APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR EVACUATING A SYSTEM

• US 20160166745A1
• Filed: 07/21/2014
• Published: 06/16/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 07/30/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
• Original Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
• Inventors: AALDERS, ARNOLD
• Granted Patent: US 10,449,273 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/06 Milking pumps
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/062 Pump accessories
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/0693 with programmable or pre-programmed sucking patterns
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/80 Suction pumps A61M1/64, A61M1/71, A61M60/00 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3337 Controlling, regulating pressure or flow by means of a valve by-passing a pump
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3351 Controlling upstream pump pressure
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 39/24 Check- or non-return valves
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 23/02 having reservoirs
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 37/14 to obtain high vacuum
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 41/02 having reservoirs

Abstract

The present invention relates to an apparatus (1) for evacuating a system (3), comprising a pump (5), the pump (5) being suitable for being in connection with the system (3) with its inlet (7), a pressure tank (11) and a directional control valve (13), the pump (5) transporting a medium out of the system (3) and the pressure tank (11) into an ambience when the pressure tank (11) is connected to its inlet (7), wherein the directional control valve (13) is configured to switch the pressure tank (11) from the inlet (7) to the outlet (9) of the pump (5) when a predefined criterion is fulfilled. The present invention further relates to a breast pump (31) device comprising an apparatus (1) for evacuating a system (3) and a receiving funnel (27) for receiving a breast of a woman.

Claims

1. Apparatus for evacuating a system, comprising

a pump for generating a decrease of pressure between its inlet and its outlet, the pump being suitable for being in connection with the system with its inlet;

a pressure tank for preserving an applied pressure value; and

a directional control valve for switching the pressure tank to either the inlet or the outlet of the pump, the pump transporting a medium out of the system and the pressure tank into an ambience when the pressure tank is connected to its inlet,

wherein the directional control valve is configured to switch the pressure tank from the inlet to the outlet of the pump when a predefined criterion is fulfilled.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a unidirectional valve coupled between the outlet of the pump and the pressure tank for preventing a backflow of fluid from the ambience into the pump and/or the pressure tank.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a sensor for determining the pressure in the pressure tank.

4. Apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the directional control valve is configured to switch the pressure tank from the inlet to the outlet of the pump when the pressure in the pressure tank is below a predefined pressure threshold.

5. Apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a sensor for determining the throughput of the pump.

6. Apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the directional control valve is configured to switch the pressure tank from the inlet to the outlet of the pump when the throughput of the pump exceeds a predefined throughput threshold.

7. Apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a release valve for releasing the pressure from the system and/or the pressure tank to the ambience and/or a flow restrictor for controlling the flow of the transported medium from the pressure tank to the outlet of the pump.

8. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the pump is a positive displacement vacuum pump for moving a fluid from its inlet to its outlet.

9. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the pump is an electric pump or a mechanical pump powered by hand and/or foot movements of a person.

10. Apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the directional control valve and the unidirectional valve are combined in a smart valve.

11. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the directional control valve is a 3/2 valve having 3 ports and 2 switching positions.

12. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the directional control valve is an electrically or mechanically operated valve.

13. Apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a controller for controlling the pump and/or the directional control valve.

14. Breast pump device comprising an apparatus according to claim 1 and a system including a receiving funnel for receiving a breast of a woman and a milk reservoir for collecting milk.

15. Method for controlling a breast pump device, comprising

configuring a pump for generating a decrease of pressure in a system and in a pressure tank, the pump transporting a medium out of the system and the pressure tank into an ambience when the pressure tank is connected to its inlet;

determining whether a predefined criterion is fulfilled;

configuring a directional control valve to switch the pressure tank from the inlet to the outlet of the pump when said predefined criterion is fulfilled.