Including Means To (1) Agitate Pump Fluid, Or (2) Prevent Foreign Material Settling From Pump Fluid Patents (Class 417/430)
  • Patent number: 11679363
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides apparatuses and methods related to a high pressure processing device that is configured to simplify batch processing. In an embodiment, a high pressure processing device includes a processing module configured to reduce a particle size of a material or achieve a desired liquid processing result for the material, a pump configured to pump the material to an inlet of the processing module, a recirculation pathway configured to recirculate the material from an outlet of the processing module back to the pump, an input device configured to receive at least one user input variable, and a controller configured to (i) determine a number of pump strokes for the pump based on the user input variable, and (ii) control the pump according to the determined number of pump strokes so that the material makes a plurality of passes through the processing module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: MICROFLUIDICS INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Michael P. Ratigan, David G. Harney, John Michael Bernard
  • Patent number: 10060236
    Abstract: A rod pump plunger is so constructed to collect oil from a produced fluid from an oil well and use it to lubricate the plunger inside of a pump barrel. The plunger has a first sealing structure, a second sealing structure, and penetrating ports in between the sealing structures. A fluid trap which captures oil from the produced fluid flowing through the plunger is formed interior to the body of the plunger and is connected to the port. The trap is connected to a penetrating port such that the trapped oil will flow into the first and second sealing structures. The trap is sized to capture sufficient oil to exceed oil slippage from a pump during each stroke. The oil lubricates the plunger to increase pump efficiency and run life.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: LOTRAM LLC
    Inventor: Joe J. Ippolito
  • Patent number: 9970436
    Abstract: A pump having two pistons placed in a rotor, situated in a stator forming two opposite parallel eccentric pumping chambers having at least one inlet port through which the fluid is drawn into at least one of the pumping chambers during the filling movement of at least one of the pistons and, subsequently, expelled from at least one of the pumping chambers, during the emptying movement of at least one of the pistons, to at least one outlet port, characterized by an inlet cavity in connection with the inlet port, an outlet cavity in connection with the outlet port and two port changeover transition zones situated between each side of the cavities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: SWISSINNOV PRODUCT SARL
    Inventors: Thierry Navarro, Florent Junod
  • Patent number: 9004381
    Abstract: A grinder pump basin system is provided which includes a basin; a cover plate; a bracket secured to the cover plate; and a grinder pump with cutter plate with openings and a cutter blade secured to the bracket above a bottom surface of the basin. The bracket includes a front portion, which prevents waste water from interacting adversely with the grinder pump when it enters the basin. A discharge system for the grinder pump is secured to an outlet of the grinder pump and includes a discharge pipe and a flexible discharge coupling. Flow directional jets are also provided in an elbow of the pump discharge system to direct waste water and solids away from the grinder pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Zoeller Pump Company, LLC
    Inventors: William L. Schmidt, David R. Gilbert, Bryan S. Schilling, Charles P. Carroll
  • Publication number: 20140377080
    Abstract: An integrated system is disclosed to handle production of multiphase fluid consisting of oil, gas and water. The production stream is first separated into two streams: a liquid dominated stream (GVF<5% for example) and a gas dominated stream (GVF>95% for example). The separation can be done through shrouds, cylindrical cyclonic, gravity, in-line or the like separation techniques. The two streams are then routed separately to pumps which pump dissimilar fluids, such as a liquid pump and a gas compressor, and subsequently recombined. Both pumps are driven by a single motor shaft which includes an internal passageway associated with one of the pumps for reception of the fluid from the other pump, thereby providing better cooling and greater overall efficiency of all systems associated therewith. A method for providing artificial lift or pressure boosting of multiphase fluid is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2014
    Publication date: December 25, 2014
    Inventors: Jinjiang XIAO, Randall Alan SHEPLER
  • Patent number: 8899940
    Abstract: A fluid flow stabilizing method and a pump having a stabilized fluid flow passage where a process fluid contains suspended solid particles and is subject to pressure oscillations. The method comprises positioning an expandable membrane along the lower transverse surface, inflating the membrane with a compressible fluid, and alternatingly expanding and contracting the membrane to dampen the pressure oscillations and inhibit settling of the solid particles at the lower transverse surface. The pump comprises a stabilizer comprising a compressible fluid in an expandable membrane elongated along the lower transverse surface of a manifold in fluid communication with the fluid end. Another method comprises reciprocating a plunger in the pump to pass a slurry through the manifold, and alternatingly expanding and contracting a stabilizer in the manifold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Edward Leugemors, Rajesh Luharuka, Hubertus V. Thomeer
