Smart connection system and method

Abstract

A bulk transfer system that reduces piping complexity and that eliminates the possibility of connection errors occurring during the transfer of materials to a downstream destination. The bulk transfer system uses a Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) to verify that the correct output line is used. Further, the PLC sequences material draws such that it is possible to use fewer pumps to move the same amount of material to its destination.

1 . A transfer station comprising:
 a smart connector station having a plurality of product input lines and at least one product output line;   at least one downstream destination for the product output line; and   a programmable logic controller in electronic communication with the smart connection station and the downstream destination, said programmable logic controller being operable to verify that that the appropriate output line is connected to the downstream destination.   
   
   
       2 . A transfer station comprising:
 at least one smart connection station, the smart connection station having at least one material input line;   at least one vacuum pump having an output line;   at least one pneumatic manifold connected to the output line of the at least one vacuum pump;   at least one vacuum receiver station connected to the at least one pneumatic manifold;   at least one hose, each of said at least one hoses having a first end and a second end, said hose first end being attachable to the vacuum receiver station and the second end being removably attachable to the smart connection station, the hose further providing an electrical conduit between the vacuum receiver and the pneumatic manifold;   a programmable logic controller in electronic communication with the pneumatic manifold, the vacuum receiver station and the smart connection station; the programmable logic controller being operable to verify whether the hose is properly connected to the smart connection station.   
   
   
       3 . A bulk material movement system comprising:
 a plurality of smart connection stations; each of said smart connection stations having a plurality of material input lines and a plurality of material output lines;   a plurality of material supply reservoirs;   a plurality of vacuum pumps each having an output line;   a plurality of vacuum receiver stations; each of said vacuum receiver stations being connected to said plurality of vacuum pumps via a pneumatic manifold;   a plurality of hoses, each of the hoses having a first end and a second end, the hose first end being attachable to the vacuum receiver station and the second end being removably attachable to the smart connection station, the hose further providing an electrical conduit between the smart connection station and the vacuum receiver station;   a programmable logic controller in electronic communication with the pneumatic manifold, the vacuum receiver station and the smart connection station; the programmable logic controller being operable to verify that hose is attached to the correct material output line on the smart connection station.   
   
   
       4 . The transfer station of  claim 3  wherein the vacuum receivers have level sensing indicators in electronic communication with the PLC. 
   
   
       5 . The transfer station of  claim 3  wherein the PLC is programmable to operate the pneumatic manifold to fill one of the plurality of vacuum receivers.