Abstract: Exemplary embodiments are directed to apparatus, systems and methods used in connection with a needle valve device operating in a pressurized flow system. The apparatus, systems and methods provide for automatic positioning of a needle relative to a seat in the needle valve device to provide consistent calibration with minimal user interaction after a maintenance event or upon a start-up of the pressurized flow system. The apparatus, systems and methods utilize a calibration collar secured to a shaft of an actuator within the needle valve device. The calibration collar includes one or more locking mechanism and a spring.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments are directed to modular solenoid valve kits and associated methods, generally involving a valve body that includes a plurality of actuator section components and a plurality of head section components. The plurality of actuator section components includes a drive solenoid, a solenoid return spring, a stroke calibration collar and an actuator-to-head calibration collar. The plurality of head section components includes a needle, a stem return spring, a seal and a seat. The plurality of actuator section components and head section components are adapted to be interchanged to create a pull-through normally open valve, a pull-through normally closed valve, a push-in normally open valve and a push-in normally closed valve. That is, the kits and methods allow for modification of one valve type (e.g., a pull-through normally open valve, a pull-through normally closed valve, a push-in normally open valve and a push-in normally closed valve) into a different type.

Abstract: A method of liquid chromatography includes providing one or more solvent reservoirs, providing a solvent pump, drawing one or more solvents into the pump in response to a pressure drop that promotes outgassing of the solvents, and dispersing outgassed bubbles into smaller bubbles to promote re-dissolution of the gas. A liquid-chromatography apparatus includes at least two solvent reservoirs, a pump, at least one bubble-dispersing unit that receives a pressurized flow of proportioned solvents from the pump, and a control unit. The control unit includes a processor and a memory that stores instructions; the control unit controls proportioning of solvents to obtain a preselected solvent composition, and pumping at flow rates to support preparative-scale or process-scale liquid chromatography.

Abstract: Described are embodiments of a pump having a diagnostic port that enables users and support personnel to diagnose the source of a pump leak. The diagnostic port is monitored visually or with a pressure or liquid detection sensor. In some embodiments, fluid detected at the diagnostic port corresponds to a leak around a circumference defined at an outer sealing surface of a high pressure seal. In other embodiments, fluid detected at the diagnostic port corresponds to a leak around a plunger at the inside diameter of the high pressure seal. Multiple diagnostic ports can be provided to allow separate determinations of leaks about the different portions of the high pressure seal. The embodiments may eliminate the need to disassemble the pump to determine the source of leaks. Thus the effort required to diagnose and repair the pump can be substantially reduced, and fewer misdiagnosed components are ordered or replaced.

Abstract: A supercritical fluid chromatography system is provided with an injection valve subsystem for introducing a sample into a flow of mobile phase fluid. The injection valve subsystem includes an auxiliary valve and an inject valve. The operations of the auxiliary and inject valves are coordinated in such a manner as to reduce sample carry-over and system pressure perturbations occurring during sample injection.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure relate to systems and methods comprising a dynamic pressure regulator and a force balance needle that regulate pressure changes due to flow or composition changes in a pressurized flow system, such as, for example, a CO2-based chromatography system.

Abstract: Described is a method of reducing liquid composition errors in a low-pressure mixing pump system. Packets representing the switching intervals of each component of the desired fluid mixture are provided to an intake of the mixing pump system. For each packet, a switching time associated with at least one of the components in the packet is modulated. Modulated switching times are based on time offsets that are specifically selected according to the undesirable frequency characteristic of an intake response of the mixing pump system. The average of the volumes contributed by the packets thus modulated is equal to a component volume that achieves a desired proportion of the component in the output flow of the mixing pump system. Modulated switching times enable the reduction or elimination of composition error in the output flow of the mixing pump system.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure include systems, apparatuses, and methods that are directed to controlling pressure in a pressurized flow system, such as a C02-based chromatography system or other pressurized flow systems. Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure comprise one or more apparatuses, systems or methods for implementing multiple pressure regulators to control pressure. In addition to providing pressure control, apparatuses, systems and methods described herein dampen damaging thermal effects caused by pressure drops of a mobile phase including C02.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments are directed to devices, methods and systems capable of pressurization, generally involving a flow system that includes a pressurized reservoir, at least one pump including a pump control valve, an outlet port, a shut-off valve and a vent valve. The flow system is configured to be pressurized. The shut-off valve is disposed between the pressurized reservoir and the at least one pump. The vent valve is disposed between the at least one pump and the outlet port. The shut-off valve, the vent valve and the pump control valve of the at least one pump are configured to actuate in a coordinated manner to control a pressurization of the flow system. Exemplary embodiments are further directed to devices, methods and systems for column switching, generally including at least a first column, a second column and a column switching valve.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to limiting a rate or pressurization in a reconfigurable pressurized flow system for which different system configurations can have different system volumes. In exemplary embodiments, the system can determine a limit for the rate of pressurization by configuring the system for a closed system rate of pressurization, measuring the closed system rate of pressurization at a set flow rate, and determining a relationship between the closed system rate of pressurization and the flow rate. The system can use the relationship to dynamically set the limit for different flow rates in the system.

Abstract: Described is a self-sealing thermal enclosure. In various embodiments, the self-sealing thermal enclosure includes an enclosure having a wall with an opening. The enclosure is configured to surround a temperature-controlled environment. The self-sealing thermal enclosure also includes a porous seal disposed adjacent to the wall at the opening. The porous seal is compressible and is fabricated from an open cell foam material. When the porous seal has absorbed a fluid such as a condensate, the temperature-controlled environment is sealed from an ambient environment such that the flow of air into or out of the enclosure is substantially reduced or eliminated.

Abstract: The invention generally provides a dynamic back pressure regulator. In exemplary embodiments, the back pressure regulator includes an inlet, an outlet, a seat disposed between the inlet and the outlet and defining at least part of a fluid pathway, and a needle displaceable relative to the seat to form a restriction region therebetween for restricting fluid flow between the inlet and the outlet. In some embodiments, the needle can be formed of a chemically resistant ceramic or have a metal plating to provide corrosion and/or erosion resistance.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments are directed to vent valves, systems and methods generally involving a valve body that includes a seat retainer, a needle and a seat. The seat includes a bore extending there through and the needle includes a needle stem and a needle head. The seat is disposed inside the seat retainer. The needle stem is disposed inside the bore. The needle is configured to be pulled through the seat to stop flow through the bore. Exemplary embodiments are further directed to a system including a stem return spring mechanism and a solenoid return spring mechanism. A processing device is configured to actuate the solenoid return spring mechanism to permit the stem return spring mechanism to pull the needle through the seat to stop flow through the bore.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to manipulating pressure-related hysteresis in a pressurized flow system by setting the pressure of the system to a predetermined location in the hysteresis band to advantageously minimize an effect of the pressure related hysteresis on the pressure of the system or to advantageously benefit from the effects of the hysteresis on the pressure of the system.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments are directed to systems and methods used to minimize force variation from a solenoid through an operating stroke. The systems and methods generate a near constant or substantially constant force solenoid assembly which can be used in a force driven device, such as, for example, a pressure regulator for accurately controlling pressure in a pressurized flow system. The systems and methods are based on an initial solenoid characterization and include an application of springs and placement of the solenoid within the system at a gap distance to minimize variation in force in the operating stroke of a commercially available solenoid.

Abstract: Systems and methods for operating a stepper motor of a pump at a desired low velocity include memory for storing information corresponding to an intake velocity profile. The intake velocity profile represents an optimized acceleration curve for operating the stepper motor over a range of motor velocities during an intake cycle. A processor of a system controller dynamically accesses the memory during the intake cycle to acquire the information representing the intake velocity profile and issues a series of pulses to the stepper motor based on this information. In response to the pulses, the stepper motor accelerates in accordance with the optimized acceleration curve represented by the intake velocity profile. The optimized acceleration curve is based on the available torque of the stepper motor across a range of motor velocities and enables the motor to operate with greater torque utilization and less margin than traditional linear acceleration profiles.

Abstract: Described is a method of reducing liquid composition errors in a low-pressure mixing pump system. Packets representing the switching intervals of each component of the desired fluid mixture are provided to an intake of the mixing pump system. For each packet, a switching time associated with at least one of the components in the packet is modulated. Modulated switching times are based on time offsets that are specifically selected according to the undesirable frequency characteristic of an intake response of the mixing pump system. The average of the volumes contributed by the packets thus modulated is equal to a component volume that achieves a desired proportion of the component in the output flow of the mixing pump system. Modulated switching times enable the reduction or elimination of composition error in the output flow of the mixing pump system.

Abstract: Mixers in microfluidic separation systems comprise multiple fluidic paths that extend from a distribution well to a mixing well. An incoming flow of solvent composition splits at the distribution well into as many streams as fluidic paths. The streams recombine at the mixing well to produce an output stream. One embodiment has fluidic paths with different dwell volumes that determine a percentage of the incoming flow flowing through each path. These dwell volumes can be targeted to attenuate a known noise characteristic in the incoming compositional flow. Another embodiment of mixer has a contoured surface disposed between the distribution and mixing wells. The paths extend from the distribution well to the mixing well through this contoured surface, each path passing through a different valley defined by opposing upwardly sloping banks. The valleys can have different dwell volumes that determine a percentage of the incoming compositional flow flowing through each valley.

Abstract: Systems and methods for operating a stepper motor of a pump at a desired low velocity include memory for storing information corresponding to an intake velocity profile. The intake velocity profile represents an optimized acceleration curve for operating the stepper motor over a range of motor velocities during an intake cycle. A processor of a system controller dynamically accesses the memory during the intake cycle to acquire the information representing the intake velocity profile and issues a series of pulses to the stepper motor based on this information. In response to the pulses, the stepper motor accelerates in accordance with the optimized acceleration curve represented by the intake velocity profile. The optimized acceleration curve is based on the available torque of the stepper motor across a range of motor velocities and enables the motor to operate with greater torque utilization and less margin than traditional linear acceleration profiles.

Abstract: Described is a method of reducing liquid composition errors in a low-pressure mixing pump system. Packets representing the switching intervals of each component of the desired fluid mixture are provided to an intake of the mixing pump system. For each packet, a switching time associated with at least one of the components in the packet is modulated. Modulated switching times are based on time offsets that are specifically selected according to the undesirable frequency characteristic of an intake response of the mixing pump system. The average of the volumes contributed by the packets thus modulated is equal to a component volume that achieves a desired proportion of the component in the output flow of the mixing pump system. Modulated switching times enable the reduction or elimination of composition error in the output flow of the mixing pump system.