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US 7,247,189 B2Granted
Device for combining two fluid streams
AssigneeOakland University
InventorJohn V. Seeley
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A fluidic switching device is particularly for use in chromatography is described. The device allows a rapid switching between chromatographic columns; particularly, in gas chromatography.
Claims15
A fluidic switching device for use with a chromatographic separation column for separation of components of a sample fluid F1 which comprises:
- (a) a valve comprising a single inlet adapted for receiving a carrier fluid F2 and with two outlets, wherein the valve is actuated by an actuator for cycling between each of the outlets during the separation;
- (b) first and second tubular conduits leading from the valve to each of two separate inlets into a common first union with an outlet for F1 and F2 between the separate inlets;
- (c) third and fourth tubular conduits as a connection between the first and second tubular conduits;
- and
- (d) a second union between the third and fourth tubular conduits adapted for flow between arms of the second union and adapted so that the sample fluid F1 can be introduced and flow into the arms from a leg of the second union, wherein the device is constructed so that fluid flow is greater in the first and second conduits than in the third and fourth conduits such that when the carrier fluid F2 flow is alternately switched in the valve to the one of the first or second conduits, the sample fluid F1 introduced in the second union is temporarily accumulated as F1 and F2 in an opposite conduit of the first or second conduits from the third conduit or the fourth conduit, which accumulated fluid is subsequently flushed from the opposite of the first or second conduit by the carrier fluid F2 which flows in the opposite first or second conduit upon switching of the valve from one of the outlets from the valve to the other outlet from the valve so that fluid flow from the common union is alternately carrier fluid F2 or carrier fluid F2 plus sample fluid F1.
2 more elements
A fluid switching device for a chromatographic separation column for detecting a sample fluid F1 which comprises:
- a two position valve with four ports wherein the valve switches between two separate tubular conduits outside of the valve which are connected to a common union provided for flow of the carrier fluid and sample fluid alternately into the chromatographic column,
- wherein between a first two of the ports, a carrier fluid F2 can be injected into one of the two separate conduits outside the valve and wherein simultaneously a sample fluid F1 is injected between a second two of the ports to the other of the two of the tubular conduits and wherein F1 and F2 are alternately switched between the first two of the ports and the second two of the ports during the chromatographic separation by the column.
A fluidic switching device for use with a chromatographic separation column for separation of components of a sample fluid F1 which comprises:
- (a) a valve comprising a single inlet adapted for receiving a carrier fluid F2 and two outlets wherein the valve is actuated by an actuator for cycling between each of the outlets;
- (b) first and second tubular conduits of equal internal flow resistance leading from the valve to each of two separate inlets into a common first union with an outlet for F1 and F2 between the separate inlets;
- (c) third and fourth tubular conduits of equal internal flow resistance as a connection between the first and second tubular conduits;
- and
- (d) a second union between the third and fourth tubular conduits adapted for flow between arms of the second union and adapted so that the sample fluid F1 can be introduced and flow into the arms from a leg of the second union, wherein the device is constructed so that fluid flow is greater in the first and second conduits than in the third and fourth conduits such that when the carrier fluid F2 flow is alternately switched in the valve to the one of the first or second conduits, the sample fluid F1 introduced in the second union is temporarily accumulated as F1 and F2 in an opposite of the first or second conduit from the third conduit or the fourth conduit, which accumulated fluid is subsequently flushed from the opposite first or second conduit by the carrier fluid F2 which flows in the opposite first or second conduit upon switching of the valve from one of the outlets from the valve to the other outlet from the valve so that the fluid flow from the common union is alternately carrier fluid F2 or carrier fluid F2 plus sample fluid F1.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.