Orbital fluid pump

Abstract

An orbital fluid pumping mechanism ( 37 ) having an outer tube ( 12 ) and an inner member ( 14 ) positioned substantially concentrically within the outer tube. Helical lobes ( 18, 22 ) form sealed pumping chambers to move the fluid.

1 . An orbital fluid pumping mechanism, comprising: 
 a. an outer tube having an inner surface;    b. an inner member positioned substantially concentrically within the outer tube, the inner member having an outer surface;    c. a helical outer lobe operatively associated with the inner surface of the outer tube; and    d. a helical inner lobe operatively associated with the outer surface of the inner member, in operative association with the helical outer lobe.    
     
     
         2 . The orbital fluid pumping mechanism of  claim 1 , further comprising means for orbiting one of the inner member and the outer tube relative to the other.  
     
     
         3 . The orbital fluid pumping mechanism of  claim 1  wherein the helical outer lobe and the helical inner lobe are configured to cooperatively define an orbiting constriction between adjacent surfaces of the lobes when the orbiting means is actuated, the orbiting constriction enabling pumping of a fluid.  
     
     
         4 . The orbital fluid pumping mechanism of  claim 1 , wherein the helical outer lobe and the helical inner lobe are configured to cooperatively define an orbiting seal between adjacent surfaces of the lobes when the orbiting means is actuated, the orbiting seal enabling pumping of a fluid.  
     
     
         5 . The orbital fluid pumping mechanism of  claim 1  wherein the means for orbiting one of the inner member and outer tube comprises; 
 means for applying a first periodic force at a select frequency to one of the inner member and outer tube along a first line of action; and  
 means for applying a second periodic force to one of the inner member and outer tube at the select frequency, at a select phase shift from the first linear periodic force, along a second line of action which is transverse to the first line of action.  
 
     
     
         6 . The orbital fluid pumping mechanism of  claim 5  further comprising; 
 means for applying a first periodic restorative force at the select frequency to one of the inner member and outer tube along the first line of action; and  
 means for applying a second periodic restorative force at the select frequency to one of the inner member and outer tube along the second line of action.  
 
     
     
         7 . The orbital fluid pumping mechanism of  claim 6  wherein the second line of action is substantially orthogonal to the first line of action.  
     
     
         8 . The orbital fluid pumping mechanism of  6  wherein the means for applying one of the first and second periodic forces and the first and second periodic restorative forces comprises an electromagnetic drive mechanism.  
     
     
         9 . The orbital fluid pumping mechanism of  claim 6  wherein the means for applying one of the first and second periodic restorative forces comprises an elastic recoil of one of the inner member and outer tube.  
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 8  further comprising at least one sensor operatively associated with one of the inner member and outer tube which generates a feedback signal relative to the orbital motion, the feedback signal being in communication with the electromagnetic drive mechanism.  
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 10  further comprising control circuitry operatively associated with the at least one sensor which controls one of the first and second linear periodic forces and the first and second periodic restorative forces relative to the feedback signal from the sensor.  
     
     
         12 . An orbital fluid pumping mechanism, comprising: 
 a. an outer tube having an inner surface;    b. an inner member positioned substantially concentrically within the outer tube, the inner member having an outer surface;    c. a helical lobe operatively associated with one of the inner surface of the outer tube and the outer surface of the inner member.    
     
     
         13 . The orbital fluid pumping mechanism of  claim 12 , further comprising means for orbiting one of the inner member and the outer tube relative to the other.  
     
     
         14 . The orbital fluid pumping mechanism of  claim 13  wherein the helical lobe and one of the inner surface of the outer tube and the outer surface of the inner member are configured to cooperatively define an orbiting constriction between adjacent surfaces of the lobe and one of the inner surface of the outer tube and the outer surface of the inner member when the orbiting means is actuated, the orbiting constriction enabling pumping of a fluid.  
     
     
         15 . The orbital fluid pumping mechanism of  claim 13  wherein the means for orbiting one of the inner member and outer tube comprises; 
 means for applying a first periodic force at a select frequency to one of the inner member and outer tube along a first line of action; and  
 means for applying a second periodic force to one of the inner member and outer tube at the select frequency, at a select phase shift from the first periodic force, along a second line of action which is transverse to the first line of action.  
 
     
     
         16 . The orbital fluid pumping mechanism of  claim 15  further comprising; 
 means for applying a first periodic restorative force at the select frequency to one of the inner member and outer tube along the first line of action; and  
 means for applying a second periodic restorative force at the select frequency to one of the inner member and outer tube along the second line of action.  
 
     
     
         17 . The orbital fluid pumping mechanism of  claim 15  wherein the second line of action is substantially orthogonal to the first line of action.  
     
     
         18 . The orbital fluid pumping mechanism of  claim 16  wherein the means for applying one of the first and second periodic forces and the first and second periodic restorative forces comprises an electromagnetic drive mechanism.  
     
     
         19 . The orbital fluid pumping mechanism of  claim 16  wherein the means for applying one of the first and second periodic restorative forces comprises an elastic recoil of one of the inner member and outer tube.  
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 18  further comprising at least one sensor operatively associated with one of the inner member and outer tube which generates a feedback signal relative to the orbital motion, the feedback signal being in communication with the electromagnetic drive mechanism.  
     
     
         21 . The apparatus of  claim 20  further comprising control circuitry operatively associated with the at least one sensor which controls one of the first and second linear periodic forces and the first and second periodic restorative forces relative to the feedback signal from the sensor.  
     
     
         22 . An orbital fluid pumping mechanism, comprising: 
 a. an outer tube;    b. an inner tube positioned concentrically within the outer tube;    c. means for pumping fluid operatively associated with at least one of the inner tube and outer tubes; and    d. means for orbiting one of the inner and outer tubes with respect to the other forming an orbiting tube.    
     
     
         23 . The orbital fluid pumping mechanism of  claim 22  wherein the means for pumping fluid further comprises: 
 a. an inner surface on the outer tube;  
 b. an outer surface on the inner tube;  
 c. a helical outer lobe operatively associated with the inner surface of the outer tube; and  
 d. a helical inner lobe operatively associated with the outer surface of the inner tube, in operative association with the helical outer lobe.  
 
     
     
         24 . The orbital fluid pumping mechanism of  claim 22  wherein the means for providing orbital motion comprises: 
 means for applying a first periodic force to the orbiting tube at a select frequency along a first line of action;  
 means for applying a second periodic force to the orbiting tube at the select frequency at a select phase shift from the first periodic force, along a second line of action which is transverse to the first line of action.  
 
     
     
         25 . The orbital fluid pumping mechanism of  claim 22  further comprising; 
 means for applying a first periodic restorative force at the select frequency to the orbiting tube along the first line of action; and  
 means for applying a second periodic restorative force at the select frequency to the orbiting tube along the second line of action.  
 
     
     
         26 . The orbital fluid pumping mechanism of  claim 23 , wherein the helical outer lobe and the helical inner lobe are configured to cooperatively define an orbiting constriction between adjacent surfaces of the lobes when the orbiting tube is orbited, the orbiting constriction enabling pumping of a fluid.  
     
     
         27 . The orbital fluid pumping mechanism of  claim 23 , wherein the helical outer lobe and the helical inner lobe are configured to cooperatively define an orbiting seal between adjacent surfaces of the lobes when the orbiting tube is orbited, the orbiting seal enabling pumping of a fluid.  
     
     
         28 . The orbital fluid pumping mechanism of  claim 24  wherein the select frequency substantially matches a fundamental resonant frequency of the orbiting tube.  
     
     
         29 . The orbital fluid pumping mechanism of  claim 24  further comprising a support structure supporting the orbiting tube.  
     
     
         30 . The orbital fluid pumping mechanism of  claim 29  wherein the support structure is configured so that a fundamental resonant frequency of the support structure is substantially different than the select frequency.  
     
     
         31 . The orbital fluid pumping mechanism of  claim 29  further comprising a plurality of orbiting tubes, each supported by the support structure.  
     
     
         32 . The orbital fluid pumping mechanism of  claim 31  wherein the plurality of orbiting tubes and the support structure are configured and the first and second linear periodic forces applied to each orbiting tube are timed such that a net torque applied to the support structures by the first and second linear periodic forces is minimized.  
     
     
         33 . The orbital fluid pumping mechanism  claim 31  wherein the plurality of orbiting tubes and the support structure are configured and the first and second periodic forces applied to each orbiting tube are timed such that a net torque applied to the support structure by the first and second periodic forces is substantially zero.  
     
     
         34 . An apparatus for pumping fluid, comprising: 
 a. a base;    b. an outer tube mounted to the base at a fixed end and having a free end opposite the fixed end;    c. an inner tube mounted to the base at a fixed end and having a free end opposite the fixed end, the inner tube being positioned substantially concentrically within the outer tube, thereby forming a cantilevered tube pair; and    d. means for pumping fluid operatively associated with the inner and outer tubes.    
     
     
         35 . The apparatus for pumping fluid of  claim 34  further comprising an outer housing attached to the base and forming a support structure with the base.  
     
     
         36 . The apparatus for pumping fluid of  claim 34  further comprising means for imparting orbital motion to the free end of one of the inner and outer tubes causing an orbiting tube.  
     
