Position: A hydraulic batching control system having a fluid actuated motor with a driven motor shaft, the motor being in fluid communication with and powered by a fluid source. A pump is provided having a drive shaft driven by the driven motor shaft of the fluid actuated motor, and a drive clutch interconnecting the driven motor shaft and the drive shaft of the pump. An injector manifold is in fluid communication with the pump which is connectable to a chemical source. A tube is in fluid communication with the injector manifold and extends into a chamber having fluid communication with the fluid source, the chemical and fluid from the fluid source combining in the chamber and discharged therefrom.
SUMMARY OF batching system
The present system provides a hydraulic batching system containing a water actuated motor having a driven motor-shaft, at least one pump having a drive shaft, a drive clutch connected to the driven motor-shaft and to the drive shaft and an injector manifold that supports a reaction tube. The injector manifold is in fluid communication with a water source, having an inlet in fluid communication with the pump, another inlet in fluid communication with the water source, and an outlet for dispensing the solution. The driven motor-shaft, in conjunction with the clutch, converts linear motion generated by the water-actuated motor to rotary motion utilized by the pumps to move chemicals to the reaction tube. The use of an exclusively water-actuated system eliminates the expense involved in incorporating explosion proof electric components where such batching systems are necessary, such as for use on airports ramps.
The objects, advantages and features of the present invention will be apparent from the following description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and appended claims.
FIELD OF INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to the field of mixing and batching devices and more particularly, but not by way of limitation, to the generation and delivery of chemicals such as chlorine dioxide in low concentration using hydraulic power.
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
Various industrial processes often require mixing of liquids that involve ratios as low as one part in five thousand (1:5000). Even lower mixing ratios, below 1:10,000, can be involved in specialized cases. Currently, such mixing is attained using sophisticated diaphragm pumps and electronic logic. Such pumps are difficult to operate and are quite expensive. For example, a commonly used, low volume, high pressure gas chromatography pump costs approximately $5000 per unit.
Moreover, current batching systems require electrical power for operation. The existing systems utilize high cost electronic control logic for the electric metering pumps, mixing chambers and fail safe systems. The electronic logic, pumps and fail safe parts can cost from about $4000 up to about $ 12,000. These costs can double if an electronic pump must be made explosion proof.
There are some non-electric pumps available for attaining low ratio batching. Such pumps generally deliver ratios as low as one part in four thousand (1:4000). This 1:4,000 ratio is achieved in conventional pumps at the lower end of their adjustment window and has proven unreliable in the field.
The metering process becomes even more complicated when the mixing of two concentrates is required before the mixture is proportioned with a third liquid at a low ratio. One such system available to mix two chemicals utilizes two water-actuated pumps in series, but the system is subject to a host of problems due to the water hammer effect which occurs with the arrangement. Furthermore, additional water motors must be utilized to make the system function, thereby adding to the cost and complexity.
There is no available, non-electric system that will automatically perform this process, especially if the water flow-rate is as low as one fluid ounce per minute. Accordingly, it would be desirable to have available a fluid powered batching system that can accurately achieve low ratio batching.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
The present invention works efficiently with input water pressures over 85′ psig and can be modified to work well below 25 psig, a requirement in the airline industry, where a very useful application of this embodiment is for sanitation purposes where there is a need for explosion proof systems. The use of exclusively water-actuated systems eliminates the expense of incorporating explosion proof electric components. This invention can also be used for in-line mixing system of chlorite solutions with a dye/fragrance product for use in airline toilets and commercial portable toilets.
It is clear that the present invention is well adapted to carry out the objects and to attain the ends and advantages mentioned as well as those inherent therein. While presently preferred embodiments of the invention have been described in varying detail for purposes of the disclosure, it will be understood that numerous changes may be made which will readily suggest themselves to those skilled in the art and which are encompassed within the spirit of the invention disclosed and as defined in the above text and in the accompanying drawings.
RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application claims priority to Provisional Application No. 60/231,098 entitled “Hydraulic High Ration batching System” filed Sep. 8, 2000, and to Utility application Ser. No. 09/801,023 filed Mar. 7, 2001, now issued U.S. Pat. No. 6,921,001.
Claims:
1. An hydraulic batching system comprising: an fluid actuated motor having a driven motor shaft, the motor being in fluid communication with a fluid source; a first pump and a second pump, each with an inlet and an outlet, having a common drive shaft; a drive clutch connected to the driven motor shaft and to the drive shaft, the drive clutch further comprising: an input drum rotated by the driven motor shaft; an output mandrel connected to the drive shaft; spring means for connecting the input drum and the output mandrel, imparting rotation to the drive shaft, and returning the input drum with the driven motor; an injector manifold having: an outlet; a first inlet connectable to a first chemical; a second inlet connectable to a second chemical; a pair of check valves, each one of the check valves in fluid communication with one of the outlet of the first pump and the outlet of the second pump; a chamber with a chamber inlet in fluid communication with the fluid source and a chamber outlet; and a first tube and a second tube supported by the injector manifold and disposed to extend into the chamber, both the first and second tubing in fluid communication with the injection manifold outlet, each tube comprising: an inlet; an outlet; and a check valve connected to the outlet.