Miniature Pump Device with an Anti-Free Flow Valve
First Claim
1. A miniature unidirectional valve configured to restrict the free flow of fluid through the valve, comprising:
- a valve body having an inlet and an outlet;
a flexible membrane movably disposed over the inlet and outlet, and movable between an open position with the membrane defining an unobstructed fluid flow path between the inlet and outlet, and a closed position with the membrane sealing the outlet to restrict fluid flow therethrough;
a control chamber disposed in the valve body adjacent the fluid flow path and separated from the fluid flow path by the flexible membrane, the control chamber being configured to apply a pressure against the membrane to move the membrane to the closed position against the outlet to restrict fluid flow therethrough;
a preload structure, associated with the flexible membrane, and configured to bias the flexible membrane towards the outlet to close the outlet and restrict fluid flow therethrough,the flexible membrane being movable by a pressure from the inlet to move the membrane to the open position to open the outlet and permit fluid flow.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A miniature unidirectional valve configured to restrict the free flow of fluid through the valve includes a valve body having an inlet and an outlet. A flexible membrane is movably disposed over the inlet and outlet, and movable between an open position and a closed position. The flexible membrane is movable by a pressure from the inlet to move the membrane to the open position. A control chamber is disposed in the valve body adjacent the fluid flow path, and configured to apply a pressure against the membrane to move the membrane to the closed position to restrict fluid flow through the valve. A preload structure is associated with the flexible membrane, and biases the flexible membrane toward the closed position.
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Citations
24 Claims
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1. A miniature unidirectional valve configured to restrict the free flow of fluid through the valve, comprising:
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a valve body having an inlet and an outlet; a flexible membrane movably disposed over the inlet and outlet, and movable between an open position with the membrane defining an unobstructed fluid flow path between the inlet and outlet, and a closed position with the membrane sealing the outlet to restrict fluid flow therethrough; a control chamber disposed in the valve body adjacent the fluid flow path and separated from the fluid flow path by the flexible membrane, the control chamber being configured to apply a pressure against the membrane to move the membrane to the closed position against the outlet to restrict fluid flow therethrough; a preload structure, associated with the flexible membrane, and configured to bias the flexible membrane towards the outlet to close the outlet and restrict fluid flow therethrough, the flexible membrane being movable by a pressure from the inlet to move the membrane to the open position to open the outlet and permit fluid flow. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A miniature pump device with an anti-free flow valve, comprising:
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a fluid reservoir; a motor, configured to electrically couple to a power source, and disposed adjacent the fluid reservoir; a piston, disposed in the fluid reservoir, and operable with the motor to draw and expel fluid from the fluid reservoir; a power transfer linkage, coupled between the piston and the motor, partially disposed in the fluid reservoir, and configured to transfer power from the motor to the piston; a flexible seal, coupled between the fluid reservoir and the power transfer linkage, configured to seal a portion of the power transfer linkage in the fluid reservoir and restrict fluid from escaping from fluid reservoir as the power transfer linkage moves during use; and an anti-free flow valve operable to receive fluid as pumped by the piston, the anti-free flow valve operating to restrict fluid from reentering the piston, the anti-free flow valve further comprising; a valve body having an inlet and an outlet; a flexible membrane movably disposed over the inlet and outlet, and movable between an open position with the membrane defining an unobstructed fluid flow path between the inlet and outlet, and a closed position with the membrane sealing the outlet to restrict fluid flow therethrough; a control chamber disposed in the valve body adjacent the fluid flow path and separated from the fluid flow path by the flexible membrane, the control chamber being in fluid communication with the fluid reservoir, and configured to apply a pressure against the membrane to move the membrane to the closed position against the outlet to restrict fluid flow therethrough; the flexible being membrane movable by a pressure from the inlet to move the membrane to the open position to open the outlet and permit fluid flow. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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17. A method for restricting the free flow of fluid, comprising:
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providing a valve body having an inlet, an outlet, and a flexible membrane disposed across the inlet and outlet, the flexible membrane defining a fluid flow path between the inlet and the outlet on one side of the flexible membrane, and a control chamber on an opposite side of the flexible membrane; opening the fluid flow path with pressure from the inlet to move the flexible membrane to an open position such that flexible membrane defines an unobstructed fluid flow path between the inlet and outlet to allow fluid to flow between the inlet and the outlet; closing the fluid flow path with a pressure against the flexible membrane to move the flexible membrane to a closed position such that the flexible membrane presses against and seals over the outlet to restrict fluid flow therethrough; and biasing the flexible membrane toward the closed position with a preload structure such that closing the fluid flow path requires less pressure than opening the fluid flow path.
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22. A miniature unidirectional valve configured to restrict the free flow of fluid through the valve, comprising:
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a valve body having an inlet and an outlet; a valve gate disposed in the valve body, operable between an open position defining an unobstructed fluid flow path between the inlet and outlet, and a closed position obstructing the outlet to restrict fluid flow therethrough; a fluid reservoir in fluid communication with the valve gate such that pressure from the fluid reservoir operates to urge the valve gate towards the closed position; and a biasing device associated with the valve gate to bias the valve gate to the closed position to restrict fluid flow therethrough, wherein a pressure from the inlet operates on the valve gate to overcome the pressure from the fluid reservoir and the biasing device and to open the valve gate. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24)
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Specification