Liquid proportioning system in a liquid sample analyzer

Claim 3

A method as defined in claim 1, further including the step of agitating the combined liquids in said second chamber to mix them.

Claim 4

A method as defined in claim 1, further including establishing a vacuum in a third chamber, and withdrawing with such vacuum from said second chamber into said third chamber said combined first and second liquids.

Claim 5

A method as defined in claim 1, wherein: one of said liquids is a sample for analysis of a constituent thereof, and the other of said liquids is a reagent, and further including the step of analyzing the sample subsequent to the combining of said two liquids.

Claim 6

A method as defined in claim 1, wherein: said first liquid is a sample for analysis of a constituent thereof and said second liquid is a diluent, and further including washing out said second chamber with said second liquid from a pressurized source of the latter prior to said filling of said second chamber.

Claim 7

A method as defined in claim 1, wherein: said first liquid is a sample for analysis of a constituent thereof and said second liquid is a reagent, and further including the steps of subsequently withdrawing said combined liquids from said second chamber and analyzing the sample.

Claim 14

A liquid porportioning system in a fluid sampler analyzer, comprising: means for flowing a first liquid along a first conduit for filling means defining a first chamber of fixed volume; means for flowing a second liquid along a second conduit for filling means defining a second larger chamber of fixed volume; means for flowing a different quantity of said second liquid as a pilot fluid along a third conduit to said first chamber; and first means for selectively coupling said first chamber to said second chamber, the last-named means coupling said chambers during said flow of said pilot fluid, such that the volume of said first liquid in said first chamber is displaced into said filled second chamber, said means defining said second chamber comprising means for overflowing a volume of said second liquid from said second chamber equal to the volume of said first liquid and any pilot fluid introduced into said second chamber.

Claim 15

A liquid porportioning system in a fluid sampler analyzer, comprising: means for flowing a first liquid along a first conduit for filling means defining a first chamber of fixed volume; means for flowing a second liquid along a second conduit for filling means defining a second larger chamber of fixed volume; means for flowing a different quantity of said second liquid as a pilot fluid along a third conduit to said first chamber; and first means for selectively coupling said first chamber to said second chamber, the last-named means coupling said chambers during said flow of said pilot fluid, such that the volume of said first liquid in said first chamber is displaced into said filled second chamber, said means defining said second chamber comprising means for overflowing a volume of said second liquid from said second chamber equal to the volume of said first liquid and any pilot fluid introduced into said second chamber.

Claim 16

Apparatus as defined in claim 10, further including means for agitating the combined liquids in said second chamber to mix them.

Claim 17

Apparatus as defined in claim 10, further including means for terminating said flow of said second liquid along said second conduit toward said second chamber, means defining a third chamber, second means selectively coupling said second conduit to said third chamber, and means establishing a vacuum in said third chamber when said second coupling means is closed, the vacuum in said third chamber withdrawing into said third chamber the combined liquids in said second chamber through said second conduit when said second coupling means is open and said first coupling means is closed and said flow of said second liquid in said second conduit toward said second chamber is terminated.

Claim 18

Apparatus as defined in claim 10, wherein: one of said liquids is sample for analysis of a constituent thereof, and the other of said liquids is a reagent, and further including means for analyzing the sample subsequent to the combining of said two liquids.

Claim 19

Apparatus as defined in claim 10, wherein: said first liquid is a sample for analysis of a constituent thereof and said second liquid is a diluent, and further inlcuding a controlled pressurized source of said diluent coupled to said second conduit, said means for flowing said second liquid along said second conduit being operative to wash out said second chamber prior to said filling of said second chamber.

Claim 20

Apparatus as defined in claim 10, wherein: said first liquid is a sample for analysis of a constituent thereof and said second liquid is a reagent, and further including means terminating the flow of said second liquid in said second conduit toward the second chamber, means withdrawing said combined liquids from sad second chamber flow thereof along said second conduit when the flow of said second liquid therein toward the second chamber is terminated, and means for analyzing the sample in said second conduit.

Claim 21

In a liquid proportioning system in a fluid sample analyzer, having means defining a first fixed-volume chamber, means defining a larger second fixed-volume chamber having an overflow outlet, and a controlled fluid coupling between said chambers for placing the latter alternately in and out of communication with each oter, the combination of; means flowing a first liquid along a conduit having an outlet coupled to said first chamber for filling the latter, while said chambers are out of communication, conduit means comprising at least one liquid conduit having an end coupled to said second chamber; means flowing a second liquid along said conduit means for filling said second chamber, while said chambers are out of communication; means flowing said second liquid along a conduit having an outlet coupled to said first chamber to displace the volume of the first liquid in the latter into said filled second chamber, while said chambers are in communication, for displacement and overflow of an equivalent volume of said second liquid through said overflow outlet prior to said chambers being placed out of communication; and means coupled to said conduit means for withdrawing the combined volumes of said first and second liquids in said second chamber, while said chambers are out of communication.

Claim 22

In a liquid proportioning system in a fluid sample analyzer, having means defining a first fixed-volume chamber, means defining a larger second fixed-volume chamber having an overflow outlet, and a controlled fluid coupling between said chambers for placing the latter alternately in and out of communication with each oter, the combination of; means flowing a first liquid along a conduit having an outlet coupled to said first chamber for filling the latter, while said chambers are out of communication, conduit means comprising at least one liquid conduit having an end coupled to said second chamber; means flowing a second liquid along said conduit means for filling said second chamber, while said chambers are out of communication; means flowing said second liquid along a conduit having an outlet coupled to said first chamber to displace the volume of the first liquid in the latter into said filled second chamber, while said chambers are in communication, for displacement and overflow of an equivalent volume of said second liquid through said overflow outlet prior to said chambers being placed out of communication; and means coupled to said conduit means for withdrawing the combined volumes of said first and second liquids in said second chamber, while said chambers are out of communication.

Claim 23

Apparatus for proportioning liquids in a liquid sample analytical system, comprising: a conduit system including means defining a first and a second fixed-volume chamber in fixed relation to one another each having an inlet and an overflow outlet, means for filling said first chamber with a first liquid and said second chamber with a second liquid of different composition, through the respective inlets to overflow the respective outlets, and means for displacing said first liquid from said first chamber through said second chamber for dispensing from said conduit system through said second chamber inlet in combined form the volumes of said first and second liquids from said chambers, said means defining said chambers and said inlets and outlets thereof comprising a probe including a vertically arranged conduit having a lower opening for ingress and egress of said liquids which forms said inlet of said second chamber, said conduit having intermediate of its ends a lateral outlet forming said second chamber overflow outlet, said second chamber being formed by the portion of said conduit extending between said second chamber inlet and said second chamber overflow outlet, said conduit having a lateral fluid inlet spaced upwardly from the last-mentioned outlet, said first chamber being formed by the portion of the conduit extending between said second chamber overflow outlet and said lateral fluid inlet, said first chamber inlet being in direct communication with said second chamber, and said conduit having an outlet above said lateral fluid inlet and forming said first chamber overflow outlet.

Claim 24

Apparatus for proportioning liquids in a liquid sample analytical system, comprising: a conduit system including means defining a first and a second fixed-volume chamber in fixed relation to one another each having an inlet and an overflow outlet, means for filling said first chamber with a first liquid and said second chamber with a second liquid of different composition, through the respective inlets to overflow the respective outlets, and means for displacing said first liquid from said first chamber through said second chamber for dispensing from said conduit system through said second chamber inlet in combined form the volumes of said first and second liquids from said chambers, said means defining said chambers and said inlets and outlets thereof comprising a probe including a vertically arranged conduit having a lower opening for ingress and egress of said liquids which forms said inlet of said second chamber, said conduit having intermediate of its ends a lateral outlet forming said second chamber overflow outlet, said second chamber being formed by the portion of said conduit extending between said second chamber inlet and said second chamber overflow outlet, said conduit having a lateral fluid inlet spaced upwardly from the last-mentioned outlet, said first chamber being formed by the portion of the conduit extending between said second chamber overflow outlet and said lateral fluid inlet, said first chamber inlet being in direct communication with said second chamber, and said conduit having an outlet above said lateral fluid inlet and forming said first chamber overflow outlet.

Claim 25

Apparatus as defined in claim 17, wherein: said first and second chambers have different volumes.

Claim 26

Apparatus as defined in claim 17, wherein: said means filling said first and second chambers comprises means establishing at least a partial vacuum connected to the respective outlets of said first and second chambers.

Claim 27

Apparatus as defined in claim 17, wherein: said means for dispensing said liquid volumes comprises means flowing a pilot fluid through said first and second chambers.