Patent ID: 8032258

Claim:
A system for implementing an electrically-operated multi-channel chemical transport bus, the system comprising: a plurality of chemical flow ports, each chemical flow port connected to at least one associated first electrically-operated valve and further in chemical flow communication with at least one associated second electrically-operated valve; a first chemical flow bus line connecting with each first electrically-operated valves respectfully associated with each chemical flow port from the plurality of chemical flow ports, each connection made at an associated tap in the first chemical flow bus line, the first chemical flow bus line further comprising a first pair of additional electrically-operated valves, one on either side of at least one tap of the associated tap in the first chemical flow bus line; a second chemical flow bus line connecting with each second electrically-operated valves respectfully associated with each chemical flow port from the plurality of chemical flow ports, each connection made at an associated tap in the second chemical flow bus line, the second chemical flow bus line further comprising a second pair of additional electrically-operated valves, one on either side of at least one tap of the associated tap in the second chemical flow bus line; and a controller for selectively controlling the operation of each of the electrically-operated valves, the controller controlling communications with each of the electrically-operated valves; wherein the controller further controls the electrically-operated valves to: prevent chemical flows between a first and second chemical flow ports of the plurality of chemical flow ports; transport chemical flows between a first and second chemical flow ports of the plurality of chemical flow ports, wherein the transported chemical flow does not extend into the chemical flow bus line beyond at least the first or the second pair of additional valves; and again prevent chemical flows between a first and second chemical flow ports of the plurality of chemical flow ports.