GB2376225A

GB2376225A - Hygroscopic fluid dispenser

Info

Publication number: GB2376225A
Application number: GB0106493A
Authority: GB
Inventors: By Patrick De
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2001-03-16
Filing date: 2001-03-16
Publication date: 2002-12-11
Also published as: GB0106493D0

Abstract

The Hygroscopic fluid dispenser 1 comprises a sealed reservoir 2 and sealing fluid filler cap 2a. A hydrophobic membrane filter 3 made with microscopic pores (3a) which prevent the larger moisture molecules (4) being drawn in with the dried air 8 entering the sealed reservoir 2. Fluid 6 is removed from the reservoir 2 by the operations of a known preferably hermetically sealed pump 5 preferably a known filter 10 filters any particulate that may be present in the dispensed fluid 6 various known conduits and fittings 7 convey the dried air 8 and fluid 6 between the components of the Hygroscopic Fluid Dispenser 1 within a housing 1a. Preferably a known self sealing connector 9 prevents any ingress of moisture when the Hygroscopic Fluid Dispenser 1 is disconnected from the recipient of the dispensed fluid 6.

Description

Hygroscopic Fluid Dispenser This invention relates to a Hygroscopic Fluid Dispenser.

Hygroscopic Fluid Dispenser's are well known which compromise of methods of dispensing Hydroscopic fluids whereas the reservoir containing the hydroscopic fluid is flexible and collapses as the hydroscopic fluid is removed requiring no vent to the atmosphere. Other examples of Hygroscopic Fluid Dispenser's use specific gasses, which form moisture barriers between the stored fluid and the atmosphere. Further examples of Hygroscopic Fluid Dispenser's superdry any air that comes in contact with the fluid using highpressure compressors and moisture separators. Lesser variations of Hygroscopic Fluid Dispenser's use a deformable diaphragm between the fluid and a compressed air reservoir.

Efficient Hygroscopic Fluid Dispenser's are however relatively expensive either to buy or operate. The lesser versions using deformable diaphragms are ineffective, as the deformable diaphragms are invariably porous allowing any moisture within the compressed air reservoir to permeate into the stored hygroscopic fluid.

According to the present invention there is provided a means of dispensing hygroscopic fluid in an economically acceptable way. The hygroscopic fluid to be dispensed is pumped through a known hermetically sealed pump through a known filter from a suitable sealed fluid reservoir. As the Hydroscopic fluid is removed from the suitable reservoir the vacuum/void created is replaced by atmosphere pressure air drawn through a hydrophobic membrane filter. That is a membrane filter with its microscopic pore size chosen such that it allows atmosphere pressure air to pass through but not moisture. The further use throughout of materials that are not moisture permeable means that the hygroscopic fluid both stored and dispensed from the Hygroscopic Fluid Dispenser is kept as moisture free as possible whilst in the Hygroscopic Fluid Dispenser.

Figure 1 shows in outline the Hygroscopic Fluid Dispenser whereas the hydrophobic filter membrane is filtering the vent air available to the suitable sealed reservoir.

Figure 2 illustrates an enlarged view of the hydrophobic filter membrane showing moisture trapped on the surface of the hydrophobic filter membrane.

Figure 3 shows the hydrophobic filter membrane in cross section illustrating the size of the microscopic pores in the hydrophobic filter membrane compared to the size of the moisture globules.

Referring to the drawings the Hygroscopic Fluid Dispenser (1) comprises a suitable sealed reservoir (2) and sealing fluid filler cap (2a). A hydrophobic membrane filter (3) made with microscopic pores (3b) which prevent the larger moisture molecules (4) being drawn in with the dried air (8) entering the suitable sealed reservoir (2) as a partial vacuum is created within the dried air (8) within the suitable reservoir as fluid (6) is removed by the operations of a known preferably hermetically sealed pump (5) preferably a known filter (10) filters any particulate that may be present in the dispensed fluid (6) various known conduits and fittings (7) conveniently convey the dried air (8) and fluid (6) between the components of the Hygroscopic Fluid Dispenser (1) within the Hygroscopic Fluid Dispenser housing (1a) preferably a known self sealing connector (9) prevents any ingress of moisture (4) when the Hygroscopic Fluid Dispenser (1) is disconnected from the recipient of the dispensed fluid (6).

Claims

CLAIMS Claim 1. Hygroscopic Fluid Dispensers are well known which compromise of methods of dispensing Hygroscopic fluids to prevent particular Hygroscopic fluids being contaminated by moisture whereas the reservoir containing the hygroscopic fluid is flexible and collapses as the hygroscopic fluid is removed requiring no vent to the atmosphere. Other examples of Hygroscopic Fluid Dispensers use specific gasses, which form moisture barriers between the stored fluid and the atmosphere.

Further examples of Hygroscopic Fluid Dispensers superdry any air that comes into contact with the fluid using high pressure compressors and moisture separators. Lesser variations of Hygroscopic Fluid Dispensers use a deformable diaphragm between the fluid and a compressed air reservoir. The present invention comprises a Hygroscopic Fluid Dispenser whereas any air allowed to enter the Hygroscopic Fluid reservoir is substantially moisture free to prevent contamination of the fluid stored in the sealed reservoir.

The present invention comprises a Hygroscopic Fluid Dispenser (1) comprising of a suitable sealed reservoir (2) and sealing fluid filler cap (2a). As a partial vacuum is created within the suitable reservoir (2) as fluid (6) is removed by the operation of a known preferably hermetically sealed pump (5) preferably a known filter (10) filters any particulate that may be present in the dispensed hygroscopic fluid (6) various known conduits and fittings (7) conveniently convey the hygrocopic fluid (6) between the components of the hygroscopic fluid dispenser (1) within the hygroscopic fluid dispenser housing (1a) preferably a known self sealing connector or valve (9) prevents any ingress of moisture (4) when the hygroscopic Fluid Dispenser (1) is disconnected

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from the recipient of the dispensed fluid (6). The Hygroscopic Fluid Dispenser (1) is characterised in the use of a hydrophobic membrane filter (3) made with microscopic pores (3b). Any air drawn into the sealed reservoir (2) as the Hygroscopic Fluid nispenser 1 is used is drawn through the Hydrophohic Membrane Filter (3). The size of the microscopic pores (3b) are chosen to be big enough to allow dry air from the atmosphere to be drawn through them but small enough to prevent any airborne moisture/water vapour to permeate the Hydrophobic Membrane Filter (3). Moisture molecules (4) are larger than the air molecules (8) and are trapped on the outer surface of the Hydrophobic Membrane Filter (3) till removed by normal evaporation or if the Hydrophobic Membrane Filter (3) is in the preferred position with the outer surface downwards gravity.

Claim 2 A Hygroscopic Fluid Dispenser (1) as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the size of the pores (3a) within the Hydrophobic Membrane Filter (3) are carefully chosen. In practice the preferred hole size is 0.45 urn (micron) to further prevent the ingress of moisture (4) and give the optimum flow of moisture free air (8) into the sealed reservoir (2) as the Hygroscopic Fluid (6) is drawn from the reservoir (2) the pores (3a) are of a uniform size.

Claim 3 A Hygroscopic Fluid Dispenser (1) as claimed in Claim 1 & 2 wherein the Hydrophobic MembraneFilter (3) forms the vent (12) of the sealed reservoir of the Hygroscopic Fluid Dispenser (1) to prevent the ingress of moisture (4) into the reservoir (2) as any movement of air (8) into the reservoir (2) occurs to prevent moisture (4) contamination of the Hygroscopic Fluid (6) stored within.

Claim 4 A Hygroscopic Fluid Dispenser (1) as claimed in Claim 1,2 & 3 wherein the Hygroscopic Fluid Dispenser (l) takes the form of

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the brake fluid reservoir (11) of a motor vehicle. The Hygroscopic brake fluid types (6a) used in motor vehicles require a very high boiling point be sustained any ingress of moisture (4) lowers this boiling point, even a small percentage of moisture (4) can cause the brake fluid (6a) to boil when sustained braking occurs. The Hydrophobic Membrane Filter (3) preferably forms part of the filler cap (11 a) of the otherwise sealed brake fluid reservoir (11) any air (8a) entering the brake fluid reservoir (11) as the brakes are used or as heated brake fluid (6a) cools and contracts is drawn through the Hydrophobic Membrane Filter (3) and any moisture (4) within the air (8a) drawn through the Hydrophobic Membrane Filter (3) is thus prevented from entering the brake fluid reservoir (11) by the size of pores (3a) within the Hydrophobic Membrane Filter (3) being less than the size of water/vapour molecules (4) affecting a very efficient moisture (4) barrier.

Claim 5 A Hygroscopic Fluid Dispenser (1) as claimed in previous claims wherein the hydrophobic Membrane Filter (3) forms the vent (12) of the sealed brake fluid reservoir (11) of a vehicle or any other sealed Hygroscopic Fluid dispenser (1). The hydrophobic Membrane Filter (3) has a further large pore filter (13) or protective cover (14) to protect the outer surface (3b) of the Hydrophobic membrane Filter (3) from damage but more importantly fouling by dust, oil or grease.

Claim 6 A Hygroscopic Fluid Dispenser (1) as claimed in previous claims where the Hydrophobic Membrane Filter (3) is generally vertical to decrease the chance of moisture (4) being retained on the outer surface (3b) of the Hydrophobic Membrane Filter (3).

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r'linim 7 A r : ii iir4 fl N n,-im ie-C ! s ! m 7 A Hygroscopic F'uid Dispenser (1) as c ! a : med in previous ciaims where the hydrophobic Membrane Filter (3) is renewable or a replaceable part of the Hygroscopic Fluid dispenser (1) so any damage or fouling of the Hydrophobic Membrane Filter need not necessitate the renewal of the complete Hygroscopic Fluid Dispenser (1).