Abstract: A diaphragm-sealed valve having communication mechanisms operatively connecting neighbouring pairs of grooves is provided. Each communication mechanism has a communication port opening in an interface of a valve cap, between the neighbouring grooves. The communication mechanism also has a communication conduit extending within the valve cap and connecting the communication port and one of the neighbouring grooves. It also has a recess within a valve body aligned with the communication port and with the other one of the neighbouring grooves, a flexible sealing surface of the diaphragm being seated within the recess and resiliently biased away from the interface of the valve cap. A plunger assembly is also provided, including plungers movable to push flexible sealing surface towards the communication port.

Abstract: A hand tool and a method of fabrication thereof, the tool comprising a head having a neck portion provided with perforations, and a handle comprising a core and a sleeve, the sleeve of the handle being molded over the core and the neck, the material of the sleeve forming a bridge between the core and the neck and filling the perforations of the neck.

Abstract: There is provided a diaphragm sealed valve particularly advantageous in chromatographic systems. The valve is provided with first and second body and a seal member compressibly positioned therebetween. The first body comprises a first, a second and a common port, each opening and being interconnected to the others in a recessed fluid communication channel extending in a first interface of the first body. The valve is also provided with first and second plungers, each having a closed position wherein the plunger presses down the seal member against the seat of the corresponding port for closing said corresponding port, and an open position wherein the plunger extends away from the seat for allowing a fluid communication between the corresponding port and the channel. Complex valves are also provided as well as chromatographic systems and methods.

Abstract: A shaft and a method of fabricating a shaft for a tool, comprising on at least part of a surface thereof at least one structural sheet comprising at least one of: i) glass fibers, ii) carbon fibers, iii) Kevlar™ fibers and polyester fibers, impregnated with one of: i) a thermoset resin and ii) a thermoplastic resin.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved chromatographic system and an improved chromatographic method for measuring impurities in a gas sample that advantageously allow to extract a peak of impurity masked by the sample background. The method extracts an impurities peak from the sample background and put it in a second sample loop. Then, this second sample loop volume is injected into a second separation column. In fact, the system takes a “slice” from the sample background and fills the second sample loop with it. Then, the “slice”, whose width is advantageously substantially equal to the impurities peak width, is injected in the second separation column. In a further preferred embodiment, the method also advantageously allows to concentrate a predetermined impurity, thereby providing an improved precision on the results. The chromatographic method advantageously provides an improved measure of argon in oxygen, oxygen in argon and oxygen in hydrogen.

Abstract: There is provided a diaphragm sealed valve particularly advantageous in chromatographic systems. The valve is provided with first and second body and a seal member compressibly positioned therebetween. The first body comprises a first, a second and a common port, each opening and being interconnected to the others in a recessed fluid communication channel extending in a first interface of the first body. The valve is also provided with first and second plungers, each having a closed position wherein the plunger presses down the seal member against the seat of the corresponding port for closing said corresponding port, and an open position wherein the plunger extends away from the seat for allowing a fluid communication between the corresponding port and the channel. Complex valves are also provided as well as chromatographic systems and methods.

Abstract: A fluid sampling system and a method thereof are provided. The fluid sampling system is provided with a plurality of sampling channels, each of the sampling channels comprising a sampling line having an inlet, a regulated outlet, and first and second calibrated flow orifices connected in series between the inlet and outlet. Each of the sampling channels also comprises a controllable derivation line connected between the first and second orifices, for deviating fluid from the sampling line. The fluid sampling system is also provided with a connecting line for connecting together the outlets of the sampling lines. The connecting line has a main regulated outlet for providing a fluid sample.

Abstract: There is provided a rotary valve for fluid analytical systems. The present valve provides improved characteristics such as an extended lifetime. The valve can fulfil different fluid analytical functions and can be a multi-ports and/or multi-positions valve. The valve is provided with extra recesses in the rotor and extra ports in the stator. These recesses allow to cancel the effect of any possible leaks by evacuating them. Such a valve then prevents cross-port leaks and can advantageously be used in highly critical applications. Moreover, the present valve can be used in an analytical system which is advantageously self-diagnostic.

Abstract: A fluid sampling system and a method thereof are provided. The fluid sampling system is provided with a plurality of sampling channels, each of the sampling channels comprising a sampling line having an inlet, a regulated outlet, and first and second calibrated flow orifices connected in series between the inlet and outlet. Each of the sampling channels also comprises a controllable derivation line connected between the first and second orifices, for deviating fluid from the sampling line. The fluid sampling system is also provided with a connecting line for connecting together the outlets of the sampling lines. The connecting line has a main regulated outlet for providing a fluid sample.

Abstract: A fluid sampling device or system for providing a fluid to a fluid processing apparatus. The system includes a plurality of sampling lines, each having an inlet line and an outlet line connected by a valve. The valve has a closed position preventing a fluid flow between the two lines and an opened position allowing such a fluid flow. A first and a second purge line are provided, respectively connected to the inlet and outlet lines for purging fluid therefrom. Rotometers or other similar devices are provided for controlling each of the purge lines. A connecting line is provided for connecting each of the outlet lines to each other and to the outlet. In operation, one of the valves is opened and the others are closed. Fluid flows from the selected valve to the apparatus and backwards through the outlet lines of the unselected sampling channels, providing a backpurge of these outlet lines through the second purge lines.

Abstract: A fluid sampling device or system for providing a fluid to a fluid processing apparatus. The system includes a plurality of sampling lines, each having an inlet line and an outlet line connected by a valve. The valve has a closed position preventing a fluid flow between the two lines and an opened position allowing such a fluid flow. A first and a second purge line are provided, respectively connected to the inlet and outlet lines for purging fluid therefrom. Rotometers or other similar devices are provided for controlling each of the purge lines. A connecting line is provided for connecting each of the outlet lines to each other and to the outlet. In operation, one of the valves is opened and the others are closed. Fluid flows from the selected valve to the apparatus and backwards through the outlet lines of the unselected sampling channels, providing a backpurge of these outlet lines through the second purge lines.