precision piston pump device

Abstract

The present invention relates to a piston pump (1) comprising a piston guide (3) disposed at its end (10b), which is provided with an orifice (30) of a diameter corresponding to the rod diameter (D200) of the piston (20) and a shimming device (32) adapted to center the piston guide (3) on the pump body (10), a kit comprising several pistons and piston guides that can be mounted on the pump, and a method of pumping a liquid using such a piston pump. Figure for the abstract: Fig. 1

Description

Title of the invention: Precision piston pump device technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to a precision piston pump, particularly for collecting biological samples. More particularly, the present invention relates to a modular pump, notably allowing for piston replacement. The present invention further relates to a kit or assembly comprising such a pump and several pistons. The present invention also relates to a method of pumping or dosing using such a pump. State of the art

[0002] Piston pumps are used for precision applications, particularly in the medical and research fields. They allow the pumping of precise quantities of liquid for treatment, sampling, dosing, or diagnostic purposes. They must therefore be highly accurate and reliable under operating conditions. The principle is based on the use of a rotary motor, which can be a stepper or DC motor, whose reciprocating rotational motion is converted into a translational motion of the piston, thus pumping the liquid.

[0003] Such pumps suffer from a lack of flexibility in their use. In this case, a given pump is often defined for a specific use. Several pumps must then be used when different quantities of liquid need to be processed, or when several applications are implemented, which considerably increases operating costs.

[0004] Furthermore, their maintenance operations, which guarantee their reliability, immobilize them, generating difficulties and management costs. When breakdowns occur unexpectedly, the consequences can be even more dramatic.

[0005] There is therefore room to improve existing pumps, in particular to allow for greater flexibility of use without losing their reliability or precision. Brief summary of the invention

[0006] One object of the present invention is to provide a precision piston pump that can be used over a wider range of volumes and / or pumping flow rates and / or types of applications. In particular, it aims to provide a piston pump compatible with several piston sizes or types.

[0007] Another object of the invention is to provide a piston pump that is easier to maintain or requires less maintenance.

[0008] Another object of the present invention is to provide a method for dosing and / or pumping a liquid over a wide range of volumes or pumping rates.

[0009] According to the invention, these goals are achieved in particular by means of the invention, in particular the aspects and embodiments described below.

[0010] In particular, the present piston pump comprises a pump body. The pump body preferably has a first and a second end oriented along a longitudinal axis X. The pump body further comprises a piston adapted to move in translation along the longitudinal axis. The piston may include a piston rod, having a rod diameter, and a piston base. The piston base is provided with a piston housing.

[0011] The present piston pump further comprises a pump base fixed to a first end of the pump body. The pump base includes a motor adapted to drive a drive shaft in rotation about the longitudinal axis. The drive shaft preferably includes at least one thread.

[0012] The present piston pump further comprises a transmission system linking the drive shaft to the piston, so that a rotational movement of the drive shaft produces a translational movement of the piston.

[0013] The present piston pump may include an anti-rotation device to block the rotation of the piston when the drive shaft is rotating.

[0014] The present piston pump comprises a pump head including a liquid inlet, an internal chamber, and a liquid outlet. The internal chamber is in communication with the piston rod. The pump head is associated with the second end of the pump body.

[0015] The present piston pump preferably includes a piston guide disposed at the second end of the pump body. The piston guide includes an orifice with a diameter corresponding to the diameter of the piston rod. It further includes a shimming device adapted to center the piston guide on the pump body.

[0016] The pump head preferably includes a fastening device that cooperates with the pump body. The piston guide may include one or more mounting points compatible with the pump head fastening device. It can thus be fixed to the pump body by means of the pump head fastening device.

[0017] The pump body preferably includes a lateral opening. It may further include a control board that conceals the lateral opening. The control board may include, preferably on its inner surface, at least one position sensor, such as a first and / or a second sensor. The piston advantageously includes a position indicator identifiable by the position sensor(s).

[0018] The control card may have on its external surface one or more connectors and / or electronic components.

[0019] The piston anti-rotation device preferably comprises a groove disposed on the circumference of the piston base and oriented along the longitudinal axis, and a lip or lug disposed on the internal surface of the pump body. The lip or lug cooperates with the groove to block the rotation of the piston while allowing its translation.

[0020] The transmission system may include a first drive nut threaded at its center and in contact with the piston base. The first drive nut is positioned on the thread of the drive shaft, for example at the drive zone, so as to move the piston in translation when the drive shaft rotates.

[0021] The transmission system may include a second drive nut threaded in its center and disposed on the thread of the drive shaft, for example at the drive zone. It may further include a spring disposed between the first and second drive nuts.

[0022] The drive shaft preferably includes a first threaded portion at its first end. This allows it to cooperate with a shaft mounting on the pump base. It may include an intermediate portion adapted to cooperate with the motor. It also includes a drive zone cooperating with the transmission system. Its second end is preferably housed in the piston housing. The second end of the drive shaft can thus form, with the piston housing, a reservoir for receiving lubricant.

[0023] The present pump may include or be connected to one or more sensors including a temperature sensor, an ultrasonic sensor, a vibration sensor, a pressure sensor, an ambient temperature sensor, an atmospheric pressure sensor, a humidity sensor, an electrical consumption sensor.

[0024] The present pump may include or be connected to a data processing module for data collected by the sensor(s) and / or one or more artificial intelligence programs adapted to the analysis of the data collected.

[0025] The kit of this description includes a pump as described herein and one or more additional pistons having rods of different diameters.

[0026] The present kit may further include one or more additional piston guides all having the same assembly points and orifices of different diameters, each corresponding to the rod diameters of said additional pistons.

[0027] In this kit, the bases of the additional pistons can all be identical.

[0028] The method of pumping, dosing, or distributing a liquid according to this description is carried out by means of a pump as described herein. It comprises activating the motor to alternately rotate the drive shaft by a given angular value in one direction of rotation and then in the opposite direction so as to move the piston in translation along the longitudinal axis between a first and a second end-of-stroke position.

[0029] The present method may include a step of replacing the piston with another piston whose rod has a different diameter while retaining the pump body.

[0030] The present method may include a step of considering one or more environmental parameters and / or one or more operating parameters of the pump and adapting the motor step and / or predicting an event such as a failure, a maintenance operation or the end of life of the pump.

[0031] The present method may further include an automatic lubrication step for the drive shaft.

[0032] This solution offers, in particular, the advantage over the prior art of improving the flexibility and / or modularity of precision pumps without sacrificing reliability or accuracy. Furthermore, the present solution allows for better planned and / or less frequent maintenance operations.

[0033] This solution also ensures optimal operating conditions and, consequently, increased reliability of pumping or dosing results. Brief description of the figures

[0034] Examples of implementation of the invention are shown in the description illustrated by the following figures:

[0035] [Fig-1]: Schematic perspective representation of a pump according to a mode of realization of the present invention,

[0036] [Fig.2]: Cross-sectional representation of a pump according to a mode of realization of the present invention,

[0037] [Fig.3a]: Exploded perspective view of a piston and piston guide assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention,

[0038] [Fig.3b]: Perspective representation of a pistonless pump body according to an embodiment of the present invention,

[0039] [Fig.4]: Perspective representation of a pump body with piston according to a embodiment of the present invention,

[0040] [Fig.5]: Cross-sectional representation of a detail of a pump according to an embodiment of the present invention,

[0041] [Fig.6]: Perspective representation of the drive shaft according to an embodiment of the present invention. Example(s) of an embodiment of the invention

[0042] With reference to [Fig. 1], the pump 1 according to this description comprises a pump body 10 acting as a housing or frame. The pump body 10 has an elongated shape along a longitudinal axis X. Its general shape may The pump body 10 is generally cylindrical, but not limited to it. It can, for example, have a rectangular, square, or hexagonal cross-section. The pump body 10 is hollow and has openings at each of its first 10a and second 10b ends. A piston 20 is housed within the pump body 10 so as to move in translation along its longitudinal axis X. The piston 20 comprises a piston rod 200 and a piston body 201. The piston rod has a diameter D200 adapted to the expected performance of the pump, particularly in terms of pumping flow rates. A first opening, forming a piston passage 100 ([Fig. 3b]), allows the passage of the piston rod 200.

[0043] The piston body 201 has a larger diameter than the rod diameter D200. The piston body 201 and the rod 200 can be made of a single piece or of two assembled pieces. The material of the rod 200 can be the same as or different from that of the piston body 201. Thus, the material of the rod and / or the piston body can be independently adapted to the requirements, taking into account, in particular, aspects of chemical compatibility, production costs, mechanical reliability, etc.

[0044] The piston body 201 has a piston housing 204 forming an opening on its face opposite the rod 200 and along the axis of the rod 200. The piston housing may be in the form of a hole drilled in the piston body 201 along the longitudinal axis X. The dimensions of the piston housing are adapted to receive a drive shaft 112.

[0045] The pump described herein comprises a base 11 fixed to the first end 10a of the pump body 10. The base 11 and the pump body 10 can be assembled by any suitable means, preferably allowing for their disassembly. The base 11 can, for example, be bolted or screwed into the pump body 10. The base includes a motor 110 for driving a drive shaft 112 in rotation about the longitudinal axis X. The motor is powered by a power connection 111. The drive shaft 112 is rotationally fixed to the base 11 by its first end 112a by means of a shaft clamp 113. Such a shaft clamp includes, for example, a ball bearing or any equivalent device for holding the shaft in position while allowing its rotation. The second end of the drive shaft 112b is disposed in the piston housing 204.To achieve this, the drive shaft 112 passes through the opening located at the first end of the pump body 10a. The drive shaft 112 includes a thread 114 over at least part of its length. The circumference of the drive shaft can, for example, be threaded on the portion included in the pump body 10, or a fraction thereof.

