Liquid metering and injection system

Abstract

A liquid metering system for a commercial or industrial laundry operation includes a dosing tank supported by a weight sensor that can measure the weight of cleaning solution transferred into the dosing tank. A valve assembly is operable to transfer the measured cleaning solution from the dosing tank to a transport tank, and a discharge pump is operable to pump the measured cleaning solution from the transport tank to downstream equipment. Measured quantities of different cleaning solutions can also be mixed in the transport tank before being delivered to downstream equipment. A control system regulates operation of the various pumps, valves, and manifolds, and monitors the readings from the weight sensor.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A liquid metering system for a commercial or industrial laundry operation, the system comprising:
 a dosing tank configured to receive a cleaning solution;   a weight sensor configured to measure a weight of the cleaning solution received by the dosing tank; and   a discharge pump operable to pump the measured cleaning solution from the dosing tank to downstream equipment.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising a valve assembly operable to transfer the measured cleaning solution from the dosing tank to the transport tank. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising a control system operatively connected to the weight sensor and discharge pump, wherein the control system monitors the weight of the cleaning solution and adjusts a speed of the discharge pump. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the control system regulates the discharge pump at a first speed during a first mode of operation and at a second speed that is slower than the first speed during a second mode of operation. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the control system is configured to be programmed with a density of the cleaning solution, and whereby the control system monitors a volume of the cleaning solution. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 5  further comprising a float assembly coupled to the dosing tank, wherein the float assembly is configured to sense a level of the cleaning solution contained within the dosing tank for performing self-calibration of the control system. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising a manifold configured to receive a plurality of measured cleaning solutions from respective discharge pumps, to mix the plurality of measured cleaning solutions, and to deliver the mixed cleaning solution to the downstream equipment. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising a weight sensor bracket coupled to the dosing tank, and wherein the dosing tank is supported substantially exclusively by the weight sensor and the weight sensor bracket. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the weight sensor includes a first end, a second end, and a sensing portion positioned therebetween, and wherein at least one of the first and second ends is coupled to the weight sensor bracket. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the sensing portion includes a strain gauge. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising a transport tank configured to receive the measured cleaning solution from the dosing tank. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the dosing and transport tanks are supported by separate structures. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 11  further comprising a flush pump connected to at least one of the dosing and transport tanks, wherein the flush pump is operable to rinse water into at least one of the dosing and transport tanks. 
     
     
         14 . A metering assembly for a commercial or industrial laundry operation, the metering assembly comprising:
 a dosing tank configured to receive a cleaning solution; and   a weight sensor configured to measure a weight of the cleaning solution received by the dosing tank.   
     
     
         15 . The metering assembly of  claim 14  further comprising a weight sensor bracket coupled to the dosing tank, wherein the dosing tank is supported substantially exclusively by the weight sensor and the weight sensor bracket. 
     
     
         16 . The metering assembly of  claim 15 , wherein the weight sensor includes a first end, a second end, and a sensing portion positioned therebetween, and wherein at least one of the first and second ends is coupled to the weight sensor bracket. 
     
     
         17 . The metering assembly of  claim 16 , wherein the sensing portion includes a strain gauge. 
     
     
         18 . The metering assembly of  claim 14  further comprising a transport tank configured to receive the measured cleaning solution from the dosing tank. 
     
     
         19 . The metering assembly of  claim 18 , wherein the transport tank is configured to receive a plurality of measured cleaning solutions from the dosing tank, and to mix the plurality of measured cleaning solutions. 
     
     
         20 . The metering assembly of  claim 18 , wherein the dosing and transport tanks are supported by separate structures.