Apparatus and method for delivering liquids

• US 6,685,054 B2
• Filed: 08/09/2001
• Issued: 02/03/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 08/09/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Sanyo Electric Company Limited (Panasonic Holdings Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Sanyo Electric Company Limited (Panasonic Holdings Corporation)
• Inventors: Kameyama, Bunichiro
• Primary Examiner(s): Mar, Michael
• Assistant Examiner(s): BUECHNER, PATRICK M
• Application Number:
  US09/924,545
• Publication Number:
  US 20020060226A1
• Time in Patent Office: 908 Days
• Field of Search: 417/44.1, 417/410.4, 418/206.5, 137/2, 137/12.5, 137/87.02, 137/87.03, 222/57, 222/63, 222/71, 222/129.1, 222/129.3, 222/129.4
• US Class Current: 222/63
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/0036 based on the timed opening of valves
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/0037 based on volumetric dosing
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/0057 Carbonators
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/0067 Cooling coil
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/0072 through a diffuser, a bubbler
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/0858 using compression systems
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/102 for one liquid component only
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/1218 modulating the opening of a valve
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/1295 Ratio defined by setting flow controllers

Abstract

A flow regulator is provided in a liquid delivery line. The flow regulator includes flow regulation a body having an inflow port through which liquids different from each other in a property such as density, viscosity, etc flow in the body, and an outflow port through which the liquids flow out from the body. A set of rotators, which are rotated within the body in respective directions opposite to each other is provided to move the liquid by given volumes along the internal wall of the body. And a drive unit for driving the set of rotators is also provided. This construction provides an apparatus which can be used for delivering a liquid, which, in delivering liquids different from each other in viscosity, a given volume of the liquid can be accurately delivered to a liquid delivery line in a continuous manner even though the viscosity of the liquids have varied.

Claims

1. A liquid delivery apparatus equipped with a liquid delivery line which can deliver liquids different from each other in a property such as density, viscosity, or the like,

wherein a flow regulation means is provided in said liquid delivery line, said flow regulation means comprising:

a body having an inflow port into which said liquid flows and an outflow port out of which said liquid flows;

rotators rotatable within the body to move said from said inflow port to said outflow port by given volumes along the internal wall of said body and to continuously deliver said liquid from said outflow port to said liquid delivery line; and

a drive unit for driving said rotators,

wherein the drive unit comprises;

a drive motor for driving said rotators; and

a control unit for controlling current to said drive motor so that said rotators rotate at a given speed, and

wherein said control unit comprises;

a memory for housing a reference voltage by which said rotators are in a stable rotational condition;

a comparing unit for comparing a difference between a derive voltage which is supplied when driving said drive motor with said reference voltage; and

a power source unit for controlling current to said drive motor based on said difference to cause said rotators to be in said stable rotational condition.

2. A liquid delivery apparatus equipped with a liquid delivery line which can deliver liquids different from each other in a property such as density, viscosity, or the like,

wherein a flow regulation means is provided in said liquid delivery line, said flow regulation means comprising:

a body having an inflow port into which said liquid flows and an outflow port out of which said liquid flows;

rotators rotatable within the body to move said from said inflow port to said outflow port by given volumes along the internal wall of said body and to continuously deliver said liquid from said outflow port to said liquid delivery line and a drive unit for driving said rotators,

wherein said drive unit comprises;

a drive motor for driving said rotators; and

a control unit for controlling current to said drive motor so that said rotators rotate at a speed corresponding to the property of said liquid.

3. The liquid delivery apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said control unit sets the current to said drive motor corresponding to a flow at a temperature condition at which said liquid is actually delivered based on the flow which is obtained when delivering said liquid under a reference temperature condition.

4. The liquid delivery apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said controller unit changes a supply voltage to said drive motor in accordance with a property of said liquid.

5. The liquid delivery apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said control unit changes an interval by which a supply voltage to the drive motor is intermittently switched to ON and OFF in accordance with a property of said liquid.

6. A liquid delivery apparatus equipped with a liquid delivery line which can deliver liquids different from each other in a property such as density, viscosity, or the like,

wherein a flow regulation means is provided in said liquid delivery line, said flow regulation means comprising:

a body having an inflow port into which said liquid flows and an outflow port out of which said liquid flows;

rotators rotatable within the body to move said from said inflow Port to said outflow port by given volumes alone the internal wall of said body and to continuously deliver said liquid from said outflow port to said liquid delivery line; and

a drive unit for driving said rotators,

wherein the drive unit comprises;

a drive motor for driving said rotators; and

a control unit for controlling current to said drive motor so that said rotators rotate at a given speed, and

wherein said control unit comprises a brake for braking said drive motor in accordance with a load exceeding the control range of said drive motor is bestowed to said rotators through said liquid.

7. The liquid delivery apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said brake generates a braking force based on a torque characteristic of said drive motor when a load exceeding the control range of said drive motor is bestowed to said rotators through said liquid.

8. The liquid delivery apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said brake comprises a discharge circuit which discharges electromotive force which is generated based on the difference between the drive quantity of said drive motor and the rotational quantity of said rotators.

9. The liquid delivery apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said control unit sets said brake to ON after a lapse of a given time from the drive start of said drive motor.

10. The liquid delivery apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said brake comprises a switching circuit by which said discharge circuit is switched to OFF when the current to direct current motor as said drive motor is set to ON, and said discharge circuit is switched to ON when the current to said direct current motor is set to OFF.

11. The liquid delivery apparatus according to claim 10, wherein said switching circuit switches said discharge circuit to ON and OFF based on the duty ratio of a pulse signal input from a pulse width modulation circuit (PWM).

12. A liquid delivery apparatus equipped with a liquid delivery line which can deliver liquids different from each other in a property such as density, viscosity, or the like,

wherein a flow regulation means is provided in said liquid delivery line, said flow regulation means comprising:

a body having an inflow port into which said liquid flows and an outflow port out of which said liquid flows;

rotators rotatable within the body to move said from said inflow port to said outflow port by given volumes along the internal wall of said body and to continuously deliver said liquid from said outflow port to said liquid delivery line; and

a drive unit for driving said rotators,

wherein said drive unit flows a pressurized liquid at a given volume from said outflow port based on the rotational drive of said liquid rotators.

15. The liquid delivery apparatus according to claim 12, wherein said liquid delivery line comprises:

a first liquid delivery line for delivering a liquid raw material which is mixed with diluting water as another liquid; and

a second liquid delivery line for delivering said diluting water which is mixed said liquid raw material.

16. The liquid delivery apparatus according to claim 15, wherein said first liquid delivery line comprises said flow regulating means for delivering said liquid raw material.

17. The liquid delivery apparatus according to claim 12, wherein said drive unit comprises;

a drive motor for driving said rotators; and

a control unit for controlling the delivery of said pressurized liquid so that the pressure of said inflow port does not become a negative pressure.

18. The liquid delivery apparatus according to claim 17, wherein said control unit comprises at least;

a pressure detector for outputting a pressure detection signal in accordance with the pressure of said pressurized liquid of said inflow port; and

a pressurized level regulator for enlarging said pressurizing level of said pressurized liquid when the pressure detection signal indicating a negative pressure of said inflow port is input.

19. The liquid delivery apparatus according to claim 17, wherein said control unit comprises a memory for housing the measurement value of flow and a reference pressure detection signal in accordance with the viscosity of said pressurized liquid at a reference temperature;

and carries out flow correction for the flow of said reference temperature by comparing a pressure detection signal at the delivery of said pressurized liquid with said reference pressure detection signal.

20. A fluid delivery system as claimed in claim 19 further including,

a fluid flow meter measuring the flow rate of said second fluid,

said feed control unit being responsive to the measured flow rate of said second fluid to control said constant volume flow regulator.

