US3239109A - Sprayer pump - Google Patents

Description

March 8, 1966 v. SANTARELLI 3,239,109

SPRAYER PUMP Filed OCT. 26, 1964 2 Sheets-Sheet l 52,'-5 /ZO ze 35 4 INVENTOR- VINCENT SANTARELLI ATTORNEYS March 8, 1966 v. sANTARr-:LLI

SPRAYER PUMP Filed OCT.. 26, 1964 flfrlilll.

United States Patent O 3,239,109 SPRAYER PUMP Vincent Santarelli, 27551 Gail, Warren, Mich. Filed Oct. Z6, 1964, Ser. No. 406,246 Claims. (Cl. 222-321) My invention relates generally to hydrostatic pressure sources, and more particularly to a portable fluid pressure pump capable of pressurizing a liquid supply for portable garden sprayers or the like. p

The improvements of my invention can be adapted readily for use in sprayer structures of the type shown in my U.S. Patent No. 2,594,223. In the sprayer disclosed in my patent, there is provided a liquid containing tank for storing liquid insecticide, plant fertilizers, or other liquid appropriate for a particular spraying operation. The tank is adapted to be carried by means of straps or belts on the back of the operator. A reciprocating plunger, which is situated within the tank, includes a piston portion that is adapted to be received within a well located on the lower region of the tank. The piston portion has a fluid seal packing that establishes sealing contact with the walls of the well as the plunger is moved by the operator by means of a hand crank and linkage mechanism.

Provision is made in my earlier construction for obtaining a continuous supply of liquid from the tank to the well prior to the working stroke of the plunger by tapering the sides of the well. The clearance that thus is established between the packing of the piston portion and the inner surface of the well permits liquid to enter the well as the plunger is prepared for its pumping stroke. During the pumping stroke, the packing again establishes sealing contact with the inner wall of the well as the liquid within the well is forced through a check valve structure and through a communicating central passage in the plunger to spray nozzle.

An arrangement of the type shown in my earlier disclosure requires, of necessity, a variable side pressure upon the packing material that is used. This causes ilexure of the material as the plunger is reciprocated in the direction of the axis of the well. This tends to accelerate failure of the packing material through wear.

vGradual deterioration of the packing material results in progressively decreasing efficiency.

It is necessary also in my earlier construction to pro- 'vide .a check valve that is physically connected to the delivery passage for the spray nozzle. This then makes it necessary to extend a delivery tube Within the working chamber of the well so that it may form a portion of the associated one-way check valve. This then limits somewhat the volumetric capacity of the pumping mechanism for any given well size.

The provision of a portable pumping mechanism that will overcome the shortcomings that are apparent in prior art constructions is an object of my instant invention. It is a further object of my invention to provide an improvement in pumping mechanisms of the type discussed in the foregoing paragraphs that includes a iluid pressure piston with an inflexible packing material that is resistant to swelling regardless of whether the liquid in the tank is an oil-base solution and regardless of whether the liquid contains solvents that would tend to cause the packing material to deform.

It is .a further object of my invention to provide a portable pump mechanism of the type above set forth wherein a simplified valve mechanism is employed for establishing communication between the pumping charnber of the mechanism and the passage structure that extends to the spray nozzle.

It is a further object of my invention to provide a pump mechanism of the type above set forth wherein 3,239,109 Patented Mar. 8, 1966 ICC communication between the interior of the liquid containing tank and the pumping chamber of the mechanism is established by an improved, disc type, one-way ow valve, thereby eliminating the necessity for providing controlled leakage past the piston portion.

Other objects and features of my invention will become apparent from the following description and from the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. l shows a side elevation view, partly in cross section, of the complete unit of which my improved pump mechanism forms a part;

FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view taken along the plane of section line 2 2 of FIG. l;

FIG. 3 is a cross sectional View taken along the plane of section line 3-3 of FIG. l;

FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view of a portion of the structure of FIG. 2. It includes the portion shown in FIG. 2 within the reference circle;

FIG. 5 is a longitudinal cross sectional view of the reciprocating plunger portion of the structure of FIGS. l and 2;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of the lower portion of the structure of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a cross sectional view taken along the plane of section line 7-7 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 is a longitudinal cross sectional View taken Valong the plane of section line 8-8 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 9 is a detail View of the upper portion of the reciprocating plunger of the structure of FIG. 5; and

FIG. l0 is a detail view of a threaded element of the plunger portion of FIG. 5.

As best seen in FIGS. l and 3, numeral 1i) designates a liquid containing tank that may contain any of a variety of liquids or solvents used during spraying operations. To facilitate handling and carrrying, the tank 10 may be Iformed with an elongated cross section having a concave side 12 and a convex side 14. Suitable straps or belts may be used for securing Athe tank 10 to the back of the wearer with the side 12 being engageable with the wearers shoulder.

Disposed adjacent one end of the elongated tank 10 and situated in parallel relationship with respect to the principal axis of symmetry of tank 10 is a plunger identified generally by reference character 16. It includes a first cylindrical portion 18 and a second cylindrical portion 20, the diameter of the portion 20 being less than the diameter of the portion 18 although it is formed with an axis that is common to the portion 1S.

The upper end of the tank 10 includes a colver 22 having a margin 24 that overlies the upper end of the tank 10. The cover 22 can be secured by welding or brazing to form a fluid tight closure for the tank 10. A handle 28 may be secured to the upper surface of the cover 22 to facilitate portage. It includes a flange 39 that may be riveted or otherwise secured to the cover 22.

Formed in the cover 22 is an opening 30, as seen in FIGS. 2 and 4, through which a hollow rod 32 extends. The rod 32 includes a head 34 that is formed integrally with a fitting 36 over which a ilexible rubber hose may be positioned. v

A flexible packing material 38 surrounds the opening 30 and establishes sealing engagement with the rod 32. The material 38 is contained within a suitable seal retainer 40 which is welded or otherwise secured to the outer surface of the cover 22. Y

For a detailed illustration of the rod 32, reference may be made to FIG. 9. As best seen in FIG. 9, the lower portion of the rod 32 is threaded as shown at 42. It also is formed with a coned terminal part 44. The head 34 secured to the upper end lof the rod 32 is formed with an opening 46 which receives one end 48 of an operating rod 50. The principal portion of the rod 50 extends in B a direction that is generally parallel to the principal axis of symmetry of the tank 10, and the end 48 extends in a direction perpendicular to the principal portion of rod 50. Formed on the end 48 are spaced projections 52 and 54 which are adapted to be received within key slots 56 and 58 respectively, as the end 48 is inserted through the opening 46. After the end 48 is situated in its operating position, the end 48 can be rotated so that the projections 52 and 54 establish interference that prevents accidental removal of the rod 48 from the head 34.

The lower end 56 of the rod 50 also extends in a direction perpendicular to the principal portion thereof. The end 56 extends in a direction opposite to the direction that end 48 extends, and it is received through an opening formed in the lower end of an operating crank indicated by reference character 58. A cotter key may be provided if desired to hold the end 56 fast within the opening in crank 58. The cotter key is indicated at 60.

Secured to one end of the outer surface of tank is a bracket 62 in the form of a strap. It may be secured to the tank 10 by welding, by rivets, or by other suitable means. One end of the bracket 62 is bent in the form of a U-shaped support 64. A retainer bolt 66 is received through aligned openings in the support 64. The lower extremity of the crank 58 is formed with on opening through which the bolt 66 extends. A cotter key 68 prevents removal of the bolt 66 following assembly.

The upper end of the crank 58 may carry a handle 70 to facilitate cranking motion of the crank 58 about the axis of bolt 66. As the crank is operated in this fashion by the operator, rod 50 is caused to reciprocate thereby causing reciprocating motion of the rod 32, within the opening 30.

The tank 10 may contain also an agitator plate 72 which may be situated in a plane perpendicular to the direction of reciprocating motion of the rod 32. It may be held in place by bracket 74 which includes a circular part 76 that encricles the cylindrical portion 18 of the plunger 16. The end of the circular part 76 can be apertured so that a threadedeye-bolt 78 can be received therethrough. The eye-bolt 78 may be threaded within an aligned opening formed in the intermediate portion of the bracket 74. As the eye-bolt 78 is tightened, the circular part 76 is held fast by friction against the outer surface of the cylindrical portion 18 of the plunger 16. As the plunger 16 is reciprocated in a direction parallel to its principal axis, the agitator plate 72 is effective to agitate the liquid in the tank 10 to provide a homogeneous mixture of the various liquids or solutes.

The lower end of tank 10 has secured thereto a bottom plate 80, one end of which is formed to define a cylindrical well 82. The plate 80 includes a turned flange 84 at its periphery and the flange in turn may be secured by welding or by other suitable fabricating techniques to the lower inner surface of the tank 10 -thereby providing a liquid tight enclosure within the tank 10.

