JPS5949434B2 - pump equipment - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a pump device and more particularly to a pump device for transferring fluid through a resilient tube by sequentially blocking the tube between preselected points along its length. Regarding pumps.

Although the present invention has general application, it is especially suited to the simultaneous transfer of a series of different fluids in predetermined ratios to each other and at predetermined flow rates.

As is well known in the art, pumps used for this purpose have elastic components that are arranged parallel to each other in the same plane in the vicinity of a continuously rotating rotor assembly and are closed by pressure. Contains a series of tubes.

The rotor assembly includes a plurality of rollers capable of simultaneously closing the tube between a plurality of points spaced apart along its length.

The plurality of tubes typically have different inner diameters to allow different amounts of fluid to be transferred between the points of closure, thereby allowing different amounts of fluid to be transferred.

For analytical purposes, some of the tubes contain liquid samples that are mixed with one or more reagents contained in other tubes to produce a particular color. Concentration is measured optically to indicate the concentration of reagent in the sample.

In this case, the upstream liquid sample is separated into a series of equally spaced sections by the introduction of air or other separation fluid, either before or after the addition of reagents.

Pump devices of the type described above have hitherto had various drawbacks.

For example, in many drive pumps known in the art, it has been difficult to introduce the separating fluid to provide a distinct separation between the successive liquid sections.

Particularly in pump devices that use chain-driven rollers to sequentially close and open a series of elastic tubes, the tubes are subject to severe wear, resulting in various problems.

Yet another drawback of such known pump devices is the support structure for the roller assemblies, which results in severe wear and tear on each roller.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved pump device of the type capable of transporting fluid through an elastically deformable tube by sequentially closing the tube between preselected points along its length. It is in.

More specifically, one object of the invention is to provide a pumping device of the type described above, which allows air or other separating fluid to be periodically introduced into the tube in order to provide a distinct separation between successive sections. be.

Another object of the invention is to provide a pumping device of the above-described type which causes almost no wear on the pipes due to repeated blocking.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a rotary drive pump having an improved rotor assembly support structure.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a pump device that uses a relatively simple mechanical construction and is therefore inexpensive to manufacture and reliable to operate.

In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the pump device includes a series of pressurizable tubes that are parallel to each other and substantially coplanar.

The tubes are provided with a cylindrical rotor assembly on one side and a resiliently closely mounted platen on the other side.

The rotor assembly includes a series of rollers equidistantly spaced about its periphery for sequentially engaging the series of tubes and pressing them simultaneously against the platen.

The rotor assembly is driven in rotation at a constant speed to sequentially occlude the tubes from one side to the other over the entire distance between two points spaced apart along the length of the tubes, thereby allowing fluid to flow through the tubes. to move in a given direction.

As a feature of the invention, the device includes an additional elastically deformable tube of unique shape and configuration.

This tube is used to insert a fluid for separation or other purposes different from the fluid flowing through the series of tubes into one of the series of tubes, and is preferably downstream from the pump device. It is communicated with the one pipe at the junction point.

The additional tubes are passed between the rotor assembly and the platen in the same direction as the series of tubes, then again passed between the rotor assembly and the platen in the opposite direction, and then passed between the rotor assembly and the platen. to the junction point.

As the rotor assembly is rotated, it closes additional tubes as well as a series of tubes and recloses additional tubes to periodically pass the separation fluid through the junction and the first fluid. into the first fluid in conjunction with the flow.

A second blockage in the opposite direction for the additional tube produces a suction effect, thereby creating a clear cutoff to the introduction of additional fluid and clarifying the separation between successive separation sections of the first fluid.

As another feature of the invention, in a particularly preferred embodiment thereof, the platen includes a pair of arcuate projections facing the plurality of tubes.

The first projecting portion thereof defines a first pair of points separated along the length of the tube, and the projecting portion of the force tube 2 defines a second pair of points separated along the length of said additional tube. Define a pair of points.

As the rotor assembly rotates, a plurality of rollers included therein sequentially close all of the tubes along a length between the first pair of points and transport the first fluid and separation fluid downstream. In addition, the plurality of rollers also include the second roller.
Additional tubes are sequentially closed between pairs of points to deliver separation fluid periodically in relation to the flow of the first fluid.

Such an arrangement eliminates the need for separate pumping, valving, or otherwise to control the flow of the separation fluid.

Another feature of various embodiments of the invention is that the rotor assembly is supported between a pair of stationary side plates that are maintained spaced apart from each roller at all times.

The support structure is thus separate from the rotor assembly so that each roller does not come into contact with the support structure and unnecessary wear on the rollers is minimized.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Referring to FIG. 1, a pump apparatus according to the present invention is supported on a bottom plate generally indicated at 15.

A pair of side plates 16 and 1T extend upwardly from the bottom plate 15, and a top plate 20 is provided across the top of the device above the side plates 16.17.

The top plate 20 is connected to the side plates 16, 17 by pivot pins 21 to allow the side plates to pivot upwardly, as shown in broken lines in FIG. 1, thereby exposing the internal components of the device.

Pivoting of the top plate is limited by stop pins 22.

Rotor assembly 25 is supported between side plates 16 and 17 for rotation about a horizontal axis.

The rotor assembly 25 is mounted on the side plate 16 and has a spur gear 27.
and a constant speed motor 2 coupled to the assembly 25 through 28.
6.

As best shown in FIG. 2, the rotor assembly 25 includes bearings 31 and 3 mounted on side plates 16 and 1T, respectively.
It is carried on a central axis 30 extending through 2.

The rotor assembly 25 has a cylindrical shape, and a circular end plate 3 is fixed to the shaft 30 in proximity to the side plates 16 and 1γ.
5 and 36.

An additional disk 37 is fixed to the shaft 30 intermediate the end plates 35 and 36.

Disc 37 is spaced from end plate 35 by sleeve 38;
It is also separated from the end plate 36 by a sleeve 39.

A series of sleeve-shaped rollers 40 are rotatably supported between end plates 35 and 36.

The rollers 40 are equally spaced around the circumference of the roller assembly 25, and in the example shown, ten rollers are provided at an angle of 36 DEG with each adjacent roller.

Each roller 40 consists of two coaxial roller sections 42 and 43, respectively, on either side of the disc 37, which are supported by an axle 44.

The shafts 44 extend through respective in-line holes provided near the periphery of the plates 35, 36 and 37, and suitable sleeve bearings 45 are provided on the shafts 44 to permit free rotation of the rollers 40 relative to these shafts 44. It will be done.

Also included in the support structure of rotor assembly 25 is a pair of stationary side plates 47 and 4B.

These side plates 47, 48 are adjacent to both sides of the rotor assembly 25, are in face-to-face contact with the side plates 16 and 17, and are separated from the respective rollers 40 to prevent frictional engagement therewith. Ru.

Side plates 47 and 48 are provided to prevent appreciable axial movement of the rotor assembly 25 in its axial direction, thereby maintaining the rotor assembly in a predetermined relationship with respect to structures adjacent thereto.

Immediately above the rotor assembly is a series of elastically deformable tubes 50.

These tubes 50 are made of a material such as polyvinyl chloride or other material that is easily collapsed and deformed under pressure to a completely occluded condition.

Some of these tubes 50 have their inlet ends 51 (third
In FIG. 5, the liquid sample to be analyzed is continuously supplied; - the inlet end of the other old tube 50 is continuously supplied with a suitable reagent.

As will be described in more detail later, the device
The various fluids supplied at 1 are transferred toward the downstream side or outlet end 52.

The reagents or samples are mixed together near the downstream end in a conventional manner.

The inlet end 51 of each tube 50 is supported by a horizontal table 55.

Similarly, the outlet end 52 of each tube is supported by a horizontal table 56.

A bracket 58 having a figure-7 cross section extends between the side plates 16 and 17 and is suspended below an obliquely arranged shelf 59.

The shelf 59 is provided with a clamping member 60 to maintain the series of tubes 50 parallel to each other and so in the same plane within close range of the rotor assembly 25.

From the inlet side clamping member 60, each tube 50 extends circumferentially around the upper circumferential surface of the cylindrical rotor assembly 25 and extends within this circle for an angle of 115° with respect to the central axis of the shaft 30. It is forced to pass through an arc-shaped path.

Also on the downstream side of the rotor assembly 25, a bracket 63 extends between the side plates 16 and 17 and is suspended below an inclined shelf 64.

An outlet side tightening member 65 is supported on the shelf 64.

This clamping member 65 connects the downstream portion of the tube 50 to the rotor assembly 2.
Keep it in a resting position very close to 5.

A platen assembly 70 is resiliently mounted in close proximity to the series of tubes 50 on the side opposite the side that is brought into contact with the rotor assembly 25.

As best shown in FIGS. 3-5, the platen assembly 70 is movably attached to the top plate 20 by a plurality of pins 72.

A series of helical springs 73 are provided downwardly in FIG. 3 to urge the platen assembly 70 against the tube 50.

Downward movement of the platen is limited by a stop washer 74 located near the lower end of pin 72.

Lifting the top plate 20 causes the platen assembly 70 attached thereto to pivot about the hinge pin 21, thereby exposing and accessing the series of tubes 50 for inspection or repair purposes.

The side of platen assembly 70 facing tube 50 includes a circumferentially extending protrusion 76 (FIGS. 3 and 4).

This protruding portion 76 faces the circumferential surface of the rotor assembly 25,
and has a partially cylindrical lower surface defining a pair of spaced points 77 and 78.

The protruding portion 76 extends between these points 77 and 78 along an arcuate path surrounding the circumferential surface of the rotor assembly 25 at an angle of 56° with respect to the center of rotation, and contact with the rotor assembly 25 to resiliently press them against the rotor assembly 25.

The protruding portion 76 is depressed upstream and downstream of the two points 77 and 78, thereby reducing wear on the tube.

The platen 70 is also provided with a second circumferentially extending protrusion 80.

This second degree protrusion 80 is also provided on the side of the platen facing rotor assembly 25, but is spaced from tube 50 in a direction perpendicular to the tube's length.

The arcuate lower surface of the second projecting portion 80 is cut down to define a second pair of points 82 and 83 separated from each other.

The distance between these two points 82 and 83 is considerably shorter than the distance between the first pair of points 77 and 78, and is determined, for example, to form an angle of about 24° with respect to the center of rotation.

An additional elastically deformable tube 85 extends between the platen 70 and rotor assembly 25.

Air or other separating fluid, different from the fluid flowing through tube 50, is continuously supplied from the inlet end 86 of tube 85.

Tube 85 is parallel and coplanar with tube 50 and is maintained by clamping members 60 and 65 to extend circumferentially around the upper circumferential surface of the rotor.

As best shown in FIG. 4, tube 85 extends from its inlet end 86 in the same direction as tube 50 between rotor assembly 25 and platen projection 76. As best shown in FIG.

Tube 85 then changes direction to extend in the opposite direction between rotor projections 80 and changes direction again to extend downstream out of the rotor and platen assembly.

The downstream end of tube 85 is placed in continuous communication with one of tubes 50, 50A, at junction 88.

This device operates as follows.

The rotor assembly is caused to rotate continuously at a constant speed clockwise in FIGS. 1 and 3 by the action of drive motor 26 and gears 27, 28.

A pusher spring 73 in the platen assembly 70 forces the platen downwardly against the adjacent roller 40 in a series of tubes 50.
Press down elastically.

Additional tubes 85 are similarly pressed against rollers 40 by respective platen projections 76 and 80.

Movement of the respective rollers 40 below the tubes 50 causes the rollers 40 to first simultaneously press against the tubes 50 at a point 77 near the upstream end of the platen projection 76, causing the respective tubes to occlude.

Roller 40 then sequentially closes each tube along its entire length between points 77 and 78, forcing the fluid in the tube to move ahead of the roller and creating a suction force behind the roller, thereby drawing the following fluid away. Aspirate into tube 50.

When the rollers pass point 78, the tube 50 is opened and the fluid that was behind the rotor is forced by the roller following the roller toward the downstream end of the tube.

Successive rollers 40 act in a similar manner on tube 50 to continuously move the predetermined amount of fluid between adjacent rollers 40 from the inlet end to the outlet end of the tube.

The amount of fluid between adjacent pairs of rollers is predetermined by the arcuate distance between the rollers and the inner diameter of the tube.

Air or other separation fluid in tube 86 is transferred to each roller 40.
are transported downstream in the same manner as above as they sequentially close the tube between points 77 and 78.

This closure is effected the entire length between points 77 and 78 so that air and the like are forced through additional tube 86 at the same velocity as the fluid in tube 50.

