Pressurized Liquid Feed Reservoir With Condenser Air Dryer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sample preheating devices for analytical instruments face challenges in rapidly and accurately controlling sample temperatures, managing contamination, and efficiently processing multiple samples with different analysis temperatures, while also being costly and prone to delays in temperature equilibration and vial contamination.
Innovation Solution
The novel sample preheaters incorporate a metallic heater block with a heat sink and cooling element, a temperature sensor for precise temperature control, and a rinse system using a wash ring and condenser assembly to efficiently preheat and maintain sample temperatures, minimizing downtime and contamination issues.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a temperature controlled fluid bath is used to preheat samples, then samples can be brought to desired temperature, but the system requires complex installation and maintenance of basins, fluid lines, and pumps
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the sample from the complex fluid bath system and places it directly in a simple heated well within the analytical instrument. This eliminates the need for external basins, fluid lines, and pumps while maintaining temperature control capability through a direct heating element and temperature sensor system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a temperature sensor as an intermediary between the heating element and the control system, enabling precise temperature monitoring and control. This intermediary component allows the system to achieve accurate temperature control without requiring complex fluid dynamics management.
2Temperature
If samples are loaded in vials and placed in a heater block, then samples can be heated, but the temperature adjustment time is long especially when cooling is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic temperature control by allowing direct insertion of samples at ambient temperature into the heated well, eliminating the need for pre-equilibration in a separate heater block. The system dynamically adjusts temperature during the analysis process rather than requiring static pre-heating, significantly reducing equilibration time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary heating of the well before sample insertion, so that when the sample is introduced, it rapidly reaches the desired temperature. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for prolonged heating periods and allows quick temperature adjustments between samples.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If vials are used to contain samples, then samples can be protected, but vial contamination occurs and cleaning and reusing vials is difficult and time consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the sample from the vial entirely and introduces it directly into the analysis well in liquid form. This eliminates the vial as a containment component, removing the source of contamination and the need for cleaning operations. The sample is handled only where analysis occurs, not in separate containment vessels.
Solution Approach 2:
The analysis well serves multiple functions: it acts as both the sample introduction point and the heating/analysis chamber. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate vials and heater blocks, reducing contamination risks and simplifying the overall system while maintaining sample protection through controlled environment.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If single-use vials are used to avoid contamination, then contamination is eliminated, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the vial component entirely from the system, extracting the sample directly into the analysis well. This removes the need for single-use containment vessels, eliminating both the contamination risk and the associated cost of disposable vials while maintaining sample integrity through direct handling in a controlled environment.
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 solution enables rapid and accurate temperature control of liquid samples, reducing analysis time, minimizing contamination, and efficiently processing multiple samples with different temperatures, while maintaining cost-effectiveness and ease of use.
Implementation Method 1
A heating element is in thermal communication with the heater block and is adapted to transfer heat to the heater block
Implementation Method 2
a cooling element, such as a Peltier cooler, in thermal communication with the heater block which is adapted to transfer heat from the heater block
Implementation Method 3
a cooling element, such as a Peltier cooler
Data Source
AI summary
Systems for feeding liquid into an analytical system. The liquid feed systems comprise a reservoir adapted to hold liquid for introduction into an analytical system, a liquid feed line adapted to deliver liquid from the reservoir to the analytical system, and an air feed system adapted to deliver pressurized air into the reservoir to cause liquid to flow from the reservoir into the liquid feed line. The air feed system has a dryer for removing humidity from air delivered to the reservoir. The dryer comprises a condenser assembly. The condenser assembly has a condenser block made of metal and having an extended, serpentine passageway therein. The passageway has an inlet and outlet allowing air to be passed therethrough and a drain allowing condensed moisture to flow therefrom. The condenser assembly also has a cooling element mounted to the surface of the condenser block for absorbing heat from the condenser block.