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WO2018156974A1 - Appareil gravimétrique pour le transfert de fluides - Google Patents

Appareil gravimétrique pour le transfert de fluides Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2018156974A1
WO2018156974A1 PCT/US2018/019549 US2018019549W WO2018156974A1 WO 2018156974 A1 WO2018156974 A1 WO 2018156974A1 US 2018019549 W US2018019549 W US 2018019549W WO 2018156974 A1 WO2018156974 A1 WO 2018156974A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
reservoir
liquid
height
per unit
constant
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Ceased
Application number
PCT/US2018/019549
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English (en)
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WO2018156974A8 (fr
Inventor
Christian David ZEIGLER
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
GreenStract LLC
Original Assignee
GreenStract LLC
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by GreenStract LLC filed Critical GreenStract LLC
Publication of WO2018156974A1 publication Critical patent/WO2018156974A1/fr
Publication of WO2018156974A8 publication Critical patent/WO2018156974A8/fr
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Ceased legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E03—WATER SUPPLY; SEWERAGE
    • E03B—INSTALLATIONS OR METHODS FOR OBTAINING, COLLECTING, OR DISTRIBUTING WATER
    • E03B7/00—Water main or service pipe systems
    • E03B7/07—Arrangement of devices, e.g. filters, flow controls, measuring devices, siphons or valves, in the pipe systems
    • E03B7/075—Arrangement of devices for control of pressure or flow rate
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F04—POSITIVE - DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; PUMPS FOR LIQUIDS OR ELASTIC FLUIDS
    • F04B—POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; PUMPS
    • F04B23/00—Pumping installations or systems
    • F04B23/02—Pumping installations or systems having reservoirs
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F04—POSITIVE - DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; PUMPS FOR LIQUIDS OR ELASTIC FLUIDS
    • F04B—POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; PUMPS
    • F04B35/00—Piston pumps specially adapted for elastic fluids and characterised by the driving means to their working members, or by combination with, or adaptation to, specific driving engines or motors, not otherwise provided for
    • F04B35/008—Piston pumps specially adapted for elastic fluids and characterised by the driving means to their working members, or by combination with, or adaptation to, specific driving engines or motors, not otherwise provided for the means being a fluid transmission link

Definitions

  • This application may contain material that is subject to copyright, mask work, and/or other intellectual property protection.
  • the respective owners of such intellectual property have no objection to the facsimile reproduction of the disclosure by anyone as it appears in published Patent Office file/records, but otherwise reserve all rights.
  • the disclosure and embodiments discussed herein relate to apparatuses, methods and systems for dispensing liquids and fluids at specified flow rates. Some embodiments are configured to provide a constant flow rate, and other embodiments are configured to provide variable flow rates. The disclosed embodiments can be configured for pre-set flow rates, whether variable or constant, without human intervention during the dispensing, and without any electronic or other feedback system. Rather, the mechanisms and teachings of some
  • Embodiments described herein enable an arbitrary flow rate to be set in a flow rate vs. time function.
  • Embodiments can be configured for extended uses, such as for several days or weeks of uninterrupted use at the known, desired flow rate or flow rates.
  • Embodiments can also be configured for shorter and longer flow rate programs using mechanisms described in this disclosure.
  • pumping is the chosen method of transferring fluids.
  • the disclosed embodiments can be utilized without pumping.
  • the apparatus can include a reservoir for holding a liquid, a flexible conduit providing an outlet from the reservoir, the flexible conduit having an exit at a fixed exit point, and a means for variably adjusting height of the reservoir relative to the fixed exit point, the height of the reservoir being adjusted relative to a quantity of liquid in the reservoir such that hydrostatic pressure of the liquid in the reservoir is constant relative to the fixed exit point of the flexible conduit.
  • the method can include providing an apparatus for delivering the liquid, wherein the apparatus is configured as described herein, and providing liquid to apparatus, such that liquid flows from the reservoir, through the flexible conduit, and exits the flexible conduit at the fixed exit point.
  • the apparatus can be configured so that the liquid in the reservoir has a height that is constant relative to the fixed point.
  • the reservoir can be suspended.
  • the means for variably adjusting the height of the reservoir is selected from the group consisting of: one or more springs; one or more elastic members; one or more elastically deformable materials; one or more rubber bands; one or more bungee cords; one or more materials that provide a predictable force as a function of displacement; and one or more materials that obey Hooke's law.
  • reservoir is suspended from one or more springs.
  • the one or more springs are suspended, directly or indirectly, from a manhole.
  • the apparatus can further include a mounting bracket configured for attachment to a manhole, whereby the apparatus is suspended indirectly from the manhole via the mounting bracket.
  • the mounting bracket includes a central frame and one or more members slidably attached to the central frame, wherein the one or more members are configured to sit on a lip of a manhole.
  • the means for variably adjusting the height of the suspended reservoir can include a fulcrum and lever. In some embodiments, the means for variably adjusting the height of the suspended reservoir include at least two fulcrums and at least two levers. In some embodiments, one of the levers is actuated by one or more floating objects disposed in a liquid.
  • the means for variably adjusting the height of the suspended reservoir can include a gear.
  • the apparatus can include a geared cable that interfaces with the gear.
  • the means for variably adjusting the height of the suspended reservoir can include one or more pulleys.
  • the flexible conduit can further include a means for restricting flow of liquid through the flexible conduit.
  • the flexible conduit has a length and an inner surface cross-sectional area, and wherein a portion of the inner surface cross- sectional area of the flexible conduit decreases and restricts flow of liquid through the flexible conduit.
  • the length and inner surface cross-sectional area of the flexible conduit are configured to create a constant pressure drop of liquid through the flexible conduit.
  • the inner surface cross-sectional area of the flexible conduit is configured to permit flow of liquid at a constant rate as the volume of liquid in the reservoir changes.
  • the means for variably adjusting the height of the reservoir exerts a force substantially equivalent in magnitude, but opposite in direction, to a gravitational force exerted by liquid in the reservoir.
  • the one or more springs have a combine spring constant such that a force exerted by the one or more springs is substantially equivalent in magnitude, but opposite in direction, to a gravitational force exerted by liquid in the reservoir.
  • the means for variably adjusting the height of the reservoir has a constant of force per unit of displacement substantially equivalent to a change in weight of the reservoir per unit height of liquid in the reservoir to create a constant hydrostatic pressure at the fixed exit point so that a flow rate of liquid from the reservoir is constant.
  • the one or more springs have a spring constant of force per unit of displacement substantially equivalent to a change in weight of the reservoir per unit height of liquid in the reservoir to create a constant hydrostatic pressure at the fixed exit point so that a flow rate of liquid from the reservoir is constant.
  • the means for variably adjusting the height of the reservoir has a force per unit of displacement greater than a change in weight of the reservoir per unit height of liquid in the reservoir so that a flow rate of liquid from the reservoir increases as liquid exits the reservoir.
  • the one or more springs have a spring constant of force per unit of displacement greater than a change in weight of the reservoir per unit height of liquid in the reservoir so that a flow rate of liquid from the reservoir increases as liquid exits the reservoir.
  • the means for variably adjusting the height of the reservoir has a force per unit of displacement less than a change in weight of the reservoir per unit height of liquid in the reservoir so that a flow rate of liquid from the reservoir decreases as liquid exits the reservoir.
  • the one or more springs have a spring constant of force per unit of displacement less than a change in weight of the reservoir per unit height of liquid in the reservoir so that a flow rate of liquid from the reservoir decreases as liquid exits the reservoir.
  • the means for variably adjusting the height of the reservoir exhibits variable force per unit of displacement relative to a change in weight of the reservoir per unit height of liquid in the reservoir so that a flow rate of liquid from the reservoir is variable as liquid exits the reservoir.
  • the one or more springs exhibit variable force per unit of displacement relative to a change in weight of the reservoir per unit height of liquid in the reservoir so that a flow rate of liquid from the reservoir is variable as liquid exits the reservoir.
  • the reservoir is a first reservoir
  • the apparatus further includes a second reservoir in fluid communication with the first reservoir and configured to refill the first reservoir.
  • FIG. 1 is a schematic illustrating an embodiment that employs an extension spring used to counter the weight of a reservoir such that the fluid height of the reservoir is constant or otherwise configured/controlled as the reservoir dispenses liquid, thus providing a constant or otherwise known flow of liquid.
  • FIG. 2 is a schematic illustrating an embodiment that employs an example of interfacing a reservoir with a spring system by a fulcrum and lever, such that as the fluid height and thus reservoir weight changes, the spring counteracts this change to produce known, specified reservoir height, and thus fluid height and hydrostatic pressure to the dispensing location.
  • FIG. 3 is a schematic illustrating an embodiment that produces a known, specified force as objects of the system are submerged in a fluid.
  • FIG. 4 is a schematic illustrating an embodiment which employs inflatable bladders to turn a conveyor belt and thus produce a known, specified force or torque on the conveyor belt rotators.
  • FIG. 5 is a schematic illustrating principles of the disclosure, according to some embodiments.
  • FIG. 6 is a schematic illustrating an implementation of one or more embodiments, which allows for a substantially consistent rate of flow, and/or which allows for a larger reservoir to serve as an automatic refill of a smaller dispensing reservoir.
  • FIG. 7 is a photograph of an implementation of an embodiment of the disclosure, built according to the principles of FIG. 1.
  • FIG. 8 is a photograph of an implementation of an embodiment of the disclosure, built according to the principles of FIG. 1.
  • FIG. 9 is a chart of the amount of liquid dispensed from an embodiment according to FIG. 7 and 8.
  • the amount of liquid dispensed versus time is measured according to the height of liquid in a reservoir from a fixed point at the top of the reservoir.
  • the linear relationship illustrates capability for the embodiment to dispense liquid at a constant flow rate.
  • FIG. 10 is a chart of the amount of liquid dispensed from an embodiment according to FIG.7 and 8.
  • the amount of liquid dispensed versus time is measured according to the height of liquid in a reservoir from a fixed point at the top of the reservoir.
  • the linear relationship illustrates capability for the embodiment to dispense liquid at a constant flow rate.
  • FIG. 11 is a chart of the amount of liquid dispensed from an embodiment according to FIG. 7 and 8.
  • the amount of liquid dispensed versus time is measured according to the height of liquid in a reservoir from a fixed point at the top of the reservoir.
