Pulse pump

Abstract

The pulse pump is driven by an electric motor and gear reduction driving an eccentric rotor, which, in turn, oscillates a mechanism actuating a diaphragm to transfer fluid through one-way check valves. The pump may be used in a number of different applications, but is particularly useful in applying biodegradation material to consume grease and other biodegradable matter typically found in drainage systems of food processing facilities, converting such matter into carbon dioxide and water. The device includes a system for placing the mechanism in a neutral position when the pump is deactivated, to avoid causing the diaphragm to take a set toward either extreme of travel when parked for an extended time. One embodiment incorporates a multiple piece actuator assembly having a diaphragm sandwiched between components. Another embodiment uses a single piece actuator having a circumferential groove, with the diaphragm having a toroid configuration and attaching within the groove.

1 . A pulse pump, comprising:
 an electric motor;   an electric power supply electrically communicating with the motor;   a gear reduction drive communicating with the motor;   an output shaft extending from the gear reduction drive;   an actuator mechanism having an eccentric rotor, the output shaft being disposed within the eccentric rotor of the actuator mechanism and selectively actuating the actuator mechanism during motor operation;   at least one diaphragm attached to the actuator mechanism; and   a one-way check valve assembly fluidly communicating with the diaphragm.   
     
     
         2 . The pulse pump according to  claim 1 , wherein the actuator mechanism has a light passage extending therethrough, the pulse pump further comprising;
 a light source disposed adjacent the actuator mechanism for periodically passing light through the light passage of the actuator mechanism during operation thereof;   a light receptor disposed adjacent the actuator mechanism and opposite the light source, the receptor periodically receiving light from the light source through the light passage during operation of the actuator mechanism; and   means for neutrally positioning the diaphragm and actuator mechanism according to the relative positions of the light passage, light source, and light receptor when operation is terminated.   
     
     
         3 . The pulse pump according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a biodegradation container fluidly communicating with the one-way check valve assembly; and   a case disposed about the electric motor, the electric power supply, the actuator mechanism, the diaphragm, the one-way check valve assembly, and the biodegradation container.   
     
     
         4 . The pulse pump according to  claim 1 , wherein the one-way check valve assembly includes a pair of valves selected from the group consisting of duckbill valves, flapper valves, reed valves, and poppet valves. 
     
     
         5 . The pulse pump according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 an actuator housing;   a diaphragm actuator sliably disposed within the actuator housing;   a substantially circular diaphragm holder depending from the diaphragm actuator and formed monolithically therewith;   a diaphragm attachment groove peripherally disposed about the diaphragm holder; and   a diaphragm having a toroid configuration defining an open center, the diaphragm having an inner bead disposed within the diaphragm attachment groove of the diaphragm holder, an outer bead, and a web between the inner bead and the outer bead.   
     
     
         6 . The pulse pump according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 an actuator housing having a substantially circular diaphragm limit flange depending therefrom;   a diaphragm actuator sliably disposed within the actuator housing, the diaphragm actuator having a diaphragm attachment receptacle;   a substantially circular diaphragm having a centrally disposed hollow bulb, an outer bead, and a web between the bulb and the outer bead; and   a substantially circular diaphragm limit plate having a centrally disposed diaphragm attachment knob extending therefrom, the knob being disposed within the bulb of the diaphragm and the receptacle of the actuator and capturing the diaphragm between the limit plate and the limit flange of the actuator.   
     
     
         7 . A pulse pump, comprising:
 a powered drive system;   an actuator mechanism communicating with the drive system, the mechanism having a light passage formed therethrough;   a light source adjacent the actuator mechanism, the light source periodically passing light through the light passage of the actuator mechanism during operation thereof;   a light receptor adjacent the actuator mechanism opposite the light source, the light receptor periodically receiving light from the light source through the light passage during operation of the actuator mechanism;   at least one diaphragm attached to the actuator mechanism;   a one-way check valve assembly fluidly communicating with the diaphragm; and   means for neutrally positioning the diaphragm and actuator mechanism according to the relative positions of the light passage, light source, and light receptor when drive system operation is terminated.   
     
     
         8 . The pulse pump according to  claim 7 , further comprising:
 a gear reduction drive communicating with the powered drive system; and   an output shaft extending from the gear reduction drive, the actuator mechanism having an eccentric rotor, the output shaft being disposed within the eccentric rotor of the actuator mechanism and selectively actuating the actuator mechanism during motor operation.   
     
     
         9 . The pulse pump according to  claim 7 , further comprising:
 a biodegradation container fluidly communicating with the one-way check valve assembly; and   a case disposed about the electric motor, the electric power supply, the actuator mechanism, the diaphragm, the one-way check valve assembly, and the biodegradation container.   
     
     
         10 . The pulse pump according to  claim 7 , wherein the one-way check valve assembly includes a pair of valves selected from the group consisting of duckbill valves, flapper valves, reed valves, and poppet valves. 
     
     
         11 . The pulse pump according to  claim 7 , further comprising:
 an actuator housing;   a diaphragm actuator sliably disposed within the actuator housing;   a substantially circular diaphragm holder depending from the diaphragm actuator and being formed monolithically therewith;   a diaphragm attachment groove peripherally disposed about the diaphragm holder; and   a diaphragm having a toroid configuration defining an open center, the diaphragm having an inner bead disposed within the diaphragm attachment groove of, the diaphragm holder, an outer bead, and a web between the inner bead and the outer bead.   
     
     
         12 . The pulse pump according to  claim 7 , further comprising:
 an actuator housing having a substantially circular diaphragm limit flange depending therefrom;   a diaphragm actuator sliably disposed within the actuator housing, the diaphragm actuator further including a diaphragm attachment receptacle;   a substantially circular diaphragm having a centrally disposed hollow bulb, an outer bead, and a web between the bulb and the outer bead; and   a substantially circular diaphragm limit plate having a centrally disposed diaphragm attachment knob extending therefrom, the knob being disposed within the bulb of the diaphragm and the receptacle of the actuator and capturing the diaphragm between the limit plate and the limit flange of the actuator.   
     
     
         13 . A pulse pump, comprising:
 an electric motor;   an electric power supply electrically communicating with the motor;   an actuator mechanism communicating with the motor;   at least one diaphragm attached to the actuator mechanism;   a one-way check valve assembly fluidly communicating with the diaphragm;   a biodegradation container fluidly communicating with the one-way check valve assembly; and   a case disposed about the electric motor, the electric power supply, the actuator mechanism, the diaphragm, the one-way check valve assembly, and the biodegradation container.   
     
     
         14 . The pulse pump according to  claim 13 , further comprising:
 a gear reduction drive communicating with the motor; and   an output shaft extending from the gear reduction drive, the actuator mechanism having an eccentric rotor, the output shaft being disposed within the eccentric rotor of the actuator mechanism and selectively actuating the actuator mechanism during motor operation.   
     
     
         15 . The pulse pump according to  claim 13 , wherein the actuator mechanism having a light passage therethrough, the pulse pump further comprising;
 a light source disposed adjacent the actuator mechanism, the light source periodically passing light through the light passage of the actuator mechanism during operation thereof;   a light receptor disposed adjacent the actuator mechanism and opposite the light source, the receptor periodically receiving light from the light source through the light passage during operation of the actuator mechanism; and   means for neutrally positioning the diaphragm and actuator mechanism according to the relative positions of the light passage, light source, and light receptor when operation is terminated.   
     
     
         16 . The pulse pump according to  claim 13 , wherein the one-way check valve assembly includes a pair of valves selected from the group consisting of duckbill valves, flapper valves, reed valves, and poppet valves. 
     
     
         17 . The pulse pump according to  claim 13 , further comprising:
 an actuator housing;   a diaphragm actuator sliably disposed within the actuator housing;   a substantially circular diaphragm holder depending from the diaphragm actuator, the holder being formed monolithically therewith;   a diaphragm attachment groove peripherally disposed about the diaphragm holder; and   a diaphragm having a toroid configuration defining an open center, the diaphragm having an inner bead disposed within the diaphragm attachment groove of the diaphragm holder, an outer bead, and a web between the inner bead and the outer bead.   
     
     
         18 . The pulse pump according to  claim 13 , further comprising:
 an actuator housing having a substantially circular diaphragm limit flange depending therefrom;   a diaphragm actuator sliably disposed within the actuator housing, the diaphragm actuator having a diaphragm attachment receptacle;   a substantially circular diaphragm having a centrally disposed hollow bulb, an outer bead, and a web between the bulb and the outer bead; and   a substantially circular diaphragm limit plate having a centrally disposed diaphragm attachment knob extending therefrom, the knob being disposed within the bulb of the diaphragm and the receptacle of the actuator and capturing the diaphragm between the limit plate and the limit flange of the actuator.