Centrifugo-pneumatic switching of liquid

US11141728B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Hahn-Schickard-Gesellschaft für Angewandte Forschung e. V. · DE

Inventors

• Ingmar Schwarz · Glückstadt, DE
• Nils Paust · Glückstadt, DE
• Steffen Zehnle · Freiburg im Breisgau, DE
• Mark Keller · Aarau, CH
• Tobias HUTZENLAUB · Herbolzheim, DE
• Frank Schwemmer · Glückstadt, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Sep 5, 2019
• Grant date: Oct 12, 2021
• Expiry date: Apr 14, 2040

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B01L2400/049
• WIPO field: Chemical engineering
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

A fluidic module for switching liquid from a liquid retaining area into which liquid can be introduced into downstream fluidic structures includes at least two fluid paths fluidically connecting the liquid retaining area to the downstream fluidic structures. One of the two fluid paths includes a siphon channel. The downstream fluidic structures are not vented or only vented via a vent delay resistor, such that when the liquid is introduced into the liquid retaining area, an enclosed gas volume results in the downstream fluidic structures. By adjusting the ratio of a centrifugal pressure effected by a rotation of the fluidic module and a pneumatic pressure prevailing in the gas volume, the liquid can be retained in the liquid retaining area or can be transferred into the downstream fluidic structures via the siphon channel wherein venting takes place via the other one of the fluid paths.