Ram type pump

Claim 2

A ram type pump for a manure handling system, said pump comprising: a hollow, cylindrical pump housing having a transfer portion and an actuator portion, the transfer portion defining an outlet opening and an inlet hopper; a cylindrical ram slidably located for reciprocating movement in the housing past the hopper, the ram being adapted to push manure entering the hopper through the transfer portion; a releasable coupling connected between said transfer portion and said actuator portion at the junction thereof, the actuator portion thereby being separable from the transfer portion by releasing said coupling; actuator means located in said actuator portion connected between the ram and said actuator portion for reciprocating the ram; and guide means located in said actuator portion for axial alignment of the ram in the housing, said guide means comprising a plurality of bearing pads extending radially inwardly from said actuator portion to slidingly engage the cylindrical ram.

Claim 3

Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said actuator means comprises a hydraulic cylinder axially mounted inside said housing actuator portion, the cylindrical ram being concentrically located about the hydraulic cylinder.

Claim 4

Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said bearing pads are adjustable radially for alignment of the ram.

Claim 5

Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 and further comprising a guide bearing assembly removably mounted in the housing transfer portion adjacent to said inlet hopper, the guide bearing assembly defining a circular opening for concentric, sliding engagement of the cylindrical ram upon reciprocating movement of the ram.

Claim 6

Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the housing actuator portion defines a longitudinal opening therein, and further comprising a cam attached to the cylindrical ram and extending through said opening, said cam being located adjacent to one end of the ram.

Claim 7

Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 and further comprising a one-way outlet valve connected to the housing transfer portion at said outlet opening.

Claim 8

Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 and further comprising a vacuum relief valve coupled to the housing transfer portion between the hopper and said outlet opening.

Claim 9

A ram type pump for a manure handling system, said pump comprising: a hollow, cylindrical pump housing having a transfer portion and an actuator portion, the transfer portion defining an outlet opening and an inlet hopper; a cylindrical ram slidably located for reciprocating movement in the housing past the hopper, the ram being adapted to push manure entering the hopper through the transfer portion; a releasable coupling connected between said transfer portion and said actuator portion at the juntion thereof, the actuator portion thereby being separable from the transfer portion by releasing said coupling; actuator means located in said actuator portion connected between the ram and said actuator portion for reciprocating the ram; guide means located in said actuator portion for axial alignment of the ram in the housing; and a bearing and seal assembly removably mounted in the pump housing adjacent to said releasable coupling, said assembly being concentrically located around the cylindrical ram for sliding, sealing engagement of the ram, thereby preventing manure from entering the housing actuator portion.

Claim 10

A ram type pump for a manure handling system, said pump comprising: a hollow, cylindrical pump housing having a transfer portion and an actuator portion, the transfer portion defining an outlet opening and an inlet hopper; a cylindrical ram slidably located for reciprocating movement in the housing past the hopper, the ram being adapted to push manure entering the hopper through the transfer portion; a releasable coupling connected between said transfer portion and said actuator portion at the juntion thereof, the actuator portion thereby being separable from the transfer portion by releasing said coupling; actuator means located in said actuator portion connected between the ram and said actuator portion for reciprocating the ram; guide means located in said actuator portion for axial alignment of the ram in the housing; and a bearing and seal assembly removably mounted in the pump housing adjacent to said releasable coupling, said assembly being concentrically located around the cylindrical ram for sliding, sealing engagement of the ram, thereby preventing manure from entering the housing actuator portion.

Claim 11

Apparatus as claimed in claim 8 wherein said guide means comprise an end plate attached to the cylindrical ram remote from the housing transfer portion, the end plate defining a central opening for sliding concentric engagement of the hydraulic cylinder.

Claim 12

Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said bearing and seal assembly includes an annular ring, one of the housing transfer and actuator portions defining a concentric inner recess for accommodating said annular ring, and the other of the housing transfer and actuator portions defining an annular rim adapted to engage and retain said annular ring upon connection of said releasable coupling.

Claim 13

Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the housing transfer portion defines said recess and the housing actuator portion defines said rim.

Claim 14

Apparatus as claimed in claim 8 or 9 wherein said actuator means comprises a hydraulic cylinder axially mounted inside said housing actuator portion, the cylindrical ram being concentrically located about the hydraulic cylinder.