A pressure-balanced, air-barrier microfluidic water supply system

Abstract

This invention discloses a pressure-balanced, air-isolated microfluidic water supply system, comprising a water replenishment container, a syringe pump, and a water storage container. The syringe pump is equipped with a working syringe and a replenishment syringe, and an isolation ball is disposed within the water storage container. In this invention, a sealed water storage container is used. After the water storage container is filled with water, it maintains a constant barrier between the water and air. By employing the syringe pump and isolation ball, when the water supply from the storage container decreases, the volume of the isolation ball within the storage container simultaneously and proportionally changes, maintaining a relatively stable (balanced) pressure within the storage container. This ensures that the water ultimately entering the experimental pipeline has a low air content while maintaining system stability.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of experimental equipment technology, and specifically to a pressure-balanced, air-barrier microfluidic water supply system. Background Technology

[0002] In flow measurement experiments using a micro liquid flow standard metering device, water supply is required. Because the final accumulated water volume is extremely low, if gas is released from the water in the experimental pipeline, the gas volume will change with pressure during the experiment, reducing the accuracy of the flow measurement and significantly impacting the measurement performance of the micro liquid flow standard metering device. Previously, the experimental water for micro liquid flow standard metering devices was degassed beforehand and placed in a storage container, from which the water was supplied to the device. If the storage container is sealed, as water is injected into the experimental pipeline, the liquid volume inside the sealed container decreases, creating negative pressure. Excessive pressure difference can cause the syringe pump to malfunction, and the water may also vaporize. Therefore, to ensure a relatively stable liquid pressure inside the storage container, the storage tank is usually designed to be open to the atmosphere. However, in this state, the air in the storage container will dissolve back into the water after a period of time, affecting the initial degassed effect and consequently impacting the accuracy of the micro liquid flow standard metering device. Summary of the Invention

[0003] To address the shortcomings of existing technologies, this invention aims to provide a pressure-balanced, air-tight microfluidic water supply system.

[0004] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention adopts the following technical solution:

[0005] A pressure-balanced, air-tight microfluidic water supply system includes a water replenishment container, a syringe pump, and a water storage container. The water storage container has a vent port connected to a vent valve V7. The syringe pump includes a working syringe, a replenishment syringe, and a plunger. The plunger's two ends are connected to the pistons of the working syringe and the replenishment syringe, respectively. The plunger is connected to a driving device, which drives the plunger to move towards either the working syringe or the replenishment syringe. The working syringe is connected to a pipeline with valve V2 and a pipeline with valve V1. The pipeline with valve V2 is connected to the water storage container. The pipe of valve V1 is connected to the experimental water pipe; the replenishment syringe is connected to a pipe with valve V3 and a pipe with valve V4 respectively; the pipe with valve V3 is connected to the water replenishment container, and the pipe with valve V4 is connected to the isolation ball; the isolation ball is located inside the water storage container, and it is water-proof, air-proof, elastic, and its volume can change; the outlet of the water replenishment container is also connected to the isolation ball through a pipe with valve V5; the water storage container is connected to the degassed water pipe through a pipe with valve V6; the working syringe and the replenishment syringe have the same volume and the same inner diameter; the position of the water replenishment container is higher than that of the water storage container.

[0006] Furthermore, the working syringe is connected to the first port of the three-way valve through a pipeline, the second port of the three-way valve serves as the pipeline exhaust port, and the third port of the three-way valve is connected to the pipeline with valve V2 and the pipeline with valve V1 through pipelines respectively.

[0007] Furthermore, the injection syringe is connected to the first port of the three-way valve two via a tubing, the second port of the three-way valve two serves as the tubing vent port, and the third port of the three-way valve two is connected to the tubing with valve V3 and the tubing with valve V4 via tubing respectively.

[0008] Furthermore, the water replenishment container is connected to the first port of a three-way valve three via a pipeline, the second port of the three-way valve three serves as the pipeline venting port, and the third port of the three-way valve three is connected to the pipeline with valve V3 and the pipeline with valve V5 via pipelines respectively.

[0009] Furthermore, the pipeline with valve V6 and the degassing water pipeline are respectively connected to the first port and the third port of the three-way valve four, and the second port of the three-way valve four serves as the pipeline exhaust port.

[0010] Furthermore, the water storage container is equipped with an ultrasonic transducer.

[0011] The present invention also provides a method for operating the above-mentioned pressure-balanced air-barrier micro-flow water supply system, the specific process of which is as follows:

[0012] In the initial state, the water storage container is filled with air. At this time, first open valve V6, and deaerated water is introduced into the water storage container through the deaerated water pipeline. Before using the isolation ball, open valve V5, and water in the water supply container enters the isolation ball, causing the isolation ball to fill with water and expand freely. The internal pressure of the isolation ball is determined by the height difference between the water supply container and the water storage container.

[0013] Open the vent valve V7 to vent the water storage container, ensuring that as much air as possible is removed. After introducing degassed water into the water storage container to the set capacity, close valve V6. Before installation and connection, fill the replenishing syringe with water and purge the working syringe of air.

[0014] At the start of operation, the working syringe is empty and needs to be filled with water. Open valves V2 and V4, and the drive mechanism moves the pusher towards the replenishing syringe, simultaneously moving the pistons of both the replenishing syringe and the working syringe. At this time, degassed water is drawn from the water storage container into the working syringe through valve V2, and the water in the replenishing syringe enters the isolation ball through the pipeline with valve V4. The water inlet flow rate of the working syringe and the water outlet flow rate of the replenishing syringe are roughly equal, and the total water volume in the water storage container, including the isolation ball, remains constant, maintaining pressure balance. Then close valves V2 and V4.

[0015] When degassed water needs to be supplied, open valves V1 and V3. The drive device will move the pusher towards the working syringe. The piston of the working syringe will force the degassed water into the pipeline with valve V1 and into the experimental water pipeline. At the same time, the movement of the piston of the replenishing syringe will cause the non-degassed water in the replenishing water container to enter the replenishing syringe through the pipeline with valve V3. The water output of the working syringe is equal to the water inlet of the replenishing syringe. After the degassed water supply is completed, close valves V1 and V3.

[0016] When the water in the working syringe runs out and needs to be replenished, valves V2 and V4 are opened again. The drive device pushes the pusher block towards the replenishing syringe. Degassed water is drawn from the water storage container into the working syringe through the pipe with valve V2. The non-degassed water in the replenishing syringe is injected into the isolation ball through the pipe with valve V4. The water inflow of the working syringe and the water outflow of the replenishing syringe are equal. The total water volume in the water storage container, including the isolation ball, remains unchanged, and the pressure remains balanced.

[0017] Furthermore, in the above method, to avoid excessive pressure inside the isolation ball, it is necessary to drain the isolation ball after a period of use. At this time, open valve V5 to draw the water out of the isolation ball into the water replenishment container, and open valve V6 to replenish the water storage container with degassed water.

[0018] The beneficial effects of this invention are as follows: In this invention, a sealed water storage container is used. After the water storage container is filled with water, the water in the water storage container can always be kept isolated from the air. By using structures such as an injection pump and an isolation ball, when the water storage container supplies water to the outside and the water volume decreases, the volume of the isolation ball in the water storage container is changed simultaneously and by the same amount to maintain the basic stability (balance) of the pressure in the water storage container. This ensures that the water that finally enters the experimental pipeline has a low air content while ensuring the stability of the system. Attached Figure Description

[0019] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the air-barrier microfluidic water supply system in the initial state when the water storage container begins to fill with water, as described in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0020] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the working syringe starting to enter water in the initial state of the air-barrier microfluidic water supply system in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0021] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the working syringe supplying water to the experimental water pipeline under normal operation in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0022] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the state of the drainage process of the isolation ball in the air-barrier micro-flow water supply system in an embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0023] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that this embodiment is based on the present technical solution and provides detailed implementation methods and specific operation processes, but the protection scope of the present invention is not limited to this embodiment.

