US3145877A

US3145877A - Apparatus for the proportioning and blending of fluids

Info

Publication number: US3145877A
Application number: US133863A
Authority: US
Inventors: Jr John Scarr
Original assignee: Gulf Research and Development Co
Current assignee: Gulf Research and Development Co
Priority date: 1961-08-25
Filing date: 1961-08-25
Publication date: 1964-08-25
Anticipated expiration: 1981-08-25

Description

Aug. 25, 1964 Y SCARR, JR 3,145,877

APPARATUS FOR THE PROPORTIONING AND BLENDING OF FLUIDS Filed Aug. 25, 1961 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 INV EN TOR JZk/z flaw/"5.7x

BY W

ATTORNEY 5, 1964 J. SCARR, JR 3,145,877

APPARATUS FOR THE PROPORTIONING AND BLENDING OF FLUIDS Filed Aug. 25, 1961 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 ATTORNEY Aug. 25, 1964 J. scARR, JR 3,145,877

APPARATUS FOR THE iROPORTIONING AND BLENDING OF FLUIDS Filed Aug. 25, 1961 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 55 9-7- if W W M INVENTOR Jarz 66427;;

ATTORNEY United States Patent C) APPARATUS FOR THE PROPORTIONING AND BLENDING F FLUIDS John Scarr, Jr., Penn Hills Township, Allegheny County,

Pa., assignor to Gulf Research & Development Company, Pittsburgh, Pa, a corporation of Delaware Filed Aug. 25, 1961, Ser. No. 133,863 7 Claims. (Cl. 222-134) This invention relates to a fluid dispensing system and more particularly to a dispensing system adapted to blend and dispense a plurality of fluid stocks in varying proportions.

Various fluid dispensing systems have been proposed as a solution to the proportioning and blending of fluids, but such systems are normally relatively expensive since they usually involve several duplicate parts, and they are sufliciently unconventional as to present substantial problems of manufacture and supply. Proportioning systems having adjustable valve devices have also been proposed to accomplish blending of fluids, but difliculty is usually encountered in such systems in maintaining a constant proportion of component fluids in the blend. This is usually due to an independent variation in the pressure diflerential across the respective proportioning valves resulting primarily from independent variations of the fluid levels in the respective tanks.

In accordance with the present invention a relatively low cost proportioning, blending and dispensing system is provided that is adapted for use with standard dispensing systems now currently in use and oflered to the trade without substantial alteration or redesign of such systems.

Broadly, the present invention comprises a proportional blending apparatus operatively associated with a main supply conduit, plurality of branch supply conduits connected to the main supply conduit and to separate sources of supply. The proportional blending apparatus comprises a rotatable valve operatively associated with each of the branch supply conduits in the direction of the main supply conduit which maintains a constant proportion of component fluids in the blend irrespective of independent variations in the fluid levels in the respective tanks. A positive displacement dispensing pump is connected on its suction side to the main supply and blending conduit and on its discharge side to the dispensing conduit. Bypass means are provided for recirculating the pumped fluid in excess of the amount that can be discharged from the dispensing pump into the dispensing conduit, said fluid being bypassed from the discharge side of the pump to its suction side. A substantially constant speed motor is provided for driving the positive displacement pump. The invention further includes a hydraulic motor operatively associated with the dispensing conduit and means associated with the hydraulic motor operatively associated with the dispensing conduit and adapted to drive the proportioning means in such a manner that a total of one volume of fluid is caused to flow through the proportioning valve for each volume of fluid passing through the hydraulic motor. The invention also includes a valve in the dispensing conduit adapted to control fluid flow therethrough.

Referring to the drawings, there is shown in FIGURE 1 a schematic diagram of a fluid proportioning and blending system embodying the principles of this invention.

FIGURE 2 is a sectional plan view of the proportioning and blending apparatus.

FIGURE 3 is an exploded view of the proportioning and blending apparatus of FIGURE 2.

FIGURE 4 is a bottom plan view of the end-closure plate.

FIGURE 5 is the bottom plan of the rotatable valve.

FIGURE 6 is a sectional view taken on line 66 of FIGURE 2.

FIGURE 7 is a sectional view taken on line 77 of FIGURE 9.

FIGURE 8 is a sectional view taken on line 88 of FIGURE 9.

FIGURE 9 is a plan View taken on line 9-9 URE 2.

FIGURE 10 is a diagrammatic view of a modified form of this invention showing the valve rotation at 90 from that shown in FIGURE 9.

Referring now to FIGURE 1 in greater detail, operation of rotary type positive displacement dispensing pump It) causes a reduction in pressure on the inlet or suction side of the pump. Atmospheric pressure acting on the fluids in their respective tanks (not shown) causes flow of the fluids from the tanks, through branch

supply con duits

11, 12, 13 and 14, toward pump 10. The fluids from the respective tanks are caused to flow in a fixed proportion through the portioning and blending apparatus 15, notwithstanding variation in the pressure diflerentials across respective tank fluid depths. In the illustrated embodiment, fluids from the respective tanks are blended at the discharge side of the blending device and the mixture then passes into main supply conduit 16 toward the suction side of the dispensing pump 10 which is connected in series in line 16. Pump 10 is driven at an essentially constant speed by an electric motor 17 which also operates at a substantially constant speed. The blended fluid is conveyed from the suction side of pump it by rotation of vaned pump rotor 18 into the discharge side of the pump and then into a dispensing conduit 19. Dispensing pump 10 has a capacity such that it will pump fluids at least as rapidly as, and usually more rapidly than, the maximum rate at which is dispensed from the system. The volume of blended fluid that is passed through the pump in excess of the volume dispensed from the system is recirculated through bypass conduit 20 through spring-loaded pressure relief valve 21 and to the suction side of pump rotor 18.

Returning to the description of fluid flow through thesystem, the volume of fluid passing through the dispensing conduit 19 is measured by passage through meter 22 which comprises a hydraulicmotor having a rotary shaft whose rotation is directly proportional to the volume of of FIG- fluid passed therethrough. The rotation of the hydraulic motor shaft drives shaft 23 which is operatively associated with the proportioning and blending apparatus 15.

Continuing with the discussion of the system shown in FIGURE 1, the blended fluid passes downstream from the meter 22 and out of the system through a dispensing valve 24. The dispensing pump 10, meter 22 and dis= pensing valve 24 are suitably of any conventional kind and, as such, form no part of this invention.

For a clearer understanding of the structure and operation of the proportioning and blending device 15, reference is now made to FIGURES 2 and 3. In these fig ures, like parts have been designated by the same nu-J merals. As will be seen from reference to these figures, one type of proportioning apparatus comprising an ex ternal housing member 25, illustrated as substantially hemispherical in shape, is secured to an end-closure member 26 by bolts 27 passing through registering openings in flange 28. These housing parts are configured to enclose a proportioning means comprising a selector valve assembly 29 and gear plate assembly 30 therewithin. It will be seen in FIGURE 2 of the drawing that housing 25 has an annular internal recess 31 which receives and holds the proportioning means in place. A journal hearing with packing retainer 33 projects from end-closure plate 26, said journal bearing supporting a shaft 34 which 3 is connected to valve 32 located within the selector valve assembly 29. Attached to the opposite end of shaft 34 is a handle 35 which provides a means for rotating said valve 32 and thereby regulate the passage of fluids into said proportioning and blending apparatus.

Selector valve assembly 29 comprises rotatable valve 32, bearing plate 36, and annular stationary support member 37 are superimposed on end-closure plate 26 and sandwiched between gear assembly 30 and end-closure plate 26. Bearing plate 36 provides a bearing surface for valve 32, said bearing plate having ports located therein which correspond to and communicate with inlet ports in the end-closure plate. Rotatable valve 32 is located within annular support member 37, said support member being in a circumferential relationship to said valve and adapted to support said valve in an operative position with hearing plate 36.

Within the selector valve assembly are

fluid conduits

38, 39, 40 and 41, as shown in FIGURE 3, which are operatively associated on one end with inlet ports in endclosure plate 26 and on the other with the

fluid inlet chambers

84, 85, 86 and 87 in the gear plate assembly 30.

Gear plate assembly 30 comprising gear plate 47, drive gear 49 and

pinion gears

55, 56, 57 and 58 is sandwiched between selector valve assembly 29 and cover plate 46.

Cover plate 46 is attached to gear assembly 38 and, as shown in FIGURE 3, the

fluid discharge ports

59, 60, 61 and 62 are operatively associated with

fluid discharge chambers

88, 89, 90 and 91 and the hemispherical chamber formed by housing 25. Within this hemispherical chamber the fluids issuing from

discharge ports

59, 60, 61 and 62 will be blended prior to their passage to main supply conduit 16.

Returning to a more detailed description of the apparatus, end-closure plate 26, as shown in FIGURE 4, is provided with

fluid inlet ports

68, 69, 70, 71, 72 and 73, said inlet ports being arranged in a circular row concentric to and at 90 intervals from opening 74 which receives shaft 34.

Fluid inlet ports

68 and 69 are substantially elliptical in cross-sectional area, whereas

fluid inlet ports

70, 71, 72 and 73 are substantially circular in cross-sectional area.

In FIGURE 5, selector valve 32 is shown in greater detail, said valve being annular in design and provided with

fluid conduits

38, 39, 40 and 41 which communicate with paired

valve inlet openings

76, 77, 78 and 79 on the one end and with

fluid inlet chambers

84, 85, 86 and 87 in gear plate assembly 30 on the other. These paired valve openings are operatively associated with either

inlet ports

68 and 69 or 70, 71, 72 and 73 in endclosure plate 26, thereby providing for passage of fluid from the respective branch conduits through the valve unit and into the fluid inlet chambers where it will be proportionally blended.

As illustrated in FIGURE 6, gear plate assembly 30 contains a centrally located recess 48 having a drive gear 49 embedded therein. Arranged in a circular row concentric to recess 48, are

recesses

51, 52, 53 and 54; each of these recesses cutting into recess 48 so that

pinion gears

55, 56, 57 and 58 contained therein operatively mesh with drive gear 49. The arcuate wall of each recess containing a pinion gear, slidably engages the outer peripheral faces of the gear so that a fluid seal may be formed between the recessed wall and its contained gear. All pinion gears are held in their respective recesses by stub shafts 80, 81, 82 and 83 which are journalled in gear plate 47.

Recesses

51, 52, 53 and 54 are also provided with paired fluid chambers, said chambers comprising an inlet and an outlet chamber which are located in the area adjacent pinion gears 55, 56, 57 and 58.

Inlet chambers

84, 85, 86 and 87 are located in the area of demeshment of drive gear 49 and pinion gears 55, 56, 57 and 58 and are in communication with

fluid inlet conduits

38, 39, 40 and 41 in annular stationary member 37. Outlet 4

chambers

88, 89, 90 and 91 are located in the area where drive gear 49 and pinion gears 55, 56, 57 and 58 mesh and communicate with

fluid outlet ports

59, 60, 61 and 62 in cover plate 46.

Positioned in a concentric array, equally distant and at 90 intervals from shaft opening 74 in plate 46 are

discharge ports

59, 60, 61 and 62 (FIGURES 3 and 9). These discharge ports communicate on the one end with the hemispherical chamber, formed by the juncture of housing member and cover plate 46 and on the other end with the

respective discharge chambers

88, 89, 90 and 91, thereby providing for the passage of fluid from the discharge chambers through the discharge ports and into the hemispherical chamber where they are blended prior to their discharge into the main conduit.

Located on the undersurface of cover plate 46 are antitrapping recesses (not shown) which are operatively associated with gear 49 and pinion gears 55, 56, 57 and 58 at their points of engagement. These anti-trapping recesses extend from a point adjacent to the area of meshing of drive gear 49 and pinion gears 55, 56, 57 and 58 to a point where the gears are in total engagement and thereby provide a means for the release of fluid trapped in the space between the adjacent teeth at the point of engagement of said gears.

Cover plate 46 contains a centrally located opening 74 which provides for the passage of shaft 23 into central recess 48 of gear plate 47 where it is journalled. Connected to and rotatably associated with said shaft in central recess 48 is drive gear 49, said gear being rotatably associated with pinion gears 55, 56, 57 and 58. Rotation of shaft 23 causes drive gear 49 to rotate in one direction which results in a counter-rotation of pinion gears with respect to said drive gear and thereby causes fluid to be transferred from one inlet chamber into two discharge chambers.

For a clearer understanding of the structure and operation of the proportional blending apparatus, reference is now made to FIGURES 9 and 10. Rotation of valve 32 to the position shown in FIGURE 9 aligns

fluid conduits

38, 39, and 41 with

inlet ports

68 and 69 and thereby provides for the flow of two fluids into the respective inlet chambers in gear plate assembly 30. FIGURE 10 likewise illustrates another embodiment of the apparatus, namely, that of simultaneously blending multi-fluids. As shown in FIGURE 10, rotation of valve 32 at 90 from that illustrated in FIGURE 9 will convert the apparatus from a two-fluid blending system to a multi-fluid blending system.

In the operation of this apparatus a positive displacement pump 18 positioned downstream from the proportional blending apparatus is adapted to cause fluid to flow through branch supply conduits into either

inlet ports

68 and 69 or 70, 71, 72 and 73 which are located in the end-closure plate. The inlet ports are operatively connected with

fluid conduits

38, 39, 40 and 41 and are in communication with

fluid inlet chambers

84, 85, 86 and 87 as shown in FIGURES 9 and 10.

Rotation of drive gear 49 by shaft 23 in a counterclockwise direction causes a clockwise rotation of pinion gears 55, 56, 57 and 58 meshing therewith, thereby causing fluid to flow from their respective inlet ports, through conduits in the inner periphery of the proportioning apparatus and into

fluid inlet chambers

84, 85, 86 and 87. Gear tooth disengagement will draw fluid from the inlet chamber 84 to fill spaces between adjacent teeth of gear 49, vacated by a tooth of the pinion gear likewise, a space between teeth on said pinion gear 55 in this area vacated by a tooth on gear 49 will be filled with fluid. Inlet chamber 85 will supply fluid to fill spaces between adjacent teeth of gear 49 and pinion 56 in the area of disengagement. Inlet chamber 86 supplies fluid in the same manner and for the same purpose at the area of demeshing of

gears

49 and 57 and inlet chamber 87 performs the same function in the demeshment zone of

gears

49 and 58. The spaces between adjacent teeth of gear 49 and the

pinions

55, 56, 57 and 58 are concurrently loaded with a fluid supply, such space loading being effected as the succeeding spaces are evacuated by meshing teeth.

As the gear 49 rotates in a counter-clockwise direction, fluid carried in the space between the adjacent teeth of said gear will be displaced by a tooth of pinion gear 55 and forced under pressure into the discharge chamber 91 lying adjacent the area of engagement of pinion gears 55 and 49. Discharge chamber 91 communicates with discharge port 62 in cover plate 46 as shown in FIGURE 9. Meshing teeth on pinion gears 56, 57 and 58 will have the same fluid displacement effect and will progressively force fluid into the

respective discharge chambers

88, 89 and 90 which are in communication with

discharge ports

59, 60 and 61 in cover plate 46. Also, as a tooth of drive gear 49 enters an inlet chamber adjacent pinion gears 55, 56, 57 and 58-, fluid is forced, under pressure, into the discharge chamber counter-clockwise of the respective inlet chambers. The fluids existing in

inlet chambers

84, 85, 86 and 87 are carried to discharge

chambers

88, 89, 99 and 91 for proportional blending with fluids simultaneously transferred by pinion gears 56, 57, 58 and 55 and subsequently merge in the hemispherical chamber where they are blended further.

