Patent ID: 7051757

Claim:
A flow controller for programmable flow control of a fluid over a range of flow rates, comprising: a housing body; a flow inlet in the housing body; a flow outlet in the housing body; a flow receiving chamber located in the housing body between the flow inlet and the flow outlet; an adjustable diaphragm member along a portion of the flow receiving chamber; an actuator controlling the position of the adjustable diaphragm member to regulate the flow of fluid through the housing body; a reciprocating cam having a tapered contact surface in the direction of reciprocating movement configured for programmable flow control over the range of flow rates, the tapered contact surface of the reciprocating cam engaging the actuator for incrementally moving the adjustable diaphragm member to control the position of the adjustable diaphragm member and thereby regulate the flow of fluid to a controlled flow rate; and a motor for moving the reciprocating cam to incrementally move the actuator to control the position of the adjustable diaphragm member.