POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; PUMPS FOR LIQUIDS OR ELASTIC FLUIDS

Classification Context

Section:: MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
Class:: POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; PUMPS FOR LIQUIDS OR ELASTIC FLUIDS

Description

Class F04 encompasses positive-displacement pumps and machines that transport or compress liquids and elastic fluids (gases) through mechanical action. This includes reciprocating pumps (piston and diaphragm types), rotary pumps (gear, screw, vane, and lobe pumps), and jet pumps, as well as motors and actuators powered by fluid pressure. The class covers both the machine designs themselves and their functional applications in fluid handling systems, excluding general fluid distribution systems or mere conduit components covered elsewhere in the mechanical engineering hierarchy.

Filing statistics

IPC F04 recorded 506,405 patent applications worldwide between 2013 and 2023, summed across its 4 subclasses. Annual filings grew from 30,663 in 2013 to 53,597 in 2023 (+75%), peaking at 60,738 applications in 2020. The most active applicants in class F04 are GREE ELECTRIC APPLIANCES (5,351 applications), LG ELECTRONICS (3,502 applications) and ROBERT BOSCH (3,011 applications).

Source: EPO PATSTAT, worldwide filings

Related Keywords

AIR pumpsBLADES for turbines or non-positive displacement pumpsBLOWERS [= pumps][= pumps]arrangements and adaptations of CYLINDER(S) peculiar to engines or pumpsENGINE(S)exhausters [= pumps]FAN(S) [= pumps]GAS(ES) engines or pumpsHYDRAULIC(S) engines or pumpsraising or LIFTING waterLIQUID(S) engines or pumpsLUBRICATION of engines or pumpsMOTOR(S) [= engines]NORIASPISTON(S) engines or pumpsPISTON(S) peculiar to engines or pumpsPNEUMATIC(S) pumpsPRIME MOVERS [= engines](1) PUMPS for fluidspumps for RAREFYINGROTARY -piston engines or pumpspumps for SLUDGEarrangements or adaptations of VALVES peculiar to engines or pumps

4 direct subcodes

Child Classifications

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F04B POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; PUMPS
F04C ROTARY-PISTON, OR OSCILLATING-PISTON, POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; ROTARY-PISTON, OR OSCILLATING-PISTON, POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT PUMPS
F04D NON-POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT PUMPS
F04F PUMPING OF FLUID BY DIRECT CONTACT OF ANOTHER FLUID OR BY USING INERTIA OF FLUID TO BE PUMPED; SIPHONS

Top Applicants

Top 10 applicants by patent filings, 2013–2023, worldwide · Source: EPO PATSTAT

GREE ELECTRIC APPLIANCES 5,351
LG ELECTRONICS KR 3,502
ROBERT BOSCH DE 3,011
MIDEA 2,258
MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION JP 1,663
ZHUHAI LANDA COMPRESSOR COMPANY 1,639
GREE ELECTRIC APPLIANCES, INC.OF ZHUHAI 1,573
ZHUHAI GREE ENERGY-SAVING REFRIGERATION TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH CENTER COMPANY 1,536
TOYOTA INDUSTRIES CORPORATION 1,347
DAIKIN INDUSTRIES 1,325