Multiple membrane pump for food liquids and the like

Abstract

A multiple membrane pump for food liquids, comprising at least one duct for the compensated intake of the liquid, which is closed on itself in a loop and is provided with at least one intake port, at least one duct for the compensated delivery of the liquid, which is closed on itself in a loop and is provided with at least one delivery port, at least four branches, which provide a unidirectional connection between the intake duct and the delivery duct and are associated respectively with four liquid pumping membranes, a gearmotor assembly, which is associated with a crank system for actuating the membranes and is adapted to convert the rotary motion of an output shaft of the gearmotor assembly into a reciprocating motion, adjusted with an appropriate timing between two mutually opposite intake and delivery stroke limit positions, of each of the actuation axes of the membranes.

1 - 28 . (canceled) 
   
   
       29 . A multiple membrane pump for food liquids and the like, comprising at least one duct for compensated intake of the liquid, which is closed on itself in a loop and is provided with at least one intake port, at least one duct for compensated delivery of the liquid, which is closed on itself in a loop and is provided with at least one delivery port, at least four branches, which provide a unidirectional connection between said intake duct and said delivery duct and are associated respectively with four liquid pumping membranes, a gearmotor assembly, which is associated with a crank system for actuating said membranes which is adapted to convert the rotary motion of an output shaft of said gearmotor assembly into a reciprocating motion, adjusted with an appropriate timing between two mutually opposite intake and delivery stroke limit positions of each of the actuation axes of said membranes. 
   
   
       30 . The pump according to  claim 29 , wherein said actuation axes of said membranes are arranged at right angles to each other. 
   
   
       31 . The pump according to  claim 29 , wherein said delivery duct is arranged concentrically above said intake duct and is supported by said four branches. 
   
   
       32 . The pump according to  claim 29 , wherein said gearmotor assembly is mounted so that said output shaft is vertical, along a direction which is substantially concentric with respect to said intake duct and said delivery duct. 
   
   
       33 . The pump according to  claim 29 , wherein said gearmotor assembly is of the type actuated by means of an electric motor which is controlled by an electronic frequency inverter. 
   
   
       34 . The pump according to  claim 29 , wherein said gearmotor assembly is of the type actuated by means of a hydraulic motor. 
   
   
       35 . The pump according to  claim 29 , wherein said gearmotor assembly is of the type actuated by means of a pneumatic motor. 
   
   
       36 . The pump according to  claim 29 , wherein said gearmotor assembly is of the type actuated by means of an internal-combustion engine. 
   
   
       37 . The pump according to  claim 29 , wherein said gearmotor assembly is of the type actuated by means of a power take-off or cardan shaft. 
   
   
       38 . The pump according to  claim 29 , wherein each of said branches is substantially shaped like a letter T tilted on its side and forms at least one first end for connection to said intake duct, at least one second end for connection to said delivery duct, and at least one third end for connection to the membrane. 
   
   
       39 . The pump according to  claim 38 , wherein each of said branches comprises at least one intake valve and at least one delivery valve, which are arranged respectively at said first end and at said second end. 
   
   
       40 . The pump according to  claim 39 , wherein said intake valve and said delivery valve are of the type with a ball-shaped flow control element, also known as ball check valve. 
   
   
       41 . The pump according to  claim 40 , wherein each of said intake and delivery valves comprises a tubular segment, which is affected by a channel for the passage of the fluid which is arranged hermetically above an interchangeable and reversible seat against which said ball-shaped flow control element abuts by gravity, said channel forming linear guides provided with a stop element and simple linear guides, which are arranged alternately at right angles to each other so as to force said ball-shaped flow control element to perform a rectilinear movement from an inactive position on said seat to a fully raised position, set by the stop tooth of each of said guides, so as to achieve rapid closure by gravity of said ball-shaped flow control element on said seat and so as to use said intake and delivery valves also at high pumping rates. 
   
