Fluid pumping system and related methods

• US 7,547,199 B1
• Filed: 08/25/2004
• Issued: 06/16/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 08/25/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Anthony C. Ross, Russel Ross
• Original Assignee: Anthony C. Ross, Russel Ross
• Inventors: Ross, Russel, Ross, Anthony C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Kramer; Devon C
• Assistant Examiner(s): Weinstein; Leonard J
• Application Number:
  US10/926,627
• Time in Patent Office: 1,756 Days
• Field of Search: 92/23, 92/52, 92/50, 92/18, 92/22, 921/05, 417/273, 417/392, 417/394, 417/412, 417/478, 417/340, 417/341
• US Class Current: 417/412
• CPC Class Codes: B63H 11/04 by means of pumps
• CPC Class Codes: B63H 11/06 of reciprocating type

Abstract

A pumping system and related methods involving an outer chamber and an inner chamber extending between two endplates, wherein the circumference of the inner chamber may be adjusted via a plurality of ribs and linear motors.

Claims

1. A fluid pumping system, comprising:

a generally rigid outer chamber having at least one fluid inlet and at least one fluid outlet; and

an inner chamber disposed within said outer chamber, said inner chamber having at least one fluid inlet, at least one fluid outlet, and a plurality of generally rigid articulating walls coupled together via articulating joints to provide of bi-directional radial movement of said walls to expand and contract the volume of said inner chamber and facilitate the influx of fluid through said fluid inlet of said inner chamber and expulsion of fluid through said fluid outlet of said inner chamber.

2. The fluid pumping system of claim 1 and further, wherein a circumference of said inner chamber is adjusted by coupling said plurality of generally rigid walls to a motor.

3. The fluid pumping system of claim 2 and further, wherein said motor is a linear motor.

4. The fluid pumping system of claim 1 and further, comprising a first end plate and a second end plate, wherein said outer chamber and said inner chamber extend between said first end plate and said second end plate.

5. The fluid pumping system of claim 4 and further, wherein said first and second end plates are generally stationary relative to one another.

6. The fluid pumping system of claim 1 and further, wherein at least one of said at least one fluid inlet and said at least one fluid outlet of said outer chamber is one-way check valve.

7. The fluid pumping system of claim 1 and further, wherein at least one of said at least one fluid inlet and said at least one fluid outlet of said inner chamber is one-way check valve.

8. The fluid pumping system of claim 2 and further, wherein said walls comprise longitudinally disposed ribs, each of said ribs being coupled to said motor.

9. The fluid pumping system of claim 8 and further, wherein said longitudinally disposed ribs comprise at least a first rib and an adjacent second rib, said first rib comprising an articulating member extending outwardly and comprising a first edge, said second rib comprising a receiving portion including a second edge, said first edge of said first rib configured to overlap said second edge of said second rib when said articulating member of said first rib is received by said receiving portion of said second rib upon assembly of said inner chamber to form one of said articulating joints and facilitate translation of said first and second ribs relative to one another.

10. The fluid pumping system of claim 9 and further, wherein said inner chamber is generally cylindrical.

37. The fluid pumping system of claim 1, wherein said bi-directional radial movement of said walls of said inner chamber expands and contracts the volume of said outer chamber to facilitate the influx of fluid through said fluid inlet of said outer chamber and expulsion of fluid through said fluid outlet of said outer chamber.

38. The fluid pumping system of claim 37, wherein said influx of fluid through said fluid inlet of said outer chamber occurs simultaneously with said expulsion of fluid through said fluid outlet of said inner chamber.

39. The fluid pumping system of claim 37, wherein said influx of fluid through said fluid inlet of said inner chamber occurs simultaneously with said expulsion of fluid through said fluid outlet of said outer chamber.

11. A method of pumping fluid, comprising the steps of:

disposing an inner chamber within a generally rigid outer chamber, said inner chamber having a plurality of generally rigid articulating walls coupled together via articulating joints to provide bi-directional radial movement of said walls, wherein each of said outer chamber and inner chamber has at least one fluid inlet and at least one fluid outlet; and

changing the volume within said inner chamber relative to said outer chamber by adjusting the circumference of said inner chamber by radially migrating said plurality of generally rigid articulating walls to force fluid from said fluid inlet of said inner chamber to said fluid outlet of said inner chamber.

12. The method of pumping fluid of claim 11 and further, wherein said circumference of said inner chamber is adjusted by coupling said plurality of generally rigid walls to a motor.

13. The method of pumping fluid of claim 12 and further, wherein said motor is a linear motor.

14. The method of pumping fluid of claim 11 and further, including the step of providing a first end plate and a second end plate, wherein said outer chamber and said inner chamber extend between said first end plate and said second end plate.

15. The method of pumping fluid of claim 14 and further, wherein said first and second end plates are generally stationary relative to one another.

16. The method of pumping fluid of claim 11 and further, wherein at least one of said at least one fluid inlet and said at least one fluid outlet of said outer chamber is one-way check valve.

17. The method of pumping fluid of claim 11 and further, wherein at least one of said at least one fluid inlet and said at least one fluid outlet of said inner chamber is one-way check valve.

18. The method of pumping fluid of claim 12 and further, wherein said walls comprise longitudinally disposed ribs, each of said ribs being coupled to said motor.

19. The method of pumping fluid of claim 18 and further, wherein said longitudinally disposed ribs comprise at least a first rib and an adjacent second rib, said first rib comprising an articulating member extending outwardly and comprising a first edge, said second rib comprising a receiving portion including a second edge, said first edge of said first rib configured to overlap said second edge of said second rib when said articulating member of said first rib is received by said receiving portion of said second rib upon assembly of said inner chamber to form one of said articulating joints and facilitate translation of said first and second ribs relative to one another.

20. The method of pumping fluid of claim 19 and further, wherein said inner chamber is generally cylindrical.

40. The method of claim 11, wherein radially migrating said plurality of generally rigid articulating walls forces fluid from said fluid inlet of said outer chamber to said fluid outlet of said outer chamber.

21. A fluid pumping system, comprising:

a generally rigid outer chamber having at least one fluid inlet and at least one fluid outlet;

a generally cylindrical inner chamber disposed within said outer chamber, said inner chamber having at least one fluid inlet, at least one fluid outlet, and a plurality of generally rigid articulating walls defining a circumference of said inner chamber, said walls coupled together via articulating joints to provide bi-directional radial movement of said walls; and

at least one linear motor coupled to at least one of said plurality of generally rigid walls such that actuation of said linear motor causes said bi-directional radial movement of said walls such that the circumference of said inner chamber at least one of increases and decreases uniformly along a longitudinal axis and facilitates at least one of the influx of fluid through said fluid inlet of said inner chamber and expulsion of fluid through said fluid outlet of said inner chamber.

22. The fluid pumping system of claim 21 and further, comprising a first end plate and a second end plate, wherein said outer chamber and said inner chamber extend between said first end plate and said second end plate.

23. The fluid pumping system of claim 22 and further, wherein said first and second end plates are generally stationary relative to one another.

24. The fluid pumping system of claim 21 and further, wherein at least one of said at least one fluid inlet and said at least one fluid outlet of said outer chamber is one-way check valve.

25. The fluid pumping system of claim 21 and further, wherein at least one of said at least one fluid inlet and said at least one fluid outlet of said inner chamber is one-way check valve.

26. The fluid pumping system of claim 21 and further, wherein said walls comprise longitudinally disposed ribs, each of said ribs being coupled to said motor.

27. The fluid pumping system of claim 26 and further, wherein said longitudinally disposed ribs comprise at least a first rib and an adjacent second rib, said first rib comprising an articulating member extending outwardly and comprising a first edge, said second rib comprising a receiving portion including a second edge, said first edge of said first rib configured to overlap said second edge of said second rib when said articulating member of said first rib is received by said receiving portion of said second rib upon assembly of said inner chamber to form one of said articulating joints and facilitate translation of said first and second ribs relative to one another.

41. The fluid pumping system of claim 21, wherein said bi-directional radial movement of said walls of said inner chamber expands and contracts the volume of said outer chamber to facilitate the influx of fluid through said fluid inlet of said outer chamber and expulsion of fluid through said fluid outlet of said outer chamber.

42. The fluid pumping system of claim 41, wherein said influx of fluid through said fluid inlet of said outer chamber occurs simultaneously with said expulsion of fluid through said fluid outlet of said inner chamber.

43. The fluid pumping system of claim 41, wherein said influx of fluid through said fluid inlet of said inner chamber occurs simultaneously with said expulsion of fluid through said fluid outlet of said outer chamber.

28. A fluid pumping system, comprising:

a generally rigid outer chamber having at least one fluid inlet and at least one fluid outlet;

a generally cylindrical inner chamber disposed within said outer chamber, said inner chamber having at least one fluid inlet, at least one fluid outlet, and a plurality of generally rigid articulating walls defining a circumference of said inner chamber, said walls coupled together via articulating joints to provide bi-directional radial movement of said walls, said plurality of walls comprising at least a first wall having an articulating member extending outwardly and comprising a first edge and a second wall having a receiving portion including a second edge, said first edge configured to overlap said second edge upon assembly of said inner chamber to form one of said articulating joints and facilitate translation of said first and second walls relative to one another.

29. The fluid pumping system of claim 28, further comprising at least one linear motor coupled to at least one of said plurality of generally rigid walls such that actuation of said linear motor causes said bi-directional radial movement of said walls such that the circumference of said inner chamber at least one of increases and decreases uniformly along a longitudinal axis and facilitates at least one of the influx of fluid through said fluid inlet of said inner chamber and expulsion of fluid through said fluid outlet of said inner chamber.

30. The fluid pumping system of claim 29 and further, comprising a first end plate and a second end plate, wherein said outer chamber and said inner chamber extend between said first end plate and said second end plate.

31. The fluid pumping system of claim 30 and further, wherein said first and second end plates are generally stationary relative to one another.

32. The fluid pumping system of claim 29 and further, wherein said bi-directional radial movement of said walls of said inner chamber expands and contracts the volume of said outer chamber to facilitate the influx of fluid through said fluid inlet of said outer chamber and expulsion of fluid through said fluid outlet of said outer chamber.

33. The fluid pumping system of claim 32, wherein said influx of fluid through said fluid inlet of said outer chamber occurs simultaneously with said expulsion of fluid through said fluid outlet of said inner chamber.

34. The fluid pumping system of claim 32, wherein said influx of fluid through said fluid inlet of said inner chamber occurs simultaneously with said expulsion of fluid through said fluid outlet of said outer chamber.

35. The fluid pumping system of claim 28 and further, wherein at least one of said at least one fluid inlet and said at least one fluid outlet of said outer chamber is one-way check valve.

36. The fluid pumping system of claim 28 and further, wherein at least one of said at least one fluid inlet and said at least one fluid outlet of said inner chamber is one-way check valve.