CN117775694A

CN117775694A - Sample transfer device

Info

Publication number: CN117775694A
Application number: CN202311856951.4A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 龚丹媛; 信文平; 李涛; 王志斌; 杨润潇
Original assignee: Huiran Technology Co ltd
Current assignee: Huiran Technology Co ltd
Priority date: 2023-12-29
Filing date: 2023-12-29
Publication date: 2024-03-29

Abstract

The invention discloses a sample transferring device, which comprises a transferring cavity, a transferring rod, a first sealing valve and a second sealing valve, wherein the transferring rod is arranged on the transferring cavity; the first sealing valve is arranged at one end of the transferring cavity, the other end of the transferring cavity is fixedly communicated with the first cavity, the second sealing valve is arranged on the second cavity, the first sealing valve and the second sealing valve are detachably connected, the transferring rod is arranged in the first cavity, the front end of the transferring rod can carry a sample, and the transferring rod sequentially penetrates through the transferring cavity, the first sealing valve and the second sealing valve in the first cavity and enters the second cavity. The sample transfer device has the advantages of simple structure, easiness in operation, high transfer efficiency and the like, is suitable for a scene of frequent sample transfer, and can effectively reduce the risk of exposing the sample to air in the transfer process.

Description

Sample transfer device

Technical Field

The invention belongs to the technical field of sealing and transferring, and particularly relates to a sample transferring device.

Background

When the air sensitive sample is subjected to characterization analysis after preparation, the sample is required to be transported from the preparation equipment to the sample characterization equipment, and the sample is required to be free from contact with air, so that the damage to the sample caused by gas components such as oxygen in the air and the like is avoided, and the conclusion of test analysis is influenced, so that the whole transportation process is required to be carried out in an inert gas environment or a vacuum environment; for example, sample preparation is completed in a glove box in a nitrogen environment, sample observation and analysis are completed in an electron microscope vacuum cavity, and the sample needs to be transported from the glove box to the electron microscope vacuum cavity.

At present, the transportation of air-sensitive samples is mainly realized by adopting a transportation box, the preparation work of the samples is finished in a glove box, then the samples are placed in the transportation box with an airtight function, the transportation box is closed, the transportation box is placed in an electron microscope vacuum cavity through conventional operation, nitrogen is filled into the electron microscope vacuum cavity after the electron microscope vacuum cavity is closed, and finally the transportation box is opened through electric control or mechanical control, so that the transportation of the samples between the glove box and the electron microscope vacuum cavity is realized. However, the manner of transporting the cassette has the problems of complex operation and low transporting efficiency, is not suitable for the scene of frequently transporting the sample, and has the risk of exposing the air in the sample transporting process.

Disclosure of Invention

In view of the above, the present invention discloses a sample transfer apparatus to overcome or at least partially solve the above problems.

In order to achieve the above purpose, the present invention adopts the following technical scheme:

the invention provides a sample transfer device, which comprises a transfer cavity, a transfer rod, a first sealing valve and a second sealing valve, wherein the transfer rod is arranged on the transfer cavity;

the first sealing valve is arranged at one end of the transferring cavity, the other end of the transferring cavity is fixedly communicated with the first cavity, the second sealing valve is arranged on the second cavity, the first sealing valve is detachably connected with the second sealing valve, the transferring rod is arranged in the first cavity, the front end of the transferring rod can carry a sample, and the transferring rod sequentially penetrates through the transferring cavity, the first sealing valve and the second sealing valve in the first cavity, and the transferring rod enters the second cavity.

Further, the device also comprises a support rail, wherein a support frame is fixed on the support rail and is used for supporting the transfer rod, so that the transfer rod can move in the horizontal direction.

Further, the support rail is provided with a plurality of positioning holes along the length direction, and the support frame is provided with strip-shaped holes matched with the positioning holes.

Further, the upper end of the supporting frame is provided with a concave arc-shaped surface, and the arc-shaped surface is used for supporting the transfer rod.

Further, the end part of the support frame is provided with a fixing hole, and two ends of the support frame are respectively fixed on the inner side wall of the first cavity through the fixing holes.

Further, a sample holder is arranged at the front end of the transfer rod and used for carrying a sample;

the first sealing valve and the second sealing valve are connected through a quick-connection flange.

Further, the front end of the transfer rod is provided with an air outlet, the rear end of the transfer rod is provided with an air inlet, and the air outlet is communicated with the air inlet through a connecting channel.

Further, an air pressure detection unit is arranged on the transferring cavity and used for detecting air pressure in the transferring cavity.

Further, the device also comprises a control unit;

the control unit is electrically connected with the first sealing valve and the second sealing valve respectively, and can control states of the first sealing valve and the second sealing valve.

Further, the display unit is also included;

the display unit is used for displaying states of the first sealing valve and the second sealing valve.

The invention has the advantages and beneficial effects that:

according to the sample transferring device, the transferring rod and the transferring cavity are arranged, the two ends of the transferring cavity are respectively connected with the first sealing valve and the first cavity, and the second sealing valve is arranged on the second cavity, so that the first cavity can be detachably connected with the second cavity through the transferring cavity, the first sealing valve and the second sealing valve in sequence, the front end of the transferring rod can carry samples to move between the first cavity and the second cavity, and efficient and frequent transferring of the samples between the first cavity and the second cavity is realized; in addition, the first sealing valve and the second sealing valve are detachably connected, so that the first cavity and the second cavity can be connected and decoupled as required, and the use is more convenient; the sample transfer device has the advantages of simple structure, easiness in operation, high transfer efficiency and the like, is suitable for a scene of frequent sample transfer, and can effectively reduce the risk of exposing the sample to air in the transfer process.

Drawings

Various other advantages and benefits will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments. The drawings are only for purposes of illustrating the preferred embodiments and are not to be construed as limiting the invention. Also, like reference numerals are used to designate like parts throughout the figures. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a sample transfer apparatus along the axis of a transfer shaft according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the position of a transfer rod in a first chamber according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating the positioning of a support rail and a support frame in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a support rail according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a support frame according to an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 6 is a perspective view of a transfer lever according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In the figure: 1. a transfer chamber; 2. a transfer rod; 3. a first sealing valve; 4. a second sealing valve; 5. a second cavity; 6. a first cavity; 7. a fixing member; 8. a flange; 9. a support rail; 10. a support frame; 11. a fixing hole; 12. positioning holes; 13. a bar-shaped hole; 14. an arc surface; 15. a sample holder; 16. a mounting hole; 17. an air outlet; 18. an air inlet; 19. a connection channel; 20. an air pressure detecting unit; 21. a handle.

Detailed Description

In order to make the objects, technical solutions and advantages of the present invention more apparent, the technical solutions of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to specific embodiments of the present invention and corresponding drawings. It will be apparent that the described embodiments are only some, but not all, embodiments of the invention. All other embodiments, which can be made by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of the invention without making any inventive effort, are intended to be within the scope of the invention.

The following describes in detail the technical solutions provided by the embodiments of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings.

One embodiment of the present invention discloses a sample transfer apparatus, as shown in fig. 1 and 2, which includes a transfer chamber 1, a transfer rod 2, a first sealing valve 3, and a second sealing valve 4. Wherein, transport the chamber and be hollow cavity structure, transport the pole and can carry the sample.

Specifically, the first sealing valve 3 is disposed at one end of the transferring cavity 1 (i.e. the right end of the transferring cavity in fig. 1), the second sealing valve 4 is disposed on a side wall of the second cavity 5, the second sealing valve 4 can be sealed and fixed with the second cavity 5 through a flange and a fluorine rubber ring, the first sealing valve 3 is detachably connected with the second sealing valve 4, that is, the transferring cavity 1 and the second cavity 5 are communicated when the first sealing valve 3 and the second sealing valve 4 are connected and opened, and separation is realized when the first sealing valve 3 and the second sealing valve 4 are closed and detached. And, the other end of transporting the chamber 1 (i.e. the left end of transporting the chamber in fig. 1) is used for being fixed with first cavity 6 and communicates, make transport the chamber 1 become the sample transfer passageway between second cavity 5 and the first cavity 6, the other end of transporting the chamber 1 specifically accessible mounting 7 and flange 8 and first cavity 6 fixed connection, mounting 7 is fixed in the inside wall of first cavity 6, flange 8 is fixed in the lateral wall of first cavity 6, the other end of transporting the chamber 1 passes flange 8 and mounting 7 in proper order, communicate with first cavity 6.

In addition, transfer pole 2 sets up in first cavity 6, when first sealing valve 3 and second sealing valve 4 are connected and are opened, the front end of transfer pole 2 can carry the sample, penetrate in transferring chamber 1 by first cavity 6, then by transferring chamber 1 in the first sealing valve 3 of crossing in proper order and second sealing valve 4 enter into in the second cavity 5, realize that the sample is directly transported between second cavity 5 and first cavity 6 to can frequently transport many times, transport the operation more simple convenient high efficiency. Wherein, first sealing valve and second sealing valve can be manual valve, can be through pure manual operation, and the structure is simpler, more easily realizes.

Further, the first sealing valve 3 and the second sealing valve 4 are detachably connected through the quick-connection flange, and the operation is easy. When the sample is required to be transported between the first cavity 6 and the second cavity 5, the first sealing valve 3 and the second sealing valve 4 are connected, and after the sample is transported, the first sealing valve 3 and the second sealing valve 4 can be decoupled, so that the first cavity 6 and the second cavity 5 can be independently moved, and the use is more convenient.

The sample transfer apparatus of this embodiment works as follows:

taking the first cavity as a glove box and the second cavity as an electron microscope vacuum cavity as an example; wherein the second sealing valve is preferably a vacuum valve.

When a sample is required to be transferred into the electron microscope vacuum cavity from the glove box, the first sealing valve 3 and the second sealing valve 4 are connected and opened, so that the glove box and the electron microscope vacuum cavity are communicated through the transfer cavity 1, and the glove box and the electron microscope vacuum cavity are filled with nitrogen at the moment; then placing a sample in the glove box at the front end of a transfer rod 2, operating the transfer rod 2 to enable the front end of the transfer rod 2 to carry the sample, sequentially entering the electron microscope vacuum cavity through a transfer cavity 1, a first sealing valve 3 and a second sealing valve 4, and placing the sample in the electron microscope vacuum cavity; the transfer rod 2 is moved back into the glove box, and the first sealing valve 3 and the second sealing valve 4 are closed and detached to enable the glove box and the electron microscope vacuum cavity to move independently; therefore, decoupling of the glove box and the electron microscope vacuum cavity is realized on the premise of not damaging the environments of the glove box and the electron microscope vacuum cavity, and the operation is simpler; finally, vacuumizing the vacuum cavity of the electron microscope, and observing the sample. When the first sealing valve and the second sealing valve are detached and separated, blind plates can be arranged on the first sealing valve and the second sealing valve respectively and used for protecting the first sealing valve and the second sealing valve.

When a sample is required to be transported into the glove box from the electron microscope vacuum cavity, firstly filling nitrogen into the electron microscope vacuum cavity, and connecting and opening the first sealing valve 3 and the second sealing valve 4 to ensure that the glove box and the electron microscope vacuum cavity are communicated through the transport cavity 1; then the front end of the transfer rod 2 passes through the transfer cavity 1, the first sealing valve 3 and the second sealing valve 4 for the second time and enters the electron microscope vacuum cavity, and the sample in the electron microscope vacuum cavity is transferred back into the glove box through the transfer rod 2; finally, the first sealing valve 3 and the second sealing valve 4 are closed, and the first sealing valve 3 and the second sealing valve 4 are detached and separated.

In the sample transferring device of the embodiment, by arranging the transferring rod and the transferring cavity, and respectively connecting the first sealing valve and the first cavity at two ends of the transferring cavity and arranging the second sealing valve on the second cavity, the first sealing valve and the second sealing valve can be detachably connected, so that the first cavity can be communicated with the second cavity through the transferring cavity, the first sealing valve and the second sealing valve in sequence, and then the front end of the transferring rod can carry samples to move between the first cavity and the second cavity, and efficient and frequent transferring of the samples between the first cavity and the second cavity is realized; in addition, the first sealing valve and the second sealing valve are detachably connected, so that the first cavity and the second cavity can be connected and decoupled as required, and the use is more convenient; the sample transfer device has the advantages of simple structure, easiness in operation, high transfer efficiency and the like, is suitable for a scene of frequent sample transfer, and can effectively reduce the risk of exposing the sample to air in the transfer process.

In this embodiment, as shown in fig. 1 to 5, a supporting rail 9 is disposed in the first cavity 6, and a supporting frame 10 is fixed on the supporting rail 9, where the supporting frame 10 is used to support the transfer rod 2, so that the transfer rod 2 keeps moving in a horizontal direction, thus not only preventing the sample caused by shake of the transfer rod 2 in the moving process from falling, ensuring the stability of the transfer rod 2 during moving, but also avoiding the contact between the surface of the sample and the inner wall of the transfer cavity 1. The length direction of the support frame is consistent with the axial movement direction of the transfer rod, and the number of the support pieces can be set according to the length of the transfer rod.

