Classifications

• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F04—POSITIVE - DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; PUMPS FOR LIQUIDS OR ELASTIC FLUIDS
  • F04B—POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; PUMPS
  • F04B43/00—Machines, pumps, or pumping installations having flexible working members
  • F04B43/02—Machines, pumps, or pumping installations having flexible working members having plate-like flexible members, e.g. diaphragms
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F04—POSITIVE - DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; PUMPS FOR LIQUIDS OR ELASTIC FLUIDS
  • F04B—POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; PUMPS
  • F04B13/00—Pumps specially modified to deliver fixed or variable measured quantities
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F04—POSITIVE - DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; PUMPS FOR LIQUIDS OR ELASTIC FLUIDS
  • F04B—POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; PUMPS
  • F04B49/00—Control, e.g. of pump delivery, or pump pressure of, or safety measures for, machines, pumps, or pumping installations, not otherwise provided for, or of interest apart from, groups F04B1/00 - F04B47/00
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F04—POSITIVE - DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; PUMPS FOR LIQUIDS OR ELASTIC FLUIDS
  • F04B—POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; PUMPS
  • F04B49/00—Control, e.g. of pump delivery, or pump pressure of, or safety measures for, machines, pumps, or pumping installations, not otherwise provided for, or of interest apart from, groups F04B1/00 - F04B47/00
  • F04B49/22—Control, e.g. of pump delivery, or pump pressure of, or safety measures for, machines, pumps, or pumping installations, not otherwise provided for, or of interest apart from, groups F04B1/00 - F04B47/00 by means of valves
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F04—POSITIVE - DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; PUMPS FOR LIQUIDS OR ELASTIC FLUIDS
  • F04B—POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; PUMPS
  • F04B53/00—Component parts, details or accessories not provided for in, or of interest apart from, groups F04B1/00 - F04B23/00 or F04B39/00 - F04B47/00
  • F04B53/10—Valves; Arrangement of valves
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
  • F16K—VALVES; TAPS; COCKS; ACTUATING-FLOATS; DEVICES FOR VENTING OR AERATING
  • F16K1/00—Lift valves or globe valves, i.e. cut-off apparatus with closure members having at least a component of their opening and closing motion perpendicular to the closing faces
  • F16K1/02—Lift valves or globe valves, i.e. cut-off apparatus with closure members having at least a component of their opening and closing motion perpendicular to the closing faces with screw-spindle
  • F16K1/06—Special arrangements for improving the flow, e.g. special shape of passages or casings
  • F16K1/08—Special arrangements for improving the flow, e.g. special shape of passages or casings in which the spindle is perpendicular to the general direction of flow
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
  • F16K—VALVES; TAPS; COCKS; ACTUATING-FLOATS; DEVICES FOR VENTING OR AERATING
  • F16K15/00—Check valves
  • F16K15/02—Check valves with guided rigid valve members
  • F16K15/025—Check valves with guided rigid valve members the valve being loaded by a spring
  • F16K15/026—Check valves with guided rigid valve members the valve being loaded by a spring the valve member being a movable body around which the medium flows when the valve is open
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
  • F16K—VALVES; TAPS; COCKS; ACTUATING-FLOATS; DEVICES FOR VENTING OR AERATING
  • F16K15/00—Check valves
  • F16K15/18—Check valves with actuating mechanism; Combined check valves and actuated valves
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
  • F16K—VALVES; TAPS; COCKS; ACTUATING-FLOATS; DEVICES FOR VENTING OR AERATING
  • F16K39/00—Devices for relieving the pressure on the sealing faces
  • F16K39/02—Devices for relieving the pressure on the sealing faces for lift valves
  • F16K39/024—Devices for relieving the pressure on the sealing faces for lift valves using an auxiliary valve on the main valve

Definitions

• the present invention relates to pumps and fluid injection systems.
• Positive displacement pumps are used to deliver or "dose” a predictable, precise amount of fluid in a repeatable fashion.