[0046] The motor allows the drive shaft 112 to be rotated by a predetermined angular distance, in both directions of rotation. The piston stroke depends on the angular distance traveled by the drive shaft 112 under the effect of the motor steps. The motor can be of the stepper type, a DC motor, or any other type suitable for alternating rotation of the drive shaft.

[0047] The pump 1 includes a transmission system 4, for transmitting the mechanical movements of the drive shaft 112 to the piston 20. The transmission system 4 comprises at least one drive nut 41, 42, in contact with the base 201 of the piston 20. Such a drive nut may be in the form of a ring whose center is threaded so as to cooperate with the thread 114 of the drive shaft 112. A rotation of the drive shaft 112 allows the drive nut to move in translation along the longitudinal axis X thanks to the cooperation of the corresponding threads. A first drive nut 41 may be arranged around the drive shaft 112, in contact with the base of the piston so as to transmit its translational movement to the piston 20 during the rotation of the drive shaft 112.The first drive nut 41 is positioned at the inlet of the piston housing 204 so as to allow the second end 112b of the drive shaft the necessary clearance for piston translation. The first drive nut 41 can be connected to the piston base 201 by any suitable means. In one embodiment, the first drive nut 41 has a collar 410 adapted to be fitted into the piston housing 204. This allows the drive shaft 112 and the piston base 201 to be precisely centered and positioned relative to each other, and the piston to be pushed and pulled in the direction of rotation of the drive shaft 112. Furthermore, it can be easily separated from the piston, particularly for maintenance or replacement of the piston 20.

[0048] The second end 112b of the drive shaft 112 moves in the piston housing 204 during the rotation of the drive shaft 112. In particular, the second end 112b of the drive shaft 112 approaches the bottom of the piston housing 204 or moves away from it depending on its direction of rotation.

[0049] The transmission system 4 may include a second drive nut 42 associated with a spring 43 to compensate for any operating backlash. The second drive nut 42 has a thread in its center so as to cooperate with the thread of the drive shaft. The spring 43 is located between the first 41 and the second 42 drive nuts.

[0050] The first end 10a of the pump body may further include a centering device 115 for maintaining the drive shaft 112 in the longitudinal axis X.

[0051] The pump according to this description further comprises a pump head 12, disposed at the second end 10b of the pump body 10. The pump head 12 allows the liquid L to be circulated. For this purpose, it comprises a A liquid inlet 120, a liquid outlet 122, and a chamber 121 are fluidically connected to the inlet 120 and outlet 122. The liquid inlet 120 is preferably arranged laterally with respect to the longitudinal axis X, and the liquid outlet is arranged along the longitudinal axis X. The end 200a of the piston rod 200 is included in the chamber 121 such that the alternating translational movements of the piston 20 along the longitudinal axis X allow the liquid L to be drawn into the chamber 121 as it withdraws and pushed out of the outlet 122 as it advances into the chamber 121. The chamber is internal to the pump head 12. The pump head 12 is fixed to the second end 10b of the pump body 10 by a suitable fastening device such as a set of screws or bolts or any equivalent.One or more intermediate parts may be used, such as a piston guide 3 described later, in particular to allow the centering of the pump head 12 relative to the axis of translation of the piston. One or more seals 123 may be arranged around the piston rod 200 and / or at the interface between the pump head 12 and the pump body 10.

[0052] The pump head may have several inlets 120 and / or outlets 122. It may be referred to as a manifold.

[0053] The pump according to this description is characterized by the presence of a piston guide 3 ([Fig. 3a]) located at the second end 10b of the pump body 10, which holds the piston rod 200 in the longitudinal axis X. For this purpose, the piston guide 3 has an orifice 30 whose diameter corresponds to the diameter D200 of the piston rod 200. The piston guide 3 has, around its orifice 30, a bearing surface 31 that bears against the end of the pump body 10. It further includes a shimming means 32 for keeping the orifice 30 centered on the longitudinal axis X. Such a shimming means 32 may, for example, include a lip or lugs adapted to bear against the internal surface of the pump body 10. The piston guide 3 may also include mounting points 33 adapted to hold it fixed to the pump body. 10. Such assembly points may include one or more screws or bolts.In one embodiment, the mounting points are compatible with the fastening means of the pump head 12 so that the piston guide can be assembled or removed simultaneously with the pump head 12. Thus, the mounting points can be reduced to holes in the bearing surface through which screws or bolts can pass. The holes corresponding to the mounting points 33 then coincide with the screws or bolts for attaching the pump head 12 to the pump body 10. In a preferred embodiment, the bearing surface of the piston guide 3 is inserted between the pump head 12 and the pump body 10. Preferably, the fastening device for the pump head 12 is compatible with the mounting points 33 of the piston guide 3, so that the... The pump head fixing device 12 also allows the piston guide 3 to be fixed to the pump body 10.

[0054] Other alternatives can be used to fix the piston guide 3 on the pump body 10. For example, the shim 32 of the piston guide 3 can be provided with an external thread and the pump body 10 can have an internal thread at its second end 10b so as to be able to screw the piston guide onto the pump body 10.

[0055] The piston guide 3 also acts as a centering element for the pump head 12 relative to the pump body 10 and the piston rod 200.

[0056] According to an advantageous aspect of the present invention, the piston guide 3 can be easily separated from the pump body 10, for example by unscrewing the corresponding screws or bolts, or by unscrewing the piston guide itself if necessary. This allows easy access to the inside of the pump body 10. To this end, the diameter D of the opening allowing the passage of the piston 100, at the second end 10b of the pump body 10, can be at least equal to the diameter of the base 201 of the piston so that the piston can be removed or replaced with minimal effort. Under these conditions, it is sufficient to separate the piston guide 3 from the pump body 10 to directly access the piston 20. The diameter D' of the shimming means 32 is then equal to the diameter D of the piston passage 100. It follows that the piston passage 100 is wider than the diameter D200 of the rod 200 of the piston 20.The diameter of orifice 30 is then adjusted accordingly to hold the piston.

[0057] Several piston guides 3 and several pistons 20 having different rod diameters D200 can thus be mounted on the same pump body 10. Each of the different pistons 20 is associated with a piston guide whose orifice 30 corresponds to the rod diameter D200. Different pump heads 12 can also be used for the same pump body.

[0058] In order to avoid the rotation of the piston 20 under the influence of the drive shaft 112, the pump according to the present description includes an anti-rotation device 5 ([Fig.2], 3a, 3b). In one embodiment, the piston 20, or a portion of the piston 20 such as its base 201, is guided in translation by a fixed element combined with or integrated into the pump body 10. The anti-rotation device 5 may, for example, comprise one or more grooves 51 oriented along the longitudinal axis X and arranged on the perimeter of the base 201 of the piston 20. The internal surface of the pump body 10 may include a lip 52 or a lug cooperating with such a groove 51 so as to prevent any rotational movement of the piston 20. In particular, the thickness of such a lip or lug corresponds to the width of the corresponding groove 51, with, however, just enough clearance to allow its longitudinal sliding.

[0059] An inverse configuration can nevertheless be envisaged, in which the inner surface of the pump body 10 has a groove 51 oriented parallel to the longitudinal axis X and the base 201 of the piston 20 has a lip 52 or a movable lug along this groove. According to a particular arrangement, one end of the groove 51 can be flared, in particular the end furthest from the rod 200, so as to facilitate the installation of the piston 20 by the second end 10b of the pump body 10. Alternatively or in addition, the second end 112b of the drive shaft 112 can be chamfered so as to fit more easily into the piston housing 204. According to such an arrangement, the anti-rotation device 5 can serve as a guiding means for the installation of a piston in the pump body 10.

[0060] In order to control the stroke of the piston 20, the pump includes at least one system 6 for detecting the linear position of the piston 20. In this case, such a detection system 6 makes it possible to determine at least one end-of-stroke position, preferably the two opposite end-of-stroke positions of the piston. Such a detection system 6 may also make it possible to determine one or more intermediate positions of the piston. Alternatively or in addition, such a detection system 6 may determine the instantaneous position of the piston 20 along its stroke. Thus, the motor pitch can be adjusted if necessary.

[0061] Several systems can be considered for this purpose. Angular position sensors can, for example, be installed on the drive shaft 112 to determine its angular position and deduce the linear position of the piston 20.

[0062] According to a preferred embodiment, the linear position of the piston 20 is determined directly. The piston 20 may then include at least one fixed index 203 identifiable by one or more sensors, such as a first 61 and / or a second 62 sensor fixed to the pump body 10, either directly or via one or more intermediate parts. According to an example described in more detail later, such sensors may be fixed to an electronic board fixed to the pump body 10. The index and the associated sensors may be of any type, such as magnetic or optical. For example, an optical index 203 may be arranged on the base 201 of the piston 200 so as to be detected by a first 61 and / or a second 62 optical sensor. The first 61 and second 62 sensors are arranged so as to detect, respectively, a first and a second end of stroke of the piston 20.A first end-of-stroke position may correspond, for example, to a low position of the piston 20, and / or to a maximum retraction of the rod 200 from the chamber 121. A second end-of-stroke position may correspond to a high position of the piston and / or to the maximum engagement of the rod 200 in the chamber 121. The movement from the low position, or the first end-of-stroke position, to the high position, or the second end-of-stroke position, produces. The ejection of liquid L through outlet 122. The opposite movement from the high position to the low position produces a suction of liquid L through inlet 120.

[0063] According to an advantageous aspect, the detection system 6 is independent of the anti-rotation device 5. In other words, the anti-rotation device 5 does not allow the linear position of the piston to be determined, and the detection system has no influence on the rotation of the piston 20. Such an arrangement makes it possible to avoid possible detection errors due to wear of mechanical parts included in the anti-rotation device 5. Furthermore, the position detectors, in particular the first 61 and second 62 optical detectors, can be arranged and / or adjusted independently of the anti-rotation device 5.

