positive displacement pump

Abstract

The device may include a central member between the first fluid section and the second fluid section, wherein the central member, the first fluid section, and the second fluid section define a longitudinal axis thereon; at least one first fluid section drive member mechanically coupled to the central member; at least one second fluid section drive member mechanically coupled to the central member; a vibration member mechanically coupled to the central member and configured to vibrate the central member along the longitudinal axis; a pump inlet in fluid communication with a fluid source; and a pump outlet.

Description

[Background technology]

[0001] Disclosed is a positive displacement pump, particularly one configured for continuous flow. Summary of the Invention [Means for solving the problem]

[0002] The device may include a central member between the first fluid section and the second fluid section, wherein the central member, the first fluid section, and the second fluid section define a longitudinal axis thereon; at least one first fluid section drive member mechanically coupled to the central member; at least one second fluid section drive member mechanically coupled to the central member; a vibration member mechanically coupled to the central member and configured to vibrate the central member along the longitudinal axis; a pump inlet in fluid communication with a fluid source; and a pump outlet.

[0003] A method of operating a pump may include providing a pump including a first fluid section, a second fluid section, a first fluid section inlet valve, a first fluid section outlet valve, a second fluid section inlet valve, a second fluid section outlet valve, a control unit, and a central member between the first and second fluid sections; operating the pump in a first mode, where fluid is drawn into the first fluid section from a fluid source while fluid exits the pump from the second fluid section; and operating the pump in a second mode, where fluid is drawn into the second fluid section from the fluid source while fluid exits the pump from the second fluid section. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0004] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is an exemplary, non-limiting illustration of the apparatus described herein. [Figure 2]FIG. 2 is an exemplary, non-limiting block diagram of the apparatus described herein. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is an exemplary, non-limiting block diagram of the method described herein. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0005] Detailed Description 1-3 , the device 100 includes a central member 102 between a first fluid section 104 and a second fluid section 106, where the central member 102, the first fluid section 104, and the second fluid section 106 define a longitudinal axis 108 thereon, at least one first fluid section drive member 110 mechanically coupled to the central member 102, at least one second fluid section drive member 112 mechanically coupled to the central member 102, a vibration member 114 mechanically coupled to the central member 102 and configured to vibrate the central member 102 along the longitudinal axis 108, and a pump inlet 116 and a pump outlet 120 in fluid communication with a fluid source 118. The first fluid section 104 can include a first fluid section chamber 128 or multiple first fluid section chambers 128. The first fluid section 104 can include a first fluid section end cap 136. The second fluid section 106 can include a second fluid section chamber 126 or multiple second fluid section chambers 126. The second fluid section 106 can include a first fluid section end cap 136. The first fluid section chamber 128 or multiple chambers can be attached to the first fluid section end cap 136, and the second fluid section chamber 126 or multiple chambers can be attached to the second fluid section end cap 138. The vibration member 114 can be attached to the first fluid section end cap 136 or the second fluid section end cap 138. The fluid source 118 can include a fluid, which can include a sealant, an adhesive, a liquid-applied sound deadening agent, glass beads, hollow glass beads, and combinations thereof. The fluid source 118 can include a transition pump 146. An end cap hole in either the first end cap or the second end cap can allow a spindle 140 to pass through the end cap and connect the vibrating member 114 to the central member 102.The oscillating member 114 may be a motor 114 operating a ball screw, which may be configured to move a spindle 140 in either a first direction 142 or a second direction 144, and the spindle 140 is attached to the central member 102 to move the central member 102 in either direction along the longitudinal axis 108. The motor 114 may be operably coupled to the control unit 85 to receive signals indicating the direction of the spindle 140 via a motor 114 control cable 150 and power via a power cable 152. The oscillating member 114 may communicate the position of either the central member 102 or the drive member to the control unit 85 via the control cable 150. The direction of the oscillating member 114 may be controlled by the control unit 85 via the control cable 150 or the power cable 152. In some embodiments, the device 100 may include at least one connecting guide shaft 122, which may be attached to the first fluid section 104 and the second fluid section 106, and which may be configured to guide the central member 102 along the longitudinal axis 108. In some embodiments, the guide shaft 122 may be connected to the first fluid section end cap 136 and the second fluid section end cap 138. In some embodiments, the device 100 may provide that the at least one connecting guide shaft 122 may be at least three or at least four connecting guide shafts 122, which may be configured to guide the central member 102 along the longitudinal axis 108 by extending through a plurality of holes 124 in the central member 102. According to certain embodiments, the first fluid section 104 comprises at least one first fluid section chamber 128 surrounding at least a portion of the at least one first fluid section drive member 110, and the at least one first fluid section chamber 128 may be configured to receive fluid from the fluid source 118 through an inlet.In some embodiments, the at least one first fluid section drive member 110 can be at least two first fluid section drive members 110, and the at least one first fluid section chamber 128 can be at least two first fluid section chambers 128, each of the at least two first section fluid chambers surrounding at least a portion of each of the at least two first fluid section drive members 110. The at least one first fluid section drive member 110 and the at least one second fluid section drive member 112 can be a piston, a rod, a plunger, or a diaphragm. In some embodiments, movement of the central member 102 toward the first fluid section 104 can be configured to drive the volume 130 of the first fluid section 104 from within the first fluid section 104, sequentially through the outlet of the first fluid section 104, the outlet valve 82 of the first fluid section 104, the first conduit 132, and to the pump outlet 120. In some embodiments, movement of the central member 102 away from the first fluid section 104 may be configured to draw fluid from the fluid source 118, sequentially through the inlet, the inlet valve 12 of the first fluid section 104, and into the first fluid section 104. In certain embodiments, the first fluid section 104 includes a first fluid section pressure sensor 94. In some embodiments, the first fluid section pressure sensor 94 may be configured to detect pressure between the outlet valve 82 of the first fluid section 104 and the first fluid section 104. In some embodiments, movement of the central member 102 toward the second fluid section 106 may be configured to drive the volume 130 of the second fluid section 106 from within the second fluid section 106, sequentially through the outlet valve 69 of the second fluid section, and to the pump outlet 120. In certain embodiments, movement of the central member 102 away from the second fluid section 106 may be configured to draw fluid from the fluid source 118, sequentially through the inlet, the second conduit 134, the second fluid section inlet valve 68, and into the second fluid section 106.The first fluid section 104 inlet valve 12, the first fluid section 104 outlet valve 82, the second fluid section inlet valve 68, and the second fluid section outlet valve 69 may be check valves, solenoid-actuated valves, ball valves, or combinations thereof, and may be rigidly mounted to their respective fluid sections. In some embodiments, the second fluid section 106 includes a second fluid section pressure sensor 86, which may be configured to detect pressure between the second fluid section inlet valve 68 and the second fluid section 106. In certain embodiments, the control unit 85 is operably coupled to the potentiometer 148, the first fluid section pressure sensor 94, the second fluid section pressure sensor 86, the inlet valve 12 of the first fluid section 104, the inlet valve 68 of the second fluid section, the outlet valve 82 of the first fluid section 104, the outlet valve 69 of the second fluid section, and the vibrating member 114, and the control unit 85 can be configured to receive a user-defined inlet pressure set point and a user-defined outlet pressure set point. In certain embodiments, the control unit 85 may be configured to open or close the inlet valve 12 of the first fluid section 104, the inlet valve 68 of the second fluid section, the outlet valve 82 of the first fluid section 104, and the outlet valve 69 of the second fluid section based on one of the group including the position of the central member 102, the position of the first fluid section drive member 110, the position of the second fluid section drive member 112, the pressure of the first fluid section 104, the pressure of the second fluid section 106, or a combination thereof. The position of the central member 102, the position of the first fluid section drive member 110, and the position of the second fluid section drive member 112 may be inferred based on a potentiometer 148 or encoder signal from the vibrating member 114, the first fluid section 104 pressure may be detected by the first fluid section pressure sensor 94, and the second fluid section pressure may be detected by the second fluid section pressure sensor 86, any of which may constitute operating conditions.

[0006] In some embodiments, one of the group consisting of the first fluid section 104 and the second fluid section 106 is a compression section and the other is an expansion section based on the temporal direction of movement of the central member 102, and the expansion and compression fluid sections are distinct. When the central member 102 is moving in a first direction 142 toward the first fluid section 104, the first fluid section 104 is a compression section and the second fluid section 106 is an expansion section. When the central member 102 is moving in a second direction 144 toward the second fluid section 106, the second fluid section 106 is a compression section and the first fluid section 104 is an expansion section. When the first fluid section 104 is an expansion section, the first pressure sensor is an expansion pressure sensor; when the first fluid section 104 is a compression section, the first pressure sensor is a compression pressure sensor; when the second fluid section 106 is an expansion section, the second pressure sensor is an expansion pressure sensor; when the second fluid section 106 is a compression section, the second pressure sensor is a compression pressure sensor, the expansion pressure sensor detects expansion pressure, and the compression pressure sensor detects compression pressure. When the first fluid section 104 is an expansion section, the inlet valve 12 of the first fluid section 104 is an expansion inlet valve; when the first fluid section 104 is a compression section, the inlet valve 12 of the first fluid section 104 is a compression inlet valve; when the second fluid section 106 is an expansion section, the inlet valve 68 of the second fluid section is an expansion inlet valve; when the second fluid section 106 is a compression section, the inlet valve 68 of the second fluid section is a compression inlet valve; when the first fluid section 104 is an expansion section, the outlet valve 82 of the first fluid section 104 is an expansion outlet valve; when the first fluid section 104 is a compression section, the outlet valve 82 of the first fluid section 104 is a compression outlet valve; when the second fluid section 106 is an expansion section, the outlet valve 69 of the second fluid section is an expansion outlet valve; and when the second fluid section 106 is a compression section, the outlet valve 69 of the second fluid section is a compression outlet valve.The control unit 85 may be configured to transition from the operating mode to the transition mode by opening the expansion section outlet valve and closing the compression section inlet valve based on detecting an operating condition, and to transition from the transition mode to the operating mode by closing the compression section outlet valve, opening the compression section inlet valve, and reversing the orientation of the central member 102 based on detecting that the expansion pressure and compression pressure are within pressure thresholds.

[0007] A method of pumping a fluid includes providing a pump comprising a first fluid section 104, a second fluid section 106, an inlet valve 12 of the first fluid section 104, an outlet valve 82 of the first fluid section 104, an inlet valve 68 of the second fluid section, an outlet valve 69 of the second fluid section, a control unit 85, and a central member 102 between the first fluid section 104 and the second fluid section 106; and operating the pump in a first mode. The pump may include operating the pump in a first mode 201, where fluid may be drawn from the fluid source 118 into the first fluid section 104 while fluid exits the pump from the second fluid section 106, and operating the pump in a second mode 213, where fluid may be drawn from the fluid source 118 into the second fluid section 106 while fluid exits the pump from the second fluid section 106. The pump may be the apparatus 100 of this embodiment. While operating the pump in the first mode 201, the inlet valve 12 of the first fluid section 104 may be open, the outlet valve 82 of the first fluid section 104 may be closed, the inlet valve 68 of the second fluid section may be closed, and the outlet valve 69 of the second fluid section may be open. In some embodiments, while operating the pump in the first mode 201, the central member 102 moves in a first direction 142 along the longitudinal axis 108, away from the first fluid section 104 and toward the second fluid section 106. In certain embodiments, while operating the pump in the second mode 213, the first fluid section 104 inlet valve 12 can be closed, the first fluid section 104 outlet valve 82 can be open, the second fluid section inlet valve 68 can be open, and the second fluid section outlet valve 69 can be closed. In some embodiments, while operating the pump in the first mode 201, the central member 102 moves in a second direction 144 along the longitudinal axis 108, away from the second fluid section 106 and toward the first fluid section 104.In some embodiments, the apparatus 100 may be operated in a first transition mode 207 in which the inlet valve 12 of the first fluid section 104 and the second fluid inlet valve are closed, the outlet valve 82 of the first fluid section 104 and the second fluid outlet valve are open, and the central member 102 moves in a first direction 142 along the longitudinal axis 108, away from the first fluid section 104 and toward the second fluid section 106. In some embodiments, the apparatus 100 may be operated by detecting a first operating condition and, based on the detection of the first operating condition, switching from operating the pump in the first mode 201 to operating the pump in the first transition mode 207. In some embodiments, the apparatus 100 may be operated by operating the pump in a second transition mode 219 in which the first fluid section 104 inlet valve 12 and the second fluid inlet valve are closed, the first fluid section 104 outlet valve 82 and the second fluid section outlet valve 69 are open, and the central member 102 moves in a second direction 144 along the longitudinal axis 108, away from the second fluid section 106 and toward the first fluid section 104. In some embodiments, the apparatus 100 may be operated by detecting the second operating state and, based on the detection of the second operating state, switching from operating the pump in the second mode 213 to operating the pump in the second transition mode 219. In some embodiments, the apparatus 100 may be operated by detecting the pressure in the first fluid section 104 using the first fluid section pressure sensor 94 and by detecting the pressure in the second fluid section 106 using the second fluid section pressure sensor 86. In certain embodiments, the device 100 may be operated by comparing the pressure in the first fluid section 104 with the pressure in the second fluid section 106 and detecting that the pressure in the first fluid section 104 and the pressure in the second fluid section 106 are within a pressure threshold 210. The control unit 85 may be configured to detect operating conditions, compare the operating conditions, open or close necessary valves as needed, and switch operating modes by changing the direction of movement of the central member 102 as needed.The apparatus 100 may further be operated by switching from operating the pump in the first transition mode 207 to operating the pump in the second mode 213 based on detecting that the pressure in the first fluid section 104 and the pressure in the second fluid section 106 are within the pressure threshold 210. This may create a pressure balance to enable smooth, continuous flow at the outlet. In some embodiments, the apparatus 100 may further be operated by switching from operating the pump in the second transition mode 219 to operating the pump in the first mode 201 based on detecting that the pressure in the first fluid section 104 and the pressure in the second fluid section 106 are within the pressure threshold 210. According to certain embodiments, the apparatus 100 may be operated by sequentially operating the pump in the first mode 201, operating the pump in the first transition mode 207, operating the pump in the second mode 213, and operating the pump in the second transition mode 219.

[0008] In some embodiments, the apparatus 100 includes: operating the pump in a first mode 201; and detecting, by the control unit 85, a first operating condition, which may be that the position of the central member 102 reaches a position threshold 204 of the second fluid section 106; detecting the first operating condition; and the control unit 85 switching the operation of the pump from the first mode 201 to a first transition mode 207 by opening the outlet valve 82 of the first fluid section 104 and closing the inlet valve 12 of the first fluid section 104; operating the pump in the first transition mode 207; detecting that the pressure of the first fluid section 104 and the pressure of the second fluid section 106 are within a pressure threshold 210; and the control unit 85 closing the outlet valve 69 of the second fluid section and opening the inlet valve 68 of the second fluid section to change the direction of movement of the central member 102 from the first direction 142 to the second direction 144. The pump can be operated by periodically executing the following steps in sequence: switching the pump from operating in the first transition mode 207 to operating in the second mode 213 by changing the position of the central member 102; operating the pump in the second mode 213; detecting a second operating condition, which may be that the position of the central member 102 reaches a position threshold 216 of the first fluid section 104; detecting the second operating condition; operating the pump in the second transition mode 219; detecting that the pressure of the first fluid section 104 and the pressure of the second fluid section 106 are within the pressure threshold 210; and switching the pump from operating in the second transition mode 219 to operating in the first mode 201 by the control unit 85 closing the outlet valve 82 of the first fluid section 104, opening the inlet valve 12 of the first fluid section 104, and changing the direction of movement of the central member 102 from the second direction 144 to the first direction 142.

[0009] Thus, exemplary embodiments of the present invention provide a method and apparatus 100 for delivering a fluid. The description of various embodiments of the present invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and is not intended to be exhaustive or limiting of the disclosed embodiments. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the described embodiments. The terminology used herein has been selected to best explain the principles of the embodiments, practical applications or technical improvements over technology found in the marketplace, or to enable others skilled in the art to understand the embodiments disclosed herein.

[0010] The figures illustrate the architecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementations of the apparatus 100 and methods according to various embodiments of the present invention. In this regard, each part in the figures may represent a module, a segment, a portion of code, or a portion or portions of a machine. It should also be noted that in some alternative implementations, the functions within the blocks may occur in a different order from the order depicted in the figures. For example, two blocks shown in succession may, in fact, be executed substantially concurrently, or the blocks may be executed in the reverse order, depending on the functionality involved. It should also be noted that each block of the block diagrams and / or flowcharts, and combinations of blocks in the block diagrams and / or flowcharts, may be implemented by a dedicated hardware-based system that performs the specified functions or operations, or by a combination of dedicated hardware and computer instructions.

Claims

1. 1. An apparatus comprising: a central member between the first fluid section and the second fluid section, the central member, the first fluid section, and the second fluid section defining a longitudinal axis thereon; at least one first fluid section drive member in mechanical communication with the central member; at least one second fluid section drive member in mechanical communication with the central member; a vibration member mechanically coupled to the central member and configured to vibrate the central member along the longitudinal axis; a pump inlet in fluid communication with a fluid source; A pump outlet; To prepare, equipment.

