A fluid delivery system having a closed-loop control process for delivering a medical fluid to a patient. A fluid infusion system includes a pump for delivering a fluid to a patient via an administration tube. A flow sensor associated with the administration tube provides an indication of the actual flow rate of fluid in the administration tube. Such a flow sensor may comprise a positive displacement flow sensor constructed using micro-fabrication and/or micro-molding techniques. A reader reads the actual flow rate signal and provides an indication to a controller for controlling the pump. The flow rate information can also be used for providing status information, such as the existence of a blockage in the fluid delivery system.

Fluid delivery system and flow control therefor

A portable filtered drinking water system for removing undesirable tastes, odors, and contaminants from potable water to improve the quality of the water for drinking or consumption. The device consists of a container that holds the potable water and has an air tight screw on cap. Mounted on the cap is an opening for a screw-in hand air pump to create air pressure inside the container and an opening for a faucet for dispensing filtered drinking water. Pulling up and pushing down several times on the hand air pump creates air pressure in the container that forces the potable water through a water filter located inside the container and up to a faucet to be dispensed when a lever is pushed down.

Portable filtered drinking water system

A typical rotary face seal employs a seal ring rotating relative to a sealing surface and also employs means to urge the seal ring towards the sealing surface in order to effect a seal. The seal ring may itself comprise a seal face bonded to a backing ring. In certain applications, the seal face may deform significantly as a result of the temperature variations experienced and an undesirable crowning of the seal face may occur. Such crowning may be reduced by employing an improved seal ring with anti-crowning features in which the thickness of an edge of the seal face is different from that in the middle of the seal face, or in which a relief slot is employed in the seal face. The improved seal ring is particularly suited for rotary face seals used in a rotary valve in a rotary gas separation device.

Rotary face seal with anti-crowning features

An apparatus for transferring a fluid from a supply container to a desired receptacle. The apparatus includes a conduit having a fluid passage with a valve seat and a flexible containment member. A moveable sealing member is coupled to the flexible containment member and is configured for sealingly engaging the valve seat. An activator is coupled to the sealing member for displacing the sealing member from the valve seat to effect the creation of a reduced fluid pressure in the fluid in the supply container.

Fluid transfer apparatus

A liquid delivery system for supplying liquid from a portable container to a destination and removing vapour from the destination comprises a portable container, an elongate flexible liquid delivery hose, and an elongate flexible vapour recovery hose. The liquid delivery hose receives liquid from the portable container, and delivers the received liquid to a remote destination. The vapour recovery hose receives vapour from the remote destination, and delivers the received vapour to the substantially hollow interior of the portable container. The liquid delivery hose and the vapour recovery hose permit the movement of the liquid outlet of the liquid delivery hose to more than one selected remote destination while the container remains substantially stationary. Reduced air pressure in the portable container resulting from the removal of the liquid therefrom, causes vapour to be suctioned via the vapour recovery hose into the portable container.

Liquid delivery system for supplying liquid from a portable container to at least one selected remote destination and removing vapour from the at least one selected remote destination

A portable dispensing apparatus in which a fuel containing chamber is pressurized by a hand operated air pump. The fuel is dispensed by a pickup tube whose receiving end is within the chamber where it is joined to a flexible hose equipped with a bellows; the opposite end being connected to a valved handle outside the chamber and includes a nozzle for dispensing the fuel. An actuation lever pivotally mounted to the handle allows the operator to control the flow rate and velocity of emitted fuel so that even incremental amounts can be dispensed without difficulty. The flexible hose can be stored in a skirt on the handle.

Scott C. Kihm

Papers

Fuel dispensing apparatus