Apparatus and methods for fluid pressurizing units of injection systems
First Claim
1. A method for disabling a fluid pressurizing unit of a fluid injection system, the unit including a plunger shaft, a syringe and a plunger, and the method comprising:
- isolating the syringe from all downstream flow paths of the pressurizing unit;
retracting the plunger shaft and the plunger simultaneously from a first position to a second position, both the first position and the second position being within the syringe, such that a vacuum is created within the syringe downstream of the plunger;
the plunger being operably engaged with the plunger shaft at the first position; and
the plunger being adapted to disengage from the plunger shaft at the second position, and to move back toward the first position upon disengagement from the plunger shaft, wherein an inner diameter of the syringe is larger at the second position, than at the first position, so as to facilitate the disengagement of the plunger from the plunger shaft.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An injection system includes a syringe, which preferably includes larger and smaller inner diameters, and a plunger. A wiper sidewall of the plunger defines a cavity, into which a plunger shaft of the system is inserted, for moving the plunger, within the syringe, for fluid injection. The plunger includes a feature for engaging the shaft, and the sidewall preferably includes a expandable-contractible portion, in which the feature is formed. When the plunger is initially mounted within the larger inner diameter of the syringe, the portion of the sidewall is expanded and the feature of the plunger does not operably engage the inserted shaft. When the shaft moves the plunger into the smaller inner diameter of the syringe, the portion of the sidewall contracts and the feature operably engages the shaft. An optional deformable end wall of the plunger may be spaced apart from a distal terminal end of the inserted shaft.
43 Citations
24 Claims
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1. A method for disabling a fluid pressurizing unit of a fluid injection system, the unit including a plunger shaft, a syringe and a plunger, and the method comprising:
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isolating the syringe from all downstream flow paths of the pressurizing unit; retracting the plunger shaft and the plunger simultaneously from a first position to a second position, both the first position and the second position being within the syringe, such that a vacuum is created within the syringe downstream of the plunger; the plunger being operably engaged with the plunger shaft at the first position; and the plunger being adapted to disengage from the plunger shaft at the second position, and to move back toward the first position upon disengagement from the plunger shaft, wherein an inner diameter of the syringe is larger at the second position, than at the first position, so as to facilitate the disengagement of the plunger from the plunger shaft. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method for disabling a fluid pressurizing unit of a fluid injection system, the unit including a plunger shaft, a syringe and a plunger, and the method comprising:
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isolating the syringe from all downstream flow paths of the pressurizing unit; retracting the plunger shaft and the plunger simultaneously from a first position to a second position, both the first position and the second position being within the syringe, such that a vacuum is created within the syringe downstream of the plunger, the plunger being operably engaged with the plunger shaft at the first position, the plunger being adapted to disengage from the plunger shaft at the second position, and to move back toward the first position upon disengagement from the plunger shaft; and removing the syringe and the plunger, together, from the fluid injection system, after retracting the plunger shaft, from the first position to the second position. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method for disabling a fluid pressurizing unit of a fluid injection system, the unit including a plunger shaft, a syringe and a plunger, and the method comprising:
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isolating the syringe from all downstream flow paths of the pressurizing unit, wherein isolating the syringe comprises closing at least one valve of a tubing line included in the downstream flow paths; and retracting the plunger shaft and the plunger simultaneously from a first position to a second position, both the first position and the second position being within the syringe, such that a vacuum is created within the syringe downstream of the plunger, the plunger being operably engaged with the plunger shaft at the first position, the plunger being adapted to disengage from the plunger shaft at the second position, and to move back toward the first position upon disengagement from the plunger shaft. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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Specification