CASE STUDIES
RD1 PROVIDES SOLUTION FOR COCKTAIL DRINKS VENDING
The RD1 pump has successfully solved a number of technical challenges faced during the design of an automated cocktail dispenser. The dispenser, designed for commercial applications, uses the unique patented rotary diaphragm technology offered only by Charles Austen Pumps.
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​Previous designs using a diaphragm pump had failed as the valves could not cope with the fruit pith and seeds found in high quality smoothie mix which resulted in unreliability and frustrated customers.
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​Switching to patented rotary diaphragm technology solved this problem while allowing the same pumps to be used to dispense concentrated syrup and bag in box soft drink mix.
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​The RD1 pump has a range of options for OEM vending applications including BLDC and Stepper motor options and food grade materials suitable for European or NSF approvals.
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Food Processing Pumps and Peristaltic Pumps
D SERIES USED TO REVOLUTIONIZE PRINTING
The process of rapidly and accurately marking substrates such as cartons, envelopes, bottles and even eggshells is the domain of the ink-jet printer. Different techniques are used by the major manufacturers but they broadly fall into two categories; CIJ (continuous ink-jet) and DOD (drop on demand) - both require pumps as an integral part of the design.
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​In order to prime the print head, a pump capable of handling chemically aggressive inks is needed to draw the ink from a reservoir and feed ink to either the print head or to an intermediate accumulator tank. A diaphragm pump such as the Charles Austen model DL04 can provide the necessary performance; self priming, flow rates up to 0.4 l/min, chemically resistant wetted parts and a choice of 12 or 24 V DC drive, in brushed and brush-less variants.
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​Some systems rely on a return or “scavenging” pump. Unused ink is collected and then drawn back into a reservoir under vacuum. This ink can then be reused as part of recycling loop.
The pump must be able to run dry, have the necessary chemical resistance and be capable of continuous operation. Charles Austen Pumps offer the model D3 oil-free diaphragm vacuum for these arduous liquid scavenging applications. Again with brush-less DC drive and a highly efficient reed valve design, the D3 can operate continuously to provide the necessary vacuum and flow when pumping gas/liquid mixtures.
RD PUMPS BRING KEY ADVANTAGES TO BEVERAGE DISPENSE
Drinks vending is a market where pump selection is critical in order to avoid costly service call-outs, messy leaks and expensive downtime. The technology used to pump the beverage is key to how reliable the entire machine will be in service and the reputation of the manufacturer.
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​Until recently, beverage dispense relied on just a few pump technologies; mainly peristaltic and gas driven. Both methods of pumping have their disadvantages. Peristaltic pumps will eventually suffer from tubing splits or gearbox failure. The tubing has no memory, so the amount of liquid being dispensed at the start of it’s life is unlikely to be the same after a few thousand vends. Air driven pumps by definition require an air or CO2 supply, rather than being directly driven. For smaller bench top machines which may be located away from compressors or bottled CO2, this presents an expensive and lengthy installation process.
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​Charles Austen Pumps introduced the patented Rotary Diaphragm Liquid pump into the market over 15 years ago, primarily for workplace brewers where the ability to pump both hot or cold liquids was required, along with a tolerance of lime-scale or other particulates.
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​Since then it has been used for many drinks dispense applications where a reliable food grade pump is needed.
PUMPS FOR DUST AND POLLUTION MEASUREMENT OR IAQM
Charles Austen Pumps have been designing pumps for air quality monitoring since the practice began with the national survey in the 1960’s as a response to the infamous London ‘pea souper’ smogs.
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​Since then the impact of airborne pollution on health and well-being has become clearer, meaning the use of volumetric or Isokinetic air sampling has become more necessary, including the sampling of PM 2.5- PM10 particulate levels in the air as well as traditional concerns such as asbestos.
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This has led to a demand for more flexible sampling pumps that can be easily adjusted to meet a range of worldwide sampling standards including EN12919, ISO-9096, EN13284, EN 16911 & EPA 201A.
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​Charles Austen Pumps have continued to develop our pump range to help our customers meet these challenges thanks to the addition of the CAPEX V2 Duplex Pump to our CAPEX range.
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​All CAPEX pumps include an exhaust port for connection to a flow rate/mass sensor which allows downstream control of the flow rate via a sampling filter. This helps to maintain much-needed accuracy in sampling results.
RD PUMPS USED FOR IVD ANALYSIS
The RD1 Pump helps a leading IVD manufacturer improve their device. The previous design of analysers relied on a syringe pump to generate a vacuum to aspirate the sample through the analyser and to drain waste from the fluidic circuit.
However the syringe pumps are unable to simultaneously generate vacuum and drain waste from the previous sample reducing the number of samples per hour that could be processed. By using an RD1 pump these actions could happen simultaneously reducing the cycle time of the analyser.
Our patented rotary diaphragm technology has a range of valuable features for designers of fluidic systems such as those used in IVD analysers.
