US2221763A

US2221763A - Pumping apparatus for grease and the like

Info

Publication number: US2221763A
Application number: US152959A
Authority: US
Inventors: Charles W Ginter
Original assignee: Aro Equipment Corp
Current assignee: Aro Equipment Corp
Priority date: 1937-07-10
Filing date: 1937-07-10
Publication date: 1940-11-19
Anticipated expiration: 1957-11-19

Description

Nov..19, 1940. c. \M-GlNTEfl 2 L PUMPING APPARATUS FOR GREASE AND THE. LIKE Filed July 10, 1937 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Nov. 19, 1940. c, w GlNTER 2,221,763 v PUMPING APPARATUS FOR GREASE AND THE LIKE v Filed July 10, 1937 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 d 4 9 l .v 7 m v 2 f4 mmmm i i wi w 1 M V////////////A E I Nov. 19, 1940. c. w. GINTER PUMPING AI PARATUS FOR GREASE AND THE LIKE Filed July 10, 19:57

4 Sheets-Sheet 3 f WEEMMWM 4R mmnmmx Nbv. 19, 1940. I c. w.- GINTER 2,221,763

PUMPING APPARATUS FOR GREASE AND THE LIKE Filed July 10, 193"! 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 5 v Patented Nov. 19', 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Charles W. Ginter, Bryan, Ohio, assignmto The Arc Equipment Corporation, Bryan, Ohio, a

corporation oi Ohio Application July 10, 1937, Serial No. 152,959

x 8 Claims. An object of my present invention is to provide comparatively simple apparatus for pumping heavy greases or the like, particularly from an original container such as a commercial grease 5 drum.

In connection with heavy or sticky greases contained in shipping drums and the like, there has heretofore been a substantial problem involved in the transfer of such material to the reservoir -1 of a pumping apparatus so that it could then be pumped by the apparatus to the bearings of a truck or bus. 1 It is therefore a further object of my invention to provide pumping apparatus in which a .15 pumping unit floatson top of the'grease or material to be pumped, while the material is still contained in the original container used for shipping it, both .the weight of the unit and the vacuum created by its pumping operation serving to 20 eflect economically the discharge of grease at pressure from the container into a dispensing hose or the like.

Another object is to provide pumping mechanism wherein the travel of the material being 25 pumped to the element of the pump which propels the material is reduced to a minimum, and such minimum is maintained throughout the entire material pumping operation performed in 1 connection with a drum of grease, or the like.

Another object is to provide a pumping unit so designed that a follower plate for grease or the like being pumped thereby serves as a support for the pumping mechanismand also provides an efi'ective seal against entrance of atmospheric air -35 to the intake or the pump and eliminates the possibility of troublesome air pockets in the grease.

Still a further object is to provide pumping mechanism, which is especially adapted for pumping heavy greases and the like, such as are-now 4 commonly required in the bearings of trucks and buses, due to their heavy duty operation, the

mechanism, however, being also applicable. for

pumping oils and light greases by a simple counterbalancing arrangement.

In connection with the structural features of the invention. one object is. to provide a heavy duty valve mechanism for controlling the reciprocation of a compressed air operated power piston.

50 Another object is to provide in connection with such valve mechanism a means to prevent improper operation of the mechanism, due to a control stem extending from the power cylinder, and thereby subjected alternately to high and low 55 air pressures. i v

Another object is to provide pumping mechanism for grease or the like which is double act-- ing in character and which includesa combination piston and outlet valve. p

Still another object of the invention is to pro- 5 vide a means whereby after the pumping mechanism has been operated to completely discharge the contents of a grease drum, the vacuum between the follower plate and the grease may be eflectively'broken, so that the pumping unit can be removed from the empty grease container and transferred to a full container for discharging its contents. 1

With these and other objects in view, my in vention consists in the construction, arrangement and combination of the various parts of my .pumping apparatus, whereby the objects contemplated are attained, as hereinafter more fully set forth, pointed out -.in my claims, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of my pumping apparatus for grease and the like, showing it mounted in a grease drum and counterbalanced for use in connection with light greases or oils.

Figure 2 is a vertical, sectional view of the same on an enlarged scale and omitting the counterbalance, the pumping mechanism in this figure being illustrated ,in connection with heavy grease, the, grease pumping mechanism being shown started on the upstroke.

