Pumps with diaphragms bonded as bellows

• US 20060147325A1
• Filed: 12/30/2004
• Published: 07/06/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 12/30/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Par Technology Corporation
• Original Assignee: Adaptivenergy, LLC
• Inventors: Vogeley, James
• Granted Patent: US 7,322,803 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 417/413.200
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 17/003 driven by piezoelectric means F04B43/046 and F04B43/095 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 43/046 with piezoelectric drive
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 9/105 reciprocating movement of the pumping member being obtained by a double-acting liquid motor
• CPC Class Codes: F15B 15/18 Combined units comprising both motor and pump
• CPC Class Codes: H10N 30/204 using bending displacement, e.g. unimorph, bimorph or multimorph cantilever or membrane benders

Abstract

A pump comprises a diaphragm assembly which includes a first diaphragm (22) having a first diaphragm edge (28) and a second diaphragm (24) having a second diaphragm edge (30). The first diaphragm edge (28) and the second diaphragm edge (30) are bonded together so that a bellows chamber (26) is formed between the first diaphragm (22) and the second diaphragm (24). At least one and possibly both of the first diaphragm (22) and the second diaphragm (24) is a piezoelectric diaphragm which displaces in accordance with application of an electrical signal. A driver applies the electrical signal to whichever of the first diaphragm (22) and the second diaphragm (24) is the piezoelectric diaphragm. The first diaphragm and the second diaphragm bow outwardly together and shrink in diameter during a suction stroke but flatten out and increase in diameter during a pump stroke.

Claims

1. A pump comprising:

a first diaphragm having a first diaphragm edge;

a second diaphragm having a second diaphragm edge;

the first diaphragm edge and the second diaphragm edge being bonded together so that a bellows chamber is formed between the first diaphragm and the second diaphragm;

at least one of the first diaphragm and the second diaphragm being a piezoelectric diaphragm which displaces in accordance with application of an electrical signal.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a driver for applying the electrical signal to whichever of the first diaphragm and the second diaphragm is the piezoelectric diaphragm, the electrical signal causing the first diaphragm and the second diaphragm to bow outwardly together and thereby shrink in diameter during a suction stroke and causing the first diaphragm and the second diaphragm to flatten out and increase in diameter during a pump stroke.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein both the first diaphragm and the second diaphragm are piezoelectric diaphragms.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

an inlet port formed in a central region of the first diaphragm;

an outlet port formed in a central region of the second diaphragm; and

wherein the first diaphragm edge and the second diaphragm edge are essentially entirely bonded together whereby the bellows chamber forms a pumping chamber, with fluid being admitted into the pumping chamber through the inlet port and being expelled from the pumping chamber through the outlet port.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the inlet port and the outlet port are axially offset with respect to a major axis of the first diaphragm and the second diaphragm.

6. The apparatus of claim 4, further comprising:

an inlet valve provided at the inlet port, the inlet valve having an inlet valve seat which is carried by the first diaphragm, the inlet valve being driven closed on a suction stroke of the pump but being driven open on a pump stroke;

an outlet valve provided at the outlet port, the outlet valve having an outlet valve seat which is carried by the second diaphragm;

the outlet valve being driven open during the suction stroke but driven closed on the pump stroke.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein one of the inlet valve and the outlet valve serves as a stationary mounting valve, and wherein neither the first diaphragm nor the second diaphragm contacts any stationary structure except the mounting valve.

8. The apparatus of claim 6, further comprising a stationary pump holder which serves to suspend the pump so that neither the first diaphragm nor the second diaphragm contacts any stationary structure and so that both the inlet valve and outlet valve are unconstrained active valves.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

an inlet port formed in the first diaphragm;

an outlet port formed in the first diaphragm; and

wherein the first diaphragm edge and the second diaphragm edge are essentially entirely bonded together whereby the bellows chamber forms a pumping chamber, with fluid being admitted into the pumping chamber through the inlet port and being expelled from the pumping chamber through the outlet port.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the second diaphragm is secured or connected to a stationary mounting structure, but he first diaphragm does not contact any stationary structure.

11. The apparatus of claim 4, further comprising a driver for applying the electrical signal to whichever of the first diaphragm and the second diaphragm is the piezoelectric diaphragm for causing the first diaphragm and the second diaphragm to bow outwardly together and thereby shrink in diameter for sucking the fluid into the bellows chamber and for causing the first diaphragm and the second diaphragm to flatten out and increase in diameter for expelling the fluid from the bellows chamber.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first diaphragm edge and the second diaphragm edge being bonded together by at least one of the following:

over molding;

an adhesive sealant;

an adhesive gasket.

13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first diaphragm edge and the second diaphragm edge being bonded together by a laminate.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein an electrical lead for carrying the electrical signal to the piezoelectric diaphragm is embedded in the laminate.

15. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first diaphragm and the second diaphragm comprise a diaphragm assembly, and further comprising:

a housing which either defines or encloses a pumping chamber;

wherein the diaphragm assembly has an aperture formed therein to permit the bellows chamber to communicate with an interior of the housing, and whereby action of the first diaphragm and the second diaphragm generates a pressure waveform in the interior of the housing for selectively causing impulsion of the fluid into the pumping chamber and expulsion of the fluid from the pumping chamber.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the bellows chamber is arranged transversely to the housing.

17. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the bellows chamber is arranged parallel to the housing.

18. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first diaphragm and the second diaphragm comprise a diaphragm assembly, and further comprising:

a pumping chamber, the pumping chamber having an inlet port and an outlet port;

wherein the diaphragm assembly has an aperture formed therein to permit the bellows chamber to communicate with the pumping chamber, and whereby action of the first diaphragm and the second diaphragm generates a pressure waveform in the bellows chamber for selectively causing impulsion of the fluid into the pumping chamber and expulsion of the fluid from the pumping chamber.

19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the bellows chamber is arranged transversely to the pumping chamber.

20. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the bellows chamber is arranged parallel to the pumping chamber.

21. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the aperture is provided in bonding of the first diaphragm edge and the second diaphragm edge.

22. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the pumping chamber is stationary, and wherein the first diaphragm and the second diaphragm are suspended from the pumping chamber and are externally unconstrained.

23. The apparatus of claim 18, further comprising an inlet valve and an outlet valve situated in the pumping chamber.

24. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein a distance separating the inlet valve and the outlet valve is selected to enhance priming of the pump.

25. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the first diaphragm and the second diaphragm comprise a diaphragm assembly, and further comprising:

a pressure chamber;

a flexible member having a portion thereof situated in an interior of the pressure chamber, an interior portion of the flexible member serving as a pumping chamber;

wherein the diaphragm assembly has an aperture formed therein to permit the bellows chamber to communicate with the pressure chamber, and whereby action of the first diaphragm and the second diaphragm generates a pressure waveform in the bellows chamber and the pressure chamber for selectively causing impulsion of the fluid into the pumping chamber and expulsion of the fluid from the pumping chamber.

26. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the bellows chamber is arranged transversely to the pressure chamber.

27. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the bellows chamber is arranged parallel to the pressure chamber.

28. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the aperture is provided in bonding of the first diaphragm edge and the second diaphragm edge.

29. A modular, cascadeable pump component comprising:

a first diaphragm having a first diaphragm edge;

a second diaphragm having a second diaphragm edge;

the first diaphragm edge and the second diaphragm edge being bonded together so that a pumping chamber is formed between the first diaphragm and the second diaphragm;

an inlet port formed in a central region of the first diaphragm;

an outlet port formed in a central region of the second diaphragm;

the pump component being connectable to another pump component via either the inlet port or the outlet port.

30. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein at least one of the first diaphragm and the second diaphragm is a piezoelectric diaphragm which displaces in accordance with application of an electrical signal.

31. The apparatus of claim 30, further comprising a driver for applying the electrical signal to whichever of the first diaphragm and the second diaphragm is the piezoelectric diaphragm, the electrical signal causing the first diaphragm and the second diaphragm to bow outwardly together and thereby shrink in diameter during a suction stroke and causing the first diaphragm and the second diaphragm to flatten out and increase in diameter during a pump stroke.

32. The apparatus of claim 30, wherein both the first diaphragm and the second diaphragm are piezoelectric diaphragms.

33. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein the first diaphragm edge and the second diaphragm edge being bonded together by at least one of the following:

over molding;

an adhesive sealant;

an adhesive gasket.

34. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein the first diaphragm edge and the second diaphragm edge being bonded together by a laminate.

35. The apparatus of claim 34, wherein an electrical lead for carrying the electrical signal to the piezoelectric diaphragm is embedded in the laminate.

36. A modular, cascadeable pump component comprising:

a first diaphragm having a first diaphragm edge;

a second diaphragm having a second diaphragm edge;

the first diaphragm edge and the second diaphragm edge being bonded together so that a bellows chamber is formed between the first diaphragm and the second diaphragm;

a housing for enclosing or defining a section of a pumping chamber, the pumping chamber having an inlet port and an outlet port, the housing being connectable to another pump component.

37. The apparatus of claim 36, wherein the housing defines the section of the pumping chamber.

38. The apparatus of claim 36, wherein the housing encloses a flexible member, and wherein the flexible member defines the section of the pumping chamber.

39. The apparatus of claim 36, wherein at least one of the first diaphragm and the second diaphragm is a piezoelectric diaphragm which displaces in accordance with application of an electrical signal.

40. The apparatus of claim 36, further comprising a driver for applying the electrical signal to whichever of the first diaphragm and the second diaphragm is the piezoelectric diaphragm, the electrical signal causing the first diaphragm and the second diaphragm to bow outwardly together and thereby shrink in diameter during a suction stroke and causing the first diaphragm and the second diaphragm to flatten out and increase in diameter during a pump stroke.

41. The apparatus of claim 39, wherein both the first diaphragm and the second diaphragm are piezoelectric diaphragms.

42. The apparatus of claim 36, wherein the first diaphragm edge and the second diaphragm edge being bonded together by at least one of the following:

over molding;

an adhesive sealant;

an adhesive gasket.

43. The apparatus of claim 36, wherein the first diaphragm edge and the second diaphragm edge being bonded together by a laminate.

44. The apparatus of claim 43, wherein an electrical lead for carrying the electrical signal to the piezoelectric diaphragm is embedded in the laminate.

53. The apparatus of claim 36, wherein the section pumping section of a first modular pump section and the section pumping section of a second modular pump section have different volumes.

45. A pump comprising:

plural modular pump sections cascaded together, each modular pump section comprising;

a first diaphragm having a first diaphragm edge;

a second diaphragm having a second diaphragm edge;

the first diaphragm edge and the second diaphragm edge being bonded together so that a section pumping chamber is formed between the first diaphragm and the second diaphragm;

an inlet port formed in a central region of the first diaphragm;

an outlet port formed in a central region of the second diaphragm;

the pump section being connectable to another pump component via either the inlet port or the outlet port;

the section pumping chambers of the plural modular pump sections communicating together to form a composite pumping chamber.

46. The apparatus of claim 45, wherein at least one of the first diaphragm and the second diaphragm is a piezoelectric diaphragm which displaces in accordance with application of an electrical signal.

47. The apparatus of claim 46, further comprising a driver for applying the electrical signal to whichever of the first diaphragm and the second diaphragm is the piezoelectric diaphragm, the electrical signal causing the first diaphragm and the second diaphragm to bow outwardly together and thereby shrink in diameter during a suction stroke and causing the first diaphragm and the second diaphragm to flatten out and increase in diameter during a pump stroke.

48. The apparatus of claim 46, wherein both the first diaphragm and the second diaphragm are piezoelectric diaphragms.

49. The apparatus of claim 45, wherein the first diaphragm edge and the second diaphragm edge being bonded together by at least one of the following:

over molding;

an adhesive sealant;

an adhesive gasket.

50. The apparatus of claim 45, wherein the section pumping chambers of the plural modular pump sections communicate directly with one another.

51. The apparatus of claim 45, wherein the composite pumping chamber has a valve positioned intermediate the section pumping chambers of the plural modular pump sections.

52. The apparatus of claim 45, wherein the section pumping section of a first modular pump section has a larger volume than the section pumping section of a second modular pump section.

54. The apparatus of claim 45, wherein the plural modular pump sections are arranged with the section pumping section of a first modular pump section having a larger volume than the section pumping section of a second modular pump section, and wherein the composite pumping chamber has a valve is positioned intermediate the section pumping chambers of the plural modular pump sections.

55. A pump comprising:

plural modular pump sections cascaded together, each modular pump section comprising;

a first diaphragm having a first diaphragm edge;

a second diaphragm having a second diaphragm edge;

the first diaphragm edge and the second diaphragm edge being bonded together so that a section bellows chamber is formed between the first diaphragm and the second diaphragm;

a housing for enclosing or defining a section of a pumping chamber, the pumping chamber having an inlet port and an outlet port;

the housings of the plural modular pump sections communicating together to form a composite pumping chamber.

56. The apparatus of claim 55, wherein the housing defines the section of the pumping chamber.

57. The apparatus of claim 55, wherein the housing encloses a flexible member, and wherein the flexible member defines the section of the pumping chamber.

58. The apparatus of claim 55, wherein at least one of the first diaphragm and the second diaphragm is a piezoelectric diaphragm which displaces in accordance with application of an electrical signal.

59. The apparatus of claim 58, further comprising a driver for applying the electrical signal to whichever of the first diaphragm and the second diaphragm is the piezoelectric diaphragm, the electrical signal causing the first diaphragm and the second diaphragm to bow outwardly together and thereby shrink in diameter during a suction stroke and causing the first diaphragm and the second diaphragm to flatten out and increase in diameter during a pump stroke.

60. The apparatus of claim 58, wherein both the first diaphragm and the second diaphragm are piezoelectric diaphragms.

61. The apparatus of claim 55, wherein the first diaphragm edge and the second diaphragm edge being bonded together by at least one of the following:

over molding;

an adhesive sealant;

an adhesive gasket.

62. The apparatus of claim 55, wherein the first diaphragm edge and the second diaphragm edge being bonded together by a laminate.

63. The apparatus of claim 55, wherein the composite pumping chamber has a valve positioned intermediate the section pumping chambers of the plural modular pump sections.

64. The apparatus of claim 55, wherein the section pumping section of a first modular pump section and the section pumping section of a second modular pump section have different volumes.

65. The apparatus of claim 55, wherein the section pumping section of a first modular pump section has a larger volume than the section pumping section of a second modular pump section.

66. The apparatus of claim 55, wherein the plural modular pump sections are arranged with the section pumping section of a first modular pump section having a larger volume than the section pumping section of a second modular pump section, and wherein the composite pumping chamber has a valve is positioned intermediate the section pumping chambers of the plural modular pump sections.

67. A pumping system comprising:

a first pump assembly connected to receive fluid from a first fluid source and to deliver the fluid from the first fluid source;

a second pump assembly connected to receive fluid from a second fluid source and to deliver the fluid from the second fluid source;

wherein at least one of the first pump assembly and the second pump assembly comprises a;

a first diaphragm having a first diaphragm edge;

a second diaphragm having a second diaphragm edge;

the first diaphragm edge and the second diaphragm edge being at least partially bonded together so that a bellows chamber is formed between the first diaphragm and the second diaphragm;

at least one of the first diaphragm and the second diaphragm being a piezoelectric diaphragm;

drive electronics for applying an electrical signal(s) to the piezoelectric diaphragms for operating the first pump assembly and the second pump assembly for providing the fluid from the first fluid source and the fluid from the second fluid source.

68. The apparatus of claim 67, wherein at least one of the first pump assembly and the second pump assembly comprises:

a pumping chamber having an inlet port and an outlet port, the inlet port being connectable to an appropriate one of the first fluid source and the second fluid source;

a housing which either defines or encloses the pumping chamber;

wherein the diaphragm assembly has an aperture formed therein to permit the bellows chamber to communicate with an interior of the housing, and whereby action of the first diaphragm and the second diaphragm generates a pressure waveform in the bellows chamber and in the interior of the housing for selectively causing impulsion of the fluid through the inlet port into the pumping chamber and expulsion of the fluid from the pumping chamber through the outlet port.

69. The apparatus of claim 68, wherein the aperture is provided in bonding of the first diaphragm edge and the second diaphragm edge.

70. The apparatus of claim 68, wherein the housing defines the pumping chamber.

71. The apparatus of claim 68, wherein the drive electronics supplies an electrical signal for overdriving both the first pump assembly and the second pump assembly;

and wherein the pump system further comprises a physical constraint member having a position selected to limit displacement of a diaphragm of one or both the first pump assembly and the second pump assembly despite the pump assembly being overdriven.

72. The apparatus of claim 71, wherein the position of the physical constraint member is adjustable.

73. The apparatus of claim 68, wherein the first pumping assembly and the second pumping assembly both comprise at least one piezoelectric diaphragm, and further comprising drive electronics for applying a first electrical signal to the piezoelectric diaphragm of the first pump assembly and for applying a second electrical signal to the piezoelectric diaphragm of the second pump assembly, the first electrical signal and the second electrical signal being applied for controlling a ratiometric flow of the fluid from the first fluid source and the fluid from the second fluid source.

74. The apparatus of claim 67, wherein the pumping chamber is stationary, and wherein the first diaphragm and the second diaphragm are suspended from the pumping chamber and are externally unconstrained.

75. The apparatus of claim 67, further comprising an inlet valve and an outlet valve situated in the pumping chamber.

76. The apparatus of claim 75, wherein a distance separating the inlet valve and the outlet valve is selected to enhance priming of the pump.

77. The apparatus of claim 67, wherein the housing at least partially encloses a flexible member, an interior of the flexible member serving as a pumping chamber, and whereby action of the first diaphragm and the second diaphragm generates a pressure waveform in the bellows chamber and in the pumping chamber for selectively causing impulsion of the fluid into the pumping chamber and expulsion of the fluid from the pumping chamber.

78. The apparatus of claim 68, wherein both the first diaphragm and the second diaphragm of at least one of first pump assembly and the second pump assembly are piezoelectric diaphragms.

79. The apparatus of claim 67, wherein the first diaphragm edge and the second diaphragm edge are bonded together by at least one of the following:

over molding;

an adhesive sealant;

an adhesive gasket.

80. The apparatus of claim 67, further comprising a mixing device, wherein the first pump assembly delivers the fluid from the first fluid source to the mixing device;

wherein the second pump assembly delivers the fluid from the second fluid source to the mixing device.

81. The apparatus of claim 80, wherein the mixing device is a mixing chamber.

82. The apparatus of claim 80, wherein the mixing device is a mixing nozzle.