Patents Assigned to Graco Minnesota Inc.
  • Paint sprayer distributed control and output volume monitoring architectures
    Patent number: 11385663
    Abstract: A sprayer for spraying fluid includes a pump, a motor that drives the pump, a drive cycle indicator, a wireless module configured to send and receive information, and control circuitry. The drive cycle indicator outputs an indication of cycle status of the pump. The control circuitry is configured to receive the plurality of cycle status indications of the pump, determine a plurality of output values representing paint spray fluid output volume over a plurality of time windows based on the plurality of cycle status indications of the pump, store the plurality of output values in memory, and cause the wireless module to transmit one or more of the stored plurality of output values externally from the sprayer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: GRACO MINNESOTA INC.
    Inventors: Christopher M. Lange, Nicholas A. Pagano, Benjamin R. Godding, Mark T. Weinberger, Michael J. Mansheim, Nicholas H. Reath, Andrew J. Kopel, Daniel R. Johnson, Kevin C. Robb, Robert J. Gundersen
  • Paint sprayer distributed control and output volume monitoring architectures
    Patent number: 11385662
    Abstract: A sprayer for spraying fluid includes a pump, a motor that drives the pump, a drive cycle indicator, a wireless module configured to send and receive information, and control circuitry. The drive cycle indicator outputs an indication of cycle status of the pump. The control circuitry is configured to receive the plurality of cycle status indications of the pump, determine a plurality of output values representing paint spray fluid output volume over a plurality of time windows based on the plurality of cycle status indications of the pump, store the plurality of output values in memory, and cause the wireless module to transmit one or more of the stored plurality of output values externally from the sprayer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: GRACO MINNESOTA INC.
    Inventors: Christopher M. Lange, Nicholas A. Pagano, Benjamin R. Godding, Mark T. Weinberger, Michael J. Mansheim, Nicholas H. Reath, Andrew J. Kopel, Daniel R. Johnson, Kevin C. Robb, Robert J. Gundersen
  • Remote monitoring for fluid applicator system
    Patent number: 11372432
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a remote monitoring system for a fluid applicator system is disclosed. The fluid applicator system is disposed to heat and pump spray fluid, and to transmit reports including sensed temperatures, pressures, and other operational parameters of the fluid applicator system via a wireless network. The remote monitoring system comprises a data storage server, and an end user interface. The data storage server is configured to receive and archive the reports. The end user interface is configured to provide a graphical user interface based on the reports. The graphical user interface illustrates a status of the fluid handling system, sensed and commanded temperatures of the fluid handling system, sensed and commanded pressures of the fluid handling system, and usage statistics of the fluid handling system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: Graco Minnesota Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher M. Lange, Nicholas A. Pagano
  • Sealed drive for connecting progressive cavity pump rotors to universal joints
    Patent number: 11371502
    Abstract: A progressive cavity pump includes a sealed drive between the rotor and universal joint. The universal joint includes a socket configured to receive a drive shaft of the rotor. A cover, such as a locking nut, is disposed over the connection between the rotor and universal joint. Seals are retained in place by the locking nut to prevent abrasive materials from entering into the interface between the rotor and the universal joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: Graco Minnesota Inc.
    Inventors: David M. Muckley, Paul Michael Jones
  • Piston-valve engagement in fluid sprayers
    Patent number: 11371492
    Abstract: A pump draws fluid from a reservoir and drives the fluid downstream to a spray tip where the fluid is applied to a surface. A piston is driven in a reciprocating manner to pump the fluid. A check valve is disposed downstream of the piston to regulate a flow of the fluid downstream from the piston. The pump is initially dry and is primed with fluid prior to operation. To facilitate priming, the piston is dimensioned to impact the ball and unseat a valve member of the check valve during a priming stroke, thereby ejecting any air from the pump through the check valve. With the air ejected from the pump, a vacuum is formed during a suction stroke of the piston, which draws fluid downstream from the reservoir to prime the pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: Graco Minnesota Inc.
