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US 10,245,607 B2Granted
Method and apparatus for dispensing fluid
AssigneeGraco Minnesota Inc.
InventorsJonathan R. McMichael, Thomas V. Vo
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A fluid dispensing system includes a pump, a valve, and a dispenser disposed downstream of the valve and connected to the valve with a hose. To provide a steady flow rate at the dispenser, the pump charges the fluid to or above the pressure required to achieve a desired flow rate. The valve cycles between open and closed at a fixed frequency. The valve-open time is varied within that frequency to maintain the desired flow rate.
Claims19
A method of dispensing a fluid, the method comprising:
- charging a fluid to a pressure with a prime mover having a motor and a pump, wherein a controller directs the prime mover to charge the fluid to the pressure;
- cycling a downstream valve open and closed at a fixed frequency, wherein the valve is configured to cycle between fully opened and fully closed according to a variable duty-cycle;
- sensing a valve-open time;
- varying the valve-open time, by a controller, to maintain a desired flow rate at a downstream dispenser;
- and
- altering the pressure generated by the prime mover, by the controller, based on the sensed valve-open time, such that the pressure is increased as the valve-open time approaches 100 percent of the frequency, and the pressure is decreased as the valve-open time approaches zero percent of the frequency.
3 more elements
A fluid dispensing system comprising:
- a prime mover for driving a fluid downstream, the prime mover comprising:
- a motor;
- and
- a pump;
- a valve configured to cycle between fully open and fully closed according to a variable duty-cycle, the valve disposed downstream of the prime mover;
- a dispenser disposed downstream of and fluidly connected to the valve;
- a controller communicating with the prime mover and the valve;
- and
- wherein the controller is configured to direct the prime mover to charge the fluid to a pressure, and to control the duty-cycle of the valve to provide a desired flow rate of the fluid at the dispenser;
- and
- wherein the controller is configured to control the prime mover to increase the pressure generated by the prime mover based on a valve-open time approaching 100 percent of the duty-cycle of the valve, and the controller is configured to control the prime mover to decrease the pressure generated by the prime mover based on the valve-open time approaching zero percent of the duty-cycle of the valve.
8 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.