Linear pump with vibration isolation

Abstract

A linear pump having an axially aligned cylinder and piston arrangement driven by an electromagnet motor. The cylinder, piston and motor are contained in and coupled to a housing by a vibration isolation system. The vibration isolation systems has resilient mounts connected between a motor mount and a base of the housing as well as resilient tubing extending between a valve head of the cylinder and intake and exhaust chambers of the pump.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] Not applicable. STATEMENT OF FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT [0002] Not applicable. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] The present invention relates to pumps and in particular to compact linear piston pumps. [0004] Pumps for certain duties, such as oxygen concentration and sewage aeration, generally need to be compact and operate discreetly. It is thus important to properly muffle the working air as well as reduce vibration during operation of the pump without relying on a large, thick-walled housing to attenuate the sound and vibration. Discreet operation of the pump can be obtained by insulating the housing, however, this adds bulk and can cause cooling problems. Mufflers can be added at the output, however, this adds hardware and cost. [0005] Such compact linear pumps / compressors are often single cylinder devices with a small piston that reciprocates rapidly within a small cylinder to pressurize the air. The rapid movemen...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0011] This invention is a linear pump with improved isolation of the body of the pump form the internal working components.

[0015] The present invention thus provides a linear pump with less transfer of vibration from the internal working components to the pump enclosure. Better isolation of the internal vibrations provides for quieter operation, thereby increasing its desirability and allowing the pump to be used for a wider range of applications.

Problems solved by technology

Discreet operation of the pump can be obtained by insulating the housing, however, this adds bulk and can cause cooling problems.

Mufflers can be added at the output, however, this adds hardware and cost.

The rapid movement of the single piston generates considerable vibration.

However, when multiple springs are used, it can be difficult to achieve the prescribed spring rate to which the piston drive components of the pump have been tuned.

To ensure that the pump operates efficiently, it is thus important to achieve the intended spring rate and thus ensure the consistent orientation of the suspension springs, which can make pump assembly difficult.

Another problem is that the intake and exhaust valves of the valve head must open and close rapidly for each stroke of the piston.

Another problem is that the rapid opening and closing of the intake valve can cause pressure fluctuations or pulsations in the air flow upstream from the valve head.

These air pulsations can generate a low-frequency, rumbling noise.

Another problem confronting the design of compact linear piston pumps is eliminating pulsations in the output air stream.

Changing the operational frequency of the pump causes inefficiencies that can ultimately render the pump unusable for particular applications.

It can also exacerbate noise and vibration issues.

Yet another persistent problem in compact linear pump design is cooling.

As is well understood, heat adversely affects the pump efficiency and life.

Images