Direct reading relux rating controller for a distillation apparatus

Claim 2

A direct reading reflux ratio controller for a distillation apparatus having a column, first means for alternately effecting product delivery and reflux return, a solenoid coil associated with said first means, the controller comprising the combination of fixed period and variable period timers connected to always operate alternately in repeating order, said timers operatively associated with said first means for always controlling said first means to always alternately in repeating order effect product delivery only in the fixed time period determined by the fixed period of operation of said fixed period timer and to effect reflux return only in the particular period of operation of the variable period timer determined by the setting of the period of operation of said variable period timer, said coil connected to said fixed period timer, second means operatively assocIated with the variable period timer for varying and setting at different values the time period of operation of said variable time period timer to effect different reflux ratios; and readable means calibrated in reflux ratios and operatively associated with said adjustable means for indicating directly the reflux ratio determined at any particular time by the particular setting of the period of operation of said variable period timer and the fixed period of operation of the fixed period timer.

Claim 3

A controller according to claim 1, the coil and the timers being so constructed and arranged that when in operation, the fixed period timer always operates for a fixed time period whereby the coil is maintained in energized condition in that period whereby said first means effects product delivery in that period, and at the end of the fixed time period of operation of the fixed time period timer and independent of any temperature change in the distillation apparatus, the coil is deenergized and the variable time period timer is placed in service and operates for a particular time period determined at any particular time by the particular setting of the time period of operation of the variable time period timer whereby the coil is maintained in deenergized condition in that particular time period whereby said first means effects reflux return in that particular period, and at the end of said particular time period of operation of the variable time period timer the fixed period timer is placed in service.

Claim 4

A controller according to claim 1 amended, and temperature responsive means associated with the interior of the upper end of said column and operatively connected with said adjustable means for varying and setting at different values the time period of operation of said variable period timer in response to temperature changes in the upper part of said column.

Claim 5

In a distillation apparatus which includes a condenser and a main column in communication with the condenser and including a distillation column towards which condensate flows from the condenser, and first means for effecting reflux ratio by alternate delivery outside of the main column of the condensate flowing towards the distillation column and return of the flowing condensate to the distillation column, said first means including second means alternately movable to and maintainable in a first position whereby said delivery occurs and a second position whereby said return occurs and an electrical coil operatively associated with the second means; the improvement comprising: a fixed time period timer and a variable time period timer always operatively associated with each other for always operating alternately in repeating order, the fixed time period timer electrically connected to the coil, adjustable means operatively associated with the variable time period timer for changing and setting at different values the operating time period of the variable time period timer, the timers always operatively associated with the coil for always controlling the first means to always effect reflux ratio solely by the alternate in repeating order operation of the timers, readable means calibrated in reflux ratios and operatively associated with the adjustable means for indicating directly at any particular time the reflux ratio determined at that time by the particular setting of the time period for operating the variable time period timer by the adjustable means and the fixed time period for operating the fixed time period timer, the first means and the timers being so constructed and arranged that always in alternating and repeating order the fixed time period timer operates for a fixed period of time whereby the coil is energized and in response thereto, the second means is moved to and maintained in one of said positions in the period corresponding to the fixed period of operation of said fixed time period timer, at the end of the time of operation of the fixed time period timer And independent of any temperature change in the main column or condenser the variable time period timer is placed in service and operates for a particular time period determined at any particular time by the particular setting thereof whereby the coil is deenergized and in response thereto the second means is moved to and maintained in the other of said positions in the period of time corresponding to said particular time period of operation of the variable time period timer, and at the end of the time of operation of the variable period timer and independent of any temperature change in the main column or condenser, the fixed period timer is placed in service.

Claim 6

In a distillation apparatus which includes a condenser and a main column in communication with the condenser and including a distillation column towards which condensate flows from the condenser, and first means for effecting reflux ratio by alternate delivery outside of the main column of the condensate flowing towards the distillation column and return of the flowing condensate to the distillation column, said first means including second means alternately movable to and maintainable in a first position whereby said delivery occurs and a second position whereby said return occurs and an electrical coil operatively associated with the second means; the improvement comprising: a fixed time period timer and a variable time period timer always operatively associated with each other for always operating alternately in repeating order, the fixed time period timer electrically connected to the coil, adjustable means operatively associated with the variable time period timer for changing and setting at different values the operating time period of the variable time period timer, the timers always operatively associated with the coil for always controlling the first means to always effect reflux ratio solely by the alternate in repeating order operation of the timers, readable means calibrated in reflux ratios and operatively associated with the adjustable means for indicating directly at any particular time the reflux ratio determined at that time by the particular setting of the time period for operating the variable time period timer by the adjustable means and the fixed time period for operating the fixed time period timer, the first means and the timers being so constructed and arranged that always in alternating and repeating order the fixed time period timer operates for a fixed period of time whereby the coil is energized and in response thereto, the second means is moved to and maintained in one of said positions in the period corresponding to the fixed period of operation of said fixed time period timer, at the end of the time of operation of the fixed time period timer And independent of any temperature change in the main column or condenser the variable time period timer is placed in service and operates for a particular time period determined at any particular time by the particular setting thereof whereby the coil is deenergized and in response thereto the second means is moved to and maintained in the other of said positions in the period of time corresponding to said particular time period of operation of the variable time period timer, and at the end of the time of operation of the variable period timer and independent of any temperature change in the main column or condenser, the fixed period timer is placed in service.