Patent Application
20150118070
The subject matter herein generally relates to draining systems, and particularly to an automatic draining system used in a vacuum working environment.
Draining devices, such as draining pumps, can be used to remove water/oil or other liquid from a container. However, there is room for improvement as to the efficiency of draining devices.
Implementations of the present technology will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the attached figures.
It will be appreciated that for simplicity and clarity of illustration, where appropriate, reference numerals have been repeated among the different figures to indicate corresponding or analogous elements. In addition, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments described herein. However, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that the embodiments described herein can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, methods, procedures and components have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the related relevant feature being described. Also, the description is not to be considered as limiting the scope of the embodiments described herein. The drawings are not necessarily to scale and the proportions of certain parts have been exaggerated to better illustrate details and features of the present disclosure.
Several definitions that apply throughout this disclosure will now be presented.
The term “coupled” is defined as connected, whether directly or indirectly through intervening components, and is not necessarily limited to physical connections. The connection can be such that the objects are permanently connected or releasably connected. The term “outside” refers to a region that is beyond the outermost confines of a physical object. The term “substantially” is defined to be essentially conforming to the particular dimension, shape or other word that substantially modifies, such that the component need not be exact. For example, substantially cylindrical means that the object resembles a cylinder, but can have one or more deviations from a true cylinder. The term “comprising,” when utilized, means “including, but not necessarily limited to”; it specifically indicates open-ended inclusion or membership in the so-described combination, group, series and the like.
The present disclosure is described in relation draining systems, and particularly to a automatic draining system used in a vacuum working environment.
An automatic draining system for draining fluid, can include a driving mechanism, a first housing coupled to the driving mechanism, a vacuum pump and a bulkhead both coupled to the first housing, an inletting conduit and an outletting conduit both coupled to the bulkhead, a controlling device in signal communication with the vacuum pump, a draining mechanism coupled to the vacuum pump, and a first conduit and a second conduit both coupled to the first cylinder. The bulkhead and the first housing can define a first receiving cavity. The first receiving cavity can communicate with the vacuum pump. The inletting conduit and the outletting conduit can both communicate with the first receiving cavity. The draining mechanism can include a first cylinder coupled to the bulkhead, a piston rod extending through the first cylinder, and couple to the driving mechanism; and a first piston assembly coupled to an end of the piston rod and received in the first cylinder. The first conduit can include a first end coupled to the first cylinder, and a second end in fluid communication with an external container receiving. The second conduit can include a first end coupled to the first cylinder, and a second end in fluid communication with the outletting conduit. The vacuum pump can be configured to suck up the air contained in the first receiving cavity. Such that the first receiving cavity can be in a vacuum condition, enabling the pre-draining liquid to flow through the inletting conduit into the first receiving cavity. The controlling device can be configured to detect a level of the pre-drained liquid in the first receiving cavity, and configured to control the driving mechanism to move the piston rod. Such that the pre-drained liquid can be drained out.
Referring to
The vacuum pump 230 can be positioned adjacent to the housing 210, and coupled to the first housing 213 via a conduit (not labeled). The vacuum pump 230 can be configured to suck up the air contained in the first receiving cavity 2123. Such that the first receiving cavity 2123 can be in a vacuum condition, enabling the pre-draining liquid to flow through the inletting conduit 2161 into the first receiving cavity 2123.
The controlling device 250 can include a controller 252, a supporting rod 254, a float 256, and a receptor 258. The controller 252 can be positioned on the bulkhead 216 and received in the second receiving cavity 2141. The supporting rod 254 can be perpendicularly positioned on the bulkhead 216 and extend into the first receiving cavity 2123. A sensor 2541 can be positioned on the supporting rod 254. The float 256 can be slidably sleeved on the supporting rod 254. The float 256 can be configured to float on the liquid contained in the first receiving cavity 2123. The sensor 2541 can be configured to detect a location of the float 256, and deliver and transmit an information of the location of the float 256 to the controller 252. The receptor 258 can be positioned on the bulkhead 216 adjacent to the controller 252, and coupled to the draining device 100. In the illustrated embodiment, the receptor 258 can be an electromagnetic valve. In at least one embodiment, the receptor 258 can be other valves, such as, but not limited to, a pneumatic valve or a hydraulic valve. Such that the receptor 258 can be capable of controlling the inletting conduit 2161 to enable the liquid to flow through or cease from flowing in the inletting conduit 2161 according to the location information of the float 2541 sent by the sensor 52.