Figure 3 is an enlarged, sectional view of the lower end of the pumping unit, showing the mechanism adjacent the lower end of the downstroke. v

Figure 4 is an enlarged, sectional view on the line 4-4 of Figure 2, the pump being turned a half revolution to simplify the description in connection with Figures 5, 6, 7 and 8.

Figure 5 is a sectional view on, the line 5-6 of Figure 4, showing a rear elevation of the head of the pumping mechanism.

Figure 61s a sectional view on the line 6-6 of Figure 4, showing an air-operated slide valve for the pumping mechanism together with an automatic control valve therefor.

Figure '7 is a sectional view on the line 1-1 of Figure 6, showing port connections for the automatic control valve.

Figure 8 is a sectional view on the line 8-8 of Figure 6, showing port connections for the air operated slide valve; and

Figure 9 is asectional view on the line 9-! of Figure 4, showing port connection -between the slide valve and opposite ends of the power cylinder, and illustrating a mechanism to insure iii! proper operation of the automatic control valve;

On the accompanying drawings, I have used the reference character C-to indicate an original container such as a commercial grease drum for grease or other fluid material to be pumped by my pumping apparatus. Within the container C, the grease is indicated at [6.

My pumping mechanism includes a follower plate H on which is mounted a grease pump G and a power device P for operating the grease pump.

The grease pump G includes a. cylinder i2 within which is reciprocably mounted a combination piston and outlet valve l3 (see Figure 3). The piston and valve i3 is sleeve-like in character and a lapped fit relative to the cylinder 12. The piston and valve sleeve l3 has a bore i4. Through the bore M a piston rod 15 extends. The portion of the rod within the sleeve I3 is enough smaller in diameter than thebcre id to provide a space l6 for the passage of grease.

' On the lower end of the cylinder I2 is a sleeve l1, which extends through the follower plate ii and'is sealed relative thereto. The seal may consist of a gasket washer I8 enclosed in a circular flange member [9.

Within the sleeve I1, I provide a liner 26 having a foot valve seat 2 i. A foot valve 22 normally seats thereon. The valve 22 has a stem 23 slidably mounted in a hub 24. The hub 24 is part of a spider which has an annular rim 25. The rim 25 is confined between a shoulder 26 of the liner 29 and a spacer sleeve 21. A gasket is provided at 21c.

Above the piston l3 and extending through the piston rod I5, I provide a stop pin 28. The pin 28 may be retained in position-by a retainer wire 29.

' The pin 28 is spaced far enough from a head 39 on the lower end of the piston rod Hi to permit limited movement of the piston l3 relative to the piston rod l5 as will hereinafter be described in connection with the operation of the device.

The power mechanism P for operating the pumping mechanism thus far described includes a piston, the construction of which is best shown in Figure 9. g

The piston rod 15 at its upper end has an annular groove 3| in which is mounted a split rin 32. The ring 32 is confined between a pair of plates 33 secured together by cap screws 34.

The peripheries of the plates are shouldered to receive cup leathers 35, which cooperate with the wall of a-cylinder 36. The cup leathers 35 are normally expanded against the wall or the cylinder by coil springs 31.

The cylinder 36 has a base head 38 and an upper head 39. The

heads

38 and 39 are assembled relative to the ends of the cylinder 36 by tie rods 38a. Gaskets 39a are interposed between the ends of the cylinder 36 and the

heads

38 and 39.

The base head 38 is connected to the upper end 01 the grease cylinder l2. The means of connection is illustrated as comprising an annular groove 40 in the cylinder I2 adjacent its upper end, a split ring 4i positioned therein, and a retainer plate 42 for the ring. The retainer plate 42 as shown in Figure 2 is secured in position by cap screws 43.

Within the base head as, packing washers 44- are provided to minimize the leakage of air downwardly from the cylinder36 past the piston rod 15. The packing washers 44 are retained in position by a ring 45 which engages the upper end of the grease cylinder l2.

An expansion ring 45a is provided for the packing washers 44.

expansion ring 45a. The upper end or the sprin 46 seats against a washer 41 which is retained in position by a wire ring 48. v

To eliminate any possibility of air entering the grease being pumped or grease entering the air chamber in the lower end of the cylinder 36, a

vent is provided between the packing 44 and the piston rod 15 and its cylinder 12 at a lap fit portion I2a thereof. This is shown as an annular groove 44a, a radial groove 46a and a vent hole 41a (see Figure 9) A slide valve mechanism is provided for alternately admitting air to opposite ends of the power cylinder 36 and at the same time exhausting air from the opposite end. The slide valve mechanism comprises (see Figures 6 and 8) a valve block 59 slidable against a valve plate 58. The plate 50 has an exhaust port 5| discharging to atmosphere and ports Hand 53 communicating respectively with the upper and lower ends of the cylinder 36.

The means 01" communication between the port 52 and the upper end of the cylinder 36 comprises a passageway 54 (see Figure 9). The means of communication between the port 53 and the lower end of the cylinder 36 comprises passageways 55 and 56. The passageways 55 and 56 are connected together by a pipe 51 sealed relative to the passageways 55 and 56 by gasket washers 58 and 59.. A nut 68 screwed onto the lower end of the pipe 51 is provided for tightening the gasket washers.

The valve block 49 is reciprocated relative to the valve plate 58 by a steni 6|. The stem 6| has a pair of flanges 62 for engaging the opposite ends of the valve block 49 for this purpose. One

. end of the stem 61 has a head 63 slidable in a bore 64 of a valve body-66. The valve body 66 is mounted on the upper cylinder head 39 by cap screws 66.

The other end of the valve stem 81 is provided with cup leather pistons 61 and 68. These reciprocate in cylindrical bores 69 and 18 respectively. A vent 89a is provided to compensate for changes in volume in the cylinders 69 and 18 between the pistons 61 and 68. The bore 1i! is closed by a plug 1|.

The valve block 49 is mounted in a chamber 12 of the valve body 65, which is in communication with an air nipple 13. A source of compressed air is connected with the nipple 13 as by an air hose 14, as shown in Figure 1.

Within the chamber 12, I provide an automatic control valve, including an oscillating valve block 15. The block 15 oscillates on the face of the valve plate 58, which plate is provided with a port 16.' The port 16 communicates by passageways 11 and 18 with the cylindrical bore 16 (see Figures 6 and 7).

The valve block 15 is provided with a port 19 on the surface thereof next to the plate 68, the

A spring 46 is provided for the port 19 being milled into the block f 15. one end of this port is adapted at times to communicate with the port 16 while the other end is adapted to communicate through ports 80 with an exhaust bore 82 of a tubular oscillating shaft 83. The shaft 83 has the valve block 15jkeyed to its inner end and an operating arm 84 keyed to its outer end.

The lower end of the stem 86'has a head 88.

89 in the upper end of the piston rod I5. The

, bore 89 is enlarged sufficiently to prevent any from the bore around the head 88. A stop platebinding of the parts and permits escape. of air is .provided for the head 88. The plate 90 is retained by screws 9I on the upper surface of the upper piston plate 33.

In conjunction with the automatic valve including the'o'scillating valve block I5, I provide a plunger 92 (see Figure 9) mounted in a cylindrical bore 93. It is packed relative thereto by a flanged type packing 94. The bore 93 communicates by a passageway with the passageway 55.

On the follower plate II, I provide a valve fitting 96 having a check valve 91 normally spring-closed. The valve fitting 98 communicates by means of a tube 98 with an air nipple 99 (see Figure 5). The air nipple 99 is mounted in a boss I00 with which the upper end of the tube 98 is connected. The boss merely serves as a support for the nipple 99 and has a means for connecting it with the tube 98. The tube 9.8 has a fitting IOI screwed into the boss.

The nipple 99 is normally covered by a dust cap I02. This cap'is readily removable so that an airor tire chuck can be applied to the nipple 99 for releasing the vacuum under the follower plate II as will hereinafter be described.

When my pumping apparatus. is used for pumping relatively heavy or stiff grease, it will operate properly by merely-resting it with its follower plate .II on the upper surface of the grease I0 as shown in Figure 2; When it is to be used with light greases and oils, however, it is necessary. to counterbalance it to a certain degree, depending on the viscosity of the lubricant or other material being pumped.

In Figure 1, I illustrate a counterweight I03 for this purpose, connected by a cable I04 to a supporting eye I05 of the pumping mechanism. The cable I04 extends over pulleys I06. The eye I05 is mounted in the head of a casing I01 for the power mechanism P. The lower end of the casing I0I isenlarged as at I08 and has its lower end connected with the periphery of the follower plate II. The diameter of the casing I08 is preferably slightly less than the internal diameter of the container 0 Sb that it substantially wipes the-wall thereof during the settling of the pumping apparatus in the container C as the apparatus is operated.

