Diaphragm valve

• US 4,703,913 A
• Filed: 04/18/1985
• Issued: 11/03/1987
• Est. Priority Date: 09/22/1982
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: California Institute of Technology
• Original Assignee: California Institute of Technology
• Inventors: Hunkapiller, Michael W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Michalsky, Gerald A.
• Application Number:
  US06/724,052
• Time in Patent Office: 929 Days
• Field of Search: 137/606, 137/883, 137/884, 137/885, 251/61.1
• US Class Current: 251/61.1
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 19/0046 Sequential or parallel reactions, e.g. for the synthesis of polypeptides or polynucleotides; Apparatus and devices for combinatorial chemistry or for making molecular arrays synthesis methods per se C40B50/00
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00396 Membrane valves
• CPC Class Codes: C40B 60/14 for creating libraries
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 31/06 using a magnet , e.g. diaphragm valves, cutting off by means of a liquid
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 7/14 arranged to be deformed against a flat seat
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/87684 Valve in each inlet
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/87877 Single inlet with multiple distinctly valved outlets
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/87885 Sectional block structure
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/87893 With fluid actuator

Abstract

Briefly, the present invention comprises the improvement in a valve arrangement for controlling the flow of a fluid including a valve block having at least one substantially flat valving site on a surface thereof, the valve block defining passages communicating with the valving site through openings, a resilient diaphragm covering the valving site and forming a fluid tight seal with the valve block along the periphery of the valving site and a closure element having a substantially flat closure surface, the closure element being actuable between an open condition wherein the closure surface is retracted a preselected distance from the valving site and diaphragm, and a closed condition wherein the closure surface forces the diaphragm against the valving site; whereby the diaphragm can be urged away from the valving site by fluid pressure in the passages and the closure element is in the open condition, establishing a valve chamber above the valving site for fluid flow between the passages, and if forced against the valving site when the closure element is in the closed condition, eliminating the valve chamber and expelling any fluid therein; the said improvement for which a patent is sought comprising a valve block having said passages therein which are free of intersections within the valve block.

Claims

1. A zero dead volume valve for controlling the flow of a fluid including

a valve block having at least one substantially flat valving site on a surface thereof, said valve block defining a plurality of linear passages therein communicating with the valving site through openings, said passages being free of intersections within said valve block, at least two of said passages intersecting at the surface of said valve block, at said valve site, at least one other of said passages terminating at the surface of said valve block at a point on said valve site which is spaced apart from where said two passages intersect,

a resilient diaphragm covering said valving site and forming a fluid tight seal with said valve block along the periphery of the valving site,

positive pressure means,

negative pressure means,

a conduit communicating the said positive pressure means and said negative pressure means with said valving site, whereby said diaphragm is lifted off the valving site by negative pressure supplied through said conduit, and said diaphragm is forced against the valving site by positive pressure supplied through said conduit and whereby when the diaphragm is lifted away from the valving site by negative pressure in the conduit, a valve chamber is established above the valving site for fluid flow between the passages allowing fluid communication being all passages at said valve site, and when the diaphragm is forced against the valving site by positive pressure in the conduit, the valve chamber is eliminated, expelling any fluid therein and there is fluid communication only between said intersecting passages.