• positive displacement pumps use the reciprocating motion of a solid object such as a plunger, piston, or diaphragm to withdraw fluid from a continuous source during a suction stroke, then to displace the withdrawn fluid during a discharge stroke.
• a suction check valve that allows flow in only one direction, towards the pump.
• a discharge check valve be present to direct flow away from the pump and towards the intended recipient process and to prevent any fluid from returning to the pump from the recipient process during its operation.
• Figure 1 illustrates a positive displacement pump
• Figure 2 illustrates a Direct Volume Controlling Device (DVCD) position on the pump of Figure 1.
• DVCD Direct Volume Controlling Device
• Figure 3 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a DVCD.
• Figure 4 is an exploded view of the DVCD illustrated in Figure 1.
• Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of the DVCD illustrated in Figure 1 in a first position.
• Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of the DVCD illustrated in Figure 1 in a second position.
• Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view of the DVCD illustrated in Figure 1 in a third position.
• Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view of the DVCD illustrated in Figure 1 in a fourth position.
• Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view of the DVCD illustrated in Figure 1 in a fifth position.
• Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view of the DVCD illustrated in Figure 1 in a sixth position.
• Figure 11 is a perspective view of a second DVCD embodiment.
• Figure 12 is a cross-sectional view of the DVCD illustrated in Figure 11.
• Figure 13 is a perspective view of a third DVCD embodiment.
• Figure 14 is an exploded view of the DVCD embodiment shown in Figure 13.
• Figure 15 is a cross-sectional view of the DVCD illustrated in Figure 13.
• Figure 16 is a cross-sectional view of the DVCD illustrated in Figure 13 showing the fluid path.
• Figure 17 is a cross-sectional view of a fourth DVCD embodiment.
• Figure 18 is an enlarged view of the DVCD seen in Figure 17.
• Figure 19 is a view similar to Figure 18, but illustrating a different plunger position.
• Figure 20 is an end view of the D VCD/pump unit showing the section line used in Figure 21.
• Figure 21 is a cut- way view of a modification to the DVCD embodiment seen in Figure 17.
• FIG 1 illustrates one type of conventional positive displacement pump assembly, with a "driver” portion 100 and a pump “head” assembly 105 (also referred to as a "wetted end” or a “fluid end,” among other terminologies).
• the head assembly 105 is the part of the pump assembly that comes into contact with the fluid to be pumped.
• the pump head assembly 105 illustrated is only one of a multitude of pump head designs that are employed in positive displacement pump systems.
• the driver portion 100 of the pump assembly is also only one of several designs which are employed in reciprocating positive displacement pumps.
• the driver could be, and often is, energized by pressurized gas (pneumatic), in which a piston reciprocates over time driven by alternating gas pressure (see for example the pump in US Patent No.
• the driver could also be electrical, for example where a rotating motor utilizes mechanical means to convert that rotational motion to reciprocating motion.
• the driver could also be powered by a hydraulic fluid or any other energy source, in which that energy is ultimately a repeatable, alternating, reciprocating motion.
• the driver type shown in Figure 1 is pneumatic, for illustrative purposes only and many different types of convention or future developed drivers could be employed with the present invention.
• a plunger- type pump head 105 is depicted.
• a driver acts upon a plunger in a linear reciprocating (back and forth) motion.
• the plunger is connected to the pump head utilizing a seal, which is designed to create a barrier between the environment and a chamber inside the head, isolating the chamber hermetically.
• the seal allows the plunger to move slidably up and down in a chamber while maintaining a tight hermetic seal. As the plunger partially, but not completely, withdraws from the chamber inside the head, it creates suction (negative pressure) inside the chamber.
• Figure 1 also shows a suction check valve 106 attached to head portion 105.
• check valve 106 When check valve 106 is attached to a fluid source, fluid is drawn into the pumping chamber, filling the expanding space created by the withdrawing plunger. At a certain point, the plunger (by virtue of the reciprocating motion of the driver) ceases to withdraw and begins to descend back into the chamber. This action raises the pressure in the chamber, causing suction check valve 106 to close, and forcing the fluid to exit the chamber via a discharge check valve 107.
