Distillation apparatus

• US 20050011742A1
• Filed: 10/18/2002
• Published: 01/20/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 10/22/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Uni-Ram Corp.
• Original Assignee: Uni-Ram Corp.
• Inventors: Yamamoto, Soichiro
• Granted Patent: US 7,531,065 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 203/1
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 1/0017 Use of electrical or wave energy B01D1/0029 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 3/10 Vacuum distillation B01D3/12 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 3/42 Regulation; Control
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 5/0051 Regulation processes; Control systems, e.g. valves
• CPC Class Codes: B08B 3/006 Cabinets or cupboards specially adapted for cleaning articles by hand
• CPC Class Codes: B08B 3/02 Cleaning by the force of jets or sprays
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/048 Purification of waste water by evaporation
• CPC Class Codes: C23G 5/04 Apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 203/19 Sidestream

Abstract

A fluid distillation apparatus is removably built into a object cleaning apparatus which comprises a duty tank for retaining contaminated fluid, a receiving tank for receiving the distilled fluid from the distillation apparatus and a sink means in which the objects are cleaned. The fluid distillation apparatus comprises at least one each of a fluid inlet port through which the fluid to be distilled is transferred from a container containing the fluid to be distilled to distillation chamber, a fluid outlet port through which the distilled fluid is transferred to a container to hold the distilled fluid, an air supply port to which compressed air supply is to be connected, a power cord through which the electric power is supplied, preferably an outlet through which air pressure for fluid agitation is supplied to the said container containing the fluid to be distilled, and preferably an outlet through which air pressure is supplied to a pump means for transferring the distilled fluid from the receiving container to the duty fluid container. The fluid distillation apparatus, duty tank, and the receiving tank are built into the object cleaning apparatus in such way that any one of these components can be easily removed from and re-installed to the object cleaning apparatus.

Claims

1. A fluid distillation apparatus comprising in integral unitized combination:

a distillation chamber comprising a distillation tank, a tank lid, a means for sealing between said distillation tank and said lid, at least one opening to which a drain passage is connected, at least one opening through which to introduce the fluid into distillation chamber, and at least one opening through which to let out fluid vapor;

a means for holding said tank lid in closed position,

a means for heating said distillation tank, comprising at least one electric heater element.

a means of minimizing heat loss from said distillation chamber, comprising a means of covering said distillation tank with material which is heat resistant and heat insulating,

a means for relieving pressure higher than a predetermined value from said distillation chamber and passage connected openly to said distillation chamber,

a cabinet for enclosing all components, comprising outer panels for covering exterior surfaces and inner structural members,

a means for connecting with at least one external apparatus or source of contaminated fluid and with at least one container to receive distilled fluid, comprising at least one each of a fluid inlet port and a fluid outlet port,

a distillation tank filling system comprising a means for transferring a contaminated fluid from said external source into said distillation tank,

a means for converting fluid in said distillation chamber to fluid vapor through heating process,

a means for condensing said fluid vapor into fluid through cooling process, comprising a condenser, fluid vapor flow line between said distillation chamber and said condenser,

a means for transferring distilled fluid to a fluid outlet port, comprising a fluid flow line between said condenser and said fluid outlet port,

a debris draining system for automatically draining debris from said distillation tank, comprising at least one valve for opening and closing drain passage and a means for actuating the said valve.

an electronic control system for controlling distillation process and related functions, comprising at least one microprocessor with memory programmable to perform automatic distillation cycles,

an electric power control apparatus for providing and controlling intrinsically safe and non-intrinsically safe electric power supplies,

a means for connecting to electric power source, comprising an electric power cord to receive electric power supply,

a means for grounding to earth, comprising at least one electrically conductive cord or wire within or outside of said power cord.

2. A fluid distillation apparatus as recited in claim 1 further comprising a means for connecting to compressed air supply.

3. A fluid distillation apparatus as recited in claim 1 further comprising a means for connecting to water supply.

4. A fluid distillation apparatus as recited in claim 1 comprising a compact design, having preferred size not exceeding 45 inches in height, 24 inches in width and 36 inches in length, so that said fluid distillation apparatus may be housed inside of the cabinet of typical automatic or manual object cleaning apparatus.

5. A fluid distillation apparatus as recited in claim 1 which is programmed to automatically repeat distillation cycles according to pre-selected number of cycles or volume of fluid to be distilled.

6. A fluid distillation apparatus as recited in claim 1 further equipped with a fluid separation system comprising two or more fluid outlets, a means for directing said distilled fluid to a selected fluid outlet port, computer programs capable of controlling distillation and separation process so that a contaminated mixture of two or more fluids can be separated through the distillation process into separate receiving containers according to the difference of boiling point and/or heater power requirement.

7. A fluid distillation apparatus as recited in claim 6 wherein said means for directing said distilled fluid comprises at least one valve with one fluid inlet and more than two fluid outlets and a means of pneumatically or electrically actuating said valve.

8. A fluid distillation apparatus as recited in claim 1 further comprises a means of detecting level of fluid in at least one of said receiving containers.

9. A fluid distillation apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said distillation chamber is constructed to withstand a high level of vacuum.

10. A fluid distillation apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said means of sealing between said distillation tank and said tank lid is made of Boron base material.

11. A fluid distillation apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said distillation tank employs direct heating system comprising an electric heater element encapsulated in explosion proof housing which is directly attached to said distillation tank or forms the bottom portion of said distillation tank.

12. A fluid distillation apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said distillation tank further comprises a bottom which is sloped toward the center for improved draining of debris.

13. A distillation chamber for use in a fluid distillation apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said distillation tank further comprises a inner bottom tapered section and having an inner surface coated with Teflon to improve draining of debris.

14. A fluid distillation apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said distillation tank is provided with a means of detecting level of fluid in said distillation chamber.

15. A fluid distillation apparatus as recited in claim 14 wherein said means of detecting level of fluid comprises a combination of a float with a up-right stem, a magnet attached to said stem and a lead switch.

16. A fluid distillation apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said means for holding lid comprises a combination of a lid holder member with a built-in spring function, a lid clamp attached to one end of said lid holder member, a clamp catch, and a hinge means attached to another end of said lid holder member.

17. A fluid distillation apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said distillation tank is provided with a tank cooling system comprising a means of cooling said distillation tank pneumatically or by water.

18. A fluid distillation apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said distillation chamber further comprises an outer safety cover over said tank lid to prevent operator from contacting said tank lid.

19. A fluid distillation apparatus as recited in claim 17 wherein said safety cover is provided with an automatic lock mechanism which prevents the safety cover from being opened until temperature of distillation chamber drops below a predetermined level.

20. A fluid distillation apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said means for connecting with external apparatus further comprises at least one pneumatic connecter.

21. A fluid distillation apparatus as recited in claim 20 wherein said means for connecting with external apparatus further comprises at least one each of quick fluid coupler and quick air connecter to enable fast and easy connection and disconnection with said external apparatus.

22. A fluid distillation apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said distillation tank filling system comprises a fluid flow line between said distillation chamber and said fluid inlet port, an electrically or pneumatically driven pump means or a means for generating vacuum in said distillation chamber and openly communicated passages.

23. A fluid distillation apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said distillation tank filling system further comprises a means for agitating said contaminated fluid prior to filling said distillation tank.

24. A fluid distillation apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein the method of distilling a contaminated fluid comprises the steps of:

agitating a contaminated fluid in container holding said fluid to be distilled,

transferring the contaminated fluid to distillation chamber means,

distilling the contaminated fluid in the distillation chamber means,

cooling the distillation chamber means to a temperature appropriate for draining the debris distilled out of the fluid

draining said debris into a debris container,

repeating the above sequence of steps for pre-set number of times or pre-set volume of fluid, or until an abnormality is detected by a built-in self diagnostic system.

25. A method of recycling a contaminated fluid as recited in claim 24 further comprises the initial step of automatically checking conditions of key components and their functions.

26. A method of recycling a contaminated fluid as recited in claim 25 further comprising a step in which the distilled fluid is automatically transferred from said receiving tank to said duty tank immediately after completion of the last tank filling cycle.

27. A fluid distillation apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein a means for generating vacuum is automatically activated to create vacuum in the distillation chamber only when evaporation conditions indicate within a pre-determined period of time the requirement of vacuum to reduce the boiling point of the fluid being distilled.

28. A fluid distillation apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein at least one pneumatic apparatus is controlled by an electrically actuated solenoid valve.

29. A fluid distillation apparatus as recited in claim 28 wherein said electrically actuated solenoid valve is actuated by intrinsically safe electric power and is located outside of the explosion proof housings.

30. A fluid distillation apparatus as recited in, claim 1 wherein said debris draining system further comprises a means for applying air pressure of a predetermined level to improve draining of said debris.

31. A fluid distillation apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said debris draining system further comprises a means for containing said debris, comprising at least one container preferably installed inside of said cabinet to receive debris drained from said distillation chamber.

32. A fluid distillation apparatus as recited in claim 1 further comprises at least one explosion proof or flame proof enclosure for housing some of electric components thereof.

33. A fluid distillation apparatus as recited in claim 1 further comprises a means for limiting emission and immunity of electro magnetic interference within specific values under European standards and North American standards.

34. A fluid distillation apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said electronic control system further comprises a intrinsically safe computer board, with built-in control switches or with a separate key pad, located outside of explosion proof housings as described herein.

35. A fluid distillation apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said electronic control system further comprises a computer board located inside of an explosion proof housing and a separate intrinsically safe key pad located outside of said explosion proof housing.

36. A fluid distillation apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said electronic control system further comprises said computer board containing one or more microprocessors and one or more LCD and LED display capable of displaying messages

37. A fluid distillation apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said electronic control system further comprises electronic calendar timer to enable scheduled distillation operation.

38. A fluid distillation apparatus as recited in claim 36 wherein said electronic control system is programmed to allow the operator to select some of distillation parameters such as language of display, temperature displayed in Centigrade (°

C.) or Fahrenheit (°

F.), one or more maximum boiling temperatures, strength of heater power for each boiling temperature set-up, number of automatically repeated cycles, agitation cycle turned on or off, vacuum distillation turned on or off, desired starting date and time.

