BATCH ADMIXTURE METERING CONTROL

• US 3,804,300 A
• Filed: 09/11/1972
• Issued: 04/16/1974
• Est. Priority Date: 09/11/1972
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Edgar R. Cox
• Original Assignee: Edgar R. Cox
• Inventors: Cox, Edgar R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Tollberg, Stanley H.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Martin, Larry
• Application Number:
  US05/287,865
• Time in Patent Office: 582 Days
• Field of Search: 222/51,64,65,66,67,68,76,129.3,129.4,132,135,148,425,434,450,478,481,482 259/154 73/308,313,321
• US Class Current: 222/67
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 35/88 by feeding the materials batchwise
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 7/743 electrically or electro-mechanically operated
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 7/0688 by combined action on throttling means and flow sources G05D7/0694 takes precedence

Abstract

Disclosed is an apparatus for selectively measuring liquids from a plurality of sources and dispensing the liquids into a mixing tank. The apparatus has a plurality of storage tanks for holding various types of liquids. These storage tanks are independently connected through suitable conduits, valves and pumps to a measuring chamber. A float is positioned in the chamber and is connected by a chain to a rotatable disk, to rotate the disk as the position of the float varies within the chamber due to the addition of liquids therein. The disk is provided with a plurality of radially spaced natural magnets which periodically close a mercury switch to generate electrical pulses as the volume of liquid in the chamber increases. A pulse counter and control circuit is connected to the reed switch to close the inlet valve and de-energize the inlet pump. A plurality of outlet conduits, valves and pumps are connected to the chamber to convey the fluids from the chamber to a mixing tank. The operation of these outlet valves and pumps is controlled by the control circuit to discharge the liquid from the chamber when the desired volume is present. A wash water, inlet valve is also connected to the chamber to rinse the interior of the chamber between successive dispensing cycles. A drain and drain valve are provided to remove the rinse water from the chamber.

Claims

1. An apparatus for measuring and dispensing liquids from a plurality of different supplies to a common discharge point without contamination between the separate liquids, which comprises:

a. a receptacle having a chamber for receiving liquid therein, b. measuring means operatively associated with said receptacle for measuring the volume of fluid contained in said chamber, c. separate pairs of inlet and outlet conduit means corresponding in number to the different supplies of liquid to be measured and dispensed by said apparatus, d. a separate inlet conduit connecting each of said supplies to said chamber, selectively operable means on each of said conduits for controlling the flow of said liquids through said conduits to said chamber; and

e. a plurality of separate outlet conduits corresponding in number to said supplies of liquid connected between said chamber and said discharge point, selectively operable discharge means for controlling the flow of liquid through each of said conduits.

2. A liquid measuring and dispensing apparatus as defined in claim 1 additionally comprising control means operatively associated with said measuring means for controlling the respective inlet and outlet means for said liquids to selectively dispense a quantity of one of said liquids from one of said outlet means.

3. A liquid measuring and dispensing apparatus as defined in claim 2 additionally comprising second control means for controlling the volume of said liquid dispensed from said one of said outlet means.

4. A liquid measuring and dispensing apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said measuring means comprises:

buoyant means in said chamber for floating on said liquid, and feedback means operatively associated with said buoyant means for selectively closing one of said inlet means to prevent flow of liquid into said chamber and for opening one of said outlet means to dispense fluid from said chamber.

5. A liquid measuring and dispensing apparatus as defined in claim 4 wherein said feedback means comprises pulley means mounted for rotation about an axis, and;

connecting means operatively associating said bouyant means and said pulley for rotating said pulley means as the level of said liquid moves said bouyant means; and

means for sensing the rotation of said pulley.

6. A liquid measuring and dispensing apparatus as defined in claim 20 wherein said means sensing rotation of said pulley comprises a magnetic responsive switch, a plurality of permanent magnets radially spaced and fixed to rotate with said pulley to open and close said switch as said pulley rotates, and a pulse counter connected to said switch to count the pulses created by the opening and closing of said switch.

7. A liquid measuring and dispensing apParatus as defined in claim 21 wherein said line comprises a chain, and wherein said pulley comprises a sprocketed surface for engaging said chain, and wherein said chain passes over said pulley, a counter weight attached to the other end of said chain to hold said chain in tension during movement of the said float, and an enclosure having a chamber therein for receiving said counter weight.

8. An apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said inlet means comprises:

a plurality conduit means interconnecting each of said liquid supplies and said chamber, separate valve means for controlling the flow of liquids through each of said conduits and means for forcing said liquid to flow through each of said conduit means when one of said valve means is in the open position.

9. A liquid measuring and dispensing apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said outlet means comprises a plurality of conduits in fluid communication with said chamber, valve means on each conduit for selectively controlling the flow of liquid through each of said conduit means, and means for causing said liquid to discharge from said chamber through one of said conduit means when said valve means is in an open position.

10. A liquid measuring and dispensing apparatus as defined in claim 1 additionally comprising washing means mounted in said chamber for selectively washing the interior of said chamber.

11. A liquid measuring and dispensing apparatus as defined in claim 10 additionally comprising means for sensing the absence of liquid in said chamber and for actuating said washing means.

12. A liquid measuring and dispensing apparatus as defined in claim 10 wherein said washing means comprises:

manifold means mounted in the upper portion of said chamber, a cleaning liquid supply means in fluid communication with said manifold means, selectively operable valve means for controlling the flow of said cleaning liquid into said manifold, nozzle means in said manifold for directing said cleaning liquid from said manifold onto the interior surface of said chamber, and drain means in said chamber for removing said cleaning liquid from said chamber after it is dispensed from said manifold.

13. A liquid measuring and dispensing apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said receptacle is at least partially constructed from transparent material to allow the viewing of said liquids in said chamber.