DIRECT DRIVE LINEAR MOTOR FOR CONVENTIONALLY ARRANGED DOUBLE DIAPHRAGM PUMP
A magnetically driven, linear double diaphragm pump is provided. The pump has a linear magnetic motor that includes a magnetic armature configured inside a cylindrical stator. The stator provides linear translation of the magnetic armature in a back and forth motion. A first pumping section is coupled to a first end of the magnetic armature, and a second pumping section is coupled to a second end of the magnetic armature. As the magnetic armature translates in a first direction, a first diaphragm in the first pumping section is flexed to pump fluid therethrough, and as the magnetic armature translates in a second direction a second diaphragm in a second pumping section is flexed to pump fluid therethrough. A control unit functions to control operational aspects of the motor and pump.
1 . A double diaphragm pump comprising:
a linear magnetic motor having a magnetic armature, the magnetic armature having a first and second end opposing one another;
a first pumping section coupled to the first end;
a second pumping section coupled to the second end,
wherein the linear magnetic motor translates the magnetic armature to move a fluid through the first pumping section and the second pumping section.
2 . The pump of claim 1 , wherein the linear magnetic motor translates the magnetic armature in first and second directions opposing one another.
3 . The pump of claim 2 , wherein the first end of the magnetic armature is coupled to a first diaphragm in the first pumping section and the second end of the magnetic armature is coupled to a second diaphragm in the second pumping section.
4 . The pump of claim 3 , wherein in the first direction the first diaphragm flexes to decrease a volume of a first chamber of the first pumping section and the second diaphragm flexes to increase a volume of a second chamber of the second pumping section to thereby move the fluid through the first and second pumping sections.
5 . The pump of claim 3 , wherein in the second direction the first diaphragm flexes to increase the volume of the first chamber of the first pumping section and the second diaphragm flexes to decrease the volume of the second chamber of the second pumping section to thereby move the fluid through the first and second pumping sections.
6 . The pump of claim 1 , further comprising a motor mount to which the linear magnetic motor is coupled, the motor mount being configured to maintain positioning of the linear magnetic motor with respect to the pump.
7 . The pump of claim 6 , further comprising a positioner coupled to the motor mount and in functional communication with the magnetic armature to maintain positioning of the magnetic armature with respect to the linear magnetic motor.
8 . The pump of claim 6 , wherein the first pumping section is coupled directly to the motor mount on a side of the motor and wherein the second pumping section is coupled directly to the motor mount on an opposing side of the motor.
9 . The pump of claim 6 , further comprising a spacer positioned between the motor mount and each of the first pumping section and the second pumping section.
10 . A double diaphragm pump comprising:
a linear magnetic motor having a magnetic armature, the magnetic armature having a first and second end opposing one another;
a first pumping section coupled to the first end;
a second pumping section coupled to the second end,
wherein the linear magnetic motor translates the magnetic armature without a gearbox in reciprocal first and second directions opposing one another to move a fluid through the first pumping section and the second pumping section.
11 . The pump of claim 10 , further comprising a control unit, wherein the control unit controls operational aspects of the pump.
12 . The pump of claim 11 , wherein the operational aspects further comprise real-time feedback of a position of the magnetic armature in the magnetic motor.
13 . The pump of claim 11 , wherein the operational aspects further comprise stroke length of the magnetic armature.
14 . The pump of claim 11 , wherein the operational aspects further comprise stroke speed of the magnetic armature.
15 . The pump of claim 11 , wherein the operational aspects further comprise acceleration of the magnetic armature.
16 . The pump of claim 11 , wherein the operational aspects further comprise a flow rate of the fluid through the first pumping section and the second pumping section.
17 . A method of operating a double diaphragm pump comprising:
providing a magnetic armature in a linear magnetic motor, wherein the magnetic armature has first and second distal ends opposing one another;
coupling a first pumping section to the first distal end;
coupling a second pumping section to the second distal end;
translating the magnetic armature back and forth in a reciprocal manner to move a fluid through the first pumping section and the second pumping section.
18 . The method of claim 17 , further comprising controlling operational aspects of the pump by a control unit.
19 . The method of claim 18 , wherein the controlling operational aspects of the pump further comprises transitioning the pump between a priming mode wherein the control unit increases one or more of a speed or stroke length of the magnetic armature and a normal mode wherein the control unit returns to a normal speed and normal stroke length of the magnetic armature.
20 . The method of claim 18 , wherein the controlling operational aspects of the pump further comprises maintaining one of constant flow rate and pressure of the fluid exiting the pump despite changes in pressure of the fluid entering the pump or viscosity of the fluid.