Elastic Fluidic Coupling for Repeatable High-Pressure Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluidic couplings in high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) systems face challenges in providing reliable and repeatable sealing under high pressures, leading to issues like internal and external band broadening, which obscure minor components of the mixture and hinder accurate identification and quantitation.
Innovation Solution
A fluidic coupling mechanism using a sealing element positioned between two elastic structures, allowing them to be pressed together to establish fluid communication while maintaining a seal, with adjustable elastic properties to accommodate high pressures up to 2000 bar, and enabling repeatable coupling and decoupling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a sealing element is pressed between two fluidic structures to establish fluid communication, then fluidic sealing is achieved, but the sealing element deforms under high pressure leading to unreliable and non-repeatable sealing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs an elastic structure with a membrane that can be deformed elastically by the sealing element. This elastic structure acts as a flexible component that absorbs pressure-induced deformation while maintaining sealing integrity, allowing the sealing element to press against the membrane without permanent deformation or leakage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the elastic properties of the structure to change its physical state under pressure. The elastic structure can be deformed elastically when pressed by the sealing element, and returns to its original state when pressure is released, enabling repeatable coupling and decoupling operations while maintaining reliable sealing throughout the pressure cycle.
2Stress or pressure
If high pressure is applied to achieve fluidic coupling, then fluid communication is established, but peak resolution deteriorates due to band broadening
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the fluidic coupling function into distinct components: a sealing element for creating the seal, an elastic structure with membrane for absorbing pressure deformation, and rigid fluidic structures for maintaining geometric precision. This segmentation allows each component to optimize its function without interfering with others, maintaining peak resolution even under high pressure.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic structure with membrane acts as an intermediary between the sealing element and the rigid fluidic structures. It absorbs the high-pressure deformation, preventing direct transmission of pressure-induced distortion to the fluid path, thereby maintaining sharp peak resolution while still allowing fluid communication under high pressure.
3Stability of the object's composition
If rigid structures are used for fluidic coupling, then structural stability is maintained, but sealing reliability deteriorates under high pressure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a flexible membrane within an elastic structure as the sealing interface. This flexible component can deform elastically under pressure to maintain contact with the sealing element, ensuring reliable sealing. The membrane is supported by the elastic structure, which provides structural stability while allowing the necessary flexibility for sealing.
Solution Approach 2:
The fluidic coupling mechanism combines rigid fluidic structures with a flexible elastic structure containing a membrane. This composite approach allows the rigid portions to maintain structural stability and geometric precision, while the flexible elastic portion provides reliable sealing under high pressure through elastic deformation.
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
The solution ensures reliable fluidic sealing and communication between fluidic structures, reducing deformation and maintaining sharp peak resolution, thus enhancing the accuracy of compound identification and quantitation in HPLC systems.
Implementation Method 1
the first elastic structure is elastically deformed by the sealing element
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A
Figure 2B~2C
AI summary
Disclosed is a fluidic coupling (200) is provided by and between a first fluidic structure (210) and a second fluidic structure (215) and being configured for fluidically coupling the first fluidic structure (210) with the second fluidic structure (215). The first fluidic structure (210) has a first channel (238) configured for conducting fluid and opening at a first opening (233) at a first surface (235) of the first fluidic structure (210). The second fluidic structure (215) has a second channel (248) configured for conducting fluid and opening at a second opening (243) at a second surface (245) of the second fluidic structure (215). The fluidic coupling (200) comprises a sealing element (270) positioned between the first surface (235) and the second surface (245). The first fluidic structure (210) comprises a first elastic structure (285) in and/or below the first surface (235). When the first surface (235) and the second surface (245) are pressed against each other, the first elastic structure (285) is elastically deformed by the sealing element (270), the first opening (233) and the second opening (243) are in fluidic communication with each other, thus allowing a fluidic communication between the first channel (238) and the second channel (248), and the sealing element (270) is fluidically sealing the fluidic communication between the first channel (238) and the second channel (248).