EP3721091A1

EP3721091A1 - Controlled crinkle diaphragm pump

Info

Publication number: EP3721091A1
Application number: EP18811053.0A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Guy Delaisse; Jean-Baptiste Drevet; Harold GUILLEMIN
Original assignee: AMS R&D Sas
Current assignee: AMS R&D Sas
Priority date: 2017-12-05
Filing date: 2018-12-05
Publication date: 2020-10-14
Anticipated expiration: 2038-12-05
Also published as: CA3084583C; CA3084583A1; FR3074544B1; CN111788390B; FR3074544A1; CN111788390A; US11649815B2; JP2021505813A; WO2019110695A1; ES2912293T3; EP3721091B1; DK3721091T3; US20200386219A1

Abstract

Crinkle diaphragm pump (1) comprising: – a body (2) inside which there is an internal chamber (2a) comprising an inlet opening and an outlet opening for fluid (22); – a flexible diaphragm (3) placed inside the chamber in which it can crinkle. The pump further comprises: – an actuating mechanism (4) comprising at least one motor (M) and a mechanical connection piece (41) connecting the motor (M) to the first edge of the diaphragm (31) in order to move it in a reciprocating motion. The pump also comprises a detection device (5) for detecting at least one value indicative of a movement of the diaphragm (3), a power supply unit delivering an electric power supply signal to the motor on the basis of a detection signal (Sd).

Description

PILOTED ONDULATING MEMBRANE CIRCULATOR

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to the field of undulating diaphragm circulators.

It is known, for example from WO2007063206, an undulating diaphragm circulator comprising:

a body inside which there is a chamber internal to the body, this chamber comprising a fluid inlet opening in the chamber and a fluid outlet opening outside the chamber;

a flexible membrane placed in the chamber to be able to wave between first and second edges of the membrane, the first membrane edge being located closer to the fluid inlet opening than the outlet opening of fluid and the second membrane edge being located closer to the fluid outlet opening than the fluid inlet opening; the circulator further comprising:

- an actuating mechanism comprising at least one motor and at least one mechanical connecting part connecting the motor to the first edge of the membrane to move it in a reciprocating movement relative to the body to generate a ripple of the membrane propagating from the first membrane edge towards the second membrane edge.

This ripple is used to drive fluid from the fluid inlet opening to the fluid outlet opening. Because of its reciprocating movement, the circulator can generate vibrations that it would be desirable to control to, for example, consider an increase in the life of the circulator.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

An object of the invention is to provide a parameter control means (s) influencing the vibrations of the circulator. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

For this purpose, it is proposed according to the invention an undulating diaphragm circulator comprising:

a body inside which there is a chamber internal to the body, this chamber comprising at least one fluid inlet opening in the chamber and at least one fluid outlet opening outside the chamber;

an actuating mechanism comprising at least one motor and at least one mechanical connecting part connecting the motor to the first edge of the membrane to move it in a reciprocating motion relative to the body in order to induce on the membrane a waving ripple from the first membrane edge to the second membrane edge.

This circulator according to the invention is essentially characterized in that it also comprises a device for detecting at least one value representative of a displacement of the membrane relative to the body, this detection device being functionally connected to a unit of supplying the motor, said power unit being arranged to supply at least one power supply signal to the motor as a function of a detection signal delivered to the power unit by said detection device, this detection signal being a function of said at least one detected value.

The detection of a value representative of the movement of the membrane and then the generation of a detection signal representative of this at least one detected value and finally the control of the engine via said at least one power supply signal of the engine itself function of a detection signal, allows a control of operation of the engine and therefore allows to act on the displacement of the membrane in the body.

Since the vibrations of the circulator essentially depend on the propagation characteristics of the wave along the membrane, by providing a means of controlling the motor as a function of the displacement of the membrane, a means of controlling parameters influencing the vibrations of the circulator is provided. .

This has many advantages since one can act on the life of the circulator by adjusting its operation as a function of the displacement of the membrane in the body.

This control makes it possible to control the circulator as a function of the displacement of the first edge of the membrane, which makes it possible, in addition to controlling the frequency and / or the amplitude of displacement of the membrane edge, to vary the hydrodynamic characteristics of the circulator. at each instant, that is to say the pumped fluid flow, the pressure difference between the inlet and the outlet of the chamber, the evolution curve over time of the flow rate and / or the pressure in exit from room.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the actuating mechanism is arranged to define a maximum amplitude MAX of the reciprocating motion of the first edge of the variable membrane. function of said at least one power supply signal delivered to the motor.

The motor is thus a motor whose maximum amplitude of oscillation / the maximum stroke of the rotor relative to the stator is variable according to said at least one power supply signal of the motor.

In the present invention, the term rotor designates the part of the motor which is movable with respect to the stator without implying that this mobility is necessarily a rotation. In this case, in the present invention the rotor may be linearly movable or substantially linear with respect to the stator. For the understanding of the invention, a linear motor is any motor whose rotor, on a complete motor cycle, moves with respect to the stator along a path that extends along a line segment, passing through the ends of this line segment and without ever deviating from this line segment by more than 10% of the length of this line segment. The feeding unit can thus adjust the distance between the edge of the membrane and the wall of the chamber to vary "occlusivity", that is to say the minimum fluid passage section allowed by the membrane at every moment of his undulation.

This minimum allowed fluid passage section is the smallest passage section allowed at a given time between the fluid inlet opening and the fluid outlet opening. It is also noted that by adjusting the maximum displacement amplitude of the membrane as well as its frequency of oscillation and following a movement imposed in the time of displacement of the first edge of the membrane relative to the support, the unit of power supply can define the variation of the wavelength passing along the membrane and by consequently the number of inflections of the wave traveling along the membrane in the chamber.

For a given minimum passage section value, the more the wave of the membrane has points of inflection and the greater the pressure difference allowed by the circulator between the fluid inlet opening and the outlet opening of the diaphragm. fluid is important. The permissible fluid load by the circulator can thus be controlled.

Thus, the circulator according to the invention, by allowing regulation of said at least one motor supply signal taking into account the value or values detected and representative of the displacement of the first edge of the membrane, makes it possible to regulate the amplitude of displacement. the first upstream edge and / or the oscillation frequency of this first edge and / or the force applied to this first edge of the membrane and / or the displacement curve in time of this first edge of the membrane.

Thus, the circulator makes it possible to control the value of minimum passage section through the chamber and the number of inflections of the diaphragm which affects the fluid flow rate and the fluid pressure delivered by the circulator.

The invention will be described in more detail with reference to the drawings described hereinafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the circulator 1 with an undulating membrane according to the invention, this circulator comprising a membrane placed in a chamber formed in a body of the circulator for undulating under the effect of a displacement generated by a motor M with a power supply signal regulation of this motor according to a displacement measurement of a first edge of the membrane to using a position sensor which includes a target attached to the first membrane edge, and means for detecting the position of this target with respect to the motor stator (in this example, the target is a permanent magnet) ;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the circulator according to the invention wherein the membrane is discoidal while the membrane of Figure 1 has the form of a ribbon;

FIG. 3a shows a schematic view of a membrane waving in the chamber with a device for detecting a value representative of the displacement of the membrane, which is here a sensor detecting the position of the first edge of the membrane, this sensor being for example a preferentially analog proximity sensor detecting the position of the first edge of the membrane with respect to a fixed point of the chamber;

FIG. 4 illustrates a schematic view of the circulator according to the invention with a power supply unit which comprises means of communication of the supply of different coils of the motor and a detection device generating a detection signal by means of measurements. values representing a displacement of the membrane generated via at least one sensor, in this case via several sensors belonging to the detection device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As indicated above and illustrated in particular by FIGS. 1 to 4, the present invention essentially relates to an undulating diaphragm circulator 1 comprising:

a body 2 inside which there is an internal chamber 2a to the body, this chamber 2a comprising at least one fluid inlet opening 21 in the chamber 2a and at least one fluid outlet opening 22 out of the chamber;

a flexible membrane 3 placed in the chamber to be able to wave between first and second edges of the membrane 31, 32, the first membrane edge 31 being located closer to the fluid inlet opening 21 than to the fluid outlet opening 22 and the second membrane edge 32 being located closer to the fluid outlet opening 22 than the fluid inlet opening 21; the circulator further comprising:

an actuating mechanism 4 comprising at least one motor M and at least one mechanical connection piece 41 connecting the motor M to the first edge of the diaphragm 31 to move it in a reciprocating manner with respect to the body 2 in order to induce on the membrane 3 a ripple propagating from the first membrane edge 31 to the second membrane edge 32. This reciprocating movement of the first edge of the membrane 31 is here an alternating linear movement.

For the understanding of the invention, a linear reciprocating movement designates a displacement of a given point or object which, on a complete cycle of the alternation, follows a trajectory that extends along a segment of right, through the ends of this line segment, without ever deviating from this line segment by a distance greater than 10% of the length of this line segment.

Preferably, the first membrane edge is stiffened by an armature to limit its deformation when the first edge is moved according to the reciprocating motion. There is thus a uniform displacement of the first edge of the membrane which limits the appearance of secondary waves on the membrane. The circulator according to the invention has a device 5 for detecting at least one value representative of a displacement of the membrane 3 with respect to the body 2.

This detection device 5 is operatively connected to a power supply unit 6 of the motor which may be an inverter. Depending on the case, this inverter can be connected to a DC or AC power supply network, single-phase or polyphase.

This power supply unit 6 is arranged to deliver at least one power supply signal to the motor as a function of a detection signal Sd delivered to the power supply unit 6 by said detection device 5, this detection signal Sd. being a function of said at least one detected value.

The invention makes it possible to regulate the motor as a function of the actual displacement of the membrane in the chamber, this displacement being estimated by measuring at least one value representative of this displacement by said detection device 5.

