Pump having multiple minimum flow mechanical stops

Abstract

A pump is disclosed. The pump may have a housing, and at least one pumping mechanism disposed within the housing. The at least one pumping mechanism may have a variable displacement. The pump may also have a plurality of available mechanical stops. Each of the plurality of available mechanical stops may be connectable to the housing and configured the limit a minimum displacement of the at least one pumping mechanism to a different amount.

1 . A pump, comprising:
 a housing;   at least one pumping mechanism disposed within the housing and having a variable displacement; and   a plurality of available mechanical stops, each of the plurality of available mechanical stops connectable to the housing and configured the limit a minimum displacement of the at least one pumping mechanism to a different amount.   
   
   
       2 . The pump of  claim 1 , further including a tiltable swashplate disposed within the housing and biased into engagement with the at least one pumping mechanism, wherein each of the plurality of available mechanical stops is configured to limit a minimum tilt angle of the swashplate. 
   
   
       3 . The pump of  claim 2 , wherein the at least one pumping mechanism includes a plurality of plungers reciprocatingly disposed within a plurality of barrels, wherein the plurality of available mechanical stops affects a relative movement between the plurality of plungers and the plurality of barrels. 
   
   
       4 . The pump of  claim 3 , wherein the plurality of plungers are radially arranged about a common axis and configured to rotate about the axis relative to the swashplate. 
   
   
       5 . The pump of  claim 1 , further including an actuator configured to tilt the swashplate to an angle corresponding to a demand for fluid. 
   
   
       6 . The pump of  claim 5 , wherein each of the plurality of available mechanical stops is configured to limit movement of the actuator. 
   
   
       7 . The pump of  claim 5 , wherein the actuator is hydraulically actuated. 
   
   
       8 . The pump of  claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of available mechanical stops corresponds with a different application of the pump. 
   
   
       9 . The pump of  claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of available mechanical stops corresponds with an operator preference relating to responsiveness and efficiency. 
   
   
       10 . The pump of  claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of available mechanical stops ensure that some fluid is always being displaced by the at least one pumping mechanism. 
   
   
       11 . The pump of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of available mechanical stops includes:
 a plug; and   at least one spacer configured to limit an extension of the plug into the housing.   
   
   
       12 . The pump of  claim 11 , wherein the at least one spacer includes a plurality of spacers, and the minimum displacement of the at least one pumping mechanism is limited based on the number of the plurality of spacers connected between the plug and the housing. 
   
   
       13 . The pump of  claim 12 , wherein the plurality of spacers have different thicknesses, and the minimum displacement of the at least one pumping mechanism is limited based further in on the thickness of the plurality of spacers connected between the plug and the housing. 
   
   
       14 . The pump of  claim 13 , wherein the plurality of spacers includes at least two spacers having a different in thickness of about 2-4 mm. 
   
   
       15 . The pump of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of mechanical stops includes at least two mechanical stops having a difference in length of about 2-4 mm. 
   
   
       16 . A method of pressurizing fluid, comprising:
 rotating a shaft to force fluid from a pumping chamber; and   replacing a first component with a second component having a different effective length to change a minimum amount of fluid forced from the pumping chamber during a rotation of the shaft.   
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein replacing the first component includes adding a spacer between the first component and a pump housing. 
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein replacing a first component with a second component having a different effective length changes a tilt angle of a driving surface. 
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein replacing a first component with a second component having a different effective length limits motion of an actuator connected to the driving surface. 
   
   
       20 . A pump kit, comprising:
 a first mechanical stop connectable to a variable displacement swashplate type pump, and being configured to limit a minimum tilt angle of the variable displacement swashplate type pump to a first angle greater than zero relative to a perpendicular of a driveshaft of the variable displacement swashplate type pump;   at least a second mechanical stop connectable to the variable displacement swashplate type pump and being configured to limit a minimum tilt angle of the variable displacement swashplate type pump to a second angle greater than zero relative to the perpendicular of the driveshaft of the variable displacement swashplate type pump; and   instructions for changing an effective displacement of the variable displacement swashplate type pump.