MX2008006614A - Powder dispensing and sensing apparatus and methods - Google Patents
Powder dispensing and sensing apparatus and methodsInfo
- Publication number
- MX2008006614A MX2008006614A MXMX/A/2008/006614A MX2008006614A MX2008006614A MX 2008006614 A MX2008006614 A MX 2008006614A MX 2008006614 A MX2008006614 A MX 2008006614A MX 2008006614 A MX2008006614 A MX 2008006614A
- Authority
- MX
- Mexico
- Prior art keywords
- powder
- further characterized
- supply
- detection
- dust
- Prior art date
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Abstract
Powder dispensing and sensing apparatus and methods are provided. The powder dispensing and sensing apparatus includes a tray support structure to receive a cartridge tray holding cartridges, a powder dispenser assembly including powder dispenser modules to dispense powder into respective cartridges of a batch of cartridges in the cartridge tray, a powder transport system to deliver powder to the powder dispenser modules, a sensor module including sensor cells to sense respective fill states, such as the weights, of each of the cartridges in the batch of cartridges, and a control system to control the powder dispenser modules in response to the respective sensed fill states of each of the cartridges of the batch of cartridges.
Description
APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR SUPPLYING AND DETECTING DUST
CROSS REFERENCE WITH RELATED APPLICATION
This request claims priority based on the Request for
Provisional patent Serial No. 60 / 738,474, filed on November 21, 2005, which is incorporated in the present description as a reference in its entirety.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to methods and apparatuses for supplying and detecting dust, and more particularly, to methods and apparatuses for supplying precisely controlled quantities of powder in multiple cartridges and for individually detecting the filling state of the cartridges. The powder may contain a drug and the cartridges may be used in an inhaler. However, the present invention is not limited to this application.
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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
It has been proposed to deliver certain drug types to patients by inhaling a powder as a delivery mechanism. A particular example uses diquetopiperazine microparticles known as Technosphere® microparticles. The Technosphere microparticles have a platelet surface structure and can be loaded with a drug. See, for example, the U.S. Patent. No. 5,352,461, issued October 4, 1994 to Feldstein et al; the Patent of E.U.A. No. 5,503,852 issued April 2, 1996 for Steiner et al; the Patent of E.U.A. No. 6,428,771 issued August 6, 2002 for Steiner et al; the Patent of E.U.A. No. 6,444,226 issued September 3, 2002 for Steiner et al; and the U.S. Patent. No. 6,652,885, issued on November 25, 2003 for Steiner et al. One use of these microparticles is the delivery of insulin by inhalation. An inhaler is used that has a replaceable cartridge or capsule containing a powder drug for drug administration. Administration of drugs by inhalation usually requires a very small amount of powder in the inhaler cartridge. By way of example, the application of insulin using the Technosphere microparticles may require a dosage as small as 10 milligrams of the powder. Additionally, the dose of the drug must be highly accurate. A dose lower than the specified dose may not have the
desired therapeutic effect, while a higher dose than the specified one may have an adverse effect on the patient. Additionally, although Technosphere micro particles are highly effective for the administration of drugs by inhalation, their platelet surface structure causes Technosphere powders to be cohesive and in some way difficult to handle. In the commercialization of the administration of drugs by inhalation, large numbers of cartridges containing the drug must be produced in an efficient and economical manner. A precise dose of the powder should be delivered to each cartridge and the dose of drug in each cartridge should be checked. The manufacturing techniques and equipment must have the capacity of a high total yield to meet the demand and must have the ability to handle powders, which are cohesive and therefore do not flow freely. The existing manufacturing techniques and equipment have not been adequate to meet these demands. Accordingly, there is a need for novel methods and apparatus for the supply and detection of dust.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Systems and methods are provided to simultaneously deliver precisely controlled doses of a powder in multiple cartridges. The powder can contain a drug and the cartridges can be
use in inhalers. The filling state of each cartridge, usually the weight of the powder, is detected during filling, and the powder supply modules are individually controlled in response to the detected weight to ensure accurate dosing. The system operates at high speed and can be very compact to allow the production of filling operations with minimum free surface requirements. According to a first aspect of the present invention, an apparatus for supplying and detecting powder comprises a tray supporting structure for receiving a cartridge tray supporting cartridges, a powder supply assembly including powder supply modules for supplying the powder in the respective cartridges of a batch of cartridges in the cartridge tray, a powder transport system for administering the powder to the powder supply modules, a detection module including detection cells to detect the respective filling states of each of the cartridges in the batch of cartridges, and a control system for controlling the powder supply modules in response to the respective detected filling states of each of the cartridges of the batch of cartridges. The powder supply modules, the powder transport system and the detection cells can be configured to supply the powder simultaneously to the batch of cartridges and simultaneously detect the filling status of each of the cartridges in the batch. of cartridges. The detection cells may comprise the weighing of the cells of
detection. The cartridge tray can be configured to support the cartridges in a two-dimensional group of rows and columns. The powder transport system can include a blower assembly for moving a transport gas, a powder aerator for delivering powder to the powder distributor assembly and a hopper assembly for supplying powder to the dust aerator. The powder transport system may additionally include a manifold that couples the transport gas from the powder distributor assembly to the blower assembly to form a closed circuit recirculating gas transport system. The powder transport system may include a gas conditioning system for controlling the relative humidity, temperature or both, of the transport gas. Each of the powder supply modules can include a housing defining a powder inlet for receiving a powder from the powder transport system, a powder outlet and a powder delivery conduit connecting the powder inlet and outlet of powder and a feeding mechanism to move the powder through the duct from the dust inlet to the dust outlet. The feed mechanism may include a rod for moving the powder through the conduit, an activator for operating the feed rod, a valve for controlling the output, and an actuator for operating the valve. The feed rod may include a shaft and a helical gap space frame that includes a separate shaft fixed to the shaft. He
Separate mast may have a helical arrangement on the shaft. The feed rod may further comprise an arrangement of one or more cables secured between some or all of the separate masts. The cables may include one or more propeller arrangements secured between the ends of the masts and one or more chevron arrangements secured between the masts at selected radial locations. In some embodiments, each cable is secured so that it can be slid through the holes in the intermediate masts and attached at each end to one of the masts. The feed rod further includes a discharge element fixed to the shaft below the helical open space frame. In different embodiments, the discharge element may be implemented as a modified shank having a double helix configuration, a roller pin and a support member used in combination with an orifice element or worm blades used in combination with an orifice element. The powder distributor assembly may include a layout block having a vertical port arrangement. The powder supply modules can be mounted on the respective vertical ports of the disposal block. The disposal block may include channels for administering powder to the powder supply modules. The powder supply modules can be provided with dust inlets aligned with the channels in the disposal block in such a way that
the powder is delivered to a row of the powder supply modules through a channel in the disposal block. Each channel in the arrangement block can pass through the arrangement block to again circulate the transport gas to the blower assembly. The channels in the disposal block may have sufficient capacity to store powder for one or more powder supply cycles of the powder supply modules. The hopper assembly may include a hopper body defining a powder container and a granulation device in the lower portion of the powder container. The granulation device may comprise first and second agglomerating rolls and first and second motors for activating the first and second agglomerating rolls, respectively. Each of the agglomerating rolls can be provided with a plurality of pins or a plurality of separate disks. The blower assembly can include a blower for moving a transport gas through a recirculating transport gas system and a gas-particle separation device for removing the powder agglomerates from the recirculating transport gas. In some modalities, the gas-particle separation device is implemented as a cyclone separator and in other embodiments the particle separation device is implemented as a helix separator. The blower may include an impeller for moving the transport gas, an impeller motor for rotating the impeller and a blower housing that
encloses the impeller and has a discharge port to supply the transport gas to the dust aerator. The blower assembly may further comprise an induction rod for introducing a conditioned transport gas into the transport gas flow. The powder aerator may include a manifold block defining a powder inlet, powder outlet ports coupled to the powder distributor assembly, and a gas inlet coupled to the blower assembly. The powder aerator may additionally include a pneumatic broom to deliver powder through vertical tubes to the powder outlet ports and a dump valve to supply a quantity of powder from the powder inlet to the pneumatic broom. The discharge valve also seals the closed circuit transport gas system from the external environment. The powder aerator may additionally include a bypass manifold coupled to the powder outlet ports and a cross valve which directs the selected portions of the transport gas from the gas inlet to the pneumatic broom and to the bypass manifold. According to a second aspect of the present invention, a method for supplying and detecting the powder is provided. The method comprises placing cartridges in a cartridge tray, supplying powder simultaneously in a batch of cartridges in the cartridge tray, and simultaneously detecting the state of filling of each of the cartridges in the batch of cartridges.
According to a third aspect of the present invention, a dust aerator comprises a manifold block defining a powder inlet, powder outlet ports and a transport gas inlet; a pneumatic broom to deliver dust to the dust outlet ports; a discharge valve for supplying a quantity of powder from the entrance of powder to the pneumatic broom; a diversion manifold coupled to the dust outlet ports; a crossing valve for directing the selected portions of the transport gas from the gas inlet to the pneumatic broom and to the bypass manifold. According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, a powder distributor assembly comprises an arrangement block that includes an arrangement of vertical ports and horizontal channels that intersect each of the vertical ports; and powder supply modules mounted in the respective vertical ports to the disposal block, each of the powder supply modules has dust entrances that communicate with the channels in the distribution block is distributed by each of the modules of dust supply. According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, a powder transport system comprises a powder distributor assembly for supplying powder within the cartridges; a blower assembly for moving a transport gas; and a dust aerator to deliver the powder that enters the transport gas to the powder distributor assembly.
According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, a powder supply module comprises a housing defining a powder inlet for receiving the powder, a powder outlet and a powder delivery conduit connecting the powder inlet and the dust outlet; a feed rod for moving the powder through the powder delivery conduit; an activator to operate the feeding rod; a valve to control the exit of dust; and an activator to operate the valve. According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, a blower assembly comprises an impeller for moving a transport gas; an impeller motor for rotating the impeller; a blower housing enclosing the impeller and having a discharge port for the transport gas; a collector to receive the transport gas; and a gas-particle separation device fixed to the collector to accumulate the agglomerates that enter the transport gas. According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, a dust handling apparatus comprises a tray support structure for receiving a cartridge tray that supports at least a first batch of cartridges and a second batch of cartridges.; a supply sub-system for supplying the powder within a batch of the cartridges in the cartridge tray; and a tray positioning mechanism to move the cartridge tray sequentially in first and batch positions
Subsequent cartridges in the cartridge tray in alignment with the supply subsystem. According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, a method for feeding powder into a cartridge comprises placing a cartridge under a supply module having a hopper containing a powder, opening a valve controlling the hopper, operating a rod. Feed into the hopper to supply the powder through the valve to the cartridge, and close the valve when the desired filling status of the cartridge has been reached. The operation of the feed rod can include rotating the feed rod and reversing the rotation of the feed rod to the powder condition in the hopper. The feed rod can be rotated at variable speeds and can be agitated during rotation. The feed rod can reciprocate, causing the rod to turn rapidly clockwise and counterclockwise during some portion of one or more revolutions. The method can include detecting a weight of the powder in the cartridge and closing the valve when the detected weight is equal to or greater than a target weight. Opening the valve may include rotating a valve member in a selected direction, and closing the valve may include rotating the valve member in the same direction. Opening the valve may include placing the valve element posteriorly with respect to the distributor nozzle opening.
The feed rod can be rotated at a selected maximum speed during a first portion of the filling cycle and subsequently rotated at a reduced speed during a second portion of the filling cycle. The second portion of the fill cycle can be started when the powder distributed within the cartridge is equal to or greater than a selected weight. Proportional control and / or integral control can be used during any portion of the fill cycle. According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, the powder detection and supply apparatus is a highly compact modular system which can be operated both in a research laboratory and in a production plant. This feature facilitates regulatory approval for a common machine and results in reduced costs due to common technical support and training and reduced inventory shares. According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, the powder detection and supply apparatus has the ability to fill inhaler cartridges, once compact inhalers and compact inhalers are used. This capacity can be achieved through relatively minor changes to the system that delivers the containers to be filled to the apparatus to supply and detect the dust.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
For a better understanding of the present invention, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein by reference, and in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a delivery and detection apparatus of powder according to one embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 is an exploded view of the powder supply and detector apparatus of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a partial vertical cross-sectional view of the powder detection and supply apparatus; Figure 3A is a schematic block diagram of the powder detection and supply apparatus; Figure 4 is a perspective view of the powder supply modules, cartridges, a cartridge tray and the weight detection cells; Figure 5 is a perspective view of a powder transport system; Figure 6 is a cross-sectional diagram of an arrangement block and a powder transport system; Figure 7 is a cross-sectional diagram of a cartridge tray and a tray positioning system;
Figure 8 is a perspective view of an arrangement block; Figure 9 is an exploded view of a layout block of Figure 8; Figure 10 is a perspective view of a powder supply module; Figure 11 is an exploded view of the powder supply module of Figure 10; Figure 12 is a schematic cross section diagram of a lower end of the powder supply module; Figures 13A-13B illustrate a feeding rod according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figures 14A-14F illustrate a feeding rod according to another embodiment of the present invention; Figures 15A-15D, illustrate a feeding rod according to a further embodiment of the present invention; Figures 16A and 16B illustrate a filling valve in the open and closed positions, respectively; Figure 17 is a block diagram of a control circuit for a single powder supply module and a weight detection cell; Figure 18 is a flow diagram of a powder supply method;
Figure 19 is a flow diagram of a cartridge filling cycle; Figure 20 is a perspective view of the detection module; Figure 21 is an exploded view of the detection module of Figure 20; Figure 22 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a probe for weight detection; Figure 23 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a probe for weight detection; Figure 24 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a powder aerator; Figure 25 is an exploded view of the dust aerator of the
Figure 24; Figure 26 is a perspective view of a pneumatic broom used in the powder aerator of Figure 24; Figure 27 is an exploded view of the pneumatic broom of Figure 26; Figures 28A-28C are cross-sectional views of the powder aerator of Figure 24; Figure 29 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a powder aerator;
Figure 30 is an exploded view of the dust aerator of the
Figure 29; Figure 31 is a perspective view of a pneumatic broom used in the powder aerator of Figure 29; Figure 32 is an exploded view of the pneumatic broom of Figure 31; Figure 33 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a hopper assembly; Figure 34 is an exploded view of the hopper assembly of Figure 33; Figure 35 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a hopper assembly; Figure 36 is an exploded view of the hopper assembly of the
Figure 35; Figure 37 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a blower assembly; Figure 38 is an exploded view of the blower assembly of Figure 37; Figure 39 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a blower assembly; Figure 40 is an exploded view of the blower assembly of Figure 39;
Figure 41 is a schematic diagram of a gas conditioning system; Figure 42 is a perspective view of a powder delivery system incorporating a detection chamber; Figure 43 is an exploded view of the detection chamber shown in Figure 42; Figure 44 is a pictorial representation of a filling procedure for an inhaler cartridge, and Figure 45 is a pictorial representation of a filling procedure for a compact inhaler.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The powder supply and detection apparatus 0 according to one embodiment of the present invention is shown in Figures 1 to 7. One purpose of the apparatus is to supply powder in multiple cartridges 20 and to detect and control a filling state of each of the cartridges, in such a way that each of the cartridges receives a precisely controlled amount of the powder. As used herein, the term "cartridge" refers to any container or capsule that has the ability to maintain a powder, typically a powder containing a substance of a drug. As used herein, the term "Henar" includes filling and partially filling, because each cartridge is usually not filled
up to capacity and in fact only a small fraction of its capacity can be filled. As described below, the apparatus can be used to fill an inhaler cartridge or a compact inhaler, although it is not necessarily limited to the type of container to be filled. The cartridges 20 can be held in a cartridge tray 22 which is placed in a tray support frame 24 for processing. Cartridges can be held in a row and column arrangement. In one example, the cartridge tray 22 holds forty-eight cartridges 20 in a 6 x 8 arrangement. The configuration of the cartridge tray 22 and the corresponding configuration of the apparatus 10 are determined by way of example only and are not limiting the scope of the present invention. It should be understood that the cartridge tray 22 can be configured to hold a different number of cartridges and that the cartridge tray 22 can have a different tray configuration within the scope of the present invention. In another embodiment described below, the cartridge tray can hold 192 cartridges. The cartridge tray 22 can be placed in the support frame 24 and be removed from the support frame 24 by a robot. The components of the dust detection and supply apparatus
, in addition to the tray support frame 24, include a powder distributor assembly 30 for supplying the powder in the cartridges 20, a powder transport system 32 for delivering the powder to the assembly.
