Peristaltic pump with linear flow control
Inventors
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-8371832-B2
Publication Date
2013-02-12
Expiration Date
Abstract
A peristaltic pump includes a conduit having a first end for receiving a fluid from a reservoir and a second end for delivering the fluid. A plurality of fingers are disposed at respective locations along a segment of the conduit and are configured to alternately compress and release the conduit at the locations. A cyclical pump mechanism is coupled to move the fingers between respective compressed and released positions in a spatio-temporal pattern so as to drive a predetermined quantity of the fluid through the segment of the conduit in each pump cycle. A motor is coupled to drive the pump mechanism. A controller is coupled to activate and deactivate the motor in alternation during each pump cycle with a duty cycle that varies within the pump cycle.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to a peristaltic pump for delivering fluid using a conduit with a first end for receiving fluid from a reservoir and a second end for delivering the fluid. A plurality of fingers is disposed at respective locations along a segment of the conduit and is configured to alternately compress and release the conduit at those locations. A cyclical pump mechanism moves the fingers between respective compressed and released positions in a spatio-temporal pattern to drive a predetermined quantity of the fluid through the conduit segment in each pump cycle.
The cyclical pump mechanism is characterized by a non-linear flow to phase function, meaning that delivered flow varies with the pump cycle phase. A motor is coupled to drive the pump mechanism, and a controller activates and deactivates the motor in alternation during each pump cycle. The controller uses a duty cycle that varies within the pump cycle to substantially compensate for the non-linear flow to phase function.
In related embodiments, the controller modulates the duty cycle to deliver substantially constant fluid over the pump cycle despite the non-linear flow to phase function. The cyclical pumping behavior is supported by mechanical arrangement features including force balancing using an elastic conduit with magnets on the fingers and a ferromagnetic frame.
Claims Coverage
The disclosed independent claims cover a peristaltic pump and a method for fluid delivery. Across the independent claims, the main inventive features are the finger-driven peristaltic conduit with a cyclical pump mechanism having a non-linear flow to phase function, and controller-based motor alternation using a duty cycle that varies within the pump cycle to substantially compensate for that non-linearity.
Non-linear flow to phase function with spatio-temporal finger compression
A cyclical pump mechanism coupled to move fingers between compressed and released positions in a spatio-temporal pattern so as to drive a predetermined quantity of the fluid through the conduit segment in each pump cycle, wherein the cyclical pump mechanism is characterized by a non-linear flow to phase function.
Duty cycle varying within the pump cycle for alternation-based compensation
A controller coupled to activate and deactivate the motor in alternation during each pump cycle with a duty cycle that varies within the pump cycle to substantially compensate for the non-linear flow to phase function.
Alternation-based fluid delivery method compensating non-linear flow to phase function
Driving the pump to deliver a fluid by activating and deactivating the motor in alternation during each pump cycle with a duty cycle that varies within the pump cycle to substantially compensate for the non-linear flow to phase function.
Magnet-equipped fingers with ferromagnetic frame force balancing
A ferromagnetic frame, which exerts a second force on the magnets, opposite to and balancing the first force during the pump cycle.
Overall claim coverage centers on compensating a non-linear flow to phase function in a peristaltic pumping mechanism by varying a motor duty cycle within each pump cycle while activating and deactivating the motor in alternation.
Stated Advantages
Substantially compensate for the non-linear flow to phase function.
Enable substantially compensation despite non-linear flow-to-phase behavior during each pump cycle.
Documented Applications
Not explicitly described in patent.
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