초록 ▼

An aqueous solution carrying paint solids is fed through an inlet into a floatation tank. The clean liquid exits through an orifice whose size is controlled by a movable gate. The level of the liquid within the tank is sensed by an ultrasonic rangefinder and the distance signals output from this ran

An aqueous solution carrying paint solids is fed through an inlet into a floatation tank. The clean liquid exits through an orifice whose size is controlled by a movable gate. The level of the liquid within the tank is sensed by an ultrasonic rangefinder and the distance signals output from this rangefinder are fed to an electronic controller. During normal operation, this controller periodically supplies power signals to an electric actuator to adjust the position of the gate whereby the level of the liquid in the tank can be maintained substantially at the a first predetermined level. The controller may also include means for causing the liquid to rise to a second predetermined level after a preset time such that the paint solids are transferred over a weir into a collecting vessel. Thereafter the liquid level is caused to rapidly drop and is again maintained at the first level.

대표청구항 ▼

A system for separating matter from a support liquid in which it is suspended, comprising a floatation tank having a base, an inlet arranged at or near said base, and an outlet arranged at or near said base, supply means for supplying the support liquid and the suspended matter to said inlet, said i

A system for separating matter from a support liquid in which it is suspended, comprising a floatation tank having a base, an inlet arranged at or near said base, and an outlet arranged at or near said base, supply means for supplying the support liquid and the suspended matter to said inlet, said inlet being arranged to direct the support liquid and the suspended matter upwardly of said floatation tank, and gate means mounted for movement relative to said outlet such that movement of said gate means is arranged to vary the size of said outlet, said system further comprising sensor means arranged to sense the level of a surface of the support liquid and the suspended matter within the system, and level control means responsive to said sensor means and arranged to maintain said surface at a preselected level, said level control means comprising means for comparing the level of said surface with said preselected level, and means arranged to cause movement of said gate means when the level of said surface differs from said preselected level.