U.S. patent number 3,627,176 [Application Number 04/860,702] was granted by the patent office on 1971-12-14 for automatic spray dispenser for pressurized fluid.
Invention is credited to William M. Sailors.
United States Patent |
3,627,176 |
Sailors |
December 14, 1971 |
AUTOMATIC SPRAY DISPENSER FOR PRESSURIZED FLUID
Abstract
A solenoid operated valve has a moveable armature piston
restricting the flow of pressurized fluid introduced at the inlet
end of a cylinder towards an outlet at its opposite end. A
resilient closure member on the outlet end of the piston contacts a
protruding outlet valve seat to maintain the valve closed until the
solenoid coil is energized, at which time the outlet is opened
momentarily to release a predetermined amount of pressurized fluid
at the outlet end of the cylinder to a spray nozzle. The
substantial flow impedance between the cylinder inlet and outlet
results in a pressure differential between opposite ends of the
piston that reseats and holds the closure member against the valve
seat to prevent leakage.
Inventors: |
Sailors; William M. (Santa
Monica, CA) |
Family
ID: |
25333822 |
Appl.
No.: |
04/860,702 |
Filed: |
September 24, 1969 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
222/290; 222/646;
222/504 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D
83/262 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
B65D
83/16 (20060101); B67d 005/08 () |
Field of
Search: |
;251/139
;222/70,504 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Reeves; Robert B.
Assistant Examiner: Bartuska; Francis J.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An automatic dispenser for discharging a measured quantity of
pressurized fluid from a container at predetermined time intervals,
comprising:
an elongated cylinder having a pressurized fluid inlet at one end
and an outlet valve seat at the other end;
an elongated piston slidably moveable within said cylinder to
provide a continuous high impedance flow path between opposite ends
of the cylinder providing a flow resistance substantially greater
than the total flow resistance from said container through said
inlet into said one end of said cylinder, said piston including
closure means at one end for engaging said outlet valve seat to
prevent release of pressurized fluid and to define a space within
said cylinder adjacent said valve seat;
conduit means for conveying said pressurized fluid from the
interior of said container through the inlet to maintain the
pressure at the inlet end of said cylinder at a maximum level of
the pressurized fluid; and,
actuating means for applying a force for slidably moving said
piston along said cylinder to displace said closure means
momentarily from said valve seat after each said predetermined
interval to release said fixed amount of pressurized fluid from
said space adjacent said valve seat to decrease the pressure at
said other end of the cylinder to a minimum level thus producing a
pressure differential force on said piston to move said closure
means back into contact with said valve seat to terminate the
release of pressurized fluid, said high impedance flow path
sufficiently restricting the flow of said pressurized fluid past
said piston to increase the pressure at said other end of the
cylinder gradually from said minimum to said maximum during a
predetermined interval after said closure means has moved back into
contact with said valve seat.
2. The dispenser of claim 1 wherein:
said piston is a magnetic solenoid armature; and
said actuating means comprises a solenoid coil adjacent said
cylinder and a timing means for applying current pulses to said
solenoid coil at fixed intervals to generate a magnetic force for
displacing said armature along said cylinder.
3. The dispenser of claim 2 wherein:
said timing means further comprises a source of electric current
and an interval timer circuit operable at said fixed intervals to
send a pulse of current from said source through said solenoid
coil.
4. The dispenser of claim 1 further comprising:
valve stem means on said container for releasing pressurized fluid
contents when depressed;
mounting means releasably secured to said container for holding
said valve stem depressed to release said pressurized fluid into
said conduit means; and
spray nozzle means coupled to said outlet valve seat to receive the
pressurized fluid released from said cylinder for spraying said
predetermined amount during each energization of said actuating
means.
5. The dispenser of claim 1 wherein:
said outlet valve seat is a protuberance having a conically shaped
end portion surrounding an outlet orifice; and
said closure member has a resilient contact surface for contacting
the conical portion of said protuberance to provide a seal
surrounding said outlet aperture.
6. An automatic spray dispenser for dispensing measured quantities
of a pressurized fluid from an aerosol container having a valve
stem adapted to be depressed to open an internal valve for
releasing the pressurized fluid contents, comprising:
a housing adapted to be removably mounted on said container for
holding said valve stem depressed;
an annular solenoid coil mounted within said housing with a central
cylindrical opening extending along the flux axis of said coil;
an elongated cylindrical sleeve mounted within said central
cylindrical opening and having inlet and outlet end closures, said
inlet end closure having a continuously open inlet port and said
outlet end closure having a central protuberance surrounded by an
annular open space extending into said cylindrical sleeve and
formed with a valve seat at its end adjacent an outlet port;
a piston member including a solenoid armature of magnetic material
slidably moveable with a snug fit within said cylinder for
providing a high impedance flow path for the pressurized fluid
between opposite ends of said cylindrical sleeve, said piston means
having a valve closure member at one end for engaging said valve
seat to prevent escape of pressurized fluid through said outlet
port;
conduit means for conveying said pressurized fluid from said valve
stem through the inlet port to maintain the interior of said
cylindrical sleeve at the other end of said piston member
continuously at a maximum level; and
electrical actuating means for periodically supplying a pulse of
electrical current to said solenoid coil for moving said piston
within said cylindrical sleeve to displace said valve closure
member from said valve seat momentarily to permit escape of
pressurized fluid through said outlet port from the open annular
space surrounding said protuberance, thereby decreasing the
pressure to a minimum level, and said high impedance flow path
restricting flow of said pressurized fluid past said piston to
delay the increase of pressure within said annular open space from
said minimum to said maximum for an extended interval after said
closure member has been moved back into engagement with said valve
seat.
7. The automatic spray dispenser of claim 6 wherein said electrical
actuating means comprises:
a battery;
a low powered timing circuit coupled to said battery and to said
solenoid coil for periodically gating current pulses from said
battery to energize said coil.
8. The automatic spray dispenser of claim 6 wherein:
said valve closure member comprises a resilient material mounted at
one end of said piston for contacting said valve seat; and,
said valve seat comprises a conically shaped annular surface at the
end of said protuberance.
9. The automatic dispenser of claim 6 wherein:
said restricted flow path is defined between the exterior surface
of said piston member and the interior surface of said cylindrical
sleeve to provide an effective orifice between the opposite ends of
said piston for delaying the increase of the pressure in the space
surrounding said protuberance to a level equal to the pressure at
said inlet port for a period of time in excess of the duration of
each energizing current pulse.
10. The automatic dispenser of claim 9 wherein:
the pressurized fluid within said container is maintained at a
pressure substantially in excess of the pressure downstream from
said outlet port and said piston member has a cross-sectional area
sufficient to provide a differential pressure force on said piston
member when said valve closure member is displaced from said valve
seat in excess of the magnetic force applied to said armature
during the flow of energizing current through said solenoid coil.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to automatically timed pressurized fluid
dispensers operated periodically to discharge a measured amount of
pressurized fluid at predetermined intervals, and more
particularly, to an improved dispenser of this type that prevents
leakage of the pressurized fluid in the intermediate interval
between the timed discharges.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Recently a variety of devices have been developed for automatically
dispensing at predetermined periodic intervals measured amounts of
pressurized fluids, such as insecticides, disinfectants,
deodorants, respiratory decongestants, and similar materials
commonly dispensed from aerosol spray containers. Initially
electromechanical clockwork mechanisms were employed to operate a
cam or linkage system, or to close a switch energizing a solenoid,
that momentarily depressed the spring loaded valve stem on the
conventional aerosol spray container. However, since considerable
force is required to depress the valve stem of these containers,
which are primarily designed for manual operation, electrical
energy used for driving the clockwork mechanism and operating the
solenoid had to be obtained from an AC outlet. Not only was the
complex clockwork mechanism relatively expensive and fragile, but
these devices could only be used where a convenient AC outlet was
available.
More recently automatic dispensing devices have been developed that
use a simple inexpensive electronic timer with a low power solenoid
valve mechanism that could be operated over extended periods with
conventional dry cell flashlight batteries. In these devices,
instead of generating the considerable force necessary to depress
the spring loaded valve stem on a conventional aerosol container,
fluid within the container is applied directly to a simple solenoid
valve either through an open access tube inserted into the
container or through a special fitting that holds the container
valve stem permanently depressed.
