Volumetric pump/valve

Claim 2

A pump for pumping fluids from a fluid source to a fluid sink comprising a housing defining an elongate cavity therein, with an opening on one side of the housing adjacent to and in communication with one end of the cavity, the other end being closed, a resilient sheet of material disposed over the opening in the housing, said sheet including an aperture positioned in alignment with the cavity at said one end thereof, an elongate shaft slidably disposed in the aperture so that one end of the shaft extends into the cavity and the other end extends out of the housing, said aperture having substantially the same cross-sectional shape as that of the shaft, and the same cross-sectional dimensions or smaller, inlet means for conveying fluid from the fluid source into the cavity when a negative pressure is produced therein, outlet means for carrying fluid from the cavity to the fluid sink when a positive pressure is produced in the cavity, actuation means for causing the shaft to reciprocate longitudinally in the cavity, sliding back and forth in the aperture, to alternately produce a negative pressure and positive pressure in the cavity, and support means on each side of the sheet of material adjacent the aperture for contacting and preventing distending or collapsing of the sheet of material as the shaft slides through the aperture.

Claim 3

A pump as in claim 1 wherein said resilient sheet of material is a material selected from the group consisting of latex rubber, silicone rubber and nitrile rubber.

Claim 4

A pump as in claim 1 wherein the end cross-sectional shape of the cavity is substantially the same as that of the shaft, but larger in dimension to allow the flow of fluid between the shaft and cavity sidewall.

Claim 5

A pump as in claim 3 wherein the inlet means is disposed near said one end of the cavity, and wherein the outlet means is disposed near said other end of the cavity.

Claim 6

A pump as in claim 1 wherein the dimensions of the cross-section of the aperture are smaller than the dimensions of the cross-section of the shaft.

Claim 7

A pump for pumping fluids from a fluid source to a fluid sink comprising a housing defining an elongate cavity therein, with an opening on one side of the housing adjacent to and in communication with one end of the cavity, the other end being closed, a resilient sheet of material disposed over the opening in the housing, said sheet including an aperture positioned in alignment with the cavity at said one end thereof, an elongate shaft slidably disposed in the aperture so that one end of the shaft extends into the cavity and the other end extends out of the housing, said aperture having substantially the same cross-sectional shape as that of the shaft, and the same cross-sectional dimensions or smaller, inlet means for conveying fluid from the fluid source into the cavity when a negative pressure is produced therein, outlet means for carrying fluid from the cavity to the fluid sink when a positive pressure is produced in the cavity, actuation means for causing the shaft to reciprocate longitudinally in the cavity, sliding back and forth in the aperture, to alternately produce a negative pressure and positive pressure in the cavity, and wherein the actuation means includes means for selectively varying the magnitude of the excursion of the reciprocating shaft, to thereby vary the rate of pumping of the fluid, means for alternately pushing the shaft in a direction into the cavity, and releasing the shaft from being pushed, and biasing means for forcing the shaft in a direction out of the cavity when the shaft is released by the pushing means, and wherein said excursion varying means includes stop means for stopping the movement of the shaft in the direction out of the cavity at selectable distances.

Claim 8

A pump for pumping fluids from a fluid source to a fluid sink comprising a housing defining an elongate cavity therein, with an opening on one side of the housing adjacent to and in communication with one end of the cavity, the other end being closed, a resilient sheet of material disposed over the opening in the housing, said sheet including an aperture positioned in alignment with the cavity at said one end thereof, an elongate shaft slidably disposed in the aperture so that one end of the shaft extends into the cavity and the other end extends out of the housing, said aperture having substantially the same cross-sectional shape as that of the shaft, and the same cross-sectional dimensions or smaller, inlet means for conveying fluid from the fluid source into the cavity when a negative pressure is produced therein, outlet means for carrying fluid from the cavity to the fluid sink when a positive pressure is produced in the cavity, actuation means for causing the shaft to reciprocate longitudinally in the cavity, sliding back and forth in the aperture, to alternately produce a negative pressure and positive pressure in the cavity, and wherein the actuation means includes means for selectively varying the magnitude of the excursion of the reciprocating shaft, to thereby vary the rate of pumping of the fluid, means for alternately pushing the shaft in a direction into the cavity, and releasing the shaft from being pushed, and biasing means for forcing the shaft in a direction out of the cavity when the shaft is released by the pushing means, and wherein said excursion varying means includes stop means for stopping the movement of the shaft in the direction out of the cavity at selectable distances.

