Patent US5368451A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5368451A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Metering pump
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1992-11-06
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Granted: 1994-11-29
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Expires: 2012-11-06
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus for pumping fluid at a substantially constant flow rate, is disclosed. The apparatus contains three transducers which couple one hydraulic fluid to another fluid while preventing contact with said other fluid. The apparatus also contains a timing device for continuously and sequentially withdrawing hydraulic fluid from the first fluid transducer while simultaneously pumping hydraulic fluid to the second fluid transducer, thereafter withdrawing hydraulic fluid from the second fluid transducer while simultaneously pumping hydraulic fluid to the third fluid transducer means, and thereafter withdrawing hydraulic fluid from the third fluid transducer. The timing means preferably includes a plurality of hydraulic cylinders and pistons, and a cam assembly.
Inventors
- 👤 John M. Hammond
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 20:02
CPC Classifications
F; F04; F04B; F04B43/00; F04B43/02; F04B43/06; F04B43/073; F04B43/0736
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
323 words
An apparatus for pumping fluid at a substantially constant flow rate, wherein said apparatus is comprised of: (a) a first fluid transducer means for hydraulically coupling a hydraulic fluid to another fluid while preventing said hydraulic fluid from contacting said other fluid; (b) a second fluid transducer means for hydraulically coupling a hydraulic fluid to another fluid while preventing said hydraulic fluid from contacting said other fluid; (c) a third fluid transducer means for hydraulically coupling a hydraulic fluid to another fluid while preventing said hydraulic fluid from contacting said other fluid; (d) timing means for continuously and sequentially withdrawing hydraulic fluid from said first fluid transducer means while simultaneously pumping hydraulic fluid to said second fluid transducer means, and thereafter withdrawing hydraulic fluid from said second fluid transducer means while simultaneously pumping hydraulic fluid to said third fluid transducer means, and thereafter withdrawing hydraulic fluid from said third fluid transducer means, wherein said timing means is comprised of: 1. a first hydraulic cylinder assembly comprised of a first hydraulic cylinder and a first piston reciprocably movable within said first cylinder; 2. a second hydraulic cylinder assembly comprised of a second hydraulic cylinder and a second piston reciprocably movable within said second cylinder; 3. a third hydraulic cylinder assembly comprised of a third hydraulic cylinder and a third piston reciprocably movable within said third cylinder; 4. cam follower means for reciprocably moving said first piston within said first cylinder, said second piston within said second cylinder, and said third piston within said third cylinder; 5. cam lobe means for moving said cam follower means, 6. means for maintaining continuous contact between said cam follower means and said cam lobe means; (e) means for hydraulically connecting said first hydraulic cylinder with said first fluid transducer; (f) means for hydraulically connecting said second hydraulic cylinder with said second fluid transducer; and (g) means for hydraulically connecting said third hydraulic cylinder with said third fluid transducer.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
323 words
An apparatus for pumping fluid at a substantially constant flow rate, wherein said apparatus is comprised of: (a) a first fluid transducer means for hydraulically coupling a hydraulic fluid to another fluid while preventing said hydraulic fluid from contacting said other fluid; (b) a second fluid transducer means for hydraulically coupling a hydraulic fluid to another fluid while preventing said hydraulic fluid from contacting said other fluid; (c) a third fluid transducer means for hydraulically coupling a hydraulic fluid to another fluid while preventing said hydraulic fluid from contacting said other fluid; (d) timing means for continuously and sequentially withdrawing hydraulic fluid from said first fluid transducer means while simultaneously pumping hydraulic fluid to said second fluid transducer means, and thereafter withdrawing hydraulic fluid from said second fluid transducer means while simultaneously pumping hydraulic fluid to said third fluid transducer means, and thereafter withdrawing hydraulic fluid from said third fluid transducer means, wherein said timing means is comprised of: 1. a first hydraulic cylinder assembly comprised of a first hydraulic cylinder and a first piston reciprocably movable within said first cylinder; 2. a second hydraulic cylinder assembly comprised of a second hydraulic cylinder and a second piston reciprocably movable within said second cylinder; 3. a third hydraulic cylinder assembly comprised of a third hydraulic cylinder and a third piston reciprocably movable within said third cylinder; 4. cam follower means for reciprocably moving said first piston within said first cylinder, said second piston within said second cylinder, and said third piston within said third cylinder; 5. cam lobe means for moving said cam follower means, 6. means for maintaining continuous contact between said cam follower means and said cam lobe means; (e) means for hydraulically connecting said first hydraulic cylinder with said first fluid transducer; (f) means for hydraulically connecting said second hydraulic cylinder with said second fluid transducer; and (g) means for hydraulically connecting said third hydraulic cylinder with said third fluid transducer.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
60 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said timing means is comprised of means for moving said first piston, said second piston, and said third piston so that, at any point in time, the sum of the velocities of all of such pistons which are moving radially away from the axis of rotation of said cam lobe is constant.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
59 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 2, wherein said timing means is comprised of means for moving said first piston, said second piston, and said third piston so that, at any point in time, the sum of the velocities of all of such pistons which are moving radially towards the axis of rotation of said cam lobe is constant.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 3, wherein said timing means is comprised of one cam lobe.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
53 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 4, wherein each of said first piston, said second piston, and said third piston is contiguous with said cam lobe and is disposed around the perimeter of said cam lobe at intervals of 120 degrees with respect to the central axis of rotation of said cam lobe.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 3, wherein said timing means is comprised of three cam lobes.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 6, wherein each of said three cam lobes has an identical shape and size.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
40 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 7, wherein each of said three cam lobes is operatively connected to a separate cam follower, said apparatus being comprised of a first cam follower, a second cam follower, and a third cam follower.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 8, wherein each of said first cam lobe, said second cam lobe, and said third cam lobe are operatively connected to a single drive shaft.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
