Flow Through Injection Isolation Valve for High Pressure HPLC
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional face shear valves in high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) systems suffer from reduced lifespan due to rotor material fatigue and require temporary flow blockage, leading to sample distortion and pump pressure pulsing, especially at pressures above 15,000 psig.
Innovation Solution
A combination of multiple flow-through high-pressure isolation valves with pin isolation valves that allow fluidic communication without sliding against rotor surfaces, enabling continuous flow and minimizing sample dispersion, and incorporating a rotor design with sealing annuli and Belleville spring washers for secure fluid management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional face shear valves are used for high pressure fluid control, then fluid flow switching is achieved, but rotor material fatigue occurs due to sliding contact causing shortened valve life
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the conventional mechanical sliding contact system with a pin isolation valve system that uses radial insertion and sealing mechanisms. Instead of rotating faces sliding against each other, the invention uses pins that radially insert into ports and seal against stationary surfaces, eliminating the sliding contact that causes rotor material fatigue and extending valve life at high pressures
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the problematic rotating face sealing mechanism from the valve system and replaces it with isolated pin valves that seal individually at each port. This separation eliminates the cumulative sliding wear that occurs in conventional face shear valves, as each pin operates independently without sliding contact across the rotor surface
2Ease of operation
If conventional face shear valves are used for sample injection, then flow path switching is achieved, but temporary flow blockage occurs causing sample distortion and pump pressure pulsing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables continuous fluid flow through the valve system during operation. The pin isolation valves are designed to switch flow paths without creating temporary blockages, allowing the mobile phase and sample to flow continuously through the system. This eliminates the flow interruptions that cause sample distortion and pump pressure pulsing in conventional valves
Solution Approach 2:
The pin isolation valves act as intermediaries that redirect flow between different ports while maintaining continuous flow through the system. Instead of blocking flow to switch paths, the pins seal against stationary surfaces and redirect flow through alternative pathways, ensuring uninterrupted fluid movement and preventing sample distortion
Data Source
AI summary
A flow through injection valve having a stationary member, a movable member, a surface of the stationary member interfacing with a surface of the movable member; and at least one pin isolation valve having a flow through internal conduit and movably positioned so that the internal conduit can interface with at least one flow through conduit in the movable member. The pin isolation valves are movably positioned so that the internal conduit is also capable of fluidically communicating with another flow through internal conduit in the movable member. The flow through injection valve can be combined with a similar flow through isolation valve to serve as a multiple valve and typically for replacing a conventional face seal valve of a high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) system. The multiple valve allows flow to be transferred through without need for switching or rotating under high pressure. Movement is by rotation or translation.