Pneumatic Circuit With Pre-Charged Reservoirs for Stable Dispensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing micro-fluidic pneumatic circuits face challenges in providing accurate and repeatable dispensing pressures and volumes, leading to fluctuations in pressure supplied to each pipette when multiple valves are open, and are not suited for high-volume applications due to complexity and cost issues.
Innovation Solution
A micro-fluidic pneumatic circuit design featuring a pump, fluid distribution conduit, reservoirs, actuation ports, and valve arrangements that allow for independent control of pressure at each actuation port, enabling pre-charging of reservoirs with desired pressure from the fluid distribution conduit, and the ability to supply both positive and negative pressures using a single pump.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single fluid distribution conduit is used to supply pressure to multiple actuation ports, then the system complexity is reduced, but pressure fluctuations occur when multiple valves are opened simultaneously
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the fluid distribution system by providing a separate reservoir for each actuation port. Each reservoir is independently connected to the pump through its own valve arrangement, dividing the previously unified distribution conduit into multiple independent pathways. This segmentation eliminates pressure fluctuations caused by simultaneous valve operations while maintaining manageable system complexity through modular design.
2Productivity
If multiple valves are opened simultaneously to increase throughput, then productivity is improved, but pressure accuracy deteriorates due to pressure fluctuations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-charging each reservoir to the required pressure before actuation. The valve arrangements allow reservoirs to be charged with precise pressures from the pump in advance, and this pre-charged pressure is then maintained during the dispensing operation. This preliminary charging ensures pressure accuracy is preserved even when multiple valves operate simultaneously, enabling high throughput without sacrificing precision.
3Device complexity
If direct connection between fluid distribution conduit and actuation ports is used, then the number of components is reduced, but the ability to provide accurate and repeatable pressures is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces reservoirs as intermediary elements between the fluid distribution conduit and actuation ports. Each reservoir acts as a pressure buffer and storage chamber, mediating the pressure transmission from the pump to the actuation port. This intermediary approach improves dispensing precision by stabilizing pressure delivery while the modular valve arrangements keep the overall component count manageable.
4Device complexity
If a single pump is used to supply both positive and negative pressures, then cost is reduced, but the complexity of pressure control increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by enabling the single pump to operate in reversible modes, dynamically switching between generating positive pressure (for dispensing) and negative pressure (for aspiration). The valve arrangements are configured to direct the pump's output accordingly, allowing one pump to replace what would traditionally require two pumps. This dynamic operation reduces cost while the control system manages the switching complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a pneumatic circuit for a pneumatic drive apparatus comprising a pump, a fluid distribution conduit, a plurality of reservoirs and a plurality of actuation ports. A first input valve is provided between an outlet of the pump and the fluid distribution conduit. A second input valve is provided between an inlet of the pump and the fluid distribution conduit. A plurality of flow paths extend from the fluid distribution conduit to each of the plurality of actuation ports. Each flow path is associated with a respective reservoir and a corresponding valve arrangement which is controllably moveable between a first configuration, in which the associated reservoir is in fluid communication with the fluid distribution conduit, so as to enable the reservoir to be charged with a pressure from the fluid distribution conduit, and a second configuration, in which the associated reservoir is in fluid communication with the respective actuation port.