System for accurately weighing solids and control mechanism for same
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A system for accurately weighing a mass of material, comprising:
- a) a closed chamber (20) including a chamber gas inlet (22) and a gas outlet (24);
b) an inert gas supply under positive pressure connected to the gas inlet (22);
c) a scale (30) disposed in the closed chamber (20) ; and
d) a vacuum powered pressure regulator (100) operatively connected to the gas outlet (24) to maintain a predetermined pressure level within the closed chamber (22) and to substantially inhibit pressure fluctuations within the closed chamber (22), wherein the vacuum powered pressure regulator (100) comprises;
a container including a compartment (110) partially filled with a liquid (111) so as to define a head space above the liquid (111);
a vacuum supply in fluid communication with the head space;
a first dip tube (117) having one end extending into the liquid (111) and an opposite end operatively connected with the gas outlet (24); and
a second dip tube (122) having one end extending into the liquid (111) and an opposite end operatively connected to a container vent.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A system for accurately weighing a mass of material, including a closed chamber (20) having a gas inlet (22) and a gas outlet (24). A scale (30) is disposed in the closed chamber (20). An inert gas supply, under positive pressure, is connected to the gas inlet (22) and a vacuum powered pressure regulator (100) is connected to the gas outlet (24) to maintain a predetermined pressure level within the closed chamber (20) and to substantially inhibit pressure fluctuations within the chamber (20) that may affect accuracy of the scale (30).
-
Citations
16 Claims
-
1. A system for accurately weighing a mass of material, comprising:
-
a) a closed chamber (20) including a chamber gas inlet (22) and a gas outlet (24); b) an inert gas supply under positive pressure connected to the gas inlet (22); c) a scale (30) disposed in the closed chamber (20) ; and d) a vacuum powered pressure regulator (100) operatively connected to the gas outlet (24) to maintain a predetermined pressure level within the closed chamber (22) and to substantially inhibit pressure fluctuations within the closed chamber (22), wherein the vacuum powered pressure regulator (100) comprises; a container including a compartment (110) partially filled with a liquid (111) so as to define a head space above the liquid (111); a vacuum supply in fluid communication with the head space; a first dip tube (117) having one end extending into the liquid (111) and an opposite end operatively connected with the gas outlet (24); and a second dip tube (122) having one end extending into the liquid (111) and an opposite end operatively connected to a container vent. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
-
-
7. A process for accurately weighing and dispensing a mass of material, comprising the steps of:
-
i) providing a closed chamber (20) including a scale (30) disposed therein and a receptacle (40) operatively connected to the scale (30); ii) adding a mass of material to the receptacle (40) from a material supply line (29) that is disposed above and physically unconnected from the receptacle (40); iii) controlling pressure within the closed chamber (20) through operation of a vacuum powered pressure regulator (100) connected to the closed chamber (20); and iv) dispensing the mass of material from the receptacle (40) via a dispensing conduit (50) disposed below and physically unconnected from the receptacle (40); wherein said vacuum powered pressure regulator (100) comprises; a) a compartment (110) partially filled with a liquid (111) so as to define a head space above the liquid (111); b) a vacuum port (132) in fluid communication with the head space, so that an environmental pressure of the head space is negative; c) a vent line (120,121,122) for regulating pressure in the head space, the vent line (122) adjustably extending into the liquid (111); d) a process line (115,116,117) including a first end connected to the closed chamber (20), and an opposing second end adjustably extending into the liquid (111). - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
-
-
13. A process for accurately weighing a mass of material, comprising the steps of:
-
i) providing a closed chamber (20) including a scale (30) disposed therein and a receptacle (40) operatively connected to the scale (30); ii) adding a mass of material to the receptacle (40) from a material supply line (29) that is disposed above and physically unconnected from the receptacle (40); iii) continuously sweeping the closed chamber (20) by introducing an inert gas under positive pressure into the closed chamber (20) through a gas inlet (22); iv) continuously exhausting the inert gas from the closed chamber (20) through a gas outlet (24); and v) controlling a pressure level within the closed chamber (20), when continuously exhausting the inert gas, to within about 0.125 kPa. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16)
-
Specification