Thanks to this regulation via said at least one supply signal, the displacement of the membrane can be controlled so that the circulator adopts an expected operating point. The operating point is a state of various operating parameters of the circulator at a given time of operation.

Depending on the case, the circulator can be slaved to limit the vibratory level induced during its operation and thus limit the energy lost by contact of the membrane against the wall of the chamber and / or the energy lost in the form of shock of the membrane against the wall. Thus, the life of the circulator can be improved.

Of course, this control can be used to reach a point of operation of the circulator desired where the flow rate and / or the pressure difference between the upstream and downstream of the circulator and / or the ripple frequency and / or the waving wavelength is / are selected as instructions to achieve and as a basis for determining the evolution over time of said supply signal to be generated.

For this, the detection device 5 is preferably arranged so that said detection signal Sd delivered to the power supply unit 6 is a function of measurements made by at least one sensor C1 of said detection device 5 chosen from the group of sensors comprising Hall sensor, resolver sensor, incremental encoder, an optical sensor using a light beam to measure a parameter of displacement of a membrane surface, a laser sensor using a laser beam to measure a parameter of displacement of a membrane surface , an optical sensor using a light beam for measuring a displacement parameter of a target, a laser sensor using a laser beam for measuring a target displacement parameter, an accelerometer, a capacitive sensor, an inductive sensor, a sensor resistive, a camera associated with an image analysis system, an infrared sensor, an eddy current sensor.

This or these sensors may be arranged to measure a position, a speed, an acceleration representative of the displacement of the first edge of the membrane.

The incremental encoder may be rotatable to increment a value based on a rotation angle or to be a translation encoder incrementing a value based on a translation distance.

Also said at least one sensor C1 of the detection device may have a target C12 mechanically connected to any area of the membrane and more particularly at the first edge of the membrane 31, the value representative of a displacement of the membrane varies during the displacement of this target C12 relative to the body of the circulator 2. Ideally, the target C12 is embedded on the membrane.

The target may be a target whose displacement can be detected via a magnetic and / or electric and / or electromagnetic field measurement varying with the displacement of the target.

It is also possible that the C1 sensor can detect a relative movement of the membrane relative to the body without using a target. Thus, the optical or laser sensor can measure displacement of any point of the membrane whether or not it carries an added target.

It is also possible to provide that the detection device 5 is arranged so that said detection signal Sd delivered to the power supply unit 6 is a function of measurements made by at least one sensor C1 of said detection device 5 selected from the group deformation sensors comprising:

a deformation sensor of said at least one mechanical connection piece 41 connecting the motor to the first edge of the membrane,

a deformation sensor of at least one spring

42 exerting a variable elastic force as a function of the displacement of the first edge of the membrane by the motor,

a deformation sensor attached (for example fixed or incorporated) to the membrane, for example at the first edge of the membrane or at the second edge of the membrane or at any location between these edges, to measure deformations of the membrane,

a sensor of at least one mechanical stress to which said mechanical connection piece 41 is subjected, a sensor of at least one mechanical stress to which the at least one spring 42 is subjected.

As can be seen in particular in FIGS. 2 and 4, a spring can be mechanically connected to the mechanical connecting piece 41 which mechanically connects, directly or indirectly, the motor with respect to the first edge of the membrane 31 This spring 42 symbolizes any elastic means arranged to exert an elastic return force of the mechanical connecting piece 41 and the first membrane edge 31 to a given stable position.

The spring may be a leaf spring comprising one or more resilient blades and / or one or more coil springs.

Ideally, the mechanical connection piece is guided in displacement by guiding means which may be either exclusively constituted by the elastic means or by a guide by pivot or slide as in Figure 2 possibly associated with elastic means.

It is also possible to provide that the detection device 5 is arranged so that said detection signal Sd delivered to the power supply unit is a function of measurements made by at least one sensor of said detection device chosen from the group of sensors comprising :

a mechanical force measurement sensor (such as a force sensor for example placed at the interface between the mechanical connection piece 41 and the first membrane edge);

a magnetic field sensor,

a voltage sensor,

an angular displacement / rotation sensor (Cl) (for rotary engines with crank-rod for example), a displacement sensor in translation (for linear motors for example),

a current sensor (C8, C8 '). The motor M comprises a movable rotor M1, that is to say an assembly movable by rotation or translation or other relative to a stator M2 of the motor.

This rotor M1 comprises at least one permanent magnet M10, in this case at least two permanent magnets distributed symmetrically with respect to the first membrane edge.

M2 stator comprises at least one stator coil, in this case two coils M21, M22 arranged vis-à-vis paths of passage of permanent magnets during the reciprocating movement of the first edge.

Each coil is adapted to generate a magnetic flux in response to said at least one power supply signal of the motor M, this magnetic flux acting on the permanent magnets to induce a force of attraction or repulsion of permanent magnet and thus generate a rotor movement relative to the stator.

The power supply signal of the motor is delivered to each at least one coil M21, M22 by the power supply unit 6 of the motor. A stator coil is a stator winding, that is to say a conductive wire wound around a core and assembled to be fixed relative to the body of the circulator.

Preferably, the motor is a brushless motor also called "brushless motor", or permanent magnet synchronous synchronous machine, this motor comprising a structure on which is fixed said rotor position sensor, said at least one permanent rotor magnet being movably mounted relative to this structure and said rotor position sensor being preferably a sensor measuring the position of said at least one permanent magnet with respect to this engine structure).

In this case, the detection device 5 may comprise at least one position sensor C5, C6 of the rotor with respect to said at least one stator coil M21, M22. Conversely, it is possible that the sensor is placed on the rotor itself, this sensor being for example an accelerometer.

In the case where the drive is carried out via a brushless motor, preference is given so that any displacement of the rotor is associated with a corresponding displacement of the first membrane edge 31.

Thus, it is possible to use a sensor integrated in the brushless motor to measure the rotor relative to the stator of the motor, the detection device being connected to this sensor integrated in the brushless motor and being adapted to generate the said detection signal. Sd based on a value measured using this sensor integrated in the brushless motor.

This or these sensors integrated in the motor can be one or more hall effect current sensors associated with a program for measuring the force and the speed (frequency) of the rotor.

This limits the need to add other sensors than the one already integrated in the engine.

When the viscosity of the fluid in the head of the circulator as well as the hydraulic load are known, the determination of the force, by a sensor integrated or not to the engine, allows to determine at the position of the first edge of the membrane relative to the body.

It is also possible to provide that the power supply unit 6 is arranged so that said at least one motor supply signal M that it generates is measurement function carried out by at least one sensor of said detection device 5 selected from a group of sensors of hydraulic or aeraulic fluid characteristic (s) comprising:

at least one flow sensor C41 of fluid pumped by the circulator;

at least one pressure sensor C42 of fluid pumped by the circulator;

at least one fluid viscosity sensor.

Ideally, as illustrated in FIG. 4, the power supply unit 6 comprises a computer 60 arranged to define characteristics of said at least one motor supply signal M by means of mathematical functions and / or by means of of a circulator map database and / or logical operators (IF THEN) and as a function of pressure values and flow values of the fluid flowing in the chamber of the circulator, these values being measured with a flow sensor C41 and at least one pressure sensor C42.

It should be noted that an upstream pressure sensor of the chamber and a downstream pressure sensor C42 of the chamber can be used to measure the change over time of the difference between the upstream pressure and the downstream fluid pressure.

This information makes it possible to deduce the displacement frequency of the first membrane edge as well as the speed of displacement of the fluid as a function of variations in this difference.

The mapping may define a plurality of operating points constituting relationships between displacement amplitude of the first membrane edge, fluid viscosity, fluid flow rate generated by the circulator, upstream and downstream pressure difference and reciprocating frequency of the first edge of the membrane. membrane relative to the body. Thanks to the knowledge of some of these parameters, for example because they are predetermined / fixed and measured, it is possible to know the effect of a variation of the motor supply signal on the evolution of one of these parameters. that we seek to regulate.

Thus, if the parameter to be regulated is the displacement amplitude of the upstream edge of the membrane to ensure that the membrane does not collide against the wall of the chamber, then the computer 60:

- Knowing the viscosity of the fluid, and the measured values of fluid flow rate generated by the circulator, the upstream and downstream pressure difference and the reciprocating frequency of the first membrane edge relative to the body;

can deduce from the cartographic database the current value of the displacement amplitude of the first membrane edge relative to the body; and

defining a target value to reach amplitude of displacement of this first edge; and

the calculator deducing the characteristics of the supply signal to be delivered in order to reach this target value in a given time.

The movement of the membrane thus remains controlled, for example always to maintain this membrane at a distance from the walls of the chamber or at a certain predetermined distance from these chamber walls.

It is also possible, via the feed signal, to seek to drive the circulator to reach a target value of one of these mapped parameters.

A target / set value can be the pressure difference or a flow target value.

The computer 60 uses the mapping and / or the mathematical functions and / or the database and / or logical operators (IF THEN) and the signal of Sd detection to determine the power signal to be generated to reach this chosen target value.

The map database can be generated by multiple circulator tests to determine a plurality of operating points.

Each given operating point defines the values taken by the different operating parameters of the circulator, these parameters including:

viscosity of the fluid; and or

- fluid flow; and or

- upstream and downstream pressure difference (that is to say the load parameter of the circulator); and or

- relative pressure upstream; and / or downstream with respect to a pressure between the ambient atmosphere; and or

frequency of reciprocating movement of the first membrane edge relative to the body; and or

amplitude of displacement of the first membrane edge; and or

- variation of force delivered by the motor; and or

- the elastic stiffness of the membrane; and or

the elastic stiffness / elastic stiffness curve of an elastic means such as a spring forcing the return of the first membrane edge to a determined position; and or

the corresponding characteristics of each at least one motor supply signal such as the frequency of the signal, its intensity, its voltage, its evolution curves in the voltage or current time.