A reinforcing shell 86 overlies the lower end of the tank 10 to provide a lap joint. This joint can be secured fast by welding if desired. The shell 86 encloses also a second supporting baille plate 88 having a turned marginal flange 90 that may be secured to its inner surface. The plate 88 can be depressed, as shown at 92,`to form a support for the lower region of the well 82.

The reduced diameter cylindrical portion carries at its lower end a closure plate 94. This plate includes an upturned, internally splined flange 96 and it is welded at its margin to the lower margin of the cylindrical `portion 20. An externally threaded retainer element 98, which is shown in detail in FIG. 10, is threaded within the threaded flange 96. Element 98 includes a head 100 which defines an annular shoulder v102. When the element 98 is threadably assembled, as shown in FIG. 5, an annular space exists between the lower surface of the plate 94 and shoulder 102.

The upper end of the cylindrical portion 18 of the plunger 16 is covered by a closure plate 106 having a flanged margin 108 that overlies the outer surface of the portion 18 to facilitate a brazed or welded connection to it. The central region of the plate 106 `is formed with an internally splined llange 110 which threadably receives an adaptor 112. This adaptor is formed with a central circular opening 114 which receives, by means of a force t, the upper end of a distributor tube 116.

The adaptor 112 is internally threaded, as shown at 117, to receive the threaded end 42 of the rod 32. The coned portion 44 of the rod 32 engages in sealing relationship an internally coned surface 118 of the adaptor 112.

Rod 32 is provided with a fluid distributor passage 120 that communicates with adaptor 36 and the hose to which it may be connected. Passage 120 communicates also with the interior opening of the tube 116.

The lower end of the tube 116 is apertured at 122, although the locations of these openings 122 are not critical.

As best seen in FIGS. 5 and 6, the member 98 is formed with a cylindrical interior 124 which receives a ball check valve element 126. The head 160 of the member 98 is centrally apertured, as shown at 126, and the ball valve element 126 is adapted to seat against the margin of the opening 128 to form a one way fluid flow passage between the interior 124 and the interior of the well 82.

The valve element 126 registers with the opening 128 when the plunger 16 is moved in an upward direction. This sealing position is indicated in FIG. 6. On the other hand, if the plunger 16 is moved in a downward direction, valve element 126 moves out of registry with the opening 128 as indicated in FIG. 5. The lower end of the tube 116 acts as a stop for the element 126. Since the tube 116 preferably is aligned with the member 98, the valve element 126 will tend to register with the open end of the tube 116. Communication between the interior and the well 82 and the central opening of the tube 116 is maintained, however, by reason of the openings 122. Fluid may pass from the interior of the well 82 and through the opening 128 around the valve element 126 and finally into the openings 122 as the plunger 16 is moved in a downward direction.

During the pumping Astroke the fluid displaced from the well 82 takes place at a rate that exceeds the rate of delivery of the liquid from the nozzle. Thus a p0rtion of the liquid will be allowed to enter the sealed interior space of the cylindrical portions 18 and 20 of the plunger 16. Initially this sealed space within the plunger 16 contains air. Thus as the pumping yoperation continues, the air becomes compressed due to the increase in volume of the liquid. The cylindrical portions 18 and 20 of the plunger 16 thus function as an accumulator to supply a continuous residual pressure that is effective to maintain a continuous llow of liquid under pressure to the spray nozzle. Thus a continuous spray may be achieved without interruption as the operator oscillates the crank 58.

A fluid packing 130 is secured to an annular plate 132, the latter being internally apertured at 134 to receive the stem of the element 98. The packing material 130 overlies the upper and radially outward Isurfaces of the plate 132, as indicated in FIGS. 5 and 6. The lower apron `portion defined by the packing 130 is in continuous seal- `ing engagement with the cylindrical inner surface of the well 82.

The upper transversely extending portion of the packing material 130 is apertured as shown at 136. These apertures are aligned with corresponding openings formed vin the member 132.

When the packing material 130 is assembled as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, an axial clearance exists between the shoulder 102 and the lower surface of the plate 94. As the plunger 16 is moved in an upward direction, member 132 engages shoulder 102 thereby allowing tluid from the interior of the tank to pass around the lower end of the cylindrical portion and to enter the apertures 136 thereby maintaining a iiow of liquid to the interior of the well 82. As the plunger 16 then is moved with a downward pumping stroke, the packing material 130 establishes a seal that prevents escape of the fluid from the well 82 to the tank 10. The same packing material serves also as a disc valve for closing the apertures 136 thereby preventing reverse flow of fluid through these apertures. Upon continued movement of the plunger 16 in a downward direction, the ball 126 becomes unseated thereby allowing pressurized uid to enter the tube 116 and the interior of the plunger 16 as explained previously.

