Flow measurement and control system for positive displacement pumps

Abstract

A pump monitoring and flow control system that provides direct indication of discharge flow on a positive displacement or diaphragm injection-type pumps. The device uses a “tell-tale” check valve that drives a proximity switch each time the valve, installed as the output check valve on a standard injection pump, opens with discharge flow. The proximity switch in turn signals the monitoring system while flow control is accomplished through an adjustable volume chamber in series with the output check valve.

1 . An indicating check valve for controlling the direction of flow of fluid comprising: 
 a poppet assembly having a poppet pin;    an upper body having a poppet pin aperture and adapted to receive said poppet assembly such that said poppet pin passes through said poppet pin aperture; and,    a lower body adapted to receive said upper body and having an inlet port and an outlet port.    
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1  wherein said poppet assembly controls the direction of flow of fluid from said inlet port to said outlet port thereby providing the indicating check valve with a closed position and with an open position such that in said closed position no fluid flows between said inlet port and said outlet port and such that in said open position fluid flows from said inlet port to said outlet port and whereby when the indicating check valve is in said open position or said closed position said poppet pin shows that the indicating check valve is in said open position or said closed position.  
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 2  wherein said poppet assembly has a top and a bottom wherein said poppet pin is attached to said top of said poppet assembly and wherein when said indicating check valve is in said closed position said bottom of said poppet assembly rests against said inlet port and wherein said indicating check valve further comprises: 
 sealing means between said bottom of said poppet assembly and said inlet port.  
 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 3  wherein said sealing means comprises an o-ring placed within an o-ring groove formed in said bottom of said poppet.  
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 3  wherein said sealing means comprises a ball and seat assembly.  
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 3  wherein said sealing means comprises a metal to metal seal assembly.  
     
     
         7 . An indicating check valve for controlling the direction of flow of fluid for direct use in the body of a pump having a pump outlet and capable of using a standard pump outlet check valve: 
 a poppet assembly having a poppet pin;    an upper body having a poppet pin aperture and adapted to receive said poppet assembly such that said poppet pin passes through said poppet pin aperture; and,    a lower body directly formed within the pump body and adapted to receive said upper body.    
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 7  wherein said poppet assembly controls the direction of flow of fluid from the pump outlet thereby providing the indicating check valve with a closed position and with an open position such that in said closed position no fluid flows from the pump outlet and such that in said open position fluid flows from the pump outlet and whereby when the indicating check valve is in said open position or said closed position said poppet pin indicates that the indicating check valve is in said open position or closed position.  
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 8  wherein the pump outlet further has a seat and wherein said poppet assembly has a top and a bottom wherein said poppet pin is attached to said top of said poppet assembly and wherein when said indicating check valve is in said closed position said bottom of said poppet assembly rests against the seat and wherein said indicating check valve further comprises: 
 sealing means between said bottom of said poppet assembly and the seat.  
 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 8  wherein said sealing means comprises an o-ring placed within an o-ring groove formed in said bottom of said poppet.  
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 8  wherein said sealing means comprises a ball and seat assembly.  
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 8  wherein said sealing means comprises a metal to metal seal assembly.  
     
     
         13 . An indicating check valve for controlling the direction of flow of fluid and having an open position and a closed position comprising: 
 a poppet assembly;    an upper body adapted to receive said poppet assembly;    a lower body adapted to receive said upper body and having an inlet port and an outlet port; and,    means for determining the position of said indicating check valve.    
     
     
         14 . An indicating check valve for controlling the direction of flow of fluid for direct use in the body of a pump having a pump body and capable of using a standard pump outlet check valve and having an open position and a closed position comprising: 
 a poppet assembly;    an upper body adapted to receive said poppet assembly;    a lower body directly formed within the pump body and adapted to receive said upper body; and,    means for determining the position of said indicating check valve.    
     
     
         15 . A monitoring system for use with an indicating check valve having an open position and a closed position comprising: 
 means for providing an electrical signal whenever said indicating check is open engaged with the indicating check valve; and,    means for communicating the positions of the indicating check valve connected to said means for providing electric signal.    
     
     
         16 . A monitoring system for use with an indicating check valve having an open position and a closed position comprising: 
 means for providing an electrical signal whenever said indicating check is open engaged with the indicating check valve;    timer means connected to said means for providing electric signal; and,    means for indicating the time period that the indicating check valve is open;    wherein when said indicating check is open said timer means records the time period that the indicating check valve is open and resets when the check valve is closed.    
     
     
         17 . A variable volume cylinder for providing control of fluid flow from a pump comprising: 
 a cylinder top having a threaded aperture;    a cylinder wall attached to said cylinder top;    a cylinder bottom having an inlet-outlet port attached to said cylinder wall;    a first piston having a top side located within said cylinder wall; and,    a volume adjustment screw passing engaged with said threaded aperture and resting against said top side of said first piston;    wherein said volume adjustment screw is capable of rotation such said volume adjustment screw moves said first piston within said cylinder wall thereby providing a variable volume between said inlet-outlet port and said piston.    
     
     
         18 . A monitoring system for use with an indicating check valve installed with a pump having an open position and a closed position and a variable volume cylinder having an adjustment screw installed with the pump for controlling the quantity of fluid comprising: 
 means for providing an electrical signal whenever said indicating check is open engaged with the indicating check valve;    timer means connected to said means for providing electric signal;    means for indicating the time period that the indicating check valve is open; and,    means for remotely turning the volume adjustment screw;    wherein when said indicating check is open said timer means records the time period that the indicating check valve is open and resets when the check valve is closed thereby providing an indication of quantity of flow and wherein said quantity of flow may be remotely adjusted by remotely turning the volume adjustment screw.    
     
     
         19 . The device of  claim 1  further comprising a pump wherein the indicating check valve controls the direction of fluid flow in said pump.  
     
     
         20 . The device of  claim 19  wherein said pump comprises a diaphragm or positive displacement pump.