WO2019210406A1 - Distributeur de solvant hydrostatique - Google Patents

Distributeur de solvant hydrostatique Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2019210406A1
WO2019210406A1 PCT/CA2019/050559 CA2019050559W WO2019210406A1 WO 2019210406 A1 WO2019210406 A1 WO 2019210406A1 CA 2019050559 W CA2019050559 W CA 2019050559W WO 2019210406 A1 WO2019210406 A1 WO 2019210406A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
aliquot
valve
dispensing
series
liquid
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/CA2019/050559
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Zaid AL RAYYES
Original Assignee
Al Rayyes Zaid
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Al Rayyes Zaid filed Critical Al Rayyes Zaid
Priority to CA3097211A priority Critical patent/CA3097211A1/fr
Publication of WO2019210406A1 publication Critical patent/WO2019210406A1/fr

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01L—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE
    • B01L3/00—Containers or dishes for laboratory use, e.g. laboratory glassware; Droppers
    • B01L3/02—Burettes; Pipettes
    • B01L3/0289—Apparatus for withdrawing or distributing predetermined quantities of fluid
    • B01L3/0293—Apparatus for withdrawing or distributing predetermined quantities of fluid for liquids
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01L—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE
    • B01L3/00—Containers or dishes for laboratory use, e.g. laboratory glassware; Droppers
    • B01L3/02—Burettes; Pipettes
    • B01L3/0203—Burettes, i.e. for withdrawing and redistributing liquids through different conduits
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01L—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE
    • B01L2200/00—Solutions for specific problems relating to chemical or physical laboratory apparatus
    • B01L2200/06—Fluid handling related problems
    • B01L2200/0605—Metering of fluids
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
    • G01N31/00—Investigating or analysing non-biological materials by the use of the chemical methods specified in the subgroup; Apparatus specially adapted for such methods
    • G01N31/16—Investigating or analysing non-biological materials by the use of the chemical methods specified in the subgroup; Apparatus specially adapted for such methods using titration
    • G01N31/18—Burettes specially adapted for titration

Definitions

  • the present invention relates generally to a solvent dispenser and more particularly to a control process for dispensing fluids under hydrostatic pressure and thereby identifying unknown solutions.
  • Dispensing fluids or solutions is a technique that benefits countless applications in both science and industry sectors. Spending significant time for manually preparing every solution in a long dilution series instead of focusing on the experimental measurement is a difficult task. So, there exists a wide gap in the research tools available in the art which are used for dispensing fluids in analytical and electrochemical applications.
  • the process of present invention is in high demand for two main reasons as, it nullifies all the listed problems and the accuracy of its dispensing and identifying utilities are much higher when compared with the tools available in the art.
  • the proposed system is simple in its negligence of externally pressurized actuation where the liquid hydrostatics is the driving force and whose dynamics are modelled by a process that appropriates and identifies solutions accordingly.
  • An objective of the present invention is to utilize simple mechanics to dispense fluids or solutions accurately and precisely without the use of pumps or syringes under hydrostatic pressure.
  • the present invention provides a system, a process and a method for dispensing liquids or fluids or solutions.
  • the system of the present invention contains a burette having a liquid which dispenses under its natural gravitational influence. The instance, after a valve opens, the hydrostatic pressure for a fluid column is at its maximum relative value along with the liquid’s surface velocity. When the liquid dispenses, its gravitational potential energy decreases with the resulting loss of liquid, and it does so under transient behaviour. The result is a transient decay in a liquid’s surface velocity, the rate of which is intrinsic to its dynamic properties and allows the process to appropriate valve open periods portioning a liquid into an aliquot or series thereof.
  • the proposed system comprises a motorized mechanism that converts an incremental rotation into a decrement in the vertical displacement of a hollow tube such that a precise vertical decrement results in the dispensing of a precise fluid aliquot.
  • the motorized valve with an adjustable time delay is controlled by the observer feedback of a liquid level sensor such that a precise time delay results in the dispensing of a desired fluid aliquot.
  • the present invention further provides a method for controlling the actuation of a burette valve in dispensing fluid which is performed either in two ways, i.e., one has a fixed or standard valve open period and the other has a customizable period depending on desired aliquot capacity. The difference among both the methods is the interval of dispensing time per aliquot.
  • the present invention further provides a control process for actuating the burette valve for dispensing liquid, such that the process portions a liquid into precise aliquots by commanding valve open periods.
  • the process achieves valve open periods by controlling a burette valve via motor actuation, wherein the valve is either static or rotating during valve open periods.
  • the process for controlling a burette valve by means of motor actuation has a combination of a stationary magnetic body and a conductor that moves in tandem to dispensing liquid allows for induction, measurement and storage of electric potential.
  • the induced hydrostatic gradient serves as the driving force behind the dispensing of fluid aliquots.
  • the novel process creates aliquots and observes the resulting liquid capacity before relating these capacities to commanded valve open periods.
  • the system so proposed creates a hydrodynamic model and determines the identification of unknown solution in series. They can also be used to dispense two or more different solutions, one of which is unknown and the other is of known properties.
