WO2004051086A1

WO2004051086A1 - Pump made from vehicle tyre

Info

Publication number: WO2004051086A1
Application number: PCT/IB2003/005002
Authority: WO
Inventors: Andrew Mentis
Original assignee: Andrew Mentis
Priority date: 2002-12-05
Filing date: 2003-11-07
Publication date: 2004-06-17
Also published as: AU2003276522A1

Abstract

The invention provides a positive displacement pump (10) which includes a hollow pump body (12) which defines a pumping chamber (34), a part of the pump body (12) being formed by a vehicle tyre (14), such that the volume of the pumping chamber (34) is variable in response to deformation of the vehicle tyre (14). The pump (10) has a valve arrangement in fluid flow communication with the pumping chamber (34) for permitting fluid flow into the pumping chamber (34) in response to expansion of the pumping chamber (34), and for permitting fluid flow from the pumping chamber (34) in response to reduction of the volume of the pumping chamber (34). Circular openings (22) defined respectively by a pair of side walls (16) of the tyre (14) are typically sealed off by a pair of cheek plates (24), the valve arrangement comprising a non-return inlet valve (36) in one of the cheek plates (24), and a non-return outlet valve (38) in the other cheek plate (24).

Description

THE PUMPING OF FLUIDS

THIS INVENTION relates to the pumping of fluids. In particular, the invention relates to a positive displacement pump suitable for, but not restricted to, the pumping of liquids, to a pump body, and to an actuator.

The invention provides positive displacement pump which includes: a hollow pump body which defines a pumping chamber, a part of the pump body being formed by a vehicle tyre, such that the volume of the pumping chamber is variable in response to deformation of the vehicle tyre; and a valve arrangement in fluid flow communication with the pumping chamber, the valve arrangement being arranged for permitting fluid flow into the pumping chamber in response to deformation of the tyre which reduces fluid pressure in the interior of the pumping chamber, on the one hand, and, on the other hand, for permitting fluid flow from the pumping chamber in response to deformation of the tyre which increases fluid pressure in the interior of the pumping chamber

The pumping chamber will typically be enclosed and substantially sealed. The positive displacement pump will thus be suitable for, but not restricted to, the pumping of liquids. By vehicle tyre is meant a resiliency flexible hollow partially toroidal ring of the type usually connected around a wheel rim of a road vehicle and inflated to form soft contact with the ground, the tyre usually being of elastomeric material and having the shape of a circular channel in cross-section. The tyre typically has a pair of opposed annular side walls which are axially spaced apart, and a circumferentially extending radially outer wall connecting together the radially outer peripheries of the side walls and carrying a tread of the tyre, such that a radially inwardly open circumferentially extending channel is formed by the side walls and the radially outer wall. However, it should be appreciated that the invention also extends to a pump of which the pump body is partially formed by a tyre segment, as opposed to a whole tyre.

The pump typically includes a delivery conduit in fluid flow communication with the pumping chamber, the valve arrangement being arranged for permitting fluid flow out of the pumping chamber via the delivery conduit in response to deformation of the tyre which increases fluid pressure in the interior of the pumping chamber, such as when the volume of the pumping chamber decreases.

The pump may include an actuating mechanism connected to the pump body for cyclical deformation of the tyre, to vary fluid pressure in the pumping chamber cyclically.

In one embodiment of the invention, the pump includes a pair of opposed cheek plates or walls, each of which is connected to one of a pair of annular side walls of the tyre at or adjacent a radially inner edge of said side wall by a circumferentially extending connection, so that the cheek plates respectively more or less sealingly close off central openings of the side walls. The cheek plates will thus typically be discshaped circular elements. By plate is meant an element which is rigid relative to the elastomeric vehicle tyre and has a sufficiently large surface area to close off the central circular opening bordered by the bead of the tyre. The pumping chamber will in such case be broadly cylindrical, being bordered by the plates and by the side- and outer walls of the tyre.

One of the cheek plates may be anchored against displacement in the direction of the polar axis of the tyre, the actuating mechanism being connected to the other cheek plate for reciprocating axial displacement of the actuated cheek plate towards and away from the anchored cheek plate, cyclically to vary fluid pressure in the pumping chamber. The pump may in such case include a frame on which the actuating mechanism is mounted, the anchored cheek plate being anchored against displacement relative to the frame.

