Abstract: Methods and systems of testing for a gas leak between an inlet zone and an outlet zone of a gas flow component in a shut state are provided. Different tracer and carrier gases are used. The carrier gas is circulated through the outlet zone of the gas flow component to purge the tracer gas from this outlet zone. A spectroscopic emission from the carrier gas indicative of an amount of the purged tracer gas is monitored. A test flow of the tracer gas is introduced in the inlet zone of the gas flow component, and the inlet pressure is increased for successive pressure increments. The presence of a gas leak is determined upon detecting an intensity step variation in the monitored spectroscopic emission following one of the pressure increments in the inlet pressure.

Abstract: A magnetic metering valve is provided. The valve includes a body assembly, first and second fluid passages opening into a hollow chamber within the body assembly, a first controllable source of magnetic field operable to generate a first magnetic field within the hollow chamber, and a valve assembly. The valve assembly includes first and second caps covering the ports, the caps being configured to oscillate relative to the ports in response to a change of fluid pressure in the hollow chamber, the first and second caps comprising respective first and second ferromagnetic elements to interrupt or control a flow of the fluid through the first and second ports responsive to the magnetic field in the hollow chamber. In an aspect of the invention, a method of purging the metering valve is provided. A method of operating the metering valve is also provided.

Abstract: A ball valve is provided. The ball valve includes at least one load varying mechanism provided in the static body assembly. The load varying mechanism includes a biasing member pressing one of the ball seat seals against the outer surface of the ball of the ball valve with a variable sealing load force applied on the ball, toward the ball and coaxial with the direction of the fluid. The load varying mechanism also includes a movable member operatively connected to a cam and to the biasing member, a rotation of the cam translating the movable member coaxially to the direction of the fluid, in order to variably load the biasing member toward or away from the ball, based on the different positions of the ball.

Abstract: A valve having a valve cap with a plurality of process conduits extending therethrough, each one of the plurality of process conduits ending in a process port at a valve cap interface. The valve also has a valve body defining a valve body interface facing the valve cap interface, a diaphragm positioned between the valve cap interface and the valve body interface, across the process ports, and a purge line provided through one of the valve cap and the valve body. The valve further comprises a sealing assembly located in the valve body. The sealing assembly is configured and positioned to block fluid leaked through the diaphragm such that the fluid leaked through the diaphragm is discharged via and exit of the purge line of the valve. A chromatographic system including the valve and a method of operation thereof are also provided.

Abstract: A valve is provided. The valve includes a body provided with fluid passages for circulating fluid therein. The body has a body interface with ports connected to the fluid passages. The valve also includes a valve element having a valve element interface facing the body interface. The valve element can move between different positions so as to permit or obstruct communication between the fluid passages. A biasing element biases the valve element interface against the body interface. A load varying mechanism is provided to load the biasing element with different sealing load forces according to the different positions of the valve element. The sealing load force applied on the rotor is thus decreased during rotation, reducing friction between the valve body and the valve element.

Abstract: An actuator for actuating a plunger of a valve is provided. The actuator has an inlet and includes first and second hollow caps. A main actuation assembly is provided between the caps. The main actuation assembly includes a deformable diaphragm; first and second chambers, static sealing elements and a main piston movable between actuated and unactuated positions. A biasing mechanism biases the piston in the unactuated position. When pressurized gas is flown through the inlet and/or drawn from the outlet of the actuator, the first chamber expands, moving the main piston from the unactuated position to the actuated position, an actuating stem connected to the main piston thereby sliding within a channel provided in the bottom cap. Stackable actuating assemblies can also be used between the caps. Using static sealing elements advantageously avoids friction between moving parts.

Abstract: A valve is provided. The valve includes a body provided with fluid passages for circulating fluid therein. The body has a body interface with ports connected to the fluid passages. The valve also includes a valve element having a valve element interface facing the body interface. The valve element can move between different positions so as to permit or obstruct communication between the fluid passages. A biasing element biases the valve element interface against the body interface. A load varying mechanism is provided to load the biasing element with different sealing load forces according to the different positions of the valve element. The sealing load force applied on the rotor is thus decreased during rotation, reducing friction between the valve body and the valve element.

Abstract: A valve includes a valve cap, a valve body and a diaphragm positioned between the valve cap and the valve body. The valve further includes a plurality of plungers movable, by an actuation system, between a closed position where the plunger engages the diaphragm, and an open position where the plunger is disengaged from the diaphragm. Each plunger includes a base section connected to the actuation system and a head projecting away therefrom, a top section extending between the base section and the diaphragm, wherein the top section includes a foot in contact with the head of the base section, and a biasing mechanism biasing the top section away from the diaphragm when the plunger is in the open position. Tangential contact points may also be provided between components of the actuation and the biasing mechanism for preventing a misalignment of the actuation system within the valve body.

Abstract: A valve having a valve cap with a plurality of process conduits extending therethrough, each one of the plurality of process conduits ending in a process port at a valve cap interface. The valve also has a valve body defining a valve body interface facing the valve cap interface, a diaphragm positioned between the valve cap interface and the valve body interface, across the process ports, and a purge line provided through one of the valve cap and the valve body. The valve further comprises a sealing assembly located in the valve body. The sealing assembly is configured and positioned to block fluid leaked through the diaphragm such that the fluid leaked through the diaphragm is discharged via and exit of the purge line of the valve. A chromatographic system including the valve and a method of operation thereof are also provided.

Abstract: An actuator for actuating a plunger of a valve is provided. The actuator has an inlet and includes first and second hollow caps. A main actuation assembly is provided between the caps. The main actuation assembly includes a deformable diaphragm; first and second chambers, static sealing elements and a main piston movable between actuated and unactuated positions. A biasing mechanism biases the piston in the unactuated position. When pressurized gas is flown through the inlet and/or drawn from the outlet of the actuator, the first chamber expands, moving the main piston from the unactuated position to the actuated position, an actuating stem connected to the main piston thereby sliding within a channel provided in the bottom cap. Stackable actuating assemblies can also be used between the caps. Using static sealing elements advantageously avoids friction between moving parts.

Abstract: An actuator for actuating a plunger of a valve is provided. The actuator has an inlet and includes first and second hollow caps. A main actuation assembly is provided between the caps. The main actuation assembly includes a deformable diaphragm; first and second chambers, static sealing elements and a main piston movable between actuated and unactuated positions. A biasing mechanism biases the piston in the unactuated position. When pressurized gas is flown through the inlet and/or drawn from the outlet of the actuator, the first chamber expands, moving the main piston from the unactuated position to the actuated position, an actuating stem connected to the main piston thereby sliding within a channel provided in the bottom cap. Stackable actuating assemblies can also be used between the caps. Using static sealing elements advantageously avoids friction between moving parts.

Abstract: A valve is provided. The valve includes a body provided with fluid passages for circulating fluid therein. The body has a body interface with ports connected to the fluid passages. The valve also includes a valve element having a valve element interface facing the body interface. The valve element can move between different positions so as to permit or obstruct communication between the fluid passages. A biasing element biases the valve element interface against the body interface. A load varying mechanism is provided to load the biasing element with different sealing load forces according to the different positions of the valve element. The sealing load force applied on the rotor is thus decreased during rotation, reducing friction between the valve body and the valve element.

Abstract: A conical rotary valve for chromatographic applications is provided, including a valve stator, a valve rotor, a drive adaptor and a pair of stoppers each mounted to the stator. The drive adaptor is rotatable and coupled to the valve rotor for transmitting a rotating force thereto. The drive adaptor has a body and a pair of radial arms projecting from the body radially outward from the axis of rotation on opposite sides thereof. Each of the pair of radial arms is movable along a respective arcuate travelling course with respect to the stator. The stoppers are each positioned to obstruct one of the radial arms at an end of the corresponding travelling course. The stoppers are positioned to simultaneously engage the radial arms, thereby balancing the reaction forces created within the valve when the radial arms reach the ends of their travelling courses.

Abstract: A valve comprising a valve cap, a valve body and a diaphragm positioned between the valve cap and the valve body. The valve further has a plurality of plungers movable, by an actuation system, between a closed position where the plunger engages the diaphragm, and an open position where the plunger is disengaged from the diaphragm. Each plunger comprises a base section connected to the actuation system and having a head projecting away therefrom; a top section extending between the base section and the diaphragm, the top section having a foot in contact with the head of the base section; and a biasing mechanism biasing the top section away from the diaphragm when the plunger is in the open position. Tangential contact points may also be provided between components of the actuation and the biasing mechanism for preventing a misalignment of the actuation system within the valve body.

Abstract: An actuator for actuating a plunger of a valve is provided. The actuator has an inlet and includes first and second hollow caps. A main actuation assembly is provided between the caps. The main actuation assembly includes a deformable diaphragm; first and second chambers, static sealing elements and a main piston movable between actuated and unactuated positions. A biasing mechanism biases the piston in the unactuated position. When pressurized gas is flown through the inlet and/or drawn from the outlet of the actuator, the first chamber expands, moving the main piston from the unactuated position to the actuated position, an actuating stem connected to the main piston thereby sliding within a channel provided in the bottom cap. Stackable actuating assemblies can also be used between the caps. Using static sealing elements advantageously avoids friction between moving parts.

Abstract: An actuator for actuating a plunger of a valve is provided. The actuator has an inlet and includes first and second hollow caps. A main actuation assembly is provided between the caps. The main actuation assembly includes a deformable diaphragm; first and second chambers, static sealing elements and a main piston movable between actuated and unactuated positions. A biasing mechanism biases the piston in the unactuated position. When pressurized gas is flown through the inlet and/or drawn from the outlet of the actuator, the first chamber expands, moving the main piston from the unactuated position to the actuated position, an actuating stem connected to the main piston thereby sliding within a channel provided in the bottom cap. Stackable actuating assemblies can also be used between the caps. Using static sealing elements advantageously avoids friction between moving parts.

Abstract: Plungers and plunger assemblies for a diaphragm-sealed valve are provided. Each plunger is adapted to be received in a passage of the valve body and includes a base member and an upper member having a transversal play in this passage with respect to the base member. A resilient middle element is provided between the upper and base member. The base member is connected to a plunger actuating mechanism within the valve body. The upper member may therefore be self-aligning within the passage.

Abstract: Plungers and plunger assemblies for a diaphragm-sealed valve are provided. Each plunger is adapted to be received in a passage of the valve body and includes a base member and an upper member having a longitudinal play in this passage with respect to the base member. A resilient middle element is provided between the upper and base member. The base member is connected to a plunger actuating mechanism within the valve body. Optionally, the upper member may be self-aligning within the passage. The plunger can be used to compensate for temperature variations experienced by the valve in use.

Abstract: A fitting component for receiving a tube is provided. The tube has a tube end inserted through a ferrule, the portion of the tube end extending beyond the ferrule being called a pilot. The fitting component comprises a body including a cavity for receiving the tube end and the ferrule. The cavity is defined by an inner lateral wall and opens on an extremity of the body. The cavity includes a pilot receiving section and a channel connecting the cavity to another portion of the body. A radial annular flange is located at the interface of the pilot receiving section with the channel. The flange has an annular sealing lip protruding towards the cavity. The sealing lip is for forming a seal with a radial surface of the pilot, advantageously reducing dead volumes within the fitting component when in use.