Compact pump with reduced vibration and reduced thermal degradation

Abstract

A positive displacement reciprocating multi-cylinder pump has a pair of cams and associated bearings and yokes that cooperatively and positively reciprocate the pistons. The fluid flow paths are configured through specially designed intake and outlet manifolds to provide intrinsic cooling of the bearings through specially configured fluid flow paths at distal ends of the pump. An intentional head geometry that is identical for each piston may be readily machined using exterior bores. Each head defines a cylinder, captures both inlet and outlet one-way valves, and provides essential fluid flow paths about the cylinders. All bearings are of the sealed type, and no additional oil baths or the like are required, permitting the pump to be stored, transported, and used in any orientation.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention pertains generally to pumps, and more particularly to a piston type pump capable of pumping moderate volumes of liquid with reduced vibration and reduced thermal degradation, both which contribute to a quieter and longer life-cycle pump.

2. Description of the Related Art

Fluid pumps of many diverse constructions are found in countless devices to move an equally diverse set of fluids. In fact, fluid pumps are ubiquitous with both living things and machinery.

The impellers necessary to move fluids can take on such diverse geometries as one or more inclined blades spinning about a hub and either propelling the fluid axially or radially with respect to the spin axis, a piston reciprocating within a sleeve or cylinder, a gear pair that rotates to separate on an intake side and mesh on a discharge side, a screw turning within a cylinder, a rotary vane, a diaphragm that moves to change the volume of a chamber, a collapsible tube pinched in a progressive manner by an external object or roller, gas bubbles rising in a liquid, gravity moving a liquid from a higher point of elevation to a lower elevation, ions driven by an electrical field, magnetic particles or objects driven by a magnetic field, and others. There are, quite plainly, many diverse geometries and constructions of fluid impellers.

The fluids that are pumped may be even more diverse, ranging from gases such as air or other gases moved by a fan, to low viscosity liquids such as water, and to viscous liquids such as oils and greases pumped within machinery. In the modern world, many different procedures and chemical compositions have been developed that improve a process, formulation, or operation, and rather than manually carrying out these procedures and delivering these compositions, in most cases a mechanized pump will do the work.

There are many different characteristics that can be measured to both define the pump and also determine the suitability of the pump for different applications. A few common characteristics are: flow rate, both with no outlet pressure and at various outlet pressures; inlet suction; maximum outlet pressure; horsepower or equivalent energy consumption; pump complexity; initial pump cost; required pump maintenance; and expected operating life usually measured as Mean Time Between Failure (MTBF). Other characteristics can be estimated or calculated therefrom as well, such as pump efficiency and annual operating cost. Pump efficiency is defined as the ratio of the kinetic power imparted on the fluid by the pump in relation to the power supplied to drive the pump, which can be determined from the energy consumed to generate a flow rate at a pressure head. Other exemplary metrics that may be less common but which may be important or critical for some applications include: compatibility with one or many different fluids, including but not limited to slurries, chemical compositions, and varying viscosities; consistency of output through varying pressure heads; conservation of fluid being pumped; mechanical shear; priming requirements; consistency of output flow rate and pressure; starting current and torque; suitable energy sources for driving the pump; and other factors.

For different applications, these characteristics are often times quite divergent from other applications. For exemplary purpose, a washing machine drain pump has very low pressure head required, typically only lifting the drain water from a few inches to a few feet, and will preferably be of simple construction, have low initial fabrication cost, will have a long MTBF, and will require little maintenance. However, the drain water may include somewhat corrosive compositions such as sodium hypochlorite (chlorine bleach) and powerful detergents that will quickly dissolve grease used in many pump seals. Further, there may be relatively large particles that pass through the washing machine drum along with the water, such as small pins, nails, screws, sand, and other solid objects, that must be pumped without consequential harm or stoppage of the pump. As has been known in the art of washing machines, a simple centrifugal or radial vane pump may be used to meet all of these objectives. However, such a pump will be unable to generate much in the way a greater pressure head, and consequently the output and pump efficiency will vary greatly with changes in pressure head.

In many fluid applications, such as chemical applications, one or more fluids must be mixed with one or more additional fluids to achieve a desired fluid mixture. Commonly, mixing one fluid with another fluid is performed by measuring out a quantity of a first fluid, measuring out a quantity of a second fluid, and combining the measured amounts in a container where the fluids are mixed together. This process is routinely performed by hand, and thus is subject to inaccuracies attributed to human error. Thus, the fluid mixture achieved may not in fact possess the precise desired proportions of the fluids. Additionally, as fluid mixtures are typically mixed in batches (i.e., discrete quantities of a fluid mixture), inconsistencies in the proportions of the mixed fluids from one batch to the next batch may be experienced.

Many artisans over the years have applied various technologies to improve various facets of pumps and to expand the applicability of pumps into industries and applications not previously well addressed. The following patents are incorporated herein by reference as exemplary of the state of the art in a variety of fields, various advances being made therein, and for the teachings and illustrations found therein which provide a foundation and backdrop for the technology of the present invention. The following list is not to be interpreted as determining relevance or analogy, but is instead in some instances provided solely to illustrate levels of skill in various fields to which the present invention pertains: U.S. Pat. No. 1,003,479 by Lucas, entitled “Pump valve”; U.S. Pat. No. 1,632,948 by Cardenas, entitled “Water pump”; U.S. Pat. No. 1,736,593 by Harm, entitled “Circulating device”; U.S. Pat. No. 1,827,811 by Derrick, entitled “Bearing for rotary pumps”; U.S. Pat. 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No. RE 33,135 by Wanner, Sr., deceased et al, entitled “Pump apparatus”; 2002/0157413 by Iwanami et al, entitled “Compressor driven selectively by first and second drive sources”; 2003/0103850 by Szulczewski, entitled “Axial piston pump/motor with clutch and through shaft”; 2003/0147755 by Carter, III et al, entitled “Dual drive for hydraulic pump and air boost compressor”; 2003/0160525 by Kimberlin et al, entitled “Motor pump with balanced motor rotor”; 2004/0033144 by Rush, entitled “Decoupling mechanism for hydraulic pump/motor assembly”; 2004/0136833 by Allington et al, entitled “High pressure reciprocating pump and control fo the same”; 2004/0175278 by Dexter et al, entitled “Pressure washer having oilless high pressure pump”; 2004/0244372 by Leavesley, entitled “Turbocharger apparatus”; 2004/0247461 by Pflueger et al, entitled “Two stage electrically powered compressor”; 2004/0265144 by Fukanuma et al, entitled “Hybrid compressor”; 2005/0019187 by Whitworth et al, entitled “Internal screw positive rod displacement metering pump”; 2005/0254970 by Mayer et al, entitled “Quick connect pump to pump mount and drive arrangement”; 2006/0228233 by Cook, entitled “Pump and motor assembly”; 2007/0029255 by D'Amato et al, entitled “Desalination system powered by renewable energy source and methods related thereto”; 2008/0296224 by Cook et al, entitled “Reverse osmosis pump system”; 2009/0068034 by Cook, entitled “Pumping system with precise ratio output”; and 2010/0127410 by Drager, entitled “Method and device for the metered release of irritants”.

A challenging application for a pump is the precise or predictable delivery of a volume of fluid in a given time. Piston-type pumps are known to provide a number of advantages over pumps of other construction. Among them is the ability to more precisely or predictably deliver a consistent volume, even with widely varying inlet and outlet pressures. This is because a piston reciprocating in a cylinder creates what is referred to as a positive displacement that is much more independent of inlet and outlet pressure than many other pump types.

There are several challenges with prior art piston pumps. One of these is the inherent pulsations that are created by the movement of the pistons. A typical prior art pump may employ a rotary shaft driven from a motive power source such as an engine or motor, such as might for exemplary purposes be electrically or gasoline powered. The pump may typically have either one or two pistons that reciprocate within a corresponding number of cylinders. Even in the case of a dual piston pump, the moment where one piston has just finished the expelling travel and the other piston is about to begin expelling, there is no driving force on the liquid being expelled. Since there will likely be a hose or pipe of indeterminate length at the outlet of the pump, and since the mass of the liquid within that pipe or outlet has momentum created by the expulsion from the pump, during this moment there is no fluid being expelled from the pump and the momentum of the liquid must be broken. This start and stop of the expulsion leads to a certain amount of pulsation in a small pump of low flow rate. However, when the flow rate is substantially increased, the pulsations increase and become hammering and vibration. As is well established, in most mechanical systems extreme vibrations are detrimental and can lead to early failure.

In addition, as the flow rate is increased, there will also be a concomitant increase in the load imposed upon bearings that support the rotary shaft. This leads to elevated temperature within the bearing, which is also known to be detrimental, particularly when operated in an already hot environment.