The valve arrangement may comprise a non-return inlet valve provided in one of the cheek plates for permitting fluid flow into the pumping chamber, the valve arrangement further comprising a non-return outlet valve provided in one of the cheek plates for permitting fluid flow out of the pumping chamber. The valves may be provided in the same plate, or they may be provided in different plates. The outlet valve is typically arranged in-line with the delivery conduit.

The pump may conveniently be portable, the actuating mechanism being a lightweight reciprocating pneumatic or hydraulic cylinder connected to one of the cheek plates, the cylinder preferably being mounted on the frame. The pump may include a stand for supporting the pump body on the ground such that the pump body is spaced above the ground. In one embodiment of the invention, the stand may be incorporated in the frame, or instead the pump body may be mounted on the frame such that the pump body is spaced from the ground, when the frame rests on the ground.

The stand is configured for supporting the pump body such that the cheek plates are more or less parallel with the ground, a non-return inlet valve being provided in the cheek plate which is closer to the ground, when the pump body is supported on the ground by the stand.

In a particular embodiment of the invention, the pump body includes a plurality of vehicle tyres, the tyres being co-axially arranged side-by-side in an axially extending series of tyres, the interiors of the tyres being in more or less sealing communication, together to form the pumping chamber, the pump body including a pair of cheek plates connected respectively to the two outermost tyres at opposite ends of the series, to close off the pumping chamber. The series of tyres will in such case thus form a bellows-type pump body.

The tyres of each adjacent pair in the series may be sealingly connected together by an annular collar which is connected to the radially inner peripheries or beads of both said tyres.

The invention extends to a pump body which includes: at least a part of a vehicle tyre, the vehicle tyre partially defining a pumping chamber provided by a hollow interior of the pump body; and at least one cheek plate which is connected to one of a pair of parallel, annular side walls of the tyre at or adjacent a radially inner periphery of said side wall, so that each cheek plate more or less sealing closes off a central opening of the associated side wall of the tyre.

The pump body may includes a valve arrangement in fluid flow communication with the pumping chamber, the valve arrangement being arranged for permitting fluid flow into the pumping chamber in response to deformation of the tyre which reduces fluid pressure in the interior of the pumping chamber, on the one hand, and, on the other hand, for permitting fluid flow from the pumping chamber in response to deformation of the tyre which increases fluid pressure in the interior of the pumping chamber. In such case, the pump body will typically include a delivery conduit, the valve arrangement being arranged for permitting fluid flow from the pumping chamber via the delivery conduit in response to deformation of the tyre which increases fluid pressure in the interior of the pumping chamber.

The valve arrangement may comprise two opposed and more or less parallel cheek plates or walls, a non-return inlet valve being provided in one of the plates for permitting fluid flow into the pumping chamber in response to relative displacement of the cheek plates away from each other, the valve arrangement further comprising a non-return outlet valve provided in one of the plates for permitting fluid flow out of the pumping chamber in response to relative displacement of the cheek plates towards each other. In one embodiment of the invention, the pump body includes a plurality of tyres, the tyres being co-axially arranged side-by-side in an axially extending series of tyres, the interiors of the tyres being in more or less sealing communication, together to form the pumping chamber, the pump including a pair of cheek plates connected respectively to the two outermost tyres at opposite ends of the series, to close off the pumping chamber. The tyres of each adjacent pair in the series may be sealingly connected together by an annular collar which is connected to the radially inner peripheries or beads of both said tyres.

The invention yet further extends to an actuator which includes: a hollow actuator body which defines a substantially sealed actuating chamber, a part of the actuator body being formed by a vehicle tyre having a pair of opposed annular side walls, the actuator body being constructed such that the side walls of the tyre are displaceable away from each other in response to an increase in fluid pressure in the actuating chamber; a valve arrangement provided on the actuator body for permitting fluid flow into and out of the body; and a fluid delivery arrangement in communication with the valve arrangement for delivering fluid under pressure to the actuating chamber, to increase fluid pressure in the actuating chamber to urge the side walls of the tyre away from each other and exert an actuating force in a direction aligned with the polar axis of the vehicle tyre.

The actuator may be constructed similarly to the positive displacement pump, as defined above, except that the actuator may be configured for expansion of the^' interior of its body in response to the delivery of fluid under pressure thereto, instead of being configured for displacement of fluid by forced variation of volume of the pumping chamber of the pump.

