Small fill volume pump

Abstract

A pump system for small fill volumes having a pump unit with a disposable pump head assembly, a controller, a drive motor, and a transmission between the drive motor and the pump unit. A user may enter pump operational data through a controller on the system housing. Operational data may be monitored remotely and through the controller. Access to the pump system is protected through required usernames, passwords, and electronic signatures of system operators.

1 . A pump system, comprising:
 a housing;   a motor;   a piston rod operationally attached to said motor; and   a pump assembly comprising:
 a pump mounting base removably attached to said housing and operationally attached to said piston rod; and 
 a pump head removably attached to said pump mounting base. 
   
   
   
       2 . The pump system according to  claim 1 , wherein said pump mounting base comprises a generally cylindrical block having a flange at its base. 
   
   
       3 . The pump system according to  claim 2 , said flange further comprising:
 a plurality of openings configured to receive a fastener, wherein said fastener is configured for removably attaching said flange to said housing.   
   
   
       4 . The pump system according to  claim 1 , said pump mounting base further comprising:
 a generally cylindrical bore extending therethrough forming a hollow cylinder.   
   
   
       5 . The pump system according to  claim 4 , wherein said hollow cylinder is sized and configured to receive a piston attached to one end of said piston rod. 
   
   
       6 . The pump system according to  claim 5 , wherein said hollow cylinder is sized and configured to allow for reciprocal motion of said piston through said cylinder. 
   
   
       7 . The pump system according to  claim 1 , said pump head further comprising:
 a plurality of openings configured to receive a fastener, wherein said fastener is configured for removably attaching said disposable pump head to said pump mounting base.   
   
   
       8 . The pump system according to  claim 1 , said pump head further comprising:
 a hollow fluid chamber having an inlet port and an outlet port.   
   
   
       9 . The pump system according to  claim 8 , wherein said hollow fluid chamber is closed at its bottom end by a diaphragm. 
   
   
       10 . The pump system according to  claim 9 , wherein said diaphragm is sized and configured for reciprocating motion in said hollow fluid chamber. 
   
   
       11 . The pump system according to  claim 9 , further comprising a retaining clip to hold said diaphragm onto said pump head. 
   
   
       12 . The pump system according to  claim 11 , wherein said diaphragm is permanently attached to said pump head. 
   
   
       13 . The pump system according to  claim 1 , wherein said pump head is constructed of materials selected to enable said pump head to be disposable. 
   
   
       14 . The pump system according to  claim 1 , further comprising a vacuum pump. 
   
   
       15 . The pump system according to  claim 14 , wherein said piston rod is hollow, said pump system further comprising a vacuum fitting attached to a second end of said piston rod, said vacuum fitting being configured to draw a vacuum through said piston rod. 
   
   
       16 . The pump system according to  claim 15 , further comprising a piston having at least one vacuum port attached to a first end of said piston rod. 
   
   
       17 . The pump system according to  claim 1 , wherein said piston rod is operationally connected to said motor by a pulley system. 
   
   
       18 . The pump system according to  claim 1 , wherein said motor comprises a high precision servomotor. 
   
   
       19 . The pump system according to  claim 1 , further comprising a controller. 
   
   
       20 . The pump system according to  claim 19 , said controller further comprising a user interface having a display screen. 
   
   
       21 . The pump system according to  claim 20 , wherein said display screen comprises a touch sensitive key pad. 
   
   
       22 . The pump system according to  claim 20 , wherein said user interface further comprises a keyboard. 
   
   
       23 . The pump system according to  claim 19 , wherein said controller comprises a remote personal computer attached to said pump system. 
   
   
       24 . The pump system according to  claim 19 , wherein said controller further comprises data storage capability to record information concerning operation of said pump system. 
   
   
       25 . The pump system according to  claim 19 , wherein said controller further comprises a processor to control operation of said motor. 
   
   
       26 . The pump system according to  claim 19 , wherein said controller further comprises a communication device to enable remote monitoring of said pump system. 
   
   
       27 . The pump system according to  claim 1 , in which said pump assembly is fitted in an exchangeable manner, so that said system is modular. 
   
   
       28 . The pump system according to  claim 1 , said pump assembly further comprising a modular construction of said pump mounting base enabling quick-connect assembly to said piston rod. 
   
   
       29 . The pump system according to  claim 1 , said pump assembly further comprising a modular construction of said pump mounting base enabling quick-connect assembly to said housing. 
   
   
       30 . The pump system according to  claim 1 , said pump assembly further comprising a modular construction of said pump head enabling quick-connect assembly to said pump mounting base.