US20180094627A1

US20180094627A1 - Variable displacment fluid pump

Info

Publication number: US20180094627A1
Application number: US15/284,800
Authority: US
Inventors: James Kidd
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2016-10-04
Filing date: 2016-10-04
Publication date: 2018-04-05

Abstract

The present disclosure is directed to a variable displacement fluid pump, comprising: a) one or more cylinder portions comprising an internal cylinder diameter and a first cylinder end and second cylinder end; b) at least one multiport valve; c) one or more packing boxes comprising one or more packing box seals, an internal packing box diameter and a first packing box end and a second packing box end; d) one or more piston portions; e) at least one linear multiport valve actuator capable of rotating the multiport valve to selectively align the one or more inlet ports and/or one or more outlet ports; and f) at least one linear piston actuator comprising a piston actuator plunger capable of being engaged with the piston portion mount and capable of providing a discharge stroke and a suction stroke.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure is in the field of fluid pumps.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

Certain chemical, including industrial oil and gas, operations utilize chemical injection pumps for dispensation of fluids. However, the chemical injection pumps generally suffer from the use of check valves and O-rings that require frequent maintenance and replacement. Moreover, the chemical injection pumps rely on a short stroke length within the pump head leading to chemical injection pumps with long run hours to meet the L/d demand of a particular industrial application. As a result maintenance and down time are costly. Another limitation related to the short stoke of chemical injection pumps available on the market today is that flow rates can only be adjusted by changing to a different pump head with a different stroke length. Another limitation related to the short stroke and limited piston diameters of chemical injection pumps available on the market today is that flow rates are only variable to a certain point, beyond which a wholesale change of pump head with a different piston size is required.
There is a need for a fluid injection pump capable of providing variable fluid flow rates that incorporates the ability to accurately dispense fluids in small metered amounts with a modular pump design that employs a pump head with a stroke length that results in reduced run times and reduced and simplified maintenance within industrial applications.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Disclosed herein is a variable displacement fluid pump, comprising: a) one or more cylinder portions comprising an internal cylinder diameter and a first cylinder end and second cylinder end, wherein the internal cylinder diameter forms a fluid reservoir; b) at least one multiport valve comprising one or more inlet ports and/or one or more outlet ports and a main inlet port that is engaged with the internal cylinder at the second cylinder end, wherein the main inlet port is capable of receiving a fluid from the one or more cylinder portions; c) one or more packing boxes comprising one or more packing box seals, an internal packing box diameter and a first packing box end and a second packing box end, wherein the packing box is affixed to a first cylinder end, and wherein the internal cylinder diameter and the internal packing box diameter are aligned; d) one or more piston portions comprising a piston portion mount at a first end and an outer diameter capable of being engaged with the aligned internal cylinder diameter and the internal packing box diameter; e) at least one linear multiport valve actuator capable of rotating the multiport valve to selectively align the one or more inlet ports and/or one or more outlet ports; and f) at least one linear piston actuator comprising a piston actuator plunger capable of being engaged with the piston portion mount and capable of providing a discharge stroke and a suction stroke by moving the piston actuator plunger and thereby moving the one or more piston portions within the internal cylinder diameter of the one or more cylinder portions.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an illustration of a variable displacement fluid pump 100 as disclosed herein.

FIG. 2 is an illustration of an embodiment of variable displacement fluid pump 200 comprising a linear piston actuator 114.

FIG. 3 is an illustration of an embodiment of variable displacement fluid pump 300 comprising a linear multiport valve actuator 103.

FIG. 4 is an illustration of an embodiment of variable displacement fluid pump 400 comprising a piston actuator plunger 401 and a piston portion 110 operating a suction stroke 405.

FIG. 5 is an illustration of an embodiment of variable displacement fluid pump 500 comprising a piston actuator plunger 401 and a piston portion 110 operating a discharge stroke 501.

FIG. 6 is an illustration of an embodiment of variable displacement fluid pump 600 comprising two cylinder portions 106 engaged with each respective piston portion 110.

FIG. 7 is a cutaway view illustration of an embodiment of variable displacement fluid pump 700 comprising a packing box 112.

FIG. 8 is a cutaway view illustration of an embodiment of variable displacement fluid pump 800 comprising a piston actuator plunger 401 engaged with a piston portion 110 via a piston portion mount 201.

FIG. 9 is an illustration of an embodiment of variable displacement fluid pump 900 comprising a piston portion mount 201.

FIG. 10 is an illustration of an embodiment of variable displacement fluid pump 1000 comprising a multiport valve 105.

