Abstract: A valve disabler for use in high pressure pipe cleaning systems. The valve disabler of the present invention serves to disable a single cylinder in a multi-cylinder plunger pump so as to generate pulsatile pressure surges within a hose member. The pulsatile pressure surges cause the distal end of the hose member to move in a serpentine manner, thus allowing the hose member to negotiate down a tortuous path within the pipe without stalling or becoming otherwise impeded.

Abstract: An improved reciprocating plunger pump boasting a self-aligning plunger assembly, a selectively removable plunger guide cartridge, and an improved seal cartridge assembly.

Abstract: An improved valve assembly for automatically priming a hydraulic pump during a suction-fed application wherein the pump must draw fluid from within a holding tank for subsequent pressurization and transmission by the pump. The valve assembly of the present invention is provided in fluid communication with the outlet line of the pump and is capable of sensing the difference between fluid and air such that the air disposed within the pump at start-up may be quickly and efficiently bled from the system before the valve automatically closes once the fluid has been drawn into the pump in an amount sufficient to bring the pump into a fully primed condition. The valve assembly includes a housing member, a poppet member, a biasing means, and sealing means. The housing member includes a bore extending between an inlet aperture and an outlet aperture, and a slotted shoulder member extending radially inward from the inlet aperture.

Abstract: A valve disabler for use in high pressure pipe cleaning systems. The valve disabler of the present invention serves to disable a single cylinder in a multi-cylinder plunger pump so as to generate pulsatile pressure surges within a hose member. The pulsatile pressure surges cause the distal end of the hose member to move in a serpentine manner, thus allowing the hose member to negotiate down a tortuous path within the pipe without stalling or becoming otherwise impeded.

Abstract: A microprocessor-based dual tank control system for use in a foam-injection fire fighting system which automatically proportions the selected foamant into the main water stream at a predetermined concentration, automatically provides an accurate assessment of the amount of foam pumped out of the selected supply tank, and automatically flushes the injection line at system power-up and between flow cycles.

Abstract: A fire extinguishing system in which a calculated quantity of a liquid chemical foamant is introduced into the main water stream being directed at a fire equipped with a protective circuit for limiting the amount of average current flowing within a motor driving a fluid pump used to inject the chemical foamant, in addition to an electronic fuse circuit for automatically shutting off the power being supplied to the low-level electronics.

Abstract: A fire fighting system introduces a liquid chemical foam concentrate into a water stream. The system may incorporate either or both of a hydraulic motor driven pump under control of a microprocessor-based hydraulic valve driver and an electric motor driven pump under control of a DC motor drive circuit. The DC motor drive circuit is adapted to be connected in electrical communication with the hydraulic valve driver and with a display/controller also incorporating a microprocessor. When operating in the dual mode, when the quantity of chemical foamant that must be added to the water stream to maintain a desired percentage mixture exceeds the capacity of the electric motor driven foam pump, control is transferred, via the hydraulic valve driver, to allow a hydraulic motor to drive a separate foam pump.

Abstract: A pump having a housing with an integral fluid reservoir and flexible end plates to permit the pump to be run dry for an extended period of time. A pair of reservoirs are provided, one each side of a pumping chamber. These reservoirs are in fluid communication with the pumping chamber via openings provided through the end plates of the pumping chamber and slots in the impeller hub. When the pump is run dry, fluid stored in these reservoirs is permitted to be released into the pumping chamber to provide a lubrication between the impeller and the chamber walls, thus reducing friction. The chamber end plates are thin and flexible. These end plates can bow outwardly due to the impeller expanding from increased heat when the pump is run dry, and thus reduce friction with the impeller. Accordingly, the pump can be run dry for an extended period of time without damaging or destroying the pump impeller.

Abstract: An improved method for manufacturing a sophisticated cam profile liner used in pumps and compressors. A non-circular cam profile liner is fabricated from multiple parts, preferably two identical cam liner halves mated together. Each cam profile liner half is generally crescent-shaped, and is manufactured from a single mold using conventional molding techniques. Window openings are formed in the cam profile liner without the need for hand-placing inserts in the mold. Further, no taper is formed in the cam profile liner. Accordingly, the present invention is suitable for use in precision sliding vane pumps, as well as flexible and roller-type pumps. Since each cam profile liner half is identical to the other, a symmetrical cam chamber is defined by the cam profile liner.

Abstract: A fire-fighting system in which a liquid chemical foamant is introduced into the water stream in varying amounts so as to maintain a predetermined percentage mixture irrespective of variations in the water flow includes a motor-driven pump where the motor is controlled over a first speed range by pulse width modulating the drive to the motor and over a second speed range, producing intermittent motion, by burst width modulating the drive signal when it is operating at its minimum pulse width modulated duty cycle. Using this technique the range of available motor speeds is extended well beyond that which can be achieved using pulse width modulation of the motor drive signal alone.

Abstract: A fire-fighting system in which a liquid chemical foamant is introduced into the water stream in varying amounts so as to maintain a predetermined percentage mixture irrespective of variations in the water flow includes a motor-driven pump where the motor is controlled over a first speed range by pulse width modulating the drive to the motor and over a second speed range, producing intermittent motion, by burst width modulating the drive signal when it is operating at its minimum pulse width modulated duty cycle. Using this technique the range of available motor speeds is extended well beyond that which can be achieved using pulse width modulation of the motor drive signal alone.

Abstract: Fire-fighting apparatus and the method of using of same in which water from a supply source is adapted to be pumped at high pressure and predetermined flow rates through a fire hose and in which metered quantities of a chemical foamant are injected into the fire hose and mixed with the water stream to increase the effectiveness of the mixture as a fire extinguishant. A special purpose computer module is configured to monitor the flow rate of the water through the hose, the level of chemical foamant in a supply reservoir and the speed of the positive displacement pump used to inject the foamant. The computer then determines an appropriate speed for the pump and provides a closed-loop control signal to the pump's drive motor to maintain a desired chemical injection rate.

Abstract: A positive displacement pump especially designed for home use comprises a crankcase housing and a cylinder block joined thereto, the cylinder block containing a cylindrical bore whose longitudinal axis is at a predetermined angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the pump's drive shaft journaled in the crankcase housing. A piston having a central longitudinal bore formed inward from one end thereof and which includes a timing window extending through its side surface, is fitted into the cylindrical bore and coupled to the drive shaft by a pin which is journaled in a spherical bearing. A suction port is formed through the wall of the cylinder block on one side surface thereof and on the opposite side surface, 180.degree. away, is a high pressure discharge port. When the pump is driven, the piston both rotates and reciprocates causing the timing window in the piston to sweep by the inlet or suction port where a charge of liquid at low pressure is allowed to enter the hollow piston.

Abstract: A positive displacement pump especially designed for home use comprises a crankcase housing and a cylinder block joined thereto, the cylinder block containing a cylindrical bore whose longitudinal axis is at a predetermined angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the pump's drive shaft journaled in the crankcase housing. A piston having a central longitudinal bore formed inward from one end thereof and which includes a timing window extending through its side surface, is fitted into the cylindrical bore and coupled to the drive shaft by a pin which is journaled in a spherical bearing. A suction port is formed through the wall of the cylinder block on one side surface thereof and on the opposite side surface, 180.degree. away, is a high pressure discharge port. When the pump is driven, the piston both rotates and reciprocates causing the timing window in the piston to sweep by the inlet or suction port where a charge of liquid at low pressure is allowed to enter the hollow piston.

Abstract: A fire-fighting system in which a liquid chemical foamant is introduced into the water stream in varying amounts so as to maintain a predetermined percentage mixture irrespective of variations in the water flow includes a motor-driven pump where the motor is controlled over a first speed range by pulse width modulating the drive to the motor and over a second speed range, producing intermittent motion, by burst width modulating the drive signal when it is operating at its minimum pulse width modulated duty cycle. Using this technique the range of available motor speeds is extended well beyond that which can be achieved using pulse width modulation of the motor drive signal alone.