Gas proportioner means and method

Claim 2

In a fluid proportioner for obtaining a predetermined mixture of two fluids supplied from first and second different fluid sources, the improvement comprising, pressure responsive means for stopping fluid flow of both said fluids through said proportioner in response to an indication that one of said sources has fallen below a predetermined supply pressure, said pressure responsive means utilizing fluid pressure from said fluid sources for actuation without the need for auxiliary power, said fluid proportioner having first and second flow meters connected to said first and second fluid sources for reading flow therefrom during initial calibration of said fluid proportioner, and bypass means for causing fluid bypass of said flow meters during normal operation of said fluid proportioneR after said initial calibration.

Claim 3

The improvement of claim 1 and further comprising said pressure responsive means being responsive to an indication that said one source has risen to a predetermined supply pressure to permit fluid flow of both said fluids through said proportioner.

Claim 4

In a fluid proportioner for obtaining a predetermined mixture of fluids comprising, at least two fluid inlet conduits, each of said inlet conduits having a flow meter and flow control means, a common conduit interconnecting said inlet conduits and connecting with an automatic fluid supply control valve means for permitting passage of fluid at fluid pressures below a first predetermined low pressure and cutting off fluid flow at a second predetermined pressure higher than said first pressure, said fluid supply control valve means comprising a mechanical actuator responsive to said first fluid pressure and said second fluid pressure for permitting and cutting off fluid flow respectively, a surge tank interconnected with said automatic fluid supply control valve means for receiving fluid from said common conduit through said automatic fluid supply control valve means, said first and second pressures being sensed between said automatic fluid supply control valve means and said surge tank, a tank outlet means for delivering fluid from said tank, a line pressure regulator in said tank outlet means for allowing fluid flow therethrough at a pressure below said second predetermined pressure, the improvement comprising automatic shutdown means for independently permitting or cutting of fluid flow through said fluid supply control valve means in response to fluid pressure sensed in said inlet conduits, said automatic shutdown means being operable solely by fluid pressure without the need for an auxiliary power supply.

Claim 5

In a fluid proportioner for obtaining a predetermined mixture of fluids comprising, at least two fluid inlet conduits, each of said inlet conduits having a flow meter and flow control means, a common conduit interconnecting said inlet conduits and connecting with an automatic fluid supply control valve means for permitting passage of fluid at fluid pressures below a first predetermined low pressure and cutting off fluid flow at a second predetermined pressure higher than said first pressure, said fluid supply control valve means comprising a mechanical actuator responsive to said first fluid pressure and said second fluid pressure for permitting and cutting off fluid flow respectively, a surge tank interconnected with said automatic fluid supply control valve means for receiving fluid from said common conduit through said automatic fluid supply control valve means, said first and second pressures being sensed between said automatic fluid supply control valve means and said surge tank, a tank outlet means for delivering fluid from said tank, a line pressure regulator in said tank outlet means for allowing fluid flow therethrough at a pressure below said second predetermined pressure, the improvement comprising automatic shutdown means for independently permitting or cutting of fluid flow through said fluid supply control valve means in response to fluid pressure sensed in said inlet conduits, said automatic shutdown means being operable solely by fluid pressure without the need for an auxiliary power supply.

Claim 6

The improvement of claim 3 and further comprising, said automatic shutdown means comprising, first and second mechanical actuators for operating associated first and second valves aligned in series in a fluid flow path to said fluid supply control valve means whereby fluid flow through said path permits fluid flow through said automatic fluid supply control valve means whereas interruption of fluid flow through said path prevents actuation of said last-mentioned means to its opened position, each of said first and second mechanical actuators of said automatic shutdown means being interconnected with one of said two fluid inlet conduits and being responsive to fluid pressure sensed to stop fluid flow through said fluid path upon reaching a predetermined minimum fluid pressure in said inlet conduit associated with each mechanical actuator and further responsive to raising of fluid pressure in said inlet line to open said gas line.