JP7812542B2 - Pump unit and pump device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to pump units and pump devices, and in particular to pump devices that include an outer cylinder and an inner cylinder, and that convey an object by supplying a pressurizing medium between the outer cylinder and the inner cylinder to expand the inner cylinder in a centripetal direction.

One type of conventional pump known to those skilled in the art is one that uses peristaltic motion to transport an object, as shown in Patent Documents 1 to 3. The pumps disclosed in Patent Documents 1 and 2 are configured to transport an object by connecting multiple pump units whose inner cylinders expand when a pressurizing medium is supplied between the outer and inner cylinders, sequentially expanding the inner cylinders of the connected pump units and pressurizing the object. Furthermore, the pump disclosed in Patent Document 3 is configured to transport the object by sequentially contracting the inner cylinders of the connected pump units and applying negative pressure to the object.

JP 2010-196689 A JP 2010-203400 A Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 05-321842

The pumps of Patent Documents 1 to 3 are capable of conveying any material, including liquids, viscous fluids such as slurries, powders, and solid-liquid mixtures (hereinafter simply referred to as conveyed materials).
However, as described in Patent Document 3, when the transported item is food, it needs to be transported in an environment suitable for food. For example, in the case of cheese, the cheese needs to be transported while remaining warm and fluid, and if it cools and solidifies along the transport path, it can cause blockages. Also, in the case of minced meat, there is a problem that oil components will melt if it is transported at room temperature.

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention aims to provide a pump unit and pump device that can transport the goods in an environment suitable for the goods being transported.

A pump unit for solving the above-described problems includes an outer tube, an inner tube made of an elastic material and arranged along the inner surface of the outer tube, and end members arranged on both ends of the outer tube and inner tube to form a closed space between the inner circumference of the outer tube and the outer circumference of the inner tube, wherein the inner tube expands centripetally when a working medium is supplied into the closed space and the inner tube contracts when the working medium is discharged from the closed space, and a heat conductor is arranged within the closed space and is attached to one of the end members and is arranged in contact with the outer circumference of the inner tube, and conducts heat input via the one end member to the inner tube , and the heat conductor has a cylindrical tube portion through which the inner tube passes, and a flange portion arranged on one end of the tube portion and attached to the end member, the flange portion being attached in contact with the one of the end members, and the tube portion has an inner diameter that contacts the outer circumference of the inner tube when the inner tube contracts, and is configured to extend to a length that avoids contact with the other end member when the inner tube expands.
With this configuration, heat can be transferred from the end member to the heat conductor and from the heat conductor to the inner tube, and as a result, the heat of the heat medium is transferred to the transported item through the inner tube, making it possible to transport the transported item in a suitable environment.
Furthermore, by configuring the end member to which the thermal conductor is attached to have a flow path that allows the flow of a heat medium, by circulating a heat medium that has been heated or cooled to a temperature suitable for transporting the goods through the flow path of the end member, the heat of the heat medium can be transferred to the end member, from the end member to the heat conductor, and from the heat conductor to the inner tube. As a result, the heat of the heat medium is transferred to the goods through the inner tube, making it possible to transport the goods in a suitable environment .
The heat conductor may be configured to have a protrusion that deforms the inner cylinder in the centripetal direction.
In addition, as a configuration of a pump device for solving the above problem, a pump device is provided that includes a pump unit according to any one of claims 1 to 3 and is provided with a heating/cooling means for heating or cooling the end member.
According to this configuration, the items can be transported in an environment that is suitable for each item.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a pump device. 3A and 3B are axial and radial cross-sectional views of the pump unit; FIG. 4 is a radial cross-sectional view of an outer cylinder in the pump unit. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of an end member in the pump unit. 2A and 2B are a plan view and an axial cross-sectional view of a pump unit as viewed in the axial direction; 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating the operation of the pump unit.

The present invention will be described in detail below through embodiments of the invention. However, the following embodiments do not limit the invention as defined in the claims, and not all of the combinations of features described in the embodiments are necessarily essential to the solution of the invention, and include configurations that may be selectively adopted.

[Overall schematic configuration of peristaltic pump]
1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a pump device 1. As shown in FIG. 1, the pump device 1 according to this embodiment includes a pump unit 10 and a transfer control device 100.
The pump unit 10, for example, is provided singly or in combination with a plurality of pump units, to form the pump section 8 of the pump device 1. The pump section 8 is provided, for example, at the outlet of a storage device in which the material to be transported is stored, or midway through existing piping, and functions as a transport path and pump for transporting the material to be transported. In the following description, the pump section 8 is formed by connecting a plurality of pump units 10 (four in this embodiment) in series, but they do not necessarily have to be connected and may be provided singly.

[Regarding the pump unit 10]
FIG. 2 is an axial cross-sectional view and a radial cross-sectional view of the pump unit 10. FIG.
As shown in FIG. 2, the pump unit 10 includes an inner tube 12, an outer tube 14 arranged to form a double pipe coaxial with the central axis of the inner tube 12, a pair of end members 16; 16 that close the space formed between the outer periphery of the inner tube 12 and the inner periphery of the outer tube 14, and a heat conductor 18.

The pump unit 10 is closed by end members 16; 16, and is configured so that by supplying a pressurized medium (working medium) to the space formed between the outer periphery of the inner cylinder 12 and the inner periphery of the outer cylinder 14, the inner cylinder 12 expands centripetally and contracts axially.

[About the inner cylinder]
The inner cylinder 12 is configured as an airtight and elastic cylindrical body. The inner cylinder 12 may be made of an elastic material such as rubber, elastomer, or the like, such as natural latex rubber or silicone rubber.

As shown in Figure 2, the inner tube 12 has flanges 12B on both ends of a cylindrical tube portion 12A. The flanges 12B are formed integrally with the tube portion 12A and are formed as hollow disks that extend concentrically radially outward at the ends of the tube portion 12A. A protrusion 13 that protrudes toward the tube portion 12A (axially inward) is formed around the entire circumference at the tip (outer periphery) of this flange 12B.

[About the outer tube]
FIG. 3 is a radial cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG.
The outer cylinder 14 is configured as a cylindrical body made of an elastic material that can expand and contract in the axial direction while maintaining airtightness. The outer cylinder 14 is configured, for example, to include an elastic material and a fibrous material.
As shown in FIG. 3, the outer cylinder 14 includes, for example, an elastic material 15A and a plurality of fibers 15B contained in the elastic material 15A in a cross section in the radial direction.

The elastic material 15A can be made of elastic materials such as rubbers such as natural latex rubber or silicone rubber, or elastomers.

The fibers 15B are provided to restrain the axial extension of the outer tube 14, and function as restraining means for restraining the axial extension of the outer tube 14. The fibers 15B are provided, for example, in a layered form, have a length that extends continuously from one end side of the outer tube 14 to the other end side, and are arranged to extend along the axial direction of the outer tube 14.
The fibers 15B do not necessarily have to be contained in layers in the outer tube 14, but may be dispersed and embedded within the elastic material.

Highly elastic fibers with minimal axial expansion and contraction are suitable for the material of fiber 15B. For example, stretchable fibers such as aramid fiber, carbon fiber, glass fiber, nylon, polyamide fiber, polyolefin fiber, and metal fiber can be selected as appropriate. The adhesive properties of the fibers can be sufficiently improved by applying an appropriate primer treatment or surface oxidation treatment, but it is preferable to select a material based on its adhesiveness to the elastic material.

The fiber material can be in any form, such as filament, yarn (spun yarn or filament yarn), or strand. It is also possible to use untwisted fibers, which are bundled together without twisting, or fibers made by twisting multiple strands of such fibers. Depending on the type of fiber, it is also possible to combine two or more fibers made of different materials or different forms.

The length of the fibers 15B is not limited to a continuous length from one end to the other, but may be configured so that multiple fibers shorter than the axial length of the outer tube 14 are distributed continuously along the axial direction and reach from one end to the other.

In addition, the restraining means in the outer tube 14 may be made of an elastic material itself instead of fiber 15B. For example, a rib extending in the axial direction of the outer tube 14 may be integrally formed from the elastic material that makes up the outer tube 14 and serve as the restraining means.

Furthermore, taking into consideration the ease with which the inner tube 12 expands in the centripetal direction, it is preferable that the pump unit 10 be configured so that the elastic modulus of the outer tube 14 is greater than that of the inner tube 12.

[Regarding end members]
The end members 16, 16 are disposed on both ends of the inner cylinder 12 and the outer cylinder 14. The end members 16, 16 are configured to be fixable to both ends of the inner cylinder 12 and the outer cylinder 14, and to enable the pump units 10 to be connected to each other.

The end member 16; 16 comprises a flange portion 16A and a tubular portion 16B. The flange portion 16A is formed in a flat rectangular shape with a hollow portion 20. The hollow portion 20 is provided as a circular hole through which the tubular portion 12A of the inner tube 12 can pass. The diameter of the hollow portion 20 is preferably set to a dimension such that it fits tightly against the outer peripheral surface of the tubular portion 12A of the inner tube 12, for example.

