Low power electromagnetic pump

Claim 2

An electromagnetic pump comprising: (a) an elongated housing having a longitudinal axis and having an interior fluid containing region including a fluid receiving chamber and a fluid pumping chamber in fluid communication therewith, an inlet in fluid communication with said receiving chamber and an outlet in fluid communication with said pumping chamber; (b) check valve means operatively associated with said fluid containing region for allowing fluid flow in a direction from said inlet through said outlet and blocking fluid flow in a direction from said outlet through said inlet. (c) electromagnet means carried by said housing and located external to said fluid containing region; (d) an armature positioned in said fluid containing region of said housing for movement along said housing longitudinal axis and having a pole portion located for magnetic attraction by said electromagnet means and having a plunger portion in said pumping chamber for forcing fluid out of said chamber through said outlet, said armature being movably supported in said housing for movement from a rest position through a forward pumping stroke when attracted by said electromagnet means to force fluid out of said pumping chamber through said outlet and for movement in an opposite direction through a return stroke back to said rest position; (e) means for defining a magnetic circuit including said electromagnet means and said armature and a gap between said pole portion of said armature and said electromagnet means for moving said armature toward said electromagnet means to close said gap in response to electrical energization of said electromagnet means; (f) said armature pole portion having a pole face disposed in a plane substantially perpendicular to the direction of movement of said armature, said pole face being located to define said gap with said electromagnet means, said pole face being of relatively large area; and (g) said fluid containing region of said housing and said electromagnet being in axially spaced relation along said housing longitudinal axis and being separated by barrier means of fluid impervious material disposed substantially perpendicular to said housing longitudinal axis and having axially opposite side, said fluid containing region, inlet, outlet and armature all being located axially on one side of said barrier means and said electromagnet means being located axially on the opposite side of said barrier means.

Claim 3

A pump according to claim 1, further including biasing means in said housing for urging said armature toward said rest position.

Claim 4

A pump according to claim 1, wherein said armature has a valve portion for closing said inlet when said armature is in said rest position and for opening said inlet when said armature moves through said forward pumping stroke.

Claim 5

A pump according to claim 1, further including a body of magnetically permeable material in said housing fluid containing region between said fluid receiving chamber and said fluid pumping chamber, said body defining a portion of said magnetic circuit, said body having a passage therethrough for receiving said armature pole portion in a movable, close-fitting relation whereby said armature moves in said body during said forward and return strokes and said magnetic circuit is through said body and said armature pole portion.

Claim 6

A pump according to claim 4, wherein an effective air gap is defined between the inner surface of said passage and the outer surface of said armature pole portion and is introduced in said magnetic circuit, said passage has an axial length, a space having a length is defined between the inner surface of said passage and the outer surface of said armature pole portion, and said passage axial length is relatively large as compared to said length of said space so as to minimize said effective air gap.

Claim 7

A pump according to claim 4, wherein each of said body and armature pole portion is provided with an exterior coating of a material which enhances compatibility of fluid being pumped with the exterior surfaces of said body and pole portion.

Claim 8

A pump according to claims 4 or 6, wherein said armature pole portion is provided with an exterior coating a fluorpolymer material.

Claim 9

A pump according to claim 1, wherein said barrier means comprises a thin plate of metal compatible with the fluid, said electromagnet means includes a housing of magnetically permeable material having an end face contacting one surface of said plate, and further including a body of magnetically permeable material in said housing fluid containing region having a passage through which said armature pole portion moves and having an end face contacting the opposite surface of said plate.

Claim 10

A pump according to claim 8, wherein an effective air gap is introduced by said plate in said magnetic circuit and wherein said end faces of said electromagnet housing and said body have areas of contact with said surfaces of said plate which are of sufficient size to minimize said effective gap.

Claim 11

A pump according to claim 1, wherein said electromagnet comprises a coil wound on a spool within a housing, said electromagnet housing and said pump housing being located on a common axis, and said spool having a relatively small diameter.

Claim 12

A pump according to claim 1, wherein said barrier means is in the form of a thin plate fixed between and providing an hermetic seal between said electromagnet and said fluid-containing region of said housing.

Claim 13

A pump according to claim 1, wherein said armature comprises a shaft and an enlarged body on one end of said shaft, said body being of magnetically permeable material and terminating in a pole face disposed substantially perpendicular to the axis of said shaft, the cross-sectional area of said pole face being significantly larger than the cross-sectional area of said shaft, said body and shaft being connected together through a bushing of fluoropolymer material.

Claim 14

A pump according to claim 1, wherein said check valve means is operatively coupled to said armature and is located in said fluid-receiving region for opening and closing said inlet.

Claim 15

A pump according to claim 1, wherein said check valve means comprises a valve member movably carried by said armature and positioned for closing said inlet when said armature is in said rest position and opening said inlet after said armature begins movement associated with said forward pumping stroke.

Claim 16

A pump according to claim 14, further comprising: (a) first biasing means for urging said armature toward said rest position; (b) second biasing means for urging said valve member toward a position closing said inlet; and (c) the force provided by said first biasing means being greater than the force provided by said second biasing means.

Claim 17

A pump according to claim 14, wherein said housing is elongated having a longitudinal axis, said armature is elongated having a longitudinal axis disposed substantially parallel to said housing axis, said armature is movable in said housing along said armature longitudinal axis, said inlet is located at one end of said housing, and said check valve member is located on one end of said armature disposed toward said inlet.

Claim 18

A pump according to claim 16, wherein said inlet comprises a passage terminating in an annular valve seat facing said valve member and wherein said valve member has a surface moved into and out of contact with said valve seat for closing and opening said inlet.

Claim 19

A pump according to claim 17, wherein said valve member surface is provided by a valve element movably carried by said valve member.

Claim 20

A pump according to claim 18, further including spring means operatively associated with said valve member and valve element for allowing rocking movement of said valve element relative to said valve member to facilitate seating of said element on said valve seat.

Claim 21

A pump according to claim 17, wherein said valve seat has a diameter larger than the diameter of said inlet.

Claim 22

A pump according to claim 14, wherein said housing is elongated having a longitudinal axis, said armature is elongated having a longitudinal axis disposed substantially parallel to said housing axis, said armature is movable in said housing along said armature longitudinal axis, said inlet is located at one end of said housing, and said check valve means comprises a valve member movably carried by said armature and located on one end of said armature disposed toward said inlet.

Claim 23

A pump according to claim 21, wherein said inlet comprises a passage terminating in an annular valve seat facing said valve member and wherein said valve member has a surface moved into and out of contact with said valve seat for closing and opening said inlet.

Claim 24

A pump according to claim 22, wherein said valve member surface is provided by a valve element movably carried by said valve member.

Claim 25

A pump according to claim 23, further including spring means operatively associated with said valve member and valve element for allowing rocking movement of said valve element relative to said valve member to facilitate seating of said element on said valve seat.

Claim 26

A pump according to claim 22, wherein said valve seat has a diameter larger than the diameter of said inlet.

Claim 27

In an electromagnetic pump including a housing having an interior fluid containing region, an inlet and an outlet in fluid communication with said region, electromagnet means carried by said housing and located external to said fluid containing region of said housing, and an armature positioned in said fluid containing region of said housing having a pole portion located for magnetic attraction by said electromagnet means causing movement of said armature to force fluid out of said region through said outlet, the improvement comprising: (a) barrier means of fluid-impervious material separating said electromagnet and said fluid containing region of said housing, said barrier means having axially opposite sides and said fluid containing region, inlet, outlet and armature all being located axially on one side of said barrier means and said electromagnet means being located axially on the opposite side of said barrier means; (b) a body of magnetically permeable material in said housing fluid containing region and having a passage therethrough for receiving said armature pole portion in a movable, close-fitting relation; and (c) means for defining a magnetic circuit including said electromagnet means, said body, the included portions of said barrier means between said electromagnet and said body, said armature pole portion and a gap in said fluid containing region of said housing between said armature pole portion and said electromagnet means for moving said armature toward said electromagnet means to close said gap in response to electrical energization of said electromagnet means.

Claim 28

In an electromagnetic pump including a housing having an interior fluid containing region, an inlet and an outlet in fluid communication with said region, electromagnet means carried by said housing and located external to said fluid containing region of said housing, and an armature positioned in said fluid containing region of said housing having a pole portion located for magnetic attraction by said electromagnet means causing movement of said armature to force fluid out of said region through said outlet, the improvement comprising: (a) barrier means of fluid-impervious material separating said electromagnet and said fluid containing region of said housing, said barrier means having axially opposite sides and said fluid containing region, inlet, outlet and armature all being located axially on one side of said barrier means and said electromagnet means being located axially on the opposite side of said barrier means; (b) a body of magnetically permeable material in said housing fluid containing region and having a passage therethrough for receiving said armature pole portion in a movable, close-fitting relation; and (c) means for defining a magnetic circuit including said electromagnet means, said body, the included portions of said barrier means between said electromagnet and said body, said armature pole portion and a gap in said fluid containing region of said housing between said armature pole portion and said electromagnet means for moving said armature toward said electromagnet means to close said gap in response to electrical energization of said electromagnet means.

Claim 29

In an electromagnetic pump including a housing having a longitudinal axis and having an interior fluid containing region, an inlet and an outlet in fluid communication with said region, electromagnet means carried by said housing and located external to said fluid-containing region, and an armature positioned in said housing for movement along said housing longitudinal axis from a rest position through a forward pumping stroke when attracted by said electromagnet means to force fluid out of said fluid containing region through said outlet and for movement in an opposite direction through a return stroke back to said rest position, said fluid containing region of said housing and said electromagnet means being in axially spaced relation along said housing longitudinal axis, the improvement comprising: (a) check valve means operatively carried by said armature and located in said fluid containing region of said housing adjacent said inlet for closing said inlet when said armature is in said rest position and for opening said inlet after said armature begins movement associated with said forward pumping stroke, said check valve means allowing fluid flow in a direction from said inlet through said outlet and blocking fluid flow in a direction from said outlet through said inlet; and (b) barrier means of fluid-impervious material separating said electromagnet and said fluid containing region of said housing, said barrier means having axially opposite sides and said fluid containing region, inlet, outlet and armature all being located axially on one side of said barrier means and said electromagnet means being located axially on the opposite side of said barrier means.

