Apparatus for metering, mixing and dispensing fluids

Claim 2

Apparatus fo dispensing a plurality of fluids in a predetermined volumetric ratio which comprises, a fluid pressure cylinder and piston for each of the fluids to be dispensed, means including valving by which each said cylinder is adapted to receive a said fluid and to dispense the same responsive respectively to relative movement of said cylinder and piston in one direction and another direction, means operable to cause said relative movement of said cylinders and pistons for said fluids respectively at rates which are in a ratio coordinated with said volumetric ratio so that fluids are dispensed from said cylinder in said volumetric ratio, in addition to said operable means a source of another fluid under pressure, said other fluid being inert with respect to the first mentioned fluids, and means operable to introduce said other fluid into each said cylinder on the side of said piston to promote said relative movement in said other direction.

Claim 3

The structure defined in claim 1 wherein said cylinders and pistons have substantially the same effective diameters and said volumetric and rate ratios are substantially the same.

Claim 4

Apparatus for dispensing a plurality of fluids in a predetermined volumetric ratio which comprises, a fluid pressure cylinder and piston for each of the fluids to be dispensed, means including valving by which each said cylinder is adapted to receive a said fluid and to dispense the same responsive, respectively, to relative movement of said cylinder and piston in one direction and another direction, means for applying motive force to effect said relative movement, a recirculating ball nut and screw assembly for each said cylinder and piston, said assemblies being interconnected so that when they are driven said nut and screw of each assembly move relative to each other and the rates of relative movement are in a ratio coordinated with said volumetric ratio, each said assembly being connected so that its said rate of movement controls the rate of relative movement of its respective cylinder and piston, a source of another fluid under pressure, said other fluid being inert with respect to the first-mentioned fluids, and means operable to introduce said other fluid into each said cylinder on the side of said piston to promote said relative movement in said other direction.

Claim 5

Apparatus for dispensing a plurality of fluids in a predetermined volumetric ratio which comprises, a fluid pressure cylinder and piston for each of the fluids to be dispensed, means including valving by which each said cylinder is adapted to receive a said fluid and to dispense the same responsive, respectively, to relative movement of said cylinder and piston in one direction and another direction, means for applying motive force to effect said relative movement, a recirculating ball nut and screw assembly for each said cylinder and piston, said assemblies being interconnected so that when they are driven said nut and screw of each assembly move relative to each other and the rates of relative movement are in a ratio coordinated with said volumetric ratio, each said assembly being connected so that its said rate of movement controls the rate of relative movement of its respective cylinder and piston, a source of another fluid under pressure, said other fluid being inert with respect to the first-mentioned fluids, and means operable to introduce said other fluid into each said cylinder on the side of said piston to promote said relative movement in said other direction.

Claim 6

The structure defined in claim 3 wherein the first-mentioned fluids and said other fluid are liquid.

Claim 7

The structure defined in claim 10 wherein said apparatus has a fluid mixing and dispensing head to which each said cylinder and piston deliver a first said fluid under pressure.

Claim 8

The structure defined in claim 5 and including, in addition, a source of each first-mentioned fluid under pressure, said valving being operable to connect each said cylinder on the side of said piston opposite the first-mentioned side selectively with a latter said source and with said head.

Claim 9

The structure defined in claim 4 wherein said apparatus has a fluid mixing and dispensing head to which each said cylinder and piston deliver a first said fluid under pressure, said apparatus also including for each said cylinder and piston another cylinder and piston also adapted to receive a first said fluid, said operable means being operable to introduce said other fluid into each said other cylinder on the side of its piston opposite from that exposed to said first fluid substantially simultaneously with introduction of said other fluid into the respective first-mentioned cylinder.

Claim 10

The structure defined in claim 7 and including means operable to elevate the pressure of said other fluid in each first-mentioned cylinder and other cylinder to at least about two thousand pounds per square inch.

Claim 11

The structure defined in claim 8 wherein said pressure is in the range of about two thousand pounds per square inch to about five thousand pounds per square inch.

Claim 12

The structure defined in claim 8 wherein said pressure is in the range of about two thousand pounds per square inch to about two thousand five hundred pounds per square inch.

Claim 13

The structure defined in claim 8 wherein each first-mentioned cylinder and its respective other cylinder are mounted substantially coaxially, the piston in the first-mentioned cylinder being movable away from and toward the piston in the other cylinder, respectively, in said one direction and said other direction.

Claim 14

The structure defined in claim 11 wherein the pistons in said other cylinders are movable solely under the influence of said fluids in said other cylinders.

Claim 15

Apparatus for dispensing a plurality of fluids in a predetermined volumetric ratio which comprises, a fluid pressure cylinder and piston for each of the fluids to be dispensed, means including valving by which each said cylinder is adapted to receive a said fluid and to dispense the same responsive, respectively, to relative movement of said cylinder and piston in one direction and another direction, means for applying motive force to effect said relative movement, a recirculating ball nut and screw assembly for each said cylinder and piston, said assemblies being interconnected so that when they are driven said nut and screw of each assembly more relative to each other and the rates of relative movement are in a ratio coordinated with said volumetric ratio, each said assembly being connected so that its said rate of movement controls the rate of relative movement of its respective cyliner and piston, said apparatus having a frame upon which said cylinders are mounted in stationary condition, each piston having a piston rod which extends to the exterior of its respective cylinder, each said screw being mounted in axially stationary condition on said frame, a gear mounted in driving relation on each said screw, a motor mounted on said frame, gearing on said frame driven by said motor and providing a common drive for said gears on said screws, said gears having relative diameters which determine the relative rate of rotation of said screws, each said nut being drivably connected to a carriage movable on said frame, the rate and direction of movement of each nut and its carriage being determined by the rate and direction of rotation of its screw and gear thereon, each said carriage being connected to a said piston rod and providing in part said means for applying motive force, a source of each said fluid under pressure, a fluid mixing and dispensing head to which each cylinder and piston deliver a said fluid under pressure, hydraulic circuitry which includes a line from said source to said head, a conduit connecting the interior of each cylinder into said line and valve means which in open and closed condition, respectively, establish and cut off hydraulic communication between said line and the interiors of said cylinders, and control circuitry operable to open and close said valve means, respectively, upon movement of said pistons in said one direction and said other direction, a tank for each cylinder, each tank containing another fluid under pressure, said other fluid being inert with respect to the first-mentioned fluids, and a hydraulic line connecting the interior of each tank with the interior of a said cyliner on the side of said piston opposite from that which is exposed to a first-mentioned fluid.

Claim 16

Apparatus for dispensing a plurality of fluids in a predetermined volumetric ratio which comprises, a fluid pressure cylinder and piston for each of the fluids to be dispensed, means including valving by which each said cylinder is adapted to receive a said fluid and to dispense the same responsive, respectively, to relative movement of said cylinder and piston in one direction and another direction, means for applying motive force to effect said relative movement, a recirculating ball nut and screw assembly for each said cylinder and piston, said assemblies being interconnected so that when they are driven said nut and screw of each assembly more relative to each other and the rates of relative movement are in a ratio coordinated with said volumetric ratio, each said assembly being connected so that its said rate of movement controls the rate of relative movement of its respective cyliner and piston, said apparatus having a frame upon which said cylinders are mounted in stationary condition, each piston having a piston rod which extends to the exterior of its respective cylinder, each said screw being mounted in axially stationary condition on said frame, a gear mounted in driving relation on each said screw, a motor mounted on said frame, gearing on said frame driven by said motor and providing a common drive for said gears on said screws, said gears having relative diameters which determine the relative rate of rotation of said screws, each said nut being drivably connected to a carriage movable on said frame, the rate and direction of movement of each nut and its carriage being determined by the rate and direction of rotation of its screw and gear thereon, each said carriage being connected to a said piston rod and providing in part said means for applying motive force, a source of each said fluid under pressure, a fluid mixing and dispensing head to which each cylinder and piston deliver a said fluid under pressure, hydraulic circuitry which includes a line from said source to said head, a conduit connecting the interior of each cylinder into said line and valve means which in open and closed condition, respectively, establish and cut off hydraulic communication between said line and the interiors of said cylinders, and control circuitry operable to open and close said valve means, respectively, upon movement of said pistons in said one direction and said other direction, a tank for each cylinder, each tank containing another fluid under pressure, said other fluid being inert with respect to the first-mentioned fluids, and a hydraulic line connecting the interior of each tank with the interior of a said cyliner on the side of said piston opposite from that which is exposed to a first-mentioned fluid.

Claim 17

The structure defined in claim 13 wherein said head and said tanks are mounted on said frame.

