Pump Apparatus and Methods for Using Same

Abstract

A pump apparatus for transporting at least one fluid, comprising a shaft, wherein the shaft has a longitudinal axis; a motor, wherein the motor is adapted to rotate the shaft about the longitudinal axis; and, a plurality of gerotors, wherein the gerotors are attached to the shaft along the longitudinal axis and wherein the shaft rotation actuates the plurality of gerotors rotation, causing pumping of the at least one fluid.

1 . A pump apparatus for transporting at least one fluid, comprising:
 a shaft, wherein said shaft has a longitudinal axis;   a motor, wherein said motor is adapted to rotate said shaft about said longitudinal axis; and,   a plurality of gerotors, wherein said gerotors are attached to said shaft along said longitudinal axis and wherein said shaft rotation actuates said plurality of gerotors rotation, causing pumping of said at least one fluid.   
   
   
       2 . A pump apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising a shaft revolution counter. 
   
   
       3 . A pump apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said shaft further comprises at least one protrusion extending radially outward from said longitudinal axis. 
   
   
       4 . A pump apparatus according to  claim 3 , wherein said shaft revolution counter is an optical encoder. 
   
   
       5 . A pump apparatus according to  claim 3 , wherein said shaft revolution counter is a photo-sensor. 
   
   
       6 . A pump apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising at least one inlet port and at least one outlet port for each of said plurality of gerotors. 
   
   
       7 . A pump apparatus according to  claim 6 , further comprising a bypass valve system adapted for selective release of said at least one fluid between said at least one inlet port and said at least one outlet port. 
   
   
       8 . A pump apparatus according to  claim 7 , wherein said bypass valve system activates release at 250 psi of pressure. 
   
   
       9 . A pump apparatus according to  claim 7 , wherein said bypass valve system activates release at 300 psi of pressure. 
   
   
       10 . A pump apparatus according to  claim 7 , wherein said bypass valve system activates release at greater than 300 psi of pressure. 
   
   
       11 . A pump apparatus according to  claim 7 , wherein said bypass valve system is comprised of a spring and ball. 
   
   
       12 . A pump apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said plurality of gerotors are varied in size. 
   
   
       13 . A pump apparatus according to  claim 6 , further comprising an additional port positioned proximal to said outlet port. 
   
   
       14 . A pump apparatus according to  claim 13 , wherein said additional port is adapted for bleeding air from said outlet port. 
   
   
       15 . A pump apparatus according to  claim 13 , wherein said additional port is adapted for permitting diagnostic measurements to be taken of said outlet port. 
   
   
       16 . A pump apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising fluid conveying tubes which are controllably heated. 
   
   
       17 . A pump apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one of said plurality of gerotors is mounted on said shaft opposite said motor from at least one other of said plurality of gerotors. 
   
   
       18 . A bypass valve system for use in a fluid pumping apparatus comprising a pump, at least one inlet and at least one outlet, comprising:
 a valve closer, wherein said valve closer maintains bypass valve in a closed state until said bypass valve system is activated; and,   a valve plug, wherein when said bypass valve is closed, said valve plug substantially prohibits fluid flow between said inlet and outlet.   
   
   
       19 . A bypass valve system according to  claim 18 , wherein said valve closer is a spring. 
   
   
       20 . A bypass valve system according to  claim 18 , wherein said valve plug is a ball. 
   
   
       21 . A bypass valve system according to  claim 18 , wherein when said bypass valve system is activated, said valve closer and said valve plug permit fluid flow between said inlet and outlet. 
   
   
       22 . A bypass valve system according to  claim 21 , wherein said system is activated upon the attainment of 250 psi of pressure. 
   
   
       23 . A bypass valve system according to  claim 21 , wherein said system is activated upon the attainment of 300 psi of pressure. 
   
   
       24 . A bypass valve system according to  claim 21 , wherein said system is activated upon the attainment of greater than 300 psi of pressure. 
   
   
       25 . A bypass valve system according to  claim 18 , wherein said fluid pumping apparatus further comprises at least one gerotor. 
   
   
       26 . A method of using a fluid pumping apparatus comprised of a plurality of gerotors and at least one outlet, comprising:
 commencing rotation of a shaft, wherein said shaft is connected to said plurality of gerotors; and,   drawing at least one fluid through said pumping apparatus using said plurality of gerotors.   
   
   
       27 . A method according to  claim 26 , further comprising counting said rotations of said shaft in order to measure the volume of said at least one fluid being pumped. 
   
   
       28 . A method according to  claim 26 , further comprising stopping rotation of said shaft upon the attainment of a predetermined measured volume of said at least one fluid. 
   
   
       29 . A method according to  claim 26 , further comprising activating a bypass valve system if pressure in said at least one outlet exceeds a predetermined threshold.