From the foregoing it will be noted that rotation of the drive gear results in counter-rotation of the pinion gears and thereby causes fluid from one inlet chamber to be discharged into two discharged chambers. For purposes of illustration, inlet port 68 is connected to a branch conduit carrying fluid from supply source A to said port. The fluid will pass simultaneously through

fluid inlet conduits

38 and 39 into

inlet chambers

84 and 85. The fluid will be drawn by gear 49 and canied in the spaces between adjacent teeth from inlet chamber 84 to the area Where gear 49 engages pinion gear 56. When a tooth of pinion gear 56 starts to enter the space between teeth on the drive gear 49, the fluid contained therein Will be displaced by meshing of the teeth of said gears and thereby force fluid contained therein into discharge chamber 88. At the same time, fluid will be drawn from inlet chamber 84 by pinion gear 55 and will be carried in the direction of discharge chamber 91. As the pinion gear and drive gear mesh the fluid carried between the adjacent teeth of pinion gear 55 will be forced under pressure into discharge chamber 91. Likewise, gear 49 will transfer fluid from inlet chamber 85 into outlet chamber 89 and at the same time pinion gear 56will carry fluid from inlet chamber 85 into outlet chamber 88.

Fluid from source B will be carried through supply conduits to inlet port 69 where it will flow simultaneously through

fluid conduits

40 and 41 into

inlet chambers

86 and 87. Fluid in inlet chamber 86 will be carried by rotation of drive gear 49 into discharge chamber 90. Likewise, fluid from inlet chamber 87 will be carried by drive gear 49 to discharge chamber 91. Simultaneously with the movement of fluid by drive gear 49, fluid is being carried by pinion gear 57 to discharge chamber 89 and by pinion gear 58 to discharge chamber 90.

Therefore, it will be seen that

discharge chambers

89 and 91 will contain fluid derived from supply sources A and B in equal proportions, Whereas discharge chamber 88 will contain fluid solely from source A and discharge chamber 90 will contain only fluid from source B. Blending of fluid obtained from sources A and B will take place in

discharge chambers

89 and 91 prior to their discharge through the discharge ports 60 and 62 into the hemispherical chamber. Likewise, fluid A issuing from discharge port 59 and fluid B issuing from discharge port 61 will intermix with the efiluent from discharge ports 60 and 62 in the hemispherical chamber, thereby providing a uniformly blended fluid products prior to its passage through the main supply conduit.

FIGURE shows a means for blending multi-fluids 6 wherein valve 32 is rotated 90 from that shown in FIG- URE 9. Fluid inlet ports 70, 71 72 and 73 connected to several sources of supply are aligned with the respective

fluid conduits

38, 39, 40 and 41, which communicate with

inlet chambers

84, 86 and 87, thereby providing a fluid passage to the respective inlet chambers.

For purposes of illustration, fluid from supply source A passes through inlet port 70 and into inlet chamber 84, fluid from source B passes through inlet port 71 and into chamber 87, fluid from souce C is conveyed through port 72 to chamber 85 and fluid from supply source D is carried through inlet port 73 into inlet chamber 86. Rotation of drive gear 49 will result in fluid from source A being carried from inlet chamber 84 into discharge chamber 88. Concurrent with this transfer of fluid, fluid from source B in inlet chamber 87 is being carried into discharge chamber 91, fluid from source C in inlet chamber 85 is conveyed to discharge chamber 89 and fluid from source D is transferred from inlet chamber 86 to discharge chamber 90.

Rotation of drive gear 49 results in concurrent rotation of pinion gears 55, 56, 57 and 58. Rotation of pinion gear 55 causes fluid from source A in chamber 84 to be carried over into discharge chamber 91 where it will be mixed with fluid from source B which has been carried from inlet chamber 87 by drive gear 49. The resulting mixture in chamber 91 will consist of equal proportions of fluids from sources A and B. Likewise, discharge chamber 88 will consist of a mixture of fluids derived from sources A and C. Discharge chamber 89 comprises fluids in equal proportions from sources C and D. Chamber 90 contains a mixture of fluids from sources B and D. The fluid mixtures in

chambers

88, 89, 90 and 91 are blended internally in their respective chambers prior to their passage through

discharge ports

59, 60, 61 and 62 to the hemispherical chamber where they are blended externally prior to their passage to the main supply conduit. The apparatus may be further adapted to propor tionally blend two or more fluids in a 3:1 ratio by feeding one fluid to three inlet chambers and the other fluid to one inlet chamber.

From the foregoing description it may be appreciated that the apparatus provides a means for dispensing a uniform blended fluid. The blending may be accomplished both internally and externally; the internal blending tak-v ing place in the respective discharge chambers wherein two fluids are carried by the rotation of the drive gear and counter-rotation of the pinion gear and caused to be discharged concurrently into a discharge chamber. Fluids issuing from the discharge chambers are exernally blended in the hemispherical chamber thereby providing a uniform blend of proportioned fluids to the main supply conduit. j

In addition to the internal-external blending feature of the instant invention, it is possible to interconnect the respective outlets so as to separate the fluid issuing therefrom into two separate blend proportions.

The present invention thus provides a proportional blending system capable of delivering a desired proportion of fluids in a uniform blend, the blends being determined by the number of pinion gears positioned around and in operative association with the outer periphery of the drive gear. As shown in FIGURE 9, the system is adaptable to proportionally blend two fluids in equal ratio. In another embodiment of the invention, as shown in FIGURE 10, the apparatus is adaptable for blending two or more fluids. In some cases it may be desirable to blend more than four fluids, in which case the number of fluids which may be blended will be determined by the number of pinion gears operatively associated with said drive gear on its outer periphery. Although the presently disclosed device is shown as involving five interacting gears for handling two or more fluids in parallel, it will be apparent that the device is adaptable for handling n fluids using n+1 inter acting gears, n being an integer of at least 2. l

As indicated, in all of the embodiments described it will be understood that the rotation of the shaft is interrelated to the capacity of the proportioning device through choice of a proper gear ratio so that the total volume of liquid passed by the proportioning device is just equal to that passed by the hydraulic motor.

It will be appreciated that placing of the proportioning device upstream of the dispensing pump is advantageous in that such placement permits use of standard gasoline dispensing pumps as blending pumps, without substantial redesign. Also, it will be appreciated that the herein disclosed invention permits passage of the entire blended product through the dispensing pump, thereby avoiding abnormal loading of the bypass system attendant to placing the proportioning device downstream of the dispensing pump. The invention also permits pumping of two or more liquids in varying proportions using both a single dispensing pump and a single flow meter. The disposition of the proportioning means upstream of the dispensing pump and of the driving means downstream of the dispensing pump affords a major advantage. Such structure permits the proportioning means to act as a booster pump, thereby reducing the lift requirements of the dispensing pump. This is of importance in minimizing the possibility of cavitation.

Many modifications of the herein proportioning system will suggest themselves to those skilled in the art. It will also be apparent that two or more fluids other than gasoline can be blended in a fixed, predetermined proportion using the invention as herein described. For example, lubricating oil blends, solvent blends and various liquidliquid systems can be formed using the invention described herein or a modification thereof.

These and other modifications of the invention as described herein can be made without departing from the spirit or scope thereof. Accordingly, only such limitations as are specifically set forth in the claims appended hereto should be imposed.

What I claim is: 1. An apparatus for dispensing a blend of a plurality of fluids in fixed proportion to one another comprising a dispensing pump, dispensing pump driving means, dispensing pump suction conduit means, proportioning means connected to said suction conduit means, a plurality of fluid supply means each leading to said proportioning means and each adapted to supply its respective fluid to said proportioning means, dispensing pump discharge conduit means, hydraulic motor means connected to said discharge conduit means, said hydraulic motor means in operative connection with said proportioning means and adapted so that fluid discharged from said apparatus through said discharge conduit means first flows through said hydraulic motor means causing said hydraulic motor means to operate said proportioning means, said proportioning means adapted to pump fluids from said fluid supply means in fixed proportion to one another into said dispensing pump suction conduit means, said apparatus connected so that said plurality of fluids flow in sequence through said plurality of supply means, said proportioning means, said dispensing pump suction conduit means, said dispensing pump, said dispensing pump discharge conduit means, and said hydraulic motor means, and is then discharged from said apparatus as a blend of fluids in fixed proportion to one another.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said proportioning means comprises a plurality of gear pump means, and each of said gear pump means is associated with a respective fluid supply means.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said proportioning means comprises a central gear means adapted to be operated by said hydraulic motor means and a plurality of pinion gear means each in mesh with said central gear means, housing means enclosing said central gear means and each of said pinion gear means, each pinion gear means having fluid charging means and fluid discharging means extending thcretothrough said housing so that each pinion gear means is adapted to pump its respective fluid from its respective fluid supply means.

4. An apparatus for dispensing a blend of a plurality of fluids in fixed proportion to one another comprising a dispensing pump, dispensing pump driving means, dispensing pump suction conduit means, proportioning means connected to said suction conduit means, a plurality of fluid supply means each leading to said proportioning means and each adapted to supply its respective fluid to said proportioning means, dispensing pump discharge conduit means, hydraulic motor means connected to said discharge conduit means, said hydraulic motor means in operative connection with said proportioning means and adapted so that fluid discharged from said apparatus through said discharge conduit means first flows through said hydraulic motor means causing said hydraulic motor means to operate said proportioning means, said hydraulic motor means adapted to cause a predetermined volume of fluid to flow through said proportioning means for each volume of fluid that flows through said hydraulic motor means, said proportioning means adapted to pump fluids from said fluid supply means in fixed proportion to one another into said dispensing pump suction conduit means, said apparatus connected so that said plurality of fluids flow in sequence through said plurality of supply means, said proportioning means, said dispensing pump suction conduit means, said dispensing pump, said dispensing pump discharge conduit means, and said hydraulic motor means, and is then discharged from said apparatus as a blend of fluids in fixed proportion to one another.

5. An apparatus for dispensing a blend of a plurality of fluids in fixed proportion to one another comprising a dispensing pump, dispensing pump driving means, dispensing pump suction conduit means, proportioning means connected to said suction conduit means, said proportioning means comprising a plurality of individual pump means, a plurality of fluid supply means, selector means between said plurality of fluid supply means and said plurality of pump means adapted to selectively connect particular individual pump means with particular fluid supply means, dispensing pump discharge conduit means, hydraulic motor means connected to said discharge conduit means, said hydraulic motor means in operative connection with said proportioning means and adapted so that fluid discharged from said apparatus through said discharge conduit means first flows through said hydraulic motor means causing said hydraulic motor means to operate said proportioning means, said proportioning means adapted to pump fluids from said liquid supply means in fixed proportion to one another into said dispensing pump suction conduit means, said apparatus connected so that said plurality of fluids flow in sequence through said plurality of supply means, said selector means, said proportioning means, said dispensing pump suction conduit means, said dispensing pump, said dispensing pump discharge conduit means, and said hydraulic motor means, and is then discharged from said apparatus as a blend of fluids in fixed proportion to one another.

6. An apparatus for dispensing a blend of a plurality of fluids in fixed proportion to one another comprising a dispensing pump, dispensing pump bypass means, dispensing pump driving means, dispensing pump suction conduit means, proportioning means connected to said suction conduit means, a plurality of fluid supply means each leading to said proportioning means and each adapted to supply its respective liquid to said proportioning pump means, dispensing pump discharge conduit means, hydraulic motor means connected to said discharge conduit means, a discharge valve at the discharge of said hydraulic motor means, said hydraulic motor means in operative connection with said proportioning means and adapted so that fluid discharged from said apparatus through said discharge conduit means first flows through said hydraulic motor means causing said hydraulic motor means to operate said proportioning means, said proportioning means adapted to pump fluids from said fluid supply means in fixed proportion to one another into said dispensing pump suction conduit means, said apparatus connected so that said plurality of fluids flow in sequence through said plurality of supply means, said proportioning means, said dispensing pump suction conduit means, said dispensing pump, said dispensing pump discharge conduit means, said hydraulic motor means, and said discharge valve, and is then discharged from said apparatus as a blend of fluids in fixed proportion to one another.

7. An apparatus for dispensing a blend of a plurality of fluids in fixed proportion to one another comprising a dispensing pump, dispensing pump driving means, dispensing pump bypass means, dispensing pump suction conduit means, proportioning pump means connected to said suction conduit means, said proportioning pump means comprising a plurality of individual pump means, a plurality of fluid supply means, selector means, said selector means disposed between said plurality of fluid supply means and said plurality of pump means adapted to selectively connect particular individual pump means with particular fluid supply means, dispensing pump discharge conduit means, hydraulic motor means connected to said discharge conduit means, a discharge valve at the discharge of said hydraulic motor means, said hydraulic motor means in operative connection with said proportioning pump means and adapted so that fluid discharged from said apparatus through said discharge conduit means first flows through said hydraulic motor means causing said hydraulic motor means to operate said proportioning pump means, said hydraulic motor means causing a predetermined volume of fluid to flow through said proportioning means for each volume of fluid that flows through said hydraulic motor means, said proportioning pump means adapted to pump fluids from said fluid supply means in fixed proportion to one another into said dispensing pump suction conduit means, said apparatus connected so that said plurality of fluids flow in sequence through said plurality of supply means, said selector means, said proportioning pump means, said dispensing pump suction conduit means, said dispensing pump, said dispensing pump discharge conduit means, said hydraulic motor means, and said discharge valve, and is then discharged from said apparatus as a blend of fluids in fixed proportion to one another.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,822,112 Bremer Feb. 4, 1958 2,848,139 Chiantelassa Aug. 19, 1958 3,042,264 Trumbull et al. July 3, 1962 EAL) :test: 1

UNITED STATES PATENT HOFFICE CERTIFICATE or CORRECTION Patent N00 3 1453377 August 25 1964 John Scarr r It is hereby certified thet er'ror appears in the above numbered paten't requiring correction and that the said Letters Patent should read as corrected below.

Column 2 line 2O for "portioning read proportioning line 35, after "'which insert it column 3 line 6 for "comprises" read comprising column 5 line 3O for "discharged" second occurrence read discharge --n Signed and sealed this 8th day of December 1964.,

NE ST W.'-"SWIDER' EDWARD J. BRENNER vesting Officer v Commissioner of Patents

Claims

1. AN APPARATUS FOR DISPENSING A BLEND OF A PLURALITY OF FLUIDS IN FIXED PROPORTION TO ONE ANOTHER COMPRISING A DISPENSING PUMP, DISPENSING PUMP DRIVING MEANS, DISPENSING PUMP SUCTION CONDUIT MEANS, PROPORTIONING MEANS CONNECTED TO SAID SUCTION CONDUIT MEANS, A PLURALITY OF FLUID SUPPLY MEANS EACH LEADING TO SAID PROPORTIONING MEANS AND EACH ADAPTED TO SUPPLY ITS RESPECTIVE FLUID TO SAID PROPORTIONING MEANS, DISPENSING PUMP DISCHARGE CONDUIT MEANS, HYDRAULIC MOTOR MEANS CONNECTED TO SAID DISCHARGE CONDUIT MEANS, SAID HYDRAULIC MOTOR MEANS IN OPERATIVE CONNECTION WITH SAID PROPORTIONING MEANS AND ADAPTED SO THAT FLUID DISCHARGED FROM SAID APPARATUS THROUGH SAID DISCHARGE CONDUIT MEANS FIRST FLOWS THROUGH SAID HYDRAULIC MOTOR MEANS CAUSING SAID HYDRAULIC MOTOR