Dual Plunger Pump System for Liquid Chromatograph Sampling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing automatic samplers for liquid chromatographs face challenges in accurately handling both small and large sample volumes efficiently, as they require either repeated operations with small cylinder capacity pumps for precision or larger pumps for volume, compromising on accuracy or time.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a dual plunger pump system with different cylinder capacities, where a pump selecting mechanism switches between a first plunger pump for small samples and a second plunger pump with a larger capacity for larger samples, allowing for selective use based on the sample volume, ensuring high accuracy and efficient handling of both small and large amounts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a metering pump with a small cylinder capacity is used, then the accuracy of the intake amount is improved, but the intake time is prolonged when a large amount of solution needs to be treated
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the metering pump into two separate pumps with different cylinder capacities (first metering pump with smaller capacity for small samples, second metering pump with larger capacity for large samples). This segmentation allows the system to select the appropriate pump based on sample size, thereby maintaining high accuracy for small samples while reducing intake time for large samples.
2Productivity
If a metering pump with a large cylinder capacity is used, then the intake time is reduced for large amounts of solution, but the accuracy of the intake amount decreases when taking in a small amount of sample
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the metering function into two pumps with different capacities. The first metering pump (smaller capacity) is optimized for small sample volumes to maintain high accuracy, while the second metering pump (larger capacity) is optimized for large sample volumes to reduce intake time. The system switches between pumps based on the required sample volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces a dynamic selection mechanism that switches between the first and second metering pumps based on the sample volume requirements. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to optimize both accuracy and intake time by selecting the appropriate pump capacity for each specific sampling task.
3Measurement precision
If the metering pump is replaced according to the amount of sample to be injected, then the accuracy and efficiency are optimized, but the operation becomes troublesome due to the need to replace the plunger
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges two metering pumps with different capacities into a single integrated system with a unified control mechanism. This allows the system to switch between pumps automatically based on sample volume requirements, eliminating the need for manual plunger replacement while maintaining optimized performance for different sample sizes.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a dynamic pump selection system that automatically switches between the first and second metering pumps based on the sample volume to be injected. This dynamic switching mechanism eliminates the manual operation of replacing plungers, thereby optimizing both measurement precision and ease of operation.
Data Source
AI summary
A pump portion for taking in and discharging solutions includes a first plunger pump with a small capacity and a second plunger pump with a large capacity. Intake ports of both the plunger pumps are connected in parallel to a common port of a switching valve with a first three-way valve interposed therebetween. The first three-way valve connects the intake port of one of the plunger pumps to the switching valve. Discharge ports of both the plunger pumps are connected in parallel to one port of the switching valve with a second three-way valve interposed therebetween. The second three-way valve connects the discharge port of one of the plunger pumps to the switching valve.