The flange portion 16A has an annular groove 22 recessed into the axially outer end face 16a. The annular groove 22 is formed concentrically with the hollow portion 20, and is capable of fitting with the protrusion 13 at the tip of the flange portion 12B of the inner tube 12. Furthermore, the outer end face 16a of the flange portion 16A is formed so that when the protrusion 13 of the inner tube 12 is fitted into the annular groove 22, the flange portion 12B of the inner tube 12 protrudes outward beyond the outer end face 16a.

The inner cylinder 12 is attached to the end member 16;16 by fitting the protrusion 13 of the flange portion 12B into the annular groove 22 of the end member 16. The inner cylinder 12 is connected to the end member of another pump unit 10 or a flange attached to an existing pipe via the end member 16;16, and the flange portion 12B is pressed against the end member 16, forming an airtight seal with the end member 16.

The tubular portion 16B protrudes axially from the inner end surface 16b of the flange portion 16A in a cylindrical shape. The central axis of the tubular portion 16B is concentric with the hollow portion 20, and it is formed integrally with the flange portion 16A. The outer diameter of the tubular portion 16B is set to a size that allows it to be inserted tightly into the inner periphery of the outer tube 14.

The crimped intermediate member 24, together with the crimping member 26, constitutes a fixing means for airtightly fixing the outer tube 14 to the end members 16; 16. The crimped intermediate member 24 is formed as an annular member that can be inserted onto the outer periphery of the outer tube 14 when the tubular portion 16B of the end member 16 is inserted into the outer tube 14.

The crimped intermediate member 24 has an inner circumferential surface formed as a cylindrical surface, and its inner diameter is set so that it fits tightly against the outer circumferential surface of the outer tube 14. The crimped intermediate member 24 also has an outer circumferential surface formed as a conical surface (tapered surface), and is formed so that the thickness gradually increases relative to the inner circumferential surface. The crimped intermediate member 24 is positioned on the outer circumferential surface of the outer tube 14 with the thicker side pressed against the end member 16.

The crimping member 26 is formed as an annular member that can fit onto the outer periphery of the crimping intermediate member 24 placed on the outer tube 14. The inner periphery of the crimping member 26 is formed as a conical surface (tapered surface) and is configured to make surface contact with the conical surface of the crimping intermediate member 24.

The crimping member 26 is fixed to the inner end surface 16b of the end member 16 with a fixing means such as a bolt (not shown), with its inner conical surface in contact with the conical surface of the crimping intermediate member 24. This presses the crimping intermediate member 24 against the outer tube 14, and the outer tube 14 is fixed airtight to the tubular portion 16B of the end member 16.

As described above, the pump unit 10 has end members 16; 16 attached to the ends of the inner cylinder 12 and outer cylinder 14, thereby forming a closed space between the outer circumference of the inner cylinder 12 and the inner circumference of the outer cylinder 14, thereby forming the fluid chamber V in the pump unit 10.

One end member 16 has a supply/discharge hole 28 for supplying and discharging the pressurized medium to and from the fluid chamber V. One end of the supply/discharge hole 28 opens to the outer peripheral end surface of the flange portion 16A of the end member 16, and the other end opens to the inner end surface 16b of the flange portion 16A, between the inner tube 12 and the outer tube 14.

The opening on the outer end surface of the flange portion 16A that constitutes the supply/discharge hole 28 can be connected to a pipe (not shown) extending from the transport control device 100, allowing the pressurized medium to be supplied to and discharged from the fluid chamber V.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view parallel to the end face at the center portion in the thickness direction of the other end member.
The other end member 16 is provided with a flow path 17 through which a heat medium for heating and cooling the transported object flows. As shown in Fig. 4, the flow path 17 constitutes part of a heating/cooling means 180 (described later), and is provided on one side surface that forms the outer periphery of the rectangular end member 16 as a hole that is open at both ends and extends in an annular shape along the outer periphery of the hollow portion 20. The shape of the flow path 17 is not limited to this and may be changed as appropriate, and is preferably formed so that the end member 16 can be heated and cooled evenly by the heat medium.

Opening 17A of flow path 17 formed on one side of flange portion 16A; a pipe (not shown) extending from the transport control device 100 is connected to 17A, allowing the heat transfer medium to circulate through flow path 17.

Therefore, it is recommended that the end members 16;16, at least the other end member 16 having the flow path 17, be made of a material with good thermal conductivity, such as copper or aluminum.

[About thermal conductors]
FIG. 5 is a plan view of the pump unit as viewed in the axial direction and an axial cross-sectional view thereof.
The thermal conductor 18 is provided in the fluid chamber V. The thermal conductor 18 is configured, for example, in a cylindrical shape having a tubular portion 18A and a flange portion 18B. The thermal conductor 18 is preferably configured from a material having a thermal conductivity equal to or better than that of the material configuring the end member 16, so that the heat from the end member 16 heated or cooled by the heat medium flowing through the flow path 17 configured in the other end member 16 can be easily transferred.

Furthermore, the cylindrical portion 18A of the heat conductor 18 may be configured to have an inner diameter that allows it to come into contact with the outer periphery of the inner cylinder 12. This allows the inner cylinder 12 to be heated or cooled by the heat conductor 18.
The flange portion 18B is provided on one end side of the cylindrical portion 18A. The thermal conductor 18 is fixed to the other end member 16 via the flange portion 18B, and is attached to the other end member 16 so that the cylindrical portion 18A extends toward the other end member 16. Preferably, the flange portion 18B is configured in a shape that widens the contact surface with the end member 16. This allows for efficient heat conduction from the end member 16 to the flange portion 18B.

In this embodiment, since the pump unit 10 is axially contractible, it goes without saying that the axial length of the tubular portion 18A should be set so that it does not come into contact with other components, such as one end member 16, when the pump unit 10 is fully contracted.

The thermal conductor 18 has multiple protrusions 19 formed on the inner circumference of the cylindrical portion 18A. As shown in Figure 5, when the pump unit 10 is viewed in the axial direction, the protrusions 19 are arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction and protrude from four directions. Furthermore, each protrusion 19 is formed in a gentle mountain shape when viewed in a plan view along the axial direction.

The inner tube 12 is pre-squashed at its axial center by the protrusions 19 of the heat conductor 18, and this state is the natural state within the pump unit 10. Then, by supplying compressed air to the fluid chamber V, the inner tube 12 can be expanded in a centripetal direction, starting from the part pressed by the protrusions 19.

The protrusions 19 may be any that predeform the inner tube 12 into a predetermined shape so as to define the shape of the inner tube 12 when expanded, and the number, shape, and configuration of the protrusions 19 are not limited to those in the above embodiment. While protrusions 19 are not essential, their presence is preferred.

Furthermore, the aforementioned supply and discharge hole 28 is not limited to being provided on one end member 16, but may also be provided on the other end member 16, allowing fluid to be supplied to and discharged from the fluid chamber V from both end members 16;16.

With the above configuration, when compressed air is supplied to the fluid chamber V through the supply and discharge holes 28, the pump unit 10 causes the inner cylinder 12 to expand radially inward (centripetal direction) and contract axially as shown in FIG. 2(b). When the compressed air supplied to the fluid chamber V is discharged, the inner cylinder 12 contracts radially and extends axially as shown in FIG. 2(a). Furthermore, by circulating a heating medium through the flow path 17, the end member 16 is heated and cooled by the heat of the heating medium, and the heat is transferred to the inner cylinder 12 via the thermal conductor 18. The heat transferred to the inner cylinder 12 is transferred to the space inside the inner cylinder 12 and to the object being transported inside the inner cylinder 12.

[About the transport control device]
The transport control device 100 is a device for controlling the transport operation of the transported object by the connected pump units 10. For example, as shown in Fig. 1, the transport control device 100 can be configured with a pressurized medium control means 110, a drive control means 160, and a heating/cooling means 180. In Fig. 1, dashed lines indicate signal lines showing the paths of electrical signals, solid lines indicate pipes showing the flow paths of the pressurized medium, and dashed lines indicate pipes showing the flow paths of the heat medium.

[Pressure medium control means]
The pressurized medium control means 110 controls the supply, stop, and discharge of the pressurized medium to the fluid chamber V of the pump unit 10. In this embodiment, air is used as the pressurized medium, but the pressurized medium is not limited to air and may be other gases or liquid fluids such as water.
The pressurizing medium control means 110 may be configured appropriately to provide the functions described below depending on the pressurizing medium used.

The pressurized medium control means 110 includes, for example, a compressor 112, a regulator 114, a supply valve 116, a discharge valve 118, a flow sensor 120, a pressure sensor 122, etc.

The compressor 112 generates compressed air to be supplied to the fluid chamber V of the pump unit 10.

Regulator 114 is connected to compressor 112, receives compressed air pressurized by compressor 112 as input, reduces the input compressed air to a predetermined pressure, and outputs compressed air at a constant pressure. The pressure of the compressed air output from regulator 114 is set to at least a pressure that allows the inner circumferential surfaces of the inner cylinders 12 of pump unit 10 to come into close contact with each other when pump unit 10 is expanded, or a pressure higher than this.