[0064] According to an advantageous embodiment, the pump described herein comprises a lateral opening 101 allowing easy access to the interior of the pump body 10. The lateral opening 101 can be positioned at the same height as the anti-rotation device 5. It can, for example, be diametrically opposite the anti-rotation device 5 or at an angular position of 90° or 120° to the anti-rotation device 5. Other angular values ​​can be considered as required, taking into account, for example, accessibility considerations necessary for any maintenance operations. Preferably, the longitudinal dimension of the lateral opening 101 is sufficient to remove the piston 20 from the pump body 10. If necessary, the longitudinal dimension of the lateral opening 101 can, for example, represent between half and two-thirds, or between two-thirds and three-quarters, of the length of the pump body 10.The width of the side opening is also adapted to the removal of the piston.

[0065] According to one embodiment, the lateral opening 101 is longer than the distance separating the first 61 and second 62 detectors.

[0066] The side opening 101 has a mounting surface 101a allowing it to be covered by a protective cover or equivalent. Preferably, the mounting surface 101a is flat so as to allow a flat cover to be affixed to it, but other arrangements may be considered.

[0067] According to an advantageous embodiment, the side opening 101 is covered by a control board 7 comprising one or more connectors 71 and / or one or more electronic components 72 adapted to process and / or transmit information such as pump operating parameters or control instructions. The board 7 is preferably flat and positioned on the mounting surface 101a so as to make its connectors 71 and electronic components accessible from the outside. The operating parameters include the linear position of the piston 20, the angular position of the drive shaft 112, the temperature of the motor 110, the electrical consumption of the motor 110, and the pressure The liquid L, the dimensions of the piston 20 (if applicable), the ambient humidity, the ambient temperature, the atmospheric pressure, and any other parameters deemed useful. The control instructions include, for example, solenoid valve commands, activation of the stepper motor 110, the direction of rotation of the drive shaft 112, the angular distance of a motor step, and any other useful commands.

[0068] The card 7 may be provided, on its face facing the inside of the pump body 10, opposite the face containing the connectors 71 and the electronic components 72, with at least one detector for determining a position of the piston 20. Preferably, the first 61 and second 62 detectors are both arranged on the card 7. The card 7 is fixed to the mounting surface 10la so that the first 61 and second 62 detectors are correctly positioned in the pump body 10.

[0069] The position index 203, shown in greater detail in [Fig. 4], is then positioned on the piston 20 opposite the first 61 and second 62 detectors. According to this arrangement, the position index 203 is positioned on the piston 20 facing the lateral opening 101. According to a preferred arrangement, the position index 203 is positioned on the piston diametrically opposite the guide device 202. Preferably, the position index 203 is positioned at the periphery of the base of the piston 201, the distance of which from the first 61 and second 62 detectors is minimal.

[0070] According to one embodiment, the pump described herein includes a means for continuously lubricating the drive shaft 112. According to the embodiment described in [Fig. 5], the second end 112b of the drive shaft 112 forms a lubricant reservoir with the piston housing 204. Such lubricant facilitates the movement of the first drive nut 41 on the threads of the drive shaft 112 during its rotation and must therefore be able to spread over the threads automatically. When the second end 112b of the drive shaft 112 comes into contact with the bottom 204a of the piston housing, the lubricant contained in the reservoir spreads over the walls of the piston housing 204 and lubricates the threads during successive movements of the drive shaft 112 within the piston housing 204.

[0071] According to one embodiment, the second end 112b of the drive shaft 112 comes into contact with the bottom 204a of the piston housing 204 when the piston is in its lowered position, or at its first end-of-stroke position. In such an arrangement, the bottom 204a of the piston housing 204 can act as a stop for the piston stroke. Under these conditions, lubrication occurs automatically with each translational cycle of the piston 20. Alternatively, the depth of the piston housing 204 is determined so that the second end 112b of the drive shaft 112 does not touch the bottom 204b when the piston reaches its first end-of-stroke, leaving a residual volume corresponding to the volume of lubricant in the reservoir. A further rotation of the drive shaft 112 is then necessary to move the piston 20 beyond its first end of stroke so as to bring the second end 112b of the drive shaft 112 into contact with the bottom 204a of the housing 204. Under these conditions, a lubrication operation independent of the operating cycles of the piston 20 can be determined, thus extending the lubrication time with a given quantity of lubricant. The lubricant refers to an oil or grease suitable for the device.

