Pressurized purging of a liquid drain for a vacuum system
First Claim
1. A liquid drain system for a liquid separator associated with a process gas vacuum system wherein the process gas normally has moisture content, the vacuum system having a vacuum pump for generating a vacuum for the vacuum system, the vacuum pump being connected to the vacuum system by fluid communication means, the fluid communication means including said liquid separator and a liquid accumulator connected in fluid communication with said separator, a fluid conduit connecting said separator and said accumulator whereby liquid can flow from said separator to said accumulator, a pressure responsive drain valve in said fluid conduit, and a pressure sensitive drain connected to said accumulator, the improvement comprising:
- a compressed air supply connected to said accumulator downstream of said drain valve, and a controller means for both directing pressurized air to close said drain valve and permitting said pressurized air to flow from said compressed air supply to said accumulator to purge said accumulator of liquid to said pressure sensitive drain while said accumulator is isolated from said separator by said pressure sensitive drain valve.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention is directed to an improved purging of a liquid drain system for a liquid separator used in a moisture laden process vacuum system wherein the liquid separated from the flow stream by the separator is collected in an accumulator which in turn is periodically pressure purged to quickly remove the liquid contents of the accumulator while such accumulator is out of fluid communication with the liquid separator so that the vacuum process need not be interrupted. A pressure responsive drain valve is connected between the separator and the accumulator. The pressure used to purge the accumulator also activates the normally opened drain valve to inhibit the fluid flow between the separator and the accumulator. A pressure responsive drain is connected to the accumulator and opens in response to the increased pressure used to purge the accumulator and close the normally opened drain valve.
19 Citations
12 Claims
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1. A liquid drain system for a liquid separator associated with a process gas vacuum system wherein the process gas normally has moisture content, the vacuum system having a vacuum pump for generating a vacuum for the vacuum system, the vacuum pump being connected to the vacuum system by fluid communication means, the fluid communication means including said liquid separator and a liquid accumulator connected in fluid communication with said separator, a fluid conduit connecting said separator and said accumulator whereby liquid can flow from said separator to said accumulator, a pressure responsive drain valve in said fluid conduit, and a pressure sensitive drain connected to said accumulator, the improvement comprising:
a compressed air supply connected to said accumulator downstream of said drain valve, and a controller means for both directing pressurized air to close said drain valve and permitting said pressurized air to flow from said compressed air supply to said accumulator to purge said accumulator of liquid to said pressure sensitive drain while said accumulator is isolated from said separator by said pressure sensitive drain valve. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A liquid drain system for a liquid separator associated with a process gas vacuum system wherein the process gas normally has moisture content, the vacuum system having a vacuum pump for generating a vacuum for the vacuum system, the vacuum pump being connected to the vacuum system by fluid communication means, the fluid communication means having said liquid separator, a liquid accumulator, a fluid conduit connecting said separator and said accumulator whereby liquid removed from said separator can be drained to said accumulator, a first drain valve in said fluid conduit means, and a drain including a second drain valve connected to said accumulator, the improvement comprising:
a compressed air supply connected to said accumulator downstream of said first drain valve, an air supply valve for controlling the flow of compressed air from said supply to said accumulator coupled between said air supply and said accumulator, and a controller means for simultaneously closing said drain valve and opening said air supply valve and said second drain valve at an initiation of a purging cycle to isolate said accumulator from said separator while subjecting said accumulator to pressurized air and connecting said accumulator to said drain, said controller means opening said first drain valve and closing said air supply valve and said second drain valve at an end of said purging cycle. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8)
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9. A method for pressure purging a liquid drain system associated with a process gas vacuum system without interruption of the vacuum system operation, said liquid drain system including a liquid separator in the vacuum system, a liquid accumulator and fluid conduit means connecting said accumulator with said separator, a drain valve in said fluid conduit means having an open position to permit the liquid separated by said separator to flow to said liquid accumulator and a closed position preventing fluid communication therebetween, and drain means connected to said accumulator, said method steps consisting of:
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a) closing said drain valve to isolate said accumulator from said liquid separator, and b) pressurizing said liquid accumulator by placing a compressed air supply means in fluid communication therewith. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12)
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Specification