US4062373A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for mixing gases
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1977-04-25
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Granted: 1977-12-13
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Expires: 1997-04-25
Abstract
Abstract A method of accurately mixing gases in desired proportions which comprises establishing the gases to be mixed at a uniform pressure; sequentially feeding the gases through a common restrictor for proportionate time periods to give the gas mix desired. The apparatus used includes a pressurizing gas reservoir unit which adjusts all gases to be mixed to have a common pressure; electronically actuated rapid response fluidic interface valves; a common restrictor through which the gases are passed to a receiving and mixing chamber; and timing means controlling the valves to allow gases to be sequentially passed therethrough for pre-set time periods.
Inventors
- 👤 Justin S. Clark
- 👤 Wm. Dean Wallace
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 15:29
CPC Classifications
G; G05; G05D; G05D11/00; G05D11/02; G05D11/13; G05D11/131; G05D11/133; B; B01; B01F; B01F23/00; B01F23/10; B01F23/19; G05D11/132; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T137/00; Y10T137/0318; Y10T137/0324; Y10T137/0329; Y10T137/0352; Y10T137/8593; Y10T137/86389; Y10T137/86445; Y10T137/86461; Y10T137/87571; Y10T137/87676; Y10T137/87684; Y10T137/87692
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
121 words
A gas mixing system comprising a plurality of sources of diverse gases under pressure; a common restrictor having an inlet and an outlet; a conduit connecting each said source of diverse gas to said restrictor inlet; means for stabilizing the pressure of gas in each conduit to be essentially the same as the pressure of gas in each other said conduit upstream of the restrictor; a mixing chamber; means connecting the outlet of the restrictor to the mixing chamber; and means for sequentially allowing flow through each conduit with the time of flow through the restrictor from the conduit being proportional to a desired ratio of the gas passing through the conduit in a mix of gases in the mixing chamber.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
121 words
A gas mixing system comprising a plurality of sources of diverse gases under pressure; a common restrictor having an inlet and an outlet; a conduit connecting each said source of diverse gas to said restrictor inlet; means for stabilizing the pressure of gas in each conduit to be essentially the same as the pressure of gas in each other said conduit upstream of the restrictor; a mixing chamber; means connecting the outlet of the restrictor to the mixing chamber; and means for sequentially allowing flow through each conduit with the time of flow through the restrictor from the conduit being proportional to a desired ratio of the gas passing through the conduit in a mix of gases in the mixing chamber.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
83 words
A gas mixture system as in claim 1, wherein the means for stabilizing the pressure of gas in each conduit to be essentially the same as the pressure in each other said conduit comprises a pressurizing reservoir; means coupling each said conduit at a location upstream of the common restrictor to the pressurizing reservoir; and means to leak gases from said pressurizing reservoir at a rate lower than the rate at which gas is supplied to said reservoir from each of said conduits.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
125 words
A gas mixing system as in claim 2, wherein the means for stabilizing the pressure of gas in each conduit to be essentially the same as the pressure in each other said conduit comprises an isobaric balancing apparatus having a plurality of inlets each in a separate leg thereof and each connected by conduits to one of said sources of diverse gases under pressure and having pressure responsive means between said legs; a pressure regulating control valve in the conduit connecting one of said diverse gases to one leg of the isobaric balancing apparatus; and a sensing means fixed in the housing responsive to movement of said pressure responsive means in each other said leg beyond limits determined by the position of the sensing means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
224 words
A gas mixing system comprising a plurality of sources of diverse gases under pressure; an isobaric balancing apparatus having a plurality of inlets each in a separate leg thereof and each connected by conduits to one of said sources of diverse gases under pressure and having pressure responsive means between the legs; a pressure regulating control valve in the conduit connecting one of said diverse gases to one leg of the isobaric balancing apparatus; a sensing means fixed in the housing responsive to movement of said pressure responsive means in each other said leg beyond limits determined by the position of the sensing means; a valve in each conduit connecting each other source of diverse gas to the isobaric balancing apparatus, said control valve being opened and closed in response to movement of said pressure responsive means in the associated leg; an outlet conduit connected to each leg of the isobaric balancing apparatus; a control valve in each outlet conduit; a common restrictor having its inlet connected to each of the outlet conduits; a mixing vessel connected to the discharge of the restrictor; and circuit means for operating the valves and control valves, whereby the valves are operated in response to movement of the pressure responsive means and the control valves are sequentially opened for timed periods according to timers in the circuit means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
