Optical analyzing means for automatic chemical testing apparatus

Claim 2

In a chemical testing apparatus in which a plurality of reaction tubes are indexed through various positions, test samples and reagents are dispensed into the reaction tubes, and the contents of the tubes are analyzed, the improvement in means for optically testing the contents of the tubes comprising, a readout housing including a plurality of testing chambers of predetermined size, a generally vertical passageway connected to the lower portion of each of the chambers and extending downwardly, a support supporting the readout housing and said passageways, means for moving the housing and the reaction tubes relative to each other for establishing communication of the passageways with the test samples in the tubes, suction means connected to each of the chambers for aspirating the contents of the tubes into the testing chambers when the passageways are in fluid communication with the samples in the tubes, a single light source remotely spaced from the testing chambers whereby the heat of the light source will not adversely affect the contents of the testing chambers, a plurality of fiber optic tubes, each of which is connected to the light source and one of the testing chambers for passing light through each of the testing chambers, and light measuring means for measuring the light passing through each of the testing chambers.

Claim 3

The apparatus of claim 1 including, an air manifold connected to the top of each of the testing chambers, and valve means positioned between the manifold and the testing chambers, for admitting air into the testing chambers for expelling the contents of the testing chambers and passageways.

Claim 4

The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the valve means includes, a sliding lever having a plurality of ports, an actuatinG arm connected to the lever, and an upper and lower stop positioned to contact and to move the actuating arm as the readout block is raised and lowered.

Claim 5

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first ends of the fiber optic tubes are radially positioned around the light source and axially aligned therewith, and each second end of the fiber optic tubes is coaxially aligned with one of the testing chambers.

Claim 6

In a chemical testing apparatus in which a plurality of reaction tubes are indexed through various positions, test samples and reagents are dispensed into the reaction tubes, and the contents of the tubes are analyzed, the improvement in means for optically testing the contents of the tubes comprising, a readout housing including a plurality of testing chambers of predetermined size, a plurality of generally vertical passageway each of which is connected adjacent the lowest portion of one of said chambers and extending downwardly for insertion into one of the tubes, a movable support supporting the readout housing and said passageways, means for moving the housing and for moving the passageways into said tubes and retracting said passageways from the tubes, suction means connected to each of the chambers for aspirating the contents of the tubes into the testing chambers when the passageways are inserted into the tubes, an air pressure manifold connected to the tops of each of the chambers for admitting air into the chambers for expelling the contents of the testing chambers therefrom, a single light source remotely spaced from the testing chambers whereby the heat of the light source will not adversely affect the contents of the testing chambers, a plurality of fiber optic tubes, each of which is connected to the light source and one of the testing chambers for passing light through each of the testing chambers, and light measuring means for measuring the light passing through each of the testing chambers.

Claim 7

In a chemical testing apparatus in which a plurality of reaction tubes are indexed through various positions, test samples and reagents are dispensed into the reaction tubes, and the contents of the tubes are analyzed, the improvement in means for optically testing the contents of the tubes comprising, a readout housing including a plurality of testing chambers of predetermined size, a plurality of generally vertical passageway each of which is connected adjacent the lowest portion of one of said chambers and extending downwardly for insertion into one of the tubes, a movable support supporting the readout housing and said passageways, means for moving the housing and for moving the passageways into said tubes and retracting said passageways from the tubes, suction means connected to each of the chambers for aspirating the contents of the tubes into the testing chambers when the passageways are inserted into the tubes, an air pressure manifold connected to the tops of each of the chambers for admitting air into the chambers for expelling the contents of the testing chambers therefrom, a single light source remotely spaced from the testing chambers whereby the heat of the light source will not adversely affect the contents of the testing chambers, a plurality of fiber optic tubes, each of which is connected to the light source and one of the testing chambers for passing light through each of the testing chambers, and light measuring means for measuring the light passing through each of the testing chambers.