The invention will now be further described by way of example with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a schematic sectional elevation of part of a positive displacement pump in accordance with the invention;

Figure 2 is, on a reduced scale, a schematic sectional elevational view of the positive displacement pump of Figure 1 ; and

Figure 3 is, on a reduced scale, a schematic sectional elevation of a further embodiment of a positive displacement pump in accordance with the invention.

In the drawings, reference numeral 10 generally indicates a positive displacement pump in accordance with the invention. The pump 10 includes a pump body 12 which partially consists of a vehicle tyre 14.

The tyre 14 is a conventional automotive tyre of elastomeric rubber material, the tyre 14 having a pair of opposed more or less annular side walls 16 which are axially spaced apart, and a circumferentially extending radially outer wall 18 which carries the tread of the tyre 14. The radially inner peripheries of the side walls 16 form beads 20 of the tyre 14, which beads 20 are usually employed for engagement with a rim of a vehicle wheel to locate the tyre 14 on the rim. Each annular side wall 16 has a central circular opening 22 which extends axially therethrough. Each central opening 22 is closed off by an associated disc-shaped circular cheek plate 24, the plate 24 being connected to the associated bead 20 by a connection collar or ring 26 which is sealingly attached to the bead 20. Each connection ring 26 provides an annular flange which has a ring of circumferentially equally spaced- apart screw-threaded studs 28 projecting therefrom. The studs 28 project from the ring 26 in a direction axially away from the other ring 26. The studs 28 pass through complementary holes in the associated plate 24, said plate 24 being connected to the ring

26 by screw-threaded nuts which are screwingly engaged with the studs 28. In other examples of the invention, each plate 24 can be bolted directly to the associated side wall

16. Instead, a formed clamping ring can be employed for this purpose.

The pump body 12, comprising the tyre 14, the plates 24 and rings 26, defines an enclosed, more or less sealed pumping chamber 34 which is variable in volume upon displacement of the plates 24 towards or away from each other. The pumping chamber

36 is bordered by the plates 24, the rings 26, the side walls 16, and the radially outer wall

18.

One of the plates 24 is provided with a plurality of feet 30 projecting outwardly therefrom in an axial direction away from the tyre 14, the feet 30 providing a stand for supporting the pump body 12 on the ground 32 such that the plate's 24 are more or less parallel with the ground 32 and such that the lower side wall 16 is spaced above the ground 32. The other plate 24, i.e. the plate 24 which, in use, is the upper plate 24, is connected to an actuating mechanism 35 by an actuating rod 34 for reciprocating displacement of said upper plate 24 axially towards and away from the lower plate 24. The feet 30 form part of a frame 11 (shown in Figure 2 only) surrounding the pump body 12, so that the lower plate 24, which has the feet 30, is anchored against upward movement upon upward displacement of the upper plate 24 by the actuating mechanism 35. The actuating mechanism, in this case a lightweight pneumatic cylinder 35, is mounted on the frame 11 above the upper plate 24, so that the pump body 12 and the actuating mechanism 35 form a unit.

A non-return inlet valve 36 is provided through the lower plate 24, for permitting fluid flow into the pumping chamber 34 when fluid pressure in the pumping chamber 34 is lower than the pressure of fluid on the outside of the lower plate 24. Similarly, the upper plate 24 is provided with a non-return outlet valve 38 extending therethrough, the outlet valve 38 being arranged to permit fluid flow out of the pumping chamber 34 and into a delivery conduit 40 against gravity when fluid pressure in the pumping chamber 34 is sufficiently high.

In use, the pump 10 is employed to pump a liquid from a relatively low level to a relatively high level. In this example, the pump 10 is positioned in a body of water 44 such that the feet 30 rest on the ground 32, the lower plate 24, and hence the inlet valve 36, being submerged in water 44.

The actuating mechanism is then activated, the actuating rod 34 alternately pushing and pulling the upper plate 24 down and up, reciprocatingly varying the distance between the plates 24. During downward displacement of the upper plate 24, the lower plate 24 is anchored against downward movement away from the upper plate 24 by abutment of the feet 30 against the ground 32, while the lower plate 24 is anchored against upward movement together with the upper plate 24 during upward displacement of the upper plate 24 by its connection to the frame 11.

