APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR SAMPLING AND CORRECTING FLUIDS

Abstract

The present invention provides an apparatus and method for sampling a metal working fluid and dispensing a corrective fluid to adjust the fluid in a tank or reservoir from which the sample was drawn. The apparatus, which in certain embodiments is transportable, includes an inlet configured to receive a fluid sample from a reservoir, a measuring station configured to determine at least one parameter of the fluid sample, a dispensing station configured to select a type and amount of fluid(s) to be added to the metal working fluid to restore its desired parameters, and an outlet configured to dispense the corrective fluid. The inventive apparatus provides an advantageous computerized comparison of the contaminates and concentrations of key constituents in a sample fluid against desired operating parameters and dispenses a corrective fluid, which, when added to the reservoir from which the sample fluid was drawn, corrects the adverse conditions of that fluid.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above-mentioned aspects of the present invention and the manner of obtaining them will become more apparent and the invention itself will be better understood by reference to the following description of the embodiments of the invention, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a chemical dispensing unit in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the chemical dispensing unit of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the interior of a panel of the unit of FIG. 1, showing valves and piping;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating the apparatus and method of an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating in more detail the apparatus and method of operation of an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating the method of operation of an embodiment of the present invention, emphasizing the interface between the system and the user; and

FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating an embodiment of the present invention in which a stationary unit services multiple reservoirs in a facility.

Claims

1. A method of operating an analysis and dispensing unit of the type having an inlet configured to receive a fluid sample from a reservoir, a measuring station configured to determine at least one parameter of the fluid sample, and a dispensing station configured to dispense a corrective fluid, the method comprising: (a) obtaining a fluid sample from a first reservoir and depositing the sample in the inlet of the unit;(b) using the unit to automatically determine a parameter of the fluid sample and automatically prepare a corrective fluid based upon the determined parameter; and(c) depositing the corrective fluid into the first reservoir and thereby substantially restoring the parameter of the fluid in the reservoir to its desired value.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising transporting the unit to a second reservoir and repeating steps (a) to (c) with the second reservoir.

3. The method of claim 2, further comprising purging the unit with rinse fluid before repeating steps (a) to (c).

4. The method of claim 1, wherein step (b) comprises determining at least two parameters of the fluid sample and preparing the corrective fluid based upon the two determined parameters.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein step (b) comprises determining one or more of pH, chemical concentration, total dissolved solids, dissolved oxygen, suspended particles, oil concentration, temperature and bacteria.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the sample fluid comprises a metal working fluid.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising inputting the identity of the first reservoir into the unit before step (b).

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising displaying information about the sample fluid or the corrective fluid with the unit.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising, before step (a), inputting in the unit desired operating parameters of a plurality of reservoirs having fluids to be tested and corrected.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising inputting the identity of the first reservoir into the unit before step (b).

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising, after step (c), moving the unit to a second reservoir, inputting the identity of the second reservoir into the unit, and repeating steps (a) to (c) with the second reservoir.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising purging the unit with rinse water before repeating steps (a) to (c).

13. The method of claim 1, wherein step (b) comprises drawing a plurality of component fluids in sequence and combining them to form the corrective fluid, wherein the sequence is determined at least in part by chemical compatibility.

14. The method of claim 1, further comprising purging the dispensing station with rinse fluid and dispensing the spent rinse fluid as part of the corrective fluid.

15. An apparatus for analyzing a sample fluid and dispensing corrective fluid, comprising: a sample fluid inlet;a measuring station fluidly connected to the sample fluid inlet and configured to measure a parameter of the sample fluid being tested;a computer in communication with the measuring station and including stored information concerning at least two reservoirs which use fluid that periodically requires addition of corrective fluid thereto, the computer being programmed to determine an amount or type of corrective fluid to be dispensed based upon data provided to the computer from the measuring station and the stored information; anda dispensing station in communication with the computer and configured for dispensing corrective fluid based upon information received from the computer.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the measuring station includes at least two meters configured to measure two or more of pH, chemical concentration, total dissolved solids, dissolved oxygen, suspended particles, oil concentration, temperature and bacteria.

17. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the dispensing station comprises a plurality of tanks fluidly connected to a dispensing manifold, each tank having a valve associated therewith, the valves being linked to and operable by the computer.

18. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the measuring station comprises a manifold in fluid communication with the sample fluid inlet and a series of meters in fluid communication with the manifold.

19. The apparatus of claim 15, further comprising a human machine interface (HMI) linked to and in communication with the computer, the HMI configured for input of information by a user.

20. The mobile apparatus of claim 19, wherein the HMI comprises a display.

21. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the HMI comprises a printer.

22. The apparatus of claim 15, further comprising means to transport the apparatus from one reservoir to another.

23. A mobile apparatus for analyzing a sample fluid and dispensing corrective fluid, comprising: a sample fluid inlet;a measuring station fluidly connected to the sample fluid inlet and configured to measure a parameter of the sample fluid being tested;a computer in communication with the measuring station and including stored information concerning at least one reservoir which uses fluid that periodically requires addition of corrective fluid thereto, the computer being programmed to determine an amount or type of corrective fluid to be dispensed based upon data provided to the computer from the measuring station and the stored information; anda dispensing station in communication with the computer and configured for dispensing corrective fluid based upon information received from the computer.

24. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein the measuring station includes a meter configured to measure one or more of pH, chemical concentration, total dissolved solids, dissolved oxygen, suspended particles, oil concentration, temperature and bacteria.

25. The apparatus of claim 24, further comprising a tank configured to hold rinse fluid, the computer programmed to purge the dispensing station with rinse fluid and dispense the spent rinse fluid as part of the corrective fluid.

26. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein the dispensing station comprises a plurality of tanks fluidly connected to a dispensing manifold, each tank having a valve associated therewith, the valves being linked to and operable by the computer.

27. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein the measuring station comprises a manifold in fluid communication with the sample fluid inlet and a series of meters in fluid communication with the manifold.

28. The apparatus of claim 23, further comprising a human machine interface (HMI) linked to and in communication with the computer, the HMI configured for input of information by a user.

29. The apparatus of claim 23, further comprising wheels.