powder distributor 30 and a detection module 34 for detecting a state of filling of each of the cartridges 20. The apparatus for supplying and detecting powder 10 further includes a frame 40 for mounting the tray support frame 24, the assembly powder distributor 30, powder transport system 32 and detection module 34, and activators 42 for moving powder distributor assembly 30 and powder transport system 32 with respect to cartridges 20. Distributor assembly powder 30, includes an arrangement block 50 having a vertical port arrangement 52 and a powder supply module 54 mounted on each of the vertical ports of the arrangement block 50. The arrangement block 50 can be configured to form pairs of the disposition of cartridges 20 in the cartridge tray 22 or a sub-group of cartridges in the cartridge tray. In the above example of a cartridge tray holding forty-eight cartridges, the disposal block 50 can have an arrangement of 6 x 8 vertical ports 52 and provides assembly for forty-eight powder supply modules 54. In this embodiment, the powder supply modules 54 are mounted on one inch centers. It will be understood that a different separation arrangement may be used within the scope of the present invention. As shown in Figure 8, the disposal block 50 further includes dust storage and transport channels 60a, 60b, 60c, 60d, 60e, 60f, 60g and 60h, with one channel for each row of six supply modules of Powder 54 in this mode. The dust is
administered by the powder transport system 32 to the powder supply modules 54 through each channel in the disposal block 50, as described below. Each channel preferably has a sufficient volume to store dust for several powder supply cycles. In the embodiment of Figures 1 to 7, the powder transport system 32 includes a first powder transport system 32a for delivering powder to a first group of four channels 60a, 60b, 60c and 60d, in an arrangement block 50. and a second powder transport system 32b for delivering powder to a second group of four channels 60e, 60f, 60g and 60h in the disposal block 50. Each of the powder transport systems 32a and 32b includes a blower assembly 70 to move a transport gas through the powder transport system, a powder aerator 72 for delivering powder to the powder distributor assembly 30 and a hopper assembly 74 for supplying powder to a powder aerator 72. In other embodiments, a single powder transport system or more than two may be used. dust transport systems. The blower assembly 70 is coupled through a pipe 76 to a gas inlet 78 of the dust aerator 72 and produces a flow of transport gas through a gas inlet 78. The dust aerator 72 includes an inlet of powder 80 for receiving powder from hopper assembly 74. The powder is administered via powder aerator 72 through four dust outlet ports 82 to the inlet ends of the channels
respective in the disposal block 50. The powder is transported through the respective channels to the powder supply modules 54 in each row of the powder distributor assembly 30. The powder is distributed individually to the cartridges 20 by means of the supply modules of powder 54 as described below. The channels 60a-60h pass through the arrangement block 50, and a suction manifold 84 is coupled to the outlet ends of the channels. The suction manifold 84 of the first powder transport system 32a is connected to the outlet ends of the channels 60a-60d, and the suction manifold 84 of the second powder transport system 32b is connected to the outlet ends of the dust conveyors. channels 60a-60h. The suction manifold 84 returns the transport gas to the blower assembly 70, thereby forming a closed circuit recirculating gas transport system. In other embodiments, the powder transport system may utilize an open-circuit gas transport system. Any dust not administered to the powder supply modules 54 or stored in the channels returns through the suction manifold 84 to the blower assembly 70. As discussed below, the blower assembly 70, in some embodiments, may include a gas-particle separation device for retaining the large powder agglomerates, while the small powder agglomerates are recirculated to the dust aerator 72 to be delivered to the powder distributor system 30. As discussed further below, each transport system of powder can
include a gas conditioning unit to control the relative humidity and / or temperature of the recirculating transport gas. The powder transport system 32 may include detectors to determine the level of dust in the different components of the powder transport system. The hopper assembly 74 may include a hopper level detector for detecting the level of dust in the hopper assembly reservoir 74. The dust aerator 72 may include a discharge valve level detector for determining the level of dust in the hopper assembly. the discharge valve of the dust aerator 72. The blower assembly 70 may include a large agglomerate level detector. A distributor level fill detector may be located in the suction manifold 84 of the blower assembly 70. The powder level detectors may use optical techniques to detect the level of dust, for example. The powder level detectors can be used to control the operation of the powder management system 32 and load the powder supply modules 54 with the powder. The detection module 34 (Figure 20) may include a detector housing 100 (Figure 21) and an array of detector assemblies 1 10 mounted in the detector housing 100. In the illustrated embodiment, each of the detector assemblies 1 10 includes two detection cells 14 (Figure 3) and associated circuit systems. Therefore, a detection assembly 1 10 is used with two powder supply modules 54. In other embodiments, each detector assembly may include a
Single detection cell or more than two detection cells. The number of detection assemblies 1 10 and the arrangement of the detector assemblies 1 0 in the arrangement can be such that the detection cells 1 14 coincide with the configuration of the cartridges 20 in the cartridge tray 22 or a sub-group of cariuchos in the cartridge tray. For example, of a cartridge tray 22 that holds forty-eight cartridges 20 in a 6 x 8 array in one-inch centers, the detection module 34 may include twenty-four detection assemblies 1 10, which provide forty-eight cells of detection 1 14 in a 6 x 8 arrangement in one-inch centers. In the embodiment of Figures 1 to 7, each of the detection cells 1 14 is a weight detector for detecting the weight of the powder delivered to the respective cartridge 20. A weight detection probe 2 is fixed to each of the detection cells 1 14 and makes contact with the lower end of the cartridge 20 through an opening in the cartridge tray 22. The detection cells 1 14 individually detect the state of filling of each of the cartridges 20 during the powder supply, such that the powder supply can be terminated when the desired amount of powder has been distributed in each of the cartridges 20. The detection cells 14 are preferably weight detectors, which monitor the weight of the cartridge 20 during the powder delivery method and have an accuracy of 5 to 10 micrograms in the present embodiment. Normally an electrobalance beam is used as
a weight detector in applications of high precision, high speed and repeatability with very small weights. The physical configuration of the weight detection assembly 10 is a consideration in systems where the powder supply modules 54 are closely spaced, such as in one-inch centers. Preferably, the weight sensing assemblies 1 10 can be placed in an arrangement that matches the configuration of the cartridge tray 22 and the powder supply modules 54. In a preferred embodiment, the detection assemblies 1 10 have a configuration vertical and two detection cells 14 are packaged together to form a detection assembly. The mechanical components for weight detection are located in the upper part of the assembly, the electrical circuit system is located below the mechanical components and an electrical connector is connected in the bottom. The detection assemblies can be mounted in an arrangement to detect the weight in one-inch centers. In another embodiment, a commercially available weight detection module has a horizontal configuration and can be used in a stratified array at three different levels for an arrangement that has six cartridges per row. In the stratified array, probes of different lengths are used to make contact with the cartridges.
The powder detection and supply apparatus 0 has been described having powder supply modules 54 and detection cells 1 14 mounted on one inch centers. It will be understood that greater or lesser separation between components can be used within the scope of the present invention. Additionally, the components of the apparatus 10 are not necessarily assembled in a uniform arrangement. For example, the separation in the x-direction between the components may be different from the separation in the direction and between the components, or a row of an arrangement may be compensated with respect to an adjacent row. During operation, the cartridge tray 22 holding the cartridges 20 is placed in the tray support frame 24, preferably by means of a robot or other automation mechanism. The cartridge tray 22 is lowered so that the cartridges 20 are lifted from the cartridge tray 22 by means of weight sensing probes 12 onto the respective detection assemblies 10 and are supported by the probes 1 12. The cartridge tray 22 it can be provided with openings in each cartridge location to allow the probes 1 12 to pass through the cartridge tray 22 and lift the cartridges 20. Accordingly, each cartridge 20 can be weighed by one of the detection cells 1 14. without interference from the cartridge tray 22. In some embodiments (Figures 22 and 23), the probe 1 12 includes a three-point holder for the cartridge 20. In other embodiments, the probe 12 includes a cylindrical holder for the cartridge 20. The powder distributor assembly 30 is
descended to a supply position. In the supply position, each of the powder supply modules 54 is positioned slightly above and in alignment with one of the cartridges 20. As shown in Figure 2, the frame 40 may include a lower frame 40a, an intermediate frame 40b and an upper frame 40c. The lower frame 40a and the middle frame 40b are secured to a base plate 41. The upper frame 40c provides mounting for a tray support frame 24, the powder distributor assembly 30 and the powder transport system 32. The arrangement block 50 is connected to the actuators 42 and moves up or down when activators 42 are energized. The detection module 34 is mounted in a fixed position within the lower frame 40a and the middle frame 40b. As discussed below, the powder transport system 32 can operate continuously or at intervals. The powder supply modules 54 are activated to supply powder to the cartridges 20. The powder supply to the cartridges 20 is performed simultaneously, such that all the cartridges in the cartridge tray 22 or a sub-group of the cartridges in a cartridge tray receive the powder simultaneously. As the powder supply progresses, the cartridge weights 20 are detected by the respective detection cells 1 14. The output of each detection cell 14 is coupled to a controller. As discussed below, each controller compares the detected weight with a target weight which corresponds to the amount of
desired powder. As long as the detected weight is less than the target weight, the powder supply continues. When the detected weight is equal to or greater than the target weight, the controller commands the corresponding supply module 54 to complete the powder supply operation. If the detected weight exceeds a maximum permissible weight after the filling cycle, the corresponding cartridge may be marked as defective. Accordingly, the delivery and detection of weight and weight detection continues simultaneously for a batch of cartridges in the cartridge tray 22. The batch can include all of the cartridges in the cartridge tray 22 or a sub-group of cartridges in the cartridge tray. A powder supply cycle can include the simultaneous supply of powder and weight detection of a batch of cartridges and achieves 100% inspection and control of powder supply. In one embodiment, the number and spacing of the cartridges in the cartridge tray 22 coincide with the number and spacing of the powder supply modules 54 in the apparatus 10. In other embodiments, the cartridge tray may have a number of cartridges. and a different separation between cartridges that is different from the configuration of the powder supply modules 54. For example, the cartridge tray can be configured to hold a multiple of the numbers of powder supply modules 54 and have a smaller spacing between the cartridges that the separation between the powder supply modules 54. By way of example only, the cartridge tray can be configured to
hold 192 separate 20 cartridges over half-inch center. With this arrangement, an arrangement of 12 x 16 half-inch center cartridges occupies the same area as an arrangement of 6 x 8 one-inch center cartridges. As shown in Figure 7, the cartridge tray 22 can be moved in a horizontal direction by a tray positioning mechanism 120 to align different batches of cartridges with the powder supply modules 54. The cartridge tray 22 is placed in a tray support frame 24 for processing. The tray positioning mechanism 120 includes a steering actuator X 230 coupled to the tray support frame 24 and an Y-direction actuator 232 coupled to the tray support frame 24. Accordingly, the tray support frame 24 and the Cartridge tray 22 can be moved in a horizontal XY plane for the positioning of batches of cartridges in relation to the powder supply modules 54 and the detection cells 1 14. The support tray with 192 cartridges can be processed as follows . The cartridge tray moves from a neutral position to a first position XY (0,0), such that a first batch of 48 cartridges is vertically aligned with the arrangement of 48 powder supply modules 54. The powder is supplied in the first batch of cartridges and then the cartridge tray moves to a second position XY (0.0.5) to align a second batch of 48 cartridges with the
arrangement of the powder supply modules 54. The cartridge tray is then moved to a fourth position XY (0.5,0.5) to align the fourth batch of 48 cartridges with the arrangement of the 48 powder supply modules 54. The powder It is supplied in a fourth batch of cartridges to complete the processing of the 192 cartridges. In the previous example, the order of the tray positions and the order of the batches of cartridges can be changed. It should be understood that this procedure can be applied to different tray arrangements with a different separation between the cartridges, different numbers of cartridges and the like. In these embodiments, the cartridge tray is displaced in the horizontal plane to achieve alignment between the batches of cartridges and the arrangement of the powder supply modules. The batch of cartridges normally coincides with the arrangement of the powder supply modules 54. However,, in some applications the batch may have fewer cartridges than the number of powder supply modules. The arrangement block 40 is shown in Figures 8 and 9. As described above, the arrangement block 50 is provided with dust storage and transport channels 60a, 60b, 60c, 60c, 60d, 60e, 60f, 60g and 60h, one channel corresponds to each row in the arrangement of the powder supply modules 54. Each of the channels 60a-60h extends through the disposal block 50 and intersects the vertical ports 52 in the corresponding row of the arrangement . In the modality of
Figures 1 to 7, the powder transport system 32a administers the powder to one side of the disposal block 50, and the powder transport system 32b administers the powder to the opposite side of the disposal block 50. Accordingly, the Figures 8 and 9, shows the input ends of channels 60a-60d and the output ends of channels 60e-60h. In the embodiment of Figures 8 and 9, the channels 60a-60h, have cross sections in the form of grooves and are parallel. As shown in Figure 10, each of the powder supply modules 54 is provided with a powder inlet 130 in the form of a slot-shaped opening that passes through the powder supply module. When the powder supply modules 54 are mounted in an arrangement block 50, the dust inlets 130 are aligned with the corresponding channel in the arrangement block 50. The dust inlets 130 and the channels 60a-60h, preferably have sections cross sections of equal size and shape and are polished to provide smooth interior surfaces. Each channel in the disposal block 50 and the corresponding powder entries 130 in the powder supply modules 54 define a passage through the disposal block 50 for delivery of the powder to each of the powder supply modules 54. The powder is supplied to each of the powder supply modules 54 through the powder inlet 130. The powder inlet 130 is configured as a through opening, so that part of the powder transported through the channel is administered to the first powder supply module 54 and another part of the powder
it is transported through the powder inlet 30 and the channel in the disposal block 50 to the successive powder supply modules 54. Additionally, channels 60a-60h serve a powder storage function. Channels 60a-60h can store more powder than is necessary to supply a single batch of cartridges. In one embodiment, the powder transport system 32 operates at intervals. Sufficient powder for a number of batches of cartridges 20 is supplied from hopper assembly 74 to channels 60a-60h. Then, the powder is supplied to several batches of cartridges 20 until the supply of powder in the supply modules 54 becomes low. In other embodiments, the powder is continuously supplied to the channels 60a-60h, and the channels 60a-60h serve as temporary storage for storing the powder not supplied to the cartridges 20. The closed-circuit pneumatic dust transport system 32 it feeds the agglomerate particles into the disposal block 50 from the dust aerator 72. Then, the transport gas is again circulated back to the dust aerator 72. The transport gas can be conditioned by a process control gas. which is supplied to the blower assembly 70. The disposal block 50 functions as a dynamic powder storage device that feeds the batch faces or continuous charges of powdered drug to the individual powder supply modules 54. More generally, the layout block 50 includes one or
more channels used to transport powder aerosols and / or agglomerate pastes of powdered drugs to an arrangement of powder supply modules. The disposal block 50 can operate in open-loop or closed-circuit gas transport system. The dust aerator 72 and the disposal block 50 fluidize, enter and transport the powder drug into channels of the layout block 50. The layout block 50 can provide the main structural support for the associated components and sub-systems, such as the dust aerator 72, the hopper assembly 74, the suction manifold 84, and the pump assembly 70. Additionally, the disposal block 50 maintains an arrangement of the powder supply modules 54 for supplying powder to a disposition of cartridges. In a preferred embodiment, the layout block includes a main block 132, an upper plate 134 and a bottom plate 136. The plates 134 and 136 include O-rings which serve as guides and seals for the powder supply modules 54. This arrangement block further includes bearings 140 and clamping handles 142 for joining the layout block to the frame elements. During operation, the powder is transported through each of the channels 60a-60h by the transport gas and is delivered to each of the powder supply modules 54 in a controlled particle deposition process. The powder falls by the action of gravity in each of the powder supply modules 54. Any powder that
it passes through the channel without falling into one of the powder supply modules 54 and without being stored it returns through the suction manifold 84 to the pump assembly 70. Each of the powder supply modules 54 supplies powder within a cartridge 20. The powder dosage is usually within the range of 5 to 30 milligrams, although the dose is not limited to this range. As shown in detail in Figures 10 to 16B, the powder supply module 54 includes a powder supply housing 150 having a lower housing section 150a, an average housing section 150b, an upper housing section 150c and a cover 150d. The powder supply housing 150 can have an elongated configuration with a small cross-section to allow close separation in the arrangement block 50. As noted above, the powder supply modules 54 can be mounted on one-inch centers. The middle housing section 150b includes a powder inlet 130 and a cylindrical duct 152 extending downwardly from the powder inlet 130 to the lower housing section 1 50a. The lower housing section 150a includes a tapered conduit 154 that extends downward to a supply nozzle 158, which is sized to be compatible with the cartridge 20. The tapered conduit 154, which may be conical in shape, provides a transition from the dimension of the cylindrical duct 152 to the dimension of the supply nozzle 158.
Together, the cylindrical conduit 152 and the tapered conduit 154 define a supply hopper 156 to maintain the powder to be supplied. The powder in the supply hopper 156 is referred to as a powder bed by volume. The supply nozzle 158 is configured to supply powder within the cartridge 20. The powder supply module 54 further includes a feed rod 160 for moving the powder down in a controlled manner through the supply hopper 156 to the nozzle 158, a rod actuator 162 for activating the rod 160, a supply fill valve 180 at the lower end of the hopper 156, and a valve actuator 182 for opening and closing the valve 180. The rod actuator 162 can to be coupled to the feed rod 160 by a flexible coupling 186 or other coupling which can provide agitation, displacement or both of the vertical rod, in addition to rotation. The powder supply module 54 further includes a circuit card 184 having a circuitry for controlling the stem actuator 162 and a valve actuator 182 and for communicating with the control circuitry that controls the operation of the module. powder supply 54. Filling valve 180 may include a valve member 190 implemented as a gear provided with a valve opening located eccentrically 191. The valve element 190 can be mounted in a lower housing section 150a for rotation about an axis, such that the valve opening 191 can be rotated.
in alignment with the supply nozzle 158, as shown in Figure 16A, and may be rotated out of alignment with the supply nozzle 158 as shown in Figure 16B. When the valve opens 191 and the supply nozzle 158 are aligned or partially aligned, the fill valve 180 opens and the powder is delivered into a cartridge. When the valve opening 191 is not aligned with the supply nozzle 158, the fill valve 180 is closed and the powder is not supplied. Preferably, the fill valve 180 is a type that can be partially opened, as described below. The valve member 190 of the fill valve 180 can be coupled to a valve actuator 182 by a driver assembly that includes a lower gear 192 that meshes with the gear of the valve member 190, a drive shaft 193 extending from a lower portion of the supply module 54 to an upper portion thereof where the valve actuator 182 is mounted, an upper gear 194 attached to the upper end of the drive shaft 193 and an upper gear 195 attached to the valve actuator 182. The upper gears 194, 195 are interengaged in such a way that the valve member 190 is rotated when the valve actuator 182 is energized. The gear 195 may coincide with the valve member 190, and the gear 194 may coincide with the gear 192. Therefore, the gear position 195 is indicative of the position of the valve member 190 and the valve opening arrangement 191 in relation to nozzle 158. A
magnet attached to the upper gear 195 rotates in relation to the open and close detections 220 (Figure 17) to indicate the open and closed positions, respectively, of the fill valve 180. In Figure 12, a sectional diagram is shown schematic cross section of the lower end of the powder supply module 54, between the powder inlet 130 and the supply nozzle 158. As shown, the supply hopper 156 can be considered to have a powder bed preparation area 156a, a powder bed compression zone 156b and a discharge area 156c. The powder bed preparation zone 156a is located in the cylindrical conduit 152 below the powder inlet 130. The powder bed compression zone 56b is located in an upper portion of the tapered conduit 154, and the discharge zone 156c is located in a lower portion of the tapered conduit 154. The feed rod 160 may include an axle 170 in the form of a rod extending axially through the supply hopper 156. The feed rod 160 additionally includes one or more power supplies fixed to the shaft 170. The feed elements move the powder from the powder inlet 130 to the supply nozzle 158 in a controlled manner. In the modal Figure of Figure 12, the feed rod 160 includes a powder bed preparation element 160 in the powder bed preparation area 156a, a powder bed compression element 165 in the compression zone of the powder bed 160a.
powder bed 165b and a discharge element 166 in discharge area 165c. Examples of the feed elements 164, 165 and 166 are described below. In Figures 13A and 13B, an embodiment of the feed rod 160 is shown. In the embodiments of the feed rod described herein, the powder bed preparation element 164 and the powder bed compression member 165 are implemented. as a helical open space frame, which includes a plurality of spaced apart masts 172 mounted to the shaft 170 and one or more cables fixed to the masts 172 and the shaft 170. The masts 172 may extend radially from the axis 170 in the cylindrical conduit 152 and a tapered conduit 154. The masts 172 can extend almost to the inner wall of the hopper 156 without contacting the inner wall. The masts 172 in the tapered conduit 154 vary in length to coincide with the conical inner wall of the tapered conduit 154. The masts 172 are mounted to the shaft 170 in different radial directions. In a preferred embodiment, the ends of the masts 172 define a double helix. In the embodiment of Figures 13A and 13B, a feed rod 160 includes ten masts. In this example, the adjacent masts are spaced along the axis 170 at intervals of 0.32 centimeters, and each mast is rotated 45 degrees relative to the adjacent mast, except for the last two masts at the bottom of the shaft 170, the which are rotated 22.5 degrees. The diameter of the mast can be the size
of preferred agglomerate, of the order of 0.064 to 0.19 centimeters. The material of the mast can be stainless steel or other inert, structurally rigid material that is resistant to corrosion, such as metal, ceramic, plastic and the like. The feeding rod can be made of a conductive or non-conductive material, depending on the morphology of the powder. Non-conductive materials such as ceramics, plastics and elastomers can be metallized to provide a conductive exterior surface. Too many masts cause the powder to compact with the rotation of the shank, while very few masts will not support the double helix configuration. The spacing between the masts and the angle between the adjacent masts can be inversely proportional to the number of masts used. As noted above, the supply rod 160 includes fixed cables to the masts 172. In the embodiment of Figures 13A and 13B, the cables define a double helix 174, a first chevron 176 and a second chevron 178. As shown, the double helix 174 includes a propeller cable 174a at or near one end of each mast 172 and a propeller cable 174b at or near the opposite end of each mast 172. Each propeller wire 174a, 174b progresses downward from mast to mast in one direction clockwise as viewed downward from the stem actuator 162. The first chevron 176 may include a first chevron wire 176a fixed to the masts 172 at a first spacing from the shaft 170, and a
second chevron 178 may include a second chevron wire 78a fixed to the masts 172 at a second spacing from the axis 170. The first chevron wire 176a passes through a hole 176b on the shaft 170, and the second chevron wire 178a it passes through a hole 178b in the shaft 170. It will be understood that the propeller cables and the chevron cables are not necessarily fixed to all the masts on the supply rod 160. In particular, the first chevron cable 176 is fixed to the first mast (the highest mast) and the fifth mast. The second chevron cable 178a is fixed to the third mast and the seventh mast. The first and second chevrons can be separated 90 ° in relation to each other. In the embodiment of Figures 13A and 13B, the propeller cables and the chevron cables are threaded through holes in the respective masts and are attached to each of the ends. The propeller cables are located at or near the ends of the masts and the chevron cables are located at the desired spacings from the shaft 170. The holes in the masts 172 can be drilled with tools, drilled with laser beam or perforated by electroerosion at angles that prevent significant bending of cables. Therefore, the holes in each mast are roughly aligned with the adjacent masts. This arrangement allows the cables to slide through the holes more or less freely, so that the dust loading forces are distributed along the entire length of cable, thus reducing the concentration of stress that could produce a break up. In
other embodiments, the cables can be attached to the masts, such as by laser beam welding, for example. In this example, the propeller cables and the chevron cables have a diameter of 0.020 centimeters. The double helix 174 can be formed by attaching the outer ends of the helically mounted masts 172 with helix wires 174a and 174b. The wiring of the masts 172 on both outer ends creates a double helix wire pattern. The double helix cable pattern performs three main functions. First, the perimeter cable inhibits the compressed powders from adhering to the conduit walls, particularly the walls of the tapered conduit 154. Second, when the rod 160 is rotated clockwise (from the activator shaft facing down), the double helix lifts the powder at the conduit wall interface and further reduces it in the preferred agglomerate flowability size range. Third, when the rod 160 is rotated counterclockwise, the double helix feeds the powder by volume down along the axis 170, as well as along the free paths of the chevron cable. and inside the supply nozzle 158. Additionally, this powder feed operation by rotating volume tends to break compressed powder discs, which are formed horizontally between the rotating masts 172. The feed rod 160 uses a space frame helical open which includes the shaft 170 as a central support, the masts
172 as structural transverse elements which form a helical pattern with a tapered conical lower end geometry, and the cables forming the double helix 174 and first and second chevrons 176 and 178, as described above. The inverted conical shape changes the masts from a larger diameter conduit to a smaller diameter powder discharge nozzle. The cables are attached to the masts to reduce the effects of powder compression by volume and promote the flow of the agglomerate paste. The feed rod 160 has the ability to transport highly cohesive powders with micrograme delivery precision, while controlling the trend for powder compaction by volume. Dust compaction leads to powder compression jamming, and thus obstructs the delivery device. The helical open space frame provides an optimal volume powder transport element, which has the precision transport and delivery capacity of all types of powder morphologies from free flowing to highly cohesive. This capability is achieved by allowing only a minor portion of the helical mechanical forces to be directed downward in the powder bed by volume, thereby controlling the compression effects in a manner suitable for the individual characteristics of the powder being delivered. Due to this compression control, it is possible to transport the cohesive powders from a large diameter conduit to a smaller one in an effective manner.
The shaft 170 forms a central drive shaft of the feed rod 160. The shaft 170 supports the masts 172, the double helix 174 and the first and second chevrons 176 and 178, which, in turn, transport powder by volume for delivery by precision. The central drive shaft allows the fine powders to flow along its smooth surface towards the supply nozzle 158. The masts 172 are structural cross-members that break the agglomerated bed of compacted powder. The masts 172 also support the propeller and the chevron cables. Additionally, the masts 172 provide the spiral helical mechanism necessary to transport the powder bed by volume in a low, controlled compression manner. The chevron cables 176a and 178a provide cutting patterns within the powder bed by volume. The cables are located to reduce the compacted dust and open a free path temporarily within the dust bed which allows minute amounts of powder agglomerates to flow down through the dust bed by gravity. Additionally, the chevron cables serve the volume powder disk that is formed between the masts 172. These discs are created by progressive compacting forces and form suspended aggregate powder structures. By means of the cutting discs, preferably in medium coverage, the discs become structurally unstable and begin to break and flow downward, driven by the mechanical forces of the helically inclined masts 172.
Discharge element 166 (Figure 12) is profiled and located to break a powder compression disc located in supply nozzle 158. The powder disk is formed when feed valve 180 is closed and stem 160 performs the operations of dust classification and cleaning by volume. Without the discharge member 166 to dislodge and reduce the disc, the disc could either occlude the nozzle and could fall into the cartridge when the valve is opened, possibly causing overfilling of the cartridge. The dust disk has a greater tendency to block the nozzle when the ambient humidity is above 50 percent. In Figures 13A-13B, 14A-14F and 15A-15D embodiments of the discharge element 166 are shown. Each of the embodiments uses the helical open space frame of masts and cables described above, although it uses different discharge elements. The powder is induced to fall into the preparation zone of the powder bed 156a by rotating the helical open space frame described above. The outer helical wires break the attractive forces between the powder and the wall of the cylindrical conduit and lift and aerate the powder bed when they are rotated in the reverse direction. The chevron cables cut and further reduce the dust bed as the helical space frame rotates. The powder bed preparation zone 165a improves the flow capacity of the powder bed as it enters the tapered duct of the powder bed compression zone 156b. The capacity of
The flow of the powder is enhanced by the ability of the helical open space frame to form natural agglomerates that allow the powder to flow when induced by the forces of the helical open space frame. In the powder bed compression zone 156b, the bed of agglomerated powder undergoes compression due to the volume reduction of the tapered duct. The compression zone steadily increases the consolidation of the dust bed, while the masts and cables continue to reduce and aerate the dust bed. In the discharge area 156c, the powder agglomerate groups are further reduced and discharged through the nozzle 158. The discharge element controls the powder reduction and supply characteristics. Inadequate dust reduction control causes the discharge orifice to be occluded. The inadequate dust reduction control also inhibits the supply of dust within a specified time limit without exceeding the dosage limit. The discharge element determines the final powder supply flow rate and the consistency of the powder agglomerate. In the embodiment of Figures 13A-13B, the discharge element 166 is configured as a modified mast 181. The two sides 181 a and 181 b of the modified mast 181 extend downward in half a turn of the propeller in a counter-clockwise direction, thereby forming a double helix. The modified double-propeller mast 181 and the double-propeller 174 have opposite inclinations. In other embodiments, one side of the modified mast is rotated upward in a helical shape.
The modified mast can use a helix clockwise or counterclockwise. In some embodiments, the modified mast can be formed with an inverted U shape or as an S shape. The U shape works better for free flowing powders, while the S shape performs better for cohesive powders. In the U-shape, both sides of the modified mast are rotated towards the supply nozzle. In the S-shape, one side of the modified mast rotates toward the supply nozzle and the other side rotates upward. The modified double-propeller mast 181 of Figures 13A-13B functions as a rotary biasing element within the lower end of the tapered conduit. Modified mast inverse tilt geometry adds dust lift and aeration to control dust supply and improve powder consistency. The reverse tilt geometry also drives the powder into the nozzle during the sort cycle. This creates a dust release of 2 to 4 milligrams initially at the start of the supply cycle and allows more time for filling at the end. Another embodiment of the feed rod 160 is shown in Figures 14A-14F. In the embodiment of Figures 14A-14F, the discharge member 166 is implemented as a roller pin 183 mounted to the shaft 170 by a support member 185 having an inverted U-shape. In the embodiment of Figures 14A-14F, a slot deflector disk
Optional manifold 189 may be located in the upper portion of the tapered conduit 154 and fixed to the lower housing section 150a. The powder supply module 54 further includes an orifice member 187 mounted on the lower end of the tapered conduit 154. The orifice member 187 may have one or more slit-shaped holes. In one embodiment shown in Figure 14D, an orifice element 187a includes two slot-shaped holes that intersect to form a cross. In other embodiments, the orifice elements 187b and 187c include slot-shaped holes that intersect as shown in Figures 14E and 14F. The holes may be relatively wide, as shown in Figure 14E, or relatively narrow, as shown in Figure 14F. The feed rod 160 is positioned in such a way that the roller pin 183 is separated from the orifice element 187 by the separation of less than the size of the natural agglomerate. During the operation, the pin 183 rotates in relation to the orifice element 187, causes the powder to be discharged through the holes in the orifice member 87. The deflector disc 89 can be used to control the rate of advance of the bed of powder and further reduce the dust agglomerates as they enter the tapered duct. In the discharge zone 56c, the powder agglomerate groups are reduced and subsequently extruded by the pin of the rotating roller 183 through the holes in the orifice element 187. The mechanism that includes the support element
185, the roller pin 183 and the orifice element 187 control the powder reduction and delivery characteristics. Inadequate dust reduction control causes the discharge orifice to be occluded. The inadequate powder reduction control also inhibits the supply of dust within a specified time limit without exceeding the dosage limit. The support member 185 and the roller pin 183 determine the final powder supply flow rate and the consistency of the powder agglomerate. The mechanism including the support element 185, the roller pin 183 and the orifice element 187 can be configured to provide an optimal powder flow and the size of the agglomerate for a particular powder morphology. The element of support 185 tracks in a perimeter groove of the lower housing section 50a to automatically center the feed rod 160. The roller pin 183 combined with the orifice element 187 produces a supply of low strength powder agglomerate. The orifice element 187 provides a powder agglomerate consistency within a narrower agglomerate size range. An additional embodiment of the feed rod 160 is illustrated in Figures 15A-15D. The discharge element 166 is implemented as helical worm blades 240 and 242 fixed to the shaft 170. Each blade of the worm screw 240, 242 is approximately half a turn about the axis 170. The axial length the endless screw blades 240 and 242 may be approximately half the axial length of the tapered duct 145. As shown, the power supply shaft of the
Figures 15A-15D, use fewer masts than the embodiments of Figures 13A-13B, and the propeller cables and chevron cables can be fixed to the upper edges of the endless screw blades 240 and 242. The blades of the screw without fin240, 242 and double helix 174 may have opposite inclinations. The powder supply module 54 shown in Figures 15A-15D further includes an orifice element 244 mounted on the upper end of the tapered conduit 154. In the embodiment of Figures 15A-15D, the orifice element 244 has a conical shape inverted and provided with a plurality of holes 244a for the discharge of powder through the nozzle 158. Additionally, the lower edges of the endless screw blades 240 and 242 are angled to match the inverted conical hole element 244. A bearing 246 mounted on the lower end of the shaft 170 couples an opening in the hole element 244 and establishes a desired separation between the worm blades 240, 242 and the orifice element 244. The bearing 246 may be a jewel material, such as a ruby or sapphire, which is not contaminating the drug powder supplied. During operation, the endless screw blades 240 and 242 rotate in relation to the orifice element 244, causing the powder to be discharged through the holes in the orifice element 244. In other embodiments, the orifice element may be flat, as shown in Figures 14D-14F, and the bottom edges of the endless screw blades 240 and 242 are flat to match the orifice element.
This embodiment rotates opposite the feed rods shown in Figures 13A-13B and 14A-14F. In the discharge area 156c, the powder agglomerates are flowed by the reverse inclination worm blades and subsequently extruded and granulated by the end of the rotating worm through the holes in the orifice member 244. The mechanism of the blades of the worm and the orifice element control the characteristics of reduction and supply of the powder. Inadequate dust reduction control causes the discharge orifice to be occluded. Inadequate dust reduction control also inhibits delivery within a specified time limit without exceeding the dosage limit. The endless screw blade mechanism 240, 242 and the orifice element 244 has the ability to compensate for the variability of the head height of fluid conversion of the powder bed, thereby reducing the sensitivity of the delivery procedure to the conditions of dust bed head. The half turn of the double propeller of the blades of the worm gear isolates the forces of the bed of conversion in vertical fluid of the powder in the nozzle, thus eliminating the force vectors that tend to pack the powder in the nozzle. The mechanism of the worm blades 240, 242 and the orifice element 244 can be configured to provide optimum monotonic powder agglomerate sizes. The mechanism provides a powder agglomerate consistency within a narrower agglomerate size range. The bearing 246 provides alignment and
Endless screw support, while maintaining the thickness of worm dust membrane to hole. In some embodiments, the discharge element 166 is mounted in a hole in the tip of the shaft 170. In other embodiments, the discharge element 166 is implemented on a tip that can be removed from the shaft 170. For example, a discharge element The double-helix can be formed on a removable tip that is snapped into the end of the shaft 170. The removable tip can be changed to accommodate different powder morphologies. The following approach to the operation of the powder supply module 54 relates to the sorting operations and supply operations for the embodiments of Figures 13A-13B and 14A-14F. Classification is an operation to clean and recondition a powder bed in a preferred agglomerate size matrix, aerated in a uniform manner, thus providing greater flow capacity characteristics for transporting powder by volume. The preferred agglomerate size is the stable, natural size of the cohesive powder agglomerates created by a powder bed drop operation and is usually within the range of 0.64 centimeters to 0.20 centimeters in spherical diameter. The dust bed classification can be carried out in the downstream or lifting modes. However, cohesive powders prefer uplink classification to achieve optimal aeration and improved flowability. The supply
is an operation for transporting powder in dry volume in a "dusted" form, which falls under the force of gravity without compression, as a preferred agglomerated matrix, discharged from a powder nozzle that is supplied in a cartridge. The powder detection and supply apparatus described herein has the ability to operate with powder agglomerates in a range of 0.02 centimeters to 0.20 centimeters in spherical diameter, although it is not limited to this range. The feed rod 160 is rotated in a clockwise direction as viewed from the top of the supply module 54 to be raked, cleaned and aerated the powder bed by volume. Rotation clockwise lifts the dust due to an upflow vector created by the double helix. In this operation, the shank can be seen as a screw, held vertically in its lid, being rotated in the powder. The double propeller scrapes the walls of the duct and also moves the agglomerates outside towards the center of the supply hopper. As the rod rotates, the masts force the large agglomerates to break evenly. This aerates the dust bed by volume, creating a better bed consistency. In order to supply the powder, the rod 160 is preferably rotated in a direction opposite to the clockwise. The masts 172 and the chevrons 176, 178 break the bed of dust and open a free path for the powder to flow along the axis 170.
double helix 174 adds a downward compression vector to drive the powder downwardly and through discharge nozzle 158. In other embodiments, the stem 160 is rotated in a clockwise direction to supply the powder. However, the agglomerate tends to be larger than the tendency to overfill which is much greater for the powder supply by rotation in the clockwise direction. In the embodiments described above, the masts and propeller cables have a clockwise configuration seen from the top. It should be understood that the arrangement of the masts and the cables of the feeding rod can be reversed within the scope of the present invention. Therefore, the masts and the propeller cables can have a configuration in the opposite direction to the clock hands seen from the top. In this configuration, the stem is preferably rotated in a clockwise direction to supply powder. The following approach to the operation of the powder supply module 54 relates to the sorting operations and supply operations for the embodiments of Figures 15A-15D. The feed rod 160 is rotated in a counterclockwise direction as viewed from the top of the supply module 54 to clean the powder bed by volume and fill the worm. The double helix 174 adds a compression vector towards
down to push the powder down and into the supply nozzle 158. At the same time, the worm blades 240, 242 supply force vectors upwardly on the powder to place the powder in the worm up at the top. upper bed for aeration. To supply the powder, the feed rod 160 is preferably rotated in a clockwise direction. Rotation clockwise lifts the upper bed powder due to an upflow vector created by the double helix of the helical open space frame. In this operation, the upper stem can be seen as a screw, held vertically in its lid, which is rotated inside the powder. The double propeller cuts the walls of the duct and also moves the outer agglomerates toward the center of the supply hopper. As the stem rotates, the masts force the large agglomerates to break evenly. This aerates the powder bed by volume creating a better bed consistency. The masts 172 and the chevrons 176, 178 break the dust bed and open a free path for the powder to flow along the shaft 170. The powder in the worm when the start supply is made is forced through of the nozzle by the down force force vectors of the worm. During the supply, the additional powder is supplied by the aerated powder falling from the upper bed. In the mode described above, the masts and the propeller cables have a clockwise configuration as
It is observed from the top. It will be understood that the arrangement of the masts and the rods of the feedback rod can be reversed within the scope of the present invention. Accordingly, the neck and the helix cables can have a counterclockwise configuration as seen from the top. In this configuration, the stem is preferably rotated in a counterclockwise direction to supply the powder. In Figure 17, a block diagram of a controller for a powder supply module 54 and the corresponding detection cell 14 is shown. Preferably, the powder supply device provides a redundant calculation force strategically concentrated in the lowest level. The powder supply module 54 includes a supply controller 200 (Figure 17) on the circuit card 183 (Figure 11). The supply controller 200 may include three processors. A processor is provided for each of the rod activator and the valve activator 182, and a processor is used to control the status LEDs 224 and the optional analog detection inputs. A control processor 210 is located on a backplane of the detection module 34 as described below. The system uses a control processor 210 for each supply module 43 and its associated detection cell 1 4. The processor 210 controls communications between the detection module 34 and the supply module 54, as well as the external communication. When filling parameters are provided and a command of
"advance", the control processor 210 provides the intelligence to read the detection cell and instructs the supply module activators to perform cartridge filling. The control processor 210 also communicates with a monitoring processor 212 through a network interface. Supervision processor 212 provides high level control of all powder supply modules and detection cells. The controller of Figure 17, except for the monitoring processor, is repeated for each supply module 54 and the associated detection cell 14 in the system. In the previous example of an arrangement of 6 x 8 supply modules, the system includes 48 controllers. This provision provides individual control and monitoring of the powder supply in each cartridge. In one embodiment, the powder supply module 54 is configured and controlled to accurately deliver 10.0 mg (milligrams) of powder in ten seconds. The average flow rate is 1.0 mg per second at an accuracy of +/- 0.3 mg, or 3 percent. The control circuit performs at least 20 decisions per second to fill in this flow rate. In other modalities, the control circuit performs more or less than 20 decisions per second to achieve a desired precision. The feeding stem geometry provides a sufficient flow consistency to achieve this performance. The feed rod destroys the dust clusters into small agglomerate particles. The mechanically fed agglomerate paste has flow characteristics that
they allow the powder to be suspended when the feeding stem is stopped, with minimal excess powder, which could produce excess filling of the cartridge. The control circuit can provide the following controls and functions. 1 . The speed of the shank is variable from 0.1 revolutions per second to 5 revolutions per second in 50 different speeds. 2. The shank can be agitated while filling. During agitation, the shank alternately rotates clockwise when it rotates counterclockwise, such as, for example, the agitation factor that can be programmed. A "shake function less than the weight" engages the shaking motion when the filling weight is less than a selected weight.A "shaking greater than weight" function couples the shaking motion when the filling weight is greater than the selected weight, a function of "agitation between", engages the agitation movement when the fill weight is between two selected weights. An agitation index is the rotational speed selected during agitation. An agitation weight is the weight selected to start or stop agitation, and a minimum agitation time at a selected agitation weight and can be selected. In some applications, the agitation may not be used. 3. The control circuit can open and close the powder supply fill valve.
4. The second circuit can weigh and measure the detection cell and initiate a powder supply cycle, and can stop the powder supply cycle. 5. The control circuit can clean the powder in the powder supply device in a sequence defined by cleaning time, time and agitation speed. 6. A new charging function initiates a cleaning / stirring cycle that normally runs after closing the supply module with fresh powder. Cleaning time, stirring time and speed are specified. 7. Additional functions include automatically opening and closing the filling valve during a filling cycle, automatically cleaning the powder each time the valve is closed, and automatically shaking the powder after cleaning each time close the valve. 8. A "stop the steps" function establishes a number of steps to reverse the rotation of the feed rod after reaching a target weight. This has to pull the dust flow back to avoid overfilling and depends on the type of dust morphology and the environmental humidity conditions. 9. A speed control function forces the feed rod to move at full speed until it reaches a selected fill weight. At this trigger point, the proportional control starts to reduce the speed of the shank in proportion to the target weight
minus the actual weight. This method reduces the total filling time. For a nominal filling weight of 10 mg and a tolerance of +/- 3 percent, any filling weight between 10.3 and 9.7 mg is acceptable. Because a cartridge filled in excess must be discarded, the filling stops as soon as possible after it reaches the minimum weight in order to avoid possible overfilling. The minimum weight is set, for example, at 9.75 mg, which is slightly above the actual low limit of 9.70 mg. This is necessary because when the powder falls on the cartridge, peripheral forces such as inertia, aerodynamics, static and magnetic field flux can produce temporary weight readings that are slightly greater than the actual powder weight. The reading establishes the real weight for a short time of a few tenths of a second. Setting the minimum weight to 0.05 mg above the actual low limit reduces the risk of a cartridge that has not filled sufficiently. 10. The parameters associated with the filling cycle include the proportional gain of the servo filling circuit, the integral gain of the filling circuit servo, which is activated, for example, at 1.0 mg less than the target weight, and the speed of Maximum stem allowed during the filling cycle. The speed of the shank can be controlled by specifying a speed index between 0 and 50. The speed of the shank is in revolutions per minute as a function of the speed index of the shank, it has a characteristic that is relatively linear for low values of the speed index of the shank and subsequently increases in shape
dramatic at the speed of the maximum shank. This feature provides finer control at lower speeds than at higher speeds and allows the shank to be displaced much faster during the initial 70 percent of the fill cycle to quickly fill the cartridge to 90 percent of its fill weight. The maximum speed of the shank is normally about 5 revolutions per second. Beyond the speed, there is a risk of packing the powder so tightly that the supply device would have to be removed and cleaned to restore the original powder flow characteristics. A stirring factor controls reciprocation of the feed rod as it rotates, if agitation is allowed. In this mode, the ratio of front rotation to reverse rotation is two. Thus, the feed rod rotates 2 steps forward and n steps backwards, based on the value of the stirring factor. Therefore, for example, a stirring factor of 500 represents 1000 forward steps and 500 reverse steps, while a stirring factor of 1 represents 2 forward and 1 reverse steps. In other embodiments, the ratio of forward rotation to reverse rotation may have a value different from two and / or may be programmed. eleven . A servo time control function adjusts the maximum rate of shank speed in proportion to the time used at full speed during the last filling cycle. The time used at full speed is a good indication of how well the dust is flowing. Yes
the real time at full speed is greater than the configuration, then the control increases the maximum stem speed index to increase the filling speed. Conversely, if the real time at full speed is less than the configuration, the maximum shank rate is decreased to maintain a consistent processing time. While filling as fast as possible is the desired one, there is a risk of packing the powder, occluding the supply devices or overfilling the cartridges. The parameters of the powder supply module 54 are interrelated in the following manner. A control in which the higher limit is exceeded is available when the sizes of agglomerates in smaller particles are supplied within the cartridge. Accelerating the piston rod increases the flow rates even though the powder is compressed into large agglomerates. Large agglomerates increase flow, although overfilling is more likely in the last seconds of filling. A large dust reservoir saves loading time of the dispensing device, but compresses the powder into large agglomerates and requires more powder conditioning before filling. The agitation separates the large agglomerates for a more precise filling, although it reduces the flow rate. The conditioning of the powder before filling increases the filling consistency, although it adds a general filling time. One embodiment of a cartridge filling cycle is described with reference to Figures 18 and 19. The filling cycle is described
referring to an example of filling the cartridge with a dose of 10 mg of Technosphere microparticles in 10 seconds. It should be understood that different parameters can be used for different fill weights, different powder morphologies, different fill times and different environmental conditions. The cartridge filling cycle can be executed by the control processor 210 and the supply controller 200. The supply control processors in conjunction with the monitoring computer monitors, all these control factors against the filling weight values , read 20 times per second, as supply devices are filling cartridges. These data, when compared against ideal supply cycles, provide feedback to promote improved cohesion, flow capacity, improved powder consistency, drug efficacy in the patient and overall quality control. It should be understood that the weight values can be read more or less than 20 times per second within the scope of the present invention. Referring to Figure 18, the control parameters for the operation of the supply module can be set in step 250. For example, initially, the agitation is set to "off". Valve control parameters can be set in such a way that cleaning is set for two seconds after a new powder charge, the speed index is set to 44, the automatic opening is set to "on" and automatic cleaning after closing it
place in two seconds. The filled parameters can include a configuration of 8.8 mg in which the proportional control starts, the target filling weight can be set to 10.0 mg, the proportional gain can be set to 1.0, the integral gain can be set to 0.03, and the maximum speed index can be set to 41 (two revolutions per second). The stirring factor can be set to 50, and the servo filling time can be set to 10.0 seconds. A bipolar ionizer can be activated for the neutralized charge of the powder supply module and the cartridge. In step 254, the supply hopper 156 is filled with powder by the operation of the powder transport system 32. The powder is supplied to the disposal block 50 by the dust aerator 72. The powder is supplied through the channels in the disposal block 50 for each of the powder supply modules 54. When the excess powder passes through an arrangement block 50 and is detected by the filling level detection of the supply device in the collector of suction 84, the loading of the supply modules 54 is completed, and the powder transport system is de-energized. The supply hopper 156 can be cleaned during the hopper filling cycle to remove large air holes and inconsistencies of the powder bed. The hopper assembly 74 is filled by the operator or other automatic injection system. The flow assist mechanism rotates to break the new compressed powder. The agglomeration rollers rotate
for supplying the large agglomerated powder to the discharge valve in the aerator 72. A level detection of the discharge valve indicates that the discharge valve is full to stop the agglomeration rollers. Blower assembly 70 rotates at approximately 3500 rpm for the gas cycle through the system. The pneumatic broom rotates in preparation for the supply of dust through the discharge valve. The bypass valve is placed at 50% to facilitate both the transport of both dust and air stream gas. The discharge valve rotates at increments of 10 degrees per second to gradually pull the dust into the chambers of the pneumatic broom. As the powder becomes available for the pneumatic broom, the fine agglomerates are transported to the riser tubes and to the interior of the supply fill chamber. Most filling occurs in the last positions of the delivery device at this time. After a discharge valve cycle is completed, the crossover valve rotates at 0% changing at increments of 10 degrees per second for phase in the maximum pneumatic broom pressure. This conveys all, except the heavier agglomerates within the supply chamber and fills the middle rows of the supply modules. Finally, the blower assembly 70 increases the speed to 8000 rpm to transport the rest of the powder from the pneumatic broom chamber to the first rows of the supply modules.
