초록 ▼

Systems and methods for hydraulically and volumetrically dispensing target fluid. A hydraulic system includes an actuator, a hydraulic coupler that includes substantially incompressible hydraulic liquid, and a container. The container may include a slidable or movable plunger or wall that when moved

Systems and methods for hydraulically and volumetrically dispensing target fluid. A hydraulic system includes an actuator, a hydraulic coupler that includes substantially incompressible hydraulic liquid, and a container. The container may include a slidable or movable plunger or wall that when moved forces the target fluid out of the container. The actuator includes a motor or driver, such as a step motor, linear actuator, servomotor, pneumatic motor, or other similar device, to drive a plunger or piston of the hydraulic coupler. The coupler includes a conduit, column, shaft or other leak proof assembly that acts as a conduit for the substantially incompressible hydraulic liquid and includes a plunger or piston that is selectively pushed by the incompressible hydraulic liquid, thereby driving a head of the plunger or piston to press against the wall or plunger of the container or syringe that contains the target fluid or against the target fluid, causing the target fluid to be dispensed therefrom. Furthermore, the system may include a controller that is configured to control the target fluid dispensed and to receive input from a user.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A target fluid dispensing system, the system comprising:a hydraulic mechanism comprising a first hydraulic liquid, a master piston and a slave piston;an actuator coupled to said hydraulic mechanism and capable of selectively actuating said master piston; anda dispenser coupled to said hydraulic m

1. A target fluid dispensing system, the system comprising:a hydraulic mechanism comprising a first hydraulic liquid, a master piston and a slave piston;an actuator coupled to said hydraulic mechanism and capable of selectively actuating said master piston; anda dispenser coupled to said hydraulic mechanism, said dispenser having a reservoir capable of containing the target fluid and selectively dispensing a volume of the target fluid upon exertion of a force by said master piston through said hydraulic fluid onto said slave piston.2. A target fluid dispensing system as recited in claim 1, wherein said known volume is a predetermined volume of said target fluid.3. A target fluid dispensing system as recited in claim 1, wherein said target fluid is in at least one of:(i) a gaseous state; and(ii) a liquid state.4. A target fluid dispensing system as recited in claim 1, further comprising a mechanical interface for coupling said dispenser to said hydraulic mechanism.5. A target fluid dispensing system as recited in claim 1, wherein said actuator comprises one of:(i) a step motor;(ii) a linear actuator;(iii) a servomotor;(iv) a pneumatic motor; and(v) a variable frequency drive.6. A target fluid dispensing system as recited in claim 1, wherein said dispenser is a first dispenser and said slave piston is a first slave piston, and wherein said hydraulic mechanism further comprises a second slave piston.7. A target fluid dispensing system as recited in claim 6, wherein said first dispenser is coupled to said first slave piston, and said second slave piston is coupled to a second dispenser having a reservoir capable of containing a second target fluid and selectively dispensing a known volume of the second target fluid upon exertion of said force by said master piston, and wherein said force is exerted through said hydraulic fluid onto said first and second slave pistons.8. A target fluid dispensing system as recited in claim 6, wherein said first dispenser is coupled to said first slave piston, and said second slave piston is coupled to a second dispenser having a reservoir capable of containing the target fluid and selectively dispensing a known volume of the target fluid upon exertion of said force by said master piston, and wherein said force is exerted through said hydraulic fluid onto said first and second slave pistons.9. A target fluid dispensing system as recited in claim 1, further comprising a controller coupled to said actuator.10. A target fluid dispensing system as recited in claim 9, wherein said controller is a computer device.11. A driving apparatus comprising:a hydraulic mechanism comprising:a flexible conduit having first and second ends;a master piston coupled to said first end; anda slave piston coupled to said second end, wherein said flexible conduit contains a first hydraulic liquid, and wherein said hydraulic mechanism is capable of being coupled to an actuator and to a target fluid dispenser to selectively dispense a volume of target fluid upon exertion of a force by said master piston through said hydraulic liquid onto said slave piston.12. A driving apparatus as recited in claim 11, further comprising said actuator, wherein said actuator is capable of selectively actuating said master piston.13. A driving apparatus as recited in claim 12, wherein said actuator comprises one of:(i) a step motor;(ii) a linear actuator;(iii) a servomotor;(iv) a pneumatic motor; and(v) a variable frequency drive.14. A driving apparatus as recited in claim 12, further comprising a controller coupled to said actuator.15. A driving apparatus as recited in claim 14, wherein said controller is a computer device.16. A driving apparatus as recited in claim 12, wherein said conduit includes a third end and said hydraulic mechanism includes a second slave piston, and wherein said second slave piston is coupled to said third end.17. A driving apparatus as recited in claim 12, further comprising said target fluid dispenser, said dispenser having a reservoir capable of containing the target fluid and selectively dispensing a known volume of the target fluid upon exertion of a force by said master piston through said hydraulic fluid onto said slave piston.18. A method for dispensing a known volume of target fluid, the method comprising:providing a hydraulic mechanism having a first hydraulic liquid, a master piston and a slave piston;coupling a dispenser to said hydraulic mechanism, said dispenser having a reservoir capable of containing the target fluid;selectively actuating said master piston; anddispensing a known volume of the target fluid from said dispenser upon exertion of a force by said master piston through said hydraulic fluid onto said slave piston.19. A method as recited in claim 18, wherein said selectively actuating said master piston comprises a step of using a controller to selectively actuate said master piston.20. A method as recited in claim 19, wherein said controller is a computer device.