Pump compensator

Abstract

A pressure compensated variable displacement pump. The pump comprises a vane assembly positioned within a housing and a pressure ring positioned around the vane assembly to float within the housing. Additionally, the pump comprises a compensator having a guide, a first end, a second end and a plurality of individual adjusting elements. The second end is in contact with the pressure ring wherein the plurality of adjusting elements is positioned adjacent the second end in series to vary pressure created by the vane assembly against the pressure ring. A method of varying pressure comprises rotating a vane assembly within a pump housing and applying high pressure from the vane assembly against a pressure ring. Next, the method comprises varying the pressure by biasing a plurality of adjusting elements to reciprocate a guide against the pressure ring.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] The present invention relates to a pump. In particular, the present invention relates to a pressure compensated variable displacement pump which can operate at high pressures. [0002] Positive displacement pumps capture fluid in a chamber and reduce the volume in the chamber to force the fluid from the pump. Fluid pumps create flow while operating on a displacement principle wherein fluid enters an input and displaces to an output via the pump. Fixed displacement pumps discharge fluid in a continuous flow while variable volume pumps discharge fluid in a non-continuous flow, i.e. periods with no discharge. [0003] Positive-displacement pumps deliver a definite volume of fluid for each pump cycle operation, regardless of resistance, so long as the pump capacity is not exceeded. If an outlet is closed or exceeds the output pressure, the pump drive will stall or the pump will experience breakdown. Accordingly, positive-displacement pumps require a pressu...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

"The present invention is about a fluid pump that can handle high fluid pressures. It includes a pump vane assembly and a pressure ring that move within a housing. A compensator is also included, which has a guide and adjusting elements that change the pressure created by the vane assembly against the pressure ring. The invention allows for easy adjustment of the pressure to create a high-pressure output."

Problems solved by technology

If an outlet is closed or exceeds the output pressure, the pump drive will stall or the pump will experience breakdown.

A problem with spring compensators, however, is the existence of a pressure limit.

Coil spring compensators do not perform at high pressures, such as pressures exceeding 2,000 pounds per square inch (psi).

This extended housing prohibits the vane pump from being used in typical applications because of space constraints of a typical vane pump installation.

The spring compensator also applies concentrated loading which leads to increased wear of the springs and ring.

Furthermore, the extended spring housing is unwieldy, leading to increased labor installation.

Additionally, the extended spring housing results in increased manufacturing costs.

As such, the spring compensator is not economically viable for high pump pressures such as pressures exceeding 2,000 psi.

A problem with hydraulic compensators, however, is contamination.

Since the hydraulic compensator requires numerous components comprising the valve and piston assembly, those components are susceptible to failure and fluid leakage.

Additionally, the hydraulic compensator requires constant maintenance to check on the valve system, leading to increased maintenance costs.

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