Continuous Flow Pumping System

Abstract

A continuous flow pumping system which provides a continuous flow of materials out of an outlet while eliminating rough stroke shift and boom bounce. The continuous flow pumping system generally includes a container for storing a material to be dispensed such as concrete. Cylinders are fluidly connected to the container such that the materials may be alternatively pulled into the cylinders or pushed out of the cylinders. A diverter valve is connected to the container adjacent the cylinders which includes a valve inlet through which the materials may be pushed to be dispensed and a pair of blocking portions which selectively cover the cylinders and also serve to cut through the materials. By rotating the diverter valve through a plurality of positions while independently controlling the intake and exhaust strokes of the cylinders, a continuous flow of materials may be ensured across all intake/exhaust strokes of the cylinders.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A continuous flow pumping system, comprising:
 a container for storing a material to be dispensed, the container comprising a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the container comprises an inner wall and an outer wall, wherein the first end of the container comprises a first transfer opening and a second transfer opening, wherein the second end of the container comprises an outlet opening;   a first cylinder fluidly connected to the first transfer opening, wherein the first cylinder is connected to the outer wall of the first end of the container;   a second cylinder fluidly connected to the second transfer opening, wherein the second cylinder is connected to the outer wall of the first end of the container; and   a diverter valve rotatably connected to the container for controlling flow of the material between the container, the first cylinder, and the second cylinder, wherein the diverter valve is comprised of a valve inlet, a valve outlet, a first blocking portion, and a second blocking portion, wherein the valve outlet is fluidly connected to the outlet opening of the container,   wherein the diverter valve is adapted to rotate between a plurality of positions, wherein the plurality of positions comprises a first position in which the first blocking portion covers the first transfer opening and a second position in which the second blocking portion covers the second transfer opening.   
     
     
         2 . The continuous flow pumping system of  claim 1 , wherein in the first position the valve inlet is in fluid communication with the second transfer opening. 
     
     
         3 . The continuous flow pumping system of  claim 2 , wherein in the second position the valve inlet is in fluid communication with the first transfer opening. 
     
     
         4 . The continuous flow pumping system of  claim 3 , wherein the plurality of positions further comprises a third position in which the valve inlet is in fluid communication with both the first transfer opening and the second transfer opening. 
     
     
         5 . The continuous flow pumping system of  claim 4 , wherein the plurality of positions further comprises a fourth position in which the valve inlet is in fluid communication with the first transfer opening and the second transfer opening is not covered by the first blocking portion or the second blocking portion. 
     
     
         6 . The continuous flow pumping system of  claim 5 , wherein the plurality of positions further comprises a fifth position in which the valve inlet is in fluid communication with the second transfer opening and the first transfer opening is not covered by the first blocking portion or the second blocking portion. 
     
     
         7 . The continuous flow pumping system of  claim 1 , further comprising a rotator assembly for rotating the diverter valve between the plurality of positions. 
     
     
         8 . The continuous flow pumping system of  claim 7 , wherein the rotator assembly comprises a first connector connected between a first rotator actuator and the diverter valve, wherein the first rotator actuator is adapted to rotate the first connector and the diverter valve. 
     
     
         9 . The continuous flow pumping system of  claim 9 , wherein the rotator assembly further comprises a second connector rotatably connected to the first connector, wherein the second connector is connected to the diverter valve. 
     
     
         10 . The continuous flow pumping system of  claim 9 , wherein the rotator assembly further comprises a second rotator actuator connected to the second connector, wherein the second rotator actuator is adapted to rotate the second connector and the diverter valve. 
     
     
         11 . A continuous flow pumping system, comprising:
 a container for storing a material to be dispensed, the container comprising a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the container comprises an inner wall and an outer wall, wherein the first end of the container comprises a first transfer opening and a second transfer opening, wherein the second end of the container comprises an outlet opening;   a first cylinder fluidly connected to the first transfer opening, wherein the first cylinder is connected to the outer wall of the first end of the container;   a second cylinder fluidly connected to the second transfer opening, wherein the second cylinder is connected to the outer wall of the first end of the container;   a diverter valve rotatably connected to the container for controlling flow of the material between the container, the first cylinder, and the second cylinder, wherein the diverter valve is comprised of a valve inlet, a valve outlet, a first blocking portion, and a second blocking portion, wherein the valve outlet is fluidly connected to the outlet opening of the container;   wherein the first blocking portion is on a first side of the diverter valve and the second blocking portion is on a second side of the diverter valve, wherein the first blocking portion comprises a first rounded member and the second blocking portion comprises a second rounded member; and   wherein the diverter valve is adapted to rotate between a plurality of positions, wherein the plurality of positions comprises a first position in which the first blocking portion covers the first transfer opening and a second position in which the second blocking portion covers the second transfer opening.   
     
     
         12 . The continuous flow pumping system of  claim 11 , wherein the first blocking portion comprises a first rounded member and the second blocking portion comprises a second rounded member. 
     
     
         13 . The continuous flow pumping system of  claim 11 , wherein the valve inlet of the diverter valve is kidney-shaped such that the valve inlet may simultaneously cover both the first transfer opening and the second transfer opening of the container. 
     
     
         14 . The continuous flow pumping system of  claim 13 , wherein the valve outlet of the diverter valve is circular. 
     
     
         15 . The continuous flow pumping system of  claim 14 , wherein the diverter valve further comprises a first channel extending between a first side of the valve inlet and the valve outlet and a second channel extending between a second side of the valve inlet and the valve outlet. 
     
     
         16 . The continuous flow pumping system of  claim 13 , wherein the valve outlet of the diverter valve is kidney-shaped, wherein the valve outlet of the diverter valve is smaller than the valve inlet of the diverter valve. 
     
     
         17 . The continuous flow pumping system of  claim 16 , wherein the diverter valve further comprises a kidney-shaped channel extending between the valve inlet and the valve outlet. 
     
     
         18 . A continuous flow pumping system, comprising:
 a container for storing a material to be dispensed, the container comprising a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the container comprises an inner wall and an outer wall, wherein the first end of the container comprises a first transfer opening and a second transfer opening, wherein the second end of the container comprises an outlet opening;   a first cylinder fluidly connected to the first transfer opening, wherein the first cylinder is connected to the outer wall of the first end of the container;   a second cylinder fluidly connected to the second transfer opening, wherein the second cylinder is connected to the outer wall of the first end of the container;   a diverter valve rotatably connected to the container for controlling flow of the material between the container, the first cylinder, and the second cylinder, wherein the diverter valve is comprised of a valve inlet, a valve outlet, a first blocking portion, and a second blocking portion, wherein the valve outlet is fluidly connected to the outlet opening of the container;   a first reinforcement actuator connected to the first blocking portion;   a second reinforcement actuator connected to the second blocking portion;   wherein the diverter valve is adapted to rotate between a plurality of positions, wherein the plurality of positions comprises a first position in which the first blocking portion covers the first transfer opening and a second position in which the second blocking portion covers the second transfer opening.   
     
     
         19 . The continuous flow pumping system of  claim 18 , wherein the first reinforcement actuator is adapted to extend when the first blocking portion covers the second transfer opening, wherein the first reinforcement actuator is adapted to retract when the first blocking portion does not cover the second transfer opening. 
     
     
         20 . The continuous flow pumping system of  claim 19 , wherein the second reinforcement actuator is adapted to extend when the second blocking portion covers the first transfer opening, wherein the second reinforcement actuator is adapted to retract when the second blocking portion does not cover the first transfer opening.