Drive system for a pulseless positive displacement pump

Description

BACKGROUND [0001] The disclosure relates to positive displacement pumps, and in particular to an internal drive system for positive displacement pumps.

[0002] Positive displacement pumps release process fluid at a selected flow rate. In a typical positive displacement pump, a fluid displacement member, generally a piston or membrane, drives the process fluid through the pump. When the fluid displacement member is drawn in, suction is created in the fluid flow path that draws the process fluid into the fluid space from the intake manifold. The fluid displacement member then changes direction and displaces the process fluid from the fluid space through the outlet collector.

[0003] Pneumatic double displacement pumps usually use membranes as fluid displacement members. In a pneumatic double displacement pump, two diaphragms are connected by a shaft, and the process fluid in the pump is compressed air. Compressed air is applied to one of the two membrane chambers associated with the respective membranes. When compressed air is applied to the first membrane chamber, the first membrane bends into the first fluid space, which releases the process fluid from the fluid space. At the same time, the first membrane pulls the shaft that is connected to the second membrane, stretching the second membrane and pulling the process fluid into the second fluid space. The supply of compressed air is controlled by an air valve, and the air valve is generally mechanically actuated by membranes. In this way, one membrane is pulled until it causes the actuator to switch the air valve. The switching of the air valve causes the exhaust of compressed air from the first diaphragm chamber into the atmosphere and the introduction of fresh compressed air into the second diaphragm chamber, thus causing the reciprocating movement of the respective membranes. Alternatively, the first and second fluid displacement members could be pistons rather than diaphragms, and the pump would work the same.

[0004] Hydraulically driven double displacement pumps use hydraulic oil as the working fluid, which allows the pump to operate at a much higher pressure than an air-driven pump. In a hydraulically driven double displacement pump, the hydraulic oil introduces one fluid displacement member into the pumping stroke when the fluid displacement member is mechanically attached to the other fluid displacement member and thereby pulls the other fluid displacement member into the suction stroke. The use of hydraulic oil and pistons allows the pump to operate at a higher pressure than is possible with an air-driven diaphragm pump.

[0005] Alternatively, double displacement pumps can be operated mechanically, without the use of air or hydraulic oil. In these cases, operating the pump is essentially similar to operating a double pneumatic positive displacement pump except that no compressed air is used to drive the system. Instead, the reciprocating drive is mechanically connected to both the first fluid displacement member and the second fluid displacement member, and the reciprocating drive introduces two fluid displacement members into the suction stroke and the pumping stroke.

[0006] The state of the art in this area discloses documents US 3,416,461 A and US 3,075,468 A.

Summary [0007] According to the invention, the drive system to the pumping device has the features set out in claim 1.

[0008] According to another disclosure, the drive system for a pumping device comprises a housing, an internal pressure chamber filled with working fluid and defined by the housing, a reciprocating member disposed within the internal pressure chamber, and a plurality of fluid displacement members. The reciprocating member has a first pull chamber and a second pull chamber. The first string is secured within the first string chamber, and the first of the plurality of fluid displacement members is coupled to the first string. The second pull is secured within the second pull and the second of the plurality of fluid displacement members is coupled to the second pull.

[0009] According to another disclosure, the drive system for a pumping device comprises a housing, an internal pressure chamber filled with working fluid and defined by the housing, and a fluid displacement member sealing the first end of the internal pressure chamber. The drive extends into the interior of the internal pressure chamber, and the hub is placed on the drive by means of a connecting member on the hub. A flexible belt is connected to the fluid displacement member and the connecting portion.

[0010] Another embodiment of the disclosure includes a drive system for a pumping device that has a housing, an internal pressure chamber filled with working fluid and defined by the housing, and a plurality of fluid displacement members. The drive extends into the interior of the internal pressure chamber, and the hub is located on the drive. The hub has a first attachment portion and a second attachment portion, and the first flexible belt is connected to the first of the plurality of fluid displacement members and the second flexible belt is connected to the second of the plurality of fluid displacement members.

[0011] According to another embodiment of the invention, the drive system for the pumping device comprises a first housing, an internal pressure chamber filled with working fluid and defined by the first housing and a second housing located within the first housing. The second housing has a first pumping chamber, a second pumping chamber and a gap through the first end of the pumping chamber. The reciprocating member is slidably disposed within the second housing and separates the first pumping chamber and the second pumping chamber. The tension housing is integral with the reciprocating member and protrudes through the gap. The winding housing defines a winding chamber, and the winding is located within the winding chamber. The pull is coupled to a fluid displacement member.

[0012] According to another embodiment of the invention, the drive system for the pumping device comprises a first housing, an internal pressure chamber filled with working fluid and a designated first housing, a second housing located within the first housing and a plurality of fluid displacement members. The second housing has a first pumping chamber, a second pumping chamber and first and second slots through the ends of the pumping chamber. The reciprocating member is slidably disposed within the second housing and separates the first pumping chamber and the second pumping chamber. The first tension housing is integral with the reciprocating member and protrudes through the first gap, a

The housing of the second pull is integral with the reciprocating member and protrudes through the second gap. The first and second winding housings define the first and second winding chambers. The first winding is located within the winding chamber and the second winding is located in the second winding chamber. The first pull is coupled to the first of the plurality of fluid displacement members, and the second pull is coupled to the second of the plurality of fluid displacement members.

[0013] According to another embodiment of the disclosure, the drive system for the pumping device comprises a first housing, an internal pressure chamber filled with working fluid and a designated first housing and a second housing located within the first housing. A solenoid is located within the second housing, and a reciprocating member is slidably positioned within the solenoid. The reciprocating member has a tension housing integral with the first end of the reciprocating member, the tension housing defining a tension chamber, and within the tension chamber a tension is positioned. A tension displacement member is coupled to the tension.

