US 4,148,334 A · Liquid level control sytem

Abstract

A flow regulator is disclosed for controlling liquid flow, for example, from a supply source to a receiving tank according to the liquid level in the tank. Specifically, a fluid interaction device communicating with the receiving tank causes a fluid pressure signal to be developed in response to departure of the liquid in the tank from a predetermined level. A differential pressure responsive valve adjusts liquid flow from the supply source to the receiving tank in response to the fluid pressure signal. Several embodiments and other features including a bypass for enhancing stable flow and a preferred valve structure are disclosed. A beverage dispensing system incorporating the aforesaid flow regulator is also disclosed. A cold carbonated liquid is continually circulated past dispensers from a pressurized chill tank having a carbon dioxide atmosphere. The flow regulator admits further liquid to the system from a supply source whenever liquid is tapped from the system by the dispensers.

Claims9

Dependent claims

A liquid level sensing system comprising:

reservoir means having an inlet and an outlet and adapted for receiving a quantity of liquid therein;
flow control means including a pressure responsive element for regulating flow at at least one of said inlet and outlet of said reservoir means according to a sensed pressure condition;
and fluid amplifier means having serially aligned inlet, interaction and outlet zones comprising an inlet flow channel positioned above the desired liquid sensing level in said reservoir with the terminus of said flow channel approximately contiguous said sensing level and oriented for directing a liquid flow transversely to the surface of the liquid in said reservoir means and further comprising outlet means separated from said inlet flow channel by the free space of said interaction region and coupled to said flow control means, the liquid from said inlet flow channel impinging on said outlet means with a first predetermined pressure when the level in said reservoir is below said sensing level and second, substantially lesser value when the liquid in said reservoir moves above said sensing level for actuating said flow control means.

A liquid level control system for sensing an interface between dissimilar fluids and for regulating liquid level in response thereto comprising:

reservoir means having an inlet and an outlet and adapted for receiving a quantity of liquid therein;
laminar-turbulent fluid amplifier means including an inlet for developing a substantially laminar fluid power stream having a predetermined cross-sectional area and for projecting said power stream along a predetermined axis when said interface is spaced in one direction from said sensing level and including signal developing means co-acting at said predetermined sensing level with said interface between said dissimilar fluids for altering said fluid power stream to a substantially greater area than that of said predetermined area;
and flow control means coupled to said fluid amplifier means and including a pressure responsive element for receiving a fluid pressure signal of one magnitude when said power stream is laminar and of a second, substantially smaller magnitude when said power stream is turbulent for regulating flow at at least one of said inlet and outlet of said reservoir means in accordance with the magnitude of the fluid pressure signal sensed by said pressure responsive element.

A liquid level control system comprising:

reservoir means having an inlet and outlet and adapted for receiving a quantity of liquid therein;
fluid amplifier means comprising an inlet for developing a fluid power stream and an outlet spaced from said inlet, said amplifier means bieng constructed and arranged for developing at said outlet a fluid pressure signal of a first predetermined magnitude when the liquid level in said reservoir is displaced from a desired level and of a second, substantially different magnitude when said liquid is at said desired level;
and a valve means comprising a pair of spaced diaphragm members of a kind non-permeable to fluids associated for coordinated movement between a pair of spaced positions, resilient means for normally biasing one of said diaphragm members toward one of said spaced positions, and a valve body cooperating with respective ones of said diaphragm members to define first and second closed signal pressure sensing cavities and cooperating with both of said diaphragm members to define a third valve cavity and in which said first and second pressure sensing cavities are coupled, respectively, to a reference pressure source and the outlet of said fluid amplifier means for displacing said associated diaphragm members between said spaced positions in accordance with the relative signal pressures introduced into said first and second pressure sensing cavities and further comprising an inlet communicating with said third valve cavity when said associated diaphragm members are in either of said spaced positions and an outlet coupled to said third valve cavity having a valve seat portion spaced from said associated diaphragm members when said members are in said first position to permit flow between said inlet and outlet of said third valve cavity and in which one of said associated diaphragm members engages said valve seat portion of said outlet of said third cavity upon movement of said associated diaphragm members to said second position to close said outlet of said third valve cavity, said inlet and outlet of said third valve cavity being coupled in series with at least one of said inlet and outlet of said reservoir means to maintain the liquid within said reservoir means at a desired level.

A pressure responsive valve comprising:

shiftable closure means including a pair of spaced, moveable diaphragm members mechanically coupled for coordinated movement between a pair of spaced positions, both of said diaphragm members being non-permeable to fluid;
valve body means cooperating with respective ones of said diaphragm members to define first and second signal pressure sensing cavities and cooperating with both of said diaphragm members to define a third valve cavity;
first and second pressure signal inlet conduits communicating with said first and second cavities, respectively, for displacing said associated diaphragm members between said spaced positions in accordance with the relative signal pressures introduced into said first and second cavities;
main flow conduit means comprising an inlet flow conduit communicating with said third valve cavity when said associated diaphragm members are in either of said spaced positions and an outlet flow conduit communicating with said third cavity and having a valve seat portion spaced from one of said associated diaphragm members when said associated diaphragm members are in one of said spaced positions to permit flow between said inlet and outlet conduits, said one diaphragm member engaging said valve seat portion of said outlet flow conduit upon movement of said associated diaphragm members to the other of said spaced positions to close said outlet conduit and block flow between said inlet and outlet conduits;
and
resilient means interposed between said valve body and one of said diaphragm members for normally biasing said associated diaphragm members to one of an open and closed position.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Liquid level control sytem

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Liquid level control sytem

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims9