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Grease pumpRelated Patent Categories: Pumps, Motor Driven, Electric Or Magnetic Motor, Rotary Expansible Chamber Pump, Interengaging Rotary Pumping MembersGrease pump description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060210409, Grease pump. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
BACKGROUND [0001] This invention generally relates to a fluid pump and, more particularly, to a portable, externally driven fluid pump for pumping fluids such as lubricant, as in a handheld, externally driven grease pump. [0002] Centralized lubrication systems for machinery have relatively large grease reservoirs that periodically require refilling. Refilling may be achieved, for example, with a bulk pump, a manual grease gun, or a handheld powered grease gun. Bulk pump systems are not always available and generally lack portability, and in some cases may be cost prohibitive to add to the centralized lubrication system. Manual grease guns and handheld powered grease guns, on the other hand, are portable and use a cartridge form of grease which may be preferred by many users. [0003] In general, manual grease guns and powered grease guns have a piston and valve arrangement to pump grease. Such a design provides for relatively high pressure discharge and low flow rates. Conventional manual grease guns and handheld battery-powered grease guns generally comprise a housing including a head portion and a handle portion extending transversely from the head. A cylindrical barrel holding a supply of grease is removably secured to the head and extends from the head alongside the handle. The head portion includes a pump mechanism including a piston that reciprocates in a bore that forms a pump cylinder. The head portion has an inlet port in communication with the bore and the material in the barrel and an outlet port at one end of the bore connected to a flexible hose for delivering grease to a point of lubrication. [0004] In a conventional powered grease gun, an electric motor is accommodated in the housing and a gear transmission mechanism is provided between the motor and the pumping mechanism. The gear transmission mechanism changes the rotating motion of the motor output shaft to the linear reciprocating motion of the piston while reducing the rotational speed and increasing torque. [0005] In order for the grease gun to perform satisfactorily, significant force must be exerted. Unfortunately, manual grease guns may require hundreds of strokes in order to fill the centralized lubrication system reservoir because of the relatively large volume of grease required, which is burdensome on the user. This force requirement has also led to the development of large, heavy power transmission mechanisms in powered grease guns, resulting in awkward and difficult to handle grease guns. The power requirement also reduces the life cycle of a rechargeable battery. Moreover, since the transmission drive system includes numerous components, the manufacturing is relatively complicated and costly. Both manual and powered grease guns can pump air into the centralized lubrication system, which is undesirable. [0006] For the foregoing reasons, there is a need for a powered grease pump which generates a high flow rate for filling centralized grease system reservoirs. There is a need for a pump that eliminates the need for translation of rotary tool movement to a linear reciprocating piston arrangement. There is also a need for a design that prevents pumping of air into centralized grease system reservoirs. Ideally the grease pump is externally driven by a battery-powered rotary tool. SUMMARY [0007] According to the present invention, a grease pump is provided for pumping of grease from a source of grease. The grease pump includes a housing having an inlet passage adapted to be in fluid communication with the source of grease, and an outlet passage. A gerotor pump is disposed in the housing and has an inlet in fluid communication with the inlet passage and an outlet in fluid communication with the outlet passage. Operation of the gerotor pump causes pumping of grease through the outlet passage. [0008] Also according to the present invention, a grease pump for pumping grease is provided. The grease pump includes a housing, a gerotor pump, and a source of grease. The housing has an inlet passage and an outlet passage. The gerotor pump is disposed in the housing and is hydraulically interposed between the inlet passage and the outlet passage. The gerotor pump has an inlet in fluid communication with the inlet passage and an outlet in fluid communication with the outlet passage. The source of grease is secured to the housing, with a seal provided, and is in fluid communication with the inlet passage. In another embodiment a discharge conduit in fluid communication with the outlet passage may be provided. The discharge conduit may include an air vent valve. [0009] Also in accordance with the present invention, a combination of a grease pump, grease cylinder and a rotary power tool are provided. The grease pump includes a housing having an inlet passage and an outlet passage and a gerotor pump. The gerotor pump is disposed in the housing and is hydraulically interposed between the inlet passage and the outlet passage. The gerotor has an inlet in fluid communication with the inlet passage and an outlet in fluid communication with the outlet passage. The grease cylinder is secured to the housing, with a seal, and is in fluid communication with the inlet passage. The rotary power tool is operably connected to the gerotor pump. [0010] Also in accordance with the present invention, a method of pumping grease is provided. The method includes providing a housing having an inlet passage and an outlet passage, and disposing a gerotor pump in the housing. The gerotor pump is hydraulically interposed between the inlet passage and the outlet passage. The gerotor has an inlet in fluid communication with the inlet passage and an outlet in fluid communication with the outlet passage. The source of grease is secured to the housing, with a seal, and is in fluid communication with the inlet passage. The gerotor pump is operated to pump the grease. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0011] For a more complete understanding of the present invention, reference should now be had to the embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings and described below. In the drawings: [0012] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a grease pump according to the present invention; [0013] FIG. 2 is partially exploded reverse perspective view of a portion of the grease pump shown in FIG. 1; [0014] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the head of the grease pump shown in FIG. 1; [0015] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the head of the grease pump shown in FIG. 1 with internal bores shown in phantom line. [0016] FIG. 5 is a right side elevation view of the head of the grease pump shown in FIG. 1; [0017] FIG. 6 is a left side elevation view of the head of the grease pump shown in FIG. 1; [0018] FIG. 7 is a top plan view of the head of the grease pump shown in FIG. 1; [0019] FIG. 8 is a bottom plan view of the head of the grease pump shown in FIG. 1; [0020] FIG. 9 is a rear elevation view of the head of the grease pump shown in FIG. 1; [0021] FIG. 10 is a front elevation view of the head of the grease pump shown in FIG. 1; Continue reading about Grease pump... Full patent description for Grease pump Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Grease pump patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Grease pump or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Hermetically sealed compressor and method of manufacturing the same Next Patent Application: Reciprocating pump apparatus and method using same Industry Class: Pumps ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Grease pump patent info. IP-related news and info Results in 0.15037 seconds Other interesting Feshpatents.com categories: Accenture , Agouron Pharmaceuticals , Amgen , AT&T , Bausch & Lomb , Callaway Golf 174 |
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