Abstract: A valve includes a valve seat body received by a sleeve with an interference fit between the valve seat body and the sleeve. An upper end of the sleeve extends beyond an upper end of the valve seat body. A valve assembly including the valve is also provided.

Abstract: A high pressure valve includes a lever and a variable force generator for facilitating control of opening and closing the valve at high pressures. The high pressure valve includes a housing having a chamber providing fluid communication between a first port and a second port, a pin movable within the chamber between an open position and a closed position. A first end of a lever is coupled to the pin and a second end of the lever is coupled to a variable force generator. The lever pivots about a pivot point. A controller coupled to the variable force generator is configured to adjust a force applied to the second end of the lever by the variable force generator to control the movement of the pin between the open position and the closed position.

Abstract: A method for high fluid shear processing of a fluid uses an isolator that has a first sub-chamber for containing a first fluid and a second sub-chamber for containing a second fluid defined by a separator positioned in the chamber and movable between a first end of the chamber and a second end of the chamber. The two sub-chambers are in pressure communication with each other but are not in fluid communication with each other. A first fluid is pumped at an ultrahigh pressure into the first-sub chamber, and the pressure in the first sub-chamber causes a second fluid to be processed to be discharged from the second sub-chamber into a processing valve. A system is also provided for performing the steps of this method.

Abstract: Devices and methods for sample preparation via pressure cycling technology are disclosed. The device for sample preparation comprises a tube having an inner surface, a top, and a bottom, the tube configured to contain a sample at the bottom and to be received into a pressure chamber for sample preparation, a cap detachably connected to the top of the tube, and a tapered elongate member extending from the cap into the tube, the tapered elongate member configured to contact the inner surface of the tube and the sample in the bottom of the tube, wherein the tube is deformable such that in operation under pressure the tube is deformed against the tapered elongate member to promote disruption of the sample.

Abstract: A high pressure valve includes a lever and a variable force generator for facilitating control of opening and closing the valve at high pressures. The high pressure valve includes a housing having a chamber providing fluid communication between a first port and a second port, a pin movable within the chamber between an open position and a closed position. A first end of a lever is coupled to the pin and a second end of the lever is coupled to a variable force generator. The lever pivots about a pivot point. A controller coupled to the variable force generator is configured to adjust a force applied to the second end of the lever by the variable force generator to control the movement of the pin between the open position and the closed position.

Abstract: A pressurizable sample system includes a microplate having a planar plate surface and several sample wells. Each sample well has a flange positioned circumferentially around an outer surface of the sample well and against the planar plate surface. The sample system further includes a capping plate with a planar cap surface and several caps projecting from the planar cap surface. Each cap has a geometrical configuration in complementary correspondence with the configuration of the sample well.

Abstract: Described herein is a sample preparation device including a sample delivery source, an inline means of transferring the sample from the sample source into a deformable channel within a pressure vessel, and out of the channel into downstream analysis components, a deformable channel disposed within the pressure vessel, the deformable channel having an inlet end and an outlet end fluidly connectable to high pressure valves and a means to measure the fluid pressure within the deformable channel, an external source of a controlled pressurized fluid fluidly connectable to the pressure vessel and a controller system that monitors and controls the sample fluid pressure by control of the external pressure vessel fluid.

Abstract: A method for high fluid shear processing of a fluid uses an isolator that has a first sub-chamber for containing a first fluid and a second sub-chamber for containing a second fluid defined by a separator positioned in the chamber and movable between a first end of the chamber and a second end of the chamber. The two sub-chambers are in pressure communication with each other but are not in fluid communication with each other. A first fluid is pumped at an ultrahigh pressure into the first-sub chamber, and the pressure in the first sub-chamber causes a second fluid to be processed to be discharged from the second sub-chamber into a processing valve. A system is also provided for performing the steps of this method.

Abstract: Devices and methods for sample preparation via pressure cycling technology are disclosed. The device for sample preparation comprises a tube having an inner surface, a top, and a bottom, the tube configured to contain a sample at the bottom and to be received into a pressure chamber for sample preparation, a cap detachably connected to the top of the tube, and a tapered elongate member extending from the cap into the tube, the tapered elongate member configured to contact the inner surface of the tube and the sample in the bottom of the tube, wherein the tube is deformable such that in operation under pressure the tube is deformed against the tapered elongate member to promote disruption of the sample.

Abstract: The present invention is related to systems and methods for chemical and biological analysis and, in particular, to systems, apparatus, and methods of sample conditioning and analysis.

Abstract: The present invention is related to systems and methods for chemical and biological analysis and, in particular, to systems, apparatus, and methods of sample conditioning and analysis.

