US 5,058,768 A · Methods and apparatus for dispensing plural fluids in a precise proportion

Abstract

A fluid-driven proportioning pump for dispensing precise volumes of at least three different fluids includes a drive cylinder housing a correspondingly formed drive piston which divides the drive cylinder into first and second drive fluid chambers and is propelled in a reciprocating motion by a pressurized drive fluid. Each face of the drive piston is provided with projecting porportioning pistons which extend into proportioning cylinders that open into each drive fluid chamber and being directed toward the drive piston. An over-center mechanis triggered by movement of the drive piston at the extremes of the strokes for its reciprocating motion operates valving which admits the pressurized drive fluid into alternate of the drive fluid chambers. The over-center mechanism is activated by loop springs or preferably by pairs of C-shaped springs, and is housed entirely within the drive cylinder. Selective adjustment of the proportion among the drive fluid and the other constituent fluids is facilitated by configuring each proportioning piston as a disk-like piston head slidably mounted on a turnable shaft that projects from the face of the drive piston with an enlarged head on the side of the disk remote from the drive piston. The head of the turnable shaft is provided with a fitting that is manipulatable from the outside of the pump by a retractable tool.

Claims59

Dependent claims

A method for dispensing a drive fluid and a first and second constituent fluid in a precise, predetermined ratio, said method comprising the steps of:

(a) valving a pressurized drive fluid alternately to opposite sides of a drive piston in a drive cylinder using valving within said cylinder;
(b) venting the side of the piston not provided with the pressurized drive fluid to enable reciprocating motion of the piston and the positive displacement of drive fluid from said side of the piston not provided with the pressurized drive fluid;
(c) securing within the drive cylinder on each side thereof a pair of proportioning pistons which extend parallel to the axis of the drive cylinder into individual corresponding proportioning cylinders that open into said drive cylinder facing said drive piston, said proportioning pistons advancing into and receding within said corresponding proportioning pistons with said reciprocating motion of said drive piston;
(d) supplying constituent fluids to said proportioning cylinders as said proportioning pistons recede therein;
and
(e) venting said proportioning cylinders as said proportioning pistons advance thereinto to enable the positive displacement of constituent fluid therefrom.

3 more elements

An apparatus for dispensing in a precise predetermined ratio quantities of a first fluid that is externally pressurized and a second fluid, said apparatus comprising:

(a) reciprocating means for continuously dispensing the first fluid, said reciprocating means comprising a stationary portion enclosing opposed first and second fluid chambers and an active portion housed within said stationary portion, said stationary portion comprising a drive cylinder closed at the end thereof adjacent said first fluid chamber by a first plate assembly and at said end thereof adjacent said second fluid chamber by a second plate assembly, said active portion being driven by the first fluid in a reciprocating motion comprising successive strokes in opposite directions alternately toward said first and toward said second fluid chambers, said active portion comprising:
(i) a drive piston disposed in said drive cylinder between said first and second fluid chambers, said drive piston being driven in a reciprocating motion by said externally pressurized first fluid;
and
(ii) drive reversal means for admitting the pressurized first fluid alternately into said first and said second fluid chambers to propel said drive piston and thereby to positively displace first fluid alternately from said second and first fluid chambers, respectively, said drive reversal means comprising:
(A) a pressurized first fluid passageway formed in each of said plate assemblies;
(B) a first fluid exit passageway formed in each of said plate assemblies;
(C) a first valve bore extending from said first fluid chamber into said first plate assembly, said first valve bore communicating with said pressurized first fluid passageway and said first fluid exit passageway formed therein;
(D) a second valve bore extending from said second fluid chamber into said second plate assembly, said second valve bore communicating with said pressurized first fluid passageway and said first fluid exit passageway formed therein;
(E) a first valve stem slidably mounted in said first valve bore and extending therefrom into said first fluid chamber, said first valve stem having formed longitudinally therethrough a first valving passageway opening at one end thereof into said first fluid chamber, the other end of said first valving passageway opening within said first valve bore at a location that alternatively communicates with said pressurized first fluid passageway and with said first fluid exit passageway in said first plate assembly;
(F) a second valve stem slidably mounted in said second valve bore and extending therefrom into said second fluid cylinder, said second valve stem having formed longitudinally therethrough a second valving passageway opening at one end thereof into said second fluid chamber, the other end of said second valving passageway opening within said second valve bore at a location that alternatively communicates with said first fluid exit passageway and said pressurized first fluid passageway in said second plate assembly;
(G) a valve shaft connecting said first and second valve stems to slide said valve stems longitudinally alternately between a first and a second operative mode, in said first operative mode said first fluid chamber being in communication with said pressurized first fluid passageway formed in said first plate assembly and said second drive fluid chamber being in communication with said first fluid exit passageway formed in said second plate assembly, and in said second operative mode said first fluid chamber being in communication with said first fluid exit passageway formed in said first plate assembly and said second first fluid chamber being in communication with said pressurized first fluid passageway formed in said second plate assembly;
(b) first and second reservoir means for holding a predetermined quantity of the second fluid, said first and second reservoir means being located individually in said first and second fluid chambers, respectively;
and
(c) fluid advancement means for continuously dispensing the second fluid, said fluid advancement means being operably connected to said active portion of said reciprocating means to draw a predetermined quantity of the second fluid into one of said first and second reservoir means and to positively displace a predetermined quantity of the second fluid from the other of said first and second reservoir means during each of said strokes in said motion of said reciprocating means.

11 more elements

An apparatus for dispensing in a precise predetermined ratio quantities of a first fluid that is externally pressurized and a second fluid, said apparatus comprising:

(a) reciprocating means for continuously dispensing the first fluid, said reciprocating means comprising a stationary portion enclosing opposed first and second fluid chambers and an active portion housed within said stationary portion, said active portion, said active portion being driven in a reciprocating motion comprising successive strokes in opposite directions alternately toward said first and toward said second fluid chambers;
(b) first and second reservoir means for holding a predetermined quantity of the second fluid, said first and second reservoir means being located individually in said first and second fluid chambers, respectively;
and
(c) fluid advancement means for continuously dispensing the second fluid, said fluid advancement means being operably connected to said active portion of said reciprocating means to draw a predetermined quantity of the second fluid into one of said first and second reservoir means and to positively displace a predetermined quantity of the second fluid from the other of said first and second reservoir means during each of said strokes in said motion of said reciprocating means, said fluid advancement means comprising:
(i) a first proportioning piston extending from said active portion of said reciprocating means into said first fluid chamber and having a proportioning piston head disposed in said first reservoir means;
(ii) a second proportioning piston oppositely directed to said first proportioning piston and extending from said active portion of said reciprocating means into said second fluid cylinder and having a proportioning piston head disposed in said second reservoir means;
and
(iii) means to permit waste movement of said active portion of said reciprocating means relative to at least one of said proportioning piston heads in each stroke of said motion of said active portion, said means to permit waste movement comprising:
(A) a proportioning piston shaft extending from said active portion of said reciprocating means and slidably passing through said at least one of said proportioning piston heads into said proportioning cylinder corresponding thereto;
and
(B) a radially enlarged retaining head on the end of said proportioning piston shaft;
said waste movement of said active position relative to said at least one of said proportioning piston heads comprising movement of said at least one of said proportioning piston heads longitudinally relative said proportioning piston shaft in both directions between said radially enlarged retaining head and said active portion of said reciprocating means.

9 more elements

A fluid drive proportioning pump powered by and dispensing an externally pressurized drive fluid, said pump comprising:

(a) a drive cylinder comprising a tube closed at each end thereof by a plate assembly;
(b) a drive piston disposed in said drive cylinder and propelled by the drive fluid in a reciprocating motion comprising successive strokes of said drive piston in opposite directions, said drive piston separating said drive cylinder into a first and a second drive fluid chamber;
and
(c) drive reversal means for admitting the pressurized drive fluid alternately into said first and said second drive fluid chambers to propel said drive piston in said reciprocating motion and thereby to positively displace drive fluid alternately from said second and first drive fluid chambers, respectively, said drive reversal means comprising:
(i) a pressurized drive fluid passageway formed in each of said plate assemblies;
(ii) a drive fluid exit passageway formed in each of said plate assemblies;
(iii) first valve means for placing said first drive fluid chamber in communication alternately with said pressurized drive fluid passageway and with said drive fluid exit passageway formed in said plate assembly adjacent to said first drive fluid chamber;
(iv) second valve means for placing said second drive fluid chamber in communication alternately with said pressurized drive fluid passageway and with said drive fluid exit passageway formed in said plate assembly adjacent to said second drive fluid chamber;
(v) linkage means for operating said first and second valve means in either a first or a second operative mode, in said first operative mode said first drive fluid chamber being in communication with said pressurized drive fluid passageway formed in said plate assembly adjacent thereto and said second drive fluid chamber being in communication with said drive fluid exit passageway formed in said plate assembly adjacent thereto, and in said second operative mode said first drive fluid chamber being in communication with said drive exit passageway formed in said plate assembly adjacent thereto and said second drive fluid chamber being in communication with said pressurized drive fluid passageway formed in said end plate adjacent thereto;
and
(vi) an over-center means for driving said linkage means to operate said first and second valve means between said first and second operative modes responsive to completion of each of said successive strokes of said reciprocal motion of said drive piston, said first valve means comprising:
(A) a first valve bore extending from said first drive fluid chamber into said plate assembly adjacent thereto, said first valve bore communicating with said pressurized drive fluid passageway and said drive fluid exit passageway formed therein;
and
(B) a first valve stem slidably mounted in said first valve bore and extending therefrom into said first drive fluid cylinder, said first valve stem having formed longitudinally therethrough a first valving passageway opening at one end thereof into said first drive fluid chamber in both said first and second operative modes, the other end of said first valving passageway opening within said first valve bore at a location that communicates with said pressurized drive fluid passageway in said first operative mode and with said drive fluid exit passageway in said second operative mode.

11 more elements

An apparatus for dispensing in a precise, predetermined ratio quantities of a first fluid that is externally pressurized and a second fluid, said apparatus pump comprising:

(a) reciprocating means for continuously dispensing the first fluid, said reciprocating means comprising a stationary portion enclosing opposed first and second fluid chambers and an active portion housed within said stationary portion, said active portion being driven in a reciprocating motion comprising successive strokes in opposite directions alternately toward said first and toward said second fluid chambers;
(b) drive reversal means located in said stationary portion of said reciprocating means for admitting the first fluid under pressure alternately into said first and said second fluid chambers, thereby to drive said active portion in said reciprocating motion and positively displace the first fluid alternately from said second and first fluid chambers, respectively;
(C) first and second reservoir means for holding a predetermined quantity of the second fluid, said first and second reservoir means being located individually in said first and second fluid chambers, respectively;
and
(d) fluid advancement means for continuously dispensing the second fluid, said fluid advancement means being operatively connected to said active portion of said reciprocating means to draw a predetermined quantity of the second fluid into one of said first and second reservoir means and to positively displace a predetermined quantity of the second fluid from the other of said first and second reservoir means during each of said strokes in said motion of said reciprocating means.

2 more elements

A fluid-driven proportioning pump for dispensing in a precise, predetermined ratio quantities of an externally pressurized drive fluid and a first and a second constituent fluid, said proportioning pump comprising:

(a) a drive cylinder having closed ends;
(b) a drive piston disposed in said drive cylinder and propelled by the drive fluid in a reciprocating motion comprising successive strokes of said drive piston in opposite directions, said drive piston separating said drive cylinder into a first and a second drive fluid chamber;
(c) drive reversal means located in said drive cylinder for admitting the pressurized drive fluid alternately into said first and said second drive fluid chambers to propel said drive piston in said reciprocating motion and thereby to positively displace drive fluid alternately from said second and first drive fluid chambers, respectively;
(d) a pair of proportioning cylinders for the first constituent fluid, one of said proportioning cylinders opening opposite said drive piston into each of said first and said second drive fluid chambers;
(e) a pair of proportioning cylinder for the second constituent fluid, one of said proportioning cylinders opening opposite said drive piston into each of said first and said second drive fluid chambers;
(f) a constituent fluid passageway corresponding to each of said proportioning cylinders through which the constituent fluid corresponding thereto is admitted into and expelled therefrom;
and
(g) a pair of proportioning pistons projecting from each side of said drive piston, said proportioning pistons extending into corresponding individual ones of said proportioning cylinders, whereby said reciprocating motion of said drive piston alternately advances and retracts said constituent fluid proportioning pistons within said corresponding ones of said proportioning cylinders to alternately draw thereinto and to positively displace therefrom precisely measured quantities of the constituent fluid corresponding thereto.

5 more elements

A fluid driven proportioning pump powered by and dispensing an externally pressurized drive fluid, said pump comprising:

(a) a drive cylinder comprising a tube closed at each end thereof by a plate assembly;
(b) a drive piston disposed in said drive cylinder and propelled by the drive fluid in a reciprocating motion comprising successive strokes of said drive piston in opposite directions, said drive piston separating said drive cylinder into a first and a second drive fluid chamber;
and
(c) drive reversal means for admitting the pressurized drive fluid alternately into said first and said second drive fluid chambers to propel said drive piston in said reciprocating motion and thereby to positively displace drive fluid alternately from said second and first drive fluid chambers, respectively, aid drive reversal means comprising:
(i) a pressurized drive fluid passageway formed in each of said plate assemblies;
(ii) a drive fluid exit passageway formed in each of said plate assemblies;
(iii) first valve means for placing said first drive fluid chamber in communication alternately with said pressurized drive fluid passageway and with said drive fluid exit passageway formed in said plate assembly adjacent to said first drive fluid chamber;
(iv) second valve means for placing said second drive fluid chamber in communication alternately with said pressurized drive fluid passageway and with said drive fluid exit passageway formed in said plate assembly adjacent to said second drive fluid chamber;
(v) linkage means for operating said first and second valve means in either a first or a second operative mode, in said first operative mode said first drive fluid chamber being in communication with said pressurized drive fluid passageway formed in said plate assembly adjacent thereto and said second drive fluid chamber being in communication with said drive fluid exit passageway formed in said plate assembly adjacent thereto, and in said second operative mode said first drive fluid chamber being in communication with said drive exit passageway formed in said plate assembly adjacent thereto and said second drive fluid chamber being in communication with said pressurized drive fluid passageway formed in said end plate adjacent thereto;
and
(vi) an over-center means for driving said linkage means to operate said first and second valve means between said first and second operative modes responsive to completion of each of said successive strokes of said reciprocal motion of said drive piston, said over-center means comprising:
(A) a first linkage bearing surface rigidly attached to said linkage means on a first side of said drive piston;
(B) a first drive bearing surface rigidly attached to said drive piston on said first side thereof, said first drive bearing surface being movable in each successive stroke of said reciprocating motion of said drive piston into a center position relative said first linkage bearing surface in which said second drive bearing surface is maximally proximate thereto;
and
(C) a first resilient spring mounted in compression between said first linkage and first drive bearing surfaces, whereby said spring urges said first linkage bearing surface and said linkage means attached thereto into said first operative mode on the side of said center position of said first drive bearing surface adjacent said drive piston and into said second operative mode on the side of said center position of said first drive bearing surface remote from said drive piston.

12 more elements

A fluid driven pump powered by and dispensing an externally pressurized drive fluid, said pump comprising:

(a) a drive cylinder comprising a tube closed at each end thereof by a plate assembly;
(b) a drive piston disposed in said drive cylinder and propelled by the drive fluid in a reciprocating motion comprising successive strokes of said drive piston in opposite directions, said drive piston separating said drive cylinder into a first and a second drive fluid chamber;
and
(c) drive reversal means for admitting the pressurized drive fluid alternately into said first and said second drive fluid chambers to propel said drive piston in said reciprocating motion and thereby to positively displace drive fluid alternately from said second and first drive fluid chambers, respectively, said drive reversal means comprising:
(i) a pressurized drive fluid passageway formed in each of said plate assemblies;
(ii) a drive fluid exit passageway formed in each of said plate assemblies;
(iii) first valve means for placing said first drive fluid chamber in communication alternately with said pressurized drive fluid passageway and with said drive fluid exit passageway formed in said plate assembly adjacent to said first drive fluid chamber, said first valve means comprising a stationary portion and an active portion reciprocatingly slidable therewithin in a first linear path of travel;
(iv) second valve means for placing said second drive fluid chamber in communication alternately with said pressurized drive fluid passageway and with said drive fluid exit passageway formed in said plate assembly adjacent to said second drive fluid chamber said second valve means comprising a stationary portion and an active portion reciprocatingly slidable therewithin in a second linear path of travel aligned along an axis with said first linear path of travel;
(v) linkage means for operating said first and second valve means in either a first or a second operative mode, in said first operative mode said first drive fluid chamber being in communication with said drive fluid exit passageway formed in said plate assembly adjacent thereto, and in said second operative mode said first drive fluid chamber being in communication with said drive exit passageway formed in said plate assembly adjacent thereto and said second drive fluid chamber being in communication with said pressurized drive fluid passageway formed in said end plate adjacent thereto;
and
(vi) an over-center means for driving said linkage means to operate said first and said second operative modes responsive to completion of each of said successive strokes of said reciprocal motion of said drive piston.

8 more elements

A fluid driven proportioning pump for dispensing in a precise, predetermined ratio quantities of an externally pressurized drive fluid and a first and a second constituent fluid, said proportioning pump comprising:

(a) a drive cylinder having closed ends;
(b) a drive piston disposed in said drive cylinder and propelled by the drive fluid in a reciprocating motion comprising successive strokes of said drive piston in opposite directions, said drive piston separating said drive cylinder into a first and a second drive fluid chamber;
(c) drive reversal means for admitting the pressurized drive fluid alternately into said first and said second drive fluid chambers to propel said drive piston in said reciprocating motion and thereby to positively displace drive fluid alternately from said second and first drive fluid chambers, respectively;
(d) a pair of proportioning cylinders for the first constituent fluid, one of said proportioning cylinders opening opposite said drive piston into each of said first and second drive fluid chambers;
(e) a pair of proportioning cylinders for the second constituent fluid, one of said proportioning cylinders opening opposite said drive piston into each of aid first and said second drive fluid chambers;
(f) a constituent fluid passageway corresponding to each of said proportioning cylinders through which the constituent fluid corresponding thereto is admitted into and expelled therefrom;
(g) a pair of proportioning pistons projecting from each side of said drive piston, said proportioning pistons extending into corresponding individual ones of said proportioning cylinders, whereby said reciprocating motion of said drive piston alternately advances and retracts said constituent fluid proportioning pistons within said corresponding ones of said proportioning cylinders to alternately draw thereinto and to positively displace therefrom precisely measured quantities of the constituent fluid corresponding thereto;
and
(h) ratio adjustment means for selectively varying the quantity of at least one of the constituent fluids drawn into and displaced from one of said proportioning cylinders by said proportioning piston corresponding thereto, said one of said proportioning cylinders defining a meterable proportioning cylinder.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Methods and apparatus for dispensing plural fluids in a precise proportion

Life of this patent

Methods and apparatus for dispensing plural fluids in a precise proportion

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims59