US 4,228,924 AGranted

Mixture metering machine

OwnerCharles H. Gilbertinventor

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Abstract

A machine is disclosed for repeatedly metering out quantities of a predetermined volume of fluid freshly mixed from a plurality of component sources. A mixing member (which may comprise simply a duct) is coupled to receive a plurality of component fluids through positive control valves. Reciprocating metering structures (cylinder-piston), connected to the valves, are driven in a controlled fashion by pressurized fluid and a reciprocating actuator. The control system incorporates sensors for detecting the positions of the metering structures as well as the valves to provide timely signals which change the valve positions and reverse the stroke. With the valves in one position, and upon movement of the actuator in one direction, fluid flows under pressure from a component source to an associated metering structure, then with the valves in another position, the actuator is reversed and the fluid is discharged from the metering structure to the mixing chamber. The valves are synchronously controlled by gear wheels which mesh with a common driver. As implemented, the control is by a pneumatic system.

Claims5

Dependent claims

A machine for metering fluids in a precise mixture to an outlet chamber from a plurality of pressurized sources, comprising:

a plurality of cylinder structures coinciding in number to said plurality of pressurized sources, each of said cylinder structures including piston means for varying the operating volume of said cylinder structures to receive and discharge said fluids;
a plurality of positive control two-state valve means coinciding in number to said cylinder structures, said valve means being connected to control the flow of fluids into said cylinder structures from said pressurized sources and out of said cylinder structures to said outlet chamber;
independent switch means for each of said piston means for sensing the positions of said piston means whereby to indicate that each of said piston means has attained a predetermined bottom position in one of said cylinder means;
actuator mens loosely coupled to linearly drive said piston means for moving said piston means from said predetermined bottom positions to meter fluids therefrom;
and
control means for said actuator means and said positive control valve means whereby upon said independent switch means indicating that said piston means have attained said bottom position, said control valves are set to provide passages from said cylinder means to said outlet chamber and said actuator drives said piston means to meter fluid from said cylinder means until said piston means attains a predetermined top position in said cylinder means, whereupon said actuator means is de-energized and the states of said valve means are changed to provide passages from said sources to said cylinder structures.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 05/936,312Filed 23 Aug 1978
Granted: 21 Oct 1980
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification10 codes

G05D 11/132
By measuring the values related to the quantity of the individual components: by controlling the flow of the individual components
B01F 35/7174
Characterised by the means for feeding the components to the mixer: using pistons, plungers or syringes
B01F 35/8822
Using measuring chambers, e.g. volumetric pumps, for feeding the substances: using measuring chambers of the piston or plunger type
B29B 7/603
For feeding, e.g. end guides for the incoming material: in measured doses, e.g. proportioning of several materials