초록 ▼

A fluid dispenser system, and method of use thereof primarily in industrial applications requiring the dispensing of fluids with varying viscosities, such as water, epoxies, silicones, adhesives, single component, two component, filled, premixed, frozen, etc., allowing for very precise control of th

A fluid dispenser system, and method of use thereof primarily in industrial applications requiring the dispensing of fluids with varying viscosities, such as water, epoxies, silicones, adhesives, single component, two component, filled, premixed, frozen, etc., allowing for very precise control of the volume of fluid extruded. The system comprises an ergonomic, handheld applicator accommodating a conventional medical syringe, wherein the ergonomic, handheld applicator is attached by a power cord to an electronic control unit. The applicator is provided with a linear actuator that drives a piston or screw a specific distance in response to an electronic signal generated by the control unit. Displacement of the piston or screw creates a positive pressure on a fluid contained in the syringe, thereby causing fluid extrusion from the syringe.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] An electronically controlled, positive-displacement fluid dispenser system comprising an electronic control unit capable of allowing the use of either preprogrammed settings or variable settings, a control tether, and an ergonomic, handheld applicator, whereina) the contr

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] An electronically controlled, positive-displacement fluid dispenser system comprising an electronic control unit capable of allowing the use of either preprogrammed settings or variable settings, a control tether, and an ergonomic, handheld applicator, whereina) the control unit has connected thereto an actuator signal generator,b) the ergonomic, handheld applicator is in physical and electronic communication with the electronic control unit by the control tether,c) the ergonomic, handheld applicator is capable of securly accommodating a conventional syringe and piston assembly, andd) the ergonomic, handheld applicator is provided with a linear actuator that displaces a drive rod, to be disposed within said conventional syringe and piston assembly, a specific distance in response to an electronic drive signal generated by the control unit after the control unit receives an actuator signal generated by the actuator signal generator. [9.] A method of extruding a precise volume of fluid from an electronically controlled, positive-displacement fluid dispenser system comprising an electronic control unit capable of allowing the use of either preprogrammed settings or variable settings, a control tether, and an ergonomic, handheld applicator, whereina) the control unit has connected thereto an actuator signal generator,b) the ergonomic, handheld applicator is in physical and electronic communication with the electronic control unit by the control tether,c) the ergonomic, handheld applicator is capable of securly accommodating a conventional syringe and piston assembly, andd) the ergonomic, handheld applicator is provided with a linear actuator that displaces a drive rod, to be disposed within said conventional syringe and piston assembly, a specific distance in response to an electronic drive signal generated by the control unit after the control unit receives an actuator signal generated by the actuator signal generator, ch method comprises the steps of:i) selecting on the control unit the desired volume of fluid to be extruded;ii) positioning the ergonomic, handheld applicator so as to apply advantageously the fluid extruded;iii) generating an actuator signal to the control unit via the actuator signal generator, which generates in response an electronic drive signal from the control unit to the linear actuator that will drive the piston a specified distance in order to extrude the precise volume of fluid desired; wherein displacement of the drive rod engaged with the piston in the conventional syringe and piston assembly creates a positive pressure on the fluid contained in the syringe, thereby causing the extrusion of a precise volume of the fluid from the syringe. The method of extruding a precise volume of fluid from an electronically controlled, positive-displacement fluid dispenser system, as claimed in claim 9, wherein wherein the electronic control unit has a power source selected from the group consisting of self-contained power sources, power cords that draw power from a storage device, and power cords that draw power from an AC-to-DC converter. The electronically controlled, positive-displacement fluid dispenser system, as claimed in claim 9, wherein the syringe is securly accommodated by the handheld applicator by means of an adapter unit comprising a retaining ring and an adapter plate, whereina) the retaining ring has a body and a plurality of locking tabs disposed about the periphery thereof such that the locking tabs are disposed at a relatively normal angle from the retaining ring body,b) the retaining ring body defines an axial void capable of accommodating a conventional medical syringe barrelc) the adapter plate is a planar member that defines a corresponding plurality of peripheral voids capable of accommodating the plurality of retaining ring locking tabs such that rotation of the retaining ring relative to the adapter plate results in the locking tabs being locked into the peripheral voids, andd) the adapter plate defines an axial void suitable for accommodating the drive rod. It is intended that adapter unit 12 be disposed within ergonomically designed cowling 18, although other constructions are possible, such as forming one face of retaining ring 14 into an ergonomically suitable shape. The method of extruding a precise volume of fluid from an electronically controlled, positive-displacement fluid dispenser system, as claimed in claim 9, wherein the drive rod is provided therewith an engagable terminus, which matingly engages the piston in the conventional syringe and piston assembly. The method of extruding a precise volume of fluid from an electronically controlled, positive-displacement fluid dispenser system, as claimed in claim 9, wherein the actuator signal generator is a finger switch connected to the handheld applicator and the electronic drive signal is generated by the control unit after the control unit receives an actuator signal generated when the finger switch is depressed by the operator. The method of extruding a precise volume of fluid from an electronically controlled, positive-displacement fluid dispenser system, as claimed in claim 9, wherein the system is mounted to a stand and the actuator signal generator is a footpedal connected to the control unit and the electronic drive signal is generated by the control unit after the control unit receives an actuator signal generated when the footpedal is depressed by the operator. The method of extruding a precise volume of fluid from an electronically controlled, positive-displacement fluid dispenser system, as claimed in claim 9, wherein the actuator signal generator is a microprocessor and the electronic drive signal is generated by the control unit after the control unit receives an actuator signal from the microprocessor. The method of extruding a precise volume of fluid from an electronically controlled, positive-displacement fluid dispenser system, as claimed in claim 9, wherein the control unit is attached to two applicators each having a linear actuator and wherein the control unit is capable of dual input of two separate actuator signals from two separate actuator signal generators, dual signal processing in accordance with two separate pre-selected fluid volumes and two separate pre-selected flowrates, and generation of two separate electronic drive signals to the two separate linear actuators. An electronically controllable, positive-displacement fluid dispenser comprising an applicator unit having a housing capable of accommodating a conventional syringe and piston assembly and provided with a linear actuator that displaces a drive rod, axially disposed therethrough and further having a terminal portion disposed within said conventional syringe and piston assembly, a specific distance in response to an electronic drive signal generated by an actuator. The electronically controllable, positive-displacement fluid dispenser, as claimed in claim 17, wherein the actuator signal generator is an electric eye. The electronically controllable, positive-displacement fluid dispenser, as claimed in claim 17, wherein the actuator signal generator is a footpedal.