Liquid level control system

• US 6,837,263 B2
• Filed: 10/20/2001
• Issued: 01/04/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 10/20/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Distaview Corporation
• Original Assignee: Distaview Corporation
• Inventors: Kramer, Richard H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Walton, George L.
• Application Number:
  US10/039,861
• Publication Number:
  US 20020078995A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,172 Days
• Field of Search: 137/82, 137/386, 137/393, 137/395, 137/414, 137/893, 137/895, 732/99, 251/61.1, 251/61.2, 251/331, 251/335.2, 921/03.F, 141/198
• US Class Current: 137/414
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 11/022 comprising a deformable member
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 9/12 characterised by the use of electric means
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/7287 Liquid level responsive or maintaining systems
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/731 With control fluid connection at desired liquid level
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/7374 Flexible diaphragm valve
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/87627 Flow control means is located in aspirated fluid inlet
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/87643 With condition responsive valve

Abstract

A liquid level control system including a tank; a source of liquid in communication with the tank; a pressure fluid actuated valve for controlling the flow of liquid to the tank from the source; a pressure sensor disposed in the tank to monitor the hydrostatic pressure determined by the quantity of liquid in the tank. A source of pressure fluid is provided which is normally vented to the atmosphere. A pressure fluid amplifier is coupled to the pressure fluid actuated valve and to the source of pressure fluid. When the pressure sensor sensed an increase of pressure caused by an increase in the liquid level in the tank, the pressure fluid amplifier is effective to actuate the valve to close and militate against flowing into the tank to maintain the liquid at a predetermined level.

Claims

1. A liquid level control system comprising:

a tank;

a source of liquid in communication with said tank;

a pressure fluid actuated valve for controlling the flow of liquid to said tank from said source;

a hydrostatic pressure sensor disposed in said tank, said pressure sensor including a conduit having one end submersed in the liquid in said tank;

a source of pressure fluid; and

a pressure fluid amplifier having separate connections for each of a pressure fluid outlet coupled to the pressure fluid actuated valve for controlling the flow of liquid from said source of liquid, a first inlet coupled to said source of pressure fluid, and a second inlet in communication with an other end of the conduit of said sensor, said amplifier including a proportional sensor for providing selective communication between the source of pressure fluid and said pressure fluid actuated valve, the proportional sensor directly responsive to proportional changes in pressure within said amplifier due to one of a flow of pressure fluid in said amplifier and a level of liquid in said tank, wherein a predetermined level of liquid attained in said tank is determined by a flexibility of the proportional sensor.

2. A liquid level control system as defined in claim 1 wherein the proportional sensor is a diaphragm.

3. A liquid level control system as defined in claim 2 wherein the diaphragm of said amplifier includes two opposing surfaces.

4. A liquid level control system as defined in claim 3 wherein the pressure fluid outlet and the first inlet of said amplifier communicate with a surface of the diaphragm of said amplifier.

5. A liquid level control system as defined in claim 4 wherein the second inlet of said amplifier communicates with an opposite surface of the diaphragm of said amplifier.

6. A liquid level control system as defined in claim 5 wherein the first inlet of said amplifier includes an outlet for admitting pressure fluid into said amplifier.

7. A liquid level control system as defined in claim 6 wherein the diaphragm of said amplifier includes a metal spring.

8. A liquid level control system as defined in claim 4 wherein said amplifier includes a vent.

9. A liquid level control system as defined in claim 8 wherein said source of pressure fluid is normally in fluid communication with the vent of said amplifier through the first inlet of said amplifier.

10. A liquid level control system comprising:

a tank;

a source of liquid in communication with said tank;

a pressure fluid actuated valve for controlling the flow of liquid to said tank from said source;

a hydrostatic pressure sensor disposed in said tank, said pressure sensor including a conduit having one end submersed in the liquid in said tank;

a source of pressure fluid; and

a pressure fluid amplifier having a pressure fluid outlet coupled to the pressure fluid actuated valve for controlling the flow of liquid from said source of liquid, a first inlet coupled to said source of pressure fluid, a second inlet in communication with an other end of the conduit of said sensor, a vent, and a proportional sensor for providing selective communication between the source of pressure fluid and the vent to cause an actuation of said valve, wherein

proportional changes in a level of liquid in said tank and flow of pressure fluid in said amplifier adjacent the proportional sensor causes proportional flexing of the proportional sensor.

11. A liquid level control system as defined in claim 10 wherein said source of pressure fluid is normally in fluid communication with the vent of said amplifier through the first inlet of said amplifier.

12. A liquid level control system as defined in claim 10 wherein the proportional sensor is a diaphragm.

13. A liquid level control system as defined in claim 12 wherein the diaphragm of said amplifier includes two opposing surfaces.

14. A liquid level control system as defined in claim 13 wherein the pressure fluid outlet and the first inlet of said amplifier communicate with a surface of the diaphragm of said amplifier.

15. A liquid level control system as defined in claim 14 wherein the second inlet of said amplifier communicates with an opposite surface of the diaphragm of said amplifier.

16. A liquid level control system as defined in claim 10 wherein the first inlet of said amplifier includes an outlet for admitting pressure fluid into said amplifier.

17. A liquid level control system as defined in claim 12 wherein the diaphragm of said amplifier includes a metal spring.

18. A liquid level control system as defined in claim 10 wherein said amplifier has separate connections for each of the pressure fluid outlet, the first inlet, and the second inlet.

19. A liquid level control system comprising:

a tank;

a source of liquid in communication with said tank;

a pressure fluid actuated valve for controlling the flow of liquid to said tank from said source;

a hydrostatic pressure sensor disposed in said tank, said pressure sensor including a conduit having one end submersed in the liquid in said tank;

a source of pressure fluid; and

a pressure fluid amplifier having a pressure fluid outlet coupled to the pressure fluid actuated valve for controlling the flow of liquid from said source of liquid, a first inlet coupled to said source of pressure fluid, a second inlet in communication with an other end of the conduit of said sensor, and a proportional sensor for providing selective actuation of said valve, wherein the pressure fluid outlet and the first inlet of said amplifier communicate with a surface of the proportional sensor of said amplifier, and the second inlet of said amplifier communicates with an opposite surface of the proportional sensor of said amplifier, wherein proportional changes in a level of liquid in said tank and flow of pressure fluid in said amplifier adjacent the proportional sensor cause proportional flexing of the proportional sensor.

20. A liquid level control system as defined in claim 19 wherein the proportional sensor includes a spring disposed therein to urge said sensor towards a position to permit flow of pressure fluid through said amplifier.