  • the present invention is also used for automating the production of dilution series and automating the performance of titration experiments.
  • the major benefit of the present invention is in the application and preparation of solution or dilution series in any field of interest, including but not limited to the pharmaceutical industry and chemistry laboratories.
  • FIG. 1 illustrates the motorized assembly according to the main embodiment of the present invention
  • FIG. 2 shows a side view of a single unit for a bolt-less design of the machine
  • FIG. 3 shows a front view of motor actuated burette according to an embodiment of the present invention
  • FIG. 4 shows a side view showing a reservoir and electric motor for valve control
  • FIG. 5 shows a top view illustrating the valve actuation according to an embodiment
  • FIG. 6 shows a front view of open-loop valve control with electrical observers.
  • the proposed system of the present invention is capable of dispensing and identifying fluids by virtue of their natural flow.
  • the fundamental aspect of its operation relies on the precise modelling of transient fluid dynamics, where such flow behavior is intrinsic to every Newtonian fluid dispensing under its own gravitational influence.
  • the dispenser according to the present invention takes full advantage of the gravitational potential of a fluid contained within a burette or a reservoir. By developing this system, the proposed process characterizes and dispenses the solutions at a great level of accuracy.
  • FIG. 1 it illustrates the main embodiment of the present invention, where the system comprises of several components, including a reservoir 01 , an elongated hollow bolt 02, an adjacent follower or nut 03, and a worm gear 04 driven by an electric motor 05. Furthermore, a tray or turntable 1 1 is responsible for coordinating the collection of a dispensed solution into the appropriate test tube or flask or container 13, an electric motor 12 to control turning the tray or turntable, a icroprocessor 21 to coordinate all functions, and a user interface 22 to allow the system to communicate with the user.
  • the assembly shown in FIG. 1 represents a main embodiment of the system.
  • the above components represent the parts comprising of a single machine or unit. Since each reservoir can only contain one solution type, then every unit is capable of dispensing one solution.
  • Each motor 05, 12 has a built-in rotary encoder that controls the motor’s stepwise rotation.
  • An incremental rotation of the electric motor 05 causes the same incremental rotation of the worm gear 04.
  • the worm gear’s 04 rotation transmits into the rotation of the worm follower 03, which is also a nut (therefore labeled as the follower or nut). Since the nut 03 is in a fixed vertical position (along with the reservoir, the worm gear/motor, and the turntable/motor) then its incremental rotation transmits to an incremental vertical displacement in its threaded bolt 02.
  • This bolt’s design incorporates an elongated section such that the upper portion of the bolt 02 remains unthreaded.
  • This unthreaded section protrudes through the bottom of the reservoir 01. Since this bolt 02 is hollow along its entire length, the reservoir 01 can only contain a volume of fluid such that the height of the fluid is equivalent to the height of the protruding bolt 02.
  • the equivalence between the fluid level in the reservoir 01 and the hollow bolt 02 is a property of hydrostatic equilibrium. Therefore, an incremental decrease in the bolt’s 02 height (actuated by the incremental rotation of the electric motor 05) is bound to disrupt the hydrostatic equilibrium in favour of the machine.
  • the incremental disruption of hydrostatic equilibrium acts as the driving force in this invention, such that a mechanically precise height reduction of the hollow bolt 02 actuates an invariant hydrostatic pressure gradient.
  • This gradient works to dispense the reservoir’s fluid through the hollow bolt 02 (which is then collected in a container 13 atop of the turntable 1 1 supported by an electric motor 12) until the fluid’s level equates the height of the hollow bolt 02, at which point the hydrostatic equilibrium is restored once again.
  • the mechanical design of both gear stages (Stage 1 is the worm gear 04 to follower or nut 03, Stage 2 is the nut 03 to the bolt 02) is optimized to control the relationship between an incremental rotation of the motor 05 and the resulting change in height of the hollow bolt 02. This mechanism thus negates the use of feedback sensors to monitor the fluid height. While probing the system’s hydrostatics means, the difficulties in monitoring and back solving for the pressure at every fluid height becomes effectively avoided in the present invention.
  • the incorporation of a hollow bolt 02 within a motorized worm-gear set 04 allows the invention to actuate precise decrements in the height of the bolt 02. Such decrements cause the discharge of an incremental fluid volume.
  • the worm gear set 04 and hollow bolt 02 are bypassed by using a liquid level sensor 103 to observe the transience in liquid level as the system portions a fluid into aliquots.
  • This observed transience allows the process to appropriate the valve open periods for producing the following aliquot series. As such the process produces series of aliquots by means of iterative open loop valve control.
  • This embodiment is seen in FIG. 2 and is also referred to as the bolt-less embodiment.
  • the bolt-less machine shown in FIG. 2 is comprised of several components, including a reservoir 100, a sensor 103 (to monitor the volume/height of solution in the reservoir), a valve 101 and an electric motor 102 (to control the valve). Further, it includes a tray/turntable 1 1 , an electric motor 12 (to control turn the tray/turntable), a microprocessor 21 (to coordinate all functions) and a user interface 22 to allow the system to communicate with the user.
  • the system Since the reservoir 100 is open to the surroundings, the system is reliant on hydrostatics to force a fluid out through the valve 101.
  • a certain valve open period with an electric motor 102, a certain aliquot of fluid dispenses, thus the height of the fluid in the reservoir decreases.
  • the valve 101 opens and closes precisely with the same amount of time, only smaller and smaller volumes of fluid is collected. This is a direct consequence of the fact that the hydrostatic pressure keeps decreasing whereas the valve 101 keeps opening for the same amount of time.
  • the bolt-less machine relies on liquid level sensor 103 to observe the resulting transience in liquid level as the system performs a dispensing protocol.
  • the process uses observations to create a hydrodynamic model relating valve actuation to transience in liquid level.
  • This model enables the process to appropriate its next series of valve open periods for producing the following aliquot series based on desirable capacities.
  • the process is independent of the type of hardware used to observe liquid transience; in later embodiments comprising a burette, the narrow glassware may restrict the process from employing a liquid level sensor.
  • the process employs an external observer provided by the scientist, such as a mass balance, to provide estimates of aliquot capacities produced. These estimates are relayed to the microprocessor 21 by the observer which then creates a hydrodynamic model unique to the natural properties of a dispensing liquid.
  • the system actuates the turntable’s motor 12 to spin the turntable 1 1 into position, such that the test tube or flask 13 aligns directly under the dispensing valve 101.
  • the machine is not only able to dispense variable volumes sequentially (i.e. without user interference), but is also able to coordinate which test tube or flask 13 receives which volume/aliquot.
  • This embodiment enables the system to create an indefinite variety of dilution series, calibration series (e.g. standard addition), and any other appropriate protocol for analytical applications including but not limited to pharmaceutical, medicinal, chemical, culinary, industrial or academic/research applications.
  • the reservoir 01 , 100 comprises of any desirable shape, including but not limited to a cylindrical, spherical, tubular, conical, cubic, rectangular, triangular, or any other shape of reservoir, including tapered prims.
  • the ideal shape of the reservoir in certain embodiments is any shape with a non-varying cross-sectional area.
  • the main embodiment’s reservoir 01 shows a regular cylinder in FIG. 1. The reason behind the use of a non-varying cross-sectional area is to ensure that every height decrement of the hollow bolt results in the dispensing of a known and calibrated volume aliquot. This way, the actual positioning of the bolt is not a concern, and the only dependent factor is the change in its height.
  • the hollow bolt is comprised of a threaded hollow cylinder of a suitable material.
  • the shape of the turntable 1 1 is round.
  • a conveyer belt replaces the turntable 1 1 to allow for a more appropriate configuration or assembly. Such embodiments are more suitable for industrial settings.
  • the size of the reservoir 01 , 100, hollow bolt 02, follower or nut 03, worm gear 04, motors 05, 12, 102 and turntable 1 1 are also variable from the smallest size to the largest size possible.
  • the material used for the reservoir 01 , 100 is glass, however in other embodiments the reservoir 01 , 100 is out of any possible material. This is similar for the hollow bolt 02, which is made out of glass in certain embodiments or of any appropriate material.
  • the main embodiment of the present invention has its application in the automation and creation of a solution/dilution series.
  • the series could range anywhere from a single sample to any other number of samples (10s, 100s, 1000s, etc.) depending on the desired use.
  • Such embodiments are capable of creating samples consisting of a range of volumes, anywhere from microliters, milliliters, liters and beyond depending on the user requirements.
  • the system has further applications in the identification of fluids or solutions.
  • the invention is sensitive to the hydrostatic properties of a fluid, meaning that it is capable of appreciating the density of a solution into a quantifiable and identifiable scale.
  • the main embodiment utilizes the 2-stage mechanism, the height decrements of the hollow bolts 02 are independent of the fluid contained in the reservoir 01 , and therefore the present invention behaves with the same mechanisms listed previously regardless of the fluid. This means, that a certain decrement in the height of the hollow bolt 02 results in the dispensing of the same volume increment no matter the fluid. The only difference being that different fluids will have different masses for the same volume increment dispensed.
  • Microprocessor 21 ensures that the turntable 11 aligns such that the first solution to dispense collects into the appropriate test tube or flask or container 13.
  • Microprocessor 21 sends a command to the worm gear’s electric motor 05, causing it to perform an incremental turn of the worm gear 04 and thus an increment or decrement in the height of the hollow bolt 02.
  • volume increment collects in appropriate flask or test-tube 13 and the microprocessor 21 sends the next command to the motor 05 responsible for dispensing the following fluid aliquot.
  • the turntable 11 is pre-numbered so that the user is able to define each test tube or flask 13 with its associated position. In a certain embodiment, where the system does not require a turntable 11 , then the positioning of the test tubes or flasks 13 remains the responsibility of the user, in which case this prompt bypasses.
  • Microprocessor 21 executes the following appropriate part of the algorithm responsible for the coordination and preparation of the desired solution series.
  • Microprocessor 21 ensures that the turntable 1 1 aligns such that the first solution to dispense collects into the appropriate test tube or flask or container 13.
  • Microprocessor 21 commands motor 05 to open valve 101 for a series of valve open periods where each period is respective to a desirable aliquot in series, producing an aliquot or series thereof.
  • Microprocessor 21 institutes a delay in motor 05 actuation between production periods, such to align the appropriate flask to its respective aliquot.
  • Sensor 103 maintains feedback about the volume or height of every solution in their respective reservoirs 100.
  • Microprocessor 21 interprets information from sensor 103 after dispensing all aliquots, relating the transience in liquid-level data to the valve open periods commanded previously, creating a hydrodynamic model that identifies liquid properties or allows the process to appropriate the next set of valve open periods to produce the following aliquot series.
  • Microprocessor 21 repeats the algorithm until the process dispenses a series of aliquots with desired precision in liquid quantities.
  • the system is capable of automating titration reactions and thus aids the user in the determination of any equivalence point precisely and reproducibly.
  • Such embodiments used alone or in combination with any other embodiments or applications.
  • FIG. 3 shows a front view of some embodiments, comprising a burette B and electric motor A for valve control, along with several other parts.
  • FIGS. 4 to 6 show respective views along the side, top and front of another embodiment comprising a reservoir or burette B and electric motor A for valve control, amongst other parts.
  • FIG. 3 is a setup of a certain embodiment.
  • an electric motor A fits to a burette B via an adapter C that joins a burette’s valve D to a motor shaft A’.
  • a secondary motor A rotates a turntable A’” beneath the burette outlet B’ accordingly, and allows the process to automate any series of solutions.
  • a nut D’ screws onto the valve from one end, as shown, along with a rubber O-ring D” such as to adjust the valve fit by pressing a PTFE seal D’” against or away from the burette.
  • a rotary encoder E is bound directly to the valve on one end and is responsible for angular position measurements.
  • a fixture F attaches the motor A and encoder to the burette B, both are stationary above the ground by means of a support G.
  • This fixture F also houses a power source H to power all components, including a user interface I, microprocessor J and electric motors A, A”, as seen in FIG. 3.
  • the process operates on external power sources.
  • a flask K beneath the outlet B’ collects its respective liquid aliquot; this process is capable of dispensing varieties of solution series, so an automated reception mechanism is quite desirable (as is set forth).
  • the part may house several peripherals to its central processing unit including timers, clocks, ports and memory.
  • an internal rotatory encoder allows a microprocessor J to measure and position the driving shaft A’ and their subsequent attachments.
  • This closed-loop control of shaft position is a preference employed by some embodiments, and is not required for the novel operation of open-loop portioning of liquids into aliquots.
  • rotary encoders E are positioned such that it is in alignment with the valve D on the opposite end and route its signals in a logic line, as in FIG. 3.
  • the process is able to monitor the actual position of the valve D and its channel in respect to its alignment with the burette B, such that an electric motor A remains under actuation until reaching the desired position of the burette valve D. It is employed to account for the slight inaccuracy in the adapter’s fit between its counterparts, since tiny misalignments in the channels of the setup were causing undesirable results in aliquot delivery.
  • the adapter is necessary to account for the variations in the burette’s valve D design to preserve the utility and compatibility of the process with existing glassware used in research.
  • the application of rotary encoder E depends on the manner of valve actuation.
  • the encoder E is useful, however in other embodiments employing valve sweeps, it is not as important.
  • the two manners of valve actuation are explained in the following paragraphs. These are applicable to all embodiments differently, and the process is capable of utilizing both actuation manners uniquely depending on the nature of a dispensing liquid and the particular setup employed.
  • the process works to deliver aliquots of liquid by actuating a motor A to turn the valve D in two distinct manners, in both of which, the total time the valve D spends in an open position corresponds to the delivery of a precise volume of solution.
  • the first manner is a direct approach; the valve channel is perpendicular to outlet flow when closed, such that a 90-degree rotation of the motor shaft A’ aligns the channel vertically in its open position, as shown in FIG. 3.
  • the total time in which the valve is open corresponds to the time that the valve remains under stationary alignment, in addition to a miniscule amount of time spent during the transition between ON and OFF positions.
  • the actuating motor shaft A’ turns at a predetermined angular velocity such that the valve channel sweeps in and out of alignment at a constant or transient rate.
  • a continuous rotation of the motor shaft A’ will result in two sweeps per revolution and thus yields two aliquots per revolution of a single channel valve.
  • the delivery of a single aliquot corresponds to the dynamic time spent under valve D alignment in a single sweep of the burette B between OFF, ON and OFF positions. Therefore, the volume of every aliquot in relation to the sweep rate is inherent to the variation in hydrodynamics along the burette column during every sweep.
  • the system may implement a delay before the next sweep such as to align a flask K for aliquot reception by rotating the turntable A’” appropriately.
  • the burette B channel has a larger diameter than the channel of its valve, a single constant sweep of the valve will normalize the variation in flow rate associated with the valve’s actuation.
  • This process is able to appropriate a valve open period by commanding a sweep velocity across the path length travelled by the valve between the onset and offset of liquid flow for every sweep.
  • a sweeping actuation performs in two main methods; the first method uses the same sweep velocity for every subsequent aliquot, which means that the valve remains open for the same time along every sweep. Application of this method refers to a liquid characterization protocol. For the second method, the sweep velocity and therefore the valve open period is different in every subsequent aliquot, which the process employs as a dispensing protocol.
  • the user Upon usage, the user fills the burette B to a certain level of dispensing liquid L and ensures that the flask K is in alignment beneath the burette’s outlet B’, as seen in FIG. 3. In addition, the user ensures a calibrated instrument by aligning the valve channel to a horizontal level in its closed setting, or to a vertical level for its open state. Afterwards, the user may choose one of the two methods as explained herein.
  • the first method employs a characterization protocol, whereas the second method employs a dispensing protocol.
  • the characterization protocol is an open loop process meaning the system operates regardless of the response or outcome. The protocol employs either manner of valve actuation as discussed to portion a liquid L into aliquots.
  • the process quantifies aliquot capacities by weight and relates aliquot capacity to its respective valve open period, creating a hydrodynamic model and thus concludes characterization.
  • the process applies a second method referred to as the dispensing protocol. This is also an open loop process in all embodiments wherein the process commands a series of valve open periods based on desirable aliquot capacity and data from a previous hydrodynamic model. The precise details of each method vary with the type of embodiment.
  • the characterization protocol involves the production of a calibration series and performs in the following manner.
  • the user specifies the number of individual aliquots required.
  • a microprocessor J reads this data and begins the delivery of the first aliquot by actuating the motor A to open the valve D for a predefined period using either of the two manners explained previously. After a certain interval of time, during which the valve is static or sweeping, the valve returns to its closed position and thus concludes its primary delivery of a single aliquot.
  • the microprocessor J actuates a secondary motor A” to position the turntable A’” such that the next flask K is beneath the burette B.
  • the main difference in the protocol between characterizing and dispensing modes is the interval of dispensing time per aliquot.
  • the former mode is fixed, as discussed, and the latter has an adjustable time interval for every aliquot so as to grant the user with more operational utility.
  • valve open period is the same in every respective or subsequent aliquot. So, in the context of a naturally dispensing liquid, as found in most embodiments, the resulting difference in volumes for a produced aliquot series depends solely on the hydrostatic transience inherent to any dispensing liquid. The process under characterization mode, helps in identifying the unknown properties based on the volume variation of delivered aliquots with respect to valve time or sweep.
  • the first embodiment For estimating capacity of every aliquot or series, the first embodiment employs an external tool whereas the following embodiments utilize an internal measurement technique.
  • the setup in FIG. 1 is taken to produce a solution series, the mass of each aliquot is measured using a mass balance and pre-weighed flasks K.
  • a mass balance is the most accurate and reliable device available.
  • the purpose of the invention is to alleviate the human error involved in visual measurements of volumes, a mass balance seems most appropriate.
  • the process is used to dispense a solution series under either protocol (characterizing or dispensing), and the interface prompts its user to indicate a mass (or volume) for every aliquot in series.
  • This information creates hydrodynamic models useful to the process in two main ways, the density of an unknown becomes identifiable, and the instrument may calibrate itself before implementing a dispensing protocol.
  • the user specifies using the user interface I, a desirable number of aliquots along with their respective volumes. Afterwards, the system uses the calibration data to appropriate a special valve open time interval for every aliquot, and proceeds to dispense the requested series using either manner of valve actuation (preferably sweeping), as previously discussed. As such, the user may iterate any protocol to gauge titration equivalence.
  • MHD magnetohydrodynamics
  • the process invented operates on a dynamic principle and measures an induced voltage in relation to the velocity of a conductor moving in tandem to a dispensing liquid contained within non-pressurized reservoirs, whereby the process implements a liquid characterization protocol or dispensing protocol. Therefore, magnetohydrodynamics is used in the measurement and proportioning of a naturally dispensing fluid, where the conductor is a surface body whose composition is solid in some embodiments. In other embodiments, the conductor is a surface film or internal electrolytic standard. As such, the choice of conductor material depends on the nature of a dispensing fluid.
  • the liquid L is contained inside a burette body B” held above a flask K by its supports G.
  • the bottom of the burette B is fitted with a valve D and a threaded nut D’, and alignment of the valve D and reservoir channels allow the liquid to dispense naturally.
  • the nut D’ seals the valve D by pressing a rubber O-ring D” and PTFE seal D’” upon the glass body, as shown in most figures.
  • the valve has a single channel to control the flow of liquids, so switching it ON and OFF requires one quarter of a revolution.
  • an electric motor A fits to the valve’s front end.
  • This motor A attaches to the burette B using a bracket fixture F’ and connects to the microprocessor J, which is able to provide various methods for liquid analysis or series production.
  • an onboard power source H as shown in FIG. 4, which offers portability. In other embodiments, where portability is not of concern, the process may operate on external power sources.
  • An onboard interface placed on the side of the burette B allows the user to employ the process under several useful protocols, including the choice of operation under characterizing or dispensing modes, as explained in previous embodiments.
