Sample taking apparatus

Claim 2

Apparatus for periodically taking samples from liquids with or without solids therein and flowing through a conduit, comprising a sampling tube mounted for longitudinal movement and extending towards a conduit for liquid from which samples are to be taken, said sampling tube having an open inner end to be moved into and out of liquid flowing through the conduit, means for moving said tube to shift the inner end thereof into the flowing liquid to permit some of said liquid to flow through the tube and to shift said inner end out of the liquid to stop said flow, a closed sample chamber for receiving the sample liquid, a flexible tube connected to an outer end of the sampling tube and extending to the chamber to direct liquid from said tube into the chamber, and control means in the chamber and operatively connected to said tube moving means to cause the inner end of the sampling tube to be moved out of the liquid when the liquid sample in the chamber reaches a predetermined volume.

Claim 3

Sample taking apparatus as claimed in claim 1 including means for allowing the liquid sample to flow out of the sample chamber after said sample reaches said predetermined volume.

Claim 4

Sample taking apparatus as claimed in claim 2 including a receptacle connected to the chamber by a tube to receive the samples from said chamber, and a shut-off valve in said tube.

Claim 5

Sample taking apparatus as claimed in claim 3 including control means in the receptacle for causing said valve to be operated to shut-off the tube when the liquid in the receptacle reaches a predetermined level.

Claim 6

Sample taking apparatus as claimed in claim 3 including control means in the receptacle for causing the inner end of the sampling tube to be shifted out of the liquid in the conduit when the liquid in the receptacle reaches a predetermined level.

Claim 7

Sample taking apparatus as claimed in claim 1 including a vent opening in the chamber at the top thereof, and a float valve positioned to close the opening if the liquid in the chamber reaches said opening.

Claim 8

Sample taking apparatus as claimed in claim 1 including a vent opening in the chamber at the top thereof, a tube extending from said vent opening into the conduit to conduct liquid into the latter if the liquid in the chamber reaches said opening.

Claim 9

Apparatus for periodically taking samples from liquids with or without solids therein; comprising a conduit formed by a substantially tubular wall and through which liquid from which samples are to be taken can flow, said conduit having an inlet at one end and an outlet at an opposite end, a recess formed in the conduit to one side of the entrance thereof so that liquid flowing through said entrance passes the recess, a sampling tube extending out of the conduit and having an open inner end normally in said recess, said tube being longitudinally movable to shift said inner end into and out of the liquid flowing through the conduit, means for moving said tube to shift the inner end thereof into the flowing liquid to permit some of said liquid to flow through the tube and to shift said inner end out of the liquid to stop said flow, a sample chamber for receiving the sample liquid, a flexible tube connected to an outer end of the sampling tube and extending to the chamber to direct liquid from said tube into the chamber, and control means in the chamber and operatively connected to said tube moving means to cause the inner end of the sampling tube to be moved out of the liquid when the liquid sample in the chamber reaches a predetermined volume.

Claim 10

Apparatus for periodically taking samples from liquids with or without solids therein; comprising a conduit formed by a substantially tubular wall and through which liquid from which samples are to be taken can flow, said conduit having an inlet at one end and an outlet at an opposite end, a recess formed in the conduit to one side of the entrance thereof so that liquid flowing through said entrance passes the recess, a sampling tube extending out of the conduit and having an open inner end normally in said recess, said tube being longitudinally movable to shift said inner end into and out of the liquid flowing through the conduit, means for moving said tube to shift the inner end thereof into the flowing liquid to permit some of said liquid to flow through the tube and to shift said inner end out of the liquid to stop said flow, a sample chamber for receiving the sample liquid, a flexible tube connected to an outer end of the sampling tube and extending to the chamber to direct liquid from said tube into the chamber, and control means in the chamber and operatively connected to said tube moving means to cause the inner end of the sampling tube to be moved out of the liquid when the liquid sample in the chamber reaches a predetermined volume.

Claim 11

Sample taking apparatus as claimed in claim 1 including sealing means around the sampling tube to prevent liquid from leaking out of the conduit around the tube.

Claim 12

Sample taking apparatus as claimed in claim 1 in which said tube moving means comprises resilient means connected to the sampling tube normally retaining the inner end thereof out of the liquid, and a solenoid operatively connected to the tube, said solenoid when energized moving the tube inner end into the liquid.

Claim 13

Sample taking apparatus as claimed in claim 1 in which said tube moving means comprises resilient means connected to the sampling tube normally retaining the inner end therof out of the liquid, and a solenoid operatively connected to the tube, said solenoid when energized moving the tube inner end into the liquid; and including two electrodes in the chamber positioned to be contacted by the sample liquid when the latter reaches a predetermined volume, and an electrical circuit including said electrodes and said solenoid to cause the solenoid to be de-energized when both electrodes are contacted by the liquid.

Claim 14

Sample taking apparatus as claimed in claim 11 in which one of said electrodes is positioned above the other of said electrodes in the sample chamber.

Claim 15

Sample taking apparatus as claimed in claim 12 in which said one electrode is adjustable vertically of the chamber relative to said other electrode.

Claim 16

Sample taking apparatus as claimed in claim 8 including a flap valve positioned normally to close the inner end of the sampling tube when said inner end is positioned in the recess, said valve being swung out of the way by the tube when said tube is moved to shift the inner end thereof into the flowing liquid.

Claim 17

Sample taking apparatus as claimed in claim 8 including means for allowing the liquid sample to flow out of the sample chamber after said sample reaches said predetermined volume.

Claim 18

Sample taking apparatus as claimed in claim 15 including a receptacle connected to the chamber by a valve-controlled tube to receive the samples from said chamber.

Claim 19

Sample taking apparatus as claimed in claim 8 including sealing means around the sampling tube at said recess to prevent liquid from leaking out of the conduit around the tube.

Claim 20

Sample taking apparatus as claimed in claim 8 in which the sampling tube extends substantially normal to the flow of liquid through the conduit, and said inner end of the tube is bevelled with the bevel facing the flow of liquid.

Claim 21

Sample taking apparatus as claimed in claim 8 in which said recess is formed by an enlargement of the conduit around the entrance thereof.

Claim 22

Sample taking apparatus as claimed in claim 19 in which the conduit entrance comprises a tube extending into said enlargement of the conduit, said sampling tube being located downstream of said tube.

Claim 23

Sample taking apparatus as claimed in claim 8 in which said tube moving means comprises resilient means connected to the sampling tube normally retaining the inner end thereof out of the liquid, and a solenoid operatively connected to the tube, said solenoid when energized moving the tube inner end into the liquid.

Claim 24

Sample taking apparatus as claimed in claim 21 in which said tube moving means comprises resilient means connected to the sampling tube normally retaining the inner end thereof out of the liquid, and a solenoid operatively connected to the tube, said solenoid when energized moving the tube inner end into the liquid; and including two electrodes in the chamber positioned to be contacted by the sample liquid when the latter reaches a predetermined volume, and an electrical circuit including said electrodes and said solenoid to cause the solenoid to be de-energized when both electrodes are contacted by the liquid.

Claim 25

Sample taking apparatus as claimed in claim 22 in which one of said electrodes is positioned above the other of said electrodes in the sample chamber.

Claim 26

Sample taking apparatus as claimed in claim 23 in which said one electrode is adjustable vertically of the chamber relative to said other electrode.