Electronic control system and process for electromagnetic pump

An electronic control system for use with an electromagnetic pump having a coil that can be energized to produce a pump stroke, the electronic control system comprising:

• a power control circuit connectable to the pump coil for providing electrical power to the pump coil to selectively energize the pump coil;
• and
• a detector for detecting the end of a pump stroke;
• wherein the power control circuit includes an electronic circuit for cutting off electrical power to the pump coil prior to the detected end of the pump stroke.

An electronic control system for use with an electromagnetic pump having a coil that can be energized to produce a pump stroke, the electronic control system comprising:

• a power control circuit connectable to the pump coil for providing electrical power pulse signals to the pump coil to selectively energize the pump coil, each power pulse signals having a definable amount of power;
• and
• a pressure sensor for detecting a pressure differential in the pump;
• wherein the power control circuit includes an electronic circuit for controlling the amount of power of each power pulse signal based on the detected pressure differential, and
• wherein the power control circuit comprises a power source and a capacitor connected to the power source for receiving a charge from the power source and connectable to the coil to selectively discharge power pulse signals to the pump coil.

A drive mechanism for delivery of infusion medium, the drive mechanism comprising:

• an inlet for receiving infusion medium;
• a coil that can be energized to produce a pump stroke;
• an armature disposed adjacent the coil, and moveable between first and second positions to define a pump stroke, in response to an energization of the coil;
• an outlet in flow communication with the outlet chamber, for discharging a volume of infusion medium with each pump stroke;
• and
• a power control circuit connected to the pump coil for selectively energizing the pump coil to produce stroke;
• wherein the coil has an aspect ratio defined by the length of the coil divided by the diameter of the coil and wherein the coil aspect ratio is less than 1.

A drive mechanism for delivery of infusion medium, the drive mechanism comprising:

• an inlet for receiving infusion medium;
• a coil that can be energized to produce a pump stroke;
• an armature disposed adjacent the coil, and moveable between first and second positions to define a pump stroke, in response to an energization of the coil;
• an outlet in flow communication with an outlet chamber, for discharging a volume of infusion medium with each pump stroke;
• and
• a power control circuit connected to the pump coil for selectively energizing the pump coil to produce a pump stroke;
• wherein the drive mechanism further comprises a coil core for providing a flux path upon energization of the coil, wherein the coil core defines an outer annular pole surface and an inner annular pole surface and the armature defines corresponding outer and inner annular pole surfaces, wherein the inner pole surfaces are separated by a first gap and the outer pole surfaces are separated by a second gap, and wherein the ratio of the first gap to the second gap is within the range of about 0.3 to about 1.0.

An infusion device comprising:

• an electromagnetic pump having a coil that can be energized to produce a pump stroke;
• a power source;
• a capacitor connected to the power source for receiving a charge from the power source and connectable to the coil to selectively discharge power pulse signals to the pump coil for selectively energizing the pump coil;
• and
• control electronics for controlling the capacitor to discharge for each power pulse signal.

An infusion device comprising:

• an electromagnetic pump having a coil that can be energized to produce a pump stroke;
• a power control circuit connectable to the pump coil for providing electrical power to the pump coil to selectively energize the pump coil;
• and
• a detector for detecting the end of a pump stroke;
• wherein the power control circuit includes an electronic circuit for cutting off electrical power to the pump coil prior to the detected end of the pump stroke.

An infusion device comprising:

• an electromagnetic pump having a coil that can be energized to produce a pump stroke;
• a power source;
• a capacitor connected to the power source and to the pump coil for receiving a charge from the power source and for selectively discharging power pulse signals to the pump coil to selectively energize the pump coil;
• a switch device connected between the power source and the capacitor for selectively disconnecting the power source from the capacitor for periods of non-use;
• a power control circuit connected to the pump coil for providing electrical power pulse signals to the pump coil to selectively energize the pump coil, each power pulse signal having a definable amount of power;
• and
• a pressure sensor for detecting a pressure differential in the pump;
• wherein the power control circuit includes an electronic circuit for controlling the amount of power of each power pulse signal based on the detected pressure differential.

An infusion device comprising:

• an electromagnetic pump having a coil that can be energized to produce a pump stroke;
• a power source;
• a capacitor connected to the power source and to the pump coil for receiving a charge from the power source and for selectively discharging power pulse signals to the pump coil to selectively energize the pump coil;
• and
• a switch device connected between the power source and the capacitor for selectively disconnecting the power source from the capacitor for periods of non-use.

A method of controlling power to an electromagnetic pump having a coil that can be energized to produce a pump stroke, the method comprising:

• connecting a power source to a capacitor to charge the capacitor;
• selectively discharging the capacitor to the pump coil to selectively energize the pump coil;
• and
• controlling the capacitor to discharge for each power pulse signal.

A method of controlling power to an electromagnetic pump having a coil that can be energized to produce a pump stroke, the method comprising:

• providing electrical power to the pump coil to selectively energize the pump coil;
• detecting the end of a pump stroke;
• and
• cutting off electrical power to the pump coil prior to the detected end of the pump stroke.

A method of controlling power to an electromagnetic pump having a coil that can be energized to produce a pump stroke, the method comprising:

• providing electrical power pulse signals to the pump coil to selectively energize the pump coil, each power pulse signal having a definable amount of power;
• detecting a pressure differential in the pump;
• and
• controlling the amount of power of each power pulse signal based on the detected pressure differential,
• wherein providing electrical power pulse signals comprises;
• connecting a power source to a capacitor to charge the capacitor;
• and
• selectively discharging the capacitor to provide a power pulse signal to the pump coil to selectively energize the pump coil.