A multi-channel valve for a liquid chromatography apparatus

Abstract

The application discloses a kind of multi-channel valves of liquid chromatography equipment, including stator and rotor, the rotor is rotationally connected with the side surface of the stator, the side surface of the stator is provided with one liquid inlet hole and multiple liquid outlet holes, multiple the liquid outlet holes are arranged around the liquid inlet hole;The rotor is provided with rotor flow channel on the surface that is engaged with the side surface of the stator, and liquid enters rotor flow channel through the liquid inlet hole of stator and then flows out through the liquid outlet hole;The rotor flow channel is T-shaped groove or T-shaped groove, the narrow end corresponds with the liquid inlet hole, the wide end corresponds with the liquid outlet hole, and the rotor flow channel is configured to include switching section in the process of rotor rotation, wherein the wide end is simultaneously communicated with two liquid outlet holes.The application optimizes the design of rotor flow channel, so that the multi-channel valve can continuously switch different channels without stopping the system pump.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of fluid control technology for liquid chromatography equipment, and specifically to a multi-channel valve for liquid chromatography equipment. Background Technology

[0002] In the separation and preparation process of liquid chromatography equipment, the plunger pump in traditional multi-channel systems stops momentarily during valve switching, creating a dead zone. Since the multi-channel valve cannot discharge liquid during this dead zone, continuous operation of the plunger pump can lead to a sudden pressure surge, potentially causing tubing rupture or high-pressure leakage from the valve. Furthermore, the plunger pump's cessation may cause a momentary weakening or loss of UV data (absorbance data generated by the ultraviolet detector), thus affecting the experimental results. Summary of the Invention

[0003] In view of the above problems, the present invention is proposed to provide a multi-channel valve for a liquid chromatography apparatus that overcomes or at least partially solves the above problems.

[0004] A multi-channel valve for a liquid chromatography apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a stator and a rotor, wherein the rotor is rotatably connected to the side surface of the stator. The stator has a liquid inlet hole and multiple liquid outlet holes on its side surface, with the multiple liquid outlet holes arranged around the liquid inlet hole; The rotor has a rotor flow channel on the surface that engages with the side surface of the stator. Liquid enters the rotor flow channel through the inlet hole of the stator and then flows out through the outlet hole. The rotor flow channel is a T-shaped groove or a T-shaped groove, with its narrow end corresponding to the liquid inlet and its wide end corresponding to the liquid outlet. The rotor flow channel is configured to include a switching section in which the wide end is simultaneously connected to two liquid outlets during rotor rotation.

[0005] In some embodiments, the liquid inlet is located at a position corresponding to the rotation center of the rotor.

[0006] In some embodiments, the rotor channel gradually changes its connection to the liquid outlet as the rotor rotates.

[0007] In some embodiments, when the rotor channel switches between two or more outlet holes, the outflowing liquid flow rate remains constant or substantially constant.

[0008] In some implementations, the constant liquid flow rate is the flow rate that can flow out when only a single outlet is in operation.

[0009] In some embodiments, the rotor flow channel is configured to simultaneously communicate with two different liquid outlet holes on the stator as the rotor rotates from one working position to the next adjacent working position.

[0010] In some embodiments, the wide end of the rotor channel is arc-shaped.

[0011] In some embodiments, the multiple liquid outlet holes on the stator are evenly distributed along the circumferential direction.

[0012] In some embodiments, the number of liquid outlet holes is eight.

[0013] In some embodiments, the stator and the rotor are made of wear-resistant materials.

[0014] Compared with the prior art, the embodiments of the present invention have the following advantages: This invention features an optimized rotor flow channel design, allowing the multi-channel valve to continuously switch between different channels without stopping the system pump. This design completely eliminates the switching "dead zone," enabling the system plunger pump to operate without stopping during valve switching. This avoids pressure shocks and UV detection data interruptions caused by pump start-stop, significantly improving the data reliability, detection efficiency, and operational safety of the chromatography system.

[0015] Because the rotor flow channel optimization reduces the distance between the rotor and the stator orifice, the running time of multi-channel valves can be reduced. In pharmaceutical processes, reducing the valve running time in chromatography systems can improve the performance of the chromatography system. Attached Figure Description

[0016] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the side surface structure of the stator in an embodiment of the present invention, showing the distribution of the liquid inlet holes and each liquid outlet hole; Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the rotor end face structure in an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 3 This is a schematic radial cross-sectional view of the rotor and stator after they are joined in an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the flow path state when the multi-channel valve is in the first working position in an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the flow path state of the multi-channel valve of the present invention when it is in the second working position; Figure 6 The multi-channel valve of the present invention Figure 4 The position shown is towards Figure 5 The diagram shows the flow path state when the device is in an intermediate transition position during the position switching process.

[0017] Attached image annotations: 1. First liquid outlet; 2. Second liquid outlet; 3. Third liquid outlet; 4. Fourth liquid outlet; 5. Fifth liquid outlet; 6. Sixth liquid outlet; 7. Seventh liquid outlet; 8. Eighth liquid outlet; 9. Liquid inlet; C1. Rotor flow channel. Detailed Implementation

[0018] Numerous specific details are set forth in the following description to provide a full understanding of the invention. However, the invention can be practiced in many other ways different from those described herein, and those skilled in the art can make similar extensions without departing from the spirit of the invention. Therefore, the invention is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed below.

[0019] In the description of this invention, it should be understood that the orientation descriptions, such as up, down, front, back, left, right, etc., are based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing this invention and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limiting this invention.

[0020] In the description of this invention, unless otherwise explicitly defined, terms such as "set up," "install," and "connect" should be interpreted broadly, and those skilled in the art can reasonably determine the specific meaning of the above terms in this invention in conjunction with the specific content of the technical solution.

[0021] In the description of this invention, references to terms such as "one embodiment," "some embodiments," "illustrative embodiment," "example," "specific example," or "some examples," etc., refer to specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described in connection with that embodiment or example, which are included in at least one embodiment or example of this invention.

[0022] In the separation and preparation process of liquid chromatography equipment, multi-channel valves are key components for automatically switching between different flow paths in steps such as sample loading, rinsing, and elution. When switching working channels, traditional multi-channel valves experience a brief transition state, or "dead zone," in their internal flow channels. During this state, the fluid passage between the valve's inlet and all outlet ports is completely blocked.

[0023] To prevent a sudden and rapid increase in system pressure during a "dead zone" state if the plunger pump driving the fluid flow continues to operate (potentially causing pipeline rupture or high-pressure leakage), existing technologies employ a "stop-switch-start" operation mode. Specifically, the plunger pump must be stopped before the valve switching action is performed; the plunger pump is then restarted after the valve is switched in place and the flow path is re-established.

[0024] However, this operating mode has significant drawbacks. First, the frequent start-up and shutdown of the plunger pump itself causes momentary interruptions in fluid delivery and severe pressure fluctuations. These fluctuations are transmitted to detectors linked to the system (such as ultraviolet detectors, or UV detectors), causing momentary attenuation of the detection signal or loss of data points, severely affecting the continuity and accuracy of experimental data. Second, the pump start-up and shutdown process and the associated stabilization waiting time reduce the overall system efficiency. This problem is particularly prominent in fabrication processes that require frequent channel switching, thus prolonging the detection cycle.

[0025] Combination Figure 1-6 As shown in the figure, an embodiment of the present invention discloses a multi-channel valve for a liquid chromatography apparatus, which mainly consists of a stator and a rotor. The rotor is rotatably connected to the side surface of the stator. The side surface of the stator is provided with a liquid inlet and multiple liquid outlets, with the multiple liquid outlets arranged around the liquid inlet. The rotor has a rotor flow channel on the surface that engages with the side surface of the stator. Liquid enters the rotor flow channel through the liquid inlet of the stator and flows out through the liquid outlets. The rotor flow channel is a T-shaped groove or a T-shaped groove, with its narrow end corresponding to the liquid inlet and its wide end corresponding to the liquid outlet. The rotor flow channel is configured to include a switching section during rotor rotation where the wide end simultaneously communicates with two liquid outlets to solve the defect of dead zones.

[0026] Specifically, in combination Figure 1 The stator 1 is a stationary component, typically fixedly mounted on a valve seat or system pipeline. On the end face of the stator 1, there is a liquid inlet hole 9 and multiple (eight in this embodiment) liquid outlet holes 1-8 machined. These outlet holes are evenly arranged along the circumference and can be labeled as first outlet hole 1, second outlet hole 2...eighth outlet hole 8. These holes are connected to a liquid inlet device or a liquid outlet receiving device via pipelines. The rotor is a moving component, typically driven by a motor (not shown in the figure) through a drive shaft, allowing its end face to tightly fit against the end face of the stator 1 and rotate relative to it.

[0027] The core innovation of this invention lies in the flow channel structure on the rotor. Combined with... Figure 2 As shown, a specific T-shaped rotor flow channel C1 is machined on the rotor surface. This T-shaped rotor flow channel C1 has a narrow end and a wide end. The key design is that the narrow end of the T-shaped rotor flow channel C1 is always aligned with and maintains fluid communication with the liquid inlet hole 9 on the stator 1 at any moment the rotor 2 rotates relative to the stator 1. At the same time, the curvature of the wide end of the T-shaped rotor flow channel C1 is designed to be equal to the curvature formed by the center lines of two adjacent liquid outlet holes (e.g., liquid outlet hole 1 and liquid outlet hole 2) on the stator. Figure 3 The stator and rotor are shown in their engaged state.

[0028] Combination Figures 4 to 6 Detailed explanation of the working process and continuous flow principle of this invention: Initial working state (see) Figure 4 When fluid is required to flow out from the outlet hole 1, the rotor is driven to rotate to a specific position. At this time, the narrow end of the T-shaped rotor flow channel C1 inside the rotor is aligned with the stator inlet hole 9, and one side of its wide end (such as...) Figure 4 The left side of the stator is aligned with and connected to the stator outlet port 1, while its other wide end is not connected to any outlet port. The path of the mobile phase (solvent) is: inlet port 9 → C1 → outlet port 1.

[0029] Switching process (see) Figure 6 When it is necessary to switch the outflow channel from outlet 1 to outlet 2, the motor drives the rotor to start rotating. During the intermediate transition phase of rotation, the rotor reaches a specific position. At this position, the narrow end of the T-shaped rotor flow channel C1 remains connected to the inlet 9, while its wide end, due to its special geometric design, is precisely aligned with both outlet 1 and outlet 2 on the stator. At this time, the flowing phase entering from the inlet 9 is split within the wide end of the T-shaped rotor flow channel C1; a portion of the liquid still flows out from outlet 1, while the other portion begins to flow out from outlet 2. This state constitutes a temporary "bridging" or "splitting" transition flow path. During this process, there is always a clear path between the inlet and outlet, with no "dead zones."

[0030] Target operating status (see) Figure 5 The rotor continues to rotate a small angle until it reaches the target position. At this point, outlet hole 1 is completely disengaged from the wide end, while the wide end connecting to outlet hole 2 is fully aligned with hole 2. The path of the mobile phase smoothly transitions to: inlet hole 9 → C1 → outlet hole 2. The switching action is complete.

[0031] During the entire handover process, due to the existence of Figure 6 As shown in the transition state, the system flow path is never completely cut off, so the drive pump does not need to be stopped and can always maintain a continuous and stable operating state. This ensures the smoothness of the downstream UV detector signal and avoids data interruption.

[0032] By optimizing the angle and layout of the T-type rotor flow channel C1, the rotation angle required for the rotor to switch between adjacent stations can be minimized, thereby further shortening the valve switching response time. The mating surfaces of the stator and rotor need to be ground with high precision and manufactured using wear-resistant materials such as zirconia ceramics, silicon carbide, or hardened alloys to ensure reliable sealing performance and low wear rate over a long period under the working pressure of the high-pressure liquid chromatography system.

[0033] It should be noted that although the present invention has been disclosed above with reference to preferred embodiments, it is not intended to limit the present invention. Any person skilled in the art can make possible changes and modifications without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of protection of the present invention should be determined by the scope defined in the claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. A multi-channel valve for a liquid chromatography apparatus, the multi-channel valve comprising a stator and a rotor, the rotor being rotatably connected to a side surface of the stator, characterized in that, The stator has a liquid inlet hole and multiple liquid outlet holes on its side surface, with the multiple liquid outlet holes arranged around the liquid inlet hole; The rotor has a rotor flow channel on the surface that engages with the side surface of the stator. Liquid enters the rotor flow channel through the inlet hole of the stator and then flows out through the outlet hole. The rotor flow channel is a T-shaped groove or a T-shaped groove, with its narrow end corresponding to the liquid inlet and its wide end corresponding to the liquid outlet. The rotor flow channel is configured to include a switching section in which the wide end is simultaneously connected to two liquid outlets during rotor rotation.

2. The multi-channel valve according to claim 1, characterized in that, The liquid inlet is located at a position corresponding to the rotation center of the rotor.

3. The multi-channel valve according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The rotor flow channel gradually changes its connection with the liquid outlet hole as the rotor rotates.

4. The multi-channel valve according to claim 3, characterized in that, When the rotor channel switches between two or more outlet holes, the outflowing liquid flow rate remains constant or approximately constant.

5. The multi-channel valve according to claim 4, characterized in that, A constant liquid flow rate is the flow rate that can flow out when only a single outlet is in operation.

6. The multi-channel valve according to claim 1, characterized in that, The rotor flow channel is configured such that, during the process of the rotor rotating from one working position to the next adjacent working position, it can simultaneously communicate with two different liquid outlet holes on the stator.

7. The multi-channel valve according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The wide end of the rotor flow channel is arc-shaped.

8. The multi-channel valve according to claim 7, characterized in that, The multiple liquid outlet holes on the stator are evenly distributed along the circumference.

9. The multi-channel valve according to claim 8, characterized in that, The number of liquid outlet holes is eight.

10. The multi-channel valve according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The stator and the rotor are made of wear-resistant material.

Images