Graco Minnesota Inc.

Honeywell G.m.b.h.

Daniel L MacDonald

Adam K Collins

Todd L Johnson

Ronald A Flor

A positive displacement pump includes two fluid flow paths, two center sections with a common fluid valve, a changeover valve, and three fluid displacement members. Each center section contains a diaphragm shaft, and the two sections are separated by the third diaphragm. In low-pressure mode the pump operates as a typical positive displacement pump with pumping fluid supplied to one center section and the changeover valve allowing the fluid to freely circulate within the second center section. In high-pressure mode, the changeover valve is switched and the changeover valve allows the common fluid valve to supply pumping fluid to both center sections to drive the fluid displacement members therein, which generates a higher outlet fluid pressure.

High-pressure to low-pressure changeover valve for a positive displacement pump

An air-driven dual diaphragm pump comprises a pump body with a first air passage leading to a first air cavity with a first diaphragm, a second air passage leading to a second air cavity with a second diaphragm, and a reciprocating shaft which connects the first and second diaphragms. A diaphragm installation tool for the dual diaphragm pump comprises a plate which fits atop the pump body. A groove in a surface of the plate opposite from and nonadjacent to the pump body extends from the location of the first air passage to the location of the second air passage. A hole located within the groove at the location of either the first air passage or the second air passage extends through the plate. Pressurized air entering the pump body is redirected by the groove and the hole to always enter the first air passage, rather than the second, thereby slowly filling the first air cavity and positioning the second diaphragm for installation.

Diaphragm installation tool

A load transfer device for use with tandem mounted actuators. The load transfer device includes an actuator coupling assembly and a ground connection assembly. The actuator coupling assembly connects the first actuator to the second actuator and includes a movement apparatus. The movement apparatus is configured to allow the housing of the first actuator to move relative to the housing of the second actuator. The ground connection assembly is associated with the actuator coupling assembly and movably connects the first and second actuators to a rigid support structure. During a load transfer operation, the actuator coupling assembly transfers an unequal load from the first actuator to the second actuator. In particular, the movement apparatus allows the first actuator to move relative to the second actuator. Further, the actuator coupling assembly is configured to transpose movement of the first actuator into a forced, reciprocal movement of the second actuator.

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Long Lake, MN, United States of America

Daniel L MacDonald