[0014] Another embodiment of a drive system for a pumping device according to the disclosure includes a first housing, an internal pressure chamber filled with working fluid and a designated first housing, a second housing located within the first housing and a plurality of fluid displacement members. A solenoid is located within the second housing, and a reciprocating member is slidably positioned within the solenoid. The reciprocating member is attached to the first and second pull housings. Each winding housing defines a winding chamber. Within the first pull chamber, the first pull is slidably disposed and the first pull is connected to the first of the plurality of fluid displacement members, and within the second pull chamber the second pull is slidably connected to the second of the plurality of fluid displacement members.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES [0015]

Fig. 1 is a rear perspective view of the pump, drive system and engine.

Fig. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the pump, drive system and drive.

Fig. 3A is a cross-sectional view taken along the intersection 3-3 in Fig. 1 showing the combination of pump, drive system and drive.

Fig. 3B is a cross-sectional view taken along the intersection 3-3 in Fig. 1 showing the combination of Fig. 3A during an overpressure event.

Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view from above along section 4-4 in Fig. 1 showing the combination of pump, drive system and drive.

Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the intersection 5-5 in Fig. 1 showing the combination of pump, drive system and drive.

Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along the intersection 6-6 in Fig. 1 showing the combination of pump, drive system and drive.

-4Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view, along the intersection 7-7 in FIG. 1, showing the combination of pump, drive system and drive.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION [0016] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the pump 10, electric drive 12 and drive system 14. The pump 10 includes an intake manifold 16, an exhaust manifold 18, fluid covers 20a and 20b, inlet check valves 22a and 22b and outlet check valves 24a and 24b. The drive system 14 includes a housing 26 and a piston guide 28. The housing includes a working fluid inlet 30 and a drive chamber 32 (best seen in Figure 2). The electric drive 12 comprises a motor 34, a mechanical reducer 36 and a drive 38.

[0017] The fluid covers 20a and 20b are attached to the intake manifold 16 with fasteners 40. The inlet check valves 22a and 22b (shown in Figure 2) are located between the intake manifold 16 and the fluid covers 20a and 20b, respectively. Fluid covers 20a and 20b are similarly attached to outlet manifold 18 with fasteners 40. Outlet check valves 24a and 24b (shown in Figure 2) are located between outlet manifold 18 and fluid covers 20a and 20b, respectively. Housing 26 is secured between fluid covers 20a and 20b by fasteners 42. Fluid space 44a (best seen in Figure 3) is formed between housing 26 and fluid cover 20a. A fluid space 44b (best seen in Figure 3) is formed between the housing 26 and the fluid cover 20b.

[0018] The motor 34 is connected to the mechanical reducer 36 and drives it. The mechanical reducer 36 drives the drive 38 to start the pump 10. The drive 38 is secured within the drive chamber 32 by fasteners 46.

[0019] The housing 26 is filled with a working fluid, or gas, such as compressed air, or a compressible hydraulic oil through the working fluid inlet 30. When the working fluid is incompressible hydraulic oil, the housing 26 further includes a battery for storing portions of the incompressible hydraulic oil during an overpressure event. As explained in more detail below, the drive 38 causes the drive system 14 to draw process fluid from the intake manifold 16 into the fluid space 44a or fluid space 44b. The working fluid then discharges the process fluid from the fluid space 44a or the fluid space 44b to the exhaust manifold 18. Inlet check valves 22a and 22b prevent backflow of the process fluid into the intake manifold 16 when the process fluid is discharged into the exhaust manifold 18. Similarly, outlet check valves 24a and 24b prevent backflow of process fluid into the space 44a or 44b with fluid from the exhaust manifold 18.

[0020] Fig. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the pump 10, drive system 14 and drive 38. The pump 10 includes an intake manifold 16, an exhaust manifold 18, fluid covers 20a and 20b, inlet check valves 22a and 22b and outlet check valves 24a and 24b. Inlet check valve 22a includes a seat 48a and check valve ball 50a, and inlet check valve 22b includes a seat 48b and check valve ball 50b. Similarly, outlet check valve 24a includes a seat 49a and check ball 51a, and outlet check valve 24b includes a seat 49b and check ball 51b. Although inlet check valves 22a / 22b and outlet check valves 24a / 24b are shown as ball check valves, inlet valves

The return 22a / 22b and outlet non-return valves 24a / 24b may be any suitable valve to prevent backflow of process fluid.

[0021] The pump further includes members 52a and 52b for displacing fluid. In an embodiment, fluid displacement members 52a and 52b are shown as membranes, but fluid displacement members 52a and 52b may be membranes, pistons or any other suitable fluid displacement device. In addition, although the pump 10 is described as a double displacement pump using double diaphragms, it is understood that the drive system 14 could similarly drive a single displacement pump without causing any significant change. It is also understood that the drive system 14 could drive the pump with more than two fluid displacement members.

[0022] The drive system 14 includes a housing 26, a piston guide 28, a piston 54, pulls 56a and 56b and face plates 58a and 58b. The housing 26 includes a working fluid inlet 30, a guide hole 60, an annular structure 62, and sleeves 64a and 64b. The housing 26 defines an internal pressure chamber 66 that contains the working fluid during operation. In an embodiment, the reciprocating member of the propulsion system 14 is a piston, but it is understood that the reciprocating member of the propulsion system 14 may be any suitable reciprocating motion forming device, such as a sliding yoke mechanism or other drive suitable for moving reciprocating movement within housing 26.

[0023] The piston guide 28 includes a flange nut 68 and a guide pin 70. Piston 54 includes a tension chamber 72a located within the first end of the piston 54 and a tension chamber 72b (shown in Fig. 3A) located within the second end of the piston 54. The piston 54 includes further, a central gap 74, an axial gap 76, and holes 78a and 78b (not shown) for housing the front panel fasteners 80. String 56a is identical to string 56b with similar markings indicating similar parts. Tension 56a includes attachment end 82a, free end 84a and tension shaft 86a extending between attachment end 82a and free end 84a. Free end 84a of pull 56a includes flange 85a. Faceplate 58a is identical to faceplate 58b with similar markings indicating similar parts. Face plate 58a includes fastener holes 88a and tension hole 90a. In an embodiment, fluid displacement member 52a includes a connection screw 92a and membrane 94a. The drive 38 includes a housing 96, a crankshaft 98, a pusher 100, a bearing 102 and a bearing 104. The ring structure 62 includes holes 106 extending through it.