     
         37 . The apparatus for pumping fluid of  claim 36  wherein the means for imparting orbital motion to the orbiting tube comprises: 
 means for applying a first periodic force to the orbiting tube at a select frequency along a first line of action;  
 means for applying a second periodic force to the orbiting tube at the select frequency, at a select phase shift from the first periodic force, along a second line of action which is transverse to the first line of action.  
 
     
     
         38 . The apparatus for pumping fluid of  claim 37  wherein the means for imparting orbital motion to the orbiting tube further comprises: 
 means for applying a first periodic restorative force at the select frequency to the orbiting tube along the first line of action; and  
 means for applying a second periodic restorative force at the select frequency to the orbiting tube along the second line of action.  
 
     
     
         39 . The apparatus for pumping fluid of  claim 36  wherein the means for pumping fluid further comprises: 
 a. an inner surface on the outer tube;  
 b. an outer surface on the inner tube;  
 c. a helical outer lobe in operative association with the inner surface of the outer tube; and  
 d. a helical inner lobe in operative association with the outer surface of the inner tube in operative association with the helical outer lobe.  
 
     
     
         40 . The apparatus for pumping fluid of  claim 39 , wherein the helical outer lobe and the helical inner lobe are configured to cooperatively define an orbiting constriction between adjacent surfaces of the lobes when the means for imparting orbital motion is actuated, the orbiting constriction enabling pumping of a fluid.  
     
     
         41 . The apparatus for pumping fluid of  claim 39 , wherein the helical outer lobe and the helical inner lobe are configured to cooperatively define an orbiting seal between adjacent surfaces of the lobes when the means for imparting orbital motion is actuated, the orbiting seal enabling pumping of a fluid.  
     
     
         42 . The apparatus for pumping fluid of  claim 39  wherein the select frequency substantially matches a fundamental resonant frequency of one of the inner and outer tubes.  
     
     
         43 . The apparatus for pumping fluid of  claim 39  wherein the support structure is configured so that a fundamental resonant frequency of the support structure is substantially different than the select frequency.  
     
     
         44 . The apparatus for pumping fluid of  claim 39  further comprising a plurality of cantilevered tube pairs, each attached to the base.  
     
     
         45 . The apparatus for pumping fluid of  claim 44  wherein the plurality of cantilevered tube pairs and the support structure are configured and the first and second periodic forces applied to each cantilevered tube pair are timed such that a net torque applied to the base by the first and second periodic forces is minimized.  
     
     
         46 . The apparatus for pumping fluid of  claim 44  wherein the plurality of cantilevered tube pairs and the support structure are configured and the first and second periodic forces applied to each cantilevered tube pair are timed such that a net torque applied to the base by the first and second periodic forces is substantially zero.  
     
     
         47 . An orbital apparatus for recovering energy from a fluid stream, comprising: 
 a. an outer tube having an inner surface;    b. an inner member positioned substantially concentrically within the outer tube, the inner member having an outer surface, the outer surface of the inner member and the inner surface of the outer tube defining an annular space;    c. a fluid stream inlet to the annular space;    d. a fluid stream outlet from the annular space;    e. a helical outer lobe in operative association with the inner surface of the outer tube; and    f. a helical inner lobe in operative association with the outer surface of the inner member in operative association with the helical inner lobe, the helical inner and outer lobes being located in fluid communication between the fluid stream inlet and the fluid stream outlet.    
     
     
         48 . The orbital apparatus of  claim 47 , wherein the helical outer lobe and the helical inner lobe are configured to cause orbital motion in at least one of the inner member and the outer tube upon providing a flow of fluid from the fluid stream inlet to the fluid stream outlet.  
     
     
         49 . The orbital apparatus of  claim 48  further comprising means operatively associated with one of the inner member and the outer tube for recovering energy from the orbital motion caused by the flow of fluid from the fluid stream inlet to the fluid stream outlet.  
     
     
         50 . The orbital apparatus of  claim 48  wherein the means for recovering energy from the orbital motion comprises: 
 a wire coil and a magnet moving with respect to each other, the wire coil and magnet forming an inductive pair; and  
 the inductive pair being operatively associated with one of the inner member, outer tube and support housing.  
 
     
     
         51 . The orbital apparatus of  claim 48  wherein the means for recovering energy from the orbital motion comprises a mechanical linkage operatively associated with one of the inner member and outer tube.  
     
     
         52 . The orbital apparatus of  claim 47  wherein the orbital apparatus operates as an expander in a fluid based cooling apparatus.  
     
     
         52 .- 68 . (Cancelled)