The increased flow rate and pulsations not only increase the load upon the bearings, but also increase the load and also potentially the wear of the valves, pistons, cylinders, and seals. In consideration thereof, various artisans have developed multi-piston pumps having three or more pistons that are radially arranged about a rotary drive shaft. These pumps are configured in some instances to resemble well known internal combustion and steam engines, including connecting rods between a central shaft or drive wheel. Exemplary U.S. patents and published applications, the teachings which are incorporated herein by reference, include: U.S. Pat. No. 4,645,428 by Arregui et al, entitled “Radial piston pump”; and 2009/0074591 by Courier, entitled “High pressure radial pump”. Unfortunately, this construction requires a large number of bearings and couplings that drastically increase the initial pump cost. These additional parts also tend to decrease the average reliability of such pumps, reflected in a shorter Mean Time Between Failure (MTBF). In order to improve the reliability of such pumps, and like prior art steam engines and internal combustion engines, the internal components are often required to be either immersed in a lubricant such as an oil bath, or sprayed or splashed with lubricant on a relatively continuous basis. Unfortunately, at any pressure there will be some leakage past the seal between the piston and cylinder, and this leaked fluid may migrate to the region of the connecting rods and bearings and can cause early failure. This can be particularly disadvantageous in some applications, particularly where non-lubricant fluids are being pumped at very increased pumping pressures.

Other artisans have avoided the need for connecting rods through the use of cams defining an eccentric cam surface about the rotary shaft to drive the pistons. In some of these instances, the artisans have relied upon return springs to keep the pistons in contact with the cam. Exemplary U.S. patents, the teachings which are incorporated herein by reference, include: U.S. Pat. No. 935,655 by Haire, entitled “Gaseous fluid compressor”; U.S. Pat. No. 2,461,121 by Markham, entitled “Fluid pump”; U.S. Pat. No. 2,801,596 by Sewell, entitled “Multi-cylinder pump”; U.S. Pat. No. 5,032,065 by Yamamuro et al, entitled “Radial piston pump”; U.S. Pat. No. 5,167,493 by Kobari, entitled “Positive-displacement type pump system”; U.S. Pat. No. 5,382,140 by Eisenbacher et al, entitled “Radial-piston pump”; U.S. Pat. No. 5,383,770 by Hisahara, entitled “Radial piston pump with vent in hollow piston”; and U.S. Pat. No. 6,162,022 by Anderson et al, entitled “Hydraulic system having a variable delivery pump”. Unfortunately, the return springs must be sufficiently powerful to drive the pistons into contact with the cam, regardless of the state of the fluid flow. In other words, if a viscous liquid is being pumped, and the spring is acting to move the fluid into the piston cylinder, then the return spring must be strong enough to overcome the thick liquid and still draw the liquid in. Yet, with a thin or much less viscous liquid, this must be accomplished without causing the piston to bounce. Furthermore, any separation between the piston and cam will also lead to subsequent impact, either in the form of taps or rattling, or in extreme cases in the form of severe hammering. Clearly, none of these are desirable. The spring itself is also being cycled rather violently, storing substantial energy when the piston is moving in a first direction and then releasing it when the piston is moving in the opposite direction. This energy storage and release leads to both substantial heating within the spring and also to potential work hardening or molecular reorientation, which will lead to spring breakage and failure. Finally, any separation or failure of the piston to fill the cylinder on the intake stroke or to empty the cylinder on the outlet stroke will result in a decrease in pump flow rate or output volume. Such a decrease in output defeats the precise volume displacement with each piston stroke that is otherwise a primary benefit of a positive displacement pump such as a piston pump.

Other artisans have overcome this deficiency of spring return using other mechanisms. Exemplary U.S. patents, the teachings which are incorporated herein by reference, include: U.S. Pat. No. 4,690,620 by Eickmann, entitled “Variable radial piston pump”; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,613,839 by Buckley, entitled “Variable rate pump”. Each of these patents requires an inlet pressure greater than atmosphere to drive the piston on the inlet stroke, and then uses the cam to drive the piston in the opposite direction on the outlet stroke. In other words, there must be a pump in the fluid flow path preceding these pumps to provide the fluid pressure required to fill the cylinder on the inlet stroke. While there are certain applications where this can be of great benefit, the applications for such a pump are much more restricted and of course more expensive, owing to the need for two pumps instead of one.

A few artisans have heretofore recognized the limitations of the piston return springs or need for pressurized inlet fluid. Exemplary U.S. patents, the teachings which are incorporated herein by reference, include: U.S. Pat. No. 759,828 by Olney, entitled “Engine”; U.S. Pat. No. 5,030,065 by Baumann, entitled “Reciprocating compressor”; and U.S. Pat. No. 8,333,572 by Hsieh, entitled “Pump”. These patents describe various yokes that are designed to positively reciprocate the pistons. As already noted herein above, the yokes can thereby be used to simultaneously increase the reliability and life of the pump, improve the operation of the pump with diverse viscosities of fluids, maintain high precision in pump volume, and also avoid the need for a second inlet pump. In addition to these multi-piston pumps, there are a number of patents for inventions developed by Cook and Cook et al and owned by the present assignee referenced herein above with regard to single or dual piston pumps that illustrate yokes of similar purpose and function.

In spite of the many advantages of these yokes and the existence of the aforementioned multi-cylinder piston pumps, the many characteristics of pumps described herein above have continued to be contrary in the marketplace. As is very apparent from a review of the multi-piston pumps described herein above, the complexity of these prior art pumps makes the initial pump cost very high, and many such pumps are often also associated with a shorter expected life as measured by MTBF.

As may be apparent, in spite of the enormous advancements and substantial research and development that has been conducted, there still remains a need for a positive displacement pump that is capable of precise or predictable delivery of a volume of fluid in a given time independent of reasonable inlet and outlet pressures pump, that is also capable of increased volume pumping while reducing the associated vibration of the prior art, and which is also better able to withstand extremes of temperature and load.

In addition to the foregoing patents, Webster's New Universal Unabridged Dictionary, Second Edition copyright 1983, is incorporated herein by reference in entirety for the definitions of words and terms used herein.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In a first manifestation, the invention is a pump body having an intake manifold with internal inlet conduits, an outlet manifold having internal outlet conduits, and a plurality of heads affixed to the intake and outlet manifolds. Captured between each head and the intake manifold are a plurality of one-way inlet valves and seals. Captured between each head and the outlet manifold are a plurality of one-way outlet valves and seals.

In a second manifestation, the invention is a pump having a fluid intake manifold with fluid internal inlet conduits and a first rotary drive shaft bearing affixed thereto, an outlet manifold having internal outlet conduits and a second rotary drive shaft bearing affixed thereto, a working fluid operatively flowing through the inlet conduits and outlet conduits and thereby cooling the first and second rotary drive shaft bearings.

In a third manifestation, the invention is a pump head machined from four bores open on a first end and closed internally within the pump head on a second end distal to the first end, a first bore defining a radial inlet bore, a second bore defining a radial outlet bore, a third bore defining a piston cylinder, and a fourth bore passing through each of said first three bores and defining both a longitudinal inlet bore and a longitudinal outlet bore.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention solve inadequacies of the prior art by providing a positive displacement reciprocating multi-cylinder pump having a cam, bearing(s), and yokes that cooperatively and positively reciprocate the pistons. The fluid flow paths are configured to provide intrinsic cooling of the bearings through specially configured fluid flow paths at distal ends of the pump. An intentional head geometry that may be readily machined captures valves and provides essential fluid flow paths about the cylinders.

The present invention and the preferred and alternative embodiments have been developed with a number of objectives in mind. While not all of these objectives are found in every embodiment, these objectives nevertheless provide a sense of the general intent and the many possible benefits that are available from embodiments of the present invention.

A first object of the invention is to provide a pump that can provide precise or predictable delivery of a volume of fluid in a given time, independent of reasonable ranges of inlet and outlet pressures and viscosity of fluid. A second object of the invention is to provide a pump that can provide increased volume pumping while reducing the associated vibration and pressure pulsation during pump operation. Another object of the present invention is to provide a pump that is also better able to withstand extremes of temperature and load. A further object of the invention is to provide a pump that requires a minimum of components, and most preferably components that can easily be machined or produced in a low cost manner, and that further can be readily assembled without special tools. Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a pump that may use sealed bearings within an atmospheric chamber, thereby reducing the need for special lubricant sprays or immersion baths and allowing any leakage to be either released to atmosphere or if so desired, collected and removed without harming bearings or other internal components.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing and other objects, advantages, and novel features of the present invention can be understood and appreciated by reference to the following detailed description of the invention, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a preferred embodiment compact pump with reduced vibration and reduced thermal degradation designed in accord with the teachings of the present invention from a front elevational view.

FIG. 2 illustrates the preferred embodiment compact pump of FIG. 1 from rear view.

FIG. 3 illustrates the preferred embodiment compact pump of FIG. 1 from right side view.

FIG. 4 illustrates the preferred embodiment compact pump of FIG. 1 from left side view.

FIG. 5 illustrates the preferred embodiment compact pump of FIG. 1 from sectional view taken along line 5′ of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 illustrates the preferred embodiment compact pump of FIG. 1 from sectional view taken along line 6′ of FIG. 2.

FIG. 7 illustrates the preferred embodiment compact pump of FIG. 1 from sectional view taken along line 7′ of FIG. 1.

FIG. 8 illustrates the preferred embodiment compact pump of FIG. 1 from sectional view taken along line 8′ of FIG. 1.

FIG. 9 illustrates the preferred embodiment compact pump from sectional view taken along line 9′ of FIG. 4.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

In a preferred embodiment of the invention illustrated in the Figures, a compact pump 10 having reduced vibration and reduced thermal degradation is comprised of a motor coupler 200 and pump body 300. Motor coupler 200 may, for exemplary and non-limiting purposes, include a coupling body that may provide a motor connection sleeve that might incorporate any suitable apparatus that will conveniently or appropriately couple to a motor shaft. Exemplary are paired geometries, such as but not limited to a slotted sleeve so as to receive a keyed shaft and associated key, or a shaft having one or more flats that engage with features in the surrounding sleeve.

Within pump body 300, adjacent a first end there is provided an intake manifold 321 illustrated in FIG. 5 having an inlet port 320 and four inlet conduits 326 in fluid communication therewith. Inlet port 320 will also operatively be in fluid communication to any suitable source fluid which is to be pumped as is known in the art. For exemplary and non-limiting purposes, and while not illustrated, an inlet hose may be threaded into or otherwise coupled with inlet port 320.

In preferred embodiment compact pump 10, intake manifold 321 is formed from a solid block of aluminum or aluminum alloy which is drilled from the exterior to form inlet port 320 and each of the four inlet conduits 326. The drilling or other boring process will leave visible lines in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 5 at the intersection of inlet port 320 and each of the four inlet conduits 326, but it will be understood that these all are connected together to allow the flow of fluid in a relatively unrestricted manner at the intersection. While aluminum and alloys thereof are most preferred for the composition of intake manifold 321, owing to the good heat conductivity, easy machinability, relatively low cost, and high strength to weight ratio of aluminum and aluminum alloys, other suitable materials may be substituted in alternative embodiments.

Each of the four inlet conduits 326 are coupled distally to inlet port 320 with one-way inlet valves 324. In preferred embodiment compact pump 10, a slightly larger diameter bore may be provided adjacent to the surface of intake manifold 321 to partially receive valves 324. In addition, an even shallower and larger diameter bore may further be provided to receive o-ring seals 325.

As also visible from FIG. 5, intake manifold 321 has a cross-sectional geometry with an octagonal outer perimeter. While the exact geometry is not critical to the invention, the provision of four major flat surfaces 327 is most preferred. A head 302 is attached to each of these flat surfaces 327 using suitable fasteners, for exemplary and non-limiting purpose socket-head bolts 304 illustrated.

Each head 302 is most preferably fabricated from the same material and dimension as every other. As with intake manifold 321, in preferred embodiment compact pump 10 the four heads 302 will most preferably be fabricated from a solid block or billet of aluminum or aluminum alloy which is drilled from the exterior to form a set of four radial inlet bores 307 and a set of four radial outlet bores 309 therein. Radial inlet bores 307 are aligned with and in fluid communication with one-way inlet valves 324.

O-ring seals 325 prevent leakage in the fluid path between intake manifold 321 and each of the four heads 302. These o-ring seals 325 may in one embodiment, just prior to installing the heads 302 and tightening socket-head bolts 304 at the time of installation, be conveniently wrapped around the associated inlet valve 324. The elasticity of the o-rings will hold them in place, simplifying installation. Other installation techniques and sequences may be used in other alternative embodiments. As may be apparent then, the installation of a head 302 onto intake manifold 321 will simultaneously capture and secure the associated one-way inlet valves 324 and o-ring seals 325, again reducing the number of installation steps and thereby simplifying installation.

Fluid passes from inlet port 320 through each of the four inlet conduits 326, through the associated one-way inlet valve 324 into radial inlet bores 307. From there, the fluid passes into the associated cylinder 312, which has also been drilled from the exterior of each head 302 in a direction radial to rotary drive shaft 220. The fluid is prevented from escaping from cylinder 312 by a combination of the associated piston 345-348 and piston seal ring 349. In preferred embodiment compact pump 10, the cylinder wall is bored at two diameters, with the portion more adjacent to rotary drive shaft 220 having a slightly larger diameter to accommodate piston seal ring 349. Nevertheless, other methods of sealing the piston and cylinder wall are known in the prior art incorporated herein above by reference and in the industry, and these other methods will be suitably used in alternative embodiments.

A single bore is drilled or otherwise formed in each of the four heads 302 that simultaneously defines both the longitudinal inlet bore 308 and the longitudinal outlet bore 310. Each of these longitudinal bores 308 and 310 are longitudinally parallel to the longitudinal axis of rotary drive shaft 220. Visible in FIGS. 3, 4, and 9 are threaded socket-head plugs 306 that are used to close off the otherwise exteriorly exposed open end of the bore that defines these longitudinal inlet bores 308 and longitudinal outlet bores 310.

When fluid is expelled from a cylinder 312 by the associated piston 345-348, it will not be able to flow back into the radial inlet bore 307, owing to the one-way inlet valve 324 blocking flow in this direction. As a result, expelled fluid passes through longitudinal outlet bore 310 into radial outlet bore 309, and from there through one-way outlet valves 334 into outlet manifold 331 illustrated in FIG. 6. Each outlet valve 334 is sealed with an associated o-ring seal 335 in the same manner as the inlet valves 324 are sealed by o-ring seals 325.

Each of the four outlet valves 334 pass into a common outlet conduit 336 formed within outlet manifold 331 that is generally “U” shaped, and which is in fluid communication with outlet port 330. Outlet conduit 336 is bored into outlet manifold 331 again entirely from the exterior thereto, and the openings that would remain are conveniently capped by a slightly larger diameter bore used to seat valves 334. As with inlet port 320, outlet port 330 will in nearly all cases operatively be coupled to an exterior hose, conduit, or the like through suitable fitting, for exemplary and non-limiting purpose such as a threaded coupler.

Passing longitudinally through the center of pump body 300 is a rotary drive shaft 220, which is coupled with and driven by a suitable motor, the details of the motor which are not important to the present invention or illustrated herein. Generally centered relative to and affixed within each of intake manifold 321 and outlet manifold 331 are bearings 222, 232, respectively, visible in FIG. 9, that support rotary drive shaft 220. These bearings 222, 232 are in direct thermal communication with the inlet and outlet manifolds 321, 331, which in turn means that they are directly cooled by the liquid passing through the pump. As may be appreciated, this cooling helps to protect bearings 222, 232 from thermal overload and associated thermal degradation that can reduce the MTBF of a pump. In preferred embodiment compact pump 10, bearings 222, 232 are also preferably sealed bearings, which provides improved resistance to external contamination.

Within pump body 300 and also rigidly affixed with rotary drive shaft 220 is an eccentric cam 370. Cam 370 will rotate with rotary drive shaft 220, and on an exterior surface is provided with a pair of adjacent roller bearings 352, 362, both visible in FIG. 9. In preferred embodiment compact pump 10, bearings 352, 362 are preferably sealed bearings, which provides improved resistance to external contamination.

Each of these roller bearings 352, 362 drive one pair of the four pistons, through interaction with associated yoke contact surfaces 340-343. Opposed yoke contact surfaces 340 and 341 are in contact with a first bearing 352 of these two bearings, and form a part yoke 350 used to drive pistons 345 and 346. Opposed yoke contact surfaces 342 and 343 are in contact with a second bearing 362 of these two bearings, and form a second yoke 360 used to drive pistons 347 and 348. Each yoke 350, 360 visible in FIGS. 7 and 8 will be understood to have a name taken from the geometrically similar water and oxen yokes. Because the two yokes are angularly offset from each other by ninety degrees, at any given moment at least one of the four pistons is always pumping fluid. As a result, the preferred embodiment pump 10 is always pumping fluid and so is less susceptible to vibration and hammering than the prior art one and two piston pumps.

