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Hydraulic diaphragm control

a technology of diaphragm and diaphragm, which is applied in the direction of machine/engine, pump parameter, positive displacement liquid engine, etc., can solve the problem of relatively high cost of valves, and achieve the effect of accurately detecting the position of iron rods and therefore the position of diaphragm

Inactive Publication Date: 2018-12-27
WANNER EGINEERING INC
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  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The patent describes a system that uses sensors to detect the position of an iron rod connected to a diaphragm, which is controlled by a solenoid valve. This allows the system to determine if the plunger is in top or bottom dead center and if there is an underfill or overfill condition. The system uses multiple sensors instead of a single sensor to eliminate the need for a hydraulic control valve. The technical effect is a more efficient and accurate control system for the solenoid valve.

Problems solved by technology

Although such pumps and such control systems are generally efficient and reliable, the valves are relatively costly and require an interrelationship to maintain the proper fluid level and pressure.

Method used

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  • Hydraulic diaphragm control
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Experimental program
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Effect test

first embodiment

[0022]In a first embodiment, a proximity sensor (150) is located proximate the tube (112) so that the sensor (150) can sense the iron rod (120) inside the tube (112). The rod (122) and the tube (112) are both made from materials that the sensor (150) will not detect. It will be appreciated that the sensor (150) may be an inductive type sensor able to detect the iron rod (120) but not the connecting rod (122). The sensor (150) is positioned so as to detect the rod (120) when the diaphragm (102) is at any position along its normal operating stroke. When the diaphragm (102) travels beyond top dead center when the hydraulic chamber (110) is in the over-filled condition, or beyond bottom dead center when the hydraulic chamber (110) is in the under-filled condition, the sensor (150) does not detect the iron rod (120). This information is passed along to a controller (142).

[0023]The pump (100) uses a single solenoid valve (140) connected to the hydraulic chamber (110) to control hydraulic ...

second embodiment

[0027]Referring now to FIG. 4, there is shown the pump (100). The pump shown in FIG. 4 is similar to that shown in FIG. 1 but the pump utilizes a linear variable differential transformer (LVDT) to detect the iron rod (120). In the embodiment shown, the LVDT includes three coils (162) that surround the fiberglass tube (112). Use of the LVDT avoids having electrical coils immersed in the fluid of the hydraulic chamber (110). This configuration also avoids feeding wires into the cycling high pressure of the chamber (110), which may be difficult and complicated. The LVDT also provides a signal indicating the position of the diaphragm (102) throughout the stroke and achieves precise timing for opening of the valve (140).

third embodiment

[0028]Referring now to FIG. 5, there is shown a diaphragm pump. In the embodiment of FIG. 5, the plunger (116) is driven by a linear drive (182) such as a lead screw and a stepper motor (180) that may be controlled by a controller (142). As the microcontroller (142) knows the position and direction of the plunger from inputs from the stepper motor (180), the microcontroller can therefore infer / determine the proximate position of the diaphragm. Therefore, only one proximity sensor is required to indicate an under-fill or an over-fill condition. The proximity sensor (150) is placed mid stroke of the iron rod (120). Therefore, when the stroke of the diaphragm (102) exceeds the normal range in either direction, the sensor (150) signals the microcontroller (142). In response to the sensed under-fill or over-fill condition, the microcontroller (142) will open the solenoid valve (140) at an appropriate time to restore normal operating conditions.

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PUM

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Abstract

A diaphragm pump includes a pumping chamber for pumped fluid and a hydraulic chamber. A diaphragm has a pumping chamber side and a hydraulic chamber side. The pumping chamber side of the diaphragm is proximate the pumping chamber and acts on the pumped fluid. The hydraulic chamber side of the diaphragm is proximate the hydraulic chamber. A plunger is in fluid communication with the hydraulic chamber and acts on the hydraulic fluid, which acts on the diaphragm. A plunger driver imparts reciprocal motion to the plunger. The pump includes a sensor assembly sensing position and direction of the plunger and sensing position of the diaphragm. By sensing the position of the diaphragm, hydraulic fluid flow is controlled by a control single valve.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONField of the Invention[0001]The present invention is directed to a system for controlling a diaphragm in a diaphragm pump using a solenoid valve and to a pump including a system using a solenoid valve to control the diaphragm.Description of the Prior Art[0002]Diaphragm pumps are pumps in which the pump fluid is displaced by a diaphragm. In hydraulically driven pumps, the diaphragm is deflected by hydraulic fluid pressure forced against the diaphragm, which acts against the pumped fluid in a reciprocating motion. Typically, a plunger moves in a reciprocating manner in a cylinder to act against the hydraulic fluid and force the fluid against the diaphragm. The hydraulic fluid flow is controlled by a system of valves. Such control systems for diaphragm pumps are shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,665,974 and U.S. Pat. No. 7,425,120. Such a control system has three main valves for each cylinder including a spool valve, a check valve that relieves fluid in an over filled...

Claims

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Application Information

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IPC IPC(8): F04B43/02F04B43/00
CPCF04B43/021F04B2201/0601F04B2201/0201F04B43/0081F04B43/0054F04B43/067F04B2201/1208
Inventor HEMBREE, RICHARD
Owner WANNER EGINEERING INC