Patent US3747412A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3747412A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Sample mixing and metering apparatus
Assignee: Coulter Electronics Inc
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Filing: 1971-10-21
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Granted: 1973-07-24
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Expires: 1991-10-21
Abstract
Abstract The apparatus includes a sample head adapted to be mounted at a sample pickup station. The head includes a hollow sample pickup probe adapted to be inserted into a sample container at the sample pickup station for extracting a given amount of fluid sample from the container. The pickup probe is movable between a first or sample position and a second or retracted position by means of an air cylinder. A valve mechanism connected to the probe is operable on movement of the probe to the sample position for connecting the probe to a device for withdrawing fluid from the sample container through the probe. The air cylinder not only moves the probe but also, and at the same time, operates the valve mechanism. In the second position the valve mechanism effects fluid connections for mixing a given amount of the fluid sample with another fluid and for simultaneously transferring the mixture to a receptacle.
Inventors
- 👤 A Jones
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 10:33
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N35/00; G01N35/10; G01N35/02; G01N35/04; G01N2035/0401; G01N2035/0437
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 30
Claim 1
Independent Claim
133 words
A sample head for use at a sample pickup Station, said head comprising a hollow sample pickup probe adapted to be inserted into a sample container at a sample pickup station for extracting a given amount of fluid sample from the container, said pickup probe being movable between a first or sample position and a second or retracted position, valve means operable upon movement of said probe to said sample position for connecting said probe to means for withdrawing fluid from the sample container through said probe, and means for moving said probe and simultaneously operating said valve means whereby said valve means is operated by said moving means to connect said probe to the withdrawing means at the same time said probe is moved by said moving means to said sample position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
133 words
A sample head for use at a sample pickup Station, said head comprising a hollow sample pickup probe adapted to be inserted into a sample container at a sample pickup station for extracting a given amount of fluid sample from the container, said pickup probe being movable between a first or sample position and a second or retracted position, valve means operable upon movement of said probe to said sample position for connecting said probe to means for withdrawing fluid from the sample container through said probe, and means for moving said probe and simultaneously operating said valve means whereby said valve means is operated by said moving means to connect said probe to the withdrawing means at the same time said probe is moved by said moving means to said sample position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
The sample head as claimed in claim 1 including arm means pivotally mounted to a supporting structure for supporting said sample pickup probe and said valve means in spaced relationship to the supporting structure.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
The sample head as claimed in claim 2 wherein said moving means is connected to said arm means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
33 words
The sample head as claimed in claim 2 wherein said arm means includes a pair of parallel spaced arm plates pivotally connected to the supporting structure and having said valve means mounted therebetween.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
67 words
The sample head as claimed in claim 4 wherein said valve means includes first and second valve blocks each having at least one passageway therein, said first block being secured to and between said plates and said second block being movably mounted between said plates adjacent and in sliding contact with said first block, said plates forming a guideway for said second block preventing lateral movement thereof.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
52 words
The sample head as claimed in claim 2 wherein said valve means includes first and second valve blocks each having at least one passageway therein, said first block being secured to said arm means and said second block being movably mounted on said arm means in sliding contact with said first block.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
The sample head as claimed in claim 6 including stop means for limiting relative movement between said valve blocks.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
125 words
The sample head as claimed in claim 7 wherein said second block is longer than said first block and said stop means includes stop members which extend from each end of said second block and which are adapted to engage respective ends of said first block and thereby stop movement of said second block relative to said first block upon movement of said valve means to said first or second valve position , said stop means also serving to limit movement of said arm means by said moving means such that engagement of said first block with one of said stop members defines said first or sample position and engagement of said first block with said other stop member defines said second or retracted position.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
80 words
The sample head as claimed in claim 6 wherein said sample head includes a linkage mechanism having first and second ends, said first end of said linkage mechanism engaging said second block and said second end of said linkage mechanism engaging the supporting structure whereby, when said first block is moved upon movement of said arm means by said moving means, said linkage mechanism causes said second block to move relative to said first block and between said valve positions.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
88 words
The sample head as claimed in claim 9 wherein a roller is connected to said arm means and spaced from said second block a predetermined distance opposite the engagement thereof with said first block and said linkage mechanism includes a bar which extends through the space between said roller and said second block, said roller applying pressure to said bar which is transmitted by the first end of said linkage mechanism against said second block for urging said second block into tight sliding engagement with said first block.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
33 words
The sample head as claimed in claim 9 wherein said linkage mechanism includes at least one pivot means mounted at one end thereof for pivotally engaging said seconD block or the supporting structure.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
57 words
The sample head as claimed in claim 10 wherein at least one pivot means is adjustably mounted at one end of said bar whereby the position of the pivot end of said pivot means from the plane of said bar can be adjusted as desired for increasing or decreasing the pressure between said roller and said bar.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
23 words
The sample head as claimed in claim 1 wherein said valve means include first and second valve blocks movable relative to each other.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
47 words
The sample head as claimed in claim 13 wherein each of said valve blocks has a smooth hard face which slidably engages the smooth hard surface on the other block, and said hard surface on each block is formed of an aluminum oxide - silicon oxide composition.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
19 words
The sample head as claimed in claim 13 wherein at least one of said blocks is made of graphite.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
24 words
The sample head as claimed in claim 13 including means for urging said valve blocks into face to face sliding engagement with each other.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
60 words
The sample head as claimed in claim 13 wherein said first block has a sample pickup passageway therein and said probe is connected to said first block and in communication with said sample pickup passageway, said valve means connecting said passageway to the means for withdrawing fluid sample from the container when said valve means is in said first position.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
27 words
The sample head as claimed in claim 17 wherein said second block has means for connecting said passageway to the means for withdrawing fluid from the container.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
27 words
The sample head as claimed in claim 18 wherein said connecting means includes a sample loop having at least a portion thereof extending through said second block.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
22 words
The sample head as claimed in claim 19 wherein at least a portion of said sample loop is external of said blocks.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
27 words
The sample head as claimed in claim 19 wherein said second block has first and second passageways therein forming at least a part of said sample loop.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
63 words
The sample head as claimed in claim 21 wherein said second block has at least two fittings connected thereto, one in communication with said first passageway and the other in communication with said second passageway, said fittings being adapted to detachably receive thereon the ends of a length of tubing which can be easily changed to adjust the length of said sample loop.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
94 words
The sample head as claimed in claim 21 wherein said first block has a sample extraction passageway extending therethrough, the port opening of said sample extraction passageway opening to the outer surface of said first block being adapted to be connected to the means for withdrawing fluid from the sample container and the port opening of said sample extraction passageway opening to the surface of said first block which engages said second block being arranged to be aligned and in communication with said second passageway when said valve means is in said first position.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
97 words
The sample head as claimed in claim 21 wherein said first and second passageways of said sample loop are closed as said valve blocks are being moved relative to each other to a second valve position to trap a given amount of sample in said loop and said first block has a sample delivery passageway therein arranged so as to be aligned and in communication with said second passageway in said second block when said valve means is in said second position for delivering said given amount of sample trapped in said sample loop to a receptacle.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
116 words
The sample head as claimed in claim 24 wherein said valve means includes means for connecting a source of fluid to said sample loop when said valve means is in said second position, said fluid connecting means including a gallery in said first block with at least one port opening to the inner face of said first block, said port being arranged so as to be aligned and in communication with said first passageway in said second block when said valve means is in said second position so that fluid can flow into said first passageway to force said given amount of liquid sample therefrom and out of said valve means through said sample delivery passageway.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
71 words
The sample head as claimed in claim 25 wherein said first block has a shunt gallery therein between said first mentioned gallery and said sample delivery passageway for bypassing some of said fluid around said sample loop and into said given amount of said liquid sample flowing through said sample delivery passageway thereby to mix fluid with said given amount of sample as it is being ejected from said sample loop.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
25 words
The sample head as claimed in claim 26 wherein said shunt gallery has a cross section larger than the cross section of said sample loop.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
52 words
The sample head as claimed in claim 17 wherein said second block includes means which communicates with said sample pickup passageway in said first block when said valve means is in said second position for connecting said sample pickup passageway and said hollow sample probe connected thereto with means for evacuating same.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
43 words
The sample head as claimed in claim 23 wherein said second block has passage means therein which communicates with said sample extraction passageway when said valve means is in said second position for connecting said sample extraction passageway with means for evacuating same.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-07-23 | 1977-01-22 | 1977-07-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-07-23 | 1981-01-22 | 1981-07-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-07-23 | 1985-01-22 | 1985-07-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |