APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR SAMPLING AND CORRECTING FLUIDS
First Claim
1. A method of operating an analysis and dispensing unit of the type having an inlet configured to receive a fluid sample from a reservoir, a measuring station configured to determine at least one parameter of the fluid sample, and a dispensing station configured to dispense a corrective fluid, the method comprising:
- (a) obtaining a fluid sample from a first reservoir and depositing the sample in the inlet of the unit;
(b) using the unit to automatically determine a parameter of the fluid sample and automatically prepare a corrective fluid based upon the determined parameter; and
(c) depositing the corrective fluid into the first reservoir and thereby substantially restoring the parameter of the fluid in the reservoir to its desired value.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention provides an apparatus and method for sampling a metal working fluid and dispensing a corrective fluid to adjust the fluid in a tank or reservoir from which the sample was drawn. The apparatus, which in certain embodiments is transportable, includes an inlet configured to receive a fluid sample from a reservoir, a measuring station configured to determine at least one parameter of the fluid sample, a dispensing station configured to select a type and amount of fluid(s) to be added to the metal working fluid to restore its desired parameters, and an outlet configured to dispense the corrective fluid. The inventive apparatus provides an advantageous computerized comparison of the contaminates and concentrations of key constituents in a sample fluid against desired operating parameters and dispenses a corrective fluid, which, when added to the reservoir from which the sample fluid was drawn, corrects the adverse conditions of that fluid.
107 Citations
29 Claims
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1. A method of operating an analysis and dispensing unit of the type having an inlet configured to receive a fluid sample from a reservoir, a measuring station configured to determine at least one parameter of the fluid sample, and a dispensing station configured to dispense a corrective fluid, the method comprising:
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(a) obtaining a fluid sample from a first reservoir and depositing the sample in the inlet of the unit; (b) using the unit to automatically determine a parameter of the fluid sample and automatically prepare a corrective fluid based upon the determined parameter; and (c) depositing the corrective fluid into the first reservoir and thereby substantially restoring the parameter of the fluid in the reservoir to its desired value. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. An apparatus for analyzing a sample fluid and dispensing corrective fluid, comprising:
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a sample fluid inlet; a measuring station fluidly connected to the sample fluid inlet and configured to measure a parameter of the sample fluid being tested; a computer in communication with the measuring station and including stored information concerning at least two reservoirs which use fluid that periodically requires addition of corrective fluid thereto, the computer being programmed to determine an amount or type of corrective fluid to be dispensed based upon data provided to the computer from the measuring station and the stored information; and a dispensing station in communication with the computer and configured for dispensing corrective fluid based upon information received from the computer. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A mobile apparatus for analyzing a sample fluid and dispensing corrective fluid, comprising:
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a sample fluid inlet; a measuring station fluidly connected to the sample fluid inlet and configured to measure a parameter of the sample fluid being tested; a computer in communication with the measuring station and including stored information concerning at least one reservoir which uses fluid that periodically requires addition of corrective fluid thereto, the computer being programmed to determine an amount or type of corrective fluid to be dispensed based upon data provided to the computer from the measuring station and the stored information; and a dispensing station in communication with the computer and configured for dispensing corrective fluid based upon information received from the computer. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
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Specification