US3386622A - Portable, self-contained, electrical pumping device - Google Patents

Description

June 4, 1968 J. H. COX ETAL PORTABLE, SELF-CONTAINED ELECTRICAL PUMPING DEVICE Original Filed June 14 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTORS' 40/55 4 0X 5479M 3 Elf/ 650? ATTOP/l/[K June 4, 1968 J. H. cox ETAL 3,386,522

PORTABLE, SELF-CONTAINED ELECTRICAL PUMPING DEVICE Original Filed June 14, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 lib um i INVENTORS J JAMES A! (0 BY EDW/l/ B EZSZWEKQK United States Patent 3,386,622 PORTABLE, SELF-CONTAINED, ELECTRICAL PUMPING DEVICE James H. Cox, 5232 Ewing Ave. S., Minneapolis, Minn. 55410, and Edwin B. Eisenegger, Bronschhofen-St.-G, Bildwed 657, Switzerland Continuation of application Ser. No. 202,462, June 14, 1962. This application Apr. 12, 1965, Ser. No. 447,478 1 Claim. (Cl. 222-46) This application is a continuation of Ser. No. 202,462, filed June 14, 1962, now abandoned.

This invention relates broadly to a portable, self-contained pumping unit or device wherein a pump piston is actuated at least in one direction by solenoid action, and wherein all essential parts of the unit including solenoids, control and main circuitry and pumping elements, are

compactly housed within a readily portable unit housing or frame. The simple relationship of pumping chamber, supply and discharge of fluid such as grease, air and hydraulic fluids is that it may be readily set up as a part of one of said systems and quickly connected for use.

More specifically, it is an object to provide a portable solenoid powered unit of the class described wherein a pumping piston is directly connected to the armature of a high powered solenoid for actuation of said piston for compressive effect in a pumping cylinder, and wherein the armature is actuated in the opposite direction by spring means or the equivalency, and wherein a supplemental control circuit with certain mechanical elements constituting an important part thereof, produces the adequate time interval or drag between energization of the electromagnetic coil of the solenoid and spring return to assure the full stroke and efficiency of the pumping piston.

A further object is the provision of a device or unit of the type described, wherein all of the essential components and controls are compactly and uniquely mounted within a single portable housing, with the exception of course of electrical power, and whatever specific discharging device is required for the grease or other fluid pumped by the unit.

These and other objects of the invention will become more apparent from the following description made in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein like characters indicate similar parts throughout the several views and in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of our invention, specially adapted for use in a gun-type greasing or lubricating system.

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the same with the covermem'ber removed; a

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken longitudinally through the heavy power solenoid and pump plunger, and showing the pumping chamber and fluid discharge as well as fluid intake;

FIG. 4 is a circuitry diagram showing the electric circuit in closed operating position; and

FIG. 5 is a similar diagram with the main as well as the control circuits being in open or inoperative position.

While the embodiment of our invention is combined with and constitutes the actuation unit for a pressure lubricating or grease system, it will be readily understood by those skilled in the art, that the solenoid-operated pumping unit is readily applicable for connection with a source of hydraulic fluid or other fluids for pumping and compressing the same, including compressor systems.

In the drawings, the numeral 6 indicates as an entirety, a compact portable mounting or housing having a removable cover member 7 secured as shown by a plurality of screws 8. A convenient L-shaped handle member 9 is rigidly secured to the cover 7 for carrying the unit and as shown, is triangulated and faced by posts 9a. above the cover, to facilitate a reel or storage member around which a power cable or electrical cord 10 may be wrapped for transport or storage.

Referring to the plan view, FIG. 2, with cover 7 removed, the numeral 11 designates as an entirety, a heavy power solenoid having a large electromagnetic coil 36, the armature 34 and a main operating switch 32 of snap action type. The power solenoid 11 is in general conventional, having a heavy housing 29 which, as shown, has -a longitudinally projecting mounting arm 31 on which the electrical switch 32and its components are supported and secured. The switch 32 has a projecting actuating arm 33, the operation of which will presently appear in detail.

Referring again to the armature 34 of solenoid 11, it will be noted that a heavy coil spring 37 encircles the outer portion of armature 34 and is interposed under tension between the said housing 6 and an annular flange 35 which serves as the outer base of resistance for said spring. The spring 37 is adapted to return armature 34 to retracted or netural position when the magnetic coil 36 of the solenoid is deenergized. It will be understood that while a spring is shown for retracting the armature, equivalencies such as weight action or even a counteracting solenoid could be employed. The spring however is preferred.

Referring now to the control circuit and some of its essential components, numeral 12 designates a smaller commercially available control solenoid which actuates the current connection switch for the main circuit. The main circuit, including the connection of heavy solenoid 11 carries a much higher power and consequently, requires heavier wiring and operating controls.

