MANIFOLD FLOOD VALVE ASSEMBLY
Systems and methods for dispensing chemicals include a flush manifold including multiple intake ports and an outlet port. An eductor includes an inlet port fluidically coupled to a source of a diluent, a pickup port fluidically coupled to a source of a chemical product, a discharge port fluidically coupled to an intake port of the flush manifold and configured to discharge a chemical solution, and a venturi fluidically coupled to each of the inlet port, the pickup port, and the discharge port. The venturi is configured to draw the chemical product into the eductor in response to the diluent being coupled to the inlet port to form the chemical solution. A check valve is fluidically coupled to the outlet port of the flush manifold and arranged to maintain the flush manifold substantially full of fluid between dispensing operations. A vent valve fluidically coupled to an outlet of the check valve.
1 . A dispensing system comprising:
a flush manifold comprising a plurality of intake ports and an outlet port;
an eductor comprising:
an inlet port fluidically coupled to a source of a diluent,
a pickup port fluidically coupled to a source of a chemical product,
a discharge port fluidically coupled to an intake port of the flush manifold and configured to discharge a chemical solution, and
a venturi fluidically coupled to each of the inlet port, the pickup port, and the discharge port, the venturi being configured to draw the chemical product into the eductor in response to the diluent being coupled to the inlet port such that the chemical product is mixed with the diluent to form the chemical solution;
a check valve fluidically coupled to the outlet port of the flush manifold and arranged to maintain the flush manifold substantially full of fluid between dispensing operations; and
a vent valve fluidically coupled to an outlet of the check valve.
2 . The dispensing system of claim 1 , wherein the check valve is a first check valve and wherein the vent valve comprises a second check valve arranged to permit ambient airflow into the dispensing system downstream of the first check valve.
3 . The dispensing system of claim 2 , wherein the second check valve comprises an umbrella valve or a ball check valve.
4 . The dispensing system of claim 1 , wherein the check valve comprises:
a plug assembly;
a valve plate; and
a spring positioned between the plug assembly and the valve plate, wherein the plug assembly is free to move linearly along a central axis of the check valve against a force of the spring.
5 . The dispensing system of claim 4 , wherein the valve plate comprises a central opening surrounded by an annular wall, the annular wall serving to retain the spring in a position along the central axis.
6 . The dispensing system of claim 5 , wherein the valve plate comprises a plurality of apertures arranged circumferentially around the valve plate and radially outward of the annular wall.
7 . The dispensing system of claim 6 , wherein the apertures comprise an elongated shape.
8 . The dispensing system of claim 4 , wherein the plug assembly comprises:
a cage comprising an outer cylinder connected to an inner cylinder by a front face, wherein the inner cylinder surrounds a central aperture defined in the front face;
a plug comprising a stem extending from a rear surface of the plug, wherein the stem extends through the central aperture of the front face and into the inner cylinder of the cage; and
an O-ring captured between the plug and the cage.
9 . The dispensing system of claim 8 , wherein the spring is positioned against the front face of the cage and the outer cylinder at least partially surrounds the spring and the spring at least partially surrounds the inner cylinder.
10 . The dispensing system of claim 8 , wherein the outer cylinder comprises a plurality of apertures.
11 . The dispensing system of claim 8 , wherein the inner cylinder extends through a central aperture of the valve plate with the check valve in a closed position.
12 . The dispensing system of claim 8 , wherein the inner cylinder extends through a central aperture of the valve plate with the check valve in an open position.
13 . The dispensing system of claim 4 , wherein the plug assembly comprises:
a plug comprising:
a plug body with two planar surfaces opposite one another with a groove formed between the planar surfaces;
a stem extending from the plug body, and
an o-ring captured within the groove.
14 . The dispensing system of claim 4 , wherein the check valve comprises:
a first body portion forming a check valve inlet; and
a second body portion coupled to the first body portion, the second body portion forming a check valve outlet,
wherein the valve plate is secured between a shoulder region of the second body portion and a plate seat of the first body portion.
15 . The dispensing system of claim 14 , wherein the second body portion comprises a connection port and the vent valve is coupled to the connection port.
16 . The dispensing system of claim 14 , wherein the plug assembly is housed within the first body portion.
17 . A dispensing system comprising:
an inlet manifold comprising an inlet port and a plurality of outlet ports wherein the inlet port of the inlet manifold is fluidically coupled to a source of a diluent;
a flush manifold comprising a plurality of intake ports and an outlet port;
a plurality of eductors, each eductor comprising an inlet port, a pickup port, a discharge port, and a venturi fluidically coupled to each of the inlet port, the pickup port, and the discharge port, wherein the inlet port of each eductor is fluidically coupled to an outlet port of the inlet manifold, the pickup port of each eductor is fluidically coupled to a source of a chemical product, and the discharge port of each eductor is fluidically coupled to an intake port of the flush manifold;
a check valve fluidically coupled to the outlet port of the flush manifold and arranged to maintain the flush manifold substantially full of fluid between dispensing operations; and
a vent valve fluidically coupled to an outlet of the check valve.
18 . The dispensing system of claim 17 , wherein the check valve is a first check valve and the vent valve comprises a second check valve arranged to permit ambient airflow into the dispensing system downstream of the first check valve.
19 . The dispensing system of claim 17 , wherein the check valve comprises:
a plug assembly;
a valve plate; and
a spring positioned between the plug assembly and the valve plate, wherein the plug assembly is free to move linearly along a central axis of the check valve against a force of the spring.
20 . A dispensing system comprising:
a flush manifold comprising a plurality of intake ports and an outlet port;
an eductor comprising:
an inlet port fluidically coupled to a source of a diluent,
a pickup port fluidically coupled to a source of a chemical product,
a discharge port fluidically coupled to an intake port of the flush manifold and configured to discharge a chemical solution, and
a venturi fluidically coupled to each of the inlet port, the pickup port, and the discharge port, the venturi being configured to draw the chemical product into the eductor in response to the diluent being coupled to the inlet port such that the chemical product is mixed with the diluent to form the chemical solution;
a check valve fluidically coupled to the outlet port of the flush manifold and arranged to maintain the flush manifold substantially full of fluid between dispensing operations; and
a vent valve fluidically coupled to an outlet of the check valve,
wherein the check valve comprises:
a first body portion forming a check valve inlet; and
a second body portion coupled to the first body portion, the second body portion forming a check valve outlet;
a plug assembly housed within the first body portion, the plug assembly comprising:
a plug comprising:
a plug body with two planar surfaces opposite one another with a groove formed between the planar surfaces;
a stem extending from the plug body, and
an O-ring captured within the groove;
a valve plate secured between the second body portion and the first body portion, the valve plate comprising:
a central opening surrounded by an annular wall, wherein the stem of the plug extends through the central opening, and
a plurality of apertures arranged circumferentially around the valve plate and radially outward of the annular wall; and
a spring positioned between the plug assembly and the valve plate, wherein the plug assembly is free to move linearly along a central axis of the check valve against a force of the spring.