21. The liquid delivery apparatus according to claim 17, wherein said control unit comprises at least;

a pressure detector for outputting a pressure detection signal in accordance with the pressure of said pressurized liquid of said inflow port;

a memory for housing a pressure detection signal which indicates the negative pressure of said inflow port; and

a pressurizing level regulator for enlarging said pressurizing level of said pressurized liquid based on said pressure detection signal when a later liquid delivery motion is executed.

22. The liquid delivery apparatus according to claim 21, wherein said

pressurizing level regulator comprises;

a carbon dioxide feeder for feeding carbon dioxide to a liquid storage part; and

a carbon dioxide regulator for regulating the feed level of carbon dioxide to said liquid storage part so as to be at a desired pressurizing level based on said pressure detection signal.

23. The liquid delivery apparatus according to claim 21, wherein said pressurizing level regulator comprises a motor controller for controlling the drive of said drive motor which rotationally drives said rotators based on said pressure detection signal.

24. The liquid delivery apparatus according to claim 12, wherein said drive unit comprises;

a motor for driving said rotators; and

a control unit for setting the current through said drive motor so as to continuously deliver said pressurized liquid at a desired flow from the start of delivery.

25. The liquid delivery apparatus according to claim 24, wherein said control unit comprises;

a flow meter for outputting a flow signal corresponding to a flow of another liquid which is mixed with said pressurized liquid;

a pulse encoder for generating a output pulse based on the delivery of said pressurized liquid provided by the drive motor which rotationally drives said rotators;

an input unit for inputting the delivery level of said pressurized liquid which was delivered by driving said rotators for a time;

an operation unit for operating the flow of said pressurized liquid at a unit time based on said delivery level and said output pulse; and

a setting unit for setting the drive level of said drive motor based on the flow of said pressurized liquid and said flow signal.

26. The liquid delivery apparatus according to claim 25, wherein said setting unit sets said drive level of said drive motor based on the viscosity of said pressurized liquid obtained by driving said drive motor at a plural number of drive levels, or by the flow of said pressurized liquid over a unit time and known viscosity for said pressurized liquid.

27. The liquid delivery apparatus according to claim 25, wherein said setting unit sets said drive level of said drive motor based on the dilution ratio of said another liquid and said pressurized liquid.

28. The liquid delivery apparatus according to claim 25, wherein said setting unit sets said drive level of said drive motor so that the dilution ratio with said another liquid from the start of delivery is maintained in a later delivery motion when the flow of said another liquid fluctuates.

29. The liquid delivery apparatus according to claim 25, wherein said setting unit sets said drive level of said drive motor so that the dilution ratio with another liquid from the start of delivery is maintained in a later delivery motion when the flow of said pressurized liquid fluctuates.

30. The liquid delivery apparatus according to claim 25, wherein said setting unit comprises an alarm display unit for outputting a delivery abnormal information when the flow fluctuation level of said pressurized liquid fluctuates and said another liquid exceeded a threshold value which is set in accordance with a degree of the fluctuation level.

31. The liquid delivery apparatus according to claim 25, wherein said setting unit corrects said drive levels of said drive motor based on the dilution ratio with said another liquid and a flow signal in accordance with a delivery motion of another liquid delivered at a unit time.

32. The liquid delivery apparatus according to claim 25, wherein said setting unit corrects said drive levels of said drive motor based on a correction value in accordance with the delivery level of said pressurized liquid.

33. The liquid delivery apparatus according to claim 25, wherein said control unit detects the liquid level insufficiency in said body based on a change of electric current which runs in said drive motor.

13. The liquid delivery apparatus according to claim wherein said liquid delivery line comprises a valve means for closing the delivery of said pressurized liquid.

14. The liquid delivery apparatus according to claim 13, wherein said valve means opens before said drive unit is driven, and closed after the driving of said drive unit is stopped.