Connector apparatus and system including connector apparatus
AssigneeMykrolis Corporation
InventorsJeffrey M. Campbell, J. Karl Niermeyer, Gaston de los Reyes, Christopher R. Wargo, Richard L. Miller, Stephen K. Guerrera
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A connector apparatus is provided which is configured to replace a separation module in a system for dispensing a fluid. When it is desired to purge the system of a dispensed fluid, the connector apparatus, having the same configuration of an inlet and an outlet as the separation module, replaces the separation module and a purging fluid is passed through the system.
Claims29
A quick-connect manifold assembly for a disposable fluid separation module, comprising:
- a fluid connector member having a first set of connectors extending through the fluid connector member, the connectors being spaced apart and parallel to one another;
- and
- a module receptor configured with the fluid connector member so as to provide the module receptor a limited range of substantially vertical movement relative to the fluid connector member, the module receptor adapted to support a disposable fluid separation module in alignment with the fluid connector member so that the first set of connectors can be substantially simultaneously engaged to, or disengaged from, a second set of connectors on the disposable fluid processing module by the substantially vertical movement of the module receptor.
A method of replacing a disposable fluid separation module in a quick-connect manifold assembly, the quick-connect manifold assembly comprising a fluid connector member having a set of connectors engaged with a mating set of connectors on the disposable module, a module receptor attached to the fluid connector member so as to provide the module receptor a limited range of substantially vertical movement relative to the fluid connector member, the module receptor retaining the disposable fluid separation module in fluid-tight engagement with the fluid connector member, comprising:
- moving a locking mechanism in a horizontal direction to permit the receptor to move in a first substantially vertical direction a distance sufficient to disengage the connectors on the disposable module from the connectors on the fluid connector member;
- removing the disposable module from the receptor;
- inserting a replacement module in the receptor;
- and
- moving the receptor in a second substantially vertical direction a distance sufficient to engage a set of connectors on the replacement module with the set of connectors on the fluid connector member, so that when the replacement module is in sealing engagement with the fluid connector member, the locking mechanism moves in a horizontal direction to prevent the receptor from moving in the first substantially vertical direction.
A fluid processing system, comprising:
- a fluid pump apparatus having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet;
- and
- a quick-connect manifold comprising:
- a fluid connector member having a first set of connectors extending through the fluid connector member, the connectors being spaced apart and parallel to one another, at least one connector being in fluid communication with the fluid inlet or the fluid outlet of the pump apparatus;
- and
- a module receptor attached to the fluid connector member so as to provide the module receptor a limited range of substantially vertical movement relative to the fluid connector member, the module receptor adapted to support a disposable fluid separation module in alignment with the fluid connector member so that the first set of connectors can be substantially simultaneously engaged to, or disengaged from, a second set of connectors on the disposable fluid processing module by the substantially vertical movement of the module receptor.
A dispense pump and manifold assembly for a disposable fluid separation module having at least two connectors on a top end of the module, comprising:
- a dispense pump;
- a quick-connect manifold piped to the dispense pump, the quick-connect manifold arranged to provide simultaneous connection and sealing of the at least two connectors on the top end of the fluid separation module.
The process for purging a fluid delivery system of a first fluid within the system, said system including a pump pumping the first fluid throughout the system and a separation module having a configuration of an inlet and an outlet on the outer surface of the separation module for delivering fluid into the separation module and removing fluid from the separation module which comprises:
- replacing the separation module with a connector apparatus having the same configuration on its outer surface of an inlet and an outlet as the configuration of inlet and outlet of the separation module, the connector apparatus including a fluid pathway connecting the inlet and outlet on its outer surface;
- and
- activating the pump to pass a second fluid throughout the fluid delivery system thereby purging the system of the first fluid.
A fluid separation apparatus comprising:
- a separation module;
- a fluid connector member;
- said separation module including:
- a housing;
- a separation element contained within the housing;
- a first set of at least three connectors on one end of the housing and being in fluid communication with the interior thereof, at least two connectors for introducing and withdrawing fluids from the interior of the housing, and at least one connector for venting a gas from the housing, said first set of a plurality of connectors being parallel and spaced apart from one another and being exclusive of one another, said fluid connector member including a second set of at least three connectors being positioned and sized and shaped to engage in fluid tight relationship with the first set of connectors, wherein the fluid tight engagement is effected through a first motion which, during said engagement, is substantially linear and parallel to the axes of both the first and second sets of connectors.
A separation module for engaging a fluid connector member comprising:
- a housing;
- a separation element contained within the housing;
- a first set of at least three connectors on one end of the housing and being in fluid communication with the interior thereof, at least two connectors for introducing and withdrawing fluids from the interior of the housing, and at least one connector for venting a gas from the housing, said first set of connectors being parallel and spaced apart from one another and being exclusive of one another, said first set of connectors engaging a second set of a of connectors on the fluid connector member and forming a fluid tight relationship with the second set of connectors.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.