Fluid delivery system
AssigneesThe United States of America as represented by the Secretary of Commerce, National Institute of Standards and Technology
InventorGregory A. Cooksey
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A fluid delivery system is described which provides stable flow rates over a range of different flow rates and while multiple fluids are being concurrently delivered. The delivery system includes one or more reservoirs each containing a respective fluid to be transferred. The reservoir(s) are positioned within a secondary fluid selected such that the reservoir(s) and their contents, i.e. the fluids to be transferred, float within the secondary fluid. One end of a flow conduit is submerged in each fluid to be transferred. A pressure differential is then induced in the flow conduit whereby fluid flow therein occurs.
Claims27
A fluid delivery system comprising:
- a reservoir containing a first fluid to be transferred from the reservoir;
- a flow conduit having an inlet end disposed in the reservoir and submerged in the first fluid;
- and
- a container including a second fluid;
- a support member affixed to the container, the support member defining an opening, wherein the reservoir is disposed within the opening while floating in the second fluid;
- wherein the reservoir containing the first fluid is floating in the second fluid such that a weight of the reservoir and the first fluid in the reservoir is entirely supported by the second fluid.
A fluid delivery system comprising:
- a container defining an interior region and a flotation fluid disposed within the interior region;
- at least one reservoir containing a fluid to be delivered, the at least one reservoir and fluid to be delivered floating within the flotation fluid;
- a flow conduit having an inlet end disposed in the reservoir and submerged in the fluid to be delivered;
- and
- support provisions disposed within the container and defining a support region within which is disposed in the at least one reservoir, wherein the support provisions maintain the reservoir in consistent orientation during delivery of the fluid and the weight of the at least one reservoir and the fluid to be delivered and contained in the at least one reservoir is entirely supported by the flotation fluid.
A method for transferring a fluid from a reservoir, the method comprising:
- providing a reservoir containing a first fluid to be transferred;
- providing a container including a second fluid and support provisions disposed within the container, the support provisions defining a support region;
- providing a flow conduit defining an inlet end and an opposite outlet end;
- supporting the reservoir with the support provisions, wherein the support provisions maintain the reservoir in consistent orientation during delivery of the first fluid;
- submerging the inlet end of the flow conduit in the first fluid contained in the reservoir;
- and
- floating the reservoir containing the first fluid in the second fluid such that the weight of the reservoir and the first fluid in the reservoir is entirely supported by the second fluid.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.