US3697052A — Automatic volumetric chemical mixer

Claim 1

Independent Claim 263 words

In an automatic volumetric chemical mixer; a base tank having a solution chamber adapted to receive and mix liquids, and having an outlet; a removable cover on said tank; a power operated mechanical agitator mounted on said cover and extending into the liquid within said chamber; an electronic liquid level control mounted on said cover including low and high level probes extending into said chamber; and having control means to initiate and deactivate the fluid feed and chemical feed cycle; an upright open ended cylindrical shroud overlying said cover and secured thereto; a hopper within said shroud merging with its interior at one end and having an apertured outlet plate at its lower end spaced above said cover; adapted to hold a dry chemical; a power operated feed metering mechanism mounted on said cover intermediate and secured to said cover and outlet plate for delivering predetermined quantities of dry chemical to drop through a corresponding aperture in said cover and into said chamber; a prewetting device secured to and depending from said cover and being in the path of fall of said dry chemicals; adapted for connection to a source of liquid under pressure and to deliver a spray of liquid into the path of said falling dry chemicals for uniform prewetting thereof; a preset liquid flow control valve connected to a source of liquid under pressure for delivering a predetermined volume of liquid per minute; a conduit interconnecting said valve and said prewetting device; and a circuit interconnecting an electric power source with said feed mechanism, agitator and said liquid level control.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 263 words

In an automatic volumetric chemical mixer; a base tank having a solution chamber adapted to receive and mix liquids, and having an outlet; a removable cover on said tank; a power operated mechanical agitator mounted on said cover and extending into the liquid within said chamber; an electronic liquid level control mounted on said cover including low and high level probes extending into said chamber; and having control means to initiate and deactivate the fluid feed and chemical feed cycle; an upright open ended cylindrical shroud overlying said cover and secured thereto; a hopper within said shroud merging with its interior at one end and having an apertured outlet plate at its lower end spaced above said cover; adapted to hold a dry chemical; a power operated feed metering mechanism mounted on said cover intermediate and secured to said cover and outlet plate for delivering predetermined quantities of dry chemical to drop through a corresponding aperture in said cover and into said chamber; a prewetting device secured to and depending from said cover and being in the path of fall of said dry chemicals; adapted for connection to a source of liquid under pressure and to deliver a spray of liquid into the path of said falling dry chemicals for uniform prewetting thereof; a preset liquid flow control valve connected to a source of liquid under pressure for delivering a predetermined volume of liquid per minute; a conduit interconnecting said valve and said prewetting device; and a circuit interconnecting an electric power source with said feed mechanism, agitator and said liquid level control.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 44 words

In the chemical mixer of claim 1, an electronic vibrator on and connected to said feed metering mechanism to assure uniform flow of dry chemical material into said feed metering mechanism regardless of the amount of dry chemicals stored in said hopper and shroud.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 52 words

In the chemical mixer of claim 1, there being a series of spaced upright inwardly directed corrugations formed in said tank defining a series of fluid obstructing vanes upon the interior of said chamber cooperating with said agitator for providing a homogeneous solution of chemical and liquid in a continuous mixing operation.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 62 words

In the chemical mixer of claim 1, said agitator including a bracket mounted motor on said cover; a shaft journaled through said cover and extending at acute angles on X and Y coordinates to the vertical; and an impeller blade on said shaft normal thereto and located adjacent the tank wall for swirling the solution in said chamber and agitating the same.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 47 words

In the chemical mixer of claim 4, there being a series of spaced upright inwardly directed corrugations formed in said tank defining a series of fluid obstructing vanes upon the interior of said chamber cooperating with said agitator for providing a homogeneous solution of chemical and liquid.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 20 words

In the chemical mixer of claim 4, said acute angle being in the range of about 25* to 40* approximately.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 52 words

In the chemical mixer of claim 1, said liquid level control means including a holding coil and relay in said circuit adapted to initiate the cycle when the low level probe is out of contact with the solution and to deactivate the cycle when the high level probe is iN contact therewith.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 32 words

In the chemical mixer of claim 1, said shroud having an apertured inwardly directed annular flange at its lower end in registry with said cover; and fasteners interconnecting said flange and cover.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 111 words

In the chemical mixer of claim 1, said feed metering mechanism including an upright support plate on and secured to said cover; a centrally apertured top plate extending from the support plate in registry with and connected to said hopper outlet plate with their apertures in registry; a cylindrical metering housing underlying and secured to said top plate having a top inlet and a bottom outlet orifice; and a power rotor slidably and rotatably nested in said housing and having in its outer periphery throughout its length a series of uniform angularly related particle receiving and measuring cavities, adapted on rotation for delivering predetermined quantities of dry chemical through said orifice.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 38 words

In the chemical mixer of claim 9, said rotor cavities being of elongated rectangular shape in plan; said orifice being of similar shape adapted to receive a mass of falling chemical particles in a corresponding cross sectional shape.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 41 words

In the chemical mixer of claim 10, the metering housing adjacent said orifice at its sides and ends being chamferred downwardly and outwardly at an acute angle to prevent residue building up and subsequent restriction of material flow through said orifice.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 20 words

In the chemical mixer of claim 11, said chamfer angle being in the range of about 15* to 75* approximately.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 59 words

In the chemical mixer of claim 9, an elongated scraper cam plate pivotally mounted upon said feed metering mechanism and adapted to movably extend through said orifice throughout its length into and cam against the bottom surfaces of the cavities respectively as the rotor rotates; and spring means continuously urging said scraper plate into sweeping engagement with said rotor.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 44 words

In the chemical mixer of claim 9, a drive shaft projected axially through said rotor journaled on said support plate; and at one end projected from said feed meter housing adapted for connection to a power drive for rotation at a uniform predetermined rate.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 22 words

In the chemical mixer of claim 14, a shear pin extending transversely through said shaft and nested and mounted within said rotor.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 128 words

In the chemical mixer of claim 1, said prewetting device including a block secured to said cover and having therein a liquid manifold, an inlet and an upright front face spaced just rearwardly of the path of falling dry chemicals; there being a series of variably spaced outlets in a pair of spaced rows extending into said front face to said manifold; and a corresponding series of parallel elongated cylindrically shaped heads secured in said outlets and projecting from said front face; said rows of heads being upon opposite sides of said path of falling dry chemicals; and a series of longitudinally spaced jet outlets formed in said heads along their length extending downwardly and inwardly at an acute angle to homogeneously prewet the falling dry granular chemicals.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 25 words

In the chemical mixer of claim 16, the angle of attack of said water jets being in the range of about 15* to 75* approximately.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 18 words

In the chemical mixer of claim 16, the angle of attack of said water jets being approximately 45*.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 50 words

In the chemical mixer of claim 1, a solenoid control for said flow control valve; a low pressure switch in said circuit adapted to interrupt the cycle of operation upon an appreciable fall of water pressure supply; and an audible or visible signal in said circuit connected to said switch.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 38 words

In the chemical mixer of claim 1, said feed metering mechanism including a DC motor drive; a control rheostat to regulate the speed of rotation of said motor, and a rectifier in said circuit connected to said rheostat.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 201 words

In an automatic volumetric chemical mixer; a tank having a solution chamber adapted to receive anD mix liquids, and having an outlet; a removable cover on said tank; a power operated agitator extending into the liquid within said chamber; a liquid control low and high level control extending into said chamber having control means to initiate and deactivate the fluid feed and chemical feed cycle; a housing including a hopper having an outlet and adapted to hold a dry chemical; a power operated feed metering mechanism below and in communication with said hopper outlet, for delivering predetermined quantities of dry chemical to said chamber; a prewetting device within said chamber above the liquid therein in the path of said chemicals adapted for connection to a source of liquid under pressure and to deliver a spray of liquid into the path of said falling dry chemicals for uniform prewetting thereof; a preset liquid flow control valve adapted for connection to a source of liquid under pressure for delivering a predetermined volume of liquid per minute to said prewetting device; and an electric circuit adapted to connect a power source to said feed mechanism, agitator, liquid level control, and said flow control valve.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 201 words

