Liquid dispensing pump
AssigneeMicromo Electronics, Inc.
InventorsRobert Gloeckner, Isaac Diggs
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A liquid dispensing pump includes a lead screw having a lead screw shaft extending along a lead screw axis, and the lead screwing is operably connected to a piston connected to a liquid reservoir. A thrust bearing is connected to the lead screw and configured to support an axial force on the lead screw when dispensing liquid. A magnet is engaged to the thrust bearing so as to move in response to the axial force on the lead screw. A magnetic transducer is mounted in proximity to the magnet and configured to generate an output signal in responsive to the magnet move.
Claims19
A liquid dispensing pump comprising:
- a lead screw having a lead screw shaft extending along a lead screw axis, the lead screw being operably connected to a piston connected to a liquid reservoir;
- a thrust bearing connected to the lead screw and configured to support an axial force on the lead screw when dispensing liquid;
- a magnet engaged to the thrust bearing so as to move in response to the axial force on the lead screw;
- and
- a magnetic transducer mounted in proximity to the magnet and configured to generate an output signal responsive to movement of the magnet;
- wherein the magnetic transducer is mounted on an outer surface of a pump housing.
A method for determining amount of dispensing liquid using a liquid dispensing pump, the method comprising:
- applying an axial force on a lead screw of the liquid dispensing pump when dispensing liquid;
- displacing a magnet connected to the lead screw in response to the axial force on the lead screw;
- generating an output signal via a magnetic transducer mounted in proximity to the magnet based on the displacement of the magnet;
- and
- determining amount of dispensed liquid based on the output signal of the magnetic transducer;
- wherein displacement of the magnet includes a displacement of two opposing magnetic members engaged with an elastic member therebetween.
A liquid dispensing pump comprising:
- a lead screw having a lead screw shaft extending along a lead screw axis, the lead screw being operably connected to a piston connected to a liquid reservoir;
- a thrust bearing connected to the lead screw and configured to support an axial force on the lead screw when dispensing liquid;
- a magnet engaged to the thrust bearing so as to move in response to the axial force on the lead screw;
- and
- a magnetic transducer mounted in proximity to the magnet and configured to generate an output signal responsive to movement of the magnet;
- wherein the magnet includes an elastic member and a magnetic member coaxially mounted around the lead screw shaft;
- and
- wherein the elastic member is a wave spring.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.