Claim 9

A pump as in claim 6 wherein said excursion varying means includes drive means moveable, in response to said actuation means, in a reciprocating manner in a pathway generally parallel with the direction of movement of the shaft, said drive means including means for engaging the shaft at a location along the pathway moving toward the housing, to move the shaft with movement of the drive means, and for disengaging the shaft at said location along the pathway moving away from the housing, and means for selectively varying the location at which the drive means engages and disengages the drive shaft to thereby vary the magnitude of the excursion of the shaft.

Claim 10

A volumetric pump comprising an elongate housing open at first and second ends and formed with a first chamber adjacent the first open end and a second chamber adjacent the second open end, and including an opening connecting the chambers, a resilient sheet of material disposed over the first open end, and including an aperture therein, a tubular plunger, one end of which is inserted through the aperture in the resilient sheet, into the first chamber, for carrying fluid to the first chamber, drive means for moving said one end of the tubular plunger to reciprocate in the first chamber, alternately toward and away from the housing, first valve means disposed at said one end of the tubular plunger for allowing the flow of fluid therefrom when the plunger is moved away from the housing to produce a negative pressure in the first chamber, and for preventing the flow of fluid thereinto when the plunger is moved toward the housing to produce a positive pressure in the first chamber, and second valve means disposed in the second chamber at said opening between chambers to allow the flow of fluid from the first chamber, through the opening, to the second chamber, and out the second open end when a positive pressure is produced in the first chamber, and to prevent the flow of fluid from the second chamber to the first chamber when a negative pressure is produced in the first chamber.

Claim 11

A volumetric pump comprising an elongate housing open at first and second ends and formed with a first chamber adjacent the first open end and a second chamber adjacent the second open end, and including an opening connecting the chambers, a resilient sheet of material disposed over the first open end, and including an aperture therein, a tubular plunger, one end of which is inserted through the aperture in the resilient sheet, into the first chamber, for carrying fluid to the first chamber, drive means for moving said one end of the tubular plunger to reciprocate in the first chamber, alternately toward and away from the housing, first valve means disposed at said one end of the tubular plunger for allowing the flow of fluid therefrom when the plunger is moved away from the housing to produce a negative pressure in the first chamber, and for preventing the flow of fluid thereinto when the plunger is moved toward the housing to produce a positive pressure in the first chamber, and second valve means disposed in the second chamber at said opening between chambers to allow the flow of fluid from the first chamber, through the opening, to the second chamber, and out the second open end when a positive pressure is produced in the first chamber, and to prevent the flow of fluid from the second chamber to the first chamber when a negative pressure is produced in the first chamber.

Claim 12

A volumetric pump as in claim 8 wherein said first valve means comprises a first plug and first biasing means for normally urging the first plug to cover said one end of the tubular plunger, and wherein said second valve means comprises a second plug and second biasing means for normally urging the second plug to cover the opening between chambers.

Claim 13

A volumetric plump as in claim 8 wherein said tubular plunger is substantially rigid at said one end, and for a predetermined distance rearwardly, and is substantially flexible from said predetermined distance rearwardly.

