Diaphragm Type Patents (Class 417/413.1)
  • Publication number: 20090169402
    Abstract: An electromagnetic driven membrane pump has a pump housing inside which at least one pump chamber (15) having at least one intake and outlet is formed and delimited between a gable (1) of the pump housing and at least one completely-sealed membrane (14) attached to a wall (4) of the pump housing and, in an axial direction of the pump housing, to a running axle (13) suspended in at least two separated suspensions in a longitudinal direction of the axle (13). At least one of the suspensions is composed of a flat spring (9) attached to the axle (13) in a radial direction out toward the wall (4) of the pump housing. The axle (13) is composed of magnetic material to be driven by a magnetic field from an electromagnet (7) for oscillation in its longitudinal direction and moving the membrane (14) in corresponding oscillating movement. The flat spring (9) is composed of an inner and at least one outer part, with the inner part attached to the axle (13) and the outer part(s) attached to the pump housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2006
    Publication date: July 2, 2009
    Inventor: Johan Stenberg
  • Patent number: 7544048
    Abstract: A vibratory pumping machine including a pumping chamber disposed within a housing for the machine having an inlet tube that is insertable into a container having a liquid therein to withdraw the liquid from the container upon actuation of the pumping mechanism also located within the housing. The chamber includes an oscillating rod that engages a resilient outlet member to form a vacuum within the chamber which draws the liquid upwardly through the tube into the chamber for dispensing through the outlet member. A mechanism including the pumping chamber can be utilized to withdraw liquids from within container of various shapes and sizes, as well as to introduce other fluids, such as gases, into containers containing such liquids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2009
    Inventors: Grigori Lishanski, Oleg Lishanski
  • Patent number: 7537437
    Abstract: A linear actuator may include a fixed body having a coil wound around in a ring-shaped manner and a movable body. The movable body may include a first movable body side yoke which is disposed on the inner side of the coil and a pair of magnets which is laminated on both sides in an axial direction of the first movable body side yoke such that the same polarities of the magnets face the first movable body side yoke. The movable body may be driven in the axial direction. The linear actuator may be applied to a valve device and a pump device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2009
    Assignee: Nidec Sankyo Corporation
    Inventors: Kenji Muramatsu, Hiroshi Sugihara, Kiyotsugu Takasawa, Mitsuo Yokozawa
  • Patent number: 7539016
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a method of confining a liquid metal alloy within a closed-loop system; distributing a first portion of the liquid metal alloy in a cavity within the closed-loop system; turning on an electromagnet to generate a magnetic field to permeate flexible sidewalls of the cavity; attracting the liquid metal alloy in the cavity towards the electromagnet to expand the flexible sidewalls; inducing a second portion of the liquid metal alloy to enter the cavity from an inlet end of a pipe within the closed-loop system; turning off the electromagnet; repelling the liquid metal alloy in the cavity away from the electromagnet to contract the flexible sidewalls; and inducing a third portion of the liquid metal alloy to exit the cavity to an outlet end of the pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2009
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Ioan Sauciuc, Ravi Mahajan
  • Publication number: 20090125004
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a detachable pump and a negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) system using the same. The detachable pump comprises: a top module, including a motor set and a top elastic member; and a bottom module, arranged beneath the top module in a manner that it is connected to the top module by a detachable connection mechanism and comprised of: a base configured with an inlet and an outlet; at least an one-way suction valve; at least an one-way drain valve; a diaphragm element; and a bottom elastic member. With the aforesaid system, spent liquid can be prevented from flowing back to a wound section or the base by the cooperation of the suction valve and the drain valve as the top elastic member is configured to be pushed by the motor set for enabling the resulting resilience of the top elastic member to counter with the resilience of the bottom elastic member in a manner that the diaphragm element is propelled for enabling the detachable pump to generate a vacuuming force.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2008
    Publication date: May 14, 2009
    Applicant: INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Te-Yang Shen, Nan-Kuang Yao
  • Publication number: 20090053081
    Abstract: A diaphragm for use in a fluid pump comprising a disc of resilient material having a substantially dished shape. The curvature of the disc is formed from a plurality of steps.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2008
    Publication date: February 26, 2009
    Inventor: Joseph Anthony Griffiths
  • Patent number: 7484940
    Abstract: A compact, high capacity pump for pumping fluid. A first one-way valve is between an inlet port and the pump's fluid chamber. A second one-way valve is between the pump's fluid chamber and an outlet port. A diaphragm separates a piezoelectric stack from the fluid chamber. A power source provides power to the piezoelectric stack causing it to expand and contract. The expansion and contraction of the piezoelectric stack causes fluid to be pumped from the inlet port to the fluid chamber through the first one-way valve and causes fluid to be pumped from the fluid chamber to the outlet port through the second one-way valve. In one preferred embodiment, both one-way valves are disc valves. In another preferred embodiment both one-way valves are MEMS valves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2009
    Assignee: Kinetic Ceramics, Inc.
    Inventor: Conal O'Neill
  • Publication number: 20090028729
    Abstract: The invention relates to a metering pump for admixing a fluid reduction agent into an exhaust gas flow, which comprises a premixing device in which the supplied reduction agent is mixed in a mixing region with a pressurized gas, wherein a first return valve is arranged in the premixing element in a supply conduit for the reduction agent, in front of the mixing region in the flow direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2005
    Publication date: January 29, 2009
    Applicant: GRUNDFOS MANAGEMENT A/S
    Inventors: Hans Henrik Jochumsen, Niels Stubager Kiemer, Karim Lindberg, Niels Torp Madsen, Tom Johansen
  • Patent number: 7481628
    Abstract: A diaphragm pump for pumping a fluid includes a housing, a pump chamber defined in the housing, a first diaphragm for sealing the pump chamber, a pressure control chamber defined in the housing adjacent to the pump chamber via the first diaphragm, a second diaphragm for sealing the pressure control chamber, a drive mechanism operable to deform the first and second diaphragms, an introduction passage for introducing into the pressure control chamber a part of the fluid that is discharged from the pump chamber, and a pressure regulating valve disposed in the introduction passage for adjusting a pressure in the pressure control chamber to a medium pressure between a suction pressure and a discharge pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2009
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toyota Jidoshokki
    Inventors: Shinya Yamamoto, Makoto Yoshikawa, Takao Mishina
  • Publication number: 20090010778
    Abstract: A diaphragm pumping device includes a housing having a partition to form an upper chamber and a lower chamber, an inlet port for receiving a fluid, and an outlet port, a bladder attached to the housing and having a compartment communicating with the chambers of the housing, two check valves disposed between the bladder and the chambers of the housing, and an electro-magnetic device actuates the arm to depress and to expand the bladder in order to draw the fluid form the inlet port of the housing toward the outlet port of the housing, the outlet port is communicating with the lower chamber of the housing for allowing the fluid to be completely pumped out of the lower chamber of the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2008
    Publication date: January 8, 2009
    Inventor: Ming Yang Wang
  • Publication number: 20090010777
    Abstract: The fluid circulation device comprises a circuit (1) of the fluid to be pumped with a rigid cavity (1.2) closed off by a soft membrane (1.3) that cooperates with drive means (2) driven by a motor (3) in to-and-fro movements. The face of the drive means (2) intended to cooperate with membrane (1.3) is connected via a conduit (5) to a vacuum pump (4) able to apply by suction the membrane (1.3) against said face of the drive means (2), so as to create a rigid connection between the drive means (2) and said membrane (1.3) that then exactly follows the to-and-fro movements imposed by the drive means (2).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2008
    Publication date: January 8, 2009
    Applicant: INFORMED S.A.
