Fluid transport system with elastic tube and detaching cam arrangement

• US 8,317,500 B2
• Filed: 12/15/2011
• Issued: 11/27/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 11/16/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation (Seiko Group)
• Original Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation (Seiko Group)
• Inventors: Miyazaki, Hajime, Miyasaka, Mamoru, Kawasumi, Kazuo
• Primary Examiner(s): Kramer, Devon
• Assistant Examiner(s): ZOLLINGER, NATHAN C
• Application Number:
  US13/326,410
• Publication Number:
  US 20120082577A1
• Time in Patent Office: 348 Days
• Field of Search: 417/474, 417/476, 417/477.1, 417/477.3, 417/477.6, 417/477.7, 417/477.8, 417/477.9, 417/479, 74/103.1, 745/67, 745/69
• US Class Current: 417/477.3
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/14228 with linear peristaltic action, i.e. comprising at least three pressurising members or a helical member
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 43/082 the tubular flexible member being pressed against a wall by a number of elements, each having an alternating movement in a direction perpendicular to the axes of the tubular member and each having its own driving mechanism

Abstract

A fluid transportation system includes: an elastic tube; a tube frame having a tube guide groove to which the tube is attached in a circular arc; a cam driving wheel interior of the tube and having a rotational center coinciding with the center of the circular arc of the tube guide groove; a first cam fixed to a center shaft of the cam driving wheel; a second cam rotatably supported by the center shaft; and a plurality of fingers radially extending from the rotation center between the tube and the first and second cams and pressing the tube by the rotation of the first and second cams, wherein when the fluid transportation system starts to operate, the first and second cams produce a state in which the second cam is attached to the first cam and at least one of the plural fingers closes the tube.

Claims

1. A fluid transportation system, comprising:

an elastic tube;

a tube frame having a tube guide groove to which the tube is attached such that the tube forms a circular arc;

a cam driving wheel disposed interior of the tube and having a rotational center coinciding with a center of the circular arc of the tube guide groove;

a first cam fixed to and rotatable with a center shaft of the cam driving wheel;

a second cam rotatable about the center shaft of the cam driving wheel; and

a plurality of fingers radially extending from the rotational center between the tube and the first and second cams and pressing the tube by rotation of the first and second cams,

wherein when the fluid transportation system starts to operate, the first and second cams produce a state in which the second cam is attached to the first cam and at least one of the plural fingers closes the tube.