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US 7,111,757 B1Granted
Device and method for the volumetric measurement and dispensing of liquids
OwnerThomas Matthew O'Brien, Charles William Merteninventors
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Devices and methods for accurate volumetric measurement and dispensing of any liquid, regardless of that liquid's density and vapor pressure, are disclosed. This invention employs devices and methods which are used to eliminate free volume from a variable volume chamber. A desired volume of liquid can be measured accurately within the volume range of the chamber. These devices and methods are suitable for volumetric measurement and dispensing of any liquid, regardless of density or vapor pressure.
Claims19
A device for the volumetric measurement and dispensing of liquids comprising:
- a. a variable volume chamber,
- b. a means for controllably adjusting the volume of said variable volume chamber,
- c. a plurality of valves,
- d. at least one conduit disposed between said variable volume chamber and at least one of said plurality of valves,
- e. a means to detect the presence or absence of liquid in said at least one conduit so that the precise location of said liquid in relation to said plurality of valves and said variable volume chamber is determined, and
- f. a means for removing gas from a system formed by said variable volume chamber, said plurality of valves, and said at least one conduit,
- whereby said liquid aspirated into said system substantially fills said system thereby minimizing the difference between the volume of the aspirated liquid and the volume of said system.
4 more elements
A device for the volumetric measurement and dispensing of liquids comprising
- a. a variable volume chamber,
- b. a means for controllably adjusting the volume of said variable volume chamber,
- c. at least one valve,
- d. at least one conduit disposed between said variable volume chamber and said at least one valve for the purpose of aspirating liquid into or dispensing said liquid from said variable volume chamber, and
- e. a means for removing gas from a system formed by said variable volume chamber, said at least one valve, and said at least one conduit, said means for removing gas comprising a fluid path extending from the interior to the exterior of said variable volume chamber, said fluid path being distinct from said at least one conduit, and said fluid path in fluid communication with at least one additional valve,
- whereby said liquid aspirated into said system substantially fills said system thereby minimizing the difference between the volume of said aspirated liquid and the volume of said system.
3 more elements
A method to accurately aspirate any given volume of liquid comprising the steps of:
- a. providing a variable volume chamber in fluid communication with at least one valve, providing at least one conduit disposed between said variable volume chamber and said at least one valve, providing a fluid path distinct from said at least one conduit, said fluid path extending from the interior to the exterior of said variable volume chamber and said fluid path being in fluid communication with at least one additional valve, and providing at least one means for detecting the presence or absence of said liquid in said fluid path,
- b. opening said at least one valve,
- c. closing said at least one additional valve,
- d. placing said at least one valve in fluid communication with said liquid to be aspirated,
- e. aspirating an initial volume of said liquid less than said given volume of said liquid into a system formed by said variable volume chamber, said at least one conduit, and said fluid path, by controllably increasing the volume of said variable volume chamber,
- f. closing said at least one valve,
- g. opening said at least one additional valve,
- h. exhausting gas from said system through said fluid path by controllably decreasing the volume of said variable volume chamber until said liquid is displaced to a precise location in said fluid path predetermined by the position for said at least one means of detecting the presence or absence of said liquid,
- i. closing said at least one additional valve,
- j. opening said at least one valve,
- k. aspirating an additional volume of said liquid equal to the difference in volume between said given volume of said liquid and said initial volume of said liquid,
- whereby said given volume of said system in conjunction with said exhausting gas from said system results in an accurate measurement of the volume of said liquid.
9 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.