Rotary Valve Multi-Inlet Design for Sample Injection Flexibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional rotary valves require re-plumbing to alternate between manual sample injection using a syringe and automatic injection by a dedicated sample pump, limiting system flexibility.
Innovation Solution
A rotary valve design that allows simultaneous use of both manual and automatic sample injection methods by optimizing the arrangement of ports and grooves on the stator and rotor, enabling flexible operation without the need for system reconfiguration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a conventional rotary valve is designed with a single sample inlet port, then the valve structure remains simple, but the valve requires re-plumbing to alternate between manual syringe injection and automatic pump injection, limiting system flexibility
Solution Approach 1:
The valve is designed with multiple inlet ports (first inlet port for manual syringe injection, second inlet port for automatic pump injection, and third inlet port for additional functionality) that can all connect to the same rotor groove system. This allows the single rotor groove to serve multiple functions by receiving samples from different sources, eliminating the need for re-plumbing while maintaining operational flexibility between manual and automatic injection modes
2Ease of operation
If the valve uses a single inlet port for both manual and automatic injection, then the valve structure is simplified, but the user must re-configure the system to switch between injection methods, reducing operational efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The valve is pre-configured with multiple inlet ports that are all connected to the rotor groove system before operation begins. This preliminary arrangement of multiple ports allows the user to simply select the desired injection mode (manual or automatic) without any re-plumbing or reconfiguration, thereby eliminating time loss and improving ease of operation
3Adaptability or versatility
If the rotor groove always connects to the inlet port in the rotary centre, then the flow path is simplified, but the valve cannot enable simultaneous or alternative connection to multiple sample sources
Solution Approach 1:
The rotor groove is designed to receive samples from multiple segmented inlet ports (first, second, and third inlet ports) that are positioned at different locations around the rotor. The groove configuration allows it to connect to different inlet ports at different rotary positions, enabling the single groove to serve multiple sample sources without increasing overall device complexity
Data Source
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AI summary
A rotary valve adapted for injection of a fluid sample into a flow path. According to the invention one and the same valve can be used to input flow from a system pump, a sample pump and a syringe. A loop could be filled from both the sample pump and the syringe and the loop can be emptied by the system pump whereby for example a column is filled. Furthermore the sample pump can be used to pump directly to the column.