Claim 14

A volumetric pump comprising a central hollow housing open at opposite ends and having a first resilient sheet of material disposed in the housing between the ends to divide the hollow of the housing into two chambers, said sheet of material having an opening therein to allow communication between the two chambers, an inlet tubular section having a primary tubular portion for receiving fluid, and two secondary tubular portions branching from the primary portion to each receive fluid therefrom, and terminating in free ends joined to the housing, each near a respective opposite end of the housing to carry fluid to a respective housing chamber, first and second check valves, each disposed in a respective secondary tubular portion to allow the flow of fluid from the primary tubular portion toward the housing, and to prevent flow in the opposite direction, an outlet tubular section having two secondary tubular portions, each joined at one end to a respective opposite end of the housing to close the open ends of the housing and carry fluid from a respective housing chamber, and having a primary tubular portion joined to the other ends of the secondary tubular portions of the outlet tubular section, to receive fluid therefrom, third and fourth check valves, each disposed in a respective secondary tubular portion of the outlet tubular section, to allow the flow of fluid from the housing toward the primary tubular portion of the outlet tubular section, and to prevent flow in the opposite direction, elongate plunger means slidably disposed to extend through the opening in the first sheet of material so that portions of the plunger means reside in the two chambers, and means for selectively moving the plunger means back and forth in the two chambers to alternately produce negative pressure in one chamber and positive pressure in the other, and vice versa, to thereby cause fluid to flow from the inlet tubular section, through the housing to the outlet tubular section.

Claim 15

A volumetric pump comprising a central hollow housing open at opposite ends and having a first resilient sheet of material disposed in the housing between the ends to divide the hollow of the housing into two chambers, said sheet of material having an opening therein to allow communication between the two chambers, an inlet tubular section having a primary tubular portion for receiving fluid, and two secondary tubular portions branching from the primary portion to each receive fluid therefrom, and terminating in free ends joined to the housing, each near a respective opposite end of the housing to carry fluid to a respective housing chamber, first and second check valves, each disposed in a respective secondary tubular portion to allow the flow of fluid from the primary tubular portion toward the housing, and to prevent flow in the opposite direction, an outlet tubular section having two secondary tubular portions, each joined at one end to a respective opposite end of the housing to close the open ends of the housing and carry fluid from a respective housing chamber, and having a primary tubular portion joined to the other ends of the secondary tubular portions of the outlet tubular section, to receive fluid therefrom, third and fourth check valves, each disposed in a respective secondary tubular portion of the outlet tubular section, to allow the flow of fluid from the housing toward the primary tubular portion of the outlet tubular section, and to prevent flow in the opposite direction, elongate plunger means slidably disposed to extend through the opening in the first sheet of material so that portions of the plunger means reside in the two chambers, and means for selectively moving the plunger means back and forth in the two chambers to alternately produce negative pressure in one chamber and positive pressure in the other, and vice versa, to thereby cause fluid to flow from the inlet tubular section, through the housing to the outlet tubular section.

Claim 16

The pump of claim 11, further comprising a second resilient sheet of material disposed over one open end of the housing, and having an opening therein, and wherein the plunger moving means includes a rod of smaller cross-sectional size than the plunger means and joined at one end to one end of the plunger so that when the rod is moved longitudinally, the plunger means is caused to move longitudinally, said rod extending through the opening in the second sheet of material.

Claim 17

The pump of claim 11 wherein the plunger means is made of a ferro-magnetic material, said pump further comprising first and second electrically conductive drive coils disposed around the housing adjacent the first and second chambers, respectively, and means for selectively supplying electrical current alternatively to the first and second coils to draw the shaft more into the first and second chambers, respectively.

Claim 18

The pump of claim 13 further comprising first means for temporarily holding the shaft in position in the first chamber.

Claim 19

The pump of claim 13 further comprising second means for temporarily holding the shaft in position in the second chamber.

Claim 20

The pump of claim 11 wherein said housing includes first and second openings at opposite ends thereof, said pump further comprising first and second diaphragms disposed over respective first and second openings.

Claim 21

The pump of claim 11 wherein the plunger means is made of ferro-magnetic material, said pump further comprising an annular magnet disposed around the housing, said magnet being selectively moveable back and forth along the length of the housing for causing the plunger means to move back and forth in the hollow of the housing.

Claim 22

The pump of claim 11 further comprising: a second resilient sheet of material disposed in the second chamber to divide the second chamber into third and fourth chambers, the third chamber being disposed between the first and fourth chambers, said second sheet having an opening therein to allow communication between the third and fourth chambers; first and second longitudinally spaced apart electrically conductive drive coils disposed around the housing adjacent the third chamber; means for selectively energizing the first and second coils; an annular, magnetized slider with first and second ends disposed within the third chamber and connected to the plunger means, the slider being movably responsive to the energized first or second coils such that it moves longitudinally within the third chamber toward the first chamber when the first coil is energized and toward the fourth chamber when the second coil is energized.