Typically, the actuating mechanism 4 is arranged to define a maximum amplitude MAX of the reciprocating movement of the first edge 31 of the membrane variable according to said at least one power supply signal delivered to the motor M.

This rule of variation of the maximum amplitude MAX as a function of the power supply signal delivered to the motor M is preferentially integrated into the cartographic database.

It is thus possible to regulate the supply signal in order to vary on several successive alternations of the membrane movement the maximum amplitude of displacement of the first edge.

In this context, it can be made that the actuating mechanism 4 comprises an electromechanical assembly of amplitude variation distinct from said motor.

This electromechanical assembly which comprises said piece connecting the motor to the first edge of the membrane is here arranged to define a maximum amplitude of the reciprocating movement of the first edge of the variable membrane as a function of a maximum amplitude setpoint delivered by a control unit. amplitude to said electromechanical assembly.

There are therefore several ways to vary the amplitude MAX over time, either by driving the motor via the power supply signal, or by controlling a separate electromechanical unit of the motor via amplitude reference signal which is distinct from the signal of the motor. motor power supply. This mode can be advantageous for the case where it is desired to control the displacement amplitude of the first membrane edge with a motor having a maximum amplitude of fixed / invariable displacement.

In this mode, not illustrated by the figures, the mechanical connection piece may be a pivoting arm about a pivot axis, an electromechanical actuator acting on the position of this pivot axis relative to to this pivoting arm or the length of this arm which is variable to define an amplitude of displacement of the membrane edge without having to vary the stroke / the maximum amplitude of the motor.

It should be noted that the representative value of the movement of the membrane relative to the body may be a maximum measured displacement amplitude of the first edge of the membrane 31 relative to the body 2.

As illustrated in FIG. 4 and discussed previously with reference to the different groups of possible sensors, the detection device 5 may comprise one or more sensors (each sensor is represented by a black rectangle) arranged at different location (s) of the sensor. circulator 1, in this case on the electronic part and / or the electric power supply part of the motor and / or the electromechanical part of the motor and / or the electromagnetic part of the motor and / or the hydraulic part of the circulator and / or preferentially on the mechanical connection between the engine and the first edge of the membrane.

It is preferred to use at least one sensor on the mechanical link between the motor and the first membrane edge because it is here that the most reliable measurement possible of the displacement parameters of the first membrane edge can be obtained. that is, its position and / or speed and / or frequency and / or acceleration and / or the force transmitted to that first edge and / or the maximum amplitude of the first edge displacement.

To measure one or more values representative of the displacement of the first edge of the membrane 31, the detection device 5 may comprise several sensors of different types chosen, for example by for example, among a Hall effect sensor C5, a synchro-resolver C6, an incremental encoder C1.

As illustrated in FIGS. 3b and 3c, it is also possible for the detection device 5 to be arranged to detect the respective positions of several points of the membrane with respect to the body 2.

For example, the detection device may be arranged to collect images of a longitudinal profile Prf of the membrane extending between the first and second edges of the membrane 31, 32 to detect said positions of several points of the membrane, these points belonging to said longitudinal profile of the membrane.

For this purpose, as illustrated in FIG. 3b, the detection device may comprise a plurality of sensors Cl, Cl ', Cl' 'distributed on the body opposite a longitudinal profile Prf of the membrane going from the first edge to the second membrane edge. This profile extends along the membrane.

These sensors Cl, Cl ', Cl' 'may each be associated with a target C12, C12', C12 '' carried by the membrane and / or the body to measure relative positions, each relative position illustrating a position of one of said sensors C1, Cl ', Cl' 'with respect to one of said targets C12, C12', C12 '' corresponding thereto.

Alternatively, as illustrated in FIG. 3c, the detection device may comprise an imaging device comprising a light source, such as a laser source generating a plane of illumination of the membrane extending along the membrane of the first edge towards the second edge of the membrane 31, 32. In this case, the illuminated point positions of the membrane are evaluated by one or more sensors Cl, Cl 'detecting light rays reflected by the membrane or possibly reflected by reflective targets carried by the membrane. The positions of these points measured at a given moment can define a longitudinal profile Prf of the membrane at this given instant.

Alternatively, the detection device can be arranged to collect images of a surface of the membrane, this surface extending between the first and second edges of the membrane 31, 32 to detect said positions of several points of the membrane, these points belonging to a surface shape of the membrane in three dimensions to define a three-dimensional image of this membrane and its evolution over time.

It should be noted that in cases where a light beam or optical sensors are used to capture an image of the membrane, it is possible to ensure that the body is at least locally transparent to see through or alternately that the sensor has a viewing window oriented towards the interior of the chamber.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, the circulator may comprise at least one fluid deflector Dx positioned in the chamber 2a and connected to the body 2 to orient the fluid arriving in the chamber via the fluid inlet opening towards the first edge of the chamber. membrane in a direction D from this first membrane edge to the second membrane edge. A displacement sensor of the first membrane edge belonging to the detection device can be fixed on this deflector Dx.

The membrane 3 has, for example, a general shape selected from the group of membrane shapes comprising a disc shape, a rectangular shape, a tubular shape. Thus, in FIGS. 1 and 3a to 3c, the membrane is in the form of a ribbon elongate, and in Figures 2 and 4, it is discoidal shape hollowed in its center.

The membrane may consist of one or more materials selected from flexible elastomers - NBR - NR - EPDM - VMQ - PU - other food materials (CR - PDM - Peroxide - FKM - Virgin PTFE) - PVC - silicone and / or metallic materials such as stainless steel.

The interaction between the sensor and its "target" which may be the membrane edge itself or a target carried by this first edge can be achieved by means of a camera associated with a system of analysis of the image, or a system for measuring a magnetic field if the target generates a magnetic field, the target being a magnet or an induction, or electrical if the target is conducting a current, or electromagnetic.

The sensor may also be optical and be equipped with an optical illumination device of the target (the first membrane edge constituting the target or carrying the target), this illumination being via a ray such as an infrared or laser beam. In this mode the sensor comprises a device sensitive to a reflection of the ray on the target as a photosensitive cell. The closer the target is to the sensor, the greater the intensity of the reflected ray, which makes it possible to know the position of the first membrane edge relative to the sensor.

The circulator according to the invention may be a liquid circulator, a gas circulator, a pump, a fan, a compressor, a thruster.

Some advantages of the invention will be listed below:

Optimum occlusivity: A return on the position of the membrane makes it possible to control the circulator for to guarantee an optimal occlusivity whatever the charge to which the circulator is subjected (fluids with variable viscosity, presence of particles, loss of charges, ...). Hydraulic power and optimum efficiency can be guaranteed by modulating the amplitude and / or the ripple frequency, that is, the torque and the speed of the motor. The risk of reverse flow, called "backflow", with a flow from the outlet to the entrance of the room, can be controlled. In the case of low hydraulic power required and when

One occlusivity can not be respected, the control of the amplitude / frequency torque makes it possible to minimize this inverted flow. Controlled shearing: The detection device and its / its sensors allows fine control of the minimum distance between the membrane and the chamber wall as well as the propagation characteristics of the wave along the membrane, thus limiting the shear stresses fluid. This is particularly interesting for certain applications such as in cardiac assist circulators where the physicochemical structure of the transported fluid is likely to be modified in case of shear above a predetermined threshold.

Simplicity of implementation: The detection device and its / its sensors can be very simple to implement, for example by positioning a Hall effect sensor on the stator vis-à-vis the rotor and its permanent magnet ( as for brushless motors).

Operating indicator: The detection device and its / its sensors allow to give other indications on the operation of the circulator which are correlated to the position of the membrane, such as the position of the rotor, or the flow and pressure for a given fluid viscosity, or simply, whether or not the circulator works.

Indicator on the pumped fluid: The measurement of the position of the first membrane edge also makes it possible to give an indication of the viscosity of the pumped fluid, in particular by means of a cartographic database generated with a given fluid, or by a calibration of the circulator made with a fluid of given viscosity. Thus, knowing the characteristics of the power supply signal, for example the electrical power delivered to the motor and the amplitude obtained via the detection device, the data of the mapping can be used to deduce the viscosity of the fluid. Thus, the invention may relate to a method for measuring viscosity of fluid passing through the chamber of the circulator according to the invention. This method of applying a predetermined power supply signal to the motor and measuring the amplitude of the first membrane edge caused by this actuation of the motor, and then depending on this measured amplitude and data mapping, associating data of supply signals with membrane displacement amplitude data and fluid viscosity data, a value representative of the viscosity of the effectively pumped fluid is derived. For the same electrical power, we will have a greater amplitude with a low viscosity fluid with a more viscous fluid.

Modular speed of control: The information processing of the sensor (s) can adapt to the complexity of the engine control to be implemented. The speed of control of the movement of the membrane depends on the speed with which it must be controlled: control on each oscillation / peak amplitude thereof, or control over a longer period (control over several oscillations / amplitudes possible decrease in frequency sensor sampling), or infrequent control to verify the correct operation of the circulator. In this case, the invention may also relate to a method of estimating the operating state of the circulator of applying a motor supply signal and observing the amplitude of the first edge of the membrane while a liquid of Known viscosity circulates in the chamber, then generate a status signal of the circulator as a function of the value taken by the measured amplitude. Depending on this status signal, the power unit can control a power supply shutdown of the motor and the generation of an alarm or otherwise continue this power supply. In addition, the control can be done according to any type of control / corrector: all-or-nothing, proportional, proportional-integral-derivative, fuzzy logic, or other. The slaving of the movement of the excited side of the membrane can therefore result in a real-time modification of the PWM control of the power bridge (that is to say, said switching means of the power supply), in the case where the supply of the actuator is by an inverter, a change that takes place more or less often depending on how quickly to control the circulator.

