US 9,283,348 B2 · Electronic and manual backup flow control systems

Abstract

In various embodiments, an electronic flow selector of a fluid flow control system may be used to select a flow rate of a fluid. When the system is in an electronic mode, an encoder may electronically encode the fluid flow selection. A controller may receive the electronically encoded flow selection and transmit a corresponding control signal to an electronic valve to allow the fluid to flow at the selected flow rate. When the system is in a manual mode, backup manual flow selectors may be used to directly control the flow rate of a fluid. When the system is in a manual mode, the mechanical backup flow selectors may be in a deployed position. When the system is in an electronic mode, the mechanical backup flow selectors may be in a retracted position. Particular applications to gases and anesthesia delivery are disclosed herein.

Claims25

Dependent claims

A fluid flow control system, comprising:

an electronic flow control valve configured to receive a first fluid;
a first flow selector configured to allow for a selection of a flow rate of the first fluid via the electronic flow control valve when the fluid flow control system is in an electronic mode;
a mechanical flow control valve configured to receive the first fluid;
a second, manual flow selector configured to control a flow rate of the first fluid via the mechanical flow control valve;
and
an activation mechanism configured to
enable the operation of the second, manual flow selector when the fluid flow control system is in a manual mode;
wherein the activation mechanism comprises a deployment mechanism configured to:
deploy the second, manual flow selector when the fluid flow control system is in the manual mode;
and
retract the manual flow selector when the fluid flow control system is in the electronic mode.

8 more elements

A method for providing a backup manual control for the flow of fluid in a flow control system, comprising:

receiving a selection of a flow rate of a fluid through an electronic flow control valve via an electronic flow control selector when the flow control system is in an electronic mode;
inhibiting the flow of the fluid through a mechanical flow control valve when the flow control system is in an electronic mode by retracting a manual flow selector when the flow control system is in the electronic mode;
receiving an instruction to enter a manual mode, and then:
inhibiting the flow of the fluid through the electronic flow control valve;
enabling the operation of the manual flow selector by deploying the manual flow selector when the flow control system is in the manual mode;
and
mechanically adjusting the flow rate of the fluid via the mechanical flow control valve in response to an adjustment of the manual flow selector.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Electronic and manual backup flow control systems

Life of this patent

Electronic and manual backup flow control systems

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims25