Adaptive dosing system
An adaptive dosing system having a control module, a flow sensor unidirectionally connected to the control module for reporting a volume of a fluid passed through the system, a pump for dosing a required volume of the fluid and being uni-directionally connected to and controlled by the control module and a communication module bi-directionally connected with the control module, the communication module being configured to connect via Internet with an application server and a database server.
1. An adaptive dosing system comprising:
a control module;
a flow sensor uni-directionally connected to the control module for reporting a volume of a fluid passed through the system;
at least a pump for dosing a required volume of the fluid and being uni-directionally connected to and controlled by the control module;
a communication module bi-directionally connected with the control module, the communication module being configured to connect via Internet with an application server and a database server;
wherein the control module is configured to allow remote control and configuration via the Internet by receiving and executing dosing instructions from the application server based on operational parameters set by a user via a client application;
wherein the control module is monitors the dosing and, when a deviation from the operational parameters is detected by the control module, the control module automatically corrects the dosing by causing an adjustment to the dosing while the dosing is in progress without stopping the at least a pump;
wherein, when the deviation causes an uncorrectable dosing error, the control module further automatically interrupts the dosing by stopping the at least a pump; and
wherein, when the at least a pump is automatically interrupted due to the uncorrectable dosing error, the control module sends an alert to a user device via the Internet.
2. The adaptive dosing system of claim 1 , wherein the control module comprises:
a microcontroller which is bi-directionally connected to a plurality of connectors for connection with the communication module;
a convertible connector, which is uni-directionally linked to the microcontroller, and which is configured for connection with the flow sensor;
a plurality of inputs and a plurality of outputs uni-directionally linked to the microcontroller;
an energy independent memory, which is bi-directionally linked to the microcontroller;
a real time clock, which is bi-directionally linked to the microcontroller, and which is configured to provide to the microcontroller information about a time of the reporting by the flow sensor; and
a clock battery, which is uni-directionally linked to the microcontroller.
3. The adaptive dosing system of claim 2 , wherein the control module further comprises a communication interface whereby the adaptive dosing system can be locally controlled and configured.
4. The adaptive dosing system of claim 1 , wherein the control module is configured to control a plurality of pumps, and wherein for each pump of the plurality of pumps a chemically unique fluid to dispense and a unique start delay can be set by the user via the client application, such that to prevent a mixing of incompatible fluids.
5. The adaptive dosing system of claim 1 , wherein, for increased accuracy, the flow sensor is configured to observe a period of time during which a flow data is read, the period of time being set via the client application by the user, based on a viscosity index of the fluid.
6. The adaptive dosing system of claim 1 , wherein the control module is configured to control a plurality of pumps, and wherein for each pump of the plurality of pumps a unique acceptable flow rate range can be set by the user via the client application, thus causing the system to generate an alarm anytime a deviation from the set flow rate range is detected.
7. The adaptive dosing system of claim 1 , wherein the control module is configured to monitor the dosing and report the data to the database server for viewing and analysis by the user.
8. The adaptive dosing system of claim 1 , further comprising a temperature sensor or a pressure sensor to provide temperature data or pressure data to the control module, which is configured to apply an appropriate temperature factor or an appropriate pressure factor, in order to dose the required fluid volume with increased accuracy.
9. The adaptive dosing system of claim 1 , wherein the at least a pump is a peristaltic pump.
10. The adaptive dosing system of claim 1 , wherein the reported volume of the fluid passed through the system is a function of a count of pulses from the flow sensor.
11. The adaptive dosing system of claim 10 , wherein, for increased accuracy, the control module is configured to apply a calibration factor before reporting the volume of fluid passed through the system, the calibration factor being determined by dividing a measured volume of fluid passed through the system in a set amount of time using a volume measuring tube, by a volume calculated by the control module based on a number of pulses received from the flow sensor during the same time.
12. The adaptive dosing system of claim 2 , wherein the plurality of inputs and the plurality of outputs are both between 2 and 12.
13. An adaptive dosing system comprising:
a control module;
a flow sensor unidirectionally connected to the control module for reporting a volume of a fluid passed through the system;
at least a pump for dosing a required volume of the fluid and being uni-directionally connected to and controlled by the control module;
a communication module bi-directionally connected with the control module, the communication module being configured to connect via Internet with an application server and a database server;
wherein the reported volume of the fluid passed through the system is a function of a count of pulses from the flow sensor; and
wherein, for increased accuracy, the control module is configured to apply a calibration factor before reporting the volume of fluid passed through the system, the calibration factor being determined by dividing a measured volume of fluid passed through the system in a set amount of time using a volume measuring tube, by a volume calculated by the control module based on a number of pulses received from the flow sensor during the same time.
14. The adaptive dosing system of claim 13 , wherein the control module is configured to allow remote control and configuration via the Internet by receiving and executing dosing instructions from the application server based on operational parameters set by a user via a client application.
15. The adaptive dosing system of claim 13 , wherein the control module is configured to automatically correct the dosing while the dosing is in progress, when a deviation from the operational parameters is detected by the control module.
16. The adaptive dosing system of claim 13 , wherein the control module is configured to monitor the dosing, interrupt the dosing if the deviation causes an uncorrectable error and send an alert to a user device via the Internet.
17. The adaptive dosing system of claim 13 , further comprising a temperature sensor and a pressure sensor to provide temperature data or pressure data to the control module, which is configured to apply an appropriate temperature factor or an appropriate pressure factor, in order to dose the required fluid volume with increased accuracy.
18. The adaptive dosing system of claim 1 , wherein the control module is configured to automatically correct the dosing by adjusting a driver signal to the at least a pump, while the dosing is in progress.
19. The adaptive dosing system of claim 18 , wherein the control module is configured to automatically correct the dosing by increasing a period for which the driver signal is applied to the at least a pump, while the dosing is in progress, if a lower volume per time unit than as set via the client application is dispensed by the at least a pump.
20. An adaptive dosing system comprising:
a control module;
a flow sensor uni-directionally connected to the control module for reporting a volume of a fluid passed through the system;
at least a pump for dosing a required volume of the fluid and being uni-directionally connected to and controlled by the control module;
a communication module bi-directionally connected with the control module, the communication module being configured to connect via Internet with an application server and a database server;
wherein the control module is configured to allow remote control and configuration via the Internet by receiving and executing dosing instructions from the application server based on operational parameters set by a user via a client application;
wherein the control module is configured to monitor the dosing and to automatically correct the dosing while the dosing is in progress, when a deviation from the operational parameters is detected by the control module;
wherein the control module is further configured to interrupt the dosing if the deviation causes an uncorrectable dosing error and to send an alert to a user device via the Internet;
wherein the reported volume of the fluid passed through the system is a function of a count of pulses from the flow sensor; and
wherein, for increased accuracy, the control module is configured to apply a calibration factor before reporting the volume of fluid passed through the system, the calibration factor being determined by dividing a measured volume of fluid passed through the system in a set amount of time using a volume measuring tube, by a volume calculated by the control module based on a number of pulses received from the flow sensor during the same time.