CN113853481A

CN113853481A - Fluid circulation pump

Info

Publication number: CN113853481A
Application number: CN202080037098.1A
Authority: CN
Inventors: G·德莱斯; E·吉列明
Original assignee: Amsr & D Co ltd
Current assignee: Amsr & D Co ltd
Priority date: 2019-05-14
Filing date: 2020-05-13
Publication date: 2021-12-28
Anticipated expiration: 2040-05-13
Also published as: CN113853481B; EP3969754A1; FR3096094B1; US20220243716A1; FR3096094A1; EP3969754B1; WO2020229568A1; EP3969754C0

Abstract

A fluid circulation pump (100) comprising a suction inlet (41), a delivery outlet (42) and a movable part (45) moving in a chamber (44). The pump (100) comprises a first upstream circular lip (120a) and a first downstream circular lip (121a) such that: -said movable part (45) is on a first portion (P1) of movement in the chamber (44), the first upstream circular lip (120a) then allowing a free flow of fluid between the first space (123a) and the suction inlet (41); and such that-over the second portion of movement (P2), the first upstream circular lip (120a) provides a seal preventing fluid flow towards the suction inlet (41), and the first downstream circular lip (121a) allows fluid flow from the first space (123a) towards the delivery outlet (42) and prevents fluid flow towards the first space (123 a).

Description

Fluid circulation pump

Technical Field

The present invention relates to the field of fluid flow pumps.

Background

The known pumps are provided with a chamber whose volume varies according to the movement of the part movable inside the chamber, the chamber being equipped with a check valve upstream of the chamber and with a check valve downstream of the chamber.

When the volume of the chamber increases, then the chamber is under suction, so the upstream check valve opens and the downstream check valve closes, and fluid is then drawn into the chamber.

When the volume of the chamber decreases, then the chamber is under compression, so the upstream check valve closes and the downstream check valve opens, and fluid then drains from the chamber to a drain outlet.

Such check valves are components that are subject to wear and cause head loss.

Disclosure of Invention

It is an object of the present invention to provide a fluid flow pump that induces fluid flow and minimizes head loss.

To this end, the invention provides a fluid flow pump comprising a suction inlet, a discharge outlet, a chamber in fluid flow connection with the suction inlet and the discharge outlet, a movable member arranged inside the chamber, and at least one motor mechanically connected to the movable member to move it inside the chamber.

The pump of the invention is primarily characterized in that it comprises a circular first upstream lip placed closer to the suction inlet than to the discharge outlet and a circular first downstream lip placed closer to the discharge outlet than to the suction inlet, these circular first upstream and downstream lips being placed between one of the two sides of said movable member and the first wall of the chamber to define a first space between these circular first upstream and downstream lips, these circular first upstream and downstream lips being such that:

-on a first part of said movement of said movable member relative to the chamber, the circular first downstream lip provides a seal which prevents fluid from flowing from said discharge outlet to said first space, the circular first upstream lip then allowing fluid to flow freely between said first space and said suction inlet; and make it possible to

-on a second portion of said reciprocating movement of said movable member with respect to the chamber, which second portion is different from the first portion of movement, a circular first upstream lip providing a seal which prevents fluid from flowing from said first space to said suction inlet, the circular first downstream lip being arranged such that throughout said movement of said movable member with respect to the chamber:

it allows fluid to flow from the first space to the discharge outlet; and is

It prevents fluid from flowing from the discharge outlet to the first space.

For the understanding of the invention, the first and second portions of movement of the movable part relative to the chamber are different from each other, i.e. the positions respectively adopted by the movable part over the first portion of movement and the positions respectively adopted by the movable part over the second portion of movement are all different.

By means of this arrangement of the pump of the invention, the movable part causes a change in the volume of the first space, so that the first space is:

or in suction and open towards the fluid suction inlet to suck fluid into the space (the discharge outlet then being closed by the first downstream lip);

or in compression and open only towards the discharge outlet, to discharge the fluid from the first space to the discharge outlet (the suction inlet is then closed by the first upstream lip).

Since the circular first upstream lip allows fluid to pass freely between said first space and said suction inlet over a first part of said movement of said movable member relative to the chamber, it causes limited head loss while allowing fluid to enter the chamber.

Thus, unlike prior art pumps that require an inlet check valve, the pump of the present invention can operate without such an inlet check valve. The efficiency of the pump is thus improved during the phase in which it allows the fluid to enter the chamber.

Thus, the pump of the present invention is particularly effective in delivering fluids which may be gases or liquids.

By limiting head loss during intake, dry-time self-start (auto-) of the pump is thus enhanced

A sec) ability.

Drawings

Further characteristics and advantages of the invention emerge clearly from the following description, made with the aid of non-limiting indications and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

fig. 1a is a cross-sectional view of a pump 100 of the present invention, the pump 100 comprising an electric motor 46, the electric motor 46 driving a reciprocating movement of the movable part 45 between the first wall 44a and the second wall 44b of the chamber 44 to cause the pump to suck a fluid; a portion of this fig. 1a is an enlarged view of the movable part 45, where the first upstream and circular

downstream lips

120a, 121a on a first side of the part 45 and the second upstream and circular

downstream lips

120b, 121b on the other side of the part 45 can be seen;

figure 1b is a detailed view of the lip in a section plane in which the axis of symmetry X-X of the lip extends, it being seen that each of the first upstream and downstream lips exhibits a constant thickness E over a major portion of the length of the lip, each lip being chamfered at its terminal end (the chamfer increasing the contact area of the lip and improving its seal and service life);

figure 2 is a view of the pump of the invention, in which the movable part 45 is a radially expandable tubular member with respect to the axis of symmetry X-X of the lip, figure 2 being viewed in a section plane in which said axis of symmetry X-X of the lip extends;

FIG. 3 is a view of the pump of the invention shown in FIG. 2, put into operation under the drive of an electric motor 46;

figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of a pump similar to that of figures 2 and 3, but in which the lips are carried not by the

walls

44a, 44b of the chamber 44 but by a movable part 45, the movable part 45 being tubular and radially deformable about the axis of symmetry X-X;

figure 5 is a detailed view of the lip and the movable part 45 of the pump of the invention as shown in figure 1a, this view showing the movable part 45 in a first part P1 of its movement, the pump then drawing through the free fluid path created by the upstream lip 120 a;

figure 6 is a detailed view similar to figure 5, but wherein the pump discharges through an open fluid passage running through the downstream lip 121 a;

fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the movable part 45 in the chamber 44, the

first lips

120a, 121a being shown attached to a first side of the movable part 45 to carry against the first wall 44a of the chamber 44, and the

second lips

120b, 121b being shown attached to a second side of the movable part 45 to carry against the second wall 44b of the chamber 44;

fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the second wall 44b of the chamber 44 of the pump, and in this embodiment the

second lips

120b, 121b are not attached to the movable part 45 as in fig. 7, but are attached separately to the second wall 44b of the chamber 44 (this embodiment is similar to the embodiment shown in fig. 1a, wherein the second wall 44b carries the

second lips

120b, 121b and wherein the first wall 44a carries the

first lips

120a, 121 a); and

figure 9 is a perspective view of a portion of the pump of the invention in an embodiment in which the movable part is in the form of a strip and in which the first upstream and

downstream lips

120a, 121a and the second upstream and

downstream lips

120b, 121b are rectilinear.

Detailed Description

As described above, the pump 100 of the present invention includes the suction inlet 41 and the discharge outlet 42.

The pump includes a motor 46, and the motor 46 may be located outside the chamber 44 as shown in fig. 1a, or inside the chamber as shown in fig. 2-4.

In all embodiments, the motor 46 is mechanically connected to the movable part so as to be able to move it inside the chamber 44.

The pump 100 also has a first upstream lip 120a, which first upstream lip 120a is placed closer to the suction inlet 41 than to the discharge outlet 42, and a first downstream lip 121a, which first downstream lip 121a is placed closer to the discharge outlet 42 than to the suction inlet 41.

These first upstream and

downstream lips

120a, 121a are placed between one of the two sides of said movable member 45 and the first wall 44a of the chamber 44 to define a first space 123a between these first upstream and

downstream lips

120a, 121 a.

The arrangement of the lip defining the first passage 123a provides a dry-time self-priming capability for the pump.

A pump is considered to be "self-priming dry" when it is capable of drawing in dry air and generating sufficient suction to draw in liquid and move it into the chamber to expel it via its discharge outlet 42.

These first upstream and

downstream lips

120a, 121a are preferably circular, then the movable part 45 is in the shape of a disc, as shown in fig. 1a, 1b, 5, 6, 7, 8, or in the shape of a tube (as shown in fig. 2, 3, 4).

However, the first upstream and

downstream lips

120a, 121a may also be rectilinear as shown in fig. 9, the movable member 45 being in the form of a strip (as shown in fig. 9), the member 45 being rigid or elastically deformable according to the length of the strip.

