Patents Assigned to Fluid Metering, Inc.
  • Patent number: 12698767
    Abstract: A dispensing pump includes a linear actuator mounted on a base. The linear actuator includes a drive rod having a coupler. The coupler joins the drive rod to a first end of a connecting member. A second end of the connecting member is secured to a lower base portion of the base. An attachment plate attaches a motor to a first end of an upper base portion of the base. A flag is secured to the drive rod coupler, wherein the flag moves directly with the drive rod. The flag includes a body and a calibration element. The calibration element is positionally adjustable relative to the flag body. The calibration element is adapted to activate a proximity sensor when the linear drive is in a home position. The home position is adjustable upon adjustment of the calibration member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2025
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2026
    Assignee: FLUID METERING, INC.
    Inventor: Richard Charles Hill
  • Patent number: 12583734
    Abstract: A system and method for dispensing fluid including a pump having a stepper motor operably connected to a pump head. The pump head has an inlet and an outlet. The inlet is adapted to be in fluid communication to a fluid reservoir. A controller is operably connected to the motor. The controller drives the motor wherein a speed and an acceleration of the stepper motor is selected to overcome adhesion between the dispense tip and the dispensed fluid. A dispense tip formed of a hydrophobic material is in fluid communication with the outlet of the pump head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2026
    Assignee: FLUID METERING, INC.
    Inventors: Richard Hill, Nicolas Mercier
  • Patent number: 12553422
    Abstract: An inline pump assembly for dispensing fluids, the pump assembly including a pump head, having a piston wherein movement of the piston causes the pump head to dispense a fluid. A linear actuator has a lead screw wherein actuation of the linear actuator causes the lead screw to move along a linear path. A first anti-backlash device is disposed between the linear actuator and the pump head. The anti-backlash device includes a rail having a sliding block thereon. The slide block and rail are engaged to prevent movement of the slide block about a longitudinal axis of the rail. A coupler is fixedly secured to the linear slide and having a first end connected to the lead screw and a second end connected to the piston rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2026
    Assignee: FLUID METERING, INC.
    Inventors: Nicolas Mercier, Thomas Breitenstein, Kevin Mazurkiewicz
  • Patent number: 12398707
    Abstract: An electronic angle adjustment mechanism for a pump and a motor generally includes a base and an actuating motor. The base has an upper portion mounted to a motor, a lower portion mounted to a pump, and a hinge for pivotably moving the upper base portion in relation to the lower base portion. The actuating motor is mounted on an attachment plate that is attached to the upper base portion. The actuating motor is connected to a gear wheel that engages an arcuate member attached to the lower portion to pivot about the hinge and change the angle between the upper and lower base portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2024
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2025
    Assignee: FLUID METERING, INC.
    Inventors: Francis Dongil Suh, Joseph Ervin Middleton, David Lionel Rawlings
  • Patent number: 12398708
    Abstract: An electronic angle adjustment mechanism for a pump and a motor generally includes a base and an actuating motor. The base has an upper portion mounted to a motor, a lower portion mounted to a pump, and a hinge for pivotably moving the upper base portion in relation to the lower base portion. The actuating motor is mounted on an attachment plate that is attached to the upper base portion. The actuating motor is connected to a worm screw that engages an arcuate member attached to the lower portion to pivot about the hinge and change the angle between the upper and lower base portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2024
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2025
    Assignee: FLUID METERING, INC.
    Inventors: Francis Dongil Suh, Joseph Ervin Middleton, David Lionel Rawlings
  • Patent number: 12352260
    Abstract: A dispensing pump having a calibration system including a base including an upper base portion having a first end for mounting a motor and a second end and a lower base portion for mounting a pump on a first end and a second end. A hinge pivotally connects the second end of the upper base portion and the second end of the lower base portion. A linear actuator is mounted on the base and includes a drive rod having a coupler secured to an end thereof. The coupler joins the drive rod to a first end of a connecting member. A second end of the connecting member is secured to the lower base portion. An attachment plate attaches the motor to the first end of the upper base portion. The attachment plate extends outwardly from the motor for mounting the linear actuator. A proximity sensor is secured to the base upper position. A flag is secured to the drive rod coupler, wherein the flag moves directly with the drive rod. The flag includes a body and a calibration element projecting therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2025
    Assignee: FLUID METERING, INC.
    Inventor: Richard Charles Hill
  • Patent number: 12066015
    Abstract: An electronic angle adjustment mechanism for a pump and a motor generally includes a base and a linear actuator. The base has an upper portion mounted to a motor, a lower portion mounted to a pump, and a hinge for pivotably moving the upper base portion in relation to the lower base portion. The linear actuator is mounted to on an attachment plate that also attaches the motor to the upper base portion. The linear actuator can drive a flexible member or connect to a gear wheel or worm screw to pivot about the hinge and change an angle between the upper and lower base portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2024
    Assignee: FLUID METERING, INC.
    Inventors: Francis Dongil Suh, Joseph Ervin Middleton, David Lionel Rawlings
  • Patent number: 12055138
    Abstract: A syringe pump for aspirating and dispensing fluids is provided. The syringe pump includes a pump casing having an inlet port and an outlet port, a ceramic piston liner received within the pump casing and a ceramic piston. The liner has an internal bore formed by a cylindrical wall, wherein the cylindrical wall further defines a fluid path between the inlet port and the outlet port of the pump casing. The piston is axially movable within the bore of the piston to urge a flow of fluid between said inlet port and said outlet port via said fluid path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2024
    Assignee: Fluid Metering, Inc.
    Inventor: David Lionel Rawlings
  • Patent number: 12049890
    Abstract: A liquid pump including a pump housing having an interior sidewall forming an interior. The housing has an inlet port and an outlet port. A liner is disposed in the interior and has opposed transverse openings in line with the inlet and outlet ports. The liner has a central longitudinally extending bore. A pump piston is axially and rotatably slidable within the liner longitudinal bore for pumping the liquid from the inlet port to the outlet port. A seal assembly is secured to the pump housing adjacent to an upper end of the liner. The seal assembly including a seal body, an upper end of the piston extending though the cap and in sealing engagement with the seal body, the seal assembly and liner upper end forming a cavity there between. An upper end of the piston extending though the seal assembly and in sealing engagement with the seal body, the seal body and liner upper end forming a cavity there between. The housing having a passageway providing a fluid communication between the cavity and the inlet port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2024
    Assignee: FLUID METERING, INC.
    Inventor: Daniel Lee
  • Publication number: 20240218859
    Abstract: An electronic angle adjustment mechanism for a pump and a motor generally includes a base and an actuating motor. The base has an upper portion mounted to a motor, a lower portion mounted to a pump, and a hinge for pivotably moving the upper base portion in relation to the lower base portion. The actuating motor is mounted on an attachment plate that is attached to the upper base portion. The actuating motor is connected to a gear wheel that engages an arcuate member attached to the lower portion to pivot about the hinge and change the angle between the upper and lower base portions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2024
    Publication date: July 4, 2024
    Applicant: FLUID METERING, INC.
    Inventors: Francis Dongil SUH, Joseph Ervin MIDDLETON, David Lionel RAWLINGS
  • Publication number: 20240218860
    Abstract: An electronic angle adjustment mechanism for a pump and a motor generally includes a base and an actuating motor. The base has an upper portion mounted to a motor, a lower portion mounted to a pump, and a hinge for pivotably moving the upper base portion in relation to the lower base portion. The actuating motor is mounted on an attachment plate that is attached to the upper base portion. The actuating motor is connected to a worm screw that engages an arcuate member attached to the lower portion to pivot about the hinge and change the angle between the upper and lower base portions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2024
    Publication date: July 4, 2024
    Applicant: FLUID METERING, INC.
    Inventors: Francis Dongil SUH, Joseph Ervin MIDDLETON, David Lionel RAWLINGS
  • Publication number: 20240158219
    Abstract: A system and method for dispensing fluid including a pump having a stepper motor operably connected to a pump head. The pump head has an inlet and an outlet. The inlet is adapted to be in fluid communication to a fluid reservoir. A controller is operably connected to the motor. The controller drives the motor wherein a speed and an acceleration of the stepper motor is selected to overcome adhesion between the dispense tip and the dispensed fluid. A dispense tip formed of a hydrophobic material is in fluid communication with the outlet of the pump head.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2022
    Publication date: May 16, 2024
    Applicant: FLUID METERING, INC.
    Inventors: Richard Hill, Nicolas Mercier
  • Publication number: 20240068458
    Abstract: An inline pump assembly for dispensing fluids, the pump assembly including a pump head, having a piston wherein movement of the piston causes the pump head to dispense a fluid. A linear actuator has a lead screw wherein actuation of the linear actuator causes the lead screw to move along a linear path. A first anti-backlash device is disposed between the linear actuator and the pump head. The anti-backlash device includes a rail having a sliding block thereon. The slide block and rail are engaged to prevent movement of the slide block about a longitudinal axis of the rail. A coupler is fixedly secured to the linear slide and having a first end connected to the lead screw and a second end connected to the piston rod.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2023
    Publication date: February 29, 2024
    Applicant: FLUID METERING, INC.
    Inventors: Nicolas Mercier, Thomas Breitenstein, Kevin Mazurkiewicz
  • Publication number: 20230141287
    Abstract: A liquid pump including a pump housing having an interior sidewall forming an interior. The housing has an inlet port and an outlet port. A liner is disposed in the interior and has opposed transverse openings in line with the inlet and outlet ports. The liner has a central longitudinally extending bore. A pump piston is axially and rotatably slidable within the liner longitudinal bore for pumping the liquid from the inlet port to the outlet port. A seal assembly is secured to the pump housing adjacent to an upper end of the liner. The seal assembly including a seal body, an upper end of the piston extending though the cap and in sealing engagement with the seal body, the seal assembly and liner upper end forming a cavity there between. An upper end of the piston extending though the seal assembly and in sealing engagement with the seal body, the seal body and liner upper end forming a cavity there between. The housing having a passageway providing a fluid communication between the cavity and the inlet port.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2020
    Publication date: May 11, 2023
    Applicant: FLUID METERING, INC.
