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US 5,203,368 AGranted
Matrix of valves
AssigneeProtein Technologies, Inc.
InventorsLeon E. Barstow, Anthony R. Ford, Terry D. Long, Glen D. Ward
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A matrix of valves being formed using a sandwich of three layers with a pliable membrane interposed between two of the layers. Supply channels and delivery channels are created through etching, routing, or other such means on the middle layer. Each supply channel communicates with all of the delivery channels via a valve location which is opened or closed by pneumatic pressure on the pliable membrane. Movement of the pliable membrane is affected through suction or pressure as communicated via holes in the overlying layer. In this manner, selected supply and delivery lines are connected by appropriate suction being placed on the membrane. Selected valves are simultaneously opened to provide parallel operations.
Claims29
A valving system comprising:
- a) a pneumatic means for providing a suction force and a pressure force;
- b) a valve block having,
- 1) a first layer having a substantially flat first surface,
- 2) a second layer having at least two supply channels and at least two delivery channels, said second layer also having at least four valving locations for communicating flowing material from each of said supply channels to each of said delivery channels, said second layer disposed over said first surface of said first layer,
- 3) a third layer having valving holes and cavities disposed over each of said at least four valving locations of said second layer, and,
- 4) a pliable layer sandwiched between said second layer and said third layer, said pliable layer being flexibly responsive to suction, thereby pulling a portion of said pliable layer into an associated cavity and permitting flow through said valving location from one of said supply channel to said delivery channel, said pliable layer further being responsive to pressure to force the portion of said pliable layer against said valving location of said second layer such that flow from said supply channel to said delivery channel is prevented;
- and,
- c) control means for communicating suction from said pneumatic means for to selected ones of said valving locations and for communicating pressure from said pneumatic means for to selected ones of said valving locations.
5 more elements
A valve matrix comprising:
- a) a first layer having a substantially flat first surface;
- b) a second layer having at least two supply channels and at least two delivery channels, said second layer also having at least four valving locations for communicating flowing material from each of said supply channels to each of said delivery channels, said second layer disposed over said first surface of said first layer;
- c) a third layer having valving holes and cavities disposed over each of said at least four valving locations of said second layer;
- and,
- d) a pliable layer sandwiched between said second layer and said third layer, said pliable layer being flexibly responsive to suction, thereby pulling a portion of said pliable layer into an associated cavity and permitting flow through said valving location from one of said supply channel to said delivery channel, said pliable layer further being responsive to pressure to force the portion of said pliable layer against said valving location of said second layer such that flow from said supply channel to said delivery channel is prevented.
2 more elements
A peptide synthesis system comprising:
- a) a pneumatic means for providing a suction force and a pressure force;
- b) a valve block having,
- 1) a first layer having a substantially flat first surface,
- 2) a second layer having at least two supply channels and at least two delivery channels, said second layer also having at least four valving locations for communicating flowing material from each of said supply channels to each of said delivery channels, said second layer disposed over said first surface of said first layer,
- 3) a third layer having valving holes and cavities disposed over each of said at least four valving locations of said second layer, and,
- 4) a pliable layer sandwiched between said second layer and said third layer, said pliable layer being flexibly responsive to suction, thereby pulling a portion of said pliable layer into an associated cavity and permitting flow through said valving location from one of said supply channel to said delivery channel, said pliable layer further being responsive to pressure to force the portion of said pliable layer against said valving location of said second layer such that flow from said supply channel to said delivery channel is prevented;
- c) at least two reaction vessels, each of said reaction vessels in communication with one of said delivery channels;
- d) at least two amino acid reservoirs, each of said amino acid reservoirs in communication with one of said supply channels;
- and,
- e) control means for communicating suction from said pneumatic means for to selected ones of said valving locations and for communicating pressure from said pneumatic means for to selected ones of said valving locations.
7 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.