Mechanically driven sequencing manifold
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing gas chromatograph integrated valves lack an efficient mechanism to manage the temporal sequencing of fluid supply services to fluid processing assemblies, particularly in providing gases at varying pressures and liquids, without relying on electromechanical components.
Innovation Solution
A mechanically driven sequencing manifold with three plates, where the inner plate is translatable relative to fixed outer plates, featuring coaxial inlet and outlet orifices on each plate, allowing for precise temporal sequencing of supply services through controlled translation, thereby eliminating the need for electromechanical components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a mechanically driven sequencing manifold with three plates and translatable inner plate is used, then temporal sequencing precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The manifold is divided into three separate plates (first plate with supply ports, second plate with sequence ports, third plate with control ports) that can be independently manufactured and assembled. This segmentation allows each plate to be optimized for its specific function while simplifying the overall manufacturing process and enabling modular assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a spatial dimension solution by using the translational movement of the inner plate along the translation axis to control temporal sequencing. Instead of complex temporal control mechanisms, the invention maps temporal sequences to spatial positions, where the distance between orifices and the plate's position determine the timing of fluid supply to each valve.
2Manufacturing precision
If coaxial inlet and outlet orifices are used on each plate, then manufacturing precision is improved, but fabrication difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
By dividing the manifold into three separate plates, each with its own coaxial orifice pairs, the patent enables independent fabrication of each plate using standard drilling and machining techniques. This segmentation transforms a potentially complex single-piece fabrication into simpler, repeatable processes for each plate, improving both precision and ease of manufacture.
Data Source
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AI summary
A sequencing manifold for supply of one or more supply services to a fluid processing assembly in a temporal sequence, the sequencing manifold comprising a first plate (101) having one or more supply ports penetrating the first plate (101); a third plate (103) having one or more control ports penetrating the third plate (103); and a second plate (102) having a plurality of sequence ports (104, 105, 106) penetrating a complete thickness of the second plate (102), the plurality of sequence ports (104, 105, 106) being arranged in sequence in the second plate (102) to connect the supply ports in the first plate (101) to the control ports in the third plate (103), wherein the first plate (101), the third plate (103) and the second plate (102) are arranged face-to-face with the first plate (101) and the third plate (103) being outer plates, and the second plate (102) being positioned as an inner plate between the first plate (101) and the third plate (103) and translatable relative to the first plate (101) and the third plate (103), which are maintained in fixed positions relative to each other.