  • the data has been locally averaged to show a more consistent delivery volume versus time.
  • the linear relationship illustrates capability for the embodiment to dispense liquid at a constant flow rate.
  • FIG. 12 is a spreadsheet showing calculations for an embodiment according to FIG. 7 and 8.
  • FIG. 13 is a spreadsheet showing calculations for an embodiment according to FIG. 7 and 8.
  • FIG. 14 is a graph of measured versus calculated flow rates for an embodiment of the disclosure built according to the principles of FIG. 1 illustrating the predictability of flow rates for this embodiment.
  • FIG. 15 is a graph of calculated (theoretical) flow rate based on the length of a given restrictor tube located at the terminus of a conduit, with a given pressure drop across the restrictor tube, as an example of an embodiment according to FIG. 1.
  • FIG. 16 is a graph of measured flow rate based on the length of a given restrictor tube located at the terminus of a conduit, with a given pressure drop across the restrictor tube, for an embodiment build according to the principles of FIG. 1.
  • the graph of FIG. 16 has a similar shape to the graph of FIG. 15, indicating the measured data closely matches theoretical predictions and predictability of system behavior. Thus, users can select a length based on a predetermined flow rate they would like to be achieved.
  • FIG. 17 is a spreadsheet showing example calculations for an embodiment employing a packed column to restrict flow.
  • FIG. 18 is a spreadsheet showing example calculations for an embodiment employing a packed column to restrict flow.
  • FIG. 19 is an annotated photograph of an implementation of an embodiment of the disclosure, showing a bracket designed to fit on the interior of manholes.
  • FIG. 20 is a schematic illustrating an example embodiment comprising a ram pump.
  • FIG. 21 is a schematic illustrating an embodiment that comprises a flow regulator, which can produce a constant flow of fluid from an intermittent input flow.
  • FIG. 22 is an annotated photograph of an embodiment of the disclosure, installed in a location where such an embodiment illustrates one or more useful aspects of one or more disclosures.
  • FIG. 23 is photographs before (left) and after six weeks (right) demonstrating the effectiveness of an embodiment for dosing a treatment chemical over a long period of time.
  • FIG. 24 is a schematic illustrating a suspended reservoir capable of being refilled by a larger reservoir.
  • the suspended reservoir is suspended underneath a manhole.
  • FIG. 25 is a schematic illustrating an embodiment employing a gear.
  • FIG. 26 is a schematic illustrating an embodiment employing a pulley.
  • FIG. 27 is a schematic illustrating an embodiment employing buoyant objects.
  • FIG. 28 is a top-down schematic illustrating a manhole bracket suspending a reservoir within a manhole.
  • the disclosed embodiments can be configured for known flow rates, whether variable or constant, without human intervention during the dispensing, and without any electronic or other feedback system. Rather, the mechanisms and teachings of some embodiments described herein enable virtually any arbitrary flow rate to be set in a flow rate vs. time function. Embodiments can be configured for extended uses, such as for several days or weeks of uninterrupted use at the known, desired flow rate or flow rates. Embodiments can also be configured for shorter and longer flow rate programs using mechanisms described in this disclosure.
  • the term "reservoir” as used herein should be understood to mean a container for fluid.
  • the reservoir may be a rigid container such as a tank, bucket, drum, cistern, bottle, beaker, etc., and these terms should be understood to be substantially interchangeable in this description.
  • the reservoir may be non-rigid, such as a bag, pouch, sack, etc., terms which are also interchangeable for "reservoir” in this description, or the reservoir may be made from a non-rigid material such as a soft plastic, cloth, rubber, etc.
  • the reservoirs referred to in this description are liquid tight, but some embodiments may contemplate the use of reservoirs which allow the seepage or leakage of fluids to or from them.
  • fixed point In general, as used in the descriptions of one or more embodiments, the term “fixed point” should be understood to mean a physical location which is generally immobile relative to the frame of reference.
  • a fixed point can be any physical point of the manhole, for example the rim on which the manhole cover is placed, the ladder rungs on the side of the manhole, and so forth.
  • a bracket fitted to the opening of the manhole, and immobile relative to the manhole can be considered to be a "fixed point,” as well.
  • Objects affixed to the bracket could be considered attached to a "fixed point.”
  • the manhole cover is not considered a fixed point when it is moved, but could be considered a fixed point when it is in place covering the hole.
  • the fixed point could be the inner wall of a space station, rotating in orbit.
  • the "fixed point” could be considered moving relative to the frame of reference of the earth, but it is fixed relative to the frame of reference of the space station.
  • Some embodiments use the "fixed point" as the frame of reference itself, and in some embodiments, portions of an apparatus move relative to the frame of reference and fixed point, and in some cases, portions of the apparatus are attached to the fixed point while other portions are mobile relative to the fixed point.
  • portions of the apparatus serve as the fixed point itself.
  • some embodiments contemplate the use of a rigid frame, placed in some instances on the ground, from which a reservoir is suspended by springs.
  • the reservoir may move relative to the rigid frame, which serves as a fixed point.
  • some embodiments may use a fixed point as a point of attachment, some embodiments may not, wherein the fixed point serves primarily as a frame of reference.
  • a fixed point may in fact deflect by a measurable amount when one or more aspects are attached to or loaded onto the fixed point, so the skilled artisan should understand that a fixed point remains substantially immovable, but not entirely so necessarily.
  • Dispensing liquids or solids at a known flow rate has myriad applications and uses, and embodiments of the disclosure can be utilized across a wide variety of fields and
  • the disclosed embodiments can be configured for liquid adhesive that is dispensed at a constant flow rate onto a panel for gluing.
  • the disclosed embodiments can be configured for adding chemicals into the stream, e.g., to decrease foaming, treat solids buildup, reduce odor, change pH, etc.
  • the disclosed embodiments can also be applied to irrigation systems to provide a known flow rate to ensure that crops receive adequate water but without waste runoff.
  • the disclosed embodiments can be operated to dispense one or more materials into an oil well, for example down the back side of an oil well, especially in remote locations, where power supplies are onerous, unstable, and difficult to monitor.
  • Some embodiments comprise a clock, and/or the means to continuously feed, power, energize, charge, or cause movement of one or more devices which tracks time; in some embodiments a constant flow is used to create a measurement of time.
  • the disclosed apparatuses could be configured as intravenous fluid delivery systems, where a medical fluid is administered to a patient at a known, controlled rate.
  • the disclosed embodiments can also be implemented in grain filling systems or pelletized fertilizer delivery systems where a known flow rate of (typically, granulated or powdered) solids is needed.
  • some of the disclosed embodiments can be utilized without pumping, and instead rely on systemic acceleration and/or force, such as gravity, where some reservoir or container holding the liquid or solid is suspended at some height relative to the dispensing location.
  • systemic acceleration and/or force such as gravity
  • the force of gravity on the liquid or solid creates a hydrostatic head pressure at the dispensing location, which forces fluid out and drains the container. While gravity is perhaps the most common situation where constant-acceleration produces the forces required to dispense liquid, other situations exist where another means of external acceleration or force acts on the reservoir of the liquid, causing it to flow.
  • a rotating container can be used to cause liquid to flow due to centrifugal force.
  • the force of buoyancy on one or more objects, including a reservoir holding the liquid itself can be transferred to one or more reservoirs to effect a substantially constant flow, as taught herein.
  • the disclosed embodiments can also comprise a clock or instrument to measure the passage of time.
  • a clock or instrument to measure the passage of time.
  • the quantity of fluid can be used to measure the passage of time. This is a great improvement on water clocks known since antiquity, which either require the constant "topping off,” “overflow,” or other means of maintenance of a known water level in a vessel; or through careful measuring, calculation, and calibration of the liquid height in a vessel to correlate liquid height to time.
  • one or more apparatuses contemplated allow the use of containers of arbitrary shape and size, rather than requiring carefully controlled, measured, designed, or calculated shapes and sizes, in order to measure the passage of time.
  • One or more embodiments serve as an adjunct to known water clocks, for example serving as a constant rate of inflow for a water clock which requires constant "topping off.” Some embodiments do not comprise clocks.
  • the systems described can be configured to create a pump.
  • a constant flow from a reservoir can be used to power a ram pump, also known as a hydraulic ram, which will deliver fluid to a height greater than the initial fluid height in the reservoir.
  • the system can be configured to deliver a constant flow to the input of a ram pump, which creates a constant, usually intermittent output flow to a height greater than the initial fluid height of the system.
  • One or more embodiments can be placed in the path of intermittent output flow of fluid exiting a ram pump, which varies with time, to cause the flow of the fluid to become constant at the exit of one or more embodiments.
  • one or more embodiments can serve as a flow regulator.
  • the intermittent flow of a ram pump can be controlled and caused to be constant by integration of one or more embodiments into the flow path of the ram pump.
  • Some embodiments comprise a ram pump.
  • Some embodiments can be used to meter or control the flow of a ram pump.
  • Some embodiments do not comprise a ram pump.
  • One or more embodiments can be configured with one or more fluid devices utilizing the Venturi effect, for example to create a region of vacuum.
  • One or more embodiments contemplate the use of the flow produced by an embodiment as a motive fluid, for example in an injector, well pump, or similar.
  • fluids and liquids when used throughout this disclosure are to be understood to include traditional fluids which occupy their container, as well as the terms understood to encompass solids, especially granulated, sintered, powdered, or other solids which can be fed e.g., in gravity systems, as well as the terms understood to encompass slurries, solid suspended in liquid, or other mixtures of liquids and solids.
  • the terms “fluid” and “liquid” are used, generally interchangeably, when describing the various embodiments herein, be it for liquid, solid, or solid-in-liquid systems, or generally for systems where matter can be made to flow by imposition of an external force.
  • "fluid” excludes a gas.
  • liquid can include mixtures, including those having a plurality of phases; solutions; suspensions; and/or gels.
  • Embodiments of the disclosure can be configured for liquids of a variety of densities, for example between about 0.06 g/cm 3 to about 20 g/cm 3 (for example, about 0.06 to about 0.07 g/cm 3 , about 0.07 to about 0.08 g/cm 3 , about 0.08 to about 0.09 g/cm 3 , about 0.09 to about 0.1 g/cm 3 , about 0.1 to about 0.2 g/cm 3 , about 0.2 to about 0.3 g/cm 3 , about 0.3 to about 0.4 g/cm 3 , about 0.4 to about 0.5 g/cm 3 , about 0.5 to about 0.6 g/cm 3 , about 0.6 to about 0.7 g/cm 3 , about 0.7 to about 0.8 g/cm 3 , about 0.8 to about
  • Embodiments of the disclosure can be configured for liquids of a variety of viscosities, for example between about 0. lcP and about 250,000cP, such as about 0.09 to about 0.1 cP, about 0.1 to about 0.2 cP, about 0.2 to about 0.3 cP, about 0.3 to about 0.4 cP, about 0.4 to about 0.5 cP, about 0.5 to about 0.6 cP, about 0.6 to about 0.7 cP, about 0.7 to about 0.8 cP, about 0.8 to about 0.9 cP, about 0.9 to about 1 cP, about 1 to about 2 cP, about 2 to about 3 cP, about 3 to about 4 cP, about 4 to about 5 cP, about 5 to about 6 cP, about 6 to about 7 cP, about 7 to about 8 cP, about 8 to about 9 cP, about 9 to about 10 cP, about 10 to about 20 cP, about 20 to about 30 cP, about 30 to about 40
  • the embodiments disclosed herein relate to dispensing systems of liquids, for dispensing at a known flow rate.
  • Other embodiments specify tools and components to dispense a liquid at a constant flow rate.
  • Still other embodiments specify components to dispense a liquid at variable flow rates.
  • One or more aspects of the disclosure utilize a constant external acceleration acting on components, for example gravity near the Earth's surface (e.g., about 9.8m/s 2 ). While the embodiments described herein may be most immediately and widely used with the Earth's gravity as the external force, any external acceleration can be used with appropriately configured components of the disclosure, as taught herein, such as an acceleration between about 0.1 to about 0.2 m/s 2 , about 0.2 to about 0.3 m/s 2 , about 0.3 to about 0.4 m/s 2 , about 0.4 to about 0.5 m/s 2 , about 0.5 to about 0.6 m/s 2 , about 0.6 to about 0.7 m/s 2 , about 0.7 to about 0.8 m/s 2 , about 0.8 to about 0.9 m/s 2 , about 0.9 to about 1 m/s 2 , about 1 to about 2 m/s 2 , about 2 to about 3 m/s 2 , about 3 to about 4 m/s 2 ,
  • a constant external acceleration could be employed using a rotational motion system, within a centrifuge and/or the like.
  • varying external accelerations may be useful for providing one or more benefits to one or more systems described herein.
  • the intermittent application of an acceleration to a volume of fluid may produce intermittent increases or decrease in flow from this fluid, which may be useful in some embodiments.
  • the force exerted by any object in gravity is proportional to the mass of the object and the gravitational acceleration.
  • the 'weight' of an object is simply the force exerted by the mass of the object given the acceleration due to gravity; while weight and mass are often used interchangeably, one or more aspects take advantage of this distinction.
  • F is the force exerted by the spring system
  • k is the spring constant
  • X is the displacement of the spring along some vector relevant to the mode of action of the spring.
  • X is the displacement along the length of the spring as the spring gets stretched.
  • spring or “spring system” are used herein to describe any mechanism with elasticity that obeys Hooke's Law. While one or more aspects can employ a single extension spring, it should be understood that “spring system” encompasses any device obeying Hooke's Law, or corollary thereof.
  • an elastic band or rubber rod can obey Hooke's law.
  • a plurality of springs can have a combined "spring constant.”
  • one or more springs can be combined with one or more elastic member to create a combined spring constant.
  • One or more embodiments described herein contemplate using a plurality of springs to create a selected spring constant.
  • non-Hookeian behavior is also desirable and can be utilized appropriately.
  • the buoyant force on a fully submerged object remains essentially constant regardless of how far under the surface the object is; therefore, this object can provide an essentially constant force if coupled to an external system.
  • the term "force system” is used herein to generally refer to one or more portions of an apparatus that produce the desired effects.
  • the "force system” comprises one or more springs or spring systems.
  • the "force system” comprises a buoyant object acting on one or more portions of an embodiment.
  • the "force system” can comprise a combination of different systems described herein, such as spring systems, buoyant objects, and so on.
  • the balance of a constant force system along with a spring system which obeys Hooke's law, as described hereinabove, may be used to provide the needed effects.
  • springs or spring systems any convenient material is contemplated, and the materials are not meant to be limiting in this description. For example, in a sewer system environment, we have found it to be desirable to use stainless steel springs to avoid effects that the corrosive environment may have on other materials. In other environments, other materials can be selected to suit the conditions, but which still provide the needed force as described herein.
  • the use of one or more attenuators on a force system can be desirable.
  • a reservoir suspended by a spring system may tend to bounce up and down and swing side to side if moved; this behavior may cause undesired effects.
  • a device may be used, herein termed an "attenuator," which limits the unwanted behavior, for example, by limiting the speed that the reservoir can move, or restricting the degrees of freedom of the reservoir.
  • the reservoir may be connected to a fixed point with one or more gas pistons, which limits the speed that the reservoir can move, e.g. along the axis of the gas piston.
  • the reservoir may be articulated upon rails or guide channels used to allow movement in a limited number of directions, e.g. up and down, which limits swinging.
  • Such guide channels may provide friction that limit the speed which the reservoir moves.
  • an "attenuator" it is generally the case that any force which the attenuator applies should be accounted for in the calculations described herein, or that the force of the attenuator does not affect the calculations, so as not to change the desired outcome of the apparatus, namely, in some embodiments, to produce a controlled output of fluid from one or more systems. In some cases, an attenuator is not used, and in some cases, an attenuator is not desirable.
  • F ma
  • F force
  • m mass
  • a acceleration
  • the two forces in play are that of gravity and a spring system.
  • the two forces are centrifugal force and buoyancy.
  • two or more force systems may act on two or more forces or accelerations.
  • the action of spring systems on an object of given mass will produce a displacement when a force or acceleration (such as gravity) is acting on that mass.
  • a force or acceleration such as gravity
  • the displacement of a weight suspended from an extension spring is linearly proportional to the weight of the object.
  • spring-type scales which measure deflection of the spring to ascertain weight of an object. Because humans most often work near the surface of the earth with essentially identical gravitational pull independent of location or elevation, spring manufacturers often specify not a spring constant, k, but a weight per distance value for the spring. This is because weight is force, as described above, and the amount that a spring is displaced produces a force proportional to that distance.
  • an extension spring manufacturer might specify that a given spring has a "rating" of lOlbs per inch. This means that it will take lOlbs to stretch the spring one (1) inch, and since springs obey Hooke's law, which describes a linear relationship between the spring constant and the distance traveled, 201bs to stretch it two (2) inches, and so on. Looking at this another way, this same spring can be used to measure a weight, or mass, by observing how much it stretches when attached to that weight; for example, a three (3)-inch stretch means the object weighs (has a mass of) 30 lbs., etc.
  • a liquid in a reservoir has a mass associated with the density and volume of the liquid.
  • the liquid exerts a pressure on the reservoir which varies with the height of the liquid in the reservoir.
  • the same volume of liquid therefore, can have varying pressures depending on the shape of the reservoir.
  • the pressure exerted by a tall, narrow column of water on the base of the column is different than when the same volume of water contained in a wide, shallow, disk-shaped reservoir.
  • the pressure exerted by the liquid on any given area on the container is proportional to the height of the liquid above that area of the container. For example, drilling holes at various heights in a tall cylinder containing water will result in water shooting out of the holes at increasing distances farther down the column.
  • a container comprised of a 1cm diameter tube of lm length, connected to an end of a reservoir 10m in diameter and 8m height, connected at the other end of the reservoir to a 1cm diameter tube of lm length (i.e. a thin column-thick column-thin column configuration, which has the appearance of the inverse of a dumbbell, total 10 m), will have the same pressure of the liquid at the bottom as a 1cm tube 10m in height filled with liquid, or a 10m column 10m in height filled with liquid.
  • a conduit completely filled with a liquid, connecting two containers with some amount of liquid in them will equalize the pressure between the two containers.
  • a tube containing air is connected with a water-tight connection at one end to the bottom of an elevated, open container, and at the other to a lower, open container, pouring water into the elevated container will result in water flowing into the lower container until the liquid height in both containers is identical.
  • a conduit can be of arbitrary shape, size, and height relative to the two containers; the liquid level will equilibrate throughout the system depending on height of the liquid in both containers. If the conduit is flexible and/or has slack associated with it, the two containers can be moved relative to each other within the confines of the flexibility of the conduit, and so long as the conduit remains filled and terminates under the liquid level of both containers, the liquid level between the containers will remain identical relative to an external height.
  • a spring system acting on a container of liquid with a siphon terminating at a fixed external height such that the height of the liquid in the container relative to a fixed external height remains constant
  • the pressure of the liquid in the siphon at a fixed external height will remain constant.
  • One or more embodiments utilize a spring system which has a weight-to-displacement rating which matches the ratio of the weight of the container when empty versus full, to the height of the container full versus empty. While use of a siphon may be convenient, the same effect can be produced using a tube connected with a liquid-tight seal below the surface of the liquid, allowing liquid to enter and pass through the tube, said tube then terminating in an open configuration at some fixed height below the liquid level.
  • a tube connected to the bottom of a container by a bulkhead fitting with the far end of the tube held at a fixed height.
  • Such an arrangement may be convenient to avoid the need to prime the siphon, i.e. pre-fill it with liquid.
  • liquid flow is a function of pressure drop across a given conduit (e.g. hole, tube, opening)
  • a system results in a constant flow of liquid from said reservoir until equilibrium has been reached or the reservoir empties.
  • such a device will allow for constant flow to or from the reservoir depending on the terminus of the tube until either the tube has the same liquid level as the reservoir, or until the reservoir is empty.
  • a rectangular prism shaped bucket contains a liquid with a density of 1 g/cm 3 which equals 1 g/mL.
  • the bucket has inner dimensions of 10cm x 10cm wide, and 50 cm height.
  • each vertical cm of the bucket contains:
  • this bucket is suspended from an extension spring which, un-extended, is 10cm in length, and which has a rating of lOOg/cm, then regardless of how much of this liquid is in the bucket, the height of the liquid relative to the structure from which the bucket is suspended will remain constant. For example, if the bucket is full, and it contains
  • the top of the bucket will be 10cm below the un-extended spring length, which is 10cm, so the top of the bucket is now only 20cm from the fixed point.
