Automatic optimizing pump and sensor system

• US 6,616,413 B2
• Filed: 05/17/2001
• Issued: 09/09/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 03/20/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: James C. Humpheries
• Original Assignee: James C. Humpheries
• Inventors: Humpheries, James C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Freay, Charles G.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Rodriguez, William H.
• Application Number:
  US09/858,830
• Publication Number:
  US 20010033795A1
• Time in Patent Office: 845 Days
• Field of Search: 417/44.1, 417/44.11, 417/413.1
• US Class Current: 417/44.1
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 17/04 using solenoids
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 43/0081 systems, control, safety measures
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 43/04 Pumps having electric drive

Abstract

A reciprocating electromagnetic pump comprising a coil wound about a bipolar or tripolar core, a diaphragm structure mechanically coupled to at least one arm with a magnet attached to one end of the arm and a controller electronically connected to the coil. The controller comprises a pulse generator, a solid state switch that interrupts current flow through the pump electromagnet and additional electronic circuitry for signal processing. The arm is vibrated under the influence of a periodic electromagnetic field to produce the flow of gas. The flow of current through the electromagnet is interrupted so that the magnets are impelled during either a vacuum or a pressure stroke, but are not impelled during the reciprocal stroke. A signal produced in the electromagnet coil during the reciprocal is processed to provide feedback to control the pump drive frequency and phase to match the pump mechanical self-resonant frequency and phase under varying pumping loads. The signal can also be processed to provide a display of the pumping load and/or to provide feedback for control of the flow of gas.

Claims

1. A pump system comprising:

a power source;

a pump;

an electromagnet assembly that drives the pump; and

a controller that controls the power source to drive the electromagnetic assembly with periodic electronic pulses, and that monitors a signal produced in the electromagnet to determine when a next electronic pulse should occur.

2. The pump system of claim 1, further comprising a sensor that senses an impulse response of the pumping apparatus to the electronic pulse so that a peak valve of a first half-cycle of oscillation can be detected.

3. The pump system of claim 1, further comprising the controller driving the pump system to pump a gas so that the peak value of the first-half cycle of oscillation is reflective of a pumping load.

4. The pump system of claim 3, further comprising the controller continuously determining a value using the peak value that equates to the pumping load.

5. The pump system of claim 3, further comprising the controller using the value to increase or decrease a width of the next periodic electronic pulse so that a pump flow rate can be controlled.

6. The pump system of claim 1, further comprising the controller determining that the next electronic pulse should occur a half-cycle after a previous electronic pulse.

7. The pump system of claim 1, further comprising the controller determining that the next electronic pulse should occur a full-cycle after a previous electronic pulse.

8. A method of using a pump system having a power source, a pump and an electromagnet assembly comprising:

driving the pump the electromagnet assembly; and

controlling the power source to drive the electromagnetic assembly with periodic electronic pulses, and monitoring a signal produced in the electromagnet to determine when a next electronic pulse should occur.

9. The method of claim 8, further comprising sensing an impulse response of the pump system to the electronic pulse so that a peak valve of a first half-cycle of oscillation can be detected.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising controlling the pump system to pump a gas so that the peak value of the first-half cycle of oscillation is reflective of a pumping load.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising continuously determining a value using the peak value that equates to the pumping load.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising using the value to increase or decrease a width of the next periodic electronic pulse so that a pump flow rate can be controlled.

13. The pump system of claim 8, further comprising determining that the next electronic pulse should occur a half-cycle after a previous electronic pulse.

14. The pump system of claim 8, further comprising the controller determining that the next electronic pulse should occur a full-cycle after a previous electronic pulse.

15. A method pumping a gas comprising:

driving a pump using an electromagnet assembly; and

controlling a power source to drive the electromagnetic assembly with periodic electronic pulses, and monitoring a signal produced in the electromagnet to determine when a next electronic pulse should occur.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising sensing an impulse response of the pump so that a peak valve of a first half-cycle of oscillation can be detected.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising pumping a gas so that the peak value of the first-half cycle of oscillation is reflective of a pumping load.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising continuously determining a value using the peak value that equates to the pumping load.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising using the value to increase or decrease a width of the next periodic electronic pulse so that a pump flow rate can be controlled.

20. The pump system of claim 15, further comprising determining that the next electronic pulse should occur at at least one of least a half-cycle and a full-cycle after a previous electronic pulse.