FIG. 11 illustrates a schematic block diagram of a conceptual computer system 1100 used to implement some embodiments. For example, the device described above in reference to FIGS. 1-10 may be at least partially implemented using computer system 1100.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

The following is a detailed description of certain specific embodiments of the variable displacement fluid pumps as disclosed herein.
In one aspect, disclosed herein is a variable displacement fluid pump, comprising: a) one or more cylinder portions comprising an internal cylinder diameter and a first cylinder end and second cylinder end, wherein the internal cylinder diameter forms a fluid reservoir; b) at least one multiport valve comprising one or more inlet ports and/or one or more outlet ports and a main inlet port that is engaged with the internal cylinder at the second cylinder end, wherein the main inlet port is capable of receiving a fluid from the one or more cylinder portions; c) one or more packing boxes comprising one or more packing box seals, an internal packing box diameter and a first packing box end and a second packing box end, wherein the packing box is affixed to a first cylinder end, and wherein the internal cylinder diameter and the internal packing box diameter are aligned; d) one or more piston portions comprising a piston portion mount at a first end and an outer diameter capable of being engaged with the aligned internal cylinder diameter and the internal packing box diameter; e) at least one linear multiport valve actuator capable of rotating the multiport valve to selectively align the one or more inlet ports and/or one or more outlet ports; and f) at least one linear piston actuator comprising a piston actuator plunger capable of being engaged with the piston portion mount and capable of providing a discharge stroke and a suction stroke by moving the piston actuator plunger and thereby moving the one or more piston portions within the internal cylinder diameter of the one or more cylinder portions, wherein the one or more cylinder portions, the at least one multiport valve and the one or more piston portions are stainless steel.
Turning to the drawings, FIG. 1 depicts a variable displacement fluid pump 100 comprising a first base portion 102 with a length 118 and a second base portion 107 with a length 117, a cylinder portion 106, a multiport valve 105, cylinder portion mounts 116, a packing box 112, fluid pump wheels 115, a piston portion 110, linear multiport valve actuator switch 108, linear multiport valve actuator switch 109, power wires 113 and a pinion 104. In some embodiments, the one or more cylinder portions, the at least one multiport valve and the one or more piston portions are stainless steel. In some embodiments, the variable displacement fluid pump, further comprises a base portion, whereby the at least one linear piston actuator is mounted to a first base portion and in linear arrangement with the one or more piston portions that are engaged with the internal cylinder diameter of each respective cylinder portion. In some embodiments, the first base portion 102 has a length between about 2 foot and 5 foot. In some embodiments, the second base portion 107 has a length between about 6 foot and 10 foot. The first base portion 102 and the second base portion 107 have perpendicular sidewalls spaced at a distance between about 6 inches to 24 inches with a height of between about 5 inches and 18 inches. In some embodiments, the first base portion 102 has a length of about 3 feet. In some embodiments, the second base portion 107 has a length of about 7 foot. The first base portion 102 and the second base portion 107 have perpendicular sidewalls spaced at a distance of about 7 inches with a height of about 7 inches.
FIG. 2 depicts a variable displacement fluid pump 200 comprising a linear piston actuator 114 affixed to the second base portion 107 via linear piston actuator base mounting bracket 203, fluid pump wheel axle 204 and a linear piston actuator power wire 202. In some embodiments, the variable displacement fluid pump 200 comprises a control module 206, comprising a linear multiport valve actuator switch 207, a linear piston actuator switch 208, a CPU 210, a processor 212, wireless communication module and control wires 202 and 301. In some embodiments, the at least one linear multiport valve actuator and the at least one linear piston actuator are in electrical communication with an AC or DC electrical power source.
Turning to FIG. 3, the illustration depicts an embodiment of variable displacement fluid pump 300 comprising a linear multiport valve actuator 103 comprising a multiport valve actuator power wire 301, a multiport valve actuator mounting bracket 309, a multiport valve actuator base supports 308, multiport valve actuator plunger 302, a rack 304 with a plurality of teeth 310 capable of engaging with a pinion 104 with a plurality of teeth 306 that is rotationally engaged via a pinion insert 305 with a selector stem of the multiport valve 105. In some embodiments, the rack 304 is connected to the multiport valve actuator plunger 302 via the pin 303 or the rack 304 may be welded to the multiport valve actuator plunger 302. In some embodiments, the stroke length 311 is between about 0.5 inches and 12 inches. In some embodiments, the stroke length 311 is about 3 inches. In some embodiments, the linear multiport valve actuator 103 may comprise a pair of reed switches inside the actuator and at either end of actuator body for controlling the amount total stroke length. In some embodiments, the variable displacement fluid pump comprises a rack guide 307 that is rotationally engaged with the