Fluid delivery system, and associated apparatus and method

Abstract

A fluid delivery system for an in ovo injection apparatus is provided. Such a fluid delivery system includes a plurality of fluid pumps each having a select valve, a diaphragm valve, and an outlet valve. The select valves are individually controllable such that each select valve is selectively operated via a pneumatic actuator. The diaphragm valves and the outlet valves are commonly operated via respective pneumatic actuators. An input valve is provided for each fluid pump in instances that require high pressure delivery of a fluid substance via the fluid pumps. In such instances, the input valves and the diaphragm valves are commonly controlled via high pressure solenoid valves, while the select valves are selectively controlled and the outlet valves are commonly controlled via low pressure solenoid valves. An associated apparatus and method are also provided.

1 - 6 . (canceled) 
     
     
         7 . A method for delivering a fluid to a plurality of dispensing locations, the method comprising:
 applying positive air pressure to each of a select valve, an input valve, a diaphragm valve, and an outlet valve of a plurality of fluid pumps;   selectively applying vacuum to the select valves so as to selectively allow a fluid substance to flow along a plurality of fluid channels from a fluid reservoir;   commonly applying vacuum to the input valves;   commonly applying vacuum to the diaphragm valves so as to advance the fluid substance along the fluid channels from the select valves being selectively operated;   selectively applying positive air pressure to the select valves;   commonly applying positive air pressure to the input valves;   commonly applying vacuum to the outlet valves so as to allow the fluid substance to advance along the fluid channel from the diaphragm valve for more than one of the fluid pumps; and   commonly applying positive air pressure to the diaphragm valves so as to advance the fluid substance along the fluid channel from the outlet valve for more than one of the fluid pumps.   
     
     
         8 . A method according to  claim 7 , wherein applying positive air pressure to each of a select valve, an input valve, a diaphragm valve, and an outlet valve of a plurality of fluid pumps further comprises commonly applying positive air pressure to the input valves, the diaphragm valves, and the outlet valves. 
     
     
         9 . A method according to  claim 8 , wherein commonly applying positive and vacuum to the input valves and the diaphragm valves is facilitated by respective high pressure solenoid valves, and further wherein commonly applying positive and vacuum to the outlet valves and selectively applying positive and vacuum to the select valves are facilitated by respective low pressure solenoid valves. 
     
     
         10 . A method according to  claim 9 , wherein the high pressure solenoid valves control the input valves and the diaphragm valves at more than about 200 psi (1378 KPa), and the low pressure solenoid valves control the outlet valves and the select valves at less than about 30 psi (206 KPa). 
     
     
         11 . A method according to  claim 9 , further comprising advancing the fluid substance along the fluid channel from the outlet valve to an injection device, and injecting the fluid substance into an avian egg. 
     
     
         12 - 24 . (canceled)