Abstract This invention provides means for automatically collecting waste liquids and for simultaneously feeding these liquids into water recovery processes. The invention includes first and second tanks with first and second two-way solenoid valves associated with each of the tanks. The first solenoid valve is connected to the liquid source and its associated tank so as to allow liquid to flow into the tank when the valve is in its normal position and to allow the liquid to flow out of the tank when the valve is in its actuated position. The second valve is connected to its associated tank and a gas supply so as to allow gas inside the tank to flow out when the valve is in its normal position and to allow gas to flow from the gas supply into the tank when the valve is in its actuated position. Control circuit means are included for actuating the two valves associated with the first tank and not actuating the valves associated with the second tank when both said first tank is filled and said second tank is emptied and for not actuating the two valves associated with said first tank and for actuating the two valves associated with said second tank when both said first tank is emptied and said second tank is filled, whereby both tanks are alternately filled and emptied. The invention also includes means for indicating which tank is being filled and which tank is being emptied, means for indicating the liquid level in each of the tanks, means for counting the number of times the first and second tanks are filled and means for making the invention operable in a near-zero gravity environment.
An automatic liquid inventory collecting and dispensing unit comprising: first and second tanks; first and second two-way solenoid valves associated with each of said tanks with the first coupled to a liquid source and its associated tank for allowing the liquid to flow into the tank when the first valve is in its normal position and for allowing the liquid to flow out of the tank when the first valve is in its actuated position and with the second valve connected to its associated tank and a pressurized gas supply for allowing gas inside the tank to flow out when the valve is in its normal position and for allowing gas to flow from the gas supply into the tank when the valve is in its actuated position; control circuit means for actuating the two valves associated with said first tank and not actuating the two valves associated with the said second tank when both said first tank is filled with liquid and said second tank is emptied for not actuating the two valves associated with said first tank and for actuating the two valves associated with said second tank when both said first tank is emptied and said second tank is filled with liquid whereby said first and second tanks are alternately filled and emptied; said control circuit means including a piston inside each of said first and second tanks to form a compartment inside each tank for the liquid and a compartment inside the tank for the gas and including a potentiometer associated with each of said tanks and means attached to each said potentiometer and the associated piston for varying the potentiometer in accordance with the movement of said piston.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
283 words
An automatic liquid inventory collecting and dispensing unit comprising: first and second tanks; first and second two-way solenoid valves associated with each of said tanks with the first coupled to a liquid source and its associated tank for allowing the liquid to flow into the tank when the first valve is in its normal position and for allowing the liquid to flow out of the tank when the first valve is in its actuated position and with the second valve connected to its associated tank and a pressurized gas supply for allowing gas inside the tank to flow out when the valve is in its normal position and for allowing gas to flow from the gas supply into the tank when the valve is in its actuated position; control circuit means for actuating the two valves associated with said first tank and not actuating the two valves associated with the said second tank when both said first tank is filled with liquid and said second tank is emptied for not actuating the two valves associated with said first tank and for actuating the two valves associated with said second tank when both said first tank is emptied and said second tank is filled with liquid whereby said first and second tanks are alternately filled and emptied; said control circuit means including a piston inside each of said first and second tanks to form a compartment inside each tank for the liquid and a compartment inside the tank for the gas and including a potentiometer associated with each of said tanks and means attached to each said potentiometer and the associated piston for varying the potentiometer in accordance with the movement of said piston.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
A liquid and dispensing unit according to claim 1 including means for measuring the output of said potentiometer to give an indication of the liquid level in the tank.