Method and arrangement for determining connectivity of fluid paths

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for determining the connectivity of a fluid path of a fluid device having a stationary component (214) and a movable component (224), in which the stationary component has a first channel (248) with a first port opening (249) which can be interconnected with a second port opening (250b) of a second channel (250) in the movable component, and wherein the channels can be interconnected to establish at least a portion of a fluid path (280). The method comprises the steps of:-generating a sound signal at one end of the fluid path; receiving the generated sound signal at the other end of the fluid path; measuring the sound intensity of the received signal; and-moving the movable member relative to the stationary member such that the first port opening and the second port opening are moved into alignment with each other and then out of alignment. The step of measuring sound intensity is performed during the step of moving, and the connectivity of the fluid path is determined by correlating the measured sound intensity with a degree of center-to-center alignment of the first port opening and the second port opening.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for determining the position of one or more fluid paths of a fluidic device, the fluidic device comprising at least a first channel segment and a second channel segment movable relative to each other and capable of being connected to each other to form at least a portion of the fluid path. The invention also relates to an apparatus for testing and calibrating such a fluidic device. Background Art

[0002] An example of a device including interconnected fluid paths is a rotary valve. This rotary valve can be used in laboratory automation systems to distribute fluids such as reagents, diluents, samples, etc. A rotary valve typically includes a stator component with stator channels and a rotor component with rotor channels. Depending on the rotational position, the rotor channels interconnect different stator channels. A pump can transfer fluid from a first container and / or channel to the rotary valve, and depending on the rotor position of the rotary valve, the rotary valve can distribute the fluid to other containers and / or channels. The rotary valve can also extract fluid from one of multiple source containers and distribute the fluid to a common outlet.

[0003] Microfluidic applications and flow cell applications require precise, constant flow rates and clean "switching" between fluids, with minimal flushing of previous reagents from the pipeline. To this end, highly precise alignment is required between the stator channel openings and the rotor channel openings. US2020 / 108386 discloses a method and apparatus for identifying the fluid path position of a rotary valve. The rotary valve is rotated to a plurality of rotary valve positions by a test system. A fluid parameter is measured at each rotary valve position and mapped to the rotary valve position. The measured fluid parameter is a pressure parameter or a mass flow parameter. From the mapping, it can be determined whether the rotary valve is aligned with each of the predetermined port positions for flowing reagents through the channel.

[0004] There remains room for improvement in defining a method for determining fluid path location that does not rely on measurements of fluid parameters. Summary of the Invention

[0005] In a first aspect, the present invention provides a method for determining connectivity of a fluid path in a fluidic device, the fluidic device comprising a movable member and a stationary member, and comprising a first channel and a second channel connectable to each other to establish at least a portion of the fluid path, wherein the first channel is disposed in the stationary member and the second channel is disposed in the movable member, wherein the first channel has a first port opening connected to a second port opening of the second channel.

[0006] The method, based on the recognition that a fluid path also forms a sound propagation path, includes the following steps: generating an acoustic signal at one end of the fluid path; receiving the generated signal at the other end of the fluid path; and measuring the acoustic intensity of the received signal. The acoustic signal generator may be disposed within or connected to one of the channels, while the acoustic receiver may be disposed within or connected to the other channel.

[0007] When the fluid path is blocked, the acoustic signal cannot be detected. Misalignment will also affect the measured sound intensity. When the port opening is in optimal alignment, the fluid path connectivity is optimal, and the measured sound intensity is maximum. If the port opening is only partially aligned, the measured sound intensity will be lower.

[0008] The method further comprises the step of moving the movable member relative to the stationary member so that the first port opening and the second port opening are aligned with each other and out of alignment. During the moving step, the acoustic intensity associated with establishing the fluid path is measured, the acoustic intensity therefore indicating the center-to-center alignment between the port openings and the connectivity of the fluid path. The measuring step may be performed simultaneously with the moving step. Alternatively, the movable member may be moved in incremental steps, and the associated acoustic intensity is subsequently measured. The method further comprises the step of associating the measured acoustic intensity with the center-to-center alignment of the port openings.

[0009] The method may also be used to determine a position of optimal alignment of the first port opening relative to the second port opening based on the measured acoustic intensity.

[0010] The fluidic device is suitably provided with a position encoder for generating a position signal indicating the position of the movable member relative to the stationary member. The method further comprises receiving the position signal and recording the position at different measured acoustic signal intensities. The position of optimal alignment is then determined based on the measured acoustic signal.

[0011] This can be achieved by identifying the location where the measured sound intensity is greatest. Additionally, or alternatively, the edge of the movable port opening can be detected when the measured signal rises above a minimum threshold, at which point the channel port openings enter partial alignment with each other, and then the measured signal falls back below the minimum threshold as the port openings move out of alignment and into a blocked position. The location of optimal alignment of the port openings is then determined to be the center position between the measured edge locations.

[0012] In certain embodiments, the fluid device is a linear valve comprising a movable member that is linearly displaceable relative to a stationary member. The linear valve suitably comprises a linear displacement mechanism and a controller that controls the linear position of the movable member based on a position signal received from a position encoder, wherein the position encoder comprises a sensor mounted on one of the movable member and the stationary member. The linear valve further comprises a main channel disposed in one of the movable member and the stationary member, and a plurality of optional auxiliary channels disposed in another of the stationary member or the movable member. By linear displacement (e.g., switching or sliding), the port opening of the main channel is aligned with the port opening of the selected auxiliary channel, thereby enabling the establishment of multiple fluid paths, or vice versa.

[0013] The method includes a movable member that is linearly displaced so that the port opening of the main channel moves relative to the port opening of each optional auxiliary channel. The sound intensity associated with each established fluid path is measured, and the linear position of the movable member is measured and recorded, and based on the measured sound intensity, the position of the optimal center-to-center alignment between the port opening of the main channel and the port opening of each auxiliary channel is determined. Preferably, the sound intensity of each established fluid path is measured during the linear displacement of the movable member in the "forward" direction and the "backward" direction to eliminate the hysteresis effect of the entire system. The optimal positions determined in the two directions can be averaged and then stored as the optimal alignment position for achieving center-to-center alignment of the port opening of the main channel with the port opening of each optional auxiliary channel. Alternatively, depending on the direction of the applied linear displacement, the optimal position that can be used to locate the relevant port opening is determined independently for each direction.

