Instrumented fluidic valve

Abstract

Disclosed is a fluidic valve (1) comprising a stator (20) extending around a rotor (30), the rotor being able to rotate about an axis of rotation (∆), the rotor being connected to a control unit (10), the valve being such that: - the stator (20) extends between an outer face (22) and an inner face (23); - the stator comprises first fluidic channels (21), such that each first channel opens out onto the rotor; - the rotor comprises a second fluidic channel (32), the second fluidic channel being configured to extend facing at least one first channel (21) of the stator in at least one position of the rotor; - the valve being characterized in that the stator comprises a sensor (25), extending facing a channel of interest (21A, 28), the sensor being configured to detect a characteristic of a fluid circulating in the channel of interest.

Description

[0001] Description

[0002] Title: Instrumented fluidic valve

[0003] TECHNICAL FIELD

[0004] The technical field of the invention is a fluidic valve.

[0005] PREVIOUS ART

[0006] The implementation of fluid treatment or analysis protocols requires the use of fluidic valves with automated control. In the field of chromatography, for example, the use of 4- or 6-way valves is common, so as to allow the injection of a carrier fluid or a fluid to be analyzed into a capillary.

[0007] The use of automated fluidic valves is widespread in most industrial fields. For example, documents US4608996, US2020173569, JP2023155199, CN205350436, US2022325820, US2011071390 describe fluidic valves intended for various applications, ranging from medical to heating or cooling devices. The valves can be equipped with sensors, for example chemical sensors, pH sensors for example, or temperature, pressure or flow sensors, or optical sensors for detecting air bubbles.

[0008] A compact fluidic valve is described in patent EP3344903B1. Such a valve comprises a rotor, movable in rotation, around which a stator extends. The stator comprises channels, called first channels, extending between an external face of the stator and the rotor. The rotor comprises a second channel, the second channel being configured to be in fluidic connection between the first channel of the stator when the stator occupies a certain position. However, certain fluid treatment or analysis protocols are carried out according to specifications targeting the characteristics of the fluids handled: this may be an acceptable temperature range, or the inadmissibility of certain fluids, for example fluids comprising air bubbles, or fluids comprising solid particles. The invention meets this need, by proposing a compact fluidic valve, configured to meet certain specifications.

[0009] STATEMENT OF THE INVENTION

[0010] A first object of the invention is a fluidic valve, comprising a stator extending around a rotor, the rotor being movable in rotation, relative to the stator, around an axis of rotation, the rotor being connected to a control unit, configured to arrange the rotor in several positions relative to the stator, around the axis of rotation, the valve being such that:

[0011] - the stator extends between an outer face and an inner face, extending around the axis of rotation, the inner face being flush with the rotor;

[0012] - the stator comprises first fluid channels, each first channel extending between the external face and the internal face, so that each first channel opens onto the rotor;

[0013] - the rotor comprises at least one second fluid channel, the second fluid channel being configured to extend opposite at least one first channel of the stator in at least one position of the rotor;

[0014] - the valve being characterized in that the stator comprises a sensor, extending opposite a channel of interest, the sensor being configured to detect a characteristic of a fluid circulating in the channel of interest.

[0015] According to one possibility, the second fluid channel extends between a radial end, opening opposite the internal face, and an axial end, the axial end being distant from the radial end along the central axis. The axial end may be coaxial with the central axis.

[0016] According to one possibility, the second fluid channel can be configured to extend between two first fluid channels, in at least one position of the rotor, so as to form a fluid connection between said first fluid channels.

[0017] The stator has a detection circuit, connected to the sensor, the detection circuit forming an interface between the control unit and the sensor.

[0018] The control unit can be configured to change the rotor position based on a characteristic value detected by the sensor.

[0019] According to one possibility, the channel of interest is one of the first fluidic channels.

[0020] According to one possibility, the stator defines a leak channel, configured to collect a liquid flowing from the internal face, the leak channel forming the channel of interest. The liquid can notably flow by gravity.

[0021] The sensor may comprise two electrodes extending opposite the channel of interest, the sensor being configured to measure a capacitance of the fluid flowing in the channel of interest.

[0022] The sensor can be configured to detect a variation, as a function of time, of a dielectric capacitance on either side of the first channel.

[0023] The sensor may be configured to measure a temperature. The sensor may include a photodetector, configured to detect a light wave that has propagated through the channel of interest. The valve may include a light source, arranged such that the channel of interest extends between the light source and the photodetector. The valve may include a generator of an alert signal, configured to generate an alert signal based on the value of the measured characteristic.

[0024] The valve may comprise an actuator, configured to generate an optical (electromagnetic) or acoustic or magnetic or electric field through a first channel, the control unit being configured to activate the actuator depending on a value of the characteristic detected by the sensor.

[0025] A second object of the invention is a fluidic valve, comprising a stator extending around a rotor, the rotor being movable in rotation, relative to the stator, around an axis of rotation, the rotor being connected to a control unit, configured to arrange the rotor in several positions relative to the stator, the valve being such that:

[0026] - the stator extends between an external face and an internal face, the internal face extending around the axis of rotation, the internal face being flush with the rotor;

[0027] - the stator comprises first fluid channels, each first channel extending between the external face and the internal face, so that each first channel opens onto the rotor;

[0028] - the rotor comprises at least one second fluid channel, the second channel being configured to extend opposite a first channel of the stator in at least one position of the rotor;

[0029] - the valve being characterized in that the stator comprises an actuator, extending opposite a first channel, the actuator being configured to generate an electric or magnetic or optical or acoustic field through the first channel.

[0030] The actuator can be activated by the control unit. The position of the rotor before, during or after activation of the actuator can be determined by the control unit.

[0031] The valve may have all or part of the characteristics described in connection with the first subject of the invention.

[0032] The invention will be better understood by reading the description of the exemplary embodiments presented in the remainder of the description, in conjunction with the figures listed below.

[0033] FIGURES

[0034] Figures 1A to 1G are 3D representations of an exemplary valve according to the invention. Figure 2 is a sectional view of a valve, such as that described in connection with Figures 1A to 1G, in a configuration in which the rotor and the stator are attached to the valve control unit.

[0035] Figures 3A and 3B are sections of the rotor and stator in a median plane, perpendicular to the axis of rotation. In Figures 3A and 3B, the rotor occupies two different positions, allowing different management of the fluid flowing in a channel of interest, facing which two electrodes are arranged.

[0036] Figure 3C shows a diagram of a bubble passing between the two electrodes.

[0037] Figure 3D shows a diagram of a time evolution of a capacitance measured by a capacitive detector addressing the channel of interest.

[0038] Figure 4A is a sectional view of the rotor and stator, in the midplane, in a configuration in which a light source and a photodetector are arranged facing a channel of interest.

[0039] Figure 4B schematically shows a passage of a particle between the light source and a photodetector.

[0040] Figure 4C shows a diagram of a time evolution of a light intensity measured by the photodetector.

[0041] Figure 5 is a section of the rotor and stator, in the median plane, in a configuration in which a magnet is arranged facing a channel of interest.

[0042] Figures 6A and 6B show another embodiment of the invention.

[0043] Figure 7 shows another embodiment of the invention.

[0044] Figure 8A shows a schematic of an experimental setup for testing capacitive detection of a fluid flowing in a tube in different configurations.

[0045] Figures 8B to 8H are examples of experimental measurements of a capacitance (y-axis - unit pF) measured with the setup shown in Figure 8A, as a function of time (x-axis - seconds).

[0046] PRESENTATION OF SPECIAL EMBODIMENTS

[0047] Figure 1A to 1G shows an example of a fluidic valve 1 according to the invention. The fluidic valve comprises a control unit 10, a stator 20 and a rotor 30. A particular feature of the valve is that the stator 20 extends around the rotor 30, and that the rotor 30 is rotatable around an axis of rotation A. The rotation of the rotor is controlled by the control unit 10. The stator 20 extends between an inner face 23, flush with the rotor 30, and an outer face 22. The stator comprises at least two first channels 21. Each first channel 21 extends between the outer face 22 and the inner face 23. Each first channel 21 opens, at the outer face 22, into an opening configured to be connected to a capillary. The capillary is intended to admit a fluid into the first channel 21 or to evacuate a fluid from the first channel 21.

[0048] The rotor 30 comprises at least one second channel 32. The rotor is configured to rotate, around the axis of rotation A, taking different positions. In at least one position, the second channel 32 of the rotor is configured to extend between two first channels 21 of the stator. Thus, the second channel 32 of the rotor forms a fluid junction between said first channels.

[0049] The rotation of the rotor is controlled by the control unit 10. The latter comprises a motor 11, the motor shaft 13 of which is configured to engage in or around the rotor 30. The motor shaft is visible in FIG. 1C. A support piece 12 makes it possible to form an interface between the control unit 10 and the assembly formed by the rotor and the stator.

[0050] The control unit 10 is programmed to be able to control a rotation of the rotor, so as to control the fluid connections between two first channels 21 arranged in the stator. In this example, the rotor has an end 33, arranged to engage in the motor shaft 13. The end 33 is visible in FIG. 1B.

[0051] In Figures 1A to 1C, the assembly formed by the stator and the rotor is detached from the control unit 10. When using the valve, the stator is fixed to the support piece 12, while the rotor is connected to the motor shaft 13.

[0052] In Figure 1B, there is also shown a detection circuit 26, described later, configured to measure a characteristic of a fluid circulating in a channel of interest, the latter being one of the first channels 21 of the stator.

[0053] The control unit 10 comprises a control circuit 15, configured to control the actuation of the motor 11. The control circuit 15 can be connected to the detection circuit 26.

[0054] Figure 1D represents a 3D view of the stator 20. The stator 20 comprises six first channels 21 converging towards the axis of rotation A. Each first channel 21 opens at the external face 22 and the internal face 23. Preferably, each first channel 21 is distributed uniformly, around the axis of rotation A. In this example, the stator 20 comprises six first channels 21 angularly spaced by 2K / 6. Other configurations are conceivable, the number of first channels being able to vary between 2 and 24, or even more, the angular spacing preferably being 2K / N, WHERE N denotes the number of first channels 21.

[0055] The stator comprises two wells 24, allowing access near a first channel 21, forming a channel of interest. This makes it possible to place a sensor, described below, facing the channel of interest 21. A , so as to measure a characteristic of a fluid flowing in the channel of interest. In this example, each well 24 comprises an electrode 25. At least one electrode 25 is connected to the detection circuit 26, so as to allow a capacitive measurement of the fluid flowing in the channel of interest. Examples of measurements of characteristics of a fluid circulating in a first channel are described below. ,

[0056] An electrode 25 is arranged at the bottom of each well 24, close to the channel of interest. By close is meant at a distance preferably less than 5 mm, and preferably less than 1 mm. The electrodes 25 are configured to allow detection, by capacitive effect, of the composition of the fluid circulating in the channel of interest. This involves in particular detecting a variation in the composition of the fluid, for example a presence of air bubbles B. When implementing detection by capacitive effect, it is preferable for the stator 20 to be made of an electrically insulating material, for example a high-performance plastic of the fluoropolymer type, or thermoplastic polymer.

[0057] At least one electrode 25 is polarized by the detection circuit 26, the other electrode acting as a counter electrode. The counter electrode can be brought to a fixed potential, for example a ground potential, or to a floating potential. The detection circuit 26 is configured to determine a capacitance of the fluid circulating in the fluid channel.

[0058] The electrodes 25 forming the capacitive sensor are preferably arranged on either side of the channel of interest, as shown in FIG. 1D. They are preferably located at a short distance from the channel of interest, preferably less than 1 mm. Other configurations are conceivable, for example electrodes arranged facing the same side of the channel of interest, or arranged perpendicular to each other, around the channel of interest.

[0059] The capacitance of the fluid varies depending on its dielectric permittivity. The relative permittivity of air is equal to 1, while the relative permittivity of water is approximately 80. Thus, a capacitive measurement can allow detection of the presence of air bubbles B in water, or detection of different compositions of the fluid, for example oil droplets or other constituents. Examples of applications are presented below.