It is not necessary in this improved construction for the sealing material 130 to come out of contact with the inner surface of the well 82. There is no opportunity, therefore, for the packing material to become swelled or otherwise change in dimension. A fluid tight seal of the apertures 136 is assured at al1 times. Although I contemplate that various packing materials may -be used successfully in this environment, I have found that certain washer materials now in commercial use are highly satisfactory since they resist the corrosive action of any liquid that may be contained in the tank 10. They also resist swelling when oil base solutions are used.

While it will be apparent that the preferred embodiment of the invention herein disclosed is well calculated to fulfill the objects above stated, it will be appreciated that the invention is susceptible to modiiication, variation and change without departing from the proper scope or fair meaning of the subjoined claims.

Having thus described a preferred embodiment of my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by U.S. Letters Patent is:

1. A fluid pumping mechanism having a cylindrical Well, a fluid reservoir, a plunger having an accumulator chamber with a fluid pressure distributor tube extending therethrough, an end plate on said chamber, a rst valve element having formed therein a valve aperture extending through said end plate, a check valve element contained within said first valve element and adapted to register with the aperture formed therein, a sealing member carried by said plunger comprising a packing material having a cylindrical skirt portion in sliding and sealing engagement with the inner wall of said well and a portion that extends in a plane transverse to the axis of said well, and apertures formed in said transverse portion, said fluid reservoir being in fluid communication with said well, said packing material being adapted to move into and out of sealing engagement with said end plate as said plunger is reciprocated in the direction of the principal axis of said well.

2. A fluid pumping mechanism comprising a plunger that defines an accumulator chamber, a cylindrical well, a fluid reservoir, a first one-way ow valve means for establishing controlled communication between the interior of said well and said reservoir, fluid packing between said plunger and the interior wall of said well forming a sliding seal therebetween, said fluid packing and said first valve means comprising common parts, second one-way flow valve means for providing `one-way fluid distribution from the interior of said well to the interior of said plunger, passage means for distributing fluid under pressure from said accumulator chamber, said irst flow valve means comprising a disc shaped portion formed of sealing material that comprises said packing, apertures formed in said disc shaped portion to provide controlled communication between the interior of said well and said reservoir as said plunger is moved in an outward direction with respect to said well, a skirt portion of said sealing material being in continuous sealing engagement with the inner wall of said well, said second valve means being carried by said plunger and adapted to establish one-way fluid distribution from the interior of said well to the interior of said plunger as said plunger is moved inwardly with respect to said well, and a reaction element forming a part of said second valve means and providing a reaction shoulder that is situated in the line of motion of said disc shaped portion to limit relative motion of the latter with respect to said plunger as said plunger is moved in an outward direction with respect to said well.

3. A uid pumping mechanism comprising a plunger that defines an accumulator chamber, a cylindrical well, a fluid reservoir, a first one-way ow valve means for establishing controlled communication between the interior of said well and said reservoir, uid packing between said plunger and the interior wall of said well forming a sliding seal therebetween, said fluid packing and said rst valve means comprising common parts, second oneway ow valve means for providing one-way fluid distribution from the interior of said well to the interior of said plunger, passage means for distributing fluid under pressure from said accumulator chamber, said first ow valve means comprising a disc shaped portion formed of sealing material that comprises said packing, apertures formed in said disc shaped portion to provide controlled communication between the interior of said well and said reservoir as said plunger is moved in an outward direction with respect to said well, a skirt portion of said sealing material being in continuous sealing engagement with the inner wall of said well, said second valve means being carried by said plunger and adapted to establish one-way fluid distribution from the interior of said well to the interior of said plunger as said plunger is moved inwardly with respect to said well, a reaction element forming a part of said second valve means and providing a reaction shoulder that is situated in the line of motion of said disc shaped portion to limit relative motion of the latter with respect to said plunger as said plunger is moved in an outward direction with respect to said well, said plunger including an end plate, said reaction element being carried by said end plate, and said sealing material being engageable with said end plate to establish sealing contact therewith under the influence of iiuid pressure in said Well.

