Displacement pump mounting and retention

#The present disclosure relates generally to fluid dispensing systems. More specifically, this disclosure relates to axial displacement pumps for fluid dispensing systems.

#Fluid dispensing systems, such as fluid dispensing systems for paint, typically utilize axial displacement pumps to pull the fluid from a container and to drive the fluid downstream. The axial displacement pump is typically mounted to a drive housing and driven by a motor. The pump rod of the axial displacement pump is attached to a reciprocating drive that pushes and pulls the pump rod, thereby pulling fluid from a container and into the axial pump and then driving fluid downstream from the axial displacement pump. The pump rod is typically attached to the reciprocating drive by a pin passing through the pump rod and securing the pump rod to the reciprocating drive. Pinning the pump rod to the reciprocating drive or detaching the pump rod from the reciprocating drive requires loose parts and several tools and is a time-intensive process. Moreover, the pump rod may experience driving forces that are not coincident with the centerline of the displacement pump, thereby causing the pump rod to wear on various components of the axial displacement pump.

#Axial displacement pumps are typically secured to fluid dispensing systems by being threaded into the drive housing. The end of the axial displacement pump through which the pump rod extends includes external threading mated to threading within the drive housing. The threaded connection is utilized to provide concentricity to the axial displacement pump and driving mechanism. Alternatively, axial dispensing pumps may be secured to the drive housing by a clamping mechanism integral with the drive housing.

#FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a fluid dispensing system.

#FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the fluid dispensing system shown in FIG. 1.

#FIG. 2A is an enlarged view of detail Z of FIG. 2.

#FIG. 1 is an isometric view of fluid dispensing system 10. Fluid dispensing system 10 includes frame 12, motor section 14, drive housing 16, displacement pump 18, clamp 20, control system 22, intake hose 24, supply hose 26, dispensing hose 28, power cord 30, and housing cover 32. Motor section 14 includes motor housing 34. Drive housing 16 includes upper portion 36, lower portion 38, guard 40, and handle 42. Lower portion 38 includes mounting cavity 44 (shown in FIG. 2). Displacement pump 18 includes intake valve 46 and pump cylinder 48. Pump cylinder 48 includes fluid outlet 50 (shown in FIG. 2), and intake valve 46 includes fluid inlet 52. Clamp 20 includes axial ring 54 (shown in FIG. 2) and tightening ring 56. Control system 22 includes control housing 58, pressure control 60, and prime valve 62; and control housing 58 includes fluid inlet 64 and fluid outlet 66. Intake hose 24 includes strainer 68.

#Fluid dispensing system 10 is configured to provide a pressurized fluid, such as paint, to a downstream user to allow the user to apply the fluid to a desired surface. Upper portion 36 and lower portion 38 are integrally connected to form drive housing 16. Handle 42 is secured to upper portion 36, and handle 42 allows a user to easily move fluid displacement system 10 by grasping handle 42. Guard 40 is hingedly attached to lower portion 38 and covers mounting cavity 44 (shown in FIG. 2) when guard 40 is in a closed position. Displacement pump 18 is mounted to lower portion 38 of drive housing 16, with a portion of pump cylinder 48 disposed within mounting cavity 44. Clamp 20 is disposed about pump cylinder 48, with axial ring 54 fixed to pump cylinder 48 and tightening ring 56 movably disposed on pump cylinder 48. When displacement pump 18 is installed, axial ring 54 is disposed within mounting cavity 44 and tightening ring 56 is disposed outside of mounting cavity 44. Tightening ring 56 is preferably rotatable about pump cylinder 48, and tightening ring 56 may be rotated until tightening ring 56 abuts drive housing 16. As such, tightening ring 56 and axial ring 54 exert a clamping force on drive housing 16 to secure displacement pump 18 to drive housing 16.

#Intake hose 24 is connected to fluid inlet 52 of intake valve 46. Intake hose 24 can be inserted into a container holding fluid, and the fluid is drawn from the container through intake hose 24. Strainer 68 filters the fluid entering intake hose 24 to prevent particulate matter from interfering with the operation of fluid dispensing system 10. Supply hose 26 is connected to fluid outlet 50 of displacement pump 18 and supply hose is also connected to fluid inlet 64 of control housing 58. Dispensing hose 28 is connected to fluid outlet 66 of control housing 58, and dispensing hose 28 is configured to provide the fluid to a downstream dispenser (not shown), such as a spray gun, which can be controlled by the user.