Refilling apparatus with jet level sensor

• US 8,955,561 B2
• Filed: 10/04/2012
• Issued: 02/17/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 10/04/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Spillx LLC
• Original Assignee: Spillx LLC
• Inventors: Mitrovich, Michael J., Molz, Matt, Campbell, Matt
• Primary Examiner(s): ARNETT, NICOLAS ALLEN
• Application Number:
  US13/644,713
• Publication Number:
  US 20130098500A1
• Time in Patent Office: 866 Days
• Field of Search: 141 94- 95, 141/192, 141/198, 141/205
• US Class Current: 141/95
• CPC Class Codes: B65B 3/04 Methods of, or means for, filling the material into the containers or receptacles
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 7/362 combined with over-fill preventing means indicating or measuring liquid level G01F23/00; level control G05D9/00
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 23/14 by measurement of pressure
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 9/12 characterised by the use of electric means

Abstract

A refilling system for use in refilling a container with a fluid from a fluid source. The container having an air space above a fluid space. The fluid having a fluid level within the container. The refilling system comprising: a pilot-operated fluid flow control valve fluidly connected with a fluid level sensor via a pressure line and a bleed line.

Claims

1. A refilling system for use in refilling a container with a fluid from a fluid source, said container having an air space above a fluid space, said fluid having a fluid level within said container, said refilling system comprising:

a pilot-operated fluid flow control valve fluidly connected with a fluid level sensor via a pressure line and a bleed line, wherein;

said pilot operated fluid flow control valve comprising a housing, a main fluid flow passageway extending through said housing, a valve closure element interrupting said main fluid flow passageway and able to move from a first position where said main fluid flow passageway is interrupted to a second position where said main fluid flow passageway is not interrupted;

said pressure line in fluid communication with said control valve, said pressure line fluidly connecting with said fluid level sensor;

said bleed line in fluid communication with said control valve, said bleed line fluidly connecting with said fluid level sensor; and

said fluid level sensor comprising a pressure operated level sensor and a pilot valve,

said pressure operated level sensor fluidly connecting with said pressure line, said pressure line transmitting pressure from said control valve to said fluid level sensor, said pressure operated level sensor sensing the level of fluid in said container, wherein if the level of fluid sensed is below a predetermined level the pressure operated level sensor outputs a minimum pressure through a posterior pressure passageway to said pilot valve, wherein if the level of fluid sensed is equal to or above a predetermined level the pressure operated level sensor outputs less than a minimum pressure through a posterior pressure passageway to said pilot valve, and

said pilot valve comprising an inlet fluidly connected to said bleed line, an outlet, and an interrupt valve able to move between an open position where fluid can pass from said bleed line through said pilot valve, and a closed position where said fluid is prevented from passing through said pilot valve, said pilot valve fluidly connected with said posterior pressure passageway,

wherein responsive to less than a minimum pressure from said posterior pressure passageway said interrupt valve moves to its closed position, and wherein responsive to at least a minimum pressure from said posterior pressure passageway said interrupt valve moves to its open position,

wherein when said pilot valve is closed, the valve closure element of the control valve moves to its first position, and wherein when said pilot valve is open, the valve closure element of the control valve is able to move to its second position.

2. The refilling system of claim 1, wherein said pressure operated level sensor comprises a jet level sensor.

3. A refilling system for use in refilling a container with a fluid from a fluid source, said container having an air space above a fluid space, said fluid having a fluid level within said container, said refilling system comprising:

a pilot-operated fluid flow control valve fluidly connected with a fluid level sensor via a pressure line and a bleed line, wherein;

said pilot operated fluid flow control valve comprising a housing, a main fluid flow passageway extending through said housing, said main fluid flow passageway extending between an inlet orifice and an outlet orifice, a valve seat in said main fluid flow passageway, a first chamber defined between said inlet orifice and said outlet orifice, a piston reciprocable axially of said seat within a cylinder, said cylinder extending between a seat end and a dome end, said piston having a sealing face, said piston movable in-between a first position where said sealing face engages said valve seat thereby closing said main fluid flow passageway and a second position where said sealing face is not engaged with said valve seat and wherein said main fluid flow passageway is open, a second chamber adjacent said dome end, a vent passageway connecting said main fluid flow passageway with said second chamber, said second chamber fluidly connecting via said bleed line to said fluid level sensor;

said pressure line in fluid communication with said first chamber, said pressure line fluidly connecting with said fluid level sensor;

said bleed line in fluid communication with said second chamber, said bleed line fluidly connecting with said fluid level sensor; and

said fluid level sensor comprising a pressure operated level sensor and a pilot valve,

said pressure operated level sensor fluidly connecting with said pressure line, said pressure line transmitting pressure from said first chamber to said fluid level sensor, said pressure operated level sensor sensing the level of fluid in said container, wherein if the level of fluid sensed is below a predetermined level the pressure operated level sensor outputs a minimum pressure through a posterior pressure passageway to said pilot valve, wherein if the level of fluid sensed is equal to or above a predetermined level the pressure operated level sensor outputs less than a minimum pressure through a posterior pressure passageway to said pilot valve, and

said pilot valve comprising an inlet fluidly connected to said bleed line, an outlet, and an interrupt valve able to move between an open position where fluid can pass from said bleed line through said pilot valve, and a closed position where said fluid is prevented from passing through said pilot valve, said pilot valve fluidly connected with said posterior pressure passageway, wherein responsive to less than a minimum pressure from said posterior pressure passageway said interrupt valve moves to its closed position, and wherein responsive to at least a minimum pressure from said posterior pressure passageway said interrupt valve moves to its open position, wherein when said pilot valve is closed, the pressure in the second chamber increases and the piston moves to its first position closing said main fluid flow passageway, and wherein when said pilot valve is open, the pressure in the second chamber decreases and the piston moves to its second position opening said main fluid flow passageway.

4. The refilling system of claim 3, wherein said inlet orifice comprises a dry disconnect receptacle.

5. The refilling system of claim 3, wherein said vent passageway comprises a port through said piston.

6. The refilling system of claim 3, wherein said pressure line fluidly connects an axial pressure port defined through said pilot-operated fluid flow control valve housing with a distal pressure port defined through said fluid level sensor housing.

7. The refilling system of claim 6, wherein said distal pressure port is in fluid communication with an anterior pressure passageway.

8. The refilling system of claim 3, wherein said bleed line fluidly connects an axial bleed port defined through said pilot-operated fluid flow control valve housing with a distal bleed port defined in said fluid level sensor housing.

9. The refilling system of claim 8, wherein said distal bleed port is in fluid communication with an inlet passageway.

10. The refilling system of claim 8, wherein said axial bleed port fluidly connects with a bleed line connecting with said second chamber.

11. The refilling system of claim 3, wherein said pressure operated level sensor comprises a jet level sensor.

12. The refilling system of claim 11, wherein said jet level sensor comprises a jet nozzle spaced apart from a jet receiver, said jet receiver aligned with said jet nozzle so as to provide an output liquid pressure signal through a posterior pressure passageway to a pressure orifice.

13. The refilling system of claim 12, wherein said pressure line fluidly connects an axial pressure port defined through said pilot-operated fluid flow control valve housing and a distal pressure port defined in said fluid level sensor housing, wherein said distal pressure port is in fluid communication with an anterior pressure passageway which provides pressure to the jet nozzle.

14. The refilling system of claim 3, wherein said pilot valve comprises a diaphragm valve assembly.

15. The refilling system of claim 14, wherein said diaphragm valve assembly comprises a diaphragm valve having an underside, a stem extending from the diaphragm valve to a valve member, the valve member configured for sealing engagement of a seat, pilot valve passageway through said pilot valve, from an inlet passageway which connects with the bleed line through the seat out to an outlet passageway, valve member interrupts the bleed line, spring holds valve member in sealing engagement with seat, pressure above minimum from pressure orifice on the underside of the diaphragm overcomes spring pressure and opens diaphragm valve by pushing valve member away from seat.

16. The refilling system of claim 3, wherein said container has a top surface, wherein said fluid level sensor is mounted on the top surface of the container, and wherein said fluid level sensor extends downwards into the container.

