CA1222146A - Flow controller - Google Patents
Flow controllerInfo
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- CA1222146A CA1222146A CA000502925A CA502925A CA1222146A CA 1222146 A CA1222146 A CA 1222146A CA 000502925 A CA000502925 A CA 000502925A CA 502925 A CA502925 A CA 502925A CA 1222146 A CA1222146 A CA 1222146A
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Abstract
Case 1421 DIV.I
Abstract of the Disclosure Apparatus for the application of liquids to moving material, such as patterned application of dyes to moving textile material, including a liquid applicator positioned above the material path of travel for continuously dis-charging liquid in a row of plural streams downwardly on-to the material, means for selectively deflecting selected of the continuously flowing streams in accordance with a pattern control device, and collection means for receiv-ing the deflected liquid to prevent its contact with the moving material. The apparatus includes a novel flow controller to measure the flow rate of the plural streams from a dye manifold and in response thereto to adjust the flow of dye liquid from the manifold, by opening and clos-ing a valve located in the return conduit from the dye manifold to the dye supply tank.
Abstract of the Disclosure Apparatus for the application of liquids to moving material, such as patterned application of dyes to moving textile material, including a liquid applicator positioned above the material path of travel for continuously dis-charging liquid in a row of plural streams downwardly on-to the material, means for selectively deflecting selected of the continuously flowing streams in accordance with a pattern control device, and collection means for receiv-ing the deflected liquid to prevent its contact with the moving material. The apparatus includes a novel flow controller to measure the flow rate of the plural streams from a dye manifold and in response thereto to adjust the flow of dye liquid from the manifold, by opening and clos-ing a valve located in the return conduit from the dye manifold to the dye supply tank.
Description
l~Z;~146 case 1421 This is a divisional of Carladian Patent Application Serial No. 401, 751 filed April 27th, 1982.
IMPRWED FLOW CONTROLLER
The present invention is directed ~o apparatus for applying liquids to moving materials and, more particularly, to an improved apparatus for the patterned application of dye or other liquids tn moving textile materials, such as pile carpets, fabrlcs and the like.
It is known to apply liquid dyes to moving textile materials from plural streams which are directed onto the materials and selectively controlled to produce a desired pattern thereon. McElveen, U. S. Patent Number 3,393,411, describes apparatus and process wherein plural streams of dye are selectively controlled in their flow to provide a distinct pattern on a pile carpet.
U. S. Patent Numbers 3,~43,878 and 3,570,275 describe apparatus and process for the patterned dyeing of a moving textile web wherein continuously flowing streams of dye normally directed in paths to impinge upon the web are selectively deflected from contact with the web in accord-ance with pattern information. The webs are thus dyed in a desired pattern and the deflected dye is collected and recirculated for use.
In such continuous flow, deflection-type dyeing apparatus, it is known to position a plurality of dye ap-plicators, or "dye gun bars," generally above the path of movement of a material to be dyed and wherein each of the gun bars extends across the path of material movement and i~ provided with a row of dye outlets which pro~ect streams of dye downwardly towald the material to be dyed. Each lZZ;~i46 `- `
continuously flowing dye stream is selectively deflected by a strea~ of air which is discharged, in accordance with pattern information, from an air outlet located adjacent each dye discharge outlet. The air outlet is po~itioned to direct the air stream into intersecting relation with the dye stream and to deflect the dye into a collection chamber or trough for recirculation. To accurately control the amount of dye applied to a given location on the material during the dyein~ operation, and to insure that the dye strikes the material in a very small, precise spot, the lower portion of the collection chamber contains a col-lector plate supportably positioned in spaced relation above the lower wall of tXe collection chamber. This collector plate is adjustably attached to the lower wall so that its edge can be accurately positioned relative to the dye discharge axes of the gun bar to insure prompt and precise interception of the streams when deflected. De-tails of such a dyeing apparatus and collection chamber construction are described and claimed in commonly assign-ed ~lein, U. S. Patent Application Serial Number 471~111, filed ~lay 17~ 1974, now U. S. Patent Number 3,~42,343~
As described in said application, each dye stream, when deflected~ passes across the edge of the collector plate and into the collection chamber. Upon removal of deflection from the stream, the stream moves back across the plate edge and resumes its normal path of travel to-ward the material to be dyed.
~n apparatus of this type, the dye liquids are con-sidered to be non-Newtonian fluids due to the addition of `` lZ~;~146 thickeners and/or resins to the dye liquid. As is well known, non-Newtonian liquids do not conform to the basic rules of fluid mechanics as applied to water and air.