Typically such battery operated units had a valve arrangement with
a resilient closure member attached to the solenoid armature to be
held against an outlet valve seat until the solenoid coil is
energized. The flux produced upon energization of the solenoid coil
displaced the armature with its resilient closure member away from
the valve seat to release the pressurized fluid through the open
outlet to a spray nozzle. Unfortunately, with such valves, slow
leakage of the pressurized fluid occurred during intervals between
periodic sprays. Not only did this waste the fluid available for
spraying from the container, but more importantly, the dripping of
liquids, particularly such substances as strong disinfectants and
insecticides, resulted in staining, paint removal or other damage
to walls and other surfaces where the devices were commonly
attached. Whereas positive valve closure to prevent leakage might
be achieved using springs or heavy armatures to increase the force
holding the resilient closure member against the valve seat, such
expedients also required increased solenoid power to overcome this
additional closure force, which correspondingly reducing the
operating life of the batteries.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Automatic spray dispensers in accordance with this invention avoid
leakage problems associated with the prior battery operated units
by employing a unique solenoid valve arrangement wherein the
occurrence of any leakage generates a force tending to push
resilient closure member against the valve seat to stop leakage. In
the preferred embodiment, the pressurized fluid to be sprayed is
delivered to the inlet end of a cylinder containing the solenoid
armature, which is located within a central opening of the solenoid
coil. The solenoid armature made of a magnetic material forms an
elongated piston that fits snugly for reciprocating movement within
the cylinder. A resilient closure member attached to the adjacent
end of the armature piston is normally held against a raised valve
seat formed at the outlet end of the cylinder to maintain the valve
closed preventing escape of the pressurized fluid until the
solenoid coil is energized. Pressurized fluid introduced at the
inlet end of the cylinder reaches the outlet end only through a
relatively high impedance flow path, which in the preferred
embodiment is defined by the small clearance between the inner
diameter of the cylinder and outer diameter of the solenoid
armature piston.
During the intervals between sprays the flow of pressurized fluid
through this restricted path fills the annular space at the outlet
end surrounding the raised valve seat to equalized the fluid
pressures at opposite ends of the armature piston prior to solenoid
energization. As the solenoid coil is energized by a current pulse,
the resilient closure member momentarily lifts free of its valve
seat allowing the pressurized fluid accumulated at the outlet end
to be delivered in a short burst to the spray nozzle. As the fluid
pressure at the outlet is released through the open outlet valve, a
pressure drop is created between the inlet and outlet ends of the
cylinder so that the greater force on the outlet end of the
armature piston forces it downward against the valve seat. Since
the high impedance flow path prevents rapid pressure equalization
at opposite ends of the cylinder, any tendency for the closure
member to lift from the valve seat to permit leakage in the
interval between sprays is effectively counteracted, and since
leakage would produce a pressure decrease at the outlet end, the
resulting pressure differential would force the closure member
against the valve seat.
In addition, by proper selection of the different force generating
parameters, such as by having the force on the piston resulting
from the pressure differential greater than the opening force
applied by energization of the solenoid, the device may be made to
prevent continuous release of the pressurized fluid in periodic
sprays should the timer circuit malfunction in such a way that
constant energizing current is supplied to the solenoid coil.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of a preferred form of an
improved automatic spray dispenser for pressurized fluids in
accordance with the invention;
FIG. 2 is a top view of the device of FIG. 1 with the top cover
removed;
FIG. 3 is a side sectional view of the automatic spray dispenser of
FIG. 1 taken substantially along the line 3--3 of FIG. 2 showing
its installation on a conventional aerosol container;
FIG. 4 is a schematic circuit diagram showing a preferred form of
the timer circuit for periodically energizing the solenoid
valve.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Referring now to FIG. 1, the improved spray dispenser 10 may employ
a conventional aerosol container having a cylindrical can 12 with a
cup shaped upper portion 14 containing an internal valve structure
for dispensing the pressurized fluid contents. Typically the
contents of the container 12 consist of a liquid mixture having an
active liquid ingredient with a propellant, usually a halogenated
hydrocarbon such as Freon, that has a high vapor pressure at
atmospheric pressure and room temperature, so that the vapor
pressure of the propellant expels the fluid mixture through a
nozzle to produce a fine spray. An automatic spray dispenser
mechanism in accordance with the invention is contained within a
cylindrical housing 16 having a removable top cover 18 and a spray
nozzle opening 20, and is removably attached as hereinafter
described on the top portion 14 of the aerosol container 12.
Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 3, which illustrate the arrangement of
components within the dispenser housing 16, the cup-shaped top
portion 14 of the aerosol container 12 contains an upwardly
projecting annular flange 22 with an inwardly projecting bead 24
surrounding an upright valve stem 26, which in the conventional
aerosol can is adapted to be manually depressed to open the
internal valve mechanism for releasing the pressurized fluid. A
mounting partition 28 formed within the housing 16 contains a
downwardly extending mating flange 30 with an outer annular groove
for receiving the bead 24 so that the housing 16 is locked in
position on the aerosol can 12 when the downwardly extending flange
30 is pushed into the upwardly extending flange 22. The flange 30
may contain narrow slots 32 spaced around the edge to provide the
desired resiliency.
A vertical hole 34 extends through the center of the partition 28
and has a larger bore opening at its lower end for receiving the
valve stem 26 to hold it depressed when the dispenser housing 16 is
seated on the aerosol container 12, thus maintaining the internal
valve arrangement open to release the pressurized fluid contents.
One end of a tube 36 fits into an enlarged bore at the upper end of
the hole 34 to deliver the pressurized fluid released from the
aerosol container 12 to a solenoid 38 with a conventional annular
coil winding 40 seated in an upright position within an annular
depression in the upper surface of the partition 28. The solenoid
coil 40 surrounds a cylindrical inner sleeve 42 that slideably
receives an elongated cylindrical armature 44 of soft iron or other
suitable magnetic material. The inside diameter of the sleeve 42 is
only slightly larger of the outside diameter of the armature 44,
which serves as a piston freely slideable within a vertical
cylinder. A resilient closure member 46, preferably of hard
synthetic rubber or an elastomeric plastic, is attached to the
lower end of the armature 44 to contact a conically shaped valve
seat formed at the tip of an upwardly extending protuberance 48 as
an integral part of a cylindrical closure member 50 that is
inserted into the lower or outlet end of the cylinder formed by the
sleeve 42. An O-ring seal 52 to prevent fluid leakage from this end
of the cylinder is carried in a groove around the closure member
50. Similarly a closure member 54 with an O-ring seal 56 seals the
upper or inlet end of the cylinder formed by the sleeve 42, and
both closure members 50 and 54 are held in place against opposite
ends of the cylinder by a clamping arrangement consisting of an
upper clamping plate 58 and a lower clamping plate 60 clamped
together by elongated bolts 62 that extend through holes (not
shown) provided in the partition 28 on opposite sides of the
solenoid 38. The other end of the tube 36 is sealed in the upper
portion of a hole 64 extending through the upper closure member 54
that defines an inlet passage into the upward or inlet end of the
cylinder. Similarly a central hole extends through the lower
closure member 50 from the conical valve seat at the tip of the
protuberance 48 to define an outlet passage which has one end of an
outlet tube 68 sealed in the enlarged bore at its lower end. The
other end of the outlet tube 68 if formed as a spray nozzle with a
reduced diameter to direct a spray through an opening formed in the
dispenser housing 16 into the atmosphere.
Also contained within the housing is a small battery 72 that has
its base removably inserted into an appropriately shaped depression
formed in the partition 28 to hold it upright. A circuit board 74
secured by appropriate means to the upper surface of the housing
partition 28 has various circuit elements as hereinafter described
mounted thereon. A plastic covered terminal assembly 76 connects
the battery terminals through insulated leads 78 to the circuit
elements on the board 74 and insulated output leads 80 connect the
circuit output terminals to supply periodic energizing current
pulses to the solenoid coil windings 40.
Any suitable timing circuit or switching arrangement, preferably
battery operated, may be employed for periodically energizing the
solenoid, and a preferred form of such a timing circuit is
illustrated and described in reference to FIG. 4. This particular
circuit is both inexpensive and efficient since it employs only a
small number of low cost circuit components and has very low
operating power requirements. Generally the operation of such timer
circuits are well known for light flasher applications where
operating frequencies of approximately one cycle per second are
employed.
The battery 72, typically a 9 -volt transistor radio battery, may
be coupled through a manually operated switch 80 to deliver current
pulses through a PNP-switching transistor 82 to energize the
solenoid coil 40. An NPN-triggering transistor 84 has its collector
terminal coupled through a resistor 86 to provide base current for
periodically driving the switching transistor 82 into saturation so
that an energizing current pulse is delivered from its collector
terminal to the solenoid coil 40. The base terminal of the
triggering transistor 84 is coupled to receive feedback signals
through a capacitor 88 coupled in series with a resistor 90 from
the collector of the switching transistor 82. The base of the
triggering transistor 84 is also coupled to the emitter terminal of
the transistor 82 through a large resistor 92 and its emitter is
coupled to the negative terminal of the battery 72.
Upon closing the switch 80 to initiate operation of the timing
circuit to produce periodic sprays from the dispenser, the voltage
of the battery 72 is applied across the series circuit consisting
of resistors 92 and 90, the capacitor 88 and the solenoid coil 40.
With the emitter terminal of the NPN-triggering transistor 84
coupled to the negative battery terminal, the positive potential at
the other battery terminal applied through the resistor 92, which
for this application has a much greater resistance value than the
resistor 90, initially results in a small positive potential at the
base of the triggering transistor 84. This forward base-to-emitter
bias causes the triggering transistor to begin conduction. With
transistor 84 conducting its collector current is drawn through the
resistor 86 from the base of the switching transistor 82 causing it
to conduct, and current from its collector terminal divides to flow
through the solenoid coil 40 and also through the series coupled
capacitor 88 and the resistor 90 in the feedback path to add to the
base current of the triggering transistor 84. The increased base
current drives triggering transistor 84 further into conduction to
increase the base current for the switching transistor 82 causing
it also to conduct more heavily. With this regenerative effect, the
switching transistor 82 is quickly driven to saturation to deliver
full energizing current to the solenoid coil 40. However, after
reaching saturation, the feedback current begins to decay
exponentially as the capacitor 88 is charged at a rate determined
by the RC time constant established by its capacitance value and
the resistance value of the resistor 90. When this feedback current
is reduced to a value at which the switching transistor 82 no
longer conducts in saturation, its collector voltage decreases.
This voltage change is feedback through the capacitor 88 in the
feedback path to the base of the triggering transistor 84 to reduce
its conduction, thereby further reducing the current flow through
the switching transistor 82. This results in a reverse regenerative
effect causing both transistors 82 and 84 to become nonconductive
very quickly, thus terminating the energizing pulse to the solenoid
coil 40. Thereafter, with the switching transistor 82 cut off, the
charge remaining on the capacitor 88 holds the base of the
transistor 84 negative while it is discharged by the battery 72
through the resistors 90 and 92. Both transistors 82 and 84 remain
nonconductive until the capacitor 88 has discharged sufficiently to
return the voltage at the base of the transistor 84 to a positive
potential that again forward biases the base-to-emitter junction to
initiate conduction, thus starting a new cycle.
For this application, wherein the desired interval between periodic
sprays is relatively large, typically ranging from 15 seconds to as
much as 15 minutes or more, the resistance value of the resistor 92
is much larger than that of the resistor 90. As should be apparent
from the foregoing description of the operation, the pulse duration
is primarily determined by the time constant of the feedback path
as established by the values selected for the capacitor 88 and the
resistor 90, whereas the interval between pulses is primarily
determined by the time constant of the discharge path as
established by the values selected for the capacitor 88 and the
resistor 92. The time constant of the feedback path should be
relatively low so that the pulse duration does not exceed the
minimum interval required for the flow of pressurized fluid through
the restricted path past the piston 44 to equalize the inlet and
outlet pressures in the cylinder.
For example, in one practical version of the invention, wherein
approximately a second is required for pressure equalization, the
capacitor 88 has a value of 40 microfarads and the resistor 90 is
600-ohms. With the resistor 92 having a value of 1 megohm, the
interval between pulses is approximately 28 seconds, and this
interval can be increased without changing the pulse duration by
employing larger resistance values for the resistor 92. In many
cases, it may be desirable to use a variable resistance
potentiometer for the resistor 92 so that the interval between
pulses may be varied as desired by the operator. In this case, both
the switch 80 and a thumb wheel for varying the value of the
resistance 92 could be located to extend through appropriate
openings in housings 16 so as to be readily accessible without
removing the top cover 18. As to the other circuit values, with the
battery 72 a conventional 9-volt transistor radio battery,
transistors 82 and 84 may be of the type manufactured by Radio
Corporation of America designated 40319 and 40320, respectively,
the resistor 86 a value of 330 ohms, and the solenoid 40 a 32 ohm
resistance. Of course, for longer delay intervals, it may be
desirable to employ other types of timing devices such as low speed
electrical motor arrangements or clockwork escapement
mechanisms.
In operation, the dispenser housing 16 is snapped onto its mounting
to be held securely to the top of the aerosol container 12. With
the housing 16 in place, the depressed valve stem 26 opens the
interior valve releasing the pressurized fluid contents from the
aerosol container 12. This pressurized fluid is introduced through
the tube 36 and the inlet passage hole 64 to the inlet end of the
cylinder defined within the sleeve 42. With the solenoid coil not
energized, the resilient closure member 46 at the bottom of the
armature 44 contacts the conical valve seat on the protuberance 48
thus closing the outlet passage through the hole 66 in the lower
closure member 50.
The snug fit of the piston armature 44 within the sleeve cylinder
42 restricts the flow of the pressurized fluid from the upper inlet
end to the end of the cylinder producing a high flow impedance so
that a substantial pressure drop results between the inlet and
outlet ends during flow. Typically, the effective orifice should
cause a pressure drop through the restricted flow path between the
outer surface of the armature 44 and the inner surface of the
sleeve 42 that is greater than the total upstream pressure drop of
the flow path from the interior of the container 12 through the
valve stem 26 and the tube 36 to the inlet end of the cylinder. For
example, the orifice of the valve stem 26 for a conventional
aerosol container has a diameter of approximately one-tenth inch,
so that the cross-sectional area of the flow path to the inlet end
of the cylinder is a little less than one one-hundredth square
inch. With the armature 44 having a 3/8-inch diameter and a
clearance of only one one-thousandth inch within the cylinder, the
cross-sectional area of the flow path between the inlet and outlet
ends of the cylinder is less than one one-thousandth of a square
inch, thus providing a substantially greater flow resistance along
the length of the armature.
Initially, pressurized fluid released from the aerosol container 12
flows slowly through the restricted flow path past the armature 44
to be released into the annular cavity surrounding the outlet
protuberance 48 at the outlet end of the cylinder. This flow
continues until the pressure at the bottom of the armature in the
annular cavity adjacent the outlet valve seat equals the pressure
at the inlet end of the cylinder. Until this happens, a pressure
differential exists between the inlet and outlet ends tending to
create a large net downward force on the armature 44 that forces
the resilient closure member 46 downward onto the outlet valve seat
to prevent the escape of pressurized fluid through the outlet
passage to the outlet tube 68. However, when the pressures at the
inlet and outlet ends to the cylinder equalize, only a slight net
downward force on the armature 44 remains since the entire top
surface area on the armature is exposed to the high pressure fluid
whereas the bottom surface area has its center portion isolated
from this high pressure by contact with the surrounding valve seat.
If desired, a light spring 82 between the top of the armature 44
and the closure member 54 may be used at the top of the cylinder to
supplement the small remaining net pressure force and the
gravitational force on the armature 44 in order to maintain the
closure member 46 firmly against the outlet valve seat when the
inlet and outlet pressures are equalized. Although this additional
spring force is not normally necessary in keeping the outlet closed
to prevent leakage during normal operation, it is most advantageous
in maintaining the closure member 46 against the valve seat when
the dispenser housing 16 is not operatively mounted on an aerosol
container, thus preventing foreign materials and deposits from
entering or accumulating on the abutting valve surfaces which could
interfere with complete closure during operation. For this purpose,
the spring 82 should provide a force sufficient to overcome the
weight of the piston 44 should the dispenser housing 16 be inverted
when not in use.
With the pressure equalized at the outlet end of the cylinder
during operation, an energizing pulse applied to the solenoid coil
40 supplies sufficient magnetic force to overcome the small
remaining net downward forces so that the piston 44 moves upwards
lifting the resilient closure member 46 off the valve seat to open
the outlet passage through the hole 66 in the outlet closure member
50. With the conventional aerosol containers, the pressurized fluid
is in the liquid state under the existing internal pressure within
the container 12, which may be approximately fifty pounds per
square inch above atmospheric. As the bottom of the piston lifts
free, the aerosol fluid in the liquid state vaporizes and expands
as it is discharged through the outlet passage to atmospheric
pressure emerging as a spray through the nozzle on the end of the
outlet tube 68. The sudden release of pressurized fluid at the
outlet end of the cylinder causes a rapid drop in pressure to
effect a substantial pressure differential at opposite ends of the
armature 44. The much higher pressure at the inlet end of the
cylinder quickly forces the armature 44 downward, easily overcoming
the lifting force of the solenoid 38. To reseat the closure member
46 against the valve seat on the protuberance 48 and close the
outlet valve to prevent further release of fluid. Subsequently
after the outlet valve is closed, the fluid flows slowly through
the high impedance flow path past the armature 44 to refill the
annular space at the outlet end of the cylinder until the inlet and
outlet pressures are again equalized, at which time the valve is
again in a condition to be operated upon the next energization of
the solenoid coil 40. Of course, the restricted flow path between
the inlet and outlet ends of the cylinder should provide a flow
rate sufficient to achieve pressure equalization within a time
interval between the solenoid energizing pulses.
As may be evident, the automatic spray dispenser in accordance with
this invention releases a measured constant amount of the
pressurized fluid during each cycle of operation without accurate
control of the energizing pulse width or use of a double valve
arrangement. Typically the maximum lifting force provided by the
solenoid 38 on its armature 44 in opening the outlet valve is in
the order of several ounces, whereas the pressure differential
force tending to reclose the outlet valve would reach a maximum of
several pounds should the outlet be allowed to remain open. Not
only does this feature avoid the need for a precision controlled
pulse width control or double valving arrangements as employed in
the prior art devices, but even should a short circuit or other
malfunction result in a continuous flow of energizing current to
the solenoid coil, the valving arrangement may continue to operate
to provide periodic sprays but at much shorter intervals determined
by the time necessary to equalize pressure at the outlet end of the
cylinder. After opening, the valve is held closed by the
differential pressure force until the restricted flow past the
armature restores the outlet pressure so the magnetic force on the
armature can again reopen the valve. Therefore, this arrangement
prevents a circuit malfunction from holding the valve open
continuously to discharge all of the pressurized fluid.
The valving arrangement of the invention also effectively prevents
any appreciable leakage of pressurized fluid which was the most
serious difficulty encountered in the prior art devices. During the
period immediately following each energization of the solenoid 38,
the pressure differential across the armature of 44 holds the
resilient closure member 46 tightly against the outlet valve seat.
Following the interval required for pressure equalization between
the inlet and outlet ends of the cylinder, any tendency for the
resilient closure member 46 to lift even partially from its contact
with the outlet valve seat results in the high pressure being
applied to the bottom area member 46 normally surrounded by the
valve seat, thus forcing a larger opening. The resulting outlet
flow would quickly reduce the pressure at the outlet end of the
cylinder with the resulting differential pressure drop quickly
forcing the armature 44 with its resilient closing member 46 down
tightly against the valve seat to prevent further leakage. Thus,
even a small leakage produces a pressure differential drop across
the armature 44 that increases the downward pressure of the
resilient closure member against the valve seat.
Although a preferred embodiment of the invention has been described
herein with particular reference to its use in automatically
dispensing pressurized sprays from aerosol containers the
principles of the invention are generally adaptable for use in
dispensing measured quantities of pressurized fluids in various
other applications. For example, such a dispenser might be
advantageously employed in automatically releasing measured
quantities of a chemical agent into a process stream either at
fixed intervals or at variable intervals in accordance with the
timing of energizing pulses delivered to the solenoid 38. The
frequency of energizing pulses might be automatically varied in
accordance with a control signal generated by a sensor for
maintaining a selected concentration of the ingredient being
dispensed.
* * * * *