PUMPING UNIT FOR CONSTANT PULSELESS FLOW

• US 3,816,029 A
• Filed: 10/03/1972
• Issued: 06/11/1974
• Est. Priority Date: 10/03/1972
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: John C. Bowen, Rush B. Gunther
• Original Assignee: John C. Bowen, Rush B. Gunther
• Inventors: Bowen, John C., Gunther, Rush B.
• Primary Examiner(s): Croyle, Carlton R.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Gluck, Richard E.
• Application Number:
  US05/294,637
• Time in Patent Office: 616 Days
• Field of Search: 417/521,533,534,535,536,319,223,539 92/13.8,13.51,13.5
• US Class Current: 417/223
• CPC Class Codes: F03C 1/08 Distributing valve-gear peculiar thereto for engines with positive-displacement in general F01L; F03C1/06 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 1/02 having two cylinders in V-arrangement F04B1/04
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 11/0066 with special shape of the actuating element
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 9/042 the means being cams
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 9/10 the fluid being liquid

Abstract

A pumping unit for high pressure operation of the order of 10,000 psi or greater including upwards of 150,000 to 200,000 psi is disclosed which is essentially pulseless in its discharge, has no packing but utilizes plungers with hydrostatic supports and seals, and for this purpose two pumps and/or intensifiers are employed actuated by a cam directly or through fluid actuators for each cylinder. The cam has a constant rate of rise with a faster return rate. The return position is adjustable by a variably positioned stop or pick-off so that one cylinder will overcome compressibility and commence discharging fluid when the other cylinder finishes thereby providing a steady discharge flow rate. A simple low pressure hydraulic circuit and an air actuating circuit are described.

Claims

1. Pumping apparatus comprising a fluid pump having a pair of cylinders each with a reciprocatory piston and inlet and delivery valves for supply of fluid to said cylinders for pumping by each of said pistons and delivery from said cylinders to a common discharge pipe, and means for actuating said pistons, said means comprising a rotary cam having on its exterior a constant rate of rise portion in excess of 180* for actuation of said pistons in overlapped relation to effect continuous pulseless flow from said cylinders and to said discharge pipe, and means for modifying the action of said cam to accommodate changes in compressibility of the fluid being pumped.

2. Pumping apparatus as defined in claim 1 in which an adjustable speed driving means is provided for rotating said cam.

3. Pumping apparatus as defined in claim 2 in which an overload clutch is interposed in said driving means.

4. Pumping apparatus as defined in claim 1 in which said means for modifying the action of said cam comprises at least one control member for adjustable positioning contiguous to said cam to modify the action of the rise portion of said cam.

5. Pumping apparatus as defined in claim 1 in which operating members are provided for said fluid delivery and discharge valves interposed between said valves and said cam, and said means for modifying the action of said cam comprises at least one slidably mounted control member for engagement with said operating members to modify the action of the return portion of said cam.

6. Pumping apparatus as defined in claim 1 in which said means for actuating said pistons comprises fluid pressure actuated means having reciprocatory members for actuating said reciprocatory pistons, and control means for said fluid actuated means including pressure fluid supply means, and a fluid delivery and discharge valve to which said supply means is connected controlled by said rotary cam and said modIfying means.

7. Pumping apparatus as defined in claim 6 in which said cam has a follower in engagement therewith, and a feedback connection is provided between said piston and said follower.

8. Pumping apparatus as defined in claim 1 in which means is provided for preventing fluid leakage along said piston, said means including a fluid supply connection to said piston intermediate its ends, and means for supplying to said fluid supply connection a fluent material whose viscosity increases with pressure applied thereon.

9. Pumping apparatus as defined in claim 6 in which said fluid pressure actuated means includes fixedly mounted members and movable members connected to each of said pump pistons, and said movably mounted members and said fluid delivery and discharge valves are mounted for movement together.

10. Pumping apparatus as defined in claim 6 in which said control means includes follower members engaged with said cam and to which said fluid delivery and discharge valves are connected, and resilient members for positioning said follower members.

11. Pumping apparatus as defined in claim 10 in which said resilient members urge said follower members into engagement with said cam.

12. Pumping apparatus as defined in claim 10 in which resilient overload release members are provided in engagement with said follower members.

13. Pumping apparatus comprising a fluid pump having a pair of cylinders each with a reciprocatory piston and inlet and delivery valves for supply of fluid to said cylinders for pumping by each of said pistons and delivery from said cylinders to a common discharge pipe, and means including a single rotary cam having on its exterior a constant rate of rise portion in excess of 180* for actuating said pistons in overlapped relation to effect constant pulseless flow from said cylinders at a predetermined compressibility of the fluid being pumped.