Pneumatic pump system and related methods

Abstract

A pump comprising a housing having a cavity and a diaphragm positioned therein configured to fluidly separate the cavity into a driving chamber and a fluid chamber. The pump further includes a port that connects the driving chamber to a vacuum source. The port configured to have an open state and a closed state such that a fluid enters the fluid chamber when the port is in the open state, and wherein the fluid exits the fluid chamber when the port is in the closed state.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A pump comprising:
 a pump housing having a diaphragm configured to form a seal between a driving chamber and a fluid chamber;   a port that connects the driving chamber to a vacuum source, the port configured to have an open state and a closed state; and   a pressure equalizing mechanism that connects the driving chamber to a source of atmospheric pressure;   wherein a fluid enters the fluid chamber when the port is in the open state, and   wherein the fluid exits the fluid chamber when the port is in the closed state.   
     
     
         2 . The pump of  claim 1 , wherein at any given time, one of the port and the pressure equalizing mechanism are closed. 
     
     
         3 . The pump of  claim 1 , wherein the pressure equalizing mechanism is configured to have an open state and a closed state. 
     
     
         4 . The pump of  claim 2 , wherein at any given time, one of the port and the pressure equalizing mechanism are open. 
     
     
         5 . The pump of  claim 1 , further comprising a stopping mechanism capable of closing the port. 
     
     
         6 . The pump of  claim 5 , wherein the port has a longitudinal axis, and the stopping mechanism is configured to move along the longitudinal axis of the port. 
     
     
         7 . The pump of  claim 1 , further comprising a piston located within the driving chamber, wherein movement of the piston causes a change in the volume of the fluid chamber. 
     
     
         8 . The pump of  claim 7 , further comprising a floating plunger capable of moving independently of the piston, wherein the floating plunger is capable of closing the port. 
     
     
         9 . The pump of  claim 1 , wherein the fluid chamber has an inlet pressure equalizing mechanism and an outlet pressure equalizing mechanism. 
     
     
         10 . The pump of  claim 1 , further comprising a spring located within the driving chamber. 
     
     
         11 . The pump of  claim 10 , wherein decompression of the spring causes a decrease in the volume of the fluid chamber. 
     
     
         12 . A pump comprising:
 a pump housing having a diaphragm configured to form a seal between a driving chamber and a fluid chamber;   a port that connects the driving chamber to a compressed air source, the port configured to have an open state and a closed state; and   a pressure equalizing mechanism that connects the driving chamber to a source of atmospheric pressure;   wherein a fluid enters the fluid chamber when the port is closed, and   wherein the fluid exits the fluid chamber when the port is open.   
     
     
         13 . The pump of  claim 12 , wherein at any given time, one of the port and the pressure equalizing mechanism are closed. 
     
     
         14 . The pump of  claim 12 , wherein the pressure equalizing mechanism is configured to have an open state and a closed state. 
     
     
         15 . The pump of  claim 14 , wherein at any given time, one of the port and the pressure equalizing mechanism are open. 
     
     
         16 . The pump of  claim 12 , further comprising a stopping mechanism capable of closing the port. 
     
     
         17 . The pump of  claim 12 , wherein the port has a longitudinal axis, and the stopping mechanism moves along the longitudinal axis of the port. 
     
     
         18 . The pump of  claim 12 , further comprising a piston located within the driving chamber, wherein movement of the piston causes the volume of the fluid chamber to change. 
     
     
         19 . The pump of  claim 17 , further comprising a floating plunger capable of moving independently of the piston, wherein the floating plunger is capable of closing the port. 
     
     
         20 . The pump of  claim 12 , wherein the fluid chamber has an inlet pressure equalizing mechanism and an outlet pressure equalizing mechanism.