Referring to
Referring to
The first cylinder 11 can be substantially a hollow cylinder and define a cavity 111 along an axis.
The first cover 13 can be arranged and mounted on an end of the first cylinder 11, and define a first draining hole 131 at a side. The first draining hole 131 can communicate with the cavity 111 and can be used to couple to the conduit 30.
The connecting member 15 can be substantially cylinder-shape and positioned on the bulkhead 216. The connecting member 15 can be coupled to an end of the first cylinder 11 opposite to the first cover 13. The connecting member 15 can define a through hole 151, a second draining hole 153, and a first air inlet 154. The through hole 151 can be oriented along an axis of the connecting member 15 and can communicate with the cavity 111. The second draining hole 153 can be defined at a periphery of the connecting member 15 and adjacent to the first cylinder 11, and the second draining hole 153 can communicate with the through hole 151 and can be oriented along a radial direction of the connecting member 15. The first air inlet 154 can be defined at a periphery of the connecting member 15 away from the first cylinder 11, and configured to couple to an external air source (not shown) and couple to the receptor 258. The receptor 258 can be capable of controlling the first air inlet 154 to enable the air flow to blow through or cease from blowing in the first air inlet 154. The connecting member 15 can be further equipped with a mounting portion 155. The mounting portion 155 can protrude from a middle part of the periphery of the connecting member 15, and can be substantially an annular flange. The draining device 100 can be mounted to the bulkhead 216 through the mounting portion 155. The mounting portion 155 can define a mounting slot 1551 configured to provide a room for a sealing member, such as, but not necessary limited to, an o-ring, such that the draining device 100 can be hermetically sealed when mounted to the bulkhead 216.
In the illustrated embodiment, the sealing member 16 can be an o-ring. The sealing member 16 can be arranged in the connecting member 15 and sleeved on the piston rod 17
The piston rod 17 can be substantially a stepped shaft, and can slidably insert through the through hole 151 and the sealing member 16. The piston rod 17 can include a main body 171, a first fixing portion 173 and a second fixing portion 175. The first fixing portion 173 and the second fixing portion 175 can be formed on opposite ends of the main body 171 of the piston rod 17, and the first fixing portion 173 can be received in the cavity 111. The main body 171 can be slidably inserted through the through hole 151 and define a first receiving hole 1711 on an end adjacent to the first fixing portion 173. In the illustrated embodiment, the first receiving hole 1711 can be a blind hole and can be defined at a periphery of the main body 171, extending outwardly along a radially direction of the main body 171. An inner diameter of the first receiving hole 1711 can be 0.5 millimeter or less than 0.5 millimeter. An outer diameter of the first fixing portion 173 can be less than an outer diameter of the main body 171. The first fixing portion 173 can be equipped with a connecting portion 1731 on an end away from the main body 171, and an external thread (not labeled) on an outer surface of the connecting portion 1731. The first fixing portion member 173 can further define a second receiving hole 1733 oriented along an axis on an end away from the main body 171. The second receiving hole 1733 can extend to connect with the first receiving hole 1711. An inner diameter of the second receiving hole 1733 can be 1 millimeter or less than 1 millimeter. The first receiving hole 1711 and the second receiving hole 1733 can be configured to receive gas dissolved in the liquid, such that the draining mechanism 10 can operate fluently. In an alternative embodiment, the first receiving hole 1711 and the second receiving hole 1733 can be omitted. A structure of the second fixing portion 175 can be substantially the same as a structure of the first fixing portion 173. The second fixing portion 175 can include a connecting portion 1751.
The first piston assembly 19 can be positioned on the first fixing portion 173 and can slide in the cavity 111 along with the piston rod 17, to enable the draining mechanism 10 to work. The first piston assembly 19 can divide the cavity 111 into a first cavity 1111 adjacent to the first cover 13 and a second cavity 1113 away from the first cover 13. The first piston assembly 19 can include a mounting base 191, a magnetic member 193, a piston body 195, a sealing ring 197, and a securing member 199.
The mounting base 191 can be sleeved on the first fixing portion 173 and can resist against the main body 171. A cushion 1911 can be located on a surface of the mounting base 191 facing the connecting member 15. When the first piston assembly 19 slides towards the connecting member 15, the cushion 1911 can buffer the first piston assembly 19, and protect the mounting base 191 and the connecting member 15 from damage. The magnetic member 193 can be sleeved on an end of the mounting base 191 away from the main body 171, and can be used to couple to an outer magnetic sensor and a controller, such that the outer magnetic sensor can sense a location of the first piston assembly 191 and the controller can control the draining device 100 to work according to the location. The piston body 195 can be sleeved on the first fixing portion 171 adjacent to the first cover 13. A cushion 1951 can be located on a surface of the piston body 195 facing the first cover 13. When the first piston assembly 19 slides towards the first cover 13, the cushion 1911 can buffer and protect the piston body 195 and the first cover 13 from damage. The sealing ring 197 can be sleeved on the piston body 195 and can resist against an inner surface of the cavity 111. In the illustrated embodiment, the securing member 199 can be a nut. The securing member 199 can be sleeved on the first fixing portion 173 adjacent to the piston body 195, and thread to the connecting portion 1731, such that the mounting member 191, the magnetic member 193, and the piston body 195 can be arranged side by side and resist on the main body 171.
In the illustrated embodiment, there can be two conduits 30. The two conduits 30 can be coupled to the first draining hole 131 and the second draining hole 153, respectively. Each of the two conduits 30 can include a main conduit 32, a first conduit 34, and a second conduit 36. An end of the main conduit 32 can communicate with the first draining hole 131. The first conduit 34 and the second conduit 36 can be spaced from each other, and communicate with each other on an end to couple with the main conduit 32. Such that, the conduit 30 can be formed substantially as a Y-shape. A first check valve 341 can be positioned in the first conduit 34, and enable the pre-drained liquid to flow from the container (not shown) into the main conduit 32 and the first conduit 34, towards the first cavity 111. An end of the second check valve 361 away from the main conduit 32 can communicate with the outletting conduit 2163, and can provide a second check valve 361. The second check valve 361 can be configured to enable the pre-drained liquid to flow from the first cavity 111 into the main conduit 32, the second conduit 36 and the outletting conduit 2163, towards an outer space. In an alternative embodiment, there can be one or more conduits 30. The second draining hole 153 can be omitted if there is only one conduit 30.
In the illustrated embodiment, the driving mechanism 50 can be substantially a pneumatic device and can be coupled to the draining mechanism 10, and received in the second receiving cavity 2141. The driving mechanism 50 can be configured to reciprocate the piston rod 17 in the cavity 111. A structure of the driving mechanism 50 can be similar to a structure of the draining mechanism 10. The driving mechanism 50 can include a second cylinder 51, a second cover 53, and a second piston assembly 55. The second cylinder 51 can be positioned on the connecting member 15 away from the first cylinder 11. The second cylinder 51 can define a cavity 511 configured to receive an end of the piston rod 17. The cavity 511 can communicate with the first air inlet 154. The second cover 53 can be positioned on an end of the second cylinder 51 away from the connecting member 15. The second cover 53 can define a second air inlet 531 communicating with the cavity 511, and configured to couple to the outer air source and the receptor 258. The receptor 258 can be capable of controlling the second air inlet 531 to enable the air flow to blow through or cease from blowing in the second air inlet 531. The second piston assembly 55 can be mounted on the second fixing portion 175 of the piston rod 17, and can slide in the cavity 511. A structure of the second piston assembly 55 can be substantially identical to the first piston assembly 19.
In assembly, the piston rod 17 can be inserted through the connecting member 15 and the sealing member 16, the first piston assembly 19 can be mounted on the first fixing portion 173 of the piston rod 17, and the second piston assembly 55 can be mounted on the second fixing portion 175. The first cylinder 11 can be arranged on the connecting member 15 corresponding to the first piston assembly 19, the second cylinder 51 can be arranged on the connecting member 15 corresponding to the second piston assembly 55. The first cover 13 can be positioned on the first cylinder 11 and the second cover 53 can be positioned on the second cylinder 51. The two conduits 30 can be coupled to the first draining hole 131 and the second draining hole 153, respectively. The controlling device 250, the inletting conduit 2161, the outletting conduit 2163, and the draining device 100 can be mounted to the bulkhead 216, the second conduit 36 can be communicating with the outletting conduit 2163. The bulkhead 216 can be positioned on the first housing 212 and cover the first receiving cavity 2123. The second housing 214 can be mounted to the first housing 212. The vacuum pup 230 can be coupled to the housing 210.
In operation, the inletting conduit 2161 can be inserted in to the pre-drained liquid, and the vacuum pump 230 can be started. The pre-drained liquid can be sucked into the first receiving cavity 2123. The float 254 can float on the pre-drained liquid. The sensor 256 can detect the location of the float 254, and deliver and transmit information of the location to the controller 252. When a level of the pre-draining liquid rises and reach a certain level, the controller 252 can controlling the receptor 258 to enable the first air inlet 154 and the second air inlet 531 to communicate with the external air source, such that draining device 100 can be started. The driving mechanism 50 can drive the piston rod 17 and the first piston assembly 19 to slide back and forth in the first cylinder 11. When the first piston assembly 19 moves close to the first cover 13, a volume of the first cavity 1111 can be reduced, and the liquid contained in the first cavity 11 can be forced to flow through the first draining hole 131, the main conduit 32, the second conduit 36 of one of the two conduits 30 corresponding to the first draining hole 131, and the outletting conduit 2163. At the same time, a volume of the second cavity 1113 can be enlarged, and a pressure therein can be lowered, such that the pre-drained liquid can be drawn from the container through the main conduit 32 and the first conduit 34 or the other one of the two conduits 30 corresponding to the second draining hole 153, and through the second draining hole 153, towards the second cavity 1113. When the first piston assembly 19 moves away from the first cover 13, the volume of the first cavity 1111 can be enlarged, and the pressure therein can be lowered, such that the pre-drained liquid can be drawn from the container through the main conduit 32 and the first conduit 34 corresponding to the first draining hole 131, and through the first draining hole 131, towards the first cavity 1111. At the same time, the volume of the second cavity 1113 can be reduced, and the liquid therein can be forced to flow through the second draining hole 153, the main conduit 32, the second conduit 36 corresponding to the second draining hole 153, and the outletting conduit 2163. The piston rod 17 can reciprocate the first piston assembly 19, and the vacuum pump 230 can keep working such that the draining mechanism 10 can keep the pre-drained liquid flowing in the first receiving cavity 2123. The level of the pre-drained liquid in the first cavity 2123 can be fallen while draining. When the level is fallen and reach a certain level, the controller 252 can stop the vacuum pump 230 and the driving mechanism 30, such that the draining device 100 can be stopped from draining.
In an alternative embodiment, the driving mechanism 50 can be other driving devices, such as, but not limited to, a four-bar mechanism driven by a motor, a feed screw-nut mechanism, or other linear driving mechanism, such that the driving mechanism 50 can drive the piston rod 17 and the first piston assembly 19 to reciprocate in the first cavity 11. The first receiving hole 1733 and the second receiving hole 1711 can be omitted. The first cover 13 can be omitted, such that the first cylinder 11 can be formed as a hollow structure with a bottom (13) on a end, and the first draining 131 coupled to the conduit 30 can be defined on the bottom (13). Similarly, the second cover 53 can be omitted.
In an alternative embodiment, the conduit 30 can be other geometric shapes, for example, the main conduit 32 can be omitted, and the first conduit 32 and the second conduit 34 can be coupled to and communicating with the cavity 11 respectively, but spaced from each other. Such that the liquid in the first conduit 32 and the second conduit 34 can flow in two opposite directions.
In an alternative embodiment, the first check valve 341 and the second check valve 361 can be omitted. Such that the pre-drained liquid can be sucked from the first receiving cavity 2123 through the first conduit 34 into the first cavity 1111, and flow towards the outside through the second conduit 36.
In an alternative embodiment, the first cover 13 and the connecting member 15 can be omitted. Such that the first cylinder 11 can be a integral structure defining a through hole to receive the piston rod 17, and defining the first draining hole 131 and the second draining hole 153. The second cylinder 51 can define a first air inlet 154 to communicate with the external air resource. When assembly, the first cylinder 11 can be mounted to the bulkhead 216 and the second cylinder 51 can be mounted to the first cylinder 11.
The embodiments shown and described above are only examples. Many details are often found in the art such as the other features of an automatic draining system. Therefore, many such details are neither shown nor described. Even though numerous characteristics and advantages of the present technology have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of the structure and function of the present disclosure, the disclosure is illustrative only, and changes may be made in the detail, including in matters of shape, size and arrangement of the parts within the principles of the present disclosure up to, and including the full extent established by the broad general meaning of the terms used in the claims. It will therefore be appreciated that the embodiments described above may be modified within the scope of the claims.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 201320662187.2 | Oct 2013 | CN | national |
