Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 3
Claim 1
Independent Claim
453 words
Apparatus for use in an automated ion chromatographic method, comprising in combination: a computer; a solution sampler having a discharge port, and supplying to the discharge port a solution selected from a number of solutions in response to an applied electrical signal generated by said computer; a concentrator having an inlet port and a discharge port; a separator having an inlet port; a waste receptacle; a first electrically controlled valve V1, electrically connected to said computer and having an inlet port X connected to the discharge port of said solution sampler and having alternative discharge ports Y and Z, the discharge port Z being connected to said waste receptacle, having a first state α in which said inlet port X is connected to said discharge port Y, and having a second state β in which said inlet port X is connected to said discharge port Z, the state of said first electrically controlled valve V1 being determined by an applied electrical signal generated by said computer; a second electrically controlled valve V2 electrically connected to said computer and having an inlet port C connected to the discharge port Y of said first electrically controlled valve V1 for receiving the solution, and having an inlet port A for receiving eluent, having a discharge port E for discharging eluent, having a discharge port G for discharging the solution and having a first state α in which it permits eluent to flow through a loop (56) of measured volume and the solution to discharge through port G, and having a second state β in which it permits eluent to discharge through port E and the solution to flow through the loop (56) of measured volume before being discharged through the port G, the state of said second valve V2 being determined by an applied electrical signal generated by said computer; a third electrically controlled valve V3, electrically connected to said computer, having an inlet port K connected to the discharge port G of said second electrically controlled valve V2 for receiving the solution, having an inlet port I connected to the discharge port E of said second electrically controlled valve V2 for receiving eluent, having a discharge port J connected to the inlet port of said concentrator, having an inlet port N connected to the discharge port of said concentrator, having a discharge port M connected to the inlet port of said separator, and having a first state α in which it permits eluent to flow through said separator and the solution to flow through said concentrator, and having a second state β in which it permits eluent to flow through said concentrator and said separator and the solution to be discharged into said waste receptacle
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
453 words
Apparatus for use in an automated ion chromatographic method, comprising in combination: a computer; a solution sampler having a discharge port, and supplying to the discharge port a solution selected from a number of solutions in response to an applied electrical signal generated by said computer; a concentrator having an inlet port and a discharge port; a separator having an inlet port; a waste receptacle; a first electrically controlled valve V1, electrically connected to said computer and having an inlet port X connected to the discharge port of said solution sampler and having alternative discharge ports Y and Z, the discharge port Z being connected to said waste receptacle, having a first state α in which said inlet port X is connected to said discharge port Y, and having a second state β in which said inlet port X is connected to said discharge port Z, the state of said first electrically controlled valve V1 being determined by an applied electrical signal generated by said computer; a second electrically controlled valve V2 electrically connected to said computer and having an inlet port C connected to the discharge port Y of said first electrically controlled valve V1 for receiving the solution, and having an inlet port A for receiving eluent, having a discharge port E for discharging eluent, having a discharge port G for discharging the solution and having a first state α in which it permits eluent to flow through a loop (56) of measured volume and the solution to discharge through port G, and having a second state β in which it permits eluent to discharge through port E and the solution to flow through the loop (56) of measured volume before being discharged through the port G, the state of said second valve V2 being determined by an applied electrical signal generated by said computer; a third electrically controlled valve V3, electrically connected to said computer, having an inlet port K connected to the discharge port G of said second electrically controlled valve V2 for receiving the solution, having an inlet port I connected to the discharge port E of said second electrically controlled valve V2 for receiving eluent, having a discharge port J connected to the inlet port of said concentrator, having an inlet port N connected to the discharge port of said concentrator, having a discharge port M connected to the inlet port of said separator, and having a first state α in which it permits eluent to flow through said separator and the solution to flow through said concentrator, and having a second state β in which it permits eluent to flow through said concentrator and said separator and the solution to be discharged into said waste receptacle
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
105 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said computer generates signals and applies them to said solution sampler and to said electrically controlled valves V1, V2 and V3 to produce the following states in a sequence of steps: ______________________________________
Solution Sampler
State of State of
State of
Step Supplies V1 V2 V3
______________________________________
1 Solution of known
α α α
2 Concentration K.sub.S1
α α α
3 Solution of known
α β β
4 Concentration K.sub.L1
β α β
5 Solution of known
α β β
6 Concentration K.sub.L2
β α β
7 Solution of unknown
α α α
8 Concentration K.sub.S2
α α β
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