Patent US5344044A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5344044A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Additive injection system and method
Assignee: Honeywell Enraf Americas Inc
•
Filing: 1993-09-07
•
Granted: 1994-09-06
•
Expires: 2013-09-07
Abstract
Abstract An injection system and method for blending an additive into a main fluid flow stream at a controlled ratio, characterized by a controller wherein the electrical circuitry thereof is contained in an explosion-proof housing having a window through which electromagnetic energy, such as an infrared command signal, can be transmitted. The circuitry contained within the explosion-proof housing includes a receiver for receiving the electromagnetic energy transmitted through the window and a processor or processors for decoding information included in the electromagnetic energy and for carrying out one or more functions based on such information. Also disclosed is an additive injection correction technique, a clean line technique and related and other features of the system and method.
Inventors
- 👤 Al P. Hayden
- 👤 Patrick L. Hayden
- 👤 Chuck Miller
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 13:03
CPC Classifications
G; G05; G05D; G05D11/00; G05D11/02; G05D11/13; G05D11/131; G05D11/132
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 27
Claim 1
Independent Claim
193 words
An additive injection system for injecting a controlled amount of a first fluid into a main stream of a second fluid, comprising: an additive flow line for flow of the first fluid from a source thereof to a main flow line for the second fluid; at least one valve for controlling the flow of the first fluid through said first line; an electrical controller for controlling said at least one valve for passing a prescribed amount of the first fluid through said additive flow line; an explosion-proof housing for enclosing said electrical controller; and a flow meter connected to said additive flow line for providing to said electrical controller electrical signals representative of the amount of flow of the first fluid through said additive flow line, said flow meter being located at a side wall of said explosion-proof housing and forming a closure for an opening in said side wall of said explosion-proof housing, and said flow meter including a flow rate signal generator for producing said electrical signals, said flow rate signal generator communicating with the interior of said explosion-proof housing through said opening in said side wall of said explosion-proof housing.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
193 words
An additive injection system for injecting a controlled amount of a first fluid into a main stream of a second fluid, comprising: an additive flow line for flow of the first fluid from a source thereof to a main flow line for the second fluid; at least one valve for controlling the flow of the first fluid through said first line; an electrical controller for controlling said at least one valve for passing a prescribed amount of the first fluid through said additive flow line; an explosion-proof housing for enclosing said electrical controller; and a flow meter connected to said additive flow line for providing to said electrical controller electrical signals representative of the amount of flow of the first fluid through said additive flow line, said flow meter being located at a side wall of said explosion-proof housing and forming a closure for an opening in said side wall of said explosion-proof housing, and said flow meter including a flow rate signal generator for producing said electrical signals, said flow rate signal generator communicating with the interior of said explosion-proof housing through said opening in said side wall of said explosion-proof housing.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
72 words
An additive injection system as set forth in claim 1, wherein said flow meter includes a magnet, a flow chamber through which the first fluid flows, and a rotating element in said flow chamber for rotating said magnet at a speed proportional to the rate of flow of the first fluid through said flow chamber; and said flow rate signal generator produces said electrical signals in response to rotation of said magnet.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
An additive injection system as set forth in claim 2, wherein said magnet is a ring magnet mounted in a hub portion of said rotating element.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
44 words
An additive injection system as set forth in claim 1, wherein said electronic controller includes means for controlling opening and closing of said at least one valve for cyclical passage of a prescribed incremental amount of the first fluid through said additive flow line.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
240 words
An additive injection system for injecting a controlled amount of a first fluid into a main stream of a second fluid, comprising: an additive flow line for flow of the first fluid from a source thereof to a main flow line for the second fluid; at least one valve for controlling the flow of the first fluid through said first line; an electrical controller for controlling said at least one valve for passing of a prescribed amount of the first fluid through said additive flow line; an explosion-proof housing for enclosing said electrical controller; and a flow meter connected to said additive flow line for providing to said electrical controller electrical signals representative of the amount of flow of the first fluid through said additive flow line; said flow meter being located at a side wall of said explosion-proof housing; said flow meter including a magnet, a flow chamber through which the first fluid flows, a rotating element in said flow chamber for rotating said magnet at a speed proportional to the rate of the first fluid flow through said flow chamber, and a flow rate signal generator cooperative with said magnet for producing said electrical signals; and wherein a wall of said flow chamber has at least a portion thereof forming an interface between said flow chamber and the interior of said explosion-proof housing, thereby to prevent flow of the first fluid into the interior of said explosion-proof housing.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
