Abstract: A controlling mechanism for an inflatable object has a valve controlling assembly for opening/closing operation of the valve, a pressure controlling assembly for sensing pressure difference to selectively activate operation of the valve and a linkage assembly interactively arranged between the valve controlling assembly and the pressure controlling assembly to sense operation of the pressure controlling assembly and consequently operate movement of the valve controlling assembly.

Abstract: An automatic deactivation mechanism is configured for an air bladder pump having a casing and a motor located therein to pump air into an air bladder from the atmosphere and through an air valve connected through the casing. The automatic deactivation mechanism includes a housing positioned within the casing and has defined therethrough a first aperture in fluid communication with the atmosphere through the casing and a second aperture in fluid communication with the air bladder through the casing. Included within the housing are at least two switches and a diaphragm positioned between the switches. The housing is sealed so that when a threshold pressure is reached therein, at least one switch is triggered by deflection of the diaphragm to automatically deactivate the pump by de-energizing the motor.

Abstract: The invention is a hydrogen generator including a pump for pumping a liquid from a reservoir to a reaction area, where the liquid reacts to produce hydrogen gas, and a fuel cell system including the hydrogen generator and a fuel cell stack. The pump is a diaphragm pump with mechanically operated liquid inlet and outlet valves that are opened by cam-operated pushrods, and the pushrods are isolated from the liquid flowpath through the pump by diaphragms. All valves in the liquid flow path between the liquid reservoir and the reaction area are mechanically operated valves.

Abstract: An auto-stop air pump has a housing, a blower and an auto-stop device. The housing has an upper chamber, a lower chamber, a main inlet and an outlet. The upper chamber and the lower chamber communicate with each other. The main inlet and the outlet are formed through the housing respectively and communicate with the upper chamber. The blower is mounted in the housing and has a motor connected to a dual-sided impeller. The auto-stop device is mounted in the housing and has a shell, a film, a micro switch and an actuating unit. The film and the micro switch are mounted in the shell. The actuating unit is mounted movably through the shell. Owing to deformation of the film by pressure, the film presses the micro switch to close the micro switch so the air pump can stop working automatically.

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.

Abstract: An automatic deactivation mechanism is configured for an air bladder pump having a casing and a motor located therein to pump air into an air bladder from the atmosphere and through an air valve connected through the casing. The automatic deactivation mechanism includes a housing positioned within the casing and has defined therethrough a first aperture in fluid communication with the atmosphere through the casing and a second aperture in fluid communication with the air bladder through the casing. Included within the housing are at least two switches and a diaphragm positioned between the switches. The housing is sealed so that when a threshold pressure is reached therein, at least one switch is triggered by deflection of the diaphragm to automatically deactivate the pump by de-energizing the motor.

Abstract: An electronically controlled diaphragm pump system is provided. The pump systems comprises a pump housing with a drive gas chamber and a fluid chamber separated by a diaphragm. The drive gas chamber is connected to one or more gas ports for injecting and/or sucking a gas into and out of the gas chamber. The fluid chamber is connected to a least one port for fluid inlet and at least one port for fluid outlet, where the inlet port has a valve adapted to open for fluid inlet when gas is sucked out of the gas chamber and the outlet port has a valve adapted to open for fluid outlet when gas is injected into the gas chamber. The pump system further has gas pressure means connected to a gas inlet port for providing a drive gas pressure in response to a control signal, and gas under-pressure means connected to a gas outlet port for providing a gas under-pressure or sucking of gas in response to a control signal.

Abstract: The present invention relates to positive displacement pumps, and particularly to diaphragm positive displacement pumps. An inventive diaphragm positive displacement pump is provided comprising at least one pumping chamber containing a deformable hose diaphragm, a working fluid cylinder fluidly connected to the deformable hose diaphragm, and at least one linear motor to displace the working fluid within the working fluid cylinder and thereby increase and decrease the volume of the pumping chamber. An inventive method of controlling an inventive diaphragm positive displacement pump comprising at least one pumping chamber and powered by at least one linear motor is also provided.

Abstract: A pump controller and pump controlling method for dispensing a precise amount of low viscosity fluid are provided in which the problems of double dispenses and stuttered dispenses are avoided. In particular, the timing of the valves and motors in the pumping apparatus are adjusted to avoid these problems.

Abstract: A liquid delivery system includes a first reservoir having a first outlet through which liquid is delivered. A first delivery outlet is located at the lower portion of the first reservoir and a vent is included at its upper portion. A second reservoir located above the first reservoir and has a second outlet located in its lower portion. A first delivery conduit connects the second outlet to the first reservoir and a second delivery conduit connects the upper portion of the first reservoir with the upper portion of the interior of the second reservoir. A vent valve controls communication through the second delivery conduit. A level sensor senses the level of liquid in the first reservoir and causes the vent valve to open when the liquid falls below a first predetermined level and to close the vent valve when on the level rises above a second (higher) predetermined level.

Abstract: A peristaltic pump tubing system for use with a peristaltic pump roller assembly in a surgical procedure. The system comprises a uniquely shaped disposable cassette for retaining tubing to be used during the procedure and a uniquely shaped cassette receiving station situated adjacent the roller assembly. The cassette comprises a frame for holding the tube in a loop shape for engagement with the peristaltic rollers. The frame supports a one-sided pressure transducer to indicate the pressure within the tube. The cassette receiving station includes a sensor for engaging the one-sided pressure transducer and is situated adjacent the rollers of the peristaltic pump on the pump housing. A retaining bracket cooperates with the inherent resiliency of the tubing loop to hold the tubing in place against the rollers.

Abstract: Fluid pump for medicinal, especially endoscopic, applications having a transport channeled through a drive, a device possessing a measuring chamber for measuring the pressure of the fluid conveyed in the transport channel and control means for the automatic control of the behavior of the pump, in particular its transport behavior, as a function of the measured pressure and as a function of a code value contained in code value carrier means which are provided on or in the measuring chamber, wherein the code value is detected during and/or after fixing of the measuring chamber on the pump housing by read-out means in the fluid pump.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for a pump and a pump control system. The apparatus includes pistons integrally formed in a diaphragm and coupled to the diaphragm by convolutes. The convolutes have a bottom surface angled with respect to a top surface of the pistons. The apparatus also includes an outlet port positioned tangentially with respect to the perimeter of an outlet chamber. The apparatus further includes a non-mechanical pressure sensor and a temperature sensor coupled to a pump control system. For the method of the invention, the microcontroller provides a pulse-width modulation control signal to an output power stage in order to selectively control the power provided to the pump. The control signal is based on the pressure within the pump, the current being provided to the pump, the voltage level of the battery, and the temperature of the pump.

Abstract: A method of designing a vehicle air system is provided. This method includes the use of a computer to simulate operation of a proposed vehicle air system over a time period, wherein the proposed vehicle air system comprises an air compressor and a pneumatically operable device, and wherein the step of simulating operation of a proposed vehicle air system over a time period includes: simulating selective operation of the air compressor to add air to the proposed vehicle air system; and simulating selective operation of the pneumatically operable device to exhaust air from the proposed vehicle air system. The computer is then used to calculate a duty cycle of the air compressor over the time period and to output the duty cycle.

Abstract: A liquid chemical metering pump (24) is described that can be fully submerged within a hazardous liquid chemical transport/storage container (28). The pump (24) includes a discharge adaptor (30) that can be received in the outlet aperture (40) of the container (28), in which it is held in sealing relationship by a suitable screw-threaded connector. The discharge adaptor (30) is provided with an intake port (32) in fluid communication with the liquid chemical in the container (28), and a discharge port (34) which is in fluid communication with a discharge tube (36) leading to a flow stream (38). The chemical metering pump (24) is remotely controlled by an electronic controller (26) connected by cable (25) to the chemical metering pump. The chemical metering pump (24) substantially eliminates the need for “double handling” of hazardous liquid chemical, as the chemical can be metered directly from the transport/storage containers in which it is delivered to the end user.

Abstract: An object such as an automobile part, an image forming apparatus part, a bicycle part, other machine parts, a sport article or its part, a toy or its part, or a rain article or its part has a portion to be in contact with a contact object. The contact portion is made of at least one kind of material selected from a group including polymer material such as resin or rubber as well as glass, and the contact portion has a surface entirely or partially coated with a carbon film (typically, a DLC film) having a wear resistance as well as at least one of a lubricity, a water repellency and a gas barrier property. The carbon film is formed on the object with a good adhesion.

Abstract: A constant-pressure pump controller system for maintaining a substantially uniform discharge pressure of liquid output from a pump operated by an electric motor and where liquid is delivered to a plurality of simultaneously-operating downstream outlets. The system provides a pressure transducer for sensing discharge pressure from the pump, and includes a piston bearing a magnet for Hall effect interaction. To accomplish Hall effect sensing, an electric current carrier is situated to interact with the magnet for production of Hall voltage which is monitored by a voltage sensor in communication with a controller that regulates motor speed in accord with Hall-effect sensed need through pulse width modulation in response to the voltage value according to proportional integral derivative methodology. Finally, a pump input voltage sensor and regulator maintain a constant voltage output to the pump should voltage input be variable.

Abstract: A constant-pressure pump controller system for maintaining a substantially uniform discharge pressure of liquid output from a pump operated by an electric motor and where liquid is delivered to a plurality of simultaneously-operating downstream outlets. The system provides a pressure transducer for sensing discharge pressure from the pump, and includes a piston bearing a magnet for Hall effect interaction. To accomplish Hall effect sensing, an electric current carrier is situated to interact with the magnet for production of Hall voltage which is monitored by a voltage sensor in communication with a controller that regulates motor speed in accord with Hall-effect sensed need through pulse width modulation in response to the voltage value according to proportional integral derivative methodology. Finally, a pump input voltage sensor and regulator maintain a constant voltage output to the pump should voltage input be variable.

Abstract: A constant-pressure pump controller system for maintaining a substantially uniform discharge pressure of liquid output from a pump operated by an electric motor and where liquid is delivered to a plurality of simultaneously-operating downstream outlets. The system provides a pressure transducer for sensing discharge pressure from the pump, and includes a piston bearing a magnet for Hall effect interaction. To accomplish Hall effect sensing, an electric current carrier is situated to interact with the magnet for production of Hall voltage which is monitored by a voltage sensor in communication with a controller that regulates motor speed in accord with Hall-effect sensed need through pulse width modulation in response to the voltage value according to proportional integral derivative methodology. Finally, a pump input voltage sensor and regulator maintain a constant voltage output to the pump should voltage input be variable.

Abstract: The injector of the invention serves for applying contrast media for X-ray or nuclear spin tomography and has a tube (3), as well as a roller pump (7) surrounded at least partially in peripheral direction by the tube (3) for transporting the fluid from a storage vessel (2) to a cannula. A pressure chamber (10) connected with the interior of the tube (3) through an opening (9) in the tube wall is provided, which has a component (11) adjustable under the effect of the fluid pressure, acting upon a pressure sensor (12).

Abstract: A constant-pressure pump controller system for maintaining a substantially uniform discharge pressure of liquid output from a pump operated by an electric motor and where liquid is delivered to a plurality of simultaneously-operating downstream outlets. The system provides a pressure transducer for sensing discharge pressure from the pump, and includes a piston bearing a magnet for Hall effect interaction. To accomplish Hall effect sensing, an electric current carrier is situated to interact with the magnet for production of Hall voltage which is monitored by a voltage sensor in communication with a controller that regulates motor speed in accord with Hall-effect sensed need through pulse width modulation in response to the voltage value according to proportional integral derivative methodology. Finally, a pump input voltage sensor and regulator maintain a constant voltage output to the pump should voltage input be variable.