[0024] The intake manifold 16 is attached to the fluid cover 20a with fasteners 40. The inlet check valve 22a is located between the intake manifold 16 and the fluid cover 20a. The inlet check valve seat 48a 22a is seated on the intake manifold 16, and the inlet check valve ball 50a 22a is located between the seat 48a and the fluid cover 20a. Similarly, the intake manifold 16 is attached to the fluid cover 20b with fasteners 40, and the inlet check valve 22b is located between the intake manifold 16 and the fluid cover 20b. The exhaust manifold 18 is attached to the fluid cover 20a with fasteners 40. The exhaust check valve 24a is disposed between the exhaust manifold 18 and the fluid cover 20a. The outlet check valve seat 49a 24a is seated on the fluid cover 20a and the ball 51a

The exhaust check valve 24a is located between the seat 49a and the exhaust manifold 18. Similarly, the exhaust manifold 18 is connected to the fluid cover 20b with fasteners 40, and the exhaust check valve 24b is located between the exhaust manifold 18 and the fluid cover 20b, [0025] Cover 20a fluid is fixedly attached to the housing 26 by fasteners 42. The fluid displacement member 52a is secured between the housing 26 and the fluid cover 20a to define a fluid space 44a and seals one end of the internal pressure chamber 66 tightly. Fluid cover 20b is fixedly attached to housing 26 by fasteners 42, and fluid displacement member 52b is secured between housing 26 and fluid cover 20b. Like fluid space 44a, fluid space 44b forms fluid cover 20b and fluid displacement member 52b, and fluid displacement member 52b seals the other end of the internal pressure chamber 66 tightly.

[0026] The sleeves 64a and 64b are arranged on the annular structure 62 and the piston 54 is located within the housing 26 and travels over the sleeves 64a and 64b. Flange nut 68 extends through the guide hole 60 and is secured within it. The guide pin 70 is fixedly attached to the flange nut 68 and drives within the axial gap 76 to prevent the piston 54 from rotating about the axis AA. The free end 84a of the tension 56a is slidably located within the tension chamber 72a of the piston 54. The tension shaft 86a extends through the tension opening 90a of the faceplate 58a. Face plate 58a is attached to piston 54 by face plate fasteners 80 that extend through holes 88a and to holes 78a of piston fasteners 54. The tension opening 90a is sized such that the tension shaft 86a can slide through the tension opening 90a, but the free end 84a is retained in the tension chamber 72a by the flange 85a engaging the face plate 58a. Attachment end 82a is attached to attachment screw 92a to engage tension 52a with fluid displacement 56a.

[0027] The crankshaft 98 is pivotally mounted within the housing 96 using bearing 102 and bearing 104. The pusher 100 is attached to the crankshaft 98 such that the pusher 100 extends to the housing 26 and engages with the central gap 74 of the piston 54 when drive 38 is mounted to housing 26. Drive 38 is mounted within housing drive chamber 32 with fasteners 46 extending through housing 96 and into fasteners holes 108.

[0028] The internal pressure chamber 66 is filled with a working fluid, either compressed gas or incompressible hydraulic oil through the working fluid inlet 30. The openings 106 allow the working fluid to flow through the internal pressure chamber 66 and exert a force both on the fluid displacement member 52a and the fluid displacement member 52b.

[0029] The reciprocating pusher 100 reciprocally drives the piston 54 along the axis AA. As the piston 54 moves towards the fluid displacement member 52a, pull 56b is pulled in the same direction due to flange 85b at free end 84b of pull 56b engaging with face plate 58b. Thereby, pull 56b pulls member 52b to displace suction stroke fluid. Pulling the fluid displacement member 52b causes the volume of fluid space 44b to increase, which draws the process fluid into the fluid space 44b with the intake manifold 16. The exhaust check valve 24b prevents the process fluid from being drawn into the space 44b with fluid from the exhaust manifold 18 during the suction stroke. When the process fluid

7 is drawn into the fluid space 44b, the operating fluid recharge pressure in the internal pressure chamber 66 pushes the fluid displacement member 52a into the fluid space 44a, causing the fluid displacement pumping member 52a to start pumping fluid. Pushing the fluid 52a to displace fluid into the fluid space 44a reduces the volume of fluid space 44a and causes process fluid to be removed from fluid space 44a into the outlet collector 18. The inlet check valve 22a prevents process liquid from being removed into the intake manifold 16 during the pumping stroke. When the pusher 100 causes the piston 54 to change direction, the fluid displacement member 52a is pulled into the suction stroke by the pull 56a and the fluid displacement member 52b is pushed into the pumping stroke by the operating fluid charge pressure in the internal pressure chamber 66, thereby ending whole pumping cycle.

[0030] The tension chambers 72a and 72b prevent the piston 54 from exerting a pushing force on the fluid 52a or 52b to displace the fluid. If the pressure in the process fluid exceeds the pressure in the working fluid, the working fluid will not be able to push the 52a or 52b to displace the fluid into the pumping stroke. In a situation of such overpressure, when the exhaust manifold 18 is blocked, the drive 38 will continue to drive the piston 54, but the pulls 56a and 56b will remain in the suction stroke because the operating fluid pressure is insufficient to cause the member 52a or 52b to enter the pumping stroke. As the piston 54 moves toward the fluid displacement member 52a, the tension chamber 72a prevents the pull 56a from exerting a pushing force on the fluid displacement member 52a by placing the tension 56a within the tension chamber 72a. Allowing the piston 54 to continue oscillating without pushing the member 52a or 52b to displace the fluid into the pumping stroke, allows the pump 10 to continue to operate when the exhaust manifold 18 is blocked without causing damage to the motor or pump.

