FEED-THROUGH MODULE FOR AN ANALYZER

• US 20080072976A1
• Filed: 10/26/2007
• Published: 03/27/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 09/02/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ABB Incorporated (ABB Limited)
• Original Assignee: ABB Incorporated (ABB Limited)
• Inventors: Paetz, Stephen, Hadley, Vince, Bailey, Max
• Granted Patent: US 7,992,423 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 137/599.01
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2030/0095 Separation specially adapted for use outside laboratory, e.g. field sampling, portable equipments
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2030/025 Gas chromatography
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2030/8804 automated systems
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2030/8881 Modular construction, specially adapted therefor
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 30/88 Integrated analysis systems specially adapted therefor, not covered by a single one of the groups G01N30/04 - G01N30/86
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/86558 Plural noncommunicating flow paths
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/87265 Dividing into parallel flow paths with recombining
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/87716 For valve having a flexible diaphragm valving member
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/87764 Having fluid actuator
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/87893 With fluid actuator

Abstract

A feed-through module for an analyzer, such as a gas chromatograph. The feed-through module is adapted for connection to a plurality of tubes and for conveying fluids between the tubes and an enclosed volume of a housing of the analyzer. The feed-through module includes a connection structure threadably secured to the housing and a feed plate removably mounted to the connection structure. A plurality of connectors are secured to the feed plate. The connection structure and the feed plate cooperate to define a plurality of internal flow networks. Each flow network is operable to convey one of the fluids between one of the connectors and the enclosed volume of the housing. Within each flow network, a stream of fluid is split and then recombined.

Claims

1. A feed-through module for connection to a plurality of tubes and for conveying fluids, one or more of which is flammable, between the tubes and an enclosed volume of an explosion-proof housing, the feed-through module comprising:

a plurality of connectors, each connector being operable to hold an end of one of the tubes and to be in fluid flow communication with the one of the tubes; and

a body carrying the connectors and adapted to releasably engage a wall of the housing around an opening in the wall, the body defining a plurality of internal flow networks, each flow network being operable to convey one of the fluids between one of the connectors and the enclosed volume of the housing, each flow network comprising an inlet passage, an outlet passage and a plurality of intermediate passages connected between the inlet and outlet passages, whereby the fluid flows through the inlet passage in a single stream, splits into a plurality of streams that flow through the intermediate passages, respectively, and then recombines into a single stream that flows through the outlet passage.

2. The feed-through module of claim 1, wherein in each flow network, the intermediate passages comprise a first intermediate passage disposed radially inward from a second intermediate passage.

3. The feed-through module of claim 2, wherein in each flow network, the intermediate passages are formed by an insert disposed in a chamber inside the body.

4. The feed-through module of claim 3, wherein in each flow network, the chamber is defined by an interior surface having a helical thread, and wherein the insert has a helical thread.

5. The feed-through module of claim 4, wherein the helical thread of the interior surface has a minor thread diameter that is flattened, and wherein the helical thread of the insert has a major thread diameter that is flattened.

6. The feed-through module of claim 1, wherein the body comprises a feed plate removably mounted to a connection structure, the feed plate carrying the connectors.

7. The feed-through module of claim 6, wherein the connection structure has an exterior thread adapted to threadably engage a thread formed in the wall of the housing so as to removably secure the feed-through module to the housing.

8. The feed-through module of claim 6, wherein one of the flow networks is an inlet flow network that is adapted to convey fluid from an inlet one of the connectors to the enclosed volume of the housing, and wherein one of the flow networks is an outlet flow network that is adapted to convey fluid from the enclosed volume of the housing to an outlet one of the connectors.

9. The feed-through module of claim 8, further comprising a filter disposed in the inlet flow network, the filter being disposed between the connection structure and the feed plate.

10. The feed-through module of claim 9, further comprising a gasket disposed between the connection structure and the feed plate, the gasket holding the filter in place.

11. The feed-through module of claim 6, wherein the feed plate is disc-shaped and wherein the connectors are arranged in a circular configuration.

12. The feed-through module of claim 11, wherein each connector extends from the feed plate at an oblique angle.

13. An analyzer for analyzing a sample fluid, the analyzer being adapted for connection to a plurality of tubes, the analyzer comprising:

a housing defining an enclosed volume and having a wall with an opening therein;

an analyzer assembly for analyzing the composition of the sample fluid, the analyzer assembly being disposed in the enclosed volume of the housing; and

a feed-through module extending through the opening in the wall of the housing, the feed-through module comprising;

a plurality of connectors, each connector being operable to hold an end of one of the tubes and to be in fluid flow communication with the one of the tubes; and

a body carrying the connectors and adapted to releasably engage the wall of the housing around the opening in the wall, the body defining a plurality of internal flow networks, each flow network being operable to convey one of the sample fluids between one of the connectors and the enclosed volume of the housing, each flow network comprising an inlet passage, an outlet passage and a plurality of intermediate passages connected between the inlet and outlet passages, whereby the sample fluid flows through the inlet passage in a single stream, splits into a plurality of streams that flow through the intermediate passages, respectively, and then recombines into a single stream that flows through the outlet passage.

14. The analyzer of claim 13, wherein in each flow network, the intermediate passages comprise a first intermediate passage disposed radially inward from a second intermediate passage.

15. The analyzer of claim 14, wherein in each flow network, the intermediate passages are formed by an insert with a helical thread disposed in a chamber inside the body, the chamber being defined by an interior surface having a helical thread, and wherein the helical thread of the interior surface has a minor thread diameter that is flattened, and wherein the helical thread of the insert has a major thread diameter that is flattened.

16. The analyzer of claim 13, wherein the body comprises a feed plate threadably secured to a connection structure so as to be removable therefrom, and wherein the connectors are threadably secured to the feed plate so as to be removable therefrom.

17. The analyzer of claim 16, further comprising filters disposed in the flow networks, the filters being positioned between the feed plate and the connection structure.

18. The analyzer of claim 13, wherein the analyzer is a gas chromatograph and the analyzer assembly comprises a separation device operable to separate components of the sample fluid, and a detector for detecting the components of the fluid.

19. A gas chromatograph for analyzing a sample fluid, the gas chromatograph being adapted for connection to a sample tube through which the sample fluid flows and to a carrier gas tube through which carrier gas flows, the gas chromatograph comprising:

(a.) a housing defining an enclosed volume and having a wall with an opening therein;

(b.) a gas chromatograph (GC) assembly disposed in the enclosed volume of the housing, the GC assembly comprising;

a separation device operable to separate components of the sample fluid; and

a detector for detecting the components of the fluid;

(c.) a feed-through module extending through the opening in the wall of the housing, the feed through module comprising;

a connection structure secured to the housing, the connection structure including a base disposed in the enclosed volume and connected to the GC assembly; and

a feed plate disposed outside the housing and removably mounted to the connection structure, the feed plate having a first connector for connection to the sample tube and a second connector for connection to the carrier gas tube; and

wherein the connection structure and the feed plate cooperate to define an internal sample flow path and an internal carrier gas flow path through which the sample fluid and the carrier gas may travel from the first connector and the second connector, respectively, to the GC assembly.

20. The gas chromatograph of claim 19, wherein the feed plate further comprises a plurality of other connectors, and wherein the first and second connectors and the other connectors are arranged in a circular configuration.

21. The gas chromatograph of claim 20, wherein each of the first and second connectors and the other connectors extend at an oblique angle from an outer surface of the feed plate.

22. The gas chromatograph of claim 19, further comprising a first filter disposed in the sample flow path and a second filter disposed in the carrier gas flow path.

23. The gas chromatograph of claim 22, wherein the first and second filters are disposed between the feed plate and the connection structure.

24. The gas chromatograph of claim 19, further comprising an electric heater mounted to the connection structure.