure of the incompressible medium for sealing enclosed in the seal chamber, and a deterioration degree of a seal member is determined by detecting the pressure in the seal chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2011
    Assignee: Koganei Corporation
    Inventor: Takeo Yajima
  • Patent number: 7841842
    Abstract: A chemical liquid supplying apparatus capable of discharging chemical liquid with high accuracy and monitoring a leakage of an incompressible medium from a region between a piston and a cylinder is provided. A pump has a flexible tube for partitioning a pump chamber and a drive chamber, and the incompressible medium is supplied to the drive chamber by the piston reciprocating within a cylinder hole of the cylinder. A first bellows cover for forming a first seal chamber is provided between a large-diameter piston portion and the cylinder, and a second bellows cover for forming a second seal chamber is provided between a small-diameter piston portion and the cylinder. To detect pressure of the incompressible medium enclosed in the seal chambers, a seal-chamber pressure sensor is attached to the cylinder, and a deterioration degree of seal members is determined by detecting the pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2010
    Assignee: Koganei Corporation
    Inventor: Takeo Yajima
  • Patent number: 6846166
    Abstract: In a reciprocating pump, drive power of a drive-power supply member is transmitted to a diaphragm within a diaphragm drive chamber via operating fluid. An operating-fluid-flow regulation chamber for regulating the flow of operating fluid is located between the drive-power supply member and the diaphragm drive chamber. A first gas discharge member and a second gas discharge member are respectively located in an upper part of the inside of the operating-fluid-flow regulation chamber and an upper part of the inside of the diaphragm drive chamber. The first gas discharge member is held in fluid communication with the second gas discharge member so as to constitute a single gas discharge mechanism. This single gas discharge mechanism is provided with a reverse-flow prevention member for preventing a reverse flow of fluid from the first gas discharge member to the second gas discharge member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2005
    Assignee: Tacmina Corporation
    Inventor: Shigehisa Kinugawa
  • Patent number: 6561774
    Abstract: A dual diaphragm pump comprises a first chamber, a second chamber, a mechanical link, and a drive mechanism. The first chamber comprises a first cavity and a first diaphragm. The first chamber couples a pump inlet to a pump outlet. The second chamber comprises a second cavity and a second diaphragm. The second chamber couples the pump inlet to the pump outlet. The mechanical link couples the first diaphragm of the first chamber to the second diaphragm of the second chamber. The drive mechanism couples to the first diaphragm and the second diaphragm. In operation, the drive mechanism drives the first diaphragm causing first fluid within the first cavity to exit the pump outlet while causing second fluid to be drawn from the pump inlet into the second cavity. Further in operation, the mechanical link imparts an inlet pressure force from the second diaphragm to the first diaphragm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2003
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventor: Fredrick Layman
  • Patent number: 5934886
    Abstract: A diaphragm pump is powered by fluctuating pressure in a pressurized conduit. A three way valve is cycled to alternately pressurize and vent the pump. A power diaphragm drives a piston having a skirt with a reduced end wall to displace a quantity of hydraulic fluid from a pump chamber to drive a pumping diaphragm. An inlet of the pump admits a quantity of fluid to be discharged via a pump outlet. A spring component biases the piston to return same upon venting of the pressurized conduit. The diaphragm pump is shown in a pumping system wherein a primary pump and an intermittently cycled three way valve operate the diaphragm pump to inject fluid into the output conduit from the primary pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1999
    Assignee: Arizona Green Pump, Inc.
    Inventor: Raymond B. Bushnell
  • Patent number: 5720177
    Abstract: A device and method of operating a diaphragm pump having at least three chambers is used in a vapor compression refrigeration system. Each chamber contains a fluid having a different set of pressure and temperature characteristics. Adjacent chambers are separated by movable barriers, such as flexible diaphragms or pistons, that are sequentially moved by pressure changes resulting from heating and cooling the fluids. The fluids are chosen so that driving fluids operate in a substantially narrower temperature range than a working fluid but have the same operating pressure range permitting use of a thermal energy source having a selected temperature to power the pump. Optimal selection of both driving fluids and the working fluid permits use of a low grade heat source for thermal energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 24, 1998
    Assignee: Danny Derrick
    Inventors: Danny O. Derrick, James R. Kirby
  • Patent number: 5667368
    Abstract: A new and improved diaphragm metering pump is provided with a modular removable drive assembly. The removable drive assembly provides rotation to an eccentric shaft within the pump and is disposed outside rotary bearings for the eccentric shaft and outside sealing elements containing hydraulic fluid in the pump housing. In a preferred embodiment, a readily accessible mechanically activated hydraulic refill valve cartridge is provided to hydraulically balance the diaphragm. In a preferred embodiment, a push to prime air bleeder valve is provided permitting automatic priming of the hydraulic system without requiring disconnection of any valves. The pump is designed to interchangeably receive a number of diaphragm assemblies including an improved leak detection diaphragm and a double-sided leak detection diaphragm. In a preferred embodiment, a diagnostics window is provided permitting visual inspection of the operating condition of various valves connected to the hydraulic system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 16, 1997
    Assignee: Pulsafeeder, Inc.
