Frederick Allan Powers

US Patent:

53684540, Nov 29, 1994

Filed:

Jul 31, 1992

Appl. No.:

7/923342

Inventors:

Frederick A. Powers - Maple Grove MN

Assignee:

Graco Inc. - Minneapolis MN

International Classification:

F04B 2102

US Classification:

417536

Abstract:

This invention represents an improvement in a standard four ball reciprocating piston pump. Such pumps utilize a greatly enlarged seat to provide hydraulic cushioning of the check balls in order to greatly quiet operation. A seat width on the order of 6% of the ball's circumference is preferred. Closely confining the ball to the axis of the seat helps efficient and quiet operation.

US Patent:

60895322, Jul 18, 2000

Filed:

Feb 12, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/022577

Inventors:

Terry Lynn Rohloff - Eagan MN
Timothy L. Sebion - Lakeville MN
Frederick Allan Powers - Maple Grove MN

Assignee:

Wanner Engineering, Inc. - Minneapolis MN

International Classification:

F16K 31126

US Classification:

251 614

Abstract:

The present disclosure relates to a valve including a valve body defining an inlet port and an outlet port. The valve also includes a first diaphragm arranged and configured for opening and closing a fluid flow path between the inlet and outlet ports. The valve further includes a second diaphragm cooperating with the first diaphragm to enclose a chamber formed within the valve body. The valve is closed by applying an actuating pressure to an exterior side of the second diaphragm such that the second diaphragm mechanically causes the first diaphragm to close the fluid flow path between the inlet and outlet port.

US Patent:

49214080, May 1, 1990

Filed:

Nov 28, 1988

Appl. No.:

7/277022

Inventors:

Daniel J. Kvinge - St. Louis Park MN
Frederick A. Powers - Maple Grove MN
Kenneth E. Lehrke - Maple Grove MN

Assignee:

Graco Inc. - Minneapolis MN

International Classification:

F04B 3902

US Classification:

417368

Abstract:

A silencing system is provided for an air-operated pump which also eliminates icing of the pump at higher cycle rates and humidities. The exhaust from the air motor powers an air flow inducer to induce a flow of relatively warm ambient air. The induced flow of ambient air is drawn across cold components of the air motor, and the mixed (ambient and exhaust air) exit stream routed away from the air motor. The relatively warm mixed air exhaust flow also allows noise reduction by conventional acoustical techniques without suffering performance degradation due to icing.

US Patent:

52770990, Jan 11, 1994

Filed:

Jun 25, 1992

Appl. No.:

7/904447

Inventors:

Frederick A. Powers - Maple Grove MN

Assignee:

Graco Inc. - Minneapolis MN

International Classification:

F01L 3100
F16K 3144

US Classification:

91350

Abstract:

An external air valve for a reciprocating air motor is provided with a the ability to transfer heat from incoming compressed air into the valve cups to prevent icing and a low friction mechanism for the valve slide to enhance reliability. The design has a housing which forms an air chamber, and located in the air chamber is a slide member containing two cups which alternately cover ports leading to the upper and lower chambers of the air motor piston. The slide has slotted rollers to reduce pneumatic loading and decrease friction during sliding. The shift rod is provided with a central valve spring located in an aperture in the slide, along with spring retaining plates to provide and assist in shifting the valve in conjuction with a detent to assure that the valve is positioned in one of two operating positions. The pressurized chamber, in conjunction with fins, apertures and other heat transfer apparatus in the slide assures that heat is applied to the cups of the slide in order to prevent icing.

US Patent:

46372954, Jan 20, 1987

Filed:

Apr 9, 1985

Appl. No.:

6/721872

Inventors:

Frederick A. Powers - Maple Grove MN
Thomas J. Gustafson - Brooklyn Park MN

International Classification:

F01B 1102
F04B 704
F02F 1100

US Classification:

92170

Abstract:

A pump seal is provided for use in a pump suited to move high viscosity and abrasive materials. A piston in the pump has a substantial amount of clearance relative to the cylinders in which it operates with the seal providing substantially the only contact in sealing between the piston and the cylinders. The seal is formed of a relatively soft, elastomeric material which is normally of a plainer, annular shape. Along with a rigid annular ring plate, the elastic ring is sandwiched between the closure member and housing member. The ring plate has a curved surface facing the closure member which serves to backup and support the relatively soft elastic ring under pressure.

US Patent:

61645605, Dec 26, 2000

Filed:

Feb 18, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/025523

Inventors:

Kenneth Eugene Lehrke - Maple Grove MN
Frederick Allan Powers - Maple Grove MN
Timothy Lynn Sebion - Lakeville MN
Gary Dean Ingle - Mound MN

Assignee:

Wanner Engineering, Inc. - Minneapolis MN

International Classification:

A01G 2509
B05B 900

US Classification:

239172

Abstract:

A lawn care applicator system which is used on a vehicle having a vehicle electrical power system. The lawn care applicator system is specifically designed to be easy to use by an operator and to minimize electrical current usage, thereby allowing use of the applicator system with standard vehicle electrical power systems. The applicator system includes an applicator module that is removably mountable on the vehicle. The applicator module preferably includes a housing, at least one liquid supply tank disposed in the housing, and a liquid dispensing system disposed in the housing and connected to the liquid supply tank for dispensing liquid from the liquid supply tank and onto a lawn. A control system is electrically connected to the applicator module for providing power to, and controlling the operation of, the applicator module. The control system is adapted to be connected to the vehicle electrical power system to provide electrical power for the applicator system.

US Patent:

51899434, Mar 2, 1993

Filed:

Jul 31, 1992

Appl. No.:

7/923234

Inventors:

Frederick A. Powers - Maple Grove MN

Assignee:

Graco Inc. - Minneapolis MN

International Classification:

F01B 1102

US Classification:

921691

Abstract:

An air operating reciprocating motor which is used to drive reciprocating piston pumps or other such devices has located in the exhaust passage thereof a liner made of a flexible elastomeric material. The inside surface of the liner which routes the exhaust area is generally smooth and the outside surface of the liner is spaced from the surface of the passage in which it is located by a number of spacer elements such as rounded knobs. The material between the spacing elements is then allowed to flex when the exhausted relatively high pressure air passes through, thus continually flexing the liner with every cycle of the motor and preventing the buildup of ice in the exhaust passage.

US Patent:

57072191, Jan 13, 1998

Filed:

Oct 4, 1995

Appl. No.:

8/539179

Inventors:

Frederick Allan Powers - Maple Grove MN

Assignee:

Wanner Engineering - Minneapolis MN

International Classification:

F04B 3502

US Classification:

417386

Abstract:

A diaphragm pump is provided having a plurality of piston inlets connecting a hydraulic fluid source with the piston chamber and a plurality of check valves each having a ball and valve seat disposed within the inlets. The valve seat includes a conical section sloped such that the tangential contact point between the ball and valve seat is located at a position outward from the inner edge of the valve seat. The distance the ball is permitted to move between the open and closed positions is such that the check valve closes substantially in conjunction with the piston beginning its power stroke and the ball is not able to generate a high closure velocity. A diaphragm plunger includes a spherical surface portion designed to impact a diaphragm stop at a position away from the edges of the stop and plunger. An isolation reservoir is connected to a piston reciprocating chamber such that hydraulic fluid completely fills the piston reciprocating chamber and further flows into the isolation reservoir. A sliding valve includes a housing which has at least one elongated slot to permit the flow of hydraulic fluid into the piston chamber.