US3131710A - Compound mixing system - Google Patents

Description

May 5, 1964 A. LUDWIG ETAL COMPOUND MIXING SYSTEM Filed Feb. 9, 1962 I NVEINTUR'E' Fl. LJUHIUIE' ENITIDNE'LJL.

jTTE/RNE United States Patent 3,131,710 CGMPOUND MIXENG SYSTEM Alfons Ludwig, Fort Lee, and Bradner N. Monell, Colonial, N..l., assignors to Western Electric Company, incorporated, New York, N.Y., a corporation of New York 7 Filed Feb. 9, 1962, Ser. No. 172,185 Claims. (Cl. 137255) This invention relates to fluid mixing systems and particularly to systems supplying a plurality of tanks with different solutions. Heretofore, considerable effort was expended in premixing and diluting wire drawing compound before add ing the solution to the lubricating systems of wire drawing machines. This manual system was inherently unsatisfactory for control purposes, particularly where the lubricating systems required diiferent compound solutions. This invention provides an automatic compound system whereby it is possible toachieve a much greater degree of control over the compound solution and it is possible to more efiiciently and effectively supply such solution to a plurality of wire drawing lubricating systems.

Accordingly an object of this invention is a fluid mixing system for automatically mixing and selectively supplying a predetermined solution to any one of a plurality of tanks.

Another object of this invention is a means for preventing all but one of a plurality of receiving tanks in a mixing system from demanding compound from a supply source at a particular time.

Another object of this invention is a means for metering a specific mount of concentrate and water to a dilution tank when the liquid level in a particular receiving tank falls below a set limit, mixing the solution and then supplying it to the tank.

A more specific object of this invention is a system for automatically mixing and selectively supplying a predetermined dilution of wire drawing compound to a plurality of lubricating systems requiring different solutions.

In accordance with the general features of this invention, a compound mixing system is prepared for operation by loading a drum of compound into a concentrate tank, diluting the compound to a specific solution and then mixing the solution for a predetermined time interval. The system is actuated when the compound level in a tank or reservoir for the lubricating system of a wire drawing machine drops below an electrode. Then concentrate is metered to a dilution tank, a specific proportion of water added, the solution recirculated and pumped continuously until the level in the tank reaches an upper electrode shutting down the system. An electrical interlock prevents other tanks from calling for dilute compound at the same time. Provisions may be included for auto matically shutting down the system and sounding an alarm when the concentrate level drops or when the dilution tank level rises above set limits due to dficulties in the system.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent when considered in conjunction with the accompanying draw ing, which is a schematic plan of the compound mixing system, the subject of this application.

With reference to the drawing, a system for automatically supplying a predetermined dilution of lubricating compound to a plurality of wire drawing lubricating systems is readied for operation by loading a drum of compound 11 into a concentrate tank 12. As illustrated in phantom on the drawing, the drum 11 is upturned on a tilting fixture 13 and a stream of hot water directed through a nozzle 14 into the open drum 11 forcing the compound into the concentrate tank 12. Steam from a source 54 and water from a source 56 are metered through valves 15 and 16 with a manually operated timer 17 to prepare a concentrated solution. The solu tion is then agitated with a mixer 18 for a predetermined interval set by a second timer 19 which operates a relay 52 closing contacts 58. If a tank requires lubricating solution during the filling of the dilution tank 12, normally closed contact 57 operated by timer 19 will lock out any tanks from calling for compound until the mixing cycle is complete. When contact 57 opens, the power supply to water valves 3% and 39 is cut off until the dilution operation has been completed.

When the compound level in a tank 21, for example tank 1, drops below a lower electrode 22 a level control relay LC-1 is de-energized closing contact 23 while the normally closed contacts 24 of control relays CR-2, 3, 4 and 5 in the line remain closed. The level control relay LC-l is energized from a voltage source 46 when the tank level is at the higher electrode 42. Closing contact 23 completes a path from the voltage supply 47 to operate control relay CR-l which closes normally open contacts 25. This operates a solenoid valve 27 in a line 28 running from the compound header 29 to tank 1 and permits access to the tank. Solenoid valves 27 are of a conventional type and include the usual plunger 68 and valve control member 61' which opens or closes a valve indicated at 62 to regulate the fiow of fluid in line 2.8. Other solenoid valves 15, 1o, 38 and 39 operate in the same manner.