  • Another component connected to the microprocessor J is a secondary electric motor A” and turntable A’”, which allow the process to coordinate and interchange between desired aliquots and their respective flasks or collectors K, as previously stated.
  • Methods of valve actuation described by the first embodiment are the same for this embodiment and others.
  • the preference between the first and second manners of valve actuation can depend on the desirable use of the process. If large aliquots are required, a stationary valve in its open position can be utilized. If smaller samples are required, the valve in rotational motion for dispensing aliquot can be utilized. In both manners, the process controls the period of time a valve spends in its open flow position.
  • the microprocessor J is used as a combination of parts that induce an output signal, for valve control and liquid characterization.
  • a permanent magnet M fits along the length or width of the burette B with each pole on either side and is supported by rails or mounts M’. Between the poles, an electrically insulated conductor N sits in tandem to the surface of a liquid via buoyant supports N’ and maintains a sliding electrical contact with an electrode O and its pair O’, found in an adjacent electrode cell O”.
  • FIGS. 4 to 6 show a single conductor N connected to three pairs of electrodes. This embodiment is elaborate further on a characterization utility employed by the process, as below. [0067] To fill the burette B up to its maximum capacity, a small tap P is fitted to a side (shwn in FIGS. 5 and 6) thus setting a known maximum height.
  • the tap level is in position to ensure that a full capacity does not place the surface conductor N beyond its contact points with its electrodes O and O’. In this way, the user simply fills the burette B with a solution until the liquid’s level is near that of the tap P, wherein a minimal overflow discharges from the burette B and thus prepares a process with an accurate initialization or calibration.
  • a sealed reservoir minimizes evaporative fluid loss and the side taps P would serve a secondary purpose of maintaining the atmospheric pressure within the burette B.
  • the side taps P can be fitted with a seal whether manual or automatic, so that during idle periods or times of preference, a liquid remains safely reserved by the process.
  • the present invention measures the voltage over a period, in which electric induction is occurring (while the liquid is dispensing) by virtue of conductor motion, each type of dispensing liquid yields a unique transient voltage signal by virtue of its transient surface velocity.
  • the present invention measures, stores and displays this unique signal, and employs an algorithm or software to translate the voltage signal into a velocity distribution with respect to dispensing time.
  • the process is also able to integrate and differentiate these signals, which allows it to characterize the nature (or density) of a dispensing liquid before proceeding into a more functional role of producing aliquots in dilution or concentration series.
  • a successful characterization calibrates the process by yielding a system model unique to every liquid. Several iterations of characterization will enhance the dispensing accuracy.
  • the electrode cells O are composed of electrodes O fixed to an insulated assembly.
  • the permanent magnet M produces a uniform magnetic field across the burette B, in some embodiments where the conductor N is an insulated metal wire, with a sliding connection between the conductor N and electrodes O and O’ by a lead Q or brush protruding from the top surface of a buoyant support N’ found in each cell.
  • the buoyant supports ensure the conductor N moves in tandem to the surface of a liquid.
  • Other embodiments may employ a direct sliding contact between the conductor N and electrodes O and O’.
  • the electrode cells O” present are also bearings that attempt to appropriate conductor motion to a single degree of linearity.
  • the conductor N moves at right angles to a supplied magnetic field.
  • the resulting motion of a conductor N through a supplied magnetic field induces an electric current through electrodes O and O’ and into the microprocessor J that samples and stores induction voltage and amperage.
  • This data then generates a dispensing model unique to each type of liquid, and as such allows the process to proportion liquids at high accuracy using its dispensing algorithm.
  • a post-processing algorithm used to characterize the dispensed liquid.
  • the conductor N is a superconductive liquid or film
  • electrical connection between such conductors N and electrodes O and O’ is through direct surface contact.
  • electrical connections to electrodes O and O’ are via leads Q or contacts like before.
  • the choice of electrode potential depends on the type of conductor N and the nature of a dispensing liquid.
  • each electrode O has a single lead Q” to transmit electric signals to the microprocessor J, or an intermediate circuit such as an amplifier or ballast circuit for processing beforehand.
  • the process may still operate by relaying electrode leads Q from a measurement output circuit into the terminals of the battery for charge reversal.
  • the number of electrodes employed by a process depends on the particular application.
  • the minimum operational condition entails the process to a pair of electrodes O’ and a single conductor N, where each electrode O stands on either side of its conductor N.
  • the embodiment shown in FIG. 3 highlights the utility of three pairs of electrodes for six electrodes present in total.
  • the process may employ the following combinations or their variety: a single conductor with three brushes or leads, as shown, or three separate conductors each with isolated leads to their respective electrodes.
  • Such a setup portrays the utility of this process in its capacity to compare an output signal routing through several electrodes at once, wherein the differential response allows the process to quantify the properties of liquids, electrodes or conductors.
  • the system instructs the user to fill the burette B to a known liquid level, preferably at full capacity but not necessarily.
  • the flask K must also be of an appropriate size for liquid reception.