[0014] In other embodiments, the fluidic device is a rotary valve, wherein the movable member is a rotor member including a rotor channel, and the stationary member is a stator assembly including a plurality of selectable stator channels. The rotary valve is suitably provided with a position encoder for providing a position signal indicative of an angular position of the rotor member relative to the stator assembly, and a controller for controlling rotation of the rotor member based on the position signal.

[0015] The method comprises rotating the port opening of the rotor channel past the port opening of each selectable sub-channel and measuring the acoustic intensity associated with each established fluid path, while measuring and recording the angular position of the rotor member. Based on the measured acoustic intensity, the position of the optimal center-to-center alignment of the port opening of the rotor channel and the port opening of each stator channel is determined. Preferably, the acoustic intensity of each established fluid path is measured during the rotation of the rotor member in a clockwise direction and a counterclockwise direction to eliminate the hysteresis effect of the entire system. The optimal positions determined in the two directions can be averaged and then the average value is stored as the position of optimal alignment, which is used to achieve center-to-center alignment of the port opening of the rotor channel with the port opening of each selectable sub-channel. Alternatively, depending on the direction of the applied rotation, the optimal position that can be used to position the port opening is determined independently for each direction.

[0016] In both cases where the fluid device is a linear valve or a rotary valve, since the acoustic signal is analyzed relative to the position of the movable member, the method is independent of the fluid properties and will therefore be applicable to any fluid, including air, water and, for example, reagents.

[0017] Thus, a linear valve or a rotary valve can be programmed with a corresponding encoder value to control the linear displacement of the movable member, or the rotation of the rotor member when the corresponding valve is used, to ensure optimal alignment when a particular fluid path is selected.

[0018] The programming described above can be performed before the sale of a linear or rotary valve using a specially adapted test arrangement. If recalibration is required after use of the valve, the method can be repeated by integrating a measuring arrangement in a fluid system comprising the rotary or linear valve.

[0019] In another aspect, the present invention provides an apparatus for testing and calibrating a linear or rotary valve.

[0020] In embodiments where the valve is a rotary valve as described above, the apparatus includes an analysis device and a measurement fixture having a central opening connectable to a central stator channel of a stator assembly of the valve, and a plurality of outer openings, each of which is connectable to a corresponding stator channel of the stator assembly. The central opening of the measurement fixture is provided with one of a sound transmitter and a sound receiver, while each of the outer openings of the measurement fixture is provided with the other of a sound receiver and a sound transmitter, enabling measurement of the acoustic intensity associated with each established fluid path. The analysis device is configured to measure the acoustic intensity of the received signal as the rotor port opening rotates past each selectable stator port opening.

[0021] The analysis device may also be configured to receive and record position signals from the rotary encoder during measurement and determine the position of optimal center-to-center alignment of the rotor port opening and each stator port opening based on the acoustic signals measured for each established fluid path.

[0022] Alternatively, the analysis means may be configured to detect when the measured signal rises above a threshold and falls back below the threshold and provide a corresponding digital high / low signal to a rotary encoder of the valve.

[0023] In embodiments where the valve is a linear valve as described above, an apparatus for testing and calibrating the linear valve includes a measuring fixture having a stationary portion for holding a stationary component of the valve and a moving portion for holding a movable component. When the stationary component comprises a primary channel, the stationary portion of the fixture is provided with one of a sound transmitter and a sound receiver arranged to form a sealed connection with the primary channel. The moving portion of the fixture, comprising a plurality of auxiliary channels, is provided with a corresponding one of a plurality of sound transmitters and a corresponding one of a plurality of sound receivers, each of the plurality of sound transmitters and the plurality of sound receivers being arranged to form a sealed connection with a corresponding auxiliary channel.

[0024] When the movable member of the valve includes a main channel, the moving part of the measuring fixture is provided with one of the sound transmitter and the sound receiver, and the stationary part is provided with the other of a plurality of sound transmitters and the sound receiver, each of the plurality of sound transmitters and the plurality of sound receivers being arranged in closed connection with a corresponding auxiliary channel in the stationary member of the valve.

[0025] The apparatus further comprises an analyzing device configured to measure the acoustic intensity of the received signal associated with each established fluid path during the linear displacement of the movable member.

[0026] The analysis device can also be configured to receive and record position signals from the position encoder during measurement, and determine the position of optimal center-to-center alignment for the port opening of the main channel and the port opening of each auxiliary channel based on the sound signals measured for each established fluid path.

[0027] Alternatively, the analysis means may be configured to detect when the measured signal rises above a threshold and falls back below the threshold and to provide corresponding digital high / low signals to a position encoder of the linear valve.

[0028] The analysis device used in the method and apparatus of the present invention may be an oscilloscope, a threshold comparison circuit, or a computer-based data collection system.

[0029] The acoustic transmitter used in the methods and apparatus of the present invention emits an acoustic signal, preferably having an ultrasonic frequency greater than 20 kHz. The acoustic intensity can be measured by measuring the peak-to-peak amplitude of the received signal. Other properties of the received acoustic signal, such as frequency tuning, echo, harmonics, or total harmonic distortion, can also be measured to detect debris generated, for example, by drilling connection ports and passageways during the manufacture of rotary or linear valves.

[0030] Thus, the method and apparatus of the present invention enable direct and reliable determination of fluid path connectivity, enabling optimal fluid path positions to be measured and established during testing and calibration of linear or rotary valves.

[0031] The above-mentioned aspects and other aspects of the present invention will be elucidated and made apparent with reference to the embodiments described hereinafter and the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0032] Figure 1 shows a perspective cross-sectional view of a rotary valve, which is an embodiment of a product that can implement the method of the present invention;

[0033] Figure 2 schematically shows a part of a rotor component and a part of a stator component of another embodiment of a rotary valve, including parts of a measuring arrangement for carrying out the method of the invention;

[0034] Figure 3a Depicts a cross-sectional view of a measuring fixture for carrying out an embodiment of the method of the present invention, wherein the method is used to measure the Figure 2 determining optimal fluid path connectivity and optimal fluid path alignment in the depicted rotary valve;

[0035] Figure 3b Depicts Figure 3a Top cross-sectional view of the measurement arrangement portion.

[0036] Figure 4a and Figure 4b A schematic diagram of a linear valve and components of a measuring arrangement for implementing the method of the invention is shown.

[0037] Figure 5a is a schematic cross-sectional view of another embodiment of a linear valve.

[0038] Figure 5b is a schematic cross-sectional view of a measuring fixture for carrying out the method of the present invention for determining Figure 5a Optimal fluid path connectivity and optimal fluid path alignment for linear valves.

[0039] It should be noted that components with the same reference numerals in different drawings have the same structural features and the same functions. In the case where the function and / or structure of a feature has been described, there is no need to repeat it in the detailed description. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0040] The method of the present invention is particularly suitable for determining the position of a fluid path in a product such as a rotary valve or a linear valve, and for illustrative purposes will be described in detail using such a product as an example.

[0041] Figure 1 A rotary valve 10 is shown with a rotor assembly 12 and a stator assembly 14 within a housing 16. The rotor assembly 12 includes a spring element 18, a bearing 20 (such as a thrust bearing), a coupling 22, a rotor member 24, a bushing 26, and a radial bearing 27. The spring element 18 is located in an annular cavity 28 of the housing 16 and presses the rotor member 24 against the stator assembly 14 via the bearing 20 and coupling 22. A sealing ring 30 provides a seal between the rotor assembly and the housing 16.

[0042] The rotor member 24 is rotatably mounted to the bearing 20 and rotatably mounted within a radial bearing 27. The rotor member 24 is adapted to rotate about an axis of rotation A. A shaft of a gear and / or a shaft of an electric motor may be mounted in the coupling 22 and in an opening 32 of the rotor member 24 via the annular cavity 28.

[0043] The rotary valve 10 is provided with a rotary encoder assembly 33, which includes an encoder member 34 mounted on the rotor member 24, adjacent to the radial bearing 27, and an encoder module 35 mounted on the housing 16. The encoder member 34 surrounds the rotor member 24 and is rigidly connected to the rotor member 24. For example, the encoder member may be molded and / or held in place by bonding with the rotor member 24 or by bonding with other components connected to the rotor member 24.

[0044] The stator assembly 14 includes a stator member 36 that is fixed to the housing 16. A pin 38 prevents the stator member 36 from rotating. A port member 40 of the stator assembly 14 is positioned and aligned on the stator member 36 by a locating ring (or pin) 41 and is fixed to the housing by a threaded ring 42. The port member 40 includes connection ports 44a, 44b for connecting lines or pipes to the rotary valve 10. The connection ports are generally cylindrical openings that are parallel to the axis of rotation.

[0045] The stator member 36 includes a central stator passage 46 that opens into a central, or common, port 44a of the port member 40. The stator member also includes a plurality of selectable stator passages 48 that are arranged radially outwardly from the central stator passage and open into outboard connection ports 44b of the port member 40. The rotor member 24 includes a rotor passage 50 that connects the central stator passage 46 to one of the selectable stator passages 48 at a particular rotor position. In this rotor position, fluid can flow from the common port 44a to one of the outboard ports 44b, or vice versa. In other positions, fluid flow is blocked.

[0046] The rotor component 24 has a flat, disk-shaped rotor face 52, in which the rotor channel 50 is provided as a groove. The stator component 36 has a flat, disk-shaped stator face 54, which faces the rotor face 52 and contacts the rotor face 52. The spring element 18 presses the rotor face 52 against the stator face 54, thereby generating a liquid-tight connection.

[0047] The rotor member 24 includes a cylindrical body 56 having an opening 32 at one end for receiving the shaft and a rotor body 57 at the other end that provides the rotor face 52. The bodies 56 and 57 may be made of the same material and / or may be integrally formed. Both the rotor face 52 and the stator face 54 are aligned orthogonally to the axis of rotation.

[0048] The coupling 22 is attached into the opening 32 . The encoder assembly 34 is attached to the outer surface of the cylindrical body 56 , wherein the encoder assembly 34 surrounds the opening 32 .

[0049] The encoder member 34 is arranged between the bearing bushing 26 and a flange 58 of the rotor member 24. The annular flange 58 extends around the cylindrical body 56 of the rotor member 24. Inside, the flange 58 houses the coupling 22.

[0050] The stator member 36 includes an annular groove 60 surrounding the stator face 54. A portion of the bearing 27 projects into the annular groove 60 for collecting fluid that would otherwise escape from the space between the rotor face 52 and the stator face 54.

[0051] The encoder member 34 may be a ring magnet. The rotational position of the rotor member 24 may be evaluated by sensing the magnetic poles of the encoder member 34 through the encoder module 35. In the case of a magnetic encoder member 34, in order to mold the encoder member 34 to the rotor member 24, the encoder member 34 may be integrally molded in the molding material.

[0052] The encoder assembly 34 may include magnetic poles, and the encoder module 35 may be adapted to sense the magnetic poles with a sensor 62. The sensor 62 may be a Hall effect sensor. For example, the encoder assembly 34 may include eight pairs of magnetic poles for determining relative position and indexing poles for determining absolute position. This results in a resolution of approximately 4,000 to 16,000 steps over 360°.

[0053] Generally, encoder member 34 includes or is a ring surrounding rotor member 24 that provides an encoding of the rotational position of rotor member 24. Such encoding can be provided in a magnetic or optical manner. As another example, encoder member 34 can include a ring with openings, wherein sensor 62 can detect light passing through the openings or light blocked by the ring between the openings, in which case sensor 62 can be an optical sensor.

