Patents Assigned to Graco Minnesota
  • Patent number: 11779945
    Abstract: A fluid dispensing device includes a housing and a reciprocating piston fluid pump coupled to the housing. The reciprocating piston fluid pump includes a piston. The piston is configured to pressurize at least one pumping chamber. A motor is connected to the reciprocating piston fluid pump to actuate the piston. A spray tip connected to an outlet of the at least one pumping chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2023
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: Graco Minnesota Inc.
    Inventors: David J. Thompson, Jerry D. Horning, William M. Blenkush, Eric J. Finstad, Bradley H. Hines, Marius J. Luczak, Diane Olson, Philip K. Snider, Harold D. Johnson, Jimmy Wing Sum Tam
  • Patent number: 11772117
    Abstract: A spray gun includes a gun body and a handle removably connected to the gun body. A filter is disposed in the handle for filtering particulate from the spray fluid. A trigger guard is connected to the handle and gun body and includes a contour on a lower portion of the trigger guard for receiving one or more fingers of the user that are not interfacing with and contacting the trigger. The trigger guard can be disconnected from the gun body and rotated relative to the handle. The trigger guard can contact a portion of the handle and exert torque on the handle to connect the handle to and disconnect the handle from the gun body. The portion of the handle at least partially covers a fitting connecting to the handle to provide spray fluid to the spray gun.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: Graco Minnesota Inc.
    Inventors: Mark D. Shultz, Steven D. Becker, Brian M. Mulgrew, Tyler F. Sterner
  • Patent number: 11773842
    Abstract: A piston includes a piston cap and a piston rod with the piston cap being removable from the piston rod body. The piston cap includes a cap body and a socket extending into the cap body. A mounting portion of the piston rod body extends into the socket of the cap body to connect the piston rod body to the piston cap. A wear sleeve is mounted on the piston rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: Graco Minnesota Inc.
    Inventors: Jeromy D. Horning, Steve J. Wrobel
  • Patent number: 11759808
    Abstract: A fluid dispensing device includes a housing and a reciprocating piston fluid pump coupled to the housing. The reciprocating piston fluid pump includes a piston. The piston is configured to pressurize at least one pumping chamber. A motor is connected to the reciprocating piston fluid pump to actuate the piston. A spray tip connected to an outlet of the at least one pumping chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2023
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: Graco Minnesota Inc.
    Inventors: David J. Thompson, Jerry D. Horning, William M. Blenkush, Eric J. Finstad, Bradley H. Hines, Marius J. Luczak, Diane Olson, Philip K. Snider, Harold D. Johnson, Jimmy Wing Sum Tam
  • Patent number: 11754181
    Abstract: A diaphragm for use in a pump includes a cover configured to contact fluid to pump the fluid and a backing disposed at least partially within the cover. The backing includes a flexible plate that extends outward relative to a core of the backing, the flexible plate configured to flex during reciprocation of the diaphragm. The cover is formed from a first polymer and the flexible plate is formed from a second polymer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2023
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: Graco Minnesota Inc.
    Inventors: Nathan C. Grossman, Tera D. Brezny, Ronald A. Flor, Todd L. Johnson
  • Patent number: 11750954
    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: October 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: Graco Minnesota Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher M. Lange, Nicholas A. Pagano, Benjamin R. Godding, Mark T. Weinberger
  • Patent number: 11738358
    Abstract: A fluid sprayer includes a pump and an electrostatic module configured to provide an electrostatic charge to spray fluid. The electrostatic module is electrically connected to a conductive component of the fluid sprayer, such as a fluid displacement member, fitting, cylinder, or spray tip, to charge the spray fluid via the conductive component. The fluid is electrostatically charged prior to exiting the fluid sprayer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: Graco Minnesota Inc.
    Inventors: Robert W. Kinne, Mark E. Ulrich, Diane L. Olson
  • Patent number: 11739739
    Abstract: Non-limiting exemplary embodiments of a pumping system and methods for operating the pumping system in a region of high pressure or a region of high flow are disclosed. The pumping system includes a piston disposed within a piston cylinder, a drive shaft, an eccentric coupled to the drive shaft, a connecting arm having opposing first and second ends, and a controller for controlling the rotation of the drive shaft such that the piston oscillates within a region of high pressure or a region of high flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: Graco Minnesota Inc.
    Inventor: Bryan K. Colby
  • Patent number: 11732708
    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: November 17, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    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
  • Patent number: 11707753
    Abstract: A handheld fluid sprayer is configured to draw spray fluid from a reservoir mounted on the fluid sprayer and eject the spray fluid through a nozzle. The reservoir is removably mounted to the fluid sprayer. A priming pathway extends through the fluid sprayer and routes air out of the reservoir to prime the pump. The priming pathway extends from the reservoir and to a side of the pump opposite the reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: Graco Minnesota Inc.
