US3901087A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Sampling apparatus
Assignee: ULMAELEKTRA
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Filing: 1974-01-18
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Granted: 1975-08-26
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Expires: 1994-01-18
Abstract
Abstract Sampling apparatus for collecting liquid samples of predetermined size from a source of liquid comprises a sample measuring container having liquid level detecting electrodes and a drain valve, a suction tube through which liquid is drawn from the source into the measuring container, a vacuum pump having a pressure port and a vacuum port, a multiposition control valve for selectively connecting either port to the measuring container, and electronic control means for operating the multiposition valve to connect the vacuum pump pressure port to the measuring container for a 5 second time interval after the vacuum pump is started so as to pressurize the measuring container and back-flush the suction tube (while the drain valve is closed) and for operating the multiposition valve to connect the vacuum pump vacuum port to the measuring container after the 5-second time interval to vacuumize the measuring container and draw in a sample of predetermined size, whereupon the electrodes detect this fact, the multiposition valve reconnects the vacuum pump pressure port to the measuring container to reflush the system for another 5-second time interval, and the pump stops and the drain valve reopens.
Inventors
- 👤 Hannes Fabritius
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 16:13
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N1/00; G01N1/02; G01N1/10; G01N1/14
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
228 words
Sampling apparatus for collecting liquid samples of predetermined size from a source of liquid comprising: a sample measuring container, passage means through which liquid is drawn from said source into said container, a vacuum pump having a pressure port and a vacuum port, detecting means connected to said container for detecting when a liquid sample of predetermined size has been drawn into said container, a drain valve for discharging said liquid sample from said container, multi-position control valve means for connecting either of said ports to said container, and control means for controlling said pump, said drain valve and said control valve means to connect said pressure port to said container for a first predetermined time interval after said pump is started and said drain valve is closed to pressurize said container and flush said passage means and to connect said vacuum port to said container after said first predetermined time interval to vacuumize said container and draw a sample of predetermined size into said container, said control means including a guard circuit, including timing means responsive to a failure of said detecting means to detect the presence of a liquid sample of predetermined size in said container within another time interval after said control valve means connects said vacuum port to said container, said guard circuit being operable to stop said pump and open said drain valve.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
228 words
Sampling apparatus for collecting liquid samples of predetermined size from a source of liquid comprising: a sample measuring container, passage means through which liquid is drawn from said source into said container, a vacuum pump having a pressure port and a vacuum port, detecting means connected to said container for detecting when a liquid sample of predetermined size has been drawn into said container, a drain valve for discharging said liquid sample from said container, multi-position control valve means for connecting either of said ports to said container, and control means for controlling said pump, said drain valve and said control valve means to connect said pressure port to said container for a first predetermined time interval after said pump is started and said drain valve is closed to pressurize said container and flush said passage means and to connect said vacuum port to said container after said first predetermined time interval to vacuumize said container and draw a sample of predetermined size into said container, said control means including a guard circuit, including timing means responsive to a failure of said detecting means to detect the presence of a liquid sample of predetermined size in said container within another time interval after said control valve means connects said vacuum port to said container, said guard circuit being operable to stop said pump and open said drain valve.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
37 words
Sampling apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said control means includes alarm means responsive to operation of said guard circuit to provide an indication that no liquid sample of predetermined size has been deposited in said container.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
289 words
Sampling apparatus for collecting liquid samples of predetermined size from a source of liquid comprising: a sample measuring container, detecting means connected to said container for detecting that a liquid sample of predetermined size is disposed therein, drain valve means connected to said container, passage means through which liquid is drawn from said source into said container, a vacuum pump having a pressure port and a vacuum port, control valve means for connecting either of said ports to said container, and control means for operating said pump, said drain valve and said control valve means, said control means operating said control valve means to connect said pressure port to said container for a predetermined time interval after said pump is started and said drain valve closes to pressurize said container and flush said passage means, said control means operating said control valve means to connect said vacuum port to said container after said predetermined time interval to vacuumize said container and draw liquid into said container, said control means being responsive to said detecting means for operating said control valve means to connect said pressure port to said container when a liquid sample of predetermined size is in said container to reflush said passage means for a second predetermined time interval and to stop said pump and open said drain valve after said second predetermined time interval, said control means including a guard circuit, including timing means responsive to a failure of said detecting means to detect the presence of a liquid sample of predetermined size in said container within another time interval after said control valve means connect said vacuum port to said container, said guard circuit being operable to stop said pump and open said drain valve.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
289 words
Sampling apparatus for collecting liquid samples of predetermined size from a source of liquid comprising: a sample measuring container, detecting means connected to said container for detecting that a liquid sample of predetermined size is disposed therein, drain valve means connected to said container, passage means through which liquid is drawn from said source into said container, a vacuum pump having a pressure port and a vacuum port, control valve means for connecting either of said ports to said container, and control means for operating said pump, said drain valve and said control valve means, said control means operating said control valve means to connect said pressure port to said container for a predetermined time interval after said pump is started and said drain valve closes to pressurize said container and flush said passage means, said control means operating said control valve means to connect said vacuum port to said container after said predetermined time interval to vacuumize said container and draw liquid into said container, said control means being responsive to said detecting means for operating said control valve means to connect said pressure port to said container when a liquid sample of predetermined size is in said container to reflush said passage means for a second predetermined time interval and to stop said pump and open said drain valve after said second predetermined time interval, said control means including a guard circuit, including timing means responsive to a failure of said detecting means to detect the presence of a liquid sample of predetermined size in said container within another time interval after said control valve means connect said vacuum port to said container, said guard circuit being operable to stop said pump and open said drain valve.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
36 words
Sampling apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said control means includes alarm responsive to operation of said guard circuit to provide an indication that no liquid sample of predetermined size has been deposited in said container.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
GB720161A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-08-25 | 1979-02-24 | 1979-08-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-08-25 | 1983-02-24 | 1983-08-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-08-25 | 1987-02-24 | 1987-08-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |