Nonmetallic Inlet Or Discharge Distributor Patents (Class 417/566)
  • Patent number: 11598328
    Abstract: An apparatus, including a pump body having an internal shaft, and a piston disposed within the shaft and having a piston head that includes a first ferromagnetic element. The apparatus also includes a motor coupled to drive a reciprocal longitudinal motion of the piston within the shaft, and a pump chamber configured to be removably attached to the pump body and having a rigid wall defining a fluid inlet, a fluid outlet, and an aperture. The apparatus additionally includes a flexible diaphragm fixed across the aperture and having a second ferromagnetic element, which engages the first ferromagnetic element when the pump chamber is attached to the pump body so that the reciprocal longitudinal motion of the piston causes alternating stretching and contraction of the flexible diaphragm, thereby modifying a volume of the pump chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: BIOSENSE WEBSTER (ISRAEL) LTD.
    Inventors: Yehuda Algawi, Assaf Govari
  • Patent number: 11415121
    Abstract: A cover for an air compressor or pump includes a main plate body (12) having a first surface and a second surface opposite from the first surface, a plurality of external fins (18) that are formed on the first surface and protrude outwardly from the first surface, and a plurality of internal fins (42) that are arranged proximate the second surface and extend in a direction opposite to a direction in which the plurality of external fins extend. Heat from the air compressor or pump is received by the plurality of internal fins and flows through the main plate body, whereby a temperature of a fluid exiting the air compressor or pump is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: Parker-Hannifin Corporation
    Inventors: Aylin D. Tumer, James M. Campbell, Peter Ranker
  • Patent number: 11125223
    Abstract: A reciprocating machine incltides a cylinder including an internal cylinder wail, a piston movable in the cylinder between a top position and a. bottom position, the piston, comprising an upper ring pack and a lower ring pack disposed around a circumference of the piston and spaced from each other by a first distance, and a circumferential collector groove in the cylinder wall in a position that is above the lower ring pack when the piston is in the top position and that is below the upper ring pack when the piston is in the bottom position, the collector groove including at least” one hole eonneciabie to a conduit for comieciion to a sump. A helical groove can also be provided in the cylinder wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: VOLVO TRUCK CORPORATION
    Inventor: Richard Kellogg Morton
  • Patent number: 11054059
    Abstract: A single-layer valve is provided. The valve comprises a microfluidic pathway at least partially defined by a flexible membrane which is configured to deform when subjected to an actuation torque, and a discontinuity bounded by a first surface. The length of the discontinuity is constant across the full width of the first surface. The valve is configured such that the actuation torque on the membrane is larger in a first direction than a second direction substantially opposite to the first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2021
    Assignee: Fluidic Analytics Limited
    Inventors: Anthony Douglas, Tuomas Pertti Jonathan Knowles, Thomas Mueller, Liam Dower
  • Patent number: 10995741
    Abstract: A pump includes a suction space, a delivery space and valves. The suction space is at least partly bounded by a flexible body and located between end elements, at least one of which can be driven so as to move in a reciprocating manner. The delivery space surrounds the suction space and around which a housing is provided. The valves are provided in the housing and in at least one of the end elements, and are constructed such that when a volume of the suction space is increased, a medium is sucked into said suction space, and when the volume is reduced, the medium flows through one of the valves to the delivery space, from which it is expelled when the volume of the delivery space is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: ALTOP PATENTS B.V.
    Inventors: Joost Robert Berndsen, Miechiel Anthony Berndsen
  • Patent number: 9897089
    Abstract: A scroll compressor includes a pair of spiral plate bodies between which a compression chamber that compresses refrigerant is formed; a support configured to support one of the spiral plate bodies; a plurality of refrigerant paths extending through the support so as to provide communication between the compression chamber and an outside of the scroll compressor; and a plurality of check valves each of which is provided in the support for a corresponding one of the refrigerant paths, wherein each of the plurality of check valves includes a valve element and a valve chamber in which the valve element is accommodated, and at least one of the check valves is placed at a position away from a rest of the check valves in a rotation axis direction of the scroll compressor such that the valve chambers of the check valves do not interfere with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignees: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA, SANDEN HOLDINGS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yoshimi Watanabe, Shigeyuki Sunahara, Hiroshi Fujita, Ryosuke Miyazawa, Naoya Kogure, Tatsuki Nomura
  • Patent number: 9267618
    Abstract: A microvalve device comprises: a first substrate having a first surface, where at least one fluidic channel is formed into the first surface of the first substrate; and at least one valve seat is formed in the fluidic channel; a second substrate having a second surface, the second substrate comprising at least one air channel and at least one air chamber formed on the second surface of the second substrate, where the air chamber is connected to the air channel; and an elastic film interposed between the first substrate and the second substrate, where an upper portion of the valve seat is lower than the first surface of the first substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Chin-sung Park, Won-jong Jung, Jae-young Kim, Joon-ho Kim
  • Patent number: 9121400
    Abstract: A double diaphragm pump for moving large volumes of water that may be laden with debris includes a pair of fourteen-inch diameter elastomeric diaphragms, driven by reciprocating push rods pivotally coupled to opposed eccentrics. An engine drives a gearbox having two outputs. One eccentric is attached to each output. A pair of weighted flap valves control flow to and from each diaphragm chamber. A vacuum pressure gauge monitors inlet pressure. A relief valve relieves vacuum pressure in the event of a blockage or other flow impediment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Inventor: Douglas D. Myers
  • Publication number: 20140010692
    Abstract: A fluid pump can include one section which reciprocates relative to another section, whereby fluid is pumped between the sections. The fluid pump can be devoid of any dynamic seal. Each of the pump sections can include a check valve. Structural components of the pump can be made of a non-metal material. One section can be received in a bore of the other section, and a relatively small gap between the bore and the one section can allow minimal leakage of the fluid between the bore and the one section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2013
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Inventor: Allan T. DIKE
  • Publication number: 20130280113
    Abstract: The compressor comprises a valve plate, to be affixed to a compressor block, and a suction valve (V) formed by a spacer body, having a median opening and a flexible vane, which has a fixing end portion provided with a contour, symmetrical or asymmetrical, in relation to a longitudinal axis (X) of the flexible vane and which presents peripheral edge portions to be seated against respective inner edge portions of the median opening for restricting coplanar, linear and angular displacements of the flexible vane in relation to the spacer body upon seating the flexible vane against the valve plate, in the interior of the median opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2011
    Publication date: October 24, 2013
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL S.A.
    Inventors: Roque Tadeu Miranda, Guilherme Alan Kruger
  • Patent number: 8272858
    Abstract: The invention relates to a piston pump for conveying fluids. The piston pump includes a piston, and a pressure chamber located between an intake valve and a discharge valve. The intake valve is arranged between the pressure chamber and a low-pressure zone of the piston pump. The intake valve has a valve body, a closing element, a device for preloading the closing element, and a device for fastening the intake valve to the piston. The fastening device encompasses at least two fastening elements which protrude from the valve body toward the piston. The fastening elements are positioned at a distance from one another, and are fitted with inlets therebetween for supplying fluid. The invention further relates to a piston pump having an intake valve without a spring-biased element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Andre Bollwerk, Wolfgang Schuller, Horst Beling, Juergen Wagner, Michael Schuessler, Stefan Hallermann
  • Patent number: 8167587
    Abstract: A pump assembly includes a housing and first and second valves. The housing has a fluid inlet port and a fluid outlet port. The first and second valves are substantially identical valves both including a mounting portion, a valve seat and a valve body. The mounting portion has a first end and a second opposite end. The first and second ends are both selectively mountable to a conduit defining a fluid path. The valve seat is interconnected to the mounting portion. The valve body is interconnected to at least one of the mounting portion and the valve seat for movement relative to the valve seat between a seated position and a closed position. The valve body includes a first side and a second side and is operative to seal against back flow from the first side and open to positive pressures on the second side. The first valve is mounted to the fluid inlet port with the first end such that the first valve normally functions to only permit fluid to flow into the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: Thetford Corporation
    Inventors: Noah Dorsey, Michael Juska, Jason Smith, Brian Kelly
  • Patent number: 7771176
    Abstract: The invention relates to a micropump comprising a pump membrane (5) which can be moved by modifying the volume of a pump chamber which is adjacent to the pump membrane (5) and a base part (1), also comprising two valves which are arranged in recesses (10,11) in the base part and react to the pressure in the pump chamber in order to alternately open and close an inlet channel (8) and an outlet channel (9) for a medium to be pumped. According to the invention, the valves are formed by functioning valve modules (40,41) without any common components. The pre-manufactured valve modules, base modules comprising the base part and hose connections (2,3) and actuator modules comprising the actuator and the membrane are combined in order to produce said micropumps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: thinXXS GmbH
    Inventor: Lutz Weber
  • Patent number: 7762796
    Abstract: A valve assembly for a pump includes a pump chamber and a pump head having complementary recesses formed therein which cooperate to define a valve compartment including a pocket and an opposed seat. A flexible valve element is disposed between the recesses and adapted to move between a closed position against the seat which prevents fluid flow and an open position away from the valve seat which permits fluid flow. The dimensions of the valve compartment are selected to limit the movement of the valve element in the open position, which increases the pump efficiency and prevents damage to the valve element and/or valve overlap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2010
    Assignee: Hargraves Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Donald Edwin Hargraves, Douglas Allan Curtis
  • Patent number: 7653958
    Abstract: A steam mop having a main body including a water pump for pumping water from a water tank to a steam generator in response to any movement of the mop is provided. Movement of the mop causes a pump actuator to slide within a frame. The actuator has a camming surface with a pump piston rod biased against the camming surface that causes the pump piston rod to move in and out of a pump cylinder when the actuator moves. This operates a the pump to pump water to the steam generator for feeding steam to a steam pad mounted on a mop steam frame connected to the steam generator outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2010
    Assignee: Euro-Pro Operating, LLC
    Inventors: Maximilian Rosenzweig, Ognjen Vrdoljak
  • Publication number: 20090185924
    Abstract: The invention relates to a piston pump for conveying fluids. The piston pump includes a piston, and a pressure chamber located between an intake valve and a discharge valve. The intake valve is arranged between the pressure chamber and a low-pressure zone of the piston pump. The intake valve has a valve body, a closing element, a device for preloading the closing element, and a device for fastening the intake valve to the piston. The fastening device encompasses at least two fastening elements which protrude from the valve body toward the piston. The fastening elements are positioned at a distance from one another, and are fitted with inlets therebetween for supplying fluid. The invention further relates to a piston pump having an intake valve without a spring-biased element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2007
    Publication date: July 23, 2009
    Inventors: Andre Bollwerk, Wolfgang Schuller, Horst Beling, Juergen Wagner, Michael Schuessler, Stefan Hallermann
  • Patent number: 7540304
    Abstract: A check valve includes a valve body having an inlet end through which air enters the valve and a valve cavity extending through the valve body and leading to an outlet end. A valve assembly is located at a position that enables control of the flow of air through the valve cavity. The valve assembly includes a tapered section having a cross section that increases in diameter in a direction that is downstream from the inlet end of the valve and which may be included as part of a plug. An elastomeric seal is mounted around the tapered section to reciprocate on the tapered section, with the tapered section biasing the elastomeric seal to a normal position at which the seal comes into sealing contact with both the valve body and tapered section to prevent the downstream flow of air from the inlet end out the outlet end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2009
    Assignee: R. Conrader Company
    Inventor: James P. Cornwell
  • Patent number: 7497230
    Abstract: A fluid priming pump in combination with a reed valve for the control of incoming and exiting fluid flow is disclosed. The fluid priming pump includes a pump body and a movable plunger with the reed valve positioned adjacent the pump body. Two embodiments of the reed valve are disclosed, including an integral design where the unitary valve panel is insert molded with the valve body. In the second embodiment, the unitary reed valve is based on co-injection molding technology. Each reed valve design comprises only two component parts and becomes operable without the need for any additional mechanical components or fasteners. Pressure forces created by the fluid priming pump govern the opening and closing of valve panel portions for controlling the incoming and exiting fluid flow through the fluid priming pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2009
    Assignee: Fleetguard, Inc
    Inventors: Charles W. Hawkins, Mark T. Wieczorek
  • Publication number: 20090050217
    Abstract: A check valve. An illustrative embodiment of the check valve includes a valve body, a plurality of discharge port openings having at least one of a non-uniform width and a non-uniform position extending through the valve body and a flexible valve disk disposed generally adjacent to the valve body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2007
    Publication date: February 26, 2009
    Inventor: Peter Francis Worrel
  • Patent number: 7458392
    Abstract: A check valve is for use in a fluid system. A valve body has an inlet end, a valve cavity, and an outlet end. A valve enables a valve assembly to control the flow of fluid therethrough. A plug of the valve assembly includes tapered and non-tapered sections, the tapered section having a cross section that increases in diameter in a direction that is downstream from the inlet end of the valve body. A sealing ring is mounted to reciprocate on the non-tapered section and an elastomeric actuation ring is mounted along the tapered section. The tapered section biases the actuation ring to a normal position, at which the actuation ring contacts and positions the sealing ring in contact with the valve body and the valve assembly to prevent fluid from flowing out the outlet end of the valve body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2008
    Assignee: R. Conrader Company
    Inventor: James P. Cornwell
  • Patent number: 7387221
    Abstract: A fluid discharge pumping apparatus includes: a drive mechanism; a cylinder; an outflow valve mechanism and an inflow valve mechanism coupled to the cylinder; a piston member inside the cylinder; and a piston-supporting member attached to the piston member driven by the drive mechanism to move the piston member. The inflow valve mechanism opens when the interior of the cylinder is depressurized, whereas the outflow valve mechanism opens when the interior of the cylinder is pressurized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2008
    Inventor: Masatoshi Masuda
  • 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: 7299815
    Abstract: A micropump check valve device which can be designed thin with good assemblability and applied with urging force. The micropump check valve device includes an upstream side member having a small-bore hole for passing therethrough a fluid, a downstream side member having a large-bore hole for passing therethrough the fluid, and a valve member having a valve mechanism sandwiched between the upstream side member and the downstream side member. The valve mechanism includes a passing hole formed in correspondence to a position and a size of the large-bore hole in the downstream side member, a contacting part formed inside the passing hole in correspondence to the position and size of the small-bore hole in the upstream side member thereby to close the small-bore hole, and supporting parts formed to bridge across the passing hole to support the contacting part. The valve member has a greater linear expansion coefficient than the upstream side and downstream side members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2007
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Toshihiro Yamanishi
  • Patent number: 7284572
    Abstract: A plate valve, especially for diaphragm pumps, having a valve plate (8), a valve seat (15), and a valve chamber bounded by a valve housing is provided, with the valve plate being held at the edges thereof. The valve plate (8) is preset under tension elastically in the installation position between outer edge holding devices, with the elastic pretensioning being at least large enough that deformations due to edge clamping can be compensated. Preferably, the valve plate (8) is held at the edge in a positive fit and is preset under tension elastically between its outer edge holding devices in the installation position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2007
    Assignee: KNF Flodos AG
    Inventors: Robert Käch, Christian Kissling
  • Patent number: 7048523
    Abstract: Mix and air combine in a mixing chamber of a housing of a frozen product system to form a mixture. A cap received in one end of the housing includes an air inlet, a mix inlet, and two mixture outlets. An integral orifice received in the air inlet regulates the amount of air that flows into the mixing chamber. A gasket positioned adjacent the cap provides a liquid tight seal that prevents air and mix from entering the mixing chamber when the mixture is dispensed from the mixing chamber and to prevent the mixture from exiting the freezing cylinder while air and mix are drawn into the mixing chamber. The gasket includes an air valve, a mix valve, and two mixture valves. An adapter draws air into the pump through an air hole and draws mix into the pump through a mix hole. A piston slides in the mixing chamber to dispense the mixture through mixture holes. The cap includes a plurality of protrusions that engage holes in the adapter to ensure proper alignment of the cap and the adapter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2006
    Assignee: Carrier Commercial Refrigeration, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Bush, Pete McNamee, James J. Minard
  • 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
  • Patent number: 7029245
    Abstract: A unit for pumping fluid, particularly blood, is provided with an enclosure that has two half-shells and an elastic membrane fixed perimetrically to the enclosure in order to divide its space into two parts. One of the half-shells is provided with valves that are located at the opening of two connecting ducts for the intake and delivery of the fluid, and the other half-shell is connected to a line of working fluid that is alternately pressurized and depressurized. The first valve is a disk-shaped sheet made of elastic material. The first valve is in a central position with a support that is fixed to the opening of the first duct for connection to the outside and is suitable to rest at its peripheral region on the support. A second valve is a sheet of elastic material located at the peripheral region of the disk at the opening of the second duct for connection to the outside which lies at the peripheral region of the opening of the first duct.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2006
    Assignee: Sorin Group Italia S.r.l.
    Inventors: Edgardo Costa Maianti, Nicola Ghelli, Ivo Panzani
  • Patent number: 7011111
    Abstract: In sealing elements (3, 3?, 3?) for automatic compressor valves, composed of synthetic material (12) having embedded fiber reinforcement (11), the fiber reinforcement (11) and/or the surrounding synthetic material (12) in the finished sealing element (3, 3?, 3?) has an inhomogeneous distribution and/or locally different material characteristics under consideration of different local requirements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2006
    Assignee: Hoerbiger Kompressortechnik Services GmbH
    Inventors: Bernhard Spiegl, Dietmar Artner
  • Patent number: 6986649
    Abstract: An exemplary system and method for manufacturing micropump systems having integrated piezoresistive sensors is disclosed as including inter alia: a substrate, an inlet channel, an outlet channel, a pumping cavity, a first valve for permitting fluid flow from the inlet channel to the pumping cavity and restricting backflow of purged fluid from the pumping cavity to the inlet channel; a second valve for permitting fluid flow from the pumping cavity to an outlet channel and restricting backflow of purged fluid from the outlet channel to the pumping cavity; a pump actuator element; a pressure sensing cavity surface capable of at least partial mechanical deformation; a plurality of piezoresistors disposed within the sensing cavity; a plurality of contact pads; a plurality of conductive pathways connecting the piezoresistors and the contact pads; and a substantially monolithic device package, wherein the sensing cavity is substantially contained within the micropump device package.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2006
    Assignee: Motorola, Inc.
    Inventors: Xunhu Dai, Chenggang Xie
  • Patent number: 6843643
    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: November 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2005
    Assignee: Oken Seiko Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tadashi Fukami, Koji Onishi, Goro Kakizawa, Koichi Nakatsugi
  • Patent number: 6840745
    Abstract: A diaphragm pump comprises a two part casing formed of a front cover (10) and a back cover (12). A diaphragm plate (14) extends across the covers (10,12) and is secured therebetween when the covers (10,12) are fastened together. The diaphragm plate (14) has a plurality of similarly defined circular regions (16). The front cover (10) has substantially axially aligned inlet and outlet ports (18), each leading to mutually exclusive inlet and outlet chambers (22,24) respectively. A valve housing (26) is securable inside the front cover (10) and has defined therein an outlet dished valve seat (28) with a correspondingly concave resilient valve (30) seated therein. The outlet valve seat (28) has fluid passages therethrough. A plurality of inlet valve seats (34) is provided, equal in number to the number of regions, each being similarly dished and having a correspondingly concave resilient valve (36) seated therein. Each inlet valve seat (34) has fluid passages therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2005
    Assignee: Munster Simms Engineering Limited
    Inventors: Stephen Macauley, Michael Evason, Robert Stanley McFarland
  • Patent number: 6767195
    Abstract: A valve for a hermetic compressor has a valve plate disposed between a cylinder block and a cylinder head. The cylinder block has a cylinder, and the cylinder head has a refrigerant suction chamber and a refrigerant discharge chamber, which are partitioned from one another by a partition. The cylinder head further has at least first, second and third plates of different thicknesses, a refrigerant suction passage for interconnecting the refrigerant suction chamber and the cylinder; and a refrigerant discharge passage for interconnecting the refrigerant discharge chamber and the cylinder. A suction valve opens and closes the refrigerant suction passage while being moved by pressure in the cylinder; and a discharge valve opens and closes the refrigerant discharge valve while being moved by the pressure in the cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2004
    Assignee: Samsung Gwangju Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Sung-tae Lee
  • Patent number: 6749407
    Abstract: An exemplary method for making a micropump device is disclosed as providing inter alia a substrate (300), an inlet opening (310), and outlet opening (340), a pump chamber (370) and flapper valves (350, 360). The fluid inlet channel (310) is generally configured to flow a fluid through/around the inlet opening flapper valve (350). The outlet opening flapper valve (360) generally provides means for preventing or otherwise decreasing the incidence of outlet fluid re-entering either the pumping cavity (370) and/or the fluid inlet channel (310). Accordingly, the reduction of backflow generally tends to enhance overall pumping efficiency. Disclosed features and specifications may be variously controlled, adapted or otherwise optionally modified to improve micropump operation in any microfluidic application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2004
    Assignee: Motorola, Inc.
