Bench top pump

Abstract

A modular, expandable, no-tools pump assembly having precise computer control for controlling dispensing volumes and flow characteristics of the dispensed fluid.

1 . A drive unit, comprising: 
 a housing;    a hollow drive rod;    a motor;    a screw member extending through said hollow drive rod and operationally attached to said motor; and    an internally threaded drive member attached to said drive rod and operationally attached to said screw member such that rotation of said screw member causes linear displacement of said drive rod.    
   
   
       2 . The drive unit according to  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 at least one guide member mounted to the front of said housing, said at least one guide member having a central bore therein to allow said drive rod to pass therethrough.    
   
   
       3 . The drive unit according to  claim 2 , said at least one guide member further comprising: 
 a low friction seal member to form a seal around said drive rod.    
   
   
       4 . The drive unit according to  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a drive plate attached to an end of said drive rod.    
   
   
       5 . The drive unit according to  claim 4 , further comprising: 
 a guide plate rigidly attached to said drive plate;    a plurality of guide rods connected to said housing, said guide plate having a plurality of channels to enable said plurality of guide rods to pass therethrough.    
   
   
       6 . The drive unit according to  claim 5 , wherein said drive member is rigidly attached to said drive plate, said guide plate, and said drive rod through a trantourque, said trantourque comprising: 
 an inner race;    a plurality of outer races; and    a plurality of fasteners; 
 wherein said inner race is tapered on its upper outside half; said plurality of fasteners enables tightening of said drive rod to said guide plate, such that said fasteners draw said inner race into said plurality of outer races to engage said guide plate and engage said inner race to said drive rod.  
   
   
   
       7 . The drive unit according to  claim 1 , wherein said drive member comprises a ball nut.  
   
   
       8 . The drive unit according to  claim 1 , wherein said screw member is operationally connected to said motor by a pulley system.  
   
   
       9 . The drive unit according to  claim 1 , wherein said motor comprises a high precision servomotor.  
   
   
       10 . The drive unit according to  claim 1 , further comprising a controller to operate said motor.  
   
   
       11 . A fluid product delivery system, comprising: 
 a housing;    a hollow drive rod;    a motor;    a screw member extending through said hollow drive rod and operationally attached to said motor;    an internally threaded drive member attached to said drive rod and operationally attached to said screw member such that rotation of said screw member causes linear displacement of said drive rod; and    a piston assembly operationally attached to said drive rod, wherein linear displacement of said drive rod causes linear displacement of said piston.    
   
   
       12 . The fluid product delivery system according to  claim 11 , further comprising: 
 at least one guide member mounted to the front of said housing, said at least one guide member having a central bore therein to allow said drive rod to pass therethrough.    
   
   
       13 . The fluid product delivery system according to  claim 12 , said at least one guide member further comprising: 
 a low friction seal member to form a seal around said drive rod.    
   
   
       14 . The fluid product delivery system according to  claim 11 , further comprising: 
 a drive plate attached to an end of said drive rod.    
   
   
       15 . The fluid product delivery system according to  claim 14 , further comprising: 
 a guide plate rigidly attached to said drive plate;    a plurality of guide rods connected to said housing, said guide plate having a plurality of channels to enable said plurality of guide rods to pass therethrough.    
   
   
       16 . The fluid product delivery system according to  claim 15 , wherein said drive member is rigidly attached to said drive plate, said guide plate, and said drive rod through a trantourque, said trantourque comprising: 
 an inner race;    a plurality of outer races; and    a plurality of fasteners; 
 wherein said inner race is tapered on its upper outside half; said plurality of fasteners enables tightening of said drive rod to said guide plate, such that said fasteners draw said inner race into said plurality of outer races to engage said guide plate and engage said inner race to said drive rod.  
   
   
   
       17 . The fluid product delivery system according to  claim 11 , wherein said drive member comprises a ball nut.  
   
   
       18 . The fluid product delivery system according to  claim 11 , said piston assembly further comprising: 
 a pump enclosure releasably mounted to said housing and a pump selected from the group consisting of:    piston pumps; and    diaphragm pumps.    
   
   
       19 . The fluid product delivery system according to  claim 18 , wherein said pump enclosure comprises a modular component enabling quick-connect assembly to said enclosure.  
   
   
       20 . The fluid product delivery system according to  claim 11 , further comprising a controller to operate said motor.