rack 304 and is capable of maintaining alignment between the rack 304 with a plurality of teeth 310 and the pinion 104 with a plurality of teeth 306. In some embodiments, the pinion 104 has teeth 306 that are each 14.5 degree. In some embodiments, the multiport valve actuator comprises a rack with a plurality of teeth capable of engaging with a pinion that is rotationally engaged with a selector stem of the multiport valve. In some embodiments, the at least one linear multiport valve actuator rotatably engages the multiport valve to selectively align the one or more inlet ports and the at least one linear piston actuator moves each respective piston actuator plunger in a suction stroke. In some embodiments, the at least one linear multiport valve actuator rotatably engages the multiport valve to selectively align the one or more outlet ports and the at least one linear piston actuator moves each respective piston actuator plunger in a full or incremental discharge stroke. In some embodiments, the at least one linear multiport valve actuator rotatably engages the multiport valve to selectively align one inlet port and the at least one linear piston actuator moves each respective piston actuator plunger in a suction stroke. In some embodiments, the at least one linear multiport valve actuator rotatably engages the multiport valve to selectively align one outlet port and the at least one linear piston actuator moves each respective piston actuator plunger in a full or incremental discharge stroke.
FIG. 4 depicts an embodiment of variable displacement fluid pump 400 comprising a piston actuator plunger 401 and a piston portion 110 operating a suction stroke 405. The piston portion 110 has a piston length 406. The variable displacement fluid pump 400 comprises a suction stroke length 407. In some embodiments, the piston actuator plunger 401 has a length between about 6 inches and 48 inches. In some embodiments, the piston actuator plunger 401 has a length of about 19.685 inches. In some embodiments, the piston portion 110 has a length 406 between about 6 inches and 48 inches. In some embodiments, the piston portion 110 has a length of about 30 inches. FIG. 5 is an illustration of an embodiment of variable displacement fluid pump 500 comprising a piston actuator plunger 401 and a piston portion 110 operating in a discharge stroke 501. The discharge stroke 501 has a discharge stroke length 502. In some embodiments, an incremental suction stroke 405 may comprise a suction stroke length 407 of the piston portion 110 between about 0.5 mm and 1000 mm. In some embodiments, an incremental suction stroke 405 may comprise movement of the piston portion 110 of about 0.5 mm and 500 mm. In some embodiments, the linear piston actuator 114 may comprise a pair of reed switches inside the actuator and at either end of actuator body for controlling the amount total stroke length. In some embodiments, the variable displacement fluid pump comprises: i) one cylinder portion; ii) one multiport valve; iii) one packing box; iv) one piston portion; v) one linear multiport valve actuator; and vi) one linear piston actuator. In some embodiments, the stroke length is between about 200 mm and 1000 mm. In some embodiments, the suction stroke length 407 and/or the discharge stroke length 502 are independently about 500 mm. In some embodiments, an incremental suction stroke length 407 and/or discharge stroke length 502 may comprise stroke movement of the piston portion 110 in a series of incremental movement amounts of between about 0.5 mm and 1000 mm. In some embodiments, an incremental discharge stroke 501 may comprise movement of the piston portion 110 of about 0.5 mm and 500 mm. In some embodiments, the variable displacement fluid pump further comprises that the discharge stroke is provided in incremental amounts of a fluid contained in the one or more cylinder portions. In some embodiments, the at least one linear multiport valve actuator and the at least one linear piston actuator are in electrical communication with a control module comprising a CPU capable of controlling a full and/or incremental discharge stroke and suction stroke. In some embodiments, the length 503 of the cylinder portion 106 is between about 6 inches and 48 inches. In some embodiments, the length 503 of the cylinder portion 106 is about 21.5 inches. In some embodiments, the volume of the cylinder portion 106 is between about 0.05 L and 1 L. In some embodiments, the volume of the cylinder portion 106 is about 0.1426 L.
Turning to FIG. 6, the illustration depicts an embodiment of variable displacement fluid pump 600 comprising two cylinder portions 106 engaged with each respective piston portion 110. In some embodiments, the variable displacement fluid pump comprises: i) two cylinder portions; ii) one multiport valve; iii) two packing boxes; iv) two piston portions; v) one linear multiport valve actuator; and vi) one linear piston actuator. The cylinder portions 106 are connected to the multiport valve 105 via straight and/or angled fittings and reducers 601 arranged in a T-configuration as illustrated. The piston actuator plunger 604 is connected to the piston portions 110 via bar portions 603 which are connected to the piston portions 110 via piston portion mount 602. The multiport valve actuator plunger 302, a rack 304 with a plurality of teeth 310 capable of engaging with a pinion 104 with a plurality of teeth 306 that is rotationally engaged via a pinion insert 305 of FIGS. 3 and 10 with a selector stem 1012 of the multiport valve 105.
FIG. 7 depicts an embodiment of variable displacement fluid pump 700 comprising a packing box 112 that comprises a packing box housing 705, a first packing nut 404 and an adaptor fitting 402, whereby the plurality of packing box seals 705 arranged about an inner packing box surface 711 along an inner packing box diameter 707. In some embodiments, the diameter 717 of the first packing nut 404 and the inner diameter 716 of the adaptor fitting 402 are between about 3/16 inches and 11 inches. In some embodiments, the diameter 717 of the first packing nut 404 and the inner diameter 716 of the adaptor fitting 402 is about ⅞ inches. In some embodiments, the inner packing box diameter 707 is between about 0.5 inch and 2 inches. In some embodiments, the inner packing box diameter 707 is of about 1.25 inches. In some embodiments, the packing box 112 comprises one or more packing box washers 702 arranged between the packing box seals 705 and the first packing nut 404. In some embodiments, the packing box 112 comprises a packing box inner lip 704 positioned between the packing box seals 705 and the adaptor fitting 402, whereby the adaptor fitting 402 is connected to compression fitting 403. In some embodiments, the packing box seals 705 are comprised of a plurality of Vee Packing seals arranged in series along the inner packing box diameter 707. In some embodiments, the packing box seals 705 are Vee Packing seals. In some embodiments, the Vee Packing seals (www.hitechseals.com/products/vee-packing.asp) are comprised of 5 center pieces (PN: VP07501250), 1 top piece (PN: VP07501251) 1 bottom piece (PN: VP07501252), which are comprised of Teflon® with an inner diameter of about 0.75 inches and an outer diameter of 1.25 inches. The piston portion 110 has an outer diameter 710. In some embodiments, the piston portion 110 has a diameter between about 0.5 inches and 2 inches. In some embodiments, the piston portion 110 has a diameter of about 0.75 inches. The packing box seals 705 have an inner diameter 706. In some embodiments, the inner diameter 706 of the packing box seals 705 is between about 3/16 inches and 11 inches. In some embodiments, the inner diameter 706 of the packing box seals 705 is about 0.75 inches. The cylinder portion 106 has an inner diameter 715. In some embodiments, the inner diameter 715 of the cylinder portion 106 is between about 0.25 inches and 2 inches. In some embodiments, the inner diameter 715 of the cylinder portion 106 of about 0.782 inches. In some embodiments, the packing box seal inner diameter 706 and the cylinder portion inner diameter 715 are the same. The first packing nut threads 701 and a second packing nut threads 703 are capable of being engaged with packing box housing threads 712 and 713, respectively. The packing box housing 705 has an overall length 708 and a seal surface length 714 between threads 712 and 713 and an outer diameter 709. In some embodiments, the overall length 708 of the packing box housing 705 is between about 1 inch and 12 inches. In some embodiments, the overall length 708 of the packing box housing 705 is about 3.375 inches. In some embodiments, the outer diameter 709 of the packing box housing 705 is between about 1 inch and 4 inches. In some embodiments, the outer diameter 709 of the packing box housing 705 is about 2 inches. In some embodiments, the seal surface length 714 between threads 712 and 713 is between about 0.5 inches and 10 inches. In some embodiments, the seal surface length 714 between threads 712 and 713 is about 1 inch. The packing box is connected to the compression fitting 403 of the cylinder portion 106 via the adaptor fitting 402.
As depicted, FIG. 8 illustrates an embodiment of variable displacement fluid pump 800 comprising a piston actuator plunger 401 engaged with a piston portion 110 via a piston portion mount 201. The piston portion 110 in engaged with the inner diameter 706 of the packing box seals 705 and the inner diameter 715 of the cylinder portion 106, whereby the seals prevent fluid within the cylinder portion 106 from leaking out of the packing box 112 during operation of the variable displacement fluid pump as disclosed herein. In some embodiments, the cylinder portion 106 has a diameter 801 of between about 0.75 inches and 4 inches.
The piston portion mount 201 depicted with FIG. 9, comprises a pin 909 that is engaged therethrough the piston portion mount apertures 904 and 907 and the piston actuator plunger aperture 910 therebetween. The piston actuator plunger 401 comprises the piston actuator plunger sleeve 911 capable of engaging with the piston portion mount cavity 905 comprising a right fork 902 and a left fork 906, wherein the piston portion mount apertures 904 and 907 and the piston actuator plunger aperture 910 are aligned. The pin 909 comprises a safety cable 903 affixed to the pin head portion 901 and removable affixed to a terminal pin end 908.
Turning to FIG. 10, the illustration depicts a multiport valve 105 connected to the second cylinder end cylinder portion 106 via a series of threaded fittings including but not limited to a compression fitting 403, a first valve reducer fitting 1002, a second valve reducer fitting 1003, whereby the multiport valve 105 is connected to the valve fitting 1004. The multiport valve 105 comprises a selector stem 1012, a valve body 1007, one or more inlet ports 1005 and/or one or more outlet ports 1006, a main inlet port 1010 that is engaged with the internal cylinder diameter at the second cylinder end. As illustrated, the pinion insert 305 is connected to the selector stem 1012 of the multiport valve 105 via port 1022 through selector stem opening 1011 of the first base portion 102 via a pinion insert cavity 1013 and pinion insert fasteners 1014. Moreover, the rack guide 307 is affixed to the first base portion 102 via a rack guide fastener 1008 and 1009.

Computer System

Many of the processes and modules described above may be implemented as software processes that are specified as one or more sets of instructions recorded on a non-transitory storage medium. When these instructions are executed by one or more computational element(s) (e.g., microprocessors, microcontrollers, digital signal processors (DSPs), application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), etc.) the instructions cause the computational element(s) to perform actions specified in the instructions.
In some embodiments, various processes and modules described above may be implemented completely using electronic circuitry that may include various sets of devices or elements (e.g., sensors, logic gates, analog to digital converters, digital to analog converters, comparators, etc.). Such circuitry may be adapted to perform functions and/or features that may be associated with various software elements described throughout.
Referring to the drawings, FIG. 11 illustrates a schematic block diagram of a conceptual computer system 1100 used to implement some embodiments. For example, the system described above in reference to FIGS. 1-10 may be at least partially implemented using all or a portion of computer system 1100.
Computer system 1100 may be implemented using various appropriate devices. For instance, the computer system may be implemented using one or more vehicle display units, personal computers (PCs), servers, mobile devices (e.g., a smartphone), tablet devices, and/or any other appropriate devices. The various devices may work alone (e.g., the computer system may be implemented as a vehicle display unit) or in conjunction (e.g., some components of the computer system may be provided by a vehicle display unit while other components may be provided by a tablet device).
As shown, computer system 1100 may include at least one communication bus 1102, one or more processors 1104, a system memory 1106, a read-only memory (ROM) 1108, permanent storage devices 1110, input devices 1124, output devices 1122, various other components 1120 (e.g., a graphics processing unit), and one or more network interfaces 1112 and may include a network 1114, corresponding remote storage 918 and a corresponding external component 1116.
Bus represents all communication pathways among the elements of computer system 900. Such pathways may include wired, wireless, optical, and/or other appropriate communication pathways. For example, input devices 1124 and/or output devices 922 may be coupled to the system 900 using a wireless connection protocol or system.
The processor 1104 may, in order to execute the processes of some embodiments, retrieve instructions to execute and/or data to process from components such as system memory 1106, ROM 1108, and permanent storage device 1110. Such instructions and data may be passed over bus 1102.
System memory 1106 may be a volatile read-and-write memory, such as a random access memory (RAM). The system memory may store some of the instructions and data that the processor uses at runtime. The sets of instructions and/or data used to implement some embodiments may be stored in the system memory 1106, the permanent storage device 1110, and/or the read-only memory 1108. ROM 908 may store static data and instructions that may be used by processor 1104 and/or other elements of the computer system.
Permanent storage device 1110 may be a read-and-write memory device. The permanent storage device may be a non-volatile memory unit that stores instructions and data even when computer system 1100 is off or unpowered. Computer system 900 may use a removable storage device and/or a remote storage device as the permanent storage device.
Input devices 1124 may enable a user to communicate information to the computer system and/or manipulate various operations of the system. The input devices may include keyboards, cursor control devices, audio input devices and/or video input devices. Output devices 1122 may include printers, displays, and/or audio devices. Some or all of the input and/or output devices may be wirelessly or optically connected to the computer system.
Other components 1120 may perform various other functions. These functions may include performing specific functions (e.g., graphics processing, sound processing, etc.), providing storage, interfacing with external systems or components, etc.
Referring to FIG. 11, computer system 1100 may be coupled to one or more networks 1114 through one or more network interfaces 1112. For example, computer system 1100 may be coupled to a web server on the Internet such that a web browser executing on computer system 1100 may interact with the web server as a user interacts with an interface that operates in the web browser. Computer system 900 may be able to access one or more remote storages 1118 and one or more external components 1116 through the network interface 1112 and network 1114. The network interface(s) 1112 may include one or more application programming interfaces (APIs) that may allow the computer system 1100 to access remote systems and/or storages and also may allow remote systems and/or storages to access computer system 900 (or elements thereof).
As used in this specification and any claims of this application, the terms “computer”, “server”, “processor”, and “memory” all refer to electronic devices. These terms exclude people or groups of people. As used in this specification and any claims of this application, the term “non-transitory storage medium” is entirely restricted to tangible, physical objects that store information in a form that is readable by electronic devices. These terms exclude any wireless or other ephemeral signals.
It should be recognized by one of ordinary skill in the art that any or all of the components of computer system 900 may be used in conjunction with some embodiments. Moreover, one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that many other system configurations may also be used in conjunction with some embodiments or components of some embodiments.
In addition, while the examples shown may illustrate many individual modules as separate elements, one of ordinary skill in the art would recognize that these modules may be combined into a single functional block or element. One of ordinary skill in the art would also recognize that a single module may be divided into multiple modules.

Experimental Results

I. Fluid rate experiments with a single piston variable displacement fluid pump as disclosed herein with a single piston with a stroke length of 500 cm.

TABLE 1

	Full Strokes	Full Strokes	Full Strokes	Minutes Per	Seconds Per
Rate (L/D)	Per Day	Per Hour	Per Minute	Full Stroke	Full Stroke	Duty Cycle

1.000	7.013	0.292	0.005	205.345	12321	0.32%
2.000	14.025	0.584	0.010	102.672	6160	0.65%
4.000	28.050	1.169	0.019	51.336	3080	1.30%
8.000	56.101	2.338	0.039	25.668	1540	2.60%
20.000	140.252	5.844	0.097	10.267	616	6.49%
40.000	280.504	11.688	0.195	5.134	308	12.99%
50.000	350.630	14.610	0.243	4.107	246	16.23%
60.000	420.756	17.532	0.292	3.422	205	19.48%
80.000	561.008	23.375	0.390	2.567	154	25.97%
100.000	701.260	29.219	0.487	2.053	123	32.47%
120.000	841.512	35.063	0.584	1.711	103	38.96%
140.000	981.764	40.907	0.682	1.467	88	45.45%
160.000	1122.016	46.751	0.779	1.283	77	51.95%
34.000	238.428	9.935	0.166	6.040	362	11.04%

II. Fluid rate experiments with a single piston variable displacement fluid pump as disclosed herein with a dual piston each with a stroke length of 500 cm.

TABLE 2

	Full Strokes	Full Strokes	Full Strokes	Minutes Per	Seconds Per
Rate (L/D)	Per Day	Per Hour	Per Minute	Full Stroke	Full Stroke	Duty Cycle

1.000	3.507	0.146	0.002	410.607	24636	0.16%
2.000	7.014	0.292	0.005	205.304	12318	0.32%
4.000	14.028	0.585	0.010	102.652	6159	0.65%
8.000	28.056	1.169	0.019	51.326	3080	1.30%
20.000	70.140	2.923	0.049	20.530	1232	3.25%
40.000	140.280	5.845	0.097	10.265	616	6.49%
50.000	175.350	7.306	0.122	8.212	493	8.12%
60.000	210.420	8.768	0.146	6.843	411	9.74%
80.000	280.560	11.690	0.195	5.133	308	12.99%
100.000	350.700	14.613	0.244	4.106	246	16.24%
120.000	420.840	17.535	0.292	3.422	205	19.48%
140.000	490.980	20.458	0.341	2.933	176	22.73%
160.000	561.120	23.380	0.390	2.566	154	25.98%
180.000	631.260	26.303	0.438	2.281	137	29.23%
200.000	701.400	29.225	0.487	2.053	123	32.47%
200.000	701.4	29.225	0.487	2.053	123.182	32.47%

The present disclosure is directed to variable displacement fluid pump that solves problems with current chemical injection pumps on the market today. Chemical injection pumps on the market today typically use O-rings that break down and need to be replaced frequently. In this aspect, the check valves that are used with chemical injection pumps on the market today have been replaced with a stainless steel 3-way valve that uses a Teflon (PTFE) valve seal, which greatly improves reliability and limits down time with maintenance related to replacing O-rings and check valves. An additional advantage of the variable displacement fluid pump disclosed herein is that the cylinder portion, piston portion and packing box are fabricated from with stainless steel which greatly improves reliability and reduces down time as compared to chemical injection pumps with a body portion not made from stainless steel. Chemical injection pumps on the market today typically require a complete pump head replacement if a different flow rate and/or volume of the chemical being pumped is needed. In contrast, the variable displacement fluid pump as disclosed herein provides between 1 L/d and 100 L/d with a single pump head and between 2 L/d and 200 L/d using dual head without replacing the pump head change using ¾ inch piston. In contrast, the chemical injection pumps on the market today typically require changing the pump head which significantly adds to the cost and including the labor and own time. In this case, the user would have a pump head that is not being used unless there is a decision to return to the previous flow rate by changing the pump head back to the previous flow rate. For example, with the chemical injection pumps on the market today the following shows at which flow rate the user will be required to change the pump head to achieve the change in flow rate as follows:
i. 3/16 inch piston: 0 L/d to 19.1 L/d
ii. ¼ inch piston: 19.1 L/d to 34.1 L/d
iii. ⅜ inch piston: 34.1 L/d to 77.3 L/d
iv. ½ inch piston: 77.3 L/d to 137 L/d
Moreover, typically the chemical injection pumps on the market today are in constant pumping motion. In contrast, the variable displacement fluid pump disclosed herein only provides a stroke when needed. For example, the variable displacement fluid pump disclosed herein provides a full stroke for the suction stroke, but the discharge stroke may be provided with small incremental strokes that are controlled by a controller and the flow rate setting. The result is less energy needed with the large volume provided by the suction stroke, which also translates to less wear and tear on moving parts and less down time and maintenance. In this aspect, the chemical injection pumps on the market today typically have a short stroke length between about ⅓ inch and 1 inch and a maximum rate of 30 strokes per minute. By comparison, the variable displacement fluid pump disclosed herein has a stroke length of about 500 mm (19.7 inches). For example, the longer stroke length of 500 mm (19.7 inches) is capable of a flow rate of 34 L/d at 238 strokes per day. By comparison, a chemical injection pump on the market today that has a ⅜ inch piston capable of discharging 34.1 L/d would translate to about 43,200 strokes per day.
Typically the chemical injection pump on the market today requires regular or daily calibration at least, which means that the accuracy starts to diminish following each calibration. In contrast, the variable displacement fluid pump disclosed herein is self calibrating with the controller and as a result is capable of maintaining very accurate flow rates. Moreover, the flow rate setting of the variable displacement fluid pump disclosed herein is performed via an electronic wired or wireless controller, which improves accuracy and can be performed in seconds. The controller also comprises a troubleshooting module which is capable of providing audio or visual alarm signals to the operator which is an advantage of other chemical injection pumps. Maintenance of the variable displacement fluid pump disclosed herein is easily accomplished with the engineered design of the piston and cylinder in combination with the packing box. The efficient design translates into a fluid pump that can be taken apart and serviced with minimal skills, whereas the chemical injection pumps on the market today generally require a skilled instrument technician to be called to the chemical injection pump installation adding to the maintenance costs.
Additional advantages of the variable displacement fluid pump disclosed herein are that the fluid pump may comprise a remote shut-down module, a wireless communication module, a remote rate control and preset and adjustable On/Off times.

Definitions

For the purposes of this specification and appended claims, unless otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing quantities, percentages or proportions, and other numerical values used in the specification and claims, are to be understood as being modified in all instances by the term “about.” Accordingly, unless indicated to the contrary, the numerical parameters set forth in the following specification and attached claims are approximations that can vary depending upon the desired properties sought to be obtained. It is noted that, as used in this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the,” include plural references unless expressly and unequivocally limited to one referent. As used herein, the term “include” and its grammatical variants are intended to be non-limiting, such that recitation of items in a list is not to the exclusion of other like items that can be substituted or added to the listed items. As used herein, the term “comprising” means including elements or steps that are identified following that term, but any such elements or steps are not exhaustive, and an embodiment can include other elements or steps.
As will be understood by one skilled in the art, for any and all purposes, particularly in terms of providing a written description, all ranges disclosed herein also encompass any and all possible subranges and combinations of subranges thereof. Any listed range can be easily recognized as sufficiently describing and enabling the same range being broken down into at least equal halves, thirds, quarters, fifths, tenths, etc. As a non-limiting example, each range discussed herein can be readily broken down into a lower third, middle third and upper third, etc. As will also be understood by one skilled in the art all language such as “up to,” “at least,” “greater than,” “less than,” and the like, include the number recited and refer to ranges which can be subsequently broken down into subranges as discussed above. Finally, as will be understood by one skilled in the art, a range includes each individual member.
While certain embodiments have been illustrated and described, it should be understood that changes and modifications can be made therein in accordance with ordinary skill in the art without departing from the technology in its broader aspects as defined in the following claims.
The present disclosure is not to be limited in terms of the particular embodiments described in this application. Many modifications and variations can be made without departing from its spirit and scope, as will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Functionally equivalent methods and devices within the scope of the disclosure, in addition to those enumerated herein, will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the foregoing descriptions. Such modifications and variations are intended to fall within the scope of the appended claims. The present disclosure is to be limited only by the terms of the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. It is to be understood that this disclosure is not limited to particular methods or devices, which can of course vary. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to be limiting.
All publications, patent applications, issued patents, and other documents referred to in this specification are herein incorporated by reference as if each individual publication, patent application, issued patent, or other document was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference in its entirety. Definitions that are contained in text incorporated by reference are excluded to the extent that they contradict any definitions in this disclosure.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A variable displacement fluid pump, comprising:

