US4526045A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Sampling system
Assignee: British Nuclear Fuels Ltd
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Filing: 1983-04-18
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Granted: 1985-07-02
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Expires: 2003-04-18
Abstract
Abstract A sampling system in which carriers (1) containing sample bottles (4) are transported by pneumatic conveyor means (3) between an examination station, for example a laboratory, and a selected sampling station at a plant. On arrival at a sampling station (2) a bottle (4) is moved through a predetermined sequence of movements by a transfer arm (5) to cause the bottle to be removed from its carrier and placed over a sample dispenser (7) to introduce sample into the bottle. The bottle containing sample is then returned to the carrier for return to the examination station.
Inventors
- 👤 John Reekie
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 13:58
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N1/00; G01N1/02; G01N1/10; G01N33/00; G01N33/0093; G01N2001/1031; G01N2001/1037; G01N1/20; G01N1/2035; G01N2001/2071; G01N2001/2078; G01N35/00; G01N35/02; G01N35/04; G01N2035/0474; G01N2035/0479; G01N2035/0481
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
87 words
A sampling system comprising an examination station, a sampling station, pneumatic conveyor means between the stations, carriers for transport along the conveyor means between the stations, sample bottles carried by the carriers and transfer means at the sampling station including a transfer arm operable to (a) cooperate with a carrier, (b) remove the bottle from the carrier (c) deliver the bottle to a sample dispenser to introduce sample into the bottle and (d) return the bottle containing sample to the carrier for return to the examination station.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
87 words
A sampling system comprising an examination station, a sampling station, pneumatic conveyor means between the stations, carriers for transport along the conveyor means between the stations, sample bottles carried by the carriers and transfer means at the sampling station including a transfer arm operable to (a) cooperate with a carrier, (b) remove the bottle from the carrier (c) deliver the bottle to a sample dispenser to introduce sample into the bottle and (d) return the bottle containing sample to the carrier for return to the examination station.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
A sampling system according to claim 1 in which the sampling station comprises a chamber housing the transfer arm with a docking port for a carrier in an end wall of the chamber.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
A sampling system according to claim 2 including cooperable sealing means between the transfer arm and the docking port.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
36 words
A sampling system according to claim 2 including a lost-motion drive connection to effect latching and delatching between the transfer arm and a carrier when the transfer arm abuts against the end wall of the chamber.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
36 words
A sampling system according to claim 4 including a releasable lid on the carrier and interlock means operable to lock the lid to the transfer arm when the transfer arm is moved from the docking port.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
30 words
A sampling system according to claim 2 in which the sample dispenser comprises a replaceable needle, a needle carrier for the needle extending through the end wall of the chamber.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
38 words
A sampling system according to claim 6 including a needle withdrawal unit and a needle insertion unit each cooperable with the transfer arm for moving a needle between the needle carrier and a carrier at the docking port.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
A sampling system according to claim 1 including drive means for effecting separate axial and rotational movements of the transfer arm.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
19 words
A sampling system according to claim 1 including at least one examination station and a plurality of sampling stations.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2968183A
Cited
US3383923A
Cited
GB1111114A
Cited
US3907231A
Cited
US4395164A
Cited
US4160382A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1988-07-01 | 1988-12-31 | 1989-07-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1992-07-01 | 1992-12-31 | 1993-07-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1996-07-01 | 1996-12-31 | 1997-07-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |