US 12,228,125 B2
Lubrication and flushing of a fluid seal used with reactive materials
Matthew R. Smith, Minneapolis, MN (US); Nicholas P. Peterson, Coon Rapids, MN (US); Joseph E. Tix, Hastings, MN (US); and Andrew M. Spiess, White Bear Lake, MN (US)
Assigned to Graco Minnesota Inc., Minneapolis, MN (US)
Filed by Graco Minnesota Inc., Minneapolis, MN (US)
Filed on Dec. 30, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/565,848.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/240,481, filed on Sep. 3, 2021.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/216,120, filed on Jun. 29, 2021.
Prior Publication US 2022/0412340 A1, Dec. 29, 2022
Int. Cl. F04B 49/02 (2006.01); F04B 23/10 (2006.01); F04B 43/12 (2006.01); F04B 53/18 (2006.01)
CPC F04B 49/02 (2013.01) [F04B 23/10 (2013.01); F04B 43/12 (2013.01); F04B 53/18 (2013.01)] 19 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A pump system comprising:
a main pump configured to pump a fluid, the main pump comprising:
a housing;
a pump chamber defined by the housing; and
a throat seal;
a lubricant system comprising:
a lubricant pump, wherein the lubricant pump is separated from the main pump and configured to pump a lubricant separate from the main pump;
a lubricant gallery defined within the housing of the main pump and having an inlet and an outlet;
a lubricant reservoir; and
a lubricant circuit fluidly connecting the lubricant pump, the lubricant reservoir, and the lubricant gallery, the lubricant circuit comprising:
a first lubricant line fluidly connecting the lubricant reservoir and the lubricant pump;
a second lubricant line fluidly connecting the lubricant pump and the inlet of the lubricant gallery; and
a third lubricant line fluidly connecting the outlet of the lubricant gallery and the lubricant reservoir;
wherein the throat seal is disposed adjacent to and between the pump chamber and the lubricant gallery; and
control circuitry configured to:
cause the lubricant pump to pump at least one initial purge volume of the lubricant through the lubricant system after the lubricant system is powered and before operation of the main pump;
cause the lubricant pump to stop pumping for a first time period after the lubricant pump has pumped the at least one initial purge volume; and
cause the lubricant pump to pump at least one first purge volume of lubricant through the lubricant system based on the first time period having elapsed and during operation of the main pump.