GB2212865A

GB2212865A - Fluid control device

Info

Publication number: GB2212865A
Application number: GB8825157A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Robert Gordon Hood
Original assignee: Bio Flo Ltd
Current assignee: Bio Flo Ltd
Priority date: 1987-12-01
Filing date: 1988-10-27
Publication date: 1989-08-02
Anticipated expiration: 2008-10-27
Also published as: GB8825157D0; GB2212865B

Abstract

A fluid control device (12) for use with a fluid control system (10) is described. The fluid control device (12) has a plurality of fluid flow channels (20) and fluid elements (16), these fluid control elements (16) and fluid channels (20) are disposed in a generally two-dimensional plane. Embodiments of the device are described. <IMAGE>

Description

FLUID CONTROL DEVICE The present invention relates to a fluid control device and particularly, but not exclusively, to a device for use with a fluid control system having a plurality of fluid flow channels and fluid control elements.

A fluid control system should satisfy a number of desirable criteria in addition to being reliable and relatively inexpensive. The system should be compact and should accommodate different sizes of fluid control elements and fluid conduits connecting the fluid control elements to suit different requirements. The system should also be flexible in that each element and conduit should be readily accessible for maintenance, replacement or adjustment. The system should also be modular to facilitate inspection and replacement or adjustment of individual elements as and when require.

Existing fluid control systems tend to be large and difficult to control. These systems usually have a large number of control elements in a given volume so that the system is crowded thus limiting accessibility of certain elements. Such systems are thus not easy to inspect and maintain, and the lack of flexibility and size constraints are further disadvantages.

An object of the present invention is to provide a fluid control device for use with a system which obviates or mitigates at least one of the aforementioned disadvantages.

This is acheived in the broadest sense by providing a fluid control device where fluid control elements and fluid conduits are disposed in the device in a generally two-dimensional plane.

In one embodiment the two-dimensional plane is embodied in a flat slab which defines a plurality of fluid flow channels in one surface thereof interrupted by apertures which extend through the slab. The apertures are shaped to receive said fluid flow control elements. The surface is covered by a removable cover which, when in an "in use" position abutting the slab, forms fluid conduits between each fluid control element. Because fluid flow control elements are disposed in the planar slab, these elements are actuable in a direction substantially perpendicular to the plane of the slab to control flow through said fluid conduits. Each control element and fluid conduit being readily accessible for maintenance or replacement by simply removing the cover plate.

In another arrangement flexible tubes dimensioned and positioned to fit snugly into said fluid channels are disposed in said channels to carry fluid through said fluid control system. The fluid flow control elements are disposed in recessed chambers of the slab.

According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a fluid control device for use with a fluid control system, said device comprising, a substantially two-dimensional element, said element having a surface for receiving at least two fluid conduits therein and at least one aperture or recessed chamber in a flow path between said conduits, said aperture or recess being adapted to receive a fluid flow control element.

Preferably the, or each fluid control element is actuable transverse to the plane of said two-dimensional element.

Alternatively, the or each control element is actuable substantially in the plane of said two-dimensioanl element.

Conveniently said two-dimensional element comprises a plurality of apertures and a plurality recesses, each of said apertures and recesses being adapted to receive respective fluid control elements or blanking elements.

Conveniently also each of said plurality of apertures and recesses is disposed in a flow path between a plurality of conduits.

Preferably, said conduits are defined by channels in said two-dimensional element and a cover element.

Conveniently said cover element is removably coupled to said two-dimensional element to cover said surface.

Alternatively, said conduits are flexible tubes disposed in channels of said two dimensional element.

Alternatively also said fluid control elements are attached to said flexible tubes in such a manner that a fluid control system is formed which may be laid into said two-dimensional element.

Preferably, each of said fluid control elements is adapted to be disposed in a unique aperture or recess.

Preferably, said two-dimensional element is a planar slab with a flat surface. Conveniently said fluid flow control elements are actuable substantially perpendicular to the plane of the flat surface.

Alternatively, said two-dimensional element is a curved or non-planar surface.

Preferably also., each fluid control element is adapted to be disposed in a matching aperture or recess of said slab.Alternatively, said fluid control elements are dIsposed in different locations to create different configurations of the fluid control system.

These and other aspects of the invention will become apparent from the following description when taken in combination with the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. 1 is an exploded perspective view of an embodiment of a fluid control system in accordance with the present invention; fig. 2 is an assembled perspective view of the system shown in Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is an enlarged partial sectional view taken on line 3-3 of the assembled system shown in Fig. 2; Fig. 4 is an exploded perspective view of another embodiment of the system in accordance with the present invention, and Fig. 5 is an exploded perspective view of a control element for use in the system shown in Figs. 1 - 4.

Reference is firstly made to Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings which are perspective views of an embodiment of the systems. A fluid control system, generally indicated by reference numeral 10 comprises a fluid control device or element in the form of a high density plastic slab 12, a front cover plate 14 and fluid control elements 16.

Disposed in a flat surface 18 of slab 12 are a number of fluid flow channels 20 interrupted by apertures 22 which pass through slab 12 to form the basis of a fluid control network 24. The fluid control elements 16 are disposable in the apertures 22 and the cover plate 14 is positioned over the surface 18 to create an assembled fluid control system, as best seen in Fig. 2, in which the fluid flow through said channels is controlled by actuation of said elements in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the slab 12 as will be described.

Reference is now made to Fig. 2 of the drawings which is an assembled perspective view of the system shown in Fig. 1. The cover plate 14, shown in broken outline, abuts the slab 12, thus sealing the system and with channels 20 define the fluid conduits 25 for carrying fluid therein. The fluid control elements 16 are accommodated in appropriate apertures 22 thus providing the completed fluid control network 24.

Reference is now made to Fig. 3 of the drawings which is an enlarged partial sectional view of the assembled system. The cover plate 14 is shown abutting the slab 12. The fluid conduits 25 are defined by the channels 20 on the surface of slab 12, and the cover plate 14. The apertures 18 for accommodating control elements 16 in the assembled system pass through the slab 12. This means that the control elements 16 are readily removable and interchangable, and can be powered via electrical connections made at the rear of the slab without significantly affecting the operation of the fluid control system.

Reference is now made to Fig. 4 of the drawings which is an exploded perspective view of another embodiment of the system. In this arrangement flexible tubes 26 for carrying fluid, can be disposed within channels 20 to set the diameter of fluid conduits 25 between fluid control elements 16 according to the diameter of the fluid carrying tubes 26. In addition, the fluid flow configuration can be altered by disposing a blanking portion 28 which can be placed along any preselected fluid conduit 25 or in any preselected aperture 22 thus effectively removing a particular channel 20 or aperture 22 from the fluid control network 24. If a channel 20 is provided between each aperture 18, the configuration of the fluid control network 24 is decided by the location of each blanking portion 28.The cover plate 14 may not be required when flexible tubes 26 are disposed in channels 20, however, the cover plate 14 also serves to effectively seal and protect the fluid control network and retain the parts in position and thus its use is desirable.

Reference is now made to Fig. 5 of the drawings which is an exploded perspective view of a control element 16 provided by a diaphragm valve 29 for use in the fluid control system shown in Figs. 1 - 4. The valve 29 comprises a valve port 30, a diaphragm 32 and a actuator 34. The valve port and diaphragm are constrained to lie in the plane of the slab 12 and the actuator 34 is controlled to move in a direction perpendicular to that of the plane of slab 12 to control flow through the fluid control network 24. With reference again to Fig. 4, it is seen that each control element 16 has a corresponding aperture 22 in the slab 12. Each control element 16 has a unique accessible position and hence can readily be removed from the back of the slab for ease of maintenance, inspection and replacement as and when required.

The slab may be made of any suitable material and can be machined to create channels and apertures of appropriate shapes, or if mass production of identical systems is required, the slab may be injection moulded.

It is also possible to fabricate the slab by vaccum forming the slab or by stamping a slab from a suitable material, eg. metal.

Several modifications can be made to the embodiments hereinbefore described without departing from the scope of the invention. The slab need not be a flat plane; the slab may be a curved structure or a stepped structure as long as the control elements disposed in the apertures or recesses are operable in a direction generally transverse to the plane or in the plane of the network at their respective locations. The slab can be made of any suitable material such as metal or a metal/plastic composite. The fluid control elements may be disposed in recessed cavities in the slab. These control elements may be actuable transverse to the plane of the slab by telemetry or may be actuable by electrical signals provided along electrical connections disposed in the plane of the slab.In one arrangement certain control elements may be omitted and flexible tubes may be extended across the apertures to provide different fluid network configurations. In the latter arrangement, the tubes can also be rigid and dimensioned and proportioned to fit into the channels in the slab. The fluid control elements may be attached to the flexible or rigid tubes and a complete fluid control system may be laid into the slab as a unit. Also, the apertures or recesses can be designed to receive different control elements to be disposed therein to increase the number and flexibility of fluid network configurations. The cover and tubes can be made transparent tb provide a visual check of flow in use. This is useful in situations such as controlling blood flow.

Advantages associated with the embodiments are that the fluid control system is compact and flexible so that it is readily configured to suit different requirements.

Flow can also be varied in one arrangement using different sized flexible or rigid tubes in the slab.

Each control element and conduit is accessible for maintenance, replacement and adjustment and so the system can be readily inspected and controlled. The fluid control elements can be replaced from the rear thus minimising interruption to the fluid flow through the network. The system can be readily manufactured in a variety of shapes and sizes and available fluid control elements are used to facilitate ease of use and minimise cost. The slab and cover can be made using a variety of established manufacturing methods. With the cover in place a High Pressure system is provided by low pressure components, these components are inexpensive and so that system is more cost effective. With the cover removed snap-in tubes can be used which are press-fitted into channels to form the conduits. Because of the two-dimensional arrangement the slabs can be stacked to form compact and sophisticated fluid control systems.

The device is readily disposable, interchangable and sterilisable.

Claims

1. A fluid control device for use with a fluid control system, said device comprising, a substantially two-dimensional element, said element having a surface for receiving at least two fluid conduits therein and at least one aperture or recessed chamber in a flow path between said conduits, said aperture or recess being adpated to receive a fluid flow control element.

2. A fluid control device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the, or each fluid control element is actuable transverse to the plane of said two-dimensional element.

3. A fluid control element as claimed in claim 1 wherein the, or each fluid control element is actuable substantially in the plane of said two-dimensional element.

4. A fluid control deivce as claimed in claim 1 wherein said two-dimensional element comprises a plurality of apertures and a plurality of recesses, each of said apertures and recesses being adapted to receive respective fluid flow control element or blanking elements.

5. A fluid control device as claimed in claim 4 wherein each of said apertures and recesses is disposed in a flow path between a plurality of conduits.

6. A fluid control device as claimed in any preceding claim wherein said conduits are defined by channels in said two-dimensional element and a cover element.

7. A fluid control device as claimed in claim 6 wherein said cover element is removably coupled to said two-dimensional element to cover said surface.

8 A fluid control device as claimed in any of claims 1 to 5 wherein said conduits are flexible tubes disposed in channels of said two dimensional element.

9. A fluid control device as claimed in claim 8 wherein said fluid control elements are attached to said flexible tubes in such a manner that a fluid flow control system is formed which may be laid into said two-dimensionai element.

10. A fluid control device as claimed in any preceding claim wherein each of said fluid control elements is adapted to be disposed in a unique aperture or recess.

11. A fluid control device as claimed in any preceding claim wherein said two-dimensional element is a planar slab with a flat surface.

12. A fluid control device as claimed in claim 11 wherein said fluid control elements are actuable substantially perpendicular to the plane of the flat surface.

13. A fluid control device as claimed in any of claims 1 to 10 wherein said two-dimensional element is a curved or non-planar surface.

14. A fluid control device as claimed in any preceding claim wherein each fluid control element is adapted to be disposed in a matching aperture or recess of said slab.

15. A fluid control device as claimed in claims 1 to 14 wherein said fluid control elements are disposed in different locations to create different configurations of the fluid control system.

16. A fluid control device substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figs. 1 to 3 and 5 or to Figs. 4 and 5 of the accompanying drawings.