Fluidic Apparatus Splitting Point for Precise Small Flow Rate Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Precise control of very small fluidic flows in liquid chromatography systems is challenging due to the limitations of pumps in scalability and adaptability for delivering small volumes, making it difficult to operate effectively at low flow rates.
Innovation Solution
A fluidic apparatus with a fluid inlet path, upstream and downstream sensors for measuring flow rates, and a splitting point for adjusting the fluid flow into separate paths, allowing for flexible operation modes and integrated pump control to manage flow rates from 0.05 μl/min to 500 μl/min, enabling precise control and wide dynamic range.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If pumps are used to deliver very small fluidic flows, then the fluid delivery function is achieved, but the pump scalability and adaptability for small volumes deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the fluid delivery system into multiple parallel flow paths (first path and second path) with separate sensors for each path. This segmentation allows the system to achieve very small flow rates in the second path while maintaining pump adaptability, as the pump operates at higher flow rates in the first path that are easier to control and scale.
2Measurement precision
If precise control of very small fluidic flows is implemented, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a flow splitter as an intermediary device that divides the main fluid flow into two separate paths. By placing sensors in both paths and using the first path as a reference, the system achieves precise measurement of very small flow rates in the second path without requiring extremely sensitive (and complex) sensors directly at the low flow rate point.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback control by using measurements from both the first path sensor and second path sensor to control the pump. This feedback mechanism allows precise control of very small flow rates while maintaining system stability and compensating for variations, thereby managing complexity through intelligent control rather than hardware complexity.
3Device complexity
If a single sensor is used for flow measurement, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision for varying flow rates deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by placing sensors at different locations in the fluid system - one sensor in the first path and another in the second path. Each sensor is optimized for measuring flow characteristics in its specific location, allowing accurate measurement across the full range of flow rates from high (first path) to very low (second path) without requiring a single complex sensor.
Data Source
AI summary
A fluidic apparatus for a sample separation system includes a fluid inlet path for supplying a fluid, an inlet sensor adapted for measuring a flow rate of the fluid in the fluid inlet path, a splitting point arranged downstream of the fluid inlet path and adapted for splitting the fluid into a first path and into a second path, and a second path sensor adapted for measuring a flow rate of a part of the fluid conducted into the second path.