U.S. patent application number 13/329277 was filed with the patent office on 2012-07-26 for additive alert system.
Invention is credited to Edwin Earl Duncan, III, John David Hockaday, Eldon Loyd Moss, JR..
Application Number | 20120186614 13/329277 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46245412 |
Filed Date | 2012-07-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120186614 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hockaday; John David ; et
al. |
July 26, 2012 |
ADDITIVE ALERT SYSTEM
Abstract
An apparatus and system for detecting the delivery or
nondelivery of a cleaning and sanitizing agent or chemical in
automated dishwashers, warewashers, and laundry machines. A
detector comprising one or more sensors or two or more electrical
electrodes are positioned outside the ends of the delivery tube or
tubes for the sanitizing agent or chemical. As the sanitizing agent
or chemical liquid is released from the delivery tube or tubes, the
liquid forms a stream of flow through the air. The flow passes
within sensing range of the sensor or sensors, or encompasses the
electrical electrodes thereby completing an electrical circuit.
When the sensor detects the flow and the sensor is activated, or
the circuit completes, a control unit prevents an alarm from
sounding.
Inventors: |
Hockaday; John David;
(Bartlett, TN) ; Moss, JR.; Eldon Loyd; (Atoka,
TN) ; Duncan, III; Edwin Earl; (Bartlett,
TN) |
Family ID: |
46245412 |
Appl. No.: |
13/329277 |
Filed: |
December 17, 2011 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61424100 |
Dec 17, 2010 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
134/57D ;
134/56D |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47L 15/449 20130101;
D06F 2202/02 20130101; A47L 15/44 20130101; A47L 2401/30 20130101;
G01P 13/0006 20130101; D06F 39/022 20130101; A47L 15/0049 20130101;
A47L 2501/26 20130101; D06F 33/00 20130101; D06F 2204/02
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
134/57.D ;
134/56.D |
International
Class: |
A47L 15/46 20060101
A47L015/46; A47L 15/42 20060101 A47L015/42 |
Claims
1. An apparatus for detecting the delivery of a chemical sanitizing
agent or other liquid in a dishwashing or warewashing machine,
comprising: one or more delivery tubes for discharging a flow of a
sanitizing agent or other chemical or liquid from an open end of
said delivery tube or tubes; a detector positioned outside the open
ends of said delivery tubes or tubes so as to detect the flow of
said sanitizing agent or other chemical or liquid before mixing
with any washing solution or solutions; a control unit to determine
whether or not the detector has detected said flow.
2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the detector comprises one or
more sensors positioned so that said flow is within the sensing
range of said sensor or sensors.
3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the detector comprises two or
more electrodes positioned to be encompassed by the flow, wherein
said electrodes are part of the same electric circuit, and the
control unit detects when the electric circuit is completed by the
sensors or electrodes being encompassed by said flow.
4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the control unit provides an
alert or signal when the electric circuit is not completed at a
time a chemical sanitizing agent or other liquid should be
discharged.
5. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the electrodes have a length
sufficient to extend across the area where the delivery tube or
tubes discharge.
6. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the electrodes are positioned
in an alignment perpendicular to the flow.
7. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the electrodes are positioned
in an alignment at an angle to the flow.
8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the sensors or electrodes are
positioned in an alignment parallel to the flow.
9. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the sensors or electrodes are
offset from each other.
10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the delivery tube or tubes
point downwards so gravity causes or assists in the flow.
11. The apparatus of claim 3, further comprising a separate water
spray or flow directed onto the electrodes to clean the electrodes
of any sanitizing agent or other chemical or liquid.
12. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the control unit is
programmed to detect if the circuit is broken.
13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein if the control unit detects
the circuit is broken, the control unit causes a separate water
spray or flow to be directed onto the electrodes to clean the
sensors or electrodes.
Description
[0001] This application claims benefit of and priority to U.S.
