Patent · US Expired

Fluid supply apparatus

US6178995A · kind A · utility

45Cited by
2References
6Claims
0Family size

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Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateAug 5, 1999
Grant dateJan 30, 2001
Priority date
Expiry dateAug 5, 2019

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10T137/7761
  • WIPO fieldControl
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A fluid feeding apparatus includes parallel flow passages connected at their downstream side, each parallel passage including a pressure flow controller (C) for regulating the flow of fluid and a fluid changeover valve (D) for opening and closing the passage on the downstream side of the pressure flow controller. A fluid feeding control unit (B) controls the pressure flow controllers and changeover valves so that when a changeover valve is closed a control valve (1) upstream of the changeover valve is also closed to prevent a pressure buildup at the changeover valve. In addition to the control valve (1), each pressure flow controller includes an orifice (5) downstream from the control valve, a pressure detector (3) for sensing pressure (P.sub.1) in the passage at a point between the control valve and the orifice, and a calculation control unit (6) for producing a control signal Qy for controlling the drive (2) for the control valve. The calculation control unit first calculates a flow rate signal Qc=KP.sub.1, where K is a constant and P.sub.1 is the pressure sensed by the pressure detector. The calculation control unit then calculates Qy as the difference between a set point or flo…

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.