The present invention relates to pneumatic pumps for liquid products, and more particularly, the present invention relates to an automated pneumatic reversing transfer pump for liquid products.
Transfer feeding pumps are one of the common equipment in industries. Transfer feeding pumps, also simply known as transfer pumps or fluid transfer pumps, are used for transferring fluids under pressure. A variety of transfer pumps based on different working mechanisms are known in the art, such as centrifugal pumps, pneumatic pumps, and the like. Pneumatic pumps are quite popular in industries that can handle high-viscosity fluid transfer processes, such as polyurethane fluid transfer applications. In high-viscosity fluid transfer applications, the capacity of the transfer pump is directly proportional to the viscosity of the fluid to be transferred. However, as the viscosity of fluid increases, a proportionate increase in the output pressure of the transfer pump is also required. To increase the output pressure, the size of the pneumatic cylinder must be increased proportionally. Thus, the process is significantly labor-intensive and tedious, and it may sometimes not be feasible due to a lack of equipment.
Thus, a need is appreciated for a novel system and method that allows for adapting to the changing viscosity of fluids without requiring the change of pneumatic cylinder.
The terms “liquid” and “fluid” are interchangeably used herein and refer to any liquid that can be transferred through a transfer pump. The viscosity of the liquid may vary, and liquids of any viscosity are within the scope of the present invention for transferring.
The following presents a simplified summary of one or more embodiments of the present invention to provide a basic understanding of such embodiments. This summary is not an extensive overview of all contemplated embodiments and is intended to neither identify critical elements of all embodiments nor delineate the scope of any or all embodiments. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts of one or more embodiments in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.
The principal object of the present invention is therefore directed to a pneumatic transfer pump system for transferring liquid products that can be adapted to varying viscosity of liquid product without requiring the change in size of a pneumatic cylinder.
Another object of the present invention is that the pneumatic transfer pump system takes less operating space than a conventional pneumatic pump of similar capacity.
It is still another object of the present invention that the pneumatic transfer pump system has a compact profile.
It is yet another object of the present invention that the pneumatic transfer pump system is economical to manufacture.
In one aspect, disclosed is a pneumatic transfer pump system that can be used to transfer liquid products, such as plastic material. The pneumatic transfer pump system can be adapted to changes in the viscosity of the liquid to be transferred without changing the pneumatic cylinder to a different size. This is achieved by incorporating an automated reversing function in combination with a pneumatic cylinder that allows adapting to changes in the viscosity of the liquids.
In one aspect, disclosed is a pneumatic transfer pump system that includes a unique clamp and bung adapter which enables easy switch over of different feeding pumps.
The accompanying Figures, which are incorporated herein, form part of the specification and illustrate embodiments of the present invention. Together with the description, the Figures further explain the principles of the present invention and enable a person skilled in the relevant arts to make and use the invention.
Subject matter will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and which show, by way of illustration, specific exemplary embodiments. Subject matter may, however, be embodied in a variety of different forms and, therefore, covered or claimed subject matter is intended to be construed as not being limited to any exemplary embodiments set forth herein; exemplary embodiments are provided merely to be illustrative. Likewise, the reasonably broad scope for claimed or covered subject matter is intended. Among other things, for example, the subject matter may be embodied as methods, devices, components, or systems. The following detailed description is, therefore, not intended to be taken in a limiting sense.
The word “exemplary” is used herein to mean “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” Any embodiment described herein as “exemplary” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments. Likewise, the term “embodiments of the present invention” does not require that all embodiments of the invention include the discussed feature, advantage, or mode of operation.
The terminology used herein is to describe particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of embodiments of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises”, “comprising,”, “includes” and/or “including”, when used herein, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.
The following detailed description includes the best currently contemplated mode or modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense but is made merely to illustrate the general principles of the invention since the scope of the invention will be best defined by the allowed claims of any resulting patent.
Disclosed is a pneumatic transfer pump system that can be used to transfer liquid products, such as plastic material. The disclosed system can be used to transfer/pump plastic material, such as polyurethane in industrial processes. The pneumatic transfer pump system can be adapted to the changes in the viscosity of the liquid to be transferred without changing pneumatic cylinders of different sizes. This is achieved by incorporating an automated reversing function in combination with a pneumatic cylinder that allows adapting to the changes in viscosity of the liquid.
Referring to
The air motor part of the pneumatic transfer pump system can be connected to a pump part of the pneumatic transfer pump system through a piston rod. The air motor part may include a flanged hollow ring spatially positioned below the cylinder and coupled to the cylinder base through multiple rod members. The distance between the cylinder base and the flanged hollow ring can be proportional to the length of the piston rod air motor part and the play of the piston rod. The piston rod extends from the center of the cylinder base and the rod members extend around the piston rod. The rod members are spaced apart from each other and from the piston rod. To the end of the piston rod is a piston rod coupler that allows connecting the piston rod to the pump part of the disclosed system.
The pump part can include a flat disk, the dimensions of which correspond to that of the flanged hollow ring. The flanged hollow ring juxtaposes with the flat disk so that the pump part can be secured to the air motor part. A clamp can clamp the flanged hollow ring and the flat disk together. The use of a clamp as a fastener for coupling the flanged hollow ring and the flat disk allows for quick assembling and disassembling of the pump part from the air motor part.
In the center of the flat disk is an aperture through which a bolt rod passes through and extends upwards from the flat disk. The bolt rod can be hollow, and a second piston rod is slidable received within the hollow bolt rod. The proximal end of the second piston rod has a ball head. This ball head can be coupled with the piston rod coupler for operably clamping the pump part with the air motor part. For securing the pump part to the air motor part, the clamp can secure the flanged hollow ring and flat disk together.
The air motor part includes the cylinder; an implementation of the hollow cylinder is shown in
The operation of the directional control valve can be mechanically controlled by an upper pilot valve and a lower pilot valve. The upper pilot valve can be disposed of in the upper chamber, preferably in the cylinder cap. The lower pilot valve can be disposed in the lower chamber, preferably in the cylinder base.
Each of the upper chamber and the lower chamber can be provided with an air intake duct from the directional control valve. The air under pressure from the pressurized air source can be directed by the directional control valve into the upper chamber through the upper air duct. Similarly, the air under pressure can be directed by the directional control valve into the lower chamber through the lower air duct. The upper air duct can be disposed in the cylinder cap while the lower air intake duct can be disposed into the cylinder base. It is understood, however, that the air intake ducts i.e., the upper air duct and the lower air duct can also be provided in the wall of the cylinder without departing from the scope of the present invention. The air intake ducts can open in the intake ports i.e., the upper intake duct opens in the upper air intake port and the lower air intake duct opens in the lower air intake port.
Each of the upper and lower chambers can also include an exhaust port through which air in the respective chamber can egress. An upper exhaust port can be provided in the cylinder cap while the lower exhaust port can be provided in the cylinder base. Through the exhaust ports, the air can only egress but not ingress into the respective chamber. The exhaust ports can be operably coupled to the respective pilot valves.
The directional control valve operated by the upper pilot valve and the lower pilot valve can switch between an up mode in which air is directed to the upper chamber and a down mode in which the air can be directed into the lower chamber. It is to be noted that the terminology “upper chamber” and “lower chamber” is for illustration only and is used to explain the working of the assembly. However, the volume of the upper chamber and lower chamber increases and decreases with the movement of the piston head.
The movement of the piston upwards is referred to herein as an upward stroke and downwards is referred to as a downward stroke. In the upward stroke, the air directional control valve is in the down mode and air under pressure fills the lower chamber causing the piston head to move upwards. The lower exhaust port of the lower chamber is closed and that of the upper chamber is open so that air from the upper chamber can egress. When the piston head reaches maximum stroke length, it triggers the upper pilot valve. The actuation of the upper pilot valve by the piston head causes the reversing of the directional control valve from the down mode to the up mode, the upper exhaust port closes, and the lower exhaust port opens. Now the air fills into the upper chamber resulting in the piston head moving downwards in the downward stroke, and the air in the lower chamber egressing from the lower exhaust port. The piston head moves downwards till it reaches the maximum stroke length and upon reaching the maximum stroke length, the piston head triggers the lower pilot valve. The lower pilot valve upon actuation causes the reversing of the directional control valve from the up mode to down mode, the upper exhaust port opens, the lower exhaust port closes, and the piston head moves upwards. The cycle is repeated to move the piston and thus the pump part of the assembly.
The above shows and describes the basic principles and main features of the utility model and its advantages of the utility model. Technical personnel in the industry should understand that the utility model is not limited by the above-mentioned embodiment. The above-mentioned embodiment and the description in the specification only illustrate the principle of the utility model. Without leaving the spirit and scope of the utility model, the utility model will have various changes and improvements, and these changes and improvements fall within the scope of the utility model that requires protection. The scope of patent protection required by the utility model is defined by the attached claims and its equivalent scope.
Referring to
In operation, air enters the directional control valve from port A, it simultaneously enters the upper air cavity and the lower air cavity along the edge air path and enters the upper pilot valve and the lower pilot valve. The upper pilot valve is compressed by air, causing valve core to press gasket, making the upper pilot valve sealed. The lower pilot valve is compressed by air causing the valve core to press the gasket, making the lower pilot valve sealed. In a stationary state of the piston, the pressure in both the upper cavity and the lower cavity is balanced. The air source pushes the piston upwards i.e., in the upward stroke. When the piston hits the valve core of the upper pilot valve, the respective gasket seal opens, and the upper air intake port and the upper exhaust port of the upper pilot valve are connected. Since the lower pilot valve is in a sealed state and the upper air intake port is in the open state, the pressure in the upper cavity becomes significantly lower than the pressure in the lower cavity. This pressure difference that has greater pressure in the lower cavity causes the shaft to move upwards, thereby reversing the direction of the directional control valve. The air from the directional valve now is directed to the upper chamber and the piston moves downwards. When the piston reaches mid of its stroke length, the upper and lower pilot valves are sealed again at the same time. The pressure of upper cavity and the lower cavity in the directional valve is balanced.
The 5b piston completes the reverse rotation, and the upper and lower pilot valves are sealed again at the same time. The pressure of cavity aa (up) and cavity aa (down) is balanced, and the piston 1n (up) and piston 1n (down) are in a static state, while reversing valve shaft 1k is in a static state, as shown in
This application claims priority from a U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 63/515,202, filed on Jul. 24, 2023, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.
Number | Date | Country | |
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63515202 | Jul 2023 | US |