Continuing, the control circuit in addition to including the lighter solenoid 12, having an armature 26, includes a momentary contact switch 24, together with suitable wiring connections between said elements and the source of electric power which, in the embodiment shown, comprises a storage battery 25. The circuit also includes the snap action switch 32, previously described, and a position ho'lder switch 32, the purpose of which presently will appear. As shown, the control solenoid 12 is rigidly secured within the housing 6 by means of a bracket 27 attached thereto.

An elongated rigid yoke 38 extends longitudinally from the outer end of the armature 34, which encircles the projecting actuated arm 33 of the snap action or micro switch 32. This yoke is so mounted and dimensioned that in retraction or outward movement, arm 33 is shifted to close the power circuit almost at the end of retractive movement of the armature through action of the spring 37. Thereafter, unless the main and control circuits are opened and made inoperative by operation of a switch 24, later to be described, the coil 36 of the power solenoid is again energized and the armature with its pump plunger 40 protracts. Obviously the intermittent energizing of power solenoid 11, with the action of the coil spring 37, sets up a rapid, automatic synchronized reciprocating movement of said armature, which movement is transmitted to any pump element or adapter attached to the inner end portion of armature 34, and thence in turn to any adaption requirement for use of this reciprocating pumping power.

The position-holder switch 32' retains the snap action main switch 32 in full closed or full open position until the yoke-like actuating means 38 completes a full stroke in either direction.

In the embodiment and use of our self-contained pumping unit it is shown operatively connected in a conventional pressure lubricating system. Numeral 13 shows a generally conventional lubricating unit. with lubricant reservoir 14 for storage of grease or other lubricant, which discharges through .a flexible pressure line 15 to which as shown, a gun-type greaser 16 is connected,

having a conventional grease fitting 17 at its discharge. The lubricating unit 13 has a hollow cylindrical member 18 affording a housing for an elongated coil pressure spring 19 which has its base of resistance in a filler cap (not shown) at the rear end portion of cylinder 18. The relatively shallow piston 20 is acted upon by coil spring 19 to force a head of lubricant into the small and eccentrically located discharge port 21, for a purpose that will presently appear.

Discharge port 21 directs the flow of lubricant into communication with the relatively small pump cylinder 22 constructed to cooperate with the pump piston 49 with substantial power to force a small amount of lubricant into the pressure line 15 and similarly to the gun-type greaser 16 with each stroke of the armature. A springloaded ball-type check valve 23 is interposed in the discharge from the pump cylinder 22 or may be mounted in the screw threaded, interconnected end of the pressure line 15. It will be understood that the pressure in the line 15 is substantially zero when the armature of the solenoid is at rest in its retracted position shown in FIG. 3. The pressure is built up when the solenoid is alternatively energized and deenergized at short intervals. A grease seal 41 is provided around piston 40.

Referring to the grease gun, an electric switch 24 of momentary contact type, is incorporated in the gun with electrical connections between said switch and the electric control circuit for the main power solenoid. This switch 24 normally holds the electrical control circuit open and when pressed in, will close the control circuit and thus cause energization of the main circuit through the power solenoid 11 by means of the small solenoid 12 with its armature 26. When the required amount of lubricant has been forced from the gun through the fitting 17, the operator immediately releases the push switch 24 to open the electric circuit to the control circuit, and consequently to leave open the circuit through the power solenoid 11.

As previously stated electrical power to energize the subject invention and act as a source for both main and control circuits, may be derived from a storage battery such as a 12 watt battery shown in the drawings and indicated by numeral 25, or the unit equipped with a suitable rectifier for converting alternate current to substantially the equivalency of direct current, may be mounted as a part of the compact elements in the unit and housed within the housing 6.

From the foregoing it will be seen that we have provided a highly eflicient pumping system and unit adapted for various uses, and particularly well adapted for a forced lubrication system or hydraulic system. The components of the device are uniquely and compactly disposed, all within a portable mounting or housing readily connectible in various systems.

Cooperating main armature circuits and low voltage control circuits are included in our apparatus and system combination to the end that a high powered solenoid mechanism may be utilized successfully for powerful pumping.

What is claimed is:

1. A portable pumping device for pumping fluids comprising,

a small compact portable housing having an access opening therein and having a closure member for closing said opening,

a reservoir structure mounted within said housing for storing a quantity of fluid therein,

a cylinder mounted in said housing and connected in communicating relation with said reservoir structure for receiving fluid therefrom,

reciprocable means shiftable in said cylinder for forcing fluid therefrom comprising a solenoid including an electromagnet,

a magnetic armature defining a piston and extensible in the cylinder under the influence of the electromagnetic field of said electromagnet through a forward stroke to force fluid from said cylinder,

spring means engaging said armature for retracting the same through a return stroke when the electromagnet is de-energized,

a normally open power circuit connected to said electromagnet to control the electromagnetic field thereof and connected to a source of electrical current,

a normally open control circuit interposed in circuit controlling relation with said power circuit and connected to said source of electric power and including a normally open primary switch which is energized and closed when said manual switch is closed to energize said power circuit and the electromagnet,

a secondary switch means in said control circuit being opened and closed in response to movement of said armature and having a switch arm, whereby when said manual switch is closed, said control and power circuits are operable to cause uninterrupted flow of intermittent electrical current to said electromagnet to reciprocate the armature and permit fluid to be continuously pumped from said cylinder, said electrical current continuing to flow through the power circuit when said control circuit is energized and said primary switch is in the closed condition,

a position holder switch mechanism in said control circuit operable to hold said secondary switch means in one of said closed and opened positions during movement of said armature until the armature has completed its return or forward stroke,

an actuating means comprising an annular yoke element on said armature and movable therewith, said yoke element circumscribing the switch arm of said secondary switch means and engaging the same to thereby cause opening and closing said secondary switch during movement of said armature.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,704,179 3/ 1929 De Forest 222-333 2,461,501 2/1949 Miller 31034 X 2,686,281 8/1954 Shun 222-333 X 2,694,508 11/1954 Petrenchak Z22-333 X ROBERT B. REEVES, Primary Examiner.

H. S. LANE, Assistant Examiner.

Claims (1)

1. A PORTABLE PUMPING DEVICE FOR PUMPING FLUIDS COMPRISING, A SMALL COMPACT PORTABLE HOUSING HAVING AN ACCESS OPENING THEREIN AND HAVING A CLOSURE MEMBER FOR CLOSING SAID OPENING, A RESERVOIR STRUCTURE MOUNTED WITHIN SAID HOUSING FOR STORING A QUANTITY OF FLUID THEREIN, A CYLINDER MOUNTED IN SAID HOUSING AND CONNECTED IN COMMUNICATING RELATION WITH SAID RESERVOIR STRUCTURE FOR RECEIVING FLUID THEREFROM, RECIPROCABLE MEANS SHIFTABLE IN SAID CYLINDER FOR FORCING FLUID THEREFROM COMPRISING A SOELNOID INCLUDING AN ELECTROMAGNET, A MAGNETIC ARMATURE DEFINING A PISTON AND EXTENSIBLE IN THE CYLINDER UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF THE ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELD OF SAID ELECTROMAGNET THROUGH A FORWARD STORKE TO FORCE FLUID FROM SAID CYLINDER, SPRING MEANS ENGAGING SAID ARMATURE FOR RETRACTING THE SAME THROUGH A RETURN STROKE WHEN THE ELECTROMAGNET IS DE-ENERGIZED, A NORMALLY OPEN POWER CIRCUIT CONNECTED TO SAID ELECTROMAGNET TO CONTROL THE ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELD THEREOF AND CONNECTED TO A SOURCE OF ELECTRICAL CURRENT, A NORMALLY OPEN CONTROL CIRCUIT INTERPOSED IN CIRCUIT CONTROLLING RELATION WITH SAID POWER CIRCUIT AND CONNECTED TO SAID SOURCE OF ELECTRIC POWER AND INCLUDING A NORMALLY OPEN PRIMARY SWITCH WHICH IS ENERGIZED AND CLOSED WHEN SAID MANUAL SWITCH IS CLOSED TO ENERGIZE SAID POWER CIRCUIT AND THE ELECTROMAGNET, A SECONDARY SWITCH MEANS IN SAID CONTROL CIRCUIT BEING OPENED AND CLOSED IN RESPONSE TO MOVEMENT OF SAID ARMATURE AND HAVING A SWITCH ARM, WHEREBY WHEN SAID MANUAL SWITCH IS CLOSED, SAID CONTROL AND POWER CIRCUITS ARE OPERABLE TO CAUSE UNINTERRUPTED FLOW OF INTERMITTENT ELECTRICAL CURRENT TO SAID ELECTROMAGNET TO RECIPROCATE THE ARMATURE AND PERMIT FLUID TO BE CONTINUOUSLY PUMPED FROM SAID CYLINDER, SAID ELECTRICAL CURRENT CONTINUING TO FLOW THROUGH THE POWER CIRCUIT WHEN SAID CONTROL CIRCUIT IS ENERGIZED AND SAID PRIMARY SWITCH IS IN THE CLOSED CONDITION, A POSITION HOLDER SWITCH MECHANISM IN SAID CONTROL CIRCUIT OPERABLE TO HOLD SAID SECONDARY SWITCH MEANS IN ONE OF SAID CLOSED AND OPENED POSITIONS DURING MOVEMENT OF SAID ARMATURE UNTIL THE ARMATURE HAS COMPLETED ITS RETURN OR FORWARD STROKE, AN ACTUATING MEANS COMPRISING AN ANNULAR YOKE ELEMENT ON SAID ARMATURE AND MOVABLE THEREWITH, SAID YOKE ELEMENT CIRCUMSCRIBING THE SWITCH ARM OF SAID SECONDARY SWITCH MEANS AND ENGAGING THE SAME TO THEREBY CAUSE OPENING AND CLOSING SAID SECONDARY SWITCH DURING MOVEMENT OF SAID ARMATURE.

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