A pressure calibration device can include certain features that allow it to be used with a variety of hydraulic and pneumatic systems. A pressure calibration device can be configured to provide pressure or vacuum, and can have a mode selector for selecting to provide pressure or vacuum. A pressure calibration device can have a volume adjuster configured to modify pressures for hydraulic or pneumatic systems. A pressure calibration device can have a pressure release valve and a bleed valve for adjusting pressure values.

A pressure calibration device can include certain features that allow it to be used with a variety of hydraulic and pneumatic systems. A pressure calibration device can be configured to provide pressure or vacuum, and can have a mode selector for selecting to provide pressure or vacuum. A pressure calibration device can have a volume adjuster configured to modify pressures for hydraulic or pneumatic systems. A pressure calibration device can have a pressure release valve and a bleed valve for adjusting pressure values.

A pneumatic pump control system includes a pump chamber having a top end and a bottom end, an air valve coupled to the top end of the pump chamber, and a discharge tube within the pump chamber. The discharge tube has a first end coupled to the top of the pump chamber, and a second end having a J-shape terminating in an opening facing the top of the pump chamber. An inlet check valve is positioned at the bottom end of the pump chamber to let the liquid into the pump chamber when the air valve is open. A discharge check valve is coupled to the opening of the discharge tube and is configured to open when a liquid level within the pump chamber rises above a predetermined high level. Compressed air introduced into the pump chamber forces the liquid into the discharge tube and out of the pump chamber.

Non-clogging airlift pumps and associated systems and methods employing said pumps. The airlift pumps generally include an enclosed air tank within which is located a hollow cylinder having an open top and a closed bottom wall. A gas (e.g., air) line passes into the air tank for supplying gas thereto. A suction port is located in the bottom wall of the cylinder, and a substantially vertically-oriented discharge pipe passes through a top wall of the air tank such that an intake end of the discharge pipe resides within the cylinder. Multiple airlift pumps may be used in conjunction in a given application.

A rotary energy recovery device (11) wherein a multi-channel cylindrical rotor (15) revolves with its end faces (32) juxtaposed in sealing relationship with end surfaces (33) of a pair of flanking end covers (19, 21), and wherein inlet and outlet fluid passageways (27, 29) are provided in each end cover. Fluid may be directed into the rotor channels (16) and allowed to exit therefrom in an axial direction parallel to the axis of the rotor; however, rotor revolution is self-driven as a result of the interior design of the channels (16) which extend axially through the rotor and are shaped so that fluid flow therethrough creates a torque.

A rotary energy recovery device (11) wherein a multi-channel cylindrical rotor (15) revolves with its end faces (32) juxtaposed in sealing relationship with end surfaces (33) of a pair of flanking end covers (19, 21), and wherein inlet and outlet fluid passageways (27, 29) are provided in each end cover. Fluid may be directed into the rotor channels (16) and allowed to exit therefrom in an axial direction parallel to the axis of the rotor; however, rotor revolution is self-driven as a result of the interior design of the channels (16) which extend axially through the rotor and are shaped so that fluid flow therethrough creates a torque.

A fluidics module rotatable about a rotational center includes first and second chambers and a compression chamber. First and second fluid channels are provided between the first and second chambers and the compression chamber, respectively. The flow resistance of the second fluid channel is smaller, for a flow of liquid from the compression chamber to the second chamber, than a flow resistance of the first fluid channel for a flow of liquid from the compression chamber to the first chamber. Upon rotation at a high rotational frequency, liquid is initially introduced from the first chamber into the compression chamber via the first fluid channel, so that a compressible medium is compressed within the compression chamber. Subsequently, the rotational frequency is reduced, so that the compressible medium within the compression chamber will expand and so that, thereby, liquid is driven into the second chamber via the second fluid channel.

A fluidics module rotatable about a rotational center includes first and second chambers and a compression chamber. First and second fluid channels are provided between the first and second chambers and the compression chamber, respectively. The flow resistance of the second fluid channel is smaller, for a flow of liquid from the compression chamber to the second chamber, than a flow resistance of the first fluid channel for a flow of liquid from the compression chamber to the first chamber. Upon rotation at a high rotational frequency, liquid is initially introduced from the first chamber into the compression chamber via the first fluid channel, so that a compressible medium is compressed within the compression chamber. Subsequently, the rotational frequency is reduced, so that the compressible medium within the compression chamber will expand and so that, thereby, liquid is driven into the second chamber via the second fluid channel.

Devices and methods for handling liquids are provided. The devices and methods make use of centrifugal forces to drive liquid flow and facilitate one or more of the mixing, metering and sequencing of liquids, for example on a microfluidic device.

A fluidics module rotatable about a rotational center includes first and second chambers and a compression chamber. First and second fluid channels are provided between the first and second chambers and the compression chamber, respectively. The flow resistance of the second fluid channel is smaller, for a flow of liquid from the compression chamber to the second chamber, than a flow resistance of the first fluid channel for a flow of liquid from the compression chamber to the first chamber. Upon rotation at a high rotational frequency, liquid is initially introduced from the first chamber into the compression chamber via the first fluid channel, so that a compressible medium is compressed within the compression chamber. Subsequently, the rotational frequency is reduced, so that the compressible medium within the compression chamber will expand and so that, thereby, liquid is driven into the second chamber via the second fluid channel.