[0024] Example 1

[0025] This embodiment provides a pressure-balanced, air-tight microfluidic water supply system, such as... Figure 1As shown, the system includes a water replenishment container 1, a syringe pump 2, and a water storage container 3. The water storage container 3 has an exhaust port connected to an exhaust valve V7, and an ultrasonic transducer 4 is installed inside the water storage container 3. The syringe pump 2 includes a working syringe 21, a replenishment syringe 22, and a pusher block. The two ends of the pusher block are respectively connected to the pistons of the working syringe 21 and the replenishment syringe 22. The pusher block is connected to a motor device (not shown in the figure), which drives the pusher block to move towards the working syringe 21 or the replenishment syringe 22. The working syringe 21 is connected to a pipeline with valve V2 and a pipeline with valve V1, respectively. The pipeline with valve V2 is connected to the water storage container 3. Water container 3, the pipeline with valve V1 is connected to the experimental water pipeline; the replenishment syringe 22 is connected to pipelines with valve V3 and valve V4 respectively; the pipeline with valve V3 is connected to water replenishment container 1, and the pipeline with valve V4 is connected to isolation ball 5; the isolation ball 5 is located inside the water storage container 3, and it is water-proof, air-proof, elastic and its volume can change; the outlet of the water replenishment container 1 is also connected to the isolation ball 5 through a pipeline with valve V5; the water storage container 3 is connected to the degassed water pipeline through a pipeline with valve V6; the working syringe and the replenishment syringe have the same volume and the same inner diameter; the position of the water replenishment container 1 is higher than that of the water storage container 3.

[0026] It should be noted that the isolation ball can be made of rubber material that has good elasticity and is waterproof and airproof.

[0027] In this embodiment, the working syringe 21 is connected to the first port of the three-way valve 6 via a pipeline, the second port of the three-way valve 6 serves as the pipeline exhaust port, and the third port of the three-way valve 6 is connected to the pipeline with valve V2 and the pipeline with valve V1 via pipelines respectively.

[0028] In this embodiment, the injection syringe 22 is connected to the first port of the three-way valve 7 via a tubing, the second port of the three-way valve 7 serves as the tubing vent port, and the third port of the three-way valve 7 is connected to the tubing with valve V3 and the tubing with valve V4 via tubing respectively.

[0029] In this embodiment, the water replenishment container 1 is connected to the first port of a three-way valve 8 via a pipeline, the second port of the three-way valve 8 serves as the pipeline venting port, and the third port of the three-way valve 8 is connected to a pipeline with valve V3 and a pipeline with valve V5 via pipelines respectively.

[0030] In this embodiment, the pipeline with valve V6 and the degassing water pipeline are respectively connected to the first port and the third port of the three-way valve 9, and the second port of the three-way valve 9 serves as the pipeline exhaust port.

[0031] It should be noted that the vent ports of each three-way valve are mainly used to remove residual air from the pipeline. Depending on the experimental requirements, it may be necessary to replace the working syringe and replenishment syringe with different sizes (volumes). After reinstallation, a small amount of air may remain in the pipeline. In this case, it is necessary to vent the air through the vent ports of each three-way valve to prevent air from being directly pushed into the pipeline.

[0032] Example 2

[0033] This embodiment provides a working method for the pressure-balanced air-barrier microflow water supply system described in Embodiment 1. The specific process is as follows:

[0034] In the initial state, such as Figure 1 As shown, the water storage container 3 is filled with air. At this time, first open valve V6, and deaerated water is introduced into the water storage container 3 through the deaerated water pipeline. Before using the isolation ball, open valve V5, and water in the water supply container enters the isolation ball, making the isolation ball full of water and allowing it to expand freely. The internal pressure of the isolation ball is determined by the height difference between the water supply container and the water storage container.