[0054] The encoder module 35 may also include circuitry 64 for evaluating the signal from the sensor 62 and generating a digital signal encoding the angular position, which may then be sent via a cable 66 to a controller for controlling the rotary valve 10 .

[0055] The rotor member 24 is rotated to a predetermined angular position stored in the main control board of the rotary valve controller so that the rotor passage 50 interconnects the central stator passage 46 with one of the selectable stator passages 48, thereby establishing a fluid path.

[0056] Figure 2 Schematically depicts a portion of a rotor member 224 and a portion of a stator assembly 214 in another embodiment of a rotary valve. In the depicted embodiment, the stator assembly is a single component in which stator channels 246, 248 and corresponding connection ports 244a, 244b are integrated. The connection port may include a threaded insert (not shown) for attaching a pipeline. The rotor channel 250 extends in a radial direction between a central port opening 250a and a radially outer port opening 250b located in the face of the rotor member 244. The central opening 250a is connected to the central stator channel 246 and then to the common port 244a. The rotor member is depicted as being in a predetermined angular position, wherein the radially outer opening 250b is connected to the corresponding port opening of the first selectable sub-channel 248 and the corresponding connection port 244b at the predetermined angular position. Each selectable sub-channel has a port opening 249. To ensure optimal connectivity of the established fluid paths, the exact angular position of the corresponding stator channel openings must be known so that the outer openings 250b of the rotor channels can be rotated into alignment with them. This can be achieved by manufacturing the rotor and stator components to precise tolerances, but this approach is costly. Furthermore, after extended use of such rotary valves, misalignment may occur, rendering the stored encoder values no longer accurately aligned with the necessary channels.

[0057] Therefore, measuring fluid path connectivity helps detect whether optimal connectivity exists or has been lost between interconnected channels, allowing corrections to be implemented.

[0058] According to the method of the present invention, the connectivity of the fluid path is determined by measuring the sound intensity. Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the method can be used to determine optimal fluid path connectivity and relate the optimal fluid path connectivity to the angular positions of the rotor and encoder when the optimal connectivity occurs.

[0059] In one embodiment, a sound transmitter (e.g., ultrasonic transmitter 281) is arranged in a closed connection channel with a common port 244a to transmit ultrasonic signals of, for example, 40 kHz. Suitably, each optional connection port 244b is provided with an ultrasonic receiver 282. Figure 2 As shown, the common port 244a is fluidly connected to the first selectable port through the rotor channel 250, and the fluid path depicted by the dashed line 280 can be considered the path of acoustic wave propagation. The amplitude of the acoustic signal detected by the receiver 282 provides a measure of the degree of fluid path connection, which in turn corresponds to the degree of alignment of the outer opening 250b of the rotor channel with the opening 249 in the selectable selectable channel.

[0060] When the outer opening 250b of the rotor channel is optimally aligned with the opening in the selectable sub-channel, the received signal typically has a maximum amplitude. When the corresponding openings are partially aligned, the received signal amplitude is smaller, and when the fluid path is blocked, no signal is detected. The received signal can be a sinusoidal signal, and the peak-to-peak signal amplitude can be measured.

[0061] In order to determine the optimal alignment position associated with each fluid path, a test is performed in which the acoustic signal received by each receiver is measured while the rotor member rotates, wherein the rotation of the rotor member causes the outer opening 250b of the rotor channel to move into alignment and out of alignment with the opening 249 of each selectable sub-channel 248. Simultaneously, the angular position of the rotor member is recorded by an angular position encoder, wherein the angular position encoder includes an encoding member mounted to the rotor member.

[0062] The test can be performed by mounting the rotary valve on a teaching fixture, such as Figure 3a Depicted in a side cross-sectional view, the teaching fixture forms part of a measurement arrangement. Figure 3b Shown is an enlarged view of a portion of the teaching fixture and rotary valve.

[0063] The rotary valve 210 is arranged in a holder 300, which also houses a teaching fixture 360 so that the axial end surface of the teaching fixture contacts the axial end surface of the stator assembly 214. Figure 2 As shown in the schematic depiction of FIG, in the depicted embodiment, the stator assembly is a single component in which the stator channels and connection ports are integrated. Figure 2 ) is provided with a threaded insert 245. The teaching fixture also includes a central protrusion 362 that mounts to the common port 244a of the stator assembly 214; and a plurality of radially outer protrusions 363 that mount to the optional connection ports 244b. The protrusions can be integrally formed with the teaching fixture or formed via separate connection conduits that can be mounted to the threaded insert 245.

[0064] The teaching fixture has a central opening 364, which may include a tapered section that narrows toward a central channel section 365 that extends through the central protrusion 362 and connects to the central stator channel 246. An ultrasonic transmitter 281 may be disposed in a plug that closes the central opening 364. The teaching fixture also includes a flange portion having a larger diameter and having a plurality of angularly spaced second openings 366 disposed radially outward from the central opening 364. Each radially outward opening may be tapered, narrowing toward a second channel section 367 that extends through the protrusion 363 and then into the stator assembly's selectable port, connecting to the corresponding selectable stator channel 248. Furthermore, each radially outward opening 366 is provided with an ultrasonic receiver 282, which is suitably disposed in the plug that closes the opening.

[0065] Therefore, the transmitter 281 emits an ultrasonic signal, which propagates through the central opening 364 and the central channel 365 of the teaching fixture 360 into the central stator channel 246 and then propagates along the rotor channel 250. When the radially outer port opening 250b of the rotor channel (see Figure 2 ) is at least partially aligned with the port opening 249 of the selectable sub-channel 248, the ultrasonic signal can propagate along the second channel segment 367 and the second opening 366 of the teaching fixture and be detected by the corresponding receiver 282 at the second opening 366.