17. A refilling system for use in refilling a container with a fluid from a fluid source, said container having an air space above a fluid space, said fluid having a fluid level within said container, said refilling system comprising:

a pilot-operated fluid flow control valve fluidly connected with a fluid level sensor via a pressure line and a bleed line, wherein;

said pilot operated fluid flow control valve comprising a housing, a main fluid flow passageway extending through said housing, said main fluid flow passageway extending between an inlet orifice and an outlet orifice, a valve seat in said main fluid flow passageway, a first chamber defined between said inlet orifice and said outlet orifice, a piston reciprocable axially of said seat within a cylinder, said cylinder extending between a seat end and a dome end, said piston having a sealing face, said piston movable in-between a first position where said sealing face engages said valve seat thereby closing said main fluid flow passageway and a second position where said sealing face is not engaged with said valve seat and wherein said main fluid flow passageway is open, a second chamber adjacent said dome end, a vent passageway connecting said main fluid flow passageway with said second chamber, said second chamber fluidly connecting via said bleed line to said fluid level sensor;

said pressure line in fluid communication with said first chamber, said pressure line fluidly connecting with said fluid level sensor, said pressure line fluidly connecting an axial pressure port defined through said pilot-operated fluid flow control valve housing with a distal pressure port defined through said fluid level sensor housing;

said bleed line in fluid communication with said second chamber, said bleed line fluidly connecting with said fluid level sensor, said bleed line fluidly connecting an axial bleed port defined through said pilot-operated fluid flow control valve housing with a distal bleed port defined in said fluid level sensor housing; and

said fluid level sensor comprising a jet level sensor and a pilot valve, said jet level sensor fluidly connecting with said pressure line, said pressure line transmitting pressure from said first chamber to said fluid level sensor, said jet level sensor sensing the level of fluid in said container, said jet level sensor comprising a jet port defined in a jet level sensor body, a jet receiver, a guide wall, and a shroud, wherein;

said jet port for directing a jet flow of liquid along a predetermined axis of jet flow, a flow space defined along said axis of jet flow, said flow space having an upper end adjacent said jet port, and a lower end adjacent said jet receiver, said jet receiver located below said jet port, and spaced apart there-from, said jet receiver aligned with the axis of jet flow and configured for receiving said jet flow from said jet port to maintain a pressurized control, said guide wall having a first end adjacent said flow space upper end, and a second end spaced apart from said flow space lower end, said shroud having at least one internal wall, said shroud extending downwards from said jet level sensor body, away from said jet port, and towards said jet receiver, said shroud terminating above said jet receiver at a shroud rim, said shroud defining an open ended deflection chamber between said body, said internal wall, said guide wall, and said shroud rim, said flow space extending through said deflection chamber, wherein as liquid is added to said container, said level rises, said jet level sensor for providing an output liquid pressure signal through a posterior pressure passageway to a pressure orifice, wherein if the level of fluid sensed is below a predetermined level the jet level sensor outputs a minimum pressure through said posterior pressure passageway, wherein when said liquid level rises to cover said shroud rim, liquid is drawn into said deflection chamber, deflecting said jet flow of liquid transversely of the axis of jet flow, away from said jet receiver, and along said guide wall, the jet level sensor outputs less than a minimum pressure through said posterior pressure passageway thereby removing the pressurized control; and

said pilot valve comprising an inlet fluidly connected to said bleed line, an outlet, and an interrupt valve able to move between an open position where fluid can pass from said bleed line through said pilot valve, and a closed position where said fluid is prevented from passing through said pilot valve, said pilot valve fluidly connected with said posterior pressure passageway, wherein responsive to less than a minimum pressure from said posterior pressure passageway said interrupt valve moves to its closed position, and wherein responsive to at least a minimum pressure from said posterior pressure passageway said interrupt valve moves to its open position, wherein when said pilot valve is closed, the pressure in the second chamber increases and the piston moves to its first position closing said main fluid flow passageway, and wherein when said pilot valve is open, the pressure in the second chamber decreases and the piston moves to its second position opening said main fluid flow passageway.

18. The refilling system of claim 17, wherein said pressure line fluidly connects an axial pressure port defined through said pilot-operated fluid flow control valve housing and a distal pressure port defined in said fluid level sensor housing, wherein said distal pressure port is in fluid communication with an anterior pressure passageway which provides pressure to the jet nozzle.

19. The refilling system of claim 17, wherein said pilot valve comprises a diaphragm valve assembly.

20. The refilling system of claim 19, wherein said diaphragm valve assembly comprises a diaphragm valve having an underside, a stem extending from the diaphragm valve to a valve member, the valve member configured for sealing engagement of a seat, pilot valve passageway through said pilot valve, from an inlet passageway which connects with the bleed line through the seat out to an outlet passageway, valve member interrupts the bleed line, spring holds valve member in sealing engagement with seat, pressure above minimum from pressure orifice on the underside of the diaphragm overcomes spring pressure and opens diaphragm valve by pushing valve member away from seat.