Sample Injector Valve Layout for Stable HPLC Metering Flush
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional switchable valves and injector architectures in fluid separation systems are inadequate for supporting multiple functions, leading to inefficiencies and complications in high-pressure liquid chromatography applications.
Innovation Solution
A sample injector with a metering device and a fluidic valve that can be selectively switched between flushing and separation modes, allowing the metering device to be flushed by the mobile phase drive, disconnected from the high-pressure analysis path during separation, and operated in high and low-pressure conditions to maintain accuracy and compactness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional switchable valves and injector architectures are used in fluid separation systems, then the system can perform basic sample injection, but the system cannot efficiently support multiple functions and becomes complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a sample injector where the metering device can operate in multiple modes: flushing mode (connected to mobile phase drive) and separation mode (disconnected from high-pressure analysis path). This multi-functional design allows a single device to perform both sample injection and self-flushing operations, eliminating the need for separate valve architectures for each function and reducing overall system complexity
2Reliability
If the metering device remains connected to the high-pressure analysis path during flushing, then flushing can be performed, but pressure fluctuations and flow rate inconsistencies occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a dynamically switchable valve that can transition the metering device between two states: connected to the mobile phase drive for flushing operations, and disconnected from the high-pressure analysis path during separation. This dynamic reconfiguration allows the system to optimize for flushing efficiency when needed and for flow rate consistency during analysis, eliminating pressure fluctuations by isolating the metering device from the high-pressure path during separation mode
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple valves are used to support flushing and separation functions, then each function can be optimized, but the device becomes less compact and more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a sample injector where the metering device can operate in multiple modes: flushing mode (connected to mobile phase drive) and separation mode (disconnected from high-pressure analysis path). This multi-functional design allows a single device to perform both sample injection and self-flushing operations, eliminating the need for separate valve architectures for each function and reducing overall system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the flushing function and separation function into a single integrated sample injector system with one switchable valve. The valve can redirect fluid paths to connect the metering device to either the mobile phase drive (for flushing) or isolate it during separation. This merging of functions into a single unified system eliminates the need for multiple separate valves and reduces overall device complexity
Data Source
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AI summary
A sample injector (40) configured to introduce a sample fluid into a mobile phase, wherein the mobile phase is to be driven by a mobile phase drive (20) through a separation unit (30) for separating compounds of the sample fluid in the mobile phase, wherein the sample injector (40) comprises a metering device (100) being operable for intaking a metered amount of the sample fluid into the sample injector (40), and a fluidic valve (90) being switchable for operating the sample injector (40) selectively in a filling mode (1300) in which the metering device (100) is switched at least temporarily into fluid communication with the mobile phase drive (20), so that the metering device (100) can be filled via an inlet interface (902) at least partially with the mobile phase being delivered by the mobile phase drive (20) while an outlet interface (904) of the metering device (100) is blocked.