Therefore, the disclosed invention involves the use of an improved flow controller to sense the jet flow rate of the dye liquid and in response to such measurement to adjust the flow of the dye liquid from the manifold in order to maintain a pre-determined flow of dye liquid through the dye jets independent of fluid viscosity.
Therefore, it is an object of the invention to pro-vide a new and improved meter to sense the jet flow rate of a non-~ewtonian fluid in order to control the flow of such fluid from a dye jet device.
Accordingly, the invention in one aspect provides apparatus for controlling the fla~.7 rate of a non-Newtonian fluid from a fluid jet comprising: a fluid jet, manifold means supplying a non-Newtonian fluid to said jet, means supplying non-Newtonian fluid to said manifold means, control means to control the flow of non-Newtonian fluid fro~ said manifold means and pressure sensitive means operably associated with said manifold means to auto-matically cause said control means to adjust the flow of fluid from said manifold means upon a change of flow rate from the jet.
~Z~;~146 The invention will be better understood and further explained by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Figure 1 is a schematic side elevation of apparatus for dyeing a moving material;
Figure 2 is a schematic drawing of a single dye ap-plicator, or gun bar, of the apparatus of Figure 1 and shows a basic arrangement for supplying dye to and from, and air under pressure to, each of the gun bars, together with control means for programming the same;
Figure 3 is an enlarged side view, partially in sec-tion, of a gun bar of the apparatus of the present inven-tion, and showing in more detail the positional arrange-ment of the dye applicator section and dye collection chamber of the gun bar; and - 3a -~214~i Figuré 4 is an enlarged, detailed plan view of the meter shown sche~atically in Figure 3.
Referring more specifically to the drawings, Figure 1 shows, in schematic side elevation, apparatus for apply-ing liquids to a moving material to which the present in-vention pertains. As shown and as will be described, the apparatus is particularly adapted for the patterned appli-cation of dyes to a moving length of pile carpet material;
however, it is to be understood that the liquid applicator of the apparatus could be employed to apply various types of liquids to various moving materials in a programmed manner.
The dyeing apparatus shown generally comprises a dye applicator section 10, a steam chamber 12, a washer 14, and a dryer 16. The dye applicator section lO is composed of a main frame 18 supporting an inclined conveyor 20 which is driven by motor means 22. Positioned above and spaced along the length of the conveyor are plurality of dye applicator members, or gun bars 24, (ô being shown), which extend in parallel, spaced relation across the width of the conveyor and are suitably supported at their ends by attachment to diagonal frame members (one of which, 26, is shown) on either side of the conveyor. For pattern dye-ing broadloom carpets, the conveyor conveniently may be 12 to 15 feet in width and the gun bars 24 each are provided with a dlfferent color dye to apply a colored pattern to the carpet.
In operation, a length of carpet 28 is continuously withdrawn from a supply roll 29 by a driven pinroller 27 4~i and delivered to `L;a~ ;n~a conveyor 20 which transports the carpet beneath the gun bars 24. Each gun bar is pro-vided with a different colored liquid dye which is dispensed in streams from orifices or outlets spaced along the gun bar onto the carpet as it passes through the applicator section 10. netails of the construction and control of gun bars will be explained hereinaftér. Dyed carpet leaving con-veyor 20 is directed by suitable support means, such as guide rollers, one of which 30 is shown, through the steam chamber 12, the washer 14, and the dryer 16 where the dyed carpet is treated in conventional manner to fix the dye, remove excess dye, and dry the dyed carpet, respectively.
Details of the dye-fixing steam chamber 12, washer 14, and dryer 16 do not form part of the present invention and apparatus for performing such conventional practices are well known in the art. The dyed carpet is collected on a collection roll 31.
The gun bars 24 are of substantially identical con-struction and the details of their construction and opera-tion can better be described by reference to Figures 2 and 3~ As seen in Figure 2, which is a schematic side eleva-tion of a gun bar 24, each gun bar is provided with a separate dye reservoir tank 32 which supplies liquid dye, by means of pump 34 and conduit means 36, under pressure to a dye manifold pipe 38 of the gun bar. Pipe 38 com-municates at suitable locations along its length with a sub-manifold section 40 attached to the pipe. The mani-fold pipe 38 and submanifold section 40 extend across the width of the conveyor 20 and sub-manifold section 40 is `` ~ `` 1~2~146 `
provided with a plurality of dye outlets 42 spaced along its length to continuously discharge a row of parallel dye streams downwardly toward the material to be dyed.
