Quick Disconnect Chromatography Column Clamp Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid chromatography systems face difficulties in efficiently connecting and disconnecting chromatography columns due to residual pressure, which can lead to harmful repetitive motions for technicians and reliance on third parties.
Innovation Solution
A chromatography column design featuring a quick release clamp that allows for easy connection and disconnection with minimal force, utilizing a piston tube with a porous layer and a chromatography clamp that extends 360 degrees around the column, with a ledge at an oblique angle to cam into a closed position under increased pressure, maintaining fluid communication between the tubes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional connection methods are used in liquid chromatography systems, then the connection can maintain fluid communication, but disconnecting becomes physically difficult due to residual pressure causing harmful repetitive motions for technicians
Solution Approach 1:
The connection system is divided into separate components: a clamp body that remains fixed and a movable clamp arm that can be independently actuated. This segmentation allows the clamp arm to be released without moving the entire connection assembly, eliminating the need for technicians to counteract residual pressure on the main body.
Solution Approach 2:
A spring-loaded clamp arm acts as an intermediary between the fluid pressure system and the technician. The spring mechanism absorbs and manages the residual pressure, allowing the clamp arm to be opened with minimal force while the spring maintains sealing pressure during operation.
2Reliability
If a clamp extends 360 degrees around the chromatography tube, then secure connection is achieved, but the clamp structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The 360-degree clamp is constructed from multiple discrete clamp arms rather than a continuous rigid structure. Each arm can be independently positioned and secured, providing comprehensive coverage while allowing simpler individual components that are easier to manufacture and assemble.
Solution Approach 2:
The clamp arms are designed to be movable during assembly and operation, allowing them to be opened for tube insertion and then secured in position. This dynamic design achieves secure 360-degree connection without requiring a complex fixed structure.
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
Enables convenient and efficient exchange of chromatography tubes, reducing the burden on technicians and improving system efficiency by minimizing the force required for connection and disconnection, thus enhancing operational safety and speed.
Implementation Method 1
The piston tube has at least one porous layer partially obstructing flow through the piston tube
Implementation Method 2
a ledge extending at an oblique angle relative to the transverse direction, which is configured to cam the clamp towards the closed position upon application of greater than atmospheric pressure within the column
Data Source
AI summary
A chromatography column and method for use in a liquid chromatography process includes a telescoping chromatography and piston tubes, with the piston tube having a porous layer partially obstructing flow therethrough. A chromatography clamp is selectively movable between open and closed positions, and configured to extend substantially 360 degrees about the periphery of the chromatography tube when closed. The chromatography clamp is configured to releasably maintain the chromatography tube and piston tube in fluid communication with one another. In particular embodiments, the chromatography clamp includes a ledge extending at an oblique angle relative to the transverse direction, which is configured to cam the clamp towards the closed position upon application of greater than atmospheric pressure within the chromatography column.