Patents by Inventor Andrew J. Klaphake

Andrew J. Klaphake has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 10591075
    Abstract: A check valve includes a ball and a seat. The seat includes a body and a hole extending through the body. The hole is smaller in diameter than the ball. The body of the seat is formed from ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene. The ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene of the seat has an ASTM D648 heat deflection temperature of 46.7° C. at 1.8 MPa.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: Graco Minnesota Inc.
    Inventor: Andrew J. Klaphake
  • Patent number: 10443594
    Abstract: A reciprocating pump includes a housing, a rod, and a bellows. The housing surrounds a bellows chamber and a displacement chamber. A portion of the rod extends through the opening in the endcap and into the bellows chamber of the housing. A cross-section of the rod includes a lobed shape. The bellows is connected to the housing and to the rod such that the bellows surrounds a portion of the rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: Graco Minnesota Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy S. Roman, Andrew J. Klaphake
  • Patent number: 9920879
    Abstract: A lubrication system comprises a lubricant reservoir, a motorized pump, a follower plate, a stationary rod, a movable sleeve, and a flexible connection. The motorized pump is disposed to pump fluid from the lubricant reservoir to lubricant work lines. The follower plate is situated within the lubricant reservoir. The stationary rod has a colored indicator portion. The movable sleeve disposed concentrically about the stationary rod. The flexible connection extends between the follower plate and the stationary colored rod, such that the flexible connection pulls the movable sleeve away from the stationary rod to reveal the colored indicator portion as the follower plate drops towards a bottom of the lubricant reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: Graco Minnesota Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew J. Klaphake, Jeffrey Kidman, Suresha S. Nijaguna
  • Publication number: 20170175733
    Abstract: A reciprocating pump includes a housing, a rod, a bellows, and a bearing. The housing surrounds a bellows chamber and a displacement chamber. A first portion of the rod extends into the bellows chamber. The bellows has a first end connected to the housing and a second end connected to the rod. The bellows surrounds a second portion of the rod. The bellows includes a plurality of convolutions. The bearing is disposed within the bellows between the bellows and the rod.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2016
    Publication date: June 22, 2017
    Inventors: Timothy S. Roman, Andrew J. Klaphake
  • Publication number: 20170175734
    Abstract: A reciprocating pump includes a housing, a rod, and a bellows. The housing surrounds a bellows chamber and a displacement chamber. A portion of the rod extends through the opening in the endcap and into the bellows chamber of the housing. A cross-section of the rod includes a lobed shape. The bellows is connected to the housing and to the rod such that the bellows surrounds a portion of the rod.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2016
    Publication date: June 22, 2017
    Inventors: Timothy S. Roman, Andrew J. Klaphake
  • Publication number: 20170175913
    Abstract: A check valve includes a ball and a seat. The seat includes a body and a hole extending through the body. The hole is smaller in diameter than the ball. The body of the seat is formed from ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene. The ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene of the seat has an ASTM D648 heat deflection temperature of 46.7° C. at 1.8 MPa.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2016
    Publication date: June 22, 2017
    Inventor: Andrew J. Klaphake
  • Patent number: 9618156
    Abstract: A motor control system for a lubricant pump motor comprises a pump system power input, a motor drive, a current sensor, a lubrication controller, and a drive controller. The pump system power input is configured to supply system power. The motor drive is configured to drive the lubricant pump motor using the system power. The current sensor is disposed between the pump system power input and the motor drive to sense an input current of the system power. The lubrication controller configured to provide motor activation signals. The drive controller is disposed to receive the motor activation signals via an isolated digital input, and to control the motor drive as a function of the sensed input current and a user-defined current set-point, in response to the activation signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Graco Minnesota Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew J. Klaphake, Eric J. Mjolhus, Suresha S. Nijaguna, Jesse L. Lanie
  • Patent number: 9458966
    Abstract: A lubrication system comprises a lubricant reservoir, a inlet into the lubricant reservoir, a diaphragm plate, an actuator pin, a refill inlet, a refill outlet, and a shutoff valve. The diaphragm plate is disposed at a topmost location within the lubricant reservoir. The actuator pin is coupled to the diaphragm plate such that filling the lubricant reservoir drives the actuator pin from a first position to a second position. The refill inlet is configured to receive lubricant, and the refill outlet is fluidly connected to the inlet of the lubricant reservoir. The shutoff valve is connected between the refill inlet and the refill outlet, and actuated by the actuator pin so as to fluidly connect the refill inlet and refill outlet when the actuator pin is in the first position, and fluidly isolate the refill inlet from the refill outlet when the actuator pin is in the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: Graco Minnesota Inc.
