Fluid handling – Self-proportioning or correlating systems – Self-controlled branched flow systems
Reexamination Certificate
2000-02-17
2001-07-24
Hepperle, Stephen M. (Department: 3753)
Fluid handling
Self-proportioning or correlating systems
Self-controlled branched flow systems
C137S114000, C137S607000, C137S907000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06263900
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to low capacity gas feed systems of the type for use in feeding chlorine gas to a water supply to chlorinate the water. More specifically the invention relates to gas flow regulators for controlling the flow of gas from gas cylinders and valves for controlling gas flow from one gas supply to another gas supply.
BACKGROUND PRIOR ART
Low capacity chlorine gas feed systems provide for the supply of gas from chlorine gas containers through a gas pressure regulator device to an injector wherein the chlorine gas is delivered to a water supply conduit. One prior art chlorine feed system is illustrated in the assignee's Technical Data Sheet 910.250 titled “SONIX 100™ Chlorinator.” Attention is also directed to the Konkling U.S. Pat. No. 3,779,268 illustrating a prior art regulator valve for a chlorine gas system.
One limitation of prior art chlorine gas supply systems is the amount of chlorine which can be delivered to the water supply. Use of a single gas cylinder permits the discharge of chlorine gas only at a limited flow rate before frosting of the valve makes the gas regulator valve inoperative.
In many areas, chlorine gas suppliers require that chlorine tanks be emptied completely before they can be returned to the supplier for refilling. Prior art gas regulation systems have not provided an effective mechanism for insuring efficient use of all of the chlorine in the tanks. In other areas, chlorine gas suppliers require that chlorine tanks returned for refilling contain a predetermined quantity of chlorine in the tanks. Prior art gas regulation systems do not provide an effective mechanism for controlling the amount of gas left in the gas supply cylinders.
Another limitation of prior art chlorine gas systems is that they have not provided an effective and efficient system for switching over from one chlorine supply container to another chlorine supply container once the supply in the first container is exhausted.
Another limitation of prior art gas feed systems including an arrangement for switching from one gas supply cylinder to another cylinder is that they do not insure complete use or controlled use of the gas in the first container.
Another disadvantage of prior art gas supply systems is that they require mechanically complex regulator valve assemblies and are expensive to manufacture and can be unreliable.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a gas feed system for supplying a gas, and can be used to supply gas such as chlorine to a water system for chlorinating the water. The gas feed system includes a pair of gas containers or multiple banks of containers and provides for automatic switch over from one container or a bank of containers to a second container or bank of containers once the first container or bank of containers is empty and such that the first containers can be completely emptied. The gas feed system of the invention also provides for automatic switch over from one bank of containers to a second bank of containers while providing for complete emptying of the first bank of containers.
The gas feed system of the invention facilitates the use of two sets or banks of multiple tanks of gas. When used to supply chlorine to a water system, the gas supply system can have one bank of tanks supplying chlorine to an injector while the other bank of tanks can remain in a standby condition and such that the second bank of tanks will automatically supply chlorine to the water supply when the amount of gas in the first bank of tanks falls below a predetermined level. Additionally, the tanks in each bank of tanks will discharge even quantities of gas. Gas discharged from a single tank can be limited by frosting that occurs in the control valves. The provision of multiple tanks in parallel permits the discharge of sufficient amounts of gas, and the provision of an even draw-down device embodied in the invention provides for uniform simultaneous discharge from a pair of gas tanks or cylinders.
Another principle feature of the invention is the provision of a gas feed regulator for controlling the supply of gas from a container such as a chlorine cylinder, the regulator having a simplified construction. In one preferred embodiment of the invention, the gas feed regulator includes a retractable center pin extending through the center of a pressure responsive diaphragm, the center pin being movable to provide for manual shutoff of the regulator to interrupt gas flow from the gas supply. The regulator includes a manual control lever connected to the center pin, the lever being rotatable 180° to manually shut off the valve.
The gas feed regulator embodying the invention further includes the provision of a manual control/operation indicator switch mounted on the regulator housing and engaging the operating lever, the switch being rotatable to rotate the operating lever and the center pin between a manual “off” and a “standby” operating position. The indicator switch further cooperates with the operating lever to form a detent assembly. The detent assembly holds the center pin in a stand-by position until a differential pressure caused by vacuum on the diaphragm causes the center pin to move to an “on” or operating position wherein gas can flow through the regulator from the gas container. When the container is exhausted of gas, the vacuum on the regulator diaphragm will move the center pin to a position where the detent assembly and indicator switch move to an “empty” position. The indicator switch can be rotated manually to a “off” position where the gas flow through the regulator is manually interrupted. The vacuum regulator of the invention further includes a primary check valve operated by the central pin and the vacuum operated diaphragm and further includes a secondary pressure check valve also operated by the center pin and diaphragm.
One of the advantages of the vacuum regulator included in the gas supply system embodying the invention is that the vacuum regulator has an efficient construction, has a minimum number of components and can be economically assembled and manufactured.
The gas feed system embodying the invention further includes a remote automatic switchover device connected to two gas containers or two banks of gas containers and providing for switch over from one container or bank of containers to the other container or bank of containers when the first empties. The remote automatic switchover device includes a valve housing and a chamber, two inlets communicating with respective ones of the banks of gas cylinders and an outlet communicating with a gas injector supplying gas to a water source. A double acting spool is housed in the chamber and selectively closes one or the other inlet. A manually operable arm connected to the double acting spool is movable between a position opening one outlet and a detent is provided for maintaining the spool in that position until gas pressure supplied through the one inlet decreases to a pressure wherein pressure supplied from the other inlet on the spool member overcomes the detent and opens the other inlet leaving the spool member in a position where both inlets are open.
The gas feed system further includes at least one even drawdown device operably connected to two gas cylinders and connecting the regulators of those two cylinders to the remote switchover device. The even drawdown device provides for even flow of gas from the two gas cylinders connected to the even drawdown device.
One of the principal features of the invention is the provision in the vacuum regulator of a diaphragm assembly including a diaphragm made of Teflon sheet, the Teflon sheet being heat formed to include concentric grooves. A concentric groove at the periphery of the diaphragm is housed in a groove provided in the opposed two halves in the regulator body and secured in place by an O-ring seal. A concentric groove in the central portion of the diaphragm is similarly clamped using an O-ring between a central diaphragm backing plate and an opposed backing plate nut. The construct
Cabrera Mario D.
Stockinger Gregory
Van Grouw Albert
Hepperle Stephen M.
United States Filter Corporation
Wolf Greenfield & Sacks P.C.
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