FLOW CONTROLLERS

• US 20100320409A1
• Filed: 08/26/2010
• Published: 12/23/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 01/23/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: B Braun Melsungen AG (B. Braun Holding GmbH & Co. KG)
• Original Assignee: B Braun Melsungen AG (B. Braun Holding GmbH & Co. KG)
• Inventors: LEE, FREDDIE ENG HWEE
• Granted Patent: US 8,206,352 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 251/304
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2039/226 Spindles or actuating means
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 39/223 Multiway valves
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 39/24 Check- or non-return valves
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/141 with capillaries for restricting fluid flow
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/16804 Flow controllers
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/16827 controlling delivery of multiple fluids, e.g. sequencing, mixing or via separate flow-paths infusion of multiple fluids without using a controller A61M5/1407
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/16881 Regulating valves on-off valves, e.g. clamps A61M39/28
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 11/0856 having all the connecting conduits situated in more than one plane perpendicular to the axis of the plug

Abstract

An apparatus for selecting a flow rate of a fluid includes an axle including an elongated cylindrical member having flow paths, each flow path being defined by a corresponding set of radial holes, each set of radial holes comprising at least one radial hole that extends substantially between an outer surface of the axle and an interior cavity of the axle, and a barrel including an elongated cylindrical member within which the axle is disposed, the barrel having input ports and an output port, the barrel being configured to enable the axle to rotate about an axis of rotation that extends along a length of the axle, wherein a flow rate of a fluid is selected by rotating the axle to a position so that a set of radial holes is in alignment with one or more ports of the barrel.

Claims

1. An apparatus for selecting a flow rate of a fluid, the apparatus comprising:

an axle comprising an elongated cylindrical member having flow paths, each flow path being defined by a corresponding set of radial holes, each set of radial holes comprising at least one radial hole that extends substantially between an outer surface of the axle and an interior cavity of the axle; and

a barrel comprising an elongated cylindrical member within which the axle is disposed, the barrel having input ports and an output port, the barrel being configured to enable the axle to rotate about an axis of rotation that extends along a length of the axle,

wherein a flow rate of a fluid is selected by rotating the axle to a position so that a set of radial holes is in alignment with one or more ports of the barrel.