Rotary Fluid Selection Valve Parallel Sample Handling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional multi-channel sample handling apparatus require multiple valves and complex tubing connections, leading to increased costs and complexity, while existing rotary valves are not optimized for efficient fluid selection in parallel processing.
Innovation Solution
A rotary fluid selection valve with a stator and rotor design, featuring circularly arranged ports and channels that allow for coaxial rotation to establish fluid communication between common and non-common ports in multiple configurations, simplifying the control and reducing the need for additional valves.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple conventional valves are used for each channel in multi-channel sample handling apparatus, then fluid control capability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple valve functions into a single rotary valve assembly with a stator containing multiple port groups and a rotor with channels. This single integrated valve replaces what would traditionally require multiple separate valves, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining the ability to control fluid flow across multiple channels for parallel sample processing
Solution Approach 2:
The rotary valve is designed with multiple port groups (each having common and non-common ports) and a rotor with multiple channels that can be positioned to connect different port groups. This universal design allows the single valve to perform multiple fluid control functions simultaneously across different channels, providing versatile control capability without requiring separate valves for each channel
2Productivity
If conventional valves are used in multi-channel apparatus, then sample processing capability is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
By merging multiple valve functions into a single rotary valve assembly, the patent reduces the total number of components that need to be manufactured and assembled. This consolidation lowers manufacturing costs while maintaining the productivity benefits of multi-channel parallel sample processing capability
3Productivity
If multiple valves are used for parallel processing, then sample preparation efficiency is improved, but control complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The rotary valve provides universal control capability for multiple channels through its design with multiple port groups and a rotor with multiple positionable channels. A single rotational actuator controls the position of the rotor, which simultaneously determines the connections for all channels, thereby maintaining parallel processing efficiency while simplifying control to a single actuator rather than multiple independent valve controls
Data Source
AI summary
A multiple fluid selection valve including a stator and a rotor is provided. The stator includes a stator interface and a plurality of ports arranged into a plurality of port groups. Each port group has a common port and non-common ports. The non-common ports include a first non-common port and a second non-common port. The rotor includes a plurality of first channels, each first channel extending from an axial center of the rotor to at least a point on the rotor interface alignable with the common ports for fluid communication therewith. The rotor also includes a plurality of second channels, each second channel extending from at least a point on the rotor interface alignable with the common ports for fluid communication therewith to at least a point on the rotor interface alignable with the first non-common ports and/or the second non-common ports for fluid communication therewith.