    Inventors: Craig L. Augustyn, Francis J. Snyder
  • Patent number: 5649813
    Abstract: Insulation is provided in the form of wall insulation, piston or diaphragm insulation and/or piston rod and/or diaphragm washer insulation to increase the temperature in the working air chamber of an air motor of the piston or diaphragm type to reduce the formation of ice on exhaust.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 22, 1997
    Assignee: Ingersoll-Rand Company
    Inventors: Stephen D. Able, Douglas D. Purdy, Nicholas Kozumplik, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5642576
    Abstract: A suction dredge pump apparatus includes a manifold having a body defining a plurality of compartments, an intake chamber disposed adjacent to the compartments along upper ends thereof, a plurality of intake valves connected to the upper ends of the compartments, and a plurality of outlet valves connected to lower ends of the compartments. The compartments have bottoms which slope downward from the upper ends to the lower ends thereof so as to produce gravity flow of a fluid mixture therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 1, 1997
    Inventor: Joe Chrisman
  • Patent number: 5641270
    Abstract: A magnetostrictive pump is provided which makes use of a magnetostrictive element which, when an alternating magnetic field is applied to it, compresses a chamber containing a working fluid. A bellows located within the working fluid is repeatedly compressed by the compression of the chamber, and pumps a fluid to be pumped in and out of the bellows. Since the magnetostrictive element does not directly contact the bellows, the bellows life is greatly extended. Valves are provided to direct the fluid flow in a desired manner. The pump may be combined with other pumps in various series or parallel arrangements to create a pump system. The pump may be pre-biased to make its response more linear by either mechanical or magnetic biasing. A permanent magnet may be used to magnetically bias the pump and create an "at-rest" initial extension of the magnetostrictive element. Similarly, a spring may be used to mechanically load the magnetostrictive element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 24, 1997
    Assignee: Waters Investments Limited
    Inventors: George E. Sgourakes, Joseph F. Actor, Richard L. Vigeant, Carlton H. Paul
  • Patent number: 5616012
    Abstract: The pump is formed by a body having a cavity with a piston chamber in which a piston is reciprocated. A rotatable crank shaft is provided to reciprocate the piston along inward and outward strokes to draw ammonia into the pump by way of an inlet and then to pump the ammonia out by way of an outlet. A diaphragm in a diaphragm chamber is provided to separate the ammonia from the piston and piston chamber. One side of the diaphragm is in fluid communication with the piston chamber and the other side is in fluid communication with the inlet and outlet. A liquid is provided for flow into and out of the piston chamber to cause the diaphragm to move inward and outward to cause the suction and pumping action for the ammonia as the piston reciprocates in its inward and outward strokes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 1, 1997
    Inventors: Darrel D. Hillman, Charles T. Russell, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5391060
    Abstract: The design of an air operated double diaphragm pump provides improved assembly, mounting flexibility, multiple plumbing combination including check valves which allow the pump to be mounted in any position without effecting its ability to prime or pump. A two shell housing design provides an enclosure for the air motor and includes structural ribbing, internal baffling, and all connections are made on the end of the pump in line with the diaphragm centerline allowing the pump to be installed in any access in line with the plumbing system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 21, 1995
    Assignee: The Aro Corporation
    Inventors: Nicholas Kozumplik, Jr., Gerald M. Distel
  • Patent number: 5388576
    Abstract: A pulmonary resuscitator is set forth of the type having a compressible bladder to be depressed to supply air to a mask. Both the compressible bladder and mask have integral therewith a network of inflatable tubes which when pressurized resiliently rigidify the bladder and mask to establish nominal erected bladder and mask shapes. The bladder has an inlet check valve and the mask has an outlet check valve where the outlet check valve utilizes a flapper valve for permitting flow of fluid into the mask upon depression of the bladder. Exhaust ports are located adjacent the flapper valve and are closed by the flapper valve when the bladder is depressed. The exhaust ports are opened when the flapper valve closes as the bladder returns to its nominal shape after being depressed. An air spring contained within the bladder chamber is in fluid communication with the network of inflatable tubes and through limiting orifices controls the rate at which the bladder returns to its nominal shape after depression.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 14, 1995
    Assignee: Grayco, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas C. Gray
  • Patent number: 5370507
    Abstract: Chemical pumps are disclosed in which all parts wetted by the fluid being pumped are made of fluoroplastic material, with the pumps having check valves that include floating ball members and O-rings positioned adjacent to the floating ball members. The retainer area in which the O-ring is received has a diameter that is at least about 0.01 inch larger that the diameter of the O-ring so as to allow the O-ring to move slightly. The intake and discharge ports of the pumps comprise a bore extending into the body of the pump, with a threaded counterbore formed concentric with the bore to form a flat, annular surface between the bore and the counterbore at the inner end of the counterbore. A threaded fitting is received in the counterbore, and a seal is formed by compressing an O-ring against the annular surface at the inner end of the counterbore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 6, 1994
    Assignee: Trebor Incorporated
    Inventors: Michael R. Dunn, Gregory D. Moss
  • Patent number: 4975026
    Abstract: An end stop is disclosed for limiting the maximum displacement of a flexible member so as to minimize stress on this member and thus provide an extended surface life. The flexible member is rigidly supported at at least two spaced-apart points such that the flexible member can flex in the region between these points. The end stop includes a support member for clamping the flexible member at the two supporting points and a wall surface arranged in opposed, facing relationship to the flexible member in the region between the two points. The curvature of the wall surface is defined by first and second curves that form a continuous curvature and have first and second derivatives of the local angle .phi. of the tangent to the curve with respect to the distances along the curve which are zero.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 1989
    Date of Patent: December 4, 1990
    Assignee: Energy Innovations, Inc.
    Inventor: Anthony Pruszenski, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4886428
    Abstract: A pump arrangement particularly intended for pumping water from deep wells, in which a feed pump unit (2) located at ground level transmits power and motion to delivery pump unit (3), so that during a working stroke of the pump arrangement water is raised through a delivery pipe (5) which is connected to the delivery pump unit (3) via a pressure valve (10), and in which during a return stroke of the pump arrangement water flows into the delivery pump unit through a well-water inlet pipe which is connected to the delivery pump unit via suction valve (11). In accordance with the invention a compressible and expandable chamber (6) in the feed pump unit (2) is connected to a similarly compressible and expandable chamber (7) in the delivery pump unit (3) by means of a hydraulic line (4), and the two chambers (6, 7) and the hydraulic line (4) together form a closed hydraulic system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 1988
    Date of Patent: December 12, 1989
    Inventor: Bjorn Olofsson
  • Patent number: 4846831
    Abstract: A manual back-up emergency drive device for air driven artificial hearts, particularly for the "Jarvik-7" heart, is adapted to be instantly connected to the air drive lines for the heart in the event of power and air pressure failures and manually actuated to sustain the life of the heart recipient during the power failure. The device includes a bellows type manually actuated pump with a pressure stroke and a suction stroke, and an air delivery tube emerging from the pump coupled to a pair of air tubes having quick disconnect coupling units on the ends thereof for mating with coupling units on the ends of the air drive tubes to the heart. The device also includes a metering valve in the tube serving the right ventricle of the heart, an instrument reading the metered and pumped air pressures pulsing through the system and a make-up air intake in the pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 1988
    Date of Patent: July 11, 1989
    Inventor: David E. Skillin
  • Patent number: 4822257
    Abstract: A pump arrangement particularly intended for pumping water from deep wells, in which a feed pump unit (2) located at ground level transmits power and motion to delivery pump unit (3), so that during a working stroke of the pump arrangement water is raised through a delivery pipe (5) which is connected to the delivery pump unit (3) via a pressure valve (10), and in which during a return stroke of the pump arrangement water flows into the delivery pump unit through a well-water inlet pipe which is connected to the delivery pump unit via suction valve (11). In accordance with the invention a compressible and expandable chamber (6) in the feed pump unit (2) is connected to a similarly compressible and expandable chamber (7) in the delivery pump unit (3) by means of a hydraulic line (4), and the two chambers (6, 7) and the hydraulic line (4) together form a closed hydraulic system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 1987
    Date of Patent: April 18, 1989
    Inventor: Bjorn Olofsson
  • Patent number: 4687424
    Abstract: A redundant, pneumatic driver for a blood pump in which a pair of pistons are contained in a common cylinder and their stroke rates and lengths are selectively controlled by a controller which non-invasively senses the circulatory system requirements of the patient in which the blood pump is implanted. The controller varies the stroke rates and lengths to meet such requirements and further is able to selectively switch driving functions from one piston to the other to provide a redundant driving capability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 1986
    Date of Patent: August 18, 1987
    Assignee: Forschungsgesellschaft Fuer Biomedizinische Technik E.V.
    Inventor: Horst P. Heimes
  • Patent number: 4560324
    Abstract: The automatic purger has an intermediate chamber (11) one of the walls of which is formed by an elastic diaphragm (10), termed front diaphragm, whereas the other wall is formed by a second elastic diaphragm (12), termed rear diaphragm. This chamber is connected to a purger (20) formed by a body (21) defining a small internal enclosure (22) in which an element (25), which is highly permeable to the gas, is disposed. The invention is applicable to a hydraulically controlled or actuated pump of the reciprocating or displacement type.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 1985
    Date of Patent: December 24, 1985
    Assignee: Clextral
    Inventor: Francois P. Durieux
  • Patent number: 4536136
    Abstract: A method and apparatus advantageously using the shapeless and flowing characteristics of a fluid. The fluid is contained with a suitable film chamber having a given shape; a frame or the like may be used as a supporting means for the chamber. The frame-shaped sack is repeatedly filled and exhausted with a fluid; upon being filled with fluid, it is inflated; upon the fluid therein being exhausted, it becomes deflated. A hollow chamber is supported with a film sack by repeatedly filling and exhausting fluid therefrom so as to have the hollow sack inflated and compressed. By using this method, the hollow sack is used as a pump for pumping a fluid therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 1983
    Date of Patent: August 20, 1985
    Inventor: Yung-Huei Lan
  • Patent number: 4524466
    Abstract: A continuous and unidirectional rotation reversible pitch axial thrust heart pump having a blood handling housing with first inlet and outlet check valves connected to the housing and second inlet and outlet check valves connected to the housing. A first diaphragm is movable in the housing for alternately pumping blood into the first inlet and out of the first outlet valve. A second diaphragm is movable in the housing for alternately pumping fluid into second inlet and out of the second outlet valve. A continuous and unidirectional rotating axial thrust pump is positioned in a hydraulic fluid chamber between the diaphragms. The impeller includes a plurality of blades rotatably mounted on a circular bearing which is rotatably mounted in the housing. The pitch angle of the blades is alternately rotated and reversed which alternately directs the hydraulic fluid to each of the diaphragms that alternately pumps fluid into and out of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1983
    Date of Patent: June 25, 1985
    Assignee: Southwest Research Institute
    Inventors: Charles W. Hall, Orin M. Anderson
  • Patent number: 4430048
    Abstract: In a diaphragm pump the diaphragm separating the delivery chamber from the working chamber is clamped between a cylinder body and a cylinder cover in pressure-balancing arrangement. For this purpose a pressure-balancing space is provided to be radially outside and to encircle said diaphragm clamping surface, the pressure balancing space communicating with the working chamber through at least one communicating passage. Furthermore, a separate annular seal member is disposed to be radially outside the pressure balancing space chamber between the cylinder cover and the cylinder body to seal-off the pressure balancing space and the working chamber from the outside. This enables the diaphragm pump to be used at discharge pressures far greater than 350 bars and simultaneously permits the use of plastic diaphragms which are reliable in operation and have a large displacement capacity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1981
    Date of Patent: February 7, 1984
    Assignee: Lewa Herbert Ott GmbH & Co.