    Inventor: Mariusz J. Luczak
  • Variable flow poppet valve
    Patent number: 11359736
    Abstract: A variable flow poppet valve includes a first stage, a second stage, a bushing disposed in the second stage, and a cap configured to actuate the valve open. The first stage includes an inner valve plug having a head with a first tapered portion and a shaft extending downstream from the head, and a first stage spring disposed within the bushing and extending around the shaft. The shaft is attached to the cap to allow the cap to actuate the inner valve plug to the open position. The second stage includes an outer valve plug having an upstream portion and a second tapered portion extending downstream from the upstream portion. The bushing includes a shoulder, and the cap is configured to engage the shoulder to actuate the outer valve plug to the open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: Graco Minnesota Inc.
    Inventors: James R. Ebben, Anthony J. Kuschel, Michael E. Bloom
  • Spout assembly for a pump
    Patent number: 11333137
    Abstract: A transfer pump includes a drive module having electronic components and a fluid module not including electronic components. The drive module provides motive power to a pump of the fluid module to power pumping by the fluid module. The transfer pump further includes a spout extending mounted to an outlet connector of the fluid module by an inlet end of the spout interfacing with an outlet end of the outlet connector. The spout is repositionable relative to the outlet connector while mounted to the outlet connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: Graco Minnesota Inc.
    Inventors: Jeremy P. Jurmu, David M. Larsen
  • Paint sprayer with dynamic pulse width modulation driven motor
    Patent number: 11323051
    Abstract: A fluid sprayer includes a housing, a pump, a nozzle, a high voltage direct current (HVDC) brushed electric motor that drives the pump, and a motor controller electrically connected to the motor. The motor controller drives the motor with a high speed pulse width modulated (PWM) drive signal that switches current through the motor on and off. The motor controller varies the PWM signal as a function of a spray setting input and sensed current through the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: Graco Minnesota Inc.
    Inventor: Tyler J. Kruzel
  • Integrated pump guard and control interlock
    Patent number: 11319947
    Abstract: A paint sprayer includes an end bell, a motor connected to the end bell, a pump drive connected to the end bell, a pair of protrusions attached to an extending from the end bell such that each protrusion is cantilevered from the end bell, and a pump assembly comprising a pair of mounting holes and containing a piston. The pair of mounting holes is adapted to receive and slide onto the pair of protrusions to mount the pump assembly on the end bell as well as slide off of the pair of protrusions to remove the pump assembly from the end bell. The pump drive is configured to covert rotational motion output by the motor to reciprocal motion. The pump assembly is configured to pump paint when reciprocated by the pump drive while mounted on the end bell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: Graco Minnesota Inc.
    Inventors: Max Carideo, James M. Dalton, Justin G. Johnston, Steve J. Wrobel, Christopher A. Lins
  • Machined pop up seal
    Patent number: 11311980
    Abstract: A vapor blast system includes a pressure pot with an upper end and a main body, a fill inlet attached to the upper end of the pressure pot, and a seal assembly disposed in the pressure pot. The seal assembly is configured to control a flow of a fluid between the pressure pot and the fill inlet. The seal assembly includes a pop-up seal, a pipe, and a spring. The pop-up seal comprises an upper surface, a lower surface disposed opposite the upper surface, a blind hole disposed in the upper surface, a bore disposed in the lower surface, and a centerline axis disposed through a center of the pop-up seal. The pipe is attached to a lower surface of the pop-up seal, wherein a portion of the pipe is received by the bore. The spring is disposed in the bore and engaged with the pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: Graco Minnesota Inc.
    Inventors: Nicholas K. Studt, Bryce J. Gapinski, Brandon K. Falkenberg, John W. Turner
  • Compressed air driven motor
    Patent number: 11306590
    Abstract: An air motor assembly includes an exhaust block with an exhaust port that conveys exhaust air into an exhaust manifold. The exhaust port includes an expansion chamber that creates a pressure drop in the exhaust gas, thereby decreasing the temperature of the exhaust gas. The expansion chamber is defined between a first wall that is tangential to the air motor cylinder and a second wall that is transverse to an axis of the exhaust port. Poppet valves control actuation of a shuttle. The poppet valves are disposed on the exterior of the air motor assembly and are thermally insulated from the air motor assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: Graco Minnesota Inc.
    Inventors: Martin P. McCormick, Benjamin J. Dauwalter, Kenneth C. Floer
  • Variable flow poppet valve
    Patent number: 11306836
    Abstract: A variable flow poppet valve includes a first stage, a second stage, a bushing disposed in the second stage, and a cap configured to actuate the valve open. The first stage includes an inner valve plug having a head with a first tapered portion and a shaft extending downstream from the head, and a first stage spring disposed within the bushing and extending around the shaft. The shaft is attached to the cap to allow the cap to actuate the inner valve plug to the open position. The second stage includes an outer valve plug having an upstream portion and a second tapered portion extending downstream from the upstream portion. The bushing includes a shoulder, and the cap is configured to engage the shoulder to actuate the outer valve plug to the open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: Graco Minnesota Inc.
    Inventors: James R. Ebben, Anthony J. Kuschel, Michael E. Bloom
  • Pump drive system
    Patent number: 11300112
    Abstract: A drive system for a fluid displacement pump includes an electric motor, a drive coupled to the rotor at a first end of the electric motor, a fluid displacement member mechanically coupled to the drive, and a pump frame mechanically coupled to the electric motor. The electric motor includes a stator and a rotor disposed on an axis. The drive coupled to the rotor converts the rotational output to a linear, reciprocating input to the fluid displacement member. The rotor is disposed about the stator to rotate about the stator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: Graco Minnesota Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas F. Janecek, Tyler Kenneth Williams, Andrew J. Kopel, Jarrod C. Drexler, Douglas S. Ryder, Mark D. Schultz
  • Spray tip and method of manufacture
    Patent number: 11292015
    Abstract: A spray tip comprises a tip body, a tip piece, and a pre-orifice piece. The tip body has a fluid channel along a channel axis (AC). The tip piece is disposed within the fluid channel, and has a stepped, narrowing passage that terminates in an outlet orifice. The pre-orifice piece has an inlet passage, and is disposed within the fluid channel, abutting and immediately upstream of the tip piece. The pre-orifice piece and the tip piece together define a turbulating chamber therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: Graco Minnesota Inc.
    Inventors: Steven Dale Becker, Diane Leigh Olson, Craig Joseph Wojciechowski, David John Thompson
  • Fluid management system and fluid dispenser
    Patent number: 11292710
    Abstract: A fluid management system includes a fluid management controller and a fluid dispenser. The controller authorizes control of the one or more fluid management components over a wireless interface. A dispensing meter can be activated by an authentication device. The fluid meter includes a cartridge valve with a valve cartridge and a valve stem. The cartridge valve guides the valve stem and provides the only sealing surface for the dynamic seals and control seal disposed on the valve stem. The handheld meter dispenses through a nozzle, which includes an overmolded stem tip that generates a laminar fluid flow as the fluid exits the nozzle. The handheld fluid meter includes circuitry configured to invert the orientation of a visual output provided by a display of the handheld fluid meter to facilitate installation of the handheld fluid meter for use in an oil bar application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: Graco Minnesota Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin J. Paar, Bradley G. Kahler, Chad G. Igo, Gregory D. Sieckert, Mark L. Bauck, James R. Ebben, David J. Lorden, Michael E. Bloom, Shane A. Norman, Anthony J. Kuschel, Glenn E. Highland
  • Pump rod and driving link with side-load reducing configuration
    Patent number: 11286926
    Abstract: A pump rod has a head extending from a neck, and the head is received within a drive slot of a drive link. The head includes a projection, and has an area smaller than an area of the head. The projection contacts an inner surface of the drive slot. The drive link may include a projection aligned with a centerline of the drive link. The drive link projection contacts a head of the pump rod. The projections provide a reduced contact area between the pump rod and the drive link, thereby reducing any side-loading on the pump rod and increasing a lifespan of the wear parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: Graco Minnesota Inc.
    Inventors: David J. Thompson, Christopher A. Lins, Andrew J. Kopel, Glen W. Davidson, Chad R. Taszarek, Chris W. Sydow, William M. Blenkush, Steve J. Wrobel
  • Rotor and universal joint assembly
    Patent number: D949925
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: Graco Minnesota Inc.
    Inventors: David M. Muckley, Paul Michael Jones
  • Power module
    Patent number: D955335
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Assignee: Graco Minnesota Inc.
    Inventors: Mark D. Shultz, Robert J. Gundersen
  • Electrostatic spray probe
    Patent number: D956177
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: Graco Minnesota Inc.
    Inventors: Amelia J. Stech, Elisa J. McCline, Mark E. Ulrich, Mark C. Richter
  • Fluid cartridge
    Patent number: D956925
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: Graco Minnesota Inc.
    Inventor: Daniel P. Ross