9261results about "Measurement of fluid loss/gain rate" patented technology

The present invention involves, in some embodiments, mechanisms and methods of occluding collapsible tubing with an occluder to prevent fluid flow therethrough. In some embodiments, a tube occluding mechanism is disclosed that includes a bendable occluding member for creating a force that can be applied to a collapsible tube to occlude the tube. In some embodiments, the collapsible tube can be an inlet / outlet tube on a removable pumping cartridge that is coupled to a reusable pump drive component when the system is in operation. In such embodiments, the occluding mechanism can be attached to the reusable component and can be used to block fluid flow to and from the pumping cartridge. In some embodiments, the occluding member can comprises a spring plate which can create a force to occlude tubing when in a relaxed, unbent configuration, and which can be bent to unocclude the tubing. In some preferred embodiments, in a default configuration of the tube occluder mechanism (when no external force is applied to the occluding member) the tubes are occluded, so that the tube occluder mechanism provides a fail-safe configuration preventing fluid flow to and from a pumping cartridge to which the tubes can be connected.

A leak detection method for an air bed having an air chamber comprises adjusting the air chamber to a predetermined pressure level, sensing a first pressure value of the air chamber after a first time interval, sensing a second pressure value of the air chamber after a second time interval, determining a pressure change in the air chamber, detecting whether the air chamber is leaking by comparing the pressure change with a second pressure value, and displaying a leak detection indicator. In one embodiment, the second pressure value is a pressure change in a second air chamber. In another embodiment, the second pressure value is an expected pressure change of the air chamber that is calculated based upon changes in ambient temperature and barometric pressure.

A flapper is provided in the main conductive fluid supply inlet line, and a permanent magnet is affixed to the bottom of the flapper. Adjacent to the flapper, outside the pipe, a magnetically operated switch is placed. Conductive fluid sensors are placed in or on conductive fluid dependent appliances, to determine the presence or absence of flowing conductive fluids. The flapper's switch and the conductive fluid sensors are connected in circuit with a relay, which in turn controls an electrically actuated valve cutting off or permitting the entry of fluids from the source to the inlet pipe. If the switch is activated, and one or more of the fluid sensors is not, within a predetermined time period, then the electrically actuated valve will cut off the entry of fluids from the source to the inlet pipe. If the switch and sensors are activated concurrently, normal fluid flow will be permitted.