Chemistry: electrical and wave energy – Apparatus – Electrolytic
Reexamination Certificate
1998-10-23
2001-02-13
Gorgos, Kathryn (Department: 1741)
Chemistry: electrical and wave energy
Apparatus
Electrolytic
C204S230600
Reexamination Certificate
active
06187154
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an electrolyzed water production system of the type which includes an electrolytic cell arranged to electrolyze diluted brine prepared by a mixture of raw water and saturated brine of predetermined concentration for producing electrolyzed water.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-open Publication 7-155764 is an electrolyzed water production system of this kind which includes an electrolytic cell arranged to be supplied with diluted brine prepared by a mixture of saturated brine of predetermined concentration and raw water supplied from an external source of raw water and to be activated by predetermined voltage applied at its electrodes. In the conventional production system, the property of the electrolyzed water is influenced by an amount of saturated brine mixed with the raw water. For this reason, the amount of saturated brine is adjusted by feedback control such that the electric current across the electrodes (or the conductivity of the diluted brine) becomes substantially equal to a predetermined target value.
However, since the amount of the saturated brine mixed with the raw water is always increased from a constant amount under the feedback control when the system is activated to produce the electrolyzed water, the time required to produce the electrolyzed water having a desired property in one system placed in the area where the raw water is hard water is largely different from the time required in another system placed in the area where the raw water is soft water.
In the conventional electrolyzed water production system, an electrically operated fluid pump the discharge amount of which can be easily controlled is used to supply the saturated brine for mixing with the raw water. The fluid pump is in the form of a fluid pump of the pulse driven type which includes a solenoid arranged to be applied with pulse train signals of a predetermined period so that the piston is reciprocated by attractive forces caused by energization of the solenoid. On the other hand, the feedback control is effected by an electrical control circuit of the digital type such as a microprocessor which is programmed to detect a value of electric current across the electrodes at a predetermined interval and to control the discharge amount of the fluid pump in such a manner that the value of electric current is adjusted to the target current value. In such feedback control of the fluid pump, however, the conductivity of the diluted brine is discontinuously detected by the digital circuit and fluctuates since the fluid pump is intermittently operated in response to each pulse applied thereto under control of the digital circuit. As a result, the feedback control is carried out in dependence upon a conductivity different from an average conductivity of the diluted brine, and the supply amount of the saturated brine becomes insufficient or excessive, resulting in irregular production of the electrolyzed water.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is therefore, a primary object of the present invention to provide an electrolyzed water production system wherein the amount of saturated brine mixed with the raw water is adjusted in accordance with the property of the raw water so that the concentration of diluted brine supplied to the electrolytic cell is controlled in an optimal value within a predetermined period of time.
A secondary object of the present invention is to provide an electrolyzed water production system wherein the conductivity of diluted brine in the electrolytic cell is accurately detected to produce electrolyzed water homogeneous (stable) in quality under the feedback control.
According to the present invention, the primary object is accomplished by providing an electrolyzed water production system having a brine storage tank arranged to store an amount of saturated brine of a predetermined concentration, a brine supply means for supplying the saturated brine from the storage tank for mixing with raw water supplied from a source of raw water and an electrolytic cell arranged to be supplied with diluted brine prepared by a mixture of the raw water and saturated water for producing electrolyzed water, wherein an electric control apparatus for the electrolyzed water production system comprises a detection means for detecting the conductivity of the diluted brine supplied to the electrolytic cell, feedback control means for controlling the operation of the brine supply means in such a manner that the conductivity of the diluted brine detected by the detection means is adjusted to a predetermined target value, memory means for memorizing an amount of saturated brine mixed with the raw water during operation of the brine supply means under control of the feedback control means and initial control means for controlling the operation of the brine supply means in such a manner that a supply amount of saturated brine mixed with the raw water is adjusted on a basis of the instant amount of saturated brine memorized in the memory means during a previous operation of the brine supply means under control of the feedback control means when the electrolytic cell is activated to start production of the electrolyzed water.
In a practical embodiment of the present invention, it is preferable that the initial control means is designed to control the operation of the brine supply means in such a manner that the supply amount of the saturated brine mixed with the raw water is decreased in a predetermined amount less than that of saturated brine memorized in the memory means. Alternatively, it is preferable that the initial control supply means is designed to delay the operation of the brine supply means under control of the feedback control means until the conductivity of the diluted brine detected by the detection means becomes larger than a predetermined reference value.
In a modification of the present invention, the reference value may be defined by the target value of the feedback control means or defined to be decreased in accordance with a lapse of time after the electrolytic cell is activated to start production of the electrolyzed water. In addition, the initial control means may be designed to operate the brine supply means under control of the feedback control means after lapse of a predetermined time when the electrolytic cell is activated to start production of the electrolyzed water. Alternatively, the initial control means may be modified to operate the brine supply means under control of the feedback control means after a change rate of conductivity of the diluted brine detected by the detection means is decreased less than a predetermined reference value.
According to the present invention, the secondary object is accomplished by providing an electrolyzed water production system having a brine storage tank arranged to store an amount of saturated brine of a predetermined concentration, a fluid pump of the type driven by pulse train signals applied thereto from a pulse signal generator to supply a predetermined amount of saturated brine from the brine storage tank for mixing with raw water supplied from a source of raw water, and an electrolytic cell arranged to be supplied with the diluted brine prepared by a mixture of the saturated brine and raw water for producing electrolyzed water, wherein an electric control apparatus for the production system comprises a detection means for detecting the conductivity of diluted brine supplied to the electrolytic cell at a first predetermined time interval, calculation means for calculating an average value of the conductivity successively detected by the detection means, and pulse control means for adjusting a period of the pulse train signals applied to the fluid pump from the pulse signal generator in accordance with a difference between the calculated average value of the conductivity and a predetermined target value so that the average conductivity becomes substantially equal to the target value.
In the electrolyzed water production sys
Hori Fumiyuki
Kamitani Yoshinori
Yamaguchi Hiroki
Arent Fox Kintner & Plotkin & Kahn, PLLC
Gorgos Kathryn
Hoshizaki Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
Parsons Thomas H
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