A supply valve 116 is provided for each connected pump unit 10, and the regulator 114 is connected to each pump unit 10. The supply valve 116 receives compressed air decompressed by the regulator 114 as input and controls the output of this compressed air to the fluid chamber V of the pump unit 10 (supply and cessation of supply of compressed air to the fluid chamber V). The supply valve 116 has a valve that opens and closes based on an electrical signal; opening the valve supplies compressed air to the fluid chamber V, and closing the valve halts the supply of compressed air. The supply valve 116 is electrically connected to the drive control means 160, and opens and closes the valve based on a signal input from the drive control means 160.

A discharge valve 118 is provided for each pump unit 10 and is connected to each pump unit 10. The discharge valve 118 receives compressed air from the fluid chamber V as input, and has an output side open to the atmosphere so that this compressed air is discharged into the atmosphere. The discharge valve 118 has a valve that opens and closes based on an electrical signal; opening the valve opens the fluid chamber V to the atmosphere, thereby discharging the compressed air from the fluid chamber V into the atmosphere, and closing the valve stops the discharge of compressed air. The discharge valve 118 is electrically connected to the drive control means 160, and opens and closes the valve based on a signal input from the drive control means 160.

The flow rate sensor 120 is provided between the supply valve 116 provided for each pump unit 10 and the corresponding pump unit 10, and measures the flow rate of compressed air supplied to the pump unit 10. The flow rate sensor 120 is electrically connected to the drive control means 160, and outputs the measured flow rate of compressed air to the drive control means 160.
The flow rate sensor 120 may be provided at any position as long as it can measure the flow rate of the compressed air supplied to the fluid chamber V.

The pressure sensor 122 is provided between the flow rate sensor 120 provided for each pump unit 10 and the corresponding pump unit 10, and measures the pressure in the fluid chamber V of the pump unit 10. The pressure sensor 122 is electrically connected to the drive control means 160, and outputs the measured pressure in the fluid chamber V to the drive control means 160.
The pressure sensor 122 may be provided at any position as long as it can measure the pressure inside the fluid chamber V.

The supply valve 116 and discharge valve 118 will be described as being in an initial state where the valves are closed when no signal is input, opening when a signal is input, and closing when the signal is stopped.

For example, solenoid valves can be used for the supply valve 116 and the discharge valve 118. By using solenoid valves for the supply valve 116 and the discharge valve 118, the response speed when expanding or contracting the pump unit 10 can be improved.

[Drive control means]
The drive control means 160 is a device for controlling the operation of the pump unit 10. For example, the drive control means 160 is a computer equipped with hardware such as a CPU as a processing means and ROM, RAM, and the like as storage means.

The memory means stores a program for operating the pump unit 10, as well as judgment values for determining whether to output or stop signals to the supply valve 116 and discharge valve 118.

The drive control means 160 executes processing according to a program stored in the memory means by the arithmetic processing means, and outputs signals to the supply valve 116 and the discharge valve 118 provided for each pump unit 10 to open and close the valves based on the flow rate input from the flow sensor 120 provided for each pump unit 10 and the pressure input from the pressure sensor 122.
The drive control means 160 is not limited to a computer, and a PLC (Programmable Logic Controller) can also be used.

[Expansion/Deflating Control of Pump Unit 10]
When the pump unit 10 is to be expanded, the drive control means 160 outputs a signal only to the corresponding supply valve 116. As a result, compressed air flows into the fluid chamber V of the pump unit 10, and the inner cylinder 12 expands in the centripetal direction.

During the process of supplying compressed air to the fluid chamber V, the drive control means 160 monitors changes in the flow rate input from the flow rate sensor 120 and changes in the pressure input from the pressure sensor 122. Then, the drive control means 160 stops outputting a signal to the supply valve 116 when the input flow rate and pressure reach a determination value that indicates that the expanded state has been reached.
As a result, the inner cylinder 12 of the pump unit 10 is brought into an expanded state as shown in Fig. 2(b) and maintained in this state. Hereinafter, this expanded state may be referred to as a fully expanded state or simply as fully expanded.
The term "fully expanded" refers to the state in which the container is expanded to the maximum extent during the transport of the object, for example, the state in which the container is expanded to the extent that the transport path can be blocked.

[Contraction Control of Pump Unit 10]
Furthermore, when the pump unit 10 is deflated from a fully expanded state, the drive control means 160 outputs a signal only to the discharge valve 118 and maintains the stoppage of the output of a signal to the corresponding supply valve 116 .
As a result, the compressed air in the fluid chamber V of the pump unit 10 is discharged into the atmosphere by the restoring force due to the elasticity of the pump unit 10.

The drive control means 160 monitors changes in the pressure of the fluid chamber V during the process of discharging compressed air from the fluid chamber V. The drive control means 160 then stops outputting a signal to the discharge valve 118 when the input pressure reaches a judgment value that indicates that the pump unit 10 has reached an over-contracted state. Hereinafter, this contracted state may be referred to as the fully contracted state, or simply as fully contracted. Note that fully contracted refers to a state in which the compressed air has been discharged from the fluid chamber V into the atmosphere due to the elasticity of the inner cylinder 12 and outer cylinder 14, and the pressure value of the fluid chamber V has become equal to, for example, atmospheric pressure.

[Heating and cooling means]
The heating/cooling means 180 is a means for heating or cooling the transported object transported by the pump unit 8. As one method for heating or cooling the transported object, for example, the transported object can be heated or cooled via the end member 16.
The heating/cooling means 180 according to this embodiment is composed of the flow path 17 described above and a heat medium supplying device that supplies a heat medium to the flow path 17. The heat medium supplying device can be composed of, for example, a heat exchanger 182 and a temperature control means 184.

The heat exchanger 182 is a device for heating or cooling the heat medium circulated in the pump unit 10 .
The temperature control means 184 is a device for controlling the heat exchange with the heat medium by the heat exchanger 182 and adjusting the temperature of the heat medium to create an environment suitable for transporting the transported goods. The temperature control means 184 is a device for controlling the heat exchange between the heat exchanger 182 and the heat medium so that the temperature of the heat medium becomes a preset temperature.

The temperature control means 184 can be composed of, for example, a pump for circulating the heat medium between the pump unit 10 and the heat exchanger 182, an outlet temperature sensor for measuring the temperature of the heat medium flowing from the heat exchanger 182 to the pump unit 10, an inlet temperature sensor for measuring the temperature of the heat medium flowing from the pump unit 10 to the heat exchanger 182, and a control device for controlling the pump discharge rate based on the heat medium temperatures detected by the outlet temperature sensor and the inlet temperature sensor. The temperature control means 184 can adjust the temperature of the heat medium by changing the flow rate (discharge rate) of the heat medium circulated by the pump based on the temperatures measured by the outlet temperature sensor and the inlet temperature sensor, thereby controlling the amount of heat transferred from the heat exchanger 182 to the heat medium. The heat medium supply device can be, for example, a constant temperature bath.

The heat medium discharged from the heat medium supply device is distributed to, for example, each pump unit 10 and returned to the heat medium supply device via the end member 16 of each pump unit 10 .
The heat medium supply device is not limited to the above configuration, and may be any device that can adjust the temperature of the heat medium and circulate it to the pump unit 10.

The heat transfer medium can be a fluid such as gas or liquid, and preferably a liquid with a large heat capacity. The heat transfer medium supply device can be modified appropriately to achieve the functions described below depending on the fluid used.

[Operation of the pump device]
The pump device 1 can be operated, for example, as follows. In the following description, the pump device 1 is assumed to transport an object in the transport direction indicated by the arrow in Fig. 1. In Fig. 1, the parenthesized A, B, C, and D attached to the pump unit 10, supply valve 116, discharge valve 118, flow rate sensor 120, pressure sensor 122, etc. are symbols used to identify the valves, etc. associated with the operation of each pump unit 10.

6 is a diagram showing the conveying operation of the pump unit 8 according to this embodiment. Note that the operation of the pump unit 8 shown in FIG. 6 is an example and is not limiting.
The pump section 8 will be described as starting operation in an initial state in which all of the pump units 10(A) to 10(D) are contracted, as shown in FIG. 6(a).

[Step 1]
First, in order to expand the pump unit 10(A), the drive control means 160 outputs a signal only to the supply valve 116(A) and stops outputting signals to the discharge valves 118(A) to 118(D). As a result, compressed air is supplied to the fluid chamber V of the pump unit 10(A), and the inner cylinder 12 of the pump unit 10(A) begins to expand in the centripetal direction.
Then, when the flow rate input from flow rate sensor 120(A) and the pressure input from pressure sensor 122(A) each reach a determination value indicating that pump unit 10 is fully expanded, drive control means 160 stops outputting a signal to supply valve 116(A). At this time, drive control means 160 maintains a state in which output of signals to discharge valves 118(A) to 118(D) is stopped.
As a result, as shown in Figure 6 (b), the material being transported in pump unit 10 (A) is pushed out to pump unit 10 (B), and the material being transported in pump unit 10 (B) is pushed out to pump unit 10 (C), the material being transported in pump unit 10 (C) is pushed out to pump unit 10 (D), and the material being transported in pump unit 10 (D) is pushed out of pump section 8 in succession.

