Mobile Phase Tare Weight Determination for Liquid Chromatography

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Solution Overview

Problem

In liquid chromatography, ensuring accurate and reproducible sample separation requires precise control of the mobile phase supply, but existing methods lack efficient mechanisms for determining the tare weight of mobile phase containers and monitoring mobile phase conveyance accurately.

Innovation Solution

A method and control device that determine the tare weight of mobile phase containers by measuring initial gross weight and volume, and calculating weight and volume reduction behavior, allowing for precise control of mobile phase supply. Additionally, actual measurement information from mobile phase containers is compared with actual operation information from the fluid drive to ensure accurate conveyance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If manual tare weight determination is used, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetare weight determination accuracyVSAvoidcontrol system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically determines tare weight by monitoring the weight reduction behavior of the mobile phase container during fluid conveyance. The control unit calculates tare weight based on measured weight changes and conveyed volume data, eliminating the need for manual user input and ensuring consistent, accurate measurements without increasing operational complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously monitors the weight of the mobile phase container and compares it with the expected weight reduction based on conveyed volume. This feedback mechanism allows automatic detection of discrepancies and enables the system to self-correct or alert users, improving measurement precision while maintaining simple operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If automated mobile phase monitoring is implemented, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemobile phase supply accuracyVSAvoidcontrol mechanism complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control unit performs multiple functions: it monitors container weight, calculates tare weight, tracks mobile phase consumption, detects discrepancies, and provides alerts. By consolidating these functions into a single control unit that leverages existing weight sensors and fluid conveyance mechanisms, the system achieves high reliability without proportionally increasing complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system replaces manual mechanical tare weight determination with an automated electronic monitoring system that uses weight sensors and computational algorithms. This substitution improves reliability by eliminating human error while the complexity is managed through software-based solutions rather than additional mechanical components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Measurement precision

If weight and volume reduction behavior analysis is used, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemobile phase conveyance monitoring accuracyVSAvoidtare weight determination time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs tare weight determination automatically as the mobile phase container is first placed on the scale, before any fluid conveyance begins. By capturing the initial weight state and establishing the tare weight at this preliminary stage, the system eliminates the need for separate manual tare operations and enables continuous monitoring from the outset, improving precision without adding time loss.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The weight monitoring operates continuously throughout the mobile phase conveyance process. Rather than performing discrete measurements, the system continuously tracks weight changes and compares them with expected consumption, maintaining high measurement precision throughout the entire process without requiring additional time for separate measurement steps.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Data Source

PatentUS12292420B2Control of sample separation based on analysis of mobile phase supply from mobile phase container

Publication Date: 2025.05.06 AGILENT TECHNOLOGIES INC

AI summary

A method of controlling a sample separation apparatus, for separating a fluidic sample using a mobile phase provided from at least one mobile phase container, includes determining a weight and volume reduction behavior according to which weight and volume of mobile phase in a mobile phase container are reduced during conveying mobile phase from the mobile phase container in the sample separation apparatus, and determining a tare weight of the mobile phase container based on a gross weight information, a volume information, and the determined weight and volume reduction behavior. The gross weight information is indicative of an initial gross weight of the mobile phase container including its mobile phase, and the volume information is indicative of an initial mobile phase volume in the mobile phase container.