[0060] Some fluids must be free of air bubbles. The use of a sensor, formed by the electrodes 25 and the detection circuit 26, makes it possible to check the absence of air bubbles and to possibly adapt the configuration of the valve, in particular the stator, depending on the possible presence of air bubbles.

[0061] More generally, the use of a sensor 25, integrated in the stator, makes it possible to verify the compatibility of the fluids handled in the valve with respect to the specifications of the fluidic protocol implemented by the valve. Other applications of capacitive detection, or other types of sensors, can be envisaged.

[0062] Figure 1E shows a 3D view of the rotor 30. A second channel 32 is provided in the rotor. The or each second channel of the rotor is configured to form a fluid junction between two first channels 21 of the stator.

[0063] In Figure 1F, the stator 20 and the rotor 30 are shown. The well 24, described in Figure 1D, is covered by the detection circuit 26, the latter being connected to at least one of the electrodes 25, the other electrode being either connected to the detection circuit 26, or brought to a fixed potential, for example a ground potential. The detection circuit is preferably connected to the control unit 10. The detection circuit can be arranged totally or partially in the control unit. In the example shown in Figure 1F, the detection circuit is connected to the control unit 10 by a short-range wireless connection, of the Bluetooth type. A wired connection is also possible.

[0064] The detection circuit 26 or the control unit 10 can activate an alert generator when the sensor, formed by the electrodes and the detection circuit, detects a characteristic of the fluid considered to be abnormal. In this example, the alert generator is a light-emitting diode 29, the latter being inserted into a well provided in the stator. It is activated in the event of detection of an abnormal characteristic. In FIG. 1G, the detection circuit 26 is shown, as well as a support 25 a , allowing the electrode 25 to be connected to the detection circuit 26. The light-emitting diode 29 has also been shown.

[0065] Figure 2 shows a sectional view of the valve 1, in a plane passing through the axis of rotation

[0066] A. In this figure, the rotor 30 is connected to the motor shaft 13, the latter being engaged around the end 33. The rotor is inserted into the stator. The stator bears against the support piece 12. Preferably, the stator is formed of a transparent or translucent material, so that light emitted by the light-emitting diode 29 passes through the stator and is visible to a user of the valve. If the material is not transparent, the light-emitting diode 29 may be arranged so as to be visible to the user.

[0067] In this example, the stator delimits a leak channel 28, intended to collect, by gravity, a liquid leaking at the level of the internal face 23, the latter forming an interface between the rotor and the stator. The occurrence of such a leak may be a sign of wear of the stator and / or the rotor. In this example, two electrodes 25 are arranged opposite the leak channel 28, the latter forming a channel of interest.

[0068] The valve described in connection with figures 1A to 1G and 2 is suitable for the implementation of complex fluidic protocols, for example in certain applications of the gas or liquid chromatography type, or in certain applications using biological liquids or industrial processes, for example in analysis laboratories or during the generation of droplets.

[0069] According to a first embodiment, shown in Figures 1A to 1G, the valve is configured to determine a characteristic of a fluid flowing through a first channel 21 A , the latter forming the channel of interest.

[0070] In Figures 3A and 3B, sectional views of the stator and rotor assembly are shown schematically, in a median plane of each first channel of the stator. As previously described, each second channel 32 of the rotor is configured to form a fluid junction between two first channels 21 of the stator. In Figures 3A and 3B, the straight arrows represent the fluid flow in a channel of interest 21 A , and respectively in first channels 21 B and 21c adjacent to the latter. In Figures 3A and 3B, the electrode 25, arranged facing the channel of interest 21 A , was materialized by a dotted outline.

