Unequal length alternating hydraulic cylinder drive system for continuous material output flow with equal material output pressure

Abstract

A hydraulic pumping system is provided for delivering a compressible fluid material from a hopper to an outlet. A primary hydraulically driven pumping unit has a first interior volume for receiving the fluid material from the hopper. A secondary hydraulically driven pumping unit is interconnected with the primary hydraulically driven pumping unit and has a second interior volume less than the first interior volume for receiving fluid material from the primary hydraulically driven pumping unit. The primary and secondary hydraulically driven pumping units have hydraulically driven reciprocating piston units with unequal stroke lengths. The piston units are alternately reciprocated to fill the first interior volume of fluid material from the hopper, pump a portion of the first interior volume of fluid material into the second interior volume and the remainder of the first interior volume to the outlet, and pump the second interior volume of fluid material to the outlet while fluid material is being pulled into the first interior volume in a sequential and simultaneous manner which will produce substantially continuous delivery of fluid material to the outlet.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]The present invention relates generally to the field of pumps, and more particularly, pertains to a positive displacement pump arrangement designed to produce substantially continuous delivery of a compressible fluid material.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]Constant delivery fluid pumps find useful application in many fields. One field in which the pumps of this character are presently employed to advantage is the construction industry wherein it is relatively common practice to apply cement and plaster to building surfaces by means of spray nozzles. If a relatively uniform layer of plaster or cement material is to be applied to a building surface, the rate of flow of material from the spray nozzle of the spray unit must be relatively constant. This, in turn, requires a constant delivery pump capable of producing substantially a constant rate of material flow to the spray nozzle.[0003]Prior art pumps are, of course, known in the art, and are generally co...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0011]It is an additional object of the present invention to provide a hydraulically driven pumping arrangement for abrasive materials which offers improved performance, reliability and cost in installation and service.

[0012]The present invention relates to a hydraulically driven pumping system for delivering a compressible fluid material from a hopper to an outlet. The system includes a primary hydraulically driven pumping unit having a first interior volume for receiving the fluid material from the hopper. A secondary hydraulically driven pumping unit is interconnected with the primary pumping unit and has a second interior volume less than the first interior volume for receiving fluid material from the primary hydraulically driven pumping unit. The primary and secondary hydraulically driven pumping units have hydraulically driven reciprocating piston units with unequal stroke lengths. The piston units are alternately reciprocated to fill the first interior volume with fluid material from the hopper, pump a portion of the first interior volume of fluid material into the second interior volume and the remainder of the first interior volume to the outlet, and pump the second interior volume of fluid material to the outlet while fluid material is being pulled into the first interior volume in a simultaneous and sequential manner which will produce substantially continuous delivery of fluid material to the outlet.

[0020](d) alternately reciprocating the piston units to fill the first interior volume with fluid material from the hopper, pump a portion of the first interior volume of fluid material into the second interior volume and the remainder of the first interior volume to the outlet, and pump the second interior volume of fluid material to the outlet while fluid material is being pulled into the first interior volume in a sequential and simultaneous manner which will produce a substantially continuous delivery of fluid material to the outlet.

Problems solved by technology

The mechanical pumping assembly can be variously driven by an engine or electric motor via a clutch, belts or chains, pulleys or sprockets, and a gearbox, all of which is undesirably complex.

The mechanical pumping assembly can also be variously driven by an engine or electric motor via a hydraulic pump and motor combination, but this retains the complexity and the high number of wearing components inherent to the mechanical pumping assembly.

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