Claim 18

The structure defined in claim 14 wherein said control circuitry is mounted on said frame.

Claim 19

Apparatus for dispensing a plurality of fluids in a predetermined volumetric ratio which comprises, a fluid pressure cylinder and piston for each of the fluids to be dispensed, means including valving by which each said cylinder is adapted to receive a said fluid and to dispense the same responsive, respectively, to relative movement of said cylinder and piston in one direction and another direction, means for applying motive force to effect said relative movement, a recirculating ball nut and screw assembly for each said cylinder and piston, said assemblies being interconnected so that when they are driven said nut and screw of each assembly more relative to each other and the rates of relative movement are in a ratio coordinated with said volumetric ratio, each said assembly being connected so that its said rate of movement controls the rate of relative movement of its respective cylinder and piston, a source of another fluid under pressure, said apparatus including for each said cylinder and piston another cylinder and piston adapted to receive said other fluid, means operable to introduce said other fluid into each said other cylinder, means operable to elevate the pressure of said other fluid in each said other cylinder to at least about 2000 lbs. per square inch, means effective to transmit the resulting force of said other fluid on each said other piston to the fluid in its respective first-mentioned cylinder.

Claim 20

Apparatus for dispensing a plurality of fluids in a predetermined volumetric ratio which comprises, a fluid pressure cylinder and piston for each of the fluids to be dispensed, means including valving by which each said cylinder is adapted to receive a said fluid and to dispense the same responsive, respectively, to relative movement of said cylinder and piston in one direction and another direction, means for applying motive force to effect said relative movement, a recirculating ball nut and screw assembly for each said cylinder and piston, said assemblies being interconnected so that when they are driven said nut and screw of each assembly more relative to each other and the rates of relative movement are in a ratio coordinated with said volumetric ratio, each said assembly being connected so that its said rate of movement controls the rate of relative movement of its respective cylinder and piston, a source of another fluid under pressure, said apparatus including for each said cylinder and piston another cylinder and piston adapted to receive said other fluid, means operable to introduce said other fluid into each said other cylinder, means operable to elevate the pressure of said other fluid in each said other cylinder to at least about 2000 lbs. per square inch, means effective to transmit the resulting force of said other fluid on each said other piston to the fluid in its respective first-mentioned cylinder.

Claim 21

Apparatus for dispensing a plurality of fluids in a predetermined volumetric ratio which comprises, a fluid pressure cylinder and piston for each of the fluids to be dispensed, means including valving by which each said cylinder is adapted to receive a said fluid and to dispense the same responsive respectively to relative movement of said cylinder and piston in one direction and another direction, means operable to cause said relative movement of said cylinders and pistons for said fluids respectively at rates which are in a ratio coordinated with said volumetric ratio so that fluids are disposed from said cylinders in said volumetric ratio, a source of another fluid under pressure, said other fluid being inert with respect to the first mentioned fluids, and means operable to introduce said other fluid into each said cylinder on the side of said piston to promote said relative movement in said other direction, means providing for each said cylinder and piston another cylinder and piston adapted to receive said other fluid, means operable to introduce said other fluid into each said other cylinder, means operable to elevate the pressure of said other fluid in each said other cylinder to at least about 2,000 lbs. per square inch, and means effective to transmit the resulting force of said other fluid on each said other piston to the fluid in its respective first-mentioned cylinder.

Claim 22

Apparatus for dispensing a plurality of fluids in a predetermined volumetric ratio which comprises, a fluid pressure cylinder and piston for each of the fluids to be dispensed, means including valving by which each said cylinder is adapted to receive a said fluid and to dispense the same responsive respectively to relative movement of said cylinder and piston in one direction and another direction, means operable to cause said relative movement of said cylinders and pistons for said fluids respectively at rates which are in a ratio coordinated with said volumetric ratio so that fluids are disposed from said cylinders in said volumetric ratio, a source of another fluid under pressure, said other fluid being inert with respect to the first mentioned fluids, and means operable to introduce said other fluid into each said cylinder on the side of said piston to promote said relative movement in said other direction, means providing for each said cylinder and piston another cylinder and piston adapted to receive said other fluid, means operable to introduce said other fluid into each said other cylinder, means operable to elevate the pressure of said other fluid in each said other cylinder to at least about 2,000 lbs. per square inch, and means effective to transmit the resulting force of said other fluid on each said other piston to the fluid in its respective first-mentioned cylinder.