Fluidic Flow Path Pressure Testing for Early Leak Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sequencing systems face challenges in efficiently detecting and preventing fluid leaks in their fluidic systems, which can lead to sample loss, data loss, and damage to sensitive components.
Innovation Solution
A system is provided with a fluidic interface that includes a selector valve, pumps, pressure sensors, and control circuitry to perform pressure testing on flow paths and effluent lines, allowing for the detection of leaks by pressurizing flow paths in a stepwise manner and determining if they maintain pressure in a desired manner.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If pressure testing is performed on fluidic systems, then leak detection capability is improved, but system complexity increases due to additional sensors and control mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The fluidic system is divided into multiple discrete flow paths, each independently testable through the fluidic interface. This segmentation allows targeted pressure testing of specific channels without requiring complete system disassembly or complex global testing mechanisms, thereby improving leak detection capability while managing system complexity through modular testing approach
Solution Approach 2:
A pressure sensor is introduced as an intermediary element within the fluidic interface to detect pressure changes indicative of leaks. This intermediary device enables reliable leak detection through pressure monitoring without requiring direct observation or complex diagnostic systems, resolving the contradiction by providing simple yet effective detection capability
2Productivity
If multiple flow paths are tested simultaneously, then testing efficiency is improved, but pressure control precision deteriorates due to distributed pressure distribution
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically selects which flow paths to test at any given moment through a selector valve mechanism. This dynamic switching capability allows the system to concentrate pressure control resources on one flow path at a time while maintaining the ability to test multiple paths sequentially, thereby achieving both testing efficiency and pressure control precision without the trade-off
Solution Approach 2:
Pressure testing is performed in periodic cycles on different flow paths rather than continuously on all paths simultaneously. This periodic action allows the system to maintain high pressure control precision during each testing cycle while achieving overall testing efficiency through systematic rotation through multiple flow paths, eliminating the need to compromise precision for speed
3Measurement precision
If stepwise pressurization is used, then measurement precision is improved, but testing time increases due to multiple pressure steps
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies partial pressurization in stepwise increments rather than full pressurization immediately. This partial action approach allows detection of leaks at lower pressure thresholds first, providing precise leak detection for critical issues while reducing overall testing time by identifying and addressing leaks before requiring full pressure cycles, thus resolving the time-precision trade-off
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 early detection and diagnosis of fluid leaks, preventing sample loss, data loss, and damage to instrument components by ensuring the fluidic system maintains pressure within specified thresholds.
Implementation Method 1
a pressure sensor in fluidic communication with the selected flow path, the pressure sensor to detect pressure in the selected flow path and to generate pressure data based on the detected pressure
Data Source
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AI summary
An analysis system includes a fluidic system includes a number of components that are interconnected to form a fluidic system having a plurality of flow paths. An example method of pressure testing the fluidic system includes (a) selecting a flow path from the plurality of flow paths through a flow cell in accordance with a prescribed test protocol; (b) actuating a pump to pressurize a fluid in the selected flow path; (c) generating pressure data representative of the pressure in the selected flow path; and (d) processing the pressure data to determine whether the selected flow path maintains pressure in a desired manner.