US 6,206,644 B1 · Compact dual pump

Abstract

A dual pump for independently pumping two fluids includes a pump body having a first concave depression on a first side of the body. A first inlet port and a first outlet port are contained within the body, in fluid communication with the first depression. A second concave depression is on a second side of the body opposite the first depression. A second inlet port and a second outlet port are contained within the body in fluid communication with the second depression. A first diaphragm is coupled to the first side of the body and encloses the first depression to form a first inner chamber. A second diaphragm is coupled to the second side of the body and encloses the second depression to form a second inner chamber. A shell encloses the body on its first and second sides. The shell defines a first outer chamber with the first diaphragm in pressure communication with the first inner chamber. The shell also defines a second outer chamber with the second diaphragm in pressure communication with the second inner chamber. A first pressure port in the shell provides a first pressure passage to the first outer chamber. A second pressure port in the shell provides a second pressure passage to the second outer chamber. Advantages include simultaneously and independently providing two fluid pumps within a pump that is substantially the same size as a conventional single pump. Alternatively, the pump is configured to supply a continuous, non-pulse flow of a single liquid.

Claims10

Dependent claims

A dual pump for pumping a first fluid and a second fluid independently, comprising:

a pump body, including:
(a) a first concave depression on a first side of said pump body;
(b) a first inlet fluid port and a first outlet fluid port in fluid communication with said first depression;
(c) a second concave depression on a second side of said pump body opposite said first depression;
and
(d) a second inlet fluid port and a second outlet fluid port in fluid communication with said second depression;
a first diaphragm coupled to said first side of said pump body and enclosing said first depression to form a first inner chamber;
a second diaphragm coupled to said second side of said pump body and enclosing said second depression to form a second inner chamber;
a shell enclosing said pump body on said first and second sides of said pump body, said shell defining a first outer chamber with said first diaphragm in pressure communication with said first inner chamber and defining a second outer chamber with said second diaphragm in pressure communication with said second inner chamber;
a first pressure port in said shell providing a first pressure passage to said first outer chamber;
and
a second pressure port in said shell providing a second pressure passage to said second outer chamber.

9 more elements

A method of independently pumping two fluids using a dual pump having a single housing containing opposed first and second chambers, first inlet and outlet check valves in fluid communication with the first chamber, second inlet and outlet check valves in fluid communication with the second chamber, a first diaphragm enclosing the first chamber to define a first inner chamber and coupled to the housing by a first end cap having a first pressure port and defining a first outer chamber therebetween and a second diaphragm enclosing the second chamber to define a second inner chamber and coupled to the housing by a second end cap having a second pressure port and defining a second outer chamber therebetween, said method comprising the steps of:

pumping a first fluid in the dual pump by:
(a) supplying vacuum to the first pressure port to create a negative pressure in the first outer chamber,
(b) moving the first diaphragm toward the first outer chamber to create a negative pressure in the first inner chamber;
(c) drawing a first fluid into the first inner chamber past the first inlet check valve while the first outlet check valve is closed with the negative pressure;
(d) applying pressure to the first pressure port to create a positive pressure in the first outer chamber;
(e) moving the first diaphragm towards a center of the housing create a positive pressure in the first lower chamber;
(f) closing the first inlet check valve with said positive pressure;
(g) opening the first outlet check valve with said positive pressure;
and
(h) expelling the first fluid from the first inner chamber and out of the pump;
independently pumping a second fluid in the pump by:
(a) supplying vacuum to the second pressure port to create a negative pressure in the second outer chamber;
(b) moving the second diaphragm toward the second outer chamber to create a negative pressure in the second inner chamber,
(c) drawing a second fluid into the second chamber past the second inlet check valve while the second outlet check valve is closed with the negative pressure;
(d) applying pressure to the second pressure port to create a positive pressure in the second outer chamber;
(e) moving the second diaphragm towards a center of the housing create a positive pressure in the second lower chamber;
(f) closing the second inlet check valve with said positive pressure;
(g) opening the second outlet check valve with said positive pressure;
and
(h) expelling the second fluid from the second inner chamber and out of the pump.

17 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Compact dual pump

Life of this patent

Compact dual pump

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims10