Information
-
Patent Grant
-
6378571
-
Patent Number
6,378,571
-
Date Filed
Tuesday, March 20, 200123 years ago
-
Date Issued
Tuesday, April 30, 200222 years ago
-
Inventors
-
Original Assignees
-
Examiners
- Huson; Gregory L.
- deVore; Peter
Agents
- Klaas, Law, O'Meara & Malkin, P.C.
- Kaufman; Nellie C.
- O'Meara; William P.
-
CPC
-
US Classifications
Field of Search
US
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- 141 5
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- 141 12
- 141 9
- 141 47
- 141 48
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- 141 50
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- 141 64
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- 141 69
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- 141 82
- 141 89
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- 141 92
- 141 156
- 141 157
- 141 159
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- 141 198
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- 141 205
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International Classifications
-
Abstract
A system for strengthening containers in a high-speed filling operation is disclosed. The system includes a supply tank having an intake line connected to a source of liquefied gas. A solenoid-driven injector apparatus positioned at an angle to the containers is connected via another intake line to the supply tank. A back pressure regulator controls the pressure within the supply tank and the injector apparatus. A liquid level control valve within the supply tank prevents liquefied gas from entering the back pressure regulator. Upon sensing the presence of a container, a sensor actuates a solenoid which opens an injector valve, allowing liquefied gas within a chamber to forcibly flow through an outflow line into the container. The solenoid is then deactivated, closing the injector valve and blocking the liquefied gas within the chamber from entering the outflow line. The injector apparatus also includes a heater positioned adjacent to the outflow line and an adjustment device for the injector valve.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to container strengthening systems, and, in particular, to liquefied gas injection systems used to strengthen containers.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Carbonated beverages, such as soft drinks and beer, are commonly packaged in metallic containers such as aluminum cans. The carbonation within the beverage exerts pressure on the containers, thereby increasing the strength of the container walls. However, it is generally desirable to further strengthen the containers in order to decrease the likelihood of damage to the containers as well as minimize the necessary thickness of the container walls.
One method used for strengthening containers is to deposit a liquefied gas such as nitrogen onto the beverage immediately prior to sealing the container. After sealing, the evaporated liquefied gas creates pressure within the container and also displaces oxygen from the headspace, thereby helping to prevent spoilage of the beverage. Many devices used to accomplish this result simply lay the liquefied gas onto the surface of the beverage, rather than forcibly injecting the liquefied gas into the beverage. This may suffice for non-carbonated beverages as well as some carbonated beverages. However, with a carbonated beverage such as beer that tends to produce a frothy head upon filling the container, liquefied gas deposited within the container tends to roll off the frothy head of the beverage and out of the container.
One solution would be to forcibly inject a liquefied gas such as nitrogen into the beverage utilizing a high-performance, quick-responding solenoid. However, due to the extremely cold temperatures involved in utilizing liquefied gas, a solenoid-controlled injector system must be carefully designed to avoid atomization of the liquid, which may occur when the liquefied gas is not properly passed through various inlets and/or outlets within the system. Furthermore, the pressure within the system must be carefully controlled in order to deliver a consistent amount of liquid nitrogen to each container in a high-speed filling operation.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to a system for strengthening containers in a high-speed filling operation. The system may include a supply tank comprising an intake line in fluid flow relation with a source of liquefied gas and a back pressure regulator to control the pressure in the system. A liquid level control valve may be provided in fluid flow relation with the intake line in order to prevent liquefied gas from entering the back pressure regulator.
