Liquid recirculating valve

Abstract

A liquid dispensing valve for dispensing of liquid solution, the liquid dispensing valve operable to create a vacuum buildup of pressure, such that the liquid moves on a recirculation path from the intake port to the output port. The recirculation of the liquid prevents sediment within the liquid from settling, and further prevents backpressure, and allows for continuous recirculation of the solution through a suction return line, providing generally consistent flow of liquid. The liquid dispensing valve's ability to minimize sediment buildup allows for a quick cleaning of the lines while also minimizing potential contamination of the general area.

Claims

1. A liquid dispensing valve, said liquid dispensing valve comprising: a casing having an intake port formed on a first side of said casing and an output port formed on a second side of said casing; a tubular main liquid passage extending along an axis extending from the intake port to the output port wherein the tubular main liquid passage further comprises a hourglass-shaped section located between the intake port and output port, the hourglass-shaped section comprised of a reduced diameter nozzle and an extending diameter nozzle; a suction port formed on a side of said casing, said suction port located perpendicular to the hourglass-shaped section of the tubular main liquid passage, further comprising a tubular suction liquid passage extending along an axis from the suction port to the hourglass-shaped section of the main liquid passage; a tubular recirculation liquid passage disposed in a first position on the tubular main liquid passage, and further disposed in a second position on the tubular main liquid passage sandwiching the hourglass-shaped section of the tubular main liquid passage; and a bypass valve port formed on a side of said casing located opposite of the suction port, the bypass valve port extending perpendicularly from the tubular recirculation liquid passage.

2. The liquid dispensing valve of claim 1, wherein the casing further comprises an accessory port.

3. The liquid dispensing valve of claim 2, wherein the casing further comprises a plurality of accessory ports.

4. The liquid dispensing valve of claim 1, wherein the bypass valve port further comprises a spring-loaded relief valve.

5. The liquid dispensing valve of claim 1, wherein a flow meter is positioned in the tubular main liquid passage.

6. The liquid dispensing valve of claim 5, wherein an additional second flow meter is positioned in the tubular main liquid passage.

7. The liquid dispensing valve of claim 1, wherein the suction port additionally comprises a connecting valve.

8. The liquid dispensing valve of claim 7, wherein a return hose is provided having a first and second distal end, and the connecting valve is removably-connected with said return hose at the return hose's first distal end.

9. The liquid dispensing valve of claim 8, wherein a feed hose is additionally provided having a first and second distal end, said feed hose removably connected to the output port at the first distal end of the feed hose.

10. The liquid dispensing valve of claim 9, wherein a sprayer feed line is additionally provided, and wherein the feed hose is removably connected at said feed hose's second distal end to the sprayer feed line.

11. The liquid dispensing valve of claim 10, wherein the sprayer feed line additionally comprises a sprayer tip nozzle.

12. The liquid dispensing valve of claim 11, wherein the sprayer feed line additionally comprises a plurality of sprayer tip nozzles.

13. The liquid dispensing valve of claim 12, wherein the sprayer feed line is connected to the return hose at the second distal end of the return hose.

14. The liquid dispensing valve of claim 13, wherein the intake port additionally comprises male threading.

15. The liquid dispensing valve of claim 14, wherein the output port additionally comprises male threading.

16. The liquid dispensing valve of claim 15, wherein the connecting valve is a tee valve.

17. The liquid dispensing valve of claim 16, wherein the tee valve is connected to a plurality of return hoses.

18. A liquid solution dispensing system for recirculating and dispensing of liquid, said liquid solution dispensing system comprising: a heavy machine having a liquid solution tank; an intake hose having a first and second distal end, said intake hose removably connected to the liquid solution tank at the first distal end of the intake hose; a liquid dispensing valve including a casing having an intake port and an output port, the intake port of the liquid dispensing valve removably connected to the second distal end of the intake hose, the liquid dispensing valve comprising: a tubular main liquid passage extending along an axis extending from the intake port to the output port; a hourglass-shaped section located within the tubular main liquid passage; a suction port located perpendicular to the hourglass-shaped section, wherein a tubular suction liquid passage extends along an axis from the suction port to the main liquid passage, the suction port additionally comprising a connecting valve; a tubular recirculation liquid passage disposed in a first position on the tubular main liquid passage extending to a second position on the tubular main liquid passage; a bypass valve port formed on a side of the casing, the bypass valve port extending perpendicularly from the tubular recirculation liquid passage; a spring-loaded relief valve positioned in the bypass valve port; a feed hose having a first and second distal end, the feed hose first distal end removably connected to the output port of the liquid dispensing valve; a sprayer feed line, removably connected to the second distal end of the feed hose; a plurality of sprayer tips connected to the sprayer feed line; and a return hose having a first and second distal end, the first distal end of the return hose removably connected to the sprayer feed line, and the second distal end removably connected to the connecting valve of the suction port of the liquid dispensing valve.

19. The liquid dispensing system of claim 18, wherein the heavy machinery is a tractor.

20. The liquid dispensing system of claim 19, wherein the liquid dispensing valve additionally comprises chemical injection ports.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

(1) One or more preferred exemplary embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which like reference numerals represent like parts throughout and in which:

(2) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the liquid dispensing valve in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.

(3) FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the liquid dispensing valve in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.

(4) FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the liquid dispensing valve in use with a spraying boom application.