    Inventor: Olivier Favre
  • Publication number: 20080317615
    Abstract: An actuator housing unit for a system of layered surfaces, comprising an activated primary surface having a physical shape capable of change when activated by an electrical, chemical, or light stimulus, to expand and exert force or pressure or contract and remove force or pressure, upon activation or deactivation, to move or keep matter within the housing by direct or indirect contact.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2005
    Publication date: December 25, 2008
    Inventor: Mark Banister
  • Publication number: 20080292477
    Abstract: A diaphragm pump for a pumped shower waste, comprises a diaphragm housing (12), a diaphragm (34) removably held in the diaphragm housing (12), an openable cover (16) on the diaphragm housing (12) for accessing the diaphragm (34), an electric motor (14), a connecting member (40) positioned in the diaphragm housing (12) and movable by the electric motor (14), and a non-screw-threaded twist and lock fastener (62) which releasably engages the diaphragm (34) with the connecting member (40). The diaphragm (34) can thus be disengaged and removed from the connecting member (40) without the use of a screwdriver.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2006
    Publication date: November 27, 2008
    Inventors: Robert William Stimpson, Yanchun Wang
  • Publication number: 20080286132
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and related apparatus for rotating a piston of a drug pump during the pumping stroke to reduce drug pump wear. The actuator may move a piston that pumps fluid through a pumping channel. In the present invention, the armature includes one or more openings or shapes that cause the actuator, including the armature and the piston, to rotate about a longitudinal axis of the piston during the pumping stroke. Rotation of the actuator member may help to reduce wear to the actuator member and the pump itself caused by repetitive pumping motions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2007
    Publication date: November 20, 2008
    Applicant: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: James M. Haase, Ronald L. Mezera, Nicholas R. Whitehead
  • Publication number: 20080279702
    Abstract: A handheld vacuum suction device includes: an exterior case; a cap that includes a suction nozzle; a pressure switch unit that includes a pressure switch having a slide body configured to descend against a spring when a pressure in the cap falls below a predetermined pressure, to thereby cut off power supply, and a vertical through suction duct; a vacuum pump that includes an inlet port connected to the suction duct and sucks in air; and a control that includes an actuating switch, and is electrically connected to the vacuum pump and the pressure switch to control the actuation of the vacuum pump.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2008
    Publication date: November 13, 2008
    Applicant: LOCK & LOCK Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: CHANG HO KIM
  • Publication number: 20080245984
    Abstract: Micro-valves and micro-pumps and methods of fabricating micro-valves and micro-pumps. The micro-valves and micro-pumps include electrically conductive diaphragms fabricated from electrically conductive nano-fibers. Fluid flow through the micro-valves and pumping action of the micro-pumps is accomplished by applying electrostatic forces to the electrically conductive diaphragms.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2008
    Publication date: October 9, 2008
    Inventors: Toshiharu Furukawa, Mark Charles Hakey, Steven John Holmes, David Vaclav Horak, Charles William Koburger
  • Patent number: 7431573
    Abstract: The apparatus for generating a mixture of reducing agent and air has a pumping agent feed pump having a pump housing and a mixing chamber into which reducing agent and air pumped by the feed pump can be introduced; the mixing chamber is embodied in a mixing chamber body which communicates directly with the pump housing of the feed pump and forms a cap of the pump housing. The feed pump has a drive shaft which protrudes into the pump housing, and the mixing chamber body is disposed at least approximately radially to the drive shaft The apparatus has a compact structural size and only a slight reducing agent-filled idle volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2008
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Sven Huber, Hanspeter Mayer
  • Patent number: 7431574
    Abstract: A pump includes a diaphragm vibrated by a piezoelectric element and a case. An inlet orifice and an outlet orifice are disposed on an outer surface of the case. An inlet path connects the inlet orifice to an inlet and an outlet path connects the outlet orifice to an outlet. At least one portion of the inlet orifice and at least one portion of the outlet orifice are positioned higher than the diaphragm in the case, and portions of the inlet path and the outlet path connecting to the inlet orifice and the outlet orifice are positioned higher than the diaphragm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2008
    Assignee: Alps Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hitoshi Onishi
  • Publication number: 20080241634
    Abstract: A fuel pump driving module used for supplying fuel from a fuel tank to a fuel cell—and more particularly, a driving module for a diaphragm pump, and a fuel cell system equipped with the same—includes a pump controller for generating an ON/OFF signal and a reference pulse to a pump; and a pump driving pulse generation unit for combining the reference pulse according to a predetermined rule to determine a frequency and a duty ratio of the pump driving pulse and activating the pump driving pulse according to the ON/OFF signal to the pump. The pump driving module may be useful to commonly apply a single pump driving module to various manufacturers' fuel pumps, thereby to reduce the fabricating cost of the fuel cell system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 29, 2008
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Applicant: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Jin-hong An, Hyun Kim, Ri-a Ju, Ho-jin Kweon
  • Publication number: 20080216898
    Abstract: A cassette integrated system. The cassette integrated system includes a mixing cassette, a balancing cassette, a middle cassette fluidly connected to the mixing cassette and the balancing cassette and at least one pod. The mixing cassette is fluidly connected to the middle cassette by at least one fluid line and the middle cassette is fluidly connected to the balancing cassette by at least one fluid line. The at least one pod is connected to at least two of the cassettes wherein the pod is located in an area between the cassettes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2008
    Publication date: September 11, 2008
    Applicant: DEKA Products Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Kevin L. Grant, James D. Dale, Jason A. Demers
  • Patent number: 7420659
    Abstract: An apparatus having a disposable cytometer cartridge containing pumps, pressure chambers, reservoirs, flow sensors, flow channels, and microfluidic circuits with fluid operations on the cartridge. The circuits may include mesopumps and mesovalves embedded in the chip, card or cartridge. The apparatus may have multiple detecting, analyzing and identification capabilities of blood or other fluids of interest. The sample to be tested may be entered in the disposable microfluidic cartridge which in turn is insertable in a hand-holdable or portable cytometer instrument. This apparatus may have significant application in biological warfare agent detection, water analyses, environmental checks, hematology, and other clinical and research fields.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: Honeywell Interantional Inc.
    Inventors: Cleopatra Cabuz, Eugen Cabuz
  • Patent number: 7416096
    Abstract: A container of liquid color material has a diaphragm liquid color pump located therewithin for providing liquid color from the container and non-drip apparatus for releaseably connecting the container with a blender for supply of liquid color thereto and methods for pumping and supplying liquid color incorporating the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2008
    Inventor: Stephen B. Maguire
  • Publication number: 20080186801
    Abstract: A bubble micro-pump includes a first component, a second component and a bubble-generating unit. The first component includes a flow path having a first area and a second area. The second component above the first component has a first roughness surface and a second roughness surface. The first roughness surface opposite the first area has a first roughness factor, and the second roughness surface opposite the second area has a second roughness factor smaller than the first roughness factor. The bubble-generating unit on the first component generates bubble in the first area and the second area when a fluid fills the vacancy between the first component and the second component. Due to the difference in roughness factor, the backfilling velocity of the fluid in the first area is faster than that in the second area when the bubble starts to vanish, such that the fluid is driven to flow.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2008
    Publication date: August 7, 2008
    Applicant: QISDA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Cheng-Hsien Liu, Long Hsu, Chih-Ming Cheng, Sheng-Hung Chiu, Wai William Wang, Chung-Cheng Chou
  • Patent number: 7401543
    Abstract: A sealing arrangement for a pump includes a first member having a peripheral wedge-shaped pocket; a second member with a rim opposed to the pocket; and a diaphragm disposed between the two members. The diaphragm includes a central stem, a disk-shaped head attached to the stem, and an upstanding bead disposed around the periphery of the head. The bead includes a first angled surface and a second angled surface. The bead is received in the pocket so as to form two separate, spaced-apart sealing surfaces between the diaphragm and the first member. The sealing arrangement may also include a gasket made from a resilient material and having a flat web with a circular crosssection bead disposed in a gland between two members. The dimensions of the bead and the gland are selected such that the bead is diametrically compressed at least about 40% from its free state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2008
    Assignee: Hargraves Technology Corporation
    Inventor: Douglas Allan Curtis
  • Patent number: 7393187
    Abstract: A diaphragm pump includes a pressure sensor disposed in the housing thereof, and which is used as an expansion tank for protecting the pressure sensor. To avoid excess pressure on the pressure sensor, the pressure sensor membrane is directly disposed in the pump head, i.e., above the pump membrane of the diaphragm pump, such that the increase in volume of the reducing agent during the freezing of the reducing agent inside the diaphragm pump is detected by deflection of the pump membrane against the force of a spring, and the pressure sensor membrane is protected from damage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2008
    Assignee: Argillon GmbH
    Inventor: Manfred Weigl
  • Patent number: 7384248
    Abstract: A fuel metering pump provides a compact and reliable fuel delivery system meeting the stringent contamination resistance, accuracy, pressure and flow requirements of jet engine combustion. The metering pump has a motor driven dual face cam drive arrangement that reciprocates a pair of double-acting spool pistons to both pump and meter fuel to the engine. The motor rotates the cam shaft mounted face cams, which have oppositely clocked ramps on which rollers ride to transfer the rotation forces from the face cam to reciprocate the pistons. The double-acting pistons each provide both compression and suction on each stroke. The tandem face cams arranged at opposite sides of the cam followers provides consistent and precise metering with minimal pulsation. Low pressure drop at the inlets allows the metering pump to operate very near true vapor pressure without risk of cavitation or the need for a boosted inlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2008
    Assignee: Jansen's Aircraft Systems Controls, Inc.
    Inventor: Harvey B. Jansen
  • Patent number: 7377756
    Abstract: A diaphragm is provided in a pump case so as to define a pump chamber communicated with an external member having an air chamber. A motor actuates the diaphragm to introduce air to the air chamber. An exhaust valve exhausts air in the pump chamber to lower a pressure in the air chamber. In the exhaust valve, an exhaust port is communicated with the pump chamber. A flexible valve body having a larger size than the exhaust port is disposed so as to close the exhaust port from a side facing the pump chamber. An actuator is disposed in an opposite side to the valve body relative to the exhaust port, and driven by the motor so as to be movable between a first position retracted from the exhaust port and a second position passing through the exhaust port so that the valve body is actuated so as to open the exhaust port. An urging member always urges the actuator to the first position thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2008
    Assignee: Mitsumi Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kenichi Hori
  • Publication number: 20080050251
    Abstract: A reciprocatory fluid pump includes an armature assembly which is reciprocatably mounted to the housing by a pair of spaced leaf springs extending parallel to each other and fixed at their opposite ends to the armature assembly and housing, respectively, so as to define therewith a four-sided parallelogram in which the pair of leaf springs serve as two parallel sides, and the armature assembly and housing, respectively, serve as the other two parallel sides. The leaf springs are of flat rectangular configuration constraining the reciprocatory movement of the armature assembly to longitudinal displacement with a small transverse displacement. The housing includes a base, and the pair of leaf springs are secured at one of their ends to the base such as to reduce sounds and vibrations during the operation of the pump. Several embodiments are described in which the pumping member is a diaphragm, a pair of diaphragms, and a piston, respectively.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2006
    Publication date: February 28, 2008
    Applicant: N.A.H. Zabar Ltd.
    Inventor: Nachum Zabar
  • Patent number: 7331773
    Abstract: A diaphragm is provided in a pump case so as to define a pump chamber communicated with an external member having an air chamber. A motor actuates the diaphragm to introduce air into the pump chamber and to supply the introduced air to the air chamber. An exhaust valve exhausts air in the pump chamber to lower a pressure in the air chamber. The exhaust valve is provided with a valve body and an actuator which is driven by the motor to actuate the valve body so as to open or close an exhaust port communicated with the pump chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2008
    Assignee: Mitsumi Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ikuichiro Nawa
  • Patent number: 7329104
    Abstract: A diaphragm pump with a bi-component diaphragm pump housing. The housing has a top component and a bottom component that connect along first and second complimenting connection interfaces and form an interior pump chamber, an exterior pressure port, an exterior vacuum port, and fluid communication channels connecting the exterior ports with the interior chamber. The first and second connection interfaces are oriented transverse to one another. The components of the pump are self-locking and can be assembled without the use of tools.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2008
    Assignee: Drummond Scientific Company
    Inventor: James W. Kenney
  • Patent number: 7322801
    Abstract: A compact air pump and valve package includes pump and valve assemblies integral with a pressure housing defining inlet ports and a plurality of fittings for connecting air lines to an interior of the pressure housing. The linear diaphragm pump assembly has a permanent magnetic shuttle mounting two diaphragms reciprocated by an electromagnet. The valve assembly has a plurality of solenoid valves disposed within the pressure housing, each solenoid valve being operable to control flow into or out of the pressure housing through an associated one of the plurality of fittings. Thus, no tubes or hoses are required to transfer air from the pump assembly to the valves. The housing has special mounts to isolate vibration arising from movement of the shuttle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: Thomas Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Wenjun Li, Steven D. Heidenreich, Randall M. Blindauer
  • Publication number: 20080003120
    Abstract: Pump apparatus and method. The pump can include a valve assembly and a diaphragm. In some embodiments, the diaphragm can include a convolute that can deform in order to increase a volume of a pumping chamber to provide an internal fluid bypass when a pressure in the pumping chamber exceeds a bypass pressure. In some embodiments, the pump can include a fluid reservoir at least partially defined by a wall with a flow-restrictive conduit in fluid communication with an outlet chamber. A shut-off switch can include an actuator in fluid communication with the fluid reservoir. The fluid reservoir and the flow-restrictive conduit can substantially isolate the shut-off switch from pressure pulses in the outlet chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2006
    Publication date: January 3, 2008
    Inventor: Humberto V. Meza
  • Publication number: 20070297926
    Abstract: A multistep diaphragm pump comprising: a pump body; a main shaft; a reciprocated driving mechanism driven by the main shaft; a driving shaft connected with the reciprocated driving mechanism and extended into the working chamber of the pump body; on the relevant driving shaft there is provide a plurality of dish type diaphragms which are connected in series; in front of each dish type diaphragm there is fixed a piston having a sealing ring; between the adjacent two dish type diaphragms is filled with hydraulic medium, wherein the piston situated in the front of the most front dish type diaphragm directly contacts with the liquid material in the working chamber, a suction check valve and a discharge check valve are provided in the working chamber; the driving mechanism is constituted by the main shaft, the eccentric shaft, the driving plate, the articulated bearings and the bridge board, therefore the driving shaft can be moved reciprocally.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2006
    Publication date: December 27, 2007
    Inventors: Mingxian Wang, Sheng Liu
  • Patent number: 7311503
    Abstract: The fluid-flow device (100) of the invention comprises a stack (30) covered by a closure wafer (20), said stack (30) comprising a support wafer (36), a layer of insulating material (34), and a silicon layer (32). The closure wafer (20) and/or said silicon layer (32) are machined so as to define a cavity (38) between said closure wafer (20) and said silicon layer (32), said support wafer (36) has at least one duct (102) passing right through it, said layer of insulating material (34) presenting at least one zone (35) that is entirely free of material placed at least in line with said duct (102) so as to co-operate with said cavity (38) to define a moving member (40) in said silicon layer (32), the moving member being suitable under the pressure of liquid in said cavity (38) for reversibly moving towards said support wafer (36) until contact is made between said moving member (40) and said support wafer (36).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: Debiotech S.A.
    Inventors: Harald T. Van Lintel, Didier Maillefer, Stephan Gamper
  • Patent number: 7293967
    Abstract: A constant rate discharge pump comprises a rotary shaft which is rotatable together with a rotary driving source, a piston which is displaceable in an axial direction in a pump chamber of a body by the rotation of the rotary shaft and which has a tapered surface having diameters reduced downwardly on an outer circumference thereof, and a skirt section which is disposed on the piston and which extends radially outwardly. The constant rate discharge pump further includes a valve plug membrane of a resin material which is displaceable together with the piston, and a pressure sensor installed in the body which detects a pressure of a fluid flowing through the pump chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2007
    Assignee: SMC Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Fukano, Takamitsu Suzuki
  • Patent number: 7255309
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for controlling the attitude of a mobile platform with a resolution suitable for vernier attitude control. In a preferred embodiment, a method includes flowing fluid through an orifice of an aerodynamic surface. The method also includes modifying a boundary layer of the aerodynamic surface with the flowing fluid. Another preferred embodiment provides an aerodynamic member of a mobile platform. The aerodynamic member includes an aerodynamic surface, an orifice, an actuator, and a fluid moving member. The orifice is in the aerodynamic surface and the actuator is subject to friction and backlash. The fluid moving member communicates with the orifice and causes the fluid to flow through the orifice to modify the boundary layer of aerodynamic surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2007
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Clete M. Boldrin, Ahmed A. Hassan
  • Patent number: 7204961
    Abstract: Provided is a liquid feed apparatus for feeding liquid by operating a diaphragm at a high frequency, in which an inlet valve and an outlet valve are integrally incorporated with a liquid feed chamber, the positions of the valve are shifted into peripheral parts of the liquid feed chamber so as to allow fluid to smoothly flow from the inlet to the outlet in order to prevent air bubbles from causing pressure fluctuation during liquid feed, from remaining in the liquid feed chamber. Further, the valve has a center beam structure in which a protrusion having a height greater than several micron meters, is formed in the seat part of the valve so as to deform a center beam for pressurizing the valve in order to enhance the shut-off ability of the valve, and the center beam has a small surface area in the direction of displacement of the valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2007
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Akira Koide, Ryo Miyake, Takao Terayama, Hiroshi Mitsumaki, Tomonari Morioka
  • Patent number: 7202577
    Abstract: An actuator for an active suspension system includes an armature and a housing enclosing an interior. The interior has a volume that varies in response to movement of the armature. A wall of the housing forms a first aperture through which air passes in response to movement of the armature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2007
    Assignee: Bose Corporation
    Inventors: James A. Parison, John J. Breen
  • Patent number: 7201097
    Abstract: The invention relates to a diaphragm pump for pumping aggressive and/or abrasive media, such as slurries, comprising a diaphragm housing mounted in a substantially vertically disposed pipe system, which substantially vertically disposed pipe system comprises at least one inlet and at least one outlet positioned some distance above the inlet, as well as at least one substantially circular, flexible diaphragm, which diaphragm is movable within the diaphragm housing under the influence of a working liquid to be pressurised, in which the circular outer edge of the diaphragm is clamped down in the diaphragm housing by means of a circular clamping member. According to the invention, the diaphragm pump is characterized in that the circular clamping member is provided, on the circumferential edge thereof, with a flange that extends parallel to the plane formed by the clamping member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2007
    Assignee: Weir Minerals Netherlands B.V.
    Inventor: Cornelis Johannes De Koning
  • Patent number: 7198474
    Abstract: A pump having a linearly movable shaft, a rotatable hub operably connected to the shaft, and shape memory actuator operably connected to the rotatable hub, and a fuel cell system including the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2007
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Alan R Arthur, Gary J. Watts
  • Patent number: 7195465
    Abstract: A miniature pump has at least one controllable expansion-and-contraction chamber, and associated pair of tiny ducts interconnecting a fluid source and destination. The ducts communicate with the chamber(s); an linking tunnel links the ducts. Valves interact with fluid pressures due to expansion and contraction, imposing directionality on flow in the ducts and tunnel. Preferences: making the valve a passive flapper, implanting the pump in a creature, making the source a medication reservoir for supplying the creature; making the source a fuel tank and destination a tiny engine; making the source provide a specimen for assay and destination an observation slide; human or automatic examination of the slide under a microscope (e. g. electron microscope); making the source a reagent and destination a process stream; making the source a colorant and destination a colorant application system. Preferably included is an optical channel with intersecting fluid duct for optically monitoring pumped fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2007
    Inventors: David Kane, Nicoi McGruer
  • Patent number: 7168925
    Abstract: A reciprocating electromagnetic pump comprising a coil wound about a bipolar or tripolar core, a diaphragm structure mechanically coupled to at least one arm with a magnet attached to one end of the arm and a controller electronically connected to the coil. The controller comprises a pulse generator, a solid state switch that interrupts current flow through the pump electromagnet and additional electronic circuitry for signal processing. The arm is vibrated under the influence of a periodic electromagnetic field to produce the flow of gas. The flow of current through the electromagnet is interrupted so that the magnets are impelled during either a vacuum or a pressure stroke, but are not impelled during the reciprocal stroke. A signal produced in the electromagnet coil during the reciprocal is processed to provide feedback to control the pump drive frequency and phase to match the pump mechanical self-resonant frequency and phase under varying pumping loads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2007
    Inventor: James C. Humphries
  • Patent number: 7134849
    Abstract: A mechanical pump having a unitary construction such that the fluid being pumped is prevented from leaking without requiring the use of discrete seal elements. The absence of discrete seal elements and integral coupling of various components of the pump substantially reduces the likelihood of failure of potential leak points. This allows the pump to operate continuously for a longer period and with greater reliability than previously utilized pumps. The pump can be utilized in a greater number of applications without requiring special design consideration for the fluid being pumped. The absence of discrete seal elements also reduces the cost and complexity of manufacturing the pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2006
    Assignee: Trebor International, Inc.
    Inventors: Ricky B. Steck, Michael Dunn
  • Patent number: 7121808
    Abstract: An improved air pulse generator produces high frequency chest wall oscillations (HFCWO) and includes means for internal heat dissipation. Internal heat generated by an internal diaphragm motor is dissipated by having a portion of the air chamber associated with the diaphragm motor being comprised of metal, by shaping a support associated with the diaphragm motor to allow increased air circulation around the diaphragm motor and positioning a vent in the housing of the air pulse generator that maximizes the release of heat from the diaphragm motor. Internal heat generated by internal electronic circuitry on a control board is dissipated by a heatsink attached to the control board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2006
    Assignee: Hill-Rom Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Nicholas P. Van Brunt, Mark A. Weber
  • Patent number: 7111675
    Abstract: A hydraulic actuator system includes a power source, a controller in communication with the power source, a piezoelectric stack comprising a plurality of piezoelectric elements disposed within a sleeve to define a chamber at one end of the sleeve, pressure accumulators in fluid communication with the chamber, a flow control valve in communication with the accumulators, and a hydraulic piston in fluid communication with the flow control valve. The communication between the power source and the controller may be electrical or photo communication, and the power source is preferably remotely located relative to the other elements of the hydraulic actuator system. The method for controlling a remotely located hydraulic actuator includes communicating a signal to the hydraulic actuator, pressurizing a hydraulic fluid in the hydraulic actuator, and directing the hydraulic fluid to a cylinder in the hydraulic actuator to bias a piston either into or away from the cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2006
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventor: Edward J. Zisk, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7104767
    Abstract: An implantable diaphragm pump for use in medical applications comprising a housing having a pump cap, a valve plate, a diaphragm, and a base plate, wherein the pump cap and the valve plate are separated by the diaphragm, and the valve plate and lower surface of the diaphragm serve to form a pump chamber. A permanent magnet is attached to the pump cap within the diaphragm chamber wherein the lower surface of the permanent magnet is adjacent to the upper surface of the diaphragm. The diaphragm having a coil and a corrugated outer periphery, wherein when electrical current flows in a first direction through the coil, the diaphragm engages the lower surface of the permanent magnet, and when electrical current flows in a direction opposite the first direction, said diaphragm engages the upper surface of the valve plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2006
    Assignee: Wilson Greatbatch Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: J. Kelly Lee
  • Patent number: 7070400
    Abstract: The diaphragm suction pump has a pump chamber (7) located in a base plate (6), the wall of said chamber extending in a conical manner from a central flat base section (7?) to the lateral edge (8). The elastic pump diaphragm (5), which spans the pump chamber (7), is configured in such a way that it lies tightly against the entire pump chamber wall at the top dead center point of the drive connecting rod (4). The diaphragm (5) consists of a self-supporting elastic material with rear recesses (9; 10), which form hinges that can be elastically pretensioned during the operation of the diaphragm (5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2006
    Assignee: Medela AG
    Inventor: Andy Greter
  • Patent number: 7066086
    Abstract: In a stencil printer, a diaphragm pump is used as an ink supply pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2006
    Assignee: Riso Kagaku Corporation
    Inventors: Toshihiro Endo, Yasuo Yamamoto, Tadayuki Wakatabi
  • Patent number: 7063268
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide one or more valves in which an electroactive material acts to open or close the valves to increase efficiency of a pump, which may be a pump that uses an electroactive diaphragm to pump fluid. The valves and pump may pump fluid to cool a device in a system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2006
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Gregory M. Chrysler, Gilroy J. Vandentop
  • Patent number: 7040876
    Abstract: A pump which has a diaphragm main body integrally connected at a planar portion to a diaphragm portion forming a pump chamber and performs a pumping action by reciprocating a driving portion disposed integrally with the diaphragm portion; the pump being configured compact by disposing a suction valve at the planar portion of the diaphragm main body and further using a planar discharge valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2006
    Assignee: Oken Seiko Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tadashi Fukami, Koji Onishi, Goro Kakizawa, Koichi Nakatsugi