Device for metering fluids

• US 8,251,081 B2
• Filed: 02/19/2007
• Issued: 08/28/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 02/19/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Enraf B. V.
• Original Assignee: Enraf B. V.
• Inventors: Matthews, John H., Hicks, Dale
• Primary Examiner(s): LEE, KEVIN L
• Application Number:
  US12/527,856
• Publication Number:
  US 20100018583A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,017 Days
• Field of Search: 137/614.2, 137/613, 137/544, 137/1, 73/11.6, 73/13.6
• US Class Current: 137/1
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 13/006 measuring volume in function of time
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 25/17 using calibrated reservoirs
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/0318 Processes
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/794 With means for separating solid material from the fluid
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/87917 Flow path with serial valves and/or closures
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/88054 Direct response normally closed valve limits direction of flow

Abstract

A device for metering fluids includes a block provided with a channel connecting a fluid inlet in fluid communication with a fluid outlet. The device also includes a filter assembly within the channel and a fluid meter within the channel at a position downstream from the filter assembly. The device further includes a check valve assembly within the channel at a position downstream from the fluid meter. In addition, the device includes a calibration valve assembly within a channel section of the channel between the fluid outlet and the fluid meter. The calibration valve assembly is operable to move between a first position allowing passage of fluid from the fluid meter towards the fluid outlet and a second position blocking the passage of fluid from the fluid meter towards the fluid outlet.

Claims

1. A device comprising:

a block having a channel connecting a fluid inlet in fluid communication with a fluid outlet;

a filter assembly within the channel;

a fluid meter within the channel at a position downstream from the filter assembly;

a check valve assembly within the channel at a position downstream from the fluid meter; and

a calibration valve assembly within a channel section of the channel between the fluid outlet and the fluid meter, the calibration valve assembly operable to move between a first position allowing passage of fluid from the fluid meter towards the fluid outlet and a second position blocking the passage of fluid from the fluid meter towards the fluid outlet;

wherein the calibration valve assembly, when in the second position, is in fluid connection with a calibration channel present within the block.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the calibration valve assembly comprises a valve spindle rotatably mounted within the channel, the valve spindle having a bore operable to be brought in fluid communication with (i) the fluid outlet or (ii) the calibration channel upon rotating the valve spindle between the first and second positions.

3. The device according to claim 2, wherein outer dimensions of the valve spindle conform to inner dimensions of the channel section.

4. The device according to claim 2, wherein a valve stem is mounted within the bore of the valve spindle and operable to set a flow rate through the bore.

5. The device according to claim 4, wherein the valve stem has an outer screw thread operable to engage an inner screw thread on an inner circumferential surface of the bore.

6. The device according to claim 1, wherein the calibration valve assembly is positioned between the check valve assembly and the fluid outlet.

7. The device according to claim 1, wherein the block comprises a manifold.

8. The device of claim 1, further comprising:

an on/off solenoid valve within the channel downstream from the filter assembly;

wherein the fluid meter is downstream from the on/off solenoid valve.

9. An apparatus comprising:

a channel connecting a fluid inlet in fluid communication with a fluid outlet;

a fluid meter operable to meter a fluid flowing through the channel; and

a calibration valve operable to move between a first position allowing passage of the fluid from the fluid meter towards the fluid outlet and a second position blocking the passage of the fluid from the fluid meter towards the fluid outlet;

wherein the calibration valve, when in the second position, is in fluid connection with a calibration channel.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, further comprising:

a filter located between the fluid inlet and the fluid meter; and

a check valve located between the fluid meter and the fluid outlet.

11. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the calibration valve comprises a valve spindle rotatably mounted within the channel, the valve spindle comprising a bore operable to be brought into fluid communication with (i) the fluid outlet or (ii) the calibration channel depending upon whether the calibration valve is in the first or second position.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein outer dimensions of the valve spindle conform to inner dimensions of a channel section where the valve spindle is rotatably mounted within the channel.

13. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein a valve stem is mounted within the bore of the valve spindle and is operable to set a flow rate through the bore.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the valve stem comprises an outer screw thread operable to engage an inner screw thread on an inner circumferential surface of the bore.

15. The apparatus of claim 9, further comprising:

an on/off solenoid valve configured to control flow of the fluid through the channel to the fluid meter.

16. A method comprising:

receiving a fluid at a fluid inlet of a fluid meter assembly, the fluid meter assembly comprising a channel through which the fluid flows;

metering the fluid flowing through the channel using a fluid meter;

moving a calibration valve within the channel to a first or second position;

when the calibration valve is in the first position, allowing passage of the fluid from the fluid meter towards a fluid outlet of the fluid meter assembly; and

when the calibration valve is in the second position, blocking the passage of the fluid from the fluid meter towards the fluid outlet and allowing passage of the fluid from the fluid meter towards at least one of;

a calibration channel and a calibration outlet of the fluid meter assembly.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein moving the calibration valve comprises rotating a valve spindle mounted within the channel, the valve spindle comprising a bore operable to be brought into fluid communication with (i) the fluid outlet or (ii) the calibration channel or the calibration outlet depending upon whether the calibration valve is in the first or second position.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising:

controlling a flow rate of the fluid through the bore using a valve stem that is mounted within the bore, the valve stem comprising an outer screw thread that engages an inner screw thread on an inner circumferential surface of the bore.

19. The method of claim 16, further comprising:

filtering the fluid prior to metering the fluid; and

passing the fluid through a check valve within the channel after metering the fluid.

20. The method of claim 16, further comprising:

controlling flow of the fluid through the channel to the fluid meter using an on/off solenoid valve.