Fluid flow control
First Claim
1. A flow controller for regulating the rate of flow from a source of fluid under pressure, comprising:
- (a) a housing having an influent, effluent port, and fluid flow path therebetween;
(b) a flow restriction channel in the flow path, for regulating the rate of flow, said restriction channel having an influent end and at least two effluent apertures along its length;
(c) a valve in the housing associated with each of the apertures along the flow path; and
(d) a single control for selectively opening any one of the valves and maintaining each additional valve closed;
wherein the opening of any one of the valves places in the influent port in fluid communication with effluent port by way of the a unique length of flow restriction channels associated with the open valve.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Disclosed is a variable fluid flow controller for regulating the rate of flow from a source of fluid under pressure, comprising a plurality of unique flow restriction passagways, a valve associated with each passageway, and a rotatable cam for selectively opening any one of the valves while maintaining the remaining valves closed. The flow restriction passageway preferably comprises a channel etched on the surface of a first silicon wafer and enclosed by a second wafer to form a fluid flow passageway, one of the first or second wafers having a plurality of apertures therethrough for intersecting the passageway at various distances along its length.
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Citations
17 Claims
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1. A flow controller for regulating the rate of flow from a source of fluid under pressure, comprising:
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(a) a housing having an influent, effluent port, and fluid flow path therebetween; (b) a flow restriction channel in the flow path, for regulating the rate of flow, said restriction channel having an influent end and at least two effluent apertures along its length; (c) a valve in the housing associated with each of the apertures along the flow path; and (d) a single control for selectively opening any one of the valves and maintaining each additional valve closed; wherein the opening of any one of the valves places in the influent port in fluid communication with effluent port by way of the a unique length of flow restriction channels associated with the open valve. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A flow regulator, comprising:
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(a) a first plate having a flow channel on the surface thereof; (b) a second plate, secured to the surface of the first plate and enclosing the flow channel to form a chip having a capillary tube therethrough; (c) an influent port on the chip, in fluid communication with the capillary tube; and (d) a plurality of effluent apertures on the chip, each in fluid communication with the capillary tube at a different distance along its length from the influent port.
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7. A flow controller for regulating the rate of flow from a source of fluid under pressure, comprising:
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(a) a housing having an influent port, an effluent port, and a fluid flow path therebetween; (b) a plurality of flow restriction channels in the flow path, for regulating the rate of flow; (c) a plurality of normally closed valves in the housing, each valve associated with a different flow restriction channel; and (d) a single control, for selectively opening any one of the valves; wherein opening any of the valves places the influent port in fluid communication with the effluent port by way of a unique flow restriction channel associated with the open valve. - View Dependent Claims (8)
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9. A variable rate fluid flow controller for providing a predetermined delivery rate from a pressurized source of fluid medication, comprising:
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(a) a housing having an influent port, an effluent port and at least two predetermined capillary flow paths therebetween such that each flow path has a different predetermined capillary length to provide a predetermined flow rate between the inlet port and the outlet port. (b) at least two pinch valves in the housing, each pinch valve associated with one of said capillary flow paths; and (c) a movable cam for selectively opening and closing the pinch valves. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A flow controller for regulating the rate of flow from a source of fluid under pressure, comprising:
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(a) a housing having an influent port, an effluent port and a fluid flow path therebetween; (b) a plurality of flow restriction channels in a series relationship along the flow path, for regulating the rate of flow; (c) a plurality of normally closed valves in the housing, each associated with a different flow restriction channel; and (d) a single control for selectively opening at least one of the valves;
wherein opening any one of the valves places in the influent port in fluid communication with the effluent port by way of a unique flow restriction channel associated with the open valve.
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Specification