[0072] Figure 6 shows in detail an example of a drive shaft according to the present invention. In this embodiment, the drive shaft 112 has a first threaded portion 1120 at its first end 112a, so as to cooperate with the shaft attachment 113, which may be in the form of a thread. The shaft attachment may in this case be obtained by means of a nut or directly threaded into the base 11. At the opposite end 112b, the drive shaft may have a gripping means 8 for receiving a screw tool. The gripping means 8 may be in the form of a recess of suitable geometry, forming, for example, a polygon such as a hexagon or an octagon, a slot, a cross, a star, or any equivalent, so as to allow the use of a screwdriver or an Allen wrench, or any equivalent.Alternatively, the gripping means 8 has one or more flats on the surface of the drive shaft 112, at its second end 112b. The end 112b of the drive shaft 112 can thus form a polygon such as a square, hexagon, or octagon suitable for use with a wrench or equivalent. In this way, the drive shaft 112 can be screwed onto the shaft clamp 113 from its second end 112b using a suitable tool. Preferably, the tightening tool is a standard tool. Alternatively, a tool with a specific geometry can be used, particularly to restrict handling of the drive shaft to qualified personnel equipped with such a tool.

[0073] The diameter of the first threaded portion 1120, at the second end 112b, may be smaller than that of the drive shaft 112 at its second end 112b. A first shoulder 1121 may then be provided, defining an intermediate portion 1122. The intermediate portion passes through the motor 110. Its diameter is adapted to allow the drive shaft 112 to be rotated by the motor 110. The intermediate portion 1122 may include a guide zone 1123, allowing, in particular, the drive shaft to be precisely held along the axis of rotation X. For this purpose, the guide zone may cooperate with the centering device 115. The intermediate zone may be defined by a second shoulder 1124. It is then located between the first 1121 and the second 1124 shoulders.The drive shaft 112 has a drive zone 1125 located between the second shoulder 1124 and the second end 112b, adapted to cooperate with the transmission system 4. , in particular with the first 41 and second 42 drive nuts. For this purpose, the drive zone has a suitable thread and diameter. Such a drive shaft 112 is easily removable and can be replaced with a different drive shaft. In this case, the diameter of the drive zone 1125 can be adapted according to the pumping or dosing requirements. If the piston is replaced, the diameter of the drive zone 1125 is then adjusted to match the dimensions of the piston housing 204.

[0074] According to one embodiment, the diameter of the drive zone 1125 is uniform between the second shoulder 1124 and the second end 112b. Alternatively, the second end 112b, intended to fit into the piston housing 204, may have its own diameter.

[0075] The pump described herein may further include or be connected to one or more sensors such as a temperature sensor like an infrared sensor or a thermocouple or a thermometer, an ultrasonic sensor, a pressure sensor, an electrical voltage or electrical consumption sensor, a vibration sensor, an ambient temperature sensor, a humidity sensor or an atmospheric pressure sensor.

[0076] The data collected by one or more of these sensors can be transmitted via the control board 7, which is directly attached to the pump 1. Alternatively, this data, or part of it, can be transmitted remotely via a suitable network such as the internet, an intranet, or a wireless network. Alternatively, or in addition, this data, or part of it, can be transmitted via Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or any equivalent communication. The pump 1 is then equipped with the appropriate communication means.

[0077] The pump described herein may include or be connected to a data processing module (not shown) so as to analyze the collected data according to relevant algorithms. The algorithms used are adapted to determine the operating state of the pump, for example, its instantaneous or average power consumption, its state of wear, its vibration level, its noise level, its lubrication status, or any other operating parameter. The collected data may also be used for the purpose of predicting maintenance operations or the replacement of certain parts, or the end of life of the pump 1 or failures. Alternatively or in addition, the collected data may be analyzed so as to adapt the operating parameters of the pump according to those of the environment, such as humidity, ambient temperature, atmospheric pressure, or any other relevant parameter.

[0078] The pump described herein or the data processing module may include or be combined with one or more artificial intelligence programs adapted to the analysis of the data collected for the purposes mentioned herein.

[0079] The pump design as described herein allows for easy maintenance, particularly thanks to the lateral opening 101 and the piston passage 100, which is significantly larger than the diameter of the rod 200. Furthermore, the piston 20 can easily be replaced with a different piston as required. For example, it can be removed by pulling it along the longitudinal axis X to disengage it from the first drive nut 41. Alternatively, it can be removed with the first drive nut 41 by completely unscrewing the nut from the drive shaft 112. Removing the piston 20 advantageously allows access to the second end 112b of the drive shaft 112 and, if necessary, the addition of lubricant to the piston housing 204. Alternatively, the piston can be removed from the pump body 10 through its lateral opening 101 after dismantling the cover 7.

[0080] According to one embodiment, the position of the position index 203 on the piston can be modified. For example, the base 201 of the piston 20 can have several predetermined locations for holding a position index 203. Alternatively or in addition, one or more of the position detectors can be modified as needed. For example, the card 7 containing the first 61 and second 62 detectors can be replaced by another card 7 in which the position of the first 61 and second 62 detectors, or of one of them, is different. The stroke of the piston 20 can then be easily modified.

[0081] This description also covers a kit comprising a pump 1 as described herein and one or more additional pistons 20. The additional piston(s) preferably have the same piston base 201. In particular, the piston housing 204, the position index 203, and the guide device 202 are identical for all pistons. The pistons differ in their rod 200. They may have different rod diameters D200 so as to adapt the flow rates of the pump 1 as required. If the position of the first 61 and second 62 sensors can be adjusted, the length of the piston rod 200 may vary from one piston to another. The kit includes one or more additional piston guides 3 adapted to the different pistons. In this case, the different piston guides 3 may have a bearing surface 31, assembly points 33 and a shimming 32 identical, and a central orifice 30 of different diameter.The kit may include one or more additional pump heads 12, the diameter of whose chamber 121 is adapted to that of the corresponding piston rod.

[0082] According to one embodiment, a given card 7, comprising at least one sensor, can be used for several or all of the pistons. According to another embodiment, several cards 7 can be associated with the pistons used, for example to adapt the position sensor(s) and / or the control parameters.

[0083] This description further covers a method for pumping, distributing, drawing, or dosing a liquid L using the pump 1 described herein. The method includes a step of connecting the liquid inlet 120 and outlet 122 to suitable lines. It further includes the step of activating the motor so as to alternately rotate the drive shaft 112 by a given angular value in one direction of rotation and then in the opposite direction, so that the piston 20 moves in translation between a first end-of-stroke position and a second end-of-stroke position along the longitudinal axis X. The translation cycles of the piston in the chamber 121 alternately draw the liquid through the inlet 120 and discharge it through the outlet 122.

[0084] The angular amplitude and / or frequency of the drive shaft 112 can be controlled manually or automatically according to a pre-established program or according to parameters determined in real time. Automated control may involve artificial intelligence. Thus, the motor pitch can be adapted in real time or predetermined by a given program.

[0085] The present method includes an automatic lubrication step for the drive shaft 112. Lubrication may be inherent to the translational movement of the drive shaft within the piston housing. Alternatively, a specific lubrication operation may be initiated by bringing the drive shaft into contact with the bottom of the piston housing.

[0086] The method according to this description may further include a step of considering one or more environmental parameters such as ambient temperature, humidity, atmospheric pressure, and determining a suitable amplitude and / or rotational frequency of the drive shaft 112. These environmental parameters also allow for improved accuracy in pumping or dosing the liquid.

[0087] The method according to this description may alternatively or in addition include a step of considering one or more operating parameters of the pump such as the electrical consumption of the motor, vibrations, the emission of one or more sound ranges of the pump, the temperature of the motor, and of determining an amplitude and / or a frequency of rotation adapted accordingly and / or of emitting an alarm signal where appropriate, and / or of transmitting an instruction for revision or maintenance of the pump where appropriate.

[0088] One or more maintenance steps can be automated. For example, a lubrication step can be initiated automatically based on collected parameters. In this case, an appropriate movement of the drive shaft 112 until it contacts the bottom of the piston housing 204 can be initiated to lubricate the threads of the drive shaft.

[0089] The method according to the present description may alternatively or in addition include a step of considering one or more operating parameters of the pump such as the electrical consumption of the motor, the vibrations of the motor, the emission of one or more sound ranges of the pump, the temperature of the motor, and / or one or more environmental parameters such as ambient temperature, humidity, atmospheric pressure, and of processing them by means of appropriate algorithms so as to produce an operating status and / or an operating prognosis comprising one or more elements among a prediction of wear of one or more parts, an anticipation of replacement of one or more parts, an upcoming maintenance deadline, a prediction of failure, a prediction of end of life of the pump.

[0090] The pump described herein allows for the distribution and / or dosing of liquids, particularly for medical, diagnostic, or therapeutic purposes, for research purposes, and for analytical purposes. The liquids mentioned herein include all types of liquids, including liquids of varying viscosity at varying pressures. These liquids include solutions of active ingredients, test or diagnostic solutions, injection solutions, infusion solutions, and physiological fluids such as blood.

[0091] [Table 1] Reference numbers used in the figures 1 Piston pump 10 Pump body 10a, 10b Pump body ends 100 Piston passage 101 Side opening 101a Mounting surface 102 Anti-rotation device 11 Base 110 Motor 111 Connection 112 Drive shaft 112a First drive shaft end 112b Second drive shaft end 1120 Threaded portion 1121 First shoulder 1122 Intermediate portion 1123 Guide zone 1124 Second shoulder 1125 Drive zone 113 Shaft attachment 114 Thread 115 Centering device 12 Head 120 Fluid inlet 121 Chamber 122 Fluid outlet 20 Piston 200 Piston rod 200a Rod end 201 Piston base 202 Guide device 203 Position index 204 Piston housing 204a Bottom of piston housing 3 Piston guide 30 Orifice 31 Bearing surface 32 Piston guide shim 33 Assembly point 4 Transmission system 41 First drive nut 410 Neck 42 Second drive nut 43 Spring L Fluid 5 Anti-rotation device 51 Groove 52 Lip 6 Detection system 61 First detector 62 Second detector 7 Control board 71 Connectors 72 Electronic components 8 Clamping means

Claims

1. Demands Piston pump (1) comprising: - a pump body (10) having a first (10a) and a second (10b) end oriented along a longitudinal axis (X), comprising a piston (20) adapted to move in translation along the longitudinal axis (X), which includes a piston rod (200) having a rod diameter (D200) and a piston base (201), the piston base being provided with a piston housing (204), - a pump base (11) fixed to a first end (10a) of the pump body, comprising a motor (110) adapted to drive in rotation about the longitudinal axis (X) a drive shaft (112) comprising a thread (114), - a transmission system (4) linking said drive shaft (112) to said piston (20), such that a rotational movement of the drive shaft (112) produces a translational movement of the piston (20), - an anti-rotation device (5) adapted to block the rotation of the piston (20) during the rotation of said drive shaft (112), - a pump head (12) comprising a liquid inlet (120), an internal chamber (121) in communication with the piston rod (200) (20) and a liquid outlet (122), the pump head (12) being associated with the second end (10b) of the pump body (10), and - a piston guide (3) disposed at the second end (10b) of the pump body (10), comprising an orifice (30) with a diameter corresponding to the rod diameter (D200) of the piston rod (200) and a shimming device (32) adapted to center the piston guide (3) on the pump body (10), said pump head comprising a fastening device cooperating with the pump body (10), said piston guide (3) comprising one or more mounting points (33) compatible with the fastening device of the pump head (12), so as to be able to be fixed on the pump body (10) by means of the pump head fixing device.

2. Pump claim 1, the pump body (10) comprising a side opening (101) and a control card (7) covering said side opening, said control card comprising on its inner surface at least one position detector, such as a first (61) and / or a second (62) detector, said piston comprising a position index (203) identifiable by said at least one position detector.

3. Pump according to claim 2, said control board (7) having on its external surface one or more connectors (71) and / or electronic components (72).

4. Pump according to any one of claims 1 to 3, the anti-rotation device (5) of the piston (20) comprising a groove (51) disposed on the circumference of the piston base (201) and oriented along the longitudinal axis (X) and a lip (52) or a lug disposed on the internal surface of the pump body (10) so as to cooperate with said groove to block the rotation of the piston while allowing its translation.

5. Pump according to any one of claims 1 to 4, said transmission system (4) comprising a first drive nut (41) threaded in its center and in contact with the piston base (201), said first drive nut being disposed on the thread of the drive shaft (112) so as to move the piston in translation during the rotation of the drive shaft (112).

6. Pump according to claim 5, said transmission system (4) comprising a second drive nut (42) threaded in its center and disposed on the thread of the drive shaft (112) and a spring (43) disposed between the first (41) and the second (42) drive nut.

7. Pump according to any one of claims 1 to 6, said drive shaft (112) comprising a first threaded portion (1120) disposed at its first end (112a) so as to cooperate with a shaft attachment (113) on the base (11) of the pump, an intermediate portion (1122) adapted to cooperate with the motor (110), a drive zone (1125) cooperating with the transmission system (4), and a second end (112b) housed in the piston housing (204), said second end (112b) of the shaft drive (112) forming with the piston housing (204) a reservoir suitable for receiving lubricant.

8. Pump according to any one of claims 1 to 7, comprising or being connected to one or more sensors including a temperature sensor, an ultrasonic sensor, a vibration sensor, a pressure sensor, an ambient temperature sensor, an atmospheric pressure sensor, a humidity sensor, an electrical consumption sensor and / or comprising or being connected to a data processing module for data collected by said one or more sensors and / or one or more artificial intelligence programs adapted to the analysis of the data collected.

9. Kit comprising a pump according to any one of claims 1 to 8, - one or more additional pistons having rods (200) of different diameters (D200), and - one or more additional piston guides all having the same assembly points (33) and orifices of different diameters, each corresponding to the rod diameters (D200) of said additional pistons.

10. A method of pumping, dosing or distributing a liquid (L) by means of a pump according to any one of claims 1 to 9, comprising activating the motor to alternately rotate the drive shaft (112) by a given angular value in one direction of rotation and then in the opposite direction so as to move the piston (20) in translation along the longitudinal axis (X) between a first and a second end-of-stroke position and one or more of the steps of: - replacing the piston (20) with another piston whose rod (200) has a different diameter (D200) while retaining the pump body (10); - considering one or more environmental parameters and / or one or more operating parameters of the pump and adapting said motor step and / or predicting an event such as a failure, a maintenance operation or the end of life of the pump; and - automatic lubrication of the drive shaft (112).

11. A pumping method according to claim 10, wherein one or more environmental parameters are selected from ambient temperature, humidity, atmospheric pressure and / or one or more parameters Pump operating parameters are selected from among the motor's electrical consumption, vibrations, the emission of one or more pump sound ranges, and the motor temperature.

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