Rectilinearly Reciprocating Motor Working Members Coaxial With Intermediate Unitary Pumping Member Patents (Class 417/396)
  • Patent number: 8161741
    Abstract: Systems and methods for efficiently operating a hydraulically actuated device/system are described herein. For example, systems and methods for efficiently operating a gas compression and expansion energy storage system are disclosed herein. Systems and methods are provided for controlling and operating the hydraulic actuators used within a hydraulically actuated device/system, such as, for example, a gas compression and/or expansion energy system, within a desired efficiency range of the hydraulic pump(s)/motor(s) used to supply or receive pressurized hydraulic fluid to or from the hydraulic actuators. In such a system, a variety of different operating regimes can be used depending on the desired output gas pressure and the desired stored pressure of the compressed gas. Hydraulic cylinders used to drive working pistons within the system can be selectively actuated to achieve varying force outputs to incrementally increase the gas pressure within the system for a given cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: General Compression, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric D. Ingersoll, Justin A. Aborn, Matthew Blieske
  • Patent number: 7955058
    Abstract: This invention is a reciprocating piston to piston device that can function 1) to increase or decrease pressure in a hydraulic or pneumatic system with minimal energy loss or 2) as a hydraulic or pneumatic pump or motor. The input and output fluids may be the same or different. The energy transferred or pumped depends on the size of the input piston, the pressure of the input fluid, and rate of reciprocation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Inventor: Wayne Michael Angel
  • Publication number: 20110027109
    Abstract: An air driven diaphragm pump includes an performance control actuator having a housing with opposed air chambers. The pump includes pump chambers facing the air chambers and pump diaphragms extending between each air chamber and each pump chamber, respectively. The actuator further includes an air valve, an intake to the air valve and an engagement. The intake includes an intake passage and a performance control intake adjuster rotatably mounted. The intake adjuster has a helical channel and a closure element extending adjustably into the intake passage. The engagement engages the helical channel for control of the intake. The helical channel has varied pitch to provide a nonlinear relationship between rotation and axial advancement of the intake adjuster. The nonlinear relationship gives flow rate proportional to the angular rotation of the intake adjuster.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2010
    Publication date: February 3, 2011
    Inventors: CURTIS W. DIETZSCH, Greg S. Duncan, Gary K. Lent
  • Publication number: 20080099084
    Abstract: A valve assembly includes first and second conduits having respective first and second flanges in abutment with each other, a stopper in the second conduit, and a valve body secured between the first and second flanges. The valve body includes a body bore in communication between the first and second conduits. The body bore defines a circular opening in one end of the valve body. The valve body also includes a circumferential notch that substantially insulates the circular opening from distortion arising from securing the valve body. The stopper snuggly seats against the circular opening to prevent fluid flow from the second conduit to the first conduit, but unseats to permit fluid flow from the first conduit to the second conduit. An o-ring may surround a portion of the valve body and be energized as the valve body is secured. A lip may surround the circular opening to provide a seat for the stopper.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2006
    Publication date: May 1, 2008
    Inventors: Thomas R. Headley, Lloyd I. Towne
  • Patent number: 7165951
    Abstract: A high-pressure fluid is continuously generated with high efficiency without causing pulsation of pressure by reciprocally moving a piston having first, second and third chamber sections under the control of an actuator including an operating pressure source and a directional control valve. With the reciprocating motion of the piston, liquid or fluid such as gas is fed into the first, second and third chamber sections in sequence through check valves and finally discharged outside at high pressure. The actuator is operated hydraulically, mechanically or electrically.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2007
    Inventors: Mitsuharu Magami, Naoyuki Magami, Takuya Magami
  • Patent number: 6790010
    Abstract: A pumping system. The pumping system has a cylinder pump, a first group of switching devices, and a second group of switching devices. The first group of switching devices enable the cylinder pump to pump the liquid by feeding the gas provided by the gas source into the cylinder pump through a first ventilator according to a first enabling signal, and the second group of switching devices enable the cylinder to output the liquid by feeding the gas provided by the gas source into the cylinder pump through a second ventilator according to a second enable signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2004
    Assignee: Nanya Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Chih-Kun Chen, Shan Chang Wang
  • Patent number: 6568925
