Abstract:
A multiple fluid pumping system uses two or more fluid pumps each driven by a pneumatic piston or plunger and cylinder combination whose piston top stroke and bottom stroke positions are detected by reed switches in combination with a magnet attached to the piston. The top stroke reed switches are connected in series with one side of a two position pneumatic solenoid valve while the bottom stroke reed switches are connected in series with the other side of a two position penumatic solenoid valve. The circuit is designed to prevent one of the pistons from changing the direction of its stroke prior to the other piston reaching the end of its stroke. A further embodiment utilizes a magnet mounted on one pneumatically driven piston or plunger and a pair of reed switches mounted on the other penumatically driven piston or plunger to prevent one piston or plunger from moving faster or slover than the other piston or plunger.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE PRIOR ART 
     This invention relates generally to multiple fluid pumps, and in particular to multiple fluid pumps requiring an accurate ratioing of fluids being pumped. 
     A number of pumping systems of the prior art used devices to detect the end of stroke of the piston. 
     These devices for detecting the end of the piston stroke included toggle switches, induction switches and proximity switches of various types. The primary purpose of these devices was to count the number of piston strokes and thus measure the volume of fluid pumped knowing the piston diameter and length of stroke. 
     All of the prior art systems were designed to pump a single fluid or slurry. 
     They were not interested in accurate ratioing of two or more fluids. 
     Those devices that were interested in ratioing of two or more fluids utilized, variously, pumps which were mechanically geared together to cause them to pump at different rates. 
     When pumping fluids of different viscosities, these mechanically configured pumping systems could not accurately ratio the fluids at all pumping speeds without taking into consideration special design features relative to the differences in viscosity of each fluid. 
     For these prior art multiple fluid pumping systems, it was extremely difficult to change the pumping ratio. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A first component pump and a second component pump are driven by separate pneumatically actuated piston and cylinder combinations, each pneumatic piston comprising a magnet attached thereto with a pair of top and bottom stroke reed switches spaced apart along the exterior of the pneumatic cylinder for detecting the respective top and bottom stroke position of the piston. The top stroke reed switches are connected in series to the top stroke coil of a two position pneumatic solenoid valve while the bottom stroke reed switches are connected in series to the bottom stroke coil of the two-position pneumatic solenoid valve. An air supply is connected to the air input side of the two-position solenoid valve. The outlet side of the solenoid valve associated with the top stroke solenoid coil is connected in fluid communication with the top end of the two pneumatic cylinders while the outlet side of the two-position solenoid valve associated with the bottom stroke solenoid coil is connected in fluid communication with bottom end of the two pneumatic cylinders. Means are provided for adjusting the length of stroke of the piston of each piston and cylinder combination. 
     It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a multiple fluid pumping system, 
     It is a further object of the present invention for provide a multiple fluid pumping system in which the ratioing of the fluids is adjustable. 
     It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a multiple fluid pumping system in which viscosity of the fluids does not affect accuracy of ratioing or operation of the system. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide a multiple fluid pump utilizing a pneumatic actuating system for the fluid pumps. 
     These and other objects of the present invention will become manifest upon study of the following detailed description when taken together with the drawings. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of the multiple fluid pumping system of the present invention showing the general configuration and relationship of the operating elements to each other. 
     FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional, elevational view of the pneumatic piston and cylinder combination used to operate the positive displacement fluid pumps. 
     FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a further embodiment of the multiple fluid pumping system of the present invention showing a method for using the devices for detecting piston position as the means for regulating piston stroke length. 
     FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional, elevational view of a further embodiment of the present invention utilizing disposable cartridges in which pneumatically driven, disposable plungers are arranged to automatically compensate for differences in fluid viscosities and track each other along the length of the disposable cartridge. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     With reference to FIG. 1, there is illustrated a schematic diagram of the multiple fluid pumping system of the present invention comprising, basically, a first pneumatic piston and cylinder combination 10a and a second pneumatic piston and cylinder combination 10b. 
