Fluid handling – Systems – Multiple inlet with single outlet
Patent
1998-08-18
2000-08-01
Rivell, John
Fluid handling
Systems
Multiple inlet with single outlet
137883, 25112909, 25112914, F61K 3106
Patent
active
060951893
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to magnetically activated valves for control of fluid flow.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In any fluid flow control valve, control of fluid flow through the valve is achieved by moving a valve sealing element between open and closed positions. Mechanically activated valves have a full range of flow control capability from simple on-off or shutoff valves to precision flow control. Mechanically activated valves, however, have a number of points of contact between moving parts, resulting in friction that causes wear and eventual breakdown. Greater flow control is generally achieved only at the cost of a more complicated mechanical interface with more points of friction and wear.
Various types of magnetically activated valves are known (See, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,509,439), including mechanical valves adapted for operation by means of a magnetic driver, and other types, such as solenoid valves wherein the solenoid core shaft is also the valve sealing element (See, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,575,309). These valves have a problem of mechanical bearing of a core shaft, with resultant friction and wear. Such valves generally only work as shutoff valves, with no possibility of more precise fluid flow control.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,527,295 discloses a gravitational, magnetic, floating ball valve for use in the medical field as a protective fluid cut-off valve for infusion devices. The valve includes a hollow ball containing a magnet, which is arranged inside a vertical tube disposed in registration with an outlet. A second magnet is also disposed in vertical registration with the magnet. The magnet-containing valve is magnetically attracted towards the second magnet as the level of liquid in the infusion device decreases, sealing the outlet once the level of liquid in the infusion device drops to a predefined level.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention seeks to provide a fluid flow control valve in which fluid flow control is achieved by magnetically controlling the position of one or a number of magnetic elements located within a fluid flow conduit. The present invention is further capable of positioning the one or more magnetic elements so as to regulate fluid flow without bearings or contact between moving parts, which allows the valve to function without the friction and wear found in prior art valves. The present invention can further serve as a shutoff valve to selectably permit or to precisely regulate fluid flow. As the only moving parts are the magnetic elements located within the conduit, the present invention is very simple and highly reliable.
There is thus provided, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, a fluid flow control valve which includes a fluid flow conduit with one or more fluid inlets and one or more fluid outlets, and with one or more discrete magnetic elements located within the conduit that are positioned by means of a number of selectably activated electromagnets located in association with the conduit. The magnetic element or elements can preferably be positioned either to close fluid flow by engaging a predetermined fluid inlet or outlet thereby to block fluid flow therethrough or to open fluid flow by not blocking fluid flow therethrough.
In accordance with additional embodiments of the present invention, the magnetic element or elements can further be selectably positioned in an intermediate position between the above-mentioned open and closed positions thereby selectably to partially block fluid flow in the conduit thereby to provide precise control of the fluid flow therethrough.
Further, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the magnetic element or elements comprise a core of magnetic material covered with a material operative to engage a fluid inlet or outlet thereby to form a fluid-tight seal.
In accordance with additional embodiments of the present invention, a plurality of magnetic elements are located within a fluid flow conduit and are prevented from being
REFERENCES:
patent: 2056322 (1936-10-01), Hoppe
patent: 3443585 (1969-05-01), Reinicke
patent: 4320781 (1982-03-01), Bouvet et al.
patent: 4489863 (1984-12-01), Horchos et al.
patent: 5509439 (1996-04-01), Tantardini
patent: 5527295 (1996-06-01), Wing
patent: 5575309 (1996-11-01), Connell
Q-Core Ltd.
Rivell John
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