A pump system/method configured to provide substantially constant flow of concrete, cement, or other material is disclosed. The system integrates a trapezoidal cutting ring and spectacle plate in conjunction with lofted transitional interfaces to the hydraulic pump cylinder rams and output ejection port to ensure that pressurized discharge concrete material is not allowed to be relaxed nor backflow into the material sourcing hopper. The trapezoidal cutting ring is configured to completely seal off the trapezoidal spectacle ports as it smoothly transitions between the hydraulic pump input ports during cycle changes thus generating a more uniform output flow of concrete while eliminating hopper backflow and hydraulic fluid shock. A control system is configured to coordinate operation of the hydraulic pump cylinder rams and cutting ring to ensure that output ejection port pressure and material flow is maintained at a relatively constant level throughout all portions of the pumping cycle.

Embodiments relate generally to energy storage systems, and in particular to energy storage systems using compressed gas as an energy storage medium. In various embodiments, a compressed gas storage system may include a plurality of stages to convert energy into compressed gas for storage, and then to recover that stored energy by gas expansion. In certain embodiments, a stage may comprise a reversible compressor/expander having a reciprocating piston. Pump designs for introducing liquid for heat exchange with the gas, are described. Gas flow valves featuring shroud and/or curtain portions, are also described.

Embodiments relate generally to energy storage systems, and in particular to energy storage systems using compressed gas as an energy storage medium. In various embodiments, a compressed gas storage system may include a plurality of stages to convert energy into compressed gas for storage, and then to recover that stored energy by gas expansion. In certain embodiments, a stage may comprise a reversible compressor/expander having a reciprocating piston. Pump designs for introducing liquid for heat exchange with the gas, are described. Gas flow valves featuring shroud and/or curtain portions, are also described.

Systems and methods including spacers comprising a first face configured to engage with a cam shaft, a second face, and a third face operationally coupled to the first face and the second face, wherein the third face is configured to displace a lubricating fluid and permit rotation of the cam shaft are disclosed.

A piston type pump includes a pump housing having a pump inlet, a pump outlet, and a piston arrangement connected to a drive shaft. The drive shaft is configured to drive the piston arrangement, and the drive shaft includes a first eccentric. The piston arrangement has a first primary stage piston connected to a first sliding block guide slidably seated on the first eccentric. The first sliding block guide has a main axis, a minor axis, and an inner surface. A first sliding bush is arranged between the first eccentric and the first sliding block guide. The outer surface of the first sliding bush corresponds to the inner surface of the first sliding block guide. Translational movement of the first sliding bush relative to the first sliding block guide is allowed along the main axis and restricted along the minor axis.

A pumping system utilizes a linear actuator to move a shaft attached to two pistons within cylinders to pump a working fluid. A housing is designed with coolant passageways and one-way valves such that movement of the shaft also pumps coolant past cooling fins and over a motor. The shaft is formed of several sections joined by couplers which slide within a bore of the housing. The couplers have a non-round shape and the bore has a complimentary non-round cross section such that rotation of the shaft is prevented.

A pump draws fluid from a reservoir and drives the fluid downstream to a spray tip where the fluid is applied to a surface. A piston is driven in a reciprocating manner to pump the fluid. A check valve is disposed downstream of the piston to regulate a flow of the fluid downstream from the piston. The pump is initially dry and is primed with fluid prior to operation. To facilitate priming, the piston is dimensioned to impact the ball and unseat a valve member of the check valve during a priming stroke, thereby ejecting any air from the pump through the check valve. With the air ejected from the pump, a vacuum is formed during a suction stroke of the piston, which draws fluid downstream from the reservoir to prime the pump.

A pump draws fluid from a reservoir and drives the fluid downstream to a spray tip where the fluid is applied to a surface. A piston is driven in a reciprocating manner to pump the fluid. A check valve is disposed downstream of the piston to regulate a flow of the fluid downstream from the piston. The pump is initially dry and is primed with fluid prior to operation. To facilitate priming, the piston is dimensioned to impact the ball and unseat a valve member of the check valve during a priming stroke, thereby ejecting any air from the pump through the check valve. With the air ejected from the pump, a vacuum is formed during a suction stroke of the piston, which draws fluid downstream from the reservoir to prime the pump.

A printing method forms a continuous strand of building material for 3D printing of a structural part via a printing system. The printing system has a printing apparatus that dispenses building material out of the printing apparatus and shapes building material to form a strand of building material, and a discontinuous building material pump that discontinuously conveys building material for discontinuously dispensing conveyed building material out of the printing apparatus. The printing method includes the steps of: a) discontinuously conveying building material via the discontinuous building material pump and discontinuously dispensing conveyed building material out of the printing apparatus and shaping conveyed building material via the printing apparatus, and b) discontinuously moving the printing apparatus during the discontinuous conveying and the discontinuous dispensing such that the dispensed and shaped building material forms a continuous strand of building material.

A printing method forms a continuous strand of building material for 3D printing of a structural part via a printing system. The printing system has a printing apparatus that dispenses building material out of the printing apparatus and shapes building material to form a strand of building material, and a discontinuous building material pump that discontinuously conveys building material for discontinuously dispensing conveyed building material out of the printing apparatus. The printing method includes the steps of: a) discontinuously conveying building material via the discontinuous building material pump and discontinuously dispensing conveyed building material out of the printing apparatus and shaping conveyed building material via the printing apparatus, and b) discontinuously moving the printing apparatus during the discontinuous conveying and the discontinuous dispensing such that the dispensed and shaped building material forms a continuous strand of building material.