Sonic multistage pump

Claim 2

An electrohydraulic high-pressure, low-flow pumping apparatus comprising: a series of chambers of approximately equal size and shape having fluid means therein; elastomeric diaphragm means mounted across each chamber to form a first and a second compartment; pressure-transmitting liquid filling said first compartment; means providing a conduit from said first compartment to at least one other first compartment; one-way valve means in each said conduit means for allowing said fluid pressure to pass through said series of compartments in one direction; means including spaced electrodes in each second compartment for raising the fluid pressure in said second compartment; electrode surrounding liquid filling said second compartment: first conduit means connecting each said electrode compartment to a pump for pumping said electrode surrounding liquid to said compartment; second conduit means connecting said first compartment to a liquid reservoir whereby said first compartment is kept filled with pressure-transmitting liquid; electrical means for intermittently applying electric potential across said spaced electrodes and synchronizing the operation of said pressure-raising means in each chamber with that of each other chamber so that an ultimate pressure wave is generated in the end chamber of said series and is reinforced by said pressure-raising means in each chamber as the wave travels through said series of chambers.

Claim 3

An electrohydraulic high-pressure, low-flow pumping apparatus as set forth in claim 1 in which said one-way valve means comprises: a flap valve.

Claim 4

An electrohydraulic pumping apparatus comprising: a series of chambers of approximately equal size and shape having a fluid therein; means providing a conduit from each said chamber to at least one other chamber; one-way valve means in each said conduit means for allowing said fluid pressure to pass through said series of chambers in one direction; paired means including a first and second electrode spaced from each other in each chamber for raising the fluid pressure in said chamber; a plurality of means for applying voltage across each pair of electrodes in sequence, each said means of said plurality comprising: a storage capacitor having first and second terminals; a means for charging said storage capacitor on a periodic basis to a predetermined potential; first connecting means for electrically connecting said first terminal of said capacitor to said first electrode; a first switch having a first and second terminal and a control element for opening and closing said switch; second connecting means for electrically connecting said first terminal of said switch to said second terminal of said capacitor; third connecting means for electrically connecting said second terminal of said switch to said second electrode; and a first L-C delay discharging circuit means for operating each said switch control element to open and shut each said switch of each of said plurality of voltage-applying means in a timed relationship.

Claim 5

An electrohydraulic pumping apparatus comprising: a series of chambers of approximately equal size and shape having a fluid therein; means providing a conduit from each said chamber to at least one other chamber; one-way valve means in each said conduit means for allowing said fluid pressure to pass through said series of chambers in one direction; paired means including a first and second electrode spaced from each other in each chamber for raising the fluid pressure in said chamber; a plurality of means for applying voltage across each pair of electrodes in sequence, each said means of said plurality comprising: a storage capacitor having first and second terminals; a means for charging said storage capacitor on a periodic basis to a predetermined potential; first connecting means for electrically connecting said first terminal of said capacitor to said first electrode; a first switch having a first and second terminal and a control element for opening and closing said switch; second connecting means for electrically connecting said first terminal of said switch to said second terminal of said capacitor; third connecting means for electrically connecting said second terminal of said switch to said second electrode; and a first L-C delay discharging circuit means for operating each said switch control element to open and shut each said switch of each of said plurality of voltage-applying means in a timed relationship.

Claim 6

An electrohydraulic pumping apparatus as set forth in claim 3 in which said means for electrically charging said storage battery comprises: a source of direct current having a first and a second external terminal; a second switch having a first and second terminal and a control element for opening and closing said switch; fourth connecting means for electrically connecting the first terminal of said switch to the second terminal of said capacitor; fifth connecting means for electrically connecting the second terminal of said switch to the first terminal of said direct current source; sixtH connecting means for electrically connecting the first terminal of said capacitor to said second terminal of said direct current source; and a second L-C delay discharge circuit means for operating said switch control element to open and shut said switch in timed synchronism with said first L-C delay discharging circuit means whereby said capacitor charges and discharges at different times.

Claim 7

An electrohydraulic pumping apparatus as set forth in claim 3 in which said first L-C delay discharging circuit means comprises: a means for operating each said switch control element to shut said switch of each of said plurality of voltage applying means in a sequence whereby the fluid pressure in successive chambers is raised just at the time that the pressure wave from the preceding chamber has arrived and the magnitude of the pressure wave is increased by successive increments being added in successive chambers.