In an automatic volumetric chemical mixer; a tank having a solution chamber adapted to receive anD mix liquids, and having an outlet; a removable cover on said tank; a power operated agitator extending into the liquid within said chamber; a liquid control low and high level control extending into said chamber having control means to initiate and deactivate the fluid feed and chemical feed cycle; a housing including a hopper having an outlet and adapted to hold a dry chemical; a power operated feed metering mechanism below and in communication with said hopper outlet, for delivering predetermined quantities of dry chemical to said chamber; a prewetting device within said chamber above the liquid therein in the path of said chemicals adapted for connection to a source of liquid under pressure and to deliver a spray of liquid into the path of said falling dry chemicals for uniform prewetting thereof; a preset liquid flow control valve adapted for connection to a source of liquid under pressure for delivering a predetermined volume of liquid per minute to said prewetting device; and an electric circuit adapted to connect a power source to said feed mechanism, agitator, liquid level control, and said flow control valve.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 47 words

In the chemical mixer of claim 21, there being a series of spaced upright inwardly directed corrugations formed in said tank defining a series of fluid obstructing vanes upon the interior of said chamber cooperating with said agitator for providing a homogeneous solution of chemical and liquid.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 47 words

In the mixer of claim 21, said liquid level control including a holding coil and relay and high and low level probes connected into said circuit adapted to automatically initiate the cycle at low level of fluid in said chamber and deactivate the cycle at high level.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 110 words

In the mixer of claim 21, said feed metering mechanism including an upright support plate on and secured to said cover; a centrally apertured top plate extending from the support plate in registry with and connected to said hopper outlet plate with their apertures in registry; a cylindrical metering housing underlying and secured to said top plate having a top inlet and a bottom outlet orifice; and a power rotor slidably and rotatably nested in said housing and having in its outer periphery throughout its length a series of uniform angularly related particle receiving and measuring cavities, adapted on rotation for delivering predetermined quantities of dry chemical through said orifice.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 58 words

In the mixer of claim 24, an elongated scraper cam plate pivotally mounted upon said feed metering mechanism and adapted to movably extend through said orifice throughout its length into and cam against the bottom surfaces of the cavities respectively as the rotor rotates; and spring means continuously urging said scraper plate into sweeping engagement with said rotor.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 127 words

In the mixer of claim 21, said prewetting device including a block secured to said cover and having therein a liquid manifold, an inlet and an upright front face spaced just rearwardly of the path of falling dry chemicals; there being a series of variably spaced outlets in a pair of spaced rows extending into said front face to said manifold; and a corresponding series of parallel elongated cylindrically shaped heads secured in said outlets and projecting from said front face; said rows of heads being upon opposite sides of said path of falling dry chemicals; and a series of longitudinally spaced jet outlets formed in said heads along their length extending downwardly and inwardly at an acute angle to homogeneously prewet the falling dry granular chemicals.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 49 words

In the mixer of claim 21, a solenoid control for said flow control valve; a low pressure switch in said circuit adapted to interrupt the cycle of operation upon an appreciable fall of water pressure supply; and an audible or visible signal in said circuit connected to said switch.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 14 words

In the chemical mixer of claim 21, a timer for controlling said agitating means.

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 28 words

In the chemical mixer of claim 28, said timer being operable to preset a period of automatic operatIon of said agitating means and cause automatic turn off thereof.

Claim 32

Dependent Claim 124 words

In an automatic volumetric chemical mixer, a base tank having a solution chamber adapted to receive and mix liquids, and having an outlet; a removable cover on said tank apertured to receive therethrough fluids and dissolvable chemicals; an upright open ended cylindrical shroud overlying said cover and secured thereto; a hopper within said shroud merging at its upper end with the shroud and having an apertured outlet plate at its lower end spaced above said cover aperture; adapted to hold a dry chemical for feeding into said tank; and a power operated feed metering mechanism mounted on said cover intermediate and secured to said cover and outlet plate for delivering predetermined quantities of dry chemical to drop through the cover aperture into said chamber.

Claim 33

Dependent Claim 124 words

In an automatic volumetric chemical mixer, a base tank having a solution chamber adapted to receive and mix liquids, and having an outlet; a removable cover on said tank apertured to receive therethrough fluids and dissolvable chemicals; an upright open ended cylindrical shroud overlying said cover and secured thereto; a hopper within said shroud merging at its upper end with the shroud and having an apertured outlet plate at its lower end spaced above said cover aperture; adapted to hold a dry chemical for feeding into said tank; and a power operated feed metering mechanism mounted on said cover intermediate and secured to said cover and outlet plate for delivering predetermined quantities of dry chemical to drop through the cover aperture into said chamber.

Claim 34

Dependent Claim 201 words

In an automatic volumetric chemical mixer having a base tank adapted to receive and mix liquids and having an outlet; removable cover on said tank; an upright open ended shroud mounted over said cover and secured thereto; a hopper in said shroud having an apertured outlet plate at its lower end spaced above said cover, and adapted to hold a dry chemical; a power operated feed metering mechanism mounted on said cover intermediate said cover and outlet plate and secured thereto for delivering predetermined quantities of dry chemical to drop through a cover aperture into said chamber; said feed metering mechanism including an upright support plate on and secured to said cover; a centrally apertured top plate extending from the support plate in registry with and connected to said hopper outlet plate with their apertures in registry; a cylindrical metering housing underlying and secured to said top plate having a top inlet and a bottom outlet orifice; and a power rotor slidably and rotatably nested in said housing and having in its outer periphery throughout its length a series of uniform angularly related particle receiving and measuring cavities, adapted on rotation for delivering predetermined quantities of dry chemical through said orifice.

Claim 35

Dependent Claim 201 words

In an automatic volumetric chemical mixer having a base tank adapted to receive and mix liquids and having an outlet; removable cover on said tank; an upright open ended shroud mounted over said cover and secured thereto; a hopper in said shroud having an apertured outlet plate at its lower end spaced above said cover, and adapted to hold a dry chemical; a power operated feed metering mechanism mounted on said cover intermediate said cover and outlet plate and secured thereto for delivering predetermined quantities of dry chemical to drop through a cover aperture into said chamber; said feed metering mechanism including an upright support plate on and secured to said cover; a centrally apertured top plate extending from the support plate in registry with and connected to said hopper outlet plate with their apertures in registry; a cylindrical metering housing underlying and secured to said top plate having a top inlet and a bottom outlet orifice; and a power rotor slidably and rotatably nested in said housing and having in its outer periphery throughout its length a series of uniform angularly related particle receiving and measuring cavities, adapted on rotation for delivering predetermined quantities of dry chemical through said orifice.

Claim 36

Dependent Claim 39 words

In the automatic chemical mixer of claim 31, said rotor cavities being of elongated rectangular shape in plan; said orifice being of similar shape adapted to receive a mass of falling chemical particles in a corresponding cross sectional shape.

Claim 37

Dependent Claim 60 words

In the automatic chemical mixer of claim 31, an elongated scraper cam plate pivotally mounted upon said feed metering mechanism and adapted to movably extend through said orifice throughout its length into and cam against the bottom surfaces of the cavities, respectively, as the rotor rotates; and spring means continuously urging said scraper plate into sweeping engagement with said rotor.

Claim 38

Dependent Claim 45 words

In the automatic chemical mixer of claim 31, a drive shaft projected axially through said rotor journaled on said support plate; and at one end projected from said feed meter housing adapted for connection to a power drive for rotation at a uniform predetermined rate.

