US4778451A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Flow control system using boyle's law
Assignee: Deka Products LP
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Filing: 1986-03-04
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Granted: 1988-10-18
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Expires: 2006-03-04
Abstract
Abstract A dispensing arrangement in a fluid line that isolates a region of fluid in the line from pressure effects in the line outside the region. A housing of measuring fluid surrounds the region so that changes in the measurement fluid pressure cause changes in the pressure of the original fluid in the region. Predetermined volume increments of the measurement fluid are displaced, causing changes in the original fluid pressure in the region which are measured by a pressure transducer. The dispensing arrangement also repetitively dispenses fluid into and out of the region in increments monitored by the pressure transducer.
Inventors
- 👤 Dean L. Kamen
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 08:30
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16K; F16K31/00; F16K31/004; F16K31/005; A; A61; A61M; A61M5/00; A61M5/14; A61M5/168; A61M5/16804; A61M5/16809; A61M5/16813; A61M5/16831; A61M5/16854; A61M5/16859; A61M5/36; A61M5/365; F04; F04B; F04B43/00; F04B43/02; F04B43/04; F04B43/043; G; G01; G01F; G01F11/00; G01F11/02; G01F11/08; G01F11/086; G01P; G01P13/00; G01P13/0006; G01P13/0066; A61M2005/1401; A61M2005/1403; A61M2205/00; A61M2205/15; A61M39/00; A61M39/22; A61M39/26; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S128/00; Y10S128/12; Y10S128/13; Y10T; Y10T137/00; Y10T137/7722; Y10T137/7781; Y10T137/7782; Y10T137/7793; Y10T137/7796; Y10T137/8593; Y10T137/87917; Y10T137/87981; Y10T137/87997; Y10T137/88005
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
198 words
A system for controlling flow of a first fluid in a line, the system comprising: dispensing means (i) for isolating a region of the first fluid in the line from effects of pressure in the line outside of the region, such region having an input and an output for the first fluid, and (ii) for repetitively dispensing into and out of the region increments of first fluid, whereby such dispensing may cause changes in pressure of the first fluid in the region; pressure measurement means for measuring changes in pressure of the first fluid in the region; measurement fluid housing means for housing a measurement fluid in relation to the region such that a change in the measurement fluid pressure causes a change in the first fluid pressure in the region; displacement means for repetitively displacing predetermined volume increments of measurement fluid, whereby the resulting changes in first fluid pressure are measured by the pressure measurement means; control means, in communication with the pressure measurement means, the displacement means, and the dispensing means, for causing the dispensing means to dispense first fluid in increments that are calibrated by the displacement means and monitored by the pressure measurement means.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
198 words
A system for controlling flow of a first fluid in a line, the system comprising: dispensing means (i) for isolating a region of the first fluid in the line from effects of pressure in the line outside of the region, such region having an input and an output for the first fluid, and (ii) for repetitively dispensing into and out of the region increments of first fluid, whereby such dispensing may cause changes in pressure of the first fluid in the region; pressure measurement means for measuring changes in pressure of the first fluid in the region; measurement fluid housing means for housing a measurement fluid in relation to the region such that a change in the measurement fluid pressure causes a change in the first fluid pressure in the region; displacement means for repetitively displacing predetermined volume increments of measurement fluid, whereby the resulting changes in first fluid pressure are measured by the pressure measurement means; control means, in communication with the pressure measurement means, the displacement means, and the dispensing means, for causing the dispensing means to dispense first fluid in increments that are calibrated by the displacement means and monitored by the pressure measurement means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
42 words
A system according to claim 1, wherein (i) the dispensing means includes an input valve at the first fluid input to the region and an output valve at the first fluid output from the region and (ii) the measurement fluid is air.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
35 words
A system according to claim 2, wherein the measurement fluid housing means includes a drip chamber through which the first fluid flows and the upper region of which is in communication with the displacement means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
47 words
A system according to claim 2, (i) wherein the measurement fluid housing means includes a substantially airtight housing around the region, such housing in communication with the displacement means, and (ii) further comprising a flexible enclosure, within the housing, for containing the first fluid in the region.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
33 words
A system according to claim 3, wherein the control means includes means for causing the dispensing means to dispense first fluid in the same increments of volume as displaced by the displacement means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
33 words
A system according to claim 4, wherein the control means includes means for causing the dispensing means to dispense first fluid in the same increments of volume as displaced by the displacement means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
43 words
A system according to claim 5, wherein the control means includes means for causing the first fluid in the region to have an average line pressure regulated at a desired amount lying in the range of 1/2 to 10 lbs. per square inch.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1991-10-18 | 1992-04-18 | 1992-10-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-10-18 | 1996-04-18 | 1996-10-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-10-18 | 2000-04-18 | 2000-10-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |