Flow control system for a micropump

• US 8,807,169 B2
• Filed: 06/30/2011
• Issued: 08/19/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 02/12/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: PicoLife Technologies, LLC
• Original Assignee: PicoLife Technologies, LLC
• Inventors: Amirouche, Farid, Cantwell, Matthew
• Primary Examiner(s): Schneider, Craig
• Assistant Examiner(s): CAHILL, JESSICA MARIE
• Application Number:
  US13/174,598
• Publication Number:
  US 20110308650A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,146 Days
• Field of Search: 137/851, 137/858, 137/843, 137/565.15, 137/516.25, 251/331, 251/333, 251/359
• US Class Current: 137/843
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2039/2453 not being fixed to the valve body
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/0244 Micromachined materials, e.g. made from silicon wafers, microelectromechanical systems [MEMS] or comprising nanotechnology
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 39/24 Check- or non-return valves
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/1422 with double acting or multiple pistons
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/14224 Diaphragm type
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/16804 Flow controllers
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 43/043 Micropumps
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/7879 Resilient material valve
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/86002 Fluid pressure responsive
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/86019 Direct response valve
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49996 Successive distinct removal operations

Abstract

The disclosure relates to a micropump having a first body portion including an inlet aperture and a second body portion including an outlet aperture. The first and second body portions may each have a mating surface disposed about a membrane-receiving inner surface in sealed relation with one another. A substantially dome shaped membrane having a reinforcement annulus located around an outer edge may be received by the first body portion membrane-receiving inner surface. A portion of the membrane may be moveable between a closed position in sealable communication with the inlet aperture and an open position spaced apart from the inlet aperture, and biased in a closed position. Operation of the micropump may cause fluid to flow through the first body inlet aperture, move the membrane to the open position, and flow around the edge of the membrane through the second body outlet.

Claims

1. A flow control system for use with a micropump for pumping a fluid comprising, in combination:

a first body portion having a membrane-receiving inner surface, an inlet aperture in fluid communication with the micropump, and a mating surface disposed about the membrane-receiving inner surface;

a membrane having a reinforcement annulus located along an outer peripheral edge of the membrane, wherein the reinforcement annulus is configured to be received by the first body portion membrane-receiving inner surface, and wherein an entire surface of the membrane is substantially dome shaped, and a portion of the membrane is oriented to be movable between a closed position, in sealable communication with the inlet aperture, and an open position, in spaced apart relation from the inlet aperture, the membrane being further oriented and sized to be biased in the closed position, and the membrane being configured to substantially maintain the dome shape in both the closed position and the open position;

a second body portion having a membrane-receiving inner surface, an outlet aperture, and a mating surface disposed about the membrane-receiving inner surface and configured to mate with the mating surface of the first body portion;

at least a portion of the membrane reinforcement annulus being positioned within the inner surface of the first body portion; and

the first body portion mating surface being positioned and maintained in sealed relation with the second body portion mating surface;

whereby operation of the micropump causes the fluid to (a) flow from the micropump to the first body inlet aperture, (b) exert a pressure sufficient to move the membrane from the closed position to an open position, and (c) flow around the outer peripheral edge of the membrane and through the second body outlet.

2. The flow control system for use with a micropump for pumping a fluid of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first body portion membrane-receiving inner surface or the second body portion membrane-receiving inner surface defines a generally disk-shaped seating assembly having a top face, a bottom face and providing N flow channels and a seating surface having an outer confine thereabout configured to receive and seat a membrane.

3. The flow control system for use with a micropump for pumping a fluid of claim 2, wherein the seating assembly further comprises a first, second and third layer, the first layer having as its lower terminus the bottom face of the assembly and being generally disc shaped and having a center aperture having a flow diameter D_flow disposed therethrough, the second layer having a circular outer periphery, overlaying the first layer and having N generally pie-shaped support surfaces extending radially inwardly in spaced apart relation, each support surface having an inner terminus, the inner termini being equidistant from the center of the second layer and defining an inner support diameter D_i, the spaced apart relation of the generally pie-shaped support surfaces defining N flow channels therebetween, each flow channel having an outwardly extending semicircular flow passage space at its outer terminus, the third layer overlaying the second layer having as its upper terminus the top face of the assembly, the third layer having a generally disc-like radial profile having an inner diameter boundary that provides an outer confine for a membrane and N semicircular flow passages configured to align in axial profile with the semicircular flow passage spaces of the second layer.

4. The flow control system for use with a micropump for pumping a fluid of claim 1, wherein the membrane has a generally circular footprint.

5. The flow control system for use with a micropump for pumping a fluid of claim 4, wherein the membrane further has a spherical radius of curvature R_vm and a thickness of Th_zenith as measured at a dome zenith of the membrane, the reinforcement annulus presenting a cylindrical outer periphery having a cylinder height H_outer and a diameter D_outer, a cylindrical inner surface having a cylinder height H_inner and diameter D_inner, and a bottom terminus of generally flat, ring-like contour having a thickness Th_ann equal to one-half of D_outer minus D_inner and presenting a downwardly facing circular periphery, the membrane having a working height H_vm measured vertically from the dome zenith to the circular periphery.

6. The flow control system for use with a micropump for pumping a fluid of claim 1, wherein the fluid to be pumped is to be administered through a tubing, the second body portion outlet aperture is configured to communicate with the tubing and whereby operation of the micropump causes the fluid to flow through the second body outlet aperture and into the tubing.

7. The flow control system for use with a micropump for pumping a fluid of claim 6, wherein at least one of the first body portion membrane-receiving inner surface or the second body portion membrane-receiving inner surface defines a generally disk-shaped seating assembly having a top face, a bottom face and providing N flow channels and a seating surface having an outer confine thereabout configured to receive and seat a membrane.

8. The flow control system for use with a micropump for pumping a fluid of claim 7, wherein the seating assembly further comprises a first, second and third layer, the first layer having as its lower terminus the bottom face of the assembly and being generally disc shaped and having a center aperture having a flow diameter D_flow disposed therethrough, the second layer having a circular outer periphery, overlaying the first layer and having N generally pie-shaped support surfaces extending radially inwardly in spaced apart relation, each support surface having an inner terminus, the inner termini being equidistant from the center of the second layer and defining an inner support diameter D_i the spaced apart relation of the generally pie-shaped support surfaces defining N flow channels therebetween, each flow channel having an outwardly extending semicircular flow passage space at its outer terminus, the third layer overlaying the second layer having as its upper terminus the top face of the assembly, the third layer having a generally disc-like radial profile having an inner diameter boundary that provides an outer confine for a membrane and N semicircular flow passages configured to align in axial profile with the semicircular flow passage spaces of the second layer.

9. The flow control system for use with a micropump for pumping a fluid of claim 6, wherein the membrane has a generally circular footprint.

10. The flow control system for use with a micropump for pumping a fluid of claim 9, wherein the membrane further has a spherical radius of curvature R_vm and a thickness of Th_zenith as measured at a dome zenith of the membrane, the reinforcement annulus presenting a cylindrical outer periphery having a cylinder height H_outer and a diameter D_outer, a cylindrical inner surface having a cylinder height H_inner and diameter D_inner, and a bottom terminus of generally flat, ring-like contour having a thickness Th_ann equal to one-half of D_outer minus D_inner and presenting a downwardly facing circular periphery, the membrane having a working height H_vm measured vertically from the dome zenith to the circular periphery.

11. A flow control system for use with a micropump for pumping a fluid to be administered through a tubing comprising, in combination:

a first body portion having a membrane-receiving inner surface, an inlet aperture in fluid communication with the micropump, and a mating surface disposed about the membrane-receiving inner surface;

a membrane having a generally circular footprint, a reinforcement annulus located along an outer peripheral edge of the membrane, wherein the reinforcement annulus is configured to be received by the first body portion membrane-receiving inner surface, and wherein an entire surface of the membrane is substantially dome shaped, and a portion of the membrane is oriented to be movable between a closed position, in sealable communication with the inlet aperture, and an open position, in spaced apart relation from the inlet aperture, the membrane being further oriented and sized to be biased in the closed position, the membrane being configured to substantially maintain the dome shape in both the closed position and the open position, the membrane further having a spherical radius of curvature R_vm and a thickness of Th_zenith as measured at a dome zenith of the membrane, the reinforcement annulus presenting a cylindrical outer periphery having a cylinder height H_outer and a diameter D_outer, a cylindrical inner surface having a cylinder height H_inner and diameter D_inner, and a bottom terminus of generally flat, ring-like contour having a thickness Th_ann equal to one-half of D_outer minus D_inner and presenting a downwardly facing circular periphery, the membrane having a working height H_vm measured vertically from the dome zenith to the circular periphery;

a second body portion having a membrane-receiving inner surface, an outlet aperture configured to communicate with the tubing, and a mating surface disposed about the membrane-receiving inner surface and configured to mate with the mating surface of the first body portion;

at least a portion of the membrane reinforcement annulus being positioned within the inner surface of the first body portion; and

the first body portion mating surface being positioned and maintained in sealed relation with the second body portion mating surface;

whereby operation of the micropump causes the fluid to (a) flow from the micropump to the first body inlet aperture, (b) exert a pressure, sufficient to move the membrane from the closed position to an open position, and (c) flow around the outer peripheral edge of the membrane and through the second body outlet aperture and into the tubing.

12. The flow control system of claim 11, wherein at least one of the first body portion membrane-receiving inner surface or the second body portion membrane-receiving inner surface defines a generally disk-shaped seating assembly having a top face, a bottom face and providing N flow channels and a seating surface having an outer confine thereabout configured to receive and seat a membrane.

13. The flow control system of claim 11, wherein the seating assembly further comprises a first, second and third layer, the first layer having as its lower terminus the bottom face of the assembly and being generally disc shaped and having a center aperture having a flow diameter D_flow disposed therethrough, the second layer having a circular outer periphery, overlaying the first layer and having N generally pie-shaped support surfaces extending radially inwardly in spaced apart relation, each support surface having an inner terminus, the inner termini being equidistant from the center of the second layer and defining an inner support diameter D_i, the spaced apart relation of the generally pie-shaped support surfaces defining N flow channels therebetween, each flow channel having an outwardly extending semicircular flow passage space at its outer terminus, the third layer overlaying the second layer having as its upper terminus the top face of the assembly, the third layer having a generally disc-like radial profile having an inner diameter boundary that provides an outer confine for a membrane and N semicircular flow passages configured to align in axial profile with the semicircular flow passage spaces of the second layer.

14. A flow control system for use with a micropump for pumping a fluid to be administered through a tubing comprising, in combination:

a first body portion having a membrane-receiving inner surface, an inlet aperture in fluid communication with the micropump, and a mating surface disposed about the membrane-receiving inner surface, the membrane-receiving inner surface defining a generally disk-shaped seating assembly having a top face, a bottom face and providing N flow channels and a seating surface having an outer confine thereabout configured to receive and seat a membrane;

the seating assembly further comprising a first, second and third layer, the first layer having as its lower terminus the bottom face of the assembly and being generally disc shaped and having a center aperture having a flow diameter D_flow disposed therethrough,

the second layer having a circular outer periphery, overlaying the first layer and having N generally pie-shaped support surfaces extending radially inwardly in spaced apart relation, each support surface having an inner terminus, the inner termini being equidistant from the center of the second layer and defining an inner support diameter D_i, the spaced apart relation of the generally pie-shaped support surfaces defining N flow channels therebetween, each flow channel having an outwardly extending semicircular flow passage space at its outer terminus,

the third layer overlaying the second layer having as its upper terminus the top face of the assembly, the third layer having a generally disc-like radial profile having an inner diameter boundary that provides an outer confine for a membrane and N semicircular flow passages configured to align in axial profile with the semicircular flow passage spaces of the second layer;

a membrane having a generally circular footprint, a reinforcement annulus located along an outer peripheral edge of the membrane, wherein the reinforcement annulus is configured to be received by the first body portion membrane-receiving inner surface, and wherein an entire surface of the membrane is substantially dome shaped, and a portion of the membrane is oriented to be movable between a closed position, in sealable communication with the inlet aperture, and an open position, in spaced apart relation from the inlet aperture, the membrane being further oriented and sized to be biased in the closed position, the membrane being configured to substantially maintain the dome shape in both the closed position and the open position, the membrane further having a spherical radius of curvature R_vm and a thickness of Th_zenith as measured at a dome zenith of the membrane, the reinforcement annulus presenting a cylindrical outer periphery having a cylinder height H_outer and a diameter D_outer, a cylindrical inner surface having a cylinder height H_inner and diameter D_inner, and a bottom terminus of generally flat, ring-like contour having a thickness Th_ann equal to one-half of D_outer minus D_inner and presenting a downwardly facing circular periphery, the membrane having a working height H_vm measured vertically from the dome zenith to the circular periphery;

a second body portion having a membrane-receiving inner surface, an outlet aperture configured to communicate with the tubing, and a mating surface disposed about the membrane-receiving inner surface and configured to mate with the mating surface of the first body portion;

at least a portion of the membrane reinforcement annulus being positioned within the inner surface of the first body portion;

the first body portion mating surface being positioned and maintained in sealed relation with the second body portion mating surface to define a generally cylindrically-shaped chamber containing the membrane;

whereby operation of the micropump causes the fluid to (a) flow from the micropump to the first body inlet aperture, (b) exert a pressure sufficient to move the membrane from the closed position to an open position, and (c) flow around the outer periperal edge of the membrane and through the second body outlet aperture and into the tubing.