Linear pump and method

A method of pumping a fluid using a fluid pump, the method comprising:

• providing a pump frame having a central axis extending axially between an inlet end and an outlet end;
• securing each of an inlet end cap and an outlet end cap to the pump frame and spaced axially from each other;
• extending each of a plurality of circumferentially spaced support ribs between the inlet end cap and the outlet end cap, each support rib having a central portion between the end caps radially moveable with respect to the central axis;
• connecting each of a plurality of linear motors with a respective support rib, each linear motor including a stator and a shaft linearly moveable relative to the stator;
• interconnecting a flexible generally tubular bladder to said inlet end cap and interconnecting an opposite end of the bladder to said outlet end cap, the bladder defining an inner chamber therein and between the end caps, the inner chamber having a volume;
• interconnecting a central portion of the bladder between the end caps with the central portion of each of the plurality of support ribs;
• fluidly interconnecting the fluid with the inner chamber using an inner chamber inlet check valve;
• fluidly interconnecting the inner chamber with the fluid using an inner chamber outlet check valve;
• and
• powering each of the plurality of linear motors with a power supply to cyclically increase and decrease an effective length of each of the plurality of support ribs to radially move the central portion of the ribs and thereby vary a volume of the inner chamber.