(5) Before explaining one or more embodiments of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of the components as set forth in the following description or as illustrated in any appended drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and appearances, and may be practiced or carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(6) FIG. 1 illustrates a preferred embodiment of a liquid dispensing valve 10 constructed in accordance with the present disclosure. The liquid dispensing valve 10 is shown in a solid state with a casing 20, and having an intake port 30 located on a first side casing 40. As previously mentioned, the intake port 30 is where the initial influx of liquid solution enters the liquid dispensing valve 10 and thus is preferably positioned closest to the location of the Liquid Solution Tank 230, as depicted in FIG. 3. The output port 50 is illustrated here on the second side casing 60, which is known as a side of the casing opposite that of the first side casing 40. As described above, the output port 50 need not be located in the second side casing 60 exactly opposite that of the first side casing 40, as a location on a perpendicular side of the casing 20 but near the second side casing 60 would also not depart from the spirit of the present disclosure. Looking further at the liquid dispensing valve 10, a suction port 110 is depicted, which will allow for the recirculation of liquid solution into the valve 10, and this helps create a vacuum effect, as will be described further later. On a side of the casing 20 opposite that of the suction port 110 is shown a bypass valve port 160 which is an optional port which when provided allows a user to ingress the interior of the valve 10 or may help create a pressure relief if that is desired. Should the user not desire to do so, this bypass valve port 160, if provided, may be capped off. The bypass valve port 160 may be positioned on any side of the casing 20, and it may in fact be advantageous to place on an alternate side, should the situation dictate it best to do so. An optional accessory port 170 is also provided in this Figure, which is an area in which a user may add additional granules, chemicals, water, or the like to the liquid solution.

(7) Turning now to FIG. 2, a cross-sectional view of the liquid dispensing valve 10 according to a preferred embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. The intake port 30 is shown near a first side casing 40, and also highlights a generally tubular main liquid passage 70. When the liquid solution enters through the valve 10, it follows the generally tubular main liquid passage 70 and flows by gravity, or other pressure flow, towards a reduced diameter nozzle 90. This reduced diameter nozzle 90 restricts the flow of the liquid solution and in low-flow situations, the entirety of the liquid solution will travel to an extending diameter nozzle 100, the combination of which creates a section of the main liquid passage 70 known herein as the generally hourglass-shaped section 80. When the liquid solution passes through the hourglass-shaped section 80, it flows towards the output port 50 which is located near or on the second side casing 60. Also shown is a suction port 110, where the recirculated liquid solution returns to enter the valve 10. The suction port 110 features a generally tubular suction liquid passage 120 for the recirculated liquid solution to travel and which intersects with the hourglass shaped section 80, the combination of with which a vacuum effect is created on the liquid solution, particularly in a higher-flow situation. When the vacuum effect is created, incoming liquid solution that is entering the valve 10 through the intake port 30 backs up and begins to flow towards a first position 140 of the main liquid passage 70. The first position 140 is known herein as the location where a generally tubular recirculation liquid passage 130 intersects with the main liquid passage 70. The recirculation liquid passage 130 is presently thought to be a curved passage which allows the liquid solution to move around the hourglass-shaped section 80 of the main liquid passage 70 and reconnects with the main liquid passage 70 at a point nearer the output port 50 known herein as the second position 150. As described throughout, the reasoning for inducing the liquid solution in such a way is to prevent sediment buildup and also reduces backpressure buildup during high-flow operations. In some embodiments, the first position additionally features a spring-loaded relief valve 180, which prevents flow of liquid solution during low-flow operations. When the flow is increased, the pressure buildup near the hourglass-shaped section 80 increases, and thus the pressure of the liquid solution flow increases exponentially on the spring-loaded relief valve 180 as well. The spring loaded relief valve 180 will then move towards a bypass valve port 160, and allow access to the recirculation liquid passage 130. In such a way the intake of liquid solution to the valve 10, and any additional chemicals, water, cleaners, granules, or the like through an accessory port 170 will be continuously recirculated and allow for a cleaner, more efficient operation of the sprayer itself. Though not depicted, it is contemplated that a flow meter may be provided near the intake port 30 so as to monitor the intake flow rate of the liquid solution. It is further contemplated that a second flow meter may be provided in a passage near the output port 50 so as to monitor the flow of the liquid solution egressing the valve 10.

(8) Looking to FIG. 3, a generic industrial or agricultural equipment piece 220 is depicted. This generic equipment piece 220 additionally comprises a sprayer boom 240, a liquid solution tank 230, and a plurality of sprayer tips 250. Underneath the liquid solution tank 230 is the liquid dispensing valve 10 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, and there exists a intake hose 260 which is a line connecting the liquid solution tank 230 to the intake port 30 of the valve 10 itself. At the lower end of the valve 10 is shown a feed hose 270 which is a line removably connected to the output port 50 of the valve 10 where the liquid solution egresses the valve 10 and begins to move towards the sprayer tips 250. In this embodiment, the valve 10 additionally comprises a three-way valve, otherwise known as a tee-valve 200, which is connected to return hoses 210. This completes a circuit where the initial liquid solution exits the valve 10, moving towards the sprayer tips 250. The liquid solution that does not get sprayed immediately moves towards the return hoses 210 and reenters the valve, to be recirculated and reenter the feed hose 270. This recirculation circuit prevents the liquid solution from building up sediment near the sprayer tips 250 and clogging said tip nozzles.

(9) Understandably, the present disclosure has been described above in terms of one or more preferred embodiments and methods. It is recognized that various alternatives and modifications may be made to these embodiments and methods that are within the scope of the present disclosure. It is also to be understood that, although the foregoing description and drawings describe and illustrate in detail one or more preferred embodiments of the present disclosure, to those skilled in the art of agricultural spraying, industrial spraying, heavy-machinery spraying, or in any other art to which the present disclosure relates, the present disclosure will suggest many modifications and constructions, as well as widely differing embodiments, applications and methods without thereby departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure.