Pressure Decoupling Fluid Drive for Sample Loop Injection
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Solution Overview
Problem
In liquid chromatography, the large pressure difference between the separation unit and the sample loop can cause pressure breakdowns when injecting the fluidic sample, potentially damaging components and disrupting the separation process.
Innovation Solution
A sample separation apparatus with a fluid drive arrangement that includes a control unit for pressure decoupling of fluid drive units, allowing for pre-pressurization of the sample accommodation volume before injection, thereby minimizing pressure shocks and maintaining system stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the sample loop is directly connected to the high pressure flow path without pressure decoupling, then the injection process is simple and fast, but pressure breakdowns occur that can damage fluidic components and reduce their lifespan
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the fluid drive unit into multiple cylinder-piston units that can operate independently. One unit maintains high pressure in the flow path while another unit is pressure decoupled to perform sample loop pressurization, allowing simultaneous high pressure operation and gentle sample injection
Solution Approach 2:
A pressure decoupling mechanism is introduced as an intermediary between the fluid drive unit and the sample loop. This allows independent pressure control of the sample loop from the main flow path, enabling pre-pressurization without affecting the high pressure separation process
2Reliability
If the sample accommodation volume is pre-pressurized to system pressure before injection, then pressure shocks are minimized and component lifespan is extended, but additional pressure control mechanisms are required
Solution Approach 1:
The existing fluid drive unit is made multi-functional by enabling it to both drive the mobile phase through the separation unit and pre-pressurize the sample loop. By selectively pressure decoupling specific cylinder-piston units, the same hardware performs multiple functions without requiring entirely separate systems
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically switches between different operational modes: in normal operation, all units work together to maintain high pressure flow; during sample injection, specific units are pressure decoupled to independently control sample loop pressure. This dynamic reconfiguration allows adaptability without permanent structural complexity
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 effectively prevents pressure shocks and extends the lifespan of fluidic components by ensuring a gentle and controlled intake and injection of the sample, maintaining the integrity of the separation process.
Implementation Method 1
a fluid drive unit (in particular a high pressure pump like a piston pump) for driving a mobile phase along a flow path
Data Source
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AI summary
Sample separation apparatus (10) for separating a fluidic sample and comprising a fluid drive arrangement (20) comprising a plurality of fluid drive units (102, 104) for driving a mobile phase along a flow path (108) to a sample separation unit (30), a sample accommodation volume (106) configured for accommodating the fluidic sample and being configured to be selectively fluidically coupleable with the flow path (108) or fluidically decoupleable from the flow path (108), and a control unit (70) configured for controlling pressure decoupling of at least part of at least one of the fluid drive units (102, 104) from the flow path (108) in one operation mode of the sample separation apparatus (10) and configured for enabling the at least one at least partially pressure-decoupled fluid drive unit (102, 104) to pressurize the sample accommodation volume (106) before fluidically coupling the sample accommodation volume (106) with the flow path (108) and/or to de-pressurize the sample accommodation volume (106) after fluidically coupling the sample accommodation volume (106) with the flow path (108) for preparing a subsequent intake of fluidic sample in the sample accommodation volume (106).