     The two pneumatic piston and cylinder combinations 10a and 10b are identical. The corresponding structural elements of each pneumatic piston and cylinder combination and equipment operated thereby, are identified by the same number, however, with the letter suffix &#34;a&#34; or &#34;b&#34; depending upon whether it is first pneumatic piston and cylinder combination 10a or second piston and cylinder combination 10b. In FIG. 2, the letter suffixes &#34;a&#34; and &#34;b&#34; are not used when identifying corresponding elements of the pneumatic piston and cylinder combinations 10a and 10b of FIGS. 1 and 3. 
     First piston and cylinder combination 10a comprises, basically a piston rod 12a connected to piston 14a on which is attached a magnet 16a, a cylinder 18a and an adjustment screw 20a proximate the top of cylinder 18a used to adjust the end of the top of stroke of piston 14a. 
     Piston rod 12a of first piston and cylinder combination 10a is used to actuate positive displacement pump 30a which is in fluid communication with liquid containing reservoir 32a. 
     In a like manner, second piston and cylinder combination 10b actuates positive displacement pump 30b which is in fluid communication with liquid containing reservoir 32b. 
     The outlet port 34a of positive displacement pump 30a feeds into conduit 36a as does outlet port 34b of positive displacement pump 30b. 
     The two fluids coming in opposite directions in conduit 36 from pumps 30a and 30b are fed into static mixing chamber 38 there they are mixed together prior to being ejected from nozzle 40. 
     The system for controlling pneumatic piston and cylinder combinations 10a and 10b comprises, basically, a first top stroke reed switch 50a located proximate the top of cylinder 18a adjacent piston 14a and magnet 16a when piston 14a reaches the top of its stroke, and a bottom stroke reed switch 52a located proximate the bottom of cylinder 18a adjacent magnet 16a when piston 14a reaches the bottom of its stroke. 
     A similar configuration of reed switches is arranged for piston and cylinder combination 20b. 
     Reed switches 50a, 50b, 52a and 52b are used to control the supply of air to piston and cylinder combinations 10a and 10b. 
     The specific function is to prevent the piston in one of the piston and cylinder combinations from beginning its return stroke until the piston in the other piston and cylinder combination has completed its corresponding stroke. 
     To accomplish this function, top stroke reed switch 50a, top stroke reed switch 50b and down stroke coil 60 of two-position pneumatic solenoid valve 62 and connected in series for power supply 64. Up stroke air vent solenoid valve 68 is connected in parallel with down stroke coil 60 in order to vent air from the bottom of cylinders 18a and 18b. 
     In a like manner, bottom stroke reed switch 52a, bottom stroke reed switch 52b and up stroke coil 66 of two-position solenoid valve 62 are connected in series to power supply 64. Down stroke air vent solenoid valve 70 is connected in parallel wth up stroke coil 66 in order to vent air from the top of cylinders 18a and 18b. 
     Air is supplied to inlet port 80 of two-position pneumatic solenoid valve 62 from air supply 82. 
     Downstroke air is supplied to downstroke air conduit 84 from outlet port 86 of two-position pneumatic solenoid valve 62. 
     Upstroke air is supplied to upstroke air conduit 88 from outlet port 90 of two-position pneumatic solenoid valve 62. 
     Downstroke air conduit 84 fluidly communicates outlet port 86 with the top of respective cylinders 18a and 18b, while upstroke air conduit 88 fluidly communicates outlet port 90 with the bottom of respective cylinders 18a and 18b. 
     With reference to FIG. 2, there is illustrated as cross-sectional, elevational view of a typical pneumatic piston and cylinder combination 10a and 10b, identified in FIG. 2 merely as pneumatic piston and cylinder combination 10. 
     As previously described, piston and cylinder combination 10 comprises a piston rod 12 connected to piston 14 to which is attached magnet 16, all of which is enclosed in cylinder 18. 
     In addition, piston and cylinder combination 10 further comprises a top cap 102 hermetically sealed to the top of cylinder 18 and a bottom cap 104 hermetically sealed to the bottom of cylinder 18. 
     Piston stroke adjustment screw 20 is adapted to pass through and engage the center of top cap 102. 
     Downstroke air inlet port 106 is provided in top cap 102 and is connected to be in fluid communication with downstroke air conduit 84. 
     Upstroke air inlet port 108 is provided in bottom cap 104 and is connected to be in fluid communication with upstroke air conduit 88. 
     Piston 14 comprises a packing seal member 114 sandwiched between pressure plates 116 and 118. By tightening nut 120, pressure is applied to plates 116 and 118 and packing 114 against collar 122. 
     Magnet 16 is shown in FIG. 2 as an annular ring attached to pressure plate 118 in which the magnetic field is adapted to extend radially outward for detection by and actuation of reed switches 50 and 52 when adjacent their location. 
     Operation 
     To operate the multiple fluid pumping system of the present invention, air is supplied from air supply 82 to inlet port 80 of two-position pneumatic solenoid valve 62 and is directed, as shown in FIG. 1, to upstroke outlet port 90 by energizing upstroke coil 66 of pneumatic two-position solenoid valve 62. 
     Air pressure is thus provided to upstroke conduit 88. Upon detection of air pressure in upstroke conduit 88 by pressure switch 69, normally closed pneumatic solenoid valve 70 is actuated to the open position in order to allow air in upper part cylinders 18a and 18b to vent to the atmosphere. 
     Air is thus supplied by conduit 88 to inlet ports 108a and 108b proximate the bottom of pneumatic piston and cylinder combinations 10a and 10b, respectively, causing respective piston 14a and 14b to begin their up stroke. As piston 14a and 14b rise in their respective cylinders 18a and 18b, fluid from reservoirs 32a and 32b are drawn into positive displacement pumps 30a and 30b, respectively. 
     Since adjustment screws 20a and 20b may be set at different point to stop the upward travel of pistons 14a and 14b, and since friction forces for each piston and cylinder combination and positive displacement pump may be different, either piston 14a or 14b may arrive at its top position before the other. 
     For example, if piston 14b arrived at its top position prior to piston 14a, reed switch 50b would be actuated by magnet 16b to the closed position. 
     Since piston 14a has not yet reached its top position, magnet 16a has not yet actuated reed switch 50a, thus it remains open. 
     Since reed switches 50a and 50b are connected in series, no current flows to downstroke coil 60 of pneumatic two-position solenoid valve 62. 
     When piston 14a reaches its top position, reed switch 50a is actuated to the closed position thus completing the circuit to downstroke coil 60 of two-position pneumatic air valve 62 and switching air from upstroke outlet port 90 to downstroke outlet port 86. 
     Air is then supplied by downstroke air conduit 84 to the top end of cylinders 18a and 18b through inlet ports 106a and 106b, respectively, causing pistons 14a and 14b to change direction and travel downwardly driving fluids in positive displacement pumps 30a and 30b into conduit 36 to be mixed together in static mixing chamber 38 prior to ejection from nozzle 40. 
     In a like manner, as described when the pistons reach the top of their stroke, as pistons 14a and 14b approach the bottom of their stroke proximate reed switches 52a and 52b, respectively, should piston 14a arrive at the bottom of its stroke first and actuate reed switch 14a first, because reed switch 14b if still open, and since reed switches 52a and 52b are connected in series, no current is able to reach upstroke coil 66 of two-position pneumatic solenoid air valve 62. 
     The moment reed switch 52b is actuated to the closed position by magnet 16b attached to piston 14b, the circuit to coil 66 is closed and two-position pneumatic solenoid valve 62 is switched to cause air to now flow out of upstroke outlet port 90 to repeat the pumping cycle. 
     With reference to FIG. 3, there is illustrated a further embodiment of the present invention in which adjustment screws 20a and 20b are eliminated. 
     For the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3, the top-of-stroke position or piston stroke length is controlled by the location of reed switches 50a and 50b along the outside of their respective cylinders 18a and 18b. 
     By thus controlling the top position of each piston, the length of stroke can be more easily adjusted to more easily adjust for different ratios of fluid volume. 
     The apparatus for pumping fluids from reservoirs 32a and 32b in FIG. 3 can be identical to the apparatus shown in FIG. 1 with the exception that a pair of control relays 120a and 120b are controlled by top-of-stroke reed switches 50a and 50b, respectively. 
     In addition, normally open solenoid valves 122a and 122b are placed in upstroke air conduit 88 proximate ports 108a and 108b, respectively, of cylinders 18a and 18b. 
     The purpose of normally open solenoid valves 122a and 122b is to hold either piston 14a or 14b in its top position pending arrival of the the other piston to its top position. 
     Control relays 120a and 120b are identical and comprise an actuating solenoid coil 126 (126a, 126b), two normally open contacts 128 (128a, 128b) and 130 (130a, 130b) and one normally closed contact 132 (132a, 132b). 
     Where, in FIG. 1, reed switches 50a and 50b were used to actuate solenoid coils 60 and 66, respectively, of two-position solenoid valve 62, in FIG. 3 reed switches 50a and 50b are used to actuate solenoid coils 126a and 126b of control relays 120a and 120b, respectively. 
     The contacts of control relays 120a and 120b are connected to control the flow of air into and out of cylinders 18a and 18b in a manner similar to that for FIG. 1. 
     Power supply 64 is connected in parallel to one side of reed switches 50a, 50b and 52a. 
     The other side of reed switch 52a is connected in series to reed switch 52b and then to upstroke coil 66 of pneumatic two-position solenoid valve 62. 
     Power supply 64 is also connected in parallel to one side of normally open solenoid valve 122a, one side of normally open relay contact 130a (relay 120a) and one side of normally open solenoid valve 122b. 
     The other side of normally open solenoid valve 122a is connected to one side of normally open relay contact 128a. 
     In a similar manner, the other side of normally open solenoid valve 122b is connected to one side of normally open relay contact 128b. 
     Normally open relay contact 128a (control relay 120a) is connected in series with normally closed relay contact 132b (control relay 120b) to ground. 
     In a similar manner, normally open relay contact 128b (control relay 120b) is connected in series to normally closed relay contact 132a (control relay 120) to ground. 
     Normally open relay contact 130a (control relay 120a) is connected in series with normally open relay contact 130b (control relay 120b) to downstroke coil 60 of pneumatic two-position solenoid valve 62. 
     Operation 
     To operate the multiple fluid pumping system of FIG. 3, air pressure is supplied to pneumatic two-position solenoid valve 62, in the position shown, providing air to outlet port 90 and air pressure to upstroke air conduit 88. 
     Pressure in conduit 88 actuates pressure switch 69 which in turn actuates solenoid valve 70 to vent exhaust air from the upper portion of cylinders 18a and 18b through downstroke conduit to the atmosphere. 
     As pistons 14a and 14b are forced upward by air entering ports 108a and 108b, reed switches 50a and 50b will remain in the the open or unactuated position. 
     Control relays 120a and 120b will also remain in the open or unactuated position as shown in FIG. 3. 
     Relay contacts 128a and 128b, which are used to control normally open solenoid valves 122a and 122b, will also remain in the open position so that air will continue to flow through normally open solenoid valves 122a and 122b into ports 108a and 108b, respectively. 
     As pistons 14a and 14b rise in cylinders 18a and 18b, respectively, the drag forces on each piston and positive displacement pump combination will be different due to friction as well as viscous drag forces. This will cause each piston to rise at a different rate of speed. 
     If, for example, piston 14a reaches the top of its stroke before piston 14b whereby reed switch 50a is actuated by magnet 16a, reed switch 50a will close causing current to flow from power supply 64 through actuating coil 126a of control relay 120a. 
     Upon actuation, normally open relay contacts 128a and 130a will close and normally closed relay contact 132a will open. 
     When relay contact 128a is closed, because it is connected in series with normally closed relay contact 132b (control relay 120b), solenoid valve 122a will be energized to the closed position entrapping the air in the lower portion of cylinder 18a thus preventing air from entering or leaving cylinder 14a through port 108a. Thus piston 14a will be held in its top-of-stroke position as determined by the location of reed switch 50a along the outside surface of cylinder 18a. 
     Piston 14b will continue its upward travel 
     With relay contact 130a closed and relay contact 130b still open, no power can be provided to downstroke coil 60 of pneumatic two-position solenoid valve 62 to alter the flow of air to piston 14b. 
     As soon as piston 14b reaches the top of its stroke whereby reed switch 50b is actuated to the closed position by magnet 16b, solenoid coil 126b of control relay 120b is actuated causing normally open contacts 128b and 130b to close and normally closed contact 132b to open. 
     In this position, normally open solenoid valve 122b would typically be energized to close and entrap air in the lower portion of cylinder 18b thus holding piston 14b at the top of its stroke. 
     However, since relay contact 132a (control relay 120a) is open, and relay contact 128b (control relay 120b) is connected in series with relay contact 132a, solenoid valve 122b will not be energized. In addition, since relay contact 132b (control relay 120b) is now open and is connected in series with relay contact 128a (control relay 120a) controlling solenoid valve 122a, solenoid 122a will be de-energized and be cause to open thus allowing air entrapped in the lower portion of cylinder 18a to escape to upstroke air conduit 88. 
     Concurrently, since both contacts 130a and 130b are now closed, downstroke coil 60 of pneumatic two-position solenoid valve 62 is energized causing air from air supply 82 to be switched to outlet port 86 to provide air pressure to downstroke conduit 84. 
     In a manner similar to that described for the apparatus of FIG. 1, pistons 14a and 14b are now driven downwardly to the bottom of their stroke and the pumping cycle is again repeated. 
     It can be seen, that by adjusting the position of reed switches 50a and 50b along the outside of their respective cylinders 18a and 18b, the upward length of piston travel and thus pumping volume can be adjusted. 
     Furthermore, since neither piston can begin either its upward or downward stroke before the other, any delays in piston travel due to differences in viscosity of the fluids being pumped is automatically compensated for during each piston stroke. 
     With respect to FIG. 4, there is illustrated a further embodiment of the present invention in which a pair of reed switches are used in conjunction with a permanent magnet to control the movements of plungers in adjacent, parallel disposed, disposable cartridges. 
     Each cartridge can be of a different diameter but must be of the same length. 
     For a two-component epoxy resin combination, the ratio of cartridge diameters determines the ratioing of the resin components. 
     The embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4 comprises, basically, a first disposable cartridge 202 having a necked down top opening 204 and having an open bottom end 206 adapted to receive a disposable first plunger 208, and a second disposable cartridge 212 having a necked down top opening 214 and an open bottom end 216 adapted to receive a disposable second plunger 218. 
     The bottom end 206 of first disposable cartridge 202 is also adapted to engage the end of first air supply plenum 220 to form an air-tight seal. 
     The bottom end 216 of second disposable cartridge 212 is also adapted to engage the end of second air supply plenum 222 to form an air-tight seal. 
     The output side 226 of first plenum solenoid valve 228 is connected in fluid communication with first plenum 220 through conduit 230, while the output side 234 of second plenum solenoid valve 236 is connected in fluid communication with second plenum 222 through conduit 238. The input side 242 of first plenum solenoid valve 228 and the input side 244 of second plenum solenoid valve 236 are connected in common and are in fluid communication with the output side 246 of main air supply solenoid valve 248, through conduit 250, whose input side 252 is in fluid communication with air supply 254 through conduit 256. 
     Top end or neck 204 of first disposable cartridge 202 and top end or neck 214 of second disposable cartridge 212 are connected in fluid communication and in common to static mixing chamber 260 from which the mixed fluids are ejected through nozzle 262. 
     In order to detect the relative positions of first plunger 208 and second plunger 218, a first reed switch 270 and a second reed switch 272 are attached to the inside of first plunger 208 and spaced apart longitudinally along plunger 208. 
     A permanent magnet 274 is attached to the inside of second plunger 218 in magnetic proximity to first and second reed switches 270 and 272, respectively. 
     First and second reed switches 270 and 272 are electrically connected in series through electrical conductor 276, with one side of first reed switch 270 electrically connected to one side of first plunger solenoid valve 228 through electrical conductor 278 and with one side of second reed switch 272 electrically connected to second plunger solenoid valve 236 through electrical conductor 280. The other side of first solenoid valve 228 and the other side of second solenoid valve 236 are connected to ground. 
     One side of main air solenoid valve 248 is electrically connected to the load side of normally open pushbutton. The line side of pushbutton 282 is electrically connected to the output side 284 of power supply 286. 
     The other side of main air solenoid valve 248 is connected to ground. 
     To supply electrical energy to reed switches 270 and 272, the load side of pushbutton 282 is electrically connected through conductor 288 to conductor 276 which electrically connects reed switches 270 and 272 in series. 
     Operation 
     To operate the embodiment of FIG. 4, first and second reed switches 270 and 272, respectively, are attached to the inside of first disposable plunger 208 as by self-adhesive tape or the like. In a similar manner, permanent magnet 274 is attached to the inside of second disposable plunger 218 as by self-adhesive tape or the like. 
     The bottom end 206 of first disposable cartridge 202 is placed in air-tight sealed relation onto first air plenum 220. In a like manner, the bottom end 216 of second disposable cartridge 212 is placed in air-tight sealed relation to second air plenum 222. 
     After nozzle 262 is placed in position to inject the adhesive mixture, pushbutton 282 is depressed to electrically connect main air solenoid valve 248 and first and second reed switches 270 and 272, respectively, to power supply 286. 
     Thus energized, main air supply solenoid valve 248 is actuated to supply pressurized air from air supply 254 to input side 242 of first plenum solenoid valve 228 and input side 244 of solenoid valve 236 through conduit 250. 
     While pushbutton 282 remains depressed, first reed switch 270 and second reed switch 272 will be supplied a voltage through electrical conductor 288 and series conductor 276. 
     If magnet 274 is located approximately equidistant between first reed switch 270 and second reed switch 272, both reed switches will be actuated thus providing electrical energy to first plenum solenoid valve 228 and second plenum solenoid valve 236 causing them to be actuated to provide air pressure to first plenum 220 and second plenum 222. The air pressure will then cause first disposable plunger 208 and second disposable plunger 218 to be pushed toward first neck 204 and second neck 214, respectively. 
     Because of the differences in viscosities of the fluids in each disposable container 202 and 212, the velocities of each plunger will be different whereby one plunger will tend to overtake the other plunger. 
     Should plunger 218 begin to overtake plunger 208, the magnetic field of magnet 274 will become less effective on second reed switch 276 as magnet 274 moves farther away. At that point, second reed switch 272 will open causing second plenum solenoid valve 236 to close thus cutting off the air supply to plenum 222 and causing plunger 218 to stop advancing any further toward neck 214. 
     In the meanwhile, air is still being supplied to plenum 220 permitting first plunger 208 to move further toward first neck 204 and to bring second reed switch 272 closer to permanent magnet 274. When second reed switch 272 is again activated by the magnetic field of magnet 274, air is again supplied to plenum 222 causing plunger 218 to resume its movement toward second neck 214. 
     In a like manner, if first plunger 208 advances toward first neck 204 faster than second plunger 218, reed switch 270 would become inactivated causing first solenoid valve 228 to close thus cutting off the air supply to first plenum 220. This would cause first plunger 208 to stop until the movement of second plunger 218 was sufficient to cause the magnetic field of magnet 274 to actuate first reed switch 270. Thus energized, first plenum solenoid valve would again provide air pressure to first plenum 220 to cause first plunger 208 to resume its movement toward first neck 204. 
     Thus, first plunger 208 and second plunger 218 are caused to move in unison toward their respective neck ends 204 and 214, independent of any differences in viscosity of the fluids in each disposable container or friction between the plungers and their respective disposable containers. 
     In some cases it may be desirable to &#34;fine tune&#34; the magnetic field strength of magnet 274. In such case, magnet 274 can comprise an iron core solenoid in which the DC electrical current to the solenoid can be adjusted using a variable resistance, potentiometer or the like (not shown). By &#34;fine tuning&#34; or adjusting the DC current in magnet 274 so that smaller movements of plungers 208 and 218 can be detected by reed switches 270 and 272, the accuracy of ratioing can be further controlled. 
     Although the apparatus of the present invention has been described in detail, it is intended that the scope of this invention shall not be limited by such detailed description except as provided in the claims.