G - Physics – 01 – F
Patent
G - Physics
01
F
73/145
G01F 1/24 (2006.01) A61M 5/142 (2006.01) A61M 5/168 (2006.01) A61M 39/28 (2006.01)
Patent
CA 2038314
-23- A SENSOR FOR DETECTING FLUID FLOW PROM A POSITIVE DISPLACEMENT PUMP Abstract of the Disclosure A flow detector for use in a volumetric pump to determine if fluid is being displace by the pump. The volumetric pump (30) includes an inlet cracking valve (46) and an outlet cracking valve (52) disposed on opposite sides of a plunger (48) used to displace fluid by compressing flexible tubing (34). During a pumping segment of a pumping cycle for the volumetric pump, the outlet cracking valve is closed with a cracking force that compresses the flexible tubing until the pressure of the fluid displaced by the plunger exceeds a cracking pressure, at which time the outlet cracking valve opens to enable fluid flow from the volumetric pump. A cracking flexure (182) provides the cracking force. As the outlet cracking valve opens in response to the fluid pressure exceeding the cracking pressure, a flow detector (54) comprising in one preferred embodiment astrain gauge (198) mounted to the cracking flexure responds to the stress generated in the cracking flexure thereby, producing a signal indicative of fluid flow from the volumetric pump. Other types of sensors, including an optical sensor (300), and a linear variable displacement transformer (LVDT) (318) are alternatively used for sensing movement of an outlet valve arm (180) as fluid flows from volumetric pump (30). Since a compressible gaseous fluid in the pumping portion of the flexible tubing does not develop the cracking pressure, the flow detector also provides an indication when a source of liquid (31) for the volumetric pump has run dry.
Lawless Michael W.
Natwick Vernon R.
Abbott Laboratories
Goudreau Gage Dubuc
Lawless Michael W.
Natwick Vernon R.
LandOfFree
Sensor for detecting fluid flow from a positive displacement... does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Sensor for detecting fluid flow from a positive displacement..., we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Sensor for detecting fluid flow from a positive displacement... will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFCA-PAI-O-1562136