After the separation tube 85 passes between the roller 40 and the protruding portion 76 of the platen assembly 70 as previously described, the tube 8
5 is reversed in direction and passed between roller 40 and protruding portion 80 of the platen.

This latter protrusion 80 is used to sequentially close off the tube 85 over a distance between points 82 and 83 which is considerably shorter than the distance between points 77 and 78.

The spacing between the sequential closures of tube 85 causes tube 85 to periodically supply a predetermined amount of separation fluid into tube 50A through each junction 88.

However, since the direction of tube 85 was reversed, tube 8
A suction effect occurs in the downstream part of 5, ie the left part in FIG.

This suction effect is transmitted to the junction 88 (FIG. 4) with tube 50A.

Thus, after a subsequent fixed amount of separation fluid has been supplied into tube 50A, a small amount of fluid is drawn from tube 50A, resulting in a distinct interruption of the supplied fluid.

The separation fluid supplied from tube 85 is supplied into tube 50A at regular timing for a predetermined amount of fluid that continues to flow through tube 50A.

The timing is such that the supply of separation fluid occurs at the center point of one of the predetermined volumes of fluid that subsequently flows into tube 50A.

By introducing the separating fluid as the fluid is flowing through tube 50A through junction 88, rather than between each of the predetermined amounts of fluid that subsequently flows through tube 50A, different tubes can be separated. It is possible to maintain equal distances between successive fluid sections without readjusting the device for diameter, flow rate, etc.

The distance between the blocking points 77 and 78 and between the respective rollers 40 is such that only two rollers can completely block the tube 50 at any given moment.

Because the distance between the closure points 82 and 83 is relatively short, at any given moment the part of the tube 85 between the protrusion 80 and the rotor 25 is blocked by only a single roller.

Thus, contact between the rollers and the tube is kept to a minimum and unnecessary tube wear is prevented.

Although the embodiments described above utilized liquid fluid in series of tubes 50 and air in separation tubes 85, various other liquid or gaseous fluids may be used depending on the intended use of the apparatus. is clear.

The separation fluid must also be inert to the fluid in the tube 50A, and preferably does not contaminate the fluid and leave no residue inside the tube.

The terms and expressions in the above are used for descriptive purposes only and are not intended to be limiting in any way.

Furthermore, the use of the above terms and expressions does not exclude equivalents or parts of what is meant by them.
Obviously, various modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the claims.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a partially cross-sectional side view of a pump device according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line 2-2 in FIG. 1, and FIG. Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 3-3 in Figure 3, and Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 4-4 in Figure 3.
The figure is a sectional view taken along line 5-5 in FIG. 3, FIG. 6 is a partial sectional view taken along line 6-6 in FIG. 4, and FIG.
7 is a partial cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 6, and FIG.
9 is a partial sectional view taken along line 8-8 in the figure, and FIG.
It is a partial sectional view taken along -9 line. 25... Rotor assembly, 26... Rotor drive motor, 40... Roller, 50...
...Pipe that can be deformed under pressure, 70...Platen assembly, 76...First protruding portion, 77.7
8...First pair of points, 80...Second protruding portion, 82, 83...Second pair of points, 8
5...Additional tube, 88...Joint point.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. A plurality of tubes that can be deformed by pressure and are arranged parallel to each other and in substantially the same plane; a rotor assembly positioned to simultaneously occlude each of the tubes between a first pair of spaced points along the tube; and a rotor assembly configured to rotate with respect to the arranged plurality of tubes. a device for supporting the plurality of tubes; a platen assembly disposed adjacent to the other side of the arranged plurality of tubes and in a position to press the tubes into contact with the rotor assembly; a first protruding portion defining the location of a first pair of spaced points opposite the outer circumference of the rotor assembly; a second protruding portion defining the positions of the two pairs of points, and for rotating the rotor assembly to sequentially close the pressurizable tubes between the first pair of points, thereby a rotating device for transporting a first fluid in a given direction through the rotor assembly and the first projecting portion of the platen assembly; extending in the given direction and then in a direction opposite to the given direction between the rotor assembly and a second protruding portion of the platen assembly, and then communicating with one of the plurality of tubes. A pump device consisting of a combination with an additional pipe that can be deformed under pressure and extends to a junction point. 2. The platen assembly is resiliently mounted to the rotor assembly support, and the spacing between the second pair of locations is less than the spacing between the first pair of locations. Pump device as described in section.