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 piece 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 - 45 . (canceled)  
   
   
       46 . An alignment component for a fluid delivery system comprising: 
 a base portion having corners and a substantially horizontal surface configured to support fluid connecting pieces where the base portion has formations extending from each corner that define a channel and where each formation has a passage way that accepts a fastener that connects directly with a mounting surface.    
   
   
       47 . The alignment component of  claim 46 , wherein the channel allows a fluid connecting piece with an attached manifold to be removed from an assembly of fastened alignment components without removing any of the assembled alignment components.  
   
   
       48 . The alignment component of  claim 47 , wherein the base portion has alignment openings to prevent movement of supported fluid connecting pieces.  
   
   
       49 - 52 . (canceled)