Apparatus and method for controlled liquid transfer

Claim 3

A method, as set forth in claim 1, wherein all of the pumps of the system have a substantially equal capacity.

Claim 4

A method, as set forth in claim 2, wherein the flow rate magnitude between successive actuation points is of a substantially common magnitude.

Claim 5

A method, as set forth in claim 2, wherein the flow rate magnitude between successive actuation points is in the range of about 50 to about 100 percent of the capacity of each pump.

Claim 6

A method, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the preselected actuation sequence can be varied.

Claim 7

In a system for passing liquid from a liquid supply source through a plurality of outlets while varying the total rate of liquid being discharged from the outlets, said system having a plurality of pumps connected to the liquid supply source and the outlets, means for measuring the flow rate of the liquid passing to the outlets and delivering a first signal representative of and in response to said measured flow rate, and means for actuating a first pump for delivering liquid from the liquid supply source through at least one of the outlets, the improvement comprising: first means for comparing said first signal to the plurality of preset actuation points and delivering a second signal in response to said comparison, said second signal being representative of the magnitude of said first signal relative to the magnitude of said actuation points; second means for automatically, sequentially delivering the second signal to a next operable pump of a preselected pump sequence in response to said first signal being representative of a flow rate greater than the flow rate magnitude of the next actuation point of greater magnitude and transferring the second signal along the sequence of pumps to said next operational pump in response to the next pump in sequence being other than an operable pump and for terminating operation of each pump in response to said first signal being representative of a flow rate less than the flow rate magnitude of the actuation point of the respective last pump actuated, the order of said termination being in the reverse of the sequence of actuation; and third means for automatically terminating operation of a particular pump and actuating a next operable pump of the preselected pump sequence in response to the operation of a safety switch associated with said particular pump.

Claim 8

In a system for passing liquid from a liquid supply source through a plurality of outlets while varying the total rate of liquid being discharged from the outlets, said system having a plurality of pumps connected to the liquid supply source and the outlets, means for measuring the flow rate of the liquid passing to the outlets and delivering a first signal representative of and in response to said measured flow rate, and means for actuating a first pump for delivering liquid from the liquid supply source through at least one of the outlets, the improvement comprising: first means for comparing said first signal to the plurality of preset actuation points and delivering a second signal in response to said comparison, said second signal being representative of the magnitude of said first signal relative to the magnitude of said actuation points; second means for automatically, sequentially delivering the second signal to a next operable pump of a preselected pump sequence in response to said first signal being representative of a flow rate greater than the flow rate magnitude of the next actuation point of greater magnitude and transferring the second signal along the sequence of pumps to said next operational pump in response to the next pump in sequence being other than an operable pump and for terminating operation of each pump in response to said first signal being representative of a flow rate less than the flow rate magnitude of the actuation point of the respective last pump actuated, the order of said termination being in the reverse of the sequence of actuation; and third means for automatically terminating operation of a particular pump and actuating a next operable pump of the preselected pump sequence in response to the operation of a safety switch associated with said particular pump.

Claim 9

An apparatus, as set forth in claim 6, wherein the first means comprises an electronic monitor switch operably connected to the flow rate-signal means.

Claim 10

An apparatus, as set forth in claim 6, wherein the second and third means comprises a plurality of transfer relays and associated flow switches operably connected to the pumps.