Abstract: A fitting assembly having a nut, a ferrule, and a ferrule tip that may be assembled by an operator. The fitting assembly includes a nut with first and second ends, with the second end adapted to receive the first end of a ferrule, and a ferrule tip with a first end having an externally tapered portion adapted to abut the second end of the ferrule and a second end adapted to be received in a component or fitting of a liquid chromatography system. The nut, ferrule and ferrule tip of the fitting assembly have passageways therethrough for receiving and removably holding tubing.

Abstract: A multi-position valve assembly including a valve housing, a stator element and a rotor element rotatably mounted about a rotational axis. The valve assembly further includes a pressure adjustment assembly movable between a release position and a stop position, hard stopped relative to the valve housing. The pressure adjustment assembly includes a pressure adjuster device configured to movably cooperate between the rotor element and the valve housing to adjustably generate an axial compression pressure at the rotor-stator interface at a calibrated operating pressure, PC. When the pressure adjustment assembly is oriented in the release position, the axial compression pressure is substantially removed from the rotor-stator interface. In contrast, when the pressure adjustment assembly is oriented in the stop position, the axial compression pressure is substantially reproduced at the calibrated operating pressure, PC.

Abstract: A micro-fluidic valve system is provided which includes a micro-fluidic valve actuator apparatus, a fluid distribution manifold and a micro-fluidic POD apparatus. The POD apparatus includes a POD housing that defines an interior central passage extending from a distal mounting end of the housing to a proximal portion thereof. The POD apparatus further includes a stator device disposed in the interior central passage, and includes a distal stator face that cooperates with an opening in the distal mounting end to define a gasket receptacle. A relatively thin, elastomeric gasket member is disposed in the gasket receptacle of the housing in abutting contact between the stator and a communication face of the manifold. A fluid-tight seal is then formed between each respective stator communication port of the stator device and a corresponding manifold communication port of the manifold.

Abstract: A fitting assembly having a nut, a ferrule, and a ferrule tip that may be assembled by an operator. The fitting assembly includes a nut with first and second ends, with the second end adapted to receive the first end of a ferrule, and a ferrule tip with a first end having an externally tapered portion adapted to abut the second end of the ferrule and a second end adapted to be received in a component or fitting of a liquid chromatography system. The nut, ferrule and ferrule tip of the fitting assembly have passageways therethrough for receiving and removably holding tubing.

Abstract: A torque limited fitting is provided having a head and a body, which in certain embodiments may be assembled by an operator. The body of the torque limited fitting has a passageway therethrough for receiving and removably holding tubing. The torque limited fitting may be adapted for use with a flat bottom port, such as in an analytical instrument, like liquid chromatography, gas chromatography, ion chromatography, or in in vitro diagnostic systems.

Abstract: A microfluidic interconnect system and method for assembly thereof is described. The microfluidic interconnect has a port and a seal, with the port having a reverse taper. The port has a first port end, a second port end, and an inner port surface with a tapered portion. Each port end has an opening with a diameter, and in certain embodiments, the diameter of the first port end is smaller than the diameter of the second port end. The seal has a first end and a second end, and each seal end has a rim and an opening with an inner diameter and an outer diameter. The seal also has an inner surface and an outer surface, where in certain embodiments, each surface has a tapered portion.

Abstract: A check valve construction is provided in which a moveable a movable ball having a convex surface resides in a cage having a conical frustum chamber and a seat for the ball. A fluid path between the ball and the cage is defined by the equation: G = D ? ? cos ? ( b - a ) 2 ? ? cos ? ? b - d 2 wherein G is the gap of the narrowest passageway of the fluid path, D is the diameter of the small end of the conical frustum chamber of the cage, d is the diameter of the convex surface of the ball, a is the angle between a vertical diameter of the ball and the position of the narrowest gap on the convex surface of the ball, and, b is the angle between the vertical diameter of the movable element and the position of the small end of conical frustum chamber of the cage.

Abstract: A fitting assembly is provided having a nut and a ferrule, which in certain embodiments may be assembled by an operator. The nut and ferrule of the fitting assembly have passageways therethrough for receiving and removably holding tubing. The nut and ferrule fitting assembly may be adapted for use with a flat bottom port, such as in an analytical instrument, like liquid chromatography, gas chromatography, ion chromatography, or in in vitro diagnostic systems.

Abstract: A liquid degassing apparatus is arranged to limit pervaporation through a membrane by attenuating pressure oscillations developed by a vacuum pump. The attenuation is obtained through a combination of one or more flow restrictors and added volume chambers fluidly interposed between the degassing chamber and the vacuum pump. The pressure oscillation attenuation may further inhibit cross-contamination of pervaporated solvents among a plurality of distinct degassing chambers.

Abstract: A liquid degassing apparatus is arranged to limit pervaporation through a membrane by establishing a pervaporation control space at a permeate side of the membrane. The pervaporation control space is defined in a vacuum chamber between the membrane and a shield member. The shield member may be substantially gas and liquid impermeable to maintain an environment in contact with the permeate side of the membrane that is relatively rich in solvent vapor concentration, thereby limiting further liquid pervaporation across the membrane.

Abstract: A liquid dispensing system is provided for automated dispensing of a plurality of liquid reagents into a recreational body of water. The liquid dispensing system includes a cartridge apparatus housing a plurality of liquid reagent containers, each containing a respective liquid reagent. A docking assembly is provided having a dock manifold device, and is releasably coupled to the cartridge apparatus between a first condition and a second condition. In a first condition, the cartridge apparatus can be removably coupled to the docking assembly, while in the second condition, the cartridge apparatus is lockably mounted to the docking assembly in a manner permitting fluid communication from the respective reagent container to respective fluid passages of the manifold device. The dispensing system further includes a dosing engine having a valve manifold device to selectively dispense the liquid reagents into the recreational body of water through a dispensing port.

Abstract: A micro-fluidic valve actuator assembly is provided for controlling a multi-position micro-fluidic valve device for switching between a plurality of discrete fluid distribution positions. The actuator assembly includes a housing having an exterior wall and an interior wall defining an interior through-chamber. A drive assembly is rotatably positioned within the chamber, having a drive axis of rotation positioned substantially co-axial with the chamber axis. A removable, stand alone, self contained encoder assembly is positioned within the actuator housing. The encoder assembly includes an encoder shaft rotatably mounted to a support structure for rotation about an encoder shaft axis. The encoder assembly further includes an encoder wheel mounted to the encoder shaft for rotation about the encoder shaft axis, and an encoder module mounted to the support structure.

Abstract: A fitting assembly is provided having a nut and a self-releasing ferrule, which in certain embodiments may be assembled by an operator. The fitting assembly includes a nut with a first end, and a second end that defines a slot, and a ferrule with a first end that defines one or more slots, and a second end, with the second end of the nut adapted to receive the first end of the ferrule, the second end of the ferrule adapted to be received in a component or fitting of a liquid chromatography system. The nut and ferrule of the fitting assembly have passageways therethrough for receiving and removably holding tubing.

Abstract: A fitting assembly is provided having a nut and a self-releasing ferrule, which in certain embodiments may be assembled by an operator. The nut and ferrule of the fitting assembly have passageways therethrough for receiving and removably holding tubing.

Abstract: A multi-position rotary shear valve assembly having a metallic or ceramic stator device and a metallic or ceramic rotor device. The stator device defines a planar stator face and two or more stator channels in fluid communication with the stator face at corresponding stator ports, while the rotor device includes a substantially planar rotor face defining one or more rotor channels. A tribological coating is disposed atop at least one of the rotor and stator face. The valve assembly includes a polymer insert device defining an exposed contact face having an inner diameter less than that of the outer circumferential edge and an outer diameter more than the outer circumferential edge. The insert device is formed for press-fit insertion in a groove defined in the rotor face. The outer circumferential edge of the stator face contacts the insert exposed face during rotation between the two or more rotor positions.

Abstract: A biocompatible tube that can be used in a liquid chromatography system is described. The tube can have flanged or straight ends, and can be used in conjunction with one or more fitting, assembly.

Abstract: A fitting assembly having a nut, a ferrule, and a ferrule tip that may be assembled by an operator. The fitting assembly includes a nut with first and second ends, with the second end adapted to receive the first end of a ferrule, and a ferrule tip with a first end having an externally tapered portion adapted to abut the second end of the ferrule and a second end adapted to be received in a component or fitting of a liquid chromatography system. The nut, ferrule and ferrule tip of the fitting assembly have passageways therethrough for receiving and removably holding tubing.

Abstract: A multi-position valve assembly including a valve housing, a stator element and a rotor element rotatably mounted about a rotational axis. The valve assembly further includes a pressure adjustment assembly movable between a release position and a stop position, hard stopped relative to the valve housing. The pressure adjustment assembly includes a pressure adjuster device configured to movably cooperate between the rotor element and the valve housing to adjustably generate an axial compression pressure at the rotor-stator interface at a calibrated operating pressure, PC. When the pressure adjustment assembly is oriented in the release position, the axial compression pressure is substantially removed from the rotor-stator interface. In contrast, when the pressure adjustment assembly is oriented in the stop position, the axial compression pressure is substantially reproduced at the calibrated operating pressure, PC.

Abstract: A micro-fluidic valve system is provided which includes a micro-fluidic valve actuator apparatus, a fluid distribution manifold and a micro-fluidic POD apparatus. The POD apparatus includes a POD housing that defines an interior central passage extending from a distal mounting end of the housing to a proximal portion thereof. The POD apparatus further includes a stator device disposed in the interior central passage, and includes a distal stator face that cooperates with an opening in the distal mounting end to define a gasket receptacle. A relatively thin, elastomeric gasket member is disposed in the gasket receptacle of the housing in abutting contact between the stator and a communication face of the manifold. A fluid-tight seal is then formed between each respective stator communication port of the stator device and a corresponding manifold communication port of the manifold.

Abstract: A micro-fluidic valve actuator assembly is provided for controlling a multi-position micro-fluidic valve device for switching between a plurality of discrete fluid distribution positions. The actuator assembly includes a housing having an exterior wall and an interior wall defining an interior through-chamber. A drive assembly is rotatably positioned within the chamber, having a drive axis of rotation positioned substantially co-axial with the chamber axis. A removable, stand alone, self contained encoder assembly is positioned within the actuator housing. The encoder assembly includes an encoder shaft rotatably mounted to a support structure for rotation about an encoder shaft axis. The encoder assembly further includes an encoder wheel mounted to the encoder shaft for rotation about the encoder shaft axis, and an encoder module mounted to the support structure.