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Upstream occlusion detection system

  • US 6,358,225 B1
  • Filed: 10/26/1998
  • Issued: 03/19/2002
  • Est. Priority Date: 08/31/1995
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A fluid line condition detection apparatus for detecting a condition in an upstream portion of a fluid line coupled between a fluid supply at its upstream end and a fluid receiver at its downstream end, the apparatus comprising:

  • a flow control device adapted to be coupled to a fluid line segment of the fluid line between the upstream and downstream ends that alternately opens the fluid line segment to fluid communication with the upstream end and the downstream end of the fluid line during a cycle of the flow control device;

    a pressure sensor adapted to be coupled to the fluid line and sensing pressure in the fluid line and providing a pressure signal in response to said pressure sensing; and

    a processor that is configured to monitor the pressure signal and determine the average pressure over the cycle of the flow control device and the pressure difference occurring when the fluid line segment is exposed to the pressure from one end of the fluid line after having been exposed to the pressure at the other end of the fluid line; and

    based on the pressure difference and the pressure average, the processor is configured to provide a condition signal indicating a fluid line condition in said upstream portion of the fluid line.

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