Abstract
Methods and system for managing airflow across pipe or tube connections are provided. In some embodiments, methods and systems are provided that are well suited for use in pneumatic tube delivery systems having connections between tubes of different diameter. Airflow sources and management devices are provided to accommodate pressure changes and energy changes associated with pipe or tube expansions and contractions.
Claims
1. A pneumatic tube delivery system comprising: a primary air mover for providing air to the system and conveying materials through the system; a first pneumatic tube having a first diameter; a second pneumatic tube having a second diameter, wherein the second diameter is greater than the first diameter; wherein the first pneumatic tube comprises a first airflow sensor and the second pneumatic tube comprises a second airflow sensor, wherein the first airflow sensor and the second airflow sensor are in communication with a controller; wherein the controller is in communication with and operable to control a valve to regulate airflow.
2. The system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first airflow sensor and the second airflow sensor comprises a pressure sensor.
3. The system of claim 1, wherein the valve comprises a damper with an electronic actuator and the controller is in communication with the actuator.
4. The system of claim 1, wherein the first pneumatic tube and the second pneumatic tube are connected in series.
5. The system of claim 1, wherein the second pneumatic tube is provided downstream of the first pneumatic tube.
6. The system of claim 1, wherein the valve is provided in a supplemental air source provided in fluid communication with the second pneumatic tube.
7. A method of operating a pneumatic tube delivery system, the method comprising: providing a first pneumatic tube having a first diameter; providing a second pneumatic tube having a second diameter, wherein the second diameter is greater than the first diameter; providing a first airflow sensor in communication with the first pneumatic tube and a second airflow sensor in communication with the second pneumatic tube, wherein the first airflow sensor and the second airflow sensor are in communication with a controller; wherein the controller is in communication with and operable to control a valve to regulate airflow; comparing a value from the first airflow sensor with a value from the second airflow sensor; and based on the comparing step, selectively increasing or decreasing airflow to the second pneumatic tube.
8. The method of claim 7, wherein the system comprises a primary air mover and a secondary air source.
9. The method of claim 8, wherein the secondary air source is in fluid communication with the second pneumatic tube.
10. The method of claim 7, wherein the valve comprises a damper in communication with the second pneumatic tube.
11. The method of claim 10, wherein the damper comprises a motor operable to receive signals from the controller.
12. The method of claim 7, wherein second pneumatic tube is provided in series with and downstream of the first pneumatic tube.
13. A transport system comprising: a primary air mover for providing air to the system and conveying materials through the system; a first transport pipe having a first diameter; a second transport pipe having a second diameter, wherein the second diameter is greater than the first diameter; wherein the first transport pipe and the second transport pipe are connected in series and the second transport pipe is downstream of the first transport pipe; a third pipe provided in communication with the second transport pipe, wherein the third pipe comprises a source of supplemental air; at least one of a valve and a damper provided in communication with at least one of the second transport pipe and the third pipe, wherein the at least one of a valve and a damper is operable to control airflow to the second transport pipe.
14. The transport system of claim 13, wherein the at least one of a valve and damper is provided within the third pipe.
15. The transport system of claim 13, wherein the at least one of a valve and damper comprises a weighted damper that is operable to be forced open in response to a predetermined pressure difference.
16. The transport system of claim 13, wherein the at least one of a valve and damper comprises a damper with a motor and an actuator.
17. The transport system of claim 16, wherein the actuator is in electronic communication with an airflow sensor provided in the system.
18. The transport system of claim 16, wherein a first airflow sensor is provided in the first transport pipe and a second airflow sensor is provided in the second transport pipe.
19. The transport system of claim 13, wherein the system comprises at least one of a trash and linen transport system.
20. The transport system of claim 13, further comprising an air velocity sensor in the second transport pipe.
Description
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0018] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a PTS according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0019] FIG. 2 is front elevation view of a damper according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0020] FIG. 3 is a side elevation view of a damper according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0021] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional elevation view of a damper according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0022] FIG. 5 depicts a damper and a damper actuator according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0023] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a damper according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0024] FIG. 7 is a side elevation view of the damper according to the embodiment of FIG. 6.
[0025] FIG. 8 is a front elevation view of the damper according to the embodiment of FIG. 6.
[0026] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional elevation view of an embodiment of the present disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0027] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a PTS 2 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. The PTS 2 of FIG. 1 is contemplated as being a system that conveys trash or linen. The PTS 2 of FIG. 1 comprises a plurality of tubes or transport pipes. The system comprises at least one transition 4 wherein a first tube 6 having a first diameter (e.g. 16″) is connected to and flows into a second tube 8 of a second diameter and wherein the second diameter is larger than the first (e.g. 20″). The system further comprises a plurality of airflow monitors 10a, 10b, and wherein a first airflow monitor 10a is provided upstream of the at least one transition 4 and a second airflow monitor 10b is provided downstream of the at least one transition. The monitors are in communication with a controller (not shown in FIG. 1) and the controller is in communication with a supplemental air source to electively increase or decrease airflow from the supplemental airflow source 12. The system of FIG. 1 preferably comprises a primary air mover (e.g. fan or vacuum) in addition to the supplemental air source. A damper 14 is provided in a transport pipe to selectively open an allow supplemental air to provided to a pipe (for example, to the second pipe 8 when the pressure in the second pipe 8 is too low).
[0028] Although the system of FIG. 1 depicts pipes as either 16-inch or 20-inch diameter pipes, it will be recognized that the present disclosure is not limited to any particular pipe or tube size.