    Inventors: John C. Holman, Andrew J. Klaphake
  • Publication number: 20160186929
    Abstract: A lubrication system comprises a lubricant reservoir, a motorized pump, a follower plate, a stationary rod, a movable sleeve, and a flexible connection. The motorized pump is disposed to pump fluid from the lubricant reservoir to lubricant work lines. The follower plate is situated within the lubricant reservoir. The stationary rod has a colored indicator portion. The movable sleeve disposed concentrically about the stationary rod. The flexible connection extends between the follower plate and the stationary colored rod, such that the flexible connection pulls the movable sleeve away from the stationary rod to reveal the colored indicator portion as the follower plate drops towards a bottom of the lubricant reservoir.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2014
    Publication date: June 30, 2016
    Inventors: Andrew J. Klaphake, Jeffrey Kidman, Suresha S. Nijaguna
  • Publication number: 20160186740
    Abstract: A motor control system for a lubricant pump motor comprises a pump system power input, a motor drive, a current sensor, a lubrication controller, and a drive controller. The pump system power input is configured to supply system power. The motor drive is configured to drive the lubricant pump motor using the system power. The current sensor is disposed between the pump system power input and the motor drive to sense an input current of the system power. The lubrication controller configured to provide motor activation signals. The drive controller is disposed to receive the motor activation signals via an isolated digital input, and to control the motor drive as a function of the sensed input current and a user-defined current set-point, in response to the activation signals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2014
    Publication date: June 30, 2016
    Applicant: Graco Minnesota Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew J. KLAPHAKE, Eric J. MJOLHUS, Suresha S. NIJAGUNA, Jesse L. LANIE
  • Publication number: 20160186928
    Abstract: A fluid inlet/outlet manifold for a lubrication system comprises inlet and outlet passages, and a vent valve. The outlet passage fluidly connects a lubricant reservoir to a lubricant work line. The inlet passage fluidly connects a inlet to the lubricant reservoir. The vent valve is actuatable between a first state fluidly isolating the inlet passage from the outlet passage, and a second state that fluidly connects the inlet passage to the outlet passage, thereby permitting lubricant in the lubricant work line to be vented into the lubricant reservoir.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2014
    Publication date: June 30, 2016
    Inventors: John C. Holman, Andrew J. Klaphake, Suresha S. Nijaguna
  • Publication number: 20160169448
    Abstract: A lubrication system comprises a lubricant reservoir, a inlet into the lubricant reservoir, a diaphragm plate, an actuator pin, a refill inlet, a refill outlet, and a shutoff valve. The diaphragm plate is disposed at a topmost location within the lubricant reservoir. The actuator pin is coupled to the diaphragm plate such that filling the lubricant reservoir drives the actuator pin from a first position to a second position. The refill inlet is configured to receive lubricant, and the refill outlet is fluidly connected to the inlet of the lubricant reservoir. The shutoff valve is connected between the refill inlet and the refill outlet, and actuated by the actuator pin so as to fluidly connect the refill inlet and refill outlet when the actuator pin is in the first position, and fluidly isolate the refill inlet from the refill outlet when the actuator pin is in the second position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2014
    Publication date: June 16, 2016
    Applicant: Graco Minnesota Inc.
    Inventors: John C. Holman, Andrew J. Klaphake
  • Patent number: 9339897
    Abstract: A series progressive divider valve comprises a valve body and pistons. A fluid inlet extends into the valve body. Stations are disposed in the valve body and extend from a first end to a second end; each station comprises piston stations extending through the valve body and a bypass station fluidly isolating the first end from the second end. The piston stations comprise a piston bore and a piston. The bypass stations comprise first and second fluid passages extending from the first and second ends to positions inside the valve body. Outlet bores extend into the valve body, and each comprises first and second sets of outlet bores. Porting forms passageways connecting the stations to each other and with the outlet bores such that when high pressure fluid is applied to the inlet the pistons reciprocates from the first end to the second end in sequence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: Graco Minnesota Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew J. Klaphake, Anthony J. Kuschel
  • Publication number: 20150266142
    Abstract: A series progressive divider valve comprises a valve body and pistons. The valve body comprises a fluid inlet, piston bores, outlet bores, porting and undercuts. The fluid inlet extends into an exterior of the valve body. The piston bores extend through the valve body from a first end to a second end. Each piston bores includes a piston. The outlet bores extend into the valve body, each outlet bores comprises a first set of outlet bores and a second set of outlet bores. The porting forms a plurality passageways connecting the piston bores to each other and with the outlet bores such that when high pressure fluid is applied to the inlet each of the pistons reciprocates from the first end to the second end in sequence. An undercut is located at an intersection between each passageway and piston bore.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2015
    Publication date: September 24, 2015
    Inventors: Andrew J. Klaphake, Anthony J. Kuschel, Dain D. Thul, Andrew J. Johnson
  • Patent number: 9062783
    Abstract: A series progressive divider valve comprises a valve body and pistons. The valve body comprises a fluid inlet, piston bores, outlet bores, porting and undercuts. The fluid inlet extends into an exterior of the valve body. The piston bores extend through the valve body from a first end to a second end. Each piston bores includes a piston. The outlet bores extend into the valve body, each outlet bores comprises a first set of outlet bores and a second set of outlet bores. The porting forms a plurality passageways connecting the piston bores to each other and with the outlet bores such that when high pressure fluid is applied to the inlet each of the pistons reciprocates from the first end to the second end in sequence. An undercut is located at an intersection between each passageway and piston bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2015
    Assignee: Graco Minnesota Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew J. Klaphake, Anthony J. Kuschel, Dain D. Thul, Andrew J. Johnson
  • Patent number: 8960236
    Abstract: A series progressive divider valve comprises a valve body and pistons. A fluid inlet extends into the valve body. Stations are disposed in the valve body and extend from a first end to a second end; each station comprises piston stations extending through the valve body and a bypass station fluidly isolating the first end from the second end. The piston stations comprise a piston bore and a piston. The bypass stations comprise first and second fluid passages extending from the first and second ends to positions inside the valve body. Outlet bores extend into the valve body, and each comprises first and second sets of outlet bores. Porting forms passageways connecting the stations to each other and with the outlet bores such that when high pressure fluid is applied to the inlet the pistons reciprocates from the first end to the second end in sequence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Graco Minnesota Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew J. Klaphake, Anthony J. Kuschel
  • Patent number: 8939176
    Abstract: A series progressive divider valve comprises a valve body and pistons. The valve body comprises a fluid inlet, piston bores, outlet bores and porting. The fluid inlet extends into an exterior of the valve body. The piston bores extend through the valve body from a first end to a second end, wherein the piston bores are arranged along a first circular path intersecting each of the piston bores. Each piston bore includes a piston. The outlet bores extend into the valve body, and each outlet bore comprises a first set of outlet bores, and a second set of outlet bores. The porting forms a plurality passageways connecting the piston bores to each other and with the outlet bores such that when high pressure fluid is applied to the inlet each of the pistons reciprocates from the first end to the second end in sequence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: Graco Minnesota Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew J. Klaphake, Anthony J. Kuschel, Dain D. Thul, Andrew J. Johnson
  • Patent number: 8887767
    Abstract: A double-sealed cross-port fitting for use in a series progressive divider valve comprises an adapter body, a passage and a ring segment. The adapter body extends axially from a first end to a second end and includes an adapter segment and a coupling segment. The adapter segment is positioned at the first end and is configured to be coupled to another component. The coupling segment is positioned at the second end, extends from the adapter segment, and is configured to be inserted into a valve body. The passage extends through the adapter body from the first end to the second end. The ring segment extends radially from the coupling segment and is configured to engage the valve body. The ring segment forms a first seal face between the ring segment and the adapter segment and a second seal face between the ring segment and the second end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Graco Minnesota Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew J. Klaphake, Anthony J. Kuschel
  • Publication number: 20140261812
    Abstract: A series progressive divider valve comprises a valve body and pistons. A fluid inlet extends into the valve body. Stations are disposed in the valve body and extend from a first end to a second end; each station comprises piston stations extending through the valve body and a bypass station fluidly isolating the first end from the second end. The piston stations comprise a piston bore and a piston. The bypass stations comprise first and second fluid passages extending from the first and second ends to positions inside the valve body. Outlet bores extend into the valve body, and each comprises first and second sets of outlet bores. Porting forms passageways connecting the stations to each other and with the outlet bores such that when high pressure fluid is applied to the inlet the pistons reciprocates from the first end to the second end in sequence.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: Graco Minnesota Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew J. Klaphake, Anthony J. Kuschel
  • Patent number: 8807170
    Abstract: A series progressive divider valve comprises a valve body having pistons. The valve body comprises a fluid inlet, piston bores, outlet bores, porting and bypass passages. The fluid inlet extends into the valve body. The piston bores extend through the valve body from a first end to a second end and include a piston. The outlet bores extend into the valve body, and each comprises first and second sets of outlet bores, wherein the outlet bores in each set are connected in an open-loop flow path. The porting forms passageways connecting the piston bores to each other and with the outlet bores such that when high pressure fluid is applied to the inlet each of the pistons reciprocates from the first end to the second end in sequence. The bypass passages each have a first end penetrating an outlet bore and a second end connected to an adjacent outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Graco Minnesota Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew J. Klaphake, Anthony J. Kuschel