U.S. patent application number 11/009802 was filed with the patent office on 2006-06-15 for magnetic pulse pump/compressor system.
This patent application is currently assigned to Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation. Invention is credited to Richard W. Caddell.
Application Number | 20060127247 11/009802 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36102664 |
Filed Date | 2006-06-15 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060127247 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Caddell; Richard W. |
June 15, 2006 |
Magnetic pulse pump/compressor system
Abstract
A magnetic pump system includes a ring shaped electric magnet
that when pulsed with high voltage and high current, causes a
magnetically deflectable elastic member to collapse over a mandrill
with an arcuate outer surface. The volume between the arcuate outer
surface and the inside of the elastic member is reduced causing
compression and expulsion of the fluid therein through a discharge
of a one-way passage system. When the magnetic field subsides, the
elastic member regains its shape drawing fluid in through an inlet
to the one-way passage system.
Inventors: |
Caddell; Richard W.; (Otis,
IN) |
Correspondence
Address: |
CARLSON, GASKEY & OLDS, P.C.
400 WEST MAPLE ROAD
SUITE 350
BIRMINGHAM
MI
48009
US
|
Assignee: |
Hamilton Sundstrand
Corporation
|
Family ID: |
36102664 |
Appl. No.: |
11/009802 |
Filed: |
December 10, 2004 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
417/413.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F04B 43/09 20130101;
F04B 45/067 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
417/413.1 |
International
Class: |
F04B 17/00 20060101
F04B017/00 |
Claims
1. A pump system comprising: a mandrill with a partially arcuate
outer surface; and a magnetically deflectable elastic member
mounted about said partially arcuate outer surface.
2. The pump system as recited in claim 1, wherein said partially
arcuate outer surface is parabolic.
3. The pump system as recited in claim 1, wherein said magnetically
deflectable elastic member includes a tubular member.
4. The pump system as recited in claim 1, further comprising a
clamp ring to retain said magnetically deflectable elastic member
to said mandrill.
5. The pump system as recited in claim 1, further comprising a ring
magnet mounted about said magnetically deflectable elastic
member.
6. The pump system as recited in claim 5, wherein said ring magnet
includes a multiple of bitter discs.
7. The pump system as recited in claim 1, further comprising a
passage system formed within said mandrill.
8. The pump system as recited in claim 7, further comprising a
one-way check valve located within each passage of said passage
system.
11. A pump system comprising: a tubular magnetically deflectable
elastic member; a mandrill with a partially arcuate outer surface
mounted at least partially within said tubular magnetically
deflectable elastic member to form a pumping volume therebetween,
said mandrill defining a passage system which communicates from an
input port to said pumping volume and from said pumping volume to a
discharge port; and a ring magnet mounted about said magnetically
deflectable elastic member to selectively collapse said tubular
magnetically deflectable elastic member toward said partially
arcuate outer surface.
12. The pump system as recited in claim 11 wherein said partially
arcuate outer surface is parabolic and defined about a longitudinal
axis.
13. The pump system as recited in claim 11, wherein said ring
magnet includes a multiple of bitter discs.
14. The pump system as recited in claim 11, wherein said passage
system includes a one-way check valve within each passage.
15. The pump system as recited in claim 11, further comprising an
intake manifold and a discharge manifold in communication with said
passage system, said intake manifold and said discharge manifold
formed adjacent each longitudinal end of said mandrill.
16. The pump system as recited in claim 15, wherein said passage
system includes a multiple of longitudinal passages between said
intake manifold and said discharge manifold.
17. The pump system as recited in claim 15, wherein said passage
system includes a passage along a longitudinal axis defined by said
mandrill, said passage including a passage branch which branches
off said axis to communicate with said pumping volume.
18. A method of operating a magnetic pump system comprising the
steps of: (1) energizing a ring magnet; and (2) magnetically
collapsing a tubular magnetically deflectable elastic member toward
a partially arcuate outer surface of a mandrill to communicate a
fluid from a pumping volume through a discharge.