  • Patent number: 8734136
    Abstract: A water-conducting household device, particularly a dishwasher, includes a pump having at least one normal operating mode in which fluid is pumped in a pumping direction, and a venting operating mode which can be carried out before the normal operating mode. The venting operating mode is provided to allow venting of the pump by pumping a gas bubble in opposition to the pumping direction during the normal operating mode at least partially out of a pump chamber of the pump to a fluid pump inlet of the pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausergeraete GmbH
    Inventors: Bernd Kränzle, Stephan Lutz, Michael Georg Rosenbauer, Markus Wecker
  • Patent number: 8561813
    Abstract: A cyclonic debris evacuation apparatus and method for removing debris in a pumping system. The apparatus includes a valve rod, a cyclone component, cup component, ring component, and ring coupler component. The cup component is composed of a high density poly-fiber material that helps in creating a positive seal between the cup component and barrel interior during pumping operations, helping to direct solids into the cup component and thereby preventing them from travelling southward in the direction of the barrel and causing damage. The cup component can include a specialized leading edge adapted to direct solids into the cup component. The apparatus can include a carbide ring that prevents solids from traveling further down onto the pump plunger section. The carbide ring can incorporate ports that feed into a main channel flow. The apparatus can include a top plunger adapter capable of connecting with a sucker rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Inventor: Michael Brent Ford
  • Patent number: 8535024
    Abstract: A downhole pump has a barrel and plunger. The barrel has a first one-way valve and the plunger has a second done-way valve. The plunger reciprocates with respect to the barrel. The plunger has a first end which has a tapered leading edge. Ports are adjacent to the leading edge. The ports communicate with a passage in the plunger. A sucker rod string coupling is located at the plunger first end. The sucker rod string coupling is coupled to walls located between the ports. The end of the sucker rod string coupling that is coupled to the plunger is tapered so that fluid can flow out of the ports. The sucker rod string coupling and the plunger first end form an integral member that couples to the remainder of the plunger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Harbison-Fischer, Inc.
    Inventors: Justin Conyers, Ian Douglas Rimmer, Bradley Craig Rogers
  • Patent number: 8505747
    Abstract: A cyclonic debris evacuation apparatus and method for evacuating debris in a pumping system that forms between the plunger exterior and barrel interior. The apparatus is configured for use with a valve rod and has a cyclone component, cup component, ring component, and ring coupler component. The apparatus is also configured for use with a hollow valve rod and has a hollow valve rod coupler component, cup component, ring component, and ring coupler component. The cup component can be composed of a high density poly-fiber material that helps in creating a positive seal between the cup component and barrel interior during pumping operations, helping to direct solids into the cup component and thereby preventing them from travelling southward in the direction of the barrel and causing damage. In another embodiment, the cup component can include a specialized leading edge adapted to direct solids into the cup component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Inventor: Michael Brent Ford
  • Patent number: 8485799
    Abstract: The present invention is centralizing vertical flow cage attachable to a subsurface pump in a downhole recovery application, and method of use. In one embodiment, the vertical flow cage is defined as comprising a hollowed, centralizing cone portion having at least one spiral vein formed in the cone's surface. In another embodiment, the centralizing cone includes a ledge having at least one discharge hole disposed thereon, with each discharge hole being selectively located above each vein. Each discharge hole is formed through the centralizing cone so that each hole formed is in fluid communication with the hollow interior portion of the centralizing cone. In this regard, during the pump process upstroke, any fluid below and outside of the centralizing cone will be forced vertically upwards through each vein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: KLM Specialties, LLC
    Inventor: Curtis Allen
  • Patent number: 8360756
    Abstract: A valve rod guide is adapted to be coupled to the barrel of a subsurface pump or the like. The guide has head, neck, body, and base regions. A plurality of angled flutes are provided on the body, tapering downwardly for preventing solids from reentering the pump barrel after pump operations are ceased and thereby damaging pump components once pump operations are resumed. The interior diameter of the neck includes lower and upper grooves and a plurality of spiral radial grooves extending therebetween. The spiral radial grooves terminate at exit ports. During pump operations, solids are wiped from the valve rod, drawn into the spiral radial grooves, and accumulate in the lower or upper groove during downstroke or upstroke, respectively. During upstroke, the solids are expelled through the exit ports. A hardened insert may be positioned in the head region, providing a durable wear area for the valve rod as well as a tight fit, thereby preventing solids from escaping through a northern end of the guide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Inventor: Michael Brent Ford
