Peristaltic pump
First Claim
1. A peristaltic pump, comprising:
- a cam shaft;
first and second pinch-valve cams coupled to the cam shaft;
a first pinch valve cam follower configured to engage the first pinch-valve cam;
a second pinch valve cam follower configured to engage the second pinch-valve cam;
a plunger cam coupled to the cam shaft;
a plunger-cam follower configured to engage the plunger cam;
a tube receiver configured to receive a tube;
a spring configured to provide a bias;
a plunger biased by the spring, the plunger coupled to the plunger-cam follower, wherein expansion of the plunger cam along a radial angle intersecting the plunger-cam follower as the cam shaft rotates actuates the plunger away from the tube;
a position sensor operatively coupled to the plunger configured to determine a position of the plunger; and
a processor coupled to the position sensor, wherein the processor is configured to estimate fluid flow of fluid within the tube utilizing the position.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A peristaltic pump includes a cam shaft, first and second pinch-valve cams, first and second pinch-valve cam followers, a plunger cam, a plunger-cam follower, a tube receiver, a spring-cam plunger, a position sensor, and a processor. The plunger cam is coupled to the cam shaft. The plunger-cam follower is configured to engage the plunger cam. The spring-biased plunger is coupled to the plunger-cam follower where expansion of the plunger cam along a radial angle intersecting the plunger-cam follower as the cam shaft rotates pushes the plunger cam to disengage the spring-biased plunger from the tube and a spring coupled to the spring-biased plunger biases the spring-biased plunger to apply the crushing force to the tube. The position sensor is operatively coupled to the spring-biased plunger and is configured to determine a position of the spring-biased plunger. The processor estimates fluid flow using the position.
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Citations
13 Claims
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1. A peristaltic pump, comprising:
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a cam shaft; first and second pinch-valve cams coupled to the cam shaft; a first pinch valve cam follower configured to engage the first pinch-valve cam; a second pinch valve cam follower configured to engage the second pinch-valve cam; a plunger cam coupled to the cam shaft; a plunger-cam follower configured to engage the plunger cam; a tube receiver configured to receive a tube; a spring configured to provide a bias; a plunger biased by the spring, the plunger coupled to the plunger-cam follower, wherein expansion of the plunger cam along a radial angle intersecting the plunger-cam follower as the cam shaft rotates actuates the plunger away from the tube; a position sensor operatively coupled to the plunger configured to determine a position of the plunger; and a processor coupled to the position sensor, wherein the processor is configured to estimate fluid flow of fluid within the tube utilizing the position. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A peristaltic pump, comprising:
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a housing; a motor; a cam shaft operatively coupled to the motor such that rotation of the motor rotates the cam shaft; a plunger cam coupled to the cam shaft for rotation therewith; a pivot shaft operatively coupled to the housing; a plunger pivotally coupled to the pivot shaft, the plunger having a cam follower configured to engage the plunger cam of the cam shaft, wherein the plunger is configured to pivot to a first position to compress a tube and to a second position away from the tube; a bias member configured to bias the plunger to the first position to compress the tube; a position sensor coupled to the plunger to measure a position of the plunger; and a processor coupled to the position sensor to estimate a volume of fluid discharged from the tube when the bias member causes the plunger to move towards the first position, wherein; the plunger and the plunger cam are configured to compress the tube using only a force of the bias member, the plunger cam is configured to only retract the plunger to the second position, and the plunger is configured to engage the plunger cam such that the plunger cam does not force the plunger against the tube. - View Dependent Claims (13)
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Specification