US 6,098,646 A · Dispensing system with multi-port valve for distributing use dilution to a plurality of utilization points and position sensor for use thereon

Abstract

A dispensing system for dispensing chemical products to a plurality of utilization points utilizes a multi-port valve to selectively deliver use dilutions from a mixing apparatus to selected utilization points. The multi-port valve utilizes a position sensor to provide positive proof-of-delivery by detecting the angular position of a rotor relative to a stator in the valve. The position sensor includes opposing annular arrangements of detectable elements and proximity detectors which rotate relative to one another about a common axis in response to rotation of the rotor such that detectable elements are oriented in proximity to a unique combination of proximity detectors at each of a plurality of predetermined angular positions. As a result, unique codes are output from the proximity detectors to positively identify positioning of the rotor at the predetermined angular positions.

Claims35

Dependent claims

A dispensing system for dispensing chemical products to a plurality of utilization points, the system comprising:

(a) a mixing apparatus, coupled to a source of diluent and a plurality of sources of chemical products, the mixing apparatus outputting a use dilution having at least one of the plurality of chemical products mixed with diluent;
(b) a multi-port valve having an input in fluid communication to receive a use dilution from the mixing apparatus and a plurality of outputs coupled to the plurality of utilization points, the multi-port valve being movable between a plurality of positions, each position coupling the input to one of the plurality of outputs;
and
(c) a controller, coupled to the mixing apparatus and the multi-port valve, for selectively dispensing a use dilution to one of the plurality of utilization points.

1 more element

A multi-port valve, comprising:

(a) a housing;
(b) a stator, disposed within the housing, and including a first port and a plurality of second ports disposed in an annular arrangement around the first port;
(c) a rotor, rotatably mounted within the housing, and including a central port in fluid communication with a peripheral port, the central port facing the first port of the stator, and the peripheral port facing one of the second ports of the stator;
(d) a drive mechanism, coupled to the rotor, for rotating the rotor to position the peripheral port at a selected one of the second ports to thereby place the first port in fluid communication with the selected second port;
and
(e) a position sensor for sensing one of a plurality of predetermined angular positions of the rotor, the position sensor including:
(1) a plurality of detectable elements disposed in an annular arrangement at predetermined angular positions;
and
(2) a plurality of proximity detectors disposed in an annular arrangement at predetermined angular positions, wherein the detectable elements and the proximity detectors are rotatable relative to one another and about a common axis in response to rotation of the rotor such that detectable elements are oriented in proximity to a unique combination of proximity detectors at each predetermined angular position.

6 more elements

A position sensor for sensing one of a plurality of predetermined angular positions of a first member rotatably coupled to a second member, the position sensor comprising:

(a) a plurality of detectable elements disposed in an annular arrangement on one of the first and second members;
and
(b) a plurality of proximity detectors disposed in an annular arrangement on the other of the first and second members, wherein the detectable elements and the proximity detectors are rotatable relative to one another about a common axis in response to rotation of the first member relative to the second member such that detectable elements are oriented in proximity to a unique combination of proximity detectors at each predetermined angular position.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Dispensing system with multi-port valve for distributing use dilution to a plurality of utilization points and position sensor for use thereon

Life of this patent

Dispensing system with multi-port valve for distributing use dilution to a plurality of utilization points and position sensor for use thereon

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims35