Flexible tube pump having linear cam actuation of distributor means

United States Patent im

Pickering

4,039,269 [45] Aug. 2, 1977

[54] FLEXIBLE TUBE PUMP HAVING LINEAR CAM ACTUATION OF DISTRIBUTOR MEANS

[75] Inventor: Norman C. Pickering, North Haven, N.Y.

[73] Assignee: The Lynkeus Corporation, East Hampton, N.Y.

[21] Appl. No.: 650,181

[22] Filed: Jan. 19,1976

[51] Int. CI.* F04B 43/12; F04B 45/06;

F04B 7/00

[52] U.S. CI 417/475; 417/510

[58] Field of Search 417/474, 475, 510;

74/567, 110; 92/13.2; 222/214; 128/214 F,

DIG. 3

[56] References Cited

U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS

1,871,692 8/1932 Howard 74/567

2,308,974 1/1943 Harper 417/510

2,412,397 12/1948 Harper 417/474

2,877,714 3/1959 Sorg et al 417/475

2,922,379 1/1960 Schultz 417/475

3,128,716 4/1964 Stallman et al 417/474

3,171,360 3/1965 Walton 417/474

3,314,371 4/1967 Hopkinson 417/474

3,595,134 7/1971 Butterworth 91/321

Primary Examiner—Carlton R. Croyle
Assistant Examiner—Thomas I. Ross
Attorney, Agent, or Firm—Bauer, Amer & King

[57] ABSTRACT

A precision metering and dispensing pump of the peristaltic type is disclosed. The pump includes a housing in which an elongated, compressible fluid extruding tube is disposed. The tube has an outlet that is adapted to be connected to the source of fluid that is to be pumped. Spaced serially along the tube and in opposition thereto are an inlet plunger, an extruder plunger and an outlet plunger all of which constitute valves and which are arranged to be displaced in such a manner as to apply compressive forces to the tube. A linear actuator is mounted on the housing and is coupled to a primary, two-part cam that is arranged to linearly displace the inlet and the outlet plungers at preselected times. Displacement of the primary cam causes the displacement of a secondary cam to the movement of which is responsive the extruder plunger. The primary cam acts on the outlet plunger which, at the beginning of the cycle is extended so as to close the tube. Fluid will flow into the tube up to the point where the outlet plunger has sealed the tube. Further movement of the primary cam will cause the inlet plunger to close the tube so that the fluid to be pumped is trapped between the inlet plunger and outlet plunger. Still further movement of the primary cam in the same direction will cause the secondary cam to move and thereby displace the extruder plunger while at the same time retracting the outlet plunger so that the fluid passage to the outlet is opened thereby completing the cycle after which the actuator is reversed and the cycle is repeated.

5 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures