Gas Sample Introduction Device Leak Location Identification

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional headspace sample introduction devices can determine gas leaks but fail to identify the leak location, which is crucial for effective maintenance and operation.

Innovation Solution

A gas sample introduction device equipped with a sample container connection flow path, pressurizing gas supply flow path, gas discharge flow path, sample loop, flow path switching valves, and a pressure sensor, controlled by a controller to perform sequential determinations and identify gas leak locations through pressure measurements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a conventional gas leak determination means is used, then gas leak detection is possible, but the gas leak location cannot be identified

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegas leak detection capabilityVSAvoidgas leak location information

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The gas sample introduction device is divided into multiple flow path sections (first flow path section including the sample container connection, second flow path section including the sample loop, third flow path section including the gas discharge). By performing leak checks on each segmented section separately through valve switching, the patent can identify which specific section contains the leak, thereby locating the gas leak position while maintaining effective leak detection capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Loss of information

If multiple flow path switching valves and determination steps are added to identify gas leak location, then gas leak location identification is achieved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegas leak location informationVSAvoidflow path switching valve configuration

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The flow path switching valve serves multiple functions: it controls the normal operation of the gas sample introduction device and simultaneously enables the leak check function by switching between different flow path configurations. During leak detection, the same valve is used to isolate and test different sections (first, second, and third flow path sections), eliminating the need for separate testing equipment and reducing overall system complexity despite the added valve.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Measurement precision

If sequential determinations are performed to identify gas leak location, then accurate leak positioning is achieved, but time consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegas leak location precisionVSAvoidleak check time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The leak check process performs preliminary actions by first conducting a preliminary determination on the entire system, then based on the result, selectively performs subsequent determinations on specific sections. This staged approach avoids unnecessarily testing all sections when a leak is detected early, thereby reducing the average time required for leak location identification while maintaining precise localization capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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 device effectively identifies gas leak locations by switching flow paths and performing multiple determinations, enabling precise leak detection and maintenance in headspace sample analysis systems.

Implementation Method 1

a pressure sensor configured to measure the pressure between the first open/close valve of the pressurizing gas supply flow path and the first flow path switching valve or between the second open/close valve of the gas discharge flow path and the first flow path switching valve

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure measurement:

Implementation Method 2

a pressurizing gas supply flow path configured to supply a pressurizing gas for pressurizing an inside of the sample container

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGas pressurization: Pressurisation

Implementation Method 3

a liquid sample or a solid sample stored in a container is heated to a constant temperature to be volatilized, and this volatilized sample gas is collected from the upper space (headspace) in the container

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVolatilization: Evaporation

Data Source

PatentUS11733228B2Gas sample introduction device, leak check method of gas sample introduction device

Publication Date: 2023.08.22 SHIMADZU CORP

AI summary

A gas sample introduction device includes a sample container connection flow path, a sample loop and a first flow path switching valve, having a first state in which the pressurizing gas is supplied to the sample container connection flow path via the sample loop and a second state in which the pressurizing gas is supplied to the sample container connection flow path without via the sample loop. A leak check method includes a first determination step of determining whether or not there is a gas leak by setting the first flow path switching valve to a first state and a second determination step of identifying a location of a gas leak by performing a second determination of whether or not there is a gas leak by setting the first flow path switching valve to a second state, when there is a gas leak in the first determination step.