[0066] During the test, the rotor member is rotated by means of the drive shaft 295 of the motor 290 of the rotary valve. Figure 3aAs depicted at reference numeral 370, the testing arrangement further includes an analysis device, such as an oscilloscope, a threshold comparison circuit, or a computer-based data collection system, that receives and measures the signal from each ultrasonic receiver 282. In addition, the analysis device 370 may receive an angular position signal from an encoder module that detects the position of a rotary encoder 234 mounted on the rotor member 224. Alternatively, the analysis device 370 may be configured to provide input to the encoder module, which suitably includes firmware that is programmed to store the position based on the received input.

[0067] As the rotor member 224 rotates, the port opening 250b of the rotor passage 250 (see Figure 2 ) is moved into alignment and then out of alignment with the port opening 249 of each selectable subchannel 248. In one embodiment of the method, the angular position of the maximum signal amplitude measured by a particular receiver 282 is determined to be the position of optimal alignment. Preferably, the test is performed by rotating the rotor member 224 in both clockwise and counterclockwise directions to minimize hysteresis effects. In one embodiment, the average of the angular positions corresponding to the maximum signal amplitude measured by each receiver in each direction is recorded and then stored as the optimal position for center-to-center alignment.

[0068] Alternatively, the position of optimal alignment may be determined based on the direction of rotation, whereby the recorded angular position associated with the maximum signal amplitude in a particular direction is stored as the encoder value such that the rotor channel is aligned with the selected stator channel when rotating in that direction.

[0069] In another alternative embodiment, the edge of the stator port opening is detected. As described above, when the outer port opening 250b of the rotor channel is completely misaligned with the stator port opening 249, no acoustic signal is received. Once an acoustic signal path exists, a measurable signal is received, which enables the first edge of the port opening 249 to be detected. Therefore, the method includes recording the angular position when the measured signal rises above a predetermined threshold. When the rotor opening 250b and the optional stator port opening 249 are completely moved out of the aligned position, the measured signal drops back to zero. The angular position can also be recorded when the measured signal drops back below the predetermined threshold to determine the position of the second edge of the port opening. The position of optimal center-to-center alignment is then determined to be the midpoint between the recorded first edge position and the second edge position. Similarly, the test is preferably performed by rotating the rotor member 224 in two directions, and then taking an average of the determined midpoints.

[0070] In yet another embodiment, the rotor member is rotated in one direction and the angular position is recorded when the measured signal from each receiver 282 rises above a threshold value and the angular position is stored as the angular position of the first edge of each stator port opening 249. The analyzer 370 can be programmed to detect if the measured signal falls back below the threshold value, which acts as a reset to indicate that the next time the measured signal rises above the threshold value, the rotor member is rotated in the opposite direction. Similarly, the angular position is recorded when the measured signal from each receiver 282 rises above the threshold value and the angular position is stored as the angular position of the second edge of each stator port opening 249. For each stator port opening 249, the position of optimal center-to-center alignment is then determined to be the midpoint between the recorded first and second edge positions.

[0071] In embodiments where the edges of the stator port openings are detected by a threshold, the analysis device 370 may be configured to convert the received acoustic signal into a simple digital high / low signal that is received as input by an encoder module programmed to determine the optimally aligned position of each stator port opening in the manner described above.

[0072] The method may also include measuring other properties of the received acoustic signal, such as frequency tuning, echo, harmonics, or total harmonic distortion to detect debris generated, for example, by drilling the connection port and drilling the connection passage during the manufacture of the rotary valve.

[0073] Once the angular position associated with the optimal alignment of each stator connection port is determined, the corresponding encoder value is stored in the rotary valve's control electronics. This step is completed immediately after the rotary valve is manufactured and before it is sold, so that the customer receives a product that has been "taught" the rotational position appropriate for achieving the optimal connection with each optional connection port.

[0074] A similar approach can be taken after using a rotary valve to check whether the initially stored encoder value is still optimal.

[0075] Instead of a rotary motion for connecting the rotor channel to one of the plurality of annularly arranged stator channels, a linear switching motion or a linear sliding motion can be used to connect the input channel to one of the linearly arranged output channels (or vice versa, one of the input channels to one output channel). This can be achieved with the aid of a linear valve. Figure 4a and Figure 4b An embodiment using the described linear valve is schematically depicted, including components of a testing arrangement for determining the location of optimal fluid path connectivity associated with each fluid path that can be established.

[0076] Figure 4a A linear valve 400 is shown with an upper movable member 401 that is linearly displaceable in the x-direction (indicated by a horizontal dashed double arrow) relative to a fixed reference point R on the stationary member 102 of the valve. In the depicted embodiment, the movable member 401 has a main connection port P A And the stationary component has multiple optional connection ports P B1 、P B2 、P B3 It will be appreciated that the linear valve has a linear drive mechanism with the movable member 401 mounted thereon and a controller for controlling the linear position of the drive mechanism and the movable member.

[0077] Therefore, the connection port P of the upper movable member 401 A Can be connected to the port P of the lower stationary member 402 B1 、P B2 、P B3 In the depicted embodiment, by moving the upper member 401 of the linear valve 400 to the right by a distance x1, the port P A With port P B1 Precise alignment allows unimpeded fluid flow between the upper and lower members of the linear valve (as indicated by the vertical double arrows). Position encoder ( Figure 4a The apparatus (not shown) determines the position of the upper movable member 401 relative to a reference position R at the lower stationary member 402 and provides a position signal to the device controller as appropriate. Typically, the movable member is provided with an encoding member, the movement of which is detected by a sensor provided on the stationary member.

[0078] Figure 4b The movable member 401 is shown to be moved so that its port P A Port P of the stationary component 402 B3 When the movable member 401 is at position x3, the two ports P A and P B3 There is only overlap but not complete alignment, so the connectivity of the fluid paths is only partially established. This situation can be reliably determined by the proposed method for determining the connectivity of fluid paths.

