The present invention is directed to a magnetic pump for pumping ferrofluids. The magnetic pump in its simplest form has at least two coils which are electrically connected to a multi-phase power source to produce a traveling electromagnetic field. In close proximity to the coils and substantially normal to the axis of the coils is a tube which defines the path of fluid flow. Magnetic pumpsIt is preferred that the coils be embedded in a stator of ferromagnetic material and that the stator be cylindrical. Preferably the tube is wound about the cylindrical stator either internal to or external to the stator. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention the tube is placed in an annular gap between cylindrical stators of different diameter and having coils energized so as to produce reinforcing traveling magentic fields.  A pump for a ferrofluid comprising: at least a first group of coil elements forming at least two coils of electrical conductors, said coils being arranged in a cylindrical configuration; a first ferromagnetic cylindrical stator having an outer cylindrical surface and an inner cylindrical surface said coils being wound in said stator; a tube for transporting the ferrofluid having magnetic particles suspended in a fluid, In-line pumpssaid tube being wound internal to and in close proximity to said inner cylindrical surface of said stator; and a power source of at least two phases and said power source being connected to said coils so as to produce a traveling magnetic field, whereby said traveling magnetic field moves said ferrofluid through said tube. Ferrofluids are liquids in which ferromagnetic particles are suspended. Ferrofluids are currently pumped using conventional mechanical fluid pumps. These conventional pumps permit only limited control of the flow rate and allow the fluid to be pumped in only one direction. In addition, conventional pumps have moving pump components located in the path of fluid thus it may be necessary to penetrate the fluid boundary during repair. Penetration of the fluid boundary may be impractical if the pump is in a zero gravity environment, such as space, or when the fluid is contaminated such as when the pump is used in nuclear applications. Mechanical pumps are not well suited for pumping fluids having both liquid and gas phases, since the pressure head developed by the pump drops to zero at small volume fractions of vapor.

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2011-12-31

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