U.S. patent application number 15/772797 was filed with the patent office on 2018-11-01 for compliant check valve for aggregate pump.
This patent application is currently assigned to Graco Minnesota Inc.. The applicant listed for this patent is Graco Minnesota Inc.. Invention is credited to Ralph C Angiuli, Daniel J Chase, Evan M Gutshall, Christopher J Pellin, Kevin M Raines, Joshua D Roden, John R Scopelite.
Application Number | 20180313453 15/772797 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 58695175 |
Filed Date | 2018-11-01 |
United States Patent
Application |
20180313453 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Roden; Joshua D ; et
al. |
November 1, 2018 |
Compliant Check Valve for Aggregate Pump
Abstract
A disclosure pertains to a reciprocating pump configured for
pumping fillers or aggregates or cementitious material and the
like.
Inventors: |
Roden; Joshua D; (Blaine,
MN) ; Pellin; Christopher J; (Burnsville, MN)
; Gutshall; Evan M; (North Canton, OH) ; Raines;
Kevin M; (Akron, OH) ; Angiuli; Ralph C;
(Canfield, OH) ; Chase; Daniel J; (Wadsworth,
OH) ; Scopelite; John R; (Louisville, OH) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Graco Minnesota Inc. |
Minneapolis |
MN |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Graco Minnesota Inc.
Minneapolis
MN
|
Family ID: |
58695175 |
Appl. No.: |
15/772797 |
Filed: |
November 10, 2016 |
PCT Filed: |
November 10, 2016 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/US2016/061340 |
371 Date: |
May 1, 2018 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
62253733 |
Nov 11, 2015 |
|
|
|
62255848 |
Nov 16, 2015 |
|
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62255749 |
Nov 16, 2015 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F04B 19/22 20130101;
F16K 15/183 20130101; F04B 53/1087 20130101; F04B 53/126 20130101;
F16K 15/04 20130101; F04B 53/101 20130101; F04B 53/1007 20130101;
F04B 15/02 20130101; F16K 15/048 20130101 |
International
Class: |
F16K 15/04 20060101
F16K015/04; F04B 53/10 20060101 F04B053/10 |
Claims
1. A check valve (100), comprising: a valve body (102) comprising:
a first section (104); a second section (106); and an aperture
(108) through which the first and second sections are in fluid
communication with each other; a seat (110) at the aperture 108;
and a plug (112) disposed in the first section, the plug
comprising: a substantially rigid core (118); and a substantially
compliant coating (116) encasing the rigid core; wherein, the first
section is configured for uninhibited displacement of the plug
therewithin; the aperture is sized to inhibit displacement of the
plug from the first section into the second section; flow across
the aperture from the first section into the second section is
inhibited when at least a portion of the plug is fully seated
against the seat; and flow across the aperture is enabled when at
least a portion of the plug is unseated from at least a portion of
the seat.
2. The check valve of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the
compliant coating deforms around an aggregate or filler flowing
through the pump when the plug is seated against the seat.
3. The check valve of claim 2, wherein deformation of the compliant
coating displaces at least a portion of the compliant plug across
the aperture thereby enhancing the integrity of a seal at the
aperture.
4. The check valve of claim 1, wherein the plug is fully seated
against the seat when a pressure in the first section is relatively
greater than a pressure in the second section.
5. The check valve of claim 1, wherein the plug is at least
partially unseated from the seat when a pressure in the first
section is relatively less than a pressure in the second
section.
6. The check valve of claim 1, wherein the flow across the aperture
is from the second section into the first section.
7. The check valve of claim 1, wherein the seat comprises one or
more of: a hard sharp-edged perimeter (114) against which the plug
is seated; a radiused perimeter (114) against which the plug is
seated; and a chamfered perimeter (114) against which the plug is
seated.
8. The check valve of claim 1, wherein the compliant coating is an
elastomeric material.
9. The check valve of claim 1, wherein a thickness of the compliant
coating relative to a size of the rigid core is optimized for one
or more of weight, sealing effectiveness, and life of the compliant
coating.
10. A pump (10), comprising: an outlet port (12); an outlet section
(14) in fluid communication with the outlet port; an inlet port
(16); an inlet section (18) in fluid communication with the inlet
port; a substantially hollow middle section (24) extending between
and in fluid communication with the inlet and outlet sections; a
ball cage (20) comprising a ball (28) disposed therewithin; a ball
guide (22) comprising a ball (54) disposed therewithin; and a
piston (26) configured for displacing the ball guide towards and
away from the ball cage.
11. The pump of claim 10, comprising a seat (58) disposed at an end
of the ball cage; and a seat (60) disposed at an end of the ball
guide; wherein, the ball disposed within the ball cage is a
compliant ball; the ball cage, the ball disposed therewithin, and
the seat disposed at an end of the ball cage are configured as a
check valve; the ball disposed within the ball guide is a compliant
ball; and the ball guide, the ball disposed therewithin, and the
seat disposed at an end of the ball guide are configured as a check
valve.
12. The pump of claim 11, wherein each of the compliant ball
disposed within the ball cage and the ball guide comprise: a
substantially rigid core (74); and a compliant coating (72)
encasing the rigid core.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a National Stage application under 35
U.S.C. 371 ("371 Application") of International Patent Application
No. PCT/US2016/061340 filed Nov. 10, 2016, which claims the benefit
of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/255,848 filed Nov.
16, 2015, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/255,749 filed
Nov. 16, 2015, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No.
62/253,733 filed Nov. 11, 2015, all of which are herein
incorporated by reference in their entirety.
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
[0002] Not applicable.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0003] The instant disclosure pertains to a pump. More
particularly, the disclosure pertains to a check valve for a
reciprocating pump for pumping an aggregate.
BACKGROUND
[0004] Two ball piston pumps have not traditionally been used for
pumping heavy fillers or aggregates or cementitious material and
the like. Problems associated with restricted flow passages as well
as the inability of ball check valves to seal properly in a heavily
aggregate filled material are common. When cementitious material is
put under pressure the water or fluid contained within the material
can separate out from the aggregate portion of the material which
leads to a compressed or hardened mass that is no longer flowable,
and it is considered packed out. Packed out material prevents the
pump from working. Additionally, pumping heavily filled material
requires valves, e.g., check valves, that seal adequately to
prevent water or fluid within the material from separating out.
[0005] U.S. Pat. No. 2,309,839 to Gardner discloses a float collar
utilized in lowering strings of pipe into a well bore using
floating equipment. The float collar is made of a deformable rubber
body which is inserted into the pipe without performing any
operations on the pipe such as threading, welding, etc. After the
rubber body is inserted in position, it is arranged to permit its
expansion so that the inherent resiliency of the rubber causes it
to grip inside of the pipe and hold the pipe in position. Also
disclosed is providing a rubber float collar and a rubber float
shoe having a body made of resilient material such as rubber and
having a diameter substantially in excess of the inside diameter of
the string of pipe to which it is applied so that the body may be
compressed, inserted in the pipe, and permitted to expand so that
its inherent resiliency creates a frictional grip with the inside
surface of the pipe to hold the body in position. Additionally, a
rubber float collar or guide shoe is disclosed which can be
temporarily deformed and retained in such deformed position so that
it may be inserted in a pipe to thereafter expand and grip the
pipe. The disclosure further provides a rubber float collar which
can be deformed and temporarily retained in such deformed position
by a restraining means or by means of a wire or metal sleeve which
can be thereafter released by corrosion or otherwise so as to
release the body.
[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 2,682,281 to Ecker relates to ball check
valves and, more particularly, a ball valve provided with a cage
having a flexible and resilient ball guide. The flexible and
resilient ball guide includes circumferentially spaced guide
elements adapted to receive the ball valve therebetween, the
circumferential spaces between the guide elements providing
passages past the ball valve through which fluid may flow when the
ball valve is in its open position. Also disclosed is a unitary
ball guide wherein the circumferentially spaced guide elements are
interconnected so that the ball guide may be readily assembled
with, or disassembled from the body of the ball valve cage. The
guide elements of the ball guide are interconnected by arcuate
connecting elements which co-operate with the guide elements at one
end of the ball guide to form an annulus at the one end of the ball
guide. To facilitate assembly of the ball guide with the body of
the ball valve cage, at least the arcuate connecting elements
defining the annulus are formed of a material which is considerably
more flexible and softer than the guide elements.
[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 2,723,679 to Harris et al. teaches check
valves for compressed air lines to regulate and control air
pressure tanks, and more specifically a check valve which is
preferably vertically positioned in the air line and is so designed
and arranged that it will give instant opening and quick cut-off
and provide a positive self cleaning action. The valve is useable
in air controlled operations where a positive and quick acting
check valve is required in the air line between the compressed air
tank and the mechanism operated by the air. The check valve is in
the form of a ball which is operative within a cage which includes
a seat. The valve mechanism itself is mounted and arranged in
vertical position, that is the valve mounting portion of the
assembly is mounted in a vertical section between two horizontal
sections of the entire compressed air line assembly. The guide or
cage in which the valve is operable is formed integral with the
valve bumper which provides for ease of assembly and replacement.
The valve seat is designed for effecting an easy and rigid
association with the compressed air line, and in a manner which
expedites the removal in a quick and easy way of the seat from the
assembly and also affords an easy replacement of a valve seat. The
rapid deterioration of the prior art valve and parts thereof caused
by foreign matter is overcome by constructing a valve wherein the
ball is subjected to a spinning action in its opening and closing
movements. The spinning action also causes the ball to be self
cleaning to thereby eliminate substantially all corrosion which
does form on valves. The air line is of angular construction
forming a vertical section between two horizontal sections. The
valve mechanism is operatively mounted in the vertical section.
When the pressured air is flowing through the system it passes from
a horizontal into the vertical section and this angular flow
creates air turbulence in the vertical section which lifts the
valve and generates a spinning reaction therein. This spinning
action is also aided by the construction of the bumper at the top
of the ball cage or guide which the ball valve engages at the top
of its opening stroke.
[0008] U.S. Pat. No. 3,077,204 to Bennett et al. discloses one-way
check valves for controlling the flow of fluids and more
particularly a check valve suited to controlling the flow of
granular fluid materials, such as plaster and cement slurry. The
check valve is constructed such that granular particles in the
material flowing through the valve cannot prevent the valve from
closing completely. Also disclosed is a check valve which is
adjustable to vary the distance of travel of its check valve member
between open and closed positions so as to adapt the valve to use
in a constant delivery plaster and cement spray pump.
[0009] U.S. Pat. No. 3,371,352 to Siposs et al. pertains to a heart
valve having needle fixation in combination with an upholstered
suturable cuff. The needles are pivotally mounted to swing in a
common radial plane and have arcuately curved shanks concentric
with their pivotal axes to avoid a sweeping motion as they
penetrate the patient's tissue. The needles are projected by an
epi-cycloidal cam on a rotatable ring in the valve.
[0010] U.S. Pat. No. 3,387,625 to Laure discloses a check valve
construction having a ball check valve located between a pair of
spaced apart annular constricting rings embracing a deformable
tubular member forming deformations on the interior thereof, one of
the deformations forming a valve seat for the ball valve member.
The deformations are capable of being removed from the tubing and
moved axially of the tubing.
[0011] U.S. Pat. No. 3,542,155 to Kern relates to a ball check
valve type of lubrication fitting having a unitary tubular housing
formed of a resilient deformable material with a series of axially
spaced outwardly extending concentric ribs circumferally formed on
the exterior surface of the housing for engaging the interior wall
surfaces of a complementary mounting opening and deforming in a
manner to retain the fitting in the opening.
[0012] U.S. Pat. No. 3,620,228 to Schmid relates to a device for
attaching in the pipes of irrigating systems for removing silt and
draining water composed of a tee for inserting in pipeline, a long
drop pipe accommodating a valve seat, interior longitudinal flanges
above said seat, and a buoyant captive ball between; ball being
forced to seat under water pressure and rising when pressure is
relieved, permitting silt and water to pass into open end sump
below.
[0013] U.S. Pat. No. 3,661,167 to Hussey teaches a diaphragm or
piston type chemical feed pump having an influent valve and an
effluent valve connected to the pumping chamber each having in some
combination a single or multiple ball check valve system. The
valves of the pump are doubled and reversible within separable
casings having oppositely disposed ball recesses so that the same
set of parts can be assembled into an inlet or outlet ball check
valve. For precise sealing, each valve has a resilient, self
cleaning ball valve seat.
[0014] U.S. Pat. No. 4,286,622 to Ninomiya et al. pertains to a
check ball valve assembly including a main valve body member taking
the form of a rigid combination of a hollow cylindrical body
element and a pipe coupling member at one end of the body element.
The main valve body contains therein a movable ball valve member.
In this valve assembly a further or second pipe coupling member is
detachably connected at the opposite end of the body element. A
resilient or elastomeric, double-functioning sealing member is
positioned between the body element and the second pipe coupling
and is so shaped and arranged to execute at its inside a detachable
sealing function with the ball valve member and at the same time to
execute at its outside a sealing function between the main valve
body and the detachable pipe coupling member. The valve assembly
further includes a retainer ring positioned stationarily behind the
sealing member when seen in the regular fluid passage direction of
the valve assembly. The retainer has a central tapered, fluid
passage allowing bore, for engagement with the valve ball member
for preventing an excess pressure contact of the latter with the
sealing member. In the valve assembly, there are no O rings fitted
therein.
[0015] U.S. Pat. No. 4,287,912 to Hewett discloses a monoflow ball
valve that is particularly suited using plastic materials that
resist metal-corrosive acids, as in a spray system using
hydrofluoric acid and the like. The valve has a valve body with a
passage section smaller than the external diameter of the ball and
the ball is forced into the generally cylindrical passage section
to become a highly effective fluid-tight seal. A spacer at the
inlet forms with the ball a second fluid-tight seal and is
adjustably movable to dislodge the ball from the passage section if
required.
[0016] U.S. Pat. No. 4,295,412 to Hachiro teaches a hose with a
one-way valve used in a brake actuating system for automobiles. A
one-way valve unit is housed in a flexible hose for connecting a
booster shell of a servomotor with an intake manifold of the
internal combustion engine so as to prevent leakage of vacuum. A
valve housing receives therein a valve member and a valve spring
thereby forming the one-way valve unit. The housing further has a
valve seat, a cylindrical guide portion and an annular seal
projection of diameter larger than the guide portion. A fastening
band is provided on the outer periphery of the hose to prevent
movement of the one-way valve and is marked with a mounting
direction of the hose.
[0017] U.S. Pat. No. 4,611,374 to Schnelle et al. pertains to a
check valve formed integrally with a tube without requiring any
additional components. The ball or poppet of the check valve is
maintained in position via a magnetic mandrel while the tube is
crimped at both sides of the poppet. The tube is inwardly crimped
to prevent the poppet from being displaced in either direction and
simultaneously to allow flow to bypass the poppet in the desired
flow direction. Thereafter the poppet is physically displaced
against one of the crimped indentations to coin a seat such that
the poppet and the seat coact to prevent flow of fluid in the
undesired direction.
[0018] U.S. Pat. No. 4,667,696 to van Rensburg relates to an
adjustable nonreturn ball valve for connection in a pipeline. The
valve includes an elongate unobstructed main housing arranged to be
connected at each end to flow pipes. There is an auxiliary housing
located intermediate the ends of the main housing which has a
longitudinal axis obtuse to the longitudinal axis of the main
housing. There is a removable circular valve seat extending across
the main housing at an obtuse angle relative thereto. The main
housing is formed in two sections which are joined together at the
plane of the valve seat. A ball is positioned to close upon the
valve seat and is loosely entrapped in the auxiliary housing to
allow flow in only one direction through the main housing, in which
event and in use the ball automatically rides up in the auxiliary
housing and away from the valve seat. The ball and the auxiliary
housing have diameters greater than the diameter of the main
housing, thereby preventing the ball from moving through the main
housing. The junction of the auxiliary housing and the main housing
form a ramp to assist in moving the ball into the auxiliary housing
in response to flow through the main housing. There is an
adjustable, mechanically operable closure device for the valve
which fits at an upper end of the auxiliary housing and is arranged
to urge and hold the ball downwards toward the valve seat to
throttle or close off the valve according to the setting of the
closure device.
[0019] U.S. Pat. No. 4,955,407 to Inoue discloses the valve body
construction of a check valve which is insertable into the interior
of a flexible hose, which valve body comprises a valve body portion
having one of an inlet port and an outlet port, and a valve end
piece having the other of the inlet and outlet ports, wherein the
valve end piece is formed with annular grooves extending in the
circumferential direction thereof along the opposite sides across a
joint surface between the valve body portion and the valve end
piece. The outer diameter of the valve body portion is made
slightly greater than the inner diameter of the hose, the valve end
piece being provided with a gradually enlarged diametered portion
having a largest outer diameter equal to or slightly greater than
the outer diameter of the valve body portion, and also with a
shouldered portion behind the largest outer diametered portion
[0020] U.S. Pat. No. 5,139,047 to Reinicke relates to a
miniaturized check-valve having a length of straight cylindrical
tubing for its body, wherein the open ends of the tube are the
inlet (or upstream) and outlet (or downstream) ports of the valve.
The tubular body is locally deformed to fixedly retain an inserted
annular valve-seat member at a first axial location of downstream
offset from the inlet end of the pipe. The tubular body is also
locally deformed, at a second axial location of upstream offset
from the outlet end of the pipe, to fixedly retain another annular
member which serves to establish a fixed reference for the
downstream end of a compression spring which continuously urges a
valve member into its valve-closing relation with the valve-seat
member.
[0021] U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,649,360 and 5,653,258 to Schwarz teach a
vent valve for a thermostatic valve of a coolant circuit of an
internal combustion engine having a ball with a radius and a
diameter and serving as a sealing element, and a one-piece metal
cage for the ball. The cage has a pot-shaped part with an inside
diameter larger than the diameter of the ball, and a bottom having
a valve opening surrounded by an outwardly projecting neck. The
cage is shaped in one piece from an originally flat metal sheet by
stamping, deep-drawing, and pressing, and the pot-shaped part has a
height approximately the radius of the ball, and an edge abutted by
a plurality of uniformly distributed tabs located on an axial
extension of the pot-shaped part, the tabs having inwardly bent
ends to retain the ball in the cage with play, the length of the
tabs being greater than or equal to the height of the pot-shaped
part.
[0022] U.S. Pat. No. 5,785,083 to Tang pertains to a check valve
connectable in a refrigerant line and fabricated from only four
parts--(1) a copper tubing body connectable in the refrigerant
line, (2) a nonmetallic shutoff ball, (3) an annular valve seat
member having a diametrically opposite pair of leg portions axially
projecting from one end thereof, and (4) an annular stop member
also having a diametrically opposite pair of leg portions axially
projecting from one end thereof, and further having a diametrically
opposite pair of axially extending outer side surface grooves
formed therein. The seat and stop members are locked together to
form a cage structure by axially press-fitting the valve seat
member outer leg ends into the stop member grooves in a manner such
that the stop member legs underlie and support the seat member
legs, with outer ends of the stop member legs facing a conical
seating surface of the seat member in an axially spaced
relationship therewith. The shutoff ball is captively retained
laterally between the seat member legs for axial movement within
the cage structure between an open position in which the ball seals
against the seating surface, and an open position in which the ball
is axially moved away from the seating surface and is stopped by
the outer ends of the stop member legs. The cage is coaxially and
captively retained in a longitudinally central portion of the
copper tubing body between two elongated, spun-down, reduced
diameter end portions thereof that may be soldered into a
refrigerant line.
[0023] U.S. Pat. No. 6,267,137 B1 to Watanabe et al. teaches a ball
check valve having a body having a flow path and a turnout path
formed therein and provided on a primary side thereof with an inlet
and on a secondary side thereof with an outlet. A ball in the body
a seating part for the ball, disposed in the inlet of the body and
inclined toward the primary side in a state having the flow path
laid horizontally, and a guide part provided with a part for
causing the ball seated at the seating part to be retracted into
the turnout path and guiding the retracted ball to the seating
part, are provided. A pumping apparatus for discharging a fluid
from a storage tank includes a pump alternating motions of pumping
and stopping for controlling the fluid in the storage tank to a
predetermined amount, a piping for discharging to the exterior the
fluid of the storage tank being forwarded by the pump, and a ball
check valve disposed on the piping and adapted to prevent the
discharged fluid from flowing backward during stoppage of the
pump.
[0024] U.S. Pat. No. 8,146,618 B2 to Szuster pertains to a valve
wherein a supporting blind of a deflected channel is terminated at
its free ends with oblique surfaces, and a guiding rail of the ball
is terminated with the supporting directional arrangement directing
the ball toward the supporting blind of the deflected channel, and
the top, which is positioned closer to the valve outlet than to the
inlet, and together with the oblique surfaces of the supporting
blind of the deflected channel produce a slot widening itself to
the direction of deflected channel interior.
[0025] U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2005/0121084 A1 to
Andersson discloses a ball check valve comprising a housing having
walls defining a fluid inlet, a fluid outlet, and a chamber
communicating with the inlet and with the outlet. The ball check
valve includes a spherical hollow ball housing a plurality of
spherical shock absorbing members that stabilize the spherical
hollow ball during operation of the valve. The spherical hollow
ball moves between a first, flow impeding position adjacent the
inlet and a second position spaced from the inlet laterally of a
fluid passageway in the chamber.
[0026] U. S. Patent Application Publication No. 2010/0206404 A1 to
Morrison et al. relates to a ball check valve configured for use as
a pressure vessel. In one embodiment of the invention, the ball
check valve comprises a housing defining one or more inlet, an
outlet and a passageway therebetween. A ball support system is
mounted within the housing, wherein one or more balls are supported
by the ball support system. The ball support system is configured
to allow a ball to close off and open a respective inlet. The
housing generally comprises an inlet section which can have one or
more inlets, wherein each inlet defines a ball seat sealingly
engageable with a ball for sealing the inlet. The housing further
comprises a center section providing adequate space to allow
movement of the ball and an outlet section comprising an outlet for
transferring the fluid to a subsequent portion of a piping network.
The ball support system is configured to guide the movement of each
of the one or more balls, wherein the movement of each ball is
guided from a first position wherein the ball is proximate to a
ball seat located at an inlet and thereby sealing that inlet, to a
second position wherein fluid flow through an inlet into the valve
is enabled.
[0027] U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0026987 A1 to
Ayers et al. teaches a relief valve for extracting sub-surface gas
from beneath a geomembrane includes a valve body for permitting gas
to flow therethrough and includes an inlet, an outlet, a vertical
run communicating with the inlet, and a lateral run communicating
with the vertical run and the outlet. A ball valve comprising a
ball seat is positioned within the vertical run. A lightweight
valve ball is positioned within the vertical run. The valve ball is
movable therewithin between a lowered position against a ball seat
and an elevated position distal therefrom. The valve ball is
lightweight enough that minimal upward gas flows within the
vertical run cause the valve ball to rise and become unseated from
the ball seat such that stoppage of such vertical flows or reverse
flows cause the valve ball to drop back to its ball seat and seal
against reverse flows through the ball valve.
[0028] Accordingly, there exists a need for two ball piston pumps
for pumping heavy fillers or aggregates or cementitious material
and the like that are specifically designed to reduce the
likelihood of creating compressed or hardened and packed out
material. Additionally, in such piston pumps there exists a need
for valves that seal adequately to prevent water or fluid within
the material from separating out when pumping heavily filled
material.
SUMMARY
[0029] A non-limiting exemplary embodiment of a compliant check
valve for an aggregate pump includes a valve body having a first
section, a second section, and an aperture through which the first
and second sections are in fluid communication with each other. The
check valve further includes a seat disposed at the aperture and a
plug disposed in the first section, the plug having a substantially
rigid core and a substantially compliant coating encasing the rigid
core. The first section is configured for uninhibited displacement
of the plug therewithin. The aperture is sized to inhibit
displacement of the plug from the first section into the second
section. At least a portion of the compliant coating deforms around
an aggregate or filler flowing through the pump when the plug is
seated against the aperture. The deformation of the compliant
coating displaces at least a portion of the compliant plug across
the aperture thereby enhancing the integrity of a seal at the
aperture. A pressure applied on the plug in a first direction
sealingly seats the plug against the aperture whereby flow of
material across the aperture from the first section into the second
section is inhibited. A pressure applied on the plug in a second
direction unseals the aperture whereby flow of material across the
aperture is enabled.
[0030] A non-limiting exemplary embodiment of a pump includes an
outlet port, an outlet section in fluid communications with the
outlet port, an inlet port, an inlet section in fluid
communications with the inlet port, a substantially hollow middle
section extending between and in fluid communication the inlet and
outlet sections, a ball cage comprising a ball disposed
therewithin, a ball guide comprising a ball disposed therewithin,
and a piston configured for displacing the ball guide towards and
away from the ball cage.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0031] FIG. 1A is a cross-sectional perspective view of a
non-limiting exemplary embodiment of a pump;
[0032] FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional perspective view illustrating
non-limiting exemplary embodiments of a ball cage and a ball guide
of the pump illustrated in FIG. 1A;
[0033] FIG. 2A is a perspective view of the ball cage illustrated
in FIGS. 1A and 1B as viewed from a first end thereof;
[0034] FIG. 2B is a perspective view of the ball cage illustrated
in FIGS. 1A and 1B as viewed from a second end thereof;
[0035] FIG. 2C is a side view of the ball cage illustrated in FIGS.
2A and 2B;
[0036] FIG. 2D is an end view of the ball cage illustrated in FIGS.
2A and 2B as viewed from the second end thereof;
[0037] FIG. 3A is a side view of the ball guide illustrated in
FIGS. 1A and 1B;
[0038] FIG. 3B is a perspective view of the ball guide illustrated
in FIG. 3A without a ball disposed therewithin;
[0039] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional side view of a non-limiting
exemplary embodiment of a ball cage;
[0040] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional side view of a non-limiting
exemplary embodiment of a check valve;
[0041] FIG. 6A is a side cross-sectional view of the pump
illustrated in FIGS. 1A and 1B during movement of the ball guide
towards the ball cage; and
[0042] FIG. 6B is a side cross-sectional view of the pump
illustrated in FIGS. 1A and 1B during movement of the ball guide
away from the ball cage.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0043] One or more non-limiting embodiments are described herein
with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein like elements
are designated by like numerals. It should be clearly understood
that there is no intent, implied or otherwise, to limit the
disclosure in any way, shape or form to the illustrated and
described embodiments. While multiple exemplary embodiments are
described, variations thereof will become apparent or obvious.
Accordingly, any and all variants for providing functionalities
similar to those of the described embodiments are considered as
being within the metes and bounds of the instant disclosure.
[0044] FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrate a cross-sectional perspective
view of a non-limiting exemplary embodiment of a pump 10. The pump
10 includes an outlet port 12, an outlet section 14 in fluid
communications with the outlet port 12, an inlet port 16, an inlet
section 18 in fluid communication with the inlet port 16, a ball
cage 20 having at least a portion thereof disposed within at least
a portion of the inlet section 18, a substantially hollow ball
guide 22 configured for rectilinear displacement, a substantially
hollow middle section 24, and a piston 26.
[0045] FIGS. 2A-2D illustrate various views of a non-limiting
exemplary embodiment of a ball cage 20. As illustrated in FIGS. 1A
and 1B, ball cage 20 includes a ball 28 disposed therewithin,
spaced apart opposing first and second ends 30 and 32,
respectively, a first opening 34 at the first end 30, and a second
opening 36 at the second end 32. The first opening 34 is in fluid
communication with the inlet port 16. In some embodiments, the ball
cage 20 is configured for uninhibited movement of the ball 28
disposed therewithin.
[0046] In a non-limiting exemplary embodiment, the ball cage 20 is
at least partially configured to operate or function as a check
valve as described herein with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5. In some
embodiments, a pressure applied on the ball 28 in a first
direction, for example generally away from the second opening 36,
displaces the ball 28 away from the second opening 36 and towards
the first opening 34. And, a pressure applied on the ball 28 in a
second direction, for example generally away from the first opening
34, displaces the ball 28 away from the first opening 34 and
towards the second opening 36. As such, the first and second ends
30 and 32 operate as ball stops for the ball 28 disposed within the
ball cage 20.
[0047] When the ball 28 is positioned over at least a portion of
the second opening 36, the ball 28, at least partially, blocks the
flow of material through at least that portion of the second
opening 36 over which the ball 28 is positioned. Consequently, one
or more smaller openings 38, defined at least in part by the
unblocked portions of the second opening 36, are formed at the
second end 32 of the ball cage 20. As such, at least one or more
passages 40, defined at least in part by the ball 28 and a wall of
the ball cage 20, extend between the first opening 34 at the first
end 30 of the ball cage 20 and at least one of the one or more
smaller openings 38 formed at the second end 32 of the ball cage
20. Consequently, material entering the pump 10 through the inlet
port 16 flows into the ball cage 20 through the first opening 34
and along the at least one or more passages 40 to exit the ball
cage 20 through the one or more smaller openings 38 at the second
end 32.
[0048] In a non-limiting exemplary embodiment, a cross-sectional
area of each of the one or more passages 40 decreases between the
first opening 34 and the corresponding smaller opening 38 at the
second end 32 of the ball cage 20. As will be apparent to one
having ordinary skill in the art, such a change in the geometry of
a passage will subject the material flowing therein to the venturi
effect. As such, the operation and functionality of each of such
one or more passages 40 is substantially similar to that of a
nozzle or an orifice wherein the flow velocity of the material
exiting the passage 40 through each of the smaller openings 38 in
the second end 32 will be greater than the flow velocity of the
material entering that passage 40, for instance at or proximate the
first opening 34 of the ball cage 20. In some applications, such as
in pumping fillers or aggregates or cementitious material and the
like, such increases in the flow velocity may be advantageously
used or applied to prevent the pump 10 from "packing out" and to
"flush" or "carry along" compressed or hardened material and
aggregate out of the ball cage 20.
[0049] FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate a non-limiting exemplary
embodiment of the ball guide 22 defined at least in part by,
spaced-apart opposing first and second ends 42 and 44,
respectively, and a plurality of spaced-apart posts 46 extending
between, and connecting, the first and second ends 42 and 44. The
second end 44 of the ball guide 22 includes an opening 48, and at
least one or more seals (not shown) along the entire outer
perimeter 50 of the ball guide 22. The at least one or more seals
are configured for providing a sliding-sealing interface along the
entire outer perimeter 50 of the second end 44. In certain
embodiments, the interior 52 of the ball guide 22 is configured for
uninhibited displacement of a ball 54 disposed therewithin.
[0050] In a non-limiting exemplary embodiment, the ball guide 22 is
at least partially configured to operate or function as a check
valve as described herein with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5. In one
such embodiment, a pressure applied on the ball 54 in a first
direction, for example generally towards the opening 48, displaces
the ball 54 towards the opening 48 and positions the ball 54 over
the opening 48, thereby at least partially inhibiting flow of
material across the opening 48. And, a pressure applied on the ball
54 in a second direction, for example generally away the opening
48, displaces the ball 54 away from the opening 48. In some
embodiments, a ball stop 56 extending into the ball guide 22 from
the first end 42 limits the distance that the ball 54 travels when
displaced away from the opening 48 in the second end 44 of the ball
guide 22. In certain embodiments, the extent to which the ball stop
56 extends into the ball guide 22 is adjustable. Such adjustability
of the ball stop 56 may be used advantageously to "meter" the flow
or control the amount of material flowing across the opening 48. In
some embodiments, the ball stop 56 is removable. The
sliding-sealing interface along the outer perimeter 50 of the
second end 44 inhibits the flow of material, i.e., inhibits
leakage, across the outer perimeter 50 of the second end 44 of the
ball guide 22.
[0051] In some embodiments, either one or both the ball cage 20 and
the ball guide 22 include a seat against which their respective
balls 28 and 54 can be sealingly seated. As such, the combination
of the ball cage 20, its seat, and ball 28 is configured to operate
like a check valve. Likewise, the combination of the ball guide 22,
its seat, and ball 54 is configured to operate like a check
valve.
[0052] FIG. 4 illustrates at least a portion of the ball cage 20
proximate the first end 30 having a seat 58 disposed at the first
opening 34. In a non-limiting exemplary embodiment, the seat 58 is
defined at least in part by a relatively sharp-edged hard perimeter
88 against which the ball 28 is seated. In some embodiments, the
perimeter 88 of the seat 58 is defined at least in part by a
radiused or chamfered edge (not shown) along at least a portion
thereof against which the ball 28 gets seated.
[0053] In a non-limiting exemplary embodiment, the ball 28 is a
compliant ball defined at least in part by a compliant coating 72
encasing a substantially rigid core 74. In certain embodiments, the
compliant coating 72 is an elastomeric material. In some
embodiments, when the compliant ball 28 is seated on the perimeter
88, at least a portion 76 of the compliant coating 72 seated along
or in contact with the perimeter 88 deforms at least partially
around the aggregate or filler present in the flow. Consequently,
at least a portion of the compliant ball 28 is displaced across the
perimeter 88 to form a seal therearound to inhibit the flow of
material across the first opening 34. In some embodiments, the
deformation of the compliant coating 72 and displacement across the
perimeter 88 enhances the integrity of the seal. In certain
non-limiting exemplary embodiments, a thickness of the compliant
coating 72 relative to a size of the substantially rigid core 74 is
optimized for one or more of weight, sealing effectiveness, and
life of the compliant coating 72.
[0054] As will be apparent to one having ordinary skill in the art,
the combination of the ball cage 20 and the seat 58, such as the
embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4, is configured to operate or
function as a check valve. For instance, when the compliant ball 28
is displaced away from the first opening 34 and towards the second
opening 36, the compliant ball 28 is un-seated from the seat 58 and
material will flow across the first opening 34. Conversely,
material will be inhibited from flowing across the first opening 34
when the compliant ball 28 is displaced away from the second
opening 36 and towards the first opening 34 and sealingly seated on
the seat 58 at the first opening 34.