Abstract: Described herein is a sample preparation device including a sample delivery source, an inline means of transferring the sample from the sample source into a deformable channel within a pressure vessel, and out of the channel into downstream analysis components, a deformable channel disposed within the pressure vessel, the deformable channel having an inlet end and an outlet end fluidly connectable to high pressure valves and a means to measure the fluid pressure within the deformable channel, an external source of a controlled pressurized fluid fluidly connectable to the pressure vessel and a controller system that monitors and controls the sample fluid pressure by control of the external pressure vessel fluid.

Abstract: A pressurizable sample system includes a microplate having a planar plate surface and several sample wells. Each sample well has a flange positioned circumferentially around an outer surface of the sample well and against the planar plate surface. The sample system further includes a capping plate with a planar cap surface and several caps projecting from the planar cap surface. Each cap has a geometrical configuration in complementary correspondence with the configuration of the sample well.

Abstract: Sample processing devices having collapsible, flexible bodies are disclosed. The flexible microtube sampling devices are utilizable in pressure mediated, pressure cycling procedures. Externally applied pressure on the flexible microtube sample processing devices allow buckling thereof and transfer of the applied pressure to the sample contained therein.

Abstract: The systems and techniques of the present invention can also synergistically utilize mechanical disruption processes with the use of high hydrostatic pressure extraction, such as pressure cycling extraction techniques to achieve high yield of difficult to extract sample constituents without generating high shear stress or high temperatures.

Abstract: A connector for a pressure vessel includes a connector assembly having a first plurality of contacts, and a receiver assembly configured to be positioned within a receiver aperture formed in a closure of the pressure vessel and having a second plurality of contacts. The receiver assembly is configured to receive the connector assembly and place each of the first plurality of contacts in electrical contact with a corresponding one of the second plurality of contacts. A seal is provided between the connector assembly and the wall of the pressure vessel, for substantially sealing the receiver aperture from pressure within the vessel. The connector assembly is configured to be coupled to a product carrier, and sensors positioned in the vessel are coupled via the connector assembly to a data acquisition unit. When the closure is lowered onto the vessel, the receiver assembly contacts the connector assembly coupled to the carrier, closing the electrical contacts connecting the sensors to the acquisition unit.

Abstract: Systems and methods for performing a stepwise depressurization of a high-pressure fluid (liquid) filled chamber are shown and described. At least two valves are controllably opened and closed in a sequence to release a predetermined amount of pressure from the high-pressure chamber. At least some of the pressurized fluid released from the high-pressure chamber is stored, at least temporarily, in a second pressure chamber. The second pressure chamber is located between the two controllable valves. A control system controls the valves in response to a signal from at least one pressure sensor coupled to the high-pressure chamber. Additional components can be included in the system such as a pressure intensifier and a high-pressure pump, both coupled to the high-pressure chamber, and at least one other pressure sensor to improve the accuracy of the measured pressure in the high-pressure chamber.

Abstract: A product carrier for use in pressure processing substances is substantially fluidically closed, and is insulated, to prevent heat transfer from the product being treated to the cooler wall of the pressure vessel. The insulating material has compression heating properties, such that as the product is pressurized, the temperature of the insulation increases as does the temperature of the product and pressure media, thereby helping to prevent heat transfer from the product to the surrounding media and pressure vessel wall.

Abstract: An assembly for changing the temperature of ultrahigh-pressure fluid as it flows through ultrahigh-pressure tubing includes several thermally conductive blocks. Each block has a first bore through which the ultrahigh-pressure tubing passes, and a second bore containing a source of heating or cooling. Alternatively, resistance heating is used to increase the temperature of the ultrahigh-pressure fluid, by coupling electrodes to the outer surface of the tubing. The ultrahigh-pressure fluid is heated or cooled after it is pressurized, and is then discharged from the ultrahigh-pressure tubing at a selected temperature for use. For example, the ultrahigh-pressure fluid at a selected temperature may be discharged through a nozzle to form an ultrahigh-pressure fluid jet to cut or clean any desired surface or object, or it may be discharged to a pressure vessel to pressure treat a substance.

Abstract: An assembly for changing the temperature of ultrahigh-pressure fluid as it flows through ultrahigh-pressure tubing includes several thermally conductive blocks. Each block has a first bore through which the ultrahigh-pressure tubing passes, and a second bore containing a source of heating or cooling. Alternatively, resistance heating is used to increase the temperature of the ultrahigh-pressure fluid, by coupling electrodes to the outer surface of the tubing. The ultrahigh-pressure fluid is heated or cooled after it is pressurized, and is then discharged from the ultrahigh-pressure tubing at a selected temperature for use. For example, the ultrahigh-pressure fluid at a selected temperature may be discharged through a nozzle to form an ultrahigh-pressure fluid jet to cut or clean any desired surface or object, or it may be discharged to a pressure vessel to pressure treat a substance.