[0031] Fig. 3A shows a cross-section of the pump 10, drive system 14 and pusher 100 during normal operation. Fig. 3B is a cross-sectional view of the pump 10, drive system 14 and pusher 100 after the exhaust manifold 18 has been blocked, i.e. after the outlet of the pump 10 has been closed. Pump 10 includes an intake manifold 16, an exhaust manifold 18, fluid covers 20a and 20b, inlet check valves 22a and 22b, outlet check valves 24a and 24b, and members 52a and 52b for displacing fluid. Inlet check valve 22a includes seat 48a and check valve ball 50a, and inlet check valve 22b similarly includes seat 48b and check valve ball 50b. The exhaust check valve 24a includes a seat 49a and a check valve ball 51a, and the exhaust check valve 24b includes a seat 49b and check valve ball 51b. In an embodiment, the fluid displacement member 52a includes a membrane 94a, a first membrane plate 110a, a second membrane plate 112a, and a connecting screw 92a. Similarly, fluid displacement member 52b includes a membrane 94a, a first membrane plate 110b, a second membrane plate 112b and a connecting screw 92b.

[0032] The drive system 14 includes a housing 26, a piston guide 28, a piston 54, pulls 56a and 56b, face plates 58a and 58b, annular structure 62 and sleeves 64a and 64b. The housing 26 includes a guide hole 60 for a piston guide 28 passing through it, and the housing 26 defines an internal pressure chamber 66. The piston guide 28 includes a flange nut 68 and a guide pin 70. The piston 54 comprises tension chambers 72a and 72b, a central gap 74 and an axial gap 76. Tension 56a includes attachment end 82a, free end 84a and tension shaft 86a extending between free end 84a and attachment end 82a. Slow

The end of 84a includes a 85a collar. Similarly, pull 56b includes attachment end 82b, free end 84b and pull shaft 86b, and free end 84b includes flange 85b. Face plate 58a includes a tension hole 90a and face plate 58b includes a hole 90b.

[0033] Fluid cover 20a is attached to housing 26, and fluid displacement member 52a is secured between fluid cover 20a and housing 26. Fluid cover 20a and fluid displacement member 52 define fluid space 44a. The fluid displacement member 52a also seals the fluid space 44a from the internal pressure chamber 66. Fluid cover 20b is attached to housing 26 opposite fluid cover 20a. Fluid displacement member 52b is secured between fluid cover 20b and housing 26. Fluid cover 20b and fluid displacement member 52b define fluid space 44b, and fluid displacement member 52b seals fluid space 44b from the internal pressure chamber 66.

[0034] Piston 54 rides on sleeves 64a and 64b. Free end 84a of tension 56a is slidably secured within piston tension chamber 72a of flange 85a and face plate 58a. Flange 85a engages with face plate 58a and prevents free end 84a from exiting from tension chamber 72a. Tension shaft 86a extends through hole 90a, and connection end 82a engages with connection screw 92a. In this way, it joins the fluid displacement member 52a with the piston 54. Similarly, free end 84b of tension 56b is slidably secured within piston tension chamber 72b by flange 85a and face plate 58a. The tension shaft 86b extends through the tension hole 90b and the connecting end 82b engages with the connecting screw 92b.

[0035] The pusher 100 engages with the central slit 74 of the piston 54. The flange nut 68 extends through the guide hole 60 to the internal pressure chamber 66. The guide pin 70 is attached to the end of the flange nut 68, which projects into the internal pressure chamber 66, and the guide pin 70 slidably engages with the axial gap 76.

[0036] The intake manifold 16 is attached to both the cover 20a and the fluid cover 20b. The inlet check valve 22a is located between the intake manifold 16 and the fluid cover 20a, and the inlet check valve 22b is located between the intake manifold 16 and the fluid cover 20b. The seat 48a rests on the intake manifold 16, and the check valve ball 50a is located between the seat 48a and the fluid cover 20a. Similarly, the seat 48b rests on the intake manifold 16, and the check valve ball 50b is located between the seat 48b and the fluid cover 20b. In this way, the inlet check valves 22a and 22b are configured so that the process fluid can flow from the intake manifold 16 to the fluid space 44a and 44b, preventing backflow of the process fluid into the intake manifold 16 from the fluid space 44a or 44b.

[0037] The outlet manifold 18 is also attached to both fluid cover 20a and fluid cover 20b. The exhaust check valve 24a is positioned between the exhaust manifold 18 and the fluid cover 20a and the exhaust check valve 24b is located between the exhaust manifold 18 and the fluid cover 20b. The seat 49a rests on the fluid cover 20a and the check valve ball 51a is positioned between the seat 49a and the exhaust manifold 18. Similarly, seat 49b rests on fluid cover 20b and check ball 51b is positioned between seat 49b and exhaust manifold 18. Output check valves 24a and 24b are configured so that process fluid can flow from fluid 44a or 44b with outlet manifold 18 , preventing

Backflow of process fluid into the space 44a or 44b with fluid from the exhaust manifold 18.

[0038] The pusher 100 reciprocates the piston 54 along the axis AA. The piston guide 28 prevents the piston 54 from rotating about the AA axis by slidably engaging the guide pin 70 with the axial gap 76. When the piston 54 is attracted towards the fluid space 44b, the pull 56a is also pulled towards the fluid space 44b due to the interlock flange 85a with face plate 58a. The pull 56a thereby causes the fluid displacement member 52a to enter the suction stroke due to the attachment of the connecting end 82a and the connecting screw 92a. Pulling the fluid displacement member 52a causes the volume of fluid space 44a to increase, which draws process fluid through check valve 22a and into fluid space 44a from the intake manifold 16. The outlet check valve 24a prevents the process fluid from being drawn into the space 44a with fluid from the exhaust manifold 18 during the suction stroke.