4. A Huid pumping mechanism comprising a plunger that defines an accumulator chamber, a cylindrical well, a uid reservoir, a first one-way ow valve means for establishing controlled communication between the interior of said well and said reservoir, fluid packing between said plunger and the interior wall of said well forming a sliding seal therebetween, said liuid packing and said first valve means comprising common parts, including a valve aperture and a movable valve element adapted to register therewith, passage means for distributing uid under pressure from said accumulator chamber, said rst flow valve means comprising a disc shaped portion formed of sealing material that comprises said packing, apertures formed in said disc shaped portion to provide controlled communication between the interior of said well and said reservoir as said plunger is moved in an outward direction with respect to said well, a skirt portion of said sealing material being in continuous sealing engagement with the inner wall of said well, second valve means for establishing one-way fluid distribution from the interior of said well to the interior of said plunger as said plunger is moved inwardly with respect to said well, said second valve means comprising a valve seat and a movable valve element adapted to register therewith, a reaction element forming a part of said second valve means and providing a reaction shoulder that is situated in the line of motion of said disc shaped portion to limit relative motion of `the latter with respect to said plunger as said plunger is moved in an outward direction with respect to said well, said plunger including an end plate, said reaction element being carried by said end plate, said sealing material being engageable with said end plate to establish sealing contact therewith under lthe influence of uid pressure in said well, and passage means for establishing distribution of pressurized fluid from said accumulator, said passage means comprising a tube extended through said accumulator, the lower portion of said tube being situated directly adjacent said movable valve element of said second valve means for limiting the motion thereof.

5. A uid pumping mechanism comprising a plunger that defines an accumulator chamber, a cylindrical well, a fluid reservoir, a first one-way flow valve means for establishing controlled communication between the interior of said well and said reservoir, uid packing between said plunger and the interior wall of said well forming a sliding seal therebetween, sadi uid packing and said first valve comprising common parts, passage means for distributing iiuid under pressure from said accumulator chamber, said first flow valve means comprising a disc shaped portion formed of sealing material that comprises said packing, apertures formed in said disc shaped portion to provide controlled communication between the interior of said Well and said reservoir as said plunger is moved in an outward direction with respect to said well, a skirt portion of said sealing material being in continuous sealing engagement with the inner wall of said Well, second valve means for establishing one-way fluid distribution from the interior of said well to the interior of said plunger as said plunger is moved inwardly with respect to said well, a reaction element forming a part of said second valve means and providing a reaction shoulder that is situated in the line of motion of said disc shaped portion to limit relative motion of the latter with respect to said plunger as said plunger is moved in an outward direction with respect to said well, said reaction element having a valve aperture therein, a movable valve element in registry with said valve aperture and forming a part of said second valve means, said plunger including an end plate, said reaction element being carried by said end plate, said sealing material being engageable with said end plate to establish sealing contact therewith under the influence of fluid pressure in said well, passage means for establishing distribution of pressurized uid from said accumulator, said passage means comprising a tube extended through said accumulator, the extended end of said tube being situated directly adjacent said movable valve element of said second valve means for limiting the motion thereof, the upper end of said plunger comprising a cover plate, a threaded aperture formed in said cover plate, a uid conducting fitting threadably received within said threaded aperture and having a through opening formed therein, the upper end of said tube being received within said through opening, and a plunger head having an apertured stem threadably received within said fitting, said apertured stem having a coned surface and said fitting having a cooperating coned surface to establish sealing engagement.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 855,310 5/1907 Hentgen 222-377 X 2,594,223 4/1952 Santarelli a 222-377 X LOUIS J. DEMBO, Primary Examiner.

HADD S. LANE, Examiner.

Claims (1)

1. A FLUID PUMPING MECHANISM HAVING A CYLINDRICAL WELL, A FLUID RESERVOIR, A PLUNGER HAVING AN ACCUMULATOR CHAMBER WITH A FLUID PRESSURE DISTRIBUTOR TUBE EXTENDING THERETHROUGH, AN END PLATE ON SAID CHAMBER, A FIRST VALVE ELEMENT HAVING FORMED THEREIN A VALVE APERTURE EXTENDING THROUGH SAID END PLATE, A CHECK VALVE ELEMENT CONTAINED WITHIN SAID FIRST VALVE ELEMENT AND ADAPTED TO REGISTER WITH THE APERTURE FORMED THEREIN, A SEALING MEMBER CARRIED BY SAID PLUNGER COMPRISING A PACKING MATERIAL HAVING A CYLINDRICAL SKIRT PORTION IN SLIDING AND SEALING ENGAGEMENT WITH THE INNER WALL OF SAID WELL AND A PORTION THAT EXTENDS IN A PLANE TRANSVERSE TO THE AXIS OF SAID WELL, AND APERTURES FORMED IN SAID TRANSVERSE PORTION, SAID FLUID RESERVOIR BEING IN FLUID COMMUNICATION WITH SAID WELL, SAID PACKING MATERIAL BEING ADAPTED TO MOVE INTO AND

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