Fluid dispensing system and valve control

• US 6,689,621 B2
• Filed: 11/29/2000
• Issued: 02/10/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 11/29/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Liquid Logical Limited
• Original Assignee: Liquid Logical Limited
• Inventors: Merten, C. William, OʼBrien, Thomas M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Warden, Jill
• Assistant Examiner(s): GORDON, BRIAN R
• Application Number:
  US09/725,594
• Publication Number:
  US 20020064880A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,168 Days
• Field of Search: 422/100, 422/103, 422/105, 422/62, 422/63, 422/67, 422/68.1, 436/174, 436/180
• US Class Current: 436/180
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 3/002 Compounding apparatus specially for enteral or parenteral nutritive solutions bottling liquids B67C
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 33/45 Magnetic mixers; Mixers with magnetically driven stirrers
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 33/846 using stored recipes for determining the composition of the mixture to be produced, i.e. for determining the amounts of the basic components to be dispensed from the component receptacles
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 35/2111 Flow rate
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 35/8822 using measuring chambers of the piston or plunger type B01F35/8823 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B67C 3/206 using arrangements of cylinders and pistons B67C3/208 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B67C 3/28 Flow-control devices, e.g. using valves B67C3/2617, B67C3/2625, B67C3/2637 take precedence; valves in general F16K
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 13/00 Pumps specially modified to deliver fixed or variable measured quantities
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 1/38 Diluting, dispersing or mixing samples
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 35/1016 Control of the volume dispensed or introduced
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 35/1097 characterised by the valves valves in general F16K
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/11 Automated chemical analysis
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/25 including sample preparation
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/2575 Volumetric liquid transfer

Abstract

An apparatus for the control of fluid flow through a valve. A single shaft-mounted cam moves translationally along the length of the shaft, stopping sequentially at positions adjacent to and in operative engagement with an actuator disposed on or near a valve body. Once in position with a predetermined valve, the cam, which is also coupled to a rotational member, is rotated, thus causing an eccentric portion of the cam to engage the actuator in such a way so as to force the valve to open or close. A flow detection system is integrated into a main fluid transport conduit, allowing sensed flow variations to be sent to a controller. The controller uses a comparison algorithm to determine what fluid settings in the valve are necessary to effect a desired fluid flow through the valve, and prepares an input signal to be sent to one or more motors controlling the translational and rotational motion of the cam. Capping devices and an enclosure with a safety door can be included to protect personnel and the ambient environment against fluid spillage.

Claims

1. A fluid dispensing system comprising:

at least one pump for metering precise quantities of fluid to be dispensed;

a plurality of fluid injection lines for transporting said fluid to be dispensed;

a plurality of valves each of which are disposed in one of said plurality of fluid injection lines, each of said plurality of valves including a valve actuator, wherein said plurality of fluid injection lines can be in fluid communication with a plurality of containers for dispensing fluid, such that said each of said plurality of valves controls the flow of said fluid through one of said plurality of fluid injection lines;

at least one valve actuator engaging member in mechanical communication with at least one of said valve actuators;

a fluid transport conduit in fluid communication with said at least one pump and said plurality of fluid injection lines;

a flow detection system disposed adjacent said plurality of fluid injection lines, said flow detection system comprising;

at least one detector; and

a controller in electrical communication with said detector, said plurality of valves and said at least one pump such that upon detection and comparison of a flow variation, said controller sends signals to at least one of said at least one pump or said plurality of valves to control the flow of fluid;

a dispensing unit operatively responsive to said fluid transport conduit so as to accept fluid therefrom; and

a capping mechanism adapted to be disposed in an aperture in each of said plurality of containers, said capping mechanism comprising;

a body;

at least one recess disposed in said body to define an aperture therein to receive a fluid injection line therethrough; and

at least one valve coupled to said body.