Claim 39

Dependent Claim 23 words

In the automatic chemical mixer of claim 34, a shear pin extending transversely through said shaft and nested and mounted within said rotor.

Claim 40

Dependent Claim 268 words

In an automatic volumetric chemical mixer having a base tank adapted to receive and mix liquids and having an outlet; removable cover on said tank; an upright open ended shroud mounted over said cover and secured thereto; a hopper in said shroud having an apertured outlet plate at its lower end spaced above said cover, and adapted to hold a dry chemical; a power operated feed metering mechanism mounted on said cover intermediate said cover and outlet plate and secured thereto for delivering predetermined quantities of dry chemical to drop through a cover aperture into said chamber; a prewetting device secured to and depending from said cover and being in the path of fall of said dry chemicals; adapted for connection to a source of liquid under pressure and to deliver a spray of liquid into the path of said falling dry chemical for uniform prewetting tHereof, said prewetting device including a block secured to said cover and having therein a liquid manifold, an inlet and an upright front face spaced just rearwardly of the path of falling dry chemicals; there being a series of variably spaced outlets in a pair of spaced rows extending into said front face to said manifold; and a corresponding series of parallel elongated cylindrically shaped heads secured in said outlets and projecting from said front face; said rows of heads being upon opposite sides of said path of falling dry chemicals; and a series of longitudinally spaced jet outlets formed in said heads along their length extending downwardly and inwardly at an acute angle to homogeneously prewet the falling dry granular chemicals.

Claim 41

Dependent Claim 268 words

In an automatic volumetric chemical mixer having a base tank adapted to receive and mix liquids and having an outlet; removable cover on said tank; an upright open ended shroud mounted over said cover and secured thereto; a hopper in said shroud having an apertured outlet plate at its lower end spaced above said cover, and adapted to hold a dry chemical; a power operated feed metering mechanism mounted on said cover intermediate said cover and outlet plate and secured thereto for delivering predetermined quantities of dry chemical to drop through a cover aperture into said chamber; a prewetting device secured to and depending from said cover and being in the path of fall of said dry chemicals; adapted for connection to a source of liquid under pressure and to deliver a spray of liquid into the path of said falling dry chemical for uniform prewetting tHereof, said prewetting device including a block secured to said cover and having therein a liquid manifold, an inlet and an upright front face spaced just rearwardly of the path of falling dry chemicals; there being a series of variably spaced outlets in a pair of spaced rows extending into said front face to said manifold; and a corresponding series of parallel elongated cylindrically shaped heads secured in said outlets and projecting from said front face; said rows of heads being upon opposite sides of said path of falling dry chemicals; and a series of longitudinally spaced jet outlets formed in said heads along their length extending downwardly and inwardly at an acute angle to homogeneously prewet the falling dry granular chemicals.

Claim 42

Dependent Claim 25 words

In the chemical mixer of claim 36, the angle of attack of said water jets being in a range of about 15* to 75* approximately.

Claim 43

Dependent Claim 18 words

In the chemical mixer of claim 36, the angle of attach of said water jets being approximately 45*.

Claim 44

Dependent Claim 160 words

Mixing apparatus comprising: a tank, a hopper for containing non-liquid material; feed metering means for delivering non-liquid material from said hopper to said tank at a predetermined rate; prewetting means connected with a source of liquid for delivering liquid to said tank and for prewetting the non-liquid material delivered from said hopper as the non-liquid material enters said tank; flow control means controlling the flow of liquid to said prewetting means and hence to said tank; agitating means in said tank for mixing liquid and non-liquid material received in said tank; and level sensing means controlling said flow control means and feed metering means; said level sensing means being operable when the liquid in said tank is at a predetermined low level to activate said flow control means and feed metering means, said level sensing means being operable when the liquid in said tank is at a predetermined high level to deactivate said flow control means and feed metering means.

Claim 45

Dependent Claim 160 words

Mixing apparatus comprising: a tank, a hopper for containing non-liquid material; feed metering means for delivering non-liquid material from said hopper to said tank at a predetermined rate; prewetting means connected with a source of liquid for delivering liquid to said tank and for prewetting the non-liquid material delivered from said hopper as the non-liquid material enters said tank; flow control means controlling the flow of liquid to said prewetting means and hence to said tank; agitating means in said tank for mixing liquid and non-liquid material received in said tank; and level sensing means controlling said flow control means and feed metering means; said level sensing means being operable when the liquid in said tank is at a predetermined low level to activate said flow control means and feed metering means, said level sensing means being operable when the liquid in said tank is at a predetermined high level to deactivate said flow control means and feed metering means.

Claim 46

Dependent Claim 14 words

Apparatus as claimed in claim 39 including a timer for controlling said agitating means.

Claim 47

Dependent Claim 27 words

Apparatus as claimed in claim 39 including a timer operable to preset the period of automatic operation of said agitating means and cause automatic turn off thereof.

Claim 48

Dependent Claim 27 words

Apparatus as claimed in claim 39 including a plurality of corrugations formed in the wall of said tank defining fluid obstructing vanes cooperating with said agitating means.

Claim 49

Dependent Claim 101 words

Apparatus as claimed in claim 39 wherein said feed metering mechanism comprises a support plate; a centrally apertured top plate extending from the support plate in registry with and connected to said hopper outlet plate with their apertures in registry; a cylindrical metering housing underlying and secured to said top plate having a top inlet and a bottom outlet orifice; and a power rotor slidably and rotatably nested in said housing and having in its outer periphery throughout its length a series of uniform angularly related particle receiving and measuring cavities, adapted on rotation for delivering predetermined quantities of dry chemical.

Claim 50

Dependent Claim 38 words

Apparatus as claimed in claim 39 wherein said prewetting means comprises a block having liquid manifold therein; and a plurality of spaced jet outlets for spraying non-liquid material being delivered from said hopper by said feed metering means.

Claim 51

Dependent Claim 136 words

Mixing apparatus comprising: a tank having a solution chamber defined therein; an agitator extending into said chamber for mixing material received therein; a hopper for containing dry chemical; feed metering mechanism operable to deliver dry chemical from said hopper to said solution chamber; prewetting means in said chamber in the path of dry chemical being delivered from said hopper for prewetting the dry chemical as it enters said chamber and for delivering liquid to said chamber; level sensing means operable to activate said feed metering mechanism and prewetting means when the liquid is at a predetermined low level in said chamber and operable to deActivate said feed metering means and prewetting means when the liquid in said chamber is at a predetermined high level; and means for automatically controlling the period of operation of said agitator.

Claim 52

Dependent Claim 136 words

Mixing apparatus comprising: a tank having a solution chamber defined therein; an agitator extending into said chamber for mixing material received therein; a hopper for containing dry chemical; feed metering mechanism operable to deliver dry chemical from said hopper to said solution chamber; prewetting means in said chamber in the path of dry chemical being delivered from said hopper for prewetting the dry chemical as it enters said chamber and for delivering liquid to said chamber; level sensing means operable to activate said feed metering mechanism and prewetting means when the liquid is at a predetermined low level in said chamber and operable to deActivate said feed metering means and prewetting means when the liquid in said chamber is at a predetermined high level; and means for automatically controlling the period of operation of said agitator.

Claim 53

Dependent Claim 30 words

Apparatus as claimed in claim 45 wherein said last named means comprises a timer operable to preset the period of operation of said agitator and cause automatic turn off thereof.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1975-10-10	1976-04-10	1976-10-10	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	1979-10-10	1980-04-10	1980-10-10	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	1983-10-10	1984-04-10	1984-10-10	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Automatic volumetric chemical mixer

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