A discharge pipe I09 is provided for the grease pump G which communicates by a fitting IIO with the side of the grease cylinder I2. The fitting IIO includesan outlet check valve III. The upper end of the pipe I09 extends from the upper end of the casing I01 and is connected by a'hose I I2 to a dischargenozzle or valve I38.

Practical operation placed therefrom through the outlet check valve III, fitting IIO, pipe I09 and hose II2 tothe control valve II8.

During the downstroke, the foot On the upstroke as shown in Figure 2, the head 30 of the piston rod I5 engages the lower end of the piston sleeve I8, thus acting as an outlet valve. The sleeve I8 displaces the grease above it through the pipe I09 as the upstroke proceeds and thus by having the pistonrod .I5 relatively large, there is substantially equal displacement both upon the up and down strokesof the pumping mechanism, thereby providing a double acting pump.

. During the upstroke, the valve 22 opens due to the vacuum created within the liner sleeve 20 and the grease I0 is drawn in past the valve. The

, grease taken in is that adjacent the valve 22 and there is a general movement of the grease from foot valve 22 during the upstroke. This causes a slight settling of the entire unit during each upstroke, while the relatively large surface of contact between the grease and the follower plate and also'between the periphery of the cylindrical casing I08 and the interior wall of the grease container 0 provide an effective seal against atmospheric air entering the pump. The weight of the pumping unit also serves to eliminate any air pockets in the grease while the proximity of the grease pump G to the lower surface of the follower plate reduces the necessity of drawing the grease any distance to a minimum. This obviously is particularly desirable in connection with heavy greases and by having the pumping unit following the receding surface of the grease, this minimum distance is maintained. I

The downstroke of the power piston in Figure 9 has rocked the control lever 84 in a clockwise direction. thus rocking the valve block 15 of Figure 6 in a counter-clockwise direction (shown by full lines). This connects the port I8 with atmosphere through the exhaust bore 82 of the tubular oscillating shaft 83 to discharge compressed air from the valve cylinder I0 of Figure 8. The chamber I2, it will be remembered, is constantly charged with compressed air from the nipple I3. Accordingly when the air is discharged to atmosphere from the cylinder 10, the air in the chamber 12 acts upon the piston 61 to change the position of the slide valve 49'.

Such change in position of the slide valve will connect the port 52 with the exhaust port BI,

thus permitting escape of air through the passageway 54 from the upper end of the power cylinder 36. At the same time, the port 53 of Figure 8 will be uncovered, so that compressed air Such upward movement does not begin however until sumcient air has been exhausted from the upper end of the cylinder 88 and sufllcient compressed air has been admitted to the lower end thereof to overcome the pumping load, and friction between the working parts. For instance, the incoming air may be at lbs. per square inch while the exhausting air may be at 40 lbs. per square inch when the upward movement starts. Due to the loose fit around the head" of the stem 88, the pressure in the bore 89 equalizes relative to any pressure in the upper end of the cylinder 88.

Obviously any pressure in the upper end of the cylinder suflicien'tly in excess of atmospheric pressure toovercome the friction of the pack 75 and the cylindrical bore 93. on the plunger (which is larger in diameter cylinder. As soon as the piston 35 moves upwardly there is accordingly a tendency for the stem to simultaneously move upwardly'with the plate 90 and soon reverse the position of the control valve I5. This would result in undesired short reciprocations of the piston 35 adjacent the bottom of the cylinder 36.

The'plunger 92 is provided to overcome such than the stem 86) positively guards against any undesired movement of the stem 86 upwardly except when the lower end of the bore 89 in the piston rod I5 engages the head 88 ,to raise the stem.

At the completion of the upstroke of the power piston, the head 88 is engaged by the lower end of the bore 89 of the piston rod It: to reverse the position of the valve block 15 from its full line position in Figure 6 to its dotted position. This uncovers the port 16 so that compressed air from the compartment 12 enters it and flows by way of the passageways I! and 18 to the cylinder 10. In the cylinder 10, the air acts upon the piston 68 to force the valve block 49 to the position shown in Figure 8. This movement occurs because the piston 58 is'larger in diameter than the piston 61 and the same air pressure on each therefor permits an unbalancing of forces, causing the stem 6| to travel toward its righthand limit of movement. a

When the valve block 4!! assumes the, position shown in Figure 8, the port 52 is uncovered so that compressed air from the compartment 12 will enter it while the air from the port 53 will be discharged through the port 5| to atmosphere. This exhausts the air from the lower side of the power piston and from the plunger 92 and permits air to enter the cylinder 36 above the piston 35 therein to thus cause downward reciprocation of the power piston. At the lower end of the stroke,

the cycle of operations thus far described will be repeated.

After the contents of the container C have been discharged through the hose H2 and it is desirunder'the follower plate .I I, and thus release the 'ing 81 and of the arm 84, etc. operated by the stem 86, will tend to expell the stem from the follower plate and permitting it to be entirely supported thereby, I provide a very eflicient means for minimizing the distance between the intake of the pump and the grease ahead of the follower plate. This also provides an efflcient sealing means to guard against air entering the pump.

Some changes may be made in the arrangement and construction of the various parts of my pumping apparatus, without departing from the real spirit and purpose of my invention, and it is my intention to cover by my claims, any modifled forms of structure or use of mechanical equivalents, which may be reasonably included within their scope. Y

I claim as my invention:

1. In a pumping apparatus for grease and the like, a follower plate for grease in a container, 9. drumlike extension upwardly from the periphery of said follower plate, said follower plate and extension being freely movable in said container and said extension constituting a guide for said follower plate to prevent canting thereof in said container, and pumping mechanism mounted on said follower plate and carried thereby so as to keep said follower plate in contact with the grease solely by the weight of said drumlike extension and the suction created by said pumping mechanism, said pumping mechanism having an intake at the surface of said follower plate which is in contact with the grease.

2. In a pumping apparatus for pumping grease and the like from a container, a follower plate loosely fitting the inner wall of the container and pumping mechanism mounted thereon, carried thereby, and having an intake pipe provided with an intake opening at the surface thereof which is in contact with the grease, said pumping mechanism including a grease propelling means located closely adjacent said intake opening and an intake valve mounted in the extreme lower end of said intake pipe.

3. In a pumping apparatus for use with a container of fluid material, pumping mechanism having an intake and an outlet, and means for mounting said pumping mechanism relative to a container of fluid material comprising a base plate for positioning on the surface of the fluid material, a tubular wall extending upwardly from the periphery of said base plate, said base plate and tubular wall being guided .by the inner wall of the container and both being of smaller diameter than said inner wall to permit free settling of the base plate and tubular wall under the influence of the weight of said mechanism without canting the base plate and tubular wall with respect to the container, said intake of said pumping mechanism being located on the under surface of said base plate, said under surface contacting with said fluid material throughout substantially the entire area of said under surface to prevent atmospheric air from passing downwardly between said inner wall and tubular wall, flowing across said under surface and enterlng said intake.

4. In a pumping apparatus for use with a container of fluid material, pumping mechanism having an intake and an outlet, and means for mounting said pumping mechanism relative to a container of fluid material, comprising a base plate for positioning on the surface of the fluid material, said intake being located on the under surface of said base plate, and a counterweight for counterbalancing said base plate and pumping mechanism to prevent excessive settling a follower plate for fluid material within a container, said plate substantially fllling the interior of the container, and pumping mechanism mounted on said follower plate, carried thereby and having an intake communicating with the surface thereof which is in contact with the fluid material, said pumping mechanism including a cylinder, 2. piston therein and a piston rod extending from said cylinder, said piston rod having a cross sectional area substantially half as large as the cross sectional area of said cylinder to cause substantially equal displacement of material from said cylinder when said piston is moving in either direction relative thereto.

6. In a pumping apparatus for fluid material, a follower plate for such material, pumping mechanism mounted on said follower plate, carried thereby and having an intake at the surface thereof which is in contact with the fluid ma-' terial, an air conduit communicating with said surface for discharging air thereto to positively release said plate from contact with the fluid material, said conduit extending upwardly from said follower plate and terminating in an intake end adapted to receive compressed air to eflect' such positive release.

'7. Pumping apparatus for pumping material from a container comprising a pump, fluid pressure means for operating said pump, and a support for said pump, said support comprising a follower plate for the material being pumped, said, follower plate being freely movable in said container under the influence of the weight of said fluid pressure means and pump.

8. In a-pumping apparatus for grease and the like, a follower plate for grease in a container, a tubularextension upwardly from the periphery of said follower plate, said follower plate and tubular extension being freely movable in said container with said tubular extension adjacent the inner wall of the container to guide the apparatus relative to the container and to prevent canting of said follower plate-therein and pumping mechanism mounted on said follower plate and carried thereby and having an intake at the surface thereof which is in contact with the grease.

CHARLES W. GIN'I'ER.