Piston Pump Seal Ring With Stroke-Activated Refill Flowpath

The patent replaces conventional mechanical lubrication delivery systems with a pressure-driven fluid injection system. The system uses pressure buildup within a containment structure to force lubricant through an outlet, eliminating the need for complex mechanical timing and delivery mechanisms. This substitution enables precise control of lubricant delivery through pressure regulation rather than mechanical means, directly addressing the precision and consistency problems.

The patent utilizes pressure as a controllable parameter to regulate lubricant delivery. By controlling the pressure buildup within the containment structure and the timing of pressure release, the system achieves precise delivery of measured amounts of lubricant. The transition from constant mechanical delivery to pressure-based variable delivery allows for accurate dosing, preventing both under- and over-lubrication.

The patent implements a periodic lubrication delivery mechanism where lubricant is injected at specific intervals based on pressure cycle completion. The system accumulates pressure during a charging phase, then releases it to deliver lubricant, then repeats the cycle. This periodic action ensures components receive lubrication at optimal intervals without requiring continuous monitoring or frequent maintenance, as the system self-regulates through its pressure-based timing mechanism.

The lubrication system is designed to operate autonomously using pressure buildup and release cycles. Once initialized, the system self-regulates lubricant delivery through its inherent pressure dynamics without requiring external control or frequent maintenance intervention. The containment structure and outlet mechanism work together to automatically deliver measured amounts of lubricant when pressure thresholds are reached, reducing maintenance burden while ensuring consistent component protection.

The patent employs a dynamic seal ring design that moves axially along the pump rod rather than maintaining constant contact. During the forward stroke, the seal ring engages with the pump rod to prevent backflow. During the return stroke, the seal ring disengages from the pump rod to reduce friction. This dynamic engagement and disengagement mechanism maintains sealing effectiveness during pressure buildup while minimizing friction and wear during the refill phase.

The seal ring operates in periodic cycles of engagement and disengagement corresponding to the pump's forward and return strokes. During the forward stroke when pressure buildup occurs, the seal ring is engaged to maintain sealing. During the return stroke when pressure is relieved, the seal ring disengages to minimize contact friction. This periodic action pattern ensures sealing is active only when needed for pressure containment, reducing overall friction and wear while maintaining sealing effectiveness during the critical pressurization phase.