High pressure pumping apparatus for semi-fluid material

A continuous flow pumping system for high pressure pumping a semi-fluid material with a substantially constant and uniform pressure discharge, comprising

• (a) a supply means having a power discharge means for forcing of the material from said supply means, said supply means having at least two spaced outlet opening means,
• (b) a manifold means having at least two spaced inlet means connected to a common output means for establishing an output flow,
• (c) a first pump means having first and second pump units separately operable to receive said material and to discharge said material,
• (1) first support means mounting said first pump means adjacent said supply means and said manifold means with said first and second pump units aligned one each with a first of said outlet opening means and with a first of said manifold inlet means,
• (2) said first support means including first transfer means for simultaneous movement of said first and second pump units to reverse said alignment with said first outlet opening means and said first manifold inlet means,
• (d) a second pump means having third and fourth pump units separately operable to receive said material and to discharge said material, and
• (1) second support means mounting said second pump means adjacent said supply means and manifold means with said third and fourth pump units aligned one each with a second of said supply outlet opening means and with a second of said manifold inlet means,
• (2) said second support means including second transfer means for simultaneous movement of said third and fourth pump units to reverse said alignment with said second outlet opening means and said second manifold inlet means, and
• (e) operating means for operating said first and second pump means and said first and second transfer means and including means to move one of said pump means with the other of said pump means held in position, and establishing alternating pumping cycles, each of which has three distinct pumping stages and with one cycle including a first stage in which said first pump means is positioned and discharging the first pump unit and charging the second pump unit with the second pump means completing the discharge of the third pump unit and the charging of the fourth unit and a second stage in which said first pump means continues to operate in the mode of the first stage and said second pump means is being transferred to reverse the position of the third and fourth pump units, and a third stage in which said first pump means continues to operate in the mode of the first stage and said second pump means is actuated to charge and discharge the third and fourth pump units and with the alternate second pumping cycle corresponding to said one cycle with said first and second pump means operating in the mode of the opposite pump means in said one cycle.