US 5,664,938 AGranted

Mixing apparatus for microflow gradient pumping

OwnerFrank Jiann-Fu Yanginventor

Life of this patent

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Abstract

An improved mixing unit and check valve for a fluid pumping system wherein gradient proportioning is performed at high pressure are described. The mixing unit has lining means disposed on the inner surface of the chamber for preventing frictional contact between the steel of the chamber and the surface of the rotor. The lining means is formed of a polymeric material selected for frictional compatibility with the rotor, and avoids formation of undesirable particulates by friction with the rotor surface. The check valve has a poppet comprising a midsection dimensioned to provide forward and rearward surfaces against which fluid flow will exert force, a first arm extending transversely from the midsection first side toward the valve inlet, a second arm extending transversely from the midsection second side toward the valve outlet, and first and second resilient seals respectively annularly disposed about the first and second arms. The resilient seals are formed of a resiliently compressible material, and have an uncompressed thickness which is somewhat greater than the first arm length.

Claims24

Dependent claims

A fluid pump, comprising:

a housing defining a piston chamber;
a piston slidably disposed in said chamber;
motor means operably linked to said piston for driving said piston;
an inlet in said housing for receiving unpressurized fluid into said piston chamber;
an outlet in said housing for discharging fluid from said piston chamber under pressure;
and
a check valve operably disposed in said inlet to prevent backflow of fluid, and comprising:
a valve housing defining a valve chamber,
a first orifice in said valve housing, configured to connect to receive fluid from an external reservoir,
a second orifice connected for fluid flow downstream through said inlet into said chamber,
poppet means disposed in said valve chamber and configured to permit said downstream fluid flow while preventing backflow, said poppet means comprising:
a poppet configured with a midsection having first and second sides, dimensioned to occlude said valve chamber, and configured to provide fluid flow from said first side to said second side;
a first arm extending transversely from said midsection first side toward said first orifice, dimensioned to occlude said first orifice, and having a first arm length;
and a second arm extending transversely from said midsection second side toward said second orifice, said second arm being configured and dimensioned to partially occlude said second orifice while being retained in said valve chamber, and having a second arm length;
a first seal annularly disposed about said first arm, formed of a resiliently compressible material, and having an uncompressed thickness which is slightly greater than said first arm length;
and
a second seal annularly disposed about said second arm, formed of a resiliently compressible material, and having an uncompressed thickness which is slightly less than said second arm length;
and
fluid filtering means disposed in said valve housing over said first orifice for filtering fluid entering said valve chamber.

16 more elements

A mixing unit for mixing one or more fluids received from a pump, comprising:

a housing made of a first material, having an inner surface which defines a mixing chamber;
an inlet formed in said housing for fluid communication between an upstream fluid flow line and said mixing chamber;
an outlet formed in said housing for discharging mixed fluid;
a magnetic rotor disposed in said mixing chamber for rotation by a magnetic rotational drive unit, said rotor having an exterior surface formed of a second material;
and
and
a check valve installed in said inlet, said check valve comprising:
a valve housing defining a valve chamber, and having a valve inlet connectable to receive fluid flow and a valve outlet disposed for fluid communication with said valve chamber;
a poppet disposed within said valve chamber, and comprising:
a midsection having first and second sides, dimensioned to occlude said valve chamber, and configured to provide fluid flow from said first side to said second side;
a first arm extending transversely from said midsection first side toward said valve inlet, dimensioned to occlude said valve inlet, and having a first arm length,
a second arm extending transversely from said midsection second side toward said valve outlet, configured and dimensioned to partially occlude said valve outlet while being retained in said chamber, and having a second arm length;
a first seal annularly disposed about said first arm, formed of a resiliently compressible material, and having an uncompressed thickness which is slightly greater than said first arm length;
and
a second seal annularly disposed about said second arm, formed of a resiliently compressible material, and having an uncompressed thickness which is slightly less than said second arm length.

12 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 08/393,449Filed 23 Feb 1995 · continuation in part
Priority: 5 Mar 1992
Granted: 9 Sep 1997
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification29 codes

G01N 30/36
Control of physical parameters of the fluid carrier: in high pressure liquid systems
B01F 33/453
Magnetic mixers; Mixers with magnetically driven stirrers: using supported or suspended stirring elements
F04B 9/047
The means being cams, eccentrics or pin-and-slot mechanisms: the means being pin-and-slot mechanisms
F04B 23/06
Combinations of two or more pumps: the pumps being all of reciprocating positive-displacement type

Family

Serial847,654Parent of this continuation · filed 5 Mar 1992
Serial114,497Parent of this continuation-in-part · filed 31 Aug 1993
US 5,253,981 AParent of this continuation · filed 19 Oct 1993
US 5,630,706 AParent of this continuation-in-part
US 5,664,938 AThis patent

From the US filing history. Foreign family members aren’t listed.