Originally Published MPMN October 2009

SPOTLIGHT

Flow Control

Golden orifices
A supplier of sapphire and ruby orifices in sizes ranging from 0.0004 to 0.081 in. has introduced a golden orifice series designed to achieve high repeatable flow accuracy. Featuring a total inside diameter tolerance of 0.0001 in., the golden orifices are nonthrombogenic, wear resistant, and resistant to most chemicals. They do not outgas or oxidize, and can be used in high-temperature environments without compromising strength, according to the company. Designed for the repeatable flow of liquids and gas, the components can be used in such applications as oxygen regulators, rebreathers, cell counters, gas detectors, and chemical pumps.
Bird Precision
Waltham, MA
www.birdprecision.com

Solenoid valves
Two-way normally closed, two-way normally open, three-way, and multivalve manifold constructions comprise a company’s line of diaphragm isolation solenoid valves. Constructed from such materials as Teflon, PEEK, PPS, and Kel-F, the valves are suitable for high-purity end products such as medical devices and equipment. The compact, low-power components provide flow control for such applications as endoscopic reprocessing, sterilizers, blood gas analyzers, urine analysis, and cell analysis. In addition, the company manufactures precision dispensing pumps designed for precise dispensing of reagents or other chemicals. Custom manufacturing is also offered.
Valcor Engineering Corp.
Springfield, NJ
www.valcor.com

Dispensers and metering pumps
Precision, accuracy, and chemical resistance are among the advantages of a line of pumps and dispensers, according to their manufacturer. All products in the OEM line feature the company’s patented no-valve, one-moving-part design. Available in fixed or variable-displacement models, products are designed with tight flow coefficients of 0.5% or better and ±1% accuracy. A variety of standard products are offered, ranging from 500 nl per dispense up to 1.29 ml per revolution. Custom models can be developed as well. Applications include medical diagnostic and analytical instrumentation.
Fluid Metering Inc.
Syosset, NY
www.fmipump.com

Porous metal products
A variety of porous metal products, assemblies, and filters can be incorporated into gas and liquid medical applications that require filtration performance, precise flow specifications, biocompatibility, high temperature resistance, and the ability to withstand repeated aggressive thermal and chemical sterilization processes. Products designed to meet filtration and flow-control requirements for medical devices include biocompatible porous titanium filters, implantable devices for venting or drug delivery, metal filters for test stands, spargers for cell-culture processes, filters to prevent plugging in catheters, and precision flow restrictors for the delivery of gases in life-critical systems. The company’s components are engineered with uniform controlled porosity of the material in order to ensure precise flow rates at specified pressures. In addition, they are designed to prevent particle bypass or contamination.
Mott Corp.
Farmington, CT
www.mottcorp.com

Flow-control valve
An ultraminiature pressure-compensated flow-control valve is engineered to maintain a constant flow rate that the customer can adjust, regardless of upstream or downstream pressure variations. Featuring a low-friction diaphragm for pressure regulation, the PCFCD-1N1 valve is designed primarily for control of liquids, although it can be used with gasses as well. Suited for the control of low flow rates, the component can regulate flow rates of 0 to 4.2 gal/hr of water and has a maximum-rated inlet supply pressure of 500 psig. Weighing only 48 g, the compact brass valve has a small, lightweight body that enables convenient in-line mounting without the need for a panel-mount thread.
Beswick Engineering Company, Inc.
Greenland, NH
www.beswick.com

Dosing products
Capable of handling a range of aggressive media, a company’s micropump performs high-precision dosing in the microliter range. The compact, self-priming Type 7604 diaphragm pump features a fluid temperature range of 50° to 140°F with a maximum pressure of 2.9 psi, a maximum fluid flow rate of 5 ml/min, quiet operation, and a low-power-consumption design that virtually eliminates heat transfer from fluid to actuator. Engineered for ease of mounting with standard bodies configured for surface-mount or tube connections, the product can be incorporated into mobile devices and is suitable for microdosing, probe preparation, syringe and peristaltic pump replacement, and lubricant dosing. The company also manufactures the Type 7616 microdosing unit, a self-priming diaphragm pump with active inlet and outlet valves. It provides precise dosing from 0.5 µl to 5 µl/stroke and a dosage deviation of less than ±2% per stroke.
Burkert Fluid Control Systems
Irvine, CA
www.burkert-usa.com

For more features and articles on flow control, go to devicelink.com/mpmn/pumpsvalves
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