Claim 23

The pump of claim 18 further comprising a first recess at the first end of the slider and a second recess at the second end of the slider, first and second longitudinally spaced flanges on the plunger means adjacent the first and second recesses, respectively, said first and second springs being disposed in the first and second recesses, respectively, between the slider and flanges.

Claim 24

A pump for pumping fluids from a fluid source to a fluid sink comprising a housing defining an elongate cavity therein, with an opening on one side of the housing adjacent to and in communication with one end of the cavity, the other end being closed, a resilient sheet of material disposed over the opening in the housing, said sheet including an aperture positioned in alignment with the cavity at said one end thereof, an elongate shaft slidably disposed in the aperture so that one end of the shaft extends into the cavity and the other end extends out of the housing, said aperture having substantially the same cross-sectional shape as that of the shaft, and the same cross-sectional dimensions or smaller, inlet means for conveying fluid from the fluid source into the cavity when a negative pressure is produced therein, outlet means for carrying fluid from the cavity to the fluid sink when a positive pressure is produced in the cavity, and actuation means for causing the shaft to reciprocate longitudinally in the cavity, sliding back and forth in the aperture, to alternately produce a negative pressure and positive pressure in the cavity, said actuation means including means for selectively varying the magnitude of the excursion of the reciprocating shaft, to thereby vary the rate of pumping of the fluid, and wherein the cavity and shaft have approximately the same cross-sectional shape and size except at said one end in which the cavity is enlarged, and wherein the pump further comprising a trough formed in a wall of the cavity and running adjacent thereto and in fluid communication therewith substantially the length of the cavity, and wherein the inlet means and outlet means are in fluid communication with the enlarged portion of the cavity.

Claim 25

A pump for pumping fluids from a fluid source to a fluid sink comprising a housing defining an elongate cavity therein, with an opening on one side of the housing adjacent to and in communication with one end of the cavity, the other end being closed, a resilient sheet of material disposed over the opening in the housing, said sheet including an aperture positioned in alignment with the cavity at said one end thereof, an elongate shaft slidably disposed in the aperture so that one end of the shaft extends into the cavity and the other end extends out of the housing, said aperture having substantially the same cross-sectional shape as that of the shaft, and the same cross-sectional dimensions or smaller, inlet means for conveying fluid from the fluid source into the cavity when a negative pressure is produced therein, outlet means for carrying fluid from the cavity to the fluid sink when a positive pressure is produced in the cavity, and actuation means for causing the shaft to reciprocate longitudinally in the cavity, sliding back and forth in the aperture, to alternately produce a negative pressure and positive pressure in the cavity, said actuation means including means for selectively varying the magnitude of the excursion of the reciprocating shaft, to thereby vary the rate of pumping of the fluid, and wherein the cavity and shaft have approximately the same cross-sectional shape and size except at said one end in which the cavity is enlarged, and wherein the pump further comprising a trough formed in a wall of the cavity and running adjacent thereto and in fluid communication therewith substantially the length of the cavity, and wherein the inlet means and outlet means are in fluid communication with the enlarged portion of the cavity.

Claim 26

The pump of claim 20 further comprising support means on each side of the sheet of material adjacent the aperture for contacting and preventing distending and collapsing of the sheet of material as the shaft slides through the aperture.

Claim 27

A pump as in claim 20 wherein said resilient sheet of material is a material selected from the group consisting of latex rubber, silicone rubber and nitrile rubber.

Claim 28

A pump as in claim 20 wherein the end cross-sectional shape of the cavity is substantially the same as that of the shaft, but larger in dimension to allow the flow of fluid between the shaft and cavity sidewall.

Claim 29

A pump as in claim 23 wherein the inlet means is disposed near said one end of the cavity, and wherein the outlet means is disposed near said other end of the cavity.

Claim 30

A pump as in claim 23 wherein the dimensions of the cross-section of the aperture are smaller than the dimensions of the cross-section of the shaft.