   
       42 . The pump according to  claim 41 , wherein said channel has a transverse cross-section which forms four peripheral sectors, which are adapted to give said intake and delivery valves minimal resistance to the flow of liquid and the free flow of any solid bodies suspended in the pumped liquid without said bodies being crushed by said ball-shaped flow control element against the internal wall of said channel, with a self-cleaning effect of said channel. 
   
   
       43 . The pump according to  claim 39 , wherein said intake and delivery valves are of the flap check type. 
   
   
       44 . The pump according to  claim 39 , wherein said intake and delivery valves are of the duck bill check type. 
   
   
       45 . The pump according to  claim 39 , wherein said intake and delivery valves are of the cone check type. 
   
   
       46 . The pump according to  claim 29 , wherein said crank system for the actuation of said membranes comprises at least one box within which a first rectangular body and a second rectangular body are accommodated, said first rectangular body being affected by a first rectangular opening, said second rectangular body being affected by a second rectangular opening, said bodies crossing each other at right angles to each other, one above the other, each being rigidly coupled, in pairs, at the respective short sides, to said actuation axes of said mutually opposite membranes, said actuation crank system further comprising at least one eccentric pivot, which is rigidly coupled to said output shaft of said gearmotor assembly, inserted within said first opening and said second opening, the rotation of said eccentric pivot about the axis of said output shaft being adapted to produce the alternating translational motion of said actuation axes of said membranes one after the other in succession and in a continuous cycle. 
   
   
       47 . The pump according to  claim 46 , wherein said eccentric pivot is provided, at its free end, with rolling bearings, which are adapted to engage within said first opening and said second opening. 
   
   
       48 . The pump according to  claim 46 , wherein said box is associated with four pumping chambers, which are mutually angularly equidistant at right angles and within which said four membranes are accommodated, said membranes being closed by four respective heads, which are connected to said four branches. 
   
   
       49 . The pump according to  claim 46 , wherein said four actuation axes of said membranes, protrude from said box through four respective through holes at which four respective sliding bushes are fitted which are arranged above the level of the oil contained on the bottom of said box. 
   
   
       50 . The pump according to  claim 29 , wherein each of said membranes is clamped between pairs of plates, which facilitate their rolling during the movement of said actuation axes. 
   
   
       51 . The pump according to  claim 29 , wherein said membranes are six and are associated with three rectangular bodies, their respective actuation axes being mutually angularly equidistant at 60° to each other. 
   
   
       52 . The pump according to  claim 29 , wherein membranes are eight and are associated with four rectangular bodies, their respective actuation axes being mutually angularly equidistant at 45° to each other. 
   
   
       53 . The pump according to  claim 46 , further comprising at least one system for forced lubrication of said actuation crank system, said lubrication system comprising at least one gear pump or vane pump, which is actuated by said output shaft of said gearmotor assembly, which is associated with at least one intake tube which is connected to said box and to at least one delivery tube which is connected to said eccentric pivot, said delivery tube being adapted to convey a preset flow-rate of oil along said eccentric pivot and, substantially by dripping, onto said first rectangular body and onto said second rectangular body. 
   
   
       54 . The pump according to  claim 29 , further comprising at least one flow reversal element, which is connected to at least one first port and at least one second port for connection to external tanks or sources, said reversal system being adapted to connect selectively said intake duct and said delivery duct to said first port or to said second port. 
   
   
       55 . The pump according to  claim 54 , further comprising at least one pair of expansion vessels, which are adapted to compensate and dampen any oscillations within the liquid in the tubes for connection between the external tanks or sources and the pump, which are connected respectively to a first tubular portion which leads to said first port and to a second tubular portion, which leads to said second port. 
   
   
       56 . The pump according to  claim 46 , further comprising a supporting footing, which is constituted by a substantially square frame provided with cross-members which cross at the center and to which the lower face of said box is fixed, said frame being provided with wheels which allow the movement of the pump, four vibration-damping elements being interposed between said cross-members and said square frame and damping and limiting the transmission of vibrations to the ground.