240 words
An additive injection system for injecting a controlled amount of a first fluid into a main stream of a second fluid, comprising: an additive flow line for flow of the first fluid from a source thereof to a main flow line for the second fluid; at least one valve for controlling the flow of the first fluid through said first line; an electrical controller for controlling said at least one valve for passing of a prescribed amount of the first fluid through said additive flow line; an explosion-proof housing for enclosing said electrical controller; and a flow meter connected to said additive flow line for providing to said electrical controller electrical signals representative of the amount of flow of the first fluid through said additive flow line; said flow meter being located at a side wall of said explosion-proof housing; said flow meter including a magnet, a flow chamber through which the first fluid flows, a rotating element in said flow chamber for rotating said magnet at a speed proportional to the rate of the first fluid flow through said flow chamber, and a flow rate signal generator cooperative with said magnet for producing said electrical signals; and wherein a wall of said flow chamber has at least a portion thereof forming an interface between said flow chamber and the interior of said explosion-proof housing, thereby to prevent flow of the first fluid into the interior of said explosion-proof housing.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
An additive injection system as set forth in claim 5, wherein said magnet is a ring magnet mounted in a hub portion of said rotating element.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
58 words
An additive injection system as set forth in claim 5, wherein said flow meter includes a meter housing mounted to said explosion-proof housing, said meter housing having a center body portion and inner and outer body portions, and said center body portion including said flow chamber and said inner body portion including said wall of said flow chamber.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
231 words
An additive injection system for injecting a controlled amount of a first fluid into a main stream of a second fluid, comprising: an inlet for connection to a supply of the first fluid; an outlet for connection to the main stream of the second fluid; first and second additive flow passages connected in parallel between said inlet and outlet; first and second valves for controlling the flow of fluid through said first and second additive flow passages, respectively meter means for measuring the amount of the first fluid flowing through said first and second additive flow passages; and control means for (a) opening said first and second valves for allowing flow of the first fluid through first and second additive flow passages upon initiation of an inject cycle, (b) closing said second valve to stop flow of the first fluid through said second additive flow line when the amount of additive measured by said meter means reaches a predetermined relationship to a prescribed amount of the first fluid to be injected, while allowing additive to continue to flow through said first additive flow line and (c) closing said first valve to stop flow of the first fluid through said first additive flow line when the amount of the first fluid measured b said meter means reaches a second predetermined relationship to the prescribed amount of the first fluid to be injected.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
231 words
An additive injection system for injecting a controlled amount of a first fluid into a main stream of a second fluid, comprising: an inlet for connection to a supply of the first fluid; an outlet for connection to the main stream of the second fluid; first and second additive flow passages connected in parallel between said inlet and outlet; first and second valves for controlling the flow of fluid through said first and second additive flow passages, respectively meter means for measuring the amount of the first fluid flowing through said first and second additive flow passages; and control means for (a) opening said first and second valves for allowing flow of the first fluid through first and second additive flow passages upon initiation of an inject cycle, (b) closing said second valve to stop flow of the first fluid through said second additive flow line when the amount of additive measured by said meter means reaches a predetermined relationship to a prescribed amount of the first fluid to be injected, while allowing additive to continue to flow through said first additive flow line and (c) closing said first valve to stop flow of the first fluid through said first additive flow line when the amount of the first fluid measured b said meter means reaches a second predetermined relationship to the prescribed amount of the first fluid to be injected.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
23 words
An additive injection system as set forth in claim 8, wherein said second valve has a flow capacity greater than said first valve.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
102 words
An apparatus for controlling the flow of fluid through a fluid flow line, comprising: a housing having a window through which can be transmitted an infrared signal encoded with information; a valve for controlling the flow of fluid through a fluid flow line; and an electronic device for controlling said valve, said electronic device being enclosed within said housing and comprising: receiver means for receiving the information encoded infrared signal when transmitted through said window; signal processing means for decoding information included in said infrared signal; and control means for carrying out at least one predetermined function based on the decoded information.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
102 words
An apparatus for controlling the flow of fluid through a fluid flow line, comprising: a housing having a window through which can be transmitted an infrared signal encoded with information; a valve for controlling the flow of fluid through a fluid flow line; and an electronic device for controlling said valve, said electronic device being enclosed within said housing and comprising: receiver means for receiving the information encoded infrared signal when transmitted through said window; signal processing means for decoding information included in said infrared signal; and control means for carrying out at least one predetermined function based on the decoded information.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 10, further comprising a remote transmitter for transmitting said infrared signal.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 10, wherein said at least one predetermined function comprises controlling an operation characteristic of said electronic device.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 12, wherein said operation characteristic is a duty cycle of said valve.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 10, wherein said at least one predetermined function comprises effecting an apparatus reset.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 10, wherein said at least one predetermined function comprises calibrating at least a portion of said apparatus.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
117 words
An apparatus for controlling or monitoring operation of a fluid process, comprising: a controlling or monitoring device for receiving control signals for controlling a fluid process or for producing monitoring signals for monitoring a fluid process; a housing having a window through which can be transmitted an infrared signal encoded with information; and an electronic device for producing said control signals or receiving said monitoring signals, said electronic device being enclosed within said housing and comprising: receiver means for receiving the information encoded infrared signal when transmitted through said window; signal processing means for decoding information included in said infrared signal; and control means for carrying out at least one predetermined function based on the decoded information.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
117 words
An apparatus for controlling or monitoring operation of a fluid process, comprising: a controlling or monitoring device for receiving control signals for controlling a fluid process or for producing monitoring signals for monitoring a fluid process; a housing having a window through which can be transmitted an infrared signal encoded with information; and an electronic device for producing said control signals or receiving said monitoring signals, said electronic device being enclosed within said housing and comprising: receiver means for receiving the information encoded infrared signal when transmitted through said window; signal processing means for decoding information included in said infrared signal; and control means for carrying out at least one predetermined function based on the decoded information.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 16, further comprising a remote transmitter for transmitting said infrared signal.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 17, wherein said at least one predetermined function comprises controlling an operation characteristic of said electronic device.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 16, wherein said at least one predetermined function comprises effecting an apparatus reset.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 16, wherein said at least one predetermined function comprises calibrating at least a portion of said apparatus.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
120 words
A method for controlling or monitoring a fluid process comprising: using a controlling device to control a fluid process or a monitoring device to monitor a fluid process; using an electronic device to produce control signals that are supplied to the controlling device to control the fluid process or to receive monitoring signals from the monitoring device for monitoring the fluid process, the electronic device being enclosed in a housing having a window through which can be transmitted an infrared signal encoded with information; and transmitting an infrared signal encoded with information through the window of the housing for instructing the electronic device to carry out at least one predetermined function based on the information encoded in the infrared signal.
Claim 27
Independent Claim
120 words
A method for controlling or monitoring a fluid process comprising: using a controlling device to control a fluid process or a monitoring device to monitor a fluid process; using an electronic device to produce control signals that are supplied to the controlling device to control the fluid process or to receive monitoring signals from the monitoring device for monitoring the fluid process, the electronic device being enclosed in a housing having a window through which can be transmitted an infrared signal encoded with information; and transmitting an infrared signal encoded with information through the window of the housing for instructing the electronic device to carry out at least one predetermined function based on the information encoded in the infrared signal.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
DE1295896B
Cited
US3179291A
Cited
US3277918A
Cited
US3386620A
Cited
US3773219A
Cited
US3756456A
Cited
US4023410A
Cited
US4105138A
Cited
US4276999A
Cited
JPS55115111A
Cited
US4353482A
Cited
US4295369A
Cited
US4442953A
Cited
US4406313A
Cited
US4397405A
Cited
US4489615A
Cited
US4518101A
Cited
US4579008A
Cited
US4690163A
Cited
US4568248A
Cited
US4676403A
Cited
US4601409A
Cited
US4974947A
Cited
US4706703A
Cited
US4719574A
Cited
US4679585A
Cited
US4754786A
Cited
US4840292A
Cited
US4911010A
Cited
US5124934A
Cited
US4996888A
Cited
US4961441A
Cited
US5118008A
Cited
US5251785A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1997-09-05 | 1998-03-07 | 1998-09-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-09-05 | 2002-03-07 | 2002-09-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-09-05 | 2006-03-07 | 2006-09-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |