Device to guide exhaust gas away from a housing

Abstract

A device 100 comprises a coupling structure 110 for coupling the device to a housing (150, fig 2), in particular, an analytical device (10, fig 2), so that a gas, in particular an exhaust gas, from th

Description

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE [0001 ] The present disclosure relates to a device, comprising a coupling structure for coupling the device to a housing, in particular of an analytical device, so that a gas from the interior of the housing flows into a guiding structure of the device, and the guiding structure for guiding the gas from the interior of the housing in a defined direction away from the housing as a directed gas stream, so that the directed gas stream is laminar with a controlled fan-out behavior. The disclosure further relates to an arrangement, comprising the housing and one or more of the devices. Further, the present disclosure refers to an analytical device, in particular a chromatography device such as a high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) device, that comprises said arrangement, and to a method for ventilating, in particular cooling, a housing. BACKGROUND ART

[0002] Analytical devices are provided for analysing a sample, such as for carrying out a chromatographic separation of the sample.

[0003] For example, for liquid separation in a chromatography system, a mobile phase comprising a sample fluid (e.g. a chemical or biological mixture) with compounds to be separated is driven through a stationary phase (such as a chromatographic column packing), thus separating different compounds of the sample fluid which may then be identified.

[0004] The mobile phase, typically comprised of one or more solvents, is pumped under high-pressure typically through a chromatographic column containing packing medium (also referred to as packing material or stationary phase). As the sample is carried through the column by the liquid flow, the different compounds, each one having a different affinity to the packing medium, move through the column at different speeds. Those compounds having greater affinity for the stationary phase move more slowly through the column than those having less affinity, and this speed differential results in the compounds being separated from one another as they pass through the column. The stationary phase is subject to a mechanical force generated in particular by a hydraulic pump that pumps the mobile phase usually from an upstream connection of the column to a downstream connection of the column. As a result of flow, depending on the physical properties of the stationary phase and the mobile phase, a relatively high-pressure drop is generated across the column.

[0005] The mobile phase with the separated compounds exits the column and passes through a flow cell of a detector. The separated fluidic sample flows through the flow cell and is illuminated by light from a light source while being optically detected by the detector. The detector registers and / or identifies the molecules, for example by spectrophotometric absorbance measurements or fluorescence measurements. A two-dimensional plot of the detector measurements against elution time or volume, known as a chromatogram, may be made, and from the chromatogram the compounds may be identified and quantified. For each compound, the chromatogram displays a separate curve feature also designated as a "peak".

[0006] Generally, an analytical device comprises one or more housings for the analytic instruments. For example, an analytical device may comprise several modules and each module may comprise its own housing (part). In the case of HPLC, a plurality of modules (for example pump module, thermostat module, injector module, detector module), each with its own housing (part), may be vertically stacked one above the other. In operation, the instruments in the housing can / must be ventilated, in particular cooled.

[0007] In a conventional solution, air from the environment is sucked into a housing to cool the instrument in said housing. Then, the exhaust air is blown out again to the environment. Hereby, the air flow may be driven by a fan; a volume flow of one fan outlet can be for example 0.03 m3 / s. The ambient temperature is generally around 20°C (temperature of inlet air), while the temperature of exhaust air (at the outlet) may be more than 40°C. Therefore, the hot exhaust air is not suitable to be sucked into the housing again for the cooling purpose. However, an analytic device is generally not positioned into free space to enable free streaming of the exhaust air. In the contrary, due to strong space limitations in laboratories, analytical devices are normally placed close to a wall or even into a corner.

[0008] Figure 9A shows a side view and Figure 9B shows a top view of a simulation of an air stream 160 during a cooling process of an instrument in a conventional housing 900 of an analytical device. The housing 900 is positioned 50 mm away from a wall in a corner. A ventilation inlet is on the side of the housing 900, while a ventilation outlet is at the back of the housing 900. It can be seen that, when the housing 900 is positioned in a corner or against an unfavorable wall, the exhaust air is sucked back into the housing 900. In the present example, this reduces the cooling efficiency by 37%. SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0009] There may be a need to ventilate (in particular cool) a housing (in particular of an analytical device) in an efficient manner. The object is solved by the independent claims. Further embodiments are shown by the dependent claims.

[0010] According to a first aspect of the disclosure, there is described a device (for ventilation, guiding a gas flow), comprising:

[0011] i) a coupling structure for coupling (e.g. permanently or removably fixing) the device to a housing, in particular of an analytical device, so that a gas (e.g. air), in particular a (hot) exhaust gas, from the interior of the housing (in particular where the instrument to be cooled is situated) flows / streams (is guided) into a guiding structure of the device.

[0012] ii) the guiding structure (in particular guiding mechanically by its structure design only) for guiding the gas from the interior of the housing in a defined direction (e.g. in the vertical direction upwards) away from the housing as a directed gas stream (having a clearly defined main direction), so that the directed gas stream is laminar (free of turbulences and mostly free of swirls) with a controlled fan-out behavior (controlled dispersion / spread property of the gas stream).

[0013] According to a second aspect of the disclosure, there is described an arrangement, comprising: at least one device as described above, and the housing, in particular of (associated with) the analytical device. Hereby, the at least one device is coupled, with the coupling structure (of the device), to the housing, so that the gas from the interior of the housing flows / streams (is guided) to / by the guiding structure of the device.

[0014] According to a third aspect of the disclosure, there is described an analytical device (e.g. a chromatography device), comprising a device and / or an arrangement as described above.

[0015] According to a fourth aspect of the disclosure, there is described a method for ventilating (cooling) a housing, in particular of an analytical device, the method comprising: i) streaming a gas (into the interior of the housing and) from the interior of the housing to a guiding structure, and mechanically, in particular passively, guiding, by said guiding structure, the gas from the interior of the housing in a defined direction away from the housing as a directed gas stream, so that the directed gas stream is laminar with a controlled fan-out behavior.

[0016] In the context of the present document, the term “coupling structure” may in particular refer to a structure (a component, an element) suitable to couple the device as such or the guiding structure to a housing (in particular a sidewall of the housing). In a basic embodiment, the coupling structure may be configured as a platelike structure that can be attached (e.g. screwed, glued, etc.) to the housing (compare Figure 3). In a more sophisticated embodiment, the coupling structure may be arranged partially in the housing and / or may be involved in streaming the exhaust gas from a gas outlet of the housing into the guiding structure. The coupling structure may be configured to be permanently fixed (e.g. welded) or removably / detachably fixed to the housing. Detachably fixing may be done for example using a magnetic coupling or a mechanical coupling (e.g. hooks at the housing and grooves in the device).

[0017] In the context of the present document, the term “guiding structure” may in particular refer to a structure (element, component) of the device that is suitable for guiding the exhaust gas flow away from the housing. Preferably, the guiding structure is designed such that the exhaust gas flow is forced (in particular only by the mechanical structure of the guiding structure) into a flow regime that is directed, laminar and has a controlled fan-out behavior. Such an effect may be achieved by different designs of the device, e.g. a wedge-like shape, a shell-like shape or even a Tesla-valve shape. In an embodiment, the guiding structure may comprise a tunnellike structure for guiding the gas stream. In another embodiment, the guiding structure may comprise a cover structure that covers the streaming gas at one side, while the other side is covered by the housing itself. The guiding structure may be used for an individual housing (part) or for a plurality of housing / s (parts), e.g. as a common guiding structure.

[0018] In the context of the present document, the term “controlled fan-out behavior” may in particular refer to the effect that the form of the exhaust gas stream is controlled in a specific manner. If the exhaust gas stream would be merely streamed through an opening (compare Figures 9A and 9B), the gas stream would completely fan-out, i.e. be distributed in all directions in an uncontrolled manner. A controlled fanout behavior (compare Figure 4) instead forces (by means of the guiding structure) the gas stream into a main direction and reduces / prevents the fan out of the gas stream (no spreading). Another term for the fan-out behavior may be dispersion property or spreading property.

[0019] In the context of the present document, the term “analytical device” may in particular refer to a device suitable to perform an analysis of a sample. In an example, the analytical device is applied to analyze (characterize) a sample by sample separation (such as chromatography).

[0020] In the context of the present document, the term “chromatography device” may in particular refer to an instrument suitable to perform a chromatographic analysis, preferably for analysing a sample, such as for carrying out a chromatographic separation of the sample. Examples of an analytical device may include a liquid chromatography (LC) instrument, in particular a high performance liquid chromatography instrument (HPLC) or a ultra-high performance liquid chromatography instrument (UHPLC), an electrophoresis system, a microfluidic device, a cell sorter (e.g. FACS - Fluorescence Activated Cell Sorting), or a spectrophotometer. In an embodiment, the analytical device comprising an (optical) detection device coupled to or couplable to a source of pressure.

[0021] In the context of this document, the term “fluidic sample” may particularly denote any liquid and / or gaseous medium, optionally including also (dissolved) solid substances, which is to be analyzed. Such a fluidic sample may comprise a plurality of fractions of molecules which shall be separated, for instance small mass molecules or large mass biomolecules such as proteins. Separation of a fluidic sample into fractions may involve a certain separation criterion (such as mass, volume, chemical properties, etc.) according to which a separation is carried out.

[0022] In the context of this document, the term “mobile phase” may particularly denote any liquid and / or gaseous medium which may serve as fluidic carrier of the fluidic sample during separation. A mobile phase may be a solvent or a solvent composition (for instance composed of water and an organic solvent such as ethanol or acetonitrile). In an isocratic separation mode of a liquid chromatography apparatus, the mobile phase may have a constant composition over time. In a gradient mode, however, the composition of the mobile phase may be changed over time, in particular to desorb fractions of the fluidic sample which have previously been adsorbed to a stationary phase of a separation unit.

[0023] According to an exemplary embodiment, the disclosure may be based on the idea that a ventilation of a housing can be performed in an efficient manner, when a device is coupled (with a coupling structure) to said housing, so that the exhaust gas is guided by a guiding structure of said device away from the housing in a directed gas stream that is laminar and comprises controlled dispersion properties. Preferably, such a device may provide the described directed gas stream passively, i.e. based only on its structure, for example wedge-shaped, clam / shell-shaped or shaped as a Tesla-valve.

[0024] Accordingly, the device may be provided in a design-flexible and practical manner (using the coupling structure) to any housing for enabling an (energy) efficient stream of exhaust gas. Thereby, exhaust gas may be directed in such a way that it can be effectively prevented from being sucked back into the housing, especially without the need for a complex chimney element.

[0025] In a preferred embodiment, two or more of said devices are arranged in the one above the other (stacked). In this manner, the gas streams may be cascaded and efficiency may be further improved. For example, a device that deflects the gas flow upwards can be cascaded due to a wedge-shape, without a gas stream direction upstream device being negatively influenced by a downstream device. A wedge / clamshell design may direct the gas flow upwards without blocking the exhaust gas from other devices. Due to the shape of the guiding structure, the gas flow may be divided by a downstream device and a Venturi-effect may be generated through the air outlet, thereby minimizing a gas stream fanning out.

[0026] Further, the disclosure may provide at least one of the following advantages: a defined and directed gas flow, a chimney-effect without a chimney (Venturi-effect), cascaded as often as required, suitable for single / array module configuration. EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

[0027] In an embodiment, the guiding structure is configured to guide the (directed) gas stream such that a re-entry of the gas into the housing is prevented or at least reduced. This may provide the advantage that the (energy) efficiency is improved. Since the outlet gas is much warmer than the inlet gas, the exhaust gas may not be suitable for a ventilation / cooling process. Instead, re-entry of the exhaust gas may reduce the cooling efficiency of the inlet gas or may even warm up the instrument in the housing instead of cooling it.

[0028] In an embodiment, the guiding structure is configured to guide the directed gas stream (exclusively) by mechanical means. In other words, the guiding structure is configured such that the directed gas stream is provided only by the design of the (shape of the) guiding structure. Thus, the guiding structure can be seen as a passive device. This may provide the advantage that no additional active devices / elements, such as a motor, are needed; thereby lowering the cost and space requirements.

[0029] In an embodiment, the guiding structure (in particular a plurality of guiding structures, more in particular arranged one above the other in gas streaming direction) is / are configured to guide the directed gas stream comprising at least one of the following features: a chimney-effect, a Venturi-effect, an air-knife property / effect. A chimney-effect and / or a Venturi effect may be observed in particular in the case that two or more of the devices are arranged such that the gas stream from an upstream-positioned device streams against a downstream-positioned device and the gas streams of both devices are combined to a common gas stream (see detailed description below). In this manner, the application of two or more stacked / cascaded devices may enable an even more efficient gas stream away from the housing.

[0030] In the present context, the term “Venturi-effect” may in particular refer to the effect that, when a fluid is streamed through a restriction, the stream speeds up, while the pressure is reduced. Regarding the present disclosure, the (lower part, preferably rounded, of) downstream device may function as a restriction of the gas stream from below (from the upstream device), thereby yielding a gas stream around the downstream device that is speed-up (accelerated). Hence, the ventilation / cooling may be made more efficient by an accelerated (and more powerful) gas stream away from the housing. This may also result in a reduced fan-out, thereby controlling the fan-out behavior.

[0031] In the present context, the term “chimney-effect” may in particular refer to the movement of gas / air in a vertically-oriented structure, caused e.g. by differences in temperature and pressure. Warmer, less dense gas rises, while cooler denser gas sinks, thereby generating an upward flow of gas through the structure. Regarding the present disclosure, the warm exhaust gas may stream upwards and thereby accelerate the flow of cooler gas from the housing. Thereby, the ventilation / cooling may be made more efficient by an accelerated (and more powerful) gas stream away from the housing. This may also result in a reduced fan-out, thereby controlling the fan-out behavior.

[0032] In the present context, the term “air-knife” may in particular refer to a directed, high-velocity stream of gas (air) that has the shape of a thin (uniform) sheet of gas (compare Figure 4). Such an air knife may be a suitable example of a direct and laminar stream with a controlled fan-out behavior.

[0033] In an embodiment, the device, in particular the guiding structure, comprises a cover-structure that defines a guiding volume (to guide the exhaust gas within) between said cover structure and at least a part of a sidewall of the housing. Thereby, material may be saved, and the already present structures can be directly implemented as part of the guiding structure. In this example, the exhaust gas may stream directly along the surface of the housing and away from the housing.

[0034] In an embodiment, the device, in particular the guiding structure, comprises a wedge-shape and / or a clam / shell-shape (see e.g. Figures 3A and 3B). Such a shape may be arranged so that the smaller (tapered) part is located in proximity of the gas outlet (of the housing), while the larger (not tapered) part is located distal of said gas outlet. Thereby, the gas stream can be forced into the directed flow, so that the fan-out behavior may be efficiently controlled.

[0035] In an embodiment, the device, in particular the guiding structure, comprises a tapering in a direction opposite to the direction away from the housing (direction (essentially) orthogonal to the gas outlet of the housing). In an embodiment, the device, in particular the guiding structure, comprises a length of the cover structure (along the gas streaming direction) being larger than a width (orthogonal to the gas streaming direction) of the cover structure (or the other way around). In an example, the device is longer in the vertical direction than in the horizontal direction (when in operation position). In an embodiment, the device, in particular the guiding structure, has a width at a gas outlet (of the guiding structure) that is larger than a width at a gas inlet (of the guiding structure). In an embodiment, the device, in particular the guiding structure, comprises a rounded structure / part, in particular at the gas inlet (of the guiding structure). By these features, the guiding of the gas flow may be controlled in an especially efficient manner.

[0036] In an embodiment, the device is configured as a single physical element, in particular a monolithic structure. Thus, the device may be manufactured in one process, thereby saving costs and efforts. For example, the coupling structure and the guiding structure may comprise the same material, being formed as a one-piece device.

[0037] In an embodiment, the device comprises or consists of at least one of a plastic, a metal, a ceramic. Depending on the desired application, one or more of these materials may be preferable.

[0038] In an embodiment, the device, in particular the guiding structure, is structured to promote a flow of the directed gas stream in the defined direction away from the housing and to prevent the flow of the directed gas stream in the opposite direction, in particular (exclusively) by mechanical means (passively, without an active element such as a motor, a fan or a pump). It has been found by the inventors that such a structure may lead to an especially efficient gas stream control.

[0039] In an embodiment, the guiding structure comprises a Tesla valve or Tesla valve-like structure. In other words: the exhaust air is injected directly into an array of at least one Tesla valve via ducts. Such an established element may be implemented in a straightforward manner in the guiding structure to establish the directed gas stream.

[0040] In an embodiment, the defined direction away from the housing is (at least partially) oriented in the range 0° to 90°, in particular (essentially) 90°, with respect to a sidewall of the housing to which the device is couplable / coupled. In other words: the air flow at the outlet forms an angle of 90° to 0° with the surface normal of the vertical surface of the housing, whereby 90° represents the ideal case in which the air is directed upwards along the housing wall. In an embodiment, the defined direction away from the housing is at least partially parallel to the sidewall of the housing to which the device is couplable / coupled. It may be advantageous to guide the exhaust gas stream directly upwards, thereby far away from the external air sucked into the housing. The direction upwards may be parallel to the housing most of the distance. Yet, from a gas outlet of the housing, the gas stream may have to change its direction in order to stream upwards.

[0041] In an embodiment, the coupling structure comprises a coupling surface, in particular to connect the device to the sidewall of the housing. Such a coupling surface, e.g. a planar surface, may enable an easy and space-saving attachment.

[0042] In an embodiment, the arrangement comprises (at least) a first device and a second device coupled to the housing in a stacked manner, in particular along the vertical direction (z), with respect to each other. In an embodiment, the stacking is such that a first gas stream from the first device and a second gas stream from the second device are combined to a cascaded common gas stream. Such a common gas stream may be generated by two or more gas streams from different devices. Preferably, the devices are coupled to the housing one above the other, so that they are combined along the vertical direction (upwards). However, the two or more devices may also be arranged in another direction (e.g. horizontally) and guide the common gas stream into this direction.

[0043] In an embodiment, the housing comprises at least two housing parts (modules, components, elements). In an embodiment, the housing parts are arranged in a stacked manner along the vertical direction (z) with respect to each other. In the present context, the term “housing part” may in particular refer to a specific part of the housing. In an example, an analytical device may comprise a plurality of instruments and each instrument may be arranged in an individual housing. In this case, the term “housing” may refer to the housings of all instruments together, i.e. the housing of the analytical device. In case that reference to the housing of one specific instrument of the analytical device is to be made, the term “housing part” may be used.

[0044] In an embodiment, a / each housing part corresponds to a module, in particular of the analytical device (see e.g. Figure 2). In an embodiment, the module comprises at least one of: a pump-module, an injector-module, a solvent-supplymodule, a sample separation module, a detector-module, a factioneer-module. At least some of these modules should be cooled during operation. In an example, a HPLC with a plurality of stacked modules may be especially suitable for implementing a cascaded gas stream by combining the ventilations of the modules to a common gas stream.

[0045] In an embodiment, at least one device is coupled to each (of two or more) housing part(s), in particular to two or more (of each) module(s). This may provide the advantage that the efficient ventilation / cooling scheme can be applied for some or all of the housing parts / modules of the analytical device. Two advantages can be provided at the same time: ventilation of many instruments and an even more efficient flow away from the housing by cascading the gas stream.

[0046] In an embodiment, the first device and the second device (a plurality of devices; two or more) are (essentially) similar. Thereby, a constant and stable common gas stream may be enabled.

[0047] In an embodiment, the first device and the second device (a plurality of devices; two or more) are different, in particular in size / shape. In this manner, properties of the gas streams may be controlled / regulated. For example, a dilution may be realized in this design.

[0048] In an embodiment, the arrangement / device comprises a first coupling structure coupled to the first housing part and a second coupling structure coupled to the second housing part, so that a first gas flow (outlet) from the first housing part and a second gas flow (outlet) from the second housing part are combined in the (common, interconnected) guiding structure of the device. In this embodiment (compare Figures 6 and 7), the guiding structure can be configured as a common guiding structure that guides the (outlet) gas streams from two or more housing parts together. Herefore, each housing part may be coupled to the common guiding structure by a respective coupling structure. This embodiment enables a flexible design and an efficient gas stream away from the housing, in particular by providing a chimney-effect.

[0049] In an embodiment, the arrangement is configured so that an upstream gas stream and a downstream gas stream of the cascaded common gas stream are oriented in parallel with respect to each other. Thus, two or more gas streams may stream in the same direction, preferably upwards. Thereby, a common gas stream can be formed, being more efficient than several gas streams in different directions.

[0050] In an embodiment, the arrangement is configured so that an upstream gas stream and a downstream gas stream of the cascaded common gas stream are arranged one over the other. In other words: arranged on a common vertical line (along the z-direction).

[0051] In an embodiment, the arrangement is configured so that a second device (downstream, upper position) divides a first gas stream of a first device (upstream, lower position). Thereby, a deflector effect of the next above shell (downstream in gas streaming direction, upper vertical position) can be reduced, i.e. the uprising air is only slightly deflected by the above adjacent element. This advantage may be achieved in particular by using a downwards tapering of the upper device.

[0052] In an embodiment, the cascaded common gas stream comprises at least one of the following features: a chimney-effect, a Venturi-effect, an air knife effect. See discussion above.

[0053] In an embodiment, the gas is a ventilation gas for ventilation of the housing, in particular for cooling of an instrument in the housing. In a preferred example, the gas is air from the external environment of the housing. Thereby costs and efforts may be saved and a straightforward implementation is enabled. The airflow into the housing may be realized e.g. using a fan.

[0054] In an embodiment, the housing comprises a gas inlet to introduce external gas (air) into the housing and / or a gas outlet for flowing the exhaust / consumed gas out of the housing and / or into the device. This may enable an efficient cooling system.

[0055] In an embodiment, the device is couplable / coupled to the gas outlet (of the housing) at a sidewall of the housing. In this manner, the exhaust gas may directly stream from the housing in the guiding structure and then away from the housing.

[0056] In an embodiment, the method further comprises: guiding a first gas stream by a first guiding structure (of a first housing (part) and / or a first module) in the defined direction away from the housing. In an embodiment, the method further comprises: guiding a second gas stream by a second guiding structure (of a second housing (part) and / or second module) in the defined direction away from the housing. In particular, the second device is arranged (in gas streaming direction) downstream to the first device. In an embodiment, thereby, the first gas stream and the second gas stream are (at least partially) combined to a common gas stream. Two or more gas streams from respective two or more devices may be combined (cascaded) to a common stream that may enable an especially efficient stream away from the housing, in particular by generating a chimney and / or Venturi effect.

[0057] In an embodiment, the disclosure relates to cooling an instrument within a housing, and in particular to the aspect of guiding an airflow to the outside of the housing. The disclosure proposes in particular to guide the airflow upwards of the housing, e.g. of an analytical device.

[0058] In an exemplary embodiment, a "shell" element is provided at the air outlet of the housing to guide the airflow (e.g. in upwards direction, with the shell being tapered in downwards direction, i.e. opening / increasing diameter in upwards direction). This may help separating the outlet airflow from any airflow (back) into the housing and should thus improve cooling.

[0059] In an exemplary embodiment, a stacking (in vertical direction) of plural devices (shell elements) is applied, so that the venting air outlets of all stacked modules provide a common outlet air path. The vertical stacking may even improve the "chimney effect" of each individual air outlet and thus improve venting / ventilation of all modules. Preferably, a downwards tapering reduces any deflector effect from the next above shell (downstream), i.e. the uprising air is only slightly deflected by the above adjacent element. Preferably, the shell elements can be applied by stacking a plurality of such shell elements in vertical direction, e.g. from plural instruments / modules positioned above each other. The vertical stacking of the shell elements may even improve the "chimney effect" of each individual shell element. The tapering downwards reduces any deflector effect from the next above shell, i.e. the uprising air is only slightly deflected by the above adjacent shell element.

[0060] In an embodiment, the analytical device is configured as at least one of the following: a sample separation device, an electrophoresis device, a capillary electrophoresis device, a mass spectrometer, a combination of sample separation devices, a spectrophotometer, a well-plate-reader, a cell sorter, an incubator.

[0061] In an embodiment, the analytical device is configured as a fluidic chromatography device, more in particular a HPLC device.

[0062] In one embodiment, the sample separation device further comprises: a mixing point, where a sample is injected into the solvent, wherein the fluid compartment (the analytical device) is arranged upstream or downstream of the mixing point.

[0063] In one embodiment, the sample separation device further comprises: a solvent mixing point, where at least two solvent portions may be mixed, wherein the fluid compartment (the analytical device) is arranged upstream or downstream of the solvent mixing point.

[0064] In one embodiment, the sample separation device further comprises: a solvent drive, configured to drive the solvent as a mobile phase, wherein the fluid compartment (the analytical device) is arranged upstream or downstream of the solvent drive.

[0065] It becomes aware from the embodiments described directly above, that there is a high design flexibility regarding where the fluid compartment can be located in the analytical device / sample separation device. Depending on the present circumstances and the applied measurement method, different locations may be specifically favorable.

[0066] In one embodiment, the chromatography device comprises a mobile phase (solvent) drive and a separating device, wherein the mobile phase drive is configured for driving a mobile phase through the separating device, and the separating device is configured for chromatographically separating compounds of a sample fluid in the mobile phase.

[0067] In one embodiment, the analytical device and / or the sample separation device comprises a liquid chromatography system, wherein the sample fluid is a sample liquid, the mobile phase is comprised of one or more liquid solvents, and the separating device is a chromatographic column configured for separating compounds of the sample dissolved in the mobile phase.

[0068] In one embodiment, the chromatography device is a fluidic chromatography device, in particular a HPLC device.

[0069] Embodiments of the present disclosure might be embodied based on most conventionally available HPLC systems, such as the Agilent 1220, 1260 and 1290 Infinity LC Series (provided by the applicant Agilent Technologies).

[0070] The separating device preferably comprises a chromatographic column providing the stationary phase. The column might be a glass, metal, ceramic or a composite material tube (e.g. with a diameter from 50 pm to 5 mm and a length of 1 cm to 1 m) or a microfluidic column (as disclosed e.g. in EP 1577012 A1 or the Agilent 1200 Series HPLC-Chip / MS System provided by the applicant Agilent Technologies). The individual components are retained by the stationary phase differently and separate from each other while they are propagating at different speeds through the column with the eluent. At the end of the column, they elute at least partly separated from each other. During the entire chromatography process the eluent might be also collected in a series of fractions. The stationary phase or adsorbent in column chromatography usually is a solid material. The most common stationary phase for column chromatography is silica gel, followed by alumina.

[0071] The mobile phase (or eluent) can be either a pure solvent or a mixture of different solvents. It can also contain additives, i.e. be a solution of the said additives in a solvent or a mixture of solvents. It can be chosen e.g. to adjust the retention of the compounds of interest and / or the amount of mobile phase to run the chromatography. The mobile phase can also be chosen so that the different compounds can be separated effectively. The mobile phase might comprise an organic solvent like e.g. methanol or acetonitrile, often diluted with water. For gradient operation water and organic solvent is delivered in separate containers, from which the gradient pump delivers a programmed blend to the system. Other commonly used solvents may be isopropanol, THF, hexane, ethanol and / or any combination thereof or any combination of these with aforementioned solvents.

[0072] The sample fluid might comprise any type of process liquid, natural sample like juice, body fluids like plasma or it may be the result of a reaction like from a fermentation broth, bio reactor, digestion, or other type of sample preparation.

[0073] The fluid is preferably a liquid but may also be or comprise a gas and / or a supercritical fluid (as e.g. used in supercritical fluid chromatography - SFC - as disclosed e.g. in US 4,982,597 A).

[0074] The pressure in the mobile phase might range from 2-200 MPa (20 to 2000 bar), in particular 10-150 MPa (100 to 1500 bar), and more particular 50-130 MPa (500 to 1300 bar).

[0075] The HPLC system might further comprise a detector for detecting separated compounds of the sample fluid, a fractionating unit for outputting separated compounds of the sample fluid, or any combination thereof. Further details of HPLC system are disclosed with respect to the aforementioned Agilent HPLC series, provided by the applicant Agilent Technologies. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0076] Other objects and many of the attendant advantages of embodiments of the present disclosure will be readily appreciated and become better understood by reference to the following more detailed description of embodiments in connection with the accompanied drawings. Features that are substantially or functionally equal or similar will be referred to by the same reference signs.

[0077] Figure 1 illustrates an analytical device implemented as a liquid chromatography device, according to an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure.

[0078] Figure 2 illustrates a liquid chromatography device with a plurality of housing parts and associated ventilation devices, according to an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure.

[0079] Figures 3A to 3C respectively illustrate a device for ventilation of a housing, according to exemplary embodiments of the disclosure.

[0080] Figure 4 illustrates a simulation of an inlet gas stream and a directed outlet gas stream using a single device, according to an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure.

[0081] Figure 5 illustrates a simulation of an inlet gas stream and a cascaded common outlet gas stream using a plurality of devices, according to an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure.

[0082] Figure 6 illustrates an arrangement with an interconnected guiding structure, according to an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure.

[0083] Figure 7 illustrates an arrangement, wherein the interconnected guiding structure is configured as a Tesla-valve, according to an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure.