19. A method as recited in claim 18, further comprising the step
of: communicating the fluid through a one-way passage system which
communicates with and from the pumping volume.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a flexible tube pump, and
more particularly to a pump with a magnetically collapsible
elastomeric member which collapses over a mandrel.
[0002] Reciprocating pumps are highly desirable for use in numerous
applications, particularly in environments where liquid flow rate
is relatively low and the required liquid pressure rise is
relatively high. For applications requiring less pressure rise and
greater flow rate, single stage centrifugal pumps are favored
because of their simplicity, low cost, and low maintenance
requirements.
[0003] Another pump type is a flexible tube pump. Such pumps are
often used for the transportation and pressurization of sensitive
media or for applications in the vacuum field where the achievement
of a "Clean" vacuum is relatively important. Common forms of pumps
with a flexible member are bellows and diaphragm pumps. The
diaphragm is typically an elastomer forming part of the volume
being pumped. By reciprocating the flexible member within the pump
head space in which are usually located inlet and outlet one-way
valves, the media being pumped enters and is then forced out of the
pump head. The mechanism for actuating the flexible member may be
by linkage to a motor or by valved compressed air.
[0004] Other actuators include a magnetically responsive elastic
tube stretched onto, thereby sealing to, a shaft with inlet and
outlet ports at or adjacent tube ends. Local to the inlet port a
magnetic field is generated within the enclosing body. This field
is substantially concentric to the tube, which responds by
expanding circumferentially towards the magnetic field. This
creates a volume between the tube and shaft, the length of the tube
outside the influence of the magnetic field remains sealed upon the
shaft. Subsequent movement of the magnetic field along the axis of
the pump gives transport to the volume and any media enclosed
within from the inlet port to the outlet port, whereupon reduction
of the magnetic field results in exhaustion of the volume. This
cycle results in a pumping action.
[0005] Disadvantageously, known flexible tube pumps are
complicated, relatively costly to manufacture and provide minimal
pumping pressure.
[0006] Accordingly, it is desirable to provide an inexpensive
flexible tube pump which provides increased pressures.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The magnetic pump system according to the present invention
includes a ring shaped electric magnet that when pulsed with high
voltage and high current, causes an magnetically deflectable
elastic member to collapse over a mandrill with an arcuate outer
surface. The volume between the arcuate outer surface and the
inside of the elastic member is reduced causing compression and
expulsion of the fluid therein through a one-way passage system.
When the magnetic field subsides, the tube regains its shape
drawing fluid in through the one-way passage system.
[0008] When the magnet is energized, an intense magnetic field is
created. If the elastic member is conductive, eddy currents are
generated on the elastic member. This creates a magnetic field that
is opposite to the ring magnet field. The two fields repel each
other and since the elastic member is elastic it moves towards the
mandrill. If the elastic member is magnetic, the fields of the
magnet and the ring magnet repel each other and the same action
occurs.
[0009] The present invention therefore provides an inexpensive
flexible tube pump which provides increased pressures.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] The various features and advantages of this invention will
become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following
detailed description of the currently preferred embodiment. The
drawings that accompany the detailed description can be briefly
described as follows:
[0011] FIG. 1 is a side view of a pump system according to the
present invention;
[0012] FIG. 2 is a sectional side view of a pump system with the
elastic member in an uncompressed state;
[0013] FIG. 3 is a top view of a pump system;
[0014] FIG. 4 is an expanded sectional side view of a manifold for
a pump system according to the present invention;
[0015] FIG. 5 is a schematic view of a magnetic field for use with
the present invention;
[0016] FIG. 6a is a schematic top view of a single bitter disc in
which a multiple thereof forms a magnet for use with the present
invention;
[0017] FIG. 6b is a schematic top view of a magnetic bitter disc
showing contact which allows a multiple of stacked bitter discs to
form a helical magnetic coil;
[0018] FIG. 6c is a schematic top view of a bitter disc showing
contact areas which allows a multiple of stacked bitter discs to
form a helical magnetic coil;
[0019] FIG. 6d is a schematic bottom view of a bitter disc showing
a contact area which allow a multiple of stacked bitter discs to
form a helical magnetic coil;
[0020] FIG. 7 is a side view of a bitter disc stack between a pair
of cooling fins;
[0021] FIG. 8 is a schematic of a control circuit for the pump
system according to the present invention; and
[0022] FIG. 9 is a sectional side view of a pump system with the
elastic member in a compressed state.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0023] FIG. 1 illustrates a general perspective view of a pump
assembly 10. The pump assembly 10 generally includes a mandrill 12,
a magnetically deflectable elastic member 14 mounted about said
mandrill 12 and a ring magnet 16 about said deflectable elastic
member 14. It should be understood that although the pump assembly
10 is described as a compressor for a gas, other uses such as that
of a fluid pump will likewise benefit from the present
invention.
[0024] The mandrill 12 defines a longitudinal axis A. The mandrill
12 is a generally tubular member with an arcuate outer surface 17
defined about the axis A to form a generally hour-glass shape. More
preferably, the outer surface 17 is parabolic. A passage system 18
(FIG. 2) having an inlet port 20 and a discharge port 22 are
defined within opposed manifolds 24, 26 attached adjacent to each
longitudinal end of the mandrill 12. The manifolds 24, 26 may be
integral to the mandrill 12 or may be separate components, which
are attached to the mandrill 12 with fasteners F (FIG. 3) or the
like.
[0025] Referring to FIG. 2, the passage system 18 communicates with
a pumping volume V between the arcuate outer surface 17 defined
between the arcuate outer surface 17 and the deflectable elastic
member 14. The passage system 18 includes a multiple of
longitudinal passage 18a, 18b (two shown) which are radially
located about the axis A. It should be understood that a multiple
of passages are radially disposed about axis A even though only
passages 18a, 18b are illustrated in the cross-section of FIG. 2. A
single central passage 18c located on axis A with passage branches
18d which extend off of axis A and communicate with the arcuate
outer surface 17 are additionally provided to further increase
fluid throughput. It should be understood that various passage
paths may be used with the present invention.
[0026] Each passage 18a-18c of the passage system 18 includes a
one-way check valve 28 such that fluid will only flow from inlet
port 20 to the discharge port 22. Each passage is essentially
segmented into an input portion, which feeds into volume V, and a
discharge portion which feeds from the volume V. The input and
discharge portions need not be linearly aligned. Each check valve
28 is preferably threaded into the inner diameter of the passages
18a-18c, however, other mounting arrangements may also be
utilized.
[0027] The magnetically deflectable elastic member 14 is preferably
a tubular rubber material impregnated with conductor or magnetic
materials. Alternately, flexible electrically conductive strips
such as copper plated spring steel strips or wires are mounted
around the tube.
[0028] The deflectable elastic member 14 is mounted to the mandrill
12 adjacent each manifold 24, 26 through an annular clamp ring 30.
The clamp ring 30 includes a wedge shape 32 which corresponds to a
mandrill wedge shape section 34 along each rim 36 thereof. The
clamp ring 30 is attached to the mandrill 12 though fasteners F
(also illustrated in FIG. 4) such as bolts. As the fasteners F are
threaded into the clamp ring 30 the clamp ring 30 clamps the
deflectable elastic member 14 to the mandrill wedge shape section
34.
[0029] The ring magnet 16 is preferably a ring magnet which
generates a field that is parabolic in shape (FIG. 5) to correspond
to the arcuate outer surface 17 of the mandrill 12. The magnet may
be manufactures as a winding of wire around a spool, however,
magnets made of discs commonly known as bitter discs 38, are
preferred.
[0030] Referring to FIGS. 5, 6a-6d, the bitter discs 38 are stamped
out of copper or aluminum of a thickness which depends on the
current carrying capability and rigidity required. An insulator is
stamped out of a thin sheet of insulation, typically fiberglass.
Several of these disc and insulator sections are interleaved to
form a helix or coil by contact with the adjacent discs (FIG. 7). A
contact area C on one side of each bitter disc 38 provides contact
with an interference area C.sub.2 on the opposite side of the next
bitter disc 38 (FIG. 6B) therebetween while the insulator prevents
the discs 38 from touching except at the interface I.
[0031] Each bitter disc 38 is rotated relative to the adjacent disc
so that each contact area C on one side of a bitter disc 38
contacts the contact area C.sub.2 on an opposite side of the
adjacent bitter disc 38. That is, the contact areas C.sub.1,
C.sub.2 on a single bitter disc are radially displaced and on
opposite sides of each bitter disc 38. By radially displacing each
adjacent bitter disc 38 in a stack (FIG. 7), a continuous helical
coil of bitter discs is formed. After the discs are stacked, they
are clamped together with a multiple of tie bolts 40 or the like
(FIG. 7). A cooling fin 42 may also be located at each end of the
bitter disc stack.
[0032] Referring to FIG. 8, a power supply and control circuit 44
to drive the ring magnet 16 is schematically illustrated. The AC
power source is stepped up to a higher voltage by a transformer.
The AC switch connects the incoming power to a bridge rectifier.
The DC switch connects the capacitor to the ring magnet 16. The
switches may be SCR's, IGBT transistors and/or other semiconductor
devices. Control logic controls the charging of the capacitor and
the discharge of the capacitor into the ring magnet 16.
[0033] This control circuit 44 is preferably a single phase supply,
however, a poly-phase supply may be used by replacing the
transformer and bridge with a poly-phase transformer and bridge.
Depending on the incoming voltage and desired DC voltage the
transformer may not be required. For example, if the incoming power
is 480V AC the DC voltage will be about 700V. If the switches are
designed to handle these voltages no transformer would be
required.
[0034] The control sequence of operation is generally as follows:
1) initially AC and DC switches are open; 2) the AC switch is
closed and the capacitor charged for time T1; 3) the AC switch is
opened; 4) the DC switch is closed discharging the capacitor into
the ring magnet; and 5) the DC switch is opened for time T2.
[0035] Each time this sequence is executed the ring magnet 16 fires
and collapses the deflectable elastic member 14 (FIG. 9). Time T1
determines the capacitor charge. By varying this time the pressure
that the pump 10 develops is controlled. T2 determines the
frequency of cycles. T2 is preferably a time which allows the
deflectable elastic member 14 to regain shape. Higher frequency of
operation may be obtained by pressurizing the inlet port 20 with a
first stage pump or compressor. This will allow the deflectable
elastic member 14 to regain shape faster after being collapsed.
Alternatively, or in addition the magnet may be reversed to
essentially pull the deflectable elastic member 14 back to the
uncollapsed shape (FIG. 2). The first stage pump or compressor may
be of a much lower pressure than the pump system 10.
[0036] One magnet has been illustrated for simplicity of
explanation, however, multiple magnets are preferably utilized to
produce a greater flow velocity. The magnets are fired in sequence
from inlet port to discharge port. The advantage is that as one
magnet is firing the firing circuit of the others can be charging.
Notably, the deflectable elastic member may extend beyond the inlet
and discharge such that if the deflectable elastic member is
extended from the inlet to the source and from the discharge to the
destination a totally lead free system is achieved.
[0037] It should be understood that relative positional terms such
as "forward," "aft," "upper," "lower," "above," "below," and the
like are with reference to the normal operational attitude of the
vehicle and should not be considered otherwise limiting.
[0038] Although particular step sequences are shown, described, and
claimed, it should be understood that steps may be performed in any
order, separated or combined unless otherwise indicated and will
still benefit from the present invention.
[0039] The foregoing description is exemplary rather than defined
by the limitations within. Many modifications and variations of the
present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. The
preferred embodiments of this invention have been disclosed,
however, one of ordinary skill in the art would recognize that
certain modifications would come within the scope of this
invention. It is, therefore, to be understood that within the scope
of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise
than as specifically described. For that reason the following
claims should be studied to determine the true scope and content of
this invention.
* * * * *