Control relays CR-l to CR-S when operated close their corresponding contact 31 energizing control relay CR-6 to close contacts 32 in the voltage supply circuit and start the concentrate pump 33, output pump 34 and mixer pump 36 by a conventional control arrangement 48 which supplies power from a source 49. The control arrangement 48 includes relays 63, 64 and 65 which close their respective contacts 66, er and 68 completing a circuit path to the various pump motors. Control relay CR-7 is also activated closing contact 53 and starting the mixer 18. Control relays CR-l and CR4: when operated in the illustrated embodiment open normally closed contacts 37 shutting water valve 38. Control relays CR-l to 5 energize control relay CR-6 to close contacts 32 opening water valve 39.

In the system shown, tanks l and 3 require a 7% solution whereas the remaining tanks 2, 4 and 5 require a 5% solution of lubricating compound which includes a mixture of fat and soap in water. Control relay (IR-6 operates for each tank needing solution and by closure of contacts 32 operates valve 39 to assure at least a 7% mixture. Since tanks 1 and 3 require 7% solution, operation of control relays CR-l and CR-3, contacts 37, opens valve 38 while valve 39 remains closed. Operation of valves 33 and 39 in the case of tanks 2, 4 and 5 supplies additional water resulting in a 5% solution. While the invention is illustrated with a system having only two strengths of dilution, obviously a more sophisticated system could be readily devised embracing many different strengths of solution. For example, a binary system could be used to obtain numerous variations in the strength of solution utilizing the principles disclosed herein. Furthermore, although the mixture in the present instance is commonly referred to as a solution, it is perhaps more accurately described as a complex mixture of a suspension and a colloidal dispersion. In any event, the mixing system functions equally Well with solutions or other types of fluid mixtures.

Concentrated solution is pumped by pump 33 from the concentrate tank 12 to the dilution tank 41 while a certain amount of dilute solution is drawn from the tank and recirculated by pump 36 for mixing purposes. The

dilution tank is relatively small in size and an internal design including baffles (not shown) can be selected to achieve a high degree of turbulence and insure good mixing. The output pump 34 continuously pumps the dilute solution to the tank requiring compound, in the present example tank 1, until the level reaches an upper electrode 42. This energizes the particular level control relay LC-l and breaks contacts 23 to de-energize control relay CR-l. Contacts 26 open, shutting the solenoid vmve 27. Operation of any control relay CR l to opens contacts 24 to preclude the other control relays from operating. Therefore, the remaining valves 27 in the line 28 running off the header 29 stay closed and only one tank 21 can call for dilute solution at any one time.

When the upper level in a tank 21 is reached, the upper electrode 42 energizes the particular level control 43 to de-energize the control relay 44 returning the relay contacts to their normal position awaiting the next system requiring dilute compound. The level control 43 locks itself in when energized at high level and drops out when the lever falls below the lower electrode 22. The upper electrode 42 energizes the level control 43 at high liquid level closing contacts 51 to form a parallel path through the tank 21. The circuit is broken only when the level falls below lower electrode 22. Contacts 51 remain open until operated by the level control 43 at high liquid level.

A conventional power supply 49'is provided for the motors and a conventional low voltage supply 47 is pro vided for the control circuit. Alarm features (not shown) can be incorporated in the circuit so that an indicating light goes on when the concentrate level falls below an electrode. When it falls below a second electrode, the system can be shut down and an alarm sounded. Similarly, an upper electrode can be made to sound an alarm and shut down the system when a malfunction causes the level in the dilution tank to rise abnormally. Standard manually operated timers (not shown) are employed to operate control relay CR-6 and meter a predetermined solution to initially fill the tanks 21. Similar timers (not shown) are used to meter additional concentrate or water Where the dilution strength must be corrected.

It is to be understood that the above described arrangements are simply illustrative of the principles of the invention. Numerous other arrangements may be readily devised by those skilled in the art which will'embody the principles of the invention and fall within the spirit and scope thereof.

' What is claimed is: V

1. A fluid mixing system including:

at least two supply tanks, each requiring a different concentration of fluid,

a concentrate tank containing a concentrated fluid,

a dilution tank,

means for supplying concentrated fluid from the concentrate tank to the dilution tank,

one or more fluid supply means for supplying a diluting medium to the dilution tank,

level control means individual to each supply tank,

first means responsive to the level control means in each supply tank for initiating a flow of fluid from the concentrate tank to the dilution tank when the fluid in a supply tank drops to a predetermined level,

second means responsive to each level control means for selectively operating one or more of the fluid supply means in accordance with the particular supply tank demanding fluid to mix a predetermined amount of a diluting medium with the concentrate fluid,

third means responsive to each level control means for delivering the fluid from the dilution tank to the supply tank demanding fluid, and fourth means responsive to each level control means for discontinuing the flow of fluid to a supply tank when the fluid in a supply tank rises to a predetermined level.

2. In a fluid mixing system:

at least two supply tanks, each requiring a different concentration of fluid,

a first tank containing a concentrated fluid,

a second tank,

means for supplying concentrated fluid from the first to the second tank,

a plurality of fluid supply means for supplying a diluting medium to the second tank, the concentration of the solution in the second tank being determined by the number of fluid supply means in operation,

a control circuit for the fluid supply means,

recirculating mixing means in the second tank,

level control means individual to each supply tank, means for delivering fluid to a supply tank from the dilution tank as required,

a relay individual to each tank responsive to the level control means when the fluid falls below a predetermined level, each of said relays having serially arranged contacts in the relay circuit of each other tank for blocking the operation of said other relays when a first relay is operated and contacts connected to the control circuit for activating the required number of fluid supply means to obtain a desired concentration of fluid, and

means responsive to the operation of any of the level controlled means for simultaneously initiating the flow of concentrated fluid from the concentrate tank to the dilution tank, the operation or" the fluid supply means for suppling a diluting medium to said tank, the mixing of said diluting medium and concentrated fluid and the delivery of the resultant fluid of predetermined concentration to the particular tank needing fluid.

3. A fluid mixing system comprising:

a first tank for receiving a concentrated solution,

means for mixing the concentrated solution in the first tank,

' a second tank for dilution purposes,

means for transferring concentrated solution from the first tank to the second tank,

means for adding fluid to dilute the concentrated solution in the second tank,

a plurality of tanks for receiving different dilute solutions from the second tank,

means for selectively feeding a particular dilute solu-tion to one of the plurality of tanks when the fluid in the tank falls below a predetermined level including means for simultaneously activating the means for tnansferring concentrated solution to the dilution tank, the means for adding dilution fluid, and said selective feeding means to continuously feed dilute solution to the tank until the fluid level reaches a predetermined height, 7

means for preventing other tanks among the plurality of receiving tanks from obtaining dilute solution while one of said tanks is being supplied, and

7 means for preventing the first tank from receiving a concentrated solution when one of the plurality of tanks requires dilute solution.

4. A fluid mixing system comprising:

a con-centrate tank,

means for making a concentrated solution in said tank including means for forcing a concentrated substance into the tank and means for metering a predetermined amount of fluid into the tank,

a dilution tank of relatively small size,

a plurality of tanks requiring different solutions,

means responsive to the fluid level in any one of the plurality of tanks for automatically supplying concentrated solution to the dilution tank, diluting the concentrated solution to the proper solution, recirculating said solution for mixing purposes and supplying it to the particular tank requiring solution,

means for preventing all but meet the plurality of =3 tanks from calling for solution at the same time, and means for shutting off the means responsive to the fiuid level in any one of the tanks when the levei in the tank being supplied with dilute solution reaches 5 References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Patterson Nov. 16, 1909 Kingsbury July 20, 1920 Durdin Nov. 4, 1930 Walter Oct. 18, 1932 Ofeldt Aug. 30, 1938 Quesada Mar. 23, 1943 Porteous et al Mar. 27, 1945 Levin m Mar. 5, 1946 Whitcomb et a1. Nov. 19, 1946 Gabrielsen Aug. 19, 1958 Claudy Sept. 20, 1960

Claims (1)

1. A FLUID MIXING SYSTEM INCLUDING: AT LEAST TWO SUPPLY TANKS, EACH REQUIRING A DIFFERENT CONCENTRATION OF FLUID, A CONCENTRATE TANK CONTAINING A CONCENTRATED FLUID, A DILUTION TANK, MEANS FOR SUPPLYING CONCENTRATED FLUID FROM THE CONCENTRATE TANK TO THE DILUTION TANK, ONE OR MORE FLUID SUPPLY MEANS FOR SUPPLYING A DILUTING MEDIUM TO THE DILUTION TANK, LEVEL CONTROL MEANS INDIVIDUAL TO EACH SUPPLY TANK, FIRST MEANS RESPONSIVE TO THE LEVEL CONTROL MEANS IN EACH SUPPLY TANK FOR INITIATING A FLOW OF FLUID FROM THE CONCENTRATE TANK TO THE DILUTION TANK WHEN THE FLUID IN A SUPPLY TANK DROPS TO A PREDETERMINED LEVEL,

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