Patents Assigned to Graco Minnesota Inc.
  • 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
  • Reduced pressurization shift within diaphragm pump cavity
    Patent number: 11286923
    Abstract: A positive displacement pump includes a housing surrounding a drive chamber and a diaphragm compartment. A drive element is inside the drive chamber. A diaphragm is inside the diaphragm compartment and divides the diaphragm compartment into a fluid chamber and a cavity. A shaft connects the drive element and the diaphragm. A breather valve is fluidically connected to the cavity and is configured to allow air to exit the cavity. The cavity is fluidically disconnected from the drive chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: GRACO MINNESOTA INC.
    Inventors: Jason J. Willoughby, David M. Behrens
  • Paint sprayer distributed control and output volume monitoring architectures
    Patent number: 11262772
    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: June 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 1, 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: 11249498
    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 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: Graco Minnesota Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher M. Lange, Nicholas A. Pagano
  • Paint sprayer distributed control and output volume monitoring architectures
    Patent number: 11226643
    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: April 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 18, 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
  • Sanitary bag clamp for bins
    Patent number: 11221029
    Abstract: A clamp mountable on a corner of a bin to secure a bag to the bin includes a top portion and a bottom portion moveable in a sliding relationship relative to the top portion. The top portion has a first and second inner clamp members arranged orthogonally relative to one another. The first and second inner clamp members extend downward from a bottom surface of the top portion and are configured to be located on adjacent inner walls of the bin. The bottom portion has a first and second outer clamp members arranged orthogonally relative to one another. The first and second outer clamp members extend downward from a bottom surface of the bottom portion. The first and second inner clamp members are aligned with the first and second outer clamp members, respectively, to pinch a wall of the bin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2022
    Assignee: Graco Minnesota Inc.
    Inventor: David L. Breeser
  • Motor-driven dispense arm of vehicle-mounted line striper
    Patent number: 11220797
    Abstract: A ground marking apparatus is configured to apply marking material to a ground surface. The ground marking apparatus includes a beam supported by a beam mount and extending along a beam axis. A carriage is disposed on the beam and movable on the beam along the beam axis. A carriage motor operably interfaces with the beam and is configured to move the carriage along the beam. A dispense arm is supported by the carriage and is configured to move relative to the beam as the carriage moves along the beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2022
    Assignee: Graco Minnesota Inc.
    Inventors: James C. Schroeder, Mark D. Shultz, Roland M. Bedard, Daniel D. Rohling
  • Pump with high torque drive
    Patent number: 11193486
    Abstract: A fluid moving apparatus includes an electric motor having a rotor and a stator and a fluid displacement member. The rotor rotates relative to the stator on a common axis to generate a rotational output. The rotational output is provided to the fluid displacement member to power the fluid displacement member to one of move linearly along and rotate about the common axis. The stator includes one or more coils configured to power rotation of the rotor. The one or more coils extend circumferentially around and can be coaxial on the common axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: Graco Minnesota Inc.
    Inventors: Jeremy Scott Reynolds, Thomas F. Janecek, Tyler K. Williams, Steven D. Becker, Alexander J. Daeger, Andrew J. Kopel, Jarrod C. Drexler, Douglas S. Ryder
  • Remote monitoring for fluid applicator system
    Patent number: 11184689
    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: March 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Assignee: Graco Minnesota Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher M. Lange, Nicholas A. Pagano, Benjamin R. Godding, Mark T. Weinberger
  • Mix chamber for a plural component sprayer
    Patent number: 11173507
    Abstract: A mix chamber for a plural component sprayer is configured to receive first and second component materials and emit a spray of a resulting plural component material. The mix chamber includes a chamber body extending between a first end and a second end and including flat lateral sides. A ramp feature is disposed proximate the first end and is configured to contact and push first and second side seals, respectively, away from a body axis as the mix chamber shifts in a first direction through a cartridge bore to increase a gap between the first side seal and the second side seal such that the first side seal engages the first flat lateral side and the second side seal engages the second flat lateral side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignee: Graco Minnesota Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel P. Ross, Joseph E. Tix, Samuel R. Stewart, Mark T. Weinberger, Christopher J. Pellin, Jeffrey N. Velgersdyk, Jack A. Bosak, Jacob R. Whiteoak
  • Electrically operated displacement pump control system and method
    Patent number: 11174854
    Abstract: An electrically operated displacement pump includes an electric motor having a stator and a rotor. The rotor is connected to the fluid displacement member to drive axial reciprocation of the fluid displacement member. A drive mechanism is disposed between and connected to each of the rotor and the fluid displacement member. The drive mechanism receives a rotational output from the rotor and provides a linear input to the fluid displacement member. A controller controls operation of the motor based on an operating state of the motor to control pumping by the displacement pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignee: Graco Minnesota Inc.
    Inventors: Bradley H. Hines, Paul W. Scheierl, Brian W. Koehn, Jacob D. Higgins, Benjamin J. Paar, David L. Fehr
  • Systems for automated mobile painting of structures
    Patent number: 11173511
    Abstract: An automated mobile sprayer (AMS) includes a mobile base, an applicator arm supported by the mobile base, and a nozzle extending from the applicator arm. The nozzle receives fluid from a fluid supply and generates an atomized fluid spray for application to a surface. The applicator arm moves vertically relative to the mobile base and the surface to cause the nozzle to generate a vertical fluid stripe. The mobile base moves laterally relative to the surface to cause the nozzle to generate a horizontal fluid stripe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignee: Graco Minnesota Inc.
    Inventors: David J. Thompson, Jon M. Knutson, Dale D. Johnson
  • Paint sprayer distributed control and output volume monitoring architectures
    Patent number: 11163323
    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: April 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Assignee: Graco Minnesota Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J. Mansheim, Nicholas H. Reath, Daniel R. Johnson, Kevin C. Robb, Robert J. Gundersen, Andrew J. Kopel, Christopher M. Lange, Nicholas A. Pagano, Benjamin R. Godding, Mark T. Weinberger
  • Portable hydraulic power unit having a pump fixed to an exterior side of a fluid supply tank
    Patent number: 11162482
    Abstract: A portable hydraulic power unit includes a frame, a fluid tank supported by the frame, and a manifold supported by the frame. The fluid tank is configured to store a supply of hydraulic fluid for powering a hydraulically-driven tool. A reciprocating pump is mounted on the exterior of the fluid tank and on the exterior of the manifold. The reciprocating pump is secured to the fluid tank and the manifold with fasteners extending through a cylinder body of the reciprocating pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Assignee: Graco Minnesota Inc.
    Inventors: Charles W. Dawson, Mariusz J. Luczak, Barry W. Mattson, Douglas S. Ryder, Bret A. Deneson, Christopher A. Lins
  • Pump unit
    Patent number: D934301
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignee: Graco Minnesota Inc.
    Inventors: David M. Larsen, Max Carideo
  • Electrostatic spray gun
    Patent number: D934383
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignee: Graco Minnesota Inc.
    Inventors: Amelia J. Stech, Elisa J. McCline, Mark E. Ulrich, Mark C. Richter
  • Pump unit
    Patent number: D934918
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Assignee: Graco Minnesota Inc.
    Inventors: David M. Larsen, Max Carideo
  • Compact spray gun
    Patent number: D937387
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignee: Graco Minnesota Inc.
    Inventor: Brian M. Mulgrew
  • Fluid head retainer
    Patent number: D946113
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2022
    Assignee: Graco Minnesota Inc.
    Inventor: Daniel P. Ross