Patent ID: 7841363
Filing Date: 2010-11-30
Classification: F15B,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A modular system comprising: a first manifold for removably mounting a first plurality of components, the first manifold comprising an internal passage for fluidly connecting at least two of the first plurality of components to each other when they are mounted to the first manifold, and a port for fluidly connecting the internal passage to an external surface of the first manifold; and a second manifold for removably mounting a second plurality of components, the second manifold comprising an internal passage for fluidly connecting at least two of the second plurality of components to each other when they are mounted to the second manifold, and a port fluidly connecting the internal passage to an external surface of the second manifold; wherein the first and second manifolds are removably attachable to each other such that their respective ports fluidly communicate with each other; wherein the first manifold provides a first functionality for the system when the second manifold is not attached to the first manifold; and wherein the second manifold provides a second functionality different from the first functionality when the second manifold is attached to the first manifold, wherein the first manifold further comprises a removeably connected manually operatable valve configured to detach when the second manifold is attached to the first manifold and an automatic valve in the second manifold is configured to perform the valve function of the manually operatable valve when the second manifold is attached to the first manifold.