Quick release interchangeable valve arrangement for slurry pump systems

A dual inline double acting plunger arrangement is particularly adapted for pumping thick slurries and includes a hollow cylinder divided into two closed chambers by a partition. A first plunger is disposed in a first chamber and a second plunger is disposed in a second chamber with the two plungers coupled together by appropriate linkage outside of the cylinder. A drive mechanism connected to the coupling linkage simultaneously displaces the two plungers in a reciprocating manner within the two chambers. Inlet and outlet ports in each of the chambers coupled to inlet and outlet valve assemblies allow for the pumping of a slurry from the chambers by the two plungers in an alternating manner. Each valve assembly includes a housing having a pair of ball valves which are both employed either as inlet valves or outlet valves, as the valve assembly may be configured to perform both functions. The valve assembly housing is comprised of a generally H-shaped unitary structure having a pair of couplers each adapted for connection to a chamber in the cylinder as well as a third coupler adapted for connection to either a source of the slurry or to an outlet for the slurry. The H-shaped housing includes two upper and two lower removable end caps which are each securely held in place by a locking pin for ease of installation and removal as well as to facilitate manufacture, disassembly and cleaning of the housing of any slurry residue. The inlet and outlet valve assemblies are also coupled to the hollow cylinder by locking pin and threaded coupler connections for ease of assembly and disassembly such as in the field to facilitate cleaning of the pump. The double acting plunger pump provides a smooth, continuous slurry output as well as increased pumping efficiency.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
This invention relates generally to displacement pumps for pumping liquids 
having a wide range of consistencies and is particularly directed to a 
dual inline double acting plunger-type of pump which is easily 
manufactured, assembled and cleaned. 
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
Pumps are used to displace materials which flow having a consistency 
ranging from that of water to thick slurries such as containing sand or 
comprised of a liquid cement. These latter types of pumps typically employ 
a plunger disposed in a cylinder, where the plunger is displaced in a 
reciprocating manner and the cylinder receives the slurry during the 
plunger instroke and discharges the slurry during plunger outstroke. This 
results in an irregular, discontinuous pumping action of the slurry which 
is displaced only during the outstroke of the plunger. Another concern in 
these types of pumps is in the cleaning of the slurry from the pump 
following use. Cleaning of the pump is generally necessary because the 
slurry is typically comprised of a material which "sets" clogging the pump 
and rendering it inoperative if a slurry residue remains after use of the 
pump. Prior approaches require the use of tools for the removal of various 
components of the pump prior to cleaning which is tedious and time 
consuming, particularly when done at a job site, or "in the field." 
Moreover, cleaning and clearing the pump after a slurry residue has been 
allowed to "set" substantially increases the difficulty of the task. 
The present invention addresses the aforementioned problems encountered in 
the prior art by providing a dual inline double acting plunger arrangement 
for the pumping of slurries having a wide range of consistencies which is 
easily cleaned and maintained following use. 
OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
Accordingly, it is the object of the present invention to provide a 
displacement pump for liquids having a wide range of consistencies which 
provides a smooth, continuous flow at the outlet. 
It is another object of the present invention to provide a dual inline 
double acting plunger-type pump for slurries which is easily assembled and 
disassembled such as for cleaning and the removal of slurry material which 
"sets" in solid form. 
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a dual inline 
double acting plunger-type pump for slurries having a unitary double valve 
housing for connection to both pump chambers which may be used 
interchangeably and without modification at either the pump's inlet or 
outlet ports. 
This invention contemplates apparatus for pumping a slurry, the apparatus 
comprising a cylindrical hollow housing apparatus for pumping a slurry, 
the apparatus comprising: a cylindrical hollow housing having an inner 
partition forming first and second chambers in the housing, wherein each 
of the first and second chambers includes a respective input port and 
output port; first and second plungers respectively disposed in the first 
and second chambers; drive means for simultaneously displacing the first 
and second plungers in the first and second chambers in a reciprocating 
manner; an inlet valve housing having an inlet port coupled to a source of 
the slurry and first and second outlet ports respectively coupled to the 
first and second chambers for providing slurry thereto; and an outlet 
valve housing having first and second inlet ports respectively coupled to 
the first and second chambers for receiving slurry pumped therefrom, the 
outlet vane housing further including an outlet port for discharging the 
slurry, wherein the inlet and outlet housings are of substantially the 
same size and configuration and are interchangeable.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown an upper perspective view of a slurry 
pump 10 in accordance with the present invention. A transverse sectional 
view of the slurry pump 10 shown in FIG. 1 taken along site line 2--2 is 
shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 5 is a top plan view shown partially in section and 
partially cut-away of the slurry pump 10 of the present invention. 
The slurry pump 10 includes a pump body 12 in the form of a cylindrical 
housing having first and second displacement chambers 58 and 60 separated 
by a partition, or wall, 70. Disposed in the first displacement chamber 58 
is a first plunger 52, while disposed in the second displacement chamber 
60 is a second plunger 54. Each of the plungers 52, 54 is freely moveable 
in a reciprocating manner within its respective displacement chamber. 
Disposed on a first end of the pump body 12 is a first end stuffing box 
with packing 48, while disposed on a second, opposed end of the pump body 
is a second end stuffing box with packing 50. Also disposed on the first 
end of the pump body 12 is the combination of a first end plate 14 and a 
support bracket or foot 14a. Similarly, disposed on the second, opposed 
end of the pump body 12 is the combination of a second end plate 16 and a 
support bracket or foot 16a. Inserted within the first end stuffing box 48 
are a plurality of annular packings 68a, 68b, 68c and 68d as shown 
particularly in the sectional view of FIG. 5. Similarly, disposed within 
the second end stuffing box 50 are a second plurality of annular packings 
66a, 66b, 66c and 66d. Each of the packings is disposed about its 
associated plunger in a tight fitting manner to form a seal between the 
pump body 12 and the moving plunger. On the first end of the pump body 12, 
the plunger packings 68a-68d are disposed between and in contact with 
first and second packing washers 78a and 78b. Packing washers 78a, 78b are 
also disposed in sealed contact with the first plunger 52 and pump body 
12. A similar arrangement of plunger packings and packing washers is 
disposed at the second, opposed end of the pump body 12. Disposed in 
contact with the first packing washer 78a is a first packing gland 34 
which is securely and adjustably attached to the first end plate 14 by 
means of a plurality of nut and bolt combinations 37a and 37b. Similarly, 
on the second end of the pump body 12 a second packing gland 36 is 
securely attached to the second end plate 16 by means of a plurality of 
nut and bolt combinations 38a and 38b. Each of the packing glands of 34, 
36 maintains the combination of the plunger packings and packing washers 
in place within the pump body 12 to maintain a seal between the pump body 
and the first and second plungers 52 and 54. Thus, the first and second 
plungers 52, 54 may be displaced within and along the length of the first 
and second chambers 58, 60, respectively, with a slurry introduced into 
each of the chambers without the slurry leaking from the chamber where the 
plunger is inserted into the chamber. 
As shown particularly in FIG. 5, each of the plungers 52 and 54 has a 
diameter so as to leave a clearance between the plunger and the respective 
displacement chambers 58 and 60. The substantial spacing between each pair 
of plungers and displacement chambers facilitates the reciprocating 
displacement of the plunger within the chamber even when pumping a thick 
slurry. Plunger displacement is facilitated by the flow of the slurry into 
the space or gap between the plunger and its associated displacement 
chamber. 
Each of the first and second plungers 52, 54 has a respective threaded 
coupling attached to its outer end portion. Threaded coupler 52a of the 
first plunger 52 is attached to a first end yoke 26, while the threaded 
coupler 54a of the second plunger 54 is attached to a second end yoke 28. 
Coupling the first and second yokes 26, 28 are first and second traverse 
rods 18 and 20. The first and second traverse rods 18, 20 extend through 
apertures within and are freely slidable in the first and second end 
plates 14, 16 and first and second mounting brackets 44 and 46. The two 
plungers 52 and 54 are thus securely coupled together by means of the 
combination of yokes 26 and 28 and traverse rods 18 and 20. Displacement 
of one plunger will result in a corresponding displacement of the other 
plunger in the same direction and an equal distance. 
Attached to the second end plate 16 by means of four attachment rods is a 
mounting plate 40. Three of the attachment rods are shown as elements 32a, 
32b and 32c in FIG. 1. Appropriate end couplers are attached to each of 
the attachment rods for securely connecting second end plate 16 to 
mounting plate 40 in forming a rigid structure. Disposed on a lower 
portion of mounting plate 40 is a support bracket or foot 40a. Each of the 
lower support brackets provides for the secure and stable positioning of 
the slurry pump 10 on a flat support surface. Mounted to a second, opposed 
surface of mounting plate 40 is a reciprocating driver 42. Reciprocating 
driver 42 may be electrically, pneumatically or hydraulically actuated and 
may be conventional in design and operation. Reciprocating driver 42 is 
coupled to the second end yoke 28 by means of a connecting shaft 56. 
Driver 42 displaces the combination of the first and second end yokes 26, 
28, the first and second traverse rods 18, 20, and the first and second 
plungers 52, 54. 
In accordance with the present invention, attached to respective, opposed 
lateral portions of pump body 12 are an inlet valve assembly 22 and an 
outlet valve assembly 24. The inlet and outlet valve assemblies 22 and 24 
are essentially identical in configuration and operation, but are employed 
in opposite vertical orientation, or one valve assembly is upside down 
relative to the other valve assembly as described below. 
The inlet valve assembly 22 includes first and second generally cylindrical 
upright members 80a and 80b coupled by means of a cylindrical cross member 
82. The first and second upright members 80a, 80b and the cross member 82 
form a generally H-shaped structure which is hollow. Cross member 82 
includes an inlet port 84 for receiving a slurry into the inlet valve 
assembly 22 from a slurry source which is not shown in the figures for 
simplicity. Respectively disposed on the upper ends of the upright members 
80a, 80b are first and second top caps 88a and 88b, while disposed on the 
lower ends of these upright members are first and second bottom caps. Top 
caps 88a, 88b are securely maintained in position on the first and second 
upright members 80a, 80b by means of a first and second U-shaped locking 
pins 90a and 90b, respectively, as described below. A similar pair of 
U-shaped locking pins securely maintains the bottom caps on the lower ends 
of the upright members 80a , 80b. Threadably inserted in and attached to 
respective lateral apertures in the first and second upright members 80a, 
80b are first and second side caps 92a and 92b. The top and bottom caps as 
well as each of the side caps 92a, 92b are easily removed from the inlet 
valve assembly 22 to facilitate cleaning of the valve assembly after use. 
This is particularly important where a slurry of a "setable" material is 
pumped and the pump is not cleaned immediately after use. The material for 
which this pump is designed has a tendency to precipitate. The presence of 
a precipitate dictates that the pump be cleaned after each use as the 
precipitate will collect in various portions of the valve assembly, 
particularly in the area of the valve ball and its associated flow channel 
interfering with proper seating of the ball, resulting in reduced pumping 
pressure. The present invention permits complete disassembly of the valve 
assemblies and facilitates valve assembly cleaning to the point where it 
can be easily accomplished after every use. 
The outlet valve assembly 24 similarly includes first and second upright 
members 110a and 110b. Disposed on the respective upper ends of the first 
and second upright members 110a, 110b are first and second top caps 112a 
and 112b. Disposed on the respective lower ends of the first and second 
upright members 110a, 110b are first and second bottom caps 120a and 120b. 
Top caps 112a and 112b are securely attached to the upright members by 
means of respective locking pins 114a and 114b, while bottom caps 120a, 
120b are securely attached to the respective lower ends of the upright 
members by locking pins 122a and 122b. The first and second upright 
members 110a, 110b are connected by means of a hollow cross member 116 
which includes an outlet port 124. Inserted in and threadably connected to 
the first and second upright members 110a, 110b of the outlet valve 
assembly 24 are first and second side caps 118a and 118b. As in the case 
of the inlet valve assembly 22, the upright members of 110a, 110b and 
cross member 116 of the outlet valve assembly 24 are hollow permitting a 
slurry to enter the valve assembly by means of first and second inlet 
ports 125 and 126 and to exit via the outlet port 124. 
The connection between the second upright member 80b of the inlet valve 
assembly 22 to the pump body 12 will now be described. The connections 
between the other upright member 80a of the inlet valve assembly 22 and 
the pair of upright members 110a and 110b of the outlet valve assembly 24 
to the pump body 12 are identical to the connection between the inlet 
valve assembly's second upright member 80b and the pump body and are 
therefore not described in detail herein. The connection between the inlet 
valve assembly's second upright member 80a and the pump body 12 includes a 
first female threaded connector 72 and a second male threaded connector 
74. The first female connector 72 is inserted in and threadably engages an 
outlet port 86b in the inlet valve assembly 22. Similarly, the second male 
connector 74 is inserted in and threadably engages an inlet port 62b in a 
lateral portion of the pump body 12. The opposite end of the second male 
connector 74 is adapted for insertion in a second end of the first female 
connector 72. An outer portion of the second male connector 74 includes an 
annular slot 74a disposed about the periphery thereof. Annular slot 74a in 
the second male connector 74 is adapted to receive a U-shaped locking pin 
76. Locking pin 76 is inserted through two pairs of aligned apertures 
within the first female connector 72 as described below. 
With reference specifically to FIG. 2, the operation of the inlet and 
outlet vane assemblies 22 and 24 will now be described. Each of the 
upright members in the inlet and outlet valve assemblies 22, 24 includes a 
respective ball. Thus, upright member 80b of the inlet valve assembly 22 
includes ball 135, while upright member 110b of the outlet valve assembly 
24 includes ball 136 as shown in FIG. 2. Each of the upright members 
includes an upper and lower chamber. Thus, upright member 80b includes 
upper and lower chambers 148 and 150, while upright member 110b includes 
upper and lower chambers 128 and 130. Separating the upper and lower 
chambers in each upright member is a respective reduced flow channel. 
Thus, in upright member 80b, reduced flow channel 131 separates the upper 
and lower chambers 148 and 150. Similarly, reduced flow channel 132 in 
upright member 110b separates the upper and lower chambers 128 and 130 
therein. In each valve assembly, the ball is disposed in an upper chamber 
of a respective upright member. Also disposed in the lower portion of the 
upper chamber is a valve seat which is adapted for mating engagement with 
its associated ball. Thus, valve seat 133 which includes an aperture 
therein is disposed in upper chamber 148 and is adapted for engagement 
with ball 135. Similarly, valve seat 134 is disposed in upper chamber 128 
is adapted for engagement with ball 136. The ball must be positioned in 
the upper chamber of an upright member for proper operation of the valve 
assembly. 
Disposed immediately above and below each of the reduced flow channels 131 
and 132 are upper and lower valve seat pockets, or recesses. Each recess 
is adapted to receive a valve seat which, in turn, is adapted to receive a 
valve ball. The upper and lower recesses are each adapted to receive the 
valve seat and valve ball combination permitting the valve housing to be 
used with either of its chambers positioned as either the upper chamber or 
the lower chamber. Interchangeable use of the valve housing in both 
vertical orientations permits reversal of valve housing functions from 
inlet to outlet and vice versa, resulting in more even distribution of 
wear, thus substantially prolonging the lifetime of the pump. 
In operation, a slurry is introduced into the inlet port 84 of the inlet 
valve assembly 22 in the direction of arrow 138 in FIG. 2. The slurry 
flows from the lower chamber 150 into the upper chamber 148 and the 
reduced flow channel 131 by forcing the ball 135 upwardly. The slurry then 
flows via the pair of outlet ports 86a and 86b via the combinations of 
threaded connectors into the first and second displacement chambers 58, 60 
via inlet ports 62a and 62b, respectively. Displacement of one of the 
plungers toward partition 70 forces slurry within that displacement 
chamber out of one of the outlet ports in the pump body 12. Thus, inward 
displacement of the first plunger 52 forces slurry out of the output port 
64a, while at the same time outward displacement of the second plunger 54 
draws slurry into the second displacement chamber 60 via inlet port 62b. 