[Step 2]
Next, the drive control means 160 outputs a signal only to the supply valve 116(B) and maintains the stopped state of outputting signals to the discharge valves 118(A) to 118(D) in order to inflate the pump unit 10(B) while maintaining the inflated state of the pump unit 10(A).
As a result, compressed air is supplied to the fluid chamber V of the pump unit 10(B), and the inner cylinder 12 of the pump unit 10(B) begins to expand in the centripetal direction.
Then, when the flow rate input from the flow rate sensor 120(B) and the pressure input from the pressure sensor 122(B) reach the determination values at which the pump unit 10(B) is deemed to be fully expanded, the drive control means 160 stops outputting a signal to the supply valve 116(B). At this time, the drive control means 160 maintains the stopped state of outputting signals to the discharge valves 118(A) to 118(D).
As a result, as shown in Figure 6 (c), the material being transported in pump unit 10 (B) is pushed out to pump unit 10 (C), and the material being transported in pump unit 10 (C) is pushed out to pump unit 10 (D), and the material being transported in pump unit 10 (D) is pushed out of pump section 8 in sequence.

[Step 3]
Next, in order to expand pump unit 10(C) while maintaining the expanded states of pump units 10(A) and 10(B), drive control means 160 outputs a signal only to supply valve 116(C) and maintains the stopped state of signal output to discharge valves 118(A) to 118(D). As a result, compressed air is supplied to fluid chamber V of pump unit 10(C), and inner cylinder 12 of pump unit 10(C) begins to expand centripetally.
Then, when the flow rate input from the flow rate sensor 120(C) and the pressure input from the pressure sensor 122(C) reach the determination values at which the pump unit 10(C) is deemed to be fully expanded, the drive control means 160 stops outputting a signal to the supply valve 116(C). At this time, the drive control means 160 maintains the stopped state of outputting signals to the discharge valves 118(A) to 118(D).
As a result, as shown in Figure 6 (d), the material being transported in pump unit 10 (C) is pushed out into pump unit 10 (D), and the material being transported in pump unit 10 (D) is sequentially pushed out of pump section 8.

[Step 4]
Next, in order to expand pump unit 10(D) while maintaining the expanded states of pump units 10(A) to 10(C), drive control means 160 outputs a signal only to supply valve 116(D) and maintains the stopped state of signal output to discharge valves 118(A) to 118(D). As a result, compressed air is supplied to fluid chamber V of pump unit 10(D), and inner cylinder 12 of pump unit 10(D) begins to expand centripetally.
Then, when the flow rate input from the flow rate sensor 120(D) and the pressure input from the pressure sensor 122(D) reach the determination values at which the pump unit 10(D) is deemed to be fully expanded, the drive control means 160 stops outputting a signal to the supply valve 116(D). At this time, the drive control means 160 maintains a state in which it has stopped outputting signals to the discharge valves 118(A) to 118(D).
As a result, the material being conveyed in the pump unit 10(D) is pushed out of the pump section 8, as shown in FIG. 6(e).

[Step 5]
Next, the drive control means 160 outputs signals to the discharge valves 118(A) to 118(D) to contract the pump units 10(A) to 10(D), and maintains the stopped state of the output of signals to the supply valves 116(A) to 116(D). As a result, compressed air is discharged from the fluid chambers V of the pump units 10(A) to 10(D), and the pump units 10(A) to 10(D) begin to contract.
Then, when the pressures input from the pressure sensors 122(A) to 122(D) reach the determination values at which the pump units 10(A) to 10(D) are deemed to have fully contracted, the drive control means 160 stops outputting signals to the discharge valves 118(A) to 118(D). At this time, the drive control means 160 maintains the stopped state of outputting signals to the supply valves 116(A) to 116(D).
6(a), all of the pump units 10(A) to 10(D) are completely contracted, and the pump section 8 returns to its initial state. The pump device 1 then repeats steps 1 to 5 as one conveying cycle, enabling the pump section 8 to convey the material from the upstream side to the downstream side while pressurizing it.

During such a transport operation, a heat medium is supplied from the heat medium supply device to each pump unit 10(A) to 10(D) and circulated, so that heat from the heat medium can be applied to the transported object via the inner cylinder 12.
The heat medium circulating through the end members 16 of each pump unit 10(A) to 10(D) first applies heat to the end members 16. As shown by the arrows in Figure 6, this heat is transferred from the end members 16 to the thermal conductor 18 and then to the inner cylinder 12, which is in contact with the thermal conductor 18 in the contracted state. The heat transferred to the inner cylinder 12 heats and cools the space on the inner periphery of the inner cylinder 12, and is also transferred directly to the load moving inside the inner cylinder 12.
Therefore, by the heating and cooling means 180 supplying the pump units 10(A) to 10(D) with the heat required for transporting the goods, the goods can be transported while maintaining their condition in a suitable state.

As described above, according to the pump device 1 of this embodiment, the pump unit 10 constituting the pump section 8 is equipped with a flow path 17 that allows the flow of a heat medium, and a heat conductor 18 that is attached at one end to the end member 16 having this flow path 17 and extends into the closed space. This makes it possible to circulate a heat medium that has been heated or cooled to a temperature suitable for transporting the object through the flow path 17 of the end member 16, and the heat of the heat medium can be transferred to the end member 16, from the end member 16 to the heat conductor 18, and from the heat conductor 18 to the inner tube 12, making it possible to transport the object in an environment suitable for the object.

In addition, by making the thermal conductor 18 cylindrical and conforming to the outer periphery of the inner tube 12, heat can be conducted directly to the inner tube 12. Furthermore, by providing the thermal conductor 18 with multiple protrusions 19 that deform the inner tube 12 in the centripetal direction, the inner tube 12 can be easily expanded.

It is also possible to transfer heat from the end member 16 to the transported material without providing the thermal conductor 18. However, providing the thermal conductor 18 allows heat to be transferred to the transported material more efficiently than when heat is conducted locally to a portion of the inner tube 12, and also improves the durability of the pump unit 10.

In the above embodiment, the pump unit 10 was described as having an outer cylinder 14 that contracts in the axial direction, but it may also be constructed, for example, from a rigid material so that it does not substantially contract in the axial direction.

Furthermore, while the description has been given of a heat medium circulating through the end member 16 and transferring heat to the transported object via a heat conductor 18 attached to it, it is also possible, for example, to heat or cool a pressurized medium and supply it to the fluid chamber V of the pump unit 10.

Note that the configuration of the pressurized medium control means 110 is not limited to the above embodiment, and any configuration that can realize the operation shown in Figure 6 is included in the scope of the present invention.

Furthermore, the heating/cooling means 180 is not limited to the above configuration. For example, a heat source may be brought into contact with the end member 16 for heating/cooling the transported object, and the end member 16 may be heated or cooled, with the heat being conducted to the inner cylinder 12 via the heat conductor 18.

1 pump device, 8 pump section, 10 pump unit, 12 inner cylinder, 14 outer cylinder,
16 End member, 18 Heat conductor,
100 conveyance control device, 110 pressurized medium control means, 112 compressor,
114 regulator, 116 supply valve, 118 discharge valve, 120 flow rate sensor
122 Pressure sensor, 160 Drive control means, 180 Heat medium supply means, V Fluid chamber.

Claims (4)

An outer tube and
an inner cylinder provided along an inner peripheral surface of the outer cylinder and made of an elastic material;
A pump unit comprising end members provided at both ends of an outer cylinder and an inner cylinder, and forming a closed space between the inner periphery of the outer cylinder and the outer periphery of the inner cylinder, wherein the inner cylinder expands in a centripetal direction by supplying a working medium to the closed space, and the inner cylinder contracts by discharging the working medium from the closed space,
a heat conductor attached to one of the end members and provided in contact with the outer periphery of the inner cylinder, the heat conductor conducting heat input through the one of the end members to the inner cylinder, is provided within the closed space;
the heat conductor includes a cylindrical tube portion through which the inner tube passes, and a flange portion provided on one end side of the tube portion and attached to one of the end members in contact therewith;
the cylindrical portion has an inner diameter that contacts the outer periphery of the inner cylinder when the inner cylinder is contracted;
A pump unit characterized in that the inner cylinder is extended to a length that prevents contact with the other end member when the inner cylinder is expanded . The pump unit described in claim 1, characterized in that the end member to which the thermal conductor is attached has a flow path that allows the heat transfer medium to flow. 3. The pump unit according to claim 1 , wherein the heat conductor has a protrusion that deforms the inner cylinder in a centripetal direction. A pump device including the pump unit according to any one of claims 1 to 3 ,
A pump device comprising a heating/cooling means for heating or cooling the end member.