US 5,228,840 A · Positive displacement pumps

Abstract

A positive displacement pump comprises a mass such as a liquid filled pressure chamber or an annular ring which is rotated at high speed about a first axis so that centrifugal force acting on the liquid or ring creates zones of differential pressure within the interior of the pressure chamber or along the wall of the ring. At least one pumping unit having a pressure-responsive member is oscillated or rotated between the zones of differential pressure while the center of gravity of the pressure chamber or ring is maintained at a fixed distance from the first axis. In the course of moving into one zone having one pressure, the pressure-responsive member of the pumping unit is effective to intake a fluid such as air into the pumping unit. Air is discharged from the pumping unit by the pressure-responsive member in the course of moving from such one zone into another zone having a different pressure.

Claims32

Dependent claims

Apparatus for pumping fluid, comprising:

a pressure generating mass having a center of gravity;
means for rotating said mass about a first axis so that centrifugal force is applied to said mass, said center of gravity of said mass being positioned at a fixed position relative to said first axis in response to application of centrifugal force and remaining at said fixed position relative to said first axis throughout the application of the centrifugal force;
means for simultaneously rotating a pumping unit about a second axis which is displaced from said first axis of rotation of said mass, said pumping unit having its own center of gravity positioned at a fixed location relative to said second axis upon rotation of said pumping unit, said pumping unit having intake and exhaust means for intaking and exhausting fluid in the course of moving said pumping unit relative to said rotating mass.

Apparatus for pumping a fluid comprising:

a chamber having a wall defining a hollow interior which is partially filled with a liquid;
means for rotating said chamber about a first axis so that centrifugal force is applied to said liquid, said liquid being forced against said chamber wall forming a liquid mass having a center of gravity, said center of gravity of said liquid mass being positioned at a fixed position relative to said first axis in response to the application of centrifugal force and remaining at said fixed position relative to said first axis throughout the application of the centrifugal force, said interior of said chamber being provided with at least one zone of greater pressure within said liquid mass and at least one zone of lesser pressure outside of said liquid mass in response to the application of the centrifugal force;
means for simultaneously moving a pumping unit relative to said liquid mass and relative to said fixed center of gravity of said liquid mass through said zones of greater and lesser pressure, said pumping unit having intake and exhaust means for intaking fluid in the course of moving to one of said zones of greater pressure and lesser pressure and for exhausting fluid in the course of moving to the other of said zones of greater pressure and lesser pressure.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Positive displacement pumps

Life of this patent

Positive displacement pumps

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims32