FLUID FLOW CONTROL FREEZE/THAW VALVE FOR NARROW BORE CAPILLARIES OR MICROFLUIDIC DEVICES
First Claim
1. A method for managing liquid flow through tubing or channels by freezing and thawing the liquid within a segment of capillary tubing or channels comprising the steps of:
- configuring a constriction segment of an interior passage of said tubing or channels to have a constrictive geometry;
freezing the constriction segment to stop the passage of fluids; and
thawing the constriction segment to allow the passage of fluids.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Methods and devices for the management of fluid flow within nanoscale analytical systems, comprising a freeze thaw valve having differing geomentries to constrict a frozen plug within the freeze thaw segment. The freeze thaw valve is directed to use in high-pressure analytical systems. The geometry of an inner diameter of a channel or tube within a freeze thaw segment is configured to cause constriction of a freeze plug when axial force is applied. The constriction is used in the flow-path of a freeze thaw valve to prevent movement of the frozen plug at high pressures to avoid valve leakage.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. A method for managing liquid flow through tubing or channels by freezing and thawing the liquid within a segment of capillary tubing or channels comprising the steps of:
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configuring a constriction segment of an interior passage of said tubing or channels to have a constrictive geometry;
freezing the constriction segment to stop the passage of fluids; and
thawing the constriction segment to allow the passage of fluids. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. An apparatus for managing liquid flow through tubing or channels by freezing and thawing the liquid within a segment of capillary tubing or channels comprising:
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a valve segment having an interior diameter for fluid flow;
a constriction geometry within said interior diameter;
a means for freezing said fluid within said valve segment forming a frozen plug;
wherein said frozen plug stops fluid flow and is held in place by constrictive forces created by said constriction geometry; and
a means for thawing said fluid within said valve segment to allow fluid flow. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification