US 4,064,891 A · Plural fluid proportioning apparatus · patentgrep

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Abstract

Apparatus is provided for admixing a relatively small quantity of one fluid with a larger quantity of another fluid in a proportion which remains relatively constant over a wide range of demand flow rates for the mixed fluids. The apparatus comprises a body having an inlet cavity and an outlet chamber in fluid communication therewith through an annular port. A disc-like valving member is mounted for displacement vertically in the chamber into elevations which depend on the rate at which a primary fluid flows through the annular port. A reservoir for a secondary fluid has an upwardly-open orifice and is located interiorly of the annular port. The valving member has a central tapered plug which depends into the reservoir-orifice, and the valving member is weighted so as to be biased downwardly by a constant pressure into a normally-closed position blocking fluid flow through the annular port. The elevation of the valving member in the chamber locates the plug relative to the orifice to vary the effective flow area of the orifice to insure the mixing of a metered amount of the secondary fluid with the primary fluid throughout a wide range of demand flow rates. A balanced pressure bypass valve which is particularly useful in conjunction with the above apparatus in a firefighting system is also disclosed.

Claims29

Dependent claims

Apparatus for mixing a primary fluid with a secondary fluid in a predetermined proportion;

comprising:
a body having an inlet and a cavity in fluid communication with said inlet, said body also having an outlet and a chamber in fluid communication with said outlet;
primary seat means defining a primary port providing fluid communication between said cavity and said chamber;
valving means extending across said primary port and mounted in said chamber for movement between a closed position blocking fluid communication through said port from said cavity and to said chamber and a variable open position spaced from said port affording fluid communication through said port so that the primary fluid may be flowed through said body from said inlet to said outlet;
means applying a substantially constant force to said valving means in the direction of said cavity for biasing the same into said flow blocking position;
means providing a reservoir in said cavity for containing a secondary fluid to be proportioned with said primary fluid in said chamber;
means associated with said reservoir and providing a secondary port opening into said chamber interiorly of said primary port;
plug means carried by said valving means and disposed within said secondary port for cooperating therewith to meter the flow of said secondary fluid from said reservoir and into said chamber in relation to the spacing of said valving means from said primary port as determined by the flow of primary fluid;
conduit means for flowing said secondary fluid into said reservoir and through said secondary port for mixing with said primary fluid in said chamber;
means for supplying said secondary fluid under pressure;
control valve means associated with said supply means and said conduit means to said reservoir for regulating the pressure of said secondary fluid in said reservoir;
and
means for actuating said control valve means in response to changes in pressure to said primary fluid to increase said secondary fluid pressure in response to an increase in the pressure of said primary fluid and to decrease said secondary fluid pressure in response to a decrease in the pressure of said primary fluid;
whereby primary fluid flowing through the apparatus displaces the valving means into a predetermined position corresponding to the rate of primary fluid flow for positioning the plug means at a predetermined position with respect to the secondary port, thereby accurately metering the amount of secondary fluid mixed with primary fluid in the chamber.

11 more elements

Apparatus for mixing a primary fluid with a secondary fluid in a predetermined proportion;

comprising:
a body having an inlet and a cavity in fluid communication with said inlet, said body also having an outlet and a chamber overlying said cavity and in fluid communication with said outlet;
said inlet opening laterally into said cavity and said outlet opening laterally into said chamber so that the primary fluid flows through the primary port in a direction transverse to its flow path into the body;
primary seat means defining a primary port providing fluid communication between said cavity and said chamber;
valving means having a planar surface confronting said primary seat means and extending across said primary port and mounted in said chamber for movement between a closed position blocking fluid communication through said port from said cavity and to said chamber and a variable open position spaced from said port affording fluid communication through said port so that the primary fluid may be flowed through said body from said inlet to said outlet;
means including a weight of a predetermined magnitude carried by said valving means applying a substantially constant force to said valving means in the direction of said cavity for urging the same into said flow blocking position by gravity;
means providing a reservoir in said cavity for containing a secondary fluid to be proportioned with said primary fluid in said chamber;
means associated with said reservoir and providing a secondary port opening into said chamber interiorly of said primary port;
said primary port having an annular configuration about an axis extending in the direction of movement of said valving means and said secondary port being located coaxially of said primary port;
plate means disposed between said cavity and said chamber transverse to the path of movement of said valving means, said plate means having spaced confronting edges providing said primary port with said annular shape and having another edge defining said secondary port with a circular shape;
plug means carried by said valving means and disposed within said secondary port for cooperating therewith to meter the flow of said secondary fluid from said reservoir and into said chamber in relation to the spacing of said valving means from said primary port as determined by the flow of primary fluid;
said plug having a tapered peripheral surface about said axis depending below the level of said planar surface into said secondary port and said secondary port having a shape corresponding to said surface for cooperating therewith to define an annular flow passage having a variable area dependent on the spacing of said valving means from its port with the area increasing as the spacing increases between the valving means and its seat;
and
conduit means for flowing said secondary fluid into said reservoir and through said secondary port for mixing with said primary fluid in said chamber;
whereby primary fluid flowing through the apparatus displaces the valving means into a predetermined position corresponding to the rate of primary fluid flow for positioning the plug means at a predetermined position with respect to the secondary port, thereby accurately metering the amount of secondary fluid mixed with primary fluid in the chamber.

12 more elements

Apparatus for mixing a primary fluid with a secondary fluid in a predetermined proportion;

comprising:
a body having an inlet and a cavity in fluid communication with said inlet, said body also having an outlet and a chamber in fluid communication with said outlet;
primary seat means defining a primary port providing fluid communication between said cavity and said chamber;
valving means extending across said primary port and mounted in said chamber for movement between a closed position blocking fluid communication through said port from said cavity and to said chamber and a variable open position spaced from said port affording fluid communication through said port so that the primary fluid may be flowed through said body from said inlet to said outlet;
means applying a substantially constant force to said valving means in the direction of said cavity for urging the same into said flow blocking position;
means providing a reservoir in said cavity for containing a secondary fluid to be proportional with said primary fluid in said chamber;
means associated with said reservoir and providing a secondary port opening into said chamber interiorly of said primary port;
plug means carried by said valving means and disposed within said secondary port for cooperating therewith to meter the flow of said secondary fluid from said reservoir and into said chamber in relation to the spacing of said valving means from said primary port as determined by the flow of primary fluid;
conduit means for flowing said secondary fluid into said reservoir and through said secondary port for mixing with said primary fluid in said chamber;
whereby primary fluid flowing through the apparatus displaces the valving means into a predetermined position corresponding to the rate of primary fluid flow for positioning the plug means at a predetermined position with respect to the secondary port, thereby accurately metering the amount of secondary fluid mixed with primary fluid in the chamber;
control valve means associated with said supply means and said conduit means to said reservoir for regulating the pressure of said secondary fluid in said reservoir;
and
means for actuating said control valve means in response to changes in pressure of said primary fluid to increase said secondary fluid pressure in response to an increase in the pressure of said primary fluid and to decrease said secondary fluid pressure in response to a decrease in the pressure of said primary fluid.

10 more elements

Apparatus for mixing a primary fluid with a secondary fluid in a predetermined proportion;

comprising:
a body having an inlet and a cavity in fluid communication with said inlet, said body also having an outlet and a chamber in fluid communication with said outlet;
primary seat means defining a primary port providing fluid communication between said cavity and said chamber;
valving means extending across said primary port and mounted in said chamber for movement between a closed position blocking fluid communication through said port from said cavity and to said chamber and a variable open position spaced from said port affording fluid communication through said port so that the primary fluid may be flowed through said body from said inlet to said outlet;
means applying a force to said valving means in the direction of said cavity for urging the same into said closed position;
means providing a reservoir in said cavity for containing a secondary fluid to be proportioned with said primary fluid in said chamber;
means associated with said reservoir and providing a secondary port opening into said chamber interiorly of said primary port;
plug means carried by said valving means and disposed within said secondary port for cooperating therewith to meter the flow of said secondary fluid from said reservoir and into said chamber in relation to the spacing of said valving means from said primary port as determined by the flow of primary fluid;
conduit means for flowing said secondary fluid into said reservoir and through said secondary port for mixing with said primary fluid in said chamber;
whereby primary fluid flowing through the apparatus displaces the valving means into a predetermined position corresponding to the rate of primary fluid flow for positioning the plug means at a predetermined position with respect to the secondary port, thereby accurately metering the amount of secondary fluid mixed with primary fluid in the chamber;
first bypass port means in said valving member establishing fluid communication between said inlet and said outlet for said primary fluid when said valving means is in a closed position and second bypass port means establishing fluid communication between said secondary fluid reservoir and said chamber, said first port means being of a greater cross sectional area than said second bypass port means and said first and second bypass ports being of a predetermined relative cross sectional area to provide flow therethrough in relation to the predetermined ratio of said fluids mixed in said chamber.

8 more elements

Apparatus for mixing a primary fluid with a secondary fluid in a predetermined proportion;

comprising:
a body having an inlet and a cavity in fluid communication with said inlet, said body also having an outlet and a chamber in fluid communication with said outlet;
said inlet opening laterally into said cavity and said outlet opening laterally into said chamber so that the primary fluid flows through the primary port in a direction transverse to its flow path into the body;
primary seat means defining a primary port providing fluid communication between said cavity and said chamber;
said primary port having an annular configuration about an axis extending in the direction of movement of said valving means and said secondary port being located coaxially of said primary port;
valving means extending across said primary port and mounted in said chamber for movement between a closed position blocking fluid communication through said port from said cavity and to said chamber and a variable open position spaced from said port affording fluid communication through said port so that the primary fluid may be flowed through said body from said inlet to said outlet;
means applying a force to said valving means in the direction of said cavity for urging the same into said closed position;
said chamber overlying said cavity and said force applying means including a weight of a predetermined magnitude carried by said valving means to seat said valving means against its primary seat means by gravity;
means providing a reservoir in said cavity for containing a secondary fluid to be proportional with said primary fluid in said chamber;
means associated with said reservoir and providing a secondary port opening into said chamber interiorly of said primary port;
plug means carried by said valving means and disposed within said secondary port for cooperating therewith to meter the flow of said secondary fluid from said reservoir and into said chamber in relation to the spacing of said valving means from said primary port as determined by the flow of primary fluid;
conduit means for flowing said secondary fluid into said reservoir and through said secondary port for mixing with said primary fluid in said chamber;
whereby primary fluid flowing through the apparatus displaces the valving means into a predetermined position corresponding to the rate of primary fluid flow for positioning the plug means at a predetermined position with respect to the secondary port, thereby accurately metering the amount of secondary fluid mixed with primary fluid in the chamber.

10 more elements

Apparatus for mixing a primary fluid with a secondary fluid in a predetermined proportion;

comprising:
a body having an inlet and a cavity in fluid communication with said inlet, said body also having an outlet and a chamber in fluid communication with said outlet;
primary seat means defining a primary port providing fluid communication between said cavity and said chamber;
valving means extending across said primary port and mounted in said chamber for movement between a closed position blocking fluid communication through said port from said cavity and to said chamber and a variable open position spaced from said port affording fluid communication through said port so that the primary fluid may be flowed through said body from said inlet to said outlet;
said valving means having one dimension in its path of movement and another dimension transverse to its path of movement, said one dimension being less than the other, and including means constraining said valving means for movement in a predetermined path relative to said primary port while preventing said valving means from tilting as it moves;
said constraining means including surface means in said chamber surrounding the periphery of said valving means for slidably receiving the same, a stem extending in the path of movement of said valving means, and bearing means spaced from said surface means for slidably receiving said stem;
means applying a force to said valving means in the direction of said cavity for urging the same into said closed position;
means providing a reservoir in said cavity for containing a secondary fluid to be proportioned with said primary fluid in said chamber;
means associated with said reservoir and providing a secondary port opening into said chamber interiorily of said primary port;
plug means carried by said valving means and disposed within said secondary port for cooperating therewith to meter the flow of said secondary fluid from said reservoir and into said chamber in relation to the spacing of said valving means from said primary port as determined by the flow of primary fluid;
conduit means for flowing said secondary fluid into said reservoir and through said secondary port for mixing with said primary fluid in said chamber;
whereby primary fluid flowing through the apparatus displaces the valving means into a predetermined position corresponding to the rate of primary fluid flow for positioning the plug means at a predetermined position with respect to the secondary port, thereby accurately metering the amount of secondary fluid mixed with primary fluid in the chamber.

9 more elements

Apparatus for mixing a primary fluid with a secondary fluid in a predetermined proportion;

comprising:
a body having an inlet and a cavity in fluid communication with said inlet, said body also having an outlet and a chamber in fluid communication with said outlet;
primary seat means defining a primary port providing fluid communication between said cavity and said chamber;
valving means extending across said primary port and mounted in said chamber for movement between a closed position blocking fluid communication through said port from said cavity and to said chamber and a variable open position spaced from said port affording fluid communication through said port so that the primary fluid may be flowed through said body from said inlet to said outlet;
said body having a wall extending transversely to the path of movement of the valving means a spaced distance from said primary port means and abutment surface means disposed in the path of movement of said valving means for engaging said valving means to limit movement thereof away from said primary port and to define a space between said valving means and said wall when said valving means is in its outer limit position, and including at least one fluid passage in said valving means to afford fluid communication between said cavity and said space for controlling the pressure differential on opposite sides of said valving means to dampen movement of said valving means;
means applying a force to said valving means in the direction of said cavity for urging the same into said closed position;
means providing a reservoir in said cavity for containing a secondary fluid to be proportioned with said primary fluid in said chamber;
means associated with said reservoir and providing a secondary port opening into said chamber interiorly of said primary port;
plug means carried by said valving means and disposed within said secondary port for cooperating therewith to meter the flow of said secondary fluid from said reservoir and into said chamber in relation to the spacing of said valving means from said primary port as determined by the flow of primary fluid;
conduit means for flowing said secondary fluid into said reservoir and through said secondary port for mixing with said primary fluid in said chamber;
whereby primary fluid flowing through the apparatus displaces the valving means into a predetermined position corresponding to the rate of primary fluid flow for positioning the plug means at a predetermined position with respect to the secondary port, thereby accurately metering the amount of secondary fluid mixed with primary fluid in the chamber.

8 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.