Pump manifold with redundancy for gas extraction system

A redundant pump manifold assembly for use with a measurement instrument comprising:

• a first plate having a first surface and a second surface defining a thickness of the first plate, the second surface including a plurality of channels extending into the second surface, and a first aperture and second aperture extending from the plurality of channels to the first surface;
• and,
• a second plate having a first surface and a second surface defining a thickness of the second plate, the first surface of the second plate abutting the second surface of the first plate, wherein:
• the first surface of the second plate includes a recessed surface configured to receive a gasket positioned between the first plate and second plate creating a fluid seal between the first plate and second plate,
• corresponding protrusions extend from the recessed surface of the second plate, the corresponding protrusions configured to align with the plurality of channels, and
• the plurality of channels are configured to connect at least three pumps in parallel via apertures extending through the corresponding protrusions.

A method for operating a redundant pump assembly comprising at least three pumps connected in parallel, the redundant pump assembly having a manifold configured to connect the at least three pumps in parallel, the manifold comprising:

• a first plate having a first surface and a second surface defining a thickness of the first plate, the second surface including a plurality of channels extending into the second surface, and a first aperture and second aperture extending from the plurality of channels to the first surface;
• and,
• a second plate having a first surface and a second surface defining a thickness of the second plate, the first surface of the second plate abutting the second surface of the first plate, wherein:
• the first surface of the second plate includes a recessed surface for receiving a gasket positioned between the first plate and second plate creating a fluid seal between the first plate and second plate,
• corresponding protrusions extend from the recessed surface of the second plate, the corresponding protrusions configured to align with the plurality of channels, and
• the plurality of channels are configured to connect the at least three pumps in parallel via apertures extending through the corresponding protrusions;
• and
• the method comprising:
• operating a first pump of the at least three pumps to draw a fluid from the manifold for an operation period, wherein the operation period is a pre-determined period of time for which only one of the at least three pumps operates prior to validating a remainder of the at least three pumps, wherein the remainder of the at least three pumps is a second pump and a third pump, and wherein the remainder of the at least three pumps are inactive for the operation period of the first pump;
• at an end of the operation period of the first pump of the at least three pumps, and while the remainder of the at least three pumps are inactive, determining if either of the remainder of the at least three pumps may be switched from the inactive state to an operational state by performing a validation test of each of the remainder of the at least three pumps at the end of the operation period of the first pump, without operating the remainder of the at least three pumps;
• and
• if either of the remainder of the at least three pumps are determined to be suitable for the operational state, the method further comprising deactivating the first pump and activating one of the remainder of the at least three pumps such that the one of the remainder of the at least three pumps operates for the operation period to draw the fluid from the manifold while the fluid flows continuously through the manifold.