System for simultaneous distribution of fluid to multiple vessels and method of using the same
AssigneeSartorius Stedim North America Inc.
InventorsMichael A. Zumbrum, Kevin M. Perdue, William Kimmick, Jan Neuhaus
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method of aseptically distributing fluid including fluidly connecting a primary vessel to a fluid distribution system via a feedline of the supply vessel to form a closed system, priming the feedline to purge trapped gases and fluid from the feedline via a purge valve, simultaneously distributing fluid from the primary vessel to a plurality of secondary vessels, sensing a complete fill of the plurality of secondary vessels with the control system, and stopping the distribution of fluid when the complete fill is sensed by the control system.
Claims34
A method of aseptically distributing fluid, the method comprising:
- fluidly connecting a primary vessel to a fluid distribution system via a feedline of the supply vessel to form a closed system;
- priming the feedline to purge trapped gases and fluid from the feedline via a purge valve comprising:
- receiving a fluid signal at a control system from a fluid sensor indicative of fluid detected;
- and
- closing the purge valve, with the control system, in response to receiving the fluid signal;
- simultaneously distributing fluid from the primary vessel to a plurality of secondary vessels of the fluid distribution system via the feedline;
- sensing a complete fill of the plurality of secondary vessels with the control system;
- and
- stopping the distribution of fluid when the complete fill is sensed by the control system.
A fluid distribution system comprising:
- a primary vessel;
- a supply tube;
- a plurality of secondary vessels, each vessel including an inflow conduit;
- a distribution hub comprising:
- a single inlet in fluid communication with the supply tube;
- and
- a plurality of outlets, each outlet in fluid communication with the single inlet and in fluid communication with a respective inflow conduit such that the distribution hub is configured to simultaneously provide an equal portion of the fluid received through the single inlet to each of the inflow conduits;
- and
- a control system comprising:
- an inlet tube fluidly connected to the primary vessel via a feedline;
- a fill valve disposed between the feedline and the supply tube;
- a purge valve in fluid communication with the inlet tube;
- a fluid sensor configured to provide a fluid signal indicative of fluid detected by the fluid sensor;
- and
- a controller configured to purge the feedline of gas by operating the purge valve and configured to provide fluid to the distribution hub through the supply tube such that a target amount of fluid is distributed into each of the secondary vessels by operating the purge valve and the fill valve, the controller configured to close the purge valve in response to receiving the fluid signal from the fluid sensor.
A method of aseptically distributing fluid, the method comprising:
- fluidly connecting a supply line of a fluid distribution system to a feedline of a primary vessel to form a closed system;
- priming the feedline via a controller of a control system operating a purge valve such that gases are purged from the feedline, priming the feedline comprising:
- receiving a fluid signal at the controller from a fluid sensor indicative of fluid detected;
- and
- closing the purge valve, with the controller, in response to receiving the fluid signal;
- and
- distributing fluid simultaneously from the primary vessel into a plurality of secondary vessels of the fluid distribution system, the fluid distribution system including a distribution hub such that fluid is simultaneously supplied to each secondary vessel of the plurality of secondary vessels, the controller operating a fill valve and the purge valve to distribute a target amount of fluid into each of the secondary vessels after priming the feedline.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.