[0039] When the process fluid is drawn into the fluid space 44a, the working fluid causes the fluid displacement member 52b to enter the pumping stroke. The working fluid is brought to a higher pressure than the process fluid pressure, which allows the working fluid to move the member 52a or 52b to displace fluid that is not drawn into the suction stroke by the piston 54. Pushing the fluid 52b to displace fluid into the fluid space 44b reduces the volume of fluid space 44b and causes the process fluid to be removed from the fluid space 44b through the outlet check valve 24b and into the exhaust manifold 18. Inlet check valve 22b prevents removal of the process fluid into intake manifold 16 during the pumping stroke.

[0040] When the pusher 100 causes the piston 54 to change direction and move towards the fluid space 44a, the face plate 58b grips the flange 85b at the free end 84b of the tension 56b. The pull 56b then pulls the member 52b to displace the suction stroke fluid, causing the process fluid to enter the fluid space 44b through the check valve 22b from the intake manifold 16. At the same time, the operating fluid causes the fluid displacement member 52a to enter the pumping stroke, thereby discharging the process fluid from the fluid space 44a through the check valve 24a and into the exhaust manifold 18.

[0041] To eliminate pulsation, a constant lower pressure is created by applying the sequence to the piston speed 54 by means of a pumping stroke caused by the working fluid. To eliminate pulsation for the piston 54, the sequence is used such that when it begins to pull one of the members 52a or 52b to displace fluid to the suction stroke, the other member 52a or 52b for displacing fluid has already completed the change of direction and has started the pumping stroke. This use of sequence for suction and pumping strokes prevents the drive system 14 from resting.

[0042] In Fig. 3B, the tension chamber 72a and the piston tension chamber 72b allow the pump 10 outlet to close without causing damage to the pump 10 or motor 12. When the pump 10 outlet is closed, the process fluid pressure exceeds the operating fluid pressure, which prevents pushing through working fluid of member 52a or 52b to displace fluid into the pumping stroke.

[0043] During overpressure, the fluid displacement member 52a and fluid displacement member 52b are retracted into the suction stroke by the piston 54, however, because the operating fluid pressure is

Insufficient to push member 52a or 52b into the pumping stroke, fluid displacement members 52a and 52b remain in the suction stroke position. Mechanically pushing the fluid 52a or 52b to displace fluid into the pumping stroke prevents the piston 54 from the tension chamber 72a that houses the tension 56a when the process fluid pressure exceeds the operating fluid pressure and the piston 54 is driven towards the fluid displacement member 52a and the chamber 72b a tension in which tension 56b is accommodated when the pressure of the process fluid exceeds the pressure of the working fluid and the piston 54 is driven towards the fluid displacement member 52b. Placing the tension 56a within the tension chamber 72a and the tension 56b within the tension chamber 72b prevents the piston 54 from exerting a push force on the fluid members 52a and 52b to displace fluid, which allows the exhaust manifold 18 to be blocked without damaging the pump 10.

[0044] Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view from above along line 4-4 in Fig. 1 showing the combination of drive system 14 and drive 38. Fig. 4 also shows fluid covers 20a and 20b and fluid displacement members 52a and 52b. The drive system 14 includes a housing 26, piston 54, pulls 56a and 56b, face plates 58a and 58b and sleeves 64a and 64b. The housing 26 and the fluid displacement members 52a and 52b define the internal pressure chamber 66. Housing 26 includes a drive chamber 32 and ring structure 62. Piston 54 includes string chambers 72a and 72b and central gap 74. String 56a includes end 82a, free end 84a, flange 85a and tension shaft 86a, while string 56b similarly includes end 82b , free end 84b, flange 85b and shaft 86b. Face plate 58a includes tension hole 90a and holes 88a. Similarly, face plate 58b includes a tension hole 90b and holes 88b. In an embodiment, the drive 38 includes a housing 96, a crankshaft 98, a tappet 100, a bearing 102 and a bearing 104. The crankshaft 98 includes a drive shaft chamber 114 and a pusher chamber 116.

[0045] Fluid cover 20a is attached to housing 26 with fasteners 42. Fluid displacement member 52a is secured between fluid cover 20a and housing 26. Fluid cover 20a and fluid displacement member 52 define fluid space 44a. Similarly, fluid cover 20b is attached to housing 26 by fasteners 42, and fluid displacement member 52b is secured between fluid cover 20b and housing 26. Fluid cover 20b and fluid displacement member 52b define fluid space 44b. The housing 26 and the fluid displacement members 52a and 52b define the internal pressure chamber 66.

[0046] In an embodiment, the fluid displacement member 52a is shown as a membrane and includes a membrane 94a, a first membrane plate 110a, a second membrane plate 112a and a connecting screw 92a. Similarly, fluid displacement member 52b is shown as a membrane and includes membrane 94b, first membrane plate 110b, second membrane plate 112b, and connecting screw 92b. Although the fluid displacement members 52a and 52b are shown as membranes, it is understood that the fluid displacement members 52a and 52b may also be pistons.

[0047] Piston 54 is mounted on sleeves 64a and 64b within the internal pressure chamber 66. Free end 84a of tension 56a is slidably secured within tension chamber 72a with face plate 58a and flange 85a. Shaft 86a extends through hole 90a and coupling end 82a engages with coupling screw 92a. Face plate 58a is attached to piston 54 by face plate fasteners 80a that extend through holes 88a and to piston 54. Similarly, the free end 84b of the tension 56b is slidably secured within

11 tension chambers 72b through front plate 58b and flange 85b. The tension shaft 86b extends through the tension hole 90b and the connecting end 82b engages with the connecting screw 92b. Faceplate 58b is attached to piston 54 by faceplate fasteners 80b that extend through holes 88b and to piston 54.

[0048] The drive 38 is mounted within the chamber 32 of the housing 26. The crankshaft 98 is rotatably mounted within the housing 96 using bearing 102 and bearing 104. The crankshaft 98 is driven by a drive shaft (not shown) that connects to the crankshaft 98 at the propeller shaft chamber 114. The pusher 100 is mounted to the crankshaft 98 opposite the drive shaft, and the pusher 100 is mounted at the pusher chamber 116. The pusher 100 extends into the internal pressure chamber 66 and engages with the central gap 74 of the piston 54.

[0049] The drive 38 is driven by an electric motor 12 (shown in Fig. 1), which rotates the crankshaft 98 on bearings 102 and 104. The crankshaft 98 thereby rotates the pusher 100 around the BB axis, while the pusher 100 causes reciprocating movement piston 54 along the axis AA. Since the piston 54 has a predetermined lateral displacement, determined by the rotation of the pusher 100, in the case of the piston speed 54, a sequence can be used with the pressure of the working fluid to eliminate pulsation further in the machine process.

[0050] When the pusher 100 drives the piston 54 towards the fluid displacement member 52b, the piston 54 pulls the fluid displacement member 52a to the suction stroke through tension 56a. The tension flange 85a 56a engages with the face plate 58a, so that the piston 54 causes the movement of the tension 56a also towards the fluid displacement member 52b, which causes the pull 56a to pull the fluid 52a to displace the suction stroke. The pull 56a pulls the member 52a to displace the suction stroke fluid through the connecting end 82a engaged with the connecting screw 92a. At the same time, the working fluid under pressure within the internal pressure chamber 66 pushes the member 52b to displace the fluid into the pumping stroke.

[0051] Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view, along the intersection of 5-5 Fig. 1, showing the combination of pump 10, drive system 214 and pusher 100. Pump 10 includes inlet manifold 16, outlet manifold 18, fluid covers 20a and 20b, inlet valves check valves 22a and 22b, outlet check valves 24a and 24b, and members 52a and 52b for displacing fluid. Inlet check valve 22a includes a seat 48a and check valve ball 50a, and inlet check valve 22b includes a seat 48b and check valve ball 50b. The exhaust check valve 24a includes a seat 49a and a check valve ball 51a, and the exhaust check valve 24b includes a seat 49b and check valve ball 51b. In an embodiment, the fluid displacement member 52a includes a membrane 94a, a first membrane plate 110a, a second membrane plate 112a, and attachment member 216a. Similarly, fluid displacement member 52b includes a membrane 94a, first membrane plate 110b, second membrane plate 112b, and attachment member 216b. The drive system 214 includes a housing 26, hub 218, flexible belts 220a and 220b, and pins 222a and 222b. The housing 26 defines an internal pressure chamber 66.

[0052] Fluid cover 20a is secured to housing 26 and fluid displacement member 52a is secured between fluid cover 20a and housing 26. Fluid cover 20a and fluid displacement member 52 define fluid space 44a and fluid displacement member 52a separates the fluid space 44a from the internal pressure chamber 66. Fluid cover 20b is secured to housing 26 and fluid displacement member 52b is secured

Between fluid cover 20b and housing 26. Fluid cover 20b and fluid displacement member 52b define a fluid space 44b, and fluid displacement member 52b seals fluid space 44b from the internal pressure chamber 66 tightly. The housing 26 includes holes 106 to allow the operating fluid to flow within the internal pressure chamber 66.

[0053] Hub 218 is interference-engaged with the pusher 100. Pin 222a projects from the periphery of the hub 218 along the axis BB. Similarly, pin 222b projects from the periphery of hub 218 along axis BB and opposite pin 222a. the flexible belt 220a is attached to pin 222a and to attachment member 216a. the flexible belt 220b is attached to pin 222b and to attachment member 216b.

[0054] The pusher 100 drives the hub 218 along the axis AA. When hub 218 is drawn toward fluid space 44b, the flexible belt 220a is also pulled toward fluid space 44b, causing fluid 52 to push fluid into the suction stroke due to attachment of flexible belt 220a to attachment member 216a and pin 222a. Pulling the fluid displacement member 52a causes the volume of fluid space 44a to increase, which draws process fluid through the check valve 22a and into the fluid space 44a from the inlet manifold 16. Outlet check valve 24a prevents the process fluid entering the space 44a with fluid from the exhaust manifold 18 during the suction stroke.

[0055] When the process fluid is drawn into the fluid space 44a, the working fluid causes the fluid displacement member 52b to enter the pumping stroke. The working fluid is brought to a higher pressure than the process fluid, which allows the working fluid to move the member 52a or 52b to displace fluid that is not drawn into the suction stroke by the piston 218. Pushing the fluid 52b to displace fluid into the fluid space 44b reduces the volume of fluid space 44b and causes the process fluid to be removed from the fluid space 44b through the outlet check valve 24b and into the exhaust manifold 18. Inlet check valve 22b prevents removal of the process fluid into intake manifold 16 during the pumping stroke.

[0056] When the pusher 100 causes the hub 218 to change direction and move towards the fluid space 44a, the pin 222b engages with the flexible belt 220b, and the flexible belt 220b then pulls the fluid 52b to displace the suction stroke, thereby causing that the process fluid enters the space 44b with the fluid from the intake manifold 16. At the same time, the operating fluid causes the fluid displacement member 52a to enter the pumping stroke, thereby discharging the process fluid from the fluid space 44a through the check valve 24a and into the exhaust manifold 18.

[0057] The flexible belts 220a and 220b allow the outlet manifold 18 of the pump 10 to be blocked while the pump 10 is operating without risking damage to the pump 10, drive system 214 or electric motor 12 (shown in figure 1). When the exhaust manifold 18 is blocked, the pressure in the fluid space 44a and the fluid space 44b is equal to the operating fluid pressure in the internal pressure chamber 66. When an overpressure situation occurs, hub 218 will pull in both fluid displacement member 52a and suction stroke member 52b. However, drive system 214 cannot push a member 52a or a member 52b to displace fluid into the pumping stroke because the flexible belts 220a and 220b are not rigid enough to exert a pushing force on the member 52a or fluid ejecting member 52b.

Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along the intersection 6-6 of Fig. 1 showing the combination of pump 10 and drive system 314. Pump 10 includes intake manifold 16, exhaust manifold 18, fluid covers 20a and 20b, inlet check valves 22a and 22b, outlet check valves 24a and 24b, and members 52a and 52b for displacing fluid. Inlet check valve 22a includes a seat 48a and check valve ball 50a, and inlet check valve 22b includes a seat 48b and check valve ball 50b. The exhaust check valve 24a includes a seat 49a and a check valve ball 51a, and the exhaust check valve 24b includes a seat 49b and check valve ball 51b. In an embodiment, the fluid displacement member 52a includes a membrane 94a, a first membrane plate 110a and a second membrane plate 112a, and a connecting screw 92a. Similarly, fluid displacement member 52b includes a membrane 94b, a first membrane plate 110b and a second membrane plate 112b, and a connecting screw 92b.

[0059] The drive system 314 includes a housing 26, a second housing 316, piston 318 and strings 320a and 320b. Piston 318 includes reciprocating member 322 and tension housing 324a and 324b. Tension housing 324a defines the tension chamber 326a and includes tension opening 328a. Tension housing 324b defines the tension chamber 326b and includes tension opening 328b. Tension 320a includes attachment end 330a, free end 332a, and tension shaft 334a extending between free end 332a and attachment end 330a. The free end 332a includes a collar 336a. Similarly, tension 320b includes attachment end 330b, free end 332b, tension shaft 334b ​​extending between free end 332b and attachment end 330b, and free end 332b includes flange 336b. The second housing 316 includes a pressure chamber 338a and a pressure chamber 338b, a gap 340a, a gap 340b, a first O-ring 342, a second O-ring 344 and a third O-ring 346.

[0060] Fluid cover 20a is attached to housing 26 and fluid displacement member 52a is secured between fluid cover 20a and housing 26. Fluid cover 20a and fluid displacement member 52a define fluid space 44a and fluid displacement member 52a separates the fluid space 44a from the internal pressure chamber 66. Fluid cover 20b is attached to housing 26, and fluid displacement member 52b is secured between fluid cover 20b and housing 26. Fluid cover 20b and fluid displacement member 52b define fluid space 44b, and fluid displacement member 52b seals fluid space 44b from the internal pressure chamber 66.

[0061] A second housing 316 is disposed within housing 26. Piston 318 is disposed within second housing 316. A first O-ring 342 is disposed around a reciprocating member 322 and a first O-ring 342 and a reciprocating member 322 tightly separates the pressure chamber 338a from the pressure chamber 338b. The tension housing 324a extends from the reciprocating member 322 through the slot 340a and into the internal pressure chamber 66. The tension housing 324b extends from the reciprocating member 322 through the slot 340a and into the internal pressure chamber 66. A second O-ring 344 is disposed around the tension housing 324a at the slot 340a. A second O-ring 344 seals the pressure chamber 338a from the internal pressure chamber 66 tightly. A third O-ring 346 is located around the tension housing 324b at the slot 340b. The third O-ring 346 tightly separates the pressure chamber 338b from the internal pressure chamber 66.

[0062] The free end 332a of tension 320a is slidably secured within tension chamber 326a by a flange 336a. The tension shaft 334a extends through the tension opening 328a and the connecting end 330a engages with the connecting screw 92a. Similarly, the free end 332b of tension 320b is slidably secured within the tension chamber 326b by a collar 336b. The tension shaft 334b ​​extends through the tension hole 328b and the connecting end 330b engages with the connecting screw 92b.

[0063] The piston 318 is reciprocated within the second housing 316 by alternately supplying pressurized fluid to pressure chamber 338a and pressure chamber 338b. The fluid under pressure may be compressed air, incompressible hydraulic oil, or any other fluid suitable for driving the 318 piston. The first O-ring 342 tightly separates the pressure chamber 338a from the pressure chamber 338b, which allows reciprocating fluid to drive the piston 318. When pressurized fluid is supplied to the pressure chamber 338a, the second O-ring 344 tightly separates separates the pressurized fluid from the operating fluid located within the internal pressure chamber 66. Similarly, when pressurized fluid is supplied to the pressure chamber 338b, a third "O" sealing ring 346 tightly separates the pressurized fluid from the operating fluid located within the internal pressure chamber 66.

[0064] When the pressure chamber 338a is under pressure, the piston 318 is driven towards the fluid displacement member 52b. The pull 320a is thereby also drawn towards the fluid 52b member due to the flange 336a engaging the pull housing 324a. The pull 320a causes the fluid displacement member 52a to enter into the suction stroke due to the connection between the connecting end 330a and the connecting screw 92a. At the same time, the working fluid in the internal pressure chamber 66 pushes the member 52b to displace the fluid into the pumping stroke. During this stroke, the tension chamber 326b prevents the piston 318 from pushing member 52b to displace fluid into the pumping stroke.

[0065] The stroke changes direction when the pressure chamber 338b is under pressure, thereby driving the piston 318 towards the fluid displacement member 52a. In this stroke, pull 320b is pulled towards fluid displacement member 52a due to flange 336b engaging with pull housing 324b. The tension 320b causes the fluid displacement member 52b to enter the suction stroke due to the connection between the connecting end 330b and the connecting screw 92b. While the fluid displacement member 52b is pulled into the suction stroke, the operating fluid in the internal pressure chamber 66 pushes the fluid displacement member 52a into the pumping stroke. Like the tension chamber 326b, the tension chamber 326a prevents the piston 318 from pushing member 52a to displace fluid into the pumping stroke.

[0066] Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view, along the intersection of 7-7, Fig. 1, showing the combination of pump 10 and drive system 414. Pump 10 includes inlet manifold 16, outlet manifold 18, fluid covers 20a and 20b, inlet check valves 22a and 22b, outlet check valves 24a and 24b, and members 52a and 52b for displacing fluid. Inlet check valve 22a includes a seat 48a and check valve ball 50a, and inlet check valve 22b includes a seat 48b and check valve ball 50b. The exhaust check valve 24a includes a seat 49a and a check valve ball 51a, and the exhaust check valve 24b includes a seat 49b and check valve ball 51b. In an embodiment, the fluid displacement member 52a includes a membrane

-1594a, first membrane plate 110a and second membrane plate 112a and connecting screw 92a. Similarly, fluid displacement member 52b includes a membrane 94b, a first membrane plate 110b and a second membrane plate 112b, and a connecting screw 92b.

[0067] The drive system 414 includes a housing 26, a second housing 416, a reciprocating member 418, a solenoid 420, and strings 422a and 422b. The reciprocating member 418 includes the armature 424 and the tension housings 426a and 426b. Tension housing 426a defines tension chamber 428a and includes tension opening 430a. Tension housing 426b defines tension chamber 428b and includes tension opening 430b. Tension 422a includes attachment end 434a, free end 436a, and tension shaft 438a extending between attachment end 434a and free end 436a. The free end 436a includes a flange 440a. Similarly, tension 422b includes attachment end 434b, free end 436b, tension shaft 438b extending between attachment end 434b and free end 436b. The free end 436b includes a flange 440b.

[0068] Fluid cover 20a is attached to housing 26 and fluid displacement member 52a is secured between fluid cover 20a and housing 26. Fluid cover 20a and fluid displacement member 52a define fluid space 44a and fluid displacement member 52a separates the fluid space 44a from the internal pressure chamber 66. Fluid cover 20b is attached to housing 26, and fluid displacement member 52b is secured between fluid cover 20b and housing 26. Fluid cover 20b and fluid displacement member 52b define fluid space 44b, and fluid displacement member 52b seals fluid space 44b from the internal pressure chamber 66.

[0069] The reciprocating member 418 is located within the solenoid 420. The tension housing 426a is integrally attached to the first end of the armature 424 and the housing 426b is integrally connected to the second end of the armature 424 opposite the tension housing 426a. The free end 436a of tension 422a is slidably secured within tension chamber 428a by a flange 440a. The tension shaft 438a extends through the tension hole 430a and the connecting end 434a engages with the connecting screw 92a. Similarly, the free end 436b of tension 422b is slidably secured within tension chamber 428b by a flange 440b. The tension shaft 438b extends through the tension hole 430b and the connecting end 434b engages with the connecting screw 92b.

[0070] The reciprocating solenoid 420 drives the armature 424, thereby reciprocally driving the tension housing 426a and tension housing 426b.

[0071] The strokes are inverted by the solenoid 420 driving the armature 424 in the opposite direction to the original stroke. In this stroke, the tension housing 426b engages with the tension collar 440b of the tension 422b, and the tension 422b thereby draws the member 52b to displace the fluid into the suction stroke. At the same time, the working fluid in the internal pressure chamber 66 pushes the member 52a to displace the fluid into the pumping stroke. During the pumping stroke of the fluid displacement member 52a, the tension chamber 428a prevents the tension 422a from exerting any push force on the fluid displacement member 52a.

[0072] The pump 10 and drive system 14 described herein have several advantages. The drive system 14 eliminates the need for pulsation dampers and surge protectors further in the machine process because the drive system 14 provides a pulsating process fluid flow when the sequence 54 is used for the piston 54. Pulsation further in the machine process is eliminated because when in the case of one

The fluid displacement member 52a or 52b is changed from one stroke, the other fluid displacement member 52a or 52b already displaces the process fluid. This eliminates any downtime within pump 10, which eliminates pulsation because fluid is constantly discharged at a constant speed. As long as the working fluid pressure remains slightly greater than the process fluid pressure, the drive system 14 is self-regulating and ensures a constant flow rate downstream in the machine process.

[0073] The working fluid pressure determines the maximum process fluid pressures that occur when the downstream flow in the machine process is blocked or clogged. If the exhaust manifold 18 is blocked, the engine 12 can still run without damaging the engine 12, drive system 14 or pump 10. The tension chambers 72a and 72b ensure that the drive system 14 will not cause overpressure, preventing the piston 54 from exerting any push force on any of the fluid 52a or 52b members. It also eliminates the need for pressure relief valves further in the machine process because the pump 10 is self-regulating and will not lead to an excessive pressure event. This pressure control feature serves as a safety feature and eliminates the possibility of overpressure of process fluids, potential damage to the pump, and excessive engine load.

[0074] When the drive system 14 is used with diaphragm pumps, the drive system 14 ensures an even distribution of forces across the diaphragms, both from the working fluid and from the process fluid, which allows for greater durability of the membrane and its use in applications with higher pressure than in the case of mechanically driven diaphragm pumps. The pump 10 also provides better measuring and dosing capabilities due to the constant pressure exerted on the members 52a and 52b for displacing the fluid and their shape.

[0075] When compressed air is used as the working fluid, the propulsion system 14 eliminates the possibility of exhaust icing that may arise in air-driven pumps, since compressed air in the propulsion system 14 is not exhausted after each stroke. Other exhaust problems, such as safety hazards resulting from process fluid pollution, are also eliminated. In addition, higher energy efficiency can be achieved by using the drive system 14, since the internal pressure chamber 66 eliminates the need for a fresh dose of compressed air during each stroke as is typical with conventional pneumatic pumps. When compressible hydraulic oil is used as operating fluid, the drive system 14 eliminates the need for complex hydraulic systems with multiple baffles as is the case with typical hydraulically driven pumps. In addition, the drive system 14 eliminates the risk of contamination between the process fluid and the operating fluid due to balanced forces on each side of the fluid displacement members 52a and 52b.