• a second, very common type of pump head is referred to as a "diaphragm" type pump head.
• This pump head utilizes hydraulic fluid pressure, generated by reciprocating motion of a plunger, to act on one side of a diaphragm or a sandwich of diaphragms. In this type of head design, the fluid being pumped is acted upon by the opposite side of the diaphragm or diaphragm assembly.
• Other types of pump heads utilize alternative means of controlling, actuating, and pumping fluid, e.g., a bellows type pump head. All such pump heads, and potentially many other conventional and future developed pump heads, may be used in conjunction with the present invention.
• FIG. 1 depicts a pump assembly similar to Figure 1, but with the substitution of the discharge check valve 107 with one embodiment of the present invention, the Direct Volume Controlling Device (DVCD) 1.
• DVCD Direct Volume Controlling Device
• Figure 3 better illustrates the external features of this embodiment of the DVCD 1 with it removed from the pump assembly.
• Figure 3 shows DVCD 1 's housing 2, end cap 7, inlet 3, outlet 4, and a volume adjustment mechanism, which in the illustrated embodiment is control knob 35, including graduated indicator ring 36.
• Inlet 3 may include any conventional means for connecting to a pump head, for example, a threaded nipple 70 through which inlet 3 is formed.
• outlet 4 may have a threaded surface or other connection means allowing for attachment to a suitable pipe or tubing from the DVCD 1 to the process requiring fluid to be metered or pumped to it.
• Various means to connect DVCD 1 to the pump head and to the process are contemplated by the present invention.
• the threaded portion at the bottom could be a tapered pipe thread or any other conventional or future developed mechanical means.
• attachment to the pump head is via a straight thread with a sealing means (e.g., an o-ring type seal positioned in seal grove 39) to seal against the pump head.
• the threaded portion proximate to outlet 4 could be any type of thread to correspond with the process for which it is to be used, or it could also be made to accept low pressure "swaged” tubing fittings, or medium or high pressure "coned and threaded” connections, for example.
• FIG. 1 The internal components of DVCD 1 may be better understood by viewing Figure 4 (an exploded view of the DVCD 1 ) and Figure 5 (a cutaway view of an assembled DVCD 1).
• Figure 5 illustrates how threads 38 on the upper end of housing 2 will engage mating threads on end cap 7 with o-ring 8 forming a seal between these elements.
• Internal chamber 5 Formed within the housing is internal chamber 5, which will include the major components of a seat mechanism or means (in this embodiment adjustable seat 16), one-way valve 45, an accumulator 10, and a positioning mechanism or means 20 for allowing the position of accumulator 10 to be adjusted as described in more detail below.
• the lower end of internal chamber 5 includes tapered sidewalls 9 to facilitate a sealing engagement with accumulator 10.
• internal chamber 5 includes a volume which may be referred to as the accumulator chamber.
• adjustable seat 16 is best seen in Figure 4.
• This embodiment includes the circular base 60 with seal ring groove 64 and upright section 61 with elliptical opening 62 and cam pins 63 (e.g., upper cam pin 63B and lower cam pin 63 A, the function of which is explained below).
• Figure 5 illustrates how spacer 17 slides within circular base 60 and quad ring seal 18 is position within groove 64 to form a seal with the internal sidewalls of internal housing chamber 5.
• Figure 4 also shows how this embodiment of accumulator 10 includes a main body 14, a smaller diameter upper section 41, a seal groove 42, and a lower open passage 44 (seen in Figure 5). Viewing Figure 5, it is seen how this embodiment positions quad seal ring 11 and backup seal ring 12 in seal grove 42.
• Figure 5 also shows how passage 44 communicates with an internal cavity 15 which is formed in accumulator body 14 and how smaller diameter upper section 41 slides into spacer 17 within circular base 60 of adjustable seat 16.
• the illustrated embodiments of accumulator 10 further include a one-way valve 45 positioned within the accumulator's internal cavity 15.
• the one-way valve is shown as being a poppet-type valve including poppet 46, pressure differential spring 47, spring retainer 48, and o-ring 49.