The system may also include an injector apparatus positioned at an angle to the containers being filled. The injector apparatus may comprise an intake line in fluid flow relation with the supply tank, and a chamber in fluid flow relation with the intake line. The pressure of liquefied gas within the chamber may be controlled by the back pressure regulator in the supply tank. The injector apparatus may also comprise an injector valve located within the chamber which includes a needle stem, a valve seat within a valve body, and a substantially straight outflow line which leads to the containers being filled. An adjustment device may also be provided for adjusting the position of the valve seat relative to the needle stem. The injector apparatus may further comprise a solenoid operatively connected to the needle stem, and a biasing device biasing the needle stem toward the valve seat. A heater may also be provided adjacent to the outflow line. The injector apparatus has an open operating state whereby the needle stem is positioned away from the valve seat, allowing liquefied gas within the chamber to flow out of the outflow line and into one of the containers. The injector apparatus also has a closed operating state whereby the needle stem is seated within the valve seat, blocking the liquefied gas within the chamber from entering the outflow line.
The system may further comprise a sensor operatively connected via a solenoid driver to the solenoid of the injector apparatus. Upon sensing the presence of a container, the sensor actuates the solenoid, thereby lifting the needle stem away from the valve seat and allowing liquefied gas to forcibly flow from the chamber through the outflow line at an angle into the container.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Illustrative and presently preferred embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the drawings in which:
FIG. 1
is a front view of an exemplary container strengthening system of the present invention;
FIG. 2
is a top view of the container strengthening system of
FIG. 1
;
FIG. 3
is an enlarged, front view of a container and an injector apparatus of the container strengthening system of
FIGS. 1 and 2
;
FIG. 4
is a cross-sectional view of a supply tank of the container strengthening system of
FIGS. 1 and 2
;
FIG. 5
is a cross-sectional view of the injector apparatus of the container strengthening system of
FIGS. 1 and 2
;
FIG. 6
is another cross-sectional view of the injector apparatus of
FIG. 5
; and
FIG. 7
is an enlarged view of a portion of the injector apparatus of FIG.
5
.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
FIGS. 1 and 2
illustrate the container strengthening system
10
of the present invention. The container strengthening system
10
is adapted to forcibly inject a liquefied gas
12
such as nitrogen into containers
14
such as, for example, metallic cans, in a high-speed filling operation. The containers
14
may contain a beverage such as beer which frequently develops a frothy head during filling of the containers
14
. The system
10
preferably injects the liquefied gas
12
into the containers
14
with an adequate force such that the liquefied gas
12
remains within the container
14
and does not roll off the frothy head of the beverage therein.
The container strengthening system
10
may comprise a supply tank
20
comprising a first intake line
22
in fluid flow relation with a source
30
of liquefied gas
12
. The source
30
of liquefied gas
12
may be, for example, a tank having a relief valve
32
(schematically illustrated by the designation “R”) to maintain the pressure of the liquefied gas
12
therein at an adequate level, e.g. 25 psi, to force the liquefied gas
12
through the first intake line
22
to the supply tank
20
. The source
30
of liquefied gas may alternatively be a bulk holding tank (not shown), whereby the liquefied gas
12
may be piped in through the first intake line
22
to the supply tank
20
. The liquefied gas
12
may be any non-oxidizing gas such as, for example, liquid nitrogen conventionally added to products such as non-carbonated beverages to increase the pressure within their containers
14
and also to displace oxygen from the headspace above the beverage in the containers
14
. The first intake line
22
may comprise a shutoff valve
26
(schematically illustrated by the designation “V”) which may open and close the line
22
to the source
30
of liquefied gas
12
as desired.
The supply tank
20
may further comprise a liquid level control valve
40
(
FIG. 2
, and described in more detail below with reference to FIG.
4
). The liquid level control valve
40
is in fluid flow relation with the first intake line
22
and controls the level of liquefied gas
12
within the supply tank
20
. The supply tank
20
may further comprise a back pressure regulator
28
(schematically illustrated by the designation “P”) to carefully control the pressure within the tank
20
(which in turn maintains an appropriate pressure within the injector apparatus
80
described below), as is necessary to maintain proper dosing of the liquefied gas
12
into the containers
14
. Any conventional back pressure regulator
28
which is adapted for use with liquefied gas such as nitrogen may be utilized to control the pressure in the supply tank
20
, such as, for example, back pressure regulator #44-4761-24-501 manufactured by Tescom Corporation of Elk River, Minn. In order to supply adequate force with which to inject the liquefied gas
12
into the containers
14
, the pressure in the supply tank
20
is preferably maintained by the back pressure regulator
28
at between about 1 psi and 5 psi, and most preferably approximately 3 psi. A pressure in the supply tank
20
which is too low may cause the liquefied gas
12
injected into the containers
14
to roll off the frothy head of the beverage therein. However, a pressure in the supply tank
20
which is too high may simply cause the liquefied gas
12
being injected into the containers
14
to atomize into the atmosphere
38
(
FIG. 3
) above the containers
14
.
The system
10
may further comprise an injector apparatus
80
, described in detail below relative to
FIGS. 5-7
, comprising a second intake line
82
in fluid flow relation with the supply tank
20
. As shown in
FIGS. 1-2
, the injector apparatus
80
may be positioned directly above a conventional conveyor
16
or the like carrying a row of containers
14
past the injector apparatus
80
in a horizontal direction
18
at a velocity “Vc”. In a high-speed filling operation, this velocity “Vc” may be, for example, 4000 inches/minute (utilizing standard beverage cans, this translates to approximately 1000 cans/minute). As best shown in
FIG. 3
, the injector apparatus
80
is preferably positioned at an angle “A” to each container
14
, thereby injecting liquefied gas
12
into the containers
14
in an angled, downward direction
19
at a velocity “Vg”. As shown in
FIG. 3
, the angle “A” is the angle between the central longitudinal axis “BB” of the injector apparatus
80
and the central longitudinal axis “CC” of a container
14
. This angle “A” may be determined by the velocity “Vc” of the containers
14
traveling past the injector
80
. Specifically, the velocity “Vc” of the containers
14
only has a horizontal component, while the velocity “Vg” of the liquefied gas
12
has both a horizontal component “Vgh” and a vertical component “Vgv”. Ideally, the injector apparatus
80
is angled so that the horizontal component “Vgh” of the velocity “Vg” of the liquefied gas
12
is equal to the velocity “Vc” of the containers
14
. The closer “Vgh” is to “Vc”, the less the possibility that the liquefied gas
12
will splash and roll off of the beverage's frothy head and out of the container
14
. In a high-speed filling operation whereby “Vc” is approximately 4000 inches/minute, this angle “A” is preferably between about 15 and 18 degrees, and most preferably approximately 18 degrees.
As shown in
FIGS. 1-3
, the system
10
may further comprise a sensor
34
which senses the presence of a container
14
below the injector apparatus
80
. The sensor
34
is operatively connected via line
36
to a solenoid driver
121
which is then connected via line
37
to the injector apparatus
80
, and specifically to the solenoid
120
of the injector apparatus
80
described in further detail below with reference to
FIGS. 5 and 6
. The sensor
34
may be of the type conventionally known in the art, such as sensor #9-251-03 manufactured by Sencon, Inc. of Bedford Park, Ill. Upon sensing the presence of a container
14
, the sensor
34
actuates the solenoid
120
, causing the liquefied gas to forcibly flow from the injector apparatus
80
into the container
14
.
As noted above and shown in
FIG. 4
, the liquid level control valve
40
is in fluid flow relation with the first intake line
22
and may be used to control the level of liquefied gas
12
within the supply tank
20
. The liquid level control valve
40
prevents liquefied gas
12
from entering the back pressure regulator
28
(shown schematically in FIGS.
1
and
2
), thereby preventing freezing and failure of the back pressure regulator without the need for a separate heater adjacent to the back pressure regulator. As shown in
FIG. 4
, the liquid level control valve
40
may comprise a float
42
fixedly attached to a rod
44
. The rod
44
may be hingedly connected with a first pin
46
to a needle stem
48
which is adapted to be received by a valve seat
50
. The valve seat
50
may be an opening within a valve body
52
which is directly connected to the opening
24
of the first intake line
22
. The valve body
52
may comprise a flange
54
which acts as a linear guide for the needle stem
48
. The rod
44
may also be hingedly connected with a second pin
56
to the valve body
52
. As shown in
FIG. 4
, the float
42
is translatable in an arcuate direction
60
,
62
along axis DD around axis EE which is defined by the second pin
56
connecting the rod
44
to the valve body
52
. As the level of liquefied gas
12
within the tank
20
increases causing the float
42
to rise in direction
60
along axis DD, the rod
44
pushes the needle stem
48
in a linear direction
64
toward the valve seat
50
. When the float
42
has risen to a predetermined maximum level within the supply tank
20
, the needle stem
48
completely blocks off the valve seat
50
so that no liquefied gas
12
may enter the first intake line
22
. The maximum level is determined by the location of the back pressure regulator
28
, which is preferably connected to (or close to) the top surface
21
(
FIGS. 1 and 2
) of the supply tank
20
. At levels close to the maximum, the needle stem
48
may only partially block the flow of liquefied gas
12
into the supply tank
20
. As the level of liquefied gas
12
within the tank
20
decreases, causing the float
42
to lower in direction
62
along axis DD, the rod
44
pulls the needle stem
48
in a linear direction
66
away from the valve seat
50
, allowing the liquefied gas
12
to flow from the first intake line
22
into the tank
20
. The liquid level control valve
40
may further comprise a baffle
68
, which may consist simply of the bottom portion of a Styrofoam cup, located in the proximity of the first intake line
22
. The baffle
68
interrupts the flow of liquefied gas
12
into the supply tank
20
to prevent atomization of the liquefied gas
12
in the atmosphere
70
above the liquefied gas
12
within the tank
20
.
Due to the extremely cold temperatures involved in utilizing liquefied gas such as nitrogen, various parts of the system
10
(
FIGS. 1 and 2
) are preferably insulated. For example, as shown in
FIG. 4
, the supply tank
20
and first intake line
22
may be covered with insulation
72
. As shown in
FIG. 5
, the second intake line
82
, as well as the entire injector apparatus
80
, may also be covered with insulation
72
. In all of the figures, the insulation has been removed from the injector apparatus
80
for clarity.
Referring now to
FIGS. 5-7
, the injector apparatus
80
may further comprise a chamber
84
in fluid flow relation with the supply tank
20
. As best shown in
FIG. 5
, the chamber
84
may comprise a first end
86
having a threaded portion
90
which may be secured to a threaded portion
83
of the second intake line
82
. The injector apparatus
80
may further comprise an injector valve
92
located within the chamber
84
near the second end
88
thereof. As best shown in
FIG. 6
, the injector valve
92
may comprise a needle stem
94
having a first end
96
and a second end
98
, a valve seat
110
, and a substantially straight outflow line
114
. The needle stem
94
may be comprised of a first needle portion
100
fixedly attached to a second needle portion
102
. The first needle portion
100
may comprise a pointed end
104
which is adapted to be received by the valve seat
110
. The valve seat
110
may have a substantially conical shape as shown in
FIGS. 5-7
to best accommodate the pointed end
104
of the first needle portion
100
. The first needle portion
100
may be manufactured from a plastic material such as, for example, Teflon, which tends to be very durable in extremely cold temperatures. The second needle portion
102
may be manufactured from stainless steel or the like. As best shown in
FIG. 7
, the valve seat
110
may be an opening within a valve body
112
which is directly connected to the outflow line
114
. As noted above, the outflow line
114
is preferably substantially straight, since an outflow line that is bent, curved, or the like may cause the exiting liquefied gas
12
(
FIGS. 5 and 6
) to atomize in the atmosphere
38
(
FIG. 3
) above the containers
14
, rather than being deposited within the containers
14
as desired.
The injector apparatus
80
may comprise an “open” operating state as shown in
FIGS. 5 and 6
whereby the needle stem
94
is positioned away from the valve seat
110
, allowing liquefied gas
12
to flow out the outflow line
114
. The injector apparatus
80
may also comprise a “closed” operating state as shown in
FIG. 7
whereby the needle stem
94
is seated within the valve seat
110
, blocking the liquefied gas
12
(
FIGS. 5 and 6
) from entering the outflow line
114
.
As shown in
FIGS. 5 and 6
, the injector apparatus
80
may further comprise a solenoid
120
operatively connected to the sensor
34
(
FIGS. 1-3
) via a solenoid driver
121
(
FIGS. 1-2
) and to the needle stem
94
. The solenoid driver
121
may be of the type conventionally known in the art, such as driver #LST-22-DV manufactured by Sencon, Inc., of Bedford Park, Ill. As best shown in
FIG. 6
, the solenoid
120
may comprise a solenoid coil
122
, a coil housing
123
, an armature
124
preferably manufactured from stainless steel or iron, a housing
126
comprising an armature back stop
128
, and an armature forward stop
130
. The solenoid coil
122
may be a conventional, high-performance, quick-responding solenoid coil such as Skinner solenoid coil #L322 manufactured by Parker Hannifin Corporation of Cleveland, Ohio. The housings
123
,
126
may be manufactured from stainless steel.
The armature
124
is attached to the needle stem
94
in a manner which causes the needle stem
94
to travel with the armature
124
. Specifically, the needle stem
94
may comprise a flange
132
which engages a first flange
134
in the armature
124
. When the sensor
34
(
FIGS. 1-3
) sends a signal to the solenoid
120
, the coil
122
is energized for a predetermined amount of time “t” which may be set on the solenoid driver
121
(
FIGS. 1-2
) and which correlates to the desired amount of liquefied gas
12
to be injected into a container
14
. In a high-speed filling operation, the predetermined amount of time “t” set on the solenoid driver
121
may be approximately 10-20 milliseconds. When the coil
122
is energized, a magnetic force is created, causing the armature
124
to travel in an upward direction
140
until a second flange
136
on the armature
124
reaches the back stop
128
in the housing
126
. Since the needle stem
94
is connected to the armature
124
as noted above, this upward action by the armature
124
pulls the needle stem
94
away from the valve seat
110
and allows liquefied gas
12
to flow out of the outflow line
114
. The injector apparatus
80
is then in the “open” operating state (FIGS.
5
and
6
). A biasing device
138
such as a spring may be positioned adjacent to the second end
98
of the needle stem
94
to bias the first end
96
of the needle stem
94
toward the valve seat
110
. Thus, when the coil
122
is no longer energized (i.e., when a predetermined amount of liquefied gas
12
has exited the outflow line
114
into a container
14
), the needle stem
94
is pushed by the biasing device
138
in a downward direction
142
toward the valve seat
110
such that the needle stem
94
blocks the outflow line
114
from receiving liquefied gas
12
. As the needle stem
94
moves downwardly
142
, the armature
124
is urged toward the forward stop
130
, and the injector apparatus
80
is then in the “closed” operating state (FIG.
7
).
As shown in
FIG. 6
, the distance “D” between the forward stop
130
and the armature
124
when the armature
124
is adjacent to the back stop
128
defines the “stroke” of the armature
124
. A high performance, quick-responding solenoid typically has a very limited stroke which may be, for example, on the order of 0.08 inches. The stroke of the armature
124
is typically slightly (e.g., 0.005 to 0.01 inches) more than the stroke of the needle, i.e., the distance that the needle stem
94
travels in each direction
140
,
142
. As best shown in
FIG. 6
, the injector apparatus
80
may further comprise an adjuster
146
which assists in mounting the solenoid
120
to the chamber
84
. A Teflon O-ring
148
may be provided between the adjuster
146
and the housing
126
to prevent leakage of the liquefied gas
12
.
As shown in
FIGS. 6 and 7
, the injector apparatus
80
may further comprise an adjustment device
150
operatively connected to the valve seat
110
(
FIG. 6
) for adjusting the position of the valve seat
110
relative to the needle stem
94
. Because a high-performance, quick-responding solenoid has a very limited stroke (“D” in
FIG. 6
) as described above, some allowance must be made for manufacturing tolerance buildup between the valve seat
110
and the pointed tip
104
of the needle stem
94
. The adjustment device
150
is provided in order to ensure that the needle stem
94
is seated properly within the valve seat
110
when the injector apparatus
80
is in the “closed” operating state, and that adequate clearance is provided between the needle stem
94
and the valve seat
110
in the “open” operating state, thus providing a proper dosage of liquefied gas
12
into the containers
14
and avoiding atomization of the exiting liquefied gas
12
. As shown in
FIG. 7
, the adjustment device
150
may comprise a threaded engagement device
152
which engages a threaded portion
154
of the valve body
112
. The threaded engagement device
152
and valve body
112
may be manufactured from stainless steel. The valve body
112
may be adjusted in an upward direction
140
or a downward direction
142
by turning the valve body
112
relative to the engagement device
152
. A housing
156
may be provided between the engagement device
152
and the chamber
84
(or, alternatively, the housing
156
and engagement device
152
may be a single component). The valve body
112
may also be provided with Teflon O-rings
158
between the valve body
112
and housing
156
to prevent leakage of the liquefied gas
12
(FIGS.
5
-
6
).
Finally, as best shown in
FIG. 7
, the injector apparatus
80
may further comprise a heater
160
positioned adjacent to the outflow line
114
to prevent ice buildup within or just outside of the outflow line
114
, e.g., on outer surface
116
of the valve body
112
. The heater
160
may comprise at least one heating element
162
housed within a cap
164
which may be manufactured from stainless steel. Insulation
166
may be provided between the cap
164
and the valve body
112
. An opening
168
may be provided in the cap
164
adjacent to the outflow line
114
. The heater
160
may be secured to the valve body
112
by any conventional means such as by utilizing bolts, screws, adhesive, etc.
While illustrative and presently preferred embodiments of the invention have been described in detail herein, it is to be understood that the inventive concepts may be otherwise variously embodied and employed, and that the appended claims are intended to be construed to include such variations, except as limited by the prior art.
Claims
- 1. A system for strengthening containers in a high-speed filling operation, said system comprising:a) a supply tank comprising a first intake line in fluid flow relation with a source of liquefied gas, a liquid level control valve in fluid flow relation with said first intake line, and a back pressure regulator, said liquid level control valve preventing said liquefied gas from entering said back pressure regulator; b) an injector apparatus having a central longitudinal axis which is positioned at an angle to the central longitudinal axis of said containers, said injector apparatus comprising: i) a second intake line in fluid flow relation with said supply tank; ii) a chamber in fluid flow relation with said second intake line, the pressure of liquefied gas within said chamber being controlled by said back pressure regulator in said supply tank; iii) an injector valve located within said chamber, said injector valve comprising a first needle stem having a first end and a second end, a first valve seat within a first valve body, and a substantially straight outflow line; iv) an adjustment device operatively connected to said first valve seat for adjusting the position of said first valve seat relative to said first needle stem; v) a solenoid operatively connected to said first needle stem; vi) a biasing device adjacent to said second end of said first needle stem biasing said first end of said first needle stem toward said first valve seat; vii) a heater comprising at least one heating element positioned adjacent to said outflow line; viii) an open operating state whereby said needle stem is positioned away from said valve seat, allowing said liquefied gas within said chamber to flow out of said outflow line and into one of said containers; and ix) a closed operating state whereby said needle stem is seated within said valve seat, blocking said liquefied gas within said chamber from entering said outflow line; and c) a sensor operatively connected to said solenoid via a solenoid driver, whereby, upon sensing the presence of one of said containers, said sensor actuates said solenoid, thereby lifting said first needle stem away from said first valve seat and allowing liquefied gas to forcibly flow from said chamber through said outflow line at said angle into said one of said containers in said open operating state.
- 2. The system of claim 1, said liquid level control valve comprising:a) a baffle adjacent to said first intake line; b) a float; c) a second needle stem having a first end and a second end; d) a second valve seat within a second valve body, said second valve seat being in fluid flow relation with said first intake line of said supply tank and being adapted to receive said first end of said second needle stem; and e) a rod having a first end fixedly attached to said float and a second end hingedly attached to said second end of said second needle stem and hingedly attached to said valve body, whereby as the level of said liquefied gas rises within said supply tank, said float rises, causing said rod to push said second needle stem toward said valve seat.
- 3. The system of claim 1, wherein said angle is between about 15 degrees and 20 degrees.
- 4. The system of claim 1, said needle stem comprising a first needle portion on said first end thereof and a second needle portion on said second end thereof, said first needle portion being manufactured from Teflon.
- 5. The system of claim 1, said valve body further comprising a threaded portion, said adjustment device comprising a threaded engagement portion which engages said threaded portion of said valve body, said valve body being adjustable in a linear direction relative to said first needle stem by turning said valve body relative to said threaded engagement portion.
- 6. The system of claim 1, said solenoid comprising:a) a solenoid coil operatively connected to said solenoid driver; b) an armature comprising a first flange and a second flange, said first flange being engaged with a flange on said needle stem; c) an armature back stop; d) whereby, when said solenoid coil is energized, said second flange on said armature contacts said armature back stop and said needle stem is lifted by said armature.
- 7. The system of claim 1, said heater further comprising a cap containing insulation and said at least one heating element, said cap being secured to said valve body.
- 8. An injector apparatus for injecting a liquefied gas into containers at an angle to said containers in a high-speed filling operation, comprising:a) an intake line in fluid flow relation with a supply tank; b) a chamber in fluid flow relation with said intake line, the pressure of liquefied gas within said chamber being controlled by a back pressure regulator in said supply tank; c) an injector valve located within said chamber, said injector valve comprising a needle stem having a first end and a second end, a valve seat within a valve body, said valve body comprising a threaded portion, and a substantially straight outflow line; d) an adjustment device comprising a threaded engagement portion which engages said threaded portion of said valve body, said valve body being adjustable in a linear direction relative to said first needle stem by turning said valve body relative to said threaded engagement portion; e) a solenoid operatively connected to said needle stem, said solenoid comprising: i) a solenoid coil operatively connected to a solenoid driver; ii) an armature comprising a first flange and a second flange, said first flange being engaged with a flange on said needle stem; iii) an armature back stop; iv) whereby, when said solenoid coil is energized, said second flange on said armature contacts said armature back stop and said needle stem is lifted by said armature; f) a biasing device adjacent to said second end of said needle stem biasing said first end of said needle stem toward said valve seat; g) a heater comprising at least one heating element positioned adjacent to said outflow line; h) an open operating state whereby said needle stem is positioned away from said valve seat, allowing said liquefied gas within said chamber to flow out of said outflow line and into one of said containers; and i) a closed operating state whereby said needle stem is seated within said valve seat, blocking said liquefied gas within said chamber from entering said outflow line.
- 9. The injector apparatus of claim 8, wherein said angle is between about 15 degrees and 18 degrees.
- 10. The injector apparatus of claim 8, said needle stem comprising a first needle portion on said first end thereof and a second needle portion on said second end thereof, said first needle portion being manufactured from Teflon.
- 11. The injector apparatus of claim 8, said heater further comprising a cap containing insulation and said at least one heating element, said cap being secured to said valve body.
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Number |
Name |
Date |
Kind |
4347695 |
Zobel et al. |
Sep 1982 |
A |
4407340 |
Jensen et al. |
Oct 1983 |
A |
4499931 |
Urban |
Feb 1985 |
A |
4588000 |
Malin et al. |
May 1986 |
A |