High pressure source for viscous liquids, especially those containing suspended abrasive particles

Claim 1

FOR USE IN A PUMPING SYSTEM FOR HANDLING LIQUIDS HAVING SUSEPNDED PARTICLES THEREIN IN SUFFICIENT DENSITY SO THAT THE MIXTURE IS A HEAVY SUSPENSION OR SLURRY, A PAIR OF OPPOSED PUMPING UNITS, EACH UNIT COMPRISING A CYLINDER AND PISTON MOVABLE THEREIN, A CYLINDER BASE UPON WHICH THE CYLINDERS ARE MOUNTED IN SPACED COAXIAL ALIGNED RELATION, THE OPEN ENDS OF SAID CYLINDERS FACING EACH OTHER, A CONNECTING ROD BETWEEN SAID PISTONS, EACH CYLINDER HAVING AT LEAST ONE ARCUATE PORT THROUGH THE WALL THEREOF THROUGH WHICH LIQUID MAY FLOW TO THE CYLINDER INTERIOR UPON PUMP INTAKES, SAID INTAKE PORTS BEING AT THE OPPOSED CYLINDER END PORTIONS, EXHAUST VALVES AT THE REMOTE CYLINDER ENDS, CONDUIT MEANS INCLUDING A RELIEF VALVE CONNECTED TO SAID EXHAUST VALVES FOR RECEIVING THE PUMP DISCHARGE, LIQUID STORAGE MEANS IN WHICH SAID PUMP UNITS ARE MOUNTED SO THAT THE PUMP CYLINDERS AND RELIEF VALVE ARE IMMERSED WITHIN THE LIQUID MATERIAL BEING PUMPED, SAID RELIEF VALVE INCLUDING AT LEAST ONE DISCHARGE PORT FACING THE BOTTOM OF SAID LIQUID STORAGE MEANS TO PREVENT BLOWING OF MATERIAL TOWARD THE TOP OF SAID LIQUID STORAGE MEANS AND MEANS FOR RECIPROCATING SAID PISTON CONNECTING ROD FOR PUMP OPERATION.