METHODS AND DEVICES FOR DETERMINATION OF FLOW RESERVOIR VOLUME
First Claim
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1. A method of completing a metering cycle, comprising:
- positioning an actuation shaft of a flow metering device in a first position for filling a flow metering device chamber with a flow material;
causing an aliquot of flow material to flow into the flow metering device chamber from a flow material reservoir through an input conduit and a proximal flow space;
positioning the actuation shaft in a second position for dispensing the flow material from the flow metering device chamber, wherein the positioning of the actuation shaft to the second position causes a backstroke volume of flow material to flow from the proximal flow space into the flow material reservoir;
observing the change in volume of the flow material in the flow material reservoir with data gathered from a sensor; and
determining the backstroke volume.
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Abstract
A novel enhanced flow metering device is adapted for disposing into a flow material reservoir a known volume of flow material whereby software used in conjunction with a pressure sensor may be calibrated. Additionally, by measuring the known amount of flow material returning to the flow material reservoir, checks are quickly made to ensure the pressure sensor is behaving as expected.
36 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method of completing a metering cycle, comprising:
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positioning an actuation shaft of a flow metering device in a first position for filling a flow metering device chamber with a flow material; causing an aliquot of flow material to flow into the flow metering device chamber from a flow material reservoir through an input conduit and a proximal flow space; positioning the actuation shaft in a second position for dispensing the flow material from the flow metering device chamber, wherein the positioning of the actuation shaft to the second position causes a backstroke volume of flow material to flow from the proximal flow space into the flow material reservoir; observing the change in volume of the flow material in the flow material reservoir with data gathered from a sensor; and determining the backstroke volume. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A method comprising:
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providing a flow metering device system adapted for use with a pump having a flow material reservoir and configured to measure the volume of the flow material in the flow material reservoir, the flow metering device system adapted to completing a plurality of metering cycles, each cycle comprising; positioning an actuation shaft of a flow metering device in a first position for filling a flow metering device chamber with a flow material; causing an aliquot of flow material to flow into the flow metering device chamber from a flow material reservoir through an input conduit and a proximal flow space; positioning the actuation shaft in a second position for dispensing the flow material from the flow metering device chamber, wherein the positioning of the actuation shaft to the second position causes a backstroke volume of flow material to flow from the proximal flow space into the flow material reservoir; and calculating the volume of the flow material in the flow material reservoir using the sensor and the backstroke volume. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method of determining a backstroke volume comprising:
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coupling a proximal flow space with a flow material reservoir of known volume and having a known volume of fluid disposed therein and using a sensor to gather data relevant to determination of the volume of the fluid in the flow material reservoir prior to moving an actuation shaft (Vi); causing an aliquot of fluid to move from the flow material reservoir to the proximal flow space by moving the actuation shaft to a filling position; using the sensor to gather data relevant to determination of the volume of the fluid in the flow material reservoir when the actuation shaft is in the filling position (Vf). moving the actuation to a dispense position, whereby a backstroke fluid volume moves from the proximal flow space into the flow material reservoir; and using the sensor to gather data relevant to determination of the volume of the fluid in the flow material reservoir when the actuation shaft is in the dispense position (Vb); calculating the backstroke fluid volume from the data collected from the sensor. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16)
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17. A method for calibrating offset of a sensor comprising:
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configuring a flow metering system having at least a flow metering device and flow material reservoir, wherein a flow material reservoir in the system has a known total volume and a known volume of flow material in the flow material reservoir; determining a backstroke volume of a flow metering device, the backstroke volume comprising a volume of flow material moved from a proximal flow space of the flow metering device into the flow material reservoir when an actuation shaft is moved to a dispense position; using the sensor to gather data relevant to determination of the volume of the flow material in the flow material reservoir when the actuation shaft is in the filling position (Vf); using the sensor to gather data relevant to determination of the volume of the flow material in the flow material reservoir when the actuation shaft is in the dispense position (Vb); using the data gathered by the sensor and the backstroke volume data to determine the offset of the sensor; calibrating the sensor by accounting for the offset of the sensor in subsequent use of the sensor to gather data. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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Specification