Dual aspirator

• US 5,799,831 A
• Filed: 03/20/1996
• Issued: 09/01/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 03/20/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Ecolab USA Incorporated (Ecolab, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Ecolab, Inc.
• Inventors: Spriggs, John R., Ruhr, Richard, Keppers, Roger
• Primary Examiner(s): KAUFMAN, JOSEPH A
• Application Number:
  US08/619,033
• Time in Patent Office: 895 Days
• Field of Search: 222/132, 222/145.2, 222/145.5, 222/145.6, 222/148, 222/195, 222/394, 137/238, 137/889, 137/890, 137/895, 417/160
• US Class Current: 222/132
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 23/235 for making foam
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 25/3111 Devices specially adapted for generating foam, e.g. air foam
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 25/31232 used simultaneously
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/87595 Combining of three or more diverse fluids
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/87603 Plural motivating fluid jets
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/87643 With condition responsive valve

Abstract

A foaming system 10 includes a dual aspirator 13. The dual aspirator 13 has first and second aspirators 80 and 81 to pick up a first and second chemical concentrate. The diluent first chemical mixture is drawn in through the first aspirator 80 and goes through a first diffuser 46 where the first chemical/diluent mixture is further mixed. Similarly, diluent/chemical mixture is drawn by the second aspirator 81 and flows through a second diffuser 47 where it also is mixed. The two diluent/chemical mixtures then combine after exiting the diffusers and the compatible chemicals are then mixed by the flow of the diluent/chemical mixtures. Flushing lines 68 and 71 provide for cleaning of the dual aspirator 13. Further, the diffusers have a ratio of their diameter to length to aid in the prevention of contamination along with the use of two check valves 48 and 49.

Claims

1. A dual aspirator assembly for mixing first and second chemicals with a diluent, comprising:

(a) a valve body;

(b) means defining a cavity in said body, said cavity having first and second chemical inlet ports, first and second mixture outlet ports, and a diluent entrance opening;

(c) first and second aspirators, having inlets and outlets for respectively mixing first and second chemicals with a diluent, positioned in said cavity and said inlets in fluid communication with said diluent entrance opening and said outlet of said first aspirator proximate said first mixture outlet port and said outlet of said second aspirator proximate said second mixture outlet port;

(d) a first diffuser having an entrance port proximate said first mixture outlet port and an exit port in fluid communication with said entrance port of said first diffuser;

(e) a second diffuser having an entrance port proximate said second mixture outlet port and an exit port in fluid communication with said entrance port of said second diffuser;

(f) a diluted chemicals outlet in fluid communication with said exit ports of said first and second diffusers, wherein, when a diluent passes through the diluent entrance opening and into the inlets of said first and second aspirators and the first chemical is mixed with a diluent and passes through the first diffuser and the second chemical is mixed with the diluent and passes through said second diffuser, the first chemical/diluent mixture is mixed with the second chemical/diluent mixture as they exit their respective exit ports into the diluted chemicals outlet; and

(g) said diffusers having a length and said entrance ports having a diameter, wherein a ratio of the length to the diameter is greater than 35.

2. The aspirator assembly of claim 1, wherein the ratio of the length to the diameter is from 35 to 50.

3. The aspirator assembly of claim 2, further comprising means for adding a gas to the mixture of the first chemical/diluent mixture and the second chemical/diluent mixture, thereby foaming the combined chemical/diluent mixture.

4. The aspirator assembly of claim 1, further comprising:

(a) a housing having first and second ends;

(b) a cap releasably connected to said first end of said housing;

(c) a base releasably connected to said second end of said housing;

(d) said valve body defining first and second threaded aspirator openings; and

(e) said first and second aspirators having external threads, whereby said first and second aspirators are more easily changed.

5. The aspirator assembly of claim 2 further comprising check valves positioned proximate said exit ports, wherein back flow through said diffusers is diminished, thereby preventing unwanted mixing of the first and second chemicals.

6. The aspirator assembly of claim 5, wherein said check valves are ball check valves.

7. The aspirator assembly of claim 1, further comprising:

(a) a water inlet having a first end, middle section and second end, said first end in fluid communication with a pressurized fluid source and said second end in fluid communication with said entrance cavity;

(b) a first chemical conduit in fluid communication with said first inlet port;

(c) a second chemical conduit in fluid communication with said second inlet port;

(d) a first flushing line having a first end in fluid communication with said first chemical conduit and a second end in fluid communication with said middle section of said water inlet;

(e) a second flushing line having a first end in fluid communication with said second chemical conduit and a second end in fluid communication with said middle section of said water inlet; and

(f) means for controlling flow of the diluent through said first and second flushing lines, whereby diluent is selectively allowed to flow through said flushing lines and thereby flushing said inlet ports, aspirators and diffusers with diluent.

8. A dual aspirator assembly for mixing first and second chemicals with a diluent, comprising:

(a) a valve body;

(b) means defining a cavity in said body, said cavity having first and second chemical inlet ports, first and second mixture outlet ports, and a diluent entrance opening;

(c) first and second aspirators, having inlets and outlets for respectively mixing first and second chemicals with a diluent, positioned in said cavity and said inlets in fluid communication with said diluent entrance opening and said outlet of said first aspirator proximate said first mixture outlet port and said outlet of said second aspirator proximate said second mixture outlet port;

(d) a first diffuser having an entrance port proximate said first mixture outlet port and an exit port in fluid communication with said entrance port of said first diffuser;

(e) a second diffuser having an entrance port proximate said second mixture outlet port and an exit port in fluid communication with said entrance port of said second diffuser;

(f) a diluted chemicals outlet in fluid communication with said exit ports of said first and second diffusers, wherein, when a diluent passes through the diluent entrance opening and into the inlets of said first and second aspirators and the first chemical is mixed with a diluent and passes through the first diffuser and the second chemical is mixed with the diluent and passes through said second diffuser, the first chemical/diluent mixture is mixed with the second chemical/diluent mixture as they exit their respective exit ports into the diluted chemicals outlet; and

(g) check valves positioned proximate said exit ports, wherein back flow through said diffusers is diminished, thereby preventing unwanted mixing of the first and second chemicals.

9. The aspirator assembly of claim 8, further comprising said diffusers having a length and said entrance ports having a diameter, wherein a ratio of the length to the diameter is greater than 35.

10. The aspirator assembly of claim 9, further comprising means for adding a gas to the mixture of the first chemical/diluent mixture and the second chemical/diluent mixture, thereby foaming the combined chemical/diluent mixture.

11. The aspirator assembly of claim 9, further comprising:

(a) a housing having first and second ends;

(b) a cap releasably connected to said first end of said housing;

(c) a base releasably connected to said second end of said housing;

(d) said valve body defining first and second threaded aspirator openings; and

(e) said first and second aspirators having external threads, whereby said first and second aspirators are more easily changed.

12. The aspirator assembly of claim 11, wherein said connecting means comprises:

(a) a first connector for operatively connecting said cap to said housing; and

(b) a second connector for operatively connecting said base to said housing.

13. The aspirator assembly of claim 9, wherein said check valves are ball check valves.

14. The aspirator assembly of claim 9, further comprising:

(a) a water inlet having a first end, middle section and second end, said first end in fluid communication with a pressurized fluid source and said second end in fluid communication with said entrance cavity;

(b) a first chemical conduit in fluid communication with said first inlet port;

(c) a second chemical conduit in fluid communication with said second inlet port;

(d) a first flushing line having a first end in fluid communication with said first chemical conduit and a second end in fluid communication with said middle section of said water inlet;

(e) a second flushing line having a first end in fluid communication with said second chemical conduit and a second end in fluid communication with said middle section of said water inlet; and

(f) means for controlling flow of the diluent through said first and second flushing lines, whereby diluent may be selectively allowed to flow through said flushing lines and thereby flushing said inlet ports, aspirators and diffusers with diluent.

15. A dual aspirator for mixing first and second chemicals with a diluent, comprising:

(a) a valve body;

(b) means defining a cavity in said body, said cavity having first and second chemical inlet ports, first and second mixture outlet ports, and a diluent entrance opening;

(c) first and second aspirators, having inlets and outlets for respectively mixing first and second chemicals with a diluent, positioned in said cavity and said inlets in fluid communication with said diluent entrance opening and said outlet of said first aspirator proximate said first mixture outlet port and said outlet of said second aspirator proximate said second mixture outlet port;

(d) a first diffuser having an entrance port proximate said first mixture outlet port and an exit port in fluid communication with said entrance port of said first diffuser;

(e) a second diffuser having an entrance port proximate said second mixture outlet port and an exit port in fluid communication with said entrance port of said second diffuser;

(f) a diluted chemicals outlet in fluid communication with said exit ports of said first and second diffusers, wherein, when a diluent passes through the diluent entrance opening and into the inlets of said first and second aspirators and the first chemical is mixed with a diluent and passes through the first diffuser and the second chemical is mixed with the diluent and passes through said second diffuser, the first chemical/diluent mixture is mixed with the second chemical/diluent mixture as they exit their respective exit ports into the diluted chemicals outlet; and

(g) a water inlet having a first end, middle section and second end, said first end in fluid communication with a pressurized fluid source and said second end in fluid communication with said entrance cavity;

(h) a first chemical conduit in fluid communication with said first inlet port;

(i) a second chemical conduit in fluid communication with said second inlet port;

(j) a first flushing line having a first end in fluid communication with said first chemical conduit and a second end in fluid communication with said middle section of said water inlet;

(k) a second flushing line having a first end in fluid communication with said second chemical conduit and a second end in fluid communication with said middle section of said water inlet; and

(l) means for controlling flow of the diluent through said first and second flushing lines, whereby diluent may be selectively allowed to flow through said flushing lines and thereby flushing said inlet ports, aspirators and diffusers with diluent.

16. A dual aspirator assembly for mixing first and second chemicals with a diluent, comprising:

(a) a valve body;

(b) means defining a cavity in said body, said cavity having first and second chemical inlet ports, first and second mixture outlet ports, and a diluent entrance opening;

(c) first and second aspirators, having inlets and outlets for respectively mixing first and second chemicals with a diluent, positioned in said cavity and said inlets in fluid communication with said diluent entrance opening and said outlet of said first aspirator proximate said first mixture outlet port and said outlet of said second aspirator proximate said second mixture outlet port;

(d) a first diffuser having an entrance port proximate said first mixture outlet port and an exit port in fluid communication with said entrance port of said first diffuser;

(e) a second diffuser having an entrance port proximate said second mixture outlet port and an exit port in fluid communication with said entrance port of said second diffuser;

(f) a diluted chemicals outlet in fluid communication with said exit ports of said first and second diffusers, wherein, when a diluent passes through the diluent entrance opening and into the inlets of said first and second aspirators and the first chemical is mixed with a diluent and passes through the first diffuser and the second chemical is mixed with the diluent and passes through said second diffuser, the first chemical/diluent mixture is mixed with the second chemical/diluent mixture as they exit their respective exit ports into the diluted chemicals outlet;

(g) a housing having first and second ends;

(h) a cap releasably connected to said first end of said housing;

(i) a base releasably connected to said second end of said housing;

(j) said valve body having first and second aspirator openings; and

(k) said first and second aspirators having means for being releasably connected to said valve body.

17. The dual aspirator of claim 16, wherein said aspirator openings are threaded and said aspirators are threaded.