[0071] Figure 3A shows a nominal configuration, in which a liquid flows between the channel of interest 21 A and an adjacent channel 21 B . The junction between the channels 21 A and 21 B is provided by a second channel 32 Aof the rotor. When the composition of the liquid is different from a nominal composition, for example in the presence of air bubbles, the variation in the capacity of the liquid is detected by the electrodes 25. The control unit 10 is then configured to direct the liquid to a “waste” outlet 21 c , by a simple rotation of the rotor, as shown in Figure 3B. Generally, whatever the embodiment, depending on the characteristic of the fluid flowing in the fluid channel of interest, the control unit 10 is configured to control the rotor so as to direct the fluid appropriately.

[0072] In this example, the control unit 10 directs the liquid to the “garbage” outlet when air bubbles are detected in the liquid flowing in the channel of interest 21. A . In Figure 3C, the channel of interest 21 is represented. Ain the presence of an air bubble B. Figure 3D shows a diagram of the evolution of the measured capacity (y-axis) as a function of time (x-axis). In Figure 3D, the passage of bubble B between the electrodes is shown by the double arrow: the passage of the bubble results in a transient decrease in capacity, of duration At, easily detectable as shown by the tests described below.

[0073] In the presence of an air bubble B, the control unit 10 can also activate an audible or visual alert signal generator, for example the light-emitting diode 29 previously described.

[0074] A capacitive measurement can also make it possible to detect a progressive formation of a biofilm in the channel of interest. This can occur in particular when the fluid contains bacteria. The presence of such a biofilm may justify a particular action, for example cleaning the channel of interest. Depending on the thickness of the biofilm covering the channel of interest, the measured capacitance varies over time. Beyond a certain variation, the control unit 10 can be configured to direct the fluid to a waste bin or to stop the protocol, and / or activate the alert signal generator.

[0075] A capacitive measurement can also make it possible to discriminate between the presence of a conductive liquid or an insulating liquid in the channel of interest, or the presence of oil droplets in an oil-in-water emulsion. The relative permittivity of an oil is generally between 2 and 3, while the relative permittivity of water is of the order of 80. According to one possibility, the water is directed towards a first outlet, while the oil is directed towards a different outlet, this by a simple rotation of the rotor 30 controlled by the control unit 10.

[0076] According to one possibility, the control unit is configured to count the number of oil droplets (or the number of air bubbles) flowing in the fluid channel of interest. It is sufficient to count the transient time intervals At such as that materialized in FIG. 3D. According to another possibility, the sensor 25 is a temperature sensor, arranged in proximity to the channel of interest 21, preferably less than 1 mm from the latter, and configured to estimate a temperature of the fluid flowing in the channel of interest. An application may be a verification that the temperature of the fluid complies with a specified temperature range, or with an operating range of the valve itself. Indeed, when the temperature is too low, due to contraction effects, leaks may appear between the rotor and the stator.As previously described, when the fluid temperature does not correspond to prescribed values, the fluid can be directed, by an appropriate position of the rotor, to a waste bin.

[0077] According to another possibility, shown in Figure 4A, the sensor 25 comprises a photodetector, configured to detect light having propagated through the fluid channel of interest. The stator may comprise a light source 25', such that the fluid channel of interest extends between the light source and the sensor. The light source is configured to emit light in a spectral band capable of being absorbed by the fluid or by a particle P flowing in the fluid, along the photodetector 25, as shown in Figure 4B. The photodetector 25 generates a detection signal making it possible to detect an absorption. In Figure 4C, a light intensity detected by the photodetector (y-axis) is shown diagrammatically as a function of time (x-axis). The passage of a particle absorbing the light results in a transient drop in the measured intensity.

[0078] According to another embodiment, shown schematically in Figure 5, the stator comprises an actuator 27, here taking the form of a magnet, configured to capture magnetic particles circulating in the fluid, for example magnetic microbeads, the use of which is common in certain biological protocols. This prevents the magnetic particles from engaging in the second channel 32. The actuator 27 may be a permanent magnet or an electromagnet.

[0079] The magnet may be replaced by an electric current generator, for other applications, or by a light source, for example a UV (ultraviolet) light source, which may be used for sterilization purposes. The actuator may also be an acoustic actuator, configured to generate an acoustic wave propagating through the channel of interest. The acoustic wave may, for example, be intended to trap particles circulating in the channel.