[0079] The sound emitter 281 may be arranged to be in contact with the port P in the upper movable member 401. A A closed connection path is formed, and the sound receiver 282 is arranged to connect with the optional port P of the lower stationary member 402. B1 、P B2 、P B3Alternatively, the sound receiver may be arranged to be connected to the port P A connection, and the sound receiver 282 can be configured to be connected to each optional port P B1 、P B2 、P B3 connect.

[0080] In order to determine the position of optimal alignment associated with each fluid path, the following test was performed: During the movement of the upper movable member 401 relative to the lower stationary member, the main port P A Each optional port P of the lower stationary member 402 B1 、P B2 、P B3 Moved into alignment and then out of alignment, the acoustic signal received by each receiver 282 is measured by the analysis device 370. At the same time, the position of the movable member relative to the reference R is recorded by the position encoder.

[0081] With reference to the description of the embodiment involving the rotary valve, the position of the maximum signal amplitude measured by a particular receiver 282 can be determined as the position of optimal alignment. Preferably, the test is performed by shifting the movable member 101 bidirectionally in the x-direction, i.e., forward and backward (left and right), to minimize hysteresis effects. The recorded positions associated with the maximum signal amplitude measured by each receiver in each direction can be averaged, and the average value can then be stored as the optimal position for center-to-center alignment.

[0082] Alternatively, the position of optimal alignment can also be determined based on the direction of displacement, whereby the recorded position associated with the maximum signal amplitude in a particular direction is stored as an encoder value which is used to position port P when a linear displacement occurs in said direction. A With each optional port P B1 、P B2 、P B3 Align.

[0083] In another alternative embodiment, each optional port P is detected B1 、P B2 、P B3 The method includes recording the position at which the measured signal rises above a predetermined threshold and identifying this position as the first edge of the selectable port. The position at which the measured signal falls back below the predetermined threshold may also be recorded to identify the position of the second edge of the port. The position of optimal center-to-center alignment may then be determined to be the midpoint between the recorded first and second edge positions. Again, the test is preferably performed by displacing the movable member 101 in two linear directions and then averaging the determined midpoints.

[0084] In yet another embodiment, the movable member 401 is displaced in one direction, and the position at which the measured signal of each receiver 282 rises above the threshold is recorded and stored as the first edge position of each selectable port. The analyzer 370 can be programmed to detect if the measured signal falls below the threshold, which acts as a reset, indicating that the next time the measured signal is expected to rise above the threshold. When each selectable port P B1 、P B2 、P B3 After the position of the first edge of the linear valve is recorded, the movable member 401 of the linear valve is moved in the opposite linear direction. Similarly, the position at which the signal measured by each receiver 282 rises above the threshold is recorded and stored as the position of the second edge of each optional port. The position of the optimal center-to-center alignment is then determined to be for each optional port P. B1 、P B2 、P B3 The midpoint between the recorded first edge position and the second edge position.

[0085] In an embodiment where the edges of the optional ports are detected by a threshold, the analysis device 370 can be configured to convert the received acoustic signal into a simple digital high / low signal, which is received as an input by a position encoder programmed to determine the optimal aligned position of each optional port in the manner described above.

[0086] Figure 5a A schematic cross-sectional view of another embodiment of a linear valve is shown. Valve 500 is a multi-port linear sliding valve comprising a movable port plate 501 provided with a plurality of linear ports 521, 522, and 523. Port plate 501 has a front surface 510 and a rear surface 511 and is linearly displaceable in the X-direction relative to a valve connection plate 502, which constitutes the stationary component of the valve. Connection plate 502 holds a patterned flow-through unit 550 having an inlet opening 551 adjacent to the rear side of port plate 501 and an outlet opening 552 at the opposite end of flow-through unit 550. Thus, flow-through unit 550 serves as the main channel of the valve. The linear ports 521, 522, and 523 extend through port plate 501, including a connecting portion extending perpendicular to front surface 510 and a channel segment extending from the connecting portion to the port openings on the rear side 511 of the port plate. The port plate 501 is displaced so that the port openings of the channel segments are aligned with the inlet port openings 551 of the flow-through unit 550. The depicted multi-port linear valve can be used for gene sequencing, where the first linear port 521 can provide a solution with DNA fragments, while the other linear ports 522, 523 can provide reagents, such as fluorescently labeled nucleotides.

[0087] from Figure 5a It can be seen that the channel segments of one linear port 523 extend collinearly with the connecting portion of that port, while the channel segments of the other linear ports 521 and 522 extend at an angle relative to the corresponding connecting portion. This reduces the distance between the channel port openings of the linear ports on the rear surface 511 of the port plate 501 in the direction of linear displacement X. Therefore, when switching between linear ports, less relative movement is required between the port plate 501 and the connecting plate 502.

[0088] like Figure 5b As shown in the embodiment of the present invention, in order to determine the position of the optimal center-to-center alignment between the inlet port opening of the flow-through unit 550 and the port opening associated with each optional linear port 521, 522, 523, it is necessary to calibrate the valve 500 in advance with the help of a teaching fixture. The fixture 360 includes a stationary portion 362 for holding the stationary portion of the valve (i.e., the connecting plate 502 and the flow-through unit 550), and a moving portion 561 connected to the movable member of the valve (i.e., the port plate 501). The moving portion 561 of the fixture and the port plate 501 are installed to be connected to the linear displacement mechanism of the valve and are movable relative to the stationary portion in the X direction. The valve is also provided with a controller for controlling the displacement, and a position encoder (not shown) that provides a position signal to the controller.

[0089] The moving part 561 of the clamp is also provided with a plurality of sound emitters, each of which is arranged at the front side 511 of the port plate in closed connection with an associated linear port 521, 522, 523. The stationary part 562 of the clamp is provided with a sound receiver 282, which is arranged in closed connection with the outlet opening 552 of the flow-through unit.

[0090] The arrangement further comprises an analysis device 370 which measures the acoustic signal received by the acoustic receiver 282 while the port plate 502 is displaced relative to the stationary part of the valve and each acoustic emitter generates an acoustic signal. Figure 4a and Figure 4b Any of the methods described, wherein the position of optimal center-to-center alignment is determined for each established fluid path and the position of optimal center-to-center alignment is stored in the electronics of the valve controller.