Claim 31

A pump as in claim 23 wherein said inlet means includes a first conduit for conveying fluid from the fluid source to the cavity, and first check valve means disposed in the first conduit for allowing the flow of fluid from the fluid source to the cavity, and for preventing the flow of fluid from the cavity to the fluid source, and wherein said outlet means includes a second conduit for carrying fluid from the cavity to the fluid sink, and second check valve means disposed in the second conduit for allowing the flow of fluid from the cavity to the fluid sink, and for preventing the flow of fluid from the fluid sink to the cavity.

Claim 32

A pump as in claim 20 wherein said inlet means includes a first conduit for conveying fluid from the fluid source to the cavity, and normally closed valve means responsive to said actuation means causing production of a negative pressure in the cavity for opening to allow the flow of fluid from the fluid source to the cavity, and wherein said outlet means includes a second conduit for carrying fluid from the cavity to the fluid sink, and normally closed valve means responsive to said actuation means causing production of a positive pressure in the cavity for opening to allow the flow of fluid from the cavity to the fluid sink.

Claim 33

A pump as in claim 20 wherein said actuation means includes means for alternately pushing the shaft in a direction into the cavity, and releasing the shaft from being pushed, and biasing means for forcing the shaft in a direction out of the cavity when the shaft is released by the pushing means, and wherein said excursion varying means includes stop means for stopping the movement of the shaft in the direction out of the cavity at selectable distances.

Claim 34

A pump for pumping fluids from a fluid source to a fluid sink comprising a housing defining an elongate cavity therein, with an opening on one side of the housing adjacent to and in communication with one end of the cavity, the other end being closed, a resilient sheet of material disposed over the opening in the housing, said sheet including an aperture positioned in alignment with the cavity at said one end thereof, an elongate shaft slidably disposed in the aperture so that one end of the shaft extends into the cavity and the other end extends out of the housing, said aperture having substantially the same cross-sectional shape as that of the shaft, and the same cross-sectional dimensions or smaller, inlet means for conveying fluid from the fluid source into the cavity when a negative pressure is produced therein, outlet means for carrying fluid from the cavity to the fluid sink when a positive pressure is produced in the cavity, and actuation means for causing the shaft to reciprocate longitudinally in the cavity, sliding back and forth in the aperture, to alternately produce a negative pressure and positive pressure in the cavity, said actuation means including means for selectively varying the magnitude of the excursion of the reciprocating shaft, to thereby vary the rate of pumping of the fluid, and wherein said excursion varying means includes drive means moveable, in response to said actuation means, in a reciprocating manner in a pathway generally parallel with the direction of movement of the shaft, said drive means including means for engaging the shaft at a location along the pathway moving toward the housing, to move the shaft with movement of the drive means, and for disengaging the shaft at said location along the pathway moving away from the housing, and means for selectively varying the location at which the drive means engages and disengages the drive shaft to thereby vary the magnitude of the excursion of the shaft.

Claim 35

A pump for pumping fluids from a fluid source to a fluid sink comprising a housing defining an elongate cavity therein, with an opening on one side of the housing adjacent to and in communication with one end of the cavity, the other end being closed, a resilient sheet of material disposed over the opening in the housing, said sheet including an aperture positioned in alignment with the cavity at said one end thereof, an elongate shaft slidably disposed in the aperture so that one end of the shaft extends into the cavity and the other end extends out of the housing, said aperture having substantially the same cross-sectional shape as that of the shaft, and the same cross-sectional dimensions or smaller, inlet means for conveying fluid from the fluid source into the cavity when a negative pressure is produced therein, outlet means for carrying fluid from the cavity to the fluid sink when a positive pressure is produced in the cavity, and actuation means for causing the shaft to reciprocate longitudinally in the cavity, sliding back and forth in the aperture, to alternately produce a negative pressure and positive pressure in the cavity, said actuation means including means for selectively varying the magnitude of the excursion of the reciprocating shaft, to thereby vary the rate of pumping of the fluid, and wherein said excursion varying means includes drive means moveable, in response to said actuation means, in a reciprocating manner in a pathway generally parallel with the direction of movement of the shaft, said drive means including means for engaging the shaft at a location along the pathway moving toward the housing, to move the shaft with movement of the drive means, and for disengaging the shaft at said location along the pathway moving away from the housing, and means for selectively varying the location at which the drive means engages and disengages the drive shaft to thereby vary the magnitude of the excursion of the shaft.

