Control device

Abstract

A control device for regulating, directing or controlling the flow of the fluid, the control device comprising at least one inflow channel for introducing the fluid; the flow-in channel is provided with a first movable part capable of opening, closing or partially blocking the flow-in channel, the manifold is provided with at least one manifold inlet communicated with the horizontal channel, the manifold inlet is communicated with the flow-in channel, and the flow-in channel is provided with a second movable part capable of opening, closing or partially blocking the flow-in channel. Wherein one end of the horizontal channel has a first manifold outlet for discharging the fluid and the other end of the horizontal channel has a second manifold outlet for discharging the fluid, and wherein the control device further comprises a connector having two connector inlets, and a connector for receiving the fluid from the first manifold outlet and the second manifold outlet through two connection channels, the connector having a connector outlet for discharging the received fluid out of the control device.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a control device for regulating, guiding or controlling fluid flow, and in particular to a control device for controlling the delivery of different liquid samples to a liquid analysis apparatus. Background Technology

[0002] Liquid analysis is a scientific technique used to detect and quantify the components in liquid samples. It is crucial in many fields, including environmental protection, product quality control, process optimization, and safety monitoring. Liquid analysis encompasses the analysis of liquids such as water, beverages, dairy products, chemicals, and pharmaceuticals.

[0003] A liquid analysis system often requires a control device to regulate liquid delivery, specifically controlling parameters such as direction, pressure, and flow rate. This device functions to shut off, regulate, guide, prevent backflow, stabilize pressure, divert, or relieve pressure. An example of such a control device is a valve block. Valve blocks can be used to control the flow of different types of liquids, including air, water, water vapor, various corrosive media, slurry, liquid metals, and radioactive liquids.

[0004] Valve blocks are known as control devices in liquid analysis. In liquid analysis services, customers sometimes need to analyze several different liquid samples using a single liquid analyzer. These samples are fed into the analyzer from different areas.

[0005] The prior art uses a control device 1 (see Figure 1 Different samples are sent to the analysis device through different channels. This control device 1 is a multi-channel valve block, which has the function of separating different samples from each other.

[0006] like Figure 1 As shown, the control device 1 has six inflow channels 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, and 26, each used to introduce different samples. Each inflow channel has a first movable component 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, or 46, which can open, close, or partially block the inflow channel. During operation, once sampling and analysis are completed using one inflow channel, another inflow channel will be used, and the measurement results should not be affected by the sample from the previous sampling process.

[0007] Different samples flow sequentially through different inflow channels, passing through a manifold 5 with a horizontal channel 50 (see also). Figure 2 The fluid is then transported through a manifold outlet 57 to a liquid analysis device (not shown) for analysis. The manifold 5 has six manifold inlets 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, and 56 connected to the horizontal channel 50, and each manifold inlet is connected to the corresponding inflow channel 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, and 26.

[0008] However, in actual operation, cross-contamination of samples may occur, especially when passing through manifold 5, and its impact cannot be ignored. For example, after sampling and analyzing the first sample using the sixth inflow channel 26, the second sample is sampled and analyzed using the first inflow channel 21. At this time, a portion of the first sample still remains in the horizontal channel 50 between the first manifold inlet 51 and the sixth manifold inlet 56. Therefore, when the second sample flows through the manifold, the first sample remaining in manifold 5 will continuously cross-contaminate the second sample.

[0009] In addition, samples often contain suspended solids, and the analytical apparatus may need to assess the content of these solids in the sample. For example, when quantifying oxidizable pollutants (i.e., chemical oxygen demand (COD)) in surface water (such as lakes and rivers) or wastewater, it is sometimes necessary to assess the organic content in suspended solids. When these samples are delivered to the liquid analyzer via a control device, the sample must pass not only through the inflow channel but also through moving parts located in the inflow channel, which are typically valves that come into contact with the sample. However, suspended solids in the sample often clog the inflow channel at the valves, resulting in high maintenance costs.

[0010] Therefore, new devices are needed to control the flow of liquid samples to minimize cross-contamination, and these new devices should also be able to handle suspended solids within the samples. Summary of the Invention

[0011] Therefore, one object of the present invention is to provide a control device for regulating, guiding or controlling the flow of liquid samples and a system for analyzing liquid samples, which can reduce cross-contamination between different channels or different samples and also has the ability to handle suspended solids inside the sample.

[0012] The object of the present invention is achieved by the control device for adjusting, guiding or controlling the flow of liquid samples according to claim 1.

[0013] According to independent claim 1, the control device includes at least one inflow channel for introducing fluid; and a manifold with a horizontal channel for conveying fluid. The inflow channel has a first movable member that can open, close, or partially block the inflow channel. The manifold has at least one manifold inlet communicating with the horizontal channel, the manifold inlet communicating with the inflow channel, and one end of the horizontal channel having a first manifold outlet for discharging fluid, characterized in that the other end of the horizontal channel has a second manifold outlet for discharging fluid. The control device further includes a connector having two connector inlets for receiving fluid from the first manifold outlet and the second manifold outlet through two connection channels, and the connector also having a connector outlet for discharging the received fluid from the control device.

[0014] By providing a first manifold outlet and a second manifold outlet at the manifold, fluid can be discharged from both ends of the horizontal channel, instead of just from one end. By controlling the entry of different fluids through different inflow channels using a control device, the fluids used in the previous analysis do not remain in the manifold, thus greatly reducing cross-contamination between different fluids.

[0015] Dependent claims 2 to 8 describe in detail other advantageous embodiments of the control device for regulating, guiding or controlling fluid flow according to the invention, and independent claim 9 further claims a system for analyzing liquid samples using the control device according to the invention.

[0016] While the embodiments of the present invention illustrate its application in controlling liquid sample flow, the same applies to gases and other fluids. Attached Figure Description

[0017] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments.

[0018] Figure 1 This is existing technology;

[0019] Figure 2 A perspective view of a portion of the existing manifold;

[0020] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of one embodiment of the present invention;

[0021] Figure 4 for Figure 3 A perspective view of the manifold portion in the Chinese embodiment;

[0022] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of another embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] In the picture:

[0024] 1 Control device 21,22,23,24,25,26 Inflow Channel 3 connector 31,32 Connector entrance 33 Connector Export 41,42,43,44,45,46 First moving part 5 manifold 50 Horizontal channel 51,52,53,54,55,56 manifold inlet 57 First manhole exit 58 Second manifold outlet 61,62 Connection Channel 63 Outflow channel 71,72 Second moving part Detailed Implementation

[0025] Figure 3 One embodiment of the invention is illustrated, specifically a control device 1 in liquid analysis, such as a multi-channel valve block, for regulating, guiding, or controlling a liquid sample, particularly wastewater in environmental chemistry. The liquid analysis device (not shown) may be an instrument for quantifying the chemical oxygen demand (COD) or total organic carbon (TOC) in the sample. Figure 3 The control device 1 in the middle includes Figure 1 and Figure 2The present invention incorporates all the technical features of the prior art, namely, six inflow channels 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, and 26, six first movable parts 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, and 46, and a manifold 5. The inflow channels 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, and 26 have the same diameter and are used to introduce different samples. For example, when a customer uses inflow channel 21 to introduce a first sample, they open the first movable part 41 and close the other first movable parts 42, 43, 44, 45, and 46. This allows the first sample to be introduced through inflow channel 21 without being affected by the other inflow channels 22, 23, 24, 25, and 26. Then, if the customer wants to sample and analyze a second sample, they can choose to introduce the second sample through channel 22. In this case, the first movable part 42 can be opened while the other first movable parts 41, 43, 44, 45, and 46 remain closed.

[0026] The first movable parts 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, and 46 do not need to contact the sample. This arrangement has the advantage that when the sample contains suspended solids, it will not clog the inflow channels 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, and 26 at the first movable parts 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, and 46. The first movable parts 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, and 46 can be pinch valves, while the inflow channels 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, and 26 can be flexible hoses.

[0027] besides, Figure 3 The control device 1 also includes a connector 3. Connector 3 has two connector inlets 31 and 32, and a connector outlet 33. Connector 3 can be a Y-type connector. The function of connector 3 is to collect the samples flowing from manifold 5 together.

[0028] Figure 4 yes Figure 3 A perspective view of the manifold 5 portion in the embodiment shows a horizontal channel 50 with a first manifold outlet 57 and a second manifold outlet 58 at its two ends. The manifold 5 has six manifold inlets 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, and 56, all connected to the horizontal channel 50. Each manifold inlet is connected to a corresponding inflow channel 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, and 26. The horizontal channel 50 is used to transport samples; different samples will be transported through this horizontal channel 50. Figure 1 and Figure 2Unlike existing technologies, this method involves the sample exiting the manifold 5 through the first manifold outlet 57 and the second manifold outlet 58 after reaching the horizontal channel 50, instead of exiting the manifold 5 only through the first manifold outlet 57. This ensures that during each sampling, the sample remaining in the horizontal channel 50 after the previous sampling is carried out of the manifold 5 by the new sample, thus preventing the previous sample from remaining in the manifold 5 and cross-contaminating the new sample.

[0029] The diameters of the horizontal channel 50, the first manifold outlet 57, the second manifold outlet 58, the manifold inlets 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, the connector inlets 31, 32, and the connector outlet 33 of the connector 3 are all the same and smaller than the diameters of the inflow channels 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, and 26.

[0030] After passing through manifold 5, the sample enters connector 3 through two connecting channels 61 and 62, and then exits control device 1 through connector outlet 33.

[0031] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of another embodiment of the present invention, including... Figure 3 In addition to all the technical features of the embodiment, the second movable parts 71 and 72 are also included. The second movable parts 71 and 72 are respectively disposed in the connection channels 61 and 62, and can open, close or partially block the connection channels 61 and 62.

[0032] In actual operation, the sample flowing into manifold 5 may not flow out of the first manifold outlet 57 and the second manifold outlet 58 equally, for example, each accounting for 50%. However, it is more likely that more sample will flow out of the first manifold outlet 57 and less sample will flow out of the second manifold outlet 58. The second movable parts 71 and 72 can adjust the flow rate and flow velocity of the sample at the first manifold outlet 57 and the second manifold outlet 58.

[0033] The second movable parts 71 and 72 do not need to contact the sample. This arrangement has the advantage that when there are suspended solids in the sample, they are less likely to clog the connection channels 61 and 62 at the second movable parts 71 and 72. The second movable parts 71 and 72 can be clamp valves, while the connection channels 61 and 62 can be flexible hoses.

[0034] The present invention also includes a system for analyzing liquid samples, comprising a control device 1 and a liquid analysis device (not shown), such as an analyzer for analyzing the chemical oxygen demand (COD) or total organic carbon (TOC) of the liquid. This system is used for the analysis of liquid samples, particularly various liquids. The liquid analysis device has an analysis device inlet (not shown) for flow through an outflow channel 63 (see...). Figure 5 ) Receives from connector outlet 33 (see Figure 3The sample is a liquid analysis device that includes a pump for transporting the sample from outside the system to the control device 1, forcing the sample to flow through the outflow channel 63, and then transporting it to the analysis device for analysis.

Claims

1. A control device (1) for regulating, guiding, or controlling fluid flow, said control device (1) comprising: At least one inflow channel (21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26) for introducing fluid; and a manifold (5) having a horizontal channel (50) for conveying the fluid. The inflow channels (21,22,23,24,25,26) have a first movable component (41,42,43,44,45,46) that can open, close or partially block the inflow channels (21,22,23,24,25,26). The manifold (5) has at least one manifold inlet (51,52,53,54,55,56) communicating with the horizontal channel (50), and the manifold inlet (51,52,53,54,55,56) communicating with the inflow channel (21,22,23,24,25,26). One end of the horizontal channel (50) has a first manifold outlet (57) for discharging the fluid. Its features are, The other end of the horizontal channel (50) has a second manifold outlet (58) for discharging the fluid. The control device (1) further includes a connector (3) having two connector inlets (31, 32) for receiving the fluid from the first manifold outlet (57) and the second manifold outlet (58) through two connection channels (61, 62). The connector has a connector outlet (33) for discharging the received fluid from the control device (1).

2. The control device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that, There are at least two inflow channels (21,22,23,24,25,26) for introducing different fluids.

3. The control device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The first movable part (41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46) does not come into contact with the fluid.

4. The control device (1) according to at least one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The first movable part (41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46) is a pinch valve, and the inflow channel is a hose.

5. The control device (1) according to at least one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, The connector (3) is a Y-type connector.

6. The control device (1) according to at least one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, Each of the connection channels (61, 62) has a second movable part (71, 72) that can open, close or partially block the connection channel (61, 62).

7. The control device (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that, The second moving part (71, 72) does not come into contact with the fluid.

8. The control device (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that, The second movable component (71, 72) is a clamp valve, and the connection channel is a flexible hose.

9. A system for analyzing liquid samples, the system comprising: The control device (1) according to at least one of claims 1 to 8, and Liquid analysis device The fluid in question is a liquid sample. The liquid analysis device has an analysis device inlet for receiving the liquid sample from the connector outlet through an outflow channel (63). The liquid analysis device includes a pump that forces the liquid sample to flow through the outflow channel (63).

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