  • the liquid in the bucket is 40cm below the top of the bucket, which means that the liquid is still 60 cm from the point of suspension. Similar calculations can be performed to demonstrate that, regardless of the amount of liquid in this bucket, the height of the liquid relative to the fixed external point will remain constant.
  • the weight of the container does not affect the ability for the system to dispense a fluid. This is because the weight of the fluid and the height displacement of the container are the considerations for determining the spring constant.
  • the springs must be sufficiently rated to handle the weight of the container, especially when full, as well as to begin to deflect when fluid is present in the container. Springs are often rated to have a minimum deflection weight, the weight below which the spring doesn't stretch or compress.
  • the spring constant should match the difference in weight between the fluid when full in the reservoir, versus when the reservoir when empty, along with the height of the reservoir when full versus empty, assuming the reservoir has a substantially invariant cross sectional area along its vertical axis.
  • the weight of the reservoir will therefore be subtracted out in the calculations and can be ignored for purposes of calculating spring constant.
  • the difference between the extended and retracted length of the spring, for a constant hydrostatic head pressure system should be at least as long as the height of the fluid in the container. This is because the spring, for a constant hydrostatic head pressure, should act upon the fluid for the length of the distance from the fluid at the top of the reservoir to the bottom.
  • the terminus of the tube may be restricted by one or more means, and for one or more reasons, described hereinbelow.
  • restriction can make it difficult or time-intensive to prime (fill with fluid) the tube once liquid is added to or connected with the fluid of the container.
  • a separate tube can be added to the point of restriction using a "tee" or similar type of connection.
  • This separate tube can be chosen in some embodiments to have a larger diameter than the restriction.
  • the other end of this tube can be brought up above the height of liquid, or, conveniently, to the top of the container or reservoir.
  • this added tube will have the same liquid level as the rest of the container, it does not change the flow rate of fluid from the container, which allows the operation of the system in a more convenient manner.
  • an additional advantage is convenient visualization of the liquid level in a reservoir, which may be opaque and/or covered.
  • one or more aspects of the disclosure allow for a constant flow of liquid to be delivered from a reservoir without any pumps, using a constant acceleration (e.g. gravity) acting on that reservoir and a spring system to change the height of the reservoir proportional to the volume of liquid in the reservoir.
  • the constant acceleration can be provided in a centrifugal system, gravity, or any other means, and the spring system could be accomplished with direct or indirect linkages to some system obeying Hooke's law as described above.
  • a spring system can be chosen in which the liquid height increases or decreases as the liquid level decreases or increases in the reservoir, creating increasing or decreasing flow rates with time.
  • a variable flow could be produced using a system which does not linearly obey Hooke's law.
  • constant-force springs are known which have a constant return force independent of displacement.
  • a pulley system could be used to gain a mechanical advantage so that springs with lesser or greater k constants can be used, and/or greater or lesser lengths of action, weight rating, etc.
  • an elastic member can be deformed as a way to provide a variable or constant force, counteracting the weight of the reservoir.
  • One or more embodiments can use two reservoirs. As illustrated in FIG. 6, an upper reservoir, elevated relative to a lower reservoir, feeds the lower reservoir based on a float valve in the lower reservoir. Once the liquid level drops below a certain specified height, the valve activates and the lower reservoir re-fills to a designated/specified height.
  • the hydrostatic pressure of the lower container may not be entirely constant since there is a small difference between the fluid height just after the valve has been actuated and just before it is actuated, the hydrostatic pressures are known and can be kept within a reasonable percentage of a known flow rate by appropriate adjustment (high-low levels) of the float valve.
  • One advantage of such embodiments is that no springs or other force systems are required.
  • Two-reservoir-float- valve embodiments can be combined with spring systems, and in some embodiments, combining the two systems allow for better control over flow and redundancy against failure.
  • an elevated, larger reservoir can be coupled by a fluid passage, e.g. tube, into a lower, smaller reservoir.
  • the tube terminates in a float valve, which ensures the smaller reservoir contains liquid, so long as the larger reservoir can supply it.
  • the smaller reservoir is actuated by a spring system, so that it delivers a constant flow of liquid.
  • This example describes an embodiment which allows for a smaller, more easily handled spring- based delivery system to be used, but with the advantage that the larger reservoir is the only one that requires refilling, which is much less frequent than if only the smaller reservoir was used.
  • such an embodiment may be conveniently used in a sewer system, whereby a smaller, spring-actuated reservoir (e.g. a 5-gallon bucket) is placed below grade in a manhole or other access point, and the larger, elevated reservoir (e.g. a 55-gallon drum) placed at or above grade so that it can drain (when the float valve opens) into the smaller reservoir.
  • a smaller, spring-actuated reservoir e.g. a 5-gallon bucket
  • the larger, elevated reservoir e.g. a 55-gallon drum
  • submersion of an air-filled hollow rubber ball requires increasing force as more and more of the ball is submerged, but once fully submerged, the force required to push it farther below the liquid's surface is essentially unchanged.
  • One change of the buoyant force is due to contraction of the air in the ball at higher pressures found in deeper water; this effect can be negated with a sufficiently rigid object such as a pontoon or barrel.
  • buoyancy force changes can be due to the slight compressibility of some liquids at various pressures, the change of density of liquid at the cooler temperatures found at depth, variation in composition (e.g., salinity) at depth, and so on, but ignoring these factors, the buoyant force on a submerged object is unchanged with depth.
  • the buoyant force on the object increases as the object is increasingly submerged.
  • Partially submerged objects can therefore obey Hooke's law, and be used in one or more embodiments, as described above.
  • a string of hollow cylinders separated at intervals centered coaxially along a slim, dense, rigid rod, while being immersed in a fluid has a force versus depth curve or plot (where depth is measured similarly to displacement, akin to the X in the above Hooke's law equation) that has a positive slope followed by a flat portion, followed by a positive slope, and flat portion, and so on, where the cylinders represent the positive slope as they are being submerged, and the flat portion the central rod connecting and spacing out the cylinders as each one becomes fully submerged.
  • the string of hollow cylinders configuration can be useful, for example, in dispensing liquids at various times during a day, or at the same time on several days, etc. It should be clear to those skilled in the art that this example is not meant to be limiting, and that other configurations can be chosen to provide configurable forces, and when connected to a reservoir, configurable flowrates.
  • a series of bladders can be connected to a conveyor belt or the like submerged in a liquid, oriented such that as the bladders are inflated on one side of the conveyor belt, the buoyant force created causes the belt to turn.
  • the bladders Once the bladders reach the other end of the belt, they can be emptied of the gas (or liquid) used to inflate them, such that as they are pulled back down through the liquid, they are not as buoyant as those bladders inflated on the other side of the mechanism.
  • the bladders are replaced with inverted cups, into which gas can be pumped to displace the liquid, thus making the cup buoyant and pulling the conveyor belt along.
  • a reservoir can be constricted in the middle to create a dumbbell-shaped reservoir, and such a reservoir dispenses liquid at one 'end' of the dumbbell at the rate set by the spring system (per the above calculations), then at a lower rate in the 'handle' portion (since the loss of some liquid does not change the mass as dramatically as in the 'end' portion, and thus the spring system does not pull the container up sufficiently to maintain the height of the liquid), then again at higher flow rates at the other 'end.
  • These reservoirs can be shaped so that the dispensing flow rate changes at a specified rate or rates over the course of time that the reservoir is full.
  • the terminus of a tube leading from a reservoir can be only slightly below the liquid level of the reservoir to create a smaller hydrostatic pressure than if, for example, the tube was placed far below the reservoir.
  • the flowrate of a liquid can be controlled by selecting the height of the terminus of a tube leading from a reservoir, relative to the liquid height in the reservoir. In some embodiments, such a method of flow control is not suitable, so other disclosures provide a solution as described below.
  • valves including but not limited to pinch valves, needle valves, ball valves, gate valves, diaphragm valves, butterfly valves, plug valves, etc.
  • this effect is freezing of liquid on the surfaces of restricted openings can cause a buildup of frozen liquid, eventually further occluding the opening; this effect can be exacerbated by the change of composition of a liquid as it evaporates, freezes, or otherwise contacts the outside environment.
  • dispensing a liquid into an environment which contains vapors which can dissolve into the liquid and interact with one or more compounds in the liquid can create difficulties when obstructed passageways, such as valves or narrowed terminus, are used.
  • obstructed passageways such as valves or narrowed terminus
  • one embodiment produces a constant liquid height, and therefore hydrostatic pressure, especially at the terminus of a conduit, regardless of how much liquid may be in the container.
  • the height of the liquid can be gradually increased with time, which therefore increases the head pressure of the liquid.
  • an increased head pressure can counter the effect of slowing flow that this opening would otherwise have.
  • a system may be designed to create high pressures at intermittent intervals to unclog any occlusions. After such a spike in pressure, the pressure would return to a lower value to continue liquid dispensing at a predefined rate.
  • restrictor tube can comprise any form of passageway for liquids, including but not limited to tubes, hoses, pipes, sluices, and/or conduits.
  • the restrictor tube can also comprise the conduit leading from a reservoir, or be operatively coupled to the conduit leading from a reservoir in one more embodiments. Knowing the head pressure of the restrictor tube, i.e. the hydrostatic pressure based on the reservoir's height relative to the output of the restrictor tube, the termination pressure of the restrictor tube (for example, atmospheric pressure, although increased pressures or vacuums are also contemplated), the restrictor tube length, diameter, and roughness, a given flowrate can be selected knowing the density, viscosity, and friction loss coefficient, of the liquid.
  • a flowrate can be optionally estimated using first approximations of the system (for example, friction loss, viscosity of the liquid and roughness of the tube), and/or and a given tube material and diameter selected.
  • the actual flowrate based on the restrictor tube selected can be measured, and the length of the tube can be changed, for example by cutting the tube, or appending additional lengths, and the flowrate determined. This provides an empirical method for creating a dispensing system with a desired, precise and constant flow.
  • the inner surface roughness of a given tube may be one value that can be referenced from a manufacturer when water is used, but when a different liquid is employed, the quoted roughness value can be substantially different.
  • Non-circular tubes could be used as well as non-tubular restrictors, such as channels within a solid structure. In any case, for many systems, the theoretical flow rates are calculable, while empirical flow rates can be selected in a similar fashion to the tube method described above.
  • Some embodiments can comprise a plurality of restrictor tubes.
  • the tubes are connected in series.
  • the dimensions and materials of the serially-connected tubes can be changed to create a known restriction.
  • a series of tubes can be connected in series by three-way valves, valves with more than three ports wherein at least three ports are used, or by two cutoff valves.
  • opening and closing of one or more valves can create a flow path of selected length.
  • an arbitrary length of tube can be chosen based on a significantly smaller subset of tubes which comprise the flow path. It should be clear to a skilled artisan that by changing the length of a tube, the pressure drop across the tube can be changed, which changes the flow rate of fluid through the tube; therefore, by changing the overall length of a flow path comprised of tubes, an arbitrary flow rate can be selected based on a given head pressure, hydrostatic pressure, or pressure drop. For example, any integer length of tube from 1-38 meters can be created based on combinations of single tubes of length one (1), two (2), three (3), four (4), eight (8), as well as two ten (10) meter lengths. Table 1 below shows how proper connection of combinations of these tubes can provide any length of tube from one to thirty eight (1-38) meters:
  • a series of six (6) three-way valves can be connected, one between each of the seven lengths of tube in Table 1, such that each length is either included in the flow path, or not.
  • Proper selection of which tube is in the flow path (denoted by the X in the corresponding column and row in Table 1) provides an overall path length of the desired length.
  • the flow rate through these tubes can be controlled and changed conveniently.
  • Some embodiments can comprise a plurality of restrictor tubes.
  • the tubes are connected in parallel.
  • the tubes terminate in the same location; in some embodiments, the tube terminate in separate locations.
  • a selected flow can be chosen by using all or a set of restrictor tubes terminating in a given location. For example, if ten (10) identical tubes which each will deliver a flow of 1 mL/min based on a certain head pressure are used, then any integer flow rate from 1 to lOmL/min can be selected by simply using as many tubes as are needed in a parallel manner.
  • the tubes can be connected to individual valves to select the proper number of tubes as required.
  • the tubes can have varying delivery flow rates, and combined in parallel in various combinations to achieve a desired flow rate.
  • tubes can be routed to separate locations for distribution of a fluid to disparate locations.
  • tubes can be configured as described herein to deliver different flow rates to different areas.
  • the tubes can be routed to the same location, for distribution of a fluid in a single area.
  • a tube packed with a solid as a restrictor to flow.
  • Said tube can be selected for length and diameter, as well as cross-sectional shape (circular, oval, square, of varying dimensions etc.), depending on the implementation.
  • the packing material can be pelletized (e.g., buck-shot), filamentous (e.g., cotton wool), or any other form that allows fluid to flow through and around the space of the solid.
  • a constant particle size is used to pack the tube, wherein the Kozeny-Carman equation can be used as a first calculation of pressure drop and flow rate.
  • various-sized particulates can be used to pack the tube.
  • empirical measurements can be taken of a packed tube to determine pressure drop versus length of the tube.
  • This restrictor can be combined with other restrictors (e.g., as described herein and/or known from the relevant literature), as well as appended onto the flow mechanisms described herein or other like components for dispensing liquids.
  • the viscosity of the fluid being dispensed can be changed by chemical means.
  • xanthan gum is a widely available material that is used to thicken foodstuffs or other chemicals, and can be utilized, and/or other thickeners and/or additives can be utilized.
  • Such embodiments can be combined with or used instead of the restrictors described herein.
  • the viscosity of the material being dispensed can be increased with an inert or possibly active ingredient.
  • the viscosity of sodium hydroxide solutions increases with sodium hydroxide solutions.
  • a system dispensing sodium hydroxide solution can be effectively tuned by diluting or adding more sodium hydroxide into the system (depending on the dispensing needs) or by using an inert thickener (again depending on the application).
  • Such embodiments and systems require no electricity, no power, no external feedback controls, no pumps, and no intervention.
  • one or more aspects provide an elegant means for dispensing the liquid, especially where the area of application is hard to access, dangerous to access, and/or benefits from not having electrical control mechanisms (e.g., in a flammable environment).
  • systems can be combined with powered, pneumatic, hydraulic, mechanical, or electronic feedback systems for additional control.
  • Numerous advantages of one or more aspects of the disclosure include the ability to create a constant flow. Some embodiments enable a known but variable flow. Some
  • embodiments enable flow to be chosen/specified/programmed and liquid dispensed without any operator intervention. Some embodiments describe systems with no moving parts in the flow path of the liquid and which therefore reduce clogging and/or corrosion of systems. Some embodiments describe systems which require no electricity, no external power source, no external feedback controls, no pumps, and no intervention. For situations where a constant delivery of liquid with respect to time is required, one or more aspects provide an elegant means for dispensing the liquid.
  • FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of one embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, to a fixed point 110 is connected an extension spring 112 from which is reservoir 114 containing a liquid
  • conduit 118 From said reservoir 114 leads a conduit 118, through which the liquid 116 is delivered at some fixed height 119.
  • conduit 118 is flexible (i.e. can stretch along the conduit axis) or is accordion-like and can collapse and expand, or contains slack to allow reservoir 114 to move relative to fixed point 110, but such that the distance or height between the terminus 119 of conduit 118 and fixed point 110 is constant, thus making the terminus 119 of conduit 118 a fixed height as well.
  • reservoir 114 is acted upon by gravity and extension spring 112 and therefore can move vertically, the height of the output of conduit 118 does not change relative to fixed point 110.
  • a flow restriction device, aperture, valve, or restrictor 120 is connected to conduit 118 to reduce flow of liquid 116.
  • restrictor 120 is a narrow tube chosen so that the pressure drop of liquid across it is known.
  • extension spring 112 has a spring force constant equivalent to the change of weight of the reservoir with each infinitesimal height of liquid 116 in the reservoir, which produces a constant height of liquid in reservoir 114 relative to fixed point 110 and fixed height 119. In such embodiments, the head height and therefore hydrostatic pressure of liquid 116 relative to fixed height 119 is invariant, thereby producing an invariant flow rate of liquid 116 from reservoir 114.
  • various spring constants are chosen to produce varied spring forces that change the liquid level of liquid 116 as the reservoir empties through conduit 118 or is refilled, thus changing varied flow rates versus time.
  • FIG. 1 An example operational embodiment is outlined below with reference to FIG. 1.
  • Reservoir 114 which as shown in FIG. 1 is open and not sealed, has a shape such that each inch of height holds lOlbs of liquid 116.
  • Extension spring 112 has a rating of lOlbs/inch.
  • Liquid 116 can be refilled at any time without changing the flow rate.
  • it can be set upon compression springs, with calculations similar to those above to achieve the same goals as described herein.
  • this embodiment illustrates an example fluid delivery system which requires no electricity, no power, no external feedback controls, no pumps, and no intervention for delivery of fluid 116 at essentially constant flow rate.
  • FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of another embodiment.
  • Siphon tube 210 is filled with liquid and immersed at one end in reservoir 212, and terminating at a fixed point 213.
  • Reservoir 212 is attached at one point of attachment 214 to one end of lever 216 balancing on fulcrum 218.
  • a second point of attachment 220 for coupling lever to compression spring 222 which is attached also to a fixed point 224.
  • FIG. 2 thus illustrates that a lever and fulcrum can interface with a spring system and reservoir to provide mechanical advantage, disadvantage, or neither (e.g., simply transmitting force).
  • a lever and fulcrum can interface with a spring system and reservoir to provide mechanical advantage, disadvantage, or neither (e.g., simply transmitting force).
  • Such embodiments can be useful with a spring or spring system that does not have the correct rating, extension length, weight rating, and so forth.
  • Other embodiments that can interface with a spring system and reservoir include one or more levers, a wheels/axel, a pulley, an inclined plane, a wedge, and a screw.
  • Other mechanisms for transmitting a force and optionally multiplying or dividing the force are also contemplated.
  • FIG. 2 can operate similarly to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, except that the force of compression spring 222 is used to counteract the weight of reservoir 212 in FIG. 2, instead of an extension spring 112 counteracting the weight of reservoir 114 as shown in FIG. 1.
  • compression spring 222 elongates.
  • the force it exerts on lever 216 is decreased, which balances the weight of reservoir 212 (and tube 210, etc.).
  • a reservoir 212 such that the weight of liquid in each unit of vertical measure is equivalent to the force exerted by compression spring 222 in each corresponding unit of vertical measure as dictated by lever 216 allows for the height of reservoir 212 to increase, but the level of fluid in the reservoir relative to fixed point 213 or 224 to be the same.
  • points 214 and 220 are equidistant from fulcrum 218 on opposite ends of lever 216, so that each vertical measurement of liquid in reservoir 212 exerts essentially the same unit of force per each same unit of vertical expansion or compression of spring 222.
  • objects 410, 412, and 414 are attached to each other by rod 416.
  • objects 410, 412, and 414 are buoyant in liquid
  • Rod 416 terminates at point 422 to transmit a force relative to the amount that objects 410, 412, and 414 are immersed in liquid 418 and the relative buoyancy of objects 410, 412, and 414 in liquid 418.
  • the force on rod 416 through point 422 is in the opposite vector direction from the immersion of objects 410, 412, and 414.
  • objects 410, 412, and 414 sink in fluid 418 and so the force on rod 416 and point 422 is in the same vector direction as the immersion of objects 410, 412, and 414.
  • objects 410, 412, and 414 have different buoyancies from each other; in some embodiments, objects 410, 412, and 414 have identical buoyancies to each other.
  • the force produced on rod 416 and point 422 by immersion of objects 410, 412, and 414 into liquid 417 has a varied force versus distance immersed curve.
  • the illustrated embodiment can be interfaced through point 422 to deliver this force to other embodiments described in this disclosure.
  • additional objects can be attached to rod 416, additional rods can be used, and so forth. The use of three objects is not meant to be limiting, and any number of objects and rods could be used to produce a force at point 422.
  • Immersion of objects 410, 412, and 416, along with rod 416 produces a force either in the direction of immersion, opposite the direction of immersion, or no force at point 422.
  • the magnitude of the force and the first derivative, second derivative, and subsequent derivatives of force at point 422 can be tuned by selection of size, shape, material, and relative buoyancy of objects 410, 412, and 414, as well as rod 416, in addition to the nature of fluid 418.