224 words
A gas mixing system comprising a plurality of sources of diverse gases under pressure; an isobaric balancing apparatus having a plurality of inlets each in a separate leg thereof and each connected by conduits to one of said sources of diverse gases under pressure and having pressure responsive means between the legs; a pressure regulating control valve in the conduit connecting one of said diverse gases to one leg of the isobaric balancing apparatus; a sensing means fixed in the housing responsive to movement of said pressure responsive means in each other said leg beyond limits determined by the position of the sensing means; a valve in each conduit connecting each other source of diverse gas to the isobaric balancing apparatus, said control valve being opened and closed in response to movement of said pressure responsive means in the associated leg; an outlet conduit connected to each leg of the isobaric balancing apparatus; a control valve in each outlet conduit; a common restrictor having its inlet connected to each of the outlet conduits; a mixing vessel connected to the discharge of the restrictor; and circuit means for operating the valves and control valves, whereby the valves are operated in response to movement of the pressure responsive means and the control valves are sequentially opened for timed periods according to timers in the circuit means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
143 words
A gas mixing system as in claim 4, further including means to calibrate the system to accommodate diverse gases, and means including a plurality of calibration conduits connected to the inlet of the restrictor; means for directing flow from said restrictor to the calibration conduits; a second isobaric balancing apparatus having a leg of known volume to receive each calibration conduit and pressure responsive means separating the legs; a valve in each calibration conduit; means ganging each control valve to a valve in a calibration conduit for corresponding movement; a counter connected to each ganged set of valves; means for holding the ganged valves closed when the pressure in their associated legs are above the pressures in the other legs; and wherein the circuit means includes means to generate a pulse to sequentially open the said ganged valve for a fixed time period.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
124 words
A method of mixing gases, which comprises the steps of a. individually supplying the gases to be mixed from pressurized sources to a mixing chamber through a common restrictor, said gases being individually supplied from the pressurized sources at a rate above that at which they are supplied through the common restrictor to the mixing chamber; b. supplying a portion of each said gas to be mixed, upstream of the common restrictor, to a pressurizing chamber to thereby provide a common pressure head to each of the gases; and c. regulating the flow of each gas through the common restrictor according to a time that is proportionate to the desired concentration of the gas in the mixing chamber and flow ratios of the gases.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
124 words
A method of mixing gases, which comprises the steps of a. individually supplying the gases to be mixed from pressurized sources to a mixing chamber through a common restrictor, said gases being individually supplied from the pressurized sources at a rate above that at which they are supplied through the common restrictor to the mixing chamber; b. supplying a portion of each said gas to be mixed, upstream of the common restrictor, to a pressurizing chamber to thereby provide a common pressure head to each of the gases; and c. regulating the flow of each gas through the common restrictor according to a time that is proportionate to the desired concentration of the gas in the mixing chamber and flow ratios of the gases.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
36 words
A method of mixing gases as in claim 6, further comprising regulating discharge from the pressurizing chamber to provide a constant leak having a flow rate less than that of each said gas entering said chamber.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method of mixing gases as in claim 7, wherein a choked flow condition is maintained across the common restrictor.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method of mixing gases as in claim 8, wherein a choked flow condition is maintained across the common restrictor and across a restrictor controlling the rate of discharge from the pressurizing chamber.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method of mixing gases as in claim 6, wherein a choked flow condition is maintained across the common restrictor.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1980-12-12 | 1981-06-13 | 1981-12-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-12-12 | 1985-06-13 | 1985-12-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-12-12 | 1989-06-13 | 1989-12-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |