Apparatus and method for reducing ice formation in gas-driven motors

A reduced-icing diaphragm pump comprising:

• a first housing cavity having a first pump chamber and a first pressure chamber separated by a first pumping diaphragm;
• and
• a second housing cavity having a second pump chamber and a second pressure chamber separated by a second pumping diaphragm;
• the first and second pumping diaphragms being movable respectively within the first and second pressure chambers responsive to a motive gas being alternately provided to and exhausted from the chambers;
• and
• a motive gas conduit disposed between and connecting the pressure chambers such that, upon providing the first pressure chamber with motive gas and exhausting the second pressure chamber of motive gas, a portion of the motive gas is permitted to pass from the first pressure chamber to the second pressure chamber through the motive gas conduit.

A reduced-icing piston pump comprising:

• a gas motor having a housing chamber and a reciprocating drive rod disposed therein;
• a reciprocally moveable partition located in the housing chamber and attached to the drive rod, the partition defining a first pressure chamber and a second pressure chamber as the partition reciprocates within the housing chamber responsive to a motive gas being alternately provided to and exhausted from the chambers with a motive gas;
• and
• a motive gas conduit located through the partition to connect the first and second gas chambers as the partition reciprocates such that, upon providing the first pressure chamber with motive gas and exhausting the second pressure chamber of motive gas, a portion of the motive gas is permitted to pass from the first pressure chamber to the second pressure chamber through the motive gas conduit.