    Inventors: Chenggang Xie, Joseph W. Bostaph, Xunhu Dai
  • Patent number: 6695594
    Abstract: A vibratory pump has a frame, a solenoid located in the frame, a moving transmission including a transmission member, a pumping set cooperating including an oscillating cover, an auxiliary pumping chamber between the oscillating cover and the frame, a cupping arranged at an end of the transmission member, an admission chamber, an auxiliary chamber, a vane-type valve for opening and closing inlets of the admission chamber, a pass in which water circulates and a inverted tubular cup in which the solenolid enclosed constitute means for heat exchange that provide cooling of the solenoid, and the pump can be used without auxiliary accessories or with auxiliary accessories, so that the inlets for opening and closing of the admission chamber are exposed to provide a water collection, or the pump is connected to a base for operating as a suction pump, or an adaptor is provided for connecting the inlets to an outlet of another pump to provide a series of pumps located vertically or horizontally near one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2004
    Assignee: Industria de Motores Anauger LTDA
    Inventor: Aurélio Antonio Pastori
  • Patent number: 6644944
    Abstract: Microfluidic fluid control devices are provided. One microfluidic fluid control device can be used as a uni-directional valve within a microfluidic system. The invention also provides a microfluidic pump mechanism having two unidirectional valves separated by an expandable reservoir. Such devices may be formed in multiple layers and utilize flexible membranes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Assignee: Nanostream, Inc.
    Inventor: Christoph D. Karp
  • Publication number: 20030086803
    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: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2002
    Publication date: May 8, 2003
    Applicant: Oken Seiko Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tadashi Fukami, Koji Onishi, Goro Kakizawa, Koichi Nakatsugi
  • Patent number: 6431212
    Abstract: A valve for use in laminated plastic microfluidic structures. The valve comprises first, second, and third layers of flexible material separated by first and second spacing layers to form microfluidic channels, and having an actuator section to selectively isolate the microfluidic channels from each other. The structure can also be used as a recirculating pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2002
    Inventors: Jon W. Hayenga, Clinton L. Williams
  • Patent number: 6334761
    Abstract: A silicone rubber diaphragm pump utilizing a pair of MEMS Parylene check valves and a miniature solenoid plunger and actuator is comprised of a spacer sandwiched by a silicone rubber diaphragm on one side and a check valve support on the other. The check valves in the check valve support form the inlet and outlet to a pumping chamber defined between the check valve support and silicone rubber diaphragm. The pumping action has been demonstrated by driving the silicone diaphragm with the plunger using the solenoid type actuator to generate over and under pressures in the chamber. This forces the pumped medium into and out of the chamber, thus allowing the medium to be transported. Tubing or connectors affixed to the inlet and outlet ports of the check valve support structure allow for external fluidic access. The pump works with both gas and liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2002
    Assignee: California Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Yu-Chong Tai, Ellis Meng, Xuan-Qi Wang, Charles Grosjean
  • Patent number: 6116866
    Abstract: A reed valve is disclosed for use with a pump having a casing. A check valve unit is provided within the casing for preventing counterflow of fluids to be carried. A suction port communicates with a suction line into which the fluids to be carried flow, and a discharge port communicates with discharge line from which the fluids to be carried out are discharged. Reed valves are mounted on the suction port and on the discharge port of the check valve, respectively, in such a manner that the reed valves cover the suction port and the discharge port so as to be able to open and close. Each reed valve includes a first reed valve and second reed valve. The first reed valve is made of pliable material, and is formed to have a size capable of covering the entire respective suction port and discharge port. The second reed valve is smaller than first reed valve and is superposed on the first reed valve to engage the first reed valve such that the first reed valve can open and close, while enhancing sealability thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2000
    Assignee: Kasei Optonix, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tomonobu Tomita, Atsushi Tanaka
  • Patent number: 6082979
    Abstract: A vacuum toilet assembly including a vacuum toilet and a vacuum tank (e.g. a combined holding and vacuum tank) uses a simple air pump to remove air from the tank to create a partial vacuum. The air pump is capable of achieving about ten inches mercury of vacuum in an empty 9.5 gallon vacuum tank in roughly one minute, and can pump at least about one liter of liquid per minute. A combined sound muffler and odor filter and/or rat-tail check valve and noise reducer, is/are connected to the outlet from the air pump. The pump comprises a powered reciprocating diaphragm pump having a reciprocating diaphragm powered by an electric motor rotating an eccentric at about 2300 rpm, and oppositely directed first and second disk valves. The disk valves have elastomeric disk valve elements die-cut from flat sheets which cooperate with perforated concave surfaces in a dividing wall in the pump housing. The reciprocating diaphragm has a total stroke length of about 0.3-0.33 inches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2000
    Assignee: Sealand Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: William J. Friedman
  • Patent number: 6065947
    Abstract: A pump includes a main body, a piston slidably received in the main body, and a hose having a first end attached to an end of the main body and a second end attached to the piston. A handle is attached to a piston rod, which, in turn, is attached to the piston. Air is outputted to a main passage via the hose during an outward stroke. Air is outputted to the main passage via a hole defined in the end of the main body during an inward stroke.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2000
    Inventor: Scott Wu
  • Patent number: 5961305
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a pump chamber (1) for a pump intended primarily for infusion systems for medical use, said pump chamber comprising walls (21, 28) delimiting said chamber and an inlet (22) and an outlet (23), a part of said walls of said pump chamber being formed by a flexible membrane (40, 90), said membrane being actuatable by a reciprocally movable actuating means (80), thus varying the volume of the pump chamber in accordance with the movements of said actuating means. The membrane (40, 90) has a convex domed shape projecting outwardly from said pump chamber (1) and is made of a resiliently flexible material, the apex of the domed membrane being acted upon by said actuating means, said actuating means having a stroke which may be adjusted to the amount of the dose to be administered. The invention also relates to a valve for a pump chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1999
    Assignee: Astra AB
    Inventors: Arne Eek, Billy Nilson
  • Patent number: 5902096
    Abstract: An integral valve diaphragm pump has a first rigid layer, a second rigid layer and a flexible membrane therebetween. Concave surfaces in the two rigid layers form a pump. The pump includes an actuating chamber which is alternately connected to a source of pressure and a source of vacuum. A pump chamber is connected to a fluid source and a fluid receiver through a filling check valve and a dispensing check valve, respectively. Duckbill and spring loaded ball check valves are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 11, 1999
    Assignee: Bayer Corporation
    Inventors: Bruce E. Behringer, James A. Mawhirt
  • Patent number: 5897305
    Abstract: A valve assembly positionable between open and closed positions in response to pressure differentials only comprising a valve chamber having an inlet and an outlet defined by a circumferentially extending tapered wall defining a valve seat adjacent the inlet and an outlet wall with at least one port adjacent this outlet. The assembly further comprises a valve element having a truncated frusto conical body portion and an outer peripheral tapered surface complementing the taper of the valve seat and a pad of smaller diameter than the largest diameter of the body portion depending from a large end of the body portion engageable with the outlet wall and displaced from the outlet port to permit flow from the inlet through the outlet when the valve is in the open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 27, 1999
    Inventor: Gravatt Keith Roddis
  • Patent number: 5848881
    Abstract: A pump including a first portion (2) with a metering cylinder (3) containing a plunger (4), and a second portion (7) engaging the surface of the first portion (2) in which the outlet of the cylinder (3) is located, and comprising a recess (10) located opposite the cylinder for delivering a liquid. A flexible impervious membrane (8) clamped between the two portions (2, 7) comprises an opening (13) facing the cylinder (3) and a resilient circumferential ring (12) engaging the bottom of the recess (10). A disc (14) in the central area of the recess engages the membrane (8), and a duct (6) linked to the cylinder (5) and having an outlet in the same surface of the first portion (2) as the cylinder (5) is connected to a liquid discharge tubing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 15, 1998
    Assignee: Compagnie de Developpement Aguettant Parc Scientifique Tony-Garnier
    Inventor: Pierre Frezza
  • Patent number: 5827941
    Abstract: A calibration syringe is constructed like a single stage manual pump having a plunger. The input manifold has a duckbill valve that functions to maintain a fixed air flow rate through the syringe even with variable forces acting on the plunger. The duckbill valve has a pair of flexible lips which face upstream against the air flow. As a vacuum is formed inside the pump's input chamber, ambient air pressure closes the flexible lips. Thus, variable plunger forces creates a variable orifice inversely proportional to the plunger force. The result is a constant flow rate syringe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 27, 1998
    Assignee: Pulmonary Data Service Instrumentation, Inc.
