Liquid sampling

Claim 2

Apparatus for sampling liquid repeatedly from a body thereof for operation by a source of fluid at superatmospheric pressure, comprising first valve means therebetween for determining the sampling repetition rate substantially independently of the source pressure, including a first normally closed pressureresponsive switching valve; second valve therebetween means for determining the duration of individual samplings, including a second normally closed pressure-responsive switching valve; and conduit means leading from the fluid source to the body of fluid and containing the respective valve means, wherein the conduit means includes a main conduit leading from the fluid source to the first normally closed pressure-responsive valve and on to the body of liquid, and an ancillary conduit leading from a junction with the main conduit to a pressure-sensing part of that first valve and on to the second normally closed pressure-responsive switching valve, and the first valve means includes a pressureregulating valve and a flow-regulating valve in series in the ancillary conduit, the pressure-regulating vAlve having a sensing line leading thereto from the ancillary conduit immediately downstream of the flow-regulating valve.

Claim 3

Liquid-sampling apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the conduit means includes also an auxiliary conduit leading from a junction with the main conduit immediately downstream from the first pressure-responsive switching valve to a pressure-sensing part of the second pressure-responsive switching valve, and the second such valve means includes a flow-regulating delay valve in the auxiliary conduit, and the main conduit downstream therefrom includes a throttling valve.

Claim 4

Liquid-sampling apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first valve means includes flow-regulating means between the source of pressurized fluid and the junction of the ancillary conduit with the main conduit.

Claim 5

Liquid-sampling apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the main conduit includes a regulating valve between the junction with the auxiliary conduit and the body of fluid.

Claim 6

Pressure-operated apparatus for sampling liquid repeatedly from a sample chamber in a body thereof at the instance of fluid from a source thereof at superatmospheric pressure, comprising first valve means therebetween for determining the sampling repetition rate, second valve means therebetween for determining the duration of individual samplings, conduit means for interconnecting the valve means to such fluid source and sample chamber and including a main conduit, an ancillary conduit, and an auxiliary conduit; the valve means including a first normally closed pressure-responsive switching valve located in the main conduit and having actuating means responsive to fluid pressure in the ancillary conduit, a second normally closed pressure-responsive switching valve located in the ancillary conduit and having actuating means responsive to fluid pressure in the auxiliary conduit, a first flow-regulating valve located in the ancillary conduit and a second flow-regulating valve located in the auxiliary conduit for controlling the sampling repetition rate and the duration of individual samplings, respectively; the main and ancillary conduits joining one another upstream of the respective valves, and the auxiliary conduit opening to the atmosphere downstream of the first valve.

Claim 7

Pressure-operated apparatus for sampling liquid repeatedly from a sample chamber in a body thereof at the instance of fluid from a source thereof at superatmospheric pressure, comprising first valve means therebetween for determining the sampling repetition rate, second valve means therebetween for determining the duration of individual samplings, conduit means for interconnecting the valve means to such fluid source and sample chamber and including a main conduit, an ancillary conduit, and an auxiliary conduit; the valve means including a first normally closed pressure-responsive switching valve located in the main conduit and having actuating means responsive to fluid pressure in the ancillary conduit, a second normally closed pressure-responsive switching valve located in the ancillary conduit and having actuating means responsive to fluid pressure in the auxiliary conduit, a first flow-regulating valve located in the ancillary conduit and a second flow-regulating valve located in the auxiliary conduit for controlling the sampling repetition rate and the duration of individual samplings, respectively; the main and ancillary conduits joining one another upstream of the respective valves, and the auxiliary conduit opening to the atmosphere downstream of the first valve.

Claim 8

Liquid-sampling apparatus according to claim 5, including a first surge tank located in the ancillary conduit downstream of the first flow-regulating valve, and a second surge tank located in the auxiliary conduit downstream from the second flow-regulating valve.