Claim 30

In an electromagnetic pump including a housing having a longitudinal axis and having an interior fluid containing region, an inlet and an outlet in fluid communication with said region, electromagnet means carried by said housing and located external to said fluid-containing region, and an armature positioned in said housing for movement along said housing longitudinal axis from a rest position through a forward pumping stroke when attracted by said electromagnet means to force fluid out of said fluid containing region through said outlet and for movement in an opposite direction through a return stroke back to said rest position, said fluid containing region of said housing and said electromagnet means being in axially spaced relation along said housing longitudinal axis, the improvement comprising: (a) check valve means operatively carried by said armature and located in said fluid containing region of said housing adjacent said inlet for closing said inlet when said armature is in said rest position and for opening said inlet after said armature begins movement associated with said forward pumping stroke, said check valve means allowing fluid flow in a direction from said inlet through said outlet and blocking fluid flow in a direction from said outlet through said inlet; and (b) barrier means of fluid-impervious material separating said electromagnet and said fluid containing region of said housing, said barrier means having axially opposite sides and said fluid containing region, inlet, outlet and armature all being located axially on one side of said barrier means and said electromagnet means being located axially on the opposite side of said barrier means.

Claim 31

An improved electromagnetic pump according to claim 27, wherein said check valve means comprises a valve member movably carried by said armature, and further including: (a) first biasing means for urging said armature toward said rest position; (b) second biasing means for urging said valve member toward a position closing said inlet; and (c) the force provided by said first biasing means being greater than the force provided by said second biasing means.

Claim 32

An electromagnetic pump comprising: (a) a housing having an interior fluid containing region including a fluid receiving chamber and a fluid pumping chamber in fluid communication therewith, an inlet in fluid communication with said receiving chamber and an outlet in fluid communication with said pumping chamber; (b) check valve means operatively associated with said fluid containing region for allowing fluid flow in a direction from said inlet through said outlet and blocking fluid flow in a direction from said outlet through said inlet; (c) electromagnet means carried by said housing and located external to said fluid containing region; (d) said fluid-containing region of said housing and said electromagnet being separated by barrier means of fluid impervious material; (e) an armature positioned in said fluid containing region of said housing having a pole portion located for magnetic attraction by said electromagnet means and having a plunger portion in said pumping chamber for forcing fluid out of said chamber through said outlet; said armature being movably supported in said housing for movement from a rest position through a forward pumping stroke when attracted by said electromagnet means to force fluid out of said pumping chamber through said outlet and for movement in an opposite direction through a return stroke back to said rest position; (f) barrier means of fluid-impervious material separating said electromagnet and said fluid containing region of said housing, said barrier means having axially opposite sides and said fluid containing region, inlet, outlet and armature all being located axially on one side of said barrier means and said electromagnet means being located axially on the opposite side of said barrier means; (g) means for defining a magnetic circuit including said electromagnet means and said armature and a gap between said pole portion of said armature and said electromagnet means for moving said armature toward said electromagnet means to close said gap in response to electrical energization of said electromagnet means; and (h) a body of magnetically permeable material in said housing fluid containing region between said fluid receiving chamber and said fluid pumping chamber, said body defining a portion of said magnetic circuit, said body having a passage therethrough for receiving said armature pole portion in a movable, close-fitting relation whereby said armature moves in said body during said forward and return strokes and said magnetic circuit is through said body and said armature pole portion.

Claim 33

An electromagnetic pump comprising: (a) a housing having an interior fluid containing region including a fluid receiving chamber and a fluid pumping chamber in fluid communication therewith, an inlet in fluid communication with said receiving chamber and an outlet in fluid communication with said pumping chamber; (b) check valve means operatively associated with said fluid containing region for allowing fluid flow in a direction from said inlet through said outlet and blocking fluid flow in a direction from said outlet through said inlet; (c) electromagnet means carried by said housing and located external to said fluid containing region; (d) said fluid-containing region of said housing and said electromagnet being separated by barrier means of fluid impervious material; (e) an armature positioned in said fluid containing region of said housing having a pole portion located for magnetic attraction by said electromagnet means and having a plunger portion in said pumping chamber for forcing fluid out of said chamber through said outlet; said armature being movably supported in said housing for movement from a rest position through a forward pumping stroke when attracted by said electromagnet means to force fluid out of said pumping chamber through said outlet and for movement in an opposite direction through a return stroke back to said rest position; (f) barrier means of fluid-impervious material separating said electromagnet and said fluid containing region of said housing, said barrier means having axially opposite sides and said fluid containing region, inlet, outlet and armature all being located axially on one side of said barrier means and said electromagnet means being located axially on the opposite side of said barrier means; (g) means for defining a magnetic circuit including said electromagnet means and said armature and a gap between said pole portion of said armature and said electromagnet means for moving said armature toward said electromagnet means to close said gap in response to electrical energization of said electromagnet means; and (h) a body of magnetically permeable material in said housing fluid containing region between said fluid receiving chamber and said fluid pumping chamber, said body defining a portion of said magnetic circuit, said body having a passage therethrough for receiving said armature pole portion in a movable, close-fitting relation whereby said armature moves in said body during said forward and return strokes and said magnetic circuit is through said body and said armature pole portion.

Claim 34

An electromagnetic pump comprising: (a) an elongated housing having a longitudinal axis and having an interior fluid containing region including a fluid receiving chamber and a fluid pumping chamber in fluid communication therewith, an inlet in fluid communication with said receiving chamber and an outlet in fluid communication with said pumping chamber; (b) check valve means operatively associated with said fluid containing region for allowing fluid flow in a direction from said inlet through said outlet and blocking fluid flow in a direction from said outlet through said inlet; (c) electromagnet means carried by said housing and located external to said fluid containing region; (d) an armature positioned in said fluid containing region of said housing for movement along said housing longitudinal axis and having a pole portion located for magnetic attraction by said electromagnet means and having a plunger portion in said pumping chamber for forcing fluid out of said chamber through said outlet, said armature being movably supported in said housing for movement from a rest position through a forward pumping stroke when attracted by said electromagnet means to force fluid out of said pumping chamber through said outlet and for movement in an opposite direction through a return stroke back to said rest position; (e) means for defining a magnetic circuit including said electromagnet means and said armature and a gap between said pole portion of said armature and said electromagnet means for moving said armature toward said electromagnet means to close said gap in response to electrical energization of said electromagnet means; (f) said armature pole portion having a pole face disposed in a plane substantially perpendicular to the direction of movement of said armature, said pole face being located to define said gap with said electromagnet means, said pole face being of relatively large area; (g) said fluid containing region of said housing and said electromagnet means being in axially spaced relation along said housing longitudinal axis and being separated by barrier means of fluid impervious material; (h) a body of magnetically permeable material in said housing fluid containing region between said fluid receiving chamber and said fluid pumping chamber, said body defining a portion of said magnetic circuit, said body having a passage therethrough for receiving said armature pole portion in a movable, close-fitting relation whereby said armature moves in said body during said forward and return strokes and said magnetic circuit is through said body and said armature pole portion; and (i) said passage in said body having a cross-sectional size and said armature pole portion having a cross-sectional dimension, said size and said dimension being so related to define a leakage path for fluid from said pumping chamber to said receiving chamber during movement of said armature through said return stroke.

Claim 35

An electromagnetic pump comprising: (a) an elongated housing having a longitudinal axis and having an interior fluid containing region including a fluid receiving chamber and a fluid pumping chamber in fluid communication therewith, an inlet in fluid communication with said receiving chamber and an outlet in fluid communication with said pumping chamber; (b) check valve means operatively associated with said fluid containing region for allowing fluid flow in a direction from said inlet through said outlet and blocking fluid flow in a direction from said outlet through said inlet; (c) electromagnet means carried by said housing and located external to said fluid containing region; (d) an armature positioned in said fluid containing region of said housing for movement along said housing longitudinal axis and having a pole portion located for magnetic attraction by said electromagnet means and having a plunger portion in said pumping chamber for forcing fluid out of said chamber through said outlet, said armature being movably supported in said housing for movement from a rest position through a forward pumping stroke when attracted by said electromagnet means to force fluid out of said pumping chamber through said outlet and for movement in an opposite direction through a return stroke back to said rest position; (e) means for defining a magnetic circuit including said electromagnet means and said armature and a gap between said pole portion of said armature and said electromagnet means for moving said armature toward said electromagnet means to close said gap in response to electrical energization of said electromagnet means; (f) said armature pole portion having a pole face disposed in a plane substantially perpendicular to the direction of movement of said armature, said pole face being located to define said gap with said electromagnet means, said pole face being of relatively large area; (g) said fluid containing region of said housing and said electromagnet means being in axially spaced relation along said housing longitudinal axis and being separated by barrier means of fluid impervious material; (h) a body of magnetically permeable material in said housing fluid containing region between said fluid receiving chamber and said fluid pumping chamber, said body defining a portion of said magnetic circuit, said body having a passage therethrough for receiving said armature pole portion in a movable, close-fitting relation whereby said armature moves in said body during said forward and return strokes and said magnetic circuit is through said body and said armature pole portion; and (i) said passage in said body having a cross-sectional size and said armature pole portion having a cross-sectional dimension, said size and said dimension being so related to define a leakage path for fluid from said pumping chamber to said receiving chamber during movement of said armature through said return stroke.

Claim 36

An electromagnetic pump comprising: (a) an elongated housing having a longitudinal axis and having an interior fluid containing region including a fluid receiving chamber and a fluid pumping chamber in fluid communication therewith, an inlet in fluid communication with said receiving chamber and an outlet in fluid communication with said pumping chamber; (b) check valve means operatively associated with said fluid containing region for allowing fluid flow in a direction from said inlet through said outlet and blocking fluid flow in a direction from said outlet through said inlet; (c) electromagnet means carried by said housing and located external to said fluid containing region; (d) an armature positioned in said fluid containing region of said housing for movement along said housing longitudinal axis and having a pole portion located for magnetic attraction by said electromagnet means and having a plunger portion in said pumping chamber for forcing fluid out of said chamber through said outlet, said armature being movably supported in said housing for movement from a rest position through a forward pumping stroke when attracted by said electromagnet means to force fluid out of said pumping chamber through said outlet and for movement in an opposite direction through a return stroke back to said rest position; (e) means for defining a magnetic circuit including said electromagnet means and said armature and a gap between said pole portion of said armature and said electromagnet means for moving said armature toward said electromagnet means to close said gap in response to electrical energization of said electromagnet means; (f) said armature pole portion having a pole face disposed in a plane substantially perpendicular to the direction of movement of said armature, said pole face being located to define said gap with said electromagnet means, said pole face being of relatively large area; (g) said fluid containing region of said housing and said electromagnet being in axially spaced relation along said housing longitudinal axis; (h) barrier means of fluid-impervious material separating said electromagnet and said fluid-containing region of said housing, said barrier means comprising a thin plate of metal compatible with the fluid, fixed between and providing hermetic seal between said electromagnet and said fluid containing region of said housing; and (i) a body of magnetically permeable material in said housing fluid containing region between said fluid receiving chamber and said fluid pumping chamber, said body having a passage therethrough for receiving said armature pole portion in a movable, close-fitting relation whereby said armature moves in said body during said forward and return strokes, said armature pole portion co-operating with said passage to define a leakage path for fluid from said pumping chamber to said receiving chamber during movement of said armature through said return stroke; (j) whereby said magnetic circuit includes said body, said armature pole portion and the portions of said barrier plate associated with said electromagnet.

Claim 37

An electromagnetic pump comprising: (a) an elongated housing having a longitudinal axis and having an interior fluid containing region including a fluid receiving chamber and a fluid pumping chamber in fluid communication therewith, an inlet in fluid communication with said receiving chamber and an outlet in fluid communication with said pumping chamber; (b) check valve means operatively associated with said fluid containing region for allowing fluid flow in a direction from said inlet through said outlet and blocking fluid flow in a direction from said outlet through said inlet; (c) electromagnet means carried by said housing and located external to said fluid containing region; (d) an armature positioned in said fluid containing region of said housing for movement along said housing longitudinal axis and having a pole portion located for magnetic attraction by said electromagnet means and having a plunger portion in said pumping chamber for forcing fluid out of said chamber through said outlet, said armature being movably supported in said housing for movement from a rest position through a forward pumping stroke when attracted by said electromagnet means to force fluid out of said pumping chamber through said outlet and for movement in an opposite direction through a return stroke back to said rest position; (e) means for defining a magnetic circuit including said electromagnet means and said armature and a gap between said pole portion of said armature and said electromagnet means for moving said armature toward said electromagnet means to close said gap in response to electrical energization of said electromagnet means; (f) said armature pole portion having a pole face disposed in a plane substantially perpendicular to the direction of movement of said armature, said pole face being located to define said gap with said electromagnet means, said pole face being of relatively large area; (g) said fluid containing region of said housing and said electromagnet being in axially spaced relation along said housing longitudinal axis; (h) barrier means of fluid-impervious material separating said electromagnet and said fluid-containing region of said housing, said barrier means comprising a thin plate of metal compatible with the fluid, fixed between and providing hermetic seal between said electromagnet and said fluid containing region of said housing; and (i) a body of magnetically permeable material in said housing fluid containing region between said fluid receiving chamber and said fluid pumping chamber, said body having a passage therethrough for receiving said armature pole portion in a movable, close-fitting relation whereby said armature moves in said body during said forward and return strokes, said armature pole portion co-operating with said passage to define a leakage path for fluid from said pumping chamber to said receiving chamber during movement of said armature through said return stroke; (j) whereby said magnetic circuit includes said body, said armature pole portion and the portions of said barrier plate associated with said electromagnet.

Claim 38

A pump according to claim 31, wherein pumping chamber is defined between said barrier plate and said body, said armature pole portion moves in said pumping chamber and has a pole face on the end thereof disposed toward said barrier plate, and said gap is defined between said armature pole face and said barrier plate, whereby as said gap is reduced during energization of said electromagnet causing the forward pumping stroke the movement of said armature pole face toward said barrier plate forces fluid out of said pumping chamber through said housing outlet.

Claim 39

A pump according to claim 31, wherein said electromagnet means includes a housing of magnetically permeable material having an end face contacting one surface of said barrier plate, said body has an end face contacting the other surface of said plate, an effective air gap is introduced by said plate in said magnetic circuit, and said end faces of said electromagnet housing and said body have areas of contact with said surface of said plate which are of sufficient size to minimize said effective air gap.

Claim 40

A pump according to claim 31, wherein an effective air gap is defined between the inner surface of said passage and the outer surface of said armature pole portion and is introduced in said magnetic circuit, said passage has an axial length, a space having a length is defined between the inner surface of said passage and the outer surface of said armature pole portion, and said passage axial length is relatively large as compared to said length of said space so as to minimize said effective air gap.

Claim 41

In an electromagnetic pump including a housing having an interior fluid containing region, and inlet and an outlet in fluid communication with said region, electromagnet means carried by said housing and located external to said fluid containing region of said housing, and an armature positioned in said fluid containing region of said housing having a pole portion located for magnetic attraction by said electromagnet means causing movement of said armature to force fluid out of said region through said outlet, the improvement comprising: (a) barrier means of fluid-impervious material separating said electromagnet and said fluid containing region of said housing; (b) a body of magnetically permeable material in said housing fluid containing region and having a passage therethrough for receiving said armature pole portion in a movable, close-fitting relation; (c) means for defining a magnetic circuit including said electromagnet means, said body, the included portions of said barrier means between said electromagnet and said body, said armature pole portion and a gap in said fluid containing region of said housing between said armature pole portion and said electromagnet means for moving said armature toward said electromagnet means to close said gap in response to electrical energization of said electromagnet means; and (d) said barrier means comprising a thin metal plate fixed between and providing an hermetic seal between said electromagnet and said fluid containing region of said housing, said electromagnet means including a housing of magnetically permeable material having an end face contacting one surface of said barrier plate, said body having an end face contacting the other surface of said plate, and the areas of contact of said end faces of said electromagnet housing and said body with said surface of said plate being of sufficient size to to minimize the effective air gap introduced by said plate in said magnetic circuit.

Claim 42

In an electromagnetic pump including a housing having an interior fluid containing region, and inlet and an outlet in fluid communication with said region, electromagnet means carried by said housing and located external to said fluid containing region of said housing, and an armature positioned in said fluid containing region of said housing having a pole portion located for magnetic attraction by said electromagnet means causing movement of said armature to force fluid out of said region through said outlet, the improvement comprising: (a) barrier means of fluid-impervious material separating said electromagnet and said fluid containing region of said housing; (b) a body of magnetically permeable material in said housing fluid containing region and having a passage therethrough for receiving said armature pole portion in a movable, close-fitting relation; (c) means for defining a magnetic circuit including said electromagnet means, said body, the included portions of said barrier means between said electromagnet and said body, said armature pole portion and a gap in said fluid containing region of said housing between said armature pole portion and said electromagnet means for moving said armature toward said electromagnet means to close said gap in response to electrical energization of said electromagnet means; and (d) said barrier means comprising a thin metal plate fixed between and providing an hermetic seal between said electromagnet and said fluid containing region of said housing, said electromagnet means including a housing of magnetically permeable material having an end face contacting one surface of said barrier plate, said body having an end face contacting the other surface of said plate, and the areas of contact of said end faces of said electromagnet housing and said body with said surface of said plate being of sufficient size to to minimize the effective air gap introduced by said plate in said magnetic circuit.

Claim 43

A pump according to claim 35, wherein the axial length of said passage in said body is relatively long as compared to the length of the space between the inner surface of said passage and the outer surface of said armature pole portion to minimize the effective air gap defined therebetween introduced in said magnetic circuit.

Claim 44

An electromagnetic pump comprising: (a) a housing having an interior fluid containing region including a fluid receiving chamber and a fluid pumping chamber in fluid communication therewith, an inlet in fluid communication with said receiving chamber and an outlet in fluid communication with said pumping chamber; (b) check valve means operatively associated with said fluid containing region for allowing fluid flow in a direction from said outlet through said inlet; (c) electromagnet means carried by said housing and located external to said fluid containing region; (d) said fluid-containing region of said housing and said electromagnet being separated by barrier means of fluid impervious material; (e) an armature positioned in said fluid containing region of said housing having a pole portion located for magnetic attraction by said electromagnet means and having a plunger portion in said pumping chamber for forcing fluid out of said chamber through said outlet; said armature being movably supported in said housing for movement from a rest position through a forward pumping stroke when attracted by said electromagnet means to force fluid out of said pumping chamber through said outlet and for movement in an opposite direction through a return stroke back to said rest position; (f) means for defining a magnetic circuit including said electromagnet means and said armature and a gap between said pole portion of said armature and said electromagnet means for moving said armature toward said electromagnet means to close said gap in response to electrical energization of said electromagnet means; (g) a body of magnetically permeable material in said housing fluid containing region between said fluid receiving chamber and said fluid pumping chamber, said body defining a portion of said magnetic circuit, said body having a passage therethrough for receiving said armature pole portion in a movable, close-fitting relation whereby said armature moves in said body during said forward and return strokes and said magnetic circuit is through said body and said armature pole portion; and (h) said passage in said body having a cross-sectional size and said armature pole portion having a cross-sectional dimension, said size and said dimension being so related to define a leakage path for fluid from said pumping chamber to said receiving chamber during movement of said armature through said return stroke.