    Inventor: Daniel LEE
  • Publication number: 20230058600
    Abstract: A dispensing pump having a calibration system including a base including an upper base portion having a first end for mounting a motor and a second end and a lower base portion for mounting a pump on a first end and a second end. A hinge pivotally connects the second end of the upper base portion and the second end of the lower base portion. A linear actuator is mounted on the base and includes a drive rod having a coupler secured to an end thereof. The coupler joins the drive rod to a first end of a connecting member. A second end of the connecting member is secured to the lower base portion. An attachment plate attaches the motor to the first end of the upper base portion. The attachment plate extends outwardly from the motor for mounting the linear actuator. A proximity sensor is secured to the base upper position. A flag is secured to the drive rod coupler, wherein the flag moves directly with the drive rod. The flag includes a body and a calibration element projecting therefrom.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2022
    Publication date: February 23, 2023
    Applicant: FLUID METERING, INC.
    Inventor: Richard Charles Hill
  • Patent number: 11585340
    Abstract: A multi-channel positive displacement piston pump apparatus includes a motor and a plurality of positive displacement piston pumps driven by the motor. The plurality of pumps are aligned in a stacking direction, and each pump has an intake port and an outlet port, wherein the intake ports and the outlet ports of all pumps face in the same direction generally perpendicular to the stacking direction. In a method for retrofitting a positive displacement piston pump for use in a multi-channel pumping apparatus, an outlet port of a pump housing of the pump and a flush outlet port of the pump housing are plugged and an alternative fluid path is formed within the pump housing. The outlet port is disposed in line with an inlet port of the pump housing but on an opposite side of the pump housing. The flush outlet port is disposed in line with a flush inlet port of the pump housing but on an opposite side of the pump housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: Fluid Metering, Inc.
    Inventors: David Lionel Rawlings, Francis Dongil Suh, Zachary James Beauman
  • Publication number: 20220213884
    Abstract: An electronic angle adjustment mechanism for a pump and a motor generally includes a base and a linear actuator. The base has an upper portion mounted to a motor, a lower portion mounted to a pump, and a hinge for pivotably moving the upper base portion in relation to the lower base portion. The linear actuator is mounted to on an attachment plate that also attaches the motor to the upper base portion. The linear actuator can drive a flexible member or connect to a gear wheel or worm screw to pivot about the hinge and change an angle between the upper and lower base portions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2020
    Publication date: July 7, 2022
    Applicant: FLUID METERING, INC.
    Inventors: Francis Dongil SUH, Joseph Ervin MIDDLETON, David Lionel RAWLINGS
  • Patent number: 11143172
    Abstract: A liquid pump having a pump liner and a pump piston, wherein the pump liner defines a central longitudinal bore and a transverse inlet bore communicating with the central bore for conveying a liquid. The pump piston has a centerline intersecting with a centerline of the transverse inlet bore, and further has a flat surface formed parallel with the piston centerline at a distal end of the piston. The flat surface defines a cut-out portion of the piston, wherein the cut-out portion has a hydraulic diameter equal to the diameter of the transverse inlet bore of the liner, and a distance from the centerline of the piston to the flat surface defining the cut-out portion is greater than or equal to ½ of the diameter of the transverse inlet bore of the liner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignee: FLUID METERING, INC.
    Inventors: David Lionel Rawlings, Joseph Ervin Middleton
  • Patent number: 10995747
    Abstract: An angle adjustment mechanism for a pump and a motor includes a base, an eccentric bushing and a fixed link. The base has a motor flange for mounting a motor, a pump flange opposite the motor flange for mounting a pump, a hinge disposed between the motor flange and the pump flange and a pair of spaced apertures disposed opposite the hinge. The eccentric bushing has a body portion received in one of the apertures of the base and an inner bore with an axial center line offset from an axial center line of the body portion. The fixed link has a first pin portion received in the inner bore of the eccentric bushing and a second pin portion received in the other of the apertures of the base. With this arrangement, rotation of the eccentric bushing changes the distance between the apertures of the base, thereby changing an angle between the motor flange and the pump flange about the hinge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: FLUID METERING, INC.
    Inventor: David Lionel Rawlings
  • Patent number: 10935021
    Abstract: An angle adjustment mechanism for a pump and a motor includes a base, two eccentric bushings and a fixed link. The base has a hinge disposed between a motor flange and a pump flange and a pair of spaced apertures disposed opposite the hinge. The first eccentric bushing has a body portion received in a first of the apertures of the base and the second eccentric bushing has a body portion received in one of a second of the apertures of the base or an inner bore of the first eccentric bushing. The axial center line of the inner bore of the first eccentric bushing is offset from an axial center line of the body portion by a first distance and the axial center line of the inner bore of the second eccentric bushing is offset from an axial center line of the body portion by a second distance, wherein the second distance is different from the first distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: FLUID METERING, INC.
    Inventors: Zachary Beauman, David Rawlings, Joseph Middleton