Claim 36

A pump for pumping fluids from a fluid source to a fluid sink comprising a housing defining an elongate cavity therein, with an opening on one side of the housing adjacent to and in communication with one end of the cavity, the other end being closed, a resilient sheet of material disposed over the opening in the housing, said sheet including an aperture positioned in alignment with the cavity at said one end thereof, inlet means for conveying fluid from the fluid source into the cavity when a negative pressure is produced therein, outlet means for carrying fluid from the cavity to the fluid sink when a positive pressure is produced in the cavity, an elongate shaft slidably disposed in the aperture so that one end of the shaft extends into the cavity and the other end extends out of the housing, said aperture having substantially the same cross-sectional shape as that of the shaft, and the same cross-sectional dimensions or smaller, wherein the cavity and shaft have approximately the same cross-sectional shape and size except at said one end in which the cavity is enlarged, and wherein the inlet means and outlet means are in fluid communication with the enlarged portion of the cavity a trough formed in a wall of the cavity and running adjacent thereto and in fluid communication therewith substantially the length of the cavity, and actuation means for causing the shaft to reciprocate longitudinally in the cavity, sliding back and forth in the aperture, to alternately produce a negative pressure and positive pressure in the cavity.

Claim 37

A pump for pumping fluids from a fluid source to a fluid sink comprising a housing defining an elongate cavity therein, with an opening on one side of the housing adjacent to and in communication with one end of the cavity, the other end being closed, a resilient sheet of material disposed over the opening in the housing, said sheet including an aperture positioned in alignment with the cavity at said one end thereof, inlet means for conveying fluid from the fluid source into the cavity when a negative pressure is produced therein, outlet means for carrying fluid from the cavity to the fluid sink when a positive pressure is produced in the cavity, an elongate shaft slidably disposed in the aperture so that one end of the shaft extends into the cavity and the other end extends out of the housing, said aperture having substantially the same cross-sectional shape as that of the shaft, and the same cross-sectional dimensions or smaller, wherein the cavity and shaft have approximately the same cross-sectional shape and size except at said one end in which the cavity is enlarged, and wherein the inlet means and outlet means are in fluid communication with the enlarged portion of the cavity a trough formed in a wall of the cavity and running adjacent thereto and in fluid communication therewith substantially the length of the cavity, and actuation means for causing the shaft to reciprocate longitudinally in the cavity, sliding back and forth in the aperture, to alternately produce a negative pressure and positive pressure in the cavity.

Claim 38

A pump as in claim 30 wherein said resilient sheet of material is a material selected from the group consisting of latex rubber, silicone rubber and nitrile rubber.

Claim 39

A pump as in claim 30 wherein the dimensions of the cross-section of the aperture are smaller than the dimensions of the cross-section of the shaft.

Claim 40

A pump as in claim 30 wherein said inlet means includes a first conduit for conveying fluid from the fluid source to the cavity, and first check valve means disposed in the first conduit for allowing the flow of fluid from the fluid source to the cavity, and for preventing the flow of fluid from the cavity to the fluid source, and wherein said outlet means includes a second conduit for carrying fluid from the cavity to the fluid sink, and second check valve means disposed in the second conduit for allowing the flow of fluid from the cavity to the fluid sink, and for preventing the flow of fluid from the fluid sink to the cavity.

Claim 41

A pump as in claim 30 wherein said inlet means includes a first conduit for conveying fluid from the fluid source to the cavity, and normally closed valve means responsive to said actuation means causing production of a negative pressure in the cavity for opening to allow the flow of fluid from the fluid source to the cavity, and wherein said outlet means includes a second conduit for carrying fluid from the cavity to the fluid sink, and normally closed valve means responsive to said actuation means causing production of a positive pressure in the cavity for opening to allow the flow of fluid from the cavity to the fluid sink.