Control disc, gas analyzer, simulation method and computer program product for multi-port valve with improved sealing properties

Abstract

The claimed invention relates to a control disc (10) for a gas analyzer (50), the control disc comprising a plurality of grooves (16) each having at least one fluid port (18), a first pair (21) of fluid ports and a second pair (22) of fluid ports (18). Each pair (21, 22) is configured to be sealable by a portion of a membrane (30, 30.1, 30.2). According to the invention, the fluid ports (18) of the first pair (21) are arranged radially offset from the fluid ports (18) of the second pair (22). The invention also relates to a multi-port valve (40) for a gas analyzer (50) equipped with the control disc (10). The invention further relates to a corresponding gas analyzer (50). Furthermore, the invention relates to a method (100) for simulating an operating behavior of the multiport valve (40) and to a computer program product (60) configured to perform the method (100).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a control panel suitable for use in a multiport valve, and to such a multiport valve. Furthermore, this invention relates to a gas analyzer equipped with said multiport valve. The invention also relates to a simulation method for said multiport valve and a computer program product configured to perform said method. Background Technology

[0002] Patent application WO2016 / 096423A1 discloses a control panel for a multi-port valve having multiple fluid ports and recesses. The multiple fluid ports are arranged around the center of the control panel at substantially equal radial distances. The multi-port valve is used in a gas chromatograph.

[0003] In various applications, gas analyzers are being used to analyze the composition of increasingly complex gas samples, which may include components containing a variety of components, such as components with very low concentrations or chemically active components. Furthermore, increased measurement accuracy is desired. For this purpose, multi-port valves with enhanced sealing properties are needed. The object of this invention is to provide a solution that offers an improvement in at least one of these outlined aspects. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This objective is achieved by a control panel claimed according to the invention. The control panel is configured for use in a multi-port valve and can be a component of a gas analyzer. The control panel includes a plurality of recesses configured to guide airflow within a plane defined by the control panel. In addition, the control panel includes a plurality of fluid ports that are through-holes and allow airflow substantially perpendicular to the plane defined by the control panel. Each recess is hydraulically connected to at least one fluid port. Adjacent fluid ports, but not directly connected by recesses, form a first pair of fluid ports and a second pair of fluid ports, respectively. Each pair of fluid ports is configured to be sealable by a portion of a membrane. When the corresponding portion of the membrane is in a sealed position, airflow is prevented from flowing from one fluid port in the corresponding pair of fluid ports to the other. For this purpose, the sealing portion of the membrane can temporarily cover both fluid ports of the pair.

[0005] According to the invention, the first pair of fluid ports is arranged radially offset from the second pair of fluid ports. Therefore, the first pair of fluid ports is positioned further radially outward or inward than the second pair of fluid ports. This arrangement of the paired fluid ports in this way expands the support surface between their respective recesses. The expanded support surface between these recesses produces an improved sealing effect. Therefore, leakage gas flow from the first pair of fluid ports to the second pair of fluid ports and their respective recesses, or vice versa, is reduced or even prohibited. Thus, the arrangement of the claimed paired fluid ports is used to minimize potential contamination of their respective gas flows. Due to the reduced gas flow contamination, multi-port valves equipped with claimed control panels are suitable for processing gas samples whose composition needs to be determined with increased accuracy. The radial offset can be defined based on the position of either one of the fluid ports in a pair or the position of a point between the two fluid ports in a pair.

[0006] In one embodiment of the invention, a first pair of fluid ports and a second pair of fluid ports are arranged around the center of a control disc. Furthermore, the first and second pairs of fluid ports can be adjacent pairs of fluid ports. The control disc can be substantially circular, and the center can be the center of a circle defining the shape of the control disc. Alternatively, the control disc can have any other shape that allows the fluid ports to be juxtaposed to implement valve actuation. The fluid ports can be arranged in substantially any annular shape, such as rectangular, square, or elliptical, with a defined center. There can be a radial offset between the first and second pairs of fluid ports, exceeding the diameter of the portion of the diaphragm used to actuate them as valves. This design allows for the use of a larger portion of the available space in the plane of the control disc. Compared to control discs according to the prior art, the claimed control disc exhibits improved sealing characteristics while remaining compact.

[0007] In another embodiment of the claimed control panel, the first pair of fluid ports and the second pair of fluid ports can be arranged with a circumferential offset between them. As described above, the circumferential offset can be defined based on the center of the control panel. The circumferential offset provides an enlarged support surface between the paired fluid ports or their respective recesses. The support surface is understood as the area between portions of a membrane provided for valve actuation using pressurized air or negative pressure. The support surface is a portion of the surface of the control panel that will permanently contact the membrane in the normal operating state of the multi-port valve using the claimed control panel. The support surface forms planar contact with the membrane, thereby sealing the paired fluid ports against each other. The enlarged support surface provides a more effective seal and makes it less likely for leaking gas to pass through. Preferably, the circumferential offset exceeds the diameter of the portion of the membrane used to actuate one of the paired fluid ports. In addition to the radial offset, the circumferential offset between the first and second pairs of fluid ports provides another design parameter for improving the desired sealing effect. Therefore, the claimed control panel is suitable for, and even adapted to, more demanding applications, i.e., for operation with gases exhibiting an increased tendency to leak.

[0008] The control disc may include a first groove on its surface, which substantially forms a channel connecting to one of the fluid ports in a first pair of fluid ports. Furthermore, the control disc may include a second groove correspondingly connected to one of the fluid ports in a second pair of fluid ports. The first groove may have a first width, and the second groove may have a second width. According to the invention, the first width is greater than the second width. This widened groove reduces the pressure limitation between the valve's inlet and outlet and allows for a reduction in the pressure drop of the gas guided through the valve. Improved separation performance is achieved when the control disc is used in a multi-port valve connected to a separating column. This reduced pressure drop is particularly beneficial when separating complex gas samples with many components. Additionally or alternatively, at least one of the first and second grooves may have a variable width. An increased groove width along the direction in which the gas flow is introduced also reduces its pressure drop. Therefore, the claimed control disc allows for adjustment of the groove geometry to accommodate gas flow that does not experience a pressure drop.

[0009] At least one surface of the control panel to be protected may be partially an over-finished surface, an electropolished surface, a honed surface, or a lapped surface. This surface may have a surface roughness R up to 2.0 µm. A R ZSuch manufacturing techniques allow for the creation of smooth surfaces that will adhere to the contact membrane. Furthermore, these techniques allow for maintaining a level control surface, free from warping, and provide high process reliability. This also results in an improved seal between the control disc and the membrane.

[0010] In another embodiment of the invention, the control panel includes a purge channel configured to flush away contaminants or residual gas leaks within the multi-port valve using an airflow. The purge channel may be formed as a recess in the control panel and may pass through portions of the control panel that are susceptible to contamination or should be actively avoided for contamination. Contaminants may enter the multi-port valve along with the carrier gas or the gas sample to be analyzed, or may diffuse from the environment of the multi-port valve. The purge channel is configured to guide the airflow that sweeps away contaminants or residual internal leaks between the recesses. Contaminants may be blown downstream of the purge channel and guided away from the control panel or multi-port valve. Even though such a purge channel locally reduces the sealing effect between the control panel and the membrane, sufficient adhesion remains between them to allow for the purge channel to function.

[0011] The accumulation of contaminants between the control panel and the membrane can be actively reduced or even avoided. The purging of the purge channel can be performed based on the control program of the multi-port valve. As a result, the life of the multi-port valve is extended. The gas flow in the purge channel can be a carrier gas, which can be readily obtained in sufficient mass. Therefore, the control panel required to be robust is required, and an extended useful product life is provided. The purge channel can be manufactured by engraving the control panel. Therefore, the purge channel can have a small size and can be implemented in a variety of control panel designs. Due to the small size, the consumption of purge gas used for purging is relatively low.

[0012] In a protected control panel, at least one groove and / or at least one fluid port can be fabricated using at least one of laser-based cutting, laser-based milling, laser-based engraving, or any other suitable manufacturing technique (e.g., etching). These manufacturing techniques allow for high precision and minimize burrs or sharp edges. Burrs and sharp edges can impair the smoothness of the membrane covering the control panel. Adhesion between the membrane and the control panel will be reduced in the vicinity of such sharp edges or burrs. Therefore, this laser-based manufacturing technique reliably provides the geometry of the control panel, fully utilizing the technological potential of the materials used for both the control panel and the membrane. Furthermore, such a manufacturing technique allows for extensive automated manufacturing, thus enabling the relatively inexpensive production of protected control panels.

[0013] The object of the present invention is also achieved using the claimed multiport valve. The multiport valve is configured for use in a gas analyzer and includes a first base component and a second base component. The base components may be substantially metal blocks, each having multiple ports for connecting a gas supply container, a gas discharge container, and / or a throttling element. The multiport valve also includes at least one diaphragm and a control disc held between the first and second base components. The diaphragm is arranged and configured to be actuated by pressurized air or negative pressure, such that it functions as a valve together with the control disc. This actuation should be interpreted as actuation of the multiport valve itself. The multiport valve may have the same basic function as the multiport valve according to WO2016 / 096423A1. The contents of WO2016 / 096423A1 are incorporated herein by reference. According to the invention, the control disc is implemented according to one of the examples outlined above. The control disc exhibits a tight seal with the diaphragm and minimizes gas leakage in the plane defined by the surface of the control disc. This allows for minimizing or avoiding contamination of the carrier gas with the gas sample, which can cause so-called "ghost peaks" or other inaccuracies in chromatography. Furthermore, it prevents ambient gases from intruding into the gas sample. It also avoids any potential reactions between the chemically active components in the gas sample and the moist ambient gases. When silane is guided through the multiport valve, the mixing of silane and moisture can lead to a reaction that forms sand. This sand will cause excessive wear on the multiport valve. Therefore, the claimed control panel allows for improved handling of several types of gas samples, particularly those containing silane. Thus, the claimed multiport valve allows for accurate chromatographic measurements and extends the lifespan of the multiport valve. Moreover, the claimed multiport valve can be sized to be compatible with or even identical to existing multiport valves and can replace them. Therefore, existing gas analyzers can be upgraded by replacing their multiport valves. Such upgraded gas analyzers will be suitable for analyzing a wider range of gas samples requiring enhanced measurement accuracy. The characteristics of the control panel also apply to the claimed multiport valve and can be understood as characteristics of the multiport valve itself.

[0014] In one embodiment of the invention, a first pair of fluid ports is configured to regulate the flow rate of the gas sample to be analyzed. Furthermore, a second pair of fluid ports is configured to regulate the flow rate of a carrier gas or a gas mixture including the carrier gas. In some gas analyzers, the amount of carrier gas may significantly exceed the amount of the gas sample to be examined, for example, in trace analysis.

[0015] Even the smallest amount of carrier gas leaking into the gas sample can contaminate it, rendering it useless for the intended analysis or distorting the measurement of its components. In addition, sample leakage into the groove used for the carrier gas should be avoided, as this can cause erroneous readings.

[0016] Furthermore, at least one of the first or second base components includes an orifice configured to apply a force exerted by pressurized air. The force exerted by the pressurized air presses one of the membranes against the claimed control disc, which can block (i.e., seal) at least one of the fluid ports or recesses on the surface of the control disc. Alternatively, the orifice can be configured to apply a traction force by negative pressure. This negative pressure can pull one of the membranes away from the control disc, thereby cleaning at least one of the fluid ports or recesses on the surface of the control disc. Based on both pressurized air and negative pressure, the control disc can be used to actuate a multi-port valve using the claimed control disc. The orifice can be easily manufactured with enhanced precision, requiring only a reduced size to allow for safe actuation. Therefore, first and second base components with multiple orifices can be easily manufactured. Furthermore, even complex base components can be manufactured, providing a wide range of functions for the multi-port valve. The range of achievable complexity is limited only by the amount of available space on the surfaces of the first and second base components and the size of the control disc. The claimed multi-port valve can be configured for use even in complex applications, such as gas analyzers.

[0017] Furthermore, the claimed multiport valve includes multiple purge channels, each configured to purge the control panel or a separate part of the multiport valve. At least one purge channel can be connected to both the carrier gas source and the exhaust port. The purge channels can have limited dimensions, which causes pressure limitation and allows the multiport valve to be purged without significantly increasing carrier gas consumption. Any planar intrusions entering the multiport valve from the environment, recesses, or fluid ports can be flushed to the exhaust port. Therefore, the negative effects of such intrusions can be mitigated or even avoided.

[0018] The basic objective of this invention is also achieved by the claimed gas analyzer. The gas analyzer includes a multi-port valve connected to a carrier gas container and a supply system for the gas sample to be analyzed. Specifically, when analyzing the gas sample, the composition of the gas sample and the concentrations of its components can be determined. Furthermore, the gas analyzer includes a detector directly or indirectly connected to the multi-port valve. The detector is also connected to an evaluation unit configured to detect and quantify at least one component of the gas sample. According to the invention, the multi-port valve is a multi-port valve according to one embodiment of the foregoing embodiments. Using such a multi-port valve, the gas analyzer is less prone to leakage of the carrier gas within the multi-port valve, and therefore less prone to contamination of the gas sample with the carrier gas. Gas samples with minimal and less contamination allow for more accurate determination of their composition. For example, this method can improve measurements for gas purity analysis. The claimed gas analyzer can be used to monitor the composition of the output hydrogen stream from an electrolyzer, the composition of the input hydrogen stream from a fuel cell, or for trace analysis. Alternatively, the claimed gas analyzer can be a gas chromatograph.

[0019] Furthermore, the objectives outlined above are also achieved through the claimed method for simulating the operational behavior of multiport valves in a gas analyzer. In the context of the claimed method, the terms "gas analyzer" and "simulated gas analyzer" can be interpreted interchangeably. Operational behavior can include the progression of a gas sample or carrier gas through the multiport valve and their respective thermodynamic variables, such as temperature, density, pressure, flow rate, thermal energy, and / or enthalpy. It can also include their leakage behavior at the seals. The method includes a first step during which a set of data points is provided. The set of data points reflects at least a portion of the functionality of the multiport valve to be simulated. The data points can reflect the design of a specific part of the multiport valve or the entire multiport valve. In particular, the set of data points can constitute a so-called digital twin, or can be part of a digital twin. The expression "digital twin" will be interpreted according to document US2017 / 286572A1. The contents of US2017 / 286572A1 are incorporated herein by reference. A set of data points can be provided by loading the set of data points into the memory of a computer on which the claimed method can be performed.

[0020] The claimed method also includes a second step in which at least one operating parameter of the multi-port valve is set. The operating parameters may include the conditions under which the multi-port valve is operated, such as ambient temperature. Additionally or alternatively, the operating parameters may include information about the analytical process to be simulated, such as which gas samples and quantities to be used, their pressures, temperatures, and / or the flow rates provided, and / or the duration of the operation. The second step may be performed by the user and / or via a data interface.

[0021] In addition, the claimed method includes a third step in which a computer program product is executed. This computer program product is configured to simulate the operational behavior of a multi-port valve based on a set of data points provided in the first step. It also simulates operational behavior based on at least one operational parameter provided in the second step. The set of data points and the operational parameter can be combined by the computer program product, which simulates the operation, i.e., the operational behavior, of the multi-port valve within the environment defined in the first and second steps. This simulation operation is also interpreted as a simulated operation. It is used to determine at least one performance parameter of the multi-port valve. The performance parameter describes information about events generated during the simulated operation of the multi-port valve. For example, the performance parameter may include thermodynamic quantities such as the temperature, density, and / or flow rate of a gas sample or carrier gas leaving a component of the simulated multi-port valve, and / or the amount of carrier gas reflecting contamination of subsequent gas samples and how it affects their composition and leakage behavior.

[0022] In the fourth step, the at least one performance parameter is output to a user and / or a data interface. The fourth step may utilize a user-readable output device and / or a suitable data connection to a different computer platform configured to further process the at least one performance parameter. According to the invention, the multi-port valve simulated by the claimed method is a multi-port valve according to one embodiment of the embodiments outlined above. The features of the claimed multi-port valve are also applied to the claimed method in a corresponding manner. Therefore, the features of the claimed multi-port valve also impart the claimed method.

[0023] The claimed multiport valve exhibits a tendency to reduce leakage between different pairs of fluid ports and recesses. The multiport valve includes a control disc in which a first pair of fluid ports and a second pair of fluid ports are radially offset from each other, thereby extending a support surface between them. This minimizes contamination of gas samples during the operation of the multiport valve to a degree that allows it to be ignored during simulation or to be simulated in a simplified manner. The region between these pairs of fluid ports can be simulated as a hydraulic element with an excessively high drag coefficient, thus making gas sample contamination negligible. Alternatively, contamination of the gas sample can be assumed to be absent. In both cases, complex CFD calculations reflecting the internal flow dynamics of the multiport valve can be avoided. This, in turn, allows for accelerated simulation of the operating behavior of the multiport valve. The claimed method can be performed to display real-time characteristics, thereby allowing monitoring of the condition of the corresponding physical multiport valve. Furthermore, multiple such multiport valves can be simulated with acceptable computational power requirements. Based on the claimed method, complex gas analyzers or gas analyzer systems with several multiport valves can be closely monitored, and abnormal operating conditions can be detected early. Using this monitoring system, a gas analyzer equipped with a simulated multi-port valve can be safely used with carrier gases such as hydrogen, which may form explosive gas mixtures with air.

[0024] The objectives described in this application are also achieved by the claimed computer program product. The claimed computer program product is configured to simulate the operational behavior of a multi-port valve. Therefore, the computer program product may include code and / or instructions that cause a computer to perform the simulated operational behavior of the multi-port valve. According to the invention, operational behavior is simulated by a method according to one of the above embodiments. The computer program product may include a set of data points that at least partially reflect the gas analyzer to be simulated. The computer program product may be a so-called digital twin, as described in US2017 / 286572A1. Furthermore, the computer program product may be stored on a machine-readable medium configured to interact with a computer. The claimed computer program product may be implemented in software or hardwired form, such as a chip, ASIC, or FPGA, or a combination of software and hardwired forms. Furthermore, the computer program product may be implemented as a monolithic program that executes on a single hardware platform. Alternatively, computer program products can be implemented as modular software, which includes parts of the program that execute on separate hardware platforms and interact with each other via appropriate data connections (such as Ethernet connections, Internet connections, or mobile data services). Attached Figure Description

[0025] The invention will now be described in more detail with reference to several accompanying drawings. The drawings are to be interpreted as complementary. In particular, the same numerals are to be interpreted as having the same technical meaning. Features of the embodiments shown in the drawings can be combined with each other. Furthermore, features of the embodiments shown in the drawings can also be combined with the embodiments outlined above. In particular, the drawings show: Figure 1 A top view of the first embodiment of the claimed control panel; Figure 2 This is part of a first embodiment of the claimed control panel; Figure 3 A cross-section of an embodiment of the claimed multi-port valve; Figure 4 This is an illustrative overview of an embodiment of the claimed simulation method. Detailed Implementation

[0026] Figure 1 A top view of a first embodiment of the claimed control panel 10 is shown, configured for use in a multi-port valve 40. The control panel 10 has a substantially circular shape and a center 20. Assembly holes 11 are arranged at and around the center 20, allowing the control panel 10 to be mounted and aligned in the multi-port valve 40. The control panel 10 is made of metal or alloy and has a surface 12 that is at least partially over-finished, polished, or flattened. The flipside 14 of the control panel 10 may also be at least partially over-finished, polished, or flattened. Furthermore, the control panel 10 includes fluid ports 18, which are through-holes extending from the surface 12 to the flipside 14 of the control panel. The fluid ports 18 are arranged in pairs, with each fluid port 18 connected to a different recess 16. The groove 16 can be manufactured by laser-based cutting, laser-based milling, laser-based engraving, or etching, and allows the flow of gas sample 29 or carrier gas 27, which is guided by control disc 10 during operation of multi-port valve 40. For this purpose, at least one of the surface 12 or back side 14 of control disc 10 can be made of membrane 30 (…). Figure 1(Not shown in the image) Covered. Furthermore, a portion of one of the grooves 16 has a first width 41, and another portion has a second width 42. The second width 42 is smaller than the first width 41, thus giving the groove 16 a variable width. This variable width allows for minimizing pressure drop within the groove 16. The paired fluid ports 18 are controllably closed (i.e., sealed and cleaned) by a membrane 30 near the paired fluid ports 18, thereby allowing controlled airflow between them. With the surface 12 at least partially over-finished, polished, or planarized and the grooves 16 manufactured by laser, the edges of the grooves 16 are smooth. Therefore, the membrane 30 covering the surface 12 of the control disk 10 forms a tight seal. The fluid ports 18 are arranged in a substantially circular shape around the center 20. Furthermore, the control disk 10 includes a groove 16 forming a purge channel 26. The purge channel 26 is configured to allow an airflow (e.g., a carrier gas flow) to purge the area between the two fluid ports 18. The purge channel 26 allows for the purging of the fluid ports 18 to which it is connected. Furthermore, the control panel 10 also includes an envelope fluid port 18 and an annular purge channel 31 connecting them via a groove 16. The annular purge channel 31 is used for purging around the control panel 10. The annular purge channel 31 is connected to one fluid port 18 serving as a gas inlet 37 and another fluid port 18 serving as an exhaust outlet 38. Both the gas inlet 37 and the exhaust outlet are connected to the annular purge channel 31 via a purge channel 26. This airflow can flush out pockets of contamination between the control panel 10 and the membrane 30 covering the surface 12. In addition, the control panel 10 is at least partially reflected in a set of data points belonging to a computer program product 60 configured to execute a method 100 for simulating the operational behavior of a multi-port valve 40 utilizing the control panel 10.

[0027] exist Figure 2 It shows Figure 1This is a portion of a first embodiment of the claimed control panel 10. The control panel 10 includes pairs of fluid ports 18 arranged in a row. Each of the first pair 21 and the second pair 22 includes two fluid ports 18 arranged adjacent to each other. The fluid ports 18 of the first pair 21 are located at a first radial distance 23 from the center 20 of the control panel 10. The second pair 22 are located at a second radial distance 25 from the center 20. The radial distances 23 and 25 are defined by the center points of the corresponding pairs 27 and 29, respectively. Therefore, there is a radial offset 24 between the fluid ports 18 of the first pair 21 and the fluid ports 18 of the second pair 22. In addition, there is a circumferential offset 28 between the fluid ports 18 of the first pair 21 and the fluid ports 18 of the second pair 22. The circumferential offset 28 is defined by the same reference as the radial offset 24. Near each of the fluid ports 18 of the first pair 21 and the second pair 22, an actuation region 19 is defined, where a membrane 30 covering the surface 12 of the control disc 10 can be pulled away from or pressed onto the control disc 10. During normal operation of the multi-port valve 40, the membrane 30 remains in contact with the control disc 10 on the outside of the actuation region 19. With the fluid ports 18 of the first pair 21 and the fluid ports 18 of the second pair 22 spaced apart in both the radial and circumferential directions, the region between the actuation regions 19 is extended. The region between the actuation regions 19 is part of the surface 12, which forms a support surface 39 that inhibits or blocks airflow. The extended support surface 39 enhances the sealing effect through both the extended distance between the fluid ports 18 of the first pair 21 and the fluid ports 18 of the second pair 22, and its extended area tightly adhered to the membrane 30. For example, a portion of the carrier gas 29 at the fluid ports 18 of the first pair 21 is prevented from flowing into the fluid ports 18 of the second pair 22 where the gas sample 29 is present simultaneously. This minimizes or eliminates the propagation of contaminants from one actuation area 39 to another. As a result, the control panel 10 allows for maintaining high measurement accuracy in the gas analyzer 50, which uses a multi-port valve 40 with the control panel 10. Therefore, the control panel 10 is particularly suitable for handling gas samples 29 or carrier gases 27, including hydrogen or other gases that can form flammable gas mixtures. Furthermore, the surface 12 of the control panel 10 includes an annular purge channel 31. The fluid ports 18 are arranged within the area defined by the annular purge channel 31, which is configured to supply carrier gas 27 for flushing out contaminants from the fluid ports 18 connected thereto. One of the fluid ports 18 of the first pair 21 is connected to the other fluid port 18 via a purge channel 26. Another purge channel 26 extends from yet another fluid port 18 to an annular purge channel 31. All purge channels 26 are directly or indirectly connected to the annular purge channel 31, forming an integrated purge system.Both the purge channel 26 and the annular purge channel 31 are formed using laser-based manufacturing techniques and are narrower than the groove 16 between the fluid ports 18. At least the control panel 10 is reflected in a set of data points as part of a computer program product 60 configured to simulate [the function]. Figure 1 and Figure 2 The operating behavior of the multi-port valve 40 of the control panel 10 shown is illustrated. For this purpose, the computer program product 60 is configured to execute simulation method 100. Figure 2 (Not shown in the image).

[0028] Figure 3 A cross-section of a portion of an embodiment of the multi-port valve 40 is shown. The multi-port valve 40 is configured to utilize... Figure 1 and Figure 2 The implemented control panel 10. The multi-port valve 40 includes a first base component 32 and a second base component 34, which form the main support structure of the multi-port valve 40. The control panel 10 and two membranes 30 are housed between the first base component 32 and the second base component 34. The control panel 10 is covered by a first membrane 30.1 on the side facing the first base component 32 and by a second membrane 30.2 on the side facing the second base component 34. The control panel 10 includes a fluid port 18 and a recess 16, which allows the guidance of airflow, which may be a carrier gas 27 or a gas sample 29. The airflow flows substantially within a plane defined by the control panel 10, which... Figure 3 The center is horizontal. Fluid ports 18 form a first pair 21 and a second pair 22, each pair 21, 22 surrounded by an actuation region 19. In the actuation region 19, a first membrane 30.1 can be pressed against the control disk 10 by pressurized air 33 guided through holes 36 in the first base component 32. Alternatively, the first membrane 30.1 can be pulled away from the control disk 10 by negative pressure 35 guided to the first membrane 30.1 via holes 36 in the first base component 32. Because the fluid ports 18 of the first pair 21 and the fluid ports 18 of the second pair 22 are arranged radially offset, the support surface 39 between them is extended. The surface 12 of the control disk 10 is an overfinished, polished, or flattened surface and forms a tight seal with the first membrane 30.1 made of an elastic material such as an elastomer or rubber. This prevents contaminants from spreading between the fluid ports 18 of the first pair 21 and the fluid ports 18 of the second pair 22. Figure 3 The actuation of the multi-port valve 40 and the gas leakage behavior in the support surface 39 shown are part of the operational behavior simulated by the computer program product 60. The computer program product 60 is configured to execute simulation method 100. Figure 3 (Not shown in the image).

[0029] Figure 4An embodiment of a protected method 100 configured to simulate the operational behavior of a multi-port valve 40 is shown. The multi-port valve 40 can be configured to... Figure 3 Implementation, and may include according to Figure 1 and Figure 2 The control panel 10. In the context of the claimed method 100, the terms "multiport valve" and "simulated multiport valve" are to be interpreted interchangeably. Method 100 includes a first step 110 in which a set of data points is provided that reflects at least a portion of the functionality of the multiport valve 40 to be simulated. The data points may be part of a digital model or a so-called digital twin. In a subsequent second step 120 of method 100, at least one operating parameter is set. The operating parameter defines the operating behavior to be simulated. The operating parameter may be at least one of the following: pressure of gas sample 29 or carrier gas 27, information about their respective compositions, flow rate, actuation mode of multiport valve 40, and the operating parameter at least partially defines the conditions to be simulated based on method 100. In addition, method 100 includes a subsequent third step 130 in which a computer program product 60 is executed. The computer program product 60 is configured to simulate the operating behavior of multiport valve 40. The simulation of operational behavior is based on the set of data points input during the first step 110 and the operational parameters input during the second step 120. During the third step 130, the computer program product 60 determines at least one performance parameter of the multi-port valve 40. The performance parameter may be a predicted contamination level of the airflow in the multi-port valve 40. For this purpose, the computer program product 60 is implemented as a digital twin of at least a portion of the multi-port valve 40. Furthermore, Figure 3 The method 100 shown includes a subsequent fourth step 140, in which the performance parameters determined in the third step 300 are output to at least one user or data interface. Through Figure 4 The multi-port valve 40 simulated by the method 100 shown is a multi-port valve 40 according to one of the embodiments outlined above.

Claims

1. A control panel (10) for a gas analyzer (50), comprising a plurality of recesses (16), each recess having at least one fluid port (18), a first pair (21) and a second pair (22) of fluid ports (18), each configured to be sealable by a portion of a membrane (30, 30.1, 30.2), characterized in that, The fluid ports (18) of the first pair (21) are arranged to be radially offset from the fluid ports (18) of the second pair (22).

2. The control panel (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The fluid ports (18) of the first pair and the second pair (21, 22) are arranged around the center (20) of the control panel (10).

3. The control panel (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The fluid ports (18) of the first pair and the second pair (21, 22) are arranged to have a circumferential offset (28) between them to maximize the support surface (39) between them.

4. The control panel (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The first groove (16) connected to one of the fluid ports (18) of the first pair (21) has a first width, which is greater than the second width of the second groove (16) connected to one of the fluid ports (18) of the second pair (22).

5. The control panel (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, At least one surface (12) of the control panel (10) is at least partially an over-finished surface, a polished surface, or a flattened surface.

6. The control panel (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The control panel (10) includes a purge channel (26) that uses airflow to flush away contaminants.

7. The control panel (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, At least one of the grooves (16) and / or one of the fluid ports (18) are manufactured by at least one of laser-based cutting, laser-based milling, laser-based engraving or etching.

8. A multi-port valve (40) for a gas analyzer (50), comprising first and second base components (32, 34), at least one diaphragm (30, 30.1, 30.2), and a control panel (10), the diaphragm and the control panel being positioned between the first and second base components (32, 34) to actuate the multi-port valve (40) using pressurized air (33) or negative pressure (35), characterized in that, The control panel (10) is implemented according to any one of the preceding claims.

9. The multi-port valve (40) according to claim 8, characterized in that, The fluid ports (18) of the first pair are configured to regulate the flow rate of the gas sample (29) to be analyzed, and the fluid ports (18) of the second pair (22) are configured to regulate the flow rate of the carrier gas (27) or a gas mixture including the carrier gas (27).

10. The multi-port valve (40) according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that, At least one of the first or second base components (32, 34) includes a hole (36) configured to apply a force applied by pressurized air (33) or negative pressure (35).

11. The multi-port valve according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, It is configured to flush the purge channel (26) with the carrier gas (27).

12. A gas analyzer (50), comprising a multi-port valve (40) and a detector, the multi-port valve (40) being connected to a carrier gas container and a supply system for a gas sample (29) to be analyzed, the detector being connected to an evaluation unit, characterized in that, The multi-port valve (40) is implemented according to any one of the preceding claims.

13. A method for simulating the operating behavior of a multi-port valve (40) in a gas analyzer (50), comprising the following steps: a) Provide a set of data points that reflect at least a portion of the functionality of the multi-port valve (40) to be simulated; b) Set at least one operating parameter, which defines the operating behavior to be simulated; c) Execute a computer program product (60) configured to simulate the operating behavior of the multi-port valve (40) based on the set of data points combined with the at least one operating parameter to determine at least one performance parameter; d) Output the at least one performance parameter to at least one user or data interface; The multi-port valve (40) is characterized in that it is implemented according to any one of the preceding claims.

14. A computer program product (60) for simulating the operational behavior of a multi-port valve (40), characterized in that, The operational behavior is simulated using the method according to claim 13.

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