US 12,071,946 B2 · Fluid pump with dual plungers and related systems and methods

Abstract

A reciprocating fluid pump includes a pump body, a subject fluid chamber, a first plunger located within the subject fluid chamber of the pump body and having a first head portion and a first bellows, the first plunger configured to expand and compress in a reciprocating action to pump the subject fluid through the subject fluid chamber within the pump body, wherein the first head portion and the first bellows have a first cross-sectional dimension, and a second plunger located within the subject fluid chamber of the pump body and having a second head portion and a second bellows, the second plunger configured to expand and compress in a reciprocating action to pump the subject fluid through the subject fluid chamber within the pump body, wherein the second head portion and the second bellows have a second cross-sectional dimension that is smaller than the first cross-sectional dimension.

Claims19

Dependent claims

A reciprocating fluid pump for pumping a subject fluid, comprising:

a pump body having an interior cylindrical surface defining a subject fluid chamber;
a first plunger disposed within the subject fluid chamber of the pump body and having a first outer diameter that is substantially equal to an inner diameter of the interior cylindrical surface of the subject fluid chamber, the first plunger including:
a first head portion having the first outer diameter;
and
a first shaft extending from the first head portion, the first shaft having a diameter smaller than the first outer diameter;
and
a second plunger disposed within the subject fluid chamber of the pump body and having a second outer diameter that is different than the first outer diameter, the second plunger including:
a second head portion having the second outer diameter, the second head portion directly adjoining the first head portion on a side of the first head portion opposite the first shaft;
and
a second shaft extending from the second head portion in a direction opposite a position of the first head portion, the second shaft having a diameter smaller than the second outer diameter.

7 more elements

A reciprocating fluid pump for pumping a subject fluid, comprising:

a pump body having an interior cylindrical surface defining a subject fluid chamber;
a first plunger disposed within the subject fluid chamber of the pump body and having a first outer diameter that is substantially equal to an inner diameter of the subject fluid chamber;
and
a second plunger disposed within the subject fluid chamber of the pump body;
a first sensor assembly including a first target portion positioned within the first plunger and a first sensor portion extending from an exterior of the pump body and at least partially into the first plunger and configured to sense the first target portion;
a second sensor assembly including a second target portion positioned within the second plunger and a second sensor portion extending from the exterior of the pump body and at least partially into the second plunger and configured to sense the second target portion;
and
a controller configured to determine a proximity of the first sensor portion to the first target portion and a proximity of the second sensor portion to the second target portion.

5 more elements

A method of forming a reciprocating fluid pump, the method comprising:

forming a pump body having an interior cylindrical surface defining a subject fluid chamber therein;
disposing a first plunger within the subject fluid chamber, the first plunger having a first outer diameter that is at least substantially equal to an inner diameter of the interior cylindrical surface of the subject fluid chamber, the first plunger including:
a first head portion having the first outer diameter;
and a first shaft extending from the first head portion, the first shaft having a diameter smaller than the first outer diameter;
disposing a second plunger within the subject fluid chamber, the second plunger having a second outer diameter that is smaller than the first outer diameter, the second plunger including:
a second head portion having the second outer diameter;
and a second shaft extending from the second head portion in a direction opposite a position of the first head portion, the second shaft having a diameter smaller than the second outer diameter;
and
structurally connecting the first head portion to the second head portion with the second head portion directly adjoining the first head portion.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Fluid pump with dual plungers and related systems and methods

Life of this patent

Fluid pump with dual plungers and related systems and methods

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims19