Power Tool with Peristaltic Pump

Abstract

The present invention in one embodiment is a power tool including a housing, a main power shaft located within the housing, a peristaltic pump assembly positioned within the housing and operably connected to the main power shaft, and an outlet conduit operably connected to the peristaltic pump assembly and extending between the peristaltic pump assembly and an outlet port in the housing such that fluid is forced by the peristaltic pump assembly through the outlet conduit to a location outside of the housing.

1 . A power tool comprising:
 a housing;   a main power shaft located within the housing;   a peristaltic pump assembly positioned within the housing and operably connected to the main power shaft; and   an outlet conduit operably connected to the peristaltic pump assembly and extending between the peristaltic pump assembly and an outlet port in the housing such that fluid is forced by the peristaltic pump assembly through the outlet conduit to a location outside of the housing.   
     
     
         2 . The power tool of  claim 1 , wherein the peristaltic pump assembly comprises:
 an arcuate pump casing;   a tube positioned along the arcuate pump casing;   a rotor and an eccentric shaft operably connected to the main power shaft; and   at least one roller rotatably supported by the rotor.   
     
     
         3 . The power tool of  claim 2 , wherein the peristaltic pump assembly further comprises:
 a pump shaft fixedly connected to the rotor; and   a pump gear meshed with the main power shaft.   
     
     
         4 . The power tool of  claim 3 , wherein the at least one roller comprises:
 a first roller extending outwardly from the rotor; and   a second roller extending outwardly from the rotor, the second roller extending outwardly from the first roller at a location generally opposite from the location at which the first roller extends outwardly from the rotor.   
     
     
         5 . The power tool of  claim 3 , wherein:
 the pump gear is meshed with a first end portion of the main power shaft; and   a second end portion of the main power shaft is configured for operably driving a shaping component.   
     
     
         6 . The power tool of  claim 5 , wherein the power tool is configured to rotatably drive a shaping component. 
     
     
         7 . The power tool of  claim 3 , wherein the outlet conduit extends outwardly of the outlet port. 
     
     
         8 . The power tool of  claim 7 , wherein the outlet conduit and the elastomeric tube are integrally formed. 
     
     
         9 . The power tool of  claim 2 , wherein the arcuate pump casing comprises a portion of the housing. 
     
     
         10 . The power tool of  claim 2 , further comprising;
 a check valve positioned between the outlet conduit and a first end portion of the elastomeric tube.   
     
     
         11 . A power tool comprising:
 a housing;   a main power shaft at least partially located within the housing;   a peristaltic pump assembly operably connected to the main power shaft; and   an outlet conduit operably connected to the peristaltic pump assembly and extending between the peristaltic pump assembly and an outlet portion of the outlet conduit, the outlet portion configured to direct fluid toward a predetermined location.   
     
     
         12 . The power tool of  claim 11 , wherein the peristaltic pump assembly comprises:
 an arcuate pump casing;   an elastomeric tube positioned along the arcuate pump casing;   a rotor operably connected to the main power shaft; and   at least one roller rotatably supported by the rotor.   
     
     
         13 . The power tool of  claim 12 , wherein the peristaltic pump assembly further comprises:
 a pump shaft fixedly connected to the rotor; and   a pump gear meshed with the main power shaft.   
     
     
         14 . The power tool of  claim 12 , wherein the at least one roller comprises:
 a first roller extending outwardly from the rotor; and   a second roller extending outwardly from the rotor, the second roller extending outwardly from the first roller at a location generally opposite from the location at which the first roller extends outwardly from the rotor.   
     
     
         15 . The power tool of  claim 12 , wherein:
 the pump gear is meshed with a first end portion of the main power shaft; and   a second end portion of the main power shaft is configured for operably driving a shaping component.   
     
     
         16 . The power tool of  claim 15 , wherein the power tool is configured to rotatably drive the shaping component. 
     
     
         17 . The power tool of  claim 12 , wherein:
 the arcuate pump casing comprises a portion of a housing; and   at least a portion of the main power shaft is located within the housing.   
     
     
         18 . The power tool of  claim 12 , wherein the outlet conduit and the elastomeric tube are integrally formed. 
     
     
         19 . The power tool of  claim 12 , further comprising;
 a first check valve positioned between the outlet conduit and a first end portion of the elastomeric tube; and   a second check valve positioned between the outlet conduit and a second end portion of the elastomeric tube.