This is followed by inward displacement of the second plunger 54 forcing 
slurry out of the second displacement chamber 60 via outlet port 64b, 
while at the same time the outward displacement of the first plunger 52 
draws slurry into the first displacement chamber 58 via inlet port 62a. As 
shown in the FIG. 5, the slurry flows into outlet valve assembly 24 via 
inlet ports 125 and 126. The slurry flows into the lower chambers, such as 
shown for lower chamber 130, in the outlet valve assembly 24 and thence 
into the upper chambers, such as shown for upper chamber 128 in FIG. 2. As 
in the inlet valve assembly 22, the paired upper and lower chambers 128, 
130 in each of the upright members of the outlet valve assembly 24 are 
connected by means of a reduced flow channel 132 above which is disposed a 
valve seat gasket 134 for receiving ball 136. Inward flow of slurry into 
the lower chamber 130 forces ball 136 upwardly, permitting the slurry to 
flow into the upper chamber 128 and to exit the outlet valve assembly 24 
via outlet port 124. As shown in FIG. 2, the valve balls are always 
located in an upper chamber and the inlet and outlet valve assemblies 22, 
24 are identical in size and configuration and are merely reversed in 
vertical orientation, with the outlet valve assembly upside down relative 
to the inlet valve assembly. From FIG. 2, it can also be seen that the 
upper and lower chambers in each of the inlet and outlet valve assemblies 
22, 24 are provided with recesses adjacent the reduced flow channels 131 
and 132 for receiving the valve seat gaskets 133 and 134 in either 
vertical orientation of the valve assembly, i.e., with either the first 
displacement chamber disposed above the second displacement chamber or 
visa versa. 
Referring to FIG. 3, there is shown a sectional view of a portion of the 
second upright member 80b of the inlet valve assembly shown in FIG. 2 
taken along site line 3--3 therein. Top cap 88b is inserted in the open 
upper end of upright member 80b. Top cap 88b includes a peripheral recess 
98 disposed about the periphery thereof. The second upright member 80b 
includes a first pair of aligned apertures 81a and 81b and a second pair 
of aligned apertures 83a and 83b adapted for receiving a generally 
U-shaped locking pin 90b. In elevation view of locking pin 90b is shown in 
FIG. 4. Locking pin 90b includes first and second straight end portions 
142 and 144 and a curvilinear intermediate portion 146. The aligned 
apertures in each of the upright members securely maintains a locking pin 
in position within the valve assembly and the locking pin itself engages 
and securely maintains a respective top or bottom cap on the open end of 
an upright member. An O-ring 100 attached to an inner end portion of the 
top or bottom cap forms a seal between the cap and the inner surface of 
the upright member. 
There is thus been shown a slurry pump which includes a cylindrical housing 
formed into first and second chambers in each of which is disposed a 
moveable plunger. The two plungers are coupled together and are further 
connected to and displaced by a drive arrangement to allow the plungers to 
simultaneously move in a reciprocating manner within the displacement 
chambers. An inlet valve assembly provides a slurry to both displacement 
chambers, while an outlet valve assembly provides for the discharge of the 
slurry by the pumping action of the two plungers. The slurry is introduced 
into one chamber while being discharged from the other chamber to provide 
for a smooth, continuous flow of the slurry from the pump. Each of the 
inlet and outlet valve assemblies includes a pair of ball valves for 
either introducing slurry into the displacement chambers or for allowing 
for outward flow of the slurry from the two chambers, while preventing 
backflow of the slurry. The inlet and outlet valve assemblies employ a 
common unitary housing which are interchangeable between the inlet and 
outlet sides of the pump body. Easily removed retaining pins connect each 
of the valve assemblies to the pump body which facilitate disconnection of 
the valve assembly from the pump body for cleaning the valve assembly. 
Each of the valve assemblies further includes upper and lower end caps 
securely maintained in position by retaining pins which also are easily 
removed to facilitate valve assembly cleaning such as after pumping a 
setable slurry material. The slurry pump is easily assembled and 
disassembled in the field which facilitates cleaning the pump and valve 
assemblies under adverse conditions such as at a job site. 
While particular embodiments of the present invention have been shown and 
described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that changes and 
modifications may be made without departing from the invention in its 
broader aspects. Therefore, the aim in the appended claims is to cover all 
such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of 
the invention. The matter set forth in the foregoing description and 
accompanying drawings is offered by way of illustration only and not as a 
limitation. The actual scope of the invention is intended to be defined in 
the following claims when viewed in their proper perspective based on the 
prior art.