Multi-Port Rotary Valve Layout for Dual-Flow Chromatography
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing rotary valve systems in chromatography are inefficient in simultaneously managing the flow of two liquids to multiple components and require multiple valves and connections, limiting their applicability in continuous chromatography systems.
Innovation Solution
A rotary valve design that allows for the simultaneous management of two liquids to two components by rotating the rotor to switch fluid flows and provide bypass options, reducing the need for multiple valves and connections by using radial and annular grooves and channels for fluid communication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a traditional rotary valve with one inlet and multiple outlets is used, then fluid flow can be directed to one outlet at a time, but the valve cannot simultaneously manage two liquids to two components or provide bypass functionality
Solution Approach 1:
The rotary valve is designed with multiple inlet ports (first and second inlet ports) and multiple outlet ports (first and second outlet ports) on both the stator and rotor, enabling the single valve to perform multiple functions: directing fluid flow to different components and providing bypass paths. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for multiple separate valves and connections, resolving the contradiction between versatility and device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The valve is divided into distinct functional segments: the stator with fixed ports, the rotor with rotatable ports, and multiple independent fluid paths (first and second liquids). The rotor can be rotated to different positions (first, second, and third positions) to selectively connect different port combinations, allowing independent control of multiple fluid streams while maintaining a unified valve structure
2Ease of operation
If multiple valves are used to manage fluid flows in continuous chromatography, then complete flow control is achieved, but system complexity and number of connections increase
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple valve functions are merged into a single rotary valve unit. The stator and rotor together provide integrated control for directing first liquid to first component, second liquid to second component, and providing bypass paths. This consolidation maintains complete flow management capability while reducing the number of separate valves and connections required in the system
3Device complexity
If a rotary valve directs flow to one outlet at a time, then simple valve design is maintained, but the valve cannot provide simultaneous flow management to multiple components with bypass options
Solution Approach 1:
The rotor is designed to be rotatable to multiple discrete positions (first, second, and third positions), dynamically changing the fluid connection paths. At the first position, the rotor connects specific inlet and outlet ports; at the second position, different port connections are established; at the third position, bypass paths are enabled. This dynamic reconfiguration allows the valve to adapt to different flow management requirements while maintaining a relatively simple underlying structure
Data Source
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AI summary
A rotary valve 1 comprising a stator 3 and a rotor 5, wherein the stator comprises a plurality of connection ports (17a-17l) and orifices (19a-19l) and the rotor comprises a plurality of pairs of rotor valve orifices (23a-23h) joined by transfer channels (25a-25d). The rotor is able to be placed in different working positions whereby fluids can be fed to, for example,chromatography columns and/or can be bypassed through or around the valve. The invention also relates to a system comprising two components such as chromatography columns and a rotary valve.