When the plates 24 are displaced relatively away from each other, the pumping chamber 34 increases in volume and water pressure in the pumping chamber 34 falls below the pressure of water 44 outside the pump 10. Because of the pressure differential across the inlet valve 36, water 44 flows into the pumping chamber 34 through the inlet valve 36.

Upon subsequent downward displacement of the upper plate 24, the tyre 14 is vertically compressed and the volume of the pumping chamber 34 decreases, causing a rise in water pressure in the pumping chamber 34. Pressurised water 44 flows through the outlet valve 38 into and up the delivery conduit 40. -

The pump 10 thus functions in a manner similar to conventional diaphragm pumps, with the main distinction being that variation in the volume of the pumping chamber is not achieved by deformation of a reciprocating diaphragm (in this example provided by the more or less rigid upper plate 24), but by deformation of the tyre 14 forming part of the pump body 12. In Figure 3, reference numeral 50 shows a further embodiment of a pump in accordance with the invention. Like numerals indicate like parts in Figure 1 - 2 and in Figure 3, unless stated otherwise.

The pump 50 has a pump body 12 comprising an axially extending series of tyres 14, the tyres 14 being co-axial and being arranged one above the other. The tyres 14 of each adjacent pair are connected together by an annular truncated-tubular collar 52 sealingly connected to the beads 20 of both said tyres 14 by radially outwardly projecting circumferential flanges 53 respectively at opposite ends of the collar 52.

The pump 50 of Figure 3 functions substantially similarly to the pump 10 of Figures 1 and 2, the pump 50 having a pumping chamber 34 of greater volume than that of the pump 10. Thus, the stroke length of the of the pump 50 will be relatively longer, leading to a greater delivery rate for the pump 50, for each stroke. As is shown in Figure 3, the upper cheek plate 24, with the associated valve 38 and conduit 40, is connected by its ring 26 to the upper bead 20 of the uppermost tyre 14; and the lower cheek plate 24, with its valve 36 and feet 30, is connected via its ring 26 to the lower bead 20 of the lowermost tyre 14.

It should be appreciated that the pump body 12 can be employed in an actuating mechanism, in which fluid under pressure is forced into the pumping chamber 34 to cause expansion of the pumping chamber 34, forcing the plates 24 apart to exert an actuating force. It is an advantage of the invention as described with reference to the drawings that it provides a cost-effective pump 10, 50 which is relatively resistant to corrosion by aggressive substances. Preferably, the pump 10, 50 is made from one or more used tyres

14, thus at least, partially providing a solution to environmental problems stemming from the disposal of used tyres 14.

Furthermore, there are no sliding or rotating surfaces which are susceptible to wear and, apart from the valves, wear and tear should be minimal.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A positive displacement pump which includes: a hollow pump body which defines a pumping chamber, a part of the pump body being formed by a vehicle tyre, such that the volume of the pumping chamber is variable in response to deformation of the vehicle tyre; and a valve arrangement in fluid flow communication with the pumping chamber, the valve arrangement being arranged for permitting fluid flow into the pumping chamber in response to deformation of the tyre which reduces fluid pressure in the interior of the pumping chamber, on the one hand, and, on the other hand, for permitting fluid flow from the pumping chamber in response to deformation of the tyre which increases fluid pressure in the interior of the pumping chamber.

2. A positive displacement pump as claimed in claim 1 , which includes a delivery conduit in fluid flow communication with the pumping chamber, the valve arrangement being arranged for permitting fluid flow out of the pumping chamber via the delivery conduit in response to deformation of the tyre which increases fluid pressure in the interior of the pumping chamber.

3. A positive displacement pump as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, which includes an actuating mechanism connected to the pump body for cyclical deformation of the tyre, to vary fluid pressure in the pumping chamber cyclically.

4. A positive displacement pump as claimed in claim 3, which includes a pair of opposed cheek plates, each of which is connected to one of a pair of annular side walls of the tyre, at or adjacent a radially inner edge of said side wall by a circumferentially extending connection, so that the cheek plates respectively more or less sealingly close off central openings of the side walls.

5. A positive displacement pump as claimed in claim 4, in which one of the cheek plates is anchored against displacement in the direction of the polar axis of the tyre, the actuating mechanism being connected to the other cheek plate for reciprocating axial displacement of the actuated cheek plate towards and away from the anchored cheek plate, cyclically to vary fluid pressure in the pumping chamber.

6. A positive displacement pump as claimed in claim 4 or claim 5, in which the valve arrangement comprises a non-return inlet valve provided in one of the cheek plates for permitting fluid flow into the pumping chamber, the valve arrangement further comprising a non-return outlet valve provided in one of the cheek plates for permitting fluid flow out of the pumping chamber.

7. A positive displacement pump as claimed in any one of claims 4 to 6 inclusive, in which the pump is portable, the actuating mechanism being a lightweight reciprocating pneumatic or hydraulic cylinder connected to one of the cheek plates.

8. A positive displacement pump as claimed in any one of claims 4 to 7 inclusive, which includes a stand for supporting the pump body on the ground such that the pump body is spaced above the ground.

9. A positive displacement pump as claimed in claim 8, in which the stand is configured for supporting the pump body such that the cheek plates are more or less parallel with the ground, a non-return inlet valve being provided in the cheek plate which is closer to the ground, when the pump body is supported on the ground by the stand.

10. A positive displacement pump as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the pump body includes a plurality of vehicle tyres, the tyres being co-axially arranged side-by-side in an axially extending series of tyres, the interiors of the tyres being in more or less sealing communication, together to form the pumping chamber, the pump body including a pair of cheek plates connected respectively to the two outermost tyres at opposite ends of the series, to close off the pumping chamber.

11. A positive displacement pump as claimed in claim 10, in which the tyres of each adjacent pair in the series are sealingly connected together by an annular collar which is connected to the radially inner peripheries or beads of both said tyres.

12. A pump body which includes: at least a part of a vehicle tyre, the vehicle tyre partially defining a pumping chamber provided by a hollow interior of the pump body; and at least one cheek plate which is connected to one of a pair of parallel, annular side walls of the tyre at or adjacent a radially inner periphery of said side wall, so that each cheek plate more or less sealing closes off a central opening of the associated side wall of the tyre.

13. A pump body as claimed in claim 12, which includes a valve arrangement in fluid flow communication with the pumping chamber, the valve arrangement being arranged for permitting fluid flow into the pumping chamber in response to deformation of the tyre which reduces fluid pressure in the interior of the pumping chamber, on the one hand, and, on the other hand, for permitting fluid flow from the pumping chamber in response to deformation of the tyre which increases fluid pressure in the interior of the pumping chamber.

14. A pump body as claimed in claim 13, which includes a delivery conduit, the valve arrangement being arranged for permitting fluid flow from the pumping chamber via the delivery conduit in response to deformation of the tyre which increases fluid pressure in the interior of the pumping chamber.

15. A pump body as claimed in claim 13 or claim 14, in which the valve arrangement comprises two opposed and more or less parallel cheek plates, a nonreturn inlet valve being provided in one of the plates for permitting fluid flow into the pumping chamber in response to relative displacement of the cheek plates away from each other, the valve arrangement further comprising a non-return outlet valve provided in one of the plates for permitting fluid flow out of the pumping chamber in response to relative displacement of the cheek plates towards each other.

16. A pump body as claimed in any one of claims 13 to 15 inclusive, which includes a plurality of tyres, the tyres being co-axially arranged side-by-side in an axially extending series of tyres, the interiors of the tyres being in more or less sealing communication, together to form the pumping chamber, the pump including a pair of cheek plates connected respectively to the two outermost tyres at opposite ends of the series, to close off the pumping chamber.

17. A pump body as claimed in claim 16, in which the tyres of each adjacent pair in the series are sealingly connected together by an annular collar which is connected to the radially inner peripheries or beads of both said tyres.

18. An actuator which includes: a hollow actuator body which defines a substantially sealed actuating chamber, a part of the actuator body being formed by a vehicle tyre having a pair of opposed annular side walls, the actuator body being constructed such that the side walls of the tyre are displaceable away from each other in response to an increase in fluid pressure in the actuating chamber; a valve arrangement provided on the actuator body for permitting fluid flow into and out of the body; and a fluid delivery arrangement in communication with the valve arrangement for delivering fluid under pressure to the actuating chamber, to increase fluid pressure in the actuating chamber to urge the side walls of the tyre away from each other and exert an actuating force in a direction aligned with the polar axis of the vehicle tyre.

19. A positive displacement pump as claimed in claim 1 , substantially as herein described and illustrated.

20. A pump body as claimed in claim 12, substantially as herein described and illustrated.

21. An actuator as claimed in claim 18, substantially as herein described and illustrated.