Abstract: Disclosed is a pressure transducer including a body made of a material having a first coefficient of thermal expansion, a fluidic inlet and a fluidic cavity enclosed by the body in fluidic communication with the fluidic inlet. The pressure transducer further includes a strain gauge including a resistive element in operable contact with the body. At least a portion of the resistive element made of a material having a second coefficient of thermal expansion that is different from the first coefficient of thermal expansion of the body. Disclosed further is a pressure transducer including a filler body located in a fluidic cavity of the pressure transducer configured to reduce adiabatic thermal effects on a transducer body. Disclosed are systems and methods incorporating the pressure transducers described herein.

Abstract: Techniques and apparatus for diagnostic processes for analytical instruments are described. In one embodiment, for example, an apparatus may include at least one memory, and logic coupled to the at least one memory. The logic may be configured to receive diagnostic information associated with at least one analytical instrument, and process the diagnostic information using a computational model to generate at least one diagnostic model for at least one diagnostic. Other embodiments are described.

Abstract: Disclosed is a pressure transducer including a body made of a material having a first coefficient of thermal expansion, a fluidic inlet and a fluidic cavity enclosed by the body in fluidic communication with the fluidic inlet. The pressure transducer further includes a strain gauge including a resistive element in operable contact with the body. At least a portion of the resistive element made of a material having a second coefficient of thermal expansion that is different from the first coefficient of thermal expansion of the body. Disclosed further is a pressure transducer including a filler body located in a fluidic cavity of the pressure transducer configured to reduce adiabatic thermal effects on a transducer body. Disclosed are systems and methods incorporating the pressure transducers described herein.

Abstract: Disclosed is a pressure transducer including a body made of a material having a first coefficient of thermal expansion, a fluidic inlet and a fluidic cavity enclosed by the body in fluidic communication with the fluidic inlet. The pressure transducer further includes a strain gauge including a resistive element in operable contact with the body. At least a portion of the resistive element made of a material having a second coefficient of thermal expansion that is different from the first coefficient of thermal expansion of the body. Disclosed further is a pressure transducer including a filler body located in a fluidic cavity of the pressure transducer configured to reduce adiabatic thermal effects on a transducer body. Disclosed are systems and methods incorporating the pressure transducers described herein.

Abstract: Techniques and apparatus for diagnostic processes for analytical instruments are described. In one embodiment, for example, an apparatus may include at least one memory, and logic coupled to the at least one memory. The logic may be configured to receive diagnostic information associated with at least one analytical instrument, and process the diagnostic information using a computational model to generate at least one diagnostic model for at least one diagnostic. Other embodiments are described.

Abstract: Disclosed is a pressure transducer including a body made of a material having a first coefficient of thermal expansion, a fluidic inlet and a fluidic cavity enclosed by the body in fluidic communication with the fluidic inlet. The pressure transducer further includes a strain gauge including a resistive element in operable contact with the body. At least a portion of the resistive element made of a material having a second coefficient of thermal expansion that is different from the first coefficient of thermal expansion of the body. Disclosed further is a pressure transducer including a filler body located in a fluidic cavity of the pressure transducer configured to reduce adiabatic thermal effects on a transducer body. Disclosed are systems and methods incorporating the pressure transducers described herein.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention feature a method and apparatus for detecting defects, such as, leaks, component failure and adverse performance. One embodiment of the present apparatus for pumping fluid comprises a pumping chamber having an inlet and an outlet powered by a motor. The motor operates in pumping mode upon receiving a pumping signal. The apparatus further comprises at least one inlet valve in fluid communication with the inlet of the pumping chamber. And, the apparatus comprises a switchable valve in fluid communication with the outlet of the pumping chamber. The switchable valve has a closed position and an open position, and assumes the closed position upon receiving a close signal. A pressure measuring device is in fluid communication with the pumping chamber, between said inlet valve and switchable valve. The pressure measuring device determines a minimal pressure and first threshold pressure at a first time and a second threshold pressure at a second time.

Abstract: A thermal exchanger for a liquid chromatography system is provided. The tube-in-tube thermal exchanger comprises a first and a second sections of tubing, a first connector and a second connector. The first section of tubing carries sample solution from the packed chromatography column. The second tubing carries the sample solution from the detector out of the system, i.e., in an opposite direction to the direction of the first section of tubing. Both the first section of tubing and the second section of tubing connect to the first connector, which combines the two sections of tubing into a thermal exchange tubing. The thermal exchange tubing comprises the first section of tubing placed inside the second section of tubing such that waste fluid from the second tubing can optimally exchange thermal energy with fluid from the chromatography column. The thermal exchange tubing is configured into a plurality of coils.

