Fluid delivery system

Abstract

The invention provides a fluid delivery system, including a mounting structure, a plurality of rows of locator alignment components secured to the mounting structure, a plurality of rows of fluid connecting pieces, each having inlet and outlet ports and a fluid communication passage interconnecting the ports, the fluid connecting pieces being arranged in pairs, each pair including two of the fluid connecting pieces located next to one another in a respective row of fluid connecting components, the fluid connecting pieces of each pair being releasably held by and aligned relative to one another by a respective one of the locator alignment components, and a plurality of manifold pieces extending transverse to the rows of fluid connecting pieces, at least one manifold piece having a manifold passage with a center line crossing over a center line interconnecting the farthest ports of one of the pairs and being removable without removing the locator alignment component by which the respective pair is held from the mounting structure.

1 - 48 . (canceled)  
   
   
       49 . A fluid connecting piece for a fluid delivery system comprising: 
 a main body having an upper, a lower, and a plurality of side surfaces, first and second openings in the upper surface thereof, a third opening in one of the side surfaces thereof, and a fluid communication passage interconnecting the first, second, and third openings; and    
     an alignment formation extending from the lower surface of the main body.  
   
   
       50 . The fluid connecting piece of  claim 49 , wherein the first opening is at a first end of the main body, and the third opening is at a second end of the main body.  
   
   
       51 . The fluid connecting piece of  claim 50 , wherein the main body further comprises a fourth opening in another one of the side surfaces opposing the side surface with the third opening, the fluid communication passage interconnecting the first, second, third, and fourth openings.  
   
   
       52 . The fluid connecting piece of  claim 51 , wherein the alignment formation is configured to engage an alignment component that is securely mounted to a support structure.