Patent US4604363A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4604363A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Automatic evaporator system
Assignee: Laboratory Automation Inc
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Filing: 1984-10-18
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Granted: 1986-08-05
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Expires: 2004-10-18
Abstract
Abstract In a microprocessor-controlled evaporation/concentration system, a plurality of sample solutions are automatically successively delivered to an evaporation chamber. Each sample solution is evaporated in successively delivered slug components. The underside of the bottom wall is maintained at a microprocessor-determined constant evaporation temperature by an electrical resistance heater and proportional temperature controller. Pressure in the chamber is maintained substantially on the vapor pressure versus temperature curve of the sample solution, thereby assuring a known evaporation rate. Valving controlled by the microprocessor permits automatic addition of diluent to the chamber. The prepared sample is then automatically transferred to one of multiple storage vials which are brought into successive registration with a syringe needle assembly by means of a rotatable vial storage tray. The microprocessor automatically cleanses the entire flow system with cleansing solution and/or purging gas after each sample has been evaporated/concentrated.
Inventors
- 👤 Daniel L. Newhouse
- 👤 Richard G. Wheeler
- 👤 Ralph H. Waltz
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 19:28
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N1/00; G01N1/28; G01N1/40; B; B01; B01D; B01D1/00; B01D1/0082; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T436/00; Y10T436/25; Y10T436/25375
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 47
Claim 1
Independent Claim
94 words
A system comprising: means for automatically evaporating a predetermined volume of liquid from a sample solution having a known vapor pressure versus temperature characteristic curve, said system solutions, including, an enclosure means; supply means for delivering at least part of said predetermined volume of sample solution to said enclosure means; and control means for evaporating said supply solution from said enclosure means at a predetermined rate by automatically controlling temperature in said enclosure means to maintain the pressure and temperature in said enclosure means substantially on said known vapor pressure versus temperature characteristic curve.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
94 words
A system comprising: means for automatically evaporating a predetermined volume of liquid from a sample solution having a known vapor pressure versus temperature characteristic curve, said system solutions, including, an enclosure means; supply means for delivering at least part of said predetermined volume of sample solution to said enclosure means; and control means for evaporating said supply solution from said enclosure means at a predetermined rate by automatically controlling temperature in said enclosure means to maintain the pressure and temperature in said enclosure means substantially on said known vapor pressure versus temperature characteristic curve.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
138 words
The system according to claim 1 wherein said control means: a bottom wall of said enclosure means, said bottom wall having an outside surface, an inside surface and a known thermal energy transfer characteristic for thermal energy being transferred between said outside and inside surfaces; electrical heater means disposed on said outside surface for applying heat to said bottom wall as a function of current flow through said electrical heater means; temperature sensor means for sensing the temperature of said electrical heater means at said outside surface and providing a measured temperature signal as a function of the sensed temperature; and feedback means responsive to said measured temperature signal and a signal representing a desired temperature for controlling current flow through said electrical heater means to maintain the sensed temperature in substantially fixed relation to said desired temperature.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
70 words
The system according to claim 2 wherein said control means further comprises: pressure control port means defined in said enclosure means; flow controller means for controllably varying the pressure in said enclosure means via said pressure control port means; and microprocessor means for establishing said desired temperature means to maintain the pressure and temperature of liquid in said enclosure means substantially on said known vapor pressure versus temperature characteristic curve.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
74 words
The system according to claim 3 wherein said flow controller means comprises: automatically actuable vacuum valve means connected in flow communication with said pressure control port means; vacuum pump means connected in series flow communication with said vacuum valve means for evacuating fluid from said enclosure means via said pressure control port means when said vacuum valve means is actuated; and means responsive to said microprocessor means for selectively actuating said vacuum valve means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
146 words
The system according to claim 4 wherein said supply means delivers a first slug of known volume of said sample solution to said enclosure means, said first slug being of lesser volume than said predetermined volume, said supply means further comprising: temporary storage means for storing a second slug of said sample solution, having a volume equal to said first slug, while said first slug is being evaporated; dispensing means for automatically delivering said second slug of sample solution to said enclosure means for evaporation after said first slug has been evaporated; and means for successively storing equal volume slugs of said sample solution in said temperature storage means while a previous slug is being evaporated, and dispensing the stored slugs into said enclosure means via said dispensing means when the previous slug has been evaporated, until said predetermined volume of sample solution has been evaporated.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
139 words
The system according to claim 5 wherein said enclosure means has an ingress port for receiving said sample solution from said supply means, said system further comprising: a supply of keeper solution, said keeper solution having a substantially higher boiling point than said sample solution and being suitable, when mixed with said sample solution, for holding and preventing evaporation of residues of said sample solution which have boiling points close to the sample solution point; and selector valve means for dispensing said keeper solution from said supply thereof into said enclosure means via said ingress port prior to the delivery of said first slug of sample solution to said enclosure means; wherein said desired temperature of said heater means is sufficiently low to prevent evaporation of said keeper solution in said enclosure means during evaporation of said sample solution.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
50 words
