Computer controlled metering pump
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A computer controlled pumping system comprising:
- a metering pump having a pumping piston which moves a predetermined stroke distance, forcing a predetermined quantity of pumped fluid from an inlet to an outlet;
a first electrically operated solenoid valve connected between said inlet and a supply reservoir;
a displacement sensor connected to monitor the position of said pumping piston within said stroke distance; and
,a computer connected through an interface to said displacement sensor and said electrically operated solenoid valve, said computer receiving an operator-supplied value of volume flow for said metering pump, and calculating a volume displacement of media from a signal from said sensor, said computer comparing said calculated volume flow rate with said operator-supplied volume flow rate, and operating said solenoid valve when said volumes are equal, whereby a flow of fluids from said metering pump equals said operator-supplied volume of flow.
7 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A computer controlled metering pump. The displacement of a metering pump is accurately monitored using a position sensor connected to a piston. A control computer receives the sensor signal as well as a desired pumping volume rate. The pumped volume is continuously monitored by the computer as a function of the piston displacement, and compared with the desired rate. The metering pump is controlled to bring the pumped volume rate into agreement with the desired volumetric pumping rate.
165 Citations
16 Claims
-
1. A computer controlled pumping system comprising:
-
a metering pump having a pumping piston which moves a predetermined stroke distance, forcing a predetermined quantity of pumped fluid from an inlet to an outlet; a first electrically operated solenoid valve connected between said inlet and a supply reservoir; a displacement sensor connected to monitor the position of said pumping piston within said stroke distance; and
,a computer connected through an interface to said displacement sensor and said electrically operated solenoid valve, said computer receiving an operator-supplied value of volume flow for said metering pump, and calculating a volume displacement of media from a signal from said sensor, said computer comparing said calculated volume flow rate with said operator-supplied volume flow rate, and operating said solenoid valve when said volumes are equal, whereby a flow of fluids from said metering pump equals said operator-supplied volume of flow. - View Dependent Claims (2)
-
-
3. A computer controlled pump comprising:
-
a diaphragm pump having a pumping piston displacing an intermediate fluid in an intermediate chamber against a movable diaphragm in fluid communication with a pumping chamber; a media reservoir connected to said pumping chamber; a media outlet connected to said pumping chamber; a displacement sensor connected to measure said pumping piston displacement; an intermediate media reservoir connected by electrically controlled valve means to said intermediate chamber for supplying said intermediate fluid to said intermediate chamber, and venting said intermediate chamber to said intermediate media reservoir; and
,a computer connected to receive a signal from said displacement sensor, said computer determining from said sensor signal a related volumetric displacement of said pumping media, and comparing said related volumetric displacement with a desired volumetric displacement, and for supplying an actuation signal to said electrically controllable valve means for terminating pumping by said diaphragm pump when said related volumetric displacement equals said desired volumetric displacement. - View Dependent Claims (4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
-
-
10. A computer controlled metering pump comprising:
-
(a) a metering pump having a reciprocating piston which pumps a quantity of pumping media based upon a stroke length of the piston; (b) a stroke position sensor connected to measure a stroke length of said piston; (c) means connected to said metering pump for inhibiting pumping of pumped media, by changing the effective piston stroke length; and
,(d) a computer connected to said stroke position sensor and said means for inhibiting pumping for controlling the effective volume of pumped media, said computer determining from said position sensor a volume of pumping media being pumped, and comparing said computed volume of media with a desired volume of media, said computer connected to provide a signal to said means for inhibiting when said pumped media volume equals said desired volume inhibiting further pumping of said pumping media. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13)
-
-
14. A computer controlled pump comprising:
-
a diaphragm pump having a pumping piston displacing an intermediate fluid in an intermediate chamber against a movable diaphragm in fluid communication with a pumping chamber; a media reservoir connected to said pumping chamber; a media outlet connected to said pumping chamber; a diaphragm position sensor means connected to measure said diaphragm displacement; an intermediate media reservoir connected by electrically controlled valve means to said intermediate chamber for supplying said intermediate fluid to said intermediate chamber, and venting said intermediate chamber to said intermediate media reservoir; and a computer connected to receive a signal from said diaphragm sensor, said computer determining from said sensor signal a related volumetric displacement of said pumping media, and comparing said related volumetric displacement with a desired displacement, and for supplying an actuation signal to said electrically controlled valve means for terminating pumping by said diaphragm pump when said related volumetric displacement equals said desired volumetric displacement. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16)
-
Specification