MXPA99001585A - Product detector go - Google Patents

Abstract

The alarm mechanism of the invention indicates the absence of a liquid from a source of aqueous liquid. The alarm mechanism comprises an alarm body that has an input port and an output port, the input port in liquid communication with a liquid source, the output port in liquid communication with a use site. The alarm mechanism additionally comprises a float chamber placed in liquid communication parallel with the inlet port and the outlet port. The botador camera that contains a puncher operably connected to an alarm. The float, when a chamber is filled with the fluid, turns off the switch to generate the signal. The float as the chamber empties from the liquid, reaches a position and is detected by energizing the switch to send a "scarce or empty product" signal. The device operates by passing the liquid through the body. As the liquid in the liquid source is emptied and is no longer available for passage through the body, the body is emptied of the liquid as the source of pressure withdraws the liquid and particularly from the chamber causing the pusher to reach a position that generates a sign

Description

VACUUM PRODUCT DETECTOR Field of the Invention The invention relates to means for detecting the decrease of a liquid supply from a liquid source. More specifically, the invention is a reliable vacuum product device installed in a liquid path or in a liquid path in communication between a liquid source and the liquid usage site. The liquid path typically contains a bornba that drives the liquid for use. The device is configured so that it indicates "empty product" at 30 seconds -----, *: of the absence of the liquid from the source of the aqueous liquid and from - * the means to detect the absence of the liquid.

Background of the Invention Chemical solid block, powder, pellet, liquid and other chemical concentrate materials can be combined with water to form a concentrated liquid solution. Such a concentrated solution is pumped to a site of use such as a dishwashing machine, a laundry machine, a janitorial spillway, a toilet sump, a cleaning system in place, as a lubricant in a conveyor and a variety of other locations where cleaners, disinfectants, rinse aids, lubricants and other liquid functional materials find utility. In such systems, the liquid concentrate is a typically aqueous material that is pumped frequently from a container or container, diluted if necessary and supplied to the site of use. The liquid in the container or container is frequently a liquid concentrate and is purchased from a supplier, although it can also be a liquid concentrate made from solid, powder or pellet material. Regardless of the source of the liquid concentrate, the liquid can be emptied from its container or container during use. In order to obtain consistent results from the liquid concentrate, the condition of the empty container or container must be immediately known by the maintenance personnel for replacement with fresh liquid or a full liquid container. Since the system does not provide adequate concentrate to the site of use, the functionality of the material can be reduced, or lost, resulting in a failure in the cleanup, a failure to reduce the microbial colonies adequately, a failure in the rinsing, a failure in lubrication or other machine or process failure. The presence of a non-substantial or non-liquid material can simply result in a temporary reduction of function or capacity. A complete absence of the function or capacity may in certain rare circumstances result in damage to the machine. A variety of flow-proof mechanisms or vacuum product detectors have been developed. Many such systems are complicated construction, slow response, or intermittent results. A number of lower product or empty product systems use floats that can be used as the empty product detectors. A patent, Canadian Patent No. 1,012,630 to Schneier, claims a scanty product alarm comprising a float in a hollow float chamber, a product inlet to the chamber and a product outlet from the chamber. The entrances and exits are formed in the base of the camera. The camera includes a float and a sensor switch. The chamber also comprises a second valve outlet installed in the upper part of the device that is used as a safety line. In use, the sensor device is filled with liquid by extracting fluid using a pump through the scant product alarm, then through the safety line with valve, until it is full. At this point, the safety valve line is closed using a valve installed in the line and operations are continued by extracting liquid from the inlet tube into the product alarm, then towards the exit, then towards the pump and towards the site of use. When the liquid source is empty, the float chamber is emptied, the float drops, activating a signal of lack of product. While the Schneier device provides some degree of successful product detection, its design is complex with multiple inputs and outputs and safety lines with valve. There are substantial needs for a simple and improved scarce product sensor that can provide a scanty product alarm with minimal complexity and maximum reliability and sensitivity.

Brief description of the I nvention The invention resides in a monolithic scarce product alarm apparatus formed in a solid body by the introduction of chambers, zones and passages in the body. These characteristics are preferably formed by piercing the chambers, zones and passages in a solid body. The body has a port of entry and an exit port open to the outside. The entrance door and the exit door are in liquid communication in a liquid path from a source of the liquid to a site of use. The low product alarm device of the invention can be installed at virtually any location along the liquid stream between the source and the site of use. The outlet port can be in liquid communication with a pump. The port of entry may be in liquid communication with a source of functional liquid material typically a concentrate. Preferably, the input port of the empty product or product alarm device of the invention is in liquid communication with a pump or other source of the aqueous liquid under pressure. In this mode, the output port of the device is typically in liquid communication with the site of use. The absence of the aqueous liquid in the path from the pump to the site of use is then detected by the scanty product alarm that instructs the user to replace the empty product container. It has been found that the vacuum product detector has improved the detection and alarm properties if it is preferably placed between the pump and the site of use. In such a configuration, the liquid path between the pump and the site of use comprises the detector and may comprise other dispensing components. Inside the body, the port of entry is in communication of the liquid with the port of exit through a passage formed in the body. The body further comprises a float chamber formed in the body. The camera and the float have dimensions that allow freedom of movement and reliable signaling from the float. The preferred floats are cylindrical in shape and are placed in a float chamber that is also cylindrical in shape. For aqueous liquids with a viscosity of less than about 250 cP, the float has a maximum lateral external dimension of approximately 20 to 29 millimeters, while the chamber has a dimension of approximately 21 to approximately 30 millimeters with a minimum space of approximately 1 to 3 millimeters between the exterior of the float and the chamber wall. As the viscosity increases above 250cp, the space between the float and the wall of the chamber should increase proportionally. The float chamber is placed in liquid communication with the outlet port and the inlet port, although parallel to and in liquid connection with the passage formed in the sensor body. In normal operation, liquid from the liquid source passes inside the threaded inlet port. The liquid passes through the passage to the outlet port and simultaneously passes parallel liquid communication inside the float chamber. After filling the passage and the chamber, the fluid then flows to the port of exit. The direction of flow of the liquid during the operation diverts the float in the direction or float position without signal. The full float chamber keeps the float in a constant position without generating a signal until the liquid is reduced at its source. When the liquid is emptied, the pump draws the remaining liquid through the port of entry into the passageway and into the port of exit. When it is emptied at the port of entry, the liquid removal from the passage draws the liquid from the float chamber. The movement of fluid from the camera caused by gravity and flow, diverts the float to move it from the full position to an empty position. The movement of the float that reaches the bottom in the chamber is detected and a "scarce" or "empty" product signal is generated. When there is no fluid present in the inlet port, the pump empties the float chamber. The liquid in the float chamber flows from the bottom of the float chamber to the passage, then to the outlet port. As the float chamber is emptied by the pump, the float drops in the float chamber to a position indicating the lack of product. The simple and elegant design of the sensor does not require a safety circuit or safety valve and is simple and resistant. The sensor provides a reliable lack of liquid signal in 30 seconds, preferably in 10 minutes of consuming the liquid from the liquid container or container. For the purpose of this patent application, the term "parallel" means that within the body of the sensor, the liquid may take one of the two paths from the inlet to the outlet. The liquid can follow the passage from the entrance to the exit or can flow through the float chamber from the entrance to the exit. These two flow paths are separate and distinct although they start and end at the same location in the passage. In the facilities using the low product detector of the invention, the detector is typically inserted between the liquid source and the pump and does not require a drainage system or valving system for its operation. However, it must be clearly understood that the pump can be valved or the source can be valved to provide control purposes. Monolithic means that the cameras, passages, entrances and exits of the device are formed in a body by drilling or drilling the material from the body.

Brief Description of the Drawings Figure 1 is a first embodiment of the invention showing a simple design having an individual inlet 12, an individual outlet 11, a float chamber 13 and passages 14, 15a and 15b in parallel liquid communication. Figure 2 is a second embodiment of the invention showing a different embodiment of the internal passages. Figure 3 is an isometric drawing of the device of Figure 2 which describes the perforations necessary to make the device.

Detailed description of the invention The liquid product missing sensor device can be used with virtually any functional liquid material pumped or otherwise directed to any machine, place, container or virtually useful site. The liquids can be aqueous or non-aqueous. The functionality of liquids can be broad. Such functionality may include laundry detergents, dishwashing detergents, surface disinfectants, hard surface cleaners, lubricants, rinsing agents, etc. The low product alarm of the invention is designed for use with liquids having viscosities substantially no greater than that of water. Such viscosities can be less than about 300 cP, preferably ranging from about 1 to 250 cP at 23 ° C using a Brookfield viscometer with a No. 3 shaft at about 10 to 50 rpm. Common use sites for the scanty product alarm of this invention include washing machines, dishwashing machines, conveyor lines, bottle conveyors, two liter beverage container lines, cleaning system apparatus in place, Dairy plant disinfectants and other uses involve supplying a liquid with a pump to a site of use. Clearly any site of use that can use a functional liquid material of the type described in this invention can find use of the scant product sensor of the invention. The scarce product sensor is typically installed in a liquid stream in a liquid stream between a liquid source and its use. The pump removes the source of liquid and directs it to its place of use until the liquid is drained from the container or container. The scant product sensor of the invention is typically installed between the source of the liquid, a container or container and the pump and generates a "signal of lack of product" when the liquid is emptied. The signal of lack of product can be of any type of communication including visual signals, audible signals, etc. Preferred signals include warning lights, loudspeaker alarms, sirens, horn, etc. The vacuum product sensing apparatus of the invention is designed to be used with liquid compositions pumped to a site of use. Liquids are diluted or concentrated solutions. Concentrates or diluted use solutions include liquid detergents, liquid rinse aids, liquid disinfectant materials and other functional aqueous liquids that can be used for cleaning, disinfecting, bleaching, rinsing, etc. Liquid detergent compositions typically comprise an aqueous base, at least one surfactant, a sequestrant, an optional solvent, an optional acidic or basic component, and a variety of other additive materials such as dyes, perfumes, etc. The surfactants useful in liquid detergents are typically anionic or non-ionic foaming or low foaming surfactants. Sequestrants are commonly organic or inorganic sequestrants that can treat typical service water to reduce the anti-detergent properties of hardness ions. Typical solvents can be used in liquid detergents including lower alcohols, hydrocarbons, chlorofluorocarbons, ethyl alcohol solvents, etc. Such detergents can be manufactured in a concentrate or in a diluted material. In concentrates, the active ingredients can add up to 35 to 75% of the concentrate while in a diluted material, the active components are typically less than 10% of the total material. The vacuum product detector of the invention can also be used with auxiliary rinsing concentrates or diluted rinsing aids. Rinsing aids are typically aqueous solutions of nonionic surfactants or similar coating promoting components that cause dishwashing, after the wash cycle, to completely rinse without leaving spots or traces of the dry rinse residue. Such rinse aids typically comprise a surfactant typically manufactured to improve rinsing properties. Rinsing aids may also contain other surfactant materials, disinfectants and other materials that do not tend to cause traces or stains. An aqueous disinfectant can also be used with the compositions of the invention. Disinfectants are typically antimicrobial materials that can substantially reduce microbial populations on typical hard surfaces. The disinfectant material is used to dilute the disinfectant material with water and contact the surface for a sufficient period, typically more than 30 seconds, typically less than about 30 minutes in order to control the microbe populations. A variety of disinfectant materials can be used. Chlorine-based disinfectants comprising hypochlorite, chlorine, chlorine dioxide can be used. In addition, periacidal materials such as peracetic acid, perpropionic acid, perglutaric acid, peroctic acid, etc. They can be used. In addition, organic disinfectants such as chlorhexadene, iodofor, hexachlorophene, etc. can be used. In all these cases, the material used in the product failure sensor can be a concentrate or a total diluted use solution. The preferred mode of! The spout is used with dilute materials that have a viscosity substantially no greater than water. The internal passages, the free space between the float and the float chamber are calibrated to dilute aqueous solutions. If thicker solutions are used, the dimensions of the passages should be increased proportionally with an increase in viscosity. Typically the use solutions of the invention have a viscosity ranging from about the viscosity of water to about 500 cP, alternately from about the viscosity of water to about 250 cP, at 23 ° C using a Brookfield RTV viscometer, a No. 3 probe at 20-50 rpm. The nature of the invention will be further understood with reference to the drawings. Figure 1 shows a first embodiment of the invention. The sensor body 10 is shown in a general manner. The sensor body has a threaded inlet port 12 and a threaded outlet port 1 1. The inlet port 12 is typically in direct liquid communication with a liquid source in a container or container. The preferred liquid communication means are flexible tubes (not shown) having an internal diameter of about 1.5 to 10 millimeters preferably of about 1.6 to 6 millimeters. The outlet port 1 1 is in liquid communication typically with a pump (not shown) through a similar tube (not shown). The output of the pump directed towards a site of use. The threaded inlet port 12 and the threaded outlet port 1 1 are connected to a passage 14 formed in the sensor body. The passage is typically a perforated or circular drilled passage having a diameter of approximately 27 to 29 millimeters. The sensor body also contains a flotation chamber 13 containing a float 16. The float chamber It is in parallel liquid communication with the passage from the threaded inlet port and the threaded outlet port. The threaded inlet port is connected to the flotation chamber using passage 15a and the flotation chamber is in liquid communication with the threaded outlet port using passage 15b. The float is placed in the chamber with a degree of vertical displacement allowed in the float chamber. The float shows the maximum vertical position of the float with a filled chamber. The float, in imaginary line, shows the minimum vertical position 16a of the float in an empty chamber. This position is detected and they are signaled by an empty product condition. The preferred float is a cylindrical float and the preferred chamber is cylindrical. The orifice of the chamber is typically around 27 to 29 millimeters whereas the external diameter of the float is typically 25 to 26 millimeters. The extent of the displacement of the float from the position at 16 to the position 16a within the chamber is typically less than about 15 millimeters preferably less than 11 millimeters and typically is on the scale of about 5 to 15 millimeters. A minimum movement of approximately 5 millimeters from a higher position in the float chamber to a lower position in the float chamber is sufficient to generate a signal of lack of product. The float chamber 13 and the passages in the body are typically formed by drilling the cylindrical float chamber having a diameter of approximately 27 to 29 millimeters formed directly within the sensor body. The float 16 and the sensor assembly 17 are then inserted into the chamber and sealed in the seat 17a using a threaded seal using O-ring inserts 18 to complete a liquid-tight seal. The sensor is connected to an alarm comprising a visible or audible alarm using wires 19. When placed in service, a pump (not shown) draws the liquid from a liquid source into the inlet port. The pump can be installed upstream or downstream from the empty product sensing device. In other words, the pump can drive the liquid inside the inlet or it can draw the liquid from the outlet in the liquid supply to the site of use. Preferably the pump is installed between the device and the site of use and urges the liquid through the device by extracting the product from the outlet. The liquid fills the entrance, fills the chamber and then the passages. When the chamber and passages outside the outlet port are filled with liquid, the liquid passes out of the outlet port to the pump and then to the site of use. When the liquid fills the chamber, the float moves or rises from an empty position 16a (in imaginary line) to a full position and the product failure alarm goes off. While the liquid is present from the source in the inlet port 12, the float remains in position 16 without the signal being generated. When the liquid ends at the source, the liquid is removed by the pump from the outlet port 11. As the liquid is emptied, the liquid is extracted from the passage and the chamber through the passage into the passage and then out of the output of the pump. The movement of the liquid facilitates or diverts the movement of the float from the "full product" position 16 to the "empty product" position 16a. The liquid empties the chamber from the bottom of the chamber through passage 15a. Due to this movement of the liquid, the float tends to be drawn into the empty position 16a. When it reaches the empty position 16a, the float generates a signal of lack of product in the switch assembly 17 which is directed towards the visual or audible signal means through the cables 19. The plug 12a is shown closing a portion of a passage 15a formed by drilling or drilling the sensor body 10. The orifice plug is used to close the passage in a location not necessary for sensor operation. Figure 2 is an alternative embodiment of the invention having a similar operation with an alternate formation. Fig. 2 shows a sensor body 20 having a float chamber 13 '. Installed in the float chamber in the seat 17a 'is the sensing device and the float (not shown). Also the entrance 12 'and the exit 1 1' are formed in the device. The inlet 12 'is typically in liquid communication with a liquid source typically a pump outlet. The output port 1 1 'is typically in liquid communication with a use site where the properties of the liquid material are used for some beneficial purpose. The plugs 21 and 22 are inserted in holes drilled in the body to seal the punched holes not necessary for the operation of the sensor device. In the manufacture of the device 20 in Figure 2, the initial perforations are made to form the sensor cavity 13 'followed by the passage 14'. Then the initial perforations are introduced into the sensor body at the inlet port 12 ', the passages 15b' 15c 'and the outlet port 1 1' followed by the second perforations increasing the diameter of the inlet port 12 'and the port of exit 1 '. alternatively, the passage 14 'and the passage 15a' are connected by the passage 15c 'which is introduced into the sensor body through the initial bore connected now by the plug 21. Finally, the passage 14 'is introduced into the sensor body by drilling into the sensor body at the point now sealed by the plug 22. In this way, the cooperating input, the outlet, the passage and the sensor cavity can be formed conveniently in the body by linear drilling operations. Figure 13 is an isometric drawing of the device of Figure 2. Figure 3 clearly shows the confirmation in the dash chamber and the passages in the sensor device. The passage 15a 'is formed in the center of the sensor chamber 13'. The inlet port 12 'and the outlet port 11' are centered on the side of the cylindrical sensor cavity 13 '. The passage 14 'is parallel to and centered in the cavity of the sensor 13'. The rectangular prism is used to form the body of the sensing device having dimensions of 4.44 cm in width, 5.08 cm in depth and approximately 7.62 cm in height. The diameter of the sensor chamber is approximately 2.69 cm. The width of the seat 17a 'in figure 2 is about 3.17 cm. The internal passages 15a ', 15b', 15c 'and 14' are around 0.474 cm. The inlet port 12 'and the outlet port 11' are over-punched to a size approximately 0.861 cm for the introduction of a tapered surface. These dimensions are established for aqueous liquids of relatively low viscosity. As the viscosity of the liquids increases, the dimensions of the passages increase proportionally to allow the substantially constant flow velocity. The position of the float can be detected or detected in a form number. The position of the float can be detected using an infrared beam. The float moves to a position that blocks the beam. The blocking of the beam interrupts the beam, causing a sensor to detect the absence of the optical energy that activates a signal. In addition, the float can have an electrical contact placed in any position of the float. Such contact may be on the sides of the float, the end of the float, or the float may be connected with a switch placed in the connector or seal with the body. In addition, the float may contain a magnet which, when it reaches a position showing the absence of the liquid, may attract a magnet switch which may also generate a signal. In the preferred embodiment the float 16 (Figure 1) is mechanically connected to a sensor assembly 17 containing a switch (not shown) which is powered by the movement of the float 16. The switch can be connected either to a power source to a sensor or interrupts the flow of electricity as the float moves to an "empty" position. The float and the float chamber in Figure 2 are similar to those in Figure 1 in the chamber bore, the diameter of the float and are identical in the signal operation of the float. It has been found that the above sensor apparatus is reliable and produces an empty product alarm at 30 seconds, preferably 10 seconds, of the absence of liquid at the port of entry. These results were obtained while operating the sensor at a liquid flow rate of about 50 to 200 μL-min "1 (milliliters per minute) with an aqueous solution having a viscosity of about 1 to 250 cP at about 23 °. C. In those conditions, the pump draws the liquid from the float chamber causing the float to move to a position that signals an empty condition reliably without a false "full" signal. In addition, the geometry of the device prevents the occurrence of any false "shutdown" signal. This mode of a product outside the sensor can be used without an initiation line and without an initiation line valve. The above specification, examples and data provide a complete description of the manufacture and use of the composition of the invention. Since many embodiments of the invention can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, the invention resides in the appended claims below.

Claims (7)

1. REIVI NDICATIONS 1 . An alarm device that can signal the absence of liquid quickly and reliably, the alarm comprising: (a) an alarm body; (b) an output formed in the alarm body in fluid communication with a pump; (c) an input port formed in the body of the alarm in liquid communication with a liquid source, the input port in liquid communication with the outlet through a liquid path formed in the body; Y (d) a float chamber, having a float operably connected to means for signaling the absence of the liquid, the float chamber in liquid communication parallel with the fluid path; where under the condition of absence of liquid at the inlet port, the pump draws the liquid from the float chamber and the path of the liquid which causes the float to move towards a position indicating the absence of liquid in the float chamber. alarm body.
2. 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the float and the float chamber are cylindrical and the space between the float and the float chamber is approximately 2 thousand.
3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the path of the liquid and the passages is formed in the body having a diameter of about 1.6 to 6 millimeters.
4. 4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the means for signaling the absence of the liquid comprises an electrical switch.
5. 5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the liquid flows through the outlet at a rate of about 50 to 150 mL-min-1.
6. 6. A spout comprising a source of an aqueous concentrate or use solution, a pump, the apparatus of claim 1 and a site of use. The dispenser of claim 6, wherein the pump outlet is in liquid communication with the inlet of the apparatus of claim 1.