Positioned adjacent and at about a ri8ht angle to each dye outlet 42 of sub-manifold section 40 is an outlet of an air supply tube 44. Each air tube communicates by way of a conduit or tube 45 with a separate valve, illus-trated collectively by the symbol V, located in a valve support box 46 of the gun bar. Each valve is, in turn, connected by a conduit or tube 47 to an air supply manifold 48 which is provided with pressurized air by a compressor 50. Each of the valves V, which may be of the electro-magnetic solenoid type, are individually controlled by electrical signals from a pattern control device 52. The air outlets of tubes 44 provide streams of air to impinge at approximately right angles against the continuously 10wing dye streams from the dye outlets 42 and deflect the same into a collection chamber or trough 60 from which / liquid dye is removed, by way of suitable conduit means ; 20 62, to dye reservDir tank 32 for recirculation.
The pattern control device 52 for operating the solenoid valves may be composed of various type pattern control means, such as a computer with magnetic tape transport for pattern information storage. Desired pattern information from control device 52 is transmitted to the solenoid valves of each gun bar at appropriate times in response to conveyor movement which is trans-mitted by suitable transducer means 64 operatively connect-ing the conveyor 20 and pattern control device 52.
~Z~6 In a typical dyeing operation utilizing the present-ly disclosed apparatus, when no pattern information is supplied to the air valves of the gun bars from the control device 52, the valves remain "open" to permit passage of pressurized air through supply tubes 44 to continuously de-flect all of the continuously flowing dye streams from the gun bar outlets 42 into the collection trough 60 for re-circulation. When carpet to be dyed passes beneath the first gun bar of the dye appl1cator section 10, pattern control device 52 is actuated in suitable manner, such as manually by an operator. Thereafter, signals from trans-ducer 64 release pattern information from device 52 to selectively "close" the air valves so that the correspond-ing dye streams are not deflected, but pass in their nor-mal discharge paths to strike the carpet. Thus, by oper-ating the solenoid air valves of each gun bar in $he desired pattern sequence, a colored pattern of dye is placed on the carpet during its passage through the dye applicator section 10.
Details of the construction of each gun bar are best shown in Figure 3 which is an end elevation view, partially in section, of one of the gun bars 24. As seen, each gun bar includes a main structural support plate 70 which ex-tends across the full width of the conveyor and is support-ably attached to the diagonal members of the support frame 18. Attached to the upper portion of plate 70 is the air supply manifold 48 and adjustably attached to the lower flanged edge of the plate, by suitable bracket and clamp means 72, which are spaced along the length of plate 70, -J-~Z146 is the dye manifold pipe 38. Sub-manifold section 40 is suitably attached, as by bolts (not sho~n), to dye mani-fold pipe 38 and has a sub-manifold chamber 73 which communicates by way of a plurality of passageways 74 spaced along pipe 38 with an interior chamber of manifold pipe 38 which receive dye therefrom. The dye receiving chamber 73 of ~ub-manifold section 40 is provided with the plurality of dye discharge outlets 42 which are spaced along the length of sub-manifold section 40 and across the width of the conveyor to discharge dye in a row of parallel streams onto the moving carpet.
Details of the construction and arrangement of the dye collection trough or chamber of the present invention may be best described by reference to Figure 3. The col--lection chamber 60 includes a relatively thick, rigid main support plate, or bar 80 which extends the entire length of the gun bar and is attached thereto at spaced locations along the length of the gun bar by rod members 82 connect-ing plate 80 to the clamping means 72. To provide posi-tional stability for the collection chamber, the support plate 80 is formed of a high strength material, such as a relatively thick stainless steel plate.
The outer walls 84 of the collection chamber are conveniently formed of a thin, lightweight material, such as stainless steel sheet metal, attached in suitable manner to support plate 80 and clamping means 72 of the gun bar (Figure 3~. The outer edge portion of plate 80 is suitably tapered, as shown, to form a sharp ed8e which extends generally parallel to the row of dye outlets 42 ( ~2Z2146 of the gun bar. The support plate 80 also serves as a secondary dye collector, as will be explained.
Supportably positioned in spaced relation abo~e the upper surface of the tapered portion of support plate 80 is a first, or primary dye collector plate 86 which ex-tends the length of the gun bar and has a sharp outer edge positioned closely ad~acent and parallel to the row of dis-charge outlets of the gun bar. The primary collector plate 86 is adjustably attached, as by bolt and spacer means 87, at spaced locations along its length to the upper surface of support plate 80 so that the plate 86 may be moved to position its outer edge relative to the dye discharge axes of the dye outlets. Various fastening means may be employ-ed for adjustably mounting the primary collector plate and one such means is disclosed in previ.ously referred to Klein, U. S. Patent Application Serial Number 471,111, filed May 17, 1974, now U. S. Patent Number 3,942,343.
Supportably attached, as by screw and spacer means 8~, in spaced relation below the support plate 80 is a third dye collector plate ~8, the outer edge of which ex-tends generally parallel to the outer edges of plate 80 and 86 and is located at a further distance from the dis-charge axes of the dye outlets of the gun bar than these two edges. In the embodiment shown in Figure 3, the third collector plate 88 does not communicate directly with the interior of the dye collection chamber, but extends in spaced relation below the collection chamber throughout ~; its length to points beyond both sides of the conveyor so thae dye collected by the third collector plate may drain ~z~
from the open sides of the collector plate without striking the moving carpet being dyed.
As seen, the collection chamber 60 has an elongate opening or entrance 61 for the reception of deflected dye.
The opening extends the length of the gun bar and is locat-ed on the opposite side of the discharge axes D (Figure 4) of the dye outlets 42 from the air supply tubes 44. The dye deflected by streams of air from the air supply tubes passes into the opening of the dye collection chamber and flows by gravity into the l~wer interior portion of the chamber. The collected dye is removed, as by gravity, from the collection chamber through one or more drain lines 62, which direct the dye back to the dye reservoir 38 for recirculation.
In Figures 3 and 4 the reference numeral 90 repre-sents a meter which sen.ses the flow rate of the dye fluid from the dye jets by measuring a head pressure and through the pressure transducer 92 controls the opening or closing of the flow valve 94. The flow controller 90 receives dye fluid from the manifold 38 through the inlet connection 94 of the spiral wound capillary tube 96. From the tube 96 the dye fluid passes into the glass column 98 and maintains a certain level which is proportional to the dye jet flow rate and is read on the scale 100. The pressure equiva-lent to the height of the column 102 is transmitted through tube 104 to the pressure transducer 92 where the pressure is converted to an electrical signal transmitte~d by wires 106 to the controller 108 of the valve 94 in the conduit means 36. The length of the t~be 96 is so selected and ~Z146 the scale lOO 50 calibrated that the height of the column 102 provides an indirect reading of jet flow rate. Ob-viously, the purpose of the controller 90 is to maintain a predetermined flQw from the dye jet 42. To this end it has been found that there is a critical length of the exit tube 110 from the main body of the meter into the receiver 112. This length is determined experimentally by maineain ing the height of the column 102 constant for a selected jet 42 and selecting a length of tube which will maintain the ~et flow rate from the jet within - 1 1/2~ of the desired jet flow rate independently of the viscosity fluctuation of the fluid. This length is determined by trial and error. The diameter of the exit tube 110 is substantially the same as the diameter of the capillary tube 96.
The receiver 112 is under atmospheric pressure and receives dye fluid from the exit tube 110 as well as the overflow tube 114 and delivers same via conduit 116 back to the dye reservoir tank 32 for recirculatlon.
It can be seen that a meter has been provided which will automatically adjust the flow rate from a dye jet machine by measuring a pressure change in the dye mani-fold. The disclosed invention is primarily useful on apparatus employing non-~ewtonian fluids such as dye liquids having thickeners and resins therein which cause the composite fluid to act like a non-Newtonian fluid.
Although I have described in detail the preferred embodiment of the invention, it is contemplated that changes may be made without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention and I desire to be limited only by the scope of the claims.
IMPRWED FLOW CONTROLLER
The present invention is directed ~o apparatus for applying liquids to moving materials and, more particularly, to an improved apparatus for the patterned application of dye or other liquids tn moving textile materials, such as pile carpets, fabrlcs and the like.
It is known to apply liquid dyes to moving textile materials from plural streams which are directed onto the materials and selectively controlled to produce a desired pattern thereon. McElveen, U. S. Patent Number 3,393,411, describes apparatus and process wherein plural streams of dye are selectively controlled in their flow to provide a distinct pattern on a pile carpet.
U. S. Patent Numbers 3,~43,878 and 3,570,275 describe apparatus and process for the patterned dyeing of a moving textile web wherein continuously flowing streams of dye normally directed in paths to impinge upon the web are selectively deflected from contact with the web in accord-ance with pattern information. The webs are thus dyed in a desired pattern and the deflected dye is collected and recirculated for use.
In such continuous flow, deflection-type dyeing apparatus, it is known to position a plurality of dye ap-plicators, or "dye gun bars," generally above the path of movement of a material to be dyed and wherein each of the gun bars extends across the path of material movement and i~ provided with a row of dye outlets which pro~ect streams of dye downwardly towald the material to be dyed. Each lZZ;~i46 `- `
continuously flowing dye stream is selectively deflected by a strea~ of air which is discharged, in accordance with pattern information, from an air outlet located adjacent each dye discharge outlet. The air outlet is po~itioned to direct the air stream into intersecting relation with the dye stream and to deflect the dye into a collection chamber or trough for recirculation. To accurately control the amount of dye applied to a given location on the material during the dyein~ operation, and to insure that the dye strikes the material in a very small, precise spot, the lower portion of the collection chamber contains a col-lector plate supportably positioned in spaced relation above the lower wall of tXe collection chamber. This collector plate is adjustably attached to the lower wall so that its edge can be accurately positioned relative to the dye discharge axes of the gun bar to insure prompt and precise interception of the streams when deflected. De-tails of such a dyeing apparatus and collection chamber construction are described and claimed in commonly assign-ed ~lein, U. S. Patent Application Serial Number 471~111, filed ~lay 17~ 1974, now U. S. Patent Number 3,~42,343~
As described in said application, each dye stream, when deflected~ passes across the edge of the collector plate and into the collection chamber. Upon removal of deflection from the stream, the stream moves back across the plate edge and resumes its normal path of travel to-ward the material to be dyed.
~n apparatus of this type, the dye liquids are con-sidered to be non-Newtonian fluids due to the addition of `` lZ~;~146 thickeners and/or resins to the dye liquid. As is well known, non-Newtonian liquids do not conform to the basic rules of fluid mechanics as applied to water and air.
Therefore, the disclosed invention involves the use of an improved flow controller to sense the jet flow rate of the dye liquid and in response to such measurement to adjust the flow of the dye liquid from the manifold in order to maintain a pre-determined flow of dye liquid through the dye jets independent of fluid viscosity.
Therefore, it is an object of the invention to pro-vide a new and improved meter to sense the jet flow rate of a non-~ewtonian fluid in order to control the flow of such fluid from a dye jet device.
Accordingly, the invention in one aspect provides apparatus for controlling the fla~.7 rate of a non-Newtonian fluid from a fluid jet comprising: a fluid jet, manifold means supplying a non-Newtonian fluid to said jet, means supplying non-Newtonian fluid to said manifold means, control means to control the flow of non-Newtonian fluid fro~ said manifold means and pressure sensitive means operably associated with said manifold means to auto-matically cause said control means to adjust the flow of fluid from said manifold means upon a change of flow rate from the jet.
~Z~;~146 The invention will be better understood and further explained by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Figure 1 is a schematic side elevation of apparatus for dyeing a moving material;
Figure 2 is a schematic drawing of a single dye ap-plicator, or gun bar, of the apparatus of Figure 1 and shows a basic arrangement for supplying dye to and from, and air under pressure to, each of the gun bars, together with control means for programming the same;
Figure 3 is an enlarged side view, partially in sec-tion, of a gun bar of the apparatus of the present inven-tion, and showing in more detail the positional arrange-ment of the dye applicator section and dye collection chamber of the gun bar; and - 3a -~214~i Figuré 4 is an enlarged, detailed plan view of the meter shown sche~atically in Figure 3.
Referring more specifically to the drawings, Figure 1 shows, in schematic side elevation, apparatus for apply-ing liquids to a moving material to which the present in-vention pertains. As shown and as will be described, the apparatus is particularly adapted for the patterned appli-cation of dyes to a moving length of pile carpet material;
however, it is to be understood that the liquid applicator of the apparatus could be employed to apply various types of liquids to various moving materials in a programmed manner.
The dyeing apparatus shown generally comprises a dye applicator section 10, a steam chamber 12, a washer 14, and a dryer 16. The dye applicator section lO is composed of a main frame 18 supporting an inclined conveyor 20 which is driven by motor means 22. Positioned above and spaced along the length of the conveyor are plurality of dye applicator members, or gun bars 24, (ô being shown), which extend in parallel, spaced relation across the width of the conveyor and are suitably supported at their ends by attachment to diagonal frame members (one of which, 26, is shown) on either side of the conveyor. For pattern dye-ing broadloom carpets, the conveyor conveniently may be 12 to 15 feet in width and the gun bars 24 each are provided with a dlfferent color dye to apply a colored pattern to the carpet.
In operation, a length of carpet 28 is continuously withdrawn from a supply roll 29 by a driven pinroller 27 4~i and delivered to `L;a~ ;n~a conveyor 20 which transports the carpet beneath the gun bars 24. Each gun bar is pro-vided with a different colored liquid dye which is dispensed in streams from orifices or outlets spaced along the gun bar onto the carpet as it passes through the applicator section 10. netails of the construction and control of gun bars will be explained hereinaftér. Dyed carpet leaving con-veyor 20 is directed by suitable support means, such as guide rollers, one of which 30 is shown, through the steam chamber 12, the washer 14, and the dryer 16 where the dyed carpet is treated in conventional manner to fix the dye, remove excess dye, and dry the dyed carpet, respectively.
Details of the dye-fixing steam chamber 12, washer 14, and dryer 16 do not form part of the present invention and apparatus for performing such conventional practices are well known in the art. The dyed carpet is collected on a collection roll 31.
The gun bars 24 are of substantially identical con-struction and the details of their construction and opera-tion can better be described by reference to Figures 2 and 3~ As seen in Figure 2, which is a schematic side eleva-tion of a gun bar 24, each gun bar is provided with a separate dye reservoir tank 32 which supplies liquid dye, by means of pump 34 and conduit means 36, under pressure to a dye manifold pipe 38 of the gun bar. Pipe 38 com-municates at suitable locations along its length with a sub-manifold section 40 attached to the pipe. The mani-fold pipe 38 and submanifold section 40 extend across the width of the conveyor 20 and sub-manifold section 40 is `` ~ `` 1~2~146 `
provided with a plurality of dye outlets 42 spaced along its length to continuously discharge a row of parallel dye streams downwardly toward the material to be dyed.
Positioned adjacent and at about a ri8ht angle to each dye outlet 42 of sub-manifold section 40 is an outlet of an air supply tube 44. Each air tube communicates by way of a conduit or tube 45 with a separate valve, illus-trated collectively by the symbol V, located in a valve support box 46 of the gun bar. Each valve is, in turn, connected by a conduit or tube 47 to an air supply manifold 48 which is provided with pressurized air by a compressor 50. Each of the valves V, which may be of the electro-magnetic solenoid type, are individually controlled by electrical signals from a pattern control device 52. The air outlets of tubes 44 provide streams of air to impinge at approximately right angles against the continuously 10wing dye streams from the dye outlets 42 and deflect the same into a collection chamber or trough 60 from which / liquid dye is removed, by way of suitable conduit means ; 20 62, to dye reservDir tank 32 for recirculation.
The pattern control device 52 for operating the solenoid valves may be composed of various type pattern control means, such as a computer with magnetic tape transport for pattern information storage. Desired pattern information from control device 52 is transmitted to the solenoid valves of each gun bar at appropriate times in response to conveyor movement which is trans-mitted by suitable transducer means 64 operatively connect-ing the conveyor 20 and pattern control device 52.
~Z~6 In a typical dyeing operation utilizing the present-ly disclosed apparatus, when no pattern information is supplied to the air valves of the gun bars from the control device 52, the valves remain "open" to permit passage of pressurized air through supply tubes 44 to continuously de-flect all of the continuously flowing dye streams from the gun bar outlets 42 into the collection trough 60 for re-circulation. When carpet to be dyed passes beneath the first gun bar of the dye appl1cator section 10, pattern control device 52 is actuated in suitable manner, such as manually by an operator. Thereafter, signals from trans-ducer 64 release pattern information from device 52 to selectively "close" the air valves so that the correspond-ing dye streams are not deflected, but pass in their nor-mal discharge paths to strike the carpet. Thus, by oper-ating the solenoid air valves of each gun bar in $he desired pattern sequence, a colored pattern of dye is placed on the carpet during its passage through the dye applicator section 10.
Details of the construction of each gun bar are best shown in Figure 3 which is an end elevation view, partially in section, of one of the gun bars 24. As seen, each gun bar includes a main structural support plate 70 which ex-tends across the full width of the conveyor and is support-ably attached to the diagonal members of the support frame 18. Attached to the upper portion of plate 70 is the air supply manifold 48 and adjustably attached to the lower flanged edge of the plate, by suitable bracket and clamp means 72, which are spaced along the length of plate 70, -J-~Z146 is the dye manifold pipe 38. Sub-manifold section 40 is suitably attached, as by bolts (not sho~n), to dye mani-fold pipe 38 and has a sub-manifold chamber 73 which communicates by way of a plurality of passageways 74 spaced along pipe 38 with an interior chamber of manifold pipe 38 which receive dye therefrom. The dye receiving chamber 73 of ~ub-manifold section 40 is provided with the plurality of dye discharge outlets 42 which are spaced along the length of sub-manifold section 40 and across the width of the conveyor to discharge dye in a row of parallel streams onto the moving carpet.
Details of the construction and arrangement of the dye collection trough or chamber of the present invention may be best described by reference to Figure 3. The col--lection chamber 60 includes a relatively thick, rigid main support plate, or bar 80 which extends the entire length of the gun bar and is attached thereto at spaced locations along the length of the gun bar by rod members 82 connect-ing plate 80 to the clamping means 72. To provide posi-tional stability for the collection chamber, the support plate 80 is formed of a high strength material, such as a relatively thick stainless steel plate.
The outer walls 84 of the collection chamber are conveniently formed of a thin, lightweight material, such as stainless steel sheet metal, attached in suitable manner to support plate 80 and clamping means 72 of the gun bar (Figure 3~. The outer edge portion of plate 80 is suitably tapered, as shown, to form a sharp ed8e which extends generally parallel to the row of dye outlets 42 ( ~2Z2146 of the gun bar. The support plate 80 also serves as a secondary dye collector, as will be explained.
Supportably positioned in spaced relation abo~e the upper surface of the tapered portion of support plate 80 is a first, or primary dye collector plate 86 which ex-tends the length of the gun bar and has a sharp outer edge positioned closely ad~acent and parallel to the row of dis-charge outlets of the gun bar. The primary collector plate 86 is adjustably attached, as by bolt and spacer means 87, at spaced locations along its length to the upper surface of support plate 80 so that the plate 86 may be moved to position its outer edge relative to the dye discharge axes of the dye outlets. Various fastening means may be employ-ed for adjustably mounting the primary collector plate and one such means is disclosed in previ.ously referred to Klein, U. S. Patent Application Serial Number 471,111, filed May 17, 1974, now U. S. Patent Number 3,942,343.
Supportably attached, as by screw and spacer means 8~, in spaced relation below the support plate 80 is a third dye collector plate ~8, the outer edge of which ex-tends generally parallel to the outer edges of plate 80 and 86 and is located at a further distance from the dis-charge axes of the dye outlets of the gun bar than these two edges. In the embodiment shown in Figure 3, the third collector plate 88 does not communicate directly with the interior of the dye collection chamber, but extends in spaced relation below the collection chamber throughout ~; its length to points beyond both sides of the conveyor so thae dye collected by the third collector plate may drain ~z~
from the open sides of the collector plate without striking the moving carpet being dyed.
As seen, the collection chamber 60 has an elongate opening or entrance 61 for the reception of deflected dye.
The opening extends the length of the gun bar and is locat-ed on the opposite side of the discharge axes D (Figure 4) of the dye outlets 42 from the air supply tubes 44. The dye deflected by streams of air from the air supply tubes passes into the opening of the dye collection chamber and flows by gravity into the l~wer interior portion of the chamber. The collected dye is removed, as by gravity, from the collection chamber through one or more drain lines 62, which direct the dye back to the dye reservoir 38 for recirculation.
In Figures 3 and 4 the reference numeral 90 repre-sents a meter which sen.ses the flow rate of the dye fluid from the dye jets by measuring a head pressure and through the pressure transducer 92 controls the opening or closing of the flow valve 94. The flow controller 90 receives dye fluid from the manifold 38 through the inlet connection 94 of the spiral wound capillary tube 96. From the tube 96 the dye fluid passes into the glass column 98 and maintains a certain level which is proportional to the dye jet flow rate and is read on the scale 100. The pressure equiva-lent to the height of the column 102 is transmitted through tube 104 to the pressure transducer 92 where the pressure is converted to an electrical signal transmitte~d by wires 106 to the controller 108 of the valve 94 in the conduit means 36. The length of the t~be 96 is so selected and ~Z146 the scale lOO 50 calibrated that the height of the column 102 provides an indirect reading of jet flow rate. Ob-viously, the purpose of the controller 90 is to maintain a predetermined flQw from the dye jet 42. To this end it has been found that there is a critical length of the exit tube 110 from the main body of the meter into the receiver 112. This length is determined experimentally by maineain ing the height of the column 102 constant for a selected jet 42 and selecting a length of tube which will maintain the ~et flow rate from the jet within - 1 1/2~ of the desired jet flow rate independently of the viscosity fluctuation of the fluid. This length is determined by trial and error. The diameter of the exit tube 110 is substantially the same as the diameter of the capillary tube 96.
The receiver 112 is under atmospheric pressure and receives dye fluid from the exit tube 110 as well as the overflow tube 114 and delivers same via conduit 116 back to the dye reservoir tank 32 for recirculatlon.
It can be seen that a meter has been provided which will automatically adjust the flow rate from a dye jet machine by measuring a pressure change in the dye mani-fold. The disclosed invention is primarily useful on apparatus employing non-~ewtonian fluids such as dye liquids having thickeners and resins therein which cause the composite fluid to act like a non-Newtonian fluid.
Although I have described in detail the preferred embodiment of the invention, it is contemplated that changes may be made without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention and I desire to be limited only by the scope of the claims.
Claims (7)
1. Apparatus for controlling the flow rate of a non-Newtonian fluid from a fluid jet comprising: a fluid jet, manifold means supplying a non-Newtonian fluid to said jet, means supplying non-Newtonian fluid to said manifold means, control means to control the flow of non-Newtonian fluid from said manifold means and pressure sensitive means operably associated with said manifold means to auto-matically cause said control means to adjust the flow of fluid from said manifold means upon a change of flow rate from the jet.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said control means includes an elongated chamber for the non-Newtonian fluid, an inlet tube operably associated with the fluid pressure in said manifold means, a capillary tube connected at one end to said inlet tube and to said chamber at the other end and an outlet tube in communication with said means to supply the non-Newtonian fluid, said outlet tube, said capillary tube and said inlet tube having substantially the same diameter.
3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said capillary tube is spirally wound.
4. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said outlet tube has a length to maintain the flow-rate from said fluid jet within ? 1 1/2% independent of the viscosity of the non-Newtonian fluid.
5 . The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said capillary tube is spirally wound.
6 . The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said sensing means includes a pressure transducer in communication with said chamber.
7 . The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said sensing means includes an elongated chamber for the non-Newtonian fluid, an inlet tube operably associated with the fluid pressure in said manifold means, a capillary tube connected at one end to said inlet tube and to said chamber at the other end and an outlet tube in communication with said means to supply the non-Newtonian fluid, said outlet tube has a length to maintain the flow-rate from said fluid jet within ? 1 1/2% independent of the viscosity of the non-Newtonian fluid.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000502925A CA1222146A (en) | 1981-04-28 | 1986-02-27 | Flow controller |
Applications Claiming Priority (4)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US258,410 | 1981-04-28 | ||
| US06/258,410 US4392366A (en) | 1981-04-28 | 1981-04-28 | Flow controller |
| CA000401751A CA1211281A (en) | 1981-04-28 | 1982-04-27 | Flow controller |
| CA000502925A CA1222146A (en) | 1981-04-28 | 1986-02-27 | Flow controller |
Related Parent Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000401751A Division CA1211281A (en) | 1981-04-28 | 1982-04-27 | Flow controller |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1222146A true CA1222146A (en) | 1987-05-26 |
Family
ID=25669665
Family Applications (2)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000502926A Expired CA1224638A (en) | 1981-04-28 | 1986-02-27 | Flow controller |
| CA000502925A Expired CA1222146A (en) | 1981-04-28 | 1986-02-27 | Flow controller |
Family Applications Before (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000502926A Expired CA1224638A (en) | 1981-04-28 | 1986-02-27 | Flow controller |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (2) | CA1224638A (en) |
-
1986
- 1986-02-27 CA CA000502926A patent/CA1224638A/en not_active Expired
- 1986-02-27 CA CA000502925A patent/CA1222146A/en not_active Expired
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| CA1224638A (en) | 1987-07-28 |
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| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| MKEX | Expiry |