Synchronously programmed sample dilutor apparatus

Claim 2

In an automated liquid sample dilutor, suitable for supplying diluted sample to the sample intake for a chemical analyzer or the like, the combination comprising: a single rotary program cam, and power means for rotating said cam, said cam repetitively programming a 360* rotary timing cycle, said program cam having disposed therein multiple fixed mechanical actuator program profile means synchronously sequentially controlling over predetermined cycle arc intervals the sample intake probe position, the sample liquid volume, the diluent liquid volume, the sample and diluent liquid mixture volume, the aspirator probe position, the diluted sample liquid volume aspiration time interval, the waste diluted sample liquid volume removal, and the diluent liquid volume waste rinse and ejection inputs to and outputs from a mixing cup.

Claim 3

A sample dilutor as set forth in claim 1 wherein said program cam has at least two discrete mechanical actuator program profile cycle means disposed on each one of the pair of cam faces normal to the cam axis of rotation.

Claim 4

A sample dilutor as set forth in claim 1 wherein said program cam has at least each one of a pair of cam switch fixed actuating means diametrically oppositely disposed on the cam face parallel to said cam axis of rotation, one of said pair of switch actuating means positioned to terminate the first one-half of said cycle, and the second of said pair of switch means positioned to terminate the second one-half of said cycle.

Claim 5

A sample dilutor as set forth in claim 1 wherein the timing one-half cycle of said program cam is less than 10 seconds.

Claim 6

An apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein a hydrophobic sample probe tip is removed from an aqueous sample liquid surface at a linear velocity of less than 1.0 inch per second.

Claim 7

In an automated liquid sample dilutor, suitable for supplying diluted samples to the sample intake of a chemical analyzer or the like, the combination comprising: a single rotary program cam and power means for rotating said cam, said cam repetitively programming a 360* rotary timing cycle, said program cam having disposed therein multiple fixed mechanical actuator program profile means synchronously sequentially controlling over predetermined arc intervals of said cycle, the sample intake probe position, the sample liquid volume, the diluent liquid volume, the sample and diluent liquid mixture volume, the aspirator probe position, the diluted sample liquid volume aspiration time interval, the waste diluted sample liquid volume removal, and the diluent liquid volume waste rinse and ejection inputs to and outputs from a mixing cup; and sample intake probe means, sample liquid measuring means, diluent liquid measuring means, sample and diluent liquid mixing means, diluted sample liquid ejecting means, system diluent liquid rinsing and ejecting means, system liquid pumping and valving means operatively associated with said program cam.

Claim 8

In an automated liquid sample dilutor, suitable for supplying diluted samples to the sample intake of a chemical analyzer or the like, the combination comprising: a single rotary program cam and power means for rotating said cam, said cam repetitively programming a 360* rotary timing cycle, said program cam having disposed therein multiple fixed mechanical actuator program profile means synchronously sequentially controlling over predetermined arc intervals of said cycle, the sample intake probe position, the sample liquid volume, the diluent liquid volume, the sample and diluent liquid mixture volume, the aspirator probe position, the diluted sample liquid volume aspiration time interval, the waste diluted sample liquid volume removal, and the diluent liquid volume waste rinse and ejection inputs to and outputs from a mixing cup; and sample intake probe means, sample liquid measuring means, diluent liquid measuring means, sample and diluent liquid mixing means, diluted sample liquid ejecting means, system diluent liquid rinsing and ejecting means, system liquid pumping and valving means operatively associated with said program cam.

Claim 9

A sample dilutor as set forth in claim 6 wherein said program cam has at least two discrete mechanical actuator program profile means disposed on each one of the pair of cam faces normal to the cam axis of rotation.

Claim 10

A sample dilutor as set forth in claim 6 wherein said program cam has at least each one of a pair of cam switch fixed actuating means diametrically oppositely disposed on the cam face parallel to said cam axis of rotation, one of said pair of switch actuating means positioned to terminate the first one-half of said cycle and the second of said pair of switch actuating means positioned to terminate the second one-half of said cycle.

Claim 11

A sample dilutor as set forth in claim 6 wherein the timing one-half cycle of said program cam is less than 10 seconds.

Claim 12

An apparatus as set forth in claim 6 wherein a hydrophobic sample probe tip is removed from an aqueous sample liquid surface at a linear velocity of less tan 1. inch per second.

Claim 13

In an automated liquid sample dilutor, suitable for supplying diluted samples to the intake of a chemical analyzer or the like, the combination comprising: a single rotary program cam, and power means for rotating said cam, said cam repetitively programming a 360 * rotary timing cycle, said cam having a fixed piston groove first program cycle and a fixed valve groove second program cycle disposed on a first face of said cam, each one of the above first and second program cycles having a constant groove depth, said cam having a fixed aspirator, constant depth groove third program cycle and a fixed sample probe, variable depth groove fourth program cycle disposed on the second cam face of said cam opposite said first cam face, said first and second cam faces disposed normal to the cam axis of rotation, said cam having at least a pair of fixed switch actuating lobes symmetrically oppositely disposed on the cam face parallel to said cam axis of rotation, one of said pair of switch lobes positioned to terminate the first one-half of said timing cycle, the above said programming cycles and said switch lobes synchronously sequentially disposed to control predetermined arc intervals of said cycle relating to sample intake probe position, the sample liquid volume, the diluent liquid volume, the sample and diluent liquid mixture volume, the diluted sample liquid volume aspiration, and the system diluent liquid rinse volume and ejection.

Claim 14

In an automated liquid sample dilutor, suitable for supplying diluted samples to the intake of a chemical analyzer or the like, the combination comprising: a single rotary program cam, and power means for rotating said cam, said cam repetitively programming a 360 * rotary timing cycle, said cam having a fixed piston groove first program cycle and a fixed valve groove second program cycle disposed on a first face of said cam, each one of the above first and second program cycles having a constant groove depth, said cam having a fixed aspirator, constant depth groove third program cycle and a fixed sample probe, variable depth groove fourth program cycle disposed on the second cam face of said cam opposite said first cam face, said first and second cam faces disposed normal to the cam axis of rotation, said cam having at least a pair of fixed switch actuating lobes symmetrically oppositely disposed on the cam face parallel to said cam axis of rotation, one of said pair of switch lobes positioned to terminate the first one-half of said timing cycle, the above said programming cycles and said switch lobes synchronously sequentially disposed to control predetermined arc intervals of said cycle relating to sample intake probe position, the sample liquid volume, the diluent liquid volume, the sample and diluent liquid mixture volume, the diluted sample liquid volume aspiration, and the system diluent liquid rinse volume and ejection.

Claim 15

A sample dilutor as set forth in claim 11 wherein the timing one-half cycle of said program cam is less than 10 seconds.

Claim 16

An apparatus set forth in claim 11 wherein a hydrophobic sample probe tip is removed from an aqueous sample liquid surface at a linear velocity of less than 1. inch per second.

Claim 17

In an automated liquid sample handling device suitable for supplying sample to the sample intake of a chemical analyzer, said device including pump means, valve means for controlling the flow of liquid to and from said pump means, a sample intake and delivery probe, an aspirator probe for connection to said analyzer and a sample cup, the improvement which comprises: a single rotary program cam and power means for rotating said cam, said cam having formed therein multiple program profile means for sequentially controlling over a predetermined cycle the operation of said pump and valve means, and the position of said sample intake and delivery probe and said aspirator probe with respect to said sample cup, said profile means effecting vertical and horizontal translation of said sample intake and delivery probe and vertical translation of said aspirator probe.

Claim 18

In an automated liquid sample handling device suitable for supplying sample to the sample intake of a chemical analyzer, said device including pump means, valve means for controlling the flow of liquid to and from said pump means, a sample intake and delivery probe, an aspirator probe for connection to said analyzer and a sample cup, the improvement which comprises: a single rotary program cam and power means for rotating said cam, said cam having formed therein multiple program profile means for sequentially controlling over a predetermined cycle the operation of said pump and valve means, and the position of said sample intake and delivery probe and said aspirator probe with respect to said sample cup, said profile means effecting vertical and horizontal translation of said sample intake and delivery probe and vertical translation of said aspirator probe.

Claim 19

A device as set forth in claim 14 wherein said program cam has at least two discrete profile means disposed on each one of the pair of cam faces normal to the cam axis of rotation.