As can be seen in fig. 1a, the pump 100 is connected to a control unit UC of the pump 100, which is adapted to controlling the electric power supplied to the motor 46 of the pump 100.

Preferably, the control unit UC is arranged to regulate the operation of the motor 46 according to at least one value previously estimated by the control unit.

The at least one value previously estimated by the control unit UC may be a value estimated by the at least one sensor/probe 50.

The at least one previously estimated value may be a value of a fluid pressure driven by the pump, a value of a fluid flow rate driven by the pump, a value of a velocity of movement of the motor, a value of a frequency of movement of the motor, a value representing a magnitude of movement of the movable part 5, and/or a value representing a position of the movable part 5.

The motor 46 is in this example an electric motor, and the control unit UC is powered via a power cable 60.

The control unit UC may itself be connected to a probe 50 suitable for detecting when the liquid level is reached with respect to the pump 100. In this case, the control unit UC is arranged to control the electric power supplied to the motor in response to said level of liquid detected by the probe 50.

The probe 50 may be secured to the pump or, alternatively, it may be secured to an element other than the pump.

The probe 50 may be adjustable so as to adjust the detection level from which the probe detects the presence of liquid on the surface on which the pump is arranged.

As shown in FIG. 1a, the probe 50 may comprise at least two electrodes 51 spaced apart from each other, so as to be able to detect when the liquid level is reached from the electrodes detecting at least one electrical characteristic.

The electrical characteristics must vary depending on the nature of the fluid found between the electrodes.

Such electrical properties measured by means of the electrodes may be, for example, the resistance between the electrodes, the current between the electrodes, or the voltage between the electrodes.

Thus, once the liquid comes into contact with the electrodes, the measured electrical properties change, thus enabling detection that the liquid level has been reached.

The control unit UC causes the operation of the electric motor 46 according to this detection.

This serves to avoid causing the motor to run at too low a level, actuating the pump only when it is able to begin drawing liquid from the surface.

A time delay may also be used to allow the pump to continue to run after the probe detects no fluid. This serves to avoid repeated stopping and starting of the pump. This improves the life of the pump.

As can be appreciated from fig. 1a, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6, the electric motor 46 is connected to the movable part 45 by a coupling mechanism 52, so that actuating the control unit UC of the electric motor 46 causes the movable part 45 to reciprocate relative to the chamber to move fluid (gas or liquid) from the suction inlet 41 to the discharge outlet 42.

In fig. 1a, 1b, 5 and 6, the movable part 45 is in the form of a disc which is hollow at its centre and connected to an electric motor so as to move in a linear reciprocating motion in a direction perpendicular to the plane in which the disc extends.

A first space 123a defined between the

lips

120a and 121a forms an annular space extending between the first wall 44a of the chamber 44 and a first side of the movable member 45 facing the first wall 44 a.

The hollow in the centre of the disc makes it possible to obtain a pumping effect on both sides of the movable part, with only one discharge outlet facing the hollow.

It is however possible to envisage the movable part 45 being a solid disc (without a hollow in its centre), and in this case the movable part 45 is able to:

or on only one of the two sides of the movable part (in which case only one discharge outlet is required);

or on both sides of the movable part (in which case a respective discharge outlet must be provided for each side of the movable part).

In this example, the movable part 45 is rigid, however it may be deformable, such that actuating the electric motor 46 causes a wave to propagate radially across the movable part 45 in order to move the fluid.

In this case, the movable part 45 may comprise an elastically deformable membrane, called a corrugated membrane, to allow the propagation of the waves supported by the membrane.

In particular embodiments, the membrane may be in the shape of a disc (a wave propagating radially with respect to the disc) or a strip (a wave propagating along the length of the strip), or, as shown in fig. 2 to 4, in the form of a circumferentially stretchable elongate flexible tube (in this case, a wave is a circular wave formed in the circumference of the tube and propagating along the length of the tube).

In all the embodiments of the pump of the invention, the first upstream lip 120a (which is circular when the membrane is disc-or tubular and rectilinear when the membrane is strip-shaped) and the first downstream lip 121a (which is circular when the membrane is disc-or tubular and rectilinear when the membrane is strip-shaped) are designed to deform according to the movement of the movable member 45, so that first spaces 123a are created between the

lips

120a, 121a and the wall 44a of the chamber 44, the first spaces 123a alternating between:

expand when the movable part 45 moves away from the first wall 44a of the chamber; and is

Compression when the movable part 45 moves towards the first wall 44 a.

The part 45 moved by the motor 46 alternates between moving away from the first wall 44a and moving towards the first wall 44 a.

Over the first portion P1 of the reciprocating movement of the movable member 45 with respect to the chamber 44, the circular upstream lip 120a is always spaced from the first wall 44a, thus providing a free passage between the first space 123a and the suction inlet 41.

Over said first portion P1 of reciprocating movement of said movable member 45 with respect to the chamber 44, the circular upstream lip 120a allows fluid to pass freely between the suction inlet 41 and the space 123a, irrespective of the fluid pressure difference between the space 123a and the suction inlet 41.

On the second portion P2 of the reciprocating movement of the movable part 45, different from the first portion of movement P1, the circular upstream lip 120 a:

first, fluid is allowed to flow from the suction inlet to the space 123a only when the fluid pressure upstream of the upstream lip 120a exceeds the fluid pressure value in the space 123a by some predetermined minimum difference; and is

Secondly, placing the fluid flow from the first space 123a to the suction inlet.

Furthermore, throughout the movement of said movable part 45 with respect to the chamber 44, the downstream lip 121a is adapted to:

first, as long as the fluid pressure in the space 123a is lower than the fluid pressure downstream of the downstream lip 121a, a sealing contact is made against the first wall 44 a; and is

Secondly, when the fluid pressure in the space 123a is higher than the fluid pressure downstream of the downstream lip 121a, it moves away from the first wall 44 a.

In other words, throughout the movement of said movable part 45 with respect to the chamber 44, the circular first downstream lip 121 a:

-allowing fluid to flow from the first space 123a to said discharge outlet 42; and is

Preventing fluid flow from the discharge outlet 42 to the first space 123 a.

Thus, the space 123a alternates between: is at suction and opens to a suction inlet 41 to draw fluid (gas or liquid) therefrom and is at compression and opens to a discharge outlet 42 to discharge fluid therefrom.

These rounded upstream and

downstream lips

120a, 121a enable the pump to self-start.

The reciprocating movement of the movable member 45 causes the fluid to be sucked from the suction inlet 41 into the first space 123a during the first portion P1 of the movement, and then causes the fluid to be discharged from the first space 123a to the discharge outlet 42 over the second portion P2 of said reciprocating movement.

In order to double this suction/discharge action of the fluid/liquid, and as shown in the embodiments of figures 1a, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7, it can be provided that the pump comprises a second upstream lip 120b and a second downstream lip 121b, which are designed to deform according to the movement of the movable member 45, so that a second space 123b is created between these

lips

120b, 121b and the second wall 44b of the chamber 44, this second space 123 b:

expand when the movable part 45 moves away from the second wall 44b of the chamber; and is

Compression when the movable part 45 moves towards the second wall 44 b.

In particular, the member 45 is movable between a first wall 44a and a second wall 44b of the chamber 44.

While it is moved by the motor, the member 45 alternates between moving away from the second wall 44b and moving towards the second wall 44 b.

These second upstream and

downstream lips

120b, 121b are preferably circular, then the movable member 45 is in the shape of a disc (as shown in fig. 1a, 1b, 5, 6, 7, 8), or in the shape of a tube (as shown in fig. 2, 3, 4).

However, the second upstream and

downstream lips

120b, 121b may be rectilinear as shown in fig. 9, with the movable member 45 being in the form of a strip (as shown in fig. 9), the member 45 being rigid or resiliently deformable along the length of the strip.

The second upstream lip 120b is placed closer to the suction inlet 41 than to the discharge outlet 42, and the second downstream lip 121b is placed closer to the discharge outlet 42 than to the suction inlet 41.

These second upstream and

downstream lips

120b, 121b are placed between one of the two sides of said movable member 45 and the second wall 44b of the chamber 44 to define a second space 123b between these second upstream and

downstream lips

120b, 121 b.

The second upstream lip 120b is adapted such that, on a third part of said reciprocating movement of said movable member 45 with respect to the chamber 44, the second upstream lip 120b allows a free passage of fluid between said second space 123b and said suction inlet 41.

In other words, the second upstream lip 120b is dimensioned such that, over the entire third portion of said reciprocating movement of said movable member 45 with respect to the chamber 44, the second upstream lip 120b is spaced apart from the second wall 44 b.

Preferably, the third part of the movement corresponds to said second part of the movement.

The second upstream lip 120b is also adapted such that, throughout a fourth part of said movement of said movable member 45 with respect to the chamber 44, the second upstream lip 120 b:

as long as the fluid pressure in the second space 123b is higher than the fluid pressure upstream of the second upstream lip 120b, a sealing contact is made against the second wall 44 b; and is

When the fluid pressure upstream of the second upstream lip 120b is higher than the fluid pressure in the second space 123b, fluid is allowed to flow from the suction inlet 41 to the second space 123 b.

Preferably, the fourth part of the movement corresponds to said first part of the movement of the member 45.

Throughout said movement of said movable member 45 with respect to the chamber 44, the second downstream lip 121b is adapted to:

as long as the fluid pressure in the second space 123b is lower than the fluid pressure downstream of the second downstream lip 121b, a sealing contact is made against the second wall 44 b; and is

Moves away from the second wall 44b when the fluid pressure in the space 123b is higher than the fluid pressure downstream of the downstream lip 121 b.

Thus, the second space 123b alternates between: is at suction and opens to a suction inlet 41 to draw fluid (gas or liquid) therefrom and is at compression and opens to a discharge outlet 42 to discharge fluid therefrom.

In the example of fig. 1a, 5, 6 and 7, this second space 123b forms an annular space extending between the second wall 44b and a second side of the movable member 45 facing the second wall 44b, since the movable member 45 has the shape of a disc that is hollow in its center. In the embodiments of fig. 1a, 5, 6 and 7, the second upstream and

downstream lips

120a, 121b are circular.

As can be seen in particular from fig. 1a, these second upstream and

downstream lips

120b, 121b are such that, on the third portion of said reciprocating movement of said movable member 45 with respect to the chamber 44, the second downstream lip 121b provides a seal which prevents the fluid from flowing from said discharge outlet 42 to said second space 123b, the second upstream lip 120b then allowing the fluid to pass freely between said second space 123b and said suction inlet 41.

On this third portion of the reciprocating movement of the movable member 45, the second upstream lip 120b is spaced from one of the second wall 44b or movable member 45 to create a free fluid passage, i.e. a free space between the second space 123b and the suction inlet 41.

Therefore, on this third portion of the reciprocating movement, since the second space 123b is closed downstream and open upstream, by spacing the movable member 45 away from the second space 123b, a fluid suction effect is obtained from the suction inlet 41 towards the second space 123 b.

As can be seen in particular from fig. 1 to 7, these circular second upstream and

downstream lips

120b, 121b are such that, on a fourth portion of said reciprocating movement of said movable member 45 with respect to the chamber 44, the second upstream lip 120b provides a seal which prevents the fluid from flowing from said second space 123b to said suction inlet 41, the second downstream lip 121b then being arranged:

first, when the fluid pressure inside said second space 123b is higher than the fluid pressure at the discharge outlet 42, fluid is allowed to pass between said second space 123b and said discharge outlet 42; and is

Secondly, fluid is prevented from flowing from the discharge outlet 42 to the second space 123 b.

Therefore, on this fourth portion of the reciprocating motion, since the second space 123b is closed upstream and opened downstream only when the fluid pressure in the second space 123b is higher than the fluid pressure at the discharge outlet 42, the fluid is discharged from the second space 123b to the discharge outlet 42 by moving the movable member 45 toward the second wall 44 b.

The reciprocating motion of the movable member 45 causes the fluid to be sucked from the suction inlet 41 into the second space 123a, and then causes the fluid to be discharged from the second space 123b to the discharge outlet 42.

Thus, with the pairs of lips placed on both sides of the member 45, two suctions and two discharges occur over one cycle of the movement of the member 45, thus enabling a more uniform fluid flow over time to be obtained.

It should be noted that the number of lips facing each face of the movable member 45 may be different.

Thus, if one of the faces of the movable member does not have any facing lip, either because that face is not used for pumping (as applied to a movable member in the form of a disc without a hollow centre) or because it is a deformable movable member 45 to establish a seal against the respective wall of the chamber.

Using only one lip on the side of the movable part serves only to block fluid backflow.

The use of two lips on the sides of the movable part 45 serves to create a space between the upstream and downstream lips in order to obtain a pump that exhibits a self-priming action when dry.

By having more than two lips on the same side of the movable member 45, a greater pressure differential is created between the discharge outlet and the suction inlet of the pump.

Thus, there may be three or even more lips on each side of the movable part, depending on the desired pressure difference.

It has been noted that in some cases a given lip may press against a support (chamber wall or movable part) of the lip and act as a suction cup.

The performance of the pump 100 is reduced because the given lip no longer performs its sealing function.

To avoid this and as shown in fig. 1, 5, 6, 7 and 8, it is ensured that at least one

fluid passage

48, 49 is created between a given lip and its bearing portion 124.

Each of the at least one

fluid passages

48, 49 between a given lip and its support 124 enables fluid to continue to flow between the lip and its support when the lip is pressed against its support. This avoids the suction cup effect.

To this end, it is possible to create shape irregularities between a given lip and its support, such as:

a boss 48 carried by a given lip and extending towards its support; and/or

A boss carried by the support portion 124 and extending towards a given lip supported thereby; and/or

A channel (hollow area) carried by a given lip and extending towards its bearing portion 124; and/or

A channel 49 (hollow area) carried by the support 124 and extending towards a given lip supported thereby.

Preferably, each boss 48 or channel 49 extends longitudinally from one end of a given lip toward the point of engagement between that lip and its support.

It is generally preferred that the boss and/or channel is formed/carried only by the bearing portion 124 of the lip, and not by the lip itself, as the lip is then deformable in a uniform manner.

Having a boss or channel carried by a given lip causes a better deformation zone above the lip, which can cause seal leakage that is detrimental to the operation of the pump 100.

Where a given lip is annular/circular, preferably these projections or channels are formed on the support portion of the lip to form radiating portions (rays) centred about the axis of symmetry of the given lip.

In this case, the at least one

fluid passage

48, 49 formed between a given lip and its bearing portion 124 extends radially with respect to the central symmetry axis X-X of the at least one given lip.

When the given lip is linear, as shown in fig. 9, linear projections or channels are preferably formed on the support portion of the lip, the projections or channels being perpendicular to the lip.

As can be seen in fig. 1b to 8, each of said lips has a specific section extending over most of the length of the given lip, when viewed in a sectional plane containing a central axis of symmetry (X-X) common to said lips, which specific section of the lip has a constant thickness E in the sectional plane.

Thus, a particular section of constant thickness E of a given lip extends over a majority of its length, when viewed in said section plane containing the central symmetry axis (X-X) of the lip.

The thickness of a given section of a given lip is considered constant as long as the minimum thickness of the given lip measured in the given section is greater than 70% of the maximum thickness of the lip measured in the given section.

The constant specific thickness (es) E of the

upstream lips

120a, 120b are preferably identical to each other.

Also, the constant specific thickness E of the

downstream lips

121a, 121b is preferably the same as each other.

It should be noted that the constant specific thickness E of the

upstream lips

120a, 120b is preferably greater than the constant specific thickness E of the

downstream lips

121a, 121 b.

The length of a given lip is the distance measured between the point of attachment of the given lip to its support 124 and the end point of the given lip, these points of attachment and end points being viewed in a sectional plane containing the central axis of symmetry X-X.

Preferably, each lip has a chamfered end, when viewed in the cross-sectional plane, the chamfer constituting a sealing surface for alternately urging to provide a seal, or being spaced apart to allow passage of fluid.

The chamfered end increases the sealing surface area of the lip and increases its strength (even if there is a damaged area in the chamfered portion, it will continue to provide selective sealing over the damaged area).

Preferably, in said circular first upstream lip 120a there is a conical inner surface facing towards the central symmetry axis X-X of the circular first upstream lip 120a, extending between the circular base of the circular first upstream lip 120a and the circular end of the circular first upstream lip 120 a.

The tapered inner surface of the given lip extending between the circular base of the given lip and the circular end of the given lip serves to minimize the internal surface area of the lip that is exposed to fluid under pressure.

By reducing this surface area exposed to the fluid under pressure, any risk of a given lip expanding outwardly under the action of the fluid is limited.

Such a tapered inner surface makes it possible to increase the maximum pressure that can be generated by the pump.

To this end, preferably, said circular second upstream lip 120b also has a conical inner surface facing towards the central symmetry axis X-X of the circular second upstream lip 120 b. The tapered inner surface of the circular second upstream lip 120b extends between the circular base of the circular second upstream lip 120b and the circular end of the circular second upstream lip 120 b.

For the same reason, each circular

downstream lip

121a, 121b preferably has a conical inner surface facing towards the central symmetry axis X-X of the circular

downstream lip

121a, 121 b.

The tapered inner surface of the circular

downstream lip

121a, 121b extends between the circular base of the circular

downstream lip

121a, 121b and the circular end of the circular

downstream lip

121a, 121 b.

Preferably, each tapered inner surface of any given one of the

circular lips

120a, 121a, 120b, 121b has a taper angle of less than or equal to 40 ° relative to the plane in which the given circular lip extends.

Having a cone angle of less than or equal to 40 ° serves to maximize the radial deformation of the lip during the movement of the movable part 45 with respect to the wall of the chamber, while minimizing its axial deformation along the axis X-X. Thus, the force of the lip against the movement of the movable part is minimized and the wear of the lip is reduced.

Preferably, each of said

lips

120a, 120b, 121a, 121b is made of a material having a young's modulus between 1MPa and 220 MPa.

The lip thus provides a compromise which allows the required bending of the movable part 45 movement while also limiting its radial deformation under the action of fluid pressure.

In each of the embodiments shown in fig. 1, 1b, 2, 3, 5, 6, 8, 12, the circular first upstream and

downstream lips

120a, 121a are carried by a base common to these lips, which is removably assembled on the first wall 44a of the chamber 44.

In a similar manner, the circular first upstream and

downstream lips

120b, 121b are carried by a base common to these lips, which is removably assembled on the second wall 44b of the chamber 44.

Thus, the lips can be replaced together by removing the base carrying them.

Alternatively and as shown in fig. 4 and 7, the first upstream and

downstream lips

120a, 121a may be carried by said movable member 45.

In the same manner as described above, the base portion common to these lips may be detachably assembled to the movable member 45.

This embodiment enables the

lips

120a and 121a to be replaced independently of the movable member 45.

As shown in fig. a, 1b, 5, 6, 7, the reciprocating motion of the movable member 45 may be an axial motion along the central symmetry axis X-X of the movable member 45, which is in the shape of a solid of revolution.

Alternatively, as shown in fig. 2 to 4, the reciprocating motion of the movable member (45) may be a radial motion around the central symmetry axis X-X of the movable member 45, which is in the shape of a solid of revolution.

The motor 46 may be located inside the chamber as shown in figures 2, 3 and 4 or outside the chamber as shown in figures 1a, 5 and 6.

Claims

1. A fluid flow pump (100) comprising a suction inlet (41), a discharge outlet (42), a chamber (44) in fluid flow connection with the suction inlet (41) and the fluid outlet (42), a movable member (45) arranged inside the chamber (44) and at least one motor (46), the at least one motor (46) being mechanically connected to the movable member (45) to move it in the chamber (44), the pump (100) being characterized in that it comprises a first upstream lip (120a) placed closer to the suction inlet (41) than to the discharge outlet (42) and a first downstream lip (121a), the first upstream lip (120a) being placed closer to the discharge outlet (42) than to the suction inlet (41), and the first downstream lip (121a) being placed closer to the discharge outlet (42) than to the suction inlet (41), these first upstream lip (120a) and first downstream lip (121a) being placed on the movable member (41) (45) And a first wall (44a) of said chamber (44) to define a first space (123a) between said first upstream lip (120a) and a first downstream lip (121a), these first upstream lip (120a) and first downstream lip (121a) being such that:

-on a first portion (P1) of the movement of the movable member (45) with respect to the chamber (44), the first downstream lip (121a) provides a seal to prevent fluid from flowing from the discharge outlet (42) to the first space (123a), the first upstream lip (120a) then allowing a free flow of fluid between the first space (123a) and the suction inlet (41); and make it possible to

-on a second portion (P2) of the reciprocating movement of the movable member (45) with respect to the chamber (44), different from the first portion (P1) of the movement, the first upstream lip (120a) providing a seal to prevent the fluid from flowing from the first space (123a) to the suction inlet (41), the first downstream lip (121a) being arranged such that, throughout the movement of the movable member (45) with respect to the chamber (44):

-it allows a fluid to flow from said first space (123a) to said discharge outlet (42); and is

-it prevents fluid from flowing from the discharge outlet (42) to the first space (123 a).

2. A pump according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the lips is carried by a support (124), at least one fluid passage (48, 49) being formed between the at least one given lip and its support (124), the at least one fluid passage (48, 49) being such that fluid can flow via the at least one fluid passage (48, 49) between the at least one given lip and its support (124) when the at least one given lip is carried against its support (124).

3. A pump according to claim 2, wherein the at least one fluid passage (48, 49) formed between the at least one given lip and its support (124) is formed along a raised portion carried by the support (124).

4. A pump according to claim 2, wherein the at least one fluid passage (48, 49) formed between the at least one given lip and its bearing (124) is formed along a raised portion carried by the at least one given lip.

5. A pump according to claim 2, wherein the at least one fluid passage (48, 49) formed between the at least one given lip and its support (124) is a channel carried by the support (124).

6. A pump according to claim 2, wherein the at least one fluid passage (48, 49) formed between the at least one given lip and its bearing (124) is a channel carried by the at least one given lip.

7. A pump according to claim 2, wherein the at least one fluid passage (48, 49) formed between the at least one given lip and its bearing portion (124) extends radially with respect to a central symmetry axis of the at least one given lip.

8. A pump according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that each of the lips (120a, 120b, 121a, 121b) has a specific section extending over the majority of the length of the given lip, when viewed in a section plane containing a central axis of symmetry (X-X) common to the lips, this specific section of the lip having a constant thickness (E) in the section plane.

9. The pump according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the first upstream lip (120a) is a circular lip having a conical inner surface facing towards the central symmetry axis (X-X) of the first upstream lip (120a), the conical inner surface extending between a circular base of the first upstream lip (120a) and a circular end of the first upstream lip (120 a).

10. A pump according to claim 9, wherein the tapered inner surface of the first upstream lip (120a) has a taper angle of less than or equal to 40 ° relative to a plane in which the circular base of the first upstream lip (120a) extends.

11. The pump of any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein each of the lips is made of a material having a young's modulus in the range of 1MPa to 220 MPa.

12. A pump according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the first upstream lip 120a and the first downstream lip 121a are carried by a base common to these lips, said base being removably assembled on the first wall (44a) of the chamber (44).

13. A pump according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the first upstream lip 120a and the first downstream lip 121a are carried by the movable member (45).

14. The pump of any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the motor (46) is connected to the movable member (45) via a coupling mechanism (52) such that actuation of the motor (46) causes the movable member (45) to reciprocate relative to the chamber so as to move fluid from the suction inlet to the discharge outlet.

15. The pump according to claim 14, characterized in that said reciprocating movement of said movable member (45) is an axial movement along a central axis of symmetry of said movable member (45), said movable member (45) being in the shape of a solid of revolution.

16. Pump according to claim 14, characterized in that the reciprocating movement of the movable part (45) is a radial movement around a central axis of symmetry of the tubular shaped movable part.

17. The pump of any one of claims 1 to 16, wherein the motor is an electric motor located outside the chamber (44).

18. The pump according to any one of claims 1 to 16, wherein the motor is an electric motor located inside the chamber (44).

19. Pump according to any one of claims 1 to 18, characterized in that the motor is connected to a control Unit (UC) arranged to regulate the operation of the motor (46) as a function of at least one value previously estimated by the control unit.

20. Pump according to any one of claims 1 to 19, characterized in that it comprises a second wall (44b) of said chamber (44), said member 45 being movable between said first and second walls (44a, 44b) of said chamber (44) under the action of said at least one motor (46), said pump (100) further comprising a second upstream lip (120b) and a second downstream lip (121b), said second upstream lip (120b) being placed closer to said suction inlet (41) than to said discharge outlet (42), said second downstream lip (121b) being placed closer to said discharge outlet (42) than to said suction inlet (41), said second upstream lip (120b) and said second downstream lip (121b) being placed between one of the two sides of said movable member (45) and said second wall (44b) of said chamber (44), to define a second space (123b) between the second upstream lip (120b) and the second downstream lip (121b), the second upstream lip (120b) and the second downstream lip (121b) being such that:

-over a third part of the movement of the movable member (45) with respect to the chamber (44), the second downstream lip (121b) provides a seal to prevent fluid from flowing from the discharge outlet (42) to the first space (123a), the second upstream lip (120b) then allowing a free flow of fluid between the second space (123b) and the suction inlet (41); and make it possible to

-on a fourth portion of the reciprocating movement of the movable member (45) with respect to the chamber (44), which is different from the third portion of the movement, the second upstream lip (120b) providing a seal to prevent the fluid from flowing from the second space (123b) to the suction inlet (41), the second downstream lip (121b) being arranged so that, throughout the movement of the movable member (45) with respect to the chamber (44):

-it allows a fluid to flow from said second space (123b) to said discharge outlet (42); and is

-it prevents fluid from flowing from the discharge outlet (42) to the second space (123 b).

21. A pump according to any of claims 1 to 20, characterized in that the pump (4) is self-priming dry.

22. A pump according to any preceding claim, wherein each of the lips is a circular lip.