U.S. patent application number 12/499552 was filed with the patent office on 2010-02-18 for method and apparatus for auto-cascade bottle filling.
This patent application is currently assigned to Bauer Compressors, Inc.. Invention is credited to Jonathan F. Bangs, Otis G. Brock, Mark E. Dorsch, Michael R. Sayre.
Application Number | 20100037982 12/499552 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 41680432 |
Filed Date | 2010-02-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100037982 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Bangs; Jonathan F. ; et
al. |
February 18, 2010 |
METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR AUTO-CASCADE BOTTLE FILLING
Abstract
A system is disclosed for filling bottles and other fluid
holding vessels. In the system, a pressure transducer monitors
fluid pressure within a conduit that communicates with fluid filled
storage banks. Using a programmable logic controller, valves
associated with the banks may be systematically opened to cause
fluid to pass though the conduit and into a downstream bottle. As a
particular bank has discharged and the downstream bottle is filled
the rate of change in the pressure in the conduit will fall to
zero. If the bottle has been filled before or upon equalization of
the pressure, the fill operation may be discontinued. However, if
the bottle is not filled, the controller may then cause the valve
to close, and the either activate a compressor or open the valve of
a second bank causing that bank to discharge into the conduit and
continue filling the bottle.
Inventors: |
Bangs; Jonathan F.;
(Virginia Beach, VA) ; Brock; Otis G.; (Suffolk,
VA) ; Dorsch; Mark E.; (Chesapeake, VA) ;
Sayre; Michael R.; (Virginia Beach, VA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
GIFFORD, KRASS, SPRINKLE,ANDERSON & CITKOWSKI, P.C
PO BOX 7021
TROY
MI
48007-7021
US
|
Assignee: |
Bauer Compressors, Inc.
|
Family ID: |
41680432 |
Appl. No.: |
12/499552 |
Filed: |
July 8, 2009 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61088846 |
Aug 14, 2008 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
141/9 ;
141/105 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F17C 2201/054 20130101;
F17C 2205/0142 20130101; F17C 2227/043 20130101; F17C 2270/05
20130101; F17C 2250/034 20130101; F17C 2227/0157 20130101; F17C
2201/0109 20130101; F17C 2250/043 20130101; F17C 5/002 20130101;
F17C 2221/031 20130101; F17C 2205/0338 20130101; F17C 2221/033
20130101; F17C 2250/0626 20130101; F17C 2205/0326 20130101; F17C
2205/0335 20130101; F17C 2250/032 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
141/9 ;
141/105 |
International
Class: |
B65B 3/04 20060101
B65B003/04 |
Claims
1. A fill apparatus for a fluid holding vessels comprising: a first
and a second fluid storage bank, each bank communicating with a
common outlet line; a first valve operable to selectively control
the flow of a fluid from the first storage bank into the common
outlet line; a second valve operable to selectively control the
flow of a fluid from the second storage bank into the common outlet
line; a pressure measuring device operable to measure a rate of
change of a fluid pressure in the common outlet line; and a
programmable logic controller in electronic communication with the
first and second valve and the pressure measuring device and
operating to transmit a control signal to at least one of the first
or second valves, in response to a predetermined rate of change of
the fluid pressure in the common outlet line, to cause the selected
valve to open or close.
2. The fill apparatus of claim 1, comprising a fluid compressor and
a common inlet line, the fluid compressor communicating with the
common inlet line and the common inlet line communicating with the
first and second fluid storage bank.
3. The fill apparatus of claim 2, comprising a control valve
operable to selectively control the flow of a fluid from the
compressor to the common inlet line.
4. The fill apparatus of claim 3, comprising a vessel filling
station communicating with the common outlet line.
5. The fill apparatus of claim 4, wherein the compressor
communicates with the common outlet line so that the compressor is
operable to transmit fluid directly to the vessel filling
station.
6. The fill apparatus of claim 1, comprising a vessel filling
station communicating with the common outlet line.
7. The fill apparatus of claim 6, comprising a fluid compressor and
a common inlet line, the fluid compressor communicating with the
common inlet line and the common inlet line communicating with the
first and second fluid storage bank.
8. The fill apparatus of claim 7, wherein the compressor
communicates with the common outlet line so that the compressor is
operable to transmit fluid directly to the vessel filling
station.
9. A fill apparatus for a fluid holding vessels comprising: a fluid
conduit; a first and a second valve, each valve communicating with
the fluid conduit and each having an inlet port; a pressure
measuring device operable to measure a rate of change of a fluid
pressure in the fluid conduit; and a programmable logic controller
in electronic communication with the first and second valve and the
pressure measuring device and operating to transmit a control
signal to at least one of the first or second valves in response to
a predetermined rate of change of the fluid pressure in the fluid
conduit, to cause the selected valve to open or close.
10. The fill apparatus of claim 9, wherein the first and the second
valve comprise solenoid controlled valves.
11. The fill apparatus of claim 9, comprising a vessel filling
station communicating with the fluid conduit.
12. The fill apparatus of claim 9, further comprising: a housing,
the fluid conduit and the first and second valves being positioned
on the housing; and a second fluid conduit positioned on the
housing.
13. The fill apparatus of claim 12, comprising a first fluid
storage bank having an outlet communicating with the inlet port of
the first valve, and a second fluid storage bank having an outlet
communicating with the inlet port of the second valve.
14. The fill apparatus of claim 12, comprising a fluid compressor
communicating with the second fluid conduit.
15. The fill apparatus of claim 12, further comprising a control
valve operable to selectively open to allow the flow of a fluid
into the second fluid conduit.
16. The fill apparatus of claim 13, wherein each bank further
comprises an inlet in communication with the second fluid
conduit.
17. The fill apparatus of claim 15, comprising a fluid compressor
communicating with the control valve.
18. A method of filling a fluid holding vessel comprising:
providing a fill apparatus including a fluid conduit, a first and a
second valve, each valve communicating with the fluid conduit and
each having an inlet port, a pressure measuring device operable to
measure a rate of change of a fluid pressure in the fluid conduit;
and a programmable logic controller in electronic communication
with the first and second valve and tie pressure measuring device
and operating to transmit a control signal to at least one of the
first or second valves in response to a predetermined rate of
change of the fluid pressure in the fluid conduit; providing a
first fluid storage bank having an outlet communicating with the
inlet port of the first valve, and a second fluid storage bank
having an outlet communicating with the inlet port of the second
valve; providing a vessel filling port communicating with the fluid
conduit; providing a fluid holding vessel removably engaging and
communicating with the vessel filling port so that an interior of
the vessel is in communication with the fluid conduit; transmitting
a first control signal from the programmable logic controller to
the first valve causing the valve to open and a fluid to flow from
the first storage bank to the vessel filling port; transmitting a
second control signal from the programmable logic controller to the
first valve causing the valve to close when the rate of change of a
fluid pressure in the fluid conduit has reached a predetermined
rate; transmitting a third control signal, after the second control
signal, from the programmable logic controller to the second valve
causing the valve to open and a fluid to flow from the second fluid
storage bank to the vessel filling port.
19. The method of claim 18, further comprising: providing a fluid
compressor in electronic communication with the programmable logic
controller and communicating with the fluid conduit so that the
compressor is operable to transmit a fluid directly to the vessel
filling port; and transmitting a control signal from the
programmable logic controller to the compressor causing fluid to
flow from the compressor to the vessel filling port.
20. The method of claim 19, comprising transmitting a control
signal from the programmable logic controller to the compressor
causing fluid to flow from the compressor to the vessel filling
port when the rate of change of a fluid pressure in the conduit has
reached a predetermined rate and each bank has been discharged.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional
Patent Application No. 61/088,846, filed Aug. 14, 2000.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Disclosed is an embodiment for an auto-cascade bottle
filling system that may improve overall filling efficiency and
reduce or eliminate operator fatigue. The system may include a
programmable logic controller that may communicate with a pressure
transducer and function to actuate valve(s) associated with a fluid
storage bank(s) to allow for the rapid, controlled, and automated
filling of bottles.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Methods of filling bottles with fluid (including compressed
air, compressed breathable air, compressed natural gas and the
like, and liquids) have used either a manually controlled valve or
a spring biased differential pressure valve to control the flow of
fluid from a fluid reservoir into a bottle. Manual valves permitted
increased operator control and allowed for greater efficiency in
equalizing the pressure between the reservoir and the target
bottle. A disadvantage, however, of a manual valve was the
significant user fatigue inherent with its use. Therefore, as an
alternative to a manual valve, some systems used a spring biased
pressure differential valve. These valves reduced operator fatigue,
but were less efficient than manual valves since the inherent bias
of a spring would terminate fluid flow from the reservoir prior to
the equalization of pressure between the fluid reservoir and the
target bottle.
[0004] Accordingly, it would be advantageous to have an automatic
filling system that may reduce operator fatigue and increase the
efficiency with which a target bottle may be filled relative to the
fluid reservoir.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] An apparatus and method is disclosed for auto-cascade bottle
filling. The apparatus may include a fluid conduit, one or more
valves that communicate with the conduit, a pressure measuring
device and a programmable logic controller. The fluid conduit may
communicate with a downstream vessel filling station or port. The
pressure measuring device may be arranged to measure the rate of
change of a fluid pressure in the conduit. The programmable logic
controller communicates electronically with the pressure measuring
device and may transmit control signals to the valve(s).
[0006] One or more fluid filled (or fillable) storage balks may
also be provided, with each of the banks communicating with the
valve(s) so that the bank(s) may be selectively discharged by
operation of the respective valve.
[0007] In operation, a bottle or other fluid retaining vessel or
container to be filled may be oriented at the filling station or
port so that the bottle interior is in communication with the fluid
conduit. Then, upon initiation of a fill operation by a user, the
programmable logic controller may cause a valve associated with a
bank to open so that fluid in the bank discharges through the
conduit and into the bottle. As the bottle is filled, and the
pressures at the bottle and the bank equalize, the rate of change
in the pressure in the conduit will approach zero. If the rate of
change reaches zero (or another value predetermined by a user) and
the bottle has not been fully charge, the programmable logic
controller may continue the filling operation by signaling the open
valve to close and a second valve associated with another bank to
open.
[0008] It will be appreciated that a regulator on, for example, at
least one of the bottle, the station, or the port, may serve to
limit fluid pressure in the bottle. Accordingly, where the bottle
has been filled (i.e., full charged to a desired PSI), the
regulator may prevent additional fluid flow into the bottle. As a
result, fluid pressure in the conduit may quickly rise and
equalize. This rapid equalization of the pressure in the conduit
may be sensed by the pressure measuring device and, as mentioned
supra, cause the programmable logic controller to close the open
valve. In addition, the controller may then terminate the fill
operation by cycling through any remaining banks/valves, which
would be rapidly opened and closed given the high pressure resident
in the conduit at the end of the fill operation.
[0009] The disclosed apparatus and method may further include a
fluid compressor that may be arranged to fill the banks. The
compressor may also be arranged so that it communicates directly
with the fluid conduit. In such an arrangement, the compressor may
be used to directly fill a bottle at the fill station or port in
the event, for example, all banks have been discharged and all
bottles have not been filled.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] Reference will be herein to the associated drawings, wherein
like reference numbers refer to like part throughout, and
wherein:
[0011] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a fill
apparatus for a fluid holding vessel;
[0012] FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic view of an embodiment of a fill
apparatus for a fluid holding vessel;
[0013] FIG. 3 is a flowchart view of an embodiment of a method for
filling a fluid holding vessel.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0014] A fill apparatus for a fluid holding vessels may include a
fluid conduit, one or more valves, a pressure measuring device and
a programmable logic controller. The valve(s) may communicate with
the fluid conduit and the pressure measuring device and operate to
measure a rate of change of a fluid pressure in the conduit. The
programmable logic controller may be in electronic communication
with the valve(s) and the pressure measuring device, and operate to
transmit a control signal to the valve (or a predetermined valve in
a plurality of valves or a combination of valves) in response to a
predetermined rate of change in the fluid pressure in the fluid
conduit.
[0015] Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, an apparatus 10 for filling
a fluid holding vessel 100 may include a common outlet line or
fluid conduit 12 and one or more valves 14 (i.e., a first valve,
second valve, third valve, etc.) that may communicate (i.e., to be
linked or connected by tubes, conduits or the like that allow the
transmission of a fluid) with the fluid conduit 12. A pressure
measuring device 16 may be provided that may operate to measure a
rate of change of a fluid pressure in the fluid conduit 12. A
programmable logic controller 18 may also be included that may
communicate electronically (via wire or wirelessly) with the
valve(s) 14 and the pressure measuring device 16, and operate to
transmit a control signal to the valve(s) 14 in response to a
predetermined rate of change in the fluid pressure in the fluid
conduit 12 as measured by the pressure measuring device 16.
[0016] Still referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, one or more fluid filled
(or fillable) storage banks 20 may be provided that may communicate
with the fluid conduit 12 through respective outlet lines 22. The
banks 20 may be most any fluid retaining container, including
bottles, tanks, cylinders, drums, etc. A valve 14 may be connected
to and communicate with the outlet line 22 of each storage bank 20.
Further, as will be described infra, each valve 14 may be
selectively actuated to control the discharge of a fluid (not
shown) from a predetermined storage bank(s) 20, into and through
the fluid conduit 12, and into a downstream vessel 100, vessel
filling station 102 or port, or another apparatus that may have use
for the fluid and that may be communicate with the discharge end 24
of the conduit 12. As such, it will be appreciated that the
specific position of the valve(s) 14 may be somewhat flexible, in
that each valve(s) 14 may be mounted directly to a bank 20,
positioned in the outlet line 22 of a bank 20, remote from the bank
20 or the conduit 12, or mounted directly on the conduit 12. A
housing 26 and/or manifold and other mounting and/or reinforcing
apparatus may also be provided for mounting of the valve(s) 14 and
conduit 12 and to otherwise meet the needs of a user. Additionally,
where the fluid to be transmitted is compressed natural gas, the
housing 26 (and other features such as the banks 20) may be
constructed to be explosion proof and/or resistant.
[0017] Still referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a fluid (such as
compressed air, compressed breathable air, compressed natural gas
and the like) may be provided to the storage banks 20 by a fluid
compressor 28 that may communicate with the inlet 29 of each the
bank 20 through a second fluid conduit 30 or common input line. The
operation of the compressor 28 and the filling of the one or more
storage banks 20 may be controlled by the programmable logic
controller 18, which may be in electronic communication (wire or
wireless) with the compressor.
[0018] Still referring to FIGS. 1-3, in operation, after a vessel
100 (e.g., a bottle, tank, container, cylinder or other fluid
storage receptacle) has been connected to a bottle filling station
102 or port (and/or otherwise placed in communication with the
discharge end 24 of the conduit 12), a user may then initiate a
fill operation (by, for example, depressing an associated on-off
switch (not shown) or the like that may communicate with the
programmable logic controller 18). Once initiated, tie programmable
logic controller 18 may signal a valve 14 of a predetermined one of
the storage banks 12 to open and cause fluid to flow from the
storage bank 20 and through the conduit 12 and to the discharge end
24.
[0019] Still referring to FIGS. 1-3, as mentioned supra, the
pressure measuring device 16, which may be a pressure transducer,
may monitor the fluid pressure in the conduit 12. As the vessel 100
is filled, and the pressures at the vessel 100 and the bank 20
equalize, the rate of change in the pressure in the conduit 12 will
approach zero. If the rate of change reaches zero (or another value
as predetermined by the user) and the vessel 100 has not been fully
charged, the programmable logic controller 18 may then continue the
filling operation by signaling the open valve 14 to close and
signaling a second valve 14 associated with another bank 20 to
open. This process of discharging fluid from each bank 20 to the
point of pressure equalization (or other predetermined value), and
then switching to the next storage bank 20 may continue as needed
for the vessel filling process until all vessels 100 are
filled.
[0020] It will also be appreciated that a pressure regulator (not
shown) on, for example, at least one of the vessel 100, or the
vessel filling station 102 or the port, may serve to limit fluid
pressure in the vessel 100. Accordingly, where the vessel 100 has
been filled (i.e., full charged), the regulator may prevent
additional fluid flow into the vessel 100. As a result, fluid
pressure in the conduit 12 may quickly rise and equalize. This
rapid equalization of the pressure in the conduit may be sensed by
the pressure measuring device 16 and, as mentioned supra, cause the
programmable logic controller 18 to close the currently opened
valve 14. In addition, the controller 18 may then terminate the
fill operation by cycling through any remaining banks 20 valves 14,
which would be rapidly opened and closed given the high pressure
resident in the conduit 12 at the end of the fill operation.
[0021] Still referring to FIGS. 1-3, the compressor 28 may
communicate with the conduit 12 so that vessels 100 may also be
directly filled by the compressor 28. For example, in the event all
vessels 100 have not been filled after all the available storage
banks 20 have been discharge, the compressor 28 may continue to
directly fill bottles using a branch line 34 or conduit that
extends from the second conduit or common inlet line 30 to the
fluid conduit 12.
[0022] Still referring to FIGS. 1-3, in addition to the valve(s) 14
associated with each storage bank(s) 20, which may be solenoid
controlled, a control valve 32 (that may also be solenoid
controlled) may be positioned in the common input line 30 (or at an
inlet thereof). This additional control valve 32 may control the
filling of the storage banks 20 and, when closed, cause fluid to
instead flow directly from the compressor 28 to the conduit 12. For
example, if as mention above a user desired to use the compressor
28 to supply fluid to another piece of equipment, the operator may
close the valve 32 in the inlet line 30 so that the flow of fluid
to the storage banks 20 will cease and fluid may instead be
transmitted to the conduit 12 and the discharge end 24 thereof. In
will, of course, be appreciated that a check valve (not shown) may
also be positioned at the compressor 28, in the line 34, or in the
conduit as some intermediate point therebetween, to prevent
backflow of a fluid from the conduit 12 to the compressor 28.
[0023] Having thus described an embodiment of the system 10,
various other embodiments will become apparent to those of skill in
the art that do not depart from the scope of the appended
claim.
* * * * *