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PumpRelated Patent Categories: Pumps, Motor Driven, Fluid Motor, Common Pumping And Motor Working Member, Collapsible Common Member, DiaphragmPump description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070140873, Pump. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION [0001] This invention relates to a pump. More particularly the present invention relates to a membrane pump. [0002] Pumps, which incorporate a flexible element to achieve the pumping action, are known. For example, the flexible element can be in the form of a deformable tube. A pump of this type is described in our international patent specifications WO 99/01687 and WO 02/18790. [0003] In WO 02/18790 there is described a pneumatic pinch mechanism for a deformable tube and, in particular, the mechanism when applied to the pump. The mechanism includes a piston movably located within a chamber with vent means so that at some point during a movement of the piston between the first and second positions, a pressure equalisation occurs within the chamber. Consequently, as the piston moves toward the first position a pressure increase occurs which can be used to deform the deformable tube. When the piston moves toward the second position, a negative pressure is created which can be used to return the deformable tube from its deformed configuration. [0004] The pump has proved successful, but as with deformable tube pumps, the deformable tube can require regular replacement. This is generally due to the repeated closing and release of the tube leading to localised wear or fatigue in the tube, which can ultimately lead to the tube rupturing. [0005] A further disadvantage with such pumps is that it is often difficult or not possible to produce a deformable tube (having the necessary characteristics of being able to deform and rebound or be returned to its non-deformed state) from a material, which is particularly suited for handling the materials intended to flow through the pump. [0006] A membrane pump therefore provides an advantage that the membrane can be formed from a material, which has a wide range of applications, and indeed materials which are required in some applications, but which cannot be formed or economically formed into replaceable deformable tubes for use in pumps having cyclic deforming of the tube. However, membrane pumps to date are of constructions, which still give rise to mechanical stress in the diaphragm, thereby requiring regular replacement of the diaphragm. Also, many known diaphragm pumps fall short in performance, especially in achievement of full removal of fluid from the pump chamber on the exhaust stroke and full uptake on the inlet stroke. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0007] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a membrane pump, which is of a construction resulting in reduction in mechanical stress in the membrane, thereby leading to longer membrane life. [0008] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a membrane pump of a construction, which enables full removal of fluid on the exhaust stroke and fuller uptake on the inlet stroke during operation of the pump. [0009] Broadly according to one aspect of the invention there is provided a pump including a cavity with an inlet port and an outlet port opening into and from the cavity, a flexible membrane located within the chamber and arranged to be bi-stable in two states corresponding to completion of inlet and exhaust of a pumping cycle. [0010] Preferably the flexible membrane is mounted in the cavity with a preset whereby the membrane adopts one of the stable states. [0011] The membrane is preferably formed from an elastomeric material which can be in sheet form. [0012] In a preferred form the membrane is clamped between first and second housing sections, each section having a cavity section such that when the housing sections are assembled to form a housing, said cavity is formed. [0013] The cavity is, in the preferred form, located in a housing, the cavity being connectable to a source or sources of negative and positive pressure and means to cyclically apply the positive and negative pressures to the cavity to cause the membrane to move between the stable states. [0014] In a preferred form the first and section housing sections configured to form said cavity when the housing sections are joined together, clamp the membrane about a peripheral margin thereof. [0015] The first housing section can include a recess into which the membrane is located, the peripheral dimensions of the membrane being greater than those of the recess whereby compressive forces are set up in the membrane when it is installed in the recess. [0016] The second housing section can include a protruding portion which engages in the recess, when the first and second housing sections are combined together, to cause the membrane to be clamped in place. [0017] Preferably there is a third housing section coupled to the second housing section, said third housing section including means for facilitating connection of inlet and outlet conduits for pumpable material. [0018] In a preferred form the second and third housing sections include inlet and outlet openings and means for locating therein a valve element. The valve element can be a disk of flexible material. [0019] Preferably the cavity is elongate and of curved cross-section, a port via which the source(s) of positive and negative pressure are connectable opens into the cavity. [0020] The ends of the elongate cavity are preferably complex curved. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0021] In the following more detailed description of the invention according to one preferred embodiment, reference will be made to the accompanying drawings in which: Continue reading about Pump... Full patent description for Pump Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Pump patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Pump or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Compressor assembly for air conditioner system Next Patent Application: Portable vacuum pump apparatus Industry Class: Pumps ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Pump patent info. 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