Infinitely variable pneumatic pulsatile pump
First Claim
1. A pneumatic circuit for controlling the flow of a pressurized operating fluid for controlling the supply of working fluid, said circuit comprising:
- (a) a pressurized operating fluid source;
(b) a signal generator which generates a plurality of independent, sequential pulsatile signals within said pressurized operating fluid to independently actuate a plurality of compression chambers that supply working fluid such that a continuous supply of working fluid may be supplied by sequentially and alternatingly actuating the compression chambers with said plurality of independent, sequential signals; and
(c) a control valve system arranged to control at least one of said plurality of independent pulsatile signals, wherein said control valve system is capable of selectively disabling said at least one pulsatile signal to thereby cause working fluid to be supplied in a pulsed flow, and said control valve system is in fluid communication with said signal generator.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A pulsatile pump the output of which is infinitely variable between a slow pulsatile flow and increased up to a sharply pulsed flow rate until the pulses run together and a smooth flow results, and which may be varied between wide output pressure and frequency limits. The pump is comprised of a pneumatic control circuit, at least two pneumatically isolated compression chambers, and a novel inlet/outlet pump cartridge and condition-responsive locking means. Operation of the pump is controlled by the use of novel tactile pneumatic response switches. Each compression chamber is communicated with a supply of working fluid through the cartridge. Means are provided for varying the operation of the pneumatic circuit and hence the pump. A flow of pressurized fluid, such as air or nitrogen, is used as the operating media of the pneumatic circuit, although other fluids may be used. Means for monitoring and adjusting pump system parameters are also provided. The pump operates entirely through the use of pneumatic energy, avoiding the use of electricity.
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Citations
26 Claims
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1. A pneumatic circuit for controlling the flow of a pressurized operating fluid for controlling the supply of working fluid, said circuit comprising:
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(a) a pressurized operating fluid source; (b) a signal generator which generates a plurality of independent, sequential pulsatile signals within said pressurized operating fluid to independently actuate a plurality of compression chambers that supply working fluid such that a continuous supply of working fluid may be supplied by sequentially and alternatingly actuating the compression chambers with said plurality of independent, sequential signals; and (c) a control valve system arranged to control at least one of said plurality of independent pulsatile signals, wherein said control valve system is capable of selectively disabling said at least one pulsatile signal to thereby cause working fluid to be supplied in a pulsed flow, and said control valve system is in fluid communication with said signal generator. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A pneumatic circuit for controlling the flow of pressurized operating fluid for controlling the supply of working fluid, said circuit comprising:
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(a) a pressurized operating fluid supply; (b) two condition responsive pneumatic valves, each actuatable between at least two positions and being operatively and fluidly communicated to said fluid supply for producing a pair of independent sequential pulsatile control signal outputs when alternating between said at least two positions, said independent sequential pulsatile control signals independently and sequentially controlling a corresponding pair of compression chambers that supply working fluid to thereby provide a continuous supply of working fluid; (c) a control valve system arranged to disable and enable an output of at least one of said condition responsive pneumatic valves to alternatingly produce a single pulsatile control signal that controls only one compression chamber and thereby provides a pulsating supply of working fluid and said pair of independent pulsatile control signal outputs, respectively, to thereby alternate between causing a continuous working fluid supply to be provided and causing a pulsating working fluid supply to be provided; and (d) an oscillation control subcircuit in fluid communication with said condition responsive pneumatic valves for controlling the rate at which said condition responsive pneumatic valves actuate so as to vary the pulsating rates of said single pulsatile control signal output and said pair of independent pulsatile control signal outputs. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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Specification