Variable rate pump
AssigneeCDS-John Blue Company
InventorKent R. Jones
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A rotational power input is converted into a linearly oscillating power output through the use of counter-rotating nested eccentrics. The outer eccentric is connected to an input end of a connecting rod, which is in turn connected at an output end thereof to a piston of a piston pump. The piston is constrained to translational movement along an axis D. Drive gears are rotationally fixed to each of the eccentrics and geared to each other through an intermediate pinion having a rotational axis B. An angular position β of the pinion axis B relative to the axis D determines the output oscillation stroke length and flow rate of the pump. An actuator is geared to a pinion bracket that holds the pinion. The actuator can be actuated on-the-fly to alter the angle β and pumping rate of the pump.
Claims12
A piston pump driving mechanism for driving a piston of a piston pump, the mechanism being capable of altering a drive stroke length of the piston pump during dynamic operation of the piston pump and comprising:
- a connecting rod having an output end constructed and arranged to be connected to the piston, and a driven input end, the piston being driven along a first axis;
- a connecting rod driving mechanism that drives the input end of the connecting rod along a second axis, the second axis being at a set angle with respect to the first axis, the stroke length of the piston being determined by the set angle between the first and second axes;
- and
- a stroke length adjusting mechanism operatively connected to the connecting rod driving mechanism and arranged to change the set angle of the second axis along which the input end of the connecting rod is driven during driven movement of the input end of the connecting rod.
A liquid-fertilizer distribution system comprising:
- a fertilizer-pumping piston pump comprising
- a body portion having input and output ports, and
- a piston that is movable along a first axis;
- a liquid fertilizer supply communicating with the input port of the piston pump;
- and
- a piston pump driving mechanism comprising
- a connecting rod having an output end connected to the piston, and a driven input end,
- a connecting rod driving mechanism that drives the input end of the connecting rod along a second axis, the second axis being at a set angle with respect to the first axis, the stroke length of the piston being determined by the set angle between the first and second axes, and
- a stroke length adjusting mechanism operatively connected to the connecting rod driving mechanism and arranged to change the set angle of the second axis along which the input end of the connecting rod is driven during driven movement of the input end of the connecting rod.
A stroke length adjusting mechanism comprising:
- a connecting rod having an output end movable along a first line, and an input end movable along a second line;
- a driving mechanism that oscillates the input end over a predetermined distance along the second line;
- a stroke length adjusting mechanism that selectively determines a set angle formed between the first and second lines, the set angle determining a stroke length of the output end along the first line.
A driving mechanism for converting rotational movement into linear oscillation, the driving mechanism comprising:
- a housing;
- a rotating driveshaft mounted to the housing for relative rotation therebetween about a first rotational axis, the driveshaft being constructed and arranged to be drivingly connected to a rotational power source;
- an inner eccentric having an outer cylindrical surface, the inner eccentric being rotationally fixed to the driveshaft such that a centerline of the outer cylindrical surface of the inner eccentric is offset from the first rotational axis;
- an outer eccentric having an outer cylindrical surface and an offset inner cylindrical hole, the inner hole of the outer eccentric being mounted over the outer cylindrical surface of the inner eccentric to permit relative rotation therebetween, the inner hole of the outer eccentric being concentric with the outer cylindrical surface of the inner eccentric;
- and
- a gearing mechanism that rotates the outer eccentric at a same speed as the inner eccentric, but in an opposite direction.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.