  • Patent number: 8353689
    Abstract: A vibratory cavitation pump is provided that includes a working cylinder having an fluid inlet and a fluid outlet, a rod extending into the cylinder, a piston fixed to the rod, a plate fixed to the rod and spaced from the piston, an activator slidably mounted to the rod between the piston and the plate and an oscillating pumping mechanism operably connected to the rod to move the rod with respect to the working cylinder. The sliding activator creates cavitation in the fluid being pumped to increase the ease of pumping the fluid, such as high viscosity fluids. The pump can also include an external cylinder disposed around the working cylinder to impart rotational motion to the incoming fluid, thereby enhancing the cavitation created in the fluid by the pump, rendering the fluid easy to displace.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2013
    Inventors: Grigori Lishanski, Oleg Lishanski
  • Publication number: 20120224982
    Abstract: A pump for immersion in a fluid reservoir, such as a pit or lagoon containing liquid manure, from a position at an edge of the reservoir. The pump may be adapted for connection to a farm vehicle, such as a tractor, positioned at the edge of the reservoir. The pump comprises an extensible body, fluid conduit and drive means in order that a length of the pump may be varied in order to accommodate a variety of reservoir fluid heights. In addition, the pump may be pivotable relative to at least a portion of a frame in order that the entrance angle may be adjusted. The pump comprises a bottom housing with a bottom inlet and at least two tangential fluid outlets that are upwardly angled towards the conduit. A combiner is provided to merge the outlets with the fluid conduit. An impeller within the housing is shaped to transfer fluid tangentially and upwardly within the housing to co-operate with the upward angle of the outlets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2011
    Publication date: September 6, 2012
    Inventor: Ian Nuhn
  • Publication number: 20120076668
    Abstract: Deliquefication systems with an upper pumping section for discharging fluid pumped to it by a lower pumping section; in one aspect, for providing liquid from a wellbore to the upper section for removal of the liquid from the wellbore; and, in one aspect, such systems for dewatering a gas well. This abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract which will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure and is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims, 37 C.F.R. 1.72(b).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2011
    Publication date: March 29, 2012
    Inventors: David Joseph Bolt, Kenneth Ray Newman
  • Publication number: 20110247490
    Abstract: A method is provided for degassing a transport chamber (1) of a metering pump. The method is based on performing impulse generation, wherein gas bubbles arising from the gas-forming fluid and adhering to the inner surfaces in the transport chamber (1) are released from the surfaces, wherein the gas bubbles (4.4?, 8.8?) present in the transport chamber (1) accumulate, perform a motion (c) in the direction of the pressure valve (6), and form an accumulated gas bubble (7) on the transport chamber side of the pressure valve (6). An increase in pressure causes the accumulated gas bubble present at the pressure valve (6) to escape from the transport chamber (1) as discharged gas bubbles (7?) into the pressure line. A metering pump having a device present in the transport chamber for performing the impulse generation is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2009
    Publication date: October 13, 2011
    Applicant: GRUNDFOS MANAGEMENT A/S
    Inventors: Klaus Mueller, Sergej Gerz
  • Publication number: 20110177587
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to methods and devices/systems for amplifying genetic material and may include providing a water-in-oil emulsion in a continuous flow. The emulsion may include a plurality of water droplets comprising microreactors. Each of the plurality of microreactors may include a single bead capable of capturing a nucleic acid template, a single species nucleic acid template and sufficient reagents to amplify the copy number of the nucleic acid template. The method also includes flowing the emulsion across a first temperature zone and a second lower temperature zone to thermally process the microreactors to amplify the nucleic acid template by polymerase chain reaction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2011
    Publication date: July 21, 2011
    Applicant: 454 CORPORATION
    Inventors: John R. Nobile, William L. Lee, John H. Leamon
  • Patent number: 7909589
    Abstract: A downhole pump has a barrel and a plunger which reciprocate with respect to each other. The plunger has a first portion with a first seal, a second portion and a third portion with a second seal. The second portion is intermediate the first and second portions. A balancing chamber is formed between the plunger second portion and the barrel. The balancing chamber communicates with the plunger interior by way of an opening. A sand snare chamber is provided with respect to the opening so as to prevent sand from contacting the seals in the balancing chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignee: Harbison-Fischer, Inc.
