Metering system and method for use with fluids having a high solid content
AssigneeNorthrop Grumman Corporation
InventorLawrence J. Donahue
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An apparatus for dispensing a fluid at a predetermined flow rate by metering a metering liquid. The apparatus including a deformable liner adapted to hold the fluid and a tank having an inner surface defining a tank interior. The tank is adapted to support the deformable liner substantially within the tank interior. The apparatus also includes a metering pump operably connected to the tank and adapted to transfer a metering liquid between the deformable liner and the inner surface of the tank such that the deformable liner will be deformed so as to force the fluid from the tank at a predetermined flow rate as determined by metering the flow rate of the metering liquid through the metering pump.
Claims23
The apparatus for dispensing a fluid to be dispensed at a predetermined flow rate by metering a metering liquid, the apparatus comprising:
- a tank including a substantially rigid outer portion defining an interior, a first aperture and a second aperture;
- a deformable inner liner, located substantially within the interior of the outer portion, defining first and second sides and adapted to store a fluid to be disposed in such a manner that the fluid is associated with the first side, the first side of the inner liner being associated with the first aperture of the outer portion of the tank and the second side of the inner liner being associated with a second aperture of the outer portion of the tank;
- a dispenser adapted to dispense fluid;
- a dispensing conduit operably connected to the dispenser and to the first aperture;
- a metering liquid container for storing a metering liquid;
- and
- a metering pump operably connected to the second aperture and the metering liquid container such that the metering liquid will be drawn from the metering liquid container and pumped through the second aperture between the rigid outer portion of the tank and the second side of the deformable inner liner, thereby deforming the inner liner and forcing the fluid to be dispensed through the first aperture, the dispensing conduit and the dispenser at a predetermined flow rate as determined by metering the flow rate of the metering liquid through the metering pump.
The apparatus for dispensing a fluid at a predetermined flow rate by metering a metering liquid, the apparatus comprising:
- a deformable liner adapted to hold the fluid and defining a first side and a second side;
- a tank having an inner surface defining a tank interior, the tank being adapted to support the deformable liner substantially within the tank interior such that the fluid is associated with the first side;
- and
- a metering pump operably connected to the tank and adapted to transfer a metering liquid into the tank between the second side of the deformable liner and the inner surface of the tank such that deformable liner will be deformed, thereby forcing the fluid from the tank at a predetermined flow rate as determined by metering the flow rate of the metering liquid through the metering pump.
A method of dispensing a fluid at a predetermined flow rate by metering a metering liquid, the method comprising the steps of:
- providing a tank having an inner surface defining a tank interior;
- positioning a deformable liner substantially within the tank interior such that the fluid will be supported by a first side of the deformable liner and a second side of the deformable liner will be adjacent the inner surface of the tank;
- and
- introducing a metering liquid between the inner surface of the tank and the second side of the deformable at a metered flow rate at a level of pressure sufficient to deform the deformable liner and force fluid stored within the tank from the tank at the predetermined flow rate as determined by the metered flow rate of the metering liquid.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.