Abstract: A serial, dual piston high pressure fluid pumping system that overcomes the difficulties of gas in the fluid stream without the need for added mechanical valves or fluid paths. A bubble detection and recovery mechanism monitors compression and decompression volumes of the serially configured dual pump head pump, and the overall system delivery pressure. Bubble detection is effected by sensing a ratio of compression to decompression volume and determining if the ratio exceeds an empirical threshold that suggests the ratio of gas-to-liquid content of eluent or fluid in the system is beyond the pump's ability to accurately meter a solvent mixture. The magnitude of the ratio of compression to decompression volume indicates that either the intake stroke has a bubble or that the eluent has a higher-than-normal, gas content.

Abstract: A serial, dual piston high pressure fluid pumping system that overcomes the difficulties of gas in the fluid stream without the need for added mechanical valves or fluid paths. A bubble detection and recovery mechanism monitors compression and decompression volumes of the serially configured dual pump head pump, and the overall system delivery pressure. Bubble detection is effected by sensing a ratio of compression to decompression volume and determining if the ratio exceeds an empirical threshold that suggests the ratio of gas-to-liquid content of eluent or fluid in the system is beyond the pump's ability to accurately meter a solvent mixture. The magnitude of the ratio of compression to decompression volume indicates that either the intake stroke has a bubble or that the eluent has a higher-than-normal gas content.

Abstract: An improved gradient proportioning valve compensates for hydraulic inertia in a compact, reliably sealed valve assembly that is less susceptible to unswept volumes and gas permeation. A flat diaphragm is located within an accumulator volume integral to a valve manifold block. The compliance and damping of the diaphragm are optimized for the application's flow characteristics. Sealing of the diaphragm is provided by a sealing plug installed in the manifold block. The diaphragm has only one sealing joint. The sealing plug configuration allows for a more reliable clamping and sealing of the diaphragm which reduces and substantially eliminates the potential for leaks. Potential for unswept volumes is substantially eliminated by including the accumulator volume as a unitary part of the valve manifold. Air permeation into the fluid stream is substantially reduced by a reduction in surface area and exposed liquid volume in the accumulator, effected by including the accumulator volume as part of the valve manifold.

Abstract: A serial, dual piston high pressure fluid pumping system that overcomes the difficulties of gas in the fluid stream without the need for added mechanical valves or fluid paths. A bubble detection and recovery mechanism monitors compression and decompression volumes of the serially configured dual pump head pump, and the overall system delivery pressure. Bubble detection is effected by sensing a ratio of compression to decompression volume and determining if the ratio exceeds an empirical threshold that suggests the ratio of gas-to-liquid content of eluent or fluid in the system is beyond the pump's ability to accurately meter a solvent mixture. The magnitude of the ratio of compression to decompression volume indicates that either the intake stroke has a bubble or that the eluent has a higher-than-normal gas content.

Abstract: A pump configured so that tools are not required to remove the pump head and disassemble the plunger. A single large hand operated knob or head nut facilitates tool-less pump head removal. The pump head is guided into position in a manifold and held in place by the hand knob. The manifold is designed to receive all the external fluidic connections made to the pump head. Fluid paths to the pump head have been replaced with miniature face seals which facilitate high pressure sealing between the pump head and manifold. Low pressure tubing seals reside in a seal wash chamber or housing and are not attached to the head, eliminating the need for tooling to disconnect them during pump head removal. A tool-less plunger mechanism includes a nutcap assembly having a plunger socket receiving a plunger assembly including a sapphire plunger fixed to a plunger holder ball accommodated by the socket. The plunger assembly is captured within the socket by a plurality of cams.

Abstract: A serial, dual piston high pressure fluid pumping system that overcomes the difficulties of gas in the fluid stream without the need for added mechanical valves or fluid paths. A bubble detection and recovery mechanism monitors compression and decompression volumes of the serially configured dual pump head pump, and the overall system delivery pressure. Bubble detection is effected by sensing a ratio of compression to decompression volume and determining if the ratio exceeds an empirical threshold that suggests the ratio of gas-to-liquid content of eluent or fluid in the system is beyond the pump's ability to accurately meter a solvent mixture. The magnitude of the ratio of compression to decompression volume indicates that either the intake stroke has a bubble or that the eluent has a higher-than-normal gas content.