Patents by Inventor Daniel L. MacDonald

Daniel L. MacDonald 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: 10514027
    Abstract: A positive displacement pump includes two fluid flow paths, two center sections with a common fluid valve, a changeover valve, and three fluid displacement members. Each center section contains a diaphragm shaft, and the two sections are separated by the third diaphragm. In low-pressure mode the pump operates as a typical positive displacement pump with pumping fluid supplied to one center section and the changeover valve allowing the fluid to freely circulate within the second center section. In high-pressure mode, the changeover valve is switched and the changeover valve allows the common fluid valve to supply pumping fluid to both center sections to drive the fluid displacement members therein, which generates a higher outlet fluid pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2019
    Assignee: Graco Minnesota Inc.
    Inventors: Todd L. Johnson, Daniel L. MacDonald, Ronald A. Flor
  • Publication number: 20160305410
    Abstract: A positive displacement pump includes two fluid flow paths, two center sections with a common fluid valve, a changeover valve, and three fluid displacement members. Each center section contains a diaphragm shaft, and the two sections are separated by the third diaphragm. In low-pressure mode the pump operates as a typical positive displacement pump with pumping fluid sup plied to one center section and the changeover valve allowing the fluid to freely circulate within the second center section. In high-pressure mode, the changeover valve is switched and the changeover valve allows the common fluid valve to supply pumping fluid to both center sections to drive the fluid displacement members therein, which generates a higher outlet fluid pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2014
    Publication date: October 20, 2016
    Inventors: Todd L. Johnson, Daniel L. MacDonald, Ronald A. Flor
  • Patent number: 8887620
    Abstract: An air-driven dual diaphragm pump comprises a pump body with a first air passage leading to a first air cavity with a first diaphragm, a second air passage leading to a second air cavity with a second diaphragm, and a reciprocating shaft which connects the first and second diaphragms. A diaphragm installation tool for the dual diaphragm pump comprises a plate which fits atop the pump body. A groove in a surface of the plate opposite from and nonadjacent to the pump body extends from the location of the first air passage to the location of the second air passage. A hole located within the groove at the location of either the first air passage or the second air passage extends through the plate. Pressurized air entering the pump body is redirected by the groove and the hole to always enter the first air passage, rather than the second, thereby slowly filling the first air cavity and positioning the second diaphragm for installation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Graco Minnesota Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel L. MacDonald, Adam K. Collins
  • Publication number: 20110311378
    Abstract: An air-driven dual diaphragm pump comprises a pump body with a first air passage leading to a first air cavity with a first diaphragm, a second air passage leading to a second air cavity with a second diaphragm, and a reciprocating shaft which connects the first and second diaphragms. A diaphragm installation tool for the dual diaphragm pump comprises a plate which fits atop the pump body. A groove in a surface of the plate opposite from and nonadjacent to the pump body extends from the location of the first air passage to the location of the second air passage. A hole located within the groove at the location of either the first air passage or the second air passage extends through the plate. Pressurized air entering the pump body is redirected by the groove and the hole to always enter the first air passage, rather than the second, thereby slowly filling the first air cavity and positioning the second diaphragm for installation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2011
    Publication date: December 22, 2011
    Applicant: Graco Minnesota Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel L. MacDonald, Adam K. Collins
  • Patent number: 6070513
    Abstract: A load transfer device for use with tandem mounted actuators. The load transfer device includes an actuator coupling assembly and a ground connection assembly. The actuator coupling assembly connects the first actuator to the second actuator and includes a movement apparatus. The movement apparatus is configured to allow the housing of the first actuator to move relative to the housing of the second actuator. The ground connection assembly is associated with the actuator coupling assembly and movably connects the first and second actuators to a rigid support structure. During a load transfer operation, the actuator coupling assembly transfers an unequal load from the first actuator to the second actuator. In particular, the movement apparatus allows the first actuator to move relative to the second actuator. Further, the actuator coupling assembly is configured to transpose movement of the first actuator into a forced, reciprocal movement of the second actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2000
    Assignee: Honeywell Inc.
    Inventor: Daniel L. MacDonald