The system according to claim 6 wherein said selector valve means includes at least first and second alternatively actuatable flow paths, said first flow path connecting said keeper solution supply to said ingress port, said second flow path connecting said supply means for said sample solution to said ingress port.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
97 words
The system according to claim 5 further comprising cleansing means, automatically actuable by said microprocessor means in response to evaporation of said predetermined volume of sample solution, for clearing the supply means, said enclosure means and said control means of any remaining sample solution, said cleansing means comprising: means for supplying a cleansing solution to said supply means; and means for delivering purging gas under relatively high pressure to said system to force said cleansing solution from said supply means and to force remaining sample solution from said supply means, said control means and said enclosure means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
67 words
The system according to claim 8 further comprising: means responsive to termination of cleansing of said system by said cleansing means for automatically delivering a second sample solution to said supply means; and means for automatically actuating said supply means and control means to temporarily store, dispense and evaporate slugs of said second sample solution until a predetermined volume of said second sample solution has been evaporated.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
71 words
The system according to claim 9 further comprising: means for selectively and automatically delivering a prescribed amount of diluent solution to said enclosure means, under control of said microprocessor means, after evaporation of said predetermined volume of sample solution to form a prepared solution of prescribed concentration with the residue from the evaporated sample solution in said enclosure means; and means for transferring said prepared solution to a specified storage vial.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
71 words
The system according to claim 10 wherein said means for transferring includes: a plurality of storage vials; a movable rack for supporting said storage vials; flow delivery means disposed in a predetermined position, said rack being movable to register said supported vial individually into alignment with said flow delivery means; and means for flowing said prepared solution from said enclosure means into the storage vial aligned with said flow delivery means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
40 words
The system according to claim 11 further comprising means responsive to transfer of a prepared solution to a storage vial for moving said rack to a position wherein another supported storage vial is in alignment with said flow delivery means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
27 words
The system according to claim 12 wherein said cleansing means includes means for cleansing said means for transfering and said flow delivery means with said purging gas.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
31 words
The system according to claim 8 wherein said selector valve means includes a third alternatively actuable flow path for conducting said purging gas to said ingress port of said enclosure means.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
30 words
The system according to claim 14 further comprising means for selectively and automatically delivering a prescribed amount of diluent solution to said enclosure means under control of said microprocessor means.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
31 words
The system according to claim 15 wherein said selector valve means includes a fourth alternatively actuable flow path for delivering said diluent solution to said enclosure means via said ingress port.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system according to claim 1 wherein said feedback means includes means for maintaining said sensed temperature substantially equal to said desired temperature.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
121 words
The system according to claim 1 wherein said control means comprises: electrical heater means for supplying thermal energy to liquid in said enclosure means as a function of current flow through said electrical heater means; feedback means for controlling current flow through said electrical heater means to maintain the temperature of said electrical heater means substantially at said desired temperature; pressure control port means defined in said enclosure means; flow controller means for controllably varying the pressure in said enclosure means via said pressure control port means; and microprocessor means for establishing said desired temperature and controlling said feedback means to maintain the pressure and temperature of liquid in said enclosure means substantially on said vapor pressure versus temperature characteristic curve.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
74 words
The system according to claim 18 wherein said flow controller means comprises: automatically actuable vacuum valve means connected in flow communication with said pressure control port means; vacuum pump means connected in series flow communication with said vacuum valve means for evacuating fluid from said enclosure means via said pressure control port means when said vacuum valve means is actuated; and means responsive to said microprocessor means for selectively actuating said vacuum valve means.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
146 words
The system according to claim 1 wherein said supply means delivers a first slug of known volume of said sample solution to said enclosure means, said first slug being of lesser volume than said predetermined volume, said supply means further comprising: temporary storage means for storing a second slug of said sample solution, having a volume equal to said first slug, while said first slug is being evaporated; dispensing means for automatically delivering said second slug of sample solution to said enclosure means for evaporation after said first slug has been evaporated; and means for successively storing equal volume slugs of said sample solution in said temporary storage means while a previous slug is being evaporated, and dispensing the stored slugs into said enclosure means via said dispensing means when the previous slug has been evaporated, until said predetermined volume of sample solution has been evaporated.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
139 words
The system according to claim 20 wherein said enclosure means has an ingress port for receiving said sample solution from said supply means, said system further comprising: a supply of keeper solution, said keeper solution having a substantially higher boiling point than said sample solution and being suitable, when mixed with said sample solution, for holding and preventing evaporation of residues of said sample solution which have boiling points close to the sample solution point; and selector valve means for dispensing said keeper solution from said supply thereof into said enclosure means via said ingress port prior to the delivery of said first slug of sample solution to said enclosure means; wherein said desired temperature of said heater means is sufficiently lower to prevent evaporation of said keeper solution in said enclosure means during evaporation of said sample solution.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
155 words
The system according to claim 21 further comprising cleansing means automatically actuable in response to evaporation of said predetermined volume of sample solution for clearing the supply means, enclosure means and control means of any remaining sample solution, said cleansing means comprising: means for supplying a cleansing solution to said supply means; and means for delivering purging gas under relatively high pressure to force said cleansing solution from said supply means and to force remains of said sample solution from said supply means, said control means and said enclosure means; wherein said system further comprises: means responsive to cleansing of said supply means, said control means and said enclosure means for automatically delivering a second sample solution to said supply means; and means for automatically actuating said supply means and control means to temporarily store, dispense and evaporate slugs of said second sample solution until a predetermined volume of the second solution has been evaporated.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
65 words
The system according to claim 22 further comprising: means for selectively and automatically delivering a prescribed amount of diluent solution to said enclosure means, after evaporation of said predetermined volume of sample solution to form a prepared solution of prescribed concentration with the residue from the evaporated sample solution in said enclosure means; and means for transferring said prepared solution to a specified storage vial.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
51 words
The system according to claim 23 wherein said selector valve means includes a third alternatively actuable flow path for conducting said purging gas to said ingress port of said enclosure means, and a fourth alternatively actuable flow path for delivering said diluent solution to said enclosure means via said ingress port.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
155 words
The system according to claim 1 further comprising cleansing means automatically actuable in response to evaporation of said predetermined volume of sample solution for clearing the supply means, enclosure means and control means of any remaining sample solution, said cleansing means comprising: means for supplying a cleansing solution to said supply means; and means for delivering purging gas under relatively high pressure to force said cleansing solution from said supply means and to force remains of said sample solution from said supply means, said control means and said enclosure means; wherein said system further comprises: means responsive to cleansing of said supply means, said control means and said enclosure means for automatically delivering a second sample solution to said supply means; and means for automatically actuating said supply means and control means to temporarily store, dispense and evaporate slugs of said second sample solution until a predetermined volume of the second solution has been evaporated.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
31 words
The system according to claim 25 wherein said selector valve means includes a third alternatively actuable flow path for conducting said purging gas to said ingress port of said enclosure means.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
65 words
The system according to claim 25 further comprising: means for selectively and automatically delivering a prescribed amount of diluent solution to said enclosure means after evaporation of said predetermined volume of sample solution to form a prepared solution of prescribed concentration with the residue from the evaporated sample solution in said enclosure means; and means for transferring said prepared solution to a specified storage vial.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
51 words
The system according to claim 27 wherein said selector valve means includes a third alternatively actuable flow path for conducting said purging gas to said ingress port of said enclosure means, and a fourth alternatively actuable flow path for delivering said diluent solution to said enclosure means via said ingress port.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
32 words
The system according to claim 1 further comprising means for delivering purging gas under relatively high pressure to said enclosure means to remove all traces of sample solution from said enclosure means.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
138 words
An evaporation chamber comprising: means for evaporating sample solutions, including, a container having a bottom wall, said bottom wall having an outside surface, an inside surface and a known thermal energy transfer characteristic with respect to thermal energy transferred between said outside and inside surfaces; electrical heater means disposed on said outside surface for applying heat to said bottom wall as a function of current flow through said electrical heater means; temperature sensor means for sensing the temperature of said electrical heater means at said outside surface and providing a measured temperature signal as a function of the sensed temperature; and feedback means responsive to said measured temperature signal and a signal representing a desired temperature for controlling current flow through said electrical heater means to maintain the sensed temperature in substantially fixed relation to said desired temperature.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
138 words
An evaporation chamber comprising: means for evaporating sample solutions, including, a container having a bottom wall, said bottom wall having an outside surface, an inside surface and a known thermal energy transfer characteristic with respect to thermal energy transferred between said outside and inside surfaces; electrical heater means disposed on said outside surface for applying heat to said bottom wall as a function of current flow through said electrical heater means; temperature sensor means for sensing the temperature of said electrical heater means at said outside surface and providing a measured temperature signal as a function of the sensed temperature; and feedback means responsive to said measured temperature signal and a signal representing a desired temperature for controlling current flow through said electrical heater means to maintain the sensed temperature in substantially fixed relation to said desired temperature.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
23 words
The chamber according to claim 30 wherein said feedback means includes means for maintaining said sensed temperature substantially equal to said desired temperature.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
34 words
The chamber according to claim 30 further comprising: pressure control port means defined in said chamber; and flow controller means for controllably varying the pressure in said chamber via said pressure control port means.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
69 words
The chamber according to claim 32 wherein said flow controller means comprises: actuable vacuum valve means connected in flow communication with said pressure control port means; and vacuum pump means connected in series flow communication with said vacuum valve means for evacuating fluid from said enclosure means via said pressure control port means when said vacuum valve means is actuated; and means for selectively actuating said vacuum valve means.
Claim 36
Independent Claim
82 words
A system comprising: means for successively and automatically evaporating a plurality of sample solutions, each having a respective predetermined volume, including, an enclosure means; supply means for successively delivering the predetermined volumes of said sample solutions to said enclosure means; means responsive to delivery of a sample solution to said enclosure means for automatically evaporating the delivered sample solution; and means for automatically cleansing said supply means and said enclosure means after a predetermined volume of a sample solution has been evaporated.
Claim 37
Independent Claim
82 words
A system comprising: means for successively and automatically evaporating a plurality of sample solutions, each having a respective predetermined volume, including, an enclosure means; supply means for successively delivering the predetermined volumes of said sample solutions to said enclosure means; means responsive to delivery of a sample solution to said enclosure means for automatically evaporating the delivered sample solution; and means for automatically cleansing said supply means and said enclosure means after a predetermined volume of a sample solution has been evaporated.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
76 words
The system according to claim 34 wherein said supply means comprises an input valve means for delivering the predetermined volume of each sample solution in discrete slugs to be individually evaporated, said input valve means comprising: first and second storage loops; and means for alternatively delivering successive slugs of said sample solution to said first and second storage loops while delivering a previously stored slug from said second and first loops alternately to said enclosure means.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
60 words
The system according to claim 34 further comprising: means for selectively and automatically delivering a prescribed amount of diluent solution to said enclosure means after evaporation of said predetermined volume of sample solution to form a prepared solution of prescribed concentration with residue from the evaporated sample solution; and means for transferring said prepared solution to a specified storage vial.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
71 words
The system according to claim 36 wherein said means for transferring includes: a plurality of storage vials; a movable rack for supporting said storage vials; flow delivery means disposed in a predetermined position, said rack being movable to register said supported vial individually into alignment with said flow delivery means; and means for flowing said prepared solution from said enclosure means into the storage vial algined with said flow delivery means.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
40 words
The system according to claim 37 further comprising means responsive to transfer of a prepared solution to a storage vial for moving said rack to a position wherein another supported storage vial is in alignment with said flow delivery means.
Claim 42
Independent Claim
84 words
A method comprising: automatically evaporating a predetermined volume of liquid from a sample solution having a known vapor pressure versus temperature characteristic curve, by, delivery at least part of a predetermined volume of said sample solution to an evaporation chamber; and evaporating said sample solution from said evaporation chamber at a predetermined rate by controlling the temperature and pressure in said chamber to maintain the pressure and temperature of the liquid in said chamber substantially on said known vapor pressure versus temperature characteristic curve.
Claim 43
Independent Claim
84 words
A method comprising: automatically evaporating a predetermined volume of liquid from a sample solution having a known vapor pressure versus temperature characteristic curve, by, delivery at least part of a predetermined volume of said sample solution to an evaporation chamber; and evaporating said sample solution from said evaporation chamber at a predetermined rate by controlling the temperature and pressure in said chamber to maintain the pressure and temperature of the liquid in said chamber substantially on said known vapor pressure versus temperature characteristic curve.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
60 words
The method according to claim 39 further comprising the steps of: supplying thermal energy to liquid in said chamber by heating the underside of said chamber with an electrical resistance heater; and controllably varying the pressure in said chamber to maintain the pressure and temperature of the liquid in said chamber substantially on said known vapor pressure versus temperature characteristic.
Claim 45
Independent Claim
66 words
A method comprising: successively and automatically evaporating a plurality of sample solutions, each having a respective predetermined volume, by, successively delivering the predetermined volumes of said sample solutions to an evaporation chamber; automatically evaporating each of the delivered sample solutions in said evaporation chamber; and automatically cleansing said evaporation chamber and flow paths associated therewith after the predetermined volume of each sample solution has been evaporated.
Claim 46
Independent Claim
66 words
A method comprising: successively and automatically evaporating a plurality of sample solutions, each having a respective predetermined volume, by, successively delivering the predetermined volumes of said sample solutions to an evaporation chamber; automatically evaporating each of the delivered sample solutions in said evaporation chamber; and automatically cleansing said evaporation chamber and flow paths associated therewith after the predetermined volume of each sample solution has been evaporated.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
37 words
The system according to claim 33 wherein said means for automatically cleansing include means for delivering purging gas under relatively high pressure to said system to remove all traces of said sample solution from said enclosure means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4429584A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1989-08-04 | 1990-02-03 | 1990-08-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-08-04 | 1994-02-03 | 1994-08-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-08-04 | 1998-02-03 | 1998-08-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |