Modular sample conditioning system
First Claim
1. A method of providing a sample fluid conditioning apparatus, comprising the steps of:
- a. Establishing a fluid communication order of sample conditioning components to effect conditioning of said sample fluid;
b. Designing a system of fluid passages to fluidly interconnect said sample conditioning components, providing a flow schematic;
c. Forming a fluid access passage laterally through a first component to form a base component having a docking surface forming an outer side, said outer side having an opening formed by an end of said fluid access passage, and an inner side;
d. Providing a second component having first and second sides, said second component having formed laterally therethrough channels extending through said first and second sides, said channels having a configuration based upon said flow schematic of step “
b”
, providing a flow component;
e. Mounting a third component to one side of said flow component, and mounting said inner side of said first component to the opposing side of said flow component, so as to enclose said channels formed in said flow component, and form enclosed passages representative of said flow schematic;
f. Mounting a modular component to said docking surface of said base component in the order of step “
A”
; and
g. Utilizing said access passages to allow said modular component to fluidly communicate with one or more of said enclosed passages.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An on-stream sample collection and conditioning system, which is easier to construct, implement, maintain, and is more cost efficient then existing systems. The preferred embodiment of the present invention contemplates a modular system adaptable to a variety of diverse sample conditioning requirements. The system provides a docking surface specifically designed to receive modular conditioning or sampling components or the like in order to readily engage a system of passages to provide fluid flow between the mounted components. An embodiment of the invention provides a flow component having grooves formed therethrough reflecting the desired flow configuration, which is isolated from the flow component and sealed and to provide flow passages. The docking surface has access apertures formed to engage the flow passages, providing access to modular components mounted thereon.
31 Citations
30 Claims
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1. A method of providing a sample fluid conditioning apparatus, comprising the steps of:
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a. Establishing a fluid communication order of sample conditioning components to effect conditioning of said sample fluid; b. Designing a system of fluid passages to fluidly interconnect said sample conditioning components, providing a flow schematic; c. Forming a fluid access passage laterally through a first component to form a base component having a docking surface forming an outer side, said outer side having an opening formed by an end of said fluid access passage, and an inner side; d. Providing a second component having first and second sides, said second component having formed laterally therethrough channels extending through said first and second sides, said channels having a configuration based upon said flow schematic of step “
b”
, providing a flow component;e. Mounting a third component to one side of said flow component, and mounting said inner side of said first component to the opposing side of said flow component, so as to enclose said channels formed in said flow component, and form enclosed passages representative of said flow schematic; f. Mounting a modular component to said docking surface of said base component in the order of step “
A”
; andg. Utilizing said access passages to allow said modular component to fluidly communicate with one or more of said enclosed passages. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A sample fluid conditioning apparatus, comprising:
a base plate having first and second sides, said first side having formed therein a docking platform having a surface thereupon formed to engage a plurality of modular sample conditioning components, said base plate having formed laterally therethrough a series of access apertures; a flow component having first and second sides having formed laterally therethrough a series of channels; said base plate being mounted to one side of said flow component, and a second plate being mounted to the other side of said flow component, so as to enclose said channels formed in said flow component and form enclosed passages, said enclosed passages communicating with one or more of said access apertures formed said base plate, forming a base board module. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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25. The method of providing a fluid conditioning system, comprising the steps of:
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a. forming in a flow component having first and second sides, a series of channels therethrough, said channels formed to reflect a flow schematic for one or more fluid components; b. forming one or more access apertures through a first base plate, forming a docking surface; c. sealing said first and second sides of said flow component to enclose said channels utilizing said first base plate and a second base plate, respectively, forming enclosed passages, such that one or more of said access apertures communicate with one or more of said enclosed passages; and d. mounting said fluid components to said docking surface so as to communicate with said enclosed passages via said access apertures. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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Specification