Membrane pump

Abstract

A pump comprising a pump body defining a circulation space for circulation of fluid according to a direction of circulation from an entry orifice of the circulation space to an output orifice of the circulation space; a membrane retained in the circulation space substantially parallel to the direction of circulation; and an actuating device adapted to vibrate the membrane in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction of circulation, wherein the membrane comprises a material or a protective coating having a polymer organic matrix with a Young's modulus in a range of between 100 MPa and 10 GPa.

1 . A pump comprising:
 a pump body defining a circulation space for circulation of fluid according to a direction of circulation from an entry orifice of the circulation space to an output orifice of the circulation space;   a membrane retained in the circulation space substantially parallel to the direction of circulation; and   an actuating device adapted to vibrate the membrane in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction of circulation,   wherein the membrane comprises a material or a protective coating having a polymer organic matrix with a Young's modulus in a range of between 100 MPa and 10 GPa.   
     
     
         2 . The pump according to  claim 1 , wherein the polymer organic matrix of the membrane or of the protective coating of the membrane comprises a fluoropolymer. 
     
     
         3 . The pump according to  claim 1 , wherein the pump further comprises at least one seal, and wherein the at least one seal comprises a fluoropolymer. 
     
     
         4 . The pump according to  claim 1 , wherein the pump further comprises:
 a support connected to an end of the membrane,   wherein a projecting part of the support passes in a sealed manner towards the exterior of the pump body, and wherein the actuating device is adapted to act on the projecting part of the support to generate in an excitation force at the end of the membrane.   
     
     
         5 . The pump according to  claim 4 , wherein the support comprises a polymer material, and wherein the polymer material of the support is the same as a polymer material of the protective coating of the membrane. 
     
     
         6 . The pump according to  claim 4 , wherein at least one of the membrane and the support comprises at least one peripheral orifice and at least one central orifice. 
     
     
         7 . The pump according to  claim 1 , wherein the pump body comprises a polymer. 
     
     
         8 . The pump according to  claim 7 , wherein the polymer is fiber-reinforced. 
     
     
         9 . The pump according to  claim 1 , wherein the pump body comprises a first rigid wall and a second rigid wall opposite one another and defining therebetween the circulation space. 
     
     
         10 . The pump according to  claim 9 , wherein the membrane comprises a disc, and wherein the membrane is retained in the circulation space substantially parallel to the first and second rigid walls. 
     
     
         11 . The pump according to  claim 1 , wherein the entry orifice opens into the circulation space in the vicinity of the periphery of the membrane, and wherein the output orifice opens into the circulation space in the vicinity of a central area of the membrane. 
     
     
         12 . The pump according to  claim 1 , wherein the pump body further comprises a first flange defining a first wall and a second flange defining a second wall, wherein the first and second walls define between them the circulation space, and wherein the first flange defines the entry orifice and the output orifice. 
     
     
         13 . The pump according to  claim 1 , wherein the actuating device comprises at least one electromagnetic linear actuator powered by an alternating current. 
     
     
         14 . The pump according to  claim 1 , further comprising at least one ferromagnetic element coupled to the actuating device. 
     
     
         15 . The pump according to  claim 1 , further comprising at least one fluid flow sensor connected with the actuating device. 
     
     
         16 . The pump according to  claim 1 , wherein the material or the protective coating has a polymer organic matrix with a Young's modulus in a range of between 200 MPa and 2 GPa. 
     
     
         17 . The pump according to  claim 1 , wherein the pump further comprises a check valve disposed at the output orifice. 
     
     
         18 . The pump according to  claim 1 , wherein the membrane has a discoidal geometry. 
     
     
         19 . A fluid displacement apparatus comprising a high flow rate distribution pump and a membrane pump according to  claim 1 , wherein the membrane pump is connected to an outlet of the distribution pump. 
     
     
         20 . A container-mixer comprising:
 a container adapted to receive a fluid, the container comprising a flexible material; and   a pump according to  claim 1  disposed in the container.