a) one or more cylinder portions comprising an internal cylinder diameter and a first cylinder end and second cylinder end, wherein the internal cylinder diameter forms a fluid reservoir;

b) at least one multiport valve comprising one or more inlet ports and/or one or more outlet ports and a main inlet port that is engaged with the internal cylinder at the second cylinder end, wherein the main inlet port is capable of receiving a fluid from the one or more cylinder portions;

c) one or more packing boxes comprising one or more packing box seals, an internal packing box diameter and a first packing box end and a second packing box end, wherein the packing box is affixed to a first cylinder end, and wherein the internal cylinder diameter and the internal packing box diameter are aligned;

d) one or more piston portions comprising a piston portion mount at a first end and an outer diameter capable of being engaged with the aligned internal cylinder diameter and the internal packing box diameter;

e) at least one linear multiport valve actuator capable of rotating the multiport valve to selectively align the one or more inlet ports and/or one or more outlet ports; and

f) at least one linear piston actuator comprising a piston actuator plunger capable of being engaged with the piston portion mount and capable of providing a discharge stroke and a suction stroke by moving the piston actuator plunger and thereby moving the one or more piston portions within the internal cylinder diameter of the one or more cylinder portions.

2. The variable displacement fluid pump of claim 1, further comprising a base portion, whereby the at least one linear piston actuator is mounted to a first base portion and in linear arrangement with the one or more piston portions that are engaged with the internal cylinder diameter of each respective cylinder portion.

3. The variable displacement fluid pump of claim 1, wherein the multiport valve actuator comprises a rack with a plurality of teeth capable of engaging with a pinion that is rotationally engaged with a selector stem of the multiport valve.

4. The variable displacement fluid pump of claim 1, further comprising that the discharge stroke is provided in incremental amounts of a fluid contained in the one or more cylinder portions.

5. The variable displacement fluid pump of claim 1, wherein the at least one linear multiport valve actuator and the at least one linear piston actuator are in electrical communication with an AC or DC electrical power source.

6. The variable displacement fluid pump of claim 1, wherein the at least one linear multiport valve actuator and the at least one linear piston actuator are in electrical communication with a control module comprising a CPU capable of controlling a full and/or incremental discharge stroke and suction stroke.

7. The variable displacement fluid pump of claim 1, wherein the at least one linear multiport valve actuator rotatably engages the multiport valve to selectively align the one or more inlet ports and the at least one linear piston actuator moves each respective piston actuator plunger in a suction stroke.

8. The variable displacement fluid pump of claim 1, wherein the at least one linear multiport valve actuator rotatably engages the multiport valve to selectively align the one or more outlet ports and the at least one linear piston actuator moves each respective piston actuator plunger in a full or incremental discharge stroke.

9. The variable displacement fluid pump of claim 1, wherein the at least one linear multiport valve actuator rotatably engages the multiport valve to selectively align one inlet port and the at least one linear piston actuator moves each respective piston actuator plunger in a suction stroke.

10. The variable displacement fluid pump of claim 1, wherein the at least one linear multiport valve actuator rotatably engages the multiport valve to selectively align one outlet port and the at least one linear piston actuator moves each respective piston actuator plunger in a full or incremental discharge stroke.

11. The variable displacement fluid pump of claim 1, wherein the discharge stroke and/or the suction stroke have a stroke length between about 200 mm and 1000 mm.

12. The variable displacement fluid pump of claim 1, wherein the discharge stroke and/or the suction stroke have a stroke length of about 500 mm.

13. The variable displacement fluid pump of claim 1, wherein the cylinder portion has a volume of between about 0.05 L and 1 L.

14. The variable displacement fluid pump of claim 1, wherein the one or more cylinder portions, the at least one multiport valve and the one or more piston portions are stainless steel.

15. The variable displacement fluid pump of claim 1, wherein the variable displacement fluid pump comprises:

i. one cylinder portion;

ii. one multiport valve;

iii. one packing box;

iv. one piston portion;

v. one linear multiport valve actuator; and

vi. one linear piston actuator.

16. The variable displacement fluid pump of claim 1, wherein the variable displacement fluid pump comprises:

i. two cylinder portion;

ii. one multiport valve;

iii. two packing boxes;

iv. two piston portion;

v. one linear multiport valve actuator; and

vi. one linear piston actuator.