They include:
​ • Higher levels of vacuum than conventional liquid diaphragm pumps.
• Maintenance free operation with no tubes to split.
• Simultaneous vacuum and drain operation.
• Valveless design unaffected by clotted samples and debris.
• BLDC Options available for long life.
• Integrated EMC suppression.
D5 PUMPS FOR CONCENTRATED OZONE
Ozone is a powerfull naturally occurring oxidant that doesn’t produce allergen affects or resistant strains of bacteria.
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As a result it is used in a wide range of applications including medical and dental therapies, water treatment and disinfectant devices.
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Despite its wide range of uses Ozone is highly corrosive especially when wet or concentrated. As a result all wetted materials in contact need to be made from extremely resistant materials such as PTFE and stainless steel to ensure reliable operation.
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For applications with a vacuum or pressure pump requirement Charles Austen are able to offer our D5 range of pumps with all PTFE / PVDF / FFKM wetted parts for the most demanding of corrosive gas applications.
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These can be specified with a range of AC / DC motor options including long life BLDC motors with low current draw and EMC.
Charles Austen Pumps have been producing pumps in the UK for over 60 years and are able to offer all of our pumps in a range of chemically resistant materials.
GAS AND AIR PUMPS FOR IVD URINALYSIS
Many manual laboratory procedures are being replaced by automated or semi-automated analysers to increase the speed and accuracy of results.
To achieve this manual counting, techniques are being replaced with new methods such as flow cell digital imaging.
​The successful design of these analysers needs to take into account all stages of the manual process being replaced.
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For example automated analysers for flow cytometry applications, such as IVD Urinalysis Analysers, need a well mixed sample to prevent false readings as a result of sedimentation.
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​A well proven solution to this problem is to use a small compressed air to tank agitate sample before aspiration and to re-suspend the cells.
​The Charles Austen 12 or 24V DC Air diaphragm pumps are ideally suited for these applications as they prove a quiet and reliable source of compressed air and gas for fully automated analysers including in vitro diagnostic (IVD) equipment.
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​To aid compliance with EMC requirement of EN/ UL 61010 Suppression is fitted to all of our pumps as standard and we offer BLDC options for continuous duty applications.
RP PUMPS USED FOR ON-BOARD PNEUMATICS
There are a huge array of manufacturing, processing, storage and testing machines which rely on a source of clean, compressed air in order to drive their pneumatic systems.
Many production line or off-line machines incorporate valves, pneumatic door seals or locking mechanisms which are actuated by pressure – usually provided by a factory or laboratory air-line. However, many manufacturers have sought to improve their equipment by incorporating a small oil-free compressor within the machine itself, thus avoiding reliance on external compressors.
The result is a more independent system which can be easily relocated or installed where no air-line is available. Simply a single phase mains supply is sufficient.
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​Charles Austen Pumps offer a range of oil-free compressors including the miniature RP12 - capable of 6 bar pressure and small enough to be fitted integrally in most systems. The RP12 is available in a variety of voltages including 24v DC enabling it to be easily integrated into an electronically operated system.
The pump is oil-free, maintenance free and can also be used for vacuum where required. It can be used to directly actuate pneumatics, or with a pressure switch in conjunction with a receiver.
EX30 EXPLOSION PROOF SERIES
Increasing demand in the sampling and process control markets has led to the development of the new explosion proof EX30 pump which is certified to the enclosure group class IIC thus allowing the pump to be used in Hydrogen atmospheres. As an OEM pump it is ideal for monitoring hazardous atmospheres including the ingress of flammable gas and smoke into HVAC ducts.
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​These robust continuously rated pumps are available with a large choice of materials enabling them to handle air and a wide range of corrosive and flammable gases. They are quiet and easy to maintain, with long life sealed motor bearings.
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With a standard performance of 17 l/min flow, 2.0 bar pressure and, 540 mmHg vacuum the standard pump will far exceed most sampling requirements. The flexibility of the design enables the pump performance to be increased or decreased by the use of optional components to satisfy more demanding applications.
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​At Charles Austen Pumps we identify flexibility as the key to the future development of our business. Combined with the expertise of R & D, we offer the most innovative and cost effective solutions to meet every individual customer application.
We employ engineers, not salesmen and they will welcome the opportunity to discuss any new projects with you.
ET80 WINS AWARDS
Tuesday 20th May saw the start of the 2014 RHS Chelsea Flower Show and Charles Austen Pumps are pleased to have had their Enviro pumps feature within a winning garden.
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A top London based company worked in partnership with Stoke-on-Trent City Council to create the "Positively Stoke-on-Trent" garden, which represents a city with a new clarity of purpose and new sources of energy.
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As part of the team, a water feature and design company used pumps from Charles Austen to create a bubble effect in the water pool to complement the contemporary design of the garden.
The "Positively Stoke-on-Trent" garden was awarded a prestigious Silver-Gilt Flora medal.
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Visit the aquatic page for information on the pump.