[0055] In a non-limiting exemplary embodiment, the ball guide 22 is
also configured as a check valve having a seat 60 disposed at the
opening 48 at the second end 44 of the ball guide 22. In some
embodiments, the seat 60 is structurally, operationally, and
functionally substantially similar to the seat 58. As such, the
seat 60 is also defined at least in part by a relatively
sharp-edged hard perimeter, substantially similar to perimeter 88,
against which the ball 54 is sealingly seated. In some embodiments,
the perimeter of the seat 60 is defined at least in part by a
radiused or chamfered edge along at least a portion thereof against
which the ball 54 gets sealingly seated.
[0056] In a non-limiting exemplary embodiment, the ball 54 disposed
within the ball guide 22 is a compliant ball substantially similar
to the compliant ball 28. As such, the compliant ball 54 is also
defined at least in part by a compliant coating substantially
similar to compliant coating 72 encasing a substantially rigid core
such as rigid core 74. Accordingly, when the compliant ball 54 is
displaced towards the opening 48 at the second end 44 of the ball
guide 22 and sealingly seated on the seat 60, the flow of material
across the opening 48 is inhibited. Conversely, material will flow
across the opening 48 at the second end 44 of the ball guide 22
when the compliant ball 54 is displaced away from the opening 48
and unseated from the seat 60.
[0057] FIG. 5 illustrates a non-limiting exemplary embodiment of a
generic check valve 100 of the instant disclosure. The check valve
100 is defined at least in part by a substantially hollow valve
body 102 having a first and a second section 104 and 106,
respectively, and an aperture 108 through which the first and
second sections 104 and 106 are in fluid communication with each
other. The check valve 100 also includes a seat 110 at the aperture
108, and a plug 112 disposed, for example, in the first section
104. In some embodiments, the seat 110 and the plug 112 are
configured for sealingly seating the plug 112 along a perimeter 114
of the seat 110 at the aperture 108 for inhibiting flow of material
thereacross. Accordingly, the aperture 108 and the plug 112 are
dimensioned or configured for inhibiting the displacement of the
plug 112 across the aperture 108, i.e., the plug 112 cannot
dislocate from the first section 104 into the second section 106.
The first section 104 is configured for uninhibited displacement of
the plug 112 disposed therewithin. Thus, as will be apparent to one
having ordinary skill in the art, the check valve 100 is configured
to operate or function in a manner whereby when the plug 112 is
un-seated from the seat 110 and displaced away from the aperture
108, material may flow across the aperture 108 between the first
and second sections 104 and 106. Accordingly, when the pressure in
the second section 106 is relatively higher than the pressure in
the first section 104, the plug 112 will un-seat from the seat 110,
and will be displaced away from the aperture 108. Consequently,
material will flow across the aperture 108 from the second section
106 to the first section 104. Conversely, the flow of material
across the aperture 108 between the first and second sections 104
and 106 is inhibited when the plug 112 is sealingly seated on the
seat 110. Accordingly, when the pressure in the first section 104
is relatively higher than the pressure in the second section 106, a
pressure acting on the plug 112 will displace the plug 112 towards
the aperture 108 to seat on the seat 110 and close the aperture
108. Consequently, material will be inhibited from flowing across
the aperture 108 from the first section 104 to the second section
106.
[0058] In a non-limiting exemplary embodiment, the plug 112 is a
compliant ball defined at least in part by a substantially
compliant coating 116 encasing a substantially rigid core 118. In
certain embodiments, the compliant coating 116 is an elastomeric
material. In some embodiments, when the compliant ball, i.e., the
plug 112 is seated on the seat 110, at least a portion 120 of the
compliant coating 116 seated along or in contact with the perimeter
114 of the seat 110 deforms at least partially to form a seal
therearound to inhibit the flow of material across the aperture
108. In some embodiments, the deformation of the compliant coating
116 enhances the integrity of the seal at the aperture 108, i.e.,
the seal between the seat 110 and the plug, or the compliant ball,
112. In certain non-limiting exemplary embodiments, a thickness of
the compliant coating 116 relative to a size of the substantially
rigid core 118 is optimized for one or more of weight, sealing
effectiveness, and life of the compliant coating 116.
[0059] In a non-limiting exemplary embodiment, either one or both
balls 28 and 54 are structurally configured and are operationally
and functionally substantially similar to the plug 112. In other
words, as described with reference to FIG. 4, either one or both
balls 28 and 54 are defined at least in part by a compliant coating
72 encasing a substantially rigid core 74. Accordingly, the
compliant ball 28, as with plug 112 for example, will sealingly
close the first end 30 of the ball cage 20 when seated on the seat
58 at the first end 30. Likewise, the compliant ball 54, as with
the plug 112 for example, will sealingly close the second end 44 of
the ball guide 22 when seated on the seat 60 at the second end
44.
[0060] In a non-limiting exemplary embodiment, the seat 110 of the
check valve 100 is defined at least in part by a relatively hard
sharp-edge along at least a portion of its perimeter 114 against
which the plug, i.e., the compliant ball, 112 is seated.
Accordingly, in certain embodiments, the seats 58 and 60 at the
first opening 34 and the opening 48 are defined at least in part by
a relatively hard sharp-edge along at least a portion of their
respective perimeters against which the corresponding compliant
ball 28 and 54 is seated. In a non-limiting exemplary embodiment,
the seat 110 of the check valve 100 is defined at least in part by
a radiused or chamfered edge (not shown) along at least a portion
of its perimeter 114 against which the plug, i.e., the compliant
ball, 112 is seated. Accordingly, in some embodiments, one or more
of the seats 58 and 60 at the first opening 34 and the opening 48
are defined at least in part by a radiused or chamfered edge along
at least a portion of their respective perimeters against which the
corresponding compliant ball 28 and 54 is seated.
[0061] Referring to FIG. 3A, in some embodiments, the plurality of
posts 46 of the ball guide 22 are spaced apart from each other such
that the compliant ball 54 cannot move unassisted into or out of
the interior 52 of the ball guide 22. In certain embodiments, the
compliant coating, such as compliant coating 72, of the compliant
ball 54 deforms sufficiently when an operator pushes the compliant
ball 54 into and out of the interior 52. In certain embodiments,
each of the plurality of posts 46 are substantially rigid. In some
embodiments at least one of the plurality of posts 46 is
sufficiently flexible or compliant such that the compliant ball 54
can be pushed past the at least one flexible post. In certain
embodiments, opposing side 80a and 80b of at least two adjacent
posts 82a and 82b include opposing contoured sections 84a and 84b.
As such, a contoured opening 86, defined at least in part by the
opposing contoured sections 84a and 84b, is provided through which
the compliant ball 54 can be removed from the interior 52, in some
embodiments after the ball stop 56 is removed from the ball guide
22 ball 54 is allowed to travel through the contoured opening 86.
In some embodiments, only one of the plurality of posts 46 is
contoured.
[0062] Referring to FIG. 1A, the pump 10, in a non-limiting
exemplary embodiment, includes a substantially hollow middle
section 24 extending between the outlet section 14 and the ball
cage 20. The middle section 24 is in fluid communications with the
outlet section 14 and with the second opening 36 in the second end
32 of the ball cage 20. In certain embodiments, where the pump 10
does not include the ball cage 20, the substantially hollow middle
section 24 extends between, and is in fluid communication with, the
outlet and inlet sections 14 and 18, respectively.
[0063] In a non-limiting exemplary embodiment, the pump 10 includes
a piston 26 configured for rectilinear displacement. The piston 26,
in some embodiments, includes spaced-apart opposing first and
second ends, 92 and 94, respectively. The first end 92 is
operatively coupled with a prime mover (not shown) configured for
displacing or operating the piston 26. The second end 94 of the
piston 26 and the first end 42 of the ball guide 22 are operatively
coupled such that a rectilinear displacement of the piston 26
imparts a rectilinear displacement of the ball guide 22.
[0064] In accordance with a non-limiting exemplary embodiment, the
pump 10 may be used for pumping fillers or aggregates or
cementitious material and the like. FIG. 6A illustrates an
exemplary operation of the pump 10 during a displacement of the
ball guide 22 towards the ball cage 20, for example due to a
displacement of the piston 26. Accordingly, the material between
the ball cage 20 and the second end 44 of the ball guide 22, i.e.,
the material in the middle section 24, will get compressed.
Consequently, a pressure applied on the ball 28 in the first
direction displaces the ball 28 in the first direction towards the
first opening 34 and sealingly seats the ball 28 on the perimeter
88 of the seat 58 to inhibit flow of material into the pump 10 from
the inlet port 16. Concurrently, a pressure applied on the ball 54
displaces the ball 54 away from the opening 48 at the second end 44
of the ball guide 22. The compressed material flows through the
opening 48 at the second end 44 of the ball guide 22, through the
openings between the plurality of posts 46 of the ball guide 22,
into the outlet section 14. The at least one or more seals (not
shown) along the entire outer perimeter 50 of the second end 44 of
the ball guide 22 inhibit flow of material across the outer
perimeter 50. At least a portion of the material in the outlet
section 14 may flow out of the pump 10 through the outlet port
12.
[0065] In the reverse cycle, such as that illustrated in FIG. 6B,
the piston 26 displaces the ball guide 22 towards the outlet
section 14, whereby at least a partial vacuum is created between
the second end 32 of the ball cage 20 (or the inlet section 18) and
the second end 44 of the ball guide 22, i.e., within the middle
section 24. The at least one or more seals (not shown) along the
entire outer perimeter 50 of the second end 44 of the ball guide 22
inhibits leakage thereacross, thus aiding in creating the at least
partial vacuum. The ball 28 is displaced towards, and positioned
over, the second opening 36 at the second end 32 of the ball cage
20, and the ball 54 is displaced towards, and sealingly seated on,
the perimeter of the seat 60 at the opening 48 at the second end 44
of the ball guide 22. In addition to the at least partial pressure
acting on the ball 28, the material flowing into the pump 10
through the inlet port 16 also acts on the ball 28 to displace the
ball 28 towards the second opening 36 at the second end 32 of the
ball cage 20. In addition thereto, material in the section between
the second end 44 of the ball guide 22 and the outlet port 12 gets
compressed and exerts a pressure on the ball 54 displacing the ball
54 towards the opening 48 in the second end 44 of the ball guide
22. Positioning the ball 28 on at least a portion of the second
opening 36 creates the one or more smaller openings 38 in the
second end 32 of the ball cage 20, and defines the one or more
passages 40 between the first opening 34 at the first end 30 of the
ball cage 20 and the one or more smaller openings 38 at the second
end 32 of the ball cage 20. The material entering the pump 10
through the inlet port 16 flows along the one or more passages 40
and through the one or more smaller openings 38 into the section of
the pump between the ball cage 20 and the ball guide 22, i.e., into
the middle section 24. Concurrently, the material between the
second end 44 of the ball guide 22 and the outlet section 14 is
pushed out of the pump 10 through the outlet port 12.
[0066] In view thereof, modified and/or alternate configurations of
the embodiments described herein may become apparent or obvious.
All such variations are considered as being within the metes and
bounds of the instant disclosure. For instance, while reference may
have been made to particular feature(s) and/or function(s), the
disclosure is considered to also include embodiments configured for
functioning and/or providing functionalities similar to those
disclosed herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Accordingly, the spirit, scope and intent of the instant disclosure
is to embrace all such variations. Consequently, the metes and
bounds of the disclosure is solely defined by the appended claims
and any and all equivalents thereof.
* * * * *