Fluid Transport System Using Segmented Modules for Flow Rate and Accuracy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluid transportation systems face limitations in flow rate due to negative pressure driving, which restricts the maximum flow rate, and in control of fluid movement due to high compressibility of gas in positive pressure driving.
Innovation Solution
A fluid transportation system that combines negative pressure driving for absorbing fluids from a storage assembly and positive pressure driving for loading absorbed fluids into a fluid-using system, utilizing multiple working modules to optimize fluid transfer time and avoid cross-contamination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If negative pressure driving is used to transport fluids, then cross-contamination risk is reduced and pipeline structure is simplified, but the maximum flow rate is limited due to vacuum pressure constraints
Solution Approach 1:
The fluid transportation system is divided into multiple working modules (first working module, second working module, etc.), each capable of independent fluid transportation. This segmentation allows parallel operation of multiple modules, thereby increasing the overall maximum flow rate while each individual module can still operate under negative pressure driving to maintain low cross-contamination risk.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple working modules are merged into a single integrated system that shares common components such as the fluid storage assembly, fluid-using system, and control unit. This merging allows the system to achieve high flow rates through parallel operation while maintaining the simplicity and low cross-contamination characteristics of negative pressure driving in each module.
2Productivity
If positive pressure driving is used to transport fluids, then the maximum flow rate can be greatly increased, but the speed and accuracy of fluid movement become difficult to control due to gas compressibility
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches between negative pressure driving and positive pressure driving modes depending on the operational requirements. Each working module can adapt its pressure driving mode in real-time, allowing the system to achieve high flow rates when needed while maintaining precise control when accuracy is critical.
Solution Approach 2:
The pressure parameters in the fluid transportation system are made variable and controllable. By changing the pressure driving mode (from negative to positive or vice versa) and adjusting pressure levels dynamically, the system can optimize both flow rate and control accuracy for different operational scenarios.
3Loss of time
If multiple working modules are used to transport fluids in parallel, then the overall fluid delivery time is reduced, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Each working module is designed as a universal, multi-functional unit that can handle different fluid transportation tasks. The modules share common interfaces with the fluid storage assembly and fluid-using system, and can be controlled by a single control unit. This universality reduces system complexity compared to having dedicated modules for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses identical copies of working modules (first working module, second working module, etc.) that perform the same function. This modular copying approach simplifies the overall system design and control, as each module can be manufactured and calibrated once and then replicated, reducing the complexity of managing diverse components.
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 system ensures quantitative accuracy in fluid absorption and achieves faster fluid delivery to the fluid-using system, with a shorter overall time for fluid transportation compared to single-module systems, while minimizing cross-contamination.
Implementation Method 1
the fluid transportation system drives the fluid to move by creating and maintaining a pressure gradient (pressure difference) between an upstream position to a downstream position along a flowing direction
Data Source
AI summary
A fluid transportation system and method use a negative pressure driving mode to absorb fluids from a fluid storage assembly and a positive pressure driving mode to load the absorbed fluids into the fluid-using system. At least two working modules are used to transport fluids to the fluid-using system, the process of transporting fluid in each working module being divided into the processes of absorbing fluids into a fluid transfer assembly, and loading fluids into a fluid transfer assembly. The process of absorbing fluids in each working module and the processes of absorbing fluids and/or loading fluids in any other working module overlap at least partially along the time axis. With the present disclosure, the accuracy and speed of fluids transportation are improved, a device utilizing the system and method is also disclosed.