[0029] FIGS. 2-4 are front, side and cross-sectional views of a damper 20 contemplated for use with various embodiments of the present disclosure. One or more dampers 20 as shown in FIGS. 2-4 are contemplated as being provided in various locations within systems of the present disclosure. For example, the damper 20 can be provided within a supplemental air source tube, and/or may be provided upstream of a pipe transition to control airflow. The damper 20 comprises a plate 24 and a central axle 26 that are rotatable to open and close the damper. The plate 24 is operable to selectively restrict airflow by being rotated about the central axle. As will be recognized, the plate 24 is operable to be provided in a first position that blocks substantially all air flow and a second position wherein the plate has been rotated approximately ninety degrees such that only a thickness of the plate 24 is provided in a flow path and airflow is substantially unrestricted.
[0030] As shown in FIG. 2, the damper 20 comprises a flange 27 with a plurality of apertures 28 for securing the damper 20 in a system. The damper 20 may be provided at a union or two pipes and/or in an air make-up pipe that selectively provides air and fluid flow to an additional pipe.
[0031] FIG. 5 shows a damper 20 and an actuator assembly 22 contemplated for use with various embodiments of the present disclosure. The actuator assembly 22 preferably comprises an electric motor 30 that is operable to receive signals from a system and adjust an actuator 32 connected to the damper 20 accordingly. For example, when systems of the present disclosure comprising airflow sensors change in airflow in a portion of the system that is in excess of an allowable amount, a controller of the system is operable to send a signal to the actuator assembly 22 to provide power to the motor 30 and close or open the damper 20 by transmitting power to the axle 26 of the damper 20 via the actuator 32.
[0032] As shown in FIG. 5, the actuator 32 comprises a pin 34 operable to transmit torque from the motor 30 to the axle 26 and plate 24 of the damper 20. The pin 34 is provided at least partially within a coupling 36 to effect rotation of the pin 34 in clockwise and counterclockwise directions.
[0033] FIGS. 6-8 depict a weight damper device 40 contemplated for use with various embodiments of the present disclosure. As shown, the damper 40 comprises a plate 42 provided within an airflow path and operable to control or regulate airflow. The plate 42 is provided on an axle that further comprises an arm 46 with a counterweight 48. The counterweight 48 is adjustable in its position and may be provided at various increments based on system demands. Although one type of weighted damper is shown in FIGS. 6-8, other weighted damper devices are also contemplated for use with embodiments of the present disclosure. In various embodiments, airflow adjustments including adjustments to sources of supplemental air are provided and regulated by one or more weighted damper members. Weighted dampers are contemplated as being provided in addition to or in lieu of electronically controlled dampers. For example, in some embodiments, at least one weighted damper is provided in a tube of a supplemental air source. The tube is in fluid communication with a transport pipe of the system and is operable to selectively supply air to the transport pipe. When an airflow or pressure within the transport pipe falls below a predetermined level, a pressure differential is created between the transport pipe and the tube of the supplemental air source. A weighted damper, such as that shown in FIG. 6, is calibrated to be forced open when the force of the counterweight 48 is overcome. Air is then supplied to the transport pipe until the pressure differential is reduced or eliminated. In this example, the transport pipe is contemplated as comprising a section of transport pipe that is downstream of an expansion from a pipe of a first diameter to a pipe of a second, larger diameter.
[0034] FIG. 9 is a simplified cross-sectional view of a system according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. The system of FIG. 9 is contemplated as comprising a system that conveys trash or linen. The system comprises at least one transition 4 wherein a first tube 6 having a first diameter (e.g. 16″) is connected to and flows into a second tube 8 of a second diameter and wherein the second diameter is larger than the first (e.g. 20″). The system further comprises a plurality of airflow monitors 10a, 10b, and wherein a first airflow monitor 10a is provided upstream of the at least one transition 4 and a second airflow monitor 10b is provided downstream of the at least one transition. The monitors are in communication with a controller (not shown in FIG. 9) and the controller is in communication with a supplemental air source to electively increase or decrease airflow from the supplemental airflow source 12. The system of FIG. 9 preferably comprises a primary air mover (e.g. fan or vacuum) in addition to the supplemental air source. A damper 14 is provided in a transport pipe to selectively open an allow supplemental air to be provided to a pipe (for example, to the second pipe 8 when the pressure in the second pipe 8 is too low). The damper 14 is contemplated as comprising various dampers including those shown and described herein. Although the damper 14 of FIG. 9 is shown as generally being provided at an intersection of a make-up air pipe and the second pipe 8, it will be recognized that the damper can be provided at various locations upstream of what is shown in FIG. 9. Additionally, multiple dampers and multiple make-up air conduits can be provided.
[0035] Weighted and electronically controlled dampers are contemplated by various embodiments of the present disclosure. It will be recognized, however, that weighted and controlled dampers are not mutually exclusive. Indeed, some embodiments of the present disclosure contemplate the provision of a plurality of dampers within a system and wherein at least one weighted damper and at least one controlled damper are provided. In some embodiments, one or more dampers are provided that comprise a weighted damper with an actuator. For example, it is contemplated that a damper is provided that is weighted or otherwise biased toward a closed position and wherein the damper can be opened or adjusted by a pressure differential and/or an electronic actuator (e.g. motor).
[0036] The examples set forth above are provided to give those of ordinary skill in the art a complete disclosure and description of how to make and use the embodiments of the methods for prediction of the selected modifications that may be made to a biomolecule of interest and are not intended to limit the scope of what the inventors regard as the scope of the disclosure. Modifications of the above-described modes for carrying out the disclosure can be used by persons of skill in the art and are intended to be within the scope of the following claims.
[0037] It is to be understood that the disclosure is not limited to particular methods or systems, which can, of course, vary. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting.
[0038] A number of embodiments of the disclosure have been described. Nevertheless, it will be understood that various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. Accordingly, other embodiments are within the scope of the following claims.
