Displacement Pump Leak Rate Measurement in Lab Automation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing laboratory automation apparatuses face challenges in detecting liquid leak rates in displacement pumps without requiring removal from the system, which can affect the accuracy and reliability of analytical and diagnostic testing.
Innovation Solution
An integrated method and computer program for detecting leak rates in displacement pumps within laboratory automation apparatuses using a pressure sensor, valve, and displacement pump, involving pressure monitoring and repressurization to calculate leak rates without disassembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the displacement pump is removed from the laboratory automation apparatus for leak rate measurement, then the measurement can be performed, but the system complexity increases and productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The leak rate measurement is performed as a preliminary action during routine control procedures before the pump is needed for its primary function. The system automatically executes pressure monitoring and leak rate calculation during idle periods or scheduled maintenance intervals, eliminating the need to remove the pump for measurement while ensuring accuracy.
2Measurement precision
If the displacement pump is removed for leak rate detection, then the pump leak rate can be measured, but the device complexity and ease of operation are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-diagnosis by automatically monitoring its own pump's leak rate using integrated pressure sensors and control logic. The displacement pump remains in place and the system autonomously executes leak rate measurements, calculations, and assessments without requiring external intervention or pump removal, thereby maintaining ease of operation while achieving precise measurement.
3Ease of operation
If the displacement pump remains integrated in the apparatus, then ease of operation is maintained, but the ability to accurately detect pump-specific leak rate is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the leak rate measurement process into distinct phases: isolation phase (closing valves to isolate the pump), pressurization phase (pressurizing only the pump chamber), monitoring phase (tracking pressure decay specific to the pump), and calculation phase (computing pump-specific leak rate). This segmentation allows accurate pump-specific measurement while the pump remains integrated in the apparatus.
Solution Approach 2:
Pressure sensors and control valves act as intermediaries between the displacement pump and the measurement system. These intermediaries enable isolated monitoring of the pump's pressure characteristics without requiring physical removal, allowing accurate pump-specific leak rate detection while maintaining the pump's integrated position and ease of operation.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables in-situ detection of leak rates, ensuring accurate liquid supply and maintaining system integrity by integrating the method into routine control procedures.
Implementation Method 1
monitoring the pressure in the system by the pressure sensor during a predetermined time period
Implementation Method 2
pressurizing a liquid in the system to an initial pressure P1 using the displacement pump
Implementation Method 3
repressurizing the system to pressure P1 by displacing an additional volume ΔV of the liquid using the displacement pump
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3a~3d
Figure 4~6
AI summary
A method for detecting a leak rate of a displacement pump (2,15) integrated in a laboratory automation apparatus (1) comprising a valve (4,10), the displacement pump and a pressure sensor (3); a) closing the valve (4,10); b) pressurizing the system (21) with a liquid to an initial pressure P1 using the displacement pump (2,15); c) monitoring the pressure by the pressure sensor (3) during time period Δt starting from initial pressure P1 at time t1; d) detecting a second pressure P2 at t2 at the end of the time period Δt, wherein pressure P2 is below pressure P1 when leakage occurs; e) repressurizing the system to pressure P1 by displacing an additional volume ΔV of the liquid using the displacement pump (2,15), and f) calculating the leak rate by dividing the additional volume ΔV by the predetermined time period Δt.