US 6,543,494 B2Granted

Apparatus and method for filling liquid containers

OwnerDale W. Bellin, Donald H. Greeninventors

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Abstract

Apparatus and method for filling containers with liquid including a vertically disposed filling lance operatively connected to a source of liquid and to a power device by which the lance may be vertically moved between raised and lowered positions. A tubular rod extends upwardly through the lance for operative connection to an actuator by which the tubular rod and a foot valve of the lower end of the lance may be vertically moved between closed and open positions. A pressure transducer detects fluid pressure in the tubular rod and converts the pressure to a proportional signal which is transmitted to the power device for raising the lance a predetermined amount while keeping the foot valve and lower end of the lance submerged beneath the surface of container liquids.

Claims16

Dependent claims

Apparatus for filling containers with liquid including an elongated vertically disposed filling lance operatively connected to a source of liquid and to power means by which said lance may be vertically moved between raised and lowered positions, said apparatus comprising:

a foot valve disposed at the lower end of said lance for movement between a closed position, blocking flow of liquids through said lance, and an open position, allowing liquid to flow through said lance into said container, said foot valve having a central port therein;
a tubular rod attached to said foot valve and extending upwardly through said lance for operative connection to a foot valve actuator by which said tubular rod and said foot valve may be vertically moved between said closed and open positions, said tubular rod providing fluid communication between said foot valve port and a second port near the upper end of said rod;
and
pressure transducer means connected to said second port for detecting fluid pressure in said tubular rod and converting said pressure to a proportional signal which is transmitted to said power means for raising said lance a predetermined amount while keeping said foot valve and said lower end of said lance submerged beneath the surface of said container liquids.

1 more element

A method of filling a container with liquid with apparatus which includes a filling lance operatively connected to a source of liquid and to power means by which said lance may be moved between raised and lowered positions, said lance having a foot valve at the lower end thereof connected to a rod which extends upwardly through said lance for operative connection to an actuator for opening and closing said foot valve, communication being provided, through a port at said foot valve, with a pressure transducer;

said method comprising the steps of:
lowering said lance through an opening in said container to a position just above the bottom of said container;
opening said foot valve to allow flow of liquids through said lance into said container;
sensing the pressure at said foot valve through said port therein with said pressure transducer;
providing a signal from said pressure transducer, proportional to said pressure at said foot valve;
and
raising said lance with said power means, when said pressure transducer signal indicates that the pressure at said foot valve exceeds a first predetermined amount, while keeping the lower end of said lance submerged below the surface of said liquid, until said pressure falls below a second and smaller predetermined amount.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.