Volumetric measurement: Depending on the viscosity of the fluid and the load, the detection device and its sensor (s) allows a precise control of the pumped flow and the pressure delivered (advantage of volumetric circulators such as peristaltic circulators, piston circulators, or membrane circulators). The enslavement of the system in flow or pressure is improved.

Securing the circulator: The circulator is more reliable, avoiding any amplitude too high that would degrade the system, make noise, and consume unnecessarily energy, for example when the quality factor of the system is very good ( operating at the resonant frequency, no friction of the moving part on the other component because well guided by the springs), causing it to diverging oscillations, larger and larger, or in the case of variable hydraulic loads causing variable oscillations of the membrane for the same mechanical power (for a valve closure for example, the amplitude sometimes increases up to 60% compared to the amplitude in open valve). This also makes it possible to detect any abnormal movement of the membrane / any abnormal operation of the circulator: blockage, breakage, "lambada" of the moving part. In the case where the circulator must self-prime, it must then start running empty. The displacement sensor has the advantage of avoiding any motor runaway (due to a low load) and secure the circulator. The safety and service life of the system (circulator head, motor, electronics), those of the hydraulic circuit, and more generally the safety of the circulator environment (especially that of the user) are improved.

Hardware control: Like rotary brushless motors, position control can be done in hardware, reducing the costs associated with software control (see Figure 1). This type of piloting has the particularity to allow an oscillation of the rotor exactly at the resonant frequency of the system, the oscillation not being forced. Adaptation of the waveform: For a fluid or a load, this measurement can be used to adapt the shape (generally sinusoidal) of the current in the motor to improve the undulation of the membrane and to find the optimal control strategy (triangle, niche, sinus with an offset to raise or lower the midpoint of oscillation of the membrane, draws, any periodic sequence, ...), and thus improve the efficiency of the system. This detection device and its sensor (s) allows to automate the control of the circulator.

Calibration of the circulator: The measurement of the position of the diaphragm can be useful in the calibration of the circulator during its manufacture or its maintenance, in order to better regulate the parameters of the circulator: to increase the number of turns of the motor, to modify the separating the flanges forming opposite walls of the chamber, replacing parts, modifying the midpoint of membrane oscillation by adjusting the position of the membrane support, modifying the resonance frequency by changing the spring. For some applications for which the hydraulic load does not change, or for those that do not provide a critical function, this calibration may be the only time in the life of the circulator during which a sensor will be connected to it.

Clearance of space in the head of the circulator (the head here designates the body of the circulator): This position measurement also allows to to be able to place the membrane between these two flanges, for example by pressing the membrane against a flange to pass a bulky object in the head of the circulator that could not pass with the membrane in the middle, or for avoid any loss of load caused by it when filling its hydraulic circuit or putting it under pressure / depression. Use of several sensors: The integration of several sensors into the circulator's detection device makes the circulator more reliable or specifies the measurements by the redundancy of information. These sensors can in particular be positioned at different locations on the upstream edge of the membrane in order to give an image of the complete oscillation of this upstream edge and to detect any anomaly, such as the abnormal ripple of a portion of the edge ("lambada"). of the moving part). In the case of motors with several phases and several mechanical connection parts each driven by one of these phases and each connected to a part which is specific to the first membrane edge, the correction of this movement can be done in real time . Indeed, each phase drives a portion of the edge of the membrane, and modulating the amplitude of the current on this phase, modulates the amplitude of this membrane edge portion.

Claims

1) An undulating diaphragm circulator (1) comprising:

- a body

(2) inside which there is an internal chamber (2a) to the body, this chamber (2a) comprising at least one fluid inlet opening (21) in the chamber and at least one fluid outlet opening ( 22) out of the room;

- a flexible membrane

(3) placed in the chamber to be able to wave between first and second edges of the membrane (31, 32), the first membrane edge (31) being located closer to the fluid inlet opening ( 21) than the fluid outlet opening (22) and the second membrane edge (32) being located closer to the fluid outlet opening (22) than the fluid inlet opening (22). (21); the circulator further comprising:

- an actuating mechanism

(4) comprising at least one motor (M) and at least one mechanical connecting piece (41) connecting the motor (M) to the first edge of the diaphragm (31) to move it in a reciprocating manner relative to the body (2) ) for inducing on the membrane (3) a corrugation propagating from the first membrane edge (31) to the second membrane edge (32), characterized in that the circulator also comprises a detection device (5) of at least one value representative of a displacement of the membrane (3) relative to the body (2), this detection device (5) being operatively connected to a power supply unit (6) of the motor, this power supply unit being arranged to deliver at least one power supply signal to the motor as a function of a detection signal (Sd) delivered to the power supply unit (6) by said detection device (5), this detection signal (Sd) being a function of said at least one detected value.

2) An undulating diaphragm pump according to claim 1, wherein the detection device

(5) is arranged so that said detection signal (Sd) delivered to the power supply unit (6) is a function of measurements made by at least one sensor (C1) of said detection device (5) selected from the group of sensors comprising Hall sensor, resolver sensor, incremental encoder, an optical sensor using a light beam for measuring a parameter of displacement of a membrane surface, a laser sensor using a laser beam for measuring a parameter of displacement of a surface membrane, an optical sensor using a light beam for measuring a target displacement parameter, a laser sensor using a laser beam for measuring a target displacement parameter, an accelerometer, a capacitive sensor, an inductive sensor, a resistive sensor, a camera associated with an image analysis system, an infrared sensor, an eddy current sensor.

The undulating diaphragm circulator according to claim 2, wherein said at least one sensor

(Cl) of the detection device has a target (C12) mechanically connected to the membrane (31), the value representative of a displacement of the membrane varying during the displacement of this target (C12) relative to the body of the circulator (2). ).

4) An undulating diaphragm pump according to claim 1, wherein the detection device (5) is arranged so that said detection signal (Sd) delivered to the power unit (6) is a function of measurements made by at least one sensor (C1) of said detection device (5) selected from the group of deformation sensors comprising:

a deformation sensor of said at least one mechanical connection piece connecting the motor to the first edge of the membrane,

a deformation sensor of at least one spring (42) exerting a variable elastic force as a function of the displacement of the first edge of the membrane by the motor,

a deformation sensor attached to the membrane to measure deformations of the membrane.

5) undulating diaphragm pump according to claim 1, wherein the detection device is arranged so that said detection signal delivered to the power unit is a function of measurements made by at least one sensor of said detection device selected in the sensor group comprising:

a measurement sensor for mechanical stress;

a magnetic field sensor,

a voltage sensor,

an angular displacement / rotation sensor (C1),

a current sensor (C8).

6) undulating diaphragm pump according to claim 1, wherein the power supply unit (6) is arranged so that said at least one motor supply signal (M) it generates is a function of measurements made by at at least one sensor of said detection device selected from a group of fluid characteristic sensors comprising:

at least one flow sensor (C41) of fluid pumped by the circulator; at least one pressure sensor (C42) of fluid pumped by the circulator;

at least one fluid viscosity sensor. 7) An undulating diaphragm pump according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the actuating mechanism (4) is arranged to define a maximum amplitude (MAX) of the reciprocating movement of the first edge (31) of the variable diaphragm according to said at least one power supply signal delivered to the motor (M).

8) Inverting diaphragm circulator according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the actuating mechanism (4) comprises an electromechanical assembly of amplitude variation distinct from said motor, said electromechanical assembly comprising said piece connecting the motor to the first edge of the membrane, this electromechanical assembly being arranged to define a maximum amplitude of the reciprocating movement of the first edge of the variable membrane as a function of a maximum amplitude setpoint delivered by an amplitude control unit to said electromechanical assembly. An undulating diaphragm circulator according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein said value representative of the movement of the diaphragm relative to the body is a maximum measured displacement amplitude of the first edge of the diaphragm (31) relative to the body (2).

10) corrugating membrane circulator according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the circulator comprises a fluid baffle (Dx) positioned in the chamber (2a) and connected to the body (2) for directing fluid arriving in the chamber via the fluid inlet opening to the first membrane edge in a direction (D) from this first membrane edge to the second membrane edge, a displacement sensor of the first edge of membrane belonging to the detection device and being fixed on this deflector.

11) Inverting diaphragm circulator according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the membrane has a generally selected form in the group of membrane shapes comprising a disc shape, a rectangular shape, a tubular shape. 12) corrugating membrane circulator according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the motor comprises a movable rotor (Ml) comprising at least one permanent magnet (M10) and a stator (M2) comprising at least one stator coil (M21, M22) adapted to generate a magnetic flux in response to said at least one power supply signal of the motor (M), said power supply signal of the motor being delivered to said at least one coil (M21, M22) by the power unit (6) of the engine.

13) undulating diaphragm circulator according to the preceding claim, wherein the detection device (5) comprises at least one position sensor (C5, C6) of the rotor relative to said at least one stator coil (M21, M22).

14) corrugating diaphragm pump according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the detection device (5) is arranged to detect the respective positions of several points of the membrane relative to the body (2).

The membrane circulator according to claim 14, wherein the detection device is arranged to collect images of a longitudinal profile of the membrane extending between the first and second edges of the membrane (31, 32) for detecting said positions of several points of the membrane, these points belonging to said longitudinal profile of the membrane.

16) Diaphragm circulator according to claim

14, wherein the detection device is arranged to collect images of a surface of the membrane extending between the first and second edges of the membrane (31, 32) to detect said positions of several points of the membrane, these points belonging to a surface shape of the membrane in three dimensions to define a three-dimensional image of this membrane and its evolution over time.