Claim 45

An electromagnetic pump comprising: (a) a housing having an interior fluid containing region including a fluid receiving chamber and a fluid pumping chamber in fluid communication therewith, an inlet in fluid communication with said receiving chamber and an outlet in fluid communication with said pumping chamber; (b) check valve means operatively associated with said fluid containing region for allowing fluid flow in a direction from said outlet through said inlet; (c) electromagnet means carried by said housing and located external to said fluid containing region; (d) said fluid-containing region of said housing and said electromagnet being separated by barrier means of fluid impervious material; (e) an armature positioned in said fluid containing region of said housing having a pole portion located for magnetic attraction by said electromagnet means and having a plunger portion in said pumping chamber for forcing fluid out of said chamber through said outlet; said armature being movably supported in said housing for movement from a rest position through a forward pumping stroke when attracted by said electromagnet means to force fluid out of said pumping chamber through said outlet and for movement in an opposite direction through a return stroke back to said rest position; (f) means for defining a magnetic circuit including said electromagnet means and said armature and a gap between said pole portion of said armature and said electromagnet means for moving said armature toward said electromagnet means to close said gap in response to electrical energization of said electromagnet means; (g) a body of magnetically permeable material in said housing fluid containing region between said fluid receiving chamber and said fluid pumping chamber, said body defining a portion of said magnetic circuit, said body having a passage therethrough for receiving said armature pole portion in a movable, close-fitting relation whereby said armature moves in said body during said forward and return strokes and said magnetic circuit is through said body and said armature pole portion; and (h) said passage in said body having a cross-sectional size and said armature pole portion having a cross-sectional dimension, said size and said dimension being so related to define a leakage path for fluid from said pumping chamber to said receiving chamber during movement of said armature through said return stroke.

Claim 46

A pump according to claim 37, wherein an effective air gap is defined between the inner surface of said passage and the outer surface of said armature pole portion and is introduced in said magnetic circuit, said passage has an axial length, a space having a length is defined between the inner surface of said passage and the outer surface of said armature pole portion, and said passage axial length is relatively large as compared to said length of said space so as to minimize said effective air gap.

Claim 47

A pump according to claim 37, wherein said armature pole portion has a pole face disposed in a plane substantially perpendicular to the direction of movement of said armature, said pole face being located to define said gap with said electromagnet means, said pole face being of relatively large area.

Claim 48

An electromagnetic pump comprising: (a) a housing having an interior fluid containing region including a fluid receiving chamber and a fluid pumping chamber in fluid communication therewith, an inlet in fluid communication with said receiving chamber and an outlet in fluid communication with said pumping chamber; (b) check valve means operatively associated with said fluid containing region for allowing fluid flow in a direction from said inlet through said outlet and blocking fluid flow in a direction from said outlet through said inlet; (c) electromagnet means carried by said housing and located external to said fluid containing region; (d) said fluid-containing region of said housing and said electromagnet being separated by barrier means of fluid impervious material; (e) an armature positioned in said fluid containing region of said housing having a pole portion located for magnetic attraction by said electromagnet means and having a plunger portion in said pumping chamber for forcing fluid out of said chamber through said outlet; said armature being movably supported in said housing for movement from a rest position through a forward pumping stroke when attracted by said electromagnet means to force fluid out of said pumping chamber through said outlet and for movement in an opposite direction through a return stroke back to said rest position; (f) means for defining a magnetic circuit including said electromagnet means and said armature and a gap between said pole portion of said armature and said electromagnet means for moving said armature toward said electromagnet means to close said gap in response to electrical energization of said electromagnet means; (g) a body of magnetically permeable material in said housing fluid containing region between said fluid receiving chamber and said fluid pumping chamber, said body defining a portion of said magnetic circuit, said body having a passage therethrough for receiving said armature pole portion in a movable, close-fitting relation whereby said armature moves in said body during said forward and return strokes and said magnetic circuit is through said body and said armature pole portion; and (h) said barrier means comprising a thin plate of metal compatible with the fluid, said electromagnet means including a housing of magnetically permeable material having an end face contacting one surface of said plate, and said body of magnetically permeable material in said housing fluid containing region has an end face contacting the opposite surface of said plate.

Claim 49

An electromagnetic pump comprising: (a) a housing having an interior fluid containing region including a fluid receiving chamber and a fluid pumping chamber in fluid communication therewith, an inlet in fluid communication with said receiving chamber and an outlet in fluid communication with said pumping chamber; (b) check valve means operatively associated with said fluid containing region for allowing fluid flow in a direction from said inlet through said outlet and blocking fluid flow in a direction from said outlet through said inlet; (c) electromagnet means carried by said housing and located external to said fluid containing region; (d) said fluid-containing region of said housing and said electromagnet being separated by barrier means of fluid impervious material; (e) an armature positioned in said fluid containing region of said housing having a pole portion located for magnetic attraction by said electromagnet means and having a plunger portion in said pumping chamber for forcing fluid out of said chamber through said outlet; said armature being movably supported in said housing for movement from a rest position through a forward pumping stroke when attracted by said electromagnet means to force fluid out of said pumping chamber through said outlet and for movement in an opposite direction through a return stroke back to said rest position; (f) means for defining a magnetic circuit including said electromagnet means and said armature and a gap between said pole portion of said armature and said electromagnet means for moving said armature toward said electromagnet means to close said gap in response to electrical energization of said electromagnet means; (g) a body of magnetically permeable material in said housing fluid containing region between said fluid receiving chamber and said fluid pumping chamber, said body defining a portion of said magnetic circuit, said body having a passage therethrough for receiving said armature pole portion in a movable, close-fitting relation whereby said armature moves in said body during said forward and return strokes and said magnetic circuit is through said body and said armature pole portion; and (h) said barrier means comprising a thin plate of metal compatible with the fluid, said electromagnet means including a housing of magnetically permeable material having an end face contacting one surface of said plate, and said body of magnetically permeable material in said housing fluid containing region has an end face contacting the opposite surface of said plate.

Claim 50

A pump according to claim 40; wherein an effective air gap is introduced by said plate in said magnetic circuit and wherein said end faces of said electromagnet housing and said body have areas of contact with said surfaces of said plate which are of sufficient size to minimize said effective gap.

Claim 51

An electromagnetic pump comprising: (a) a housing having an interior fluid containing region including a fluid receiving chamber and a fluid pumping chamber in fluid communication therewith, an inlet in fluid communication with said receiving chamber and an outlet in fluid communication with said pumping chamber; (b) check valve means operatively associated with said fluid containing region for allowing fluid flow in a direction from said inlet through said outlet and blocking fluid flow in a direction from said outlet through said inlet; (c) electromagnet means carried by said housing and located external to said fluid containing region; (d) said fluid-containing region of said housing and said electromagnet being in side-by-side relation and separated by barrier means of fluid impervious material; (e) an armature positioned in said fluid containing region of said housing having a pole portion located for magnetic attraction by said electromagnet means and having a plunger portion in said pumping chamber for forcing fluid out of said chamber through said outlet; said armature being movably supported in said housing for movement from a rest position through a forward pumping stroke when attracted by said electromagnet means to force fluid out of said pumping chamber through said outlet and for movement in an opposite direction through a return stroke back to said rest position; (f) means for defining a magnetic circuit including said electromagnet means and said armature and a gap between said pole portion of said armature and said electromagnet means for moving said armature toward said electromagnet means to close said gap in response to electrical energization of said electromagnet means; (g) a body of magnetically permeable material in said housing fluid containing region between said fluid receiving chamber and said fluid pumping chamber, said body defining a portion of said magnetic circuit, said body having a passage therethrough for receiving said armature pole portion in movable relation whereby said armature moves in said body during said forward and return strokes and said magnetic circuit is through said body and said armature pole portion; and (h) said barrier means having opposite sides, said fluid containing region, inlet, outlet and armature all being located axially on one side of said barrier means and said electromagnet means being located on the opposite side of said barrier means.

Claim 52

An electromagnetic pump comprising: (a) a housing having an interior fluid containing region including a fluid receiving chamber and a fluid pumping chamber in fluid communication therewith, an inlet in fluid communication with said receiving chamber and an outlet in fluid communication with said pumping chamber; (b) check valve means operatively associated with said fluid containing region for allowing fluid flow in a direction from said inlet through said outlet and blocking fluid flow in a direction from said outlet through said inlet; (c) electromagnet means carried by said housing and located external to said fluid containing region; (d) said fluid-containing region of said housing and said electromagnet being in side-by-side relation and separated by barrier means of fluid impervious material; (e) an armature positioned in said fluid containing region of said housing having a pole portion located for magnetic attraction by said electromagnet means and having a plunger portion in said pumping chamber for forcing fluid out of said chamber through said outlet; said armature being movably supported in said housing for movement from a rest position through a forward pumping stroke when attracted by said electromagnet means to force fluid out of said pumping chamber through said outlet and for movement in an opposite direction through a return stroke back to said rest position; (f) means for defining a magnetic circuit including said electromagnet means and said armature and a gap between said pole portion of said armature and said electromagnet means for moving said armature toward said electromagnet means to close said gap in response to electrical energization of said electromagnet means; (g) a body of magnetically permeable material in said housing fluid containing region between said fluid receiving chamber and said fluid pumping chamber, said body defining a portion of said magnetic circuit, said body having a passage therethrough for receiving said armature pole portion in movable relation whereby said armature moves in said body during said forward and return strokes and said magnetic circuit is through said body and said armature pole portion; and (h) said barrier means having opposite sides, said fluid containing region, inlet, outlet and armature all being located axially on one side of said barrier means and said electromagnet means being located on the opposite side of said barrier means.