2. 2. The device of claim 1, further comprising at least one connecting guide shaft attached to the first fluid section and the second fluid section and configured to guide the central member along the longitudinal axis.

3. 3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the at least one connecting guide shaft is at least three connecting guide shafts, and the at least three connecting guide shafts extend through a plurality of holes in the central member to guide the central member along the longitudinal axis.

4. 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first fluid section comprises at least one first fluid section chamber surrounding at least a portion of the at least one first fluid section drive member, the at least one first fluid section chamber configured to receive fluid from the fluid source through the inlet.

5. 5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the at least one first fluid section drive member is at least two first fluid section drive members, the at least one first fluid section chamber is at least two first fluid section chambers, and each of the at least two first section fluid chambers surrounds at least a portion of each of the at least two first fluid section drive members.

6. 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein movement of the central member toward the first fluid section is configured to drive a first fluid section volume from within the first fluid section, sequentially through a first fluid section outlet, a first fluid section outlet valve, a first conduit, and to the pump outlet.

7. 7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein movement of the central member away from the first fluid section is configured to draw fluid from the fluid source, sequentially through the inlet, first fluid section inlet valve, and into the first fluid section.

8. The apparatus of claim 6 , wherein the first fluid section comprises a first fluid section pressure sensor.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the first fluid section pressure sensor is configured to sense pressure between the first fluid section outlet valve and the first fluid section.

10. 7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein movement of the central member toward the second fluid section is configured to drive a second fluid section volume from within the second fluid section, in sequence through a second fluid section outlet valve, and to the pump outlet.

11. 11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein movement of the central member away from the second fluid section is configured to draw fluid from the fluid source sequentially through the inlet, second conduit, second fluid section inlet valve, and into the second fluid section.

12. 12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the second fluid section comprises a second fluid section pressure sensor, the second fluid section pressure sensor configured to detect pressure between the second fluid section inlet valve and the second fluid section.

13. 13. The apparatus of claim 12, further comprising a control unit operably coupled to a potentiometer, the first fluid section pressure sensor, the second fluid section pressure sensor, the first fluid section inlet valve, the second fluid section inlet valve, the first fluid section outlet valve, the second fluid section outlet valve, and the vibrating member, the control unit configured to receive a user-defined inlet pressure set point and a user-defined outlet pressure set point.

14. The control unit Central member position, a first fluid section drive member position; a second fluid section drive member position; the first fluid section pressure; the second fluid section pressure, or and combinations thereof; and 14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the central member position, the first fluid section drive member position, and the second fluid section drive member position can be inferred based on the potentiometer signal or an encoder signal from the vibrating member, the first fluid section pressure can be detected by the first fluid section pressure sensor, and the second fluid section pressure can be detected by the second fluid section pressure sensor.

15. Based on the direction of temporal movement of the central member, one of the group consisting of the first fluid section and the second fluid section is a compression section and the other is an expansion section, the expansion fluid section and the compression fluid section are clearly distinguished, when the first fluid section is the expansion section, the first pressure sensor is an expansion pressure sensor, when the first fluid section is the compression section, the first pressure sensor is a compression pressure sensor, when the second fluid section is the expansion section, the second pressure sensor is an expansion pressure sensor, when the second fluid section is the compression section, the second pressure sensor is a compression pressure sensor, the expansion pressure sensor detects an expansion pressure, and the compression pressure sensor detects a compression pressure, when the first fluid section is the expansion section, a fluid section inlet valve being an extension inlet valve, and when the first fluid section is the compression section, the first fluid section inlet valve being a compression inlet valve and when the second fluid section is the extension section, the second fluid section inlet valve being an extension inlet valve, and when the second fluid section is the compression section, the second fluid section inlet valve being a compression inlet valve, and when the first fluid section is the extension section, the first fluid section outlet valve being an extension outlet valve, and when the first fluid section is the compression section, the first fluid section outlet valve being a compression outlet valve, and when the second fluid section is the extension section, the second fluid section outlet valve being the extension outlet valve, and when the second fluid section is the compression section, the second fluid section outlet valve being the compression outlet valve, transitioning from an operating mode to a transition mode by opening the expansion section outlet valve and closing the compression section inlet valve based on the detected operating condition; transitioning from a transition mode to an operating mode by closing an outlet valve of the expansion section, opening an inlet valve of the compression section, and reversing the direction of the central member based on detecting the expansion pressure and the compression pressure being within a pressure threshold; 15. The apparatus of claim 14, configured to perform at least one step from the group consisting of:

Images