    Abstract: An abrasive liquid pump having a pump housing and a piston component configured for slidable movement within the pump housing. The pump housing has a bottom housing portion with a bottom end and a bottom mid-pump end and a top housing portion with a top end and a top mid-pump end. The top portion is removably attached to the bottom portion. The piston component has a top piston assembly on one end having at least one sealing component for sealable engagement against an inner surface of the top housing portion and a bottom piston assembly on the other end having at least on sealing component for sealable engagement against an inner surface of the bottom housing portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2003
    Inventor: Eric Gunderson
  • Patent number: 6241488
    Abstract: The invention relates to a multi-piston hydraulic pump for a free-piston engine, comprising two engine pistons (2) mounted on a common piston rod (1) which is also fitted with pin-shaped pistons (5a, 5b) of the hydraulic pump at a radial distance from the piston rod (1). Mounting blocks (6a,6b) for the hydralic punp pistos (5a, 5b) extend from the engine piston rod (1) crosswise relative to each other at an axial distance from each other. The hydraulic pistons (5a and 5b) fastened to different mounting blocks (6 and 6b and 6b) are located for the most part side by side over the same section of the axial length of the engine piston rod and the free ends thereof point in opposite directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2001
    Assignee: Sampower Oy
    Inventor: Mikko Luoto
  • Patent number: 5564912
    Abstract: A fluid driven pump uses a working fluid under pressure to run a pump for pumping a product fluid. The pump includes first and second cylinders positioned end-to-end. Each cylinder houses a piston, the pistons being linked so as to move together. A piston rod projects from an end of one of the cylinders and operates valve gear which alternatingly direct working fluid to opposite sides of one of the pistons, or to opposite sides of the assembly formed by the two linked pistons. This arrangement results in the reciprocating movement of the pistons which can then be used to pump the product fluid. In another embodiment, two pumps of the type described above are used with the piston rod of each being used to operate the valve gear controlling the other. In yet another embodiment, a rotary turbine, driven by working fluid under pressure and having a common shaft with the impeller of a centrifugal pump, is used to pump the product fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 15, 1996
    Inventors: William E. Peck, Larry G. Locke
  • Patent number: 5429681
    Abstract: An electronic condiment dispenser may dispense a plurality of condiments. The condiment dispenser may include a bag support module for holding a plurality of condiment supply bags. A pump regulator module may be connected to each condiment bag and may pump a condiment from the bag to a manifold diffuser module. The pump regulator module may include a multi-chambered pump having separate chambers for isolating the pump working fluid from the condiment, so the pump working fluid does not contaminate or react with the condiment. A main case may house at least one manifold diffuser module and may be configured to support a tray carrying a large number of food targets, i.e., 6 or 12 food targets, such as hamburger buns or taco shells. A programmable control module may be connected to the pump regulator module for controlling and selectively dispensing a predetermined amount of condiment and/or number of condiments to a predetermined number of food targets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 4, 1995
    Assignee: Condiment Master, Inc.
    Inventor: John M. Mesenbring
  • Patent number: 5083339
    Abstract: A nozzle arm is associated with an air-operated motor arranged to move the nozzle arm in a forward and return cycle across a headlight. The motor is a reversing air motor that includes a mixing chamber for pressured air and a cleaning fluid. The mixing chamber produces a mist under pressure that cleans the headlight in an efficient manner in one cycle of the arm. The motor is controlled in its movement by a cycling valve and an air operated relay valve. The nozzles on the nozzle arm are thin openings that form a pressured fan-like cleaning pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 1989
    Date of Patent: January 28, 1992
    Assignee: Sprague Aristo-Aire, Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen M. Bristow
  • Patent number: 4946352
    Abstract: A dual action piston pump has a centrally disposed pump cylinder having a pump piston therein. A transition section is secured to each end of said pump cylinder through which the media being pumped passes while being pumped from and to a four way valve. A piston rod is connected to each side of said pump piston. Each piston rod passes through the side wall of the transition section and extends into a drive cylinder where it is connected to a drive piston. The drive pistons are driven by a motive fluid which may be hydraulic fluid. Each drive cylinder has a motive fluid connection adjacent to its distal and proximal ends so that both drive pistons can be driven in both directions. As the pump piston moves in one direction media is being pumped out on one side while media is being drawn in on the opposite side. The four way valve connects one side of the cylinder to a suction intake and the other side of the cylinder to the discharge. The valve reverses these connections when the stroke of the pistons reverse.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1989
    Date of Patent: August 7, 1990
    Assignee: Multi-Pump, Inc.
    Inventor: Randy Evenson
  • Patent number: 4761118
    Abstract: The invention disclosed relates to the art field embracing positive displacement reciprocating compressors of the type featuring hydraulic drive, and sets out to simplify the construction of such units, rendering them more functional at the same time. Four coaxial bulkheads are adopted, set apart one from the next by three cylinder barrels, and three pistons which are mounted to a common rod and reciprocated thus, each in its respective barrel; the central piston and barrel are of either greater or smaller diameter than the remainder. Hydraulic oil from a power pack driving the compressor flows alternately into chambers which are occupied by the rod, and bounded at one end by one of the pistons of smaller or greater diameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 1986
    Date of Patent: August 2, 1988
    Inventor: Franco Zanarini
  • Patent number: 4419055
    Abstract: A fluid supply system includes a pump body having a main bore connectible through inlet check valves to draw fluid from a fluid reservoir and through outlet check valves to supply low pressure fluid to a low pressure function upon reciprocation of a free piston in the main bore. The free piston includes a pair of coaxial driving pistons on either side which extend into main passages which are alternately connected to a high pressure source to cause reciprocation of the free piston. A first spool valve which responds to the completion of a free piston stroke activates a second spool valve which changes the high pressure source connections to the driving pistons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 1980
    Date of Patent: December 6, 1983
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventor: Ronnie F. Burk
  • Patent number: 4388049
    Abstract: A fluid supply system includes a pump body having a main bore connectible through inlet check valves to draw secondary fluid from a first fluid reservoir and through outlet check valves to supply it to a secondary fluid function upon reciprocation of a free piston in the main bore. The free piston includes a pair of coaxial driving pistons on either side which extend into main passages which are alternately connected to a pressurized primary fluid source to cause reciprocation of the free piston. A first spool valve which responds to the completion of a free piston stroke activates a second spool valve which changes the primary fluid source connections to the driving pistons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1980
    Date of Patent: June 14, 1983
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventor: Ronnie F. Burk
  • Patent number: 4304736
    Abstract: A method of and apparatus for making and dispensing carbonated water; the method has the steps of using carbon dioxide propellant gas at a predetermined propellant pressure for propelling flat water through cooling coils and into a carbonator, pressurizing the carbonator at a predetermined storage pressure which is less than the propellant pressure, exhausting used propellant gas into cooled propellant water, commonly admitting water and exhausted gas into the carbonator while restricting and backing up the flowing propelled water and gas and mixing them together under a pressure above the storage pressure, and storing and dispensing under the storage pressure; flat water may also be selectively diverted and dispensed after cooling and before contact with exhausted propellant gas, and the propellant pressure may be boosted with municipal water pressure; the apparatus has a pneumatically powerable water pump, a carbonator, a propelled water conduit connecting a pump outlet to a carbonator inlet, a fill valve i
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1980
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1981
    Assignees: The Coca-Cola Company, The Cornelius Company
    Inventors: John R. McMillin, Gene A. Tracy, William A. Harvill, William S. Credle, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4212597
    Abstract: In thrust chambers of a recompressor piston are arranged ports which are joined to conduits leading to opposite fronts of the distributor piston of a five way valve. Flow passages lead to thrust chambers provided with conduits which, through a unidirectional valve, penetrate along the interior of a coaxial stem to the recompressor piston, and constitute fixed variators of the volume in the recompression chambers when the recompressor piston is cyclically displaced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 1978
    Date of Patent: July 15, 1980
    Inventor: Salvador Gali Mallofre
  • Patent number: 4097198
    Abstract: This hydraulic engine utilizes two sets of hydraulic cylinders connected to a shaft so as to be alternately pressurized as the shaft is reciprocally driven by a pair of conventional internal combustion chambers. The outlets of all hydraulic cylinders are connected to a common output line via valves. During each power stroke certain of the hydraulic cylinders being pressurized are selectively disconnected (depressurized) from the output line. This effectively decreases the load on the driving chamber, and insures a relatively constant, high pressure hydraulic fluid output level despite changes in supplied force during each power stroke. The selective cylinder disconnection may be implemented programmatically in response to changes in engine parameters such as combustion pressure. The engine also includes a pump for supplying input hydraulic fluid to each set of cylinders while that set is not being compressed. The input fluid force is additive to the power supplied by the operative combustion chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 1976
    Date of Patent: June 27, 1978
    Inventor: Allen R. Herron
  • Patent number: 4087205
    Abstract: A hybrid propulsion system, particularly for a vehicle, having a free piston type engine-pump unit connected to a working fluid circuit for controlling pressurization of a working fluid, which fluid in turn drives a hydraulic motor interconnected to the vehicle wheels. The motor-pump unit includes a free piston assembly having a pair of fixedly connected power pistons, each of which has a pump piston fixed thereto. The fluid system includes high and low pressure accumulators in communication with pumping chambers associated with the pump pistons. The power pistons are used for driving the pump pistons to pressurize the working fluid when self-sustained operation of the engine-pump unit is desired. However, the flow of working fluid to the pumping chambers can be reversed during startup of the engine so that the high pressure fluid is used for driving the free piston assembly until same is reciprocated at a rate rapidly enough to permit self-sustained reciprocation thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 1975
    Date of Patent: May 2, 1978
    Inventor: Richard P. Heintz
  • Patent number: 4084923
    Abstract: A downhole, hydraulically actuated pump assembly of the free or fixed type which includes a control valve positioned above the engine, and a plurality of pistons connected together by a hollow connecting rod. The pistons are arranged to divide a production cylinder from an engine cylinder, so that the connecting rod is always placed in compression, thereby avoiding rod breakage. The hollow connecting rod is employed to supply power fluid to the lower engine, and the rod ends are arranged to have fluid pressure exerted thereagainst to improve the operation of the pump assembly.The production pump divides the engine into an upper and lower engine assembly so that the upper engine strokes the pump in a downward direction, while the lower engine strokes the pump in an upward direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 1976
    Date of Patent: April 18, 1978
    Inventor: George K. Roeder
  • Patent number: 4080111
    Abstract: A downhole, hydraulically actuated, double acting pump of either the fixed or the free type, having a control valve positioned above the engine. The engine has a power cylinder chamber arranged at each extremity thereof, so that the connecting rod is placed in compression on each stroke of the engine.The downhole pump includes spaced, external seals which form spaced, concentric, annular flow chambers therebetween, which cooperate with the various flow paths formed within the pump to enable a maximum size piston to be utilized within the apparatus. Hence, the power fluid and production fluid flow along unique flow paths, which are not formed within the side wall of the pump housing; and therefore, the apparatus accommodates a maximum diameter piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1975
    Date of Patent: March 21, 1978
    Inventor: George K. Roeder
  • Patent number: 3986796
    Abstract: A variable stroke alternating compressor is disclosed wherein a movable one-piece free piston 1 serves at the same time as an engine piston 2, a compressor piston 3, and a bounce piston 4; the elements are integrated; the assembly is dynamically balanced, cooled, and insulated. It has no movable mechanical connections. The elements thereof have motions which are all controlled by the travel of the free piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 1975
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1976
    Inventors: Auguste F. Moiroux, Francois Bernard