[0080] The control unit may be configured to activate or deactivate the actuator when the rotor is in a predetermined configuration. For example, when the actuator is a magnet, it may be activated when the rotor is in a first position, connecting two first channels 21 and 21 B of the stator as described in Figures 3A and 3B. This allows magnetic microbeads circulating in the first channel to be collected, while a fluid circulates between the channels 21 A and 21 B The actuator can be deactivated when the rotor is in a second position, connecting the first channel 21 A and another first channel 21 c , as shown in Figures 3A and 3B, channel 21 c intended to recover the marbles.

[0081] According to one possibility, the actuator can be activated depending on a detection of an event by a sensor 25. For example, when the actuator is a magnet, it can be actuated following a detection of a passage of a magnetic ball detected by capacitive effect or by an optical sensor.

[0082] According to another embodiment, the sensor 25 is not arranged facing a first fluid channel of the stator, but along a leak channel 28, as described in connection with FIG. 2. In FIG. 2, the sensor is formed by two electrodes 25, connected to a capacitive detection circuit 26. When a leak occurs at the interface between the rotor and the stator, a liquid can flow, by gravity, into the leak channel 28. The presence of liquid in the leak channel is detected by the sensor 25. This can lead to generation of an alert signal, for example by the light-emitting diode 29, indicating wear of the rotor / stator assembly.

[0083] According to one embodiment, shown in Figure 6A, the rotor comprises a second channel 32 extending between a radial end 32i, opening opposite the internal face of the stator, and an axial end, opening at a distance from the radial end, the distance being considered parallel to the central axis A. For example, the radial end can open from the rotor while being coaxial with the axis of rotation A. Figure 6B is a three-dimensional view of the rotor according to this embodiment.

[0084] Rotation of the rotor allows a fluid connection of a first channel 21A to the second channel 32, the latter ensuring a flow of fluid to or from the axial end 322, emerging from the rotor.

[0085] Figure 7 shows a configuration in which the rotor 30 comprises a second rectilinear channel 32. The rotor 30 is configured to allow or interrupt, depending on its position, a fluid connection between two first opposite channels 21 of the stator. It acts as a fluid switch. This example shows that a second channel 32 can allow a connection between two first channels that are not necessarily adjacent. The configurations described in connection with figures 1A to 1G, 3A and 3B, as well as with figures 6A, 6B or 7, can be combined.

[0086] The stator may comprise several channels facing which a sensor 25 or an actuator 27 extends.

[0087] Experimental tests

[0088] The inventors tested a capacitive detection of a liquid circulating in a PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene) tube T with an external diameter of 1.6 mm and an internal diameter of 0.5 mm. The tube was placed between two electrodes 25 A, 25 B . Electrode 25 A was connected to a detection circuit. Electrode 25 B was either brought to a fixed potential or left at a floating potential. A detection circuit was connected to electrode 25 A , in order to determine the capacity. The fluid circulated in the pipe under the action of a syringe or a pump. Figure 8A shows the experimental setup.

[0089] Figures 8B to 8H show the measured capacitance (y-axis - unit pF) as a function of time (x-axis, unit s) for different configurations.

[0090] Figure 8B shows the time evolution of the capacitance when the fluid contains air or deionized water, the electrode 25 Bbeing left at a floating potential. The transition from air to water results in a rapid increase in capacitance (> 0.05 pF). Conversely, the transition from water to air results in a rapid decrease in capacitance.

[0091] Figure 8C shows the time evolution of the capacity when the fluid contains a small volume of deionized water with air bubbles, between t = 222s and t = 230s, the electrode 25 B being left at a floating potential. The presence of air bubbles in deionized water results in easily detectable fluctuations in capacitance.

[0092] Figure 8D shows the time evolution of the capacity when the fluid contains deionized water as well as air bubbles of a few pL, the electrode 25 Bbeing left at a floating potential. The presence of air bubbles in deionized water results in transient drops in capacitance, of approximately 0.05 pF, over a period of the order of a second or a few seconds, which are easily detectable.

[0093] Figure 8E shows the time evolution of the capacitance when the fluid includes deionized water as well as air, electrode 25 B being connected to ground. The presence of air results in transient drops in capacitance (> 0.05 pF), lasting a few seconds, which are easily detectable. Figure 8F shows the temporal evolution of the capacitance when the fluid successively contains deionized water (up to t = 300s), then a dye (Allura Red - Allura Red - between t = 300s and t = 318 s), then air, the electrode 25 Bbeing connected to ground. Capacitance is observed to vary depending on the composition of the fluid, and can be used to detect a transition between two different liquids (deionized water / Allura Red). The presence of Allura Red results in an increase in capacitance of approximately 0.03 pF, and the Allura Red / air transition results in a decrease in capacitance of approximately 0.08 pF.

[0094] Figure 8G shows the time evolution of the capacity when the fluid successively contains deionized water (up to t = 736 s), then a dye (Brilliant Blue FCF - between t = 736s ​​and t = 752 s), then air, the electrode 25 Bbeing connected to ground. It is observed that the capacitance varies depending on the composition of the fluid, and can be used to detect a transition between two different liquids: the water / Brilliant Blue FCF and Brilliant Blue FCF / air transitions result in capacitance drops of approximately 0.02 pF and 0.03 pF.

[0095] Figure 8H shows the time evolution of the capacitance when the fluid successively contains water (up to t = 1096s), then isopropanol (from t = 1096s to t = 1106s), then air. As previously observed, the capacitance can be used to determine a change in the fluid in the channel of interest.

[0096] The invention allows better control of fluidic protocols implemented by a fluidic valve, and preferably a multi-channel fluidic valve. Although described in connection with a channel of interest, it is understood that a fluidic valve according to the invention may comprise several channels of interest, each being connected to a sensor 25.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. Fluidic valve (1), comprising a stator (20) extending around a rotor (30), the rotor being movable in rotation, relative to the stator, around an axis of rotation (A), the rotor being connected to a control unit (10), configured to arrange the rotor in several positions relative to the stator, around the axis of rotation, the valve being such that - the stator (20) extends between an external face (22) and an internal face (23), extending around the axis of rotation, the internal face being flush with the rotor (30); - the stator comprises first fluid channels (21), each first channel extending between the external face and the internal face, so that each first channel opens onto the rotor; - the rotor comprises at least one second fluid channel (32), the second fluid channel being configured to extend opposite at least one first channel (21) of the stator in at least one position of the rotor; - the valve being such that the stator comprises a sensor (25), extending opposite a channel of interest (21, 28), the sensor being configured to detect a characteristic of a fluid circulating in the channel of interest; - the valve being characterized in that the sensor (25) comprises two electrodes extending opposite the channel of interest, the sensor being configured to measure a capacity of the fluid circulating in the channel of interest.

2. Valve according to claim 1, in which the second fluid channel extends between a radial end, opening opposite the internal face, and an axial end, the axial end being distant from the radial end along the central axis.

3. Valve according to claim 2, in which the axial end is coaxial with the central axis.

4. Valve according to claim 1, wherein the second fluid channel is configured to extend between two first fluid channels, in at least one position of the rotor, so as to form a fluid connection between said first fluid channels.

5. Valve according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the stator comprises a detection circuit (26), connected to the sensor, the detection circuit forming an interface between the control unit and the sensor.

6. Valve according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the control unit is configured to modify the position of the rotor according to a value of the characteristic detected by the sensor.

7. Valve according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the channel of interest is one of the first fluid channels (21).

8. Valve according to any one of claims 1 to 5, in which the stator delimits a leak channel (28), configured to collect a liquid flowing from the internal face, the leak channel forming the channel of interest.

9. Valve according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the sensor is configured to detect a variation, as a function of time, of a dielectric capacitance on either side of the first channel.

10. Valve according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a generator of an alert signal (29), configured to generate an alert signal as a function of the value of the measured characteristic.

11. Valve according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising an actuator, configured to generate an optical or acoustic or magnetic or electrical field through a first channel, the control unit being configured to activate the actuator as a function of a value of the characteristic detected by the sensor.

Images