AU2005313898B2

AU2005313898B2 - Magnetic pulse pump/compressor system

Info

Publication number: AU2005313898B2
Application number: AU2005313898A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Richard W. Caddell
Original assignee: Sullair LLC
Current assignee: Hitachi Global Air Power US LLC
Priority date: 2004-12-10
Filing date: 2005-12-09
Publication date: 2009-08-27
Anticipated expiration: 2025-12-09
Also published as: US20060127247A1; DE602005019619D1; CN101087957A; CA2591338A1; JP2008523311A; CA2591338C; EP1828605B1; JP4866859B2; CN101087957B; EP1828605A1; MX2007006935A; AU2005313898A1; BRPI0518888A2; WO2006063267A1

Description

WO 2006/063267 PCT/US2005/044694 MAGNETIC PULSE PUMP/COMPRESSOR SYSTEM BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [00011 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. [00021 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. [00041 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. [00061 Accordingly, it is desirable to provide an inexpensive flexible tube pump which provides increased pressures. -1- 2 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a pump system including: 5 a mandrel extending longitudinally along an axis, said mandrel having a plurality of different radial diameters; and a tubular magnetically deflectable elastic member mounted about a partially arcuate outer surface of said mandrel. According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a 10 pump system including: a tubular magnetically deflectable elastic member; a mandrel having at least one narrow section and at least one wider section, said mandrel mounted at least partially within said tubular magnetically deflectable elastic member to form a pumping volume therebetween, said 15 mandrel 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 a partially arcuate outer surface of the mandrel, wherein said partially 20 arcuate outer surface is parabolic and defined about a longitudinal axis. [0007] The magnetic pump system according to a preferred embodiment of 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 mandrel with an arcuate outer surface. The volume 25 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 30 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 2a moves towards the mandrel. 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. 5 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 10 currently preferred embodiment. The drawings that accompany the detailed description can be briefly described as follows: [0011] Figure 1 is a side view of a pump system according to the present invention; [0012] Figure 2 is a sectional side view of a pump system with the elastic 15 member in an uncompressed state; [0013] Figure 3 is a top view of a pump system; [0014] Figure 4 is an expanded sectional side view of a manifold for a pump system according to the present invention; [0015] Figure 5 is a schematic view of a magnetic field for use with the 20 present invention; WO 2006/063267 PCT/US2005/044694 [00161 Figure 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] Figure 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] Figure 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] Figure 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] Figure 7 is a side view of a bitter disc stack between a pair of cooling fins; [0021] Figure 8 is a schematic of a control circuit for the pump system according to the present invention; and [00221 Figure 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] Figure 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 (Figure 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 (Figure 3) or the like. [0025] Referring to Figure 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 -3- WO 2006/063267 PCT/US2005/044694 passages 18a, 18b are illustrated in the cross-section of Figure 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 Figure 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 (Figure 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 Figures 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 (Figure 7). A contact area C on one side of each bitter disc 38 provides contact with an interference area C 2 on the opposite side of the next bitter disc 38 (Figure 6B) therebetween while the insulator prevents the discs 38 from touching except at the interface . [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 2 on an opposite side of the -4- WO 2006/063267 PCT/US2005/044694 adjacent bitter disc 38. That is, the contact areas C1, C 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 (Figure 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 (Figure 7). A cooling fin 42 may also be located at each end of the bitter disc stack. [0032] Referring to Figure 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. 10033] 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 transfonrier and bridge. Depending on the incoming voltage and desired DC voltage the transformer may not be required. For example, if the incoming power is 480VAC the DC voltage will be about 700V. If the switches are designed to handle these voltages no transformer would be required. 10034] 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 (Figure 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 (Figure 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 -5- 6 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. 5 [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 10 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 15 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. 20 For that reason the following claims should be studied to determine the true scope and content of this invention. [0040] Comprises/comprising and grammatical variations thereof when used in this specification are to be taken to specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps or components or groups thereof, but do not preclude 25 the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, components or groups thereof.

Claims

1. A pump system including: a mandrel extending longitudinally along an axis, said mandrel having a plurality of different radial diameters; and 5 a tubular magnetically deflectable elastic member mounted about a partially arcuate outer surface of said mandrel.

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, further including a clamp ring to 10 retain said magnetically deflectable elastic member to said mandrel.

4. The pump system as recited in claim 1, further including a ring magnet mounted about said magnetically deflectable elastic member.

5. The pump system as recited in claim 4, wherein said ring magnet includes a multiple of bitter discs. 15

6. The pump system as recited in claim 1, further including a passage system formed within said mandrel.

7. The pump system as recited in claim 6, further including a one-way check valve located within each passage of said passage system.

8. The pump system as recited in claim 1, further including a passage system 20 formed within said mandrel, said passage system in communication with a pumping volume located between said partially arcuate outer surface and said magnetically deflectable elastic member. 8

9. The pump system as recited in claim 8, further including an intake manifold and a discharge manifold in communication with said passage system, said intake manifold and said discharge manifold formed adjacent each end of said mandrel. 5

10. The pump system as recited in claim 1, wherein the mandrel has an hourglass profile.

11. The pump system as recited in claim 1, wherein a diameter of a radial cross-section of an axially central portion of the mandrel is less than a diameter of a radial cross-section of an axially outer portion of the mandrel. 10

12. A pump system including: a tubular magnetically deflectable elastic member; a mandrel having at least one narrow section and at least one wider section, said mandrel mounted at least partially within said tubular magnetically deflectable elastic member to form a pumping volume therebetween, said 15 mandrel 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 a partially arcuate outer surface of the mandrel, wherein said 20 partially arcuate outer surface is parabolic and defined about a longitudinal axis.

13. The pump system as recited in claim 12, wherein said ring magnet includes a multiple of bitter discs.

14. The pump system as recited in claim 12, wherein said passage system includes a one-way check valve within each passage. 9

15. The pump system as recited in claim 12, further including 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 mandrel. 5

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 mandrel, said 10 passage including a passage branch which branches off said axis to communicate with said pumping volume.

18. The pump system as recited in Claim 12, wherein the at least one narrow section is positioned between a first wider section and a second wider section.

19. The pump system as recited in Claim 12, wherein at least a portion of the 15 at least one narrow section is aligned with the ring magnet.

20. The pump system as recited in Claim 12, wherein the at least one wider section includes a first wider section positioned adjacent a first side of the ring magnet, a second wider section positioned adjacent a second, opposite side of the ring magnet. 20 SULLAIR CORPORATION WATERMARK PATENT & TRADEMARK ATTORNEYS P28830AU00