  • a characterization process performs by opening the valve (using either manner of actuation) until the burette is empty. During this period, the system records a voltage signal outputted by its conductor. Once the signal reaches a nullified value, the process actuates the valve to close and proceeds to characterize the liquid as follows. Repeating this protocol several times by refilling the burette B with the dispensed liquid allows the system to perform a more precise calibration.
  • the process converts acquired voltage data into transient velocity information.
  • the process manipulates both these sets of data into differential and integral relations and solutions, such that the process identifies all parameters required to solve Euler’s transient flow equation for liquid density. Therefore, the process identifies the density of an unknown liquid and is able to generate a dispensing model, and hence may continue to proportion this liquid into specific aliquots, by the dispensing protocol as below.
  • the system employs the previous characterization protocol using an identified liquid and electrodes of unknown potentials, kinetics or electroactive areas. Amidst the dispensing period, the process records a voltage variation along the lengths of electrodes and compares its results to a desirable signal from a previous calibration protocol.
  • any signal difference allows the system to identify several characteristics for a particular electrode or electrochemical experiment conducted prior to a characterization protocol, including but not limited to: electrode potentials, kinetics, film formations and electroactive surface areas.
  • the characterization protocol concludes one calibration cycle for the instrument in respect to its electrodes or dispensing liquid. Afterwards, the process may continue to operate under a dispensing protocol explained in the following sections.
  • the system After calibration, the system is ready to deliver any quantity and volume of aliquots so long as the reservoir has enough supply. Assuming it does, the process performs the following steps to dispense accurate liquid volumes.
  • the interface prompts the user to specify the number of aliquots desired and their respective volumes.
  • the process decides on appropriate valve open periods, after which the microprocessor J actuates the motor A to open the valve and begin dispensing the first aliquot into a collector or flask K, as drawn. If titration is required, the user guesses a dispensing series to begin, and then prompts the process (through interface) to halt its protocol upon reaching equivalence.
  • the process performs either open-loop or closed-loop aliquot production.
  • the actual values (initial conditions) of the control algorithm are samples of the induced voltage in a measurement circuit or its differential.
  • the desired result is a requested volume or aliquot, which is user specific, and translates into a desired difference in liquid level. Since the process has already modelled velocity and voltage relations in respect to dispensing time and therefore liquid level, as explained in a characterization protocol, the system is able to appropriate a time increment corresponding to a period of dispensing flow. Since the process employs an iterative control method, a high sampling rate of the voltage signal provides higher accuracy in dispensing performance.
  • the difference between actual and desired values appropriates the system to dispense accurate aliquots.
  • the system may employ a real-time algorithm at high loop rates, and thus iterates the valve open period for every single aliquot. In doing so, the system eventually reaches an agreement between actual and desired voltages or valve times and thus actuates its valve to close.
  • the process institutes a margin of error between such agreements to account for the minor delay in the valve’s closing response time. Such a margin of error implements a certain sweeping rate while closing the valve.
  • Such margins reduce the dispensing flow regiment from a uniform flow in a thoughtful way such that the miniscule amount of liquid dispensed while closing the valve is accounted for by the margin of error instated.
  • the process concludes its delivery of a single aliquot. If the machine produces a full series, either a dilution or concentration series, the system institutes a delay before the delivery of a successive aliquot. Such a delay ensures that the secondary motor has enough time to position its turntable appropriately, such that the next flask is ready to receive its respective aliquot and the dispensing protocol henceforth repeats.
  • the system comprises a burette or reservoir and its rotary valve, where the valve body contains a fluid that dispenses as per its natural flow regiment.
  • a motor whose behaviour governed by a controller actuates the rotary valve.
  • the motor may behave under several distinct manners, either static or dynamic or both, where either manner is common by producing aliquots whose quantities in mass or volume are controlled by this process according to controlled valve open periods. Such time periods are determined based on a hydrodynamic model.
  • the transience in hydrodynamics of a naturally dispensing solution is estimated based on the hydrodynamic model of the present invention.
  • Such estimates arise by virtue of observer-based design.
  • the present invention makes use of either an external observer or electrical observer or both.
  • the observer estimates the fluid capacity per aliquot using visual reference of graduation per aliquot or weight per aliquot, as preferred.
  • the system estimates a transfer function relating aliquot capacities to controller signal or valve open periods.
  • a conductive internal standard is responsible for inducing electric signals by virtue of its synonymy to system hydrodynamics.
  • the induction process occurs when a liquid and its internal standard move through a magnetic field orthogonally, where a magnetic body creates the magnetic field and the induced signal routes to observer/processor via pairs of electrodes.
  • the electrical observer estimates a hydrodynamic model by recording the induction signal provided by hydrodynamics of internal standards.
  • This induced signal has a transience intrinsic to the physical dynamics of this process. By observing the transience in such signals, and by observing the aliquot capacities delivered by this process, a relation establishes between electrical transience and aliquot capacities.
  • the process may use a common motor and uncommon liquid to produce aliquot series where each series identifies a transfer function and hydrodynamic model by virtue of external or electric observer estimates.
  • transfer functions are unique to the nature of a liquid and therefore, the process compares transfer functions of aliquot series to identify liquid properties.