[0091] Examples, embodiments or optional features, whether or not indicated as non-limiting, should not be construed as limiting the claimed invention. It should be noted that the above-described embodiments are intended to illustrate rather than limit the invention, and that those skilled in the art will be able to design many alternative embodiments without departing from the scope of the appended claims.

[0092] In the claims, any reference signs placed between brackets shall not be construed as limiting the claim. The use of the verb "comprise" and its conjugations does not exclude the presence of elements or steps other than those stated in a claim. The article "a" or "an" preceding an element does not exclude the presence of a plurality of such elements. The invention may be implemented by hardware comprising several distinct elements, and by a suitably programmed computer. In a device claim enumerating several means, several of these means may be realized by the same item of hardware. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage.

[0093] List of reference symbols and abbreviations

[0094] The following list of reference numerals and abbreviations is provided to facilitate explanation of the drawings and should not be construed as limiting the claims.

[0095] 10, 210 rotary valve

[0096] 12 Rotor assembly of rotary valve

[0097] 14, 214 stator assembly

[0098] 24 rotor components

[0099] 34, 234 rotary encoder

[0100] 35 encoder module

[0101] 36 stator components

[0102] 40 Port member of stator assembly

[0103] 44a, 244a central connection port

[0104] 44b, 244b radial outer connection port

[0105] 245 Threaded insert for connection port

[0106] 46, 246 Central stator channel

[0107] 48, 248 selectable sub-channels

[0108] 249 Port openings for selectable subchannels

[0109] 50, 250 rotor channels

[0110] 250a Central opening of the rotor channel

[0111] 250b Radially outer port opening of rotor passage

[0112] 280 fluid path

[0113] 281 Sound Transmitter

[0114] 282 Sound Receiver

[0115] 290 Motor

[0116] 295 drive shaft

[0117] 300 Calibration device holder

[0118] 360 Teaching Fixture

[0119] 362 The central protrusion of the teaching fixture is installed to the central connection port of the valve

[0120] 363 Radial outer protrusion, installed to the outer connection port of the valve

[0121] 364 Central opening in the teaching fixture

[0122] 365 Central channel segment, connected to the central stator channel

[0123] 366 Second radially outer opening in the teaching fixture

[0124] 367 Second channel segment, connected to the selectable sub-channel

[0125] 370 Analytical Device

[0126] 400 Linear Valve

[0127] 401 Movable member of linear valve

[0128] 402 Stationary components of linear valves

[0129] 500 Multi-Port Linear Slide Valve

[0130] 501 Port plate (movable component) of linear sliding valve

[0131] 502 Linear sliding valve connecting plate (stationary component)

[0132] 510 Front surface of the port board

[0133] 511 Rear surface of the port board

[0134] 521, 522, 523 optional linear ports

[0135] 550 Flow Through Cell

[0136] 551 Flow through the inlet opening of the cell

[0137] 552 Flow through the outlet opening of the cell

[0138] 560 Teaching Fixture

[0139] 561 Moving part of the teaching fixture

[0140] 562 Stationary part of the teaching fixture

[0141] Main port of PA linear valve

[0142] P B1 ,P B2 ,P B3 Optional auxiliary port for linear valves

[0143] R Reference position on the stationary member of the linear valve

Claims

1. A method of determining fluid path connectivity of a fluidic device (10, 210, 400, 500), the fluidic device having a stationary component (14, 214, 402, 502) and a movable component (24, 224, 401, 501), wherein: The stationary member is provided with a first passage (48, 248,P B1 ,P B2 ,P B3 ,550); The movable member is provided with a second channel (50, 250,P A , 521, 522, 523); and The first channel and the second channel are connectable to each other to establish at least a portion of a fluid path (280), the method comprising the steps of: - generating an acoustic signal at one end of the fluid path; - receiving the generated acoustic signal at an opposite end of the fluid path; - measuring the acoustic intensity of the received signal; and - moving the movable member relative to the stationary member such that the first and second port openings move into and out of alignment with each other; wherein the step of measuring the acoustic intensity is performed during the step of moving the movable member, and wherein the method further comprises the step of correlating the measured acoustic intensity with a center-to-center alignment of the first and second port openings.

2. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the fluidic device is provided with a position encoder (34, 234) which, during the step of measuring the acoustic intensity, generates a position signal indicative of the position of the movable member relative to the stationary member, and wherein the method further comprises the steps of: A position signal value is determined based on the measured acoustic intensity, wherein at the position signal value an optimal center-to-center alignment of the first port opening and the second port opening is achieved.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein the fluid device is a linear valve (400, 500), the linear valve comprising a linear displacement mechanism and a controller, the movable member (401, 501) being mounted to the linear displacement mechanism, the controller being configured to control the linear displacement of the movable member relative to the stationary member (402, 502) based on a position signal from the position encoder, wherein one of the movable member or the stationary member is provided with a main channel (P A , 550), the other of the movable member or the stationary member is provided with a plurality of optional auxiliary channels (P B1 、P B2 、P B3 , 521, 522, 523), multiple fluid paths can be established by moving the port opening (551) of the primary channel to align with the port opening of a selected secondary channel, or vice versa, wherein the method includes the following steps: - displacing the movable member (401, 501); - measuring the acoustic intensity associated with each established fluid path and recording the associated linear position of the movable member based on the position signal received from the position encoder; - determining a linear position of optimal center-to-center alignment between the port opening of the primary channel and the port opening of each optional secondary channel based on the measured sound intensity; as well as - Programming the controller with each determined linear position.

4. The method according to claim 3, wherein the measuring step is performed during displacement of the movable member (401, 501) in both forward and backward linear directions, and the position of optimal alignment is determined based on an average value of the optimal positions determined in each direction of linear displacement.

5. A method according to claim 3, wherein the measuring step is performed during displacement of the movable member (401, 501) in both forward and backward linear directions and the position of optimal alignment associated with each direction of linear displacement is determined, and wherein the controller is programmed with the determined linear position depending on the direction of displacement.

6. The method of claim 5 , wherein the measuring step is performed during displacement of the movable member in both forward and rearward linear directions, and the position of optimal alignment is determined as a midpoint between a first linear position at which the sound intensity measured during displacement in one direction rises above a threshold value and a second linear position at which the sound intensity measured during displacement in the opposite direction rises above the threshold value.

7. The method according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the position of optimal alignment is determined as the midpoint between a first linear position where the measured sound intensity rises above a threshold value and a second linear position where the measured sound intensity falls back below the threshold value during linear displacement in the same direction.

8. The method of claim 2, wherein the fluid device is a rotary valve (10, 210) comprising a rotor member (24, 224) and a controller, the rotor member being drivably rotatable relative to a stator assembly (14, 214) of the valve, the controller controlling the driven rotation based on an angular position signal from a rotary encoder (34, 234) mounted to the rotor member, wherein the rotor member is provided with a rotor channel (50, 250), the stator assembly is provided with a plurality of selectable stator channels (48, 248), and a plurality of fluid paths can be established by rotating a port opening (250b) of the rotor channel to align with a port opening (249) of a selected stator channel (48, 248), and wherein the method comprises the steps of: - rotating the rotor member (24, 224); - measuring the received acoustic signal associated with each established fluid path and recording the associated angular position of the rotor member based on the position signal received from the encoder (34, 234); - determining the angular position of optimal center-to-center alignment between the port opening (250b) of the rotor channel and the port opening (249) of each optional stator channel (48, 248) based on the measured acoustic intensities; as well as - Programming the controller with each determined angular position.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein the measuring step is performed during rotation of the rotor member (24, 224) in both clockwise and counterclockwise directions, and the position of optimal alignment is determined based on an average of the optimal angular positions determined in each direction of rotation.

10. The method of claim 7, wherein the measuring step is performed during rotation of the rotor in both clockwise and counterclockwise directions and the position of optimal alignment associated with each direction of rotation is determined, and wherein the controller is programmed with the determined angular position depending on the direction of rotation.

11. The method of claim 7, wherein the measuring step is performed during rotation of the rotor member (24, 224) in both clockwise and counterclockwise directions, and the position of optimal alignment is determined as a midpoint between a first angular position at which the sound intensity measured during rotation in one direction rises above a threshold value and a second angular position at which the sound intensity measured during rotation in the opposite direction rises above the threshold value.

12. A method according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the position of optimal alignment is determined as the midpoint between a first angular position where the measured sound intensity rises above a threshold and a second angular position where the measured sound intensity falls back below the threshold during rotation in the same direction.

13. The method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the generated sound signal is an ultrasonic signal having a frequency greater than 20 kHz.

14. An apparatus for testing and calibrating a rotary valve (10, 210), the rotary valve comprising a rotor member (24, 224) having a rotor passage (50, 250), the rotor member being provided with a rotary encoder (34, 234), the valve further comprising a stator assembly (14, 214), the stator assembly having a central stator passage (46, 246) and a plurality of optional stator passages (48, 248), wherein the rotor passage is opened by opening a port (250b) of the rotor passage. ) is rotated into alignment with a port opening (249) of a selected stator channel (48, 248) to establish a plurality of fluid paths, wherein the apparatus comprises an analytical device (370) and a measurement fixture (360), the measurement fixture having a central opening (264, 265) connectable to the central stator channel (46, 246), and a corresponding plurality of outer openings (366, 367), each of the outer openings being connectable to a corresponding stator channel (48, 248), wherein: The central opening of the measuring fixture (360) is provided with one of a sound transmitter and a sound receiver (281, 282); Each outer opening of the measuring fixture is provided with the other of a sound receiver and a sound transmitter, so that a sound signal associated with each established fluid path can be measured; as well as The analysis device (370) is configured to measure the acoustic intensity of the received signal during the rotation of the rotor port opening (250b) past each of the optional stator port openings (249).

15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the analyzing device (370) is further configured to receive and record position signals from the rotary encoder during measurement, and to determine a position for optimal center-to-center alignment of the rotor port opening (250b) and each stator port opening (249) based on the acoustic signals measured for each established fluid path.

16. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the analyzing means (370) is further configured to detect when the measured signal rises above a threshold and falls back below a threshold and to provide corresponding digital high / low signals to a rotary encoder of the valve.

17. An apparatus for testing and calibrating a linear valve, the linear valve comprising a movable member (401, 501) driven linearly movable relative to a stationary member (402, 502), and a position encoder for providing a position signal indicative of the linear position of the movable member relative to the stationary member, wherein one of the movable member and the stationary member is provided with a main channel (P A , 550), the other of the movable member or the stationary member is provided with a plurality of optional auxiliary channels (P B1 , P B2 , P B3 , 521, 522, 523), a plurality of fluid paths can be established by linearly moving the port opening (551) of the main channel to align with the port opening of a selected auxiliary channel, or vice versa, the device comprising a measuring fixture (560) having a stationary fixture (562) for holding a stationary member of the valve and a moving fixture (561) for holding a movable member of the valve, wherein the measuring fixture (560) comprises: One of a sound transmitter (281) and a sound receiver (282), arranged in closed connection with the main channel; the other of the sound transmitter and the sound receiver arranged in closed connection with each optional auxiliary channel; And wherein the apparatus further comprises an analyzing device (370) configured to measure the acoustic intensity of the received signal associated with each established fluid path during the linear displacement of the movable member (401, 501).

18. An apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the analyzing device (370) is further configured to receive and record position signals from the position encoder during measurement, and to determine the position of optimal center-to-center alignment for the port opening of the main channel and the port opening of each auxiliary channel based on the sound signals measured for each established fluid path.

19. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the analyzing means (370) is further configured to detect when the measured signal rises above a threshold and falls back below a threshold and to provide corresponding digital high / low signals to a position encoder of the linear valve.

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