Filtering and dispensing system with independently activated pumps in series

In a device for filtering and dispensing fluid, the combination of:

• first pumping means;
• second pumping means in fluid communication with said first pumping means;
• and filtering means between said first and second pumping means, whereby said first pumping means pumps the fluid through said filtering means to said second pumping means;
• in which each of said first and second pumping means includes surfaces that contact the fluid, said surfaces being of materials that are non-contaminating to industrial fluids which are viscous and/or high purity and/or sensitive to molecular shear;
• and comprising means to enable said second pumping means to collect and/or dispense the fluid, or both, at rates or during periods of operation, or both, which are independent of rates or periods of operation, or both, respectively, of said first pumping means.

In a device for filtering and dispensing fluid, the combination of:

• first pumping means;
• second pumping means in fluid communication with said first pumping means;
• and filtering means between said first and second pumping means, whereby said first pumping means pumps the fluid through said filtering means to said second pumping means;
• in which each of said first and second pumping means includes surfaces that contact the fluid, said surfaces being of materials that are non-contaminating to industrial fluids which are viscous and/or high purity and/or sensitive to molecular shear;
• and comprising means to enable said second pumping means to collect and/or dispense the fluid, or both, at rates or during periods of operation, or both, which are independent of rates or periods of operation, or both, respectively, of said first pumping means, in which said first pumping means includes first incremental pump advancement means, and said second pumping means includes second incremental pump advancement means, whereby said first and second incremental pump advancement means operate their respective pumps at finite, controllable rates and intervals independently of each other, in which said first pumping means and said second pumping means include diaphragm-type pumps, and in which said first and second incremental pump advancement means comprise hydraulic stepper assemblies incorporating relatively incompressible fluid, said relatively incompressible fluid being in fluid communication with the respective said diaphragm-type pumps and causing movement of said diaphragm-type pumps in response to movement of their respective incremental pump advancement means.

In a device for filtering and dispensing fluid, the combination of:

• first pumping means;
• second pumping means in fluid communication with said first pumping means;
• and filtering means between said first and second pumping means, whereby said first pumping means pumps the fluid through said filtering means to said second pumping means, in which each of said first and second pumping means includes surfaces that contact the fluid, said surfaces being of materials that are non-contaminating to industrial fluids which are viscous and/or high purity and/or sensitive to molecular shear;
• said device further including valve means intermediate said first pumping means and said filtering means to direct the fluid selectively to said first pumping means or from said first pumping means and to said filter means;
• and comprising means to enable said second pumping means to collect and/or dispense the fluid, or both, at rates or during periods of operation, or both, which are independent of rates or periods of operation, or both, respectively, of said first pumping means;
• said first pumping means including first incremental pump advancement means, and said second pumping means including second incremental pump advancement means, whereby said first and second incremental pump advancement means may operate their respective pumps at finite, controllable rates and intervals independently of each other;
• said first pumping means and said second pumping means further including diaphragm-type pumps, and said first and second incremental pump advancement means further comprising hydraulic stepper assemblies incorporating relatively incompressible fluid, said relatively incompressible fluid being in fluid communication with the respective said diaphragm-type pumps and causing movement of said diaphragm-type pumps in response to movement of their respective incremental pump advancement means;
• said device further including pressure sensing means to monitor the pressure of the hydraulic fluid in said first diaphragm-type pump;
• said device further including a computer controller to activate, monitor, or both, said first pumping means, said second pumping means, and said valve means, said computer controller being further adapted to receive input from said pressure sensing means and cause said activation in response thereto.

In a device for filtering and dispensing high-purity and/or viscous and/or shear-sensitive fluid, the combination of:

• a first diaphragm-type pump;
• filtering means connected to receive the fluid from said first diaphragm-type pump;
• and a second diaphragm-type pump connected to receive the fluid from said filtering means, in which each of said first and second diaphragm-type pumps includes surfaces that contact the fluid, said surfaces being of materials that are non-contaminating to industrial fluids which are viscous and/or high purity and/or sensitive to molecular shear;
• and comprising means to enable said second diaphragm-type pump to collect and/or dispense the fluid, or both, at rates or during periods of operation, or both, which are independent of rates or periods of operation, or both, respectively, of said first diaphragm-type pump.

In a device for filtering and dispensing fluid:

• a reservoir;
• valve means in fluid communication with said reservoir;
• first pumping means in fluid communication with said valve means;
• filter means in fluid communication with said valve means;
• and second pumping means in fluid communication with said filter means, the device being constructed and arranged such that fluid is drawn from said reservoir by said first pumping means and through said valve means into said first pumping means, and is then pumped from said first pumping means through said valve means and through said filter means to said second pumping means, and said fluid can selectively be accumulated or dispensed, or both simultaneously, by said second pumping means.

In a device for filtering and dispensing fluid, the combination of:

• first pumping means;
• second pumping means in fluid communication with said first pumping means;
• and filtering means between said first and second pumping means, whereby said first pumping means pumps the fluid through said filtering means to said second pumping means;
• in which each of said first and second pumping means includes surfaces that contact the fluid, said surfaces being of materials that are non-contaminating to industrial fluids which are viscous and/or high purity and/or sensitive to molecular shear;
• and comprising means to enable said second pumping means to collect and/or dispense the fluid, or both, at rates or during periods of operation, or both, which are independent of rates or periods of operation, or both, respectively, of said first pumping means, wherein said second pumping means includes a diaphragm-type pump.