    Inventors: Fred Good, Carl Zimmer
  • Patent number: 5785508
    Abstract: In a diaphragm pump flap valves accommodated in a pump head are provided which have a valve disk in which are situated valve flaps (14) circumscribed by partial ring-shaped recesses. These are respectively flexibly connected with the remaining valve disk (15) by means of a web (17). The valve disk is clamped between pump head elements in an area circumscribing each respective valve. In order to avoid material displacements and deformations resulting from the clamping from acting upon the web and the valve flap (14), it is provided that an opening (19) of the valve disk (15) is situated in a connecting area between valve flap (14), web (17) and outer clamping (18), facing away from the valve flap (14). Material displacements originating from the clamping area (18) can thereby no longer influence the valve flap (14) and the web (17), since a transmission of these material deformations is interrupted in the area of the opening (19).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1998
    Assignee: KNF Flodos AG
    Inventor: Erwin Bolt
  • Patent number: 5775885
    Abstract: A hermetically sealed reciprocating refrigeration compressor has a suction gas arrangement including a suction gas plenum formed integral with a cylinder block for supplying suction gas directly to a cylinder so as to eliminate the need for external suction gas conduits. Apertures are formed about the circumference of the cylinder for receiving suction gas directly from the suction gas plenum. Pistons are provided with multiple suction gas entrances and a semi-toroidal suction valve to provide an efficient way of introducing suction gas into a compression chamber during a suction stroke of the compressor. A spherical discharge valve assembly is provided in a valve plate adjacent the compression chamber for improved flow characteristics and increased through flow area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 7, 1998
    Assignee: Tecumseh Products Company
    Inventors: Nelik I. Dreiman, Russell A. Cowen
  • Patent number: 5762480
    Abstract: A reciprocating machine converts linear motion to rotary motion or vice-versa and is associated with a supply of working fluid, and includes rotational power apparatus having a rotational motion transfer member; a cylinder defining a longitudinal axis and having a first end at which are located working fluid input and output apparatus, and further having a second end; a piston located within the cylinder and arranged for linear, reciprocating travel along the longitudinal axis between the first and second ends; a connecting rod having a first end connected to the piston, and further having a second end portion; and linkage apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1998
    Inventor: Carmeli Adahan
  • Patent number: 5720601
    Abstract: A hermetic type compressor includes an exhaust valve installed in a reentrant groove formed in a head for opening or shutting an exhaust hole, a valve spring for elastically supporting the exhaust valve, a retainer for restricting the exhaust valve and valve spring by a constant position, and a valve fixing device for fixing the exhaust valve in a fixing part, wherein the valve spring and valve fixing device are integrally formed between the head and head cover. Thus, the structure of the device is simplified, thereby improving the productivity and saving the manufacturing cost. Also, since the exhaust valve and valve spring are strongly fixed, thereby efficiency of the compressor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 24, 1998
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Kyoung Sig Tark, Gi Bong Kwon, Sung Oun Park