System and method for accurately delivering controlled amounts of viscous fluid to a fluid delivery device

摘要

A system (10) and method for accurately delivering controlled amounts of viscous fluid to one or more fluid delivery devices (31). There is a fluid reservoir (12), a variable-volume fill chamber (18), and structure (171, 173) that fluidly interconnects the reservoir (12) to the fill chamber (18). Valving (22) is used to channel fluid flow from the reservoir (12) to the fill chamber (18). There is a device (20) that dispenses fluid from the fill chamber (18). Valving (24) is used to channel fluid flow from the fill chamber (18) to a fluid delivery device (31). A controller (28) automatically controls operation of the device (20) that dispenses fluid from the fill chamber (18), and may also control operation of the valving (22, 24).

主权项

1. A system for accurately delivering controlled amounts of viscous fluid from a fluid reservoir to one or more fluid delivery devices, comprising:
a variable-volume fill chamber that defines a cavity that is adapted to contain the fluid; a movable plunger in the fill chamber cavity that can be moved within the cavity to vary the effective volume of the cavity; structure fluidly interconnecting the reservoir to the fill chamber; a device that automatically moves the plunger so as to dispense fluid from the fill chamber; structure fluidly interconnecting fluid flowing from the fill chamber to one or more fluid delivery devices; and a controller that automatically controls operation of the device that moves the plunger, to dispense a predetermined amount of fluid from the fill chamber to the fluid delivery devices; wherein the plunger defines a plunger body that carries a seal proximate its distal end that is located in the fill chamber cavity, and further defines a passageway in the plunger body that begins distally of the seal and terminates proximally of the seal, and further defines a selectively-operable valve in the passageway, wherein the valve can be opened to allow air to be bled from the cavity.