Digital flow control
First Claim
1. A digital flow control assembly for controlling the volumetric flow rate of fluids comprising:
- a fluid flow conduit;
a plurality of serially-arranged flow nodes positioned along a length of the fluid flow conduit; and
a controller for generating a signal to control one or more actuators to adjust one or more of the plurality of serially-arranged flow nodes to maintain a desired volumetric flow rate of fluid in the fluid flow conduit,wherein the spacing between the plurality of serially-arranged flow nodes is sufficient to provide an internal fluid flow wake structure that includes fluid separation and recirculation zones downstream of the flow nodes and substantial reattachment of the fluid to an inner wall of the conduit before a subsequent node is approached, andwherein the spacing between the plurality of serially-arranged flow nodes is an input to the controller.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A digital flow control assembly for controlling the volumetric flow rate of fluids includes a fluid flow conduit, a plurality of serially-arranged flow nodes positioned along a length of the fluid flow conduit, and a device for generating a signal. The device for generating a signal is used to adjust one or more of the plurality of serially-arranged flow nodes to maintain a desired volumetric flow rate of fluid in the fluid flow conduit. A method for controlling the volumetric flow rate of fluids includes providing a fluid flow conduit, providing a plurality of serially-arranged flow nodes positioned along a length of the fluid flow conduit, and providing a feedback signal to adjust one or more of the plurality of serially-arranged flow nodes to maintain a desired volumetric flow rate of fluid in the fluid flow conduit.
158 Citations
38 Claims
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1. A digital flow control assembly for controlling the volumetric flow rate of fluids comprising:
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a fluid flow conduit; a plurality of serially-arranged flow nodes positioned along a length of the fluid flow conduit; and a controller for generating a signal to control one or more actuators to adjust one or more of the plurality of serially-arranged flow nodes to maintain a desired volumetric flow rate of fluid in the fluid flow conduit, wherein the spacing between the plurality of serially-arranged flow nodes is sufficient to provide an internal fluid flow wake structure that includes fluid separation and recirculation zones downstream of the flow nodes and substantial reattachment of the fluid to an inner wall of the conduit before a subsequent node is approached, and wherein the spacing between the plurality of serially-arranged flow nodes is an input to the controller. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36)
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37. An assembly comprising:
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a fluid flow conduit in fluid communication with a pressurized source and a dispenser; a plurality of serially-arranged flow nodes positioned along a length of the fluid flow conduit; and a controller for generating an electronic signal to control one or more actuators to automatically adjust one or more of the plurality of serially-arranged flow nodes to maintain a desired volumetric flow rate of fluid in the fluid flow conduit, wherein the spacing between the plurality of serially-arranged flow nodes is sufficient to provide an internal fluid flow wake structure that includes fluid separation and recirculation zones downstream of the flow nodes and substantial reattachment of the fluid to an inner wall of the conduit before a subsequent node is approached, and wherein the spacing between the plurality of serially-arranged flow nodes is an input to the controller.
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38. An assembly comprising:
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a fluid flow conduit in fluid communication with a pressurized source and a dispenser; a plurality of serially-arranged flow nodes positioned along a length of the fluid flow conduit; and a controller for generating an electronic signal to control one or more actuators to automatically adjust one or more of the plurality of serially-arranged flow nodes to maintain a desired volumetric flow rate of fluid in the fluid flow conduit, wherein the spacing between adjacent ones of the plurality of serially-arranged flow nodes is an input to the controller.
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Specification