Precision metered multiple fluid pumping system

• US 5,599,177 A
• Filed: 12/29/1995
• Issued: 02/04/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 04/22/1993
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Carlisle Fluid Technologies Incorporated (Carlisle Cos., Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Binks Manufacturing Company
• Inventors: Hetherington, Robert D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Gluck, Richard E.
• Application Number:
  US08/580,745
• Time in Patent Office: 403 Days
• Field of Search: 417/426, 417/429, 74/422, 74/89.17, 74/109
• US Class Current: 417/429
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 13/02 of two or more fluids at the same time
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 23/06 the pumps being all of reciprocating positive-displacement type
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 9/133 reciprocating movement of the pumping members being obtained by a double-acting elastic-fluid motor
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/18808 with rack
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/18976 Rack and pinion
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/1967 Rack and pinion

Abstract

A precision metering, multiple fluid pumping system comprised of a main pump for pumping a primary fluid and an auxiliary pump for pumping a secondary fluid adjustably linked to work in unison with the main pump. The auxiliary pump is linked to the main pump through a rack and pinion gear system connected to an oscillating arm that operates the auxiliary pump simultaneously with the main pump. The auxiliary pump is infinitely adjustable over a selected range by varying the connecting point of the auxiliary pump to the oscillating arm. The connecting point is varied by a worm screw adjustment that provides precision adjustment and metering of a secondary fluid. The system also includes a clutch mechanism between the auxiliary pump oscillating arm and a rack and pinion gear system to disengage the auxiliary pump for priming. An additional feature is the inclusion of a leak detection system in the form of a drain conduit connected to a clear container that visibly indicates when seals in the auxiliary pump may be leaking. When fluid leaks past a main seal in the auxiliary pump, it is collected in the clear container visibly indicating the seals need replacement.

Claims

1. A precision metering multiple fluid pumping system comprising;

main reciprocating pump means for pumping a primary fluid;

auxiliary pump means for pumping a secondary fluid;

connecting means connecting said auxiliary pump means to said main pump for operation in unison therewith;

said connecting means including self-adjusting link means linking said auxiliary pump to a reciprocating piston rod in said main reciprocating pump means, and continuously adjustable variable means for adjusting the ratio of secondary fluid to primary fluid pumped over a predetermined range;

whereby the amount of secondary fluid pumped may be precisely metered.

2. The system according to claim 1 in which said reciprocating piston pump means comprises a pair of dual in-line piston pumps driven by a central actuator.

3. The system according to claim 2 in which said link means comprises;

an oscillating arm attached to a piston rod of said auxiliary pump means; and

gear means connecting said oscillating arm to said main pump piston rod.

4. The system according to claim 3 in which said gear means comprises a self-adjusting gear rack mounted on said main pump piston rod;

and a pinion gear and shaft engaging said gear rack;

said oscillating arm being mounted on the end of said pinion gear shaft.

5. The system according to claim 4 including means to prevent free play of said gear rack when said reciprocating piston changes direction.

6. The system according to claim 5 in which said means for preventing free play comprises resilient self-adjusting means for resiliently mounting said gear rack on said main pump piston rod.

7. The system according to claim 6 in which said self-adjusting resilient mounting means comprises;

carrier block means mounted on said main pump piston rod;

a lengthwise channel in said carrier block means;

a gear rack movably mounted in said channel; and

a pair of coil springs biasing said gear rack away from said block means whereby said gear rack may move radially toward and away from said piston rod.

8. The system according to claim 3 including means for temporarily disengaging said auxiliary pump means from said main pump for priming said pumping system.

9. The system according to claim 8 in which said means for temporarily disengaging said auxiliary pump means from said main pump comprises clutch means connecting said oscillating arm to said gear means.

10. The system according to claim 9 in which said clutch means comprises;

a clutch plate mounted on a gear shaft of said gear means;

a clutch block mounted on said oscillating arm;

means for engaging and disengaging said clutch block from said clutch plate.

11. The system according to claim 10 in which said means for engaging and disengaging said clutch block from said clutch plate comprises socket means in said clutch plate;

pin means on said clutch block;

said clutch block with said oscillating arm being axially movable from a first position with said pin means engaging said socket means in said clutch plate to a second position with said pins disengaged from said socket means.

12. The system according to claim 11 including means for holding said clutch block with said oscillating arm in said first or second axial position.

13. The system according to claim 12 in said holding means comprises;

a pair of axially spaced annular detents in said gear shaft;

said block means with said oscillating arm being axially slidable from one of said annular detents to the other; and

resiliently biased ball means holding said block means in said annular detents.

14. The system according to claim 3 in which said continuously adjustable means comprises;

adjustable connecting means connecting said auxiliary pump means to said oscillating arm.

15. The system according to claim 14 in which said adjustable connecting means comprises;

a worm screw mounted in said oscillating arm;

an adjustable connecting shaft connecting said auxiliary pump means to said worm screw;

rotating means for rotating said worm screw to adjust the connecting point of said adjustable connecting shaft to continuously vary the length of the pumping stroke of said auxiliary pump means.

16. The system according to claim 15 including means for indicating the ratio of secondary fluid to primary fluid being pumped by said auxiliary pump means.

17. The system according to claim 16 in which said indicating means comprises;

a scale on said oscillating arm; and

a pointer mounted on said adjustable shaft to indicate the connecting position of said auxiliary pump means and the relative percent of secondary fluid being pumped.

18. The system according to claim 17 in which said indicating means includes a flow meter connected to the output of said auxiliary pump means to confirm the flow as well as the amount of secondary fluid being pumped.