Bellows plungers having one or more helically extending features, pumps including such bellows plungers, and related methods
First Claim
1. A bellows plunger, comprising:
- a tubular body having a first closed end integrally formed as a single piece with the tubular body and an opposite, second open end, the tubular body comprising a side wall having a shape defining at least one ridge extending continuously and helically about a longitudinal axis of the tubular body from a location proximate the first closed end to a location proximate the second open end, wherein, upon formation of the tubular body, the side wall of the tubular body has an inner surface defining a valley extending continuously and helically about the longitudinal axis of the tubular body, at least one of a width and a depth of the valley increasing in a direction extending from the location proximate the first closed end to the location proximate the second open end;
an insert comprising a cavity defined by a closed end wall, a radial side wall, and an inner wall parallel to the closed end wall, the insert disposed within the first closed end of the tubular body; and
an opening extending through the inner wall and providing fluid communication between an interior region of the tubular body and the cavity.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A pump system includes at least one pressure chamber at least partially defined by a helical bellows plunger comprised of a tubular body, a closed front portion, an open rear portion, and at least one contour extending continuously as a helix, longitudinally from proximate the front portion to proximate the rear portion. Methods for forming a helical bellows plunger include molding the helical bellows plunger using a mold core comprising a helically extending exterior contour and a cooperatively associated mold cavity comprising a helically extending interior contour of substantially a same pitch and configured to align with the helically extending exterior contour of the mold core, introducing a molding material therebetween, curing the molding material, and unscrewing the cured molding material from the mold core. Various configurations of helical bellows plungers are also disclosed.
75 Citations
9 Claims
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1. A bellows plunger, comprising:
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a tubular body having a first closed end integrally formed as a single piece with the tubular body and an opposite, second open end, the tubular body comprising a side wall having a shape defining at least one ridge extending continuously and helically about a longitudinal axis of the tubular body from a location proximate the first closed end to a location proximate the second open end, wherein, upon formation of the tubular body, the side wall of the tubular body has an inner surface defining a valley extending continuously and helically about the longitudinal axis of the tubular body, at least one of a width and a depth of the valley increasing in a direction extending from the location proximate the first closed end to the location proximate the second open end; an insert comprising a cavity defined by a closed end wall, a radial side wall, and an inner wall parallel to the closed end wall, the insert disposed within the first closed end of the tubular body; and an opening extending through the inner wall and providing fluid communication between an interior region of the tubular body and the cavity. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A pneumatically operated reciprocating fluid pump for pumping a subject fluid, comprising:
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a pump body; at least one subject fluid chamber within the pump body; at least one bellows plunger located at least partially within the pump body and having a surface defining a surface of the at least one subject fluid chamber, the at least one bellows plunger comprising a tubular body having a first closed end integrally formed as a single piece with the tubular body and an opposite, second open end, the tubular body comprising a side wall having a shape defining at least one ridge extending continuously and helically about a longitudinal axis of the tubular body from a location proximate the first closed end to a location proximate the second open end; an insert comprising a cavity defined by a closed end wall, a radial sidewall, and an inner wall parallel to the closed end wall; and an opening extending through the inner wall and providing fluid communication between an interior region of the tubular body and the cavity. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9)
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Specification