• the poppet 46 includes a series of side apertures 50 and while hidden from view, an open top section such that fluid entering the poppet side apertures may exit through the open top section. It can further be seen that spring 47 biases the end of poppet 46 having o-ring 49 against lower part of accumulator internal cavity 15.
• While the illustrated embodiments show a one-way valve formed of a poppet assembly, many different conventional or future developed one-way valves may be utilized, as nonlimiting examples, various regulators (e.g., back-pressure regulators) , solenoid valves, or shuttle valves.
• various regulators e.g., back-pressure regulators
• solenoid valves e.g., solenoid valves
• shuttle valves e.g., shuttle valves.
• FIG 4 best illustrates the individual components of one embodiment of positioning mechanism 20, which affects the position of adjustable seat 16 and ultimately accumulator 10 as explained in greater detail below.
• the main components of positioning mechanism 20 include shaft 21 , cam members 22 A and 22B, and knob 23 which acts as a control surface or gripping surface for applying torque to shaft 24.
• Other components of positioning mechanism 20 include spiral rings 29, washers 28, backup rings 27, o-rings 26, graduated scale ring 24, fixing pins 25, and securing screw 30.
• Shaft 24 will be positioned extending through elliptical opening 62 of adjustable seat 16 (better seen in Figures 5 and 6) and fixing pins 25 will fix cam members 22 against rotation on shaft 21 with the cam surfaces 33 ( Figure 5) of each cam member being oriented approximately opposite one another.
• cam member 22 acting on upper cam pin 63B will urge adjustable seat 16 upwards.
• the adjustment of knob 23 rotates shaft 21, cam members 22, and thereby moves adjustable seat 16 while scale ring 24 provides a visual indication of the degree of cam member movement.
• the graduation lines on scale ring 24 are calibrated to a linear distance adjustable seat 16 moves upon rotation of knob 23.
• DVCD 1 When employed in a positive displacement pump system, DVCD 1 may be connected to the pump head assembly by threads or other mechanical means located on the lower exterior of the housing 2 as suggested in Figure 2.
• the adjustable seat 16 is shown in the closed or lower position and completely constrains the motion of the accumulator 10 such that it remains tightly positioned against tapered internal sidewalls 9 of housing 2.
• fluid becomes pressurized in the inlet 3 of the DVCD assembly.
• fluid enters from the bottom through inlet 3 and encounters the bottom portion of accumulator 10, which cannot move in response to the fluid pressure being exerted upon it because of adjustable seat 16 being in the fully lowered position.
• the pressurized fluid acts against poppet 46, which although biased closed by spring 47, will open if fluid pressure is sufficient to overcome the force of spring 47.
• Figure 6 illustrates poppet 46 moving to the open position under fluid pressure.
• the actuation of poppet 46 allows fluid to pass through the resulting gap between the interior walls of accumulator internal cavity 15 and poppet o-ring 49, then through the poppet side apertures or ports 50 and through the open top section of poppet 46.
• DVCD 1 is running in steady-state (e.g., the interior is filled with the fluid being pumped), then all fluid moved during the discharge cycle of the pump must flow into DVCD 1 and an equivalent mass of fluid (assuming a generally incompressible fluid) must exit outlet 4.
• FIG. 7 is illustrated with pressure removed from the interior of DVCD 1 for purposes of clarity. It can be seen that the cam members 22 (which are attached to one another and therefore move as a single unit), have been rotated about 145 degrees counterclockwise, which also actuates the adjustable seat 16, causing it to move upwards and thereby creating a gap between the adjustable seat 16 and the accumulator 10. Because no pressure is acting on accumulator 10, it remains positioned against the bottom sidewalls 9 of internal chamber 5. Likewise, poppet 46 remains seated against the bottom of accumulator internal cavity 15, due to the force applied against it by spring 47.
• the pump displaces a combination of fluid and solid, with the difference being the volume of fluid Vi required to displace the accumulator 10, which is displaced over the precise distance allowed by the adjustable seat 16.
• the pump head is therefore not allowed to replenish that volume of fluid during the suction cycle.
• the pump's overall output was reduced by the volume displaced.
• Figures 9 and 10 illustrate the cam members having been rotated a further 180 degrees counterclockwise, to their maximum rotational position. At this point, both cam members are prevented from moving further because a curved face notch 34 in the cam surfaces have engaged cam pins 63. As previously described, this further rotation of cam members 22 further slidably actuates the adjustable seat 16, causing it to move further upwards and thereby creating a larger gap between the adjustable seat 16 and the accumulator 10. All movements and actions are as previously described in reference to Figures 7 and 8, except that now the accumulator 10 is allowed to move a maximum distance and saves a larger volume V 2 from moving through outlet 4.
• cam members 22 can be rotated to any position, causing adjustable seat 16 to range from fully lowered to fully raised, and that accumulator 10 will therefore displace an adjustable amount of fluid as it travels in both directions in response to pressure or vacuum created by the cycles of the pump head assembly.
• DVCD 1 the dimensions of DVCD 1 , including the diameter of the housing internal chamber 5 and accumulator 10, and the amount of travel allowed by varying the diameter of the cam member 22 at their largest and smallest dimensions, and possibly other parameters, will determine the maximum amount of fluid that will be subtractable from the output of a pump to which DVCD 1 is connected. It is preferred that DVCD 1 have a fully seated or closed position, in which the pump head has maximum output and efficiency, and then a variable amount of fluid which can be subtracted from the pump output by adjusting the accumulator position within DVCD 1.
• adjustable seat 16A includes an elongated stem 85 which has central passage 86 and threaded section 87. Threaded section 87 will engage corresponding threads formed on the interior surface of housing chamber 5 as suggested in Figure 12.
• rotation of adjustable seat 16A counterclockwise or clockwise will result in it moving upward or downward within housing 2A and thereby adjusting the space accumulator 10 has to move within housing chamber 5.
• One manner of applying torque to rotate adjustable seat 16A is to form seat access windows 52 in housing 2A ( Figure 11) and seat torque holes 53 in adjustable seat 16 A.
• a rod or other tool will access torque holes 53 through access windows 52 and allow adjustable seat 16A to be rotated. It will be understood that this embodiment differs from previous embodiment by allowing the adjustable seat to be directly rotated around the axis of the device rather than indirectly using cam members 22 as previously described.
• Figure 12 also illustrates how o-ring seal 27 with backup seal 26 will prevent fluid from migrating around the top end of adjustable seat 16A and escaping through access window 52.
• wiper seal 55 prevents fluid from migrating around the bottom end of adjustable seat 16A and escaping through access window 52.
• the fluid path in Figure 12 may be visualized when fluid pressure at inlet 3 overcomes poppet spring 47. Fluid flows through poppet 46 as previously described, but then may flow directly into stem passage 86 and then exit outlet 4.
• the housing 2 A also differs from the earlier embodiment by having a smaller lower section threaded onto a larger upper section (see overlapping threads 56). As in the earlier embodiment, an o-ring 8 is positioned to effect a seal between the upper and lower sections of housing 2A.
• FIG. 13 illustrates how this embodiment has a volume control knob 223 positioned opposite inlet 203 while the outlet 204 is formed on the side of housing 2B.
• Figures 14 and 15 better illustrate how this embodiment of DVCD forms the adjustable seat with a stem or shaft 215 with inverted cup structure 225 on the lower end and the upper end being connected to control knob 223.
• Shaft 215 passes through retaining nut 222 and threadedly engages nut 222, while nut 222 in turn threadedly engages the top section of housing 2B.
• a u-cup or unidirectional seal 219 is positioned between balanced shaft 215 and nut 222; an o-ring with backup seal 217 is positioned between shaft 215 and the internal sidewall of housing 2B; and a further a u-cup or unidirectional seal 216 is positioned at the point where shaft 215 enters the open cavity of housing 2B containing inverted cup 225 of the adjustable seat.
• Shaft 215 is considered a "balanced shaft” in the sense that it has pressure bearing surfaces in multiple directions to neutralize pressure induced forces tending to bind its threaded surfaces.
• Figure 15 illustrates balance shoulder 220 on shaft 215 which is subject to the DVCD's internal fluid pressure via shaft central passage 221 and shaft side passages 224.
• Figure 15 also illustrates the relief passage 227 which will bleed-off any fluid pressure escaping past seal 216 and which would otherwise tend to act adversely on the lower side of balance shoulder 220.
• the accumulator 210 is similar to that of other embodiments in that it includes a oneway valve formed of poppet 246 being biased against internal sidewalls of the accumulator by spring 247. Similarly, accumulator 210 have a wiper seal 255 and o-ring 240 engaging the tapered internal sidewalls at the lower section of housing 2B in order to form a seal when accumulator 210 is in its lower- most position.
• Figure 16 illustrates the situation where knob 223 has been rotated in order to raise the adjustable seat and its inverted cup 225 in order to allow accumulator 210 to move up from the bottom of the housing internal chamber upon the application of fluid pressure at inlet 203.
• fluid pressure increases sufficiently to overcome poppet spring 247, fluid first flows around and through poppet 246, through the apertures 226 in inverted cup 225, and finally to exit fluid outlet 204 as suggested by the fluid flow arrows in Figure 16.
• the embodiment of Figures 13 to 16 provides a configuration where the inlet and outlet are in closer physical proximity and the dosing volume control knob is more distant from the inlet and outlet portions of the DVCD device.
• Figure 17 illustrates another embodiment of the DVCD which has particular application (although not exclusive application) in conjunction with diaphragm pumps.
• a "diaphragm pump” generally refers to a positive displacement pump that uses a combination of the reciprocating action of a flexible (e.g., rubber, thermoplastic or teflon) diaphragm and suitable valves on either side of the diaphragm (check valve, butterfly valves, flap valves, or any other form of shut-off valves) to pump a fluid.
• Figure 17 shows a driver 100 such as described above (e.g., US Patent No. 8,087,345) which supplies reciprocating motion to the plunger 325 of DVCD 1.
• the diaphragm pump 350 is connected to DVCD 1 (typically by bolts not shown in the Figures) on the opposite side of driver 100. It will be understood that driver 100 and diaphragm pump 350 are illustrated primarily to demonstrate one operating environment in which this DVCD embodiment may be employed and this embodiment of the DVCD is not limited to a particular driver type or a particular pump type. For example, electrically powered drivers or internal combustion drivers could alternatively be employed.
• FIG. 18 demonstrates in greater detail the main components of this embodiment of DVCD 1.
• the DVCD will generally comprise the housing 302 having the accumulator chamber 305 formed therein.
• the accumulator 310 Positioned within accumulator chamber 305 is the accumulator 310, which in this embodiment, has the spring cavity 311 and the tapered nose portion 312 engaging a similarly tapered surface at one end of accumulator chamber 305.
• the adjustable stop 315 also engages accumulator chamber 305.
• This embodiment of adjustable stop 315 includes knob portion 316, stem 317, and stop surface 318.
• the stop surface 318 takes the form of an inverted cup defining a spring cavity 319 and having perimeter surface which is configured to engage (i.e., has a similar surface as) the corresponding perimeter surface on accumulator 310.
• a biasing mechanism 324 acts to bias accumulator 310 away from stop surface 318.
• the biasing mechanism is a conventional spring, but could be any other conventional or future developed biasing device.
• stem 317 of adjustable stop 315 does not directly engage the walls of accumulator chamber 305, but rather the external threads of a threaded bushing 322 engage the walls of accumulator chamber 305 and internal threads on bushing 322 engage external threads on stem 317. It can readily be recognized that this arrangement allows rotation of knob 316 to move stop surface 318 toward and away from accumulator 310, thereby allowing stop surface 318 to limit the range of movement of accumulator 310. It will be understood that adjustable stop 315 is only one manner of adjusting the potential travel distance of accumulator 310 and other conventional or future developed techniques could be employed. As one nonlimiting example, the cam system seen in Figure 5 could be employed in place of the adjustable stop seen in Figures 17-19.
• DVCD 1 further comprises a reservoir housing 303 which forms a reservoir space 306 for containing the drive fluid which will drive the diaphragm in diaphragm pump 350.
• the drive fluid could be any number of fluids which will operate the DVCD and pump 350 as described herein, but one acceptable drive fluid is a conventional gear oil such as 15-30W.
• a vent cap 307 engages reservoir housing 303 and allows the internal volume of the reservoir to be maintained at the pressure (typically atmospheric) of the external environment.
• an inlet passage 335 communicates with reservoir space 306, accumulator chamber 305, and the distribution passage 336, which in turn interfaces with hydraulic pump 350. It is understood that fluid flow through these passages is "drive fluid", which drives the diaphragm.
• the fluid intended to be moved by pump (the "pumped fluid") is isolated on the opposite side of the diaphragm and passes through an opposing pair of check valves (not shown in drawings).
• Figure 18 also illustrates how the plunger 325 extends through reservoir space 306 and into inlet passage 335.
• the illustrated embodiment of plunger 325 further includes the internal passage 326 which is open at the end of plunger 325 (i.e., is in fluid communication with inlet passage 335) and one or more side bores or "sippy holes" 327 that extend through plunger 325 and are in fluid communication with internal passage 326.
• fluid under pressure in inlet passage 335 is acting on the nose of accumulator 310 and via distribution passage 336 and apertures in strainer plate 351, on diaphragm 352. Pressurized fluid in inlet passage 335 will also act on bleed screw 330 through bleed passage 337.
• bleed screw 330 is a manually operated poppet or ball type bleed screw, which is intended bleed any air from the system in preparation for normal operation.
• Another passage seen in Figure 18 is bypass path 304 which extends between accumulator chamber 305 and reservoir space 306, allowing any fluid which escapes above accumulator 310 to return to reservoir space 306.
• the plunger will reciprocate between two positions, the top dead position and the bottom dead position.
• the top dead position refers to the end of the suction stroke as suggested in Figure 18 and the bottom dead position refers to the end of the discharge stroke as seen in Figure 19.
• Figure 17 illustrates plunger 325 at the end of the suction stroke, with the main drive piston 109 of drive 100 is in its raised positioned. As seen in in Figure 18, this positions the end of plunger 325 within inlet passage 335, but the sippy hole 327 outside of inlet passage 335 and in fluid communication with reservoir space 306.
• drive fluid equalizes through sippy holes 327, internal passage 326, and fills inlet passage 335 due to hydrostatic pressure along with a slight negative acting pressure resulting from the void created when any extra fluid squeezes between plunger and the inlet passage 335 and out through the sippy holes 327 once they clear the inlet passage entrance and make their way into the ambient condition reservoir.
• drive piston 109 moves plunger 325 forward into inlet passage 335 as suggested in Figure 19.
• the close tolerances with the inlet passage walls substantially inhibit fluid in inlet passage 335 from escaping back into reservoir 306.
• pressure on the fluid in inlet passage 335 increases.
• the accumulator 310 is able to move up against the force of spring 324 if fluid pressure is sufficiently high. Therefore, a certain volume of fluid may be directed into accumulator chamber 305, thereby reducing the pressure that would otherwise act on diaphragm 352 and the displacement that diaphragm 352 would undergo. Naturally, the pressure acting on diaphragm 352 and its displacement affect the pressure and volume of pumped fluid moving through diaphragm pump 350. Therefore, to the degree which accumulator 310 can move upward, less pumped fluid that will be moved by diaphragm pump 350.
• adjustable stop 315 is screwed all the way down until stop 315 presses accumulator 310 against the bottom of the accumulator chamber 305, then no fluid is diverted into the accumulator chamber during the discharge stroke.
• spring 324 acts to return accumulator 310 to its fully seated position in accumulator chamber 305 as seen in Figure 18.
• accumulator 310 rests within accumulator cavity 305 with sufficiently close tolerances that a hydraulic ram seal effect is achieved.
• other sealing techniques could be used in the alternative, nonlimiting examples of which are mechanical seals (e.g., o-rings) and labyrinth seals.
• any fluid escaping above accumulator 310 may ultimately be returned to reservoir space 306 via bypass path 304.
• it will be understood that in many embodiments, it will be relatively fine adjustments of accumulator 310 which affect the amount of fluid acting against diaphragm 352.
• the volume of fluid allowed into accumulator chamber 305 is between about 1 ml and about 100 ml. Obviously in other embodiments, the volume of fluid allowed in accumulator chamber 305 could be much greater or even smaller than this range.
• this embodiment of the DVCD/pump system may be visualized as separated into three discrete and separable sections which are bolted (or otherwise connected together).
• the pump forms a first separable section A
• the accumulator chamber is formed in a second separable section B
• the reservoir housing is formed in a third separable section C.
• Figures 20 and 21 illustrate a slight variation from the embodiments of Figures 17 to 19.
• Figure 20 is an end view of a D VCD/pump combination showing the section line for the cut-away view in Figure 21.
• the plunger 325 is solid as seen in Figure 21, i.e., it does not have an internal passage 326 or sippy holes 327.
• this embodiment further includes a one-way valve (e.g., a check valve) 340 positioned to interface with reservoir space 303 and deliver fluid to diaphragm 352 via relief passage 341, i.e., the flow direction through the one-way valve is from the reservoir space 303 toward the diaphragm 352.
• a one-way valve e.g., a check valve
• This embodiment operates in a similar manner to that of Figures 17-19, except that it does not rely on sippy holes for replenishing fluid to the inlet passage during the suction stroke.
• any tendency to create a vacuum in inlet passage 335 is relieved by the ability of fluid to flow from reservoir space 303, through one-way valve 340 and relief passage 341 , to and around diaphragm 352, and eventually to inlet passage 335 (presuming that volume of fluid flow is necessary to relieve the vacuum caused by the withdrawing plunger).
• sippy holes 327 and one-way valve 340 are merely two example techniques for equalizing pressures across the system during its operation and those skilled in the art will see many other techniques which should also be considered within the scope of the present invention.
• DVCD digital versatile disc
• a solid component moves in response to pressure exerted by fluid within a positive displacement pump head during its discharge cycle, and is subsequently replaced prior to that pump's replenishment cycle, subtracting thereby a portion of fluid that would otherwise have been discharged.
• This DVCD may have a solid component which is adjustable.
• a further DVCD embodiment substitutes for and acts as the discharge check valve of a positive displacement pump, in which a solid component moves as described immediately above, in concert with normal check valve components (e.g., a ball or poppet). In this embodiment, the solid component is also adjustable.
• DVCD 1 directly control dosing volume without disturbing the mechanical motion of the driver. Instead, DVCD 1 directly varies dosing volume at the point of delivery by controlling the "apparent size" of the dosing chamber. DVCD 1 causes a precisely controlled portion of fluid that would normally be discharged during the discharge portion of the pumping cycle to be “borrowed” immediately before it is delivered, then "paid back” or returned to the dosing chamber immediately prior to the replenishment or suction portion of the dosing cycle. DVCD 1 allows a controllable solid component to move "in place” of a variable portion of the fluid that would have otherwise been discharged.
• This solid component moves a controlled distance in response to the hydraulic pressure from the discharge cycle, just prior to fluid discharge, and then resets itself in response to vacuum pressure just prior to the fluid replenishment or suction cycle, returning the displaced volume to the pump. It is entirely passive, merely reacting to the discharge and replenishment cycles, and it involves only one moving part in addition to what would exist in a non-controllable pump. Nevertheless, not all embodiments of DVCD 1 need have the above described functionalities and embodiments lacking such functionalities are also intended to come within the scope of the present invention.

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• Details Of Reciprocating Pumps (AREA)
• Supply Devices, Intensifiers, Converters, And Telemotors (AREA)
• Reciprocating Pumps (AREA)
• Control Of Positive-Displacement Pumps (AREA)

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• 2013
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• 2014
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