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Publication Number
US-10751713-B1
Publication Date
2020-08-25
Expiration Date
Abstract
There is disclosed a fluid distribution system for distributing fluid from a single source to a plurality of downstream receptacles. The system has a distribution manifold with a single inlet and a plurality of outlets arrayed around a circumferential outer periphery. The outlets may be directed to the different receptacles which each have their own vent filter, or each receptacle connects back to the distribution manifold for common venting.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to a closed biologically suitable fluid distribution system that distributes fluid from a single inlet to multiple receptacles. The system uses a compact cylindrical distribution manifold with a solid body, a fluid inlet at a central location leading to an inner chamber, and internal passages that extend outward to a plurality of fluid outlets distributed evenly around an outer periphery of the body. A plurality of outlet conduits are fluidly connected to the plurality of fluid outlets, and receptacles are connected to the outlet conduits so that fluid is distributed evenly into the receptacles.
The system further includes a gas vent disposed in each receptacle and a vent manifold disposed adjacent to the fluid distribution manifold. In the vent manifold architecture, the vent manifold has a solid body with a vent outlet at a central location leading to an inner chamber, and a plurality of evenly spaced internal passages extending outward to multiple vent inlets distributed evenly around an outer periphery of the vent manifold body. A plurality of vent conduits connect each vent inlet to one of the receptacle gas vents, enabling filling and venting at a single common location.
To collect and manage displaced gases, the description states that a common vent filter may be used by filtering gas reaching a central vent outlet, for example via a hydrophobic vent filter. An alternative is also described where each receptacle has a discrete vent filter and a vent manifold is omitted. The described manifold geometry includes even angular spacing and structural features such as stepped inner chambers and radial through passages, with optional flow control valves on outlet and vent conduits.
Claims Coverage
The provided independent claims cover a system that distributes fluid from a single fluid source into multiple receptacles using a fluid distribution manifold with evenly spaced internal passages and outlets, where each receptacle includes a gas vent. The coverage includes two independently claimed system configurations: one with gas vents in each receptacle and a distribution manifold, and another that further adds an adjacent vent manifold with evenly spaced vent inlets and vent conduits that bend 90° downward.
Evenly distributed fluid distribution manifold with plural outlet conduits and receptacles having gas vents
A system comprising a fluid distribution manifold having a solid body with a fluid inlet at a central location leading to an inner chamber, a plurality of evenly spaced internal passages extending outward from inner apertures opening to the inner chamber to a plurality of fluid outlets distributed evenly around an outer periphery, a plurality of outlet conduits fluidly connected to the fluid outlets, and a plurality of receptacles each having an outlet conduit connected thereto, wherein fluid provided to the fluid inlet is distributed evenly through the internal passages, fluid outlets, and outlet conduits into the receptacles, and a gas vent disposed in each receptacle.
Adjacent abutting vent manifold with evenly distributed vent inlets and vent conduits that bend 90° downward
A system comprising, in addition to the fluid distribution manifold, a gas vent disposed in each receptacle; a vent manifold disposed adjacent the fluid distribution manifold in an abutting relationship with a solid body having a vent outlet at a central location leading to an inner chamber, the vent manifold having a plurality of evenly spaced internal passages extending outward from the inner chamber to multiple vent inlets distributed evenly around an outer periphery; and a plurality of vent conduits each connecting one of the vent inlets to one of the receptacle gas vents, wherein the vent conduits initially project radially outward from the vent manifold body and bend 90° downward toward a respective receptacle gas vent.
Across the independent claims, the inventive concept is an evenly distributed fluid distribution manifold feeding multiple receptacles, combined with receptacle gas vents and, in the second independent claim, a dedicated adjacent vent manifold with evenly distributed vent inlets and vent conduits that bend 90° downward toward the receptacle gas vents.
Stated Advantages
Enables fluid distribution from a single fluid source to multiple receptacles via a fluid distribution manifold with evenly spaced internal passages and outlets.
Enables venting of gases from each receptacle through a gas vent arrangement.
Allows filling and venting at a single common location using the adjacent vent manifold architecture.
Filters gas reaching a central vent outlet using a common vent filter, for example a hydrophobic vent filter.
Documented Applications
Not explicitly described in patent.
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