Single valve diaphragm pump with decreased sensitivity to ambient conditions
First Claim
1. A positive displacement pump, comprising:
- a pump chamber;
a passageway providing bidirectional fluid communication between said pump chamber and a source of liquid to be pumped;
an outlet valve and conduit in fluid communication with said pump chamber;
a variable volume means for increasing the volume of said pump chamber during an intake stroke and for decreasing the volume of said pump chamber during an output stroke, wherein liquid is drawn through said passageway into said pump chamber during said intake stroke, said output stroke being rapid compared to said intake stroke; and
,an inlet filter means having a flow resistance characteristic which is identical for both inflow and outflow and is positioned in said passageway for permitting filling of said pump chamber at a first, comparatively slow rate during said intake stroke and cooperates with said variable volume means for generating sufficient fluid pressure in said pump chamber during a second, comparatively rapid output stroke to open said outlet valve and eject a substantial volume of liquid from said pump chamber.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A single valve diaphragm pump is disclosed which generally includes: a pump housing, a flexible diaphragm reciprocally movable in the pump housing; an inlet filter means; and, an outlet valve. The flexible diaphragm conforms in shape to a portion of the pump housing when the diaphragm is in its actuation or rest position. The pump eliminates an inlet check valve and replaces it with an inlet filter means. The invented pump has a stroke volume which is extremely constant even though ambient pressure and reservoir pressure may vary over a considerable range. Furthermore, the invented pump provides a practical means for preventing gas bubbles from entering into the pump chamber. The invented pump can have application as a medication pump for use external to or implanted within a living body.
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Citations
11 Claims
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1. A positive displacement pump, comprising:
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a pump chamber; a passageway providing bidirectional fluid communication between said pump chamber and a source of liquid to be pumped; an outlet valve and conduit in fluid communication with said pump chamber; a variable volume means for increasing the volume of said pump chamber during an intake stroke and for decreasing the volume of said pump chamber during an output stroke, wherein liquid is drawn through said passageway into said pump chamber during said intake stroke, said output stroke being rapid compared to said intake stroke; and
,an inlet filter means having a flow resistance characteristic which is identical for both inflow and outflow and is positioned in said passageway for permitting filling of said pump chamber at a first, comparatively slow rate during said intake stroke and cooperates with said variable volume means for generating sufficient fluid pressure in said pump chamber during a second, comparatively rapid output stroke to open said outlet valve and eject a substantial volume of liquid from said pump chamber. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A positive displacement pump, comprising:
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a pump housing having an upper wall and a lower wall; a diaphragm operably attached to said housing and positioned between said upper wall and said lower wall, said diaphragm and said lower wall defining the boundary of said pump chamber, said diaphragm reciprocally movable from a rest position where said diaphragm contacts along the inner surface of said upper wall thereby conforming to the shape of said inner surface of said upper wall to an actuation position where said diaphragm contacts along the inner surface of said lower wall thereby conforming to the shape of said inner surface of said lower wall; an electromagnetic means for moving said diaphragm during an output stroke from said rest position wherein said pump chamber has a certain maximum volume to said actuation position wherein said pump chamber has a certain minimum volume; a spring means for returning said diaphragm during an intake stroke to said rest position, said output stroke being rapid compared to said intake stroke; a passageway providing bidirectional fluid communication between said pump chamber and a source of liquid to be pumped; an outlet valve and conduit in fluid communication with said pump chamber; and
,an inlet filter means having a flow resistance characteristic which is identical for both inflow and outflow and is positioned in said passageway for permitting filling of said pump chamber at a first, comparatively slow rate during said intake stroke and cooperates with said variable volume means for generating sufficient fluid pressure in said pump chamber during a second, comparatively rapid output stroke to open said outlet valve and eject a substantial volume of liquid from said pump chamber.
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Specification