  • a known force versus displacement curve can be configured or chosen.
  • a variation of pressure, weight, or external force, for example gravity, on the system can be accommodated and used to produce various forces as desired.
  • an embodiment employs expandable bladders 510 attached to conveyor belt means 512 which rotates around rotation means 514 and 516.
  • Expandable bladders 510 have an umbilical 518 which can be attached to a compressed air source 520 to inflate expandable bladders 510 below the surface of liquid 522.
  • An air release point 524 allows expandable bladders to re-contract.
  • air is not meant to be limiting, only exemplary, other gases could be used or fluids with different densities from liquid 522. In some
  • expandable bladders 510 are replaced with cup-shaped containers which open downward on the right side of conveyor 512 in FIG. 4, and open upward on the left side of conveyor 512, similar to a water wheel arrangement.
  • expandable bladders 510 produce a buoyant force on expandable bladders 510 due to the submersion of the expandable bladders in fluid 522, which pulls conveyor 512 and thereby turn rotation means 514 and 516. If expandable bladders 510 are inflated to the same degree as they pass, in the figure, from left to right over rotation means 516, a constant torque is applied to rotation means 514 and 516. This can be interfaced as needed with external machinery to produce a known force based on the amount of buoyancy created in expandable bladders 510 by expansion with air from compressed air source 520 and the nature of fluid 522.
  • FIG. 5 illustrates the principle of operation of a siphon, which is illustrative of aspects of one or more embodiments as described herein. Although siphons are contemplated for use in one or more embodiments, the use of bulkhead fittings or other means of creating a liquid-tight seal in a container may be more convenient for one or more embodiments.
  • FIG. 6 illustrates an aspect of one or more embodiments which employs one or more float valves.
  • a lower reservoir from which fluid is to be dispensed, is connected by a conduit to an upper reservoir.
  • the conduit is alternatively opened or closed based on the action of a float valve. Fluid fills the lower reservoir once the float valve actuates by dropping below some configurable height, and fluid ceases to fill the lower reservoir once the float valve returns to some configurable height.
  • a skilled artisan will be familiar with various float valves that can be used in one or more embodiments.
  • the aspect illustrated in FIG. 6 allows for a mostly constant but known flow to be produced from the lower reservoir, since the hydrostatic pressure or fluid height changes only insofar as the float valve actuates.
  • Such an aspect is useful for other embodiments described herein, wherein a smaller, lower reservoir can be kept replete with liquid based on a larger, upper reservoir, so that the smaller reservoir does not need to be filled as often by an operator.
  • a large container can be refilled less often than a smaller container, yet the smaller container placed in an advantageous location or used for some other purpose.
  • FIGs. 7 and 8 are photographs of example implementations of some embodiments of the disclosure.
  • the teachings disclosed herein were used to construct the example shown in FIGs. 7 and 8.
  • low-cost components were used, which could have provided limitations in terms of precision and accuracy of the system, however, as shown in the corresponding data, the delivery ability of the system was essentially not affected by these limitations.
  • a 5-gallon bucket was filled, and was measured to have a weight of approximately 40.7 lbs.
  • the container contributes negligibly to the total weight of the reservoir.
  • a typical 5-gallon plastic bucket weighs about 1.8 lbs., so for an illustrative example, this approximation is acceptable.
  • heavier or lighter buckets can be used, a consideration in constructing systems as described herein is that the bucket, when full of a liquid of interest, does not exceed the rated weight of the spring system.
  • the spring(s) chosen are able to stretch the entire distance of the bucket fill height. In other words, the springs act as a spring over the entire length that they are required to do so, and don't, for example, reach their length limit and begin to deform irreversibly.
  • the spring(s) are able to withstand the entire weight of the filled bucket.
  • a spring or springs are identified that have a spring rating about one of these values, with sufficient extended length, and with sufficient maximum load.
  • the minimum load sometimes called the minimum deflection rating, could limit the usefulness of system of this embodiment at low reservoir container volumes.
  • the minimum load or minimum deflection rating is the minimum amount of weight or force on the spring required to deflect it. In other words, as the fluid is dispensed and the amount of fluid in the reservoir is depleted, the weight of the reservoir might not be sufficient to stretch an extension spring so that its spring force is being delivered to the reservoir.
  • springs could be custom manufactured for greater precision or accuracy, fewer or more springs, etc. (Note here that the minimum rating or minimum deflection for one of these springs is 0.431bs, which produces a summed rating for all 7 springs of approximately 3.Ollbs, so that so long as there is more than 1.21 lbs. of liquid - which, for water, is approximately 18 oz. - in the bucket, the springs will be extended and therefore will produce the desired effect). Alternatively, a small weight could be used to make the effective weight of the bucket is greater than or equal to 3.01 lbs.
  • the seven springs are attached to the top of the container such that the force is evenly distributed, and so that the force of gravity is exactly opposite the extension of the springs.
  • One of many possible combinations is to evenly distribute the springs around the circumference of the top of the bucket. Measuring the bucket's diameter at 11.5 inches, a spring spacing below is determined: 11.5 * ⁇
  • FIG. 7 shows the system as assembled, using a frame made out of lumber to provide a means from which to suspend the bucket.
  • FIG. 8 shows a closeup of the outlet of the tube, which is attached to the support frame, and therefore at a fixed height relative to the suspension points. Not shown in these pictures is a bucket used to collect water as it flowed out of the system.
  • FIGs. 9-11 show a very good r 2 fit to a straight line, indicating a constant delivery rate of fluid.
  • FIG. 9 shows the results from an example period of operation of the apparatus shown in FIGs. 7 and 8.
  • the frequency of data collection was every 60000 milliseconds, and a total of 6000 reads were collected.
  • the distance from the top of the collection bucket to the top of the water collected decreased at about a linear rate, showing the flow rate was about constant.
  • FIG. 10 shows another operation period, whereby the degree the valve was opened was changed to produce a different flow rate. Nonetheless, a constant flow (again, as evidenced by a linear decrease of the distance between the top of the water level to the top of the bucket) was observed.
  • FIG. 11 displays a moving average of the data from FIG. 10, which produces less "spikes" due to sensor noise or bad readings.
  • FIGs. 12 and 13 show the calculations as described above, for the system shown in FIGs. 7 and 8, and the data from which was shown in FIGs. 9-11.
  • valves can be become clogged when used at low flow rates, e.g. less than 5 gal/day, when the liquid used contains salts or suspended solids, or when other environmental concerns can create issues with valves.
  • low flow rates e.g. less than 5 gal/day
  • the liquid used contains salts or suspended solids, or when other environmental concerns can create issues with valves.
  • two methods of restriction are discussed below. The first describes how to perform calculations on tube diameter and length to produce a desired flow given a certain head pressure (using formulae to calculate pressure drop across a narrow tube). The second describes how to use the Kozeny-Carman equation, which describes fluid flow through a packed bed.
  • the pressure of a 2-meter-high column of water at its base is about 0.1932 atm, or 2.8395 psi.
  • the fluid height, and therefore head or hydrostatic pressure delivered by a system configured as described herein will remain constant, as shown by other calculations. Since the head pressure is known, and the outlet pressure is also known
  • a tube, hose, pipe, sluice, and/or conduit with a low ratio of diameter to length can serve as an appropriate restrictor for dispensing fluids.
  • a relatively wide-bore tube as the flexible conduit 118, as pictured in FIGs. 7 and 8, which is subsequently attached at the fixed height 119 to a long, narrow-bore tube. Since the pressure drop across the length of the wide-bore tube is negligible, and since the height of the liquid in reservoir 114 relative to fixed height 119 is constant, the wide-bore tube does not substantially affect the hydrostatic pressure of the liquid as measured at fixed height 119. In contrast, the pressure drop of the narrow-bore tube is much higher per unit length, which serves to restrict the flow of the liquid.
  • a wide-bore tube is referred to as a
  • the variables in this equation are readily obtained by empirically, through measurement of system characteristics. For example, measuring the pressure drop can be a matter of measuring the fluid height from which the fluid is dispensed. Similarly, the hydraulic diameter of a pipe with circular cross-section can be the inner diameter of the pipe, which can be measured or may be known from the manufacturer of the pipe. The density of the fluid can be determined/obtained (versus temperature, if appropriate) by various methods. However, the "Darcy Friction Factor" f D variable encompasses many aspects of the system including the pipe roughness and the viscosity of the fluid, some of which vary not only with external/systemic variables such as temperature, but with the flow rate of the system itself, which is the desired output of the equation.
  • Table 3 summarizes the results of seven experiments in which a silicone tube of 1/32 inch internal diameter was used as the output of a system diagrammed in FIG. 1 and similar to the one illustrated in FIGs. 6-10. A constant head height of 34 inches was used to generate this data: Table 3.
  • FIGs. 15 and 16 show the calculated and measured flow rates, respectively, vs.
  • FIG. 19 shows a bracket embodiment that can be used with one or more embodiments described herein.
  • This bracket serves as a fixed point from which to mount a reservoir and spring system as shown in other examples and figures.
  • On central frame 2002 are mounted four extension arms 2004.
  • a rest pad, 2006 At the outside, relative to central frame 2002, on each of the extension arms are a rest pad, 2006, which can rest upon the inner lip of a manhole. Rest pads 2006 are shown in this embodiment with a 1/8" thickness so as to minimally add height to a manhole lid placed back onto a manhole after a bracket is installed.
  • Extension arms 2004 each contain an adjustment groove 2008 through which two retaining bolts 2010 pass. Retaining bolts 2010 are fixed by retaining nuts 2012.
  • Extension arms 2004 can move along the axis of the adjustment groove by sufficiently loosening retaining nuts 2012 and retaining bolts 2010. On the other hand, extension arms can be fixed by tightening retaining nuts 2012 and retaining bolts 2010. In this way, rest pads 2006 can be made to rest on manholes of arbitrary size, and locked in place securely.
  • the bracket can be fit to manholes of arbitrary sizes, only limited by the size of the central frame 2002.
  • This example shows one aspect of one or more embodiments that allow for a convenient manner to mount one or more embodiments described herein, or other devices, in a sewer system, by simply opening a manhole, placing an embodiment or other devices within and attaching to a bracket similar to the one shown here, mounted on the lip of the manhole, then replacing the manhole lid.
  • manhole refers to a covered opening, such as those commonly found as an entrance to a tank, vessel or other enclosed system.
  • manholes are commonly found in roadways, streets, floors, and paved surfaces. Often, but not exclusively, such manholes provide access to an underground structure, such as an underground tank, sewer line, or other drainage system.
  • Manholes are also commonly found on railroad oil tanks, mixing and reaction vessels, barges, and reactors, such as anaerobic digesters, in order to provide access to the interior of such structures. In some instances, manholes are sized to permit a person to descend down a vertical opening.
  • FIG. 20 shows an embodiment comprising a ram pump.
  • a reservoir 2102 contains a fluid 2104 with a fluid level 2106 as shown.
  • the reservoir is suspended via spring 2108 to fixed point 2110.
  • the spring constant can be selected by the user to provide a constant height of fluid 2104 with respect to fixed point 2110.
  • the fluid is allowed to flow through a conduit 2112 which is coupled to reservoir 2102 by means of attachment 2114.
  • the liquid that flows through conduit 2112 is routed to a ram pump, 2116.
  • Ram pump 2116 has delivery conduit 2118 through which fluid intermittently flows, as well as waste output 2120.
  • Ram pump 2116 operates as known ram pumps in the art, or other similar devices that convert motion of a fluid into pressure, and generates a delivery output flow level 2122 which is higher than the initial fluid level 2106 as shown.
  • FIG. 20 shows an embodiment which comprises a ram pump.
  • FIG. 21 shows an embodiment comprising a flow regulator.
  • Reservoir 2202 contains a fluid 2204. Into said reservoir 2202 flows additional fluid 2204 through intermittent input flow conduit 2206. Reservoir 2202 is suspended by spring 2208 to fixed point 2210. Spring 2208 can be configured to provide a fluid level, 2212, that is constant or changing with time. An optional overflow exit conduit 2214 prevents the reservoir from overflowing and fixes the maximum fluid height.
  • An output conduit connection 2218 connects reservoir 2202 to output conduit 2216, which terminates at a height fixed relative to fixed point 2210, and a proper configuration of spring 2208 can provide an output flow 2220 that is constant, regardless of the intermittent input flow 2206, by the mechanics described hereinabove, or changing with time as a function of spring 2208, flow through intermittent input flow conduit 2206, and fluid level 2212.
  • Output conduit 2216 can be appropriately restricted to provide a limitation to total flow, as described hereinabove, so that as long as the integral of intermittent input flow exceeds the integral of output flow, over the same time period,
  • FIG. 21 illustrates an embodiment which comprises a flow regulator, which takes an intermittent flow, e.g. from a ram pump, and converts it into a continuous flow.
  • FIG. 22 shows a photograph of an embodiment as installed in a municipal sewer lift station.
  • Reservoir 2402 is comprised of a plastic tank 2404 held within steel frame 2406. This provides structural rigidity as well as points of attachments for springs 2408 to bracket 2410. A total of eight springs 2408 are used in this embodiment, although two are indicated.
  • Bracket 2410 is mounted across the opening of the lift station and is therefore immobile, or fixed, whereas reservoir 2402 can move vertically as springs 2408 extend or retract.
  • liquid 2412 is being poured through funnel 2414 which is operatively coupled to reservoir 2402 by attachment to plastic tank 2404.
  • Funnel 2414 has an optional funnel cover 2416 which can be closed when liquid does not need to be added, to prevent evaporation or external debris from entering plastic tank 2404.
  • Conduit 2418 is connected to plastic tank 2404 by valve 2420 so that flow can be turned on an off as needed.
  • springs 2408 are stretched with the weight of the fluid, and will continue to stretch as additional fluid is added.
  • terminus of conduit 2418 which is at a fixed height in the lift station, which is therefore also of fixed distance relative to bracket 2410.
  • Conduit 2418 has sufficient slack between the end connected to valve 2420 and the terminus at a fixed height in the lift station, to accommodate the vertical movement of reservoir 2402 between being completely full and being completely empty.
  • the embodiment shown in FIG. 22 is configured to deliver a constant amount of liquid 2412 regardless of how full reservoir 2402 is.
  • This figure and example show a useful embodiment which is capable of precisely and accurately delivering a fluid into a desired location, which is currently being used to great advantage by a municipality for their sewage treatment, as described hereinbelow.
  • FIG. 23 shows views of the wet well or bottom of the lift station from FIG. 22.
  • On the left is the wet well or bottom of the lift station prior to being cleaned out.
  • Seen in the photograph on the left is a significant buildup of fats, oils, and grease, yellow-beige material on the top of the fluid that occupies the wet well. This is a common problem in lift stations and other sewer infrastructure. Fats oils and grease are poorly soluble in and less dense than water, so will float and accumulate on the surface of sewage water, especially where flows are slowed, water is still, agitation is minimal, etc. The fats, oils, and grease were removed from the wet well, and the apparatus described and shown in FIG.
  • the wet well 23 was installed to dispense about 1 gallon of treatment product per week into the well.
  • the treatment product prevents buildup of fats, oils, and grease, so long as it is continuously applied into a sewer.
  • little-to-no fats, oils, and grease buildup had accumulated on the surface of the liquid in the wet well.
  • the wet well comprises a confined space or explosive environment, and/or a remote location without power. Delivery of the treatment fluid would normally require an explosion proof pump, i.e.
  • FIG. 24 shows an illustration of an embodiment which allows for a smaller reservoir to act as the flow control reservoir, being periodically refilled by, for example, a larger reservoir, so that the smaller reservoir, which is depicted as being inside a manhole under a street
  • Drum 2602 contains a fluid to be dispensed into sewer 2604. As illustrated, drum 2602 is somewhat remote from sewer 2604, so that drum 2602 can be easily accessed for refilling or replacement. From drum 2602, the fluid is allowed to flow through refill conduit 2606, which is shown to be on the ground surface, but could be underground or routed in any convenient manner. Thus, drum 2602 is in fluid communication with reservoir 2610. Refill conduit 2606 passes through manhole 2608 and terminates inside reservoir 2610, as shown in the enlargement and cutaway in FIG. 24. At the terminus of refill conduit 2606 is a float valve 2612, which can be configured to refill reservoir 2610 at pre-set levels.
  • Reservoir 2610 is suspended via springs 2614 to bracket 2616, which are both similar to those described in other figures and descriptions herein.
  • Springs 2614 are configured to change the height of reservoir 2610 to maintain a constant fluid height in this example figure, but a variety of configurations are contemplated.
  • From reservoir 2610 leads exit conduit 2618, which terminates in restrictor 2620.
  • Restrictor 2620 is affixed by bracket 2622 to a fixed height within the sewer 2604, and configured to allow a known rate of fluid passage based on the height of fluid within reservoir 2610.
  • FIG. 24 which shows a combination of one or more embodiments and/or disclosures described herein, provides a convenient means for delivering a fluid, for example a treatment chemical, into a sewer system, while decreasing the frequency and facilitating the task of refilling the system.
  • FIG. 25 shows an embodiment which employs gears to produce a mechanical advantage, allowing a single spring with a rating not equal to the weight per unit height of the reservoir containing fluid to be employed.
  • FIG. 25 is an illustration of one of several ways contemplated to configure one or more embodiments to transmit a force between a reservoir containing a fluid and the force mechanism, as hereinabove described, itself.
  • reservoir 2702 is attached to geared cable 2704.
  • Geared cable 2704 actuates gear 2706, which as depicted, actuates pinion 2708 in a way such that a multiple of the distance and therefore division of the force is created by the interaction of gear 2706 with pinon 2708.
  • the relative size of gear 2706 and pinon 2708 is reversed.
  • the relative size of gear 2706 and pinion 2708 are equivalent.
  • a series of gears for example comprising a gearbox or transmission, can be used in place of gear 2706 and pinion 2708 shown in FIG. 25.
  • Pinion 2708 actuates rack 2710 which impinges on compression spring 2712 which is fixed to fixed attachment 2714.
  • compression spring 2712 can have a lower force per unit distance value in order to create a constant liquid height, as described herein, than a single extension spring attached to reservoir 2702, as depicted, for example in FIG. 1, but a variety of spring forces are
  • fluid can flow through conduit 2716 through restrictor 2718, which is affixed at some height fixed relative to fixed attachment 2714 or any other convenient point in the external reference frame, so that reservoir 2702 can move relative to restrictor 2718, which can be configured for a known delivery volumetric flow rate.
  • reservoir 2702 Shown in this example and others is reservoir 2702 as a rectangular prism, but a variety of shapes are contemplated as shown in other figures and described herein; as shown in FIG.
  • conduit 2716 comprises a tube or hose which has slack, but other means of allowing displacement between reservoir 2702 and the terminus of conduit 2716 and restrictor 2718 are contemplated, such as an accordion-type hose, a flexible (along the hoses' axis) tube, a coiled tube, etc.
  • FIG. 25 shows an example of one way a fluid delivery system described herein can make use of one or more force multiplication and/or division and/or transmission systems, to allow for the convenient selection of components for the force system, for example, a spring as shown in FIG. 25.
  • FIG. 26 depicts an embodiment which uses a pulley to provide mechanical advantage.
  • Reservoir 2802 is connected to block and tackle 2804 via rope 2806 and pulley 2807.
  • rope 2806 is fixed to one of the pulleys comprising block and tackle 2804
  • spring 2808 is attached to block and tackle 2804 and thus a change in the force required per unit movement of reservoir 2802 is realized.
  • a mechanical advantage, disadvantage, or no change in force can be realized by a force transmittal system, for example, in FIG. 26 the force required by spring 2808 will be lower over a longer distance.
  • FIG. 26 the force required by spring 2808 will be lower over a longer distance.
  • conduit 2810 is attached at a fixed point 2812 which is also a part of fixed block 2814 to which spring 2808, block and tackle 2804, as well as pulley 2807 are attached, but other attachment points are envisioned.
  • a flow restrictor 2816 is used in FIG. 26 comprising a long, narrow tube, but other restrictors are possible.
  • FIG. 26 shows an embodiment wherein the force system is attached to a reservoir by a force transmittal system, to gain a mechanical advantage, which allows for an arbitrary selection of appropriate springs as described hereinabove.
  • FIG. 27 shows an example embodiment which utilizes the buoyancy of one or more objects as a force system to controllably change the height, and therefore hydrodynamic pressure of a reservoir.
  • Reservoir 2902 is connected to lever 2904 balancing on fulcrum 2906.
  • the distal end of lever 2904 is actuated upon by a second lever 2908 balancing on a second fulcrum 2910.
  • Fulcrums 2906 and 2910 can be connected or not.
  • the distal end of lever 2908 is impinged upon by rod 2912 which is connected to float 2914, 2916, and 2918.
  • floats 2914, 2916, and 2918 are shown to be of different sizes and materials but similar shapes, but could optionally share be of the same or different sizes, materials, and/or shapes, and be a single object or a plurality of objects; the floats can also be connected to a plurality of rods.
  • reservoir 2902 When reservoir 2902 is full, it creates a downward force, transmitted by levers 2904 and 2908, to rod 2912.
  • conduit 2920 is an accordion-like tube, which can extend or retract along its axis, although other flexible conduits, or a tube with slack, could be used.
  • drip irrigator 2922 which acts as a restrictor, to limit flow out of reservoir 2902 based on the hydrostatic pressure of the fluid therein contained, similar to other embodiments, although other means to restrict a fluid flow are contemplated as disclosed elsewhere herein.
  • levers of approximate scale size of the reservoir and floats are depicted in FIG. 27, it is shown as an example, and various levers, of varying size, including one or more than two, can be combined to provide the effects as described. Mechanical advantage or disadvantage can be gained or not.
  • floats 2914, 2916, and 2918 are not buoyant in fluid 2919, and therefore the force on rod 2912 is in the downward direction.
  • FIG. 27 shows an embodiment comprised of several of the disclosures described herein that can be configured to use buoyant force as the force system to variably change the height of a reservoir, and therefore the hydrostatic pressure thereof and therefore flow rate therefrom.
  • FIG. 28 shows a top-down exaggerated perspective of an embodiment comprising a bracket, similar to that photographed in FIG. 19, fitted to a manhole, from which a reservoir is suspended.
  • Manhole 3002 with manhole lip 3003 is shown in FIG. 28, uncovered with the manhole lid that may normally cover it.
  • Arms 3004 are extended from central frame 3006. Nuts 3008 and bolts 3010 are used to hold arms 3004 in the correct position.
  • Pads 3012 are placed on manhole lip 3003 of manhole 3002 and are made of a minimal thickness so that when the manhole cover is replaced, the cover does not substantially sit above flush height with the manhole ring and surface. From central frame 3006 are attached springs 3014 by brackets 3016.
  • the distal ends of the spring attach to reservoir 3018.
  • a conduit leading from reservoir 3018 can be suspended conveniently from the bracket, e.g. from frame 3006 or arms 3004, using a string, cable, wire, cord, boom, bracket, rod, rigid or flexible member, etc.
  • a string or cable can be attached to central frame 3006 by which the terminus of the conduit and restrictor can be set to a predetermined level as well as retrieved for priming the system, changing the restrictor, maintenance, etc.
  • the embodiment as shown can operate similarly to others disclosed herein, whereby the bracket serves as a fixed point from which the reservoir, and optionally the restrictor, is suspended.
  • the embodiments disclosed herein can have a plurality outputs, and the above data, testing, and calibrations can be generated over a relatively short period of time by having multiple outputs from a single reservoir. Since the head height can be fixed (and may not be dependent on the flow rate or number of outputs), numerous conduits can be put on a single reservoir for simultaneous measurement of flow rate through tubes, columns, or pipes of various lengths. Using approximations for the tubes used, and the liquid to be dispensed, a wide range of tube lengths can be fixed to the output of the flow, the flow rates through each determined, and the data regressed as shown to determine the actual pipe length required for a desired flow rate.
  • the restrictor tube can be fixed at constant height from beginning to end of the tube. If one end of the restrictor tube is elevated relative to the other, a pressure differential can be generated which can cause discrepancies in flow rates. This is because the tube itself can generate different pressures along its length, which may make the Darcy-Weisbach equation not applicable in these situations.
  • calibration using a horizontally oriented restrictor can be used to address this issue.
  • variation of height between the beginning and end of the tube can lead to back pressure in some instances, which results in a changed flow rate relative to that desired.
  • these narrow restrictor tubes are coiled
  • the feed tube can be the flow restrictor tube.
  • both tubes can be calibrated using a chosen geometry to account for any pressure differences, so that the calibration process accounts for back pressures or flow restriction due to the geometry.
  • One advantage of the methods disclosed herein is that several variables relating to the friction loss coefficient are simultaneously measured.
  • An additional advantage is that the variables relating to friction loss, e.g. viscosity and surface roughness, can be isolated from each other using an appropriately configured system and measured independently, or concurrently.
  • Another advantage is that any difference in pipe construction resulting from manufacturing processes, age, temperature, or other variables, where such difference in construction would change the friction coefficient versus a known value for that pipe and material, is accounted for.
  • liquid dispensed during system calibration can be identical to the desired liquid for the application at hand.
  • An additional advantage is that a single system can be calibrated against a range of temperatures, fluid characteristics, or other variables, so that the system in question can be used with any convenient fluid or in any environment.
  • a series of different tube lengths can be calibrated as described herein, along with varying inputs such as temperature, fluid viscosity, and so forth, to generate a system for a given fluid at a given flow rate.
  • calibration can be performed with a limited set of inputs and multivariable regression performed to characterize various system configurations, tube lengths, external/systemic variables such as temperature, fluid
  • one or more embodiments enable automated ways to dispense a liquid from a reservoir without operator intervention.
  • Other embodiments describe a system to produce a force, which can optionally be combined with other embodiments to produce dispensing systems, or used on their own or in combination with mechanisms not related to fluid dispensing.
  • Still other embodiments disclose how to use chemicals and/or other means to better control fluid flow.
  • Some other embodiments teach methods and systems to create a programmable fluid dispenser which has no moving parts in the flow path, can produce a flow rate that varies arbitrarily with time, requires no operator interference, no electricity, no power, and does not use control loops. Such systems can be widely useful in a variety of applications.
  • inventive embodiments are presented by way of example only and that, within the scope of the disclosed embodiments and equivalents thereto; inventive embodiments may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described and set forth.
  • inventive embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to each individual feature, system, article, material, kit, and/or method described herein.
  • inventive concepts may be embodied as one or more methods, of which an example has been provided.
  • the acts performed as part of the method may be ordered in any suitable way. Accordingly, embodiments may be constructed in which acts are performed in an order different than illustrated, which may include performing some acts simultaneously, even though shown as sequential acts in illustrative embodiments.
  • any two components herein combined to achieve a particular functionality can be seen as “associated with” each other such that the desired functionality is achieved, irrespective of architectures or intermediate components.
  • any two components so associated can also be viewed as being “operably connected,” or “operably coupled,” to each other to achieve the desired functionality, and any two components capable of being so associated can also be viewed as being “operably couplable,” to each other to achieve the desired functionality.
  • operably couplable include but are not limited to physically mateable and/or physically interacting components and/or wirelessly interactable and/or wirelessly interacting components and/or logically interacting and/or logically interactable components.
  • a reference to "A and/or B", when used in conjunction with open-ended language such as “comprising” can refer, in one embodiment, to A only (optionally including elements other than B); in another embodiment, to B only (optionally including elements other than A); in yet another embodiment, to both A and B (optionally including other elements); etc.
  • the phrase "at least one,” in reference to a list of one or more elements, should be understood to mean at least one element selected from any one or more of the elements in the list of elements, but not necessarily including at least one of each and every element specifically listed within the list of elements and not excluding any combinations of elements in the list of elements.
  • This definition also allows that elements may optionally be present other than the elements specifically identified within the list of elements to which the phrase "at least one" refers, whether related or unrelated to those elements specifically identified.
  • B can refer, in one embodiment, to at least one, optionally including more than one, A, with no B present (and optionally including elements other than B); in another embodiment, to at least one, optionally including more than one, B, with no A present (and optionally including elements other than A); in yet another embodiment, to at least one, optionally including more than one, A, and at least one, optionally including more than one, B (and optionally including other elements); etc.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Fluid Mechanics (AREA)
  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Hydrology & Water Resources (AREA)
  • Public Health (AREA)
  • Water Supply & Treatment (AREA)
  • Jet Pumps And Other Pumps (AREA)
  • Flow Control (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention concerne des appareils, des procédés et des systèmes de distribution de liquides et de fluides à des débits spécifiés. Dans de nombreux modes de réalisation, une pompe n'est pas requise. Certains modes de réalisation sont configurés pour fournir des débits constants, et d'autres modes de réalisation sont configurés pour fournir des débits variables. Certains modes de réalisation concernent des systèmes de force ou des pompes aspirantes. Certains des modes de réalisation décrits peuvent être configurés pour des débits spécifiés, qu'ils soient variables ou constants, sans pompe, sans intervention humaine pendant la distribution, et sans aucun système électronique ou autre système de rétroaction.
PCT/US2018/019549 2017-02-24 2018-02-23 Appareil gravimétrique pour le transfert de fluides Ceased WO2018156974A1 (fr)

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Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5316196A (en) * 1990-07-05 1994-05-31 Hormec Technic Sa Fluid dispenser, in particular for gluing parts
US5358000A (en) * 1993-08-17 1994-10-25 Hair Michael T O Siphon pump having a metering chamber
US5782382A (en) * 1995-12-27 1998-07-21 International Sanitary Ware Manufacturing Cy Dispenser for personal hygiene liquids
US20140322035A1 (en) * 2013-03-15 2014-10-30 Richard F. McNichol Drive system for surface hydraulic accumulator
CN104454491B (zh) * 2014-10-29 2017-01-25 中国水利水电科学研究院 一种可调高扬程的水锤泵实验方法和实验平台

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5316196A (en) * 1990-07-05 1994-05-31 Hormec Technic Sa Fluid dispenser, in particular for gluing parts
US5358000A (en) * 1993-08-17 1994-10-25 Hair Michael T O Siphon pump having a metering chamber
US5782382A (en) * 1995-12-27 1998-07-21 International Sanitary Ware Manufacturing Cy Dispenser for personal hygiene liquids
US20140322035A1 (en) * 2013-03-15 2014-10-30 Richard F. McNichol Drive system for surface hydraulic accumulator
CN104454491B (zh) * 2014-10-29 2017-01-25 中国水利水电科学研究院 一种可调高扬程的水锤泵实验方法和实验平台

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