    Inventor: Benny J. Williams
  • Patent number: 7878767
    Abstract: There is provided, in one embodiment, a ball valve for regulating the flow of petroleum fluids therethrough. The ball valve is capable of transitioning between an open and a closed position. The ball valve includes in one embodiment a hydraulic piston, containment union, ported stem, containment cage and drag plunger, and is adapted to regulate the flow of fluid northward through the valve. A ball and seat should be positioned above these components, so that the hydraulic piston may extend therethrough. More specifically, during a pump downstroke, fluid enters the drag plunger, moves northward through the containment cage and into the interior of the ported stem, exits the interior of the ported stem and enters a plurality of angled veins, which impart cyclonic motion on fluid passing northward therethrough, assisting in the removal of debris. Also during the downstroke, a pedestal portion of the hydraulic unseats the ball from the seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Inventor: Michael Brent Ford
  • Patent number: 7832468
    Abstract: A system for controlling solids within a wellbore of a well includes a pump positioned within a substantially horizontal portion of the wellbore. A first tubing string is operatively connected between the pump and a surface of the well for removing liquid from the wellbore that is pumped by the pump. A second tubing string may also be operatively connected to the pump and extends downhole of the pump. Either or both of the first and second tubing string includes a longitudinal axis that is offset from an axis of rotation about which the second tubing string is capable of being rotated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: Pine Tree Gas, LLC
    Inventor: Joseph A. Zupanick
  • Patent number: 7794215
    Abstract: A high pressure slurry plunger pump is described which provides a clean fluid buffer around the suction and discharge valves of the pump and in some cases in the vicinity of the plunger seal mechanism in order to displace erosive slurry material and thus extend the life of the pump and improve pump efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: Regency Technologies LLC
    Inventor: Kenneth Doyle Oglesby
  • Patent number: 7713035
    Abstract: A pumping apparatus and method incorporates at least one and preferably as many as four components that are configured to improve debris removal capabilities as compared to prior art apparatuses. The apparatus and method impart cyclonic motion to pumped fluid, in a manner that tends to separate entrained solids and other impurities, and further that helps draw solid impurities away from the pump barrel. In a preferred embodiment, a cyclonic effect first occurs in a seat plug having a funnel-shaped accumulator region leading to an interior passage therethrough, and at least one off-center opening extending from the interior passage to the exterior of the plug. In one embodiment, that effect is continued at a plunger adapter that has a plurality of inward-angled rings, and that also features off-center openings through which debris may pass to the interior of the plunger adapter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Inventor: Michael Brant Ford
  • Patent number: 7686598
    Abstract: A downhole pump has a barrel and a plunger which reciprocate with respect to each other. The plunger has a first portion with a first seal, a second portion and a third portion with a second seal. The second portion is intermediate the first and second portions. A balancing chamber is formed between the plunger second portion and the barrel. The balancing chamber communicates with the plunger interior by way of an opening. A sand snare chamber is provided with respect to the opening so as to prevent sand from contacting the seals in the balancing chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2010
    Assignee: Harbison-Fischer, Inc.
    Inventor: Benny J. Williams
  • Publication number: 20090253019
    Abstract: A mixing pump device (1) used for fuel cells etc. has two inflow paths (51, 52), inflow side active valves (21, 22) arranged at the two inflow paths (51, 52), respectively, a pump chamber (11) into which liquids flow via each of two inflow paths (511, 522), four outflow paths (61, 62, 63, 64) for allowing a liquid mixed in the pump chamber (11) to flow out, and outflow side active valves (31, 32, 33, 34) arranged at the four outflow paths (61, 62, 63, 64), respectively. The inflow paths (511, 522) are opened in the directions where turbulent flow and/or swirl flow is formed in the pump chamber (11). The construction prevents a variation in the concentration of the liquid allowed to flow out of the outflow paths (61, 62, 63, 64) after the mixing in the pump chamber (11).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2007
    Publication date: October 8, 2009
    Inventors: Mitsuo Yokozawa, Kenji Muramatsu, Shinsuke Fukuda, Toshihiko Ichinose, Katsumi Kozu
  • Publication number: 20090050721
    Abstract: A pump assembly supportable in a tank having an opening includes a pump such as a grinder pump and a cover attachable to the pump. The cover has a peripherally-extending portion extending outwardly from the pump and the peripherally-extending portion is sized to rest on a first surface of the portion of the tank defining the opening. A quick-release latching mechanism may include a plurality of members such as arms or pawls which are movable generally radially between a retracted position wherein the outer ends of the plurality of members are disposed inwardly of the peripherally-extending portion of the cover allowing the pump assembly to be lowered into the opening in the tank, and an extended position wherein the outer ends of a plurality of members are positionable against a second opposite side of the portion of the tank defining the opening to compress the portion of the tank forming the opening between the cover and the plurality of members.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2008
    Publication date: February 26, 2009
    Inventors: Kurt Werner, David Fergot, David T. Middleton, Scott H. Kennard, George A. Earle, III
  • Patent number: 7428923
    Abstract: There is provided a top plunger adapter assembly for use in controlling sand fouling of an oil pump system wherein the oil pump system reciprocates between upstrokes and downstrokes within a barrel, and wherein the oil pump system includes as components a sucker rod and a plunger. In one embodiment, the top plunger adapter assembly includes an adapter having a first end configured to receive a sucker rod, wherein the adapter includes a chamber which allows fluid movement therethrough; a collection cage rotatably mounted to the adapter, the collection cage defining an interior region, and the collection cage having an upper lip configured to direct sand toward the interior region of the collection cage during an upstroke of the pump; and a bottom cage attached to the adapter and the bottom cage having a bottom end configured to attach to a pump plunger, wherein the bottom cage includes a passage to allow fluid communication through the bottom cage to the chamber of the adapter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2008
    Inventor: Michael B. Ford
  • Patent number: 7404702
    Abstract: A debris evacuation apparatus and method evacuates debris in a pumping system that forms between the plunger exterior and barrel interior. The apparatus has at least one seal and one groove located south of the seal, with the seal blocking northward travel of debris and directing it to the groove. Ports within the groove permit debris to enter the debris evacuation apparatus. Interior to the debris evacuation apparatus, the entering debris will become mixed with pumped fluid, and will be drawn out of the pumping system with the pumped fluid. The pumped fluid passing through the debris evacuation apparatus will be caused to rotate by an interior section located at a south portion of the debris evacuation apparatus, utilizing a plurality of angled veins surrounding a closed center section located at a north end of the interior section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Inventor: Michael Brent Ford
  • Publication number: 20080152519
    Abstract: A gas-oil separator with an oil type air compressor includes a gas-oil separator, a gas storage tank, and an oil return valve. The gas-oil separator installs a filer cylinder, and a helical vane in a serrated disk shape disposed at the top of the filer cylinder. After the air compressor drives compressed air into the gas-oil separator, the helical vane produces a strong helical pressure for a centrifugal separation, such that oil and gas of the compressed air is separated by the filer cylinder and the separated gas is entered and stored into the gas storage tank for. After the gas storage tank reaches a predetermined pressure, the pressure switch starts to push the long pushing bolt in the oil return valve. The separated liquid oil passes through the oil return valve and returns to the air compressor, so as to achieve the effect of separating oil and gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2006
    Publication date: June 26, 2008
    Inventor: Mei-Lien Chern
  • Publication number: 20080112826
    Abstract: There is provided a top plunger adapter assembly for use in controlling sand fouling of an oil pump system wherein the oil pump system reciprocates between upstrokes and downstrokes within a barrel, and wherein the oil pump system includes as components a sucker rod and a plunger. In one embodiment, the top plunger adapter assembly includes an adapter having a first end configured to receive a sucker rod, wherein the adapter includes a chamber which allows fluid movement therethrough; a collection cage rotatably mounted to the adapter, the collection cage defining an interior region, and the collection cage having an upper lip configured to direct sand toward the interior region of the collection cage during an upstroke of the pump; and a bottom cage attached to the adapter and the bottom cage having a bottom end configured to attach to a pump plunger, wherein the bottom cage includes a passage to allow fluid communication through the bottom cage to the chamber of the adapter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2006
    Publication date: May 15, 2008
    Inventor: MICHAEL B. FORD
  • Patent number: 7360998
    Abstract: A method of cleaning out blockages which prevent operation of a reciprocating downhole tubing pump. A first step involves mechanically displacing and disabling, without removing, a ball from a ball seat on the travelling ball valve. A second step involves mechanically displacing and disabling, without removing, a ball from a ball seat on the standing valve assembly. A third step involves inserting coil tubing through the travelling ball valve and the standing ball valve to cleanout the entire workstring and pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2008
    Assignees: 931289 Alberta Ltd., 931285 Alberta Ltd.
    Inventor: Bradley Gerald Burns
  • Patent number: 7343967
    Abstract: A well fluid homogenization device for use in a pumping system configured to recover fluids from a well includes a central hub and a plurality of posts extending from the central hub. The well fluid homogenization device is configured to rotate with a drive shaft to homogenize well fluid as the well fluid passes through a pumping system. The well fluid homogenization device is well-suited to be incorporated within gas separators and pump assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: Wood Group ESP, Inc.
    Inventor: Raymond E. Floyd
  • Patent number: 7118349
    Abstract: A high pressure slurry pump is described which automatically provides a clean fluid buffer around the intake and exhaust valves of the pump and in front of the pump piston in order to displace erosive slurry material and thus extend the life of the pump and improve pump efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2006
    Inventor: Kenneth Doyle Oglesby
  • Patent number: 7008197
    Abstract: A debris evacuation apparatus and method evacuates debris in a pumping system that forms between the plunger exterior and barrel interior. The apparatus has at least one seal and one groove located south of the seal, with the seal blocking northward travel of debris and directing it to the groove. Ports within the groove permit debris to enter the debris evacuation apparatus. Interior to the debris evacuation apparatus, the entering debris will become mixed with pumped fluid, and will be drawn out of the pumping system with the pumped fluid. The pumped fluid passing through the debris evacuation apparatus will be caused to rotate by a screw-in insert located at a south portion of the debris evacuation apparatus, utilizing a plurality of angled veins surrounding a closed center section located at a north end of the screw-in insert.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2006
    Inventor: Michael Brent Ford
  • Patent number: 6830441
    Abstract: A downhole pump having a barrel with a reciprocating plunger therein has at least one valve. The valve has a cage, a seat and a ball. The cage has a passageway extending between two ends, with the passage including a ball chamber. The ball chamber is between a perforated member and a stop. The ball is located in the ball chamber between the perforated member and the seat, which abuts the stop. The ball is movable along a raceway. The raceway has ribs with channels therebetween. The raceway skews away from a longitudinal axis of the ball chamber from the seat toward to the perforated member. The raceway can be made of a material that is either harder or softer or the same as the hardness of the inner wall of the ball chamber. In another embodiment, the valve has a throat with a stop for receiving a seat. The ball chamber has portions that are hardened. The clearance between the ball and the hardened portions of the ball chamber is at least twice as large as the clearance between the ball and the throat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2004
    Assignee: Harbison-Fischer Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Benny J. Williams
  • Patent number: 6746222
    Abstract: A bottom discharge valve is located on the bottom of the pump barrel just above the standing valve. The externally threaded pin end of the standing valve threads into the lower internally threaded portion of the bottom discharge valve. The externally threaded or pin end of the bottom discharge valve is large enough to allow the plunger cage or the traveling valves to actually stroke into the hollow portion of the neck or pin end of the disclosed bottom discharge valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2004
    Inventor: Milton Skillman
  • Patent number: 6715582
    Abstract: The invention relates to a suction muffler for a hermetically enclosed compressor, with a housing having a first part with an outlet channel and a second part with an inlet channel, flow conducting means being arranged between the outlet channel and the inlet channel, said means forming, together with the inlet channel and the outlet channel, a flow path, and a filter being arranged in the outlet channel. Further improvements of the noise damping are endeavored. For this purpose, the filter has a sieve-like embodiment and that the flow path comprises at least one second filter with a sieve-like embodiment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2004
    Assignee: Danfoss Compressors GmbH
    Inventors: Jens Erik Nissen, Christian Svendsen
  • Publication number: 20040004065
    Abstract: An oil separator usable with a welder and air compressor combination unit. The oil separator includes a cylindrical housing having an inlet that receives the stream of compressed air containing oil from the air compressor. Within the oil separator, there is a deflector baffle that redirects the flow of the oil to a swirling, downwardly directed path along the inner surface of the cylindrical housing where the air is separated out therefrom and passes upwardly to exit through a fluid outlet formed in the cover of the separator. The swirling oil flows downwardly through an annular slot formed between a circular plate and the inner surface of the cylindrical housing into a lower chamber where the oil is channeled by radially directed baffles into radial channels to redirect that oil toward an oil outlet at the center of the circular bottom where that oil exits to be re-circulated in the combination unit or for disposal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2002
    Publication date: January 8, 2004
    Inventors: Herbert A. Bankstahl, Joseph Gitter
  • Patent number: 6575338
    Abstract: A fluid dispenser dispenses a fluid alternately from one of a pair of ports (29,31) that are provided on opposite ends of a syringe (26) by moving a piston (42) back and forth inside the syringe. A pair of stirrers (47,48) are provided in the syringe on opposite axial sides of the piston. The stirrers may each individually rotate on an axis that extends in parallel with the moving direction of the piston. A pair of stirrer driving rings (49,50) are mounted on an outer periphery of the syringe in correspondence with the stirrers. Magnets (55,56,59,60) are embedded in the stirrers and the stirrer driving rings such that the stirrer is rotated by magnetic fields that are generated from the stirrer driving ring, as the stirrer driving ring is rotated by a motor (51,52).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2003
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masaya Morita, Ryo Mori, Fumio Yuito
  • Patent number: 6481987
    Abstract: An improved travelling valve has a ball which is positioned on a seal stem, so that the ball is reliably centered when seated on the valve seat, reducing damage to the ball and seat from improper seating and providing increased efficiency for deviated or non-vertical pumping operations and the pumping of highly viscous fluids such as heavy crude. The improved travelling valve is constructed so that a lower portion of the valve rotates during pumping, and thereby imparts rotational movement to the fluid passed therethrough. Such rotational movement of the valve and fluid helps reduce gas lock, and reduces damage to the ball, seat, and valve exterior from impurities in the pumped fluid. Preferably, rotational movement is caused by angled channels in an interior portion of a vein rotator positioned at the bottom of the travelling valve, working in combination with angled channels in the seal stem.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2002
    Inventor: Michael Brent Ford
  • Patent number: 6290475
    Abstract: A device that can be attached to the plunger of a sucker rod pump to extend the operational life of the pump when it is used for producing oil having a high sand content wipes sand from the wall of the barrel in which the plunger reciprocates and re-routes the sand into the stream of oil that flows through the plunger on its downstroke. At the same time, the device applies a torque to the plunger causing it to rotate on the downstroke, thereby distributing wear more uniformly around the cylindrical outer surface of the plunger and the inside surface of the barrel. The device permits commercially available plungers to be used without modification for producing sand-laden oil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Inventor: Jerry M. Snow
  • Patent number: 6082973
    Abstract: A rotor for a liquid ring machine having a plurality of vanes connected to the rotor hub and a support disk, with the rotor hub face and the support disk back side having sealing surfaces. Recesses with formed edges, capable of scraping off material deposits, are located on the rotor hub face and the support disk back side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2000
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Rudi Dittmar, Norbert Schmid
  • Patent number: 6062259
    Abstract: An installation for connection to a water piping system comprising a water main and at least one branch pipe, for preventing a stagnation of water inside that branch pipe. A pumping unit is connected to first and second openings in the far end of the branch pipe for pumping water samples out of the branch pipe through the first opening, and back into the branch pipe through the second opening. The installation also comprises a conduit extending inside the branch pipe from the second opening to a proximity of the water main. The pumping unit is continually or intermittently operated for sampling a portion of the still or slow moving water at the far end of a branch pipe, and for pumping these water samples near the water main where the water flow inside the pipe is more active. Such circulation of water in a branch pipe prevents the stagnation of water at the far end of the branch pipe. In another aspect, there is provided a method for preventing stagnation of water in a water supply system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2000
    Inventor: Blair J. Poirier
  • Patent number: 6010319
    Abstract: A canned motor pump has a rotor 130 rotatably provided in the first tube cup 270. The rotor 130 further includes the second tube cup 190 and the cap 170, and the raindropshaped protrusion is provided on each bottom surface of the second tube cup and exterior surface of the cap. The motor end cover 110 having a louvered lip, further, is provided between the pump 30 and the motor 100.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2000
    Assignee: Daewoo Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Seong-Dae Moon
  • Patent number: 5624241
    Abstract: An improved towed apparatus for pumping and/or agitating manure slurries is disclosed. The apparatus, which is configured for energization by a tractor's hydraulics and power take-off system, includes an elongate conduit beam member flexible along a center section and extending from the towing vehicle to a distally mounted pump and/or agitator. The conduit can be controllably raised to extend over obstacles, and bent along its flexible section to accurately position the pump or agitator in the slurry to be pumped. Hydraulic steering means are provided for accurately maneuvering the apparatus by a tractor, and cooling means which uses the material being pumped as a heat sink are provided for cooling the hydraulic fluid that energizes the pump or agitator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 29, 1997
    Assignee: NTH, Inc.
    Inventor: Clinton A. Nesseth
  • Patent number: 5509791
    Abstract: A pump for use in a bath of reactive molten metal such as zinc has a graphite rotor, driven at constant speed, and capable of pumping molten metal at selective rates from the bath. The pump includes an internal delivery flow path and protected drive shaft, so that the liquid metal of the bath is not turbulated by the rotating shaft, and the temperature of the metal within the pump, during semi-quiescent periods is maintained substantially constant. The pump has a robust structure and yet can handle rates as low as 10 to 15 pounds per minute, in contrast to usual types of pumps that require pumping about 80 pounds per minute, and being speed controlled, are less accurate in their delivery rates. An adjustable control for regulating flow rate during operation also is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 23, 1996
    Inventor: Ogden L. Turner
  • Patent number: 5505591
    Abstract: An apparatus for processing materials, such as mixing or homogenizing fluids or dispersing a fluid in a viscous material, comprises a housing having bores and at least one inlet port and an outlet port disposed in the housing and in fluid communication with the bores. A pressure mechanism is disposed outside the housing and is in communication with the inlet port for introducing the materials under pressure to the bore and for forcing the materials through the bores to the outlet port. A rotor is disposed in each bore. The rotors do not contact each other. Each rotor has teeth, and the teeth of one rotor mesh with the teeth of an adjacent rotor so that the materials are squeezed in the space between two adjacent teeth of one rotor and the meshing tooth of the other rotor to impart stretching flow to the materials and to expel the materials from the interstices between the teeth of the one rotor and the other rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 9, 1996
    Inventor: Daniel G. Tynan
  • Patent number: 5433587
    Abstract: A paint circulation system for supplying paint to a plurality of distributors utilizing a circulating pump to circulate paint to the distributors and an injection pump operated by a closely controlled electric motor for injecting paint into the circulation network from a paint supply reservoir to maintain a predetermined pressure within the circulation network. A "leakage" passage having a predetermined restriction permits paint to leave the circulation network when the valved paint distributors are closed, and the use of an automatic timing valve within the leakage bypass permits flow rates within the circulation network to be varied. The components permit paint viscosity and volumes to be determined, settling of the paint particles within the circulation network and degradation of the circulating paint is minimized, and circulating motor wear may be determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 18, 1995
    Assignee: Graco Inc.
    Inventors: Peter J. Bankert, Lawrence A. Gawne
  • Patent number: 5421490
    Abstract: Disclosed is a pump device for pastry or paste-like media. The medium is located in a container and within the container a cover is lowered under the influence of a pressure device. The cover has on its underside, inclined surfaces which are inclined in the direction of a suction opening. The pump device allows a dependable conveyance of the medium, even in an unfavorable relationship of the suction pressure and the viscosity of the medium, by using a conveyor device within the container which helps move the medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 6, 1995
    Assignee: Bollhoff Verfahrenstechnik GmbH & Co.
    Inventor: Joachim Lichte
  • Patent number: 5340289
    Abstract: An apparatus for transferring electrically conductive coating materials such as water-based paint from a source to an electrostatically charged dispenser includes first and second shuttle devices and two large reservoir, piston pumps each having structure for preventing contamination of the coating material and pressure build-up at their piston heads. The first shuttle device is movable between a neutral position wherein it is electrically isolated from a filling station connected to the coating material source, and a transfer position wherein coating material is transmitted to one of the piston pumps through a coupling device which connects the filling station and first shuttle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 23, 1994
    Assignee: Nordson Corporation
    Inventors: Ronald D. Konieczynski, Kenneth J. Coeling, Ronald J. Hartle
  • Patent number: 5273407
    Abstract: A homogenizer comprises a homogenizing valve mounted to a pump block. The pump has multiple plungers housed in a set of pump chambers formed through a surface of the pump block. Sets of suction valves and discharge valves are positioned in valve bores formed through the block intersecting the pump chambers. During homogenization, each plunger reciprocates in a pump chamber to draw fluid through a suction valve and the pump chamber and discharge that fluid through a discharge valve and subsequently to the homogenizing valve. The homogenizer has a plurality of seals located along its fluid flow path and positioned to have a surface exposed directly to the fluid. As such, the homogenizer is characterized by the absence of recessed seals along the fluid flow path and provides an internal geometry in which microorganism growth and fluid residue buildup are minimized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1993
    Assignee: APV Gaulin GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Jarchau, Ralf Priebe, Klaus Lindemann