Patent Application
20140260231
1. Field of the Disclosure
The present disclosure relates generally to a substance dispensing system. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a hydraulic drive system for a dispensing system for expelling a substance from a container.
2. Description of the Related Art
Force generation systems produce a force which acts on a container holding a substance to dispense the substance from the container. Force generation systems need to be able to stop a flow of the substance when desired. When existing force generation systems, such as electrical wired or wireless systems, are stopped, the flow of a substance is likely to continue flowing and will undesirably exit a hose or channel after it is desired for the flow of the substance to stop because the feedback between the system, such as a transmitter and a receiver, produces a time delay. Such a time delay in existing force generation systems causes significant portions of the substance to be wasted and results in messy leaks that cause problems to the desired application of the substance. Additionally, such force generation systems require controls that need to be held in the hand of an operator which is undesirable.
Furthermore, when existing force generation systems are stopped, the system may use a pump to recirculate a substance back to the container via the pump. In such systems, the pump is in fluid communication with the substance to be dispensed. Disadvantageously, the substance being in contact with the pump causes the components of the pump to need to be disposed of or cleaned prior to use with another substance. Even in instances where the same substance is to be used again, the substance left in the components of the pump can cure inside channels, chambers, and other moving parts of the pump to cause significant delays in the dispensing process and/or ruin expensive parts.
The present disclosure provides a substance dispensing system that includes a hydraulic drive system having a hydraulic pressure and a substance containment system in communication with the hydraulic drive system. In one embodiment, the hydraulic drive system includes a hydraulic valve having a variable pressure setting, the hydraulic valve operable between a closed position in which a hydraulic pump moves hydraulic fluid to a hydraulic cylinder and an open position in which the hydraulic pump moves the hydraulic fluid to a hydraulic reservoir. In one embodiment, the substance containment system includes a container adapted to hold a substance, the substance contained within the container at a substance pressure, and an actuation member in communication with the hydraulic cylinder, the actuation member movable between a first position and a second position. With the actuation member in the first position and the hydraulic pump activated, the hydraulic pump moves the hydraulic fluid to the hydraulic cylinder to actuate the hydraulic cylinder which advances the actuation member from the first position towards the second position, and as the actuation member moves from the first position towards the second position, the actuation member deforms the container thereby expelling the substance from the container. The substance containment system also includes interruption means for stopping flow of the substance from the container to provide a resistance that resists movement of the actuation member and the hydraulic cylinder thereby increasing the hydraulic pressure of the hydraulic drive system, and when the hydraulic pressure reaches the variable pressure setting, the hydraulic valve moves to the open position in which the hydraulic pump moves the hydraulic fluid to the hydraulic reservoir thereby relieving the hydraulic fluid pumped to the hydraulic cylinder and stopping movement of the hydraulic cylinder and the actuation member.
The substance dispensing system of the present disclosure provides a system that recirculates hydraulic fluid in a hydraulic drive system instead of recirculating a substance back to a container via a pump. The substance dispensing system of the present disclosure allows for precise, accurate, and instantaneous control of an external force in a substance dispensing system. For example, the substance dispensing system of the present disclosure allows for movement of the hydraulic cylinder and the actuation member to be stopped instantaneously for precise and accurate substance flow stoppage. Additionally, the substance dispensing system of the present disclosure provides a system that can be operated from a distal location from a force generation mechanism and with no controls of the force generation system in the hand of an operator.
In accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure, a substance dispensing system includes a hydraulic drive system having a hydraulic pressure, the hydraulic drive system including a hydraulic cylinder; a hydraulic reservoir containing a hydraulic fluid; a hydraulic pump in fluid communication with the hydraulic reservoir, the hydraulic pump operable to move the hydraulic fluid to the hydraulic cylinder; and a hydraulic valve having a variable pressure setting, the hydraulic valve operable between a closed position in which the hydraulic pump moves the hydraulic fluid to the hydraulic cylinder and an open position in which the hydraulic pump moves the hydraulic fluid to the hydraulic reservoir. The substance dispensing system further includes a substance containment system in communication with the hydraulic cylinder of the hydraulic drive system, the substance containment system including a container having a first end, a second end, and a deformable wall extending therebetween and defining a container interior adapted to hold a substance, the substance contained within the container at a substance pressure; an actuation member movably positionable relative to the container, the actuation member in communication with the hydraulic cylinder, the actuation member movable between a first position in which the actuation member is adjacent the first end of the container and a second position in which the actuation member is adjacent the second end of the container; and a dispensing valve in communication with the container, the dispensing valve operable between an open position in which the substance is able to flow out the container and a closed position in which the substance is maintained within the container; wherein, with the actuation member in the first position and the hydraulic pump activated, the hydraulic pump moves the hydraulic fluid to the hydraulic cylinder to actuate the hydraulic cylinder which advances the actuation member from the first position towards the second position, with the dispensing valve in the open position, as the actuation member moves from the first position towards the second position, the actuation member deforms the container thereby expelling the substance from the container, and with the dispensing valve in the closed position, the substance pressure increases and provides a resistance that resists movement of the actuation member and the hydraulic cylinder thereby increasing the hydraulic pressure of the hydraulic drive system, and when the hydraulic pressure reaches the variable pressure setting, the hydraulic valve moves to the open position in which the hydraulic pump moves the hydraulic fluid to the hydraulic reservoir thereby relieving the hydraulic fluid pumped to the hydraulic cylinder and stopping movement of the hydraulic cylinder and the actuation member.
In one configuration, moving the dispensing valve from the closed position to the open position allows the substance to flow out the container and reduces the substance pressure which decreases the hydraulic pressure of the hydraulic drive system, and when the hydraulic pressures drops below the variable pressure setting, the hydraulic valve moves to the closed position in which the hydraulic pump moves the hydraulic fluid to the hydraulic cylinder to actuate the hydraulic cylinder which advances the actuation member towards the second position. In another configuration, the substance containment system further includes a confinement structure having a proximal end, a distal end, and a sidewall extending therebetween and defining an interior, the container sized to be positionable within the interior of the confinement structure, and the actuation member movably positionable within the confinement structure, with the container positioned within the confinement structure, the actuation member is movable between the first position in which the actuation member is adjacent the proximal end of the confinement structure and the second position in which the actuation member is adjacent the distal end of the confinement structure; and wherein, with the container positioned within the confinement structure and the hydraulic pump activated, the hydraulic pump moves the hydraulic fluid to the hydraulic cylinder to actuate the hydraulic cylinder which advances the actuation member from the first position towards the second position, with the dispensing valve in the open position, as the actuation member moves from the first position towards the second position, the actuation member deforms the container thereby expelling the substance from the container, and with the dispensing valve in the closed position, the substance pressure increases and provides the resistance that resists movement of the actuation member and the hydraulic cylinder thereby increasing the hydraulic pressure of the hydraulic drive system, and when the hydraulic pressure reaches the variable pressure setting, the hydraulic valve moves to the open position in which the hydraulic pump moves the hydraulic fluid to the hydraulic reservoir thereby relieving the hydraulic fluid pumped to the hydraulic cylinder and stopping movement of the hydraulic cylinder and the actuation member. In yet another configuration, placing the dispensing valve in the closed position instantaneously stops movement of the hydraulic cylinder and the actuation member.
In one configuration, the actuation member includes a plunger. In another configuration, the hydraulic drive system further includes a hydraulic motor, the hydraulic pump drivingly connected to the hydraulic motor. In yet another configuration, the variable pressure setting of the hydraulic valve is set to a predetermined setting. In one configuration, the variable pressure setting can be set at a variety of different setting values. In another configuration, the substance dispensing system further includes a hose in communication with the second end of the container. In yet another configuration, the substance dispensing system further includes a nozzle in communication with the second end of the container. In one configuration, the hydraulic cylinder includes a double acting cylinder operable in both a forward direction and a reverse direction. In another configuration, the substance is a non-compressible fluid. In yet another configuration, the substance is an adhesive. In one configuration, the substance is a coating. In another configuration, the substance is a caulking. In yet another configuration, the substance dispensing system further includes a second hydraulic cylinder, and with the actuation member in the first position and the hydraulic pump activated, the hydraulic pump moves the hydraulic fluid to the hydraulic cylinder to actuate the hydraulic cylinder and simultaneously moves the hydraulic fluid at a first end of the hydraulic cylinder to an end of the second hydraulic cylinder such that the second hydraulic cylinder moves concurrently with the hydraulic cylinder to advance the actuation member from the first position towards the second position.
In accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure, a substance dispensing system includes a hydraulic drive system having a hydraulic pressure, the hydraulic drive system including a hydraulic cylinder; a hydraulic reservoir containing a hydraulic fluid; a hydraulic pump in fluid communication with the hydraulic reservoir, the hydraulic pump operable to move the hydraulic fluid to the hydraulic cylinder; and a hydraulic valve having a variable pressure setting, the hydraulic valve operable between a closed position in which the hydraulic pump moves the hydraulic fluid to the hydraulic cylinder and an open position in which the hydraulic pump moves the hydraulic fluid to the hydraulic reservoir. The substance dispensing system further includes a substance containment system in communication with the hydraulic cylinder of the hydraulic drive system, the substance containment system including a container having a first end, a second end, and a deformable wall extending therebetween and defining a container interior adapted to hold a substance, the substance contained within the container at a substance pressure; an actuation member movably positionable relative to the container, the actuation member in communication with the hydraulic cylinder, the actuation member movable between a first position in which the actuation member is adjacent the first end of the container and a second position in which the actuation member is adjacent the second end of the container, with the actuation member in the first position and the hydraulic pump activated, the hydraulic pump moves the hydraulic fluid to the hydraulic cylinder to actuate the hydraulic cylinder which advances the actuation member from the first position towards the second position, as the actuation member moves from the first position towards the second position, the actuation member deforms the container thereby expelling the substance from the container; and interruption means for stopping flow of the substance from the container to provide a resistance that resists movement of the actuation member and the hydraulic cylinder thereby increasing the hydraulic pressure of the hydraulic drive system, and when the hydraulic pressure reaches the variable pressure setting, the hydraulic valve moves to the open position in which the hydraulic pump moves the hydraulic fluid to the hydraulic reservoir thereby relieving the hydraulic fluid pumped to the hydraulic cylinder and stopping movement of the hydraulic cylinder and the actuation member.
In one configuration, the interruption means includes a dispensing valve in communication with the container, the dispensing valve operable between an open position in which the substance is able to flow out the container and a closed position in which the substance is maintained within the container, with the dispensing valve in the open position, as the actuation member moves from the first position towards the second position, the actuation member deforms the container thereby expelling the substance from the container, and with the dispensing valve in the closed position, the substance pressure increases and provides the resistance that resists movement of the actuation member and the hydraulic cylinder thereby increasing the hydraulic pressure of the hydraulic drive system. In another configuration, moving the dispensing valve from the closed position to the open position allows the substance to flow out the container and reduces the substance pressure thereby decreasing the hydraulic pressure of the hydraulic drive system, and when the hydraulic pressures drops below the variable pressure setting, the hydraulic valve moves to the closed position in which the hydraulic pump moves the hydraulic fluid to the hydraulic cylinder to actuate the hydraulic cylinder which advances the actuation member towards the second position. In yet another configuration, the substance containment system further includes a confinement structure having a proximal end, a distal end, and a sidewall extending therebetween and defining an interior, the container sized to be positionable within the interior of the confinement structure, and the actuation member movably positionable within the confinement structure, with the container positioned within the confinement structure, the actuation member is movable between the first position in which the actuation member is adjacent the proximal end of the confinement structure and the second position in which the actuation member is adjacent the distal end of the confinement structure; and wherein, with the container positioned within the confinement structure and the hydraulic pump activated, the hydraulic pump moves the hydraulic fluid to the hydraulic cylinder to actuate the hydraulic cylinder which advances the actuation member from the first position towards the second position, with the dispensing valve in the open position, as the actuation member moves from the first position towards the second position, the actuation member deforms the container thereby expelling the substance from the container, and with the dispensing valve in the closed position, the substance pressure increases and provides the resistance that resists movement of the actuation member and the hydraulic cylinder thereby increasing the hydraulic pressure of the hydraulic drive system, and when the hydraulic pressure reaches the variable pressure setting, the hydraulic valve moves to the open position in which the hydraulic pump moves the hydraulic fluid to the hydraulic reservoir thereby relieving the hydraulic fluid pumped to the hydraulic cylinder and stopping movement of the hydraulic cylinder and the actuation member. In one configuration, placing the dispensing valve in the closed position instantaneously stops movement of the hydraulic cylinder and the actuation member. In another configuration, the interruption means includes a clog in the substance containment system, wherein the clog increases the substance pressure to provide the resistance that resists movement of the actuation member and the hydraulic cylinder thereby increasing the hydraulic pressure of the hydraulic drive system. In another configuration, the actuation member includes a plunger.
In accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure, a substance dispensing system includes a hydraulic drive system having a hydraulic pressure, the hydraulic drive system including a hydraulic cylinder; a hydraulic reservoir containing a hydraulic fluid; a hydraulic pump in fluid communication with the hydraulic reservoir, the hydraulic pump operable to move the hydraulic fluid to the hydraulic cylinder; and a hydraulic valve having a variable pressure setting, the hydraulic valve operable between a closed position in which the hydraulic pump moves the hydraulic fluid to the hydraulic cylinder and an open position in which the hydraulic pump moves the hydraulic fluid to the hydraulic reservoir. The substance dispensing system further includes a substance containment system in communication with the hydraulic cylinder of the hydraulic drive system, the substance containment system including a substance located relative to an exit portion, the substance movable out the exit portion, the substance having a substance pressure; an actuation member movably positionable relative to the substance, the actuation member in communication with the hydraulic cylinder, the actuation member movable between a first position in which the actuation member is adjacent the substance and a second position in which the actuation member is in contact with the substance and forces the substance out the exit portion, with the actuation member in the first position and the hydraulic pump activated, the hydraulic pump moves the hydraulic fluid to the hydraulic cylinder to actuate the hydraulic cylinder which advances the actuation member from the first position towards the second position, as the actuation member moves from the first position towards the second position, the actuation member contacts the substance thereby expelling the substance from the exit portion; and interruption means for stopping flow of the substance from the container to provide a resistance that resists movement of the actuation member and the hydraulic cylinder thereby increasing the hydraulic pressure of the hydraulic drive system, and when the hydraulic pressure reaches the variable pressure setting, the hydraulic valve moves to the open position in which the hydraulic pump moves the hydraulic fluid to the hydraulic reservoir thereby relieving the hydraulic fluid pumped to the hydraulic cylinder and stopping movement of the hydraulic cylinder and the actuation member.
In one configuration, the substance dispensing system further includes a substance housing having a first end, a second end, and a wall extending therebetween and defining an interior adapted to hold the substance, the substance contained within the substance housing at the substance pressure. In another configuration, the exit portion is located at the second end of the substance housing. In yet another configuration, the actuation member is movably positionable relative to the substance housing, with the actuation member in the first position, the actuation member is adjacent the first end of the substance housing, and with the actuation member in the second position, the actuation member is adjacent the second end of the substance housing. In one configuration, with the actuation member in the second position, the substance is completely expelled out the exit portion. In another configuration, as the actuation member moves from the first position towards the second position, the actuation member is movably received within the interior of the substance housing and is in contact with the substance. In yet another configuration, the actuation member includes a plunger.
The above-mentioned and other features and advantages of this disclosure, and the manner of attaining them, will become more apparent and the disclosure itself will be better understood by reference to the following descriptions of embodiments of the disclosure taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:
Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views. The exemplifications set out herein illustrate exemplary embodiments of the disclosure, and such exemplifications are not to be construed as limiting the scope of the disclosure in any manner.
The following description is provided to enable those skilled in the art to make and use the described embodiments contemplated for carrying out the invention. Various modifications, equivalents, variations, and alternatives, however, will remain readily apparent to those skilled in the art. Any and all such modifications, variations, equivalents, and alternatives are intended to fall within the spirit and scope of the present invention.
For purposes of the description hereinafter, the terms “upper”, “lower”, “right”, “left”, “vertical”, “horizontal”, “top”, “bottom”, “lateral”, “longitudinal”, and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention as it is oriented in the drawing figures. However, it is to be understood that the invention may assume various alternative variations, except where expressly specified to the contrary. It is also to be understood that the specific devices illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following specification, are simply exemplary embodiments of the invention. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics related to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting.
In the following discussion, “distal” refers to a direction generally toward a portion of a substance dispensing system in which a substance is expelled from a container, and “proximal” refers to the opposite direction of distal, i.e., away from the portion of the substance dispensing system in which a substance is expelled from a container. For purposes of this disclosure, the above-mentioned references are used in the description of the components of a substance dispensing system in accordance with the present disclosure.
In the exemplary embodiments of
Referring to
Referring to
Container 14 is sized and shaped to be positionable within interior 26 of confinement structure 12 as shown in
Referring to
Shaft portion 62 of actuation member 16 is adapted to be placed in communication with a drive system for advancing actuation member 16 within confinement structure 12 between a first position (
The embodiment illustrated in
Referring to
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In one embodiment, hydraulic lines 114 include a first supply line 116, a second supply line 118, and a hydraulic relief line 120. Hydraulic reservoir 104 is in fluid communication with first chamber 105 of hydraulic cylinder 102 via first supply line 116. In this manner, hydraulic pump 108 is operable to move hydraulic fluid 106 to first chamber 105 of hydraulic cylinder 102 to actuate piston 109 of hydraulic cylinder 102 in a forward direction generally along arrow A (
In one embodiment, hydraulic valve 110 includes a variable pressure setting and the hydraulic valve 110 is operable between a closed position in which hydraulic pump 108 moves hydraulic fluid 106 to hydraulic cylinder 102 via first supply line 116 and an open position in which hydraulic pump 108 moves hydraulic fluid 106 to hydraulic reservoir 104 via hydraulic relief line 120 as will be discussed in more detail below. In one embodiment, the variable pressure setting of hydraulic valve 110 is set to a predetermined setting. In another embodiment, the variable pressure setting of hydraulic valve 110 can be set at a variety of different setting values.
In one embodiment, when the hydraulic pressure of hydraulic drive system 100 reaches the variable pressure setting, hydraulic valve 110 moves to the open position in which hydraulic pump 108 moves hydraulic fluid 106 to hydraulic reservoir 104 thereby relieving a portion of hydraulic fluid 106 pumped to hydraulic cylinder 102 and stopping movement of hydraulic cylinder 102 and actuation member 16. In this manner, substance dispensing system 10 provides a hydraulic drive system 100 that recirculates hydraulic fluid 106 instead of recirculating a substance back to a container via a pump. Substance dispensing system 10 of the present disclosure allows for precise, accurate, and instantaneous control of an external force in a substance dispensing system. For example, substance dispensing system 10 of the present disclosure allows for movement of hydraulic cylinder 102 and actuation member 16 to be stopped instantaneously for precise and accurate substance flow stoppage.
Referring to
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In one embodiment, actuation member 16 is movably positionable relative to substance housing 202 such that with actuation member 16 in the first position (
As discussed above, actuation member diameter 68 is sized to a tight tolerance with substance housing diameter 214 (
Referring to
As discussed above, a variety of different containers 14 containing various substances are compatible with the substance dispensing system 10 of the present disclosure. With a particular container 14 containing a desired substance 50 to be expelled selected, the container 14 may be positioned within the interior 26 of confinement structure 12 as shown in
In some embodiments, it may be desirable for the substance 50 to exit container 14 adjacent or approximately adjacent exit aperture 32 of confinement structure 12. For example, it may be desirable for the substance 50 within container 14 to be expelled from container 14 not more than approximately three (3) inches from second end 42 of container 14. When a substance 50 such as an adhesive is to be placed on small easily movable parts that are to be assembled, the parts can be moved in close proximity to the exit aperture 32. As the adhesive is expelled, it is applied to the parts being assembled and held together by the adhesive. In some embodiments, this immediate dispensing on to a part that is easily moved to the exit aperture requires no other fitment.
