A modular manifold system is provided for interconnecting fluid components
of a fluid system in a reduced area. The system is comprised of a one or
more bridge fittings having an internal fluid passageway which has an
inlet end in fluid communication with an outlet port of a first fluid
component, and an outlet end in fluid communication with an inlet port of
a second fluid component. The bridge fittings may additionally comprise
two or more ports, which one of said ports may be in fluid communication
with a manifold on another substrate level. The bridge fittings may be
mounted within a channel of a backing plate for structural support or in
channel blocks of varying sizes. An optional locator plate may be
utilized which is mounted over the ends of the bridge fittings in order
to align the inlet and outlet ports of the fluid components with the
inlet and outlet ends of the bridge fittings. The bridge fittings may
also be mounted to the locator plate in multiple directions forming
multiple flow paths. Additionally, the bridge fittings may be stacked to
form multiple layers where bridge fittings of one layer may be in fluid
communication with bridge fittings of another layer. The invention may
further comprise seals provided in a recess between the fluid ports and
the mating bridge fittings ends.