Inflatable device with recessed fluid controller and self-sealing valve
OwnerRobert B. Chaffeeinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A fluid controller comprising a housing separating an interior of the housing from an inflatable bladder is disclosed, the fluid controller including a plurality of valves fluidly coupling the interior of the housing to the inflatable bladder through a respective opening in the housing, a pump located at least partly within an interior of the housing, wherein the plurality of valves and respective orifices are configured to provide a fluid path between the interior of the housing and the inflatable bladder during inflation of the inflatable bladder, and wherein a valve and respective orifice is biased open to provide a fluid path between the interior of the housing and the inflatable bladder for fluid release.
Claims22
A fluid controller configured to supply fluid to an inflatable bladder, the fluid controller comprising:
- a housing comprising a wall separating an interior of the housing from the inflatable bladder, the wall including a plurality of orifices, each orifice configured to be sealed by one of a respective plurality of valves;
- a pump located at least partly within an interior of the housing and configured to provide fluid to the inflatable bladder;
- and
- to each valve of the plurality of valves fluidly coupling the interior of the housing to the inflatable bladder through a respective orifice;
- wherein the plurality of valves and respective orifices are employed to provide a fluid path between the interior of the housing and the inflatable bladder during inflation of the inflatable bladder, and
- wherein a valve and respective orifice is biased open to provide a fluid path between the interior of the housing and the inflatable bladder for fluid release.
A fluid controller configured to adjust fluid pressure in an inflatable bladder, the fluid controller comprising:
- a housing comprising a wall separating an interior of the housing from the inflatable bladder, the wall including a plurality of openings, each openings configured to be sealed by one of a respective plurality of valves;
- a pump located at least partly within an interior of the housing and configured to provide fluid to the inflatable bladder;
- and
- each valve of the plurality of valves fluidly coupling the interior of the housing to the inflatable bladder through a respective opening;
- wherein each opening defines a cross-sectional area of a fluid pathway from the interior of the housing to the bladder, respectively, and
- wherein the fluid controller is configured such that a total cross-sectional area provided by at least one valve and corresponding opening during inflation is greater than a total cross-sectional area provided by at least one valve and corresponding opening during deflation.
A fluid controller configured to supply fluid to an inflatable bladder, the fluid controller comprising:
- a housing comprising a wall separating an interior of the housing from the inflatable bladder, the wall including a plurality of openings, each openings configured to be sealed by one of a respective plurality of valves;
- a pump located at least partly within an interior of the housing and configured to provide fluid to the inflatable bladder;
- and
- each valve of the plurality of valves fluidly coupling the interior of the housing to the inflatable bladder through a respective opening;
- and
- wherein the pump and the plurality of valves are configured such that during inflation of the inflatable bladder the plurality of valves are biased open solely by fluid pressure provided by the pump to provide a fluid path between the interior of the housing and the inflatable bladder through the plurality of valves and respective openings.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.