[0035] Open the vent valve V7 to vent the water storage container 3. To ensure that as much air as possible is removed from the water storage container, a vacuum pump can also be used to vent at the vent valve V7 (negative pressure, not too high). After introducing degassed water into the water storage container 3 to the set capacity, close valve V6. At this time, turn on the ultrasonic transducer 4 to further degassed the water. Before installation and connection, fill the replenishing syringe 22 with water and purge the air from the working syringe 21.

[0036] When starting work, the working syringe 21 is empty and needs to be filled with water. For example... Figure 2 As shown, valves V2 and V4 are opened, and the motor drives the pusher 23 to move towards the replenishing syringe 22. At the same time, the pistons of the replenishing syringe 22 and the working syringe 22 move. At this time, degassed water is drawn from the water storage container into the working syringe 21 through valve V2, and the water in the replenishing syringe 22 enters the isolation ball 5 through the pipeline with valve V4. The water inlet of the working syringe 21 and the water outlet of the replenishing syringe 22 are equal, and the total water volume in the water storage container 3, including the isolation ball 5, remains unchanged, and the pressure remains balanced. Then, valves V2 and V4 are closed.

[0037] When degassed water is needed, valves V1 and V3 are opened, and the pusher is driven by the motor to move towards the working syringe 21. The piston of the working syringe 21 forces the degassed water into the pipeline with valve V1 and into the experimental water pipeline. At the same time, the movement of the piston of the replenishment syringe causes the non-degassed water in the replenishment container 1 to enter the replenishment syringe through the pipeline with valve V3. The output water volume of the working syringe is equivalent to the inflow water volume of the replenishment syringe. Figure 3 As shown. After the deaeration water supply is completed, close valves V1 and V3.

[0038] When the water in the working syringe runs out and needs to be replenished, valves V2 and V4 are opened again. The motor device pushes the pusher block 23 towards the replenishing syringe 22. Degassed water is drawn from the water storage container 3 into the working syringe 21 through the pipeline with valve V2. The non-degassed water in the replenishing syringe is injected into the isolation ball 5 through the pipeline with valve V4. The water inlet of the working syringe 21 and the water outlet of the replenishing syringe 22 are equal. The total water volume in the water storage container 3, including the isolation ball 5, remains unchanged, and the pressure remains balanced.

[0039] Furthermore, to prevent excessive pressure inside the isolation ball 5, it is necessary to drain the water from the isolation ball 5 after a period of use. At this time, open valve V5 to draw the water from the isolation ball into the water replenishment container 1, and open valve V6 to replenish the water storage container with degassed water. Figure 4 As shown.

[0040] For those skilled in the art, various corresponding changes and modifications can be made based on the above technical solutions and concepts, and all such changes and modifications should be included within the protection scope of the claims of this invention.

Claims

1. A pressure-balanced, air-barrier microfluidic water supply system, characterized in that, The device includes a water replenishment container, an injection pump, and a water storage container. The water storage container has a vent, which is connected to an vent valve V7. The injection pump includes a working syringe, a replenishment syringe, and a pusher. The two ends of the pusher are connected to the pistons of the working syringe and the replenishment syringe, respectively. The pusher is connected to a drive device, which drives the pusher to move towards either the working syringe or the replenishment syringe. The working syringe is connected to a pipeline with valve V2 and a pipeline with valve V1. The pipeline with valve V2 connects to the water storage container, and the pipeline with valve V1 connects to... The experimental water pipeline is as follows: the replenishment syringe is connected to a pipeline with valve V3 and a pipeline with valve V4 respectively; the pipeline with valve V3 is connected to the water replenishment container, and the pipeline with valve V4 is connected to the isolation ball; the isolation ball is located inside the water storage container, and it is water-proof, air-proof, elastic, and its volume can change; the outlet of the water replenishment container is also connected to the isolation ball through a pipeline with valve V5; the water storage container is connected to the degassed water pipeline through a pipeline with valve V6; the working syringe and the replenishment syringe have the same volume and the same inner diameter; the position of the water replenishment container is higher than that of the water storage container.

2. The pressure-balanced air-barrier micro-flow water supply system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The working syringe is connected to the first port of the three-way valve through a pipeline. The second port of the three-way valve serves as the pipeline exhaust port. The third port of the three-way valve is connected to the pipeline with valve V2 and the pipeline with valve V1 through pipelines respectively.

3. The pressure-balanced air-barrier micro-flow water supply system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The injection syringe is connected to the first port of the three-way valve two via a tubing. The second port of the three-way valve two serves as the vent port of the tubing. The third port of the three-way valve two is connected to the tubing with valve V3 and the tubing with valve V4 via tubing, respectively.

4. The pressure-balanced air-barrier micro-flow water supply system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The water supply container is connected to the first port of a three-way valve three via a pipeline. The second port of the three-way valve three serves as the pipeline venting port. The third port of the three-way valve three is connected to a pipeline with valve V3 and a pipeline with valve V5 via pipelines.

5. The pressure-balanced air-barrier micro-flow water supply system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The pipeline with valve V6 and the degassing water pipeline are respectively connected to the first port and the third port of the three-way valve four, and the second port of the three-way valve four serves as the pipeline exhaust port.

6. The pressure-balanced air-barrier micro-flow water supply system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The water storage container is equipped with an ultrasonic transducer.

7. A method for operating the pressure-balanced, air-tight microfluidic water supply system according to any one of claims 1-6, characterized in that, The specific process is as follows: In the initial state, the water storage container is filled with air. At this time, first open valve V6, and deaerated water is introduced into the water storage container through the deaerated water pipeline. Before using the isolation ball, open valve V5, and water in the water supply container enters the isolation ball, causing the isolation ball to fill with water and expand freely. The internal pressure of the isolation ball is determined by the height difference between the water supply container and the water storage container. Open the vent valve V7 to vent the water storage container, ensuring that as much air as possible is removed. After introducing degassed water into the water storage container to the set capacity, close valve V6. Before installation and connection, fill the replenishing syringe with water and purge the working syringe of air. At the start of operation, the working syringe is empty and needs to be filled with water. Open valves V2 and V4, and the drive mechanism moves the pusher towards the replenishing syringe, simultaneously moving the pistons of both the replenishing syringe and the working syringe. At this time, degassed water is drawn from the water storage container into the working syringe through valve V2, and the water in the replenishing syringe enters the isolation ball through the pipeline with valve V4. The water inlet flow rate of the working syringe and the water outlet flow rate of the replenishing syringe are roughly equal, and the total water volume in the water storage container, including the isolation ball, remains constant, maintaining pressure balance. Then close valves V2 and V4. When degassed water needs to be supplied, open valves V1 and V3. The drive device will move the pusher towards the working syringe. The piston of the working syringe will force the degassed water into the pipeline with valve V1 and into the experimental water pipeline. At the same time, the movement of the piston of the replenishing syringe will cause the non-degassed water in the replenishing water container to enter the replenishing syringe through the pipeline with valve V3. The water output of the working syringe is equal to the water inlet of the replenishing syringe. After the degassed water supply is completed, close valves V1 and V3. When the water in the working syringe runs out and needs to be replenished, valves V2 and V4 are opened again. The drive device pushes the pusher block towards the replenishing syringe. Degassed water is drawn from the water storage container into the working syringe through the pipe with valve V2. The non-degassed water in the replenishing syringe is injected into the isolation ball through the pipe with valve V4. The water inflow of the working syringe and the water outflow of the replenishing syringe are equal. The total water volume in the water storage container, including the isolation ball, remains unchanged, and the pressure remains balanced.

8. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that, To prevent excessive pressure inside the isolation ball, it is necessary to drain the isolation ball after a period of use. At this time, open valve V5 to draw the water out of the isolation ball into the water replenishment container, and open valve V6 to replenish the water storage container with degassed water.

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