Patent US3788340A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3788340A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Cooling tower water control system
Assignee: LEARY RO
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Filing: 1971-06-28
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Granted: 1974-01-29
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Expires: 1991-06-28
Abstract
Abstract A cooling tower water control system operated by means of a ring float, a ring magnet fastened thereto, four magnetic reed switches enclosed by four individual tubes mounted in a parallel direction inside an enclosing tube, said ring magnet sliding freely along and around the enclosing tube in a vertical direction. The system is enclosed in a cylindrical case, closed at the top by a removable cap supporting electrical wires therethrough and having an orifice on the side wall and close to the bottom allowing sump water to enter and leave freely. The necessary support for mounting the system to the water sump is attached to the outer surface of the cylindrical case. Interlocking relays, A.C. valves, pumps, hydraulic valves, switches, solenoid valves, drivers and neon indicators are also basic parts of the control system. The invention automatically and accurately controls the water level in the sump and the concentration of treating chemicals added thereto through a three-phase operation cycle. Said cycle comprises evaporation of a predetermined amount of water through the cooling action of the tower, flushing or blow-down of another predetermined amount of water along with used treatment chemicals, and replenishing of the sump water and treating chemicals to their initial level and concentrations respectively.
Inventors
- 👤 Leary R O
- 👤 C Kapr
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 09:28
CPC Classifications
G; G05; G05D; G05D21/00; G05D21/02; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S261/00; Y10S261/11; Y10S261/46; Y10T; Y10T137/00; Y10T137/2496; Y10T137/2499; Y10T137/2509; Y10T137/2514; Y10T137/2534
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
153 words
An automatic control system for controlling the water level and concentrations of treating chemicals and naturally occuring salts in water cooling towers having a cycle of blow-down, makeup, and termination phases; said system comprising a main control unit, auxiliary control apparatus comprising relays and solenoids operable with saidd main control unit, and a sump having said main control unit immersed therein; wherein said main control unit includes: an outer housing vertically disposed within said sump; an inner housing mounted within said outer housing; plurality of switching means positioned within said inner housing and electrically connected to said auxilliary control apparatus for blow-down, make-up, and termination phases; vertical adjustment means mounted within said inner housing for positioning said switching means; and bouyant switch actuator means slidably constrained in said outer housing so that said switching means will sequentially activate or de-activate said switching means as the water level in the sump varies in height.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
153 words
An automatic control system for controlling the water level and concentrations of treating chemicals and naturally occuring salts in water cooling towers having a cycle of blow-down, makeup, and termination phases; said system comprising a main control unit, auxiliary control apparatus comprising relays and solenoids operable with saidd main control unit, and a sump having said main control unit immersed therein; wherein said main control unit includes: an outer housing vertically disposed within said sump; an inner housing mounted within said outer housing; plurality of switching means positioned within said inner housing and electrically connected to said auxilliary control apparatus for blow-down, make-up, and termination phases; vertical adjustment means mounted within said inner housing for positioning said switching means; and bouyant switch actuator means slidably constrained in said outer housing so that said switching means will sequentially activate or de-activate said switching means as the water level in the sump varies in height.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
60 words
The structure of claim 1 wherein said switching means includes four switches, a first switch operable at the uppermost space within said inner housing, a second switch located lower than said first switch, a third switch located still lower than said first switch and said second switch, and a fourth switch operable at the lowermost space within said inner housing.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
58 words
The structure of claim 1 further comprising a vertically extending closure means having a plurality of vertically extending apertures, wherein said closure means is structured to a corresponding configuration of upper end of said inner housing, said closure means further comprised of a substantially resilient material to provide water-tight sealing of the upper end of said inner housing.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
51 words
The structure of claim 3 wherein said vertical adjustment means is comprised of: a first, second, third, and fourth hollow plastic tube each slidably mounted within said apertures of said closure means, each of said tubes containing one of Said switching means and corresponding electrical conductors connected to said switching means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
66 words
The structure of claim 1 wherein said swtich means is comprised of first, second, third, and fourth switches; and wherein said buoyant switch actuator means includes a magnet and a float supporting said magnet; and wherein said switches are magnetic reed switches that are activated or deactivated by the close proximity of a magnetic field and as the water level in the sump varies in height.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
98 words
A control system as defined in claim 5 having a blow-down phase structure, said blow-down phase structure comprised of: said second magnetic reed switch for initiating the blow-down phase; a first relay connected to said first magnetic reed switch; a first solenoid valve controlled by said first relay, said first solenoid valve mounted on the sump for controlling the discharge of unwanted water and chemicals; and a conductivity sensor immersed in the sump and electrically connected to said first relay for preventing the blow-down phase if a system malfunction occurs that reduces the salts concentration in the sump.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
66 words
A control system as defined in claim 5 having a make-up phase structure, said make-up phase structure comprised of: said third magnetic reed switch for initiating the make-up phase; a second relay connected to said third magnetic reed switch; and a second solenoid valve controlled by said second relay, said second solenoid valve mounted on the sump for controlling the addition of make-up water and chemicals.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
52 words
A control system as defined in calim 7 having a cycle termination phase structure, said cycle termination phase structure comprised of: said first magnetic reed switch for terminating the make-up phase of the cycle; and a third relay connected to said first magnetic reed switch for shutting off said secnd solenoid valve.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
52 words
A control system as defined in calim 7 having a cycle termination phase structure, said cycle termination phase structure comprised of: said first magnetic reed switch for terminating the make-up phase of the cycle; and a third relay connected to said first magnetic reed switch for shutting off said secnd solenoid valve.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
53 words
A control system as defined in claim 5 having a low water indicator, said low water indicator comprising: said fourth magnetic reed switch; audible alarm means connected to said fourth magnetic reed which is activated when an abnormally low water level occurs; and visual alarm means connected to said fourth magnetic reed switch.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
45 words
The structure of claim 1 wherein said buoyant switch actuator means is comprised of: an annular magnet encircling said inner housing; and an annular float fastened to said magnet, said float comprised of a plastic foam material for supporting said magnet in a buoyant condition.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-01-28 | 1977-07-30 | 1978-01-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-01-28 | 1981-07-30 | 1982-01-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-01-28 | 1985-07-30 | 1986-01-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |