Apparatus for controlling flow in a sewer regulator

• US 5,321,601 A
• Filed: 02/28/1992
• Issued: 06/14/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 02/28/1992
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Dennis S. Riedel, Steven A. Kerr
• Original Assignee: Dennis S. Riedel, Steven A. Kerr
• Inventors: Kerr, Steven A., Riedel, Dennis S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Smith, Jerry
• Assistant Examiner(s): Garland, Steven R.
• Application Number:
  US07/843,262
• Time in Patent Office: 837 Days
• Field of Search: 364/509, 364/510, 364/140-147, 137/395, 137/390, 137/554
• US Class Current: 700/12
• CPC Class Codes: E03F 5/107 Active flow control devices, i.e. moving during flow regulation
• CPC Class Codes: E03F 7/02 Shut-off devices in general F16K
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 7/0635 by action on throttling means G05D7/0688, G05D7/0694 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/7313 Control of outflow from tank

Abstract

A Gate valve is controlled in a Sewage Regulator by incorporating a Hydraulic System, a Programmable Logic Controller, and a Level or Depth Measuring device. By using this method, setpoint control can be utilized and the setpoint readily changed and verified. Also it is possible to display information and input setpoint changes via an operator interface without means of programming device. Communications to a Serial Printer can also be achieved by connecting to the Serial communications port of the PLC, this allows a hard copy of the information on alarms or other relevant data. Control of other external devices can also be achieved by suitably programing the PLC to manipulate the various outputs of the Contact Output Module to automatically control a Sampling Device or other such equipment which responds to a Contact closure, Pulsed Signal, or voltage output.

Claims

1. An apparatus for controlling the flow of sewage in a sewage regulator having a gate valve, wherein said gate valve controls the flow of sewage from an inlet pipe to an outlet pipe, said apparatus comprising:

a programmable logic controller having a numerical central processing unit, an analog input module, a contact output module, an operator interface module, a digital input module, a serial communications port and at least one operator interface panel;

a meter means for generating a variable analog output signal connected to said analog input module proportional to the depth of sewage within said sewage regulator;

a hydraulic system including a hydraulic pump, a hydraulic cylinder operatingly coupled to said pump, a valve assembly connected to said pump for directing the flow of hydraulic fluid to the cylinder, wherein said valve assembly is operatively connected to at least one solenoid which is operatively connected to said programmable logic controller contact output module for controlling operation of said hydraulic cylinder and said hydraulic cylinder is connected to said gate valve;

a pair of limit switches actuated by a lever coupled to said hydraulic cylinder to indicate full open and full closed positions of said gate valve, said pair of limit switches being further operatingly connected to the programmable logic controller digital input module;

an operator interface panel coupled to the programmable logic controller for displaying messages, and a keyboard for receiving control input for operating said programmable logic controller; and

control logic stored in the programmable logic controller for processing the analog output signals of the level meter in conjunction with the control input from the operator interface panel to control the activation of the hydraulic system based upon the analog output and control input signals, thereby regulating the flow of sewage passing through the sewage regulator.

2. The apparatus defined in claim 1 wherein the control logic is a computer program stored in an EEPROM.

3. The apparatus defined in claim 1 where the control logic allows the operation of the apparatus to be manually manipulated through direct input to the keyboard.

4. The apparatus defined in claim 1 where said serial port is connected to a printer for producing printed output.

5. The apparatus defined in claim 1 wherein said meter means is an ultrasonic level meter.

6. The apparatus defined in claim 1 wherein said meter means comprises a submersible depth transducer.

7. An apparatus for controlling the flow of sewage in a sewage regulator having a sewage inlet and a sewage outlet and a gate valve interposed therebetween for regulating the flow of sewage through said regulator, the regulator further including a stilling well in open fluid communication to the flow of sewage through said regulator, said apparatus comprising:

a hydraulic assembly for actuating the gate valve between a open position and a closed position;

a limit switch affixed to the hydraulic assembly for indicating the open and the closed positions of the control valve;

a means for measuring the level of sewage in said stilling well, said means for measuring producing an output signal indicating the level of sewage in said stilling well; and

a programmable logic controller electrically connected to said hydraulic assembly, said limit switch and said means for measuring wherein said programmable logic controller controls the activation of the hydraulic assembly based upon the output signal, thereby regulating the flow of sewage passing through the sewage regulator in relation to the level of sewage in the stilling well.