Method and apparatus for controlling the flow of process fluids

• US 5,318,106 A
• Filed: 01/24/1992
• Issued: 06/07/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 01/12/1990
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Donald K. Dorini, Gene D. Krist, Gerald F. Mannion, James R. Mannion
• Original Assignee: Donald K. Dorini, Gene D. Krist, Gerald F. Mannion, James R. Mannion
• Inventors: Mannion, James R., Dorini, Donald K., Mannion, Gerald F., Krist, Gene D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Wayner, William E.
• Application Number:
  US07/825,017
• Time in Patent Office: 865 Days
• Field of Search: 62/201, 62/185, 236/14, 236/51, 165/40, 237/8 R
• US Class Current: 165/292
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 3/06 characterised by the arrangements for the supply of heat-exchange fluid for the subsequent treatment of primary air in the room units
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 17/02 for circulating liquids, e.g. brine

Abstract

A method and apparatus for coupling a primary loop with a secondary loop for circulating processing fluids therebetween comprising in combination a first connection for the feed line of the primary loop and a second connection for the return line of the primary loop; a third connection for the feed line of the secondary loop and a fourth connection for the return line of the secondary loop; a crossover line coupling the four connections; first valve means for controlling the flow through the primary loop; first sensor means responsive to the flow across the crossover line to control the first valve means; second valve means in the path of flow through the crossover line; second sensor means responsive to the temperature of the process fluid in the secondary loop to control the second valve means; a common controller for the first and second sensor means adapted to control the first and second valve means as a function of the sensed temperature and flow; and a common controller for the first and second sensor means adapted to control the first and second valve means as a function of the sensed flow and temperature with means to limit the extent of opening of one of the valve means as a function of the extent of opening of the other of the valve means.

Claims

1. A system for controlling the flow of process fluids comprising:

a primary loop for process fluids;

a plurality of secondary loops for process fluids;

a plurality of bridges, each coupling the primary loop with a secondary loop, each bridge having feed and return connections coupled to the feed and return lines of the primary loop and feed and return connections coupling feed and return lines of a secondary loop, and a crossover line coupling the primary and secondary loops;

a flow responsive valve in the path of flow through the primary loop for each bridge and a flow sensor for each bridge to determine the flow in its crossover line for controlling the flow responsive valve;

a temperature responsive valve in the crossover line for each bridge and a temperature responsive sensor for each bridge responsive to the temperature of the process water;

a controller for each bridge adapted to modify its valves as a function of the sensed temperature and flow with means to limit the openness of one of the valve means as a function of the openness of the other of the valve means, each controller having a controller component for its flow sensor and a controller component for its temperature sensor.

2. The system as set forth in claim 1 wherein the controller components are variable as a function of the specific application of the system.