Empty product detector

• US 5,986,554 A
• Filed: 02/17/1998
• Issued: 11/16/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 02/17/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Ecolab USA Incorporated (Ecolab, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Ecolab, Inc.
• Inventors: Toetchinger, Mark, Monsrud, Lee J., Decker, Jim, Furber, John, Keppers, Roger
• Primary Examiner(s): Hofsass, Jeffery A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): TRIEU, VAN THANH
• Application Number:
  US09/024,410
• Time in Patent Office: 637 Days
• Field of Search: 340/618, 340/623, 340/624, 340/625, 200/61.04, 200/61.2, 200/230, 73/305, 73/307, 73/309, 73/313
• US Class Current: 340/623
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 53/04 Draining
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 23/683 using electromechanically actuated indicating means

Abstract

The alarm mechanism of the invention signals the absence of a liquid from a source of aqueous liquid. The alarm mechanism comprises an alarm body having an inlet port and an outlet port; the inlet port in liquid communication with a source of liquid, the outlet port in liquid communication with a use locus. The alarm mechanism additionally comprises a float chamber placed in liquid parallel communication with the inlet port and the outlet port. The float chamber containing a float operably connected to an alarm. The float, when a chamber is filled with fluid, disables the switch from generating a signal. The float, as the chamber is emptied of liquid, reaches a position and is detected energizing the switch to send a "low or empty product" signal. The apparatus operates by passing liquid through the body. As liquid in the source of liquid is depleted and is no longer available for passage through the body, the body becomes emptied of liquid as the source of pressure removes liquid from the body and particularly from the chamber causing the float to reach a position generating a signal.

Claims

1. An alarm apparatus that can signal an absence of liquid quickly and reliably, the alarm comprising:

(a) a monolithic alarm body;

(b) an outlet formed in the monolithic alarm body in fluid communication with a pump;

(c) an inlet port formed in the monolithic alarm body in liquid communication with a source of liquid, the inlet port in liquid communication with the outlet through a liquid path formed in the body; and

(d) a float chamber formed in the monolithic alarm body, having a float operably connected to a means to signal the absence of the liquid, the float chamber in parallel liquid communication with the liquid path;

wherein under the condition of the absence of liquid at the inlet port, the pump draws liquid from the float chamber and the liquid path causing the float to move to a position signaling the absence of liquid in the alarm body.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the float and float chamber are cylindrical and a clearance between the float and the float chamber is about 2 millimeters.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the liquid path and the passages formed in the body have a diameter of about 1.6 to 6 millimeters.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the means to signal the absence of the liquid comprises an electric switch.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the liquid flows through the outlet at a rate of about 50 to 150 mL-min^-1.

6. A dispenser comprising a source of an aqueous concentrate or use solution, a pump, a use locus, and an alarm apparatus that can signal an absence of liquid quickly and reliably, the alarm comprising:

(a) a monolithic alarm body;

(b) an outlet formed in the monolithic alarm body in fluid communication with a pump;

(c) an inlet port formed in the monolithic alarm body in liquid communication with a source of liquid, the inlet port in liquid communication with the outlet through a liquid path formed in the body; and

(d) a float chamber formed in the monolithic alarm body, having a float operably connected to a means to signal the absence of the liquid, the float chamber in parallel liquid communication with the liquid path;

wherein under the condition of the absence of liquid at the inlet port, the pump draws liquid from the float chamber and the liquid path causing the float to move to a position signaling the absence of liquid in the alarm body.

7. The dispenser of claim 6 wherein the outlet of the pump is in liquid communication with the inlet to the alarm apparatus.