As these filling cycles continue, the supply hoppers are filled. The blower assembly 70 in combination with the bypass valve still out of the weight of the supply device through the supply modules by recovering the dust from high peaks, circulating the fine powder through the system and depositing the powder in the areas of low pressure of the dust bed between the peaks. In step 258, a cartridge is placed below the supply nozzle 158 on the weight detection cell. As described above, a cartridge tray is placed between the arrangement of the powder supply modules 54 and the detection module 34. In step 260, the cartridge is filled with the dose of powder prescribed. The filling cycle is described below in connection with Figure 19. In step 262, the filling valve is closed and the rotation of the feed rod is stopped. In step 264, a determination is so that, if the supply hopper requires new filling. If the supply hopper needs to be filled again, the procedure returns to step 254. If the supply hopper does not need to be filled again, the procedure returns to step 256. In the present example, the supply hopper can be replenished after four doses of 10.0 mg. It should be understood that the new filling of the supply hopper can be driven after more or less filling cycles of the cartridge, depending, for example, on the capacity of the supply hopper and the amount of powder supplied in
each filling cycle. The supply hopper is again filled in step 254. If the new filling is not required, the procedure continues with the filling cycle for the next cartridge in step 256. In the present example, the supply hopper contains sufficient powder to Twenty doses of 10.0 mg. In some embodiments, the filling process is independent of the weight of the powder in the supply hopper to create a conversion head in dry powder fluid and assist in the flow of dust induced by gravity. Without a proper fluid conversion head, the filling time increases beyond the filling time limit. Other techniques may be used to determine whether it requires the new filling of the supply hopper 156. For example, if little or no dust is supplied during the cartridge filling cycle., it can be assumed that the new filling of the supply hopper 156 is required. One embodiment of the cartridge filling cycle is shown in Figure 19. An initial operation is to measure and weigh the cell in step 280. The operation of measuring and weighing subtracts the weight of the empty cartridge from the reading detection cell so that the detection cell is read at zero or near zero at the start of this filling cycle. The control circuit waits 0.5 seconds for the detection cell to compete its measurement and weighing cycle and proceed with the filling operation if the detection cell reads less than 0.02 mg. Otherwise, the measurement and weight cycle is repeated. In step 282, the fill valve 180 is opened. As described below, the opening of the fill valve can be
compensated slightly from the supply nozzle 158 to ensure consistent operation. In step 284, the feed rod is rotated in the direction opposite the clockwise for filling. Normally, the actual filling starts after approximately 2 seconds, the time necessary to advance the powder sufficiently and reinitialize the powder flow after cleaning. Initially, the feed rod is rotated at the full specified speed during the configuration of the supply module. The weight of the powder supplied in the cartridge is monitored during filling. In step 286, a determination is made as to whether the current detected weight is greater than the selected weight at which the proportional control was initiated. In the example of a 10 mg dose, the selected weight may be 8.8 mg. If the detected weight is not greater than the selected weight, the procedure returns to step 284 and the rotation of the feed rod continues at full speed. If the detected weight is greater than the selected weight, the servo control of the speed rod is used in step 288. An initial error is determined as the target weight minus the selected weight at which the servo control is initiated. In the previous example, the initial error is 10.0 - 8.8 = 1.2 mg. The speed of the shank is controlled according to:
New rod speed index = ((current error / initial error) * proportional gain * maximum rate) + (integrated gainTime elapsed). In this mode, the control circuit establishes the speed of the rod based on the current error 20 times per second. The current error is determined as the target weight minus the current detected weight. For a current error of 0.6 mg, which is half the initial error in the previous example, the velocity of the rod is reduced from the maximum index of 41 to an index of 20. Due to the non-linearity of the index curve speed, the speed of the real shank is less than half the initial speed. As noted above, the index-velocity curve is linear to zero where most of the control is needed. The proportional gain value allows the amount of speed to change as an error function to be varied. The elapsed time is "on" when the desired detected weight is greater than the target weight minus 1.0 mg. The proportional error equation reduces the speed of the shank based on a fixed ratio of actual weight to desired. There are moments at very low speed, when you approach the target weight, that the speed of the shank is inadequate to produce the flow of dust. If left alone, the fill cycle could run overtime and fail to complete the target weight. The integral gain factor increases the speed by accumulating the elapsed time and multiplying the time elapsed by the factor of
integral gain. This factor increases the speed of the new shank and forces the shank to rotate faster to overcome the filling clog. Referring again to Figure 19, the current detected weight is compared to the minimum weight in step 290. If the current detected weight is less than the minimum weight, the servo stem speed control continues in step 288. If the current detected weight is equal to or greater than the minimum weight, the current detected weight is compared to the maximum weight in step 292. If the current detected weight is greater than the maximum weight, it is determined that the cartridge is overfilled in step 294. If the current detected weight is not greater than the maximum weight, the filling cycle is completed and the procedure returns to step 262 in Figure 18. In step 262, the control circuit can adjust the servo. If the fill time was greater than 1 1 seconds, the control circuit can increase the maximum speed index by one. Yes, the filling time was less than nine seconds, then the control circuit can decrease the maximum speed index by one. This control aims to maintain a consistent filling time of 10 seconds. Preferably, the valve member 190 is positioned such that the opening of the valve 191 is offset with respect to the lower end of the tapered conduit 154 when the fill valve 180 is in the open position. More particularly, the valve element 190 is compensated in such a way that the opening of the valve 191 is
compensated towards the closed position of the valve. Additionally, the valve element 190 is rotated in one direction when opening and closing the valve to compensate for any hysteresis in the drive train. Thus, for example, the valve member 190 can be rotated clockwise to open the valve and can be rotated further clockwise to close the valve. This operation reduces the risk of inconsistent filling or excessive filling which may be the result of uncontrolled compensation between the valve member 190 and the tapered conduit 154 in the open position. Any compensation between the opening of the valve 191 and the tapered conduit 154 in the open position produces a small platform in the upper part of the valve member 190 that can accumulate dust. If the valve opening 191 is pre-positioned in relation to the tapered conduit 154, any dust on the platform is discharged when the valve closes, potentially over-filling the cartridge. When the opening of the valve 191 is rearwardly positioned relative to the tapered conduit 154, the valve closes without discharging any powder from the platform. The powder is discharged when the valve for the next cartridge is opened, and the discharged powder is measured by the detection cell. The powder supply module 54 and its operation have been described in connection with the embodiments for supplying a specified amount of Technosphere microparticles in a specified time. HE
it will be understood that a variety of different supply module structures and operating protocols may be used within the present invention. For example, the feeding rod may use different structures, such as different mast configurations, different cable configurations, and in some embodiments the cables may not be required. Different numbers of propeller cables and chevron cables can be used. Different discharge elements can be used. The feed rod may use a different feed mechanism, such as a screw mechanism to supply the powder. Any filling valve mechanism can be used to control the supply of dust. With respect to the operation, any operation parameter that achieves the desired operation parameters can be used. For example, any suitable movement of the feed rod, such as rotation, reciprocation or vibration can be used. The speed of movement can be fixed or variable, or a combination thereof. Agitation, proportional control, integral control and other control techniques can be used separately or in combination, as needed. The detection module can be configured to provide the detected values at any desired index, within the capabilities of the detection module. In general, the powder supply module 54 could have a compact structure to allow assembly in an arrangement as described above and must be configured to supply a desired amount of powder in a specified time interval in response to a control circuit what
it receives the detected values from a detection module, such as the weight detection in the modality described above. As shown in Figures 20 and 21, a detection module 34 may include detection assemblies 1 10 mounted in the detection housing 100. In the illustrated embodiment, each detection assembly 1 10 includes two detection cells 1 14. Detection assemblies 1 10 are mounted in the detection housing 100, such that the detection cells 14 are placed to weigh the cartridges 20 in the cartridge tray 22. In one embodiment, the detection cells 14 are assembled in a 6 x 8 arrangement, about one-inch centers. In this embodiment, 24 detection assemblies 10 are used, each of which includes two detection cells 1 14 to provide an arrangement of 48 detection cells. Each detection assembly 1 10 has a vertical configuration, wherein two detection cells are packed together. The mechanical weight sensing components are located at the top of the assembly, the electronic circuitry is located below the mechanical components and an electrical connector 300 is located at the bottom of the detection assembly 1 10. The detector housing 100 includes a detector positioning plate 310, a detector enclosure 312, a detection tray 314 and a guide pin assembly 316. The positioning plate 310 includes an aperture arrangement that matches the positions of the cartridges.
in the cartridge tray 22, such that the detection cells 14 are accurately positioned with respect to the cartridges 20. The guide pin assembly 316 allows the positioning plate 310 to be placed over the detection assemblies 1. 10 without damaging the detection probes 1 12 or the detection cells. The detection tray 314 may include a array of splits to place the detection assemblies 1 0 in the detection module 34. The detection module 34 further includes the rear detection plates 330 having the connectors 332 for coupling to the electrical connectors. 300 of the detection assemblies 1 10. In the embodiment of Figures 20 and 21, the detection module 34 includes two back plates 330, each having 12 connectors 332 to accommodate a total of 24 detection assemblies 1 10. Each plate Subsequent detection 330 may include a control circuitry for processing signals from the detection assemblies 1 10 and for communicating with the powder supply modules 54 during filling operations of the cartridge. The detection module 34 may be provided with an arrangement for cooling the detection assemblies 1 10, which includes a detector cooling grid 340, a cooling housing of the detector 342 and detector cooling manifolds 344 and 346. The air for Cooling can be directed through cooling manifolds 344 such that air for forced cooling is provided to the lower portion of the cooling
detection module 34, which contains the electrical circuit system. In the embodiment of Figures 20 and 21, the cooling manifolds 344 are attached to the detection tray 314 and the cooling manifolds 346 are attached to the cooling housing 342. With this arrangement, the cooling air circulates through the cooling chamber 344. detection tray 314 and then downwardly into the cooling housing 342, and is expelled through the cooling manifolds 346. In another cooling arrangement, the cooling manifolds 346 are attached to the detection tray 314, in such a manner that the air for cooling is directed through the detection tray 314. The openings not used in the detection tray 314 may be closed by cover plates 348. Each of the cooling manifolds 344 and 346 may include internal passages, which provide a uniform air flow through the detection module. Additionally, cooling manifolds 344 and 346 may include temperature sensing elements for monitoring the temperature of the detection module. A first embodiment of the weight sensing probe, which provides an interface between the weight detection cell and the cartridge 20 is shown in Figure 22. The probe 12 includes a main body 360 that includes a pole 362 that couples the detection cell, a head 364 and a cone 366 that accumulates the dust and the lost powder particles. Probe 1 12 further includes a dust skirt 370 that diverts dust and powder particles away from the detection cell and pins 372 for
coupling and supporting the cartridge 20. The three pins 372 are equally spaced at intervals of 120 degrees and are designed to flex elastically and subsequently return to their original positions. Additionally, the pins are designed to make an introflection in an overload condition to protect the detection cell. In the embodiment of Figure 22, the pins 72 can be removed for pin height changes for different cartridge tray designs. The small cross-sectional area of the pins reduces the aerodynamic effects of the thermal currents, which can add deviating load forces for accurate microgram weight measurements. A second modality of the weight detection probe, which provides an interface between the weight detection cell and the cartridge 20, is shown in Figure 23. A probe 12a includes a main body 380, which includes a post 382, a head 384 and a cone 386. Cone 386 accumulates dust and lost dust particles. A dust skirt 390 diverts dust and dust particles away from the detection cell. In the embodiment of Figure 23, the probe 12a includes pins 392 that are integrally formed with the head 384. Each of the pins 392 is reinforced with a radial plate. This configuration adds structural rigidity to the cantilever lift pins vertically. This configuration also reduces the vibration and displacement at the tips of the pins, thus dampening the tuning fork effect.
In Figures 24 to 27 and 28A to 28C, a first embodiment of the powder aerator 72 is shown. A second embodiment of the powder aerator 72 is shown in Figures 29 to 32. The powder aerator 72 includes a manifold block 500. which defines a gas inlet 78, the dust inlet 70 and the dust outlet ports 82. As described above, the gas inlet 78 is connected by means of a tube 76 to the blower assembly 70, the assembly of Hopper 74 is mounted to the powder inlet 80 and the dust outlet ports 82 are connected to the respective channels in the disposal block 50. The dust aerator 72 may include a pneumatic broom 510 to supply powder through the tubes elevators 512 to the dust outlet ports 82 and a discharge valve 520 to supply a quantity of powder from the powder inlet 80 to the pneumatic broom 510. In the embodiment of Figures 24 to 27 and 28A to 28C, four tubes 512 in the collection block r 500 connect the pneumatic broom 510 to the dust outlet ports 82. The dust aerator 72 further includes a crossover valve 52, which directs the transport gas received through the gas inlet 78 to the pneumatic broom 510 and a bypass manifold 526 in a desired ratio. The transport gas directed through the divert manifold 526 is flowed through the powder outlet ports 82 to the disposal block 50, such that it transports the powder to the powder supply modules 54 mounted on each channel of the layout block 50.
The pneumatic broom 510 includes a generally cylindrical aerator tube 530, which has a hollow interior and is provided with discharge nozzles 532. The aerator tube 530 is located in a hole in the manifold block 400. The discharge nozzles 532 can be formed in a helical pattern on the aerator tube 530 and may be approximately tangential with respect to a cylindrical surface of the aerator tube 530. The dividers 534 are separated along the aerator tube 530 and define annular chambers 542 corresponding to the respective riser tubes 512. Additionally, the pneumatic broom 510 includes vanes 590 fixed to the dividers 534 and spaced around the annular chambers 5423. The combination of the spout nozzles 532 and the vanes 590 provides an effective transport of a powder paste within an arrangement block. 50. A flow director 536 attached to one end of the aerator tube 530 includes blades to help break the groups. of dust and to direct the transport gas from the cross valve 524 to the hollow interior of the aerator tube 530. An aerator core 538 has a contour to help equalize the flow of the transport gas through the discharge nozzles 532. A motor 540 causes the aerator tube 530 and the flow director 536 to rotate inside the manifold block 500. The motor 540 may have a variable speed and rotate the air broom 510 at a relatively high speed, eg, 3500 rpm, to transport a powder paste.
The discharge valve 520 includes a cylindrical core 550 having diametrically opposed cavities 552. The core 550 is mounted in a hole in the collector block 500 above the pneumatic broom 510 and is connected to a motor 554 for rotation about its central axis. The core 550 is placed by the motor 554 with one of the cavities 552 facing upwards towards the powder inlet 80. The powder is supplied by the hopper assembly 74 through the powder inlet 80 in such a way that it fills, or partially fills the cavity 552. Then, the core 550 is rotated 180 °, causing the powder to be discharged into the annular chambers 542 around the aerator tube 530. The maximum amount of powder supplied in a single operation of the discharge valve 520 is defined by the volume of the cavity 552. The crossing valve 524, includes a valve element 560 mounted in a hole in manifold block 500 and a valve actuator 562 for rotating valve member 560 about its central axis. The valve member 560 may be configured as a hollow cylinder having an inlet port 564 and outlet ports 566 and 568 in the selected circumferential positions. Ports 564, 566 and 568 can be provided with blades to block and break the powder groups. By suitable adjustment of the valve element 560, the transporting gast received through the gas inlet 78 can be directed in the desired proportions through the pneumatic broom 510 and through the divert manifold 526. In one embodiment, the 524 crossover valve is
adjusted during the supply of powder to the disposal block 50. In another embodiment, the cross valve 524 has a fixed position during the supply of powder to the disposal block 50. The dust aerator 72 may additionally include a device for straightening the flow 570 and a profiled flow element 572 to help provide a uniform flow of transport gas through each of the dust outlet ports 82. Each outlet port 82 can be configured as a discharge cavity that matches the input end of one of the channels 60a to 60h. The bypass manifold 526 supplies the transport gas to the top of each discharge cavity, and each riser tube 512 supplies the aerated powder upwardly in the transport gas flow in the discharge cavity, as best shown in FIG. Figure 28A. The dust aerator 72 serves as the interface between the hopper assembly 74, the disposal block 50 and the blower assembly 70. The dust aerator 72 receives the fresh powder from the hopper assembly 74 and receives the powder which was circulated back from the blower assembly 70. The fresh powder is received through the discharge valve 520, and the newly circulated powder is received through the gas inlet 78 and is distributed through the 524 crossover valve to the pneumatic broom 150 and the diverter manifold 526 according to the position of the crossing valve 524.
The second embodiment of the dust aerator 72 shown in Figures 29 to 32 is similar to the dust aerator shown in Figures 24 to 27 and 28A to 28C, except for the following. As best shown in Figures 31 and 32, the pneumatic broom 510 similarly includes dividers 534a, which are spaced along the aerator tube 530 and define the annular chambers corresponding to the respective riser tubes in the manifold block. 500. The pneumatic broom 510 in the second embodiment does not include separate vanes around the annular chamber. Additionally, the powder aerator of Figures 29 to 32 is provided with a motor 540a, which rotates the pneumatic broom 510 at a relatively low speed, for example, from 1 to 10 rpm, to transport a powder aerosol. The components of the dust aerator 72 include the pneumatic broom 510, the discharge valve 520 and the crossover valve 524. Additionally, the diverter manifold 526, the flow member 572 and the flow straightening devices 570 are used to equalize the gas flow within each channel of the arrangement block 50. The pneumatic broom 510, the crossover valve 524 and the discharge valve 520 are motor operated and controlled by a system control computer. The crossover valve 524 channels the incoming transport gas in two directions: inside the divert manifold 526 and into the pneumatic broom 510. The cylindrical rotary valve has slots
longitudinal to channel the flows while maintaining a relatively constant hydraulic loss, thus promoting a stable discharge. The pneumatic broom 510 has several elements. The admission channeling blades in the flow director 536 change the direction of the incoming transport gas in a low, efficient loss form, while creating an impact system that blocks and obliterates the lost agglomerates before they occlude the nozzles. discharge in downflow 532. The tangential gas discharge nozzles 532, which preferably have a double helix configuration, are disposed along the length of the aerator tube 530. The pneumatic broom 510 is divided into four annular chambers 542. The Drug powder which is supplied from the discharge valve 520 is aerated in the annular chambers 542. The tangential discharge nozzles 532 effectively aerate and entrain the drug powder from the walls of the chamber. Crossing valve 524 allows two transport gas streams to be controlled in reverse, that is, one can be increased while the other is reduced. This control function allows the drug powder to fall into the annular chambers 542 to form the natural average agglomerate size. The flow of transport gas can then be increased in a fixed manner to transport the aerated powder paste to the riser tubes 512 and into the channels of the disposal block 50, which fill the channels of the block.
disposition in a controlled particle deposition process. This transport method takes advantage of the undesirable dust morphology of the powders that agglomerate naturally and coerce them into an agglomerated state that allows them to be transported rheumatically in an effective manner. The riser tubes 512 intersect the discharge cavity of each exit port 82. At this juncture, the horizontal transport gas deflects the emergent powder paste that is being lifted and makes it travel in a downward airflow within the channels of the block. 50. This procedure creates the conditions for the controlled particle deposition procedure. The dust aerator 72 receives a known amount of powder from the hopper assembly 74. The dust is collected in the discharge valve 520. The discharge valve 520 isolates the transport gas from the hopper assembly 74. Additionally, the valve of discharge 520, transfers the powder through this gas safety lock and into pneumatic broom 510. Discharge valve 520 may have an optional capacity to perform a coarse weight measurement of the initial drug powder deposited within the system from the hopper assembly 74. The weight measurement can be performed by a load cell placed in the cavity 552 of the discharge valve 520. The thick weight measurement can be used as a feedback control for the assembly of
hopper 74 as well as additional data to monitor dust supply rates by volume. The pneumatic broom 510 transforms into fluid, disperses and admits the drug powders into a transport gas in the annular chambers 542. The chambers 542 are supplied with a transport gas through the multiple tangential discharge nozzles 532 in a helical configuration. The helical configuration may include one or more propellers, such as a double helix. Additionally, the pneumatic broom 510 includes gas channeling blades in the flow director 536 that efficiently direct the gas within the aerator tube 530 and act as impact devices to reduce the large agglomerates before they reach the discharge nozzles. 532. The crossover valve 524 divides the incoming transport gas between the air broom 510 and the divert manifold 526. The crossover valve 524 is configured to inhibit any conditions of swirling vortex flow within a compact design. The valve has slot flow ports to optimize and control the gas flow. The crossing valve is used to control the transport of the agglomerated powder paste aerated within the channels 60a to 60h of the disposal block 50. The profiled flow element 572 is placed inside the diverter manifold 526 to improve the geometry of conduit flow. As the bypass gas flows from the cross valve 524 and into the interior of the
divert manifold 526, it is preferable to create isokinetic flow patterns to inhibit the formation of staggered flow-stream or swirling flow conditions. Devices straightening the flow 570 include blades, which regulate the gas flow by restriction and the flow of straightened gas as they are discharged into the discharge cavity 580. By altering the spacing between the blades, it is possible to achieve the rates of uniform flow through each of the channels 60a to 60h of the layout block 50. A first embodiment of the hopper assembly 74 is shown in Figures 33 and 34. As shown in Figures 33 and 34, the hopper assembly 74 includes a hopper body 600, which defines a dust reservoir 610, to maintain a supply of powder, and a powder outlet 612, which engages the powder inlet 80 of the dust aerator 72. The hopper assembly 74 can be provided with a hinged cover 614, and a flow assist mechanism 620. The flow assist mechanism 620 may include a helical coil 622 positioned within the powder container 610 and a motor 624 for rotating the coil 622. The hopper assembly 74 may additionally include a granulation device 630 in a lower portion of the powder container 610. The granulation device 630 may include a first agglomeration roller 632 coupled to the first motor 634 and a second agglomeration roller 636 coupled to a second motor 638. Each of the 632 and 636 agglomeration rollers is provided with a
plurality of pins 640 extending radially from the respective roller. In one embodiment, the locations of the pins 640 on each of the rollers 632 and 636 define one or more helical patterns. Additionally, the agglomeration rollers 632 and 636 may have hollow centers and may be provided with air holes that connect to the hollow centers. The gas connectors 650 at the ends of the rollers 632 and 636 can be connected to a source of pressurized air. The air flow through the holes in the rollers 632 and 636 helps to aerate the powder that is being supplied to the system. During operation, after the dust reservoir 610 has been filled to the level of the hopper level detector, the first and second agglomeration rollers 632 and 636 rotate, causing the agglomeration of powder and the discharge of the agglomerated powder through from the dust outlet 612 to the dust aerator 72. In a preferred embodiment, the agglomeration rollers 632 and 636 rotate in opposite directions with the upper portions of the rollers 632 and 636 rotating towards each other. However, the operation is not limited in this sense. The agglomeration rollers 632 and 636 can be rotated continuously, with reciprocal movement or with a combination of continuous and reciprocal movement and can be inverted. The rotation protocol depends on the morphology of the powder. The granulation device 630 produces powder agglomerates in a desired size range to improve the powder flow of the hopper assembly 74 within the dust aerator 72.
A second embodiment of the hopper assembly 74 is shown in Figures 35 and 36. The hopper assembly of Figures 35 and 36 is similar to the hopper assembly of Figures 33 and 34, except for the following. In the hopper assembly of Figures 35 and 36, the flow assist mechanism is not used. Additionally, the granulation device 630 is implemented with the agglomeration rollers 632a and 636a, each of which is provided with a plurality of spaced disks 660 mounted to the axes of the respective rollers. The discs 660 may be provided with notches 662, which assist in the movement of the powder in downflow through the reservoir 610. The discs of the roller 632a may be interengaged with the discs of the roller 636a. The powder in volume can be introduced into the powder container 610 through the opening in the upper part of the hopper body 600 with the cover 614 open. In the second embodiment of the hopper assembly 74 shown in Figures 35 and 36, a powder paste can be introduced into the powder container 610 through an attachment 670 on an angled portion of the hopper body 600. The mounted accessories 672 in the upper portion of the hopper body 600 provide an extraction for the transport gas introduced through the accessory 670 with the powder paste. The hopper assembly 74 is the main powder reservoir and is the stage at which powder is introduced into the powder delivery system 32. The hopper assembly 74 is designed for highly cohesive powders, such as the Technosphere microparticles. The device
630 granulation produces agglomerates of dust in a finite size range. This pre-conditioning improves the aeration of the powder and the intake characteristics, creating a mixture of agglomerated powder of uniform size. Additionally, the powder granulation process aerates and mixes the powder that is normally compressed by gravity when it is stacked within the powder container 610. In the middle region of the powder container 610, the flow assist mechanism 620 forces the powder to fall in avalanche downwards or fall towards the granulation devices 630. The need of the flow assist mechanism 620 is contingent upon the level of cohesive capacity of the powder. The effect may become more evident when the concentration of the drug increases, such as an increase in protein content that makes the particles more viscous or sticky. A first embodiment of the blower assembly 70 is shown in Figures 37 and 38. As shown in Figures 37 and 38, the components of the blower assembly 70 may include a variable speed blower 700 and a cyclone separator 702. The blower 700 includes a blower motor 704 supported by a motor assembly 706 and an impeller 708 mounted in a blower housing 710. The blower housing 710 has a discharge port 7120 for supplying the transport gas through the tube 76 to the aerator of powder 72. The adapted suction manifold 84 is mounted to the lower end of the blower housing 710. As described above, the transport gas is circulated
again from the disposal block 50 to the blower assembly 70. The suction manifold 84 includes inlet ports 714a, 714b, 714c and 714d, which are connected to the respective channels in the disposal block 50. The cyclone separator 702 includes a cylindrical housing section 84a of the suction manifold 84, which is mounted to the blower housing 710 and a cyclone vessel 720 mounted below the suction manifold 84. The cyclone separator 702, which serves as a gas separation device particles, receives the powder agglomerates that pass through the disposal block 50 without being supplied to the powder supply modules 54. A porous induction rod 724 is located within the center of the cyclone vessel 720 and is connected to a system of 730 gas conditioning, as shown in Figure 41, and described below. The gas conditioning system 730 supplies conditioned gas through a porous induction rod 724 to establish a precisely controlled relative humidity within the powder supply system 32. In other embodiments, the conditioned gas can be pulsed through a valve within the closed-loop system from a source, such as a source of pure water vapor or a source of steam. The relative humidity of the circuit is controlled by detecting the gas in a small deviation circuit that is connected to a detection chamber for the detections of temperature, pressure and relative humidity. The detour circuit
it can be located between the discharge port of the blower 712 and the adapted suction manifold 84. In further embodiments, the pulsed valve system can be configured as a dual gate system that allows a quantity of conditioned gas to be pulsed into the interior of the closed circuit system, and an equal or equal amount of transport gas to be discharged outside the closed loop system. A second embodiment of the blower assembly 70 is shown in Figures 39 and 40. The blower assembly of Figures 39 and 40 is similar to the blower assembly of Figures 38 and 39, except for the following. In the blower assembly of Figures 39 and 40, the cyclone separator is not used. Instead, a blade spacer 750 is placed in the housing section 84a of the suction manifold 84 on the suction side of the blower. The blade separator 750, which serves as a gas-particle separation device, has a cylindrical configuration of vanes 752 separated by vertical slots for separation of the heavy particles from the transport gas. The aspe separator 750, which serves as a gas-particle separation device, has a cylindrical configuration of vanes 752 separated by vertical slots for separation of heavy particles from the transport gas. A tangential flow of the transport gas out of the blade separator 750 removes the heavier particles, while the lighter particles and the transport gas move into the blade separator 750 and then to the impeller 708. The induction rod 724 is placed inside the
blade separator 750 in the second embodiment of the blower assembly 70. The powder transport system 32 in the present embodiment is configured as a closed-loop system in which excess particles and agglomerates are removed from the recirculating gas circuit to inhibit that the particles occlude the discharge nozzles of the dust aerator 532. This is achieved by the cyclone separator 702, the blade separator, or any other gas-particle separation device. The powder transport system 32 is configured with a gas circuit of the secondary process between the gas-particle separation device and the discharge port 712 of the blower 700. This control circuit can introduce secondary gas conditioning to regulate the environmental parameters of primary recirculating transport gas, such as temperature, pressure, relative humidity, electrostatic levels, ion charge concentrations, mixtures of gas elements, production of fine aerosol particles, etc. The closed circuit powder supply system 32 is driven by the blower assembly 70, which is a hybrid of the pulse driving blower coupled to the outlet side of a cyclone separator or other gas-particle separation device. The blower assembly 70 forms the main cause of the transport gas and includes a self-cleaning powder agglomerate filtration system. Additionally, the transport gas is conditioned by the circuit
of secondary process, which controls the gas properties of the primary processing circuit. These two circuits are fitted together within the blower assembly 70. The blower assembly 70 includes an impeller 708, which has a wheel palette configuration with curves wound between each impeller blade. The configuration of the wheel vane impeller produces dynamic shock waves in the form of a pressure pulse descending tube 76 and inside the dust aerator 72. These check waves aid in the rupture, aeration and dispersion of compressed drug powder. . The blower has a variable speed capability and is driven by the blower motor 704. When the 704 motor is operated beyond normal operating speeds, the transport gas acts as a recirculating gas scrubber that helps remove the dust residual of the closed circuit conduit channels. A schematic block diagram of the gas conditioning system 730 is shown in Figure 41. The gas conditioning system 730 includes a secondary gas treatment circuit which is different from the closed circuit system for the recirculation of the transport gas and the supply of powder to the disposal block 50. A portion of the recirculating transport gas is diverted to the secondary gas treatment circuit near the discharge port 712 of the blower assembly 70. The conditioned gas is again introduced to the recirculating transport gas circuit through the induction rod
724. The gas conditioning system 730 includes a steam generator 800, coupled to a water supply 802, to rapidly generate water vapor, an evaporator 810 to reduce the relative humidity of the transport gas, valves 812 and 814 to select the steam generator 800 or evaporator 810, filters 820 and 822. The relative humidity of the transport gas can be measured by a detector, such as the detection chamber described below, positioned to detect transport gas. When the relative humidity of the transport gas will be increased, the valves 812 and 814 are connected to the steam generator 800. The steam generator 800 includes a bubble generator and instantaneous evaporator heaters to rapidly produce water vapor. The transport gas diverted in the secondary circuit passes through the filter 820, the steam generator 800 and the filter 822, thereby returning the gas with increased relative humidity to the induction rod 724. When the relative humidity of the gas transport will be decreased, valves 812 and 814, are connected to evaporator 810. Transport gas diverted in the secondary circuit passes through filter 820, evaporator 810 and filter 822, therefore returns the gas with moisture relative reduced to the induction rod 724. The conditioning of the transport gas is achieved by introducing a process treatment gas into the inner core of the cyclone vessel 720. The conditioned gas is introduced into the vessel at the end of the induction rod 724. The rod of
Induction 724 is fabricated from a sintered metal or a porous plastic polymer, which allows the conditioned gas to mix uniformly within the recirculating transport gas without producing water droplets or slow flowing conditions. The process treatment gas circuit is matched by a take-off branching line back on the discharge side of the blower 700. A portion of the cyclone separator 720 or the housing section 84a can be fabricated from glass for inspection visualization of the drug powders collected. If the collected dust can be recovered, it can be introduced back into the hopper assembly 74, or it can be discarded. The control of dust moistening during the operation of the powder transport system is complicated by the fact that the exposed surface area of the powder changes during the transport process. The powder is initially prepared in the agglomerated state. Nevertheless, as the dust breaks and disperses during gas transport, its exposed surface area increases significantly, in turn, producing a rapid use of moisture. In order that a humidification process be maintained with and control this rapid dehydration of the transport gas circuit, the gas treatment system must have the capability of rapid forced hydration. The cyclone separator 702 has an integral adapted intake manifold that emerges within the cyclone body with minimal hydraulic loss. The blower assembly has a large flow range
and can serve as a system dust washer. The blower is equipped with a wheel-like impeller that has curved surfaces wound between each pallet to efficiently transport the finest powder aerosols and to inhibit the new agglomeration or caking of the powder. The vane wheel-like impeller directs the dynamic shock waves into the powder aerator 72 to help form the fluid of the drug powders. The blower assembly 70 includes a gas conditioning system wherein a secondary gas treatment circuit is introduced into the unit through the induction rod 724 into the cyclone vessel. The gas conditioning system can control many gas parameters, such as relative humidity and temperature, static ion control, the production of fine particles, the production of trace elements, the activation of gas catalyst, the control of sterilization of gas / light, etc. One embodiment of a detection chamber 850 for detecting the condition of the transport gas in the powder transport system is shown in Figures 42 and 43. The transport gas, with the powder removed to where practical, is circulated to through the detection chamber 850 in parallel with the powder transport system. The detection chamber 850 contains detectors for detecting the transport gas parameters, such as relative humidity and temperature, to allow transport of gas conditioning as described above.
