Disclosed is a device for chromatographic separations comprising: a manifold comprising a manifold body defining an elongate central duct, the central duct comprising a centrally-located closable duct valve providing selective fluid communication between a first portion of the central duct and an opposed second portion of the central duct, a first plurality of connectors, each connector of the first plurality of connectors for connecting to a distinct chromatographic separation column and/or feed or extraction tubing or to a connector of an adjacent manifold; a second plurality of connectors, each connector of the second plurality of connectors for connecting to a distinct chromatographic separation column and/or feed or extraction tubing or to a connector of an adjacent manifold; wherein said manifold body further defines: a first plurality of branch ducts, each branch duct of which extending from the first portion of the central duct to an individual one of the first plurality of connectors, each of the branch ducts of the first plurality of branch ducts comprising a closable branch valve providing selectable fluid communication between a respective connector and the first portion of the central duct, a second plurality of branch ducts, each branch duct of which extending from the second portion of the central duct to an individual one of the second plurality of connectors, each of the branch ducts of the second plurality of branch ducts comprising a closable branch valve providing selectable fluid communication between a respective connector and the second portion of the central duct; first and second ports in fluid communication with the centrally-located closable duct valve wherein said first port communicates with said first portion of the central duct and said second port communicates with said second portion of said central duct, wherein one of said first and second ports is further positioned to communicate with said central duct at a location between the centrally-located closable duct valve and the first and second plurality of branch ducts, respectively.

The present invention relates to a valve unit (100) for a chromatography apparatus, the valve unit comprising a fluid inlet (110) configured to receive an input fluid, a fluid outlet (120) configured to provide an output fluid, a first pair of fluid ports (131,132) configured to be coupled to a first column, a second pair (141,142) of fluid ports configured to be coupled to a second column, a coupling valve assembly (200) configured to direct fluid between a selection of the fluid inlet (110), the fluid outlet (120), the first pair of fluid ports (131,132) and the second pair of fluid ports (141,142) in response to one or more control signals, wherein the coupling valve assembly is configured to direct fluid using a selection of membrane valves coupled by fluid channels comprised in a body of the coupling valve assembly. The invention further relates to a chromatography apparatus comprising the valve unit and a membrane valve comprised in the valve unit.

Disclosed is a gradient proportioning valve for liquid chromatography that includes a plurality of inlet ports configured to receive a plurality of fluids, a manifold connected to each of the plurality of inlet ports configured to mix the plurality of fluids in a controlled manner to provide a fluid composition, the manifold including a plurality of conduits internal to the manifold, each of the plurality of conduits receiving fluid through a respective one of the plurality of inlet ports, an actuation mechanism having a piston located within a bored structure surrounding the piston, the actuation mechanism configured to open and close at least one of the plurality of conduits in a controlled manner where the piston and the bored structure have a tight tolerance configured to create a fluid tight seal, and a common outlet port configured to receive the fluid composition.

A gas chromatograph that includes a metering chamber, two separating devices and a multiport valve unit having switching functions for metering, straight separation, cutting and backflush, where the multiport valve unit is formed as a multiport diaphragm valve.

Disclosed is a gradient proportioning valve for liquid chromatography that includes a plurality of inlet ports configured to receive a plurality of fluids, a manifold connected to each of the plurality of inlet ports configured to mix the plurality of fluids in a controlled manner to provide a fluid composition, the manifold including a plurality of conduits internal to the manifold, each of the plurality of conduits receiving fluid through a respective one of the plurality of inlet ports, an actuation mechanism having a piston located within a bored structure surrounding the piston, the actuation mechanism configured to open and close at least one of the plurality of conduits in a controlled manner where the piston and the bored structure have a tight tolerance configured to create a fluid tight seal, and a common outlet port configured to receive the fluid composition.

A sample injection diaphragm valve is provided, as well as a plunger assembly and a method of operating the valve. The valve includes a valve head and a valve body. The valve includes a diaphragm positioned between the valve head and the valve body. The diaphragm has a process groove seated in the recess of the valve body for circulating fluid therein. Plungers are slidably fitted in plunger passages of the valve body. Each plunger is movable between a closed position wherein the plunger deforms the diaphragm and blocks fluid circulation between two process ports, and an open position wherein the plunger is retracted away from the diaphragm, thereby allowing fluid to circulate in the process groove. The plungers have linear lips extending across the top face of the plungers for pressing against the diaphragm when in the closed position.

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.

A multiport gas chromatograph piston valve includes a first plate, a first diaphragm, a second plate, a second diaphragm, a plurality of pistons, and a third plate. The first plate has a bottom surface and includes a plurality of analytical gas ports. The first diaphragm is disposed adjacent the bottom surface of the first plate. The first diaphragm includes a gas flow path in fluidic communication with the plurality of analytical gas ports. The second plate has a plurality of apertures therethrough. The plurality of pistons, each piston having a base and a cylindrical portion that is configured to be slidably received by a respective aperture in the second plate, are disposed such that the bases of the pistons are in substantially one plane when the valve is not actuated. A second diaphragm includes a first plurality of gas pockets and a second plurality of gas pockets, wherein the first plurality of gas pockets are disposed adjacent a first set of pistons, and the second plurality of gas pockets are disposed adjacent a second set of pistons. The third plate includes a first gas activation port and a second gas activation port, the first gas activation port being fluidically coupled to the first plurality of gas pockets, and wherein the second gas activation port is coupled to the second plurality of gas pockets.

A valve may be utilized in a high-performance chromatography system for separating components of a sample liquid introduced into a mobile phase. The valve has a first valve element and a second valve element. By a movement of one valve element relative to the other, a first effective surface of the first valve element is brought into connection with a second effective surface of the second valve element, and a flow path may be produced or suppressed. The second valve element has an elastic region to compensate for an axial angle between the first valve element and the second valve element, such that the first effective surface and the second effective surface may be oriented parallel to each other. This may favorably influence a fluidic leak tightness and/or longevity of the valve.

A connection device (1; 101) configured for connecting a separation system (3) with a separation device (5), wherein a fluid can be flowed from a separation system outlet connection (19), through a bypass fluid path (27) of the connection device to the separation system inlet connection (15) while a connected separation device (5) is by passed. For achieving this at least one of an inlet and an outlet valve (31, 33) provided in the connection device is provided in a closed state and at least one bypass valve (35; 35a, 35b) provided in the connection device is provided in an open state.