Slurry Pumps (e.g., Concrete) Patents (Class 417/900)
  • Patent number: 8939637
    Abstract: An apparatus for mixing and pumping manure slurry from a manure pit comprises a pump unit having first and second mixing rotors and a pumping rotor. In operation, the first mixing rotor draws solids downwardly towards the pump unit while the second mixing rotor redirect a portion of the solids drawn by the first mixing rotor away from the pump unit, thereby allowing to control the ration of solid contents in the slurry pumped by the pumping rotor. A non-diverted flow distribution arrangement is also provided for selectively connecting the pump outlet in straight-through flow connection with either a drainage pipe or a re-circulation pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Inventor: Marcel Depault
  • Patent number: 8851862
    Abstract: Provided is a system for transporting an oil sand slurry, comprising a pump, upstream and downstream lines, a shaft connectable to the pump, a driving mechanism driving the pump and a regulator for regulating the torque applied to the shaft between positive and negative torque modes, to pump the slurry at higher or lower flow rates. Also provided is a method comprising pumping the slurry through a pipeline using a pump driven by a motorised shaft and adjusting the flow rate of the slurry by varying the torque applied to the motorised shaft between positive and negative torque modes. The oil sand slurry transportation system and method enable positive head (regular pump action) for normal and high flow rates and negative head (pump brake action) for low flow rates, which reduces system energy loss, pipeline wear, vapor breakout and sanding off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Suncor Energy Inc.
    Inventor: Mark L. Odegard
  • Patent number: 8846831
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for feeding metallocene catalyst slurry to an olefin polymerization loop reactor (1) using a positive displacement device (5) positive displacement device comprising a first chamber and a second chamber, each chamber having an inlet and an outlet and each chamber comprising an ball arranged between the walls of said chamber, wherein said chambers are connected to each other by a pump chamber operably connected to a pump, wherein, the difference between the diameter of said ball and the diameter of said chamber is comprised between 5 to 200 times the average particle size (d50) of said catalyst.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Total Research & Technology Feluy
    Inventors: Daan Dewachter, Alain Brusselle
  • Patent number: 8827657
    Abstract: A concrete pump system/method configured to provide substantially constant flow of concrete or cement material is disclosed. The system integrates a trapezoidal cutting ring and spectacle plate in conjunction with lofted transitional interfaces to the hydraulic pump cylinder rams and output ejection port to ensure that pressurized discharge concrete material is not allowed to be relaxed nor backflow into the material sourcing hopper. The trapezoidal cutting ring is configured to completely seal off the trapezoidal spectacle ports as it smoothly transitions between the hydraulic pump input ports during cycle changes thus generating a more uniform output flow of concrete while eliminating hopper backflow and hydraulic fluid shock. A control system is configured to coordinate operation of the hydraulic pump cylinder rams and cutting ring to ensure that output ejection port pressure and material flow is maintained at a relatively constant level throughout all portions of the pumping cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Inventor: Francis Wayne Priddy
  • Patent number: 8794938
    Abstract: The invention relates to a cylinder piston arrangement for an especially volumetric fluid pump or a fluid motor, preferably comprising at least one axial expansion tubular membrane piston defining at least one inner pulsating working chamber. A particular field of application for such pumps or motors is the operation thereof with fluids loaded with extraneous materials, especially abrasive granulated materials. Especially high-speed machines with high working pressures of between a few hundred to a thousand bar are required, the energetic and also volumetric degree of efficiency thus becoming highly important factors. The aim of the invention is therefore to create pumps or fluid motors which are characterized by high degrees of efficiency and long service lives. To this end, at least one clearance driving body (TK1) is actively connected to the pulsating working chamber (AR).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Inventor: Bernhard Frey
  • Patent number: 8678775
    Abstract: Embodiments of the systems and methods disclosed herein utilize a brushless DC motor (BLDCM) to drive a single-stage or a multi-stage pump in a pumping system for real time, smooth motion, and extremely precise and repeatable position control over fluid movements and dispense amounts, useful in semiconductor manufacturing. The BLDCM may employ a position sensor for real time position feedback to a processor executing a custom field-oriented control scheme. Embodiments of the invention can reduce heat generation without undesirably compromising the precise position control of the dispense pump by increasing and decreasing, via a custom control scheme, the operating frequency of the BLDCM according to the criticality of the underlying function(s). The control scheme can run the BLDCM at very low speeds while maintaining a constant velocity, which enables the pumping system to operate in a wide range of speeds with minimal variation, substantially increasing dispense performance and operation capabilities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Entegris, Inc.
    Inventors: George Gonnella, James Cedrone, Iraj Gashgaee
  • Patent number: 8585909
    Abstract: This invention relates generally to a method and apparatus to allow high pressure pumping a fluid mixture of solid and/or abrasive particles with a liquid, and separating the fluid mixture into a solid and/or abrasive particle component and a cleaned liquid component. An embodiment includes surrounding the pump plunger/piston, and timely cycling the cleaned liquid to flush the pump check valves to displace erosive solid and/or abrasive material. Consequently, this invention allows for proper check valve sealing, extends the life of check valves, extends the life of the pump, and improves efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Inventors: Wesley Mark McAfee, Mark Franklin Alley
  • Patent number: 8439657
    Abstract: A Concrete Pump is a mechanical device comprising of a round funnel shape hoper, pump outlet, rotating pressure and wear plates. Attached to the rotating pressure and wear plates are rotating pump cylinders and opposite the pump cylinders are a rotating wear plate. Pressed against the rotating wear plates is the stationary wear. A hoper outlet and a pump outlet flange are attached to the stationary wear plate. The pump functions as follows: concrete from the hoper passes through the stationary and rotating wear plates into one pump cylinder, at the same time, concrete from another cylinder (previously field with concrete) is pushed through the rotating wear plate and through the stationary wear plate into the pump's outlet. When the pistons reach the end of the cylinders the rotating wear plates and concrete cylinders rotate by 180 degrees and the process is repeated again. The pump is designed so that an entire volume of concrete or similar pumping substance is pumped out of the hoper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Inventor: Jambrecina Drago
  • Patent number: 8414257
    Abstract: An improved self-priming, centrifugal pump arrangement for mixed-media flow includes a volute housing having a suction and a discharge, a volute scroll disposed within the volute housing, an impeller disposed within the volute scroll, a suction hopper and a discharge hopper within volute housing, a back cover and a wear plate attached to the volute housing. By optimizing the geometry of these internal components, noise is reduced, efficiency of the pump is improved, and the self-priming feature is maintained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: The Gorman-Rupp Co.
    Inventors: Thomas Scott, Michael Keith, Donald Racer
  • Patent number: 8403649
    Abstract: A digital control system for monitoring and controlling a concrete pumping system. A microcontroller provides control signals and receives feedback from associated comparator switch subsystems. Feedback from the comparator switch subsystems is used by a microcontroller to determine whether short circuit or open circuit malfunctions are occurring on solenoids valves attached to the output of the comparator switch subsystems. Said control system exhibits an electronic control means to control the admittance or interruption of current through said solenoids. Individual solenoid status is sent to a graphical display where an operator views said display to diagnose failure modes. The microcontroller further monitors the establishment of temporal initial conditions and limits operational pump activity until said temporal conditions are met.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: Multiquip, Inc.
    Inventors: Joe Sanger, Forrest Hudson, Warren Faler
  • Patent number: 8381771
    Abstract: The invention relates to a material feed receptacle for a thick matter pump comprising a receptacle lower part and a receptacle top that is detachably connected to the receptacle lower part, a two-part front wall, a rear wall, two two-part lateral walls, an upwardly pointing material feed opening delimited by a peripheral edge, and a pipe junction, which is situated inside the receptacle, can, on the entry side, swivel in an alternating manner in front of the delivery cylinder openings and which, on the output side, leads to a pressure pipe. The invention provides that the receptacle top has an upper lateral wall part and upper lateral wall parts, which have free ends and which extend away from the front wall part. The invention also provides that the peripheral edge has a first edge part, which forms an upper edge of the receptacle top, and ha a second edge part on the receptacle lower part, which is situated on the rear wall and is joined to the first edge part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Putzmeister Engineering GmbH
    Inventors: Gernot Goeggelmann, Helmut Hurr, Markus Fritz
  • Patent number: 8210827
    Abstract: A progressing cavity pump system including a feeder assembly including a hopper for receiving material to be pumped therein. The feeder assembly includes an auger housing receiving an auger therein. The auger housing has an underlying portion positioned generally below the hopper and having a radial opening open to the hopper, and an extension portion which is generally radially closed. The extension portion and the underlying portion are of a one-piece, seamless construction. The pump system further includes a progressing cavity pump including a rotor, a stator, an inlet and an outlet. The rotor is rotationally disposed inside the stator such that rotation of the rotor causes material in the pump to be pumped from the inlet toward the outlet, and the inlet is fluidly coupled to the extension portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Moyno, Inc.
    Inventors: Dale H. Parrett, Adam C. Downey, Jeffrey Ellinger
  • Patent number: 8192155
    Abstract: A multistage, centrifugal partial emissions pump with a first stage impeller, a final stage impeller, a first stage casing liner, one or more first stage discharge nozzles, a final stage casing liner, one or more final stage discharge nozzles, an interstage delivery channel liner, one or more delivery channels, and an outer pressure shell wherein the first stage casing liner and the final stage casing liner are connected by one or more fluid channels integral within a delivery channel liner, that follow an arced path directed predominantly radially inward within the interstage delivery channel liner, and the sum of the cross sectional areas of all delivery channels taken on a radial plane intersecting the delivery channels is less than the sum of cross sectional areas of the non-channel areas within the boundaries of the channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: Flowserve Management Company
    Inventor: Dale B Andrews
  • Patent number: 8123504
    Abstract: In a multi cylinder thick materials pump for feeding concrete in particular, whose at least two feeding cylinders feed the thick material from a pre filling container into a feed line, and a shift valve for alternatively connecting the feeding cylinders, having a feed line associated with it, comprising at least two rotationally movable valve bodies, each comprising a straight transfer section between each one of the feeding cylinders and the feed line, connected downstream of the feeding cylinders to a collector tube, the shift valve including at least one, but preferably two rotationally movable rotating slides each of them comprising a straight transfer section for connecting the feeding cylinder respectively associated with it to the feed line, and at least one section blocking the connection. Also a process for operating of this thick materials pump for continuous feeding is described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: Schwing GmbH
    Inventor: Manfred Lenhart
  • Patent number: 8083498
    Abstract: Embodiments of the systems and methods disclosed herein utilize a brushless DC motor (BLDCM) to drive a single-stage or a multi-stage pump in a pumping system for real time, smooth motion, and extremely precise and repeatable position control over fluid movements and dispense amounts, useful in semiconductor manufacturing. The BLDCM may employ a position sensor for real time position feedback to a processor executing a custom field-oriented control scheme. Embodiments of the invention can reduce heat generation without undesirably compromising the precise position control of the dispense pump by increasing and decreasing, via a custom control scheme, the operating frequency of the BLDCM according to the criticality of the underlying function(s). The control scheme can run the BLDCM at very low speeds while maintaining a constant velocity, which enables the pumping system to operate in a wide range of speeds with minimal variation, substantially increasing dispense performance and operation capabilities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: Entegris, Inc.
    Inventors: George Gonnella, James Cedrone, Iraj Gashgaee
  • Patent number: 7992704
    Abstract: An improved material transport vehicle having an integrated assembly for cleaning out conveyors, elevators, hoppers and the like, and method for clean-out utilizing the same. The cleanout assembly comprises one or more detachable panels strategically located about the material transport vehicle, and means for releasing the same, so as to permit convenient and safe access to the components for removing unused, old or dried material. The detachable panel or panels are integral with a surface of the housings, typically the lower surface thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Weiler, Inc.
    Inventor: Patrick J. Weiler
  • Patent number: 7946750
    Abstract: A composition for and a method of promoting the flow of a concrete slurry through a conduit is provided. The composition is preferably a liquid polymer mixture including water and polyacrylamide polymers. The composition, when mixed with a suitable quantity of water, is useful, in a method of priming a pump, and in pumping concrete slurry, and improves the flow of the slurry through a conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: Innovative Concrete Solutions, Inc.
    Inventor: William G. Barrett, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7900651
    Abstract: The invention relates to a material feed receptacle for a thick matter pump comprising a receptacle lower part and a receptacle top that is detachably connected to the receptacle lower part, a two-part front wall, a rear wall, two two-part lateral walls, an upwardly pointing material feed opening delimited by a peripheral edge, and a pipe junction, which is situated inside the receptacle, can, on the entry side, swivel in an alternating manner in front of the delivery cylinder openings and which, on the output side, leads to a pressure pipe. The invention provides that the receptacle top has an upper lateral wall part and upper lateral wall parts, which have free ends and which extend away from the front wall part. The invention also provides that the peripheral edge has a first edge part, which forms an upper edge of the receptacle top, and ha a second edge part on the receptacle lower part, which is situated on the rear wall and is joined to the first edge part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Assignee: Putzmeister Engineering GmbH
    Inventors: Gernot Göggelmann, Helmut Hurr, Markus Fritz
  • 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: 7771174
    Abstract: In a two-cylinder slurry pump for the continuous feeding of, in particular, concrete, in which pump two feed cylinders remove the high-viscosity material from a pre-charging tank and deliver it to a feed line, a diverter valve is provided with a cross-section that narrows from an inlet opening assigned to the cylinders to a discharge opening assigned to the feed line, which diverter valve connects, in any position, at least one feed cylinder, over its entire cross-section, to the feed line, a support arrangement (20) and a plate cam (15) securely connected thereto being assigned in accordance with the invention to the diverter valve (11) on its side facing towards the cylinders (3, 5). The plate cam (15) comprises not only the inlet opening (21) of the diverter valve (11) but also an intake opening (23), which is arranged at sufficient distance from the inlet opening (21) to cover an opening of one of the feed cylinders (3, 5) completely.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: Schwing GmbH
    Inventor: Manfred Lenhart
  • Patent number: 7740447
    Abstract: A centrifugal pump for abrasive fluid. The pump may include a bearing housing mounted to a tank containing an abrasive fluid. The bearing housing may house wear-susceptible components in a manner distancing and isolating the components from the fluid. A shaft may be coupled to the bearing housing and disposed through the tank to an impeller for dispensing the abrasive fluid beyond the centrifugal pump. Additionally the impeller itself may be housed within an impeller housing that is mechanically coupled to the bearing housing in order to enhance dimensional stability therebetween. Such a centrifugal pump may be coupled to other pumps such as higher pressure positive displacement pumps. In these circumstances the centrifugal pump may be used to facilitate the mixing of the abrasive fluid and provide a degree of pressurization thereto in advance of the fluid's use at an operation site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2010
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Jean-Louis Pessin, Josh Rayner, Laurent Coquilleau, Michael Woodmansee
  • Patent number: 7654800
    Abstract: A mobile concrete pump including a building frame (22) arranged on the structure (12) of a truck chassis (10). The building frame (22) includes two longitudinal side members (50) mutually spaced apart by a free space (52) and resting on the chassis structure (12). The mobile concrete pump further comprises a driving assembly (42) for actuating the functional units, which are arranged with the core pump (24) in the free space zone (52) located between the two longitudinal side members (50). At least the core pump can be easily mounted and dismounted from the building frame (22). For this, the building frame (22) is provided with a floating bearing (54) which links the side members across the free space, as well as a fixed bearing (56) arranged at the rear end of the building frame and serving to support releasably the core pump (24) which is pre-assembled in modular manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2010
    Assignee: Putzmeister Concrete Pumps GmbH
    Inventors: Joachim Leibbrand, Dieter Schneider, Hellmut Hurr
  • Patent number: 7611331
    Abstract: A device and a method for controlling a two-cylinder thick matter pump comprising pistons that are actuated in a push-pull manner by means of a hydraulic reversible pump (6) and hydraulic drive cylinders controlled by said pump. To ensure a reliable operation of the pump the expected length of the stroke of the pistons (8, 8?) in the drive cylinders (5, 5?) is measured and recorded, the stroke time of each conveyance stroke is monitored and compared with the expected stroke duration, and the reversible pump (6) is respectively pivoted, reversing the flow, and/or the pipe switch (56) is reversed when the stroke time exceeds the expected stroke duration by a pre-determined value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2009
    Assignee: Putzmeister Concrete Pumps GmbH
    Inventors: Stefan Hoefling, Wilhelm Hofmann, Wolf-Michael Petzold
  • Patent number: 7611332
    Abstract: A device and a method for controlling a two-cylinder thick matter pump to achieve a reliable operation even of single-circuit two-cylinder thick matter pumps. To this end, the pipe switch includes a position transmitter responding to the pivoting position. At least two cylinder switching sensors are arranged on the working cylinders at a distance from each other, responding to the passing pistons of the drive cylinder, and/or a pressure sensor responding to the pressure course at the high-pressure outlet of the reversible pump is provided. A computer-assisted reversing device has a control routine responding to output signals of the position transmitter and to output signals of the cylinder switching sensors and/or the pressure sensors, enabling the programmed control of a control body for adjusting the flow quantity and direction of the reversible pump, and a reversing element arranged in the hydraulic branch of the pipe switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2009
    Assignee: Putzmeister Concrete Pumps GmbH
    Inventors: Wilhelm Hofmann, Werner Münzenmaier
  • Patent number: 7581935
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device and a method for controlling a two-cylinder thick matter pump comprising delivery pistons that are actuated in a push-pull manner by means of a hydraulic reversible pump (6) and hydraulic drive cylinders controlled by said pump. For each pressure stroke, the delivery cylinders (50, 50?) are connected to a delivery conduit (58) by means of a pipe junction (56). At the end of a pressure stroke, a reversal process of the reversible pump (6) and the pipe junction (56) is triggered. The aim of the invention is to obtain a targeted reversal of the reversal pump and the pipe junction, even when the deliverable quantity is varied, whereby the delivery cylinders are completely emptied, but also without pistons banging the ends of the cylinders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2009
    Assignee: Putzmeister Concrete Pumps GmbH
    Inventors: Wilhelm Hofmann, Stefan Höfling
  • Patent number: 7559753
    Abstract: A double disc pump includes a stationary main pump housing block that can remain fixed to its supporting frame while all other parts of the pump are removed for servicing. This permits disassembly of the pump without disconnecting the inlet or outlet plumbing and is provided by a pump housing which is vertically divided along parallel horizontal planes into housing segments. An intermediate housing segment is hingedly mounted to the main block segment. A bottom housing segment is hingedly mounted to the intermediate housing segment. These three segments capture all of the internal parts of the pump including the suction and discharge discs and the trunnion seals. The hinged design of the segments allows them to conveniently swing away from other parts of the housing so that access to the internal structures can be accomplished without completely removing each segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2009
    Assignee: Penn Valley Pump Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Leslie J. Burrage
  • Patent number: 7513758
    Abstract: There are a number of applications today where the pumping of abrasive slurries is necessary. The pumping mechanisms, though, can be complex, employing multiple transfer cylinders and movable pipes. These designs have their problems, specifically wear between poorly sealing surfaces. To reduce this problem, seals are provided that have multiple wear surfaces which include harder tiles secured over a softer core to benefit from the relative hardness or flexibility of each of the respective materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2009
    Assignee: Good Earth Tools, Inc.
    Inventor: Alan Kirkland
  • Patent number: 7462020
    Abstract: A concrete pump with a pivoting valve and hopper assembly is provided with a novel wear plate and wear ring. The wear plate is mounted on the frame of the pump and remains mounted on the frame as the valve and hopper assembly pivots between open and closed positions. When the valve and hopper assembly is open, the wear plate is accessible for examination and replacement. The hopper is provided with an opening through which the wear plate extends when the valve and hopper assembly is closed. A seal on the hopper around the opening sealingly engages the frame. A wear ring on the valve engages the wear plate when the valve and hopper assembly is closed. A cam plate on each side of the frame is engageable with the valve and hopper assembly as the assembly pivots to a closed position to ensure alignment between the valve and hopper assembly and the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2008
    Assignee: Reinert Manufacturing Inc.
    Inventor: Gerald H. Reinert
  • Patent number: 7407022
    Abstract: A dual cylinder positive displacement pump is used to move drill cuttings. The pump may include one or more of a self-sealing wear ring member/wear plate member interface, stainless steel pumping cylinders, and a hopper with an inclined surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2008
    Assignee: Clarke UK, Ltd.
    Inventors: David Mundell, David Stephen Garrick
  • Patent number: 7326028
    Abstract: A centrifugal pump has a pump base with inlet inducer openings that receive molten metal into an impeller chamber. An impeller structure in the impeller chamber passes the metal in a radial direction through an outlet inducer opening into a volute passage for discharge into the pool of metal in which the pump is located.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2008
    Inventor: Jorge A. Morando
  • Patent number: 7322802
    Abstract: A thick matter pump comprising a drive motor (50), a (reversible) hydraulic pump (6), and two hydraulic cylinders (5, 5?) coupled to conveyor cylinders (7, 7?) for conveying the thick matter. A regulator regulates the rotational speed N of the drive motor (50), and a regulating clement (18, 20) regulates the displacement volume V of the hydraulic pump (6). A control module (54) regulates the rotational speed N of the motor and the displacement volume V. For improved operational ease and reduction of fuel requirements, noise and waste gas emission, the control module (54) comprises a final control element (56) for regulating the conveyance capacity of the conveyor cylinders (7, 7?), and an electronic control unit (108) which reacts to the position of the final control element (56) and allocates a nominal value to the rotational speed regulator and to the displacement volume regulator (20), in a software-assisted manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: Putzmeister Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Hartmut Benckert, Paul Von Baeumen, Wolf-Michael Petzold
  • Patent number: 7226274
    Abstract: A concrete slab leveling apparatus is provided that is built upon a vehicle such as a flatbed truck or trailer which makes it highly transportable enabling the invention to move from site to site quickly and easily. The flatbed platform of the vehicle is equipped with a material bin which is a relatively large opened topped box which holds the material that is to be pumped under a settled concrete slab. The material bin is also fitted with an auger that extends the length of the lower surface and is a screw-like device which is rotationally driven to move the material contained within the bin towards the front of the auger channel during operations so that it can be moved efficiently into the pump assembly. The present invention is also equipped with a hydraulic pump assembly which drives the fill material from the material bin and through a hose to the proper location under a concrete slab.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2007
    Inventor: Charles Lee Asplin
  • Patent number: 7131820
    Abstract: A method for controlling a thick matter pump comprising two delivery cylinders (10) emerging, via two openings (12), into a material reservoir (14), associated with two delivery pistons (26), symmetrically synchronized relative to said cylinders, and a branch pipe 18 arranged inside the material reservoir (14), capable of being connected, on the input side, alternatively to one of the openings of the delivery cylinders with exposing of the other opening, the output side connected to a conveyance conduit (20). When the pumping is interrupted, thick matter, liquid concrete for example, is sucked up, via the delivery cylinder temporarily communicating with the reservoir, and is delivered, via the other cylinder (10), connected to the branch pipe (18), so as to form a column of thick matter through the delivery pipe (20), towards its output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2006
    Assignee: Putzmeister Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Hartmut Benckert
  • 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: 7097569
    Abstract: A restorable sand or pellet pile is provided for use as an amusement or exercise device. A sand or pellet collection chamber has inclined side walls that converge toward each other in a downward direction and having a bottom surface connected to the side walls. A support deck is positioned above the side walls of the collection chamber and is adapted to support sand or pellets on its upper surface. A safety grating is formed around the perimeter of the support deck to allow sand or pellets to flow downwardly therethrough into the collection chamber as children or adults play or exercise on the pile. A diaphragm pump is positioned in the collection chamber and pumps sand upwardly through a vertically extending conduit to restore the pile. The pump may be operated intermittently or continuously. Other pumping mechanisms may be used. The preferred embodiment utilizes resilient inclined side walls in the collection chamber and a vibrator connected to the side walls to cause the side walls to vibrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2006
    Inventor: William I. Brobeck
  • Patent number: 6986303
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for pumping concrete using a pumping apparatus including first and second drive cylinders, a valve, and a pump. Fluid is delivered into the cylinders from the pump to reciprocate pistons within the cylinders. Pressure within the cylinders is monitored, and a direction of flow of the fluid is switched based upon the pressure within the cylinders. For example, during rod-side operation, the valve is set to deliver fluid into a head side of the cylinders. When the pressure exceeds a predetermined threshold, the valve switches to head-side operation, and fluid is delivered into a rod side of the cylinders. If the pressure falls below the threshold, the valve switches the cylinders back to rod-side operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2006
    Assignee: Reed LLC
    Inventor: Duane R. Remus
  • Patent number: 6857861
    Abstract: A pivot pipe for a two-cylinder thick material sludge pump is designed to reduce the rate of wear of the sealing surfaces and flow bores of the pivot pipe and cooperating outlets on the two pump cylinders. As the pivot pipe oscillates from one pump cylinder to the other pump cylinder the contacting sealing surfaces are subjected to abrasion and impact wear. The present invention limits the rate of wear between the contacting sealing surfaces and a portion of the flow bore by fixing monolithic wearing rings on the upstream end of the pivot pipe and on the outlets of the two pump cylinders. The monolithic wearing rings are made of a hard materials such as cemented tungsten carbide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2005
    Assignee: Kennametal Inc.
    Inventors: Gary J. Condon, Mark T. Klingensmith, James Cavanaugh
  • Patent number: 6827820
    Abstract: The invention relates to a degassing centrifugal apparatus such as a pump and to a process for pumping and degassing a fluid. The apparatus has a rotatable hollow rotor connected to a stationary fluid inlet at one end and a stationary liquid outlet at the opposite end and a gas exhaust in the center thereof. The rotor has at its inlet end a bladed wheel with arcuate blades. The bladed wheel accelerates a fluid flow in said rotor inlet end and causes the fluid to rotate at a peripherical velocity higher than the peripherical velocity of said rotor inlet end. The apparatus is especially useful for pumping and degassing backwater in the production of paper or board in a paper machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2004
    Assignee: POM Technology Oy AB
    Inventor: Paul Meinander
  • Patent number: 6821097
    Abstract: A concrete pump includes a hopper having a plate with a pair of openings and an S-tube valve assembly which is movable between the two openings. The valve assembly includes an S-tube which is connected to a mounting plate which is pivotally mounted on the hopper. A wear ring is movably supported within an opening in the valve assembly and engages the hopper plate. A retainer ring is positioned within the opening of the valve assembly and engages a flange on the valve assembly. A resilient spring is positioned between the wear ring and the retainer ring and resiliently urges the wear ring against the hopper plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2004
    Assignee: Reinert Manufacturing Co.
    Inventor: Gerald H. Reinert
  • Publication number: 20040228739
    Abstract: A mobile concrete pumping vehicle including a reduced-weight boom arm. The pumping vehicle includes a boom arm that is extendible between a folded position and an extended position. The boom arm carries molded and fabricated composite boom pipe sections. Each pipe section is formed from a composite material having a reinforcing outer layer and a wear resistant inner layer. Preferably, the outer layer is formed using a filament winding process while the inner layer is molded of wear resistant urethane. Each boom section is formed by centrifugal molding a urethane tube then secondarily winding carbon fiber onto the exterior of the tube. The centrifugal force created by the rotating mold provides a bubble free urethane tube. The filament winding provides the hoop strength needed to withstand the internal pressures of the concrete pumping process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2004
    Publication date: November 18, 2004
    Inventors: Martin G. Mayer, John T. Willig
  • Patent number: 6793467
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a thick matter pump comprising at least two pump units alternating in the pump and suction mode, a delivery line, a suction line and a switching valve for switching between the pump units, one pump unit being connected in the pump mode by the switching valve to the delivery line, and one pump unit being connected to the suction line in the suction mode. The filling level of the pump unit in the suction mode is to be improved. To this end a pressure boosting device which acts independently of the pump units is provided in the area of the suction line for actively effecting a precompression of thick matter. The invention also relates to a suction/pumping method which is carried out by said thick matter pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2004
    Inventor: Gerhard Hudelmaier
  • Patent number: 6779983
    Abstract: A viscous material (sludge) pump, a method of accurately estimating output of such a pump and a method of efficiently managing such a pump. The pump can be the single or double cylinder variety. The pump is calibrated to determine a calibrated sludge-weight output of the pump in terms of a parameter defined as a “lost travel” position of the piston in the pump chamber. This position is defined in terms of the position of the piston in the chamber when the pressure in the chamber reaches a preselected reference pressure expressed in terms of a percentage of the maximum pressure reached in the chamber during a just previous discharge stroke of the piston. The lost travel parameter is used for comparison purposes to accurately estimate actual pump output based on the calibrated pump output at the calibrated value of the lost travel parameter. The pump is managed efficiently by management of the speed of the feed auger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2004
    Inventor: David A. Olson
  • Patent number: 6776558
    Abstract: A method and an arrangement for concretizing vertical shafts having a depth of e.g. 500 m or more. The concrete is conveyed to a low-lying application site (20) in the shaft by a concrete column that is situated in a downpipe (30). Delivery of concrete is guaranteed without separation (demixing) or clogging of concrete. The concrete is removed in portions of from the succeeding concrete column at the output end of the downpipe (30), is separated from the concrete column, is depressurized and it subsequently conveyed to the application site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Assignee: Putzmeister AG
    Inventor: Rolf Dose
  • Publication number: 20040146412
    Abstract: A method for controlling a thick matter pump comprising two delivery cylinders (10) emerging, via two openings (12), into a material reservoir (14), associated with two delivery pistons (26), symmetrically synchronized relative to said cylinders, and a branch pipe 18 arranged inside the material reservoir (14), capable of being connected, on the input side, alternatively to one of the openings of the delivery cylinders with exposing of the other opening, the output side connected to a conveyance conduit (20). When the pumping is interrupted, thick matter, liquid concrete for example, is sucked up, via the delivery cylinder temporarily communicating with the reservoir, and is delivered, via the other cylinder (10), connected to the branch pipe (18), so as to form a column of thick matter through the delivery pipe (20), towards its output.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2003
    Publication date: July 29, 2004
    Inventor: Hartmut Benckert
  • Patent number: 6733247
    Abstract: A device for pumping a viscous slurry material. In one aspect, the pumping device is dimensioned to be insertable into the space between the side jambs of a standard building doorway. The pumping device is self-propelled and a mixer is removably attachable to the device for movement therewith. The pumping device includes a containment hopper and a swing tube pump having a swing tube with a wiper blade that agitates the viscous slurry material in the containment hopper. The pumping device has a frame assembled from multiple laser cut components. The pumping device is provided with a precision-machined manifold having a plurality of internal passageways directing a flow of hydraulic fluid to various pump components. A removable panel covers an aperture in a side wall of the containment hopper and is removable to provide access to the interior of the hopper for cleaning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2004
    Assignee: Magnum Pumps, Inc.
    Inventors: Bernard B. Dwyer, Kenneth T. Eddy
  • Patent number: 6712238
    Abstract: A drywall tape and texture system for pumping fluid material from a container to a work surface includes a pump housing, a compressed air supply, a plurality of air release mechanisms, and an inflatable bladder mounted within the pump housing and held between upper and lower valves for controlling the flow of the material. The pump housing may be fully or partially immersed into a container filled with fluid material. An automatic pneumatic pressure relief valve automatically cycles open and closed whenever a control line is held closed by an operator. When the normally closed automatic air release mechanism is closed, the control line may also be closed by the operator, causing the bladder to inflate and pump fluid out of the pump housing. When the control line to the atmosphere is opened, the bladder deflates and a partial vacuum is created, thus refilling the pump through the lower valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Assignee: Spraytex, Inc.
    Inventor: Gregory B. Mills
  • Patent number: 6609898
    Abstract: A hydraulic system for a reciprocating piston pump that includes an accumulator for producing a steady-pressure supply of compressible material to a distribution nozzle. The hydraulic system includes an adjustable means for constricting the flow of hydraulic fluid from the accumulator to the hydraulic system. The means for constricting the flow of hydraulic fluid allows the operator to compensate for the type of material being pumped, the vertical distance the material is being pumped, as well as the overall distance the material is being pumped in order to reduce or eliminate line surge. The means for restricting the flow from the accumulator preferably includes a needle valve that allows the operator to select the flow characteristic from the accumulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2003
    Assignee: Putzmeister Inc.
    Inventor: James L. Bury
  • Publication number: 20030143089
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a thick matter pump comprising at least two pump units alternating in the pump and suction mode, a delivery line, a suction line and a switching valve for switching between the pump units, one pump unit being connected in the pump mode by the switching valve to the delivery line, and one pump unit being connected to the suction line in the suction mode. The filling level of the pump unit in the suction mode is to be improved. To this end a pressure boosting device which acts independently of the pump units is provided in the area of the suction line for actively effecting a precompression of thick matter. The invention also relates to a suction/pumping method which is carried out by said thick matter pump.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2002
    Publication date: July 31, 2003
    Inventor: Gerhard Hudelmaier
  • Publication number: 20030123996
    Abstract: A device for pumping a viscous slurry material. In one aspect, the pumping device is dimensioned to be insertable into the space between the side jambs of a standard building doorway. The pumping device is self-propelled and a mixer is removably attachable to the device for movement therewith. The pumping device includes a containment hopper and a swing tube pump having a swing tube with a wiper blade that agitates the viscous slurry material in the containment hopper. The pumping device has a frame assembled from multiple laser cut components. The pumping device is provided with a precision-machined manifold having a plurality of internal passageways directing a flow of hydraulic fluid to various pump components. A removable panel covers an aperture in a side wall of the containment hopper and is removable to provide access to the interior of the hopper for cleaning.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2002
    Publication date: July 3, 2003
    Inventors: Bernard B. Dwyer, Kenneth T. Eddy
  • Patent number: 6568925
    Abstract: An abrasive liquid pump having a pump housing and a piston component configured for slidable movement within the pump housing. The pump housing has a bottom housing portion with a bottom end and a bottom mid-pump end and a top housing portion with a top end and a top mid-pump end. The top portion is removably attached to the bottom portion. The piston component has a top piston assembly on one end having at least one sealing component for sealable engagement against an inner surface of the top housing portion and a bottom piston assembly on the other end having at least on sealing component for sealable engagement against an inner surface of the bottom housing portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2003
    Inventor: Eric Gunderson