Method and apparatus for closed loop automatic refill of liquid color

• US 9,841,010 B2
• Filed: 02/12/2015
• Issued: 12/12/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 02/14/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Stephen B. Maguire
• Original Assignee: Stephen B. Maguire
• Inventors: Maguire, Stephen B.
• Primary Examiner(s): Tietjen, Marina
• Assistant Examiner(s): Do, Hailey K
• Application Number:
  US14/620,345
• Publication Number:
  US 20150233369A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,034 Days
• Field of Search: 137386, 348 89
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 2201/1201 Rotational speed of the axis
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 23/00 Pumping installations or systems pumps characterised by combination with, or adaptation to, specific driving engines or motors F04B17/00
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 23/02 having reservoirs
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 49/02 Stopping, starting, unloading or idling control
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 49/065 and making use of computers
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 49/20 by changing the driving speed
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 21/18 closed when a rising liquid reaches a predetermined level float-actuated valves F16K31/18
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 9/04 with auxiliary non-electric power
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 9/12 characterised by the use of electric means
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/0324 With control of flow by a condition or characteristic of a fluid
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/2673 Control by filling outlet tank or receiver
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/2698 Electrical control
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/469 Sequentially filled and emptied [e.g., holding type]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/4757 Battery or electrolytic cell replenishment
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/7287 Liquid level responsive or maintaining systems
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/7313 Control of outflow from tank
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/7339 By weight of accumulated fluid
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/86027 Electric
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/86035 Combined with fluid receiver

Abstract

Method and apparatus for furnishing process machines with liquid color from a supply thereof provides a loop conduit having respective ends receiving liquid color from the supply and discharging liquid color back into the supply, pumping liquid color through the loop conduit and discharging liquid color from the loop conduit at an intermediate position into a reservoir associated with a process machine upon liquid color level in the reservoir being at a low level limit.

Claims

1. Apparatus for furnishing a plurality of process machines with liquid color from a supply thereof, comprising:

a. a loop conduit having parallel outbound and inbound segments for carrying liquid color, the loop conduit running from the supply to the process machine and back to the supply;

b. a pump for continuously circulating liquid color around the loop conduit;

c. containers connected to the process machines for receiving liquid color from the loop conduit and holding the liquid color until needed by the respective process machine;

d. a detector for gravimetrically sensing when replenishment of liquid color is needed by a container for a connected process machine;

e. valves in the loop conduit outbound segment for diverting liquid color from the loop conduit to the container connected to the process machine upon the detector sensing the need for replenishment;

f. a plurality of mounting blocks, each mounting block having the inbound and outbound segments of the loop conduit connected thereto, with the outbound segment parallel with and below the inbound segment, each mounting block having one of the valves mounted on the mounting block and connected to the outbound segment, for diverting liquid color from the outbound segment to a reservoir connected to a respective process machine;

g. the pump being connected to the detector and increasing pump speed to a maximum when additional liquid color is needed by any of the connected process machines according to their associated detector.

2. Apparatus of claim 1 further comprising solenoids connected to the plurality of mounting blocks, for actuating the valves mounted on the plurality of mounting blocks.

3. Apparatus of claim 2 wherein the valves are diverter valves.