    Inventors: Robert W. Kinne, Diane L. Olson, Pamela J. Muetzel, Kirsten N. Norman
  • Patent number: 11704257
    Abstract: A method of provisioning a system includes defining one or more virtual peripherals such that each of the virtual peripherals corresponds to a respective device; identifying one or more enabled virtual peripherals; and identifying one or more control modules. Each of the control modules includes one or more terminals for connecting to one or more devices. The method further includes linking each of the enabled virtual peripherals to a respective terminal of the one or more control modules to form a link; generating a provisioning configuration that represents the link between the respective terminal and the corresponding one of the enabled virtual peripherals; and writing the provisioning configuration to each of the control modules. The method further includes connecting the respective device to the respective terminal consistent with the link between the respective terminal and the corresponding one of the enabled virtual peripherals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: Graco Minnesota Inc.
    Inventors: Pavel V. Tysyachuk, Adriana F. Mickols, Nicholas Thomas Fritz
  • Patent number: 11703047
    Abstract: A valve for a reciprocating pump includes a housing, a first chamber, a second chamber, a first valve element, and a second valve element. The housing includes an inlet and an outlet. The first and second chambers are within the housing. The first chamber includes a first valve seat and is fluidly connected to the inlet. The second chamber includes a second valve seat and is fluidly connected to the outlet. The first valve element is disposed in the first chamber and includes a spring-loaded check valve element. The second valve element is disposed in the second chamber and includes a buoyant material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: Graco Minnesota Inc.
    Inventor: Timothy S. Roman
  • Patent number: 11698650
    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: October 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2023
    Assignee: Graco Minnesota Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher M. Lange, Nicholas A. Pagano
  • Patent number: 11691164
    Abstract: A mix manifold (16) includes a plurality of valves to control the flow of material therethrough. First and second valves (36a, 36b) are linked for simultaneous actuation. The first and second valves each include valve members (56a, 56b) disposed within and rotatable relative to seal bodies (58a, 58b). The valve members seal against the seal bodies and the seal bodies seal against the manifold. A solvent valve (36c) also includes a valve member (56c) in a seal body (58c). The first and second valves are configured to open only when the solvent valve is closed. The solvent valve is configured to open only when the first and second valves are closed. The solvent valve can rotate between a plurality of positions to control the flow of solvent to flowpaths downstream of the first and second valves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: Graco Minnesota Inc.
    Inventors: David D. Loukusa, Dennis J. Van Keulen, Jeremy Peter Jurmu
  • Patent number: 11684937
    Abstract: A spray gun includes a valve cartridge configured to be axially installed and removed as a single piece. The valve cartridge includes the wear components of the spray gun. A trigger of the spray gun is configured to actuate a slider of the valve cartridge to control spraying by the spray gun. The trigger includes arms that are mounted to the spray gun by a pivot mechanism. The pivot mechanism can be disengaged from the arms to allow the trigger to slide between a spray position, where the trigger prevents forward axial movement of the valve cartridge, and a repair position, where the valve cartridge can move axially forward. The trigger also includes upper and lower portions that are movable relative to each other, such that the length of the trigger can be adjusted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: Graco Minnesota Inc.
    Inventors: Justin G. Johnston, Steve J. Wrobel
  • Patent number: 11689129
    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: April 12, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: Graco Minnesota Inc.
    Inventor: Tyler J. Kruzel
  • Patent number: 11679395
    Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods related to providing safe electrical control and/or communication between a remote controller located in a safe location and interface system for a machine located in a hazardous location. The control and/or communication is provided via industrial-voltage power lines that traverse a barrier separating the safe location from the hazardous location. Control and/or communication is provided by reactively coupling to industrial power lines, which traverse the barrier, so as to superimpose a control and/or communication signal upon AC operating power provided to the machine. Each of the interface system located at the hazardous location and the remote control module located at a safe location provides such reactive coupling to the industrial-voltage power lines so as to communicate therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: GRACO MINNESOTA INC.
    Inventors: Vu K. Nguyen, Tom Herbert
  • Patent number: 11680561
    Abstract: A fluid handling system suitable for injecting a pressurized fluid from a pump that is driven by a motor into an oilfield network includes a manifold fluidly connected to the pump and a controller. The manifold includes an inlet for receiving the fluid from the pump, a plurality of outlets downstream of and fluidly connected to the inlet, and a plurality of electric valves downstream of and fluidly connected, respectively, to the plurality of outlets, each of the plurality of electric valves being configured to selectively open and close to regulate a flow of the fluid from the plurality of outlets to a plurality of wells fluidly connected, respectively, to the plurality of electric valves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: Graco Minnesota Inc.
    Inventors: John R. Ingebrand, Kyle A. Bottke, Ryan J. Dion, Kelly L. Shanks
  • Patent number: D999341
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: Graco Minnesota Inc.
    Inventors: Mark C. Richter, Dawn P. Svenkeson-Koubal, Amelia J. Stech
  • Patent number: D1002805
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: Graco Minnesota Inc.
    Inventors: Mark C. Richter, Dawn P. Svenkeson-Koubal, Amelia J. Stech