  • the process combines a common liquid and common motor with uncommon electrodes or uncommon internal standards so as the production of aliquot series and hydrodynamic transfer functions allows the process to identify electrode kinetics or internal standards or both.
  • the process combines a common liquid, common motor and a common observer to proportion a liquid according to a previously identified hydrodynamic model.
  • a utility refers to the dispensing protocol in accordance with the present invention.
  • the process actuates according to a previous hydrodynamic model and follows by means of open-loop valve control (for all embodiments) or closed-loop valve control (for embodiments with electrical observers).
  • the process combines an identified transfer function or model to desirable outcomes in aliquot or electrical capacities; as such, the process determines appropriate controller signals or actuator dynamics to deliver aliquot series accordingly. While an observer may opt to switch flasks manually between aliquot deliveries, a turntable assembly is attractive to the automation process. Aliquots therefore collect in a common flask or separate flasks as desired by the chemist.
  • the user/scientist observes electrical or aliquot capacities required to reach equivalence and thus allows the process to generate hydrodynamic models, as previously explained, intrinsic to a certain titration procedure. As such, the process determines analyte concentrations based on derived model parameters.
  • the present process actuates separation funnel valves in similar manners to all previous embodiments, differing only in the shape of the glass body due to the nature of a separation experiment. Such experiments also operate by means of observer estimates in electrical or aliquot capacities required for fluid separation. Therefore, the generation of a hydrodynamic model enables scientists to interpret outcomes to separation experiments using identified model parameters or a comparison thereof.
  • the present invention is highly benefited in the application and preparation of solution/dilution series in any field of interest, including but not limited to the pharmaceutical industry and chemistry laboratories.
  • detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention which may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed structure.

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  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Clinical Laboratory Science (AREA)
  • Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
  • Analytical Chemistry (AREA)
  • Sampling And Sample Adjustment (AREA)
  • Automatic Analysis And Handling Materials Therefor (AREA)
  • Feeding, Discharge, Calcimining, Fusing, And Gas-Generation Devices (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention concerne un distributeur de solvant capable de distribuer et d'identifier les fluides grâce à leur écoulement naturel. L'aspect fondamental de son fonctionnement repose sur la modélisation précise de la dynamique des fluides transitoires, où un tel comportement d'écoulement est intrinsèque à chaque distribution de fluide newtonien sous sa propre influence gravitationnelle. Plus spécifiquement, le distributeur selon la présente invention tire pleinement avantage du potentiel gravitationnel d'un fluide contenu à l'intérieur d'une burette ou d'un réservoir. En développant ce système, le procédé proposé caractérise et distribue des solutions à un niveau de précision élevé. Le système proposé est sensible aux propriétés hydrostatiques d'un fluide, la machine ayant en outre des applications dans l'identification de fluides ou de solutions, et peut également déterminer la densité d'une solution en une échelle quantifiable et identifiable.
PCT/CA2019/050559 2018-05-02 2019-04-30 Distributeur de solvant hydrostatique WO2019210406A1 (fr)

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CA3097211A CA3097211A1 (fr) 2018-05-02 2019-04-30 Methode de determination d'une fonction de transfert pour classer des liquides, des electrodes et des actionneurs

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US201862665708P 2018-05-02 2018-05-02
US62/665,708 2018-05-02

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Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
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US2950177A (en) * 1956-02-27 1960-08-23 Ici Ltd Apparatus for the determination and control of compositions in chemical processes
US3781498A (en) * 1972-06-26 1973-12-25 Beta Eng & Dev Ltd Liquid level detector
US4224281A (en) * 1978-02-01 1980-09-23 Siemens Aktiengesellschaft Dosaging device for liquid media
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US2950177A (en) * 1956-02-27 1960-08-23 Ici Ltd Apparatus for the determination and control of compositions in chemical processes
US3781498A (en) * 1972-06-26 1973-12-25 Beta Eng & Dev Ltd Liquid level detector
US4224281A (en) * 1978-02-01 1980-09-23 Siemens Aktiengesellschaft Dosaging device for liquid media
CN85200191U (zh) * 1985-04-01 1985-11-10 东北工学院 试样浓度自动显示滴定装置

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ANONYMOUS: "Motional Emf", COLLEGE PHYSICS, 18 July 2019 (2019-07-18), pages 1 - 9, XP055648241, Retrieved from the Internet <URL:https://opentextbc.ca/physicstestbook2/chapter/motional-emf> *
DE LUCA: "Ion motion in salt water flowing under a transverse magnetic field", EPJ WEB OF CONFERENCES, 2012, pages 02011 - 1-02011-p.7, XP055648249 *
IGATHINATHANE ET AL.: "Viscosity Measurement Technique Using Standard Glass Burette for Newtonian Liquids", INSTRUMENTATION SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY, vol. 33, no. 1, January 2005 (2005-01-01), pages 101 - 125, XP055648236 *
WRIGHT ET AL.: "The Hall Effect in a Flowing Electrolyte", AM J PHYSICS, vol. 40, 1972, pages 245 *

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