SOLUTION METERING APPARATUS

• US 3,602,607 A
• Filed: 09/24/1969
• Issued: 08/31/1971
• Est. Priority Date: 09/24/1969
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Deceased Hodges
• Original Assignee: Deceased Hodges
• Inventors: Hodges, deceased
• Primary Examiner(s): Freeh, William L.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Gluck, R. E.
• Application Number:
  US04/860,837
• Time in Patent Office: 706 Days
• Field of Search: 417/148,101,149 222/158,432,440
• US Class Current: 417/148
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 11/28 with stationary measuring chambers having constant volume during measurement
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 1/42 using electric radiation detectors optical or mechanical part G01J1/04; by comparison with a reference light or electric value G01J1/10

Abstract

Solution metering apparatus for accurately metering and/or mixing one or more solutions in precise proportions for delivery to a solution-receiving device or process. The apparatus is provided with a source of power for filling a metering container of the apparatus with a predetermined volume of solution, and mechanism for controlling the predetermined volume.

Claims

1. In a solution metering apparatus, the combination comprising:

a solution supply tank;

a solution metering container;

means for interconnecting said solution supply tank and said solution metering container for hydraulic communication therebetween so that said solution metering container can receive solution from said solution supply tank;

vacuum source means cooperable with said solution metering container for drawing solution from said solution supply tank into said solution metering container;

means cooperable with said vacuum source means for limiting, to a predetermined volume, solution drawn into said solution metering container from said solution supply tank by said vacuum source means; and

conduit means for interconnecting said solution metering container, said vacuum source means and said solution limiting means so that a vacuum can be effected therebetween.

2. The combination as recited in claim 1, wherein said solution limiting means includes:

a chamBer having a predetermined volume, said chamber being connected to said vacuum source means for pneumatic communication therewith; and

an expandable hollow member located in said chamber, said expandable member being connected to said solution metering container for pneumatic communication therewith and being movable between deflated and inflated positions, whereby said vacuum source means is adapted to move said expandable member from said deflated position to said inflated position for drawing solution from said solution supply tank into said solution metering container.

3. The combination as recited in claim 2, wherein said solution limiting means further includes:

resilient pressure means disposed in said chamber and in contact with said expandable member for urging said expandable member for movement from said inflated position to said deflated position.

4. The combination as recited in claim 3, wherein said solution limiting means further includes:

adjustable means for selectively restricting expansion of said expandable member from said deflated position for varying the volume of solution drawn into said solution metering container from said solution supply tank by said vacuum source means.

5. The combination as recited in claim 2, wherein said expandable member is a bellows, said bellows being integrally connected to said solution metering container and having resilient means in contact therewith for urging said bellows for movement from said inflated position to said deflated position.

6. The combination as recited in claim 1, wherein said solution limiting means includes:

pressure responsive means, said pressure responsive means having a first portion connected to said vacuum source means and said solution metering container for pneumatic communication respectively therewith and having a second portion exposed to ambient pressure, whereby a pressure differential can be established between said first and second portions of said pressure responsive means.

7. The combination as recited in claim 1, wherein said solution limiting means includes:

a closed, vertically disposed first vessel partially filled with a liquid, said first vessel having a first cross-sectional area and having upper and lower portions, said upper portion of said first vessel being connected to said vacuum source means and said solution metering container for pneumatic communication respectively therewith;

a vertically disposed second vessel having a second cross-sectional area smaller than said first cross-sectional area of said first vessel and having upper and lower portions, said upper portion of saId second vessel being open to expose the interior of said second vessel to ambient pressure; and

means for interconnecting said lower portion of said first vessel and said lower portion of said second vessel for hydraulic communication between said first and second vessels.

8. In a solution metering apparatus, the combination comprising:

a solution supply tank;

a solution metering container;

means for interconnecting said solution supply tank and said solution metering container for hydraulic communication therebetween;

vacuum source means cooperable with said solution metering container for drawing solution from said solution supply tank into said solution metering container;

conduit means for interconnecting said vacuum source means and said solution metering container so that a vacuum can be effected therebetween; and

means interposed in said conduit means between said vacuum source means and said solution metering container for limiting, to a predetermined volume, solution drawn into said solution metering container by said vacuum source means.

9. The combination as recited in claim 8, wherein said solution limiting means includes:

a chamber having a predetermined volume, said chamber being connected to said vacuum source means for pneumatic communication therewith; and

an expandable holloW member confined in said chamber, said expandable member being connected to said solution metering container for pneumatic communication therewith and being movable between deflated and inflated positions, whereby said vacuum source means is adapted to move said expandable member from said deflated position to said inflated position for drawing a predetermined volume of solution from said solution supply tank into said solution metering container.

10. The combination as recited in claim 8, further comprising:

means connected to said solution metering container for reducing, to a selected volume, a predetermined volume of solution drawn into said solution metering container by said vacuum source means; and

means connected to said solution metering container for delivering a selected volume of solution from said solution metering container.

11. The combination as recited in claim 10, wherein said solution reducing means includes:

means for supporting said solution metering container above said solution supply tank;

means for mounting said solution supply tank and solution metering container interconnecting means for movement within said solution metering container between a plurality of discrete elevational levels; and

means for venting the interior of said solution metering container to ambient pressure.