Fluid handling – Systems – With pump
Reexamination Certificate
1999-01-29
2001-03-06
Rivell, John (Department: 3753)
Fluid handling
Systems
With pump
C222S164000, C222S383200, C415S121100, C415S131000, C415S140000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06196263
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to methods and devices for metering flowable material. As used herein, flowable material includes fluids (i.e., liquids and gasses), particularly liquids, semi-liquids, and mixtures of liquids and solids; and other material capable of flowing including particulate, granular, and powdered material.
Flow control devices generally known to the art are exemplified by U.S. Pat. Nos. 998,543; 1,287,756; 1,594,021; 2,177,265; 3,605,794; 4,338,961; 4,711,376; and 5,337,775. The needle valve type devices disclosed in the art do not provide accurate control of fluids flowing at a continuous, but relatively low, flow rate. Moreover, precise adjustments to vary the flow of materials of differing viscosities is difficult.
Typical devices for holding containers and discharging the contents thereof are exemplified by the following patents: U.S. Pat. Nos. 173,203; 482,574; 533,687; 547,466; 692,434; 711,705; 1,595,329; 3,814,293; and 5,285,989.
It is the primary object of the present invention to provide improved methods and apparatus for controlling and adjusting the rate at which flowable materials supplied to a metering device are discharged from the device in a predetermined, continuous metered flow. It is a further object of the present invention to provide improved means for controlling the flow rate of material through a metering device and for compensating for variations in viscosity of different materials flowing through the device. It is another object of the invention to provide a portable flow control device requiring only a relatively low energy input for operation, and which is disposable after one use.
Other objects, features and advantages of the device in accordance with the present invention will become apparent from the following discussion.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A device for controlling the flow of a flowable material includes two components which are selectively movable relative to each other. A gap is defined between the two components, and relative movement of the components varies the width of the gap. Flowable material is supplied to the device through an inlet opening, flows through the gap between the two components, and is discharged from the device through an outlet opening. Adjustment of the width of the gap resulting from the relative movement of the two components controls and selectively varies the flow rate of material through the device.
One of the two relatively movable components, preferably the component facing the inlet opening of the device, includes a rotatable element. The other component includes a stationary surface oriented opposite the rotatable element. Rotation of the rotatable element relative to the opposed stationary surface tends to drive material entering the inlet opening of the device through the gap defined between the two components by rotational forces, and discharged through the outlet opening of the device. Preferably, the gap is a channel defined at the periphery of the rotatable element, and is angularly inclined outwardly in the direction of the flow of material through the device. In this manner, the relative rotation of the two components assists in maintaining a continuous, uniform flow of material through the channel at a preselected rate of flow. The forward surface of the rotatable element facing the inlet opening carries means (such as grooves, ribs or protuberances) for supplementing the rotational forces applied to the material to propel it outwardly towards the inlet end of the channel defined at the periphery of the rotatable element, and also to provide a grinding effect for reducing the mass of any solid or semi-solids within the flowing material to permit the material to pass freely through the channel and not obstruct the flow. The opposed stationary surface includes guide means for guiding the outwardly propelled material into the inlet of the peripheral channel.
In a further aspect of the present invention, a resilient or flexible projection extends from the forward surface of the rotatable element and is rotatable therewith. The projection rotates around a first predetermined axis when pressure from in-flowing fluid surrounding the projection is substantially uniform. When the fluid pressure applied to the projection becomes non-uniform, as for example when solid or semi-solid material is carried by the in-flowing fluid, the projection is displaced from the first axis resulting in bending of the rotating projection to strike and break-up the solid or semi-solid material to enable it to flow through the device. Once this occurs, continuous fluid flow resumes and uniform fluid pressure is again applied to the outer surface of the projection, causing it to return to the first axis of rotation.
Preferably, the first and second components of the device are relatively movable by complementary threaded portions or by telescoping action; the rotatable element is driven by a shaft of a motor mounted in one of the components which also includes means for coupling the motor to a source of electrical power; and the device is designed to be portable and disposable to avoid time consuming clean-up procedures which would otherwise be necessary to remove solidified residue from the components within the device after a metering procedure has been completed.
In a further aspect of the present invention, means are provided for controlling the flow of material into the inlet opening of the metering device. A container for holding flowable material includes a discharge outlet which can be placed in fluid communication with the inlet opening of the metering device so that material flowing by gravity feed from the discharge outlet of the container is supplied to the inlet opening of the metering device. A supporting device for the container includes means for automatically varying the angular inclination of the container relative to the inlet opening of the metering device for controlling the flow rate of material from the container, and assuring that the material is continuously supplied from the container at a uniform, preselected rate of flow. The rate at which the angular inclination of the container is varied relative to the inlet opening of the device is itself adjustable to compensate for differing materials having differing viscosities.
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Metzler Gottfried
Woodruff Keith F.
American Cyanamid Company
Costello Charles F.
Rivell John
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