39. A fluid distillation apparatus as recited in claim 36 wherein said electronic control system is programmed to allow factory personnel to access a hidden menus by pressing keys in predetermined sequence for setting up some of distillation parameters such as a range of boiling temperature, a range of number of automatically repeated cycles.

40. A fluid distillation apparatus as recited in claim 36 wherein said electronic control system further comprises a progress monitor program for monitoring process conditions and displaying progress status and conditions.

41. A fluid distillation apparatus as recited in claim 36 wherein said electronic control system further comprises a self diagnostic program to monitor error conditions and, upon detecting error condition, to perform pre-programmed corrective action and to display error messages.

42. A fluid distillation apparatus as recited in claim 36 wherein said self-diagnostic program generates audible alarm sound upon detecting error condition.

43. A fluid distillation apparatus as recited in claim 36 wherein said electronic control system is programmed to retain status of distillation operation in memory so that, after interruption during operation, operation may be re-started from where it was interrupted.

44. A fluid distillation apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said electronic control system is programmed to automatically reduce heater power by pre-determined rate and timing when temperature at said distillation tank reaches close to set point temperature.

45. A fluid distillation apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said electronic control system is programmed to enable manual control of said solenoid valves by pressing key switches in predetermined sequences.

46. A fluid distillation apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein a battery is provided to maintain in memory daily, weekly or monthly operation schedule pre-set by operator.

47. A fluid distillation apparatus as recited in claim 1 further comprising at least one of temperature sensor, fluid level sensor, pressure sensor, light sensor and/or magnetic sensor.

48. A fluid distillation apparatus as recited in claim 1 further comprising an explosion proof housing containing at least one each of a heater element, a thermostat and a connector cable.

49. A fluid distillation apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein all outlets of the explosion proof housing are provided with a sealed connection means, which functions as fume and flame barrier.

50. A fluid distillation apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein two or more explosion proof housings each containing electric devices are connected by means of explosion proof connector(s) and fitting(s).

51. A fluid distillation apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said electric power control apparatus contains at least one each of intrinsically safe fuse, fuse for heater circuit, and preferably fuse for fan motor circuit.

52. A fluid distillation apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said means for condensing is a combination of a condenser and water,

53. A fluid distillation apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said means for condensing is a combination of a condenser and a fan powered by a fan motor,

54. A fluid distillation apparatus as recited in claim 53 wherein said fan motor, electric power control apparatus, and a means for filtering electric magnetic interference are housed within said explosion proof housing.

55. A distillation apparatus as recited in claim 1 further comprising a means for connecting at least one airflow line through which compressed air is transferred from or to at least one external apparatus.

56. An automatic object cleaning apparatus with a built-in fluid distillation apparatus comprising in modular construction,

the fluid distillation apparatus of claim 1;

a cleaning sink means for cleaning objects to be cleaned, having at least one opening through which said objects are moved into and out of said cleaning sink means;

a means for closing (and opening) said opening comprising at least one door, a means for moving said objects within said cleaning chamber in horizontal, vertical, rotational direction in predetermined manner (and for predetermined length of time);

a means for manually cleaning objects inside said cleaning sink by means of a brush or a flexible spigot, a duty cycle fluid container for containing fluid used for cleaning object(s);

a means for transferring said fluid from said duty cycle fluid container to said means for manually cleaning objects;

a clean fluid container for holding distilled fluid;

a means for transferring distilled fluid from said clean fluid container to said duty cycle fluid container;

a fluid flow line between said duty cycle container and fluid inlet port of said fluid distillation apparatus;

a fluid flow line between said clean fluid container and fluid outlet port of said fluid distillation apparatus; and

a means for controlling cleaning and related functions comprising a timer activated air valve or foot pedal activated air valve.

57. An automatic object cleaning apparatus with a built-in fluid distillation apparatus comprising in modular construction,

the fluid distillation apparatus of claim 1;

a cleaning chamber for holding objects to be cleaned, having at least one opening through which said objects are moved into and out of said cleaning chamber;

a means for closing (and opening) said opening comprising at least one door, a means for moving said objects within said cleaning chamber in horizontal, vertical, rotational direction in predetermined manner (and for predetermined length of time);

a means for automatically cleaning objects inside said cleaning chamber by forcing movement of either one or both of said objects or fluid which is heated or not heated;

a duty cycle fluid container for containing fluid used for cleaning object(s);

a means for transferring said fluid from said duty cycle fluid container to said means for automatically cleaning objects;

a clean fluid container for holding distilled fluid;

a means for transferring distilled fluid from said clean fluid container to said duty cycle fluid container;

a fluid flow line between said duty cycle container and fluid inlet port of said fluid distillation apparatus;

a fluid flow line between said clean fluid container and fluid outlet port of said fluid distillation apparatus; and

a means for controlling automatic cleaning and related functions comprising at least one electric or electronic control device.