In one embodiment, referring to
In some embodiments, it may be desirable for the substance 50 to exit container 14 and travel through a channel or flexible tubing, such as hose 94, for a distance before being dispensed as shown in
In one embodiment, referring to
Referring to
Next, referring to
With actuation member 16 in the first position (
In one embodiment, moving dispensing valve 150 from the closed position to the open position allows substance 50 to flow out container 14 and reduces the substance pressure which decreases the hydraulic pressure of hydraulic drive system 100. When the hydraulic pressures drops below the variable pressure setting, the hydraulic valve 110 moves to the closed position in which hydraulic pump 108 moves hydraulic fluid 106 to hydraulic cylinder 102 to actuate hydraulic cylinder 102 which advances actuation member 16 towards the second position.
In one embodiment, with use of confinement structure 12 as shown in
In one embodiment, an interruption means stops flow of substance 50 from container 14 to provide a resistance that resists movement of actuation member 16 and hydraulic cylinder 102 thereby increasing the hydraulic pressure of hydraulic drive system 100. In this embodiment, when the hydraulic pressure reaches the variable pressure setting, hydraulic valve 110 moves to the open position in which hydraulic pump 108 moves hydraulic fluid 106 to hydraulic reservoir 104 thereby relieving hydraulic fluid 106 pumped to hydraulic cylinder 102 and stopping movement of hydraulic cylinder 102 and actuation member 16.
Referring to
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In other embodiments, the interruption means may include anything that stops the flow of substance 50 from container 14. In this manner, the flow of substance 50 from container 14 being stopped provides a resistance that resists movement of actuation member 16 and hydraulic cylinder 102 thereby increasing the hydraulic pressure of hydraulic drive system 100. In such embodiments, when the hydraulic pressure reaches the variable pressure setting, hydraulic valve 110 moves to the open position in which hydraulic pump 108 moves hydraulic fluid 106 to hydraulic reservoir 104 thereby relieving hydraulic fluid 106 pumped to hydraulic cylinder 102 and stopping movement of hydraulic cylinder 102 and actuation member 16.
In the above-described manner, substance dispensing system 10 of the present disclosure allows for precise, accurate, and instantaneous control of an external force in a substance dispensing system. For example, substance dispensing system 10 of the present disclosure allows for movement of a hydraulic cylinder 102 and actuation member 16 to be stopped instantaneously for precise and accurate substance flow stoppage.
Referring to
In this embodiment, as discussed above, substance 250 is located relative to an exit portion 212, substance 250 being movable out exit portion 212, and substance 250 having a substance pressure. Actuation member 16 is movably positionable relative to substance 250 such that actuation member 16 is movable between a first position (
When an interruption stops the flow of substance 250 from exit portion 212, the substance pressure is increased and substance 250 provides a resistance that resists movement of actuation member 16 and hydraulic cylinder 102 thereby increasing the hydraulic pressure of hydraulic drive system 100. In one embodiment, when the hydraulic pressure reaches the variable pressure setting, hydraulic valve 110 moves to the open position in which hydraulic pump 108 moves hydraulic fluid 106 to hydraulic reservoir 104 thereby relieving hydraulic fluid 106 pumped to hydraulic cylinder 102 and stopping movement of hydraulic cylinder 102 and actuation member 16.
An example of a substance dispensing system 10 in accordance with the present disclosure will now be discussed. In one embodiment, as discussed above, substance dispensing system 10 includes hydraulic pump 108 which moves hydraulic fluid 106 into a closed system. The closed hydraulic system responds by increasing its volumetric capacity which is made possible by advancing a hydraulic cylinder 102. As hydraulic pump 108 forcibly injects hydraulic fluid 106 into the closed hydraulic system the volumetric capacity of the hydraulic circuit expands by moving piston 109. The force of piston 109 can be calculated by knowing the hydraulic pressure and multiplying it by the area of piston 109. For example, a hydraulic pump 108 with a capacity of 3,000 pounds per square inch (hereinafter “psi”) of hydraulic pressure may act on a hydraulic cylinder 102 with a 3 and ¾″ inch diameter and a bore area of 10 square inches. If the full pressure of the pump's capacity were applied to the 10 square inches of the piston 109, the force generated would be 30,000 pounds.
When the force of the advancing piston 109 is applied to a surface then the pressure of the force is dispersed over the area of contact. If a plate or plunger, such as actuation member 16, is attached to the distal end of the piston 109 then the pounds per square inch is easily calculated. For example, an 8″ diameter plunger plate having 50 square inches of area is acted upon by 30,000 pounds of force, then the force is being applied at a rate of 600 pounds per square inch. The present disclosure, in one embodiment, provides a substance dispensing system 10 that directs this hydraulically generated force to act upon the outside of a container 14 which holds a substance 50 to be dispensed. In one example, an 8″ inch diameter container also has 50 square inches of area on the bottom end. Therefore if the hydraulic system operates at full capacity the force being applied in this example would be 600 psi. The force necessary to deform an empty container is about 2 psi or 100 pounds for an 8″ diameter container. This leaves 29,900 pounds of force, or 598 psi, to act on the substance 50 to be dispensed. Many flowable substances can be dispensed at about 30 psi.
As discussed above, the use of a substance dispensing system of the present disclosure to recirculate hydraulic fluid in a hydraulic drive system 100 allows for precise, accurate, and instantaneous control of an external force in a substance dispensing system. As discussed above, a substance dispensing system of the present disclosure provides a hydraulic valve 110 that in an open position allows a hydraulic pump 108 to move hydraulic fluid 106 to hydraulic reservoir 104 via a hydraulic relief line 120. In this manner, when the pressure in the hydraulic circuit reaches the variable pressure setting, the hydraulic fluid 106 is allowed to flow into the atmospheric pressure of hydraulic reservoir 104.
In one example, a process of dispensing is discussed. A particular substance 50 may require 30 psi to be properly dispensed from a container 14. With a pressure of 30 psi at the outlet of a 15′ foot hose, the pressure at the point of connection of the hose 94 to the container 14 must be 48 psi as 18 psi is lost in the transport from the container 14 to the point of dispensing, for example. This means the internal substance pressure must be at 48 psi in the container 14 for proper dispensing. In one example, the container 14 may require 2 psi to be deformed during the dispensing process. Thus, the force being applied to the 8″ diameter container is 50 psi or 2,500 pounds of force over the 50 square inches of the bottom of the container 14. It can be calculated that an 8″ inch plunger plate also has 50 square inches and therefore to achieve 30 psi at the dispensing end will require 2,500 pounds of force to be generated. In one example, the hydraulic cylinder 102 may have a 3¾″ inch diameter and a 10 square inch bore, and thus the hydraulic pressure relief valve must be set above 250 psi of hydraulic pressure.
The container 14 and hoses 94 holding and transporting the substance 50 may be only rated at 60 psi. In this example, 60 psi multiplied by the area of the bottom of the container 14 means the force which is to be applied to the container 14 should not exceed 3,000 pounds of force. The force generating hydraulic cylinder 102 with a square inch bore area of 10 must therefore not exceed 300 psi of hydraulic pressure. In one example, with pressure relief valve 110 set at 275 psi, the hydraulic cylinder 102 will only press on the bottom of the container 14 with 2,750 pounds of force. The maximum force is 55 psi as such a force spread over the 50 square inches of the plunger plate and the bottom of the container 14. In one example, allowing for 2 psi for the deformation of the container 14, the maximum pressure inside the container will be 53 psi. In one embodiment, with the dispensing valve 150 in the open position, the substance 50 can flow out at the required 30 psi. When the dispensing valve 150 closes the pressure inside the container 14 will begin to build, and when the substance pressure reaches 55 psi the resisting force from within the container 14 is sufficient to raise the hydraulic pressure to 275 psi. As the hydraulic pump 108 continues to forcibly inject more hydraulic fluid 106 into the closed hydraulic system, the pressure relief valve 110 continues to allow the same amount of hydraulic fluid 106 to flow out of the system and into the open reservoir 104. As a result, both the container 14 and the dispensing hoses 94 maintain a safe substance pressure.
While this disclosure has been described as having exemplary designs, the present disclosure can be further modified within the spirit and scope of this disclosure. This application is therefore intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the disclosure using its general principles. Further, this application is intended to cover such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice in the art to which this disclosure pertains and which fall within the limits of the appended claims.
