Pressure actuated peristaltic pump

• US 5,273,406 A
• Filed: 09/12/1991
• Issued: 12/28/1993
• Est. Priority Date: 09/12/1991
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: American Dengi Company Incorporated
• Original Assignee: American Dengi Company Incorporated
• Inventors: Feygin, Ilya
• Primary Examiner(s): Bertsch, Richard A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): KORYTNYK, PETER G
• Application Number:
  US07/758,749
• Time in Patent Office: 838 Days
• Field of Search: 417/474, 417/478, 417/479
• US Class Current: 417/474
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 43/10 Pumps having fluid drive

Abstract

A pneumatically actuated pumping device contains three or more tubular bladders enclosed in rigid jackets and interconnected through openings at both ends forming a common internal pumping channel. Every tubular bladder is enclosed in a separate coaxial jacket, equipped with a special pressure port to assure an access to the internal volume between the jacket and the bladder. Each combination of the bladder and the jacket represents one actuating segment of the pumping device. An independent pneumatic controller distributes a predetermined pattern of a pressure and vacuum pulses through the pressure port and into the enclosed volume between the jacket and the bladder of each individual segment, providing for a selective collapse of the bladders. Every actuating segment, while collapsing, produces either a bidirectional propelling or valving action. The properly selected sequence of distribution of the pressure and vacuum pulses assures a corresponding closing and opening of actuating segments, providing a desired pumping action in a chosen direction with a preselected speed and pressure. Restoration of the collapsed bladders is assured by the resilience of the bladder material, and can be additionally assisted by providing a pulse of negative pressure into the volume between the bladder and the jacket.

Claims

1. A pumping device for transferring substances comprising:

a plurality of actuating segments each comprising;

an elongated housing jacket including a pressure fitting in a wall thereof providing means for introducing or removing a pressure fluid, said jacket having an input and an output opening end opposite one another;

a tubular flexible walled bladder extending coaxially inside said jacket;

a pair of rod end caps with centered openings rigidly attached to the input and outlet openings of said jacket; and

a pair of bushings within said bladder at opposite ends thereof for supporting and sealing said bladder against said input and output opening ends of said jacket, said bladder having sufficient length to extend beyond each of said respective housing jackets, said bushings and said end caps to form an open mouth;

at least one interconnecting pipe segment connecting two of said actuating segments to form a common internal pumping channel, said interconnecting pipe segment having ends receivable in said open mouth of said bladder; and

a means for selectively distributing an externally generated pressure fluid through said pressure fitting into an area between said bladder and said housing jacket to induce a predetermined collapsing or recuperation pattern with said bladder thereby transporting said substances through said internal pumping channel.

2. A pumping device according to claim 1, wherein said pressure fluid is selected from the group consisting of a liquid, compressed air and a vacuum.

3. A pumping device according to claim 1, wherein are present at least four actuating segments and at least three interconnecting pipes.

4. A pumping device according to claim 1, wherein said at least one interconnecting pipe is U-shaped.