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US 7,569,028 B2Granted
Fluid flow adjustment mechanism
AssigneeFlexcorp
InventorsNeil G. Stewart, Gordon M. Day
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A fine flow pinch adjust has a T shaped fluid communication path. A flexible tube is inserted within the fluid communication path in other than a straight path. A screw is inserted in one branch of the T unoccupied by the flexible tubing such that the screw cooperatively engages threads on the opening wall and such that the screw can engage the tubing when turned sufficiently in a known direction.
Claims13
A fluid flow adjustment mechanism for controlling a fluid flow rate in a length of flexible tubing, comprising:
- a housing comprising a corner feature engaging the length of flexible tubing, the corner feature for directing the length of flexible tubing through a substantial angle, the housing configured to retain the flexible tubing so directed, thereby resulting in a substantial change in cross sectional shape of a portion of the length of flexible tubing that is adjacent to the corner feature and without preventing a flow of fluid within the length of flexible tubing;
- and,
- a ram mechanically engaged with said housing, the ram for controllably compressing the portion of the length of flexible tubing against the corner feature as to further change the cross sectional shape of the portion of the flexible tubing for adjusting a rate of fluid flow therethrough, the ram having a first state in which the ram is other than in contact with the tubing and a second state in which the ram is in contact with the tubing, the ram other than perpendicular to the flexible tubing at a location where the ram contacts the flexible tubing when the ram goes from the first state to the second state.
A fluid flow adjustment mechanism for controlling a fluid flow rate in a length of flexible tubing, comprising:
- a housing comprising a predetermined surface engaging the length of flexible tubing, the predetermined surface for directing the length of flexible tubing through a substantial angle, the housing configured to retain the flexible tubing so directed, thereby resulting in a substantial change in cross sectional shape of a portion of the length of flexible tubing that is adjacent to the predetermined surface and without preventing a flow of fluid within the length of flexible tubing;
- and,
- a ram mechanically engaged with said housing, the ram for controllably compressing the portion of the length of flexible tubing against the predetermined surface as to further change the cross sectional shape of the portion of the flexible tubing for adjusting a rate of fluid flow therethrough, the ram having a first state in which the ram is other than in contact with the tubing and a second state in which the ram is in contact with the tubing the ram other than perpendicular to the flexible tubing at a location where the ram contacts the flexible tubing when the ram goes from the first state to the second state.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.