53 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 9, wherein said timing means is comprised of means for moving said first cam follower and said second cam follower so that the movement of said second cam follower is separated from the movement of said first cam follower by 120 degrees of said drive shaft rotation.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
53 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 10, wherein said timing means is comprised of means for moving said second cam follower and said third cam follower so that the movement of said third cam follower is separated from the movement of said second cam follower by 120 degrees of said drive shaft rotation.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
53 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 11, wherein said timing means is comprised of means for moving said third cam follower and said first cam follower so that the movement of said first cam follower is separated from the movement of said third cam follower by 120 degrees of said drive shaft rotation.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said cam follower means is comprised of a roller and means for attaching said roller to the shaft of said cam follower.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
44 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said cam follower means is comprised of means for maintaining contact between said cam follower and said cam lobe means along a line of contact parallel to the axis of rotation of said cam lobe means.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
170 words
A timing device for continuously and sequentially withdrawing hydraulic fluid from a first fluid transducer means while simultaneously pumping hydraulic fluid to a second fluid transducer means, and thereafter withdrawing hydraulic fluid from said second fluid transducer means while simultaneously pumping hydraulic fluid to said a third fluid transducer means, and thereafter withdrawing hydraulic fluid from said third fluid transducer means, wherein said timing means is comprised of: (a) a first load, a second load, and a third load; (b) cam follower means for reciprocably moving said first load, said second load, and said third load; (e) cam lobe means for moving said cam follower means; (f) means for maintaining continuous contact between said cam follower means and said cam lobe means; and (g) means for moving said first load, said second load, and said third load so that, at any point in time, the sum of the velocities of all of such loads which are moving radially away from the axis of rotation of said cam lobe is constant.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
170 words
A timing device for continuously and sequentially withdrawing hydraulic fluid from a first fluid transducer means while simultaneously pumping hydraulic fluid to a second fluid transducer means, and thereafter withdrawing hydraulic fluid from said second fluid transducer means while simultaneously pumping hydraulic fluid to said a third fluid transducer means, and thereafter withdrawing hydraulic fluid from said third fluid transducer means, wherein said timing means is comprised of: (a) a first load, a second load, and a third load; (b) cam follower means for reciprocably moving said first load, said second load, and said third load; (e) cam lobe means for moving said cam follower means; (f) means for maintaining continuous contact between said cam follower means and said cam lobe means; and (g) means for moving said first load, said second load, and said third load so that, at any point in time, the sum of the velocities of all of such loads which are moving radially away from the axis of rotation of said cam lobe is constant.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
85 words
The timing device as recited in claim 15, wherein said first load is a first hydraulic cylinder assembly comprised of a first hydraulic cylinder and a first piston reciprocably mounted within said first cylinder; said second load is a second hydraulic cylinder assembly comprised of a second hydraulic cylinder and a second piston reciprocably mounted within said second cylinder; and said third load is a third hydraulic cylinder assembly comprised of a third hydraulic cylinder and a third piston reciprocably mounted within said first cylinder.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
169 words
A timing device for continuously and sequentially withdrawing hydraulic fluid from a first fluid transducer means while simultaneously pumping hydraulic fluid to a second fluid transducer means, and thereafter withdrawing hydraulic fluid from said second fluid transducer means while simultaneously pumping hydraulic fluid to said a third fluid transducer means, and thereafter withdrawing hydraulic fluid from said third fluid transducer means, wherein said timing means is comprised of: (a) a first load, a second load, and a third load; (b) cam follower means for reciprocably moving said first load, said second load, and said third load; (e) cam lobe means for moving said cam follower means: (f) means for maintaining continuous contact between said cam follower means and said cam lobe means; and (g) means for moving said first load, said second load, and said third load so that, at any point in time, the sum of the velocities of all of such loads which are moving radially towards the axis of rotation of said cam lobe is constant.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
169 words
A timing device for continuously and sequentially withdrawing hydraulic fluid from a first fluid transducer means while simultaneously pumping hydraulic fluid to a second fluid transducer means, and thereafter withdrawing hydraulic fluid from said second fluid transducer means while simultaneously pumping hydraulic fluid to said a third fluid transducer means, and thereafter withdrawing hydraulic fluid from said third fluid transducer means, wherein said timing means is comprised of: (a) a first load, a second load, and a third load; (b) cam follower means for reciprocably moving said first load, said second load, and said third load; (e) cam lobe means for moving said cam follower means: (f) means for maintaining continuous contact between said cam follower means and said cam lobe means; and (g) means for moving said first load, said second load, and said third load so that, at any point in time, the sum of the velocities of all of such loads which are moving radially towards the axis of rotation of said cam lobe is constant.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
85 words
The timing device as recited in claim 17, wherein said first load is a first hydraulic cylinder assembly comprised of a first hydraulic cylinder and a first piston reciprocably mounted within said first cylinder; said second load is a second hydraulic cylinder assembly comprised of a second hydraulic cylinder and a second piston reciprocably mounted within said second cylinder; and said third load is a third hydraulic cylinder assembly comprised of a third hydraulic cylinder and a third piston reciprocably mounted within said first cylinder.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
61 words
The timing device as recited in claim 18, wherein said timing device is comprised of means for moving said first load, said second load, and said third load so that, at any point in time, the sum of the velocities of all of such loads which are moving radially away from the axis of rotation of said cam lobe is constant.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1997-11-28 | 1998-05-30 | 1998-11-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-11-28 | 2002-05-30 | 2002-11-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-11-28 | 2006-05-30 | 2006-11-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |