Abbott Laboratories Corporation

Donald Ver Lee

Jeffrey Y Pan

Tung-Ming Huang

Alan J Alcock

Karen A Egan

Conan K Li

James D Gates

Embodiments disclosed involve methods and constructions for metering, and in some instances combining, fluids. One such method includes fluidly connecting a source of first fluid to be metered with a pressure source capable of moving the first fluid with a first valve and a conduit. The first valve is operated such that first fluid moves in the conduit. The conduit is fluidly connected with a source of second fluid that has a fluid flow rate greater than the first fluid with a second valve. The second valve is operated such that the second fluid moves into the conduit. One construction for metering a fluid comprises a source of first fluid to be metered, a pressure source for moving the first fluid to be metered, and a first valve. A conduit fluidly connects the source of first fluid, the pressure source for moving the first fluid and the first valve such that operation of the first valve causes movement of the first fluid responsive to the pressure source. A second valve fluidly connects a source of second fluid that has a fluid flow rate greater than the first fluid with the conduit such that operation of the second valve causes movement of the second fluid into the conduit.

Method and apparatus for metering a fluid

Embodiments described herein relate to methods and structures for controlling a valve. One embodiment provides a valve control comprising a first valve fluidly connected with a first fluid conveying conduit and a second fluid conveying conduit. The first valve is movable between a first position where fluid communicates between the first fluid conveying conduit and the second fluid conveying conduit and a second position where fluid does not communicate between the first fluid conveying conduit and the second fluid conveying conduit. A first source of relatively increased pressure and a first source of relatively reduced pressure are provided. A third conduit fluidly connects the first source of relatively increased pressure and the first source of relatively reduced pressure with the first valve. A third valve is fluidly connected with the third conduit. The third valve is movable between a first position where the first source of relatively increased pressure is fluidly connected with the third conduit and the first valve thereby moving the first valve toward its second position and a second position where the first source of relatively reduced pressure is fluidly connected with the third conduit and the first valve thereby moving the first valve toward its first position. A second valve is fluidly connected with the third conduit between the third valve and the first valve. The second valve is movable between a first position where fluid communicates between the first valve and the third valve and a second position where no fluid communicates between the first valve and the third valve.

Valve control

Growing community of inventors

Libertyville, IL, United States of America

Donald Ver Lee