Integrated pump and check valve apparatus

Abstract

A pump apparatus is provided which comprises a displacement pump and a check valve apparatus. The displacement pump comprises a reciprocating piston within a housing having an interior wall spaced apart from the piston. The check valve apparatus comprises two check valves that control fluid flow under pressure exerted by the reciprocating piston from a fluid reservoir to a point of use of the fluid.

1 . A pump apparatus which comprises: 
 a displacement pump for pumping a fluid having a reciprocatable piston positioned within a first housing having an interior wall spaced apart from said piston,    an interior volume of said first housing being in fluid communication with a fluid inlet to a first check valve and a fluid outlet from a second check valve,    said first check valve being in fluid communication with a point of use for said fluid,    said second check valve being in fluid communication with a source of said fluid,    said first check valve being open and said second check valve being closed when said piston moves toward said first check valve,    said first check valve being closed and said second check valve being open when said piston moves away from said first check valve.    
     
     
         2 . The pump apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said housing is formed of a transparent material.  
     
     
         3 . The pump apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said piston is formed of sapphire.