Multiple chemical product eductive dispenser

• US 6,655,401 B2
• Filed: 09/25/2001
• Issued: 12/02/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 09/25/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Delaware Capital Formation Incorporated (Dover Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Hydro Systems Incorporated (Dover Corporation)
• Inventors: Sand, William F., Dalhart, Mark D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hepperle, Stephen M.
• Application Number:
  US09/962,507
• Publication Number:
  US 20030056842A1
• Time in Patent Office: 798 Days
• Field of Search: 137/599.03, 137/599.12, 137/1, 137/888, 137/889, 137/892, 137/894, 137/625.11, 137/625.16, 137/625.47
• US Class Current: 137/1
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 25/312 with Venturi elements; Details thereof
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 25/31243 Eductor or eductor-type venturi, i.e. the main flow being injected through the venturi with high speed in the form of a jet
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 35/71 Feed mechanisms with proportioning B01F35/80
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 35/712 for feeding fluids
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 35/754 characterised by the means for discharging the components from the mixer
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 35/75465 using suction, vacuum, e.g. with a pipette
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 35/831 using one or more pump or other dispensing mechanisms for feeding the flows in predetermined proportion, e.g. one of the pumps being driven by one of the flows B01F35/832 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/0318 Processes
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/86871 Plug
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/87281 System having plural inlets
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/87346 Including mixing feature
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/87595 Combining of three or more diverse fluids
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/87619 With selectively operated flow control means in inlet

Abstract

A dispenser selectively mixes one or more chemical fluids into a motive fluid such as water by using diverting motive fluid to one or more channels formed in an eductor body, at least one of the channels being an eductor. When the motive fluid passes through the eductor, a selected chemical fluid is eductively drawn into the venturi of the eductor, producing a mixed fluid having a desired total flow rate and dilution ratio. Additional dilution ratios, flow rates, and chemical fluids are selectable by diverting motive fluid to another channel or combinations of channels. Carry-over of chemical fluid between dispensing is avoided by diverting the motive fluid rather than by diverting the concentrated chemical fluid.

Claims

1. A method of mixing chemical fluids into a motive fluid without a carry-over of a previously selected chemical fluid, comprising:

coupling a first supply of a chemical fluid to a venturi of a first eductor contained in an eductor housing

coupling a second supply of a chemical fluid to a venturi of second eductor contained in said eductor housing;

selectively diverting the motive fluid to at least one of an inlet of the first eductor, to dispense a first mixture, and an inlet of the second eductor to dispense a second mixture; and

selectively and simultaneously diverting motive fluid to an inlet of a motive fluid bypass and to the inlet of the first eductor to dispense the first mixture at an increased dilution ratio.

3. The method of claim 1 including dispensing said motive fluid and the first mixture through a common outlet chamber.

2. A method of mixing chemical fluids into a motive fluid without a carry-over of a previously selected chemical fluid, comprising:

coupling a first supply of a chemical fluid to a venturi of a first eductor contained in an eductor housing

coupling a second supply of a chemical fluid to a venturi of second eductor contained in said eductor housing;

selectively diverting the motive fluid to at least one of an inlet of the first eductor, to dispense a first mixture, and an inlet of the second eductor to dispense a second mixture;

wherein the first and second supply are coupled to at least one supply of the same chemical fluid, said method including the further step of;

selectively diverting the motive fluid to at least one of the first and second eductors.

4. The method of claim 2 including selectively dispensing the first and second mixtures through discrete, separate outlets.

5. The method of claim 2 including a coupling of the motive fluid at different flow rates to at least one of said first and second eductors.

6. The method of claim 2 including diverting motive fluid simultaneously to said first and second eductors.

7. A proportioner for operably dispensing mixtures of motive fluid and chemicals, said proportioner having a plurality of eductors respectively operably connected to a plurality of respective chemical sources, said proportioner comprising:

a selector valve housing;

a common outlet chamber;

an eductor housing having an inlet end and an outlet end;

said eductor housing defining said plurality of eductors;

said eductor housing operably coupled at an inlet end to said selector valve housing and operably coupled at an opposite end to said common outlet chamber;

said plurality of eductors opening at discharge ends thereof into said common outlet chamber; and

said eductor housing separating and spacing apart said selector valve housing from said common outlet chamber with said selector valve housing and said common outlet chamber mounted on said respective inlet and opposite ends of said eductor housing.