Patent ID: 11931766
Assignee: GRACO MINNESOTA INC.
Field: Engines, pumps, turbines (Mechanical engineering)
Classification: CPC B  F  G | IPC B  G

Claim 19:
20. A method of dispensing, the method comprising:
initiating a reload cycle, the reload cycle comprising:
shifting a first inlet valve to a first open state, a second inlet valve to a second open state, a first outlet valve to a first closed state, and a second outlet valve to a second closed state;
activating a motor to cause the motor to displace a slide bracket in an upstream direction, wherein the slide bracket is connected to a first pump rod and a second pump rod such that the slide bracket:
draws the first pump rod in the upstream direction, the first pump rod extending into a first pump cylinder through a first bracket, and a first piston mounted on an end of the first pump rod extending into the first pump cylinder; and
draws the second pump rod in the upstream direction, the second pump rod extending into a second pump cylinder and a second piston mounted on an end of the second pump rod extending into the second pump cylinder;

driving a first material into the first pump rod through a first pump rod inlet;
driving a second material into the second pump rod through a second pump rod inlet; and
refilling the first pump cylinder with the first material flowing through the first pump rod from the first pump rod inlet to a first pump rod outlet; and
refilling the second pump cylinder with the second material flowing through the second pump rod from the second pump rod inlet to a second pump rod outlet;

shifting the first inlet valve and the second inlet valve to respective closed states;
initiating a dispense cycle, the dispense cycle comprising:
shifting the first outlet valve and the second outlet valve to respective open states; and
activating the motor to cause the motor to displace the slide bracket in a downstream direction opposite the upstream direction to:
drive the first pump rod in the downstream direction, the first pump rod driving the first piston through the first pump cylinder, and the first piston driving the first material out of the first pump cylinder through a second bracket supporting the first pump cylinder; and
drive the second pump rod in the downstream direction, the second pump rod driving the second piston through the second pump cylinder, and the second piston driving the second material out of the second pump cylinder through the second bracket.