2. A fluid dispensing system according to claim 1, further comprising a fluid contained within said system.

3. A fluid dispensing system according to claim 1, wherein said capping mechanism further comprises:

at least one elastic vent member comprising;

at least one slit disposed therein, said slit responsive to pressure differentials between the inside and outside of said container; and

at least one channel disposed therein, said channel capable of receiving a fluid injection line therethrough; and

at least one membrane plate comprising;

at least one recess disposed therein, said recess in substantial axial alignment with said at least one slit; and

at least one channel disposed therein, said channel capable of receiving a fluid injection line therethrough.

4. A fluid dispensing system according to claim 1, wherein said capping mechanism further comprises:

a plurality of passages disposed in said body and configured to permit selective fluid communication between the inside and outside of said container; and

a plurality of generally spherical stoppers, each seatably disposed within one of said passages in said body, each of said stoppers seatably responsive to said pressure differential, such that, upon exposure to said pressure differential, said plurality of generally spherical stoppers change their seating arrangement.

5. A fluid dispensing system according to claim 1, wherein said at least one detector is ultrasonic.

6. A fluid dispensing system according to claim 1, wherein said at least one detector is optical.

7. A fluid dispensing system according to claim 6, wherein said at least one optical detector is an IR detector.

8. A fluid dispensing system according to claim 2, wherein said fluid to be dispensed is a neutralizer with integral dye indicator.

9. A fluid dispensing system according to claim 1, further comprising an enclosure to house at least one of said at least one pump, said plurality of fluid injection lines, said plurality of valves, said at least one valve actuator, said fluid transport conduit, said flow detection system or said dispensing unit.

10. A fluid dispensing system according to claim 9, further including a door disposed on said enclosure to prevent fluid spillage from escaping said enclosure.

11. A fluid dispensing system according to claim 1, further comprising a bubble injection mechanism configured to introduce an immiscible fluid into said conduit.

12. A fluid dispensing system according to claim 11, wherein said immiscible fluid is air.

13. A fluid dispensing system according to claim 1, further comprising a pusher fluid selectively introduced into said fluid transport conduit to force the flow of said fluid to be dispensed through said fluid transport conduit.

14. A fluid dispensing system according to claim 1, wherein said capping mechanism further comprises at least one recess disposed in a downwardly-projecting outer surface thereof, said at least one recess configured to receive an O-ring therein to facilitate sealing contact between said container and said capping mechanism.

15. A fluid dispensing system according to claim 5, wherein said plurality of passages are configured such that, upon removal of said fluid from said container, a first of said generally spherical stoppers that is disposed in one of said passages is unseated, thereby facilitating pressure equalization between the inside and the outside of said container.

16. A fluid dispensing system according to claim 5, wherein said plurality of passages are configured such that, upon introduction of said fluid into said container, a second of said generally spherical stoppers that is disposed in one of said passages is unseated, thereby facilitating pressure equalization between the inside and the outside of said container.

17. A fluid dispensing system according to claim 1, wherein said generally cylindrical body of said capping mechanism comprises at least one threaded groove disposed on an outer surface thereof, further wherein said top comprises a surface configured to threadably engage said at least one threaded groove.

18. A device according to claim 1, further comprising a seal disposed between said body and said container.

19. A device according to claim 1, wherein said at least one valve of said capping mechanism is configured to assume an open position when suction is applied to said container and a closed position when suction is removed from said container.

20. A device according to claim 19, wherein said at least one valve of said capping mechanism comprises at least one additional valve, said at least one additional valve configured to assume an open position when fluid is introduced to said container and a closed position when fluid is not being introduced into said container.

21. A device according to claim 4, wherein said fluid to be dispensed is an acid, solvent or acid neutralizer.

22. A fluid dispensing system according to claim 1, wherein said at least one valve of said capping mechanism is operatively responsive to a pressure differential across said valve.

23. A fluid dispensing system according to claim 13, wherein said pusher fluid is a gas.

24. A fluid dispensing system according to claim 13, further comprising a filter disposed in said fluid injection lines to provide fluid damping.

25. A method of preparing metallurgical etchants, comprising the steps of:

placing at least one fluid container with a fluid to be dispensed in operative communication with at least one valve;

disposing a capping mechanism in an aperture of said container, said capping mechanism comprising;

a body;

at least one recess disposed in said body to define an aperture therein to receive a fluid injection line therethrough; and

at least one valve coupled to said body;

arranging a valve actuator to be in mechanical communication with said at least one valve;

placing a fluid injection line in fluid communication with said at least one valve such that said fluid injection line is also in operative communication with said at least one fluid container;

placing a fluid transport conduit in fluid communication with said fluid injection line;

placing at least one pump for metering precise quantities of said fluid to be dispensed in fluid communication with said fluid transport conduit, thereby establishing fluid communication between said at least one pump and said at least one fluid container;

selectively introducing said fluid to be dispensed into said fluid transport conduit to force said fluid to be dispensed therethrough;

monitoring the flow of said fluid to be dispensed through said fluid injection line with a flow detection system, said flow detection system comprising;

at least one detector placed in sensor communication with said fluid injection line; and

a controller in electrical communication with said detector, said at least one valve and said at least one pump such that upon detection and comparison of a flow variation, said controller sends signals to at least one of said at least one pump or said at least one valve to control the flow of said fluid to be dispensed;

controlling the opening or closing of said at least one valve in response to a predetermined process condition, said controlling accomplished by;

receiving an input from said controller; and

sending a control signal from said controller to said valve actuator, thereby forcing engagement between said valve actuator and said at least one valve to an extent dictated by said control signal such that said at least one valve adjusts a flow of said fluid to be dispensed therethrough; and

operating said at least one pump to move a predetermined amount of said fluid to be dispensed from said at least one fluid container, through said at least one valve, said fluid injection line, said fluid transport conduit, and into a dispensing unit in fluid communication with said fluid transport conduit so as to accept fluid therefrom.

26. A method according to claim 25, wherein said fluid to be dispensed is an acid, solvent, acid neutralizer or combination thereof.

27. A method according to claim 25, wherein said fluid to be dispensed is a neutralizer with integral dye indicator.

28. A method according to claim 25, comprising the additional steps of:

configuring a bubble injection mechanism to selectively introduce an immiscible fluid into said conduit;

introducing said immiscible fluid into said fluid transport conduit once said fluid has been dispensed into said dispensing unit; and

purging said fluid transport conduit with said immiscible fluid.

29. A method according to claim 25, comprising the additional step of introducing a pusher fluid into said fluid transport conduit to force the flow of said fluid to be dispensed through said fluid transport conduit.

30. A method according to claim 25, wherein said capping mechanism further comprises

a top engaged with said container to provide for selective removal of said body from said container.

31. A method according to claim 30, wherein said capping mechanism further comprises at least one recess disposed in a downwardly-projecting outer surface thereof, said at least one recess configured to receive an O-ring therein to facilitate sealing contact between said container and said capping mechanism.

32. A method of preparing metallurgical etchants according to claim 25, wherein said at least one valve of said capping mechanism is operatively responsive to a pressure differential across said valve.

33. A fluid dispensing system comprising:

at least one pump for metering precise quantities of fluid to be dispensed;

a plurality of fluid injection lines for transporting said fluid to be dispensed;

a plurality of valves each of which are disposed in one of said plurality of fluid injection lines, each of said plurality of valves including a valve actuator, wherein said plurality of fluid injection lines can be in fluid communication with a plurality of containers for dispensing fluid, such that said each of said plurality of valves controls the flow of said fluid through one of said plurality of fluid injection lines;

at least one valve actuator engaging member in mechanical communication with at least one of said valve actuators;

a fluid transport conduit in fluid communication with said at least one pump and said plurality of fluid injection lines;

a flow detection system disposed adjacent said plurality of fluid injection lines, said flow detection system comprising;

at least one detector; and

a controller in electrical communication with said detector, said plurality of valves and said at least one pump such that upon detection and comparison of a flow variation, said controller sends signals to at least one of said at least one pump or said plurality of valves to control the flow of fluid;

a dispensing unit operatively responsive to said fluid transport conduit so as to accept fluid therefrom; and

a bubble injection mechanism configured to introduce an immiscible fluid into said conduit.