U.S. patent application number 11/112726 was filed with the patent office on 2005-11-10 for five piston diaphragm pump.
This patent application is currently assigned to ITT CORPORATION. Invention is credited to Fischer, Mark A..
Application Number | 20050249610 11/112726 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 35242279 |
Filed Date | 2005-11-10 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050249610 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Fischer, Mark A. |
November 10, 2005 |
Five piston diaphragm pump
Abstract
A pump having top and bottom pieces coupled together by a
coupling device features a circumferential clamp that is a
lightweight plastic clamp having clamping members, each with one or
more strengthening members oriented along a longitudinal axis
defined in relation to the top and bottom pieces. The clamping
members may include two semi-circular clamping members, each with
circumferentially spaced strengthening rib members oriented along
the longitudinal axis of the pump housing.
Inventors: |
Fischer, Mark A.; (Laguna
Niguel, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
WARE FRESSOLA VAN DER SLUYS &
ADOLPHSON, LLP
BRADFORD GREEN BUILDING 5
755 MAIN STREET, P O BOX 224
MONROE
CT
06468
US
|
Assignee: |
ITT CORPORATION
|
Family ID: |
35242279 |
Appl. No.: |
11/112726 |
Filed: |
April 21, 2005 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60564656 |
Apr 21, 2004 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
417/360 ;
417/423.14; 417/423.15 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F04B 43/026 20130101;
F04B 53/16 20130101; F04B 43/04 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
417/360 ;
417/423.15; 417/423.14 |
International
Class: |
F04B 017/00; F04B
035/00 |
Claims
What I claim is:
1. A pump having top and bottom pieces coupled together by a
coupling device, characterized in that the coupling device includes
a circumferential clamp made from a lightweight plastic or other
suitable material having two clamping members for coupling together
so as to provide a substantially uniform circumferential
compression along a longitudinal axis of the pump defined in
relation to the top and bottom pieces for clamping the same
together.
2. A diaphragm pump according to claim 1, wherein each clamping
member has circumferentially spaced strengthening rib members
oriented along the longitudinal axis.
3. A diaphragm pump according to claim 1, wherein the two clamping
members are semi-circular and joined together on one side by a hook
and pin mechanism and on the other side by a bolting mechanism,
including a fastening bolt used alone or in combination with a
fastening nut.
4. A diaphragm pump according to claim 1, wherein the
circumferential clamp is made from a lightweight plastic or other
suitable material, including 30% glass filled Polypropylene, 40%
glass filled Polypropylene, Nylon, 30% glass filled Nylon, 40%
glass filled Nylon.
5. A diaphragm pump according to claim 1, wherein the clamping
members have inner surfaces with V-shaped or other suitably shaped
grooves for mating with corresponding V-shaped or other suitably
shaped surfaces of the top and bottom pieces.
6. A diaphragm pump according to claim 1, wherein the top and
bottom pieces include an upper housing and a motor adapter of a
pump head of the pump.
7. A diaphragm pump according to claim 6, wherein the upper housing
and the motor adapter have corresponding circumferential surfaces
for mating and coupling together.
8. A diaphragm pump according to claim 1, wherein the diaphragm
pump operates by using a cam to convert rotational motion from a
motor into pseudo-linear motion that is used to drive one or more
pistons for pumping a medium.
9. A pump having top and bottom pieces coupled together by a
coupling device, characterized in that the coupling device
comprises a circumferential clamp made from a lightweight plastic
material and having semi-circular clamping members, each having one
or more strengthening members oriented along a longitudinal axis
defined in relation to the top and bottom pieces.
10. A pump according to claim 9, wherein the each semi-circular
clamping member has a plurality of circumferentially spaced
strengthening rib members oriented along the longitudinal axis.
11. A pump according to claim 9, wherein the semi-circular clamping
members are joined together on one side by a hook and pin mechanism
and on the other side by a bolting mechanism, including a fastening
bolt used alone or in combination with a fastening nut.
12. A pump according to claim 9, wherein the circumferential clamp
provides uniform circumferential compression along the longitudinal
axis for clamping the top and bottom pieces together.
13. A pump according to claim 9, wherein the lightweight plastic
material includes 30% glass filled Polypropylene, 40% glass filled
Polypropylene, Nylon, 30% glass filled Nylon, 40% glass filled
Nylon.
14. A pump according to claim 9, wherein the top and bottom pieces
include an upper housing and a motor adapter of a pump head of the
pump.
15. A pump according to claim 14, wherein the upper housing and the
motor adapter have corresponding circumferential angled surfaces
for mating and coupling together, including V-shaped angled
surfaces.
16. A pump according to claim 9, wherein the diaphragm pump
operates by using a cam to convert rotational motion from a motor
into pseudo-linear motion that is used to drive one or more pistons
for pumping a medium.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims benefit to provisional patent
application Ser. No. 60/564,656, filed Apr. 21, 2004, entitled
"Five Piston Diaphragm Pump," which is hereby incorporated by
reference in its entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of Invention
[0003] The present invention related to a pump; and more
particularly to a pump having top and bottom pieces coupled
together by a circumferential clamp.
[0004] 2. Description of Related Art
[0005] Pumps, including diaphragm pumps, are known in the art, and
typically operate by using a cam to convert rotational motion from
a motor into pseudo-linear motion. The pseudo-linear motion is used
to drive pistons, which first create suction in their individual
chambers to bring in the medium, then compress the medium until
sufficient pressure is created to discharge the medium. The pumps
have a series of check valves allowing the medium to only flow in a
specific direction through the pump. In order to prevent internal
or external leakage, the seals between the piston chambers and the
seals to the outside environment must remain sufficiently
compressed.
[0006] The main shortcoming of the known pumps is that they use
screws to retain the compression on the pump head. The use of
screws provides only a localized point of force, and can only be in
a limited number of locations around the pump head. This allows
regions of the components to flex more than others, creating
potential internal and external leak paths.
[0007] Another shortcoming of the known pumps is the limited flow
and pressure provided by the other five piston pumps.
[0008] Because of these shortcomings, the maximum open flow of the
known pumps is typically about 5.5 gallons per minute with a
maximum pressure of about 65 PSI.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] In its broadest sense, the present invention provides a pump
having top and bottom pieces coupled together by a coupling device,
wherein the coupling device features a circumferential clamp made
from a lightweight plastic or other suitable material having two
clamping members coupled together so as to provide a substantially
uniform circumferential compression along a longitudinal axis of
the pump defined in relation to the top and bottom pieces for
clamping the top and bottom pieces together.
[0010] Each clamping member may have a V-shaped interior surface
for contacting corresponding a corresponding V-shaped mating
surface formed by the top and bottom pieces. Each clamping member
may also have one or more strengthening members oriented along a
longitudinal axis defined in relation to the top and bottom
pieces.
[0011] The clamping members may include two semi-circular clamping
members, each with circumferentially spaced strengthening rib
members oriented along the longitudinal of the pump housing.
[0012] The lightweight plastic or other suitable material may
include, by way of example, the following: 30% glass filled
Polypropylene, 40% glass filled Polypropylene, Nylon, 30% glass
filled Nylon, 40% glass filled Nylon.
[0013] In one embodiment, the circumferential clamp according to
the present invention is used in a diaphragm pump, which is
operated by using a cam to convert rotational motion from a motor
into pseudo-linear motion that is used to drive one or more
pistons. The two semi-circular clamping members may be coupled by a
hook and pin mechanism on one side and on the other side by a nut
and bolt mechanism. The two semi-circular clamping members provide
uniform circumferential compression for clamping the top and bottom
pieces together. The top and bottom pieces include an upper housing
and a motor adapter of a pump head of the pump, and the upper
housing and the motor adapter have corresponding circumferential
angled surfaces for mating and coupling together.
[0014] One advantage of the present invention is that it removes
the requirement of screws in a pump head assembly by using a series
of semicircular clamps to provide uniform compression around the
entire diameter of the pump head. The clamps are joined one end by
a hook and pin mechanism and at the other end by a nut and bolt.
The clamps are assembled around the pump head components and then
the bolt is tightened to bring the two halves of the clamp
together, which simultaneously brings the pump head components
together.
[0015] According to the present invention, the maximum open flow
capacity of the pump is greater than 7.0 gallons per minute, while
the maximum running pressure of the pump is greater than 80
PSI.
[0016] The present invention has applications in many different
types of pumps in many different types of equipment, including
RV's, boats, agricultural sprayers, water carbonation machines,
busses, road roller machines, street sweeper machines, drink
vending machines, etc.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
[0017] The drawing includes the following Figures, which are not
necessarily drawn to scale:
[0018] FIG. 1 includes FIGS. 1(a) to 1(d), wherein FIG. 1(a) is a
perspective view of a five piston diaphragm pump that is the
subject of the invention; FIG. 1(b) is a side view of the pump
shown in FIG. 1(a); FIG. 1(c) is a front view of the pump shown in
FIG. 1(a); and FIG. 1(d) is a cross-sectional view along section
lines A-A of the pump shown in FIG. 1(c).
[0019] FIG. 2 includes FIGS. 2(a) to 2(e), wherein FIG. 2(a) is a
view of one clamp for the pump shown in FIG. 1(a); FIG. 2(b) is a
cross-sectional view along section lines A-A of the clamp shown in
FIG. 2(a); FIG. 2(c) is a side view of the clamp shown in FIG.
2(a); FIG. 2(d) is a cross-sectional view along section lines X-X
of the clamp shown in FIG. 2(c); and FIG. 2(e) is a back view of
the clamp for the pump shown in FIG. 2(a).
[0020] FIG. 3 includes FIGS. 3(a) to 3(d), wherein FIG. 3(a) is a
view of the other clamp for the pump shown in FIG. 1(a); FIG. 3(b)
is a cross-sectional view along section lines A-A of the clamp
shown in FIG. 3(a); FIG. 3(c) is a side view of the clamp shown in
FIG. 3(a); and FIG. 3(d) is a cross-sectional view along section
lines B-B of the clamp shown in FIG. 3(c).
[0021] FIG. 4 includes FIGS. 4(a) and 4(b), wherein FIG. 4(a) is a
view of an upper housing sub-assembly of the pump shown in FIG.
1(a); and FIG. 4(b) is a cross-sectional view along section lines
A-A of the upper housing sub-assembly shown in FIG. 4(a).
[0022] FIG. 5 includes FIGS. 5(a) and 5(b), wherein FIG. 5(a) is a
view of a valve chamber sub-assembly of the pump shown in FIG.
1(a); and FIG. 5(b) is a cross-sectional view along section lines
A-A of the valve chamber sub-assembly shown in FIG. 5(a).
[0023] FIG. 6 includes FIGS. 6(a) and 6(b), wherein FIG. 6(a) is a
view of a lower housing sub-assembly of the pump shown in FIG.
1(a); and FIG. 6(b) is a cross-sectional view along section lines
A-A of the lower housing sub-assembly shown in FIG. 6(a).
BEST MODE OF THE INVENTION
FIG. 1: The Pump
[0024] FIG. 1 shows a pump generally indicated as 10 according to
the present invention, having top and bottom pieces 12 and 14
coupled together by a coupling device generally indicated as 16 and
resting on a mounting device 17. The pump 10 is shown, by way of
example, as a five piston diaphragm pump, although the scope of the
invention is not intended to be limited to any particular type or
kind of pump 10. The coupling device 16 features a circumferential
clamp 16 made from a lightweight plastic or other suitable material
and including clamping members 18, 20, each having one or more
strengthening members 22 oriented along a longitudinal axis
generally indicated as "L "defined in relation to the top and
bottom pieces 12 and 14. The circumferential clamp provides a
substantially uniform circumferential compression along the
longitudinal axis L of the pump 10. As shown, the top piece 12
includes an upper housing of the five piston diaphragm pump, while
the bottom piece includes a motor 14.
[0025] The lightweight plastic or other suitable material may
include, by way of example, the following: 30% glass filled
Polypropylene, 40% glass filled Polypropylene, Nylon, 30% glass
filled Nylon, 40% glass filled Nylon, well as other lightweight
plastic or other suitable materials now known or later developed in
the future. The scope of the invention is not intended to be
limited to any particular type or kind of lightweight plastic or
material used to make the clamp 16.
The Basic Operation
[0026] In operation, the five piston pump 10 uses the motor 14 to
provide rotational motion. The pump 10 uses a cam 30 attached to a
piston plate 32 to convert the rotational motion into a nearly
linear motion parallel to the axis of a motor shaft 34. A pump
piston 36 and diaphragm 38 are integrated into a single piece,
which is attached to the piston plate 32 and nearly linear motion
of the piston plate 32 is transferred directly to the diaphragm
piston 36. The diaphragm piston 36 is enclosed in a piston chamber
40 that contains inlet and outlet openings (not labelled), which
are controlled and sealed by check valves 42, 44. When the pump
piston 36 is pulled down it creates a vacuum in the piston chamber
40, which pulls open the suction valve 42 and brings the medium
into the piston chamber 40. When the pump piston 36 is pushed up,
it compresses the medium and builds pressure until the discharge
valve 44 opens and the medium is pushed out to the discharge
chamber and out of the pump.
[0027] In order to maximize the life of the diaphragm 38 and
minimize the diameter of the pump head, the diaphragm convolution
design contains a variable cross section around the circumference
of the pump piston 36. The diaphragm 38 and diaphragm piston 36 are
manufactured in a single piece using two different shore hardnesses
of a single material. The inner piston is molded using a harder
shore Santoprene, and then insert molded into the diaphragm 38.
[0028] In order to minimize the amount of dead space in the piston
chamber and therefore maximize the suction created on the down
stroke, the top surface of the diaphragm piston 36 is shaped to
match the inside surface of the piston chamber 40.
[0029] The clamp design 16 is integrated into the pump head by
incorporating specific features into the top piece 12 (upper
housing) and bottom piece 14 (motor adapter) of the pump head. The
upper housing 12 and motor adapter 14 have angled surfaces 50
identical to the angled inner surface of the clamp 16. When the
clamp 16 is initially assembled to the pump head, it contacts the
outer edge of the upper housing 12 and motor adapter's angled
surfaces 50, as shown. As the two halves 18, 20 of the clamp 16 are
brought together by tightening the bolt 24, the clamp 16 moves up
along the angled circumferential surfaces 50 which also brings the
two pieces 12, 14 closer together providing the compression
required for the pump 10 to operate properly.
FIG. 2: One Clamp
[0030] FIG. 2 shows, by way of example, one clamp 18 having the one
or more strengthening ribs 22, one of which is labeled. The clamp
18 includes an upper coupling portion 18a and a lower coupling
portion 18b. As shown, the upper coupling portion 18a includes an
opening 19 for receiving a bolt 24 (FIG. 1). The lower coupling
portion 18b includes left and right supports 18b' and 18b" and a
rod 18c extending across the same, as best shown in FIG. 2(e). The
clamp 18 also includes an interior and exterior strengthening
ridges 18d (FIG. 18(d)) and 18e. The clamp 18 also has interior
angled surfaces 18f, 18g that correspond to the angled surfaces 50
in FIG. 1(d) for tightly coupling the clamps 18, 20 to the
mid-section of the pump 10.
FIG. 3: The Second Clamp
[0031] FIG. 3 shows, by way of example, the other clamp 20 having
the one or more strengthening ribs 22, one of which is labeled. The
clamp 20 includes an upper coupling portion 20a and a lower
coupling portion 20b. As shown, the upper coupling portion 20a
includes an opening 21 for receiving a bolt 24 (FIG. 1). The lower
coupling portion 20b includes one or more hooking members 20b',
20b" and 20b'", as best shown in FIG. 2(e). The clamp 20 also
includes an interior and exterior strengthening ridges 20d (FIG.
20(d)) and 20e. The clamp 20 also has interior angled surfaces 20f,
20g that correspond to the angled surfaces 50 in FIG. 1(d) for
tightly coupling the clamps 18, 20 to the mid-section of the pump
10 and providing the substantially uniform circumferential
compression between the top and bottom pieces 12 and 14. The scope
of the invention is not intended to be limited to any particular
angle for the surfaces 18f, 18g, 20f, 20g and 50. Embodiments are
envisioned using surfaces having many different angles within the
scope and spirit of the invention.
[0032] In operation, the clamps 18 and 20 are arranged in relation
to the upper and lower pieces 12 and 14 in FIG. 1, the one or more
strengthening ribs 20b', 20b" and 20b'" are coupled to the rod 18c
in FIG. 2(e) so as to form a hook and pin arrangement, the clamp is
closed about the midsection of the pump 10, and the bolt 24 is
passed (or threaded) through openings 19 and 21 of the upper
coupling portions 18a and 20a and fastened thereto, fastened by a
nut (not shown), or some combination thereof, so as to form a
bolting mechanism.
[0033] The coupling arrangement of clamps 18 and 20 in FIGS. 1-3 is
shown by way of example for the purpose of describing the invention
herein. However, other embodiments are envisioned within the spirit
of the invention for coupling the two clamps 18 and 20 together.
For example, the scope of the invention is not intended to be
limited to only the bolting arrangement for coupling the respective
upper portions 18a, 20a or the hook and pin arrangement for
coupling the lower portions 18b, 20b shown and described herein,
since embodiments are envisioned using other coupling hardware
either know known or later developed in the future for coupling the
two clamps 18 and 20 together, including, but not limited to, a
hinge in place of the respective lower coupling portions 18b, 20b,
and/or a latching arrangement in place of the bolting
arrangement.
[0034] Moreover, the scope of the invention is not intended to be
limited to the type, kind or number of strengthening ribs, or their
displacement on the clamps 18 and 20. By way of example, the
strengthening ribs 22 are shown evenly spaced around the clamp
16.
FIG. 4: The Upper Housing Sub-assembly
[0035] FIG. 4 shows the upper housing assembly generally indicated
as 60, including an upper housing 62, a backflow valve 64, a
discharge insert 66, an O-ring 68, a switch diaphragm 70, a
pressure switch 72, a bypass poppet 74, a bypass housing 76, one or
more O-rings 78, a bypass spring 80 and screws 82. These elements
of the pump 10 form part of the five piston diaphragm pump 10 shown
in FIG. 1, are shown by way of example, and do not form parts of
the overall invention.
FIG. 5: The Valve Chamber Sub-assembly
[0036] FIG. 5 shows the valve chamber sub-assembly generally
indicated as 90, including a valve chamber 92 and one or more check
valves indicated as 94. These elements of the pump 10 form part of
the five piston diaphragm pump 10 shown in FIG. 1, are shown by way
of example, and do not form parts of the overall invention.
FIG. 6: The Lower Housing Sub-assembly
[0037] FIG. 6 shows the lower housing sub-assembly generally
indicated as 100, including a lower housing 102, a diaphragm 104,
an outer piston plate 106 and a cam 108. These elements of the pump
10 form part of the five piston diaphragm pump 10 shown in FIG. 1,
are shown by way of example, and do not form parts of the overall
invention.
Possible Applications
[0038] Possible applications of the invention include: RV's, boats,
agricultural sprayers, water carbonation machines, busses, road
roller machines, street sweeper machines, drink vending machines.
The scope of the invention is not intended to be limited to any
particular type or kind of application.
Scope of the Invention
[0039] Accordingly, the invention comprises the features of
construction, combination of elements, and arrangement of parts
which will be exemplified in the construction hereinafter set
forth.
[0040] It will thus be seen that the objects set forth above, and
those made apparent from the preceding description, are efficiently
attained and, since certain changes may be made in the above
construction without departing from the scope of the invention, it
is intended that all matter contained in the above description or
shown in the accompanying drawing shall be interpreted as
illustrative and not in a limiting sense.
* * * * *