Simple Positive Displacement Pump Suitable for Pharmaceutical, Chemical, Biological, Viscous, Dense, Particulate Laden Fluids and Other Demanding Applications

Abstract

A fluid pump for moving fluid from a first reservoir to a second reservoir is described. The fluid pump comprises a first reservoir containing a fluid, a second reservoir for receiving the fluid, at least one chamber subject to alternating high and low pressure, and an inlet valving device modulating or switching pressures to which the at least one chamber is exposed, causing the fluid to flow into the at least one chamber from the first reservoir when the at least one chamber is exposed to low pressure and causing the fluid to flow out of the at least one chamber into the second reservoir when the chamber is exposed to high pressure.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A fluid pump for moving fluid from a first reservoir to a second reservoir comprising:
 said first reservoir containing a fluid;   said second reservoir receiving said fluid;   at least one chamber subject to alternating high and low pressure;   an inlet valving device modulating or switching pressures to which said at least one chamber is exposed, causing said fluid to flow into said at least one chamber from said first reservoir when said at least one chamber is exposed to said low pressure and causing said fluid to flow out of said at least one chamber into said second reservoir when said chamber is exposed to said high pressure.   
     
     
         2 . The fluid pump according to  claim 1  wherein said first and second reservoirs are at same or different pressures or heights. 
     
     
         3 . The fluid pump according to  claim 1  wherein said at least one chamber has one or more openings. 
     
     
         4 . The fluid pump according to  claim 3  wherein said at least one chamber has two openings and wherein said two openings are on top and bottom of said at least one chamber, on a same side of said at least one chamber, on opposite sides of said at least one chamber, or rotated from one another. 
     
     
         5 . The fluid pump according to  claim 3  wherein said at least one opening is connected with tubes or other types of channels. 
     
     
         6 . The fluid pump according to  claim 1  wherein a source of said low pressure is a vacuum and wherein a source of said high pressure is a compressed gas or fluid under pressure. 
     
     
         7 . The fluid pump according to  claim 1  wherein said inlet valving device comprises a plurality of pneumatic valves, electric valves, electro-pneumatic valves, flapper valves, ball valves, floats, or combinations thereof and is proportional, multi-way, or an on/off type, actuated or passive. 
     
     
         8 . The fluid pump according to  claim 1  further comprising an outlet valving device allowing said fluid to enter or leave said at least one chamber wherein said outlet valving device is proportional, multi-way, or an on/off type. 
     
     
         9 . The fluid pump according to  claim 8  wherein said outlet valving device comprises a plurality of pneumatic valves, electric valves, electro-pneumatic valves, flapper valves, ball valves, floats, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         10 . The fluid pump according to  claim 1  wherein fluid level within said one or more chambers is controlled in conjunction with pressure fluctuations in said one or more chambers, floats, flap valves, ball valves, sensors, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         11 . The fluid pump according to  claim 10  wherein said fluid level is controlled by one or more sensors at or near a top portion and/or at or near a bottom portion of said at least one chamber, capable of producing a detectable change of state in the presence of fluid within their sensing range wherein a level of said fluid can be sensed. 
     
     
         12 . The fluid pump according to  claim 11  wherein said one or more sensors comprise optical sensors, floats, magnetic switches, or capacitive devices. 
     
     
         13 . The fluid pump according to  claim 8  further comprising a first optical switch controlling said inlet valving device and a second optical switch controlling said outlet valving device wherein said inlet valving device and said outlet valving device are 3-way valves and wherein said inlet and outlet valving devices work in tandem to periodically fill and empty said fluid in said at least one chamber thus producing a desired fluid motion or pumping action. 
     
     
         14 . The fluid pump according to  claim 13  wherein all or some of said switches and valving devices are controlled by a control device that takes inputs from said switches and valving devices and affects a state of said valves or switches in such manner as to achieve a desired fluid moving action. 
     
     
         15 . The fluid pump according to  claim 1  wherein a plurality of chambers are connected in parallel and wherein some of said chambers are being filled while others are ejecting said fluid, thus accomplishing a continuous flow of said fluid and wherein a directional valve connected to each of said plurality of chambers prevents said fluid's flowing from one to another of said plurality of chambers. 
     
     
         16 . The fluid pump according to  claim 1  further comprising an output path valving device allowing flow of said fluid out of said at least one chamber to be placed on hold, pulsed or modulated. 
     
     
         17 . A method of pumping fluid from a first reservoir to a second reservoir comprising:
 providing said first and second reservoirs;   providing at least one chamber connected by an inlet valving device to a high pressure source and to a low pressure source;   connecting said at least one chamber by an outlet valving device to said first and second reservoirs;   modulating or switching pressures, through said inlet valving device, to which said at least one chamber is exposed, causing said fluid to flow into said at least one chamber from said first reservoir when said at least one chamber is exposed to said low pressure and causing said fluid to flow out of said at least one chamber into said second reservoir when said chamber is exposed to said high pressure.   Providing said second reservoir is a point of use of the fluid   Providing said first reservoir is a bulk source.   
     
     
         18 . The method according to  claim 17  further comprising:
 controlling said inlet valving device by a first sensor; and 
 controlling said outlet valving device by a second sensor wherein said inlet valving device and said outlet valving device are 3-way valves and wherein said inlet and outlet valving devices work in tandem to periodically fill and empty said fluid in said at least one chamber thus producing a desired fluid motion or pumping action. 
 
     
     
         19 . The method according to  claim 17  further comprising:
 providing an optical switch located at or near either end of said at least one chamber in combination with a delay-on or delay-off mechanism, thus fixing the time that either said low pressure or said high pressure is acting upon said at least one chamber, and thus taking said fluid in or ejecting it; and 
 repeating cycles of said taking said fluid in and ejecting said fluid to produce a desired pumping action. 
 
     
     
         20 . The method according to  claim 17  wherein movement of said fluid is accomplished by suction, gravity, chemical reaction, moving gas or fluid, displacement, or mechanical, or electromagnetic means.