Provisional Application No. 61/424,100, filed Dec. 17, 2010, by
John David Hockaday, et al., and is entitled to that filing date
for priority. The specification, figures and complete disclosure of
U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/424,100 are incorporated herein
by specific reference for all purposes.
FIELD OF INVENTION
[0002] This invention relates to an improved method and apparatus
for detecting the delivery of a chemical sanitizing agent, or other
liquid, to a dishwashing or warewashing machine.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] The use of automated commercial dishwashers and laundry
machines in a variety of settings, such as restaurants, hotels, or
nursing homes, among others, is widely known. Chemical sanitizers
are often used with such machines, and a variety of systems for
ensuring that sanitizer and cleaning agents are being supplied are
known in the art. For example, Shih, U.S. Pat. No. 4,142,539,
discloses a sanitizer alert system that senses first the absence
and then the presence of a sanitizing agent in a delivery conduit.
Robinson, U.S. Pat. No. 4,036,404, discloses a visual or audible
indicator to indicate the absence of an additive in a supply line
ordinarily added to the rinse or wash water of a commercial
dishwashing machine. And Nishioka, U.S. Pat. No. 6,819,250,
discloses an out-of-liquid photosensor that detects the presence or
absence of a liquid flowing in the internal section of a
light-transmissive tubular body. U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,036,404;
4,142,539; and 6,819,250 are incorporated herein in their
entireties by specific reference for all purposes.
[0004] Prior art systems, however, are subject to a variety of
problems. The concentrated cleaning and sanitizing agents and
chemical can attack the functional components of the detection
device, requiring expensive chemical resistant materials be used
and frequent repairs. These systems detect the presence or absence
of the cleaning and sanitizing agent or chemical in the delivery
system, and thus cannot detect when a downstream mechanical problem
prevents the actual delivery of the sanitizing agent. And gas
emissions from the cleaning and sanitizing agent or chemical
storage tank can cause false readings.
[0005] Accordingly, what is needed is a system for detecting the
delivery or nondelivery of a cleaning and sanitizing agent or
chemical in automated commercial dishwashers and laundry machines
without the above problems.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
[0006] In various embodiments, the present invention comprises an
apparatus and system for detecting the delivery or nondelivery of a
cleaning and sanitizing agent or chemical in automated dishwashers,
warewashers, and laundry machines. In one embodiment, the present
invention comprises a pair of electrical electrodes or an
electrical sensor positioned outside the ends of the delivery tube
or tubes for the sanitizing agent or chemical. As the sanitizing
agent or chemical liquid is released from the delivery tube or
tubes, the liquid forms a stream of flow through the air. Once the
chemical or agent is released from the delivery tubes or system,
the sanitizing agent or chemical liquid encompasses the pair of
electrical sensors or electrodes positioned just beyond the opening
of the delivery tubes.
[0007] The sensors or electrodes are comprised of an electrically
conductive material. The liquid stream creates a path for an
electrical circuit by touching both sensors or electrodes
simultaneously. When the circuit completes, a control circuit
prevents an alarm from sounding. Simple relay logic may be used to
control the unit.
[0008] In one exemplary embodiment, the control circuit also causes
a flow or spray of water or rinsate to be directed onto the
electrical sensors or electrodes, thereby diluting or removing or
rinsing, or a combination thereof, any remaining chemical or agent
from the conducting surfaces of the sensors or electrodes. This
eliminates or reduces the adverse impact the chemical or agent, or
its residue, will have on the conducting surfaces and reduces the
time required for the chemical additives to be mixed into the
process solutions.
[0009] In one exemplary embodiment, the apparatus of the present
invention is configured so that the chemical delivery tubes point
downwards so that gravity causes, or assists, in the flow of the
chemical or agent into the wash chamber, and over the sensors or
electrodes. The electrodes may be positioned one directly above the
other, or in a vertical alignment with a slight offset, although
they may be positioned in other configurations. Where multiple
delivery tubes are used, the electrodes may be configured to extend
length-wise across the area where two or more tubes discharge. More
than two electrodes also may be used. In other exemplary
embodiments, others forms of sensors could be used to detect or
track the falling chemical or agent, including but not limited to
photosensors or proximity sensors.
[0010] In yet another embodiment, the signal created by the
chemical or agent passing the sensors may be used as feedback to
the delivery control system to control the dosage amount. In a
further embodiment, an electronic control circuit is used with a
feature to ensure and notify the user that the unit is operating
properly. The circuit comprises a check to determine if the signal
circuit has been broken. If the unit does not meet acceptable
parameters, the unit will first attempt to wash the electrodes and
self-clear the potential error. If the wash does not clear the
error, the system will report a failure or system error to the user
(such as by lighting a red LED on the control circuit box).
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] FIG. 1 shows a view of a system in accordance with an
exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
[0012] FIG. 2 shows a schematic diagram of an electrical sensor
control component of the system of FIG. 1.
[0013] FIG. 3 shows a schematic diagram of an electrical sensor
control component in accordance with another exemplary embodiment
of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS
[0014] In one exemplary embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the present
invention comprises a pair of electrical electrodes or an
electrical sensor 10 positioned outside the ends of the delivery
tube or tubes 12 for a sanitizing agent or chemical used in
automated commercial dishwashers or laundry machines. As the
sanitizing agent or chemical liquid is released from the delivery
tube or tubes 12, the liquid forms a stream of flow through the
air.
[0015] Once the chemical or agent is released from the delivery
system, it is past a point of no return and gravity requires it to
flow into the wash or rinse cabinet. As shown in FIG. 1, once
released, the flow of the sanitizing agent or chemical liquid
encompasses a pair of electrical electrodes 10 positioned just
beyond the opening of the delivery tubes 12.
[0016] The electrodes 10 are comprised of an electrically
conductive material. The liquid stream creates a path for an
electrical circuit by touching both sensors or electrodes 10
simultaneously. When the circuit completes, a control circuit 20
(as shown in FIG. 2 or 3) prevents an alarm from sounding.
Alternatively, if an electrical sensor is used, the flow need not
encompass the sensor, but merely needs to pass near in sensing
proximity. Simple relay logic may be used to control the unit.
[0017] In one exemplary embodiment, the electrodes or sensors 10
are positioned to detect the chemical flow after leaving the
delivery mechanisms (e.g., tubes), but directly before the chemical
flow mixes with the washing solution or solutions. Alternatively,
they can be positioned elsewhere in the flow stream.
[0018] In another exemplary embodiment, the control circuit 20 also
causes a flow or spray of water or rinsate 14 to be directed onto
the electrical sensors or electrodes 10, thereby diluting or
removing or rinsing, or a combination thereof, any remaining
chemical or agent from the conducting surfaces of the sensors or
electrodes. This eliminates or reduces the adverse impact the
chemical or agent, or its residue, will have on the conducting
surfaces and reduces the time required for the chemical additives
to be mixed into the process solutions.
[0019] In yet another exemplary embodiment, the apparatus of the
present invention is configured so that the chemical delivery tubes
point downwards so that gravity causes, or assists, in the flow of
the chemical or agent into the wash chamber, and over the sensors
or electrodes. The electrodes may be positioned one directly above
the other, or in a vertical alignment with a slight offset,
although they may be positioned in other configurations. Where
multiple delivery tubes are used, the electrodes may be configured
to extend length-wise across the area where two or more tubes
discharge. More than two electrodes also may be used. In other
exemplary embodiments, other forms of sensors could be used to
detect or track the falling chemical or agent, including but not
limited to photosensors or proximity sensors.
[0020] In yet another embodiment, the signal created by the
chemical or agent passing the sensors may be used as feedback to
the delivery control system to control the dosage amount.
[0021] In a further embodiment, as seen in FIG. 3, an electronic
control circuit is used with a feature to ensure and notify the
user that the unit is operating properly. The circuit comprises a
check to determine if the signal circuit has been broken. If the
unit does not meet acceptable parameters, the unit will first
attempt to wash the electrodes and self-clear the potential error.
If the wash does not clear the error, the system will report a
failure or system error to the user (such as by lighting a red LED
on the control circuit box).
[0022] The typical operation for use of the device on a fill and
dump style chemical sanitizing dishwasher is as follows. The
operator starts the machine either by closing the door or pushing a
start button. When the machine cycle starts and the detergent or
sanitizer pumps are activated, power comes from the main machine
power to the alert control circuit. Power applied to the
peristaltic pumps closes the corresponding relays R1 or R2. Power
is also applied to relay R4, and R4 forms a latching circuit. Power
is also applied to one of the electrodes. When the chemical
contacts the electrodes and completes the circuit, it activates
relay R3 and R3 latches itself in and deactivates the alarm circuit
by breaking the R4 latch. R3 also powers the water solenoid valve
while R3 is energized. The water solenoid valve controls the
rinsing spray. The water valve shuts off when the peristaltic pumps
are de-energized. If no chemical completes the circuit, then relay
R4 is activated and the alarm circuit is energized. With the alarm
circuit energized the alarm will activate when the peristaltic
pumps de-energize. The alarm circuit could be attached to both a
signal light and audible alarm.
[0023] When a control as shown in FIG. 3 is used, a typical method
of operation is as follows. The operator starts the machine either
by closing the door or pushing a start button. The machine cycle
starts and the machine controls operate a peristaltic pump to
dispense detergent into the wash water. The alert system receives a
signal that the detergent pump has been activated and therefore
should verify the addition of detergent. At the end of the
peristaltic pump cycle the alert system would indicate if no
chemical has been added or that chemical was added as expected. If
during the verification processes the detergent is not detected, a
red light will flash to indicate a delivery failure. The flashing
light continues until the verification process is initialized and
completed successfully. A continuous green light would indicate the
chemicals were added as expected.
[0024] If chemical was detected as expected, the control circuit
will activate a valve to allow water to spray across the electrodes
to rinse away and dilute any residual chemical to prevent corrosion
and speed chemical mixing with the wash water, as described
above.
[0025] After a short delay, the control circuit will check for a
negative indication to ensure that all of the residual chemical has
been removed and an open circuit has been reestablished. If the
chemical has been removed and the open circuit established then the
green light continues to be continuously light. If the circuit does
not break or the sensor detects the presence of chemical then the
control circuit will make up to two more attempts to rinse the
chemicals away. If the presence of chemical is still present after
the three attempts, the green light will begin flashing, indicating
the need for service or repair.
[0026] The machine continues to wash until the end of its timed
wash cycle. The machine then drains the wash water and fresh rinse
water is added. During the addition of rinse water to the machine,
the machine also adds sanitizers and rinse additives. During the
addition of the sanitizer the alert system would receive a signal
that the chemical pump for the sanitizer had been activated and it
should verify the addition.
[0027] If during the verification process the sanitizer is not
detected, a red light will be continuously lit until the
verification process is initialized and completed successfully. If
completed successfully the unit will perform the rinse cycle as
describe above to remove chemical and prevent corrosion.
[0028] There is an optional audible alarm to accompany the flashing
red or continuous red light. The audible alarm is continuous for
the continuous red light or intermittent for the flashing red
light.
[0029] If the system detects a failure and the operator is alerted,
the operator typically needs to replace the chemical supply and
prime the supply lines. As the chemical pumps are primed the alert
system continues to monitor for chemical delivery. Once delivery is
detected on the alarms will be turned off.
[0030] Thus, it should be understood that the embodiments and
examples described herein have been chosen and described in order
to best illustrate the principles of the invention and its
practical applications to thereby enable one of ordinary skill in
the art to best utilize the invention in various embodiments and
with various modifications as are suited for particular uses
contemplated. Even though specific embodiments of this invention
have been described, they are not to be taken as exhaustive. There
are several variations that will be apparent to those skilled in
the art.
* * * * *