The detection chamber 850 receives the transport gas through an inlet tube 852 connected to the blower housing 710 of the blower assembly 70 and outputs the transport gas through an outlet tube 854 connected to the suction manifold 84. Each inlet tube 852 and outlet tube 854 is insulated and can be configured as inner and outer tubes separated by separate rings. The inlet tube 852 can be connected to the blower housing 710 perpendicular to the transport gas flow direction to limit the admission of dust into the detection chamber 850. As shown in Figure 43, the detection chamber 850 it may include a top housing 856 and a bottom housing 858 having an interior volume that is approximately equivalent to the interior volume of the arrangement block 50. The detection chamber 850 may include a relative humidity detector 860, a temperature sensor 862 and a pressure detector 864. In the embodiment of Figures 42 and 43, the relative humidity detector 860 includes a temperature detector, which allows cross-checking against the temperature values detected by the temperature sensor 862. A discrepancy in the readings may indicate that the detectors are caked with dust and therefore do not provide accurate detection. An air baffle 866 is mounted in a lower housing 858. The detection chamber 850 provides an accurate detection of the conditions of the transport gas in the powder transport system.
In Figure 44, a pictorial representation of the procedure for filling and assembling powder for an inhaler cartridge is shown. A bottom of the cartridge 900 is introduced into the system in a cartridge tray and is placed on the weight detection probe 12a for filling. The bottom of the cartridge 900 is filled with a drug powder by a powder supply module 54 as described in detail above. After filling, an upper part of the cartridge 902 is snapped onto the bottom of the cartridge 900 to provide a complete cartridge 910 ready for sealed packaging. As noted above, the powder detection and supply apparatus of the present invention can be used to fill different types of containers. In another modality, the powder detection and supply apparatus is used to fill a compact inhaler as described in the U.S. Patent. No. 6,923,175 issued August 2, 2005 to Poole, et al. As illustrated in Figure 45, a bottom of cartridge 920 of the compact inhaler is placed on a weight sensing probe 12a for filling. The bottom of the cartridge 920 is filled with a drug powder by a powder supply module 54 as described above. Then, an upper part of the cartridge 922 is attached to the bottom of the cartridge 920 and a nozzle housing 924 attached to the cartridge assembly. Finally, a powder cover 930 is snapped onto the nozzle housing 924 to provide a complete compact inhaler 932 ready for sealed packaging.
Having thus described various aspects of at least one embodiment of the present invention, it will be appreciated that various alterations, modifications and improvements will readily occur to those skilled in the art. Said alterations, modifications and improvements are intended to be part of this description, and are intended to be within the spirit and scope of the present invention. Accordingly, the above description and the drawings are exemplary only.
Claims (1)
- NOVELTY OF THE INVENTION CLAIMS ? A powder supply and detection apparatus comprising: a tray support structure for receiving a cartridge tray holding cartridges; a powder supply assembly that includes the powder supply modules for supplying powder within the respective cartridges of a batch of cartridges in the cartridge tray; a powder transport system to supply powder to the powder supply modules; a detection module including a plurality of detection cells for detecting the respective filling states of each of the cartridges in the batch of cartridges; and a control system for controlling the powder supply modules in response to the detected filling states of each of the cartridges of the cartridge lot. 2. - The powder detection and supply apparatus according to claim 1, further characterized in that the powder supply modules and the powder delivery system are configured to supply powder simultaneously to the cartridge stock. 3. - The powder detection and supply apparatus according to claim 1, further characterized in that the detection cells are configured to simultaneously detect the state of filling of each of the cartridges in the batch of cartridges. 4. - The powder detection and supply apparatus according to claim 3, further characterized in that the detection cells comprise weight detection cells. 5. - The powder detection and supply apparatus according to claim 1, further characterized in that the powder supply modules, the detection cells and the control system are configured to detect and control the filling states at 100% of each of the cartridges. 6. - The powder detection and supply apparatus according to claim 1, further characterized in that the cartridge tray is configured to support the cartridges in a two-dimensional arrangement of rows and columns. 7. - The powder detection and supply apparatus according to claim 1, further characterized in that the powder supply modules, the powder transport system and the detection cells are configured to supply powder simultaneously to the batch of powder. cartridges and detect the state of filling of each of the cartridges in the batch of cartridges. 8. - The powder detection and supply apparatus according to claim 1, further characterized in that the powder transport system includes a blower assembly for moving a transport gas and a powder aerator to deliver powder to the supply assembly. of dust. 9. - The powder detection and supply apparatus according to claim 8, further characterized in that the powder transport system further includes a hopper assembly to supply powder to the dust aerator. 10. The powder detection and supply apparatus according to claim 8, further characterized in that the powder transport system includes a manifold that couples the transport gas from the powder supply assembly to the blower assembly to form a system of closed circuit recirculating gas transport. 1 .- The powder detection and supply apparatus according to claim 8, further characterized in that the powder transport system includes a transport gas conditioning system. 12. - The powder detection and supply apparatus according to claim 1, further characterized in that each of the powder supply modules includes a housing that defines a powder inlet to receive dust from the powder transport system, a powder outlet, and a powder delivery conduit connecting the powder inlet and the powder outlet, and a feed mechanism for moving the powder through the conduit to the powder outlet. 13. - The powder detection and supply apparatus according to claim 12, further characterized in that the feeding mechanism comprises a feeding rod for move the powder through the duct, an activator to operate the feed rod, a valve to control the output and an activator to operate the valve. 14. The powder detection and supply apparatus according to claim 13, further characterized in that the powder delivery conduit includes a dust bed preparation zone below the powder inlet, a bed compression zone of dust below the dust bed preparation zone and a dust discharge zone below the powder bed compression zone. 15. The powder detection and supply apparatus according to claim 13, further characterized in that the feed rod comprises an axis and a discharge element attached to the shaft in a duct discharge area of the duct. 16 - The powder detection and supply apparatus according to claim 15, further characterized in that the discharge element comprises first and second masts extending from the axis of the feed rod and having a helical configuration. 17. The powder detection and supply apparatus according to claim 15, further characterized in that each of the powder supply modules further comprises an orifice element, having at least one hole, positioned adjacent to the outlet of powder, the discharge element comprises a roller pin positioned adjacent the orifice element and a support element coupled between the roller pin and the axis of the feed rod, wherein the rod actuator rotates the roller pin relative to the orifice element. 18 - The powder supply and detection apparatus according to claim 15, further characterized in that each of the powder supply modules further comprises an orifice element, having at least one hole, positioned adjacent to the outlet of the powder. powder, the discharge element comprises endless screw blades coupled to the shaft of the feed rod, wherein the rod actuator rotates the screw blades in relation to the orifice element. 19. - The powder detection and supply apparatus according to claim 18, further characterized in that the supply rod further comprises a bearing placed between the axis of the supply rod and the orifice element to define a separation between the blades of Endless screw and orifice element. 20. - The powder detection and supply apparatus according to claim 18, further characterized in that the orifice element includes a region of a flat orifice. 21 - The powder detection and supply apparatus according to claim 18, further characterized in that the orifice element includes a region of conical orifice. 22. - The powder detection and supply apparatus according to claim 14, further characterized in that the feed rod comprises an axis, a helical open space frame attached to the shaft and located in the powder bed preparation zone and the zone of powder bed compression, and a discharge element attached to the shaft and located in the powder discharge area. 23. - The powder detection and supply apparatus according to claim 22, further characterized in that each of the powder supply modules further comprises an orifice element, having at least one hole, positioned adjacent to the outlet of powder, the discharge element comprises endless screw blades coupled to the shaft of the feed rod in the discharge zone of the conduit, the endless blades have an inverse inclination with respect to the helical open space frame. 24. The powder detection and supply apparatus according to claim 23, further characterized in that the feed rod further comprises a bearing placed between the axis of the feed rod and the orifice element to define a separation between the blades of the Endless screw and orifice element. 25. The powder supply and detection apparatus according to claim 24, further characterized in that the orifice element includes a region of conical orifice. 26 -. 26 - The powder detection and supply apparatus according to claim 22, further characterized in that the discharge element comprises first and second masts extending from the axis of the feed rod and having a helical configuration. 27. - The powder detection and supply apparatus according to claim 22, further characterized in that each of the powder supply modules comprises an orifice element, having at least one hole, placed adjacent to the outlet of the powder. powder, the discharge element comprises a roller pin located adjacent the orifice element and a support element coupled between the roller pin and the axis of the supply rod, wherein the rod actuator rotates the pin in relation to the hole element. 28. - The powder detection and supply apparatus according to claim 13, further characterized in that the supply rod includes an axis and a plurality of spars separated fixed to the axis and having a helical arrangement. 29. - The powder detection and supply apparatus according to claim 28, further characterized in that the feed rod further comprises one or more cables secured between some or all of the separated masts. 30 - The powder detection and supply apparatus according to claim 28, further characterized in that the shank The feeder further comprises cables secured between some or all of the spars spaced at or near the ends thereof in a double helix configuration and cables secured between some or all of the spars spaced in a double chevron configuration. 31. The powder supply and detection apparatus according to claim 28, further characterized in that the feed rod further comprises a discharge element fixed to the shaft in proximity to the valve. 32 - The powder detection and supply apparatus according to claim 12, further characterized in that the powder delivery conduit includes a cylindrical portion below the powder inlet and a tapered portion below the cylindrical portion. 33.- The powder detection and supply apparatus according to claim 8, further characterized in that the powder supply assembly includes an arrangement block having a vertical port arrangement, wherein the powder supply modules are mounted in the respective vertical ports of the disposal block, and wherein the disposal block includes channels for administering powder to the powder supply modules. 34.- The powder supply and detection apparatus according to claim 33, further characterized in that the powder supply modules are provided with powder inlets aligned with the channels in the disposal block, where the powder is administered to a row of powder supply modules through a channel in the disposal block. 35. - The powder detection and supply apparatus according to claim 34, further characterized in that each channel in the arrangement block passes through the arrangement block to again circulate the transport gas to the blower assembly. 36. - The powder detection and supply apparatus according to claim 33, further characterized in that it further comprises an activator for moving the disposal block carrying the powder supply modules in relation to the cartridge tray. 37 - The powder detection and supply apparatus according to claim 33, further characterized in that the channels in the arrangement block have sufficient capacity to store the powder for one or more powder supply cycles of the powder supply modules . 38. - The powder detection and supply apparatus according to claim 9, further characterized in that the hopper assembly includes a hopper body defining a powder container and a granulation device in a lower portion of the powder container. 39. - The powder detection and supply apparatus according to claim 38, further characterized in that the granulation device comprises first and second rolls of agglomeration and first and second motors for activating the first and second agglomeration rollers, respectively. 40. - The powder detection and supply apparatus according to claim 39, further characterized in that each of the agglomeration rolls is provided with a plurality of pins. 41 - The powder detection and supply apparatus according to claim 39, further characterized in that each of the agglomeration rollers is provided with a plurality of separate disks. 42. The powder detection and supply apparatus according to claim 39, further characterized in that the first and second motors rotate the first and second agglomeration rollers in opposite directions. 43.- The powder detection and supply apparatus according to claim 8, further characterized in that the blower assembly includes a blower for moving a transport gas through a recirculating gas transport system and a gas separation device. gas-particles, to remove the agglomerates of dust from the recirculating transport gas. 44.- The powder detection and supply apparatus according to claim 43, further characterized in that the gas-particle separation device comprises a blade separator arranged on a suction side of the blower. Four. Five - . 45 - The powder detection and supply apparatus according to claim 43, further characterized in that the gas-particle separation device comprises a cyclone separator disposed on a suction side of the blower. 46.- The powder detection and supply apparatus according to claim 43, further characterized in that the blower assembly further comprises an induction rod for introducing the transport gas conditioned in the transport gas flow. 47. The powder detection and supply apparatus according to claim 46, further characterized in that it additionally comprises a gas conditioning system for supplying the conditioned transport gas to the induction rod. 48 - The powder detection and supply apparatus according to claim 8, further characterized in that the powder aerator includes a manifold block defining a powder inlet, powder outlet ports coupled to the powder supply assembly and an inlet of gas coupled to the blower assembly. 49.- The powder supply and detection apparatus according to claim 48, further characterized in that the powder aerator additionally includes a pneumatic broom to deliver powder through riser tubes to the exit ports of dust and a discharge valve to supply a quantity of dust from the entrance of dust to the pneumatic broom. 50. - The powder detection and supply apparatus according to claim 49, further characterized in that the powder aerator further includes a diversion manifold coupled to the powder exit ports and a cross valve to direct selected portions of the transport gas from the gas inlet to the pneumatic broom and the diversion manifold. 51 - The powder detection and supply apparatus according to claim 50, further characterized in that the powder aerator further comprises devices for straightening the flow and a profiled flow element to help provide a uniform flow of transport gas through the dust output ports. 52. - The powder detection and supply apparatus according to claim 1, further characterized in that it further comprises an activator for moving the cartridge tray downwards, so that the cartridges are supported by the respective detection cells. 53 - The powder detection and supply apparatus according to claim 1, further characterized in that it additionally comprises a tray positioning mechanism for moving the cartridge tray to sequentially place the first and second batches of cartridges in the cartridge tray in alignment with the powder supply assembly and detection assembly. 54. A method for supplying and detecting dust, comprising: placing the cartridges in a cartridge tray; supply powder simultaneously within a batch of cartridges in the cartridge tray; and simultaneously detecting a state of filling of each of the cartridges in the batch of cartridges. 55. - The method according to claim 54, further characterized in that it further comprises finishing the supply of powder within each of the cartridges when the respective state of filling reaches a desired value. 56. - The method according to claim 54, further characterized in that the detection of a filling state of each of the cartridges comprises weighing each of the cartridges. The method according to claim 54, further characterized in that it further comprises controlling the supply of powder in each of the cartridges in response to the respective detected filling states of the cartridges of the cartridge lot. 58. An apparatus for handling powder, comprising: a tray support structure for receiving a cartridge tray holding at least a first batch of cartridges and a second batch of cartridges; a supply subsystem to supply powder in a batch of cartridges in the cartridge tray; and a mechanism for placing tray to move the cartridge tray to sequentially place the first and second batches of cartridges in the cartridge tray in alignment with the supply subsystem. 59. - A powder supply module, comprising: a housing defining a powder inlet for receiving the powder, a powder outlet, and a powder delivery conduit connecting the powder inlet and the powder outlet; a feeding rod for moving the powder through the conduit; a rod actuator to operate the feeding rod; a valve to control the exit of dust; and a valve activator to operate the valve. 60. - The powder supply module according to claim 59, further characterized in that the feed rod includes an axis and a plurality of spars separated fixed to the shaft and having a helical arrangement. 61.- The powder supply module according to claim 60, further characterized in that the feed rod further comprises one or more cables secured between some or all of the separated masts. 62.- The powder supply module according to claim 60, further characterized in that the feed rod further comprises cables secured between some or all of the masts separated at or near the ends thereof in a Double helix configuration and cables secured between some or all of the separated masts in a double chevron configuration. 63 - The powder supply module according to claim 60, further characterized in that the feed rod further comprises a discharge element fixed to the shaft in proximity to the valve. 64. - The powder supply module according to claim 59, further characterized in that the powder delivery conduit includes a cylindrical portion below the powder inlet and a tapered portion below the cylindrical portion. 65. - The powder supply module according to claim 59, further characterized in that the powder inlet is configured as an opening extending through the housing. 66. - The powder supply module according to claim 59, further characterized in that it further comprises a circuit for controlling the stem actuator and the valve actuator in response to the control signals. 67 - A method for feeding powder into a cartridge, comprising: placing a cartridge under a supply module having a supply hopper containing powder; open a valve that controls the supply hopper; operate a feed rod in the hopper to supply powder through the valve to the cartridge; and closing the valve when the desired filling state of the cartridge is reached. 68. - The method according to claim 67, further characterized in that the operation of the feed rod comprises rotating the feed rod about an axis thereof. 69 - The method according to claim 68, further characterized in that it further comprises inverting the rotation of the feed rod to condition the powder in the supply hopper. 70. - The method according to claim 68, further characterized in that rotating the feed rod comprises agitating the feed rod during rotation. 71. - The method according to claim 67, further characterized by additionally comprising filling the hopper with the powder and conditioning the powder before opening the feed valve. The method according to claim 67, further characterized in that closing the valve comprises detecting a weight of powder in the cartridge and closing the valve when the detected weight is equal to or greater than a target weight. 73. The method according to claim 67, further characterized in that the valve opening comprises rotating a valve element in a selected direction and wherein closing the valve comprises rotating the valve element in the selected direction. 74. The method according to claim 73, further characterized in that opening the valve comprises placing the valve element posteriorly with respect to the opening of the supply nozzle. The method according to claim 67, further characterized in that the operation of the feeding rod comprises operating the feeding rod at a selected maximum speed during a first portion of a filling cycle and subsequently operating the feeding rod to a reduced speed during a second portion of the filling cycle. The method according to claim 75, further characterized in that the second portion of the filling cycle is initiated when the powder supplied within the cartridge reaches a selected weight. 77. The method according to claim 76, further characterized in that the proportional control is used during the second portion of the filling cycle. 78. The method according to claim 77, further characterized in that the integral control is used during the second portion of the filling cycle. 79 - A powder supply module comprising: a housing defining a powder inlet for receiving the powder, a powder outlet, and a conduit connecting the powder inlet and the powder outlet; a feed rod to move the powder through the conduit from the dust inlet to the dust outlet; and a rod actuator for rotating the feed rod in the conduit. 80.- The powder supply module according to claim 79, further characterized in that the conduit includes a powder bed preparation zone below the dust inlet, a powder bed compression zone below the dust zone. dust bed preparation and a dust discharge zone below the powder bed compression zone. 81 - The powder supply module according to claim 79, further characterized in that the feed rod comprises an axis and a discharge element attached to the shaft in a powder discharge area of the duct. 82. - The powder supply module according to claim 81, further characterized in that the discharge element comprises first and second masts extending from the axis of the feed rod in a helical configuration. 83. - The powder supply module according to claim 81, further characterized in that it additionally comprises an orifice element, having at least one hole, positioned adjacent to the powder outlet, the discharge element comprises a pin roller located adjacent to the orifice element and a support element coupled between the roller pin and the shaft of the feed rod, in wherein the rod actuator rotates the roller pin in relation to the orifice element. 84 - The powder supply module according to claim 81, further characterized in that it additionally comprises an orifice element, having at least one hole, positioned adjacent to the powder outlet, the discharge element comprises screw blades without end coupled to the shaft of the feed rod, wherein the rod actuator rotates the blades of the worm in relation to the orifice element. 85.- The powder supply module according to claim 84, further characterized in that it additionally comprises a bearing positioned between the axis of the feed rod and the orifice element to define a separation between the knives of the worm and the element of hole. 86.- The powder supply module according to claim 84, further characterized in that the orifice element includes a region of a flat hole. 87 - The powder supply module according to claim 84, further characterized in that the orifice element includes a conical orifice region. 88 - The powder supply module according to claim 80, further characterized in that the feed rod comprises an axis, a helical open space frame attached to the shaft and located in the powder bed preparation zone and the powder bed compression zone, and a discharge element attached to the shaft and located in the powder discharge zone. 89. - The powder supply module according to claim 88, further characterized in that it additionally comprises an orifice element, having at least one hole, positioned adjacent to the powder outlet, the discharge element comprises screw blades endless coupled to the axis of the feed rod in the discharge zone of the conduit, the knives of the auger have an inverse inclination with respect to the helical open space frame. 90. - The powder supply module according to claim 89, further characterized in that it additionally comprises a bearing placed between the axis of the feed rod and the orifice element to define a separation between the knives of the worm and the element of hole. 91 - The powder supply module according to claim 90, further characterized in that the orifice element includes a region of conical orifice. 92. - The powder supply module according to claim 88, further characterized in that the discharge element comprises first and second masts extending from the axis of the feed rod in a helical configuration. 93 -. 93 - The powder supply module according to claim 88, further characterized in that it additionally comprises an orifice element, having at least one hole, positioned adjacent to the powder outlet, the discharge element comprises a roller pin located adjacent the orifice element and a support member coupled between the roller pin and the shaft of the feed rod, wherein the rod actuator rotates the roller pin relative to the orifice element. 94. - A powder transport system, comprising: a powder supply assembly for supplying powder within cartridges; a blower assembly for moving a transport gas; and a powder aerator to administer the powder admitted in the transport gas to the powder supply assembly. 95. - The powder transport system according to claim 94, further characterized in that it further comprises a suction manifold for returning the transport gas to the blower assembly, wherein the powder transport system comprises a transport circuit of gas. 96. - The powder transport system according to claim 95, further characterized in that it further comprises a transport gas conditioning system. 97. - The powder transport system according to claim 96, further characterized in that the system of Transport gas conditioning is configured to control the relative humidity in the gas transport circuit. 98 - The powder transport system according to claim 95, further characterized in that it further comprises a hopper assembly for supplying dust to the powder aerator. 99 - The powder transport system according to claim 98, further characterized in that the hopper assembly includes a hopper body defining a powder container and a granulation device in a lower portion of the powder container. 100.- The powder transport system according to claim 99, further characterized in that the granulation device comprises first and second agglomeration rollers and first and second motors for rotating the first and second agglomeration rollers, respectively. 101. The powder transport system according to claim 100, further characterized in that each of the agglomeration rollers is provided with a plurality of pins. 102 - The powder transport system according to claim 100, further characterized in that each of the agglomeration rolls is provided with a plurality of separate disks, the disks of the first and second agglomeration rolls being interdigitated. 103 - The powder transport system according to claim 94, further characterized in that the supply assembly of powder, comprising: an arrangement block that includes an arrangement of vertical ports and horizontal channels that intersect the respective rows of the vertical ports; and powder supply modules mounted in the respective vertical ports of the disposal block, each of the powder supply modules have a powder inlet in communication with the channel in the disposal block, where the powder delivered to the channels in the disposal block is supplied by each of the powder supply modules. 104. - The powder transport system according to claim 103, further characterized in that each channel in the arrangement block passes through the arrangement block. 105. - The powder transport system according to claim 103, further characterized in that the dust inlets of the powder supply modules are aligned with the channels in the disposal block, in such a way that the powder administered to the channels in the disposal block passes through the downstream powder inputs to the powder supply modules. 106 - The powder transport system according to claim 94, further characterized in that the powder aerator comprises: a manifold block defining a powder inlet, powder outlet ports and a transport gas inlet; a pneumatic broom to administer dust to the dust outlet ports; and a valve discharge to supply a quantity of powder from the entrance of dust to the pneumatic broom. 107. - The powder transport system according to claim 106, further characterized in that the powder aerator further comprises a diversion manifold coupled to the powder exit ports and a cross valve to direct selected portions of the gas transportation of the transport gas inlet to the pneumatic broom and to the bypass manifold. 108. - The powder transport system according to claim 107, further characterized in that the powder aerator further comprises devices for straightening the flow and a profiled flow element to help provide a uniform flow of transport gas through the dust output ports. 109. - The powder transport system according to claim 106, further characterized in that the collector block further defines riser tubes that connect the pneumatic broom to the powder outlet ports. 10. The powder transport system according to claim 106, further characterized in that the pneumatic broom includes a hollow aerator tube having discharge nozzles therein. 1 1 1 - The powder transport system according to claim 1 10, further characterized in that the pneumatic broom further comprises one or more dividers, which define the annular chambers. 12. The powder transport system according to claim 11, further characterized in that the pneumatic broom further comprises one or more blades in each of the annular chambers. The dust transport system according to claim 94, further characterized in that the blower assembly comprises: an impeller for moving the transport gas; an impeller motor for rotating the impeller; a blower housing enclosing the impeller and having a discharge port for the transport gas; a collector to receive the transport gas; and a gas-particle separation device for accumulating the admitted agglomerates in the transport gas. 14. The powder transport system according to claim 13, further characterized in that the gas-particle separation device comprises a cyclone separator disposed between the collector and the impeller. 15. The powder transport system according to claim 13, further characterized in that the gas-particle separation device comprises a blade separator arranged between the collector and the impeller. 16. The powder transport system according to claim 13, further characterized in that it further comprises an induction rod for inducing a transport gas conditioned inside the gas-particle separation device. 17. The powder transport system according to claim 96, further characterized in that the transport gas conditioning system comprises a detection chamber coupled in parallel with the gas transport circuit, the detection chamber includes at least one detector for detecting a transport gas parameter, and a gas conditioning element sensitive to the detected parameter for conditioning the transport gas. 18. The powder transport system according to claim 18, further characterized in that the detection chamber includes a relative humidity detector and a temperature detector. 19. The powder transport system according to claim 1 17, further characterized in that the detection chamber includes a relative humidity detector and two temperature detectors to allow cross-checking of the temperature readings. 120.- The powder transport system according to claim 1 17, further characterized in that the detection chamber has an internal volume that can be compared to the internal volume of the powder supply assembly. 121 .- The powder transport system according to claim 1 17, further characterized in that the gas conditioning element comprises an induction rod for introducing the transport gas conditioned inside the blower assembly. 122 - A powder supply assembly, comprising: an arrangement block that includes an arrangement of vertical ports and horizontal channels that intersect the respective rows of the vertical ports; and powder supply modules mounted in the respective vertical ports of the disposal block, each of the powder supply modules have a powder inlet that communicates with the channel in the disposal block, where the powder administered to the Channels in the disposal block is supplied by each of the powder supply modules. 123 - The powder supply assembly according to claim 122, further characterized in that each channel in the arrangement block passes through the arrangement block. 124 - The powder supply assembly according to claim 122, further characterized in that the powder inlets of the powder supply modules are aligned with the channels in the disposal block, such that the powder delivered to the channels in the arrangement block it passes through the downstream powder inlets of the powder supply modules. 125 -. 125 - The powder supply assembly according to claim 122, further characterized in that the channels in the disposal block have sufficient capacity to store powder for the powder supply modules. 126. The powder supply assembly according to claim 122, further characterized in that the channels in the arrangement block are grooved. 127. - The powder supply assembly according to claim 122, further characterized in that the channels in the disposal block and the powder inlets of the powder supply modules have cross sections of substantially equal size and shape. 128. - The powder supply assembly according to claim 122, further characterized in that each of the powder supply modules includes a housing defining the powder inlet, a powder outlet and a powder delivery conduit connects the dust inlet and the dust outlet, and a feed mechanism to move the powder through the duct to the dust outlet. 129. - A dust aerator comprising: a manifold block defining a powder inlet, powder outlet ports and a transport gas inlet; a pneumatic broom to administer dust to the dust outlet ports; a discharge valve to supply a quantity of powder from the entrance of powder to the pneumatic broom; a bypass manifold coupled to the dust outlet ports; and a valve crossing to direct the selected portions of a transport gas from the transport gas inlet to the pneumatic broom and to the bypass manifold. 30. - The powder aerator according to claim 129, further characterized by additionally comprising devices for straightening the flow and a profiled flow element to help provide a uniform flow of transport gas through the powder outlet ports. . 131 - The dust aerator according to claim 129, further characterized in that the manifold block further defines riser tubes that connect the pneumatic broom to the powder outlet ports. 132. - The dust aerator according to claim 129, further characterized in that the pneumatic broom includes a hollow aerator tube having the discharge nozzles therein. 133. - The dust aerator according to claim 129, further characterized in that the discharge nozzles are substantially tangential to the aerator tube. 134. - The dust aerator according to claim 129, further characterized in that the discharge nozzles have a helical arrangement in the aerator tube. 135. - The dust aerator according to claim 1 32, further characterized in that the pneumatic broom comprises additionally one or more divisors in the aerator tube, which define the annular chambers. 136. - The dust aerator according to claim 132, further characterized in that it further comprises an aerator core positioned in the aerator tube to help equalize the flow of transport gas through the discharge nozzles. 137. - The dust aerator according to claim 132, further characterized in that the pneumatic broom further includes a flow director coupled between the cross valve and the aerator tube, the flow director has blades to block and break the agglomerates of dust. 138. A blower assembly, comprising: an impeller for moving a transport gas; an impeller motor for rotating the impeller; a blower housing housing the impeller and having a discharge port for the transport gas; a collector to receive the transport gas; and a gas-particle separation device for accumulating the agglomerates admitted to the transport gas. 139. - The blower assembly according to claim 138, further characterized in that it additionally comprises an induction rod for introducing the transport gas conditioned inside the separator. 140. - The blower assembly according to claim 138, further characterized in that the impeller is configured to produce dynamic shock waves at the discharge port. 141. - The blower assembly according to claim 138, further characterized in that the gas-particle separation device comprises a cyclone separator disposed between the collector and the impeller. 142. The blower assembly according to claim 138, further characterized in that the gas-particle separation device comprises a blade separator disposed between the collector and the impeller. 143 - A powder transport system comprising: an arrangement block, which includes an arrangement of vertical ports and horizontal channels that intersect the respective rows of vertical ports; powder supply modules mounted in the respective vertical ports of the disposal block, each of the powder supply modules has a powder inlet that communicates with the channel in the disposal block, where the powder supplied to the channels in the disposal block it is supplied by each of the powder supply modules; a blower assembly for moving a transport gas; a dust aerator to administer the dust admitted in the transport gas to the horizontal channels in the disposal block; a hopper assembly to supply dust to the dust aerator; and a of suction to return the transport gas to the blower assembly.
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US60/738,474 | 2005-11-21 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| MX2008006614A true MX2008006614A (en) | 2008-10-03 |
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