US4007638A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Liquid sampling
Assignee: Pro-Tech Inc
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Filing: 1975-09-29
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Granted: 1977-02-15
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Expires: 1995-09-29
Abstract
Abstract Liquid samples of like composition and like or unlike volume are collected simultaneously. Liquid is withdrawn continuously from a body of liquid to be sampled. The withdrawn liquid is passed continuously into and fills a confining region having multiple outlets. Streams of liquid from the respective outlets are diverted intermittently for sample collection and otherwise are returned to the source body of liquid or to waste. The multiple-outlet confining region is embodied in a plenum chamber, and individual diverter chambers are provided for the streams of liquid from the plenum chamber, together with means for effecting the diversion.
Inventors
- 👤 Malcolm F. Irwin
- 👤 Charles A. McClure
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 05:42
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N1/00; G01N1/02; G01N1/10; G01N1/18
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
125 words
In liquid sampling wherein liquid is withdrawn from a body of liquid being sampled to flow past an intermittent diversion locus and back to the body of liquid or to waste except when being diverted from such locus to a collection location, the improvement in providing a plurality of separate samples simultaneously comprising passing the flow of liquid through a first temporarily confining region having a plurality of outlets therefrom, separately flowing streams of liquid from the respective outlets into a second temporarily confining region and past loci of intermittent diversion and back to the body of liquid or to waste except when being diverted, intermittently diverting each such stream at its diversion locus to the collection location, and collecting them as individual samples thereat.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
125 words
In liquid sampling wherein liquid is withdrawn from a body of liquid being sampled to flow past an intermittent diversion locus and back to the body of liquid or to waste except when being diverted from such locus to a collection location, the improvement in providing a plurality of separate samples simultaneously comprising passing the flow of liquid through a first temporarily confining region having a plurality of outlets therefrom, separately flowing streams of liquid from the respective outlets into a second temporarily confining region and past loci of intermittent diversion and back to the body of liquid or to waste except when being diverted, intermittently diverting each such stream at its diversion locus to the collection location, and collecting them as individual samples thereat.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
Liquid sampling according to claim 1, including the step of regulating the relative flows from the outlets of the primary temporarily confining region.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
Liquid sampling according to claim 1, including the step of controlling the respective periods of diversion at the individual diversion loci.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
Liquid sampling according to claim 3, wherein a plurality of unlike periods of diversion are provided so as to collect samples of a plurality of sample volumes.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
93 words
In apparatus for sampling liquid from a body thereof, including means for flowing liquid therefrom past an intermittent diversion locus and back to the body of liquid or to waste except when being diverted from such locus to a collection location, improved means for collecting multiple samples comprising a plenum chamber interposed to receive the flow from the body of liquid and having a plurality of outlets therefrom, a plurality of diversion devices to receive individual streams of liquid from the respective outlets and for diverting them intermittently into individual sample collection containers.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
93 words
In apparatus for sampling liquid from a body thereof, including means for flowing liquid therefrom past an intermittent diversion locus and back to the body of liquid or to waste except when being diverted from such locus to a collection location, improved means for collecting multiple samples comprising a plenum chamber interposed to receive the flow from the body of liquid and having a plurality of outlets therefrom, a plurality of diversion devices to receive individual streams of liquid from the respective outlets and for diverting them intermittently into individual sample collection containers.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
32 words
Liquid sampling apparatus according to claim 5, including bypass means for regulating the liquid flow into the plenum chamber by bypassing any excess back to the body of liquid or to waste.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
Liquid sampling apparatus according to claim 5, including valve means at the plenum chamber outlets for regulating the flow of the respective streams of liquid therefrom.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
Liquid sampling apparatus according to claim 5, including timer means for controlling the periods of diversion and, thus, the sample volume.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
136 words
Apparatus for sampling liquid from a body thereof, including means for flowing liquid therefrom past an intermittent diversion locus and back to the body of liquid or to waste except when being diverted from such locus to a collection location, and comprising a plenum chamber interposed to receive the flow from the body of liquid and having a plurality of outlets therefrom, a plurality of diversion devices to receive individual streams of liquid from the respective outlets and for diverting them intermittently into respective temporarily confining chambers, each such chamber having an outlet to an individual sample collection container, valve means at the outlets from the plenum chamber for regulating the flow of the respective streams of liquid therefrom, and timer means for controlling the periods of diversion and, thus, the volumes of the respective samples.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
136 words
Apparatus for sampling liquid from a body thereof, including means for flowing liquid therefrom past an intermittent diversion locus and back to the body of liquid or to waste except when being diverted from such locus to a collection location, and comprising a plenum chamber interposed to receive the flow from the body of liquid and having a plurality of outlets therefrom, a plurality of diversion devices to receive individual streams of liquid from the respective outlets and for diverting them intermittently into respective temporarily confining chambers, each such chamber having an outlet to an individual sample collection container, valve means at the outlets from the plenum chamber for regulating the flow of the respective streams of liquid therefrom, and timer means for controlling the periods of diversion and, thus, the volumes of the respective samples.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
24 words
Liquid sampling apparatus according to claim 9, wherein delay means associated with the timer means facilitates unlike diversion periods and, thus, diverse sample volumes.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
103 words
Apparatus for providing multiple samples of liquid simultaneously from a body thereof, comprising means for withdrawing a stream of liquid therefrom, a plenum chamber interconnected to the withdrawing means to receive the stream of liquid and be filled thereby, a multiplicity of separate outlets from the plenum chamber, diversion devices interconnected to the respective outlets to receive individual streams of liquid therefrom, and means for actuating the diversion devices intermittently to divert liquid therefrom for sample collection, the diverter devices being adapted to pass the streams of liquid received thereby back to the body of liquid or to waste except when so actuated.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
103 words
Apparatus for providing multiple samples of liquid simultaneously from a body thereof, comprising means for withdrawing a stream of liquid therefrom, a plenum chamber interconnected to the withdrawing means to receive the stream of liquid and be filled thereby, a multiplicity of separate outlets from the plenum chamber, diversion devices interconnected to the respective outlets to receive individual streams of liquid therefrom, and means for actuating the diversion devices intermittently to divert liquid therefrom for sample collection, the diverter devices being adapted to pass the streams of liquid received thereby back to the body of liquid or to waste except when so actuated.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
20 words
Liquid sampling apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the withdrawing means comprises a pump submersible in the body of liquid.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1980-02-15 | 1980-08-16 | 1981-02-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-02-15 | 1984-08-16 | 1985-02-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-02-15 | 1988-08-16 | 1989-02-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |