Fluid flow control apparatus
First Claim
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1. Fluid flow control apparatus operable for use with a fluid handling system having a fluid handling inlet and a fluid handling outlet, said apparatus comprising:
- a. a fixed portion;
b. a removable portion removably engageable with said fixed portion and removable for separate sterilizing or replacement, said removable portion including;
1) a main inlet port for receiving fluid to be fed through said fluid handling system,2) a main outlet port for discharging fluid which has been fed through said fluid handling system,3) outlet conduit means located downstream of said main inlet port for connecting said control apparatus to said fluid handling inlet,4) inlet conduit means located upstream of said main outlet port for connecting said control apparatus to said fluid handling outlet, and5) a deformable fluid conduit connected between one of said main inlet and outlet ports and one of said outlet and inlet conduit means;
c. fluid flow restriction means for restricting flow in said deformable conduit, said flow restriction means including a first element and a second element arranged for compressing said deformable conduit therebetween when said removable portion is engaged with said fixed portion, said flow restriction means being operable to selectively set a pressure in said deformable conduit and said fluid handling system;
d. means for connecting a pump means between one of said main inlet and outlet ports and one of said outlet and inlet conduit means for pumping fluid through said control apparatus and said fluid handling system;
e. fluid pathways, including said deformable fluid conduit, extending between said main inlet and outlet ports and said outlet and inlet conduit means for permitting fluid to flow between said inlet and said outlet ports when said removable portion is coupled to said fluid handling system and said pump means; and
f. a fluid monitoring system, said fluid monitoring system comprising;
1) a first sampling conduit disposed in said removable portion communicating with said main inlet port, said first sampling conduit having a first sampling outlet port,2) a first sampling inlet port in said fixed portion, said first sampling inlet port being arranged for sealably registering with said first sampling outlet port when said removable portion is engaged with said fixed portion,3) a second sampling conduit, said second sampling conduit being located in said fixed portion, and having opposite ends, said first sampling inlet port defining an inlet at one end of said second sampling conduit,4) at least one aperture in said fixed portion communicating with said second sampling conduit for receiving a sensor for measuring a fluid parameter, and5) a second sampling outlet port in said fixed portion at the other end of said second sampling conduit.
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Abstract
A fluid control apparatus for use in separation and filtration having a removable sterilizable and disposable element which is engagable with a fixed element in the apparatus. When the two elements are engaged, the flow of fluid around a fluid circuit is controlled to optimize separation. The elements contain various conduits and inlet and outlet ports that function to deliver fluid to and from separation and filtration systems such as life support systems.
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Citations
27 Claims
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1. Fluid flow control apparatus operable for use with a fluid handling system having a fluid handling inlet and a fluid handling outlet, said apparatus comprising:
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a. a fixed portion; b. a removable portion removably engageable with said fixed portion and removable for separate sterilizing or replacement, said removable portion including; 1) a main inlet port for receiving fluid to be fed through said fluid handling system, 2) a main outlet port for discharging fluid which has been fed through said fluid handling system, 3) outlet conduit means located downstream of said main inlet port for connecting said control apparatus to said fluid handling inlet, 4) inlet conduit means located upstream of said main outlet port for connecting said control apparatus to said fluid handling outlet, and 5) a deformable fluid conduit connected between one of said main inlet and outlet ports and one of said outlet and inlet conduit means; c. fluid flow restriction means for restricting flow in said deformable conduit, said flow restriction means including a first element and a second element arranged for compressing said deformable conduit therebetween when said removable portion is engaged with said fixed portion, said flow restriction means being operable to selectively set a pressure in said deformable conduit and said fluid handling system; d. means for connecting a pump means between one of said main inlet and outlet ports and one of said outlet and inlet conduit means for pumping fluid through said control apparatus and said fluid handling system; e. fluid pathways, including said deformable fluid conduit, extending between said main inlet and outlet ports and said outlet and inlet conduit means for permitting fluid to flow between said inlet and said outlet ports when said removable portion is coupled to said fluid handling system and said pump means; and f. a fluid monitoring system, said fluid monitoring system comprising; 1) a first sampling conduit disposed in said removable portion communicating with said main inlet port, said first sampling conduit having a first sampling outlet port, 2) a first sampling inlet port in said fixed portion, said first sampling inlet port being arranged for sealably registering with said first sampling outlet port when said removable portion is engaged with said fixed portion, 3) a second sampling conduit, said second sampling conduit being located in said fixed portion, and having opposite ends, said first sampling inlet port defining an inlet at one end of said second sampling conduit, 4) at least one aperture in said fixed portion communicating with said second sampling conduit for receiving a sensor for measuring a fluid parameter, and 5) a second sampling outlet port in said fixed portion at the other end of said second sampling conduit.
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2. Fluid flow control apparatus operable for use with a fluid handling system having a fluid handling inlet and a fluid handling outlet, said apparatus comprising:
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a. a fixed portion; b. a removable portion removably engageable with said fixed portion and removable for separate sterilizing or replacement, said removable portion including; 1) a main inlet port, 2) a main outlet port, 3) a first outlet conduit located downstream of said main inlet port for directing fluid flow to said fluid handling system, 4) a first inlet conduit located upstream of said main outlet port for receiving fluid flow from said fluid handling system, 5) a second outlet conduit operable for connecting said control apparatus to a pump inlet of a pump means for pumping fluid through said control apparatus and said fluid handling system, 6) a second inlet conduit operable for connecting said control apparatus to a pump outlet of said pump means leading to said fluid handling system, and 7) a deformable fluid conduit connected between one of said main inlet and outlet ports and one of said first outlet and inlet conduits; c. fluid flow restriction means for restricting flow in said deformable conduit, said flow restriction means including a first element and a second element arranged for compressing said deformable conduit therebetween when said removable portion is engaged with said fixed portion, said flow restriction means being operable to selectively set a pressure in said deformable conduit and said fluid handling system; d. fluid pathways, including said deformable fluid conduit, extending between said main inlet and outlet ports and said first and second outlet and inlet conduits for permitting fluid to flow between said inlet and said outlet ports; and e. a fluid monitoring system, said fluid monitoring system comprising; 1) a first sampling conduit disposed in said removable portion communicating with said main inlet port, said first sampling conduit having a first sampling outlet port, 2) a first sampling inlet port in said fixed portion, said first sampling inlet port being arranged for sealably registering with said first sampling outlet port when said removable portion is engaged with said fixed portion, 3) a second sampling conduit, said second sampling conduit being located in said fixed portion, and having opposite ends, said first sampling inlet port defining an inlet at one end of said second sampling conduit, 4) at least one aperture in said fixed portion communicating with said second sampling conduit for receiving a sensor for measuring a fluid parameter, and 5) a second sampling outlet port in said fixed portion at the other end of said second sampling conduit. - View Dependent Claims (3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. Fluid control apparatus operable for use with a fluid handling system having a fluid handling inlet and a fluid handling outlet, said apparatus comprising:
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a. a fixed portion; b. a removable portion removably and slidably engageable with said fixed portion and removable for separate sterilizing or replacement, said removable portion including; 1) a main inlet port, 2) a main outlet port, 3) a first outlet conduit for directing fluid flow to said fluid handling system, 4) a first inlet conduit for receiving fluid flow from said fluid handling system, 5) a second outlet conduit for connecting said control apparatus to a pump inlet of a pump means for pumping fluid through said control apparatus and said fluid handling system, 6) a second inlet conduit for connecting said control apparatus to a pump outlet of said pump means, said pump outlet leading to said control apparatus and said fluid handling system, and 7) a deformable fluid conduit connected between one of said main inlet and outlet ports and one of said first outlet and inlet conduits; c. fluid flow restriction means for restricting flow in said deformable conduit, said flow restriction means including a first element and a second element arranged for compressing said deformable conduit therebetween when said removable portion is engaged with said fixed portion, said flow restriction means being operable to set a pressure in said deformable conduit and said fluid handling system; and d. fluid pathways, including said deformable fluid conduit, extending between said main inlet and outlet ports and said first and second outlet and inlet conduits for permitting fluid to flow between said inlet and said outlet ports; wherein the fixed portion consists of two separate parts including; 1) a first guide part defining a recess for slideably receiving the removable portion, and 2) a second flow restriction valve control part being defined by said first element disposed in opposing relation to said second element with the deformable conduit disposed therebetween when the fixed and removable portions are engaged and said second element is mounted on said removable portion. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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27. Fluid flow control apparatus operable for use with a fluid handling system having a fluid handling inlet and a fluid handling outlet, said apparatus comprising:
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a. a fixed portion; b. a removable and separable portion removably engageable with said fixed portion and removable to a location spaced from said fixed portion for separate sterilizing or replacement, said removable portion including; 1) a main inlet port for receiving fluid to be fed through said fluid handling system, 2) a main outlet port for discharging fluid which has been fed through said fluid handling system, 3) outlet conduit means located downstream of said main inlet port for connecting said control apparatus to said fluid handling inlet, 4) inlet conduit means located upstream of said main outlet port for connecting said control apparatus to said fluid handling outlet, and 5) a deformable fluid conduit connected between one of said main inlet and outlet ports and one of said outlet and inlet conduit means; c. fluid flow restriction means for restricting flow in said deformable conduit, said flow restriction means including a first element comprising an adjustable cam means mounted on said fixed portion and a second element comprising a roller mounted on said removable portion and about which said deformable conduit is arranged, said elements being arranged for compressing said deformable conduit therebetween when said removable portion is engaged with said fixed portion, said flow restriction means being operable to selectively set a pressure in said deformable conduit and said fluid handling system; d. means for connecting a pump means between one of said main inlet and outlet ports and one of said outlet and inlet conduit means for pumping fluid through said control apparatus and said fluid handling system; and e. fluid pathways, including said deformable fluid conduit, extending between said main inlet and outlet ports and said outlet and inlet conduit means for permitting fluid to flow between said inlet and said outlet ports when said removable portion is coupled to said fluid handling system and said pump means.
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Specification