The use of yokes 350, 360 allows rotary drive shaft 220 to pass entirely through between the pistons, enabling the single shaft to drive both piston pairs. This also permits shaft 220 to be anchored into bearings 222, 232 within each of inlet and outlet manifolds 321, 331, as already described herein above.

As apparent from the Figures, each piston 345-348 has two associated one-way valves, an inlet valve 324 and an outlet valve 334, meaning the fluid will only flow from inlet to outlet, and not be circumvented by an adjacent piston.

Preferred embodiment pump 10 offers a very compact geometry, while providing liquid cooling of critical components and substantially reduced vibration within a positive displacement pump. Pump 10 further requires a minimum of components that can easily be machined or produced and assembled in a low cost manner. Pump 10 will preferably use sealed bearings within an atmospheric chamber, thereby reducing the need for special lubricant sprays or immersion baths and allowing any leakage to be either released to atmosphere or if so desired, collected and removed without harming bearings or other internal components. This use of an atmospheric chamber and the lack of an oil bath permits pump 10 to be oriented in any direction, either during use, transport or storage without fear of leakage of the oil.

While the foregoing details what is felt to be the preferred embodiment of the invention, no material limitations to the scope of the claimed invention are intended. Further, features and design alternatives that would be obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art are considered to be incorporated herein. The scope of the invention is set forth and particularly described in the claims herein below.

Claims

1. A pump body comprising: a fluid intake manifold having internal fluid inlet conduits;a fluid outlet manifold having internal fluid outlet conduits;a plurality of heads, each individual one of said plurality of heads defining a piston cylinder and defining a fluid flow path coupling with a one of said internal fluid inlet conduits and a one of said internal fluid outlet conduits, each individual one of said plurality of heads affixed to the fluid intake and outlet manifolds;a plurality of one-way inlet valves and seals within said fluid flow path captured between individual ones of said plurality of heads and said fluid intake manifold; anda plurality of one-way outlet valves and seals captured between individual ones of said plurality of heads and said fluid outlet manifold;wherein said fluid intake manifold further comprises a unitary body;wherein said internal fluid inlet conduits further comprise bores formed within said fluid intake manifold unitary body; andwherein said internal fluid inlet conduit bores further comprise a pair of perpendicular bores, each one of said pair of perpendicular bores formed within and passing entirely through said fluid intake manifold unitary body.

2. The pump body of claim 1, wherein said fluid intake manifold further comprises a fluid inlet port formed within said fluid intake manifold unitary body and passing from an exterior of said fluid intake manifold unitary body to an intersection between each one of said pair of perpendicular bores and extending longitudinally at an angle intermediate between each one of said pair of perpendicular bores, said fluid inlet port adapted to be in fluid communication with an external source fluid.

3. A pump body comprising: a fluid intake manifold having internal fluid inlet conduits;a fluid outlet manifold having internal fluid outlet conduits;a plurality of heads, each individual one of said plurality of heads defining a piston cylinder and defining a fluid flow path coupling with a one of said internal fluid inlet conduits and a one of said internal fluid outlet conduits, each individual one of said plurality of heads affixed to the fluid intake and outlet manifolds;a plurality of one-way inlet valves and seals within said fluid flow path captured between individual ones of said plurality of heads and said fluid intake manifold; anda plurality of one-way outlet valves and seals captured between individual ones of said plurality of heads and said fluid outlet manifold;wherein said fluid outlet manifold further comprises a unitary body;wherein said internal fluid outlet conduits further comprise bores formed within said fluid outlet manifold unitary body; andwherein said internal fluid outlet conduit bores further comprise first and second parallel bores and a third bore perpendicular to said first and second parallel bores, each of said first, second, and third bores formed within and passing entirely through said fluid intake manifold unitary body.

4. The pump body of claim 3, wherein: a first one of said plurality of one-way outlet valves and seals is juxtaposed at the junction between said first and third bores;a second one of said plurality of one-way outlet valves and seals is juxtaposed at the junction between said second and third bores;a third one of said plurality of one-way outlet valves and seals is juxtaposed at the end of said first bore distal to the junction between said first and third bores; anda fourth one of said plurality of one-way outlet valves and seals is juxtaposed at the end of said second bore distal to the junction between said second and third bores.

5. The pump body of claim 4, further comprising a fluid outlet port formed within said fluid outlet manifold unitary body and passing from an exterior of said fluid outlet manifold unitary body to at least one of said internal fluid outlet conduit bores, said fluid outlet port adapted to be in fluid communication with an external fluid conduit.