2
Intelligent Intake Valve (i Valve) maintenance instructions
Note: This document is an addendum to Revision C of the ACQUITY UPLC
System Operator’s Guide.
Contents:
Topic
Page
Overview
1
Maintenance schedule
2
Maintenance considerations
2
Spare parts
3
2
4
2
Replacing the i Valve cartridge
13
Replacing the inlet filter
17
Replacing the accumulator check valve
19
Replacing the i Valve actuator
Overview
®
When installed on Waters ACQUITY UPLC Systems, the Waters Intelligent
2
Intake Valve (i Valve) achieves faster system priming and startup times.
More robust operation and highly repeatable system performance are
achieved with difficult-to-pump solvents because disturbances to solvent flow
in the inlet lines are minimized.
The i2Valve's actuation is precisely controllable, and the algorithms
responsible for its operation respond instantly to the fast, pressure-sensing
capability of the ACQUITY UPLC binary solvent manager.
A replaceable cartridge assembly and an actuator assembly serve as the
2
i Valve’s major components. An applied current generates a force, timed with
the motion of the pump plungers, that pushes a ball off its seat in the
cartridge assembly. The effect is to closely synchronize the valve performance
with pump operation.
71500144906, Rev. B
Waters and ACQUITY UPLC are registered trademarks of Waters Corporation.
Phillips is a registered trademark of Phillips Screw Company.
All other trademarks are the sole property of their respective owners.
Copyright © 2007 Waters Corporation.
1
Maintenance schedule
Waters recommends that you perform the following routine maintenance on
2
the i Valve to ensure reliable operation and accurate results. Under heavy
usage or when using aggressive solvents, perform these maintenance tasks
more frequently.
Recommended routine maintenance schedule :
Maintenance procedure
Frequency
For information...
Replace the i Valve cartridge
Once every year or as
needed
See page 13
Replace the inlet filter
Once every year or as
needed
See page 17
Replace the accumulator
check valve
Once every year or as
needed
See page 19
2
2
Replace the i Valve actuator
Five years from the
See page 4
date of manufacture or
as needed
Maintenance considerations
Observe these warning and caution advisories when you perform maintenance
on the i2Valve.
Warning: To prevent injury, always observe good laboratory
practices when you handle solvents, change tubing, or operate the
system. Know the physical and chemical properties of the solvents
you use. See the Material Safety Data Sheets for the solvents in use.
Warning: To avoid electric shock, do not open the power supply cover.
The power supply does not contain user-serviceable parts.
2
Caution:
2
• To avoid damaging the i Valve actuator, do not attempt to
introduce pressurized liquid or gas through the valve's inlet or
outlet ports.
• To avoid damaging electrical parts, never disconnect an electrical
assembly while power is applied to an instrument. To completely
interrupt power to an instrument, set the power switch to Off, and
then unplug the power cord from the AC outlet. After power is
removed, wait 10 seconds before you disconnect an assembly.
• To prevent circuit damage because of static charges, do not touch
integrated circuit chips or other system instruments that do not
require manual adjustment.
Requirement: To maintain the efficiency of the binary solvent manager and to
obtain accurate, reproducible chromatograms, use only MS-grade solvents,
water, and additives. For details, see Appendix D of the Waters ACQUITY
UPLC System Operator’s Guide.
Spare parts
2
This section lists recommended spare parts for the i Valve. Unlisted parts are
not recommended for replacing by customers.
2
Recommended spare parts for the i Valve :
Item
Part Number
Check valve assembly, double ball and seat
700002968
2
700003557
i Valve cartridge assembly
2
700003563
Inline filter assembly
700002869
i Valve actuator assembly
2
Tube assembly, SSV to i Valve
430001443
3
2
Replacing the i Valve actuator
Caution: To prevent contamination, wear particle-free, powder-free,
2
non-latex gloves when replacing the i Valve actuator.
Required materials
2
•
i Valve
•
Particle-free, powder-free, non-latex gloves
•
#0 Phillips screwdriver
•
5/16-inch open-end wrench
2
To replace the i Valve actuator:
Caution: To avoid damaging electronic components, power-off the
2
binary solvent manager before replacing the i Valve actuator.
1.
Power-off the binary solvent manager.
Tip: The binary solvent manager is referred to as “pump” on the warning
2
label affixed to the i Valve actuator.
Warning: Solvent spill risk. Failure to move the solvent bottles to a
location below the solvent manager head can result in solvent spills.
2.
Move the solvent bottles to a location below the solvent manager head.
2
Caution: Failure to grasp the i Valve connector by the knurled
diameter could result in damage to the connector or cable.
4
3.
Grasp the i2Valve connector by the knurled diameter and pull it toward
you to disconnect it from the receptacle.
Connector receptacle
2
i Valve connector
Knurled diameter
4.
Loosen the tube fitting on the inlet filter.
5
5.
Unscrew the inlet filter assembly from the side of the i2Valve actuator.
Inlet filter assembly
Tube fitting
2
i Valve actuator
6.
Use the 5/16-inch open-end wrench to loosen the shell nut.
Shell nut
5/16-inch wrench
6
Caution:
• When you remove the valve assembly, ensure the PEEK washer,
2
which is normally on the top face of the i Valve cartridge, does not
remain in the head.
• Never place the actuator assembly or electrical connector in the drip
tray.
7.
2
Remove the i Valve actuator from the bottom of the primary pump head.
Bottom of primary
pump head
i2Valve actuator
TP02770
7
8.
Insert the new PEEK washer into the new cartridge. Make sure the
chamfered edge of the washer faces away from the cartridge.
Chamfered edge
facing away from
check valve
PEEK washer
Check valve cartridge
9.
Ensure the clamping plates are loose and in their fully open position.
10. Insert the cartridge into the i2Valve actuator with the grooved end first.
Grooved end of
cartridge
i2Valve actuator
8
11. Squeeze the two clamping plate tabs on the i2Valve actuator with one
hand to clamp the cartridge into the actuator. Ensure the clamping
plates are fully in and the check valve is clamped.
Clamping
plate tab
Clamping
plate tab
Clamping
plates
12. While squeezing the clamping plate tabs, use the #0 Phillips screwdriver
to tighten the four screws that secure the plates.
Phillips screwdriver
Screws (4)
9
13. Orient the valve so that the cable exits from the left side of the i2Valve
assembly. Insert the new valve actuator into the bottom of the primary
pump head, and route the cable behind the valve actuator.
14. Finger tighten the shell nut to secure the valve, and then use the
5/16-inch open-end wrench to tighten the nut an additional 1/8-turn.
Shell nut
5/16-inch wrench
10
15. Insert the inlet filter assembly into the inlet port on the i2Valve
assembly, and tighten it securely.
Inlet filter assembly
Tube fitting
2
i Valve actuator
16. Finger tighten the tube fitting on the inlet filter assembly to the extent
possible.
11
17. Align the red dot on the i2Valve connector with the red dot on the
receptacle, in the twelve o’clock position, and insert the connector into
the receptacle.
Red dot on receptacle
Connector receptacle
i2Valve connector
Red dot on connector
18. Power-on the binary solvent manager.
12
2
Replacing the i Valve cartridge
Caution: To prevent contamination, wear particle-free, powder-free,
2
non-latex gloves when replacing the i Valve cartridge.
Required materials
2
•
i Valve cartridge
•
Particle-free, powder-free, non-latex gloves
•
#0 Phillips screwdriver
•
5/16-inch open-end wrench
2
To replace the i Valve cartridge:
Caution: To avoid damaging electronic components, power-off the
2
binary solvent manager before replacing the i Valve cartridge.
1.
Power-off the binary solvent manager.
Tip: The binary solvent manager is referred to as “pump” on the warning
2
label affixed to the i Valve actuator.
Warning: Solvent spill risk. Failure to move the solvent bottles to a
location below the solvent manager head can result in solvent spills.
2.
Move the solvent bottles to a location below the solvent manager head.
2
Caution: When you remove the i Valve assembly, ensure the PEEK
2
washer, which is normally on the top face of the i Valve cartridge, does
not remain in the head.
3.
2
Remove the i Valve assembly from the bottom of the primary pump
head. See steps 3 through 7 starting on page 5.
2
Caution: To avoid damaging the i Valve actuator, do not back the
screws out all the way.
4.
Use the #0 Phillips screwdriver to loosen the four screws that secure the
plates 1/2-turn for the plates to spring open. The shell nut should still be
free to rotate.
13
Tips:
•
Avoid touching the clamping plate tabs when loosening the
screws.
•
The shell nut can be rotated to access all four screws.
Phillips screwdriver
Shell nut
Screws (4)
Clamping
plate tab
Clamping
plate tab
TP02788
Clamping plates
5.
2
Remove the cartridge from the i Valve actuator when both plates are in
the maximum open position. Ensure that the low pressure gasket has
been removed with the cartridge.
Tip: If you cannot remove the cartridge from the valve actuator, rotate
the cartridge 1/2-turn and then remove it.
6.
14
Carefully remove the new cartridge and washer from the packaging.
7.
Insert the new PEEK washer into the new cartridge. Make sure the
chamfered edge of the washer faces away from the cartridge.
Chamfered edge
facing away from
check valve
PEEK washer
Check valve
Low pressure gasket (factory installed)
8.
With the clamping plates still open, insert the cartridge into the i2Valve
actuator with the grooved end first.
Grooved end of
cartridge
2
i Valve actuator
15
9.
Squeeze the two clamping plate tabs on the i2Valve actuator with one
hand to clamp the cartridge into the actuator. Ensure the clamping
plates are fully in and the check valve is clamped.
Clamping
plate tab
Clamping
plate tab
Clamping
plates
10. While the clamping plate tabs are being squeezed, use the #0 Phillips
screwdriver to tighten the four screws that secure the plates.
Phillips screwdriver
Screws (4)
2
11. Install the i Valve assembly on the primary pump head. See steps 13
through 18 starting on page 10.
16
Replacing the inlet filter
Required materials
•
Inlet filter
•
Particle-free, powder-free, non-latex gloves
To replace the inlet filter:
Caution: To avoid damaging electronic components, power-off the
binary solvent manager before replacing the inlet filter.
1.
Power-off the binary solvent manager.
Warning: Solvent spill risk. Failure to move the solvent bottles to a
location below the solvent manager head can result in solvent spills.
2.
Move the solvent bottles to a location below the solvent manager head.
3.
Loosen the tube fitting on the inlet filter assembly.
Inlet filter assembly
Tube fitting
2
i Valve actuator
4.
2
Unscrew the inlet filter assembly from the i Valve actuator.
17
5.
Disassemble the inlet filter by unscrewing the two halves of the inlet
filter assembly.
Two halves of
inlet filter
assembly
6.
Remove the inlet filter from the tube.
Inlet filter
housing
Metal locking
ring
Tube
Tube fitting
7.
Insert the metal locking ring onto the tube. Ensure that the flat side of
the metal locking ring is facing toward the tube fitting.
8.
Insert the tube into the new inlet filter housing.
9.
Screw the two halves of the inlet filter assembly together. Do not fully
tighten at this time.
2
10. Insert the inlet filter assembly into the inlet port on the i Valve actuator,
and tighten it securely.
18
11. Finish tightening the tube fitting on the inlet filter assembly to the
extent possible.
12. Power-on the binary solvent manager.
Replacing the accumulator check valve
Caution: To prevent contamination, wear particle-free, powder-free,
non-latex gloves when replacing the check valve.
Required materials
•
Accumulator check valve assembly
•
Particle-free, powder-free, non-latex gloves
•
1/2-inch open-end wrench
•
1/4-inch open-end wrench
•
5/16-inch open-end wrench
To replace the accumulator check valve:
Caution: To avoid damaging electronic components, power-off the
binary solvent manager before replacing the accumulator check valve.
1.
Power-off the binary solvent manager.
Warning: Solvent spill risk. Failure to move the solvent bottles to a
location below the solvent manager head can result in solvent spills.
2.
Move the solvent bottles to a location below the solvent manager head.
3.
Use the 5/16-inch open-end wrench to hold the check valve in place.
19
4.
Use the 1/4-inch open-end wrench to disconnect the tubing fitting from
the check valve.
5/16-inch
open-end wrench
Accumulator
check valve
Tubing fitting
1/4-inch
open-end wrench
5.
Use the 1/2-inch open-end wrench to loosen the check valve, and remove
the check valve assembly from the solvent manager head.
Solvent manager head
Accumulator
check valve
TP02822
1/2-inch open-end
wrench
20
Caution: When you remove the check valve, make sure you also
remove the PEEK washer.
6.
Carefully remove the new check valve and washer from the packaging.
7.
Insert the new PEEK washer into the new check valve. Make sure the
chamfered edge of the washer faces away from the check valve.
Chamfered edge
facing away from
check valve
PEEK washer
Check valve
8.
Insert the check valve assembly into the solvent manager head, and
tighten the check valve nut 1/8-turn beyond finger-tight.
9.
Use the 5/16-inch open-end wrench to hold the check valve in place.
Reattach the fitting to the check valve, and tighten the compression
screw 1/4-turn beyond finger-tight for existing stainless steel tubing, or
1/2-turn beyond finger-tight for new stainless steel tubing.
10. Power-on the binary solvent manager.
21
22