Fluid flow adjustment mechanism

• US 20030071233A1
• Filed: 10/11/2002
• Published: 04/17/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 10/12/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Flex Corp.
• Original Assignee: Flex Corp.
• Inventors: Stewart, Neil G., Day, Gordon M.
• Granted Patent: US 7,569,028 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 251/7
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 7/061 Screw clamps

Abstract

A fine flow pinch adjust has a T shaped fluid communication path. A flexible tube is inserted within the fluid communication path in other than a straight path. A screw is inserted in one branch of the T unoccupied by the flexible tubing such that the screw cooperatively engages threads on the opening wall and such that the screw can engage the tubing when turned sufficiently in a known direction.

Claims

1. A fine flow pinch adjust mechanism comprising:

a channel for supporting a flexible tube bent by a fixed substantial angle at a first location; and

,

an opening for receiving a corresponding member and extending toward the first location, the opening for supporting controlled motion of the member in a direction toward and away from the first location.

2. A fine flow pinch adjust mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the channel and the opening are provided on a same housing.

3. A fine flow pinch adjust mechanism according to claim 1, comprising a fine adjustment member for engaging the opening, wherein the opening is threaded and the corresponding member is threaded.

4. A fine flow pinch adjust mechanism according to claim 3, wherein the fine adjustment member having an adjustment portion with a frusto-conical shape, the adjustment portion for deforming a length of flexible tubing.

5. A fine flow pinch adjust mechanism according to claim 4, wherein the substantial angle is at least 15 degrees.

6. A fine flow pinch adjust mechanism according to claim 5, wherein the opening is substantially parallel to a section of the channel.

7. A fine flow pinch adjust mechanism according to claim 6, wherein the opening is concentric to a section of the channel.

8. A fine flow pinch adjust mechanism according to claim 7, wherein a region of the threaded fine adjustment mechanism absent threading is supported by the channel to maintain the concentricity of the threaded fine adjustment mechanism and the channel.

9. A fluid flow adjustment mechanism for controlling a fluid flow rate in a length of flexible tubing, comprising:

a housing having a surface for engaging the length of flexible tubing, the engagement of the surface with the length of flexible tubing supporting a substantial first bending deformation of the flexible tubing in a first portion of the length of flexible tubing, said first bending deformation occurring without preventing a flow of fluid within the flexible tubing; and

,

a ram mechanically engaged with said housing, the ram for selectably engaging the first portion to compress the first portion against the housing thereby causing a second deformation of the first portion in dependence upon the position of the ram.

10. A fluid flow adjustment mechanism according to claim 9, wherein the housing comprises a threaded hole and the ram engages the threaded hole.

11. A fluid flow adjustment mechanism according to claim 10, wherein the threaded hole is substantially parallel to a second portion of the flexible tubing.

12. A fluid flow adjustment mechanism according to claim 11, wherein the second portion of the flexible tubing is present in the first portion of flexible tubing.

13. A fluid flow adjustment mechanism according to claim 12, wherein the ram comprises a section having a frusto-conical shape for engaging the first portion.

14. A fluid flow adjustment mechanism according to claim 11, wherein the threaded hole is substantially concentric with a second portion of the flexible tubing.

15. A fine flow pinch adjust mechanism according to claim 10, wherein an unthreaded region of the ram is supported by an unthreaded region of the housing to allow movement of the ram relative to the housing along a ram axis and for preventing movement of the ram perpendicular to the ram axis.

16. A fine flow pinch adjust comprising:

a casing having;

a second opening;

a first threaded cylindrical opening opposite the second opening, the first and second openings in fluid communication with each other; and

,

a third opening in fluid communication with the first and second openings; and

,

a screw having a threading for engaging with a threading of the first threaded cylindrical opening and for moving in and out of the first threaded cylindrical opening in response to a rotation of the screw relatively to the first threaded cylindrical opening,

wherein in use a flexible tube is positioned between the second and third openings in other than a straight path, the flexible tubing being engageable by the screw.

17. A fine flow pinch adjust mechanism for controlling a flow in a length of flexible tubing comprising:

means for supporting and bending a portion of the length of flexible tubing; and

,

means for selectably deforming the portion to control a rate of fluid flow therein absent substantially affecting the bending of the portion.

18. A fine flow pinch adjust mechanism according to claim 17, wherein the portion is bent at least 15 degrees by the means for supporting and bending.

19. A fine flow pinch adjust mechanism according to claim 17, wherein the means for selectably deforming the portion comprises a threaded member.

20. A fine flow pinch adjust mechanism according to claim 17, wherein the means for selectably deforming the portion is a ram and the means for supporting and bending the portion supports the portion opposite the ram.