Patent ID: 6112767
Filing Date: 2000-09-05
Classification: F16K,G01N,Y10T

Abstract:
A diverter valve assembly for use in liquid chromatography comprising:a unitarily formed valve body;a plurality of ports in said valve body, at least one of said ports functioning as an inlet port for allowing liquid to enter into said valve body, at least one other of said ports functioning as an outlet port for allowing said liquid to exit said valve body, and at least two other of said ports capable of functioning as either inlet or outlet ports with respect to said liquid after said liquid has entered said valve body;a plurality of chambers in said valve body, each one of said ports opening into an associated one of said chambers;a tortuous network of channels in said valve body, each one of said channels extending between two of said chambers to provide communication therebetween; anda plurality of diverter valves, each one of said valves interposed in the path of an associated one of said channels;wherein liquid entering any one of said ports encounters one of said chambers and sections of three of said channels which lead to three of said diverter valves thereby permitting the valve assembly to be fully drained.