Precision pump with multiple heads

Abstract

A pump for one or more different process fluids is provided including a pumping chamber having a process fluid inlet and outlet coupled to a process fluid valve on each pumping chamber for selectively preventing and allowing flow of process fluid through the pumping chamber. An actuation mechanism for pumping actuating fluid to actuating fluid chambers is provided that is in communication with the actuating fluid chambers to permit flow into each actuating fluid chamber of incompressible actuating fluid. A diaphragm separates each pumping chamber from an associated actuating fluid chamber for separating process fluid from actuating fluid. The actuation mechanism is removable by a quick disconnect that provides for disconnection of the activation mechanism without affecting process fluid. Operation of the actuation mechanism to displace actuating fluid causes actuating fluid to flow only into each actuating fluid chamber having an opened process fluid valve, resulting in pumping.

1 - 26 . (canceled) 
     
     
         27 . A pump for use in handling one or more different process fluids, comprising:
 a plurality of pumping chambers, each pumping chamber adapted to independently pump one of the plurality of different process fluids, each pumping chamber including a process fluid inlet and a process fluid outlet, and a process fluid valve associated with each pumping chamber, the process fluid outlet coupled to the process fluid valve for selectively preventing and allowing the flow of process fluid through the pumping chamber;   an actuation mechanism for selectively pumping substantially incompressible actuating fluid to and from a plurality of actuating fluid chambers, wherein the actuation mechanism is in fluid communication with the plurality of actuating fluid chambers, the actuating mechanism selectively actuatable in a first direction to force actuating fluid into one of the plurality of actuating fluid chambers when dispensing one of the plurality of different process fluids and selectively actuatable in a second direction to draw actuating fluid out of one of the plurality of actuating fluid chambers thereby drawing one of the plurality of different process fluids into one of the plurality of pumping chambers, wherein the actuating fluid is in a closed system such that substantially no actuating fluid is removed from the system;   at least one diaphragm separating each pumping chamber from an associated actuating fluid chamber, for separating process fluid from actuating fluid;   a plurality of isolation valves, each isolation valve for selectively preventing and allowing the flow of activation fluid;   whereby operation of the actuation mechanism to displace actuating fluid causes actuating fluid to flow into each of the plurality of actuating fluid chambers having an opened process fluid valve, resulting in pumping of process fluids.   
     
     
         28 . (canceled) 
     
     
         29 . The pump of  claim 27 , further comprising a plurality of pump head structures, the plurality of pump head structures being arrayed around the body. 
     
     
         30 . The pump of  claim 27 , wherein each isolation valve is a proportional control valve to enable dispensing out of more than one pumping head simultaneously, at least one flow rate using a single one of the actuating mechanism.