Method and apparatus for injecting additives
First Claim
1. A control system for controlling the flow of additive along a plurality of flow paths that pass through a reversible injection apparatus located intermediate at least one upstream additive tank and at least one downstream fuel tank, wherein the injection apparatus includes a meter for monitoring the flow of additive therethrough and a valve associated with each of the flow paths, said system comprising:
- means for selectively disposing the injection apparatus in one of a forward orientation, in which the injection apparatus is coupled with a plurality of additive tanks, and a reverse orientation, in which the injection apparatus is coupled with a plurality of fuel tanks;
means for selecting one flow path from among the plurality of flow paths, wherein the selected flow path couples one upstream additive tank to one downstream fuel tank;
means for sending at least one preliminary control signal to the injection apparatus for opening or closing at least one of the valves to permit additive flow along the selected flow path and to prevent additive flow along each remaining flow path;
means for receiving additive data signals from the injection apparatus indicative of the quantity of additive flowing through the injection apparatus along the selected flow path;
means for comparing the additive data signals received from the injection apparatus with a predetermined quantity of additive; and
means for sending a termination control signal to the injection apparatus for closing the valve associated with the selected flow path in response to the additive data signals received from the injection apparatus.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An interchangeable additive injection apparatus provides a plurality of flow paths from one or more upstream additive tanks to one or more downstream fuel containers. A plurality of additive lines converge into an additive conduit at a manifold disposed within the apparatus. A plurality of valves associated with the additive lines are selectively opened and closed to isolate one of the flow paths. A metering device is disposed along the additive conduit for measuring the flow of additive therethrough. A reversible, multiple port housing surrounds at least the valves and manifold. In a forward orientation, a plurality of upstream ports are coupled to upstream additive tanks, and a downstream port is coupled to a fuel tank. By reversing the housing, the apparatus is placed in a reverse orientation wherein the upstream port is connected to an upstream additive tank and a plurality of downstream ports are connected to downstream fuel tanks. In either orientation, an expansion apparatus may be coupled to an expansion port on the additive injection apparatus to provide a number of additional ports and flow paths. A controller is coupled with the injection apparatus to monitor and control the associated pumps, valves and meters.
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Citations
34 Claims
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1. A control system for controlling the flow of additive along a plurality of flow paths that pass through a reversible injection apparatus located intermediate at least one upstream additive tank and at least one downstream fuel tank, wherein the injection apparatus includes a meter for monitoring the flow of additive therethrough and a valve associated with each of the flow paths, said system comprising:
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means for selectively disposing the injection apparatus in one of a forward orientation, in which the injection apparatus is coupled with a plurality of additive tanks, and a reverse orientation, in which the injection apparatus is coupled with a plurality of fuel tanks; means for selecting one flow path from among the plurality of flow paths, wherein the selected flow path couples one upstream additive tank to one downstream fuel tank; means for sending at least one preliminary control signal to the injection apparatus for opening or closing at least one of the valves to permit additive flow along the selected flow path and to prevent additive flow along each remaining flow path; means for receiving additive data signals from the injection apparatus indicative of the quantity of additive flowing through the injection apparatus along the selected flow path; means for comparing the additive data signals received from the injection apparatus with a predetermined quantity of additive; and means for sending a termination control signal to the injection apparatus for closing the valve associated with the selected flow path in response to the additive data signals received from the injection apparatus. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A control system for controlling the flow of additive along a plurality of flow paths that pass through an injection apparatus located intermediate at least one upstream additive tank and at least one downstream fuel tank, wherein the injection apparatus includes a meter for monitoring the flow of additive therethrough and a valve associated with each of the flow paths, said system comprising:
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means for selecting one flow path from among the plurality of flow paths, wherein the selected flow path couples one upstream additive tank to one downstream fuel tank; means for sending at least one preliminary control signal to the injection apparatus for opening or closing at least one of the valves to permit additive flow along the selected flow path and to prevent additive flow along each remaining flow path; means for receiving additive data signals from the injection apparatus indicative of the quantity of additive flowing through the injection apparatus along the selected flow path; means for comparing the additive data signals received from the injection apparatus with a predetermined quantity of additive; means for sending a termination control signal to the injection apparatus for closing the valve associated with the selected flow path in response to the additive data signals received from the injection apparatus; and means for receiving additive data signals indicative of the temperature of the additive in one or more of the upstream additive tanks. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13)
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14. A method for controlling the flow of additive along a plurality of flow paths that pass through a reversible injection apparatus located intermediate at least one upstream additive tank and at least one downstream fuel tank, wherein the injection apparatus includes a meter for monitoring the flow of additive therethrough and a valve associated with each of the flow paths, said method comprising:
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selectively disposing the injection apparatus in one of a forward orientation, in which the injection apparatus is coupled with a plurality of additive tanks, and a reverse orientation, in which the injection apparatus is coupled with a plurality of fuel tanks; selecting one flow path from among the plurality of flow paths, wherein the selected flow path couples one upstream additive tank to one downstream fuel tank; sending at least one preliminary control signal to the injection apparatus for opening or closing at least one of the valves to permit additive flow along the selected flow path and to prevent additive flow along each remaining flow path; receiving additive data signals from the injection apparatus indicative of the quantity of additive flowing through the injection apparatus along the selected flow path; comparing the additive data signals received from the injection apparatus with a predetermined quantity of additive; and sending a termination control signal to the injection apparatus for closing the valve associated with the selected flow path in response to the additive data signals received from the injection apparatus. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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28. A method for controlling the flow of additive along a plurality of flow paths that pass through an injection apparatus located intermediate at least one upstream additive tank and at least one downstream fuel tank, wherein the injection apparatus includes a meter for monitoring the flow of additive therethrough and a valve associated with each of the flow paths, said method comprising:
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selecting one flow path from among the plurality of flow paths, wherein the selected flow path couples one upstream additive tank to one downstream fuel tank; sending at least one preliminary control signal to the injection apparatus for opening or closing at least one of the valves to permit additive flow along the selected flow path and to prevent additive flow along each remaining flow path; receiving additive data signals from the injection apparatus indicative of the quantity of additive flowing through the injection apparatus along the selected flow path; comparing the additive data signals received from the injection apparatus with a predetermined quantity of additive, wherein the predetermined quantity of additive is front end loaded into the downstream fuel tank; and sending a termination control signal to the injection apparatus for closing the valve associated with the selected flow path in response to the additive data signals received from the injection apparatus. - View Dependent Claims (29, 30)
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31. A method for controlling the flow of additive along a plurality of flow paths that pass through an injection apparatus located intermediate at least one upstream additive tank and at least one downstream fuel tank, wherein the injection apparatus includes a meter for monitoring the flow of additive therethrough and a valve associated with each of the flow paths, said method comprising:
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selecting one flow path from among the plurality of flow paths, wherein the selected flow path couples one upstream additive tank to one downstream fuel tank; spending at least one preliminary control signal to the injection apparatus for opening or in least one of the valves to permit additive flow along the selected flow path and to prevent additive flow along each remaining flow path; receiving additive data signals from the injection apparatus indicative of the quantity of additive flowing through the injection apparatus along the selected flow path; comparing the additive data signals received from the injection apparatus with a predetermined quantity of additive; sending a termination control signal to the injection apparatus for closing the valve associated with the selected flow path in response to the additive data signals received from the injection apparatus; and receiving additive data signals indicative of the temperature of the additive in one or more of the upstream additive tanks. - View Dependent Claims (32, 33, 34)
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Specification