Automatic optimizing pump and sensor system
First Claim
1. A pump system comprising:
- a power source;
a pump;
an electromagnet assembly that drives the pump;
a controller that controls the power source to power the electromagnetic assembly with periodic electronic pulses, and that monitors a signal produced in the electromagnet to determine when a next electronic pulse will occur; and
a sensor that senses an impulse response of the pump to the electronic pulses so that at least one of an amplitude and frequency component of an oscillation can be detected.
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Accused Products
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.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A pump system comprising:
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a power source; a pump; an electromagnet assembly that drives the pump; a controller that controls the power source to power the electromagnetic assembly with periodic electronic pulses, and that monitors a signal produced in the electromagnet to determine when a next electronic pulse will occur; and a sensor that senses an impulse response of the pump to the electronic pulses so that at least one of an amplitude and frequency component of an oscillation can be detected. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A method of using a pump system having a power source, a pump and an electromagnet assembly comprising:
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driving the pump using the electromagnet assembly; controlling the power source to power the electromagnetic assembly with periodic electronic pulses, and monitoring a signal produced in the electromagnet assembly to determine when a next electronic pulse will occur; and sensing an impulse response of the pump to the electronic pulse so that at least one of an amplitude and frequency component of an oscillation can be detected. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method pumping a gas comprising:
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driving a pump using an electromagnet assembly; controlling a power source to power the electromagnetic assembly with periodic electronic pulses, and monitoring a signal produced in the electromagnet assembly to determine when a next electronic pulse will occur; and sensing an impulse response of the pump to the electronic pulses so that at least one of an amplitude and frequency component of an oscillation can be detected. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification