Valve that provides pulsed microscale flow.
Valve that provides pulsed microscale flow.
(OP)
Hi all,
I need some help with selecting a valve for a microscale flow application.
I have a pump that provides constant flow at about 50 microL/s. I want to superimpose an AC component on this flow - i.e. some kind of sinusoidal forcing that will provide pulses at about 10 Hz. I also want to be able to control the amplitude (flow rate) of the pulses. I have considered placing a pinch valve downstream from the pump. This may provide the pulsations, but the amplitude is difficult to control.
If anyone has suggestions on how to introduce pulsations and/or how to control the amplitude, please respond.
Any input is greatly appreciated!
Thanks.
I need some help with selecting a valve for a microscale flow application.
I have a pump that provides constant flow at about 50 microL/s. I want to superimpose an AC component on this flow - i.e. some kind of sinusoidal forcing that will provide pulses at about 10 Hz. I also want to be able to control the amplitude (flow rate) of the pulses. I have considered placing a pinch valve downstream from the pump. This may provide the pulsations, but the amplitude is difficult to control.
If anyone has suggestions on how to introduce pulsations and/or how to control the amplitude, please respond.
Any input is greatly appreciated!
Thanks.





RE: Valve that provides pulsed microscale flow.
As far as the pinch valve goes, that's probably viable. You'll need a solenoid activated pinch valve and a controller to activate the solenoid on and off at your time intervals. At constant flow, though, depending on the time between shut and open, you may build up a micro-back pressure, which will either disrupt your pump, or create an extra surge in flow, which could be good or bad, depending on what you're looking for.
Aaron A. Spearin
ASQ CSSBB
Engineering Six-S'$
www.Engineering6ss.com
"The only constant in life is change." -Bruce Lee
RE: Valve that provides pulsed microscale flow.
Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA
RE: Valve that provides pulsed microscale flow.