Gradient High Pressure Syringe Pump with Floating Piston
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Solution Overview
Problem
High pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) systems require controllable binary gradient flow, but existing syringe pumps are bulky, heavy, and require frequent refills, leading to interruptions in the chromatography process, especially when operating in portable applications, and dual-pump systems increase complexity and power consumption.
Innovation Solution
A compact chromatography syringe pump design with a single motor and a floating piston mechanism that allows for gradient operation, reducing the number of components and power requirements, enabling efficient and continuous solvent delivery with minimal interruptions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the volume of the syringe pump is increased to allow for a day of continuous operation, then the liquid volume capacity is improved, but the pump becomes too heavy and bulky to be practical for use
Solution Approach 1:
The syringe is divided into multiple segments or chambers, each capable of holding a portion of the required liquid volume. The pump mechanism can sequentially access multiple syringes or segments, providing extended operation time without requiring a single large, heavy syringe. This segmentation allows the system to achieve day-long capacity while keeping individual syringe components small and lightweight.
2Adaptability or versatility
If two syringe pumps are used to generate gradient flow, then the gradient mode capability is improved, but the size, weight, and control complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
Two syringe pumps are merged into a single integrated pump unit that can deliver multiple solvent channels simultaneously. The pump incorporates multiple syringes or chambers within one housing, with a unified drive mechanism that controls all channels. This consolidation provides gradient capability while reducing overall system size, weight, and control complexity compared to using two separate pump systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The single pump is designed with multi-functionality to perform both isocratic and gradient delivery modes, and to handle multiple solvent channels simultaneously. By integrating gradient mixing capability and multi-channel delivery into one pump unit, the system achieves the versatility of dual-pump systems while maintaining simpler control architecture and reduced physical footprint.
3Adaptability or versatility
If two high pressure pumps work in parallel to generate gradient flow, then the gradient capability is improved, but the power requirement doubles compared to a single motor operation
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple solvent delivery channels are merged into a single pump housing that shares common mechanical drive components. The pump uses one motor with a multi-channel drive mechanism (such as a cam system or synchronized belts) to actuate multiple syringes simultaneously. This approach provides gradient capability while consuming approximately half the power of two separate pump systems, as the mechanical power is shared across all channels through the integrated design.
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 design results in a smaller, lighter, and more cost-effective syringe pump capable of continuous operation with reduced power consumption, facilitating portable HPLC systems and minimizing interruptions during chromatography analysis.
Implementation Method 1
High pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) systems operate at pressures of 5,000 PSI and higher. To generate these pressures, high pressure pumps providing constant and controllable flow are employed.
Implementation Method 2
syringe pumps have limited liquid volume capacity requiring a refill cycle during which they are periodically reloaded
Data Source
AI summary
A gradient high pressure syringe pump usable in a high pressure liquid chromatography system includes a housing defining an internal cavity, a drive piston, and a floating piston unconnected from the drive piston dividing the internal cavity into first and second pumping chambers. Each pumping chamber has an intake inlet with an upstream no-return valve communicating with a source of fluid and a discharge outlet communicating with an inlet of a downstream control valve. The control valve is operable to selectively direct fluid from either of the upstream pumping chambers downstream. In one embodiment, the first pumping chamber defines a cylinder section for the drive piston having an internal diameter smaller than the cylinder section defined by the second pumping chamber for the floating piston. The drive piston is moved linearly between suction and discharge strokes by an attached screw operatively coupled with a controllable stepper motor.