    Inventor: Horst Fritsch
  • Patent number: 4350477
    Abstract: A portable pumping system for administering fluids intravenously to a patient. The system has a tube connected between the fluid source and the patient with one-way valves at each end of the tube to limit the flow to one direction. A middle portion of the tube is positioned within a first chamber that is connected by a hose to a second chamber. The second chamber has a flexible member that is reciprocally moved by an arrangement that includes a housing and a source of compressed gas. The housing has a valved inlet and outlet and the flexible member forms a portion of the boundary of the housing. The valve for the outlet of the housing is attached to the flexible member which is a metallic disc inherently biased in a concave shape in relation to the housing. In operation, the flexible member inverts to a convex shape as pressure increases within the housing emitting a click.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 1977
    Date of Patent: September 21, 1982
    Inventor: Charles N. Mazal
  • Patent number: 4344743
    Abstract: A piezoelectric driven variable volume having a chamber pump with a flexible tube and a non-compressible fluid therein. Solenoid operated valves are associated with the inlet and outlet of the flexible tube. A control circuit sequences the valves and the piezoelectric drive to pump small volumes of liquid through the flexible tube by a diaphragm-type action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 1979
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1982
    Inventors: Samuel P. Bessman, Lyell J. Thomas, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4178133
    Abstract: A pump, characterized by flexible tubes which are cyclically expanded and contracted to cause fluid to be pumped, comprises a pair of liquid filled cylinders each containing a flexible tube connected to inlet and outlet valves, a liquid filled control cylinder communicating at its opposite ends with respective ones of said pump cylinders, and a piston reciprocable in said control cylinder for alternately transferring fluid to and from said pump cylinders for alternately and cyclically expanding and contracting said tubes to cause fluid to be pumped in a double acting pump action. The pump is especially well suited for pumping abrasive and corrosive slurries, heavily pigmented and/or metal filled coating materials and the like. The pump is characterized by improved piston means, improved sealing and retaining means for both the piston and the tubes, and means for detecting leakage across the piston, whereby to increase pump reliability and longevity of service, and to monitor internal pump conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 1977
    Date of Patent: December 11, 1979
    Assignee: Binks Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Waldemar Rawicki
  • Patent number: 4173796
    Abstract: Total artificial hearts and circulatory assist devices, including left ventricular assist devices. The invention relates to electrohydraulic energy converter systems, whereby electric energy from a power source, which may be a battery or other source, is converted into hydraulic power capable of actuating diaphragm, sack, axi-symmetric or other types of blood pumps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1977
    Date of Patent: November 13, 1979
    Assignee: University of Utah
    Inventor: Robert K. Jarvik
  • Patent number: 4158530
    Abstract: A pump having two collapsible pumping chambers connected in series is coupled to a pump drive mechanism which opens and closes each chamber in a sequence that produces pumping action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 1976
    Date of Patent: June 19, 1979
    Inventor: Robert E. Bernstein
  • Patent number: 4133616
    Abstract: A pneumatic pump adapted primarily as a left ventricular heart assist device includes a flexible bladder with a rigid housing. A pneumatic driver applies rhythmical pulses between the bladder and the housing to repetitively collapse the bladder and establish a pumping action through the bladder, in conjunction with check valves in the inlet and outlet to the bladder. Between the driver and the pump there is provided a pneumatic pulse limiter which includes a flexible diaphragm isolating the driver from the pump. Pulses from the driver are transmitted to the pump only through the flexible diaphragm and the diaphragm is constrained to move only within established limits. Regardless of the magnitude of the pulse from the driver, the maximum pulse applied to the pump cannot exceed that corresponding to the maximum displacement of the diaphragm.Between successive pulses, the portion of the system between the driver and the flexible diaphragm is depressurized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 1977
    Date of Patent: January 9, 1979
    Assignee: Thermo Electron Corporation
    Inventor: Victor L. Poirier
  • Patent number: 4116589
    Abstract: Extracorporeal blood pumping apparatus for use, for example in cardiopulmonary bypass procedures, left ventricle assist, hemodialysis and the like. The pulsatile pump apparatus may comprise an elongated driver balloon and a similar blood pumping balloon positioned side by side in a rigid casing or housing having preferably a one-way air valve. The inlet and/or outlets of both balloons are off-set and sloping ballon end portions are provided, inter alia, to minimize folding and/or rubbing during use. The driver balloon is provided with a port for coupling to a pressure-vacuum source and the blood pumping balloon is provided with an inlet port and an outlet port and both balloons are of such a cross sectional size and construction as to provide non-occlusive action by the blood pumping balloon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1977