[0084] Figure 8 illustrates an isolated Tesla-valve, according to an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure.

[0085] Figures 9A and 9B illustrate a simulation of the inlet and outlet gas streams of a conventional housing. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0086] Referring now in greater detail to the drawings, Figure 1 depicts a general schematic of an analytical device 10, implemented here as a high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) device. A solvent drive 20 (such as a pump, can be used as a pressurizing device) receives a solvent as the mobile phase from a solvent supply 25. The solvent drive 20 drives the mobile phase through a separating device 30 (such as a chromatographic column), which can be seen here as the analytical domain of the device. A sample injector 40 (also referred to as sampler, sampling space, sample introduction apparatus, sample dispatcher, etc.) is provided between the solvent drive 20 and the separating device 30 in order to subject or add (often referred to as sample introduction) portions of one or more sample fluids into the flow of a mobile phase at a mixing point 95. The separating device 30 is adapted for separating compounds of the sample fluid, e.g. a liquid. A detector 50 is provided for detecting separated compounds of the sample fluid. A fractionating unit 60 can be provided for outputting separated compounds of sample fluid. In one embodiment, at least parts of the sample injector 40 and the fractionating unit 60 can be combined, e.g. in the sense that some common hardware is used as applied by both of the sample injector 40 and the fractionating unit 60.

[0087] The separating device 30 may comprise a stationary phase configured for separating compounds of the sample fluid. Alternatively, the separating device 30 may be based on a different separation principle (e.g. field flow fractionation).

[0088] While the mobile phase can comprise one solvent only, it may also be mixed of plurality of solvents (solvent supply 25). Such mixing might be a low pressure mixing and provided upstream of the solvent drive 20, so that the solvent drive 20 already receives and pumps the mixed solvents as the mobile phase. Alternatively, the solvent drive 20 might comprise plural individual pumping units, with plural of the pumping units each receiving and pumping a different solvent or mixture, so that the mixing of the mobile phase (as received by the separating device 30) occurs at high pressure and downstream of the mobile phase drive 20 (or as part thereof). The composition (mixture) of the mobile phase may be kept constant over time, the so-called isocratic mode, or varied over time, the so-called gradient mode.

[0089] A data processing device (control device) 70, which can be a conventional PC or workstation, might be coupled (as indicated by the dotted arrows) to one or more of the devices in the analytical device 10 in order to receive information and / or control operation.

[0090] Figure 2 illustrates an analytic device 10, specifically a liquid chromatography device as described for Figure 1, with a plurality of housing parts 150 and associated ventilation devices 110, according to an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure. Each of the functionalities of the fluid drive 20, the sample separation 30, the injector 40, and the detector 50 (as described for Figure 1) have been implemented as separate modules. The analytic device 10 comprises a housing 150, wherein each module comprises its own housing part 151-154 around the respective instrumentation. In this context, the term “housing 150” refers to the sum of the housing parts 151-154 of the modules. The modules are stacked in the vertical direction one above the other in the following order: pump module 20 with first housing part 151, sample separation (thermostat) module 30 with second housing part 152, injector module 40 with third housing part 153, and detector module 50 with fourth housing part 154.

[0091] Further, a (ventilation) device 100 is coupled (attached) to each individual module, specifically one device 100 is coupled to each housing part, respectively. Thereby, an arrangement 200 with a plurality of housings and a plurality of devices is formed. It is schematically shown in Figure 2 that the devices are arranged in a common vertical line, i.e. one above the other. Such an architecture can be realized in a straightforward manner, because the modules (and housing parts) are also stacked in the vertical direction.

[0092] The first device 101 of the first housing part 151 is the most upstream device. The first directed gas stream 161 is laminar with a controlled dispersion property and streams directly upwards. The second device 102 of the second housing 152 is in gas streaming direction downstream to the first device 101. The second directed gas stream 162 is also laminar with a controlled dispersion property and streams directly upwards. The third device 103 of the third housing part 153 is further downstream to the second device 102, and the fourth device 104 of the fourth housing part 154 is the most downstream device. It is further illustrated that the first gas stream 161, the second gas stream 162, the third gas stream 163, and the fourth gas stream 164 form together a cascaded common gas stream 165 (detailed description for Figure 5).

[0093] Figures 3A to 3C respectively illustrate a device 100 for ventilation of a housing 150, according to exemplary embodiments of the disclosure. In each embodiment, the device 100 comprises a coupling structure 110 to couple the device 100 to the (wall of the) housing. The coupling structure 110 is directly connected with a guiding structure 120 that is specifically shaped to enable the directed, laminar and controlled fan-out gas stream purely mechanically, preferably completely passively (i.e. without an active element such as a motor).

[0094] Figure 3A: the coupling structure 110 in this example is formed in a planar manner (a plate, a coupling surface) to be directly attached to an outer surface of the housing, e.g. magnetically. The guiding structure 120 is integrally formed (monolithically) with the coupling structure 110 and has the shape of a wedge (the term “clam / shell can also be applied here). In other words, the guiding structure 120 is tapering from an upper part to a lower part, i.e. tapering in the direction of the gas outlet of the housing. The tapering is in a direction opposite to the direction (of the gas stream) away from the housing. The lower part (tapered) is rounded 121, while the upper part is formed in a straight manner, being much broader than the lower part (a width at a gas outlet of the device is larger than a width at a gas inlet of the device). The guiding structure 120 becomes larger (the volume increases) in the direction away from the gas outlet of the housing.

[0095] The guiding structure 120 can also be described by a cover-structure 122 that defines a guiding volume between said cover structure 122 and a sidewall of the housing (not shown in Figure 3). A length of the cover structure 122 (along the vertical direction) is here larger than a width of the cover structure 122 (in the horizontal direction).

[0096] Figure 3B: this example is comparable to the one of Figure 3A, yet the tapering is more pronounced and the rounded part 121 is more peaked. Further, the coupling structure 110 comprises holes, e.g. for attaching the device to the housing (sidewall) using screws.

[0097] Figure 3C: in this example, the tapering is realized in a different manner: the guiding structure is not formed like a clam / shell but like a quarter-circle (there is a rounded part but no peaked section). Thereby, the volume of the guiding structure 120 constantly increases in the direction of the gas flow, i.e. away from the housing in the vertical direction upwards. The opening of the cover structure 122 is larger than in the examples of Figures 3A and 3B.

[0098] Figure 4 illustrates a simulation of an inlet gas stream 180 and a directed outlet gas stream 161 using a single device 100, according to an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure. A device 100 as shown in detailed view in Figure 3A is attached (e.g. magnetically) by the coupling structure 110 to an outer sidewall of the housing 150, thereby forming the arrangement 200. It can be seen that air from the whole external environment of the housing 150 is sucked into the housing 150 (inlet gas stream). The air is hereby used to cool the instrumentation inside of the housing 150.

[0099] After cooling, the hot exhaust air flows (eventually via the coupling structure 110) to the guiding structure 120 of the device 100. It can be seen in the simulation of Figure 4 that the guiding structure 120 forces the exhaust air into a directed gas stream 161 that streams directly upwards in a laminar manner, whereby the fan-out (dispersion) is extremely low (i.e. controlled). Said directed gas stream 161 can be considered as having the shape of an air-knife.

[00100] The defined direction away from the housing 150 is essentially parallel to the sidewall of the housing 150 to which the device 100 is coupled; only at the interface between housing 150 and device 100, the gas stream has to be directed to the upwards direction (around a corner). [00101 ] For the simulations shown in Figure 4 and 5, the same assumptions as for Figures 9A and 9B above have been made: a volume flow of 0.03 m3 / s, an ambient temperature of 20°C (inlet gas), and a temperature of exhaust air of 40°C (outlet gas).

[00102] Figure 5 illustrates a simulation of an inlet gas stream 180 and a cascaded common outlet gas stream 165 using a plurality of devices 100-103, according to an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure. The devices 100-103 are configured like the single device 100 described for Figure 4, yet, four (identical) devices 100-103 have been coupled to the housing 150 (or different housing parts) one above the other; in other words, arranged in a common vertical line along the z-direction.

[00103] A first gas stream 161 from a first device 100 (being the most upstream), a second gas stream 162 from a second device 101, a third gas stream 163 from a third device 102, and a fourth gas stream 164 from a fourth device 103 (being the most downstream) are all directed upwards, laminar and with a controlled fan-out behavior. Said four gas streams 161 -164 are combined to a cascaded common gas stream 165. Due to the rounded lower sections of the devices 100-103 (tapering), the gas stream from the respective upstream device is efficiently guided and distributed by the respective downstream device. In other words, a downstream device (e.g. second device 101) divides a gas stream 160 from an upstream device (e.g. first device 160). Such a cascaded common gas stream 165 can provide a chimney-effect and / or a Venturi-effect, thereby significantly improving efficiency of cooling a housing.

[00104] Figure 6 illustrates an arrangement 200 with an interconnected guiding structure 120, according to an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure. In this embodiment, three modules are stacked one above the other, forming three housing parts 151 -153. Each housing part 151 -153 comprises an outlet for exhaust gas and a corresponding coupling structure 110-112. In comparison to the Figures 3 to 5, the three separate coupling structures 110-112 are coupled to a common (interconnected) guiding structure 120. In this manner, the exhaust gas streams from all modules can be combined to a common directed gas stream that is laminar and has a controlled fan-out behavior. Such a common guiding structure 120 may provide, by design only, a chimney-effect to the (common) gas stream.

[00105] Figure 7 illustrates an arrangement 200, wherein the common interconnected guiding structure 120 is configured as a Tesla-valve, according to an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure. In other words, the guiding structure 120 is structured to promote a flow of the directed (common) gas stream 161 in the defined direction away from the housing 150 and to prevent the flow of the directed gas stream 161 in the opposite direction. This is done using exclusively mechanical means, i.e. passively only based on the design of the guiding structure 120. A Tesla-valve can be a preferred example for such a design.

[00106] Figure 8 illustrates an isolated Tesla-valve as an example for the guiding structure 120 interior design, according to an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure.

[00107] Reference signs 10 Analytical device 20 Solvent drive, pump module 25 Solvent supply 30 Separating device, thermostat module 40 Sample injector, injector module 50 Detector, detector module 60 Fractionating unit, fractioneer module 70 Data processing device, control unit / device 100 Device, first device 101 Second device 102 Third device 103 Fourth device 110 Coupling structure, first coupling structure 111 Second coupling structure 112 Third coupling structure 120 Guiding structure 121 Rounded structure, tapering 122 Cover structure 123 Rounded structure, not tapering 150 Housing 151 First housing part 152 Second housing part 153 Third housing part 154 Fourth housing part 160 Gas, air 161 Directed gas stream, first directed gas stream 162 Second directed gas stream 163 Third directed gas stream 164 Fourth directed gas stream 165 Common gas stream, cascaded 180 Inlet gas stream 200 Arrangement 900 Conventional housing

Claims

1. A device (100), comprising:a coupling structure (110) for coupling the device (100) to a housing (150), in particular of an analytical device (10), so that a gas (160), in particular an exhaust gas, from the interior of the housing (150) flows into a guiding structure (120) of the device (100); andthe guiding structure (120) for guiding the gas (160) from the interior of the housing (150) in a defined direction away from the housing (150) as a directed gas stream (161), so that the directed gas stream (161) is laminar with a controlled fan-out behavior.

2. The device (100) according to claim 1,wherein the guiding structure (120) is configured to guide the directed gas stream (161) such that a re-entry of the gas (160) into the housing (150) is prevented or at least reduced.

3. The device (100) according to claim 1 or 2,wherein the guiding structure (120) is configured to guide the directed gas stream (161) by mechanical means, in particular in a passive manner.

4. The device (100) according to one of the preceding claims,wherein the guiding structure (120) is configured to guide the directed gas stream (161) in a manner comprising at least one of the following features: a chimney-effect, a Venturi-effect, an air-knife effect.

5. The device (100) according to one of the preceding claims,wherein the device (100), in particular the guiding structure (120), comprises at least one of the following features:a cover-structure (122) that defines a guiding volume between said cover structure (122) and a sidewall of the housing (150),a wedge-shape,a clam / shell-shape,a tapering in a direction opposite to the direction away from the housing (150), a length of the cover structure (122), along the gas streaming direction, being larger than a width of the cover structure (122),a width at a gas outlet of the device being larger than a width at a gas inlet of the device,a rounded structure (121, 123), in particular at the gas inlet of the device, wherein the device (100) is a single physical element, in particular a monolithic structure.

6. The device (100) according to one of the preceding claims,wherein the device (100), in particular the guiding structure (120), is structured to promote a flow of the directed gas stream (161) in the defined direction away from the housing (150) and to prevent the flow of the directed gas stream (161) in the opposite direction, in particular by mechanical means, more in particular in a passive manner.

7. The device (100) according to claim 6,wherein the guiding structure (120) comprises a Tesla valve or Tesla valve-like structure.

8. The device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, comprising at least one of the following features:the defined direction away from the housing (150) is oriented in the range 0° to 90°, in particular 90°, with respect to a sidewall of the housing (150) to which the device (100) is couplable;wherein the defined direction away from the housing (150) is at least partially parallel to the sidewall of the housing (150) to which the device (100) is couplable;the coupling structure (110) comprises a coupling surface, in particular to connect the device (100) to the sidewall of the housing (150).

9. An arrangement (200) comprising:a device (100) according to one of the preceding claims;the housing (150), in particular of the analytical device (10);wherein the device (100) is coupled, with the coupling structure (110), to the housing (150), so that the gas (160) from the interior of the housing (150) is guided by the guiding structure (120) of the device (100).

10. The arrangement (200) according to claim 9, comprising:a first device (100) and a second device (101) coupled to the housing (150) in a stacked manner, in particular along the vertical direction (z), with respect to each other,in particular so that a first gas stream (161) from the first device (100) and a second gas stream (162) from the second device (101) are combined to a cascaded common gas stream (165).

11. The arrangement (200) according to claim 9 or 10,wherein the housing (150) comprises at least two housing parts (151, 152),in particular arranged in a stacked manner, in particular along the vertical direction (z), with respect to each other.

12. The arrangement (200) according to claim 11,wherein each housing part (151, 152) corresponds to a module, in particular of the analytical device (10), more in particular wherein the module comprises at least one of: a pump-module (20), an injector-module (40), a solvent-supplymodule (25), a sample separation module (30), a detector-module (50), a factioneer-module (60).

13. The arrangement (200) according to one of the claims 9 to 12,wherein at least one device (100) is coupled to a respective housing part (151, 152), in particular to a respective module.

14. The arrangement (200) according to one of the claims 9 to 13,wherein the first device (100) and the second device (101) are similar; and / orwherein the first device (100) and the second device (101) are different, in particular in size / shape, more in particular to thereby control gas stream properties.

15. The arrangement (200) according to one of the claims 9 to 14,wherein the device (100) comprises a first coupling structure (110) coupled to the first housing part (151) and a second coupling structure (111) coupled to the second housing part (152), so that a first gas flow from the first housing part (151) and a second gas flow from the second housing part (152) are combined in the guiding structure (120) of the device (100).

16. The arrangement (200) according to one of the claims 9 to 15, further comprising at least one of the following features:configured so that an upstream gas stream (161) and a downstream gas stream (162) of the cascaded common gas stream (165) are oriented in parallel with respect to each other;configured so that an upstream gas stream (161) and a downstream gas stream (162) of the cascaded common gas stream (165) are arranged one over the other;configured so that a second device (101) in a downstream position divides a first gas stream (160) of a first device (160) in an upstream position;wherein the cascaded common gas stream (165) comprises at least one of the following features: a chimney-effect, a Venturi-effect, an air-knife effect;wherein the gas (160) is a ventilation gas for ventilation of the housing (150), in particular for cooling of an instrument in the housing (150);wherein the housing (150) comprises a gas inlet (180) to introduce external gas into the housing (150) and a gas outlet for flowing the consumed gas to the device (100);wherein the device (100) is coupled to the gas outlet at a sidewall of the housing (150).

17. An analytical device (10), in particular for analyzing a fluidic sample, wherein the analytical device (10) comprises:an arrangement (200) according to one of the claims 9 to 16.

18. The analytical device (10) according to claim 17, configured as at least one of the following: a sample separation device, an electrophoresis device, a capillary electrophoresis device, a mass spectrometer, a combination of sample separation devices, a spectrophotometer, a well-plate-reader, a cell sorter, an incubator;in particular wherein the sample separation device comprises at least one of the following features:the sample separation device (10) is configured as a chromatography sample separation apparatus, in particular a liquid chromatography sample separation apparatus, a high-performance liquid chromatography sample separation apparatus, a gas chromatography sample separation apparatus or a supercritical fluid chromatography sample separation apparatus;a sample separation unit (30) configured as a chromatographic separation column;an injector (40) configured to inject the fluidic sample into the mobile phase;a factioneer unit (60) configured to collect the separated fluidic sample.

19. A method for ventilating a housing, in particular of an analytical device (10), the method comprising:streaming a gas (160) from the interior of the housing (150) to a guiding structure (120); andmechanically, in particular passively, guiding, by said guiding structure (120), the gas (160) from the interior of the housing (150) in a defined direction away from the housing (150) as a directed oas stream (161), so that the directed gasstream (161) is laminar with a controlled fan-out behavior.

20. The method according to claim 19, further comprising:guiding a first gas stream (161) by a first guiding structure (120) in the defined direction away from the housing (150); and5 guiding a second gas stream (162) by a second guiding structure (121) in the defined direction away from the housing (150); therebycombining the first gas stream (161) and the second gas stream (162) to a common gas stream (165).10s

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