    Date of Patent: September 26, 1978
    Assignee: Avco Corporation
    Inventor: Michael L. Rishton
  • Patent number: 4056095
    Abstract: A control device in implantable sub-cutaneously for use in medicine and surgery. It is actuable by pressing on a sub-cutaneous membrane. It comprises a first chamber closed by the membrane which is placed on one surface of its casing and contains an incompressible fluid, and a second chamber, containing a gas and housing two coaxial bellows connected at their free ends. One of the bellows communicates with the first chamber and the second bellows communicates with a flexible duct going to the duct or cavity to be controlled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 1976
    Date of Patent: November 1, 1977
    Assignee: Agence Nationale de Valorisation de la Recherche (ANVAR)
    Inventors: Pierre Theodore Joseph Rey, Jacqueline Agathe Marie Leandri, Clement Claude Abbou
  • Patent number: 4015590
    Abstract: A pneumatically driven balloon activated blood pump for connection either in parallel with or to one side of the heart for temporary mechanical support of an inadequately functioning heart. A tubular conduit with a sealable opening for insertion or removal of the balloon having an inlet and an outlet for connection to the circulatory system. A gas line extends from outside of the conduit through the opening and into the conduit and is connected to an inflatable balloon which is expanded and contracted by gas to form the blood propelling member. An inlet and an outlet valve are positioned on opposite sides of the balloon to provide unidirectional flow of blood through the pump. The inlet valve may be a separate occluder balloon connected to and actuated from the gas line or may be a portion of the balloon occluding the inlet side of the conduit during inflation. An outlet valve may be attached to the pump balloon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 1976
    Date of Patent: April 5, 1977
    Assignee: Baylor College of Medicine
    Inventor: Nils A. Normann
  • Patent number: 3955557
    Abstract: This invention relates to a blood pump for use in an artificial heart including an inlet pump system and an output pump system in series with each pump including branch tubes communicating with first main inlet tube, each branch tube being equipped with a flow-in side valve and a flow-out side valve with a flexible middle portion of the branch tubes which is expanded or contracted to provide a pulsatile pump with flow-out end of each branch tube connected to a second main tube with the second main tube of the inlet pump system being connected with the first main tube of the output pump and with the branch tubes of each system being ultimately expanded and contracted at different rates to provide a blood pump which achieves excellent hemodynamic effects without requiring synchronization with the rhythm of a natural heart.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1974
    Date of Patent: May 11, 1976
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Takagi
  • Patent number: 3951572
    Abstract: A system for pumping cement slurry comprising two pumps connected in parallel in a piping system, each pump comprising a flexible tubular bladder connected between two tubular elements and surrounded by a cylindrical housing so as to provide a closed annular space between the bladder and the housing. There is an inlet check valve and an outlet check valve on each of the two pumps. Pressure fluid is provided by a cylinder and power driven piston, which oscillates in the cylinder, from one end to the other. Each end of the cylinder is connected to one of the two annular spaces so that when the annular spaces and the cylinder are filled with pressure fluid, oscillation of the piston will cause sequential compression and expansion of the bladders, and pumping of cement slurry through the inlet check valves and out of the outlet check valves providing a substantially constant flow of slurry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 1974
    Date of Patent: April 20, 1976
    Inventors: Jess B. Ray, Jr., Billie Eugene Nourse
  • Patent number: 3937599
    Abstract: A pumping system comprising a pumping unit formed by a motor and a pump and adapted to raise a liquid from an underground level to a utilization level, a vaporizable fluid flowing in a closed circuit between a solar evaporator and a condenser, the said motor being disposed in the outgoing branch between the evaporator and the condenser, and a circulator being disposed in the return branch. The motor comprises a motor chamber which is connected by an internal bistable distributor either to the evaporator when said distributor is in an intake state, or to the condenser when said distributor is in an exhaust state, said motor chamber being partly limited by a flexible wall free to move between an intake stroke end position and an exhaust stroke end position, the flexible wall triggering the changes of state of the distributor by reaching its two end positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 1974
    Date of Patent: February 10, 1976
    Assignee: Agence Nationale de Valorisation de la Recherche (ANVAR)
    Inventors: Pierre Thureau, Michel Bremont