In addition, as shown in fig. 4, the end of the support rail 9 is provided with a fixing hole 11, so that both ends of the support rail 9 can be fixed on the inner side wall of the first cavity 6 through the fixing hole 11 respectively, that is, both ends of the support rail 9 can be fixedly connected with two opposite side walls of the first cavity 6 respectively, so that the support rail 9 spans the whole first cavity 6, and further, the operation of the transfer rod 2 is facilitated; and, the support rail 9 is equipped with a plurality of locating holes 12 along length direction, as shown in fig. 5, be equipped with respectively on two landing legs of support frame 10 lower extreme with locating hole 12 complex bar hole 13, accessible screw or bolt are fixed between locating hole 12 and the bar hole 13, through the cooperation of locating hole 12 and bar hole 13, not only can adjust the concrete position of support frame 10 on support rail 9, namely along the concrete position on support rail 9 length direction, but also can adjust the height of support frame 10 for support rail 9, make the supporting part of each support frame 10 be located same level with transfer chamber 1, guarantee that transfer pole 2 can follow the horizontal direction and remove. The supporting rails 9 can be assembled and formed by a multi-section structure, and two adjacent sections of the supporting rails 9 can be fixedly connected through positioning holes 12, so that the lengths of the supporting rails 9 can be adjusted through the positioning holes 12 in different positions to adapt to glove boxes with different sizes.

Further, as shown in fig. 3 and 5, the upper end of the support frame 10 is formed with a concave arc surface 14, and the arc surface 14 is used for supporting the transfer rod 2, so that the transfer rod 2 is stably supported on the support frame 10. Of course, the upper end of the support frame can also be V-shaped, so as to stably support the transfer rod.

In addition, as shown in fig. 1 and 6, the front end of the transfer rod 2 is provided with a sample holder 15, the sample holder 15 is used for carrying a sample, the sample holder 15 is fixed in the front end of the transfer rod 2 through a mounting hole 16 at the front end of the transfer rod 2, and the rear end of the transfer rod 2 is provided with a handle 21, so that an operator can hold the transfer rod 2 conveniently. And the front end of transfer pole 2 is opened there is gas outlet 17, and the rear end of transfer pole 2 is opened there is air inlet 18, communicates through connecting channel 19 between gas outlet 17 and the air inlet 18, and accessible air inlet 18, connecting channel 19 and gas outlet 17 are to the front end of transfer pole 2 supplement nitrogen gas (can also be other inert gas), make the sample hold in the palm 15 place the environment be the malleation environment, guarantee that the sample on the sample hold in the palm 15 does not contact with the air. The air inlet can be communicated with the nitrogen tank or the nitrogen air bag, and a valve can be arranged at the air inlet and used for controlling the supplementing of nitrogen.

In this embodiment, as shown in fig. 1, an air pressure detecting unit 20 is disposed on the transferring cavity 1, where the air pressure detecting unit 20 is used to detect air pressure in the transferring cavity 1, ensure that the transferring cavity 1 is positive pressure, and prevent air from entering into the transferring cavity 1 to damage a sample. The air pressure detecting unit may be a pressure gauge.

And, the sample transfer apparatus further comprises a display unit, which may be a display lamp or a display screen.

The display unit is used for displaying the states of the first sealing valve and the second sealing valve, so that operators can intuitively know the states of the first sealing valve and the second sealing valve, and the condition that samples collide the sealing valve due to manual sample feeding when the sealing valve is closed is avoided.

In addition, the sample transfer apparatus further comprises a control unit.

The control unit is electrically connected with the first sealing valve and the second sealing valve respectively, and can control states of the first sealing valve and the second sealing valve. The control unit can be communicated with the electron microscope control system, and the realization of automatic processes such as automatic vacuum pumping of the electron microscope vacuum cavity after sample feeding is supported.

The foregoing is merely a specific embodiment of the invention and other modifications and variations can be made by those skilled in the art in light of the above teachings. It is to be understood by persons skilled in the art that the foregoing detailed description is provided for the purpose of illustrating the invention more fully, and that the scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A sample transfer apparatus comprising a transfer chamber, a transfer rod, a first sealing valve, and a second sealing valve;

2. The sample transfer apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a support rail having a support frame secured thereto, the support frame configured to support the transfer bar such that the transfer bar is maintained in a horizontal orientation.

3. The sample transfer apparatus of claim 2, wherein the support rail is provided with a plurality of positioning holes along a length direction, and the support frame is provided with a bar-shaped hole matched with the positioning holes.

4. The sample transfer apparatus of claim 2, wherein the upper end of the support frame is formed with a concave arcuate surface for supporting the transfer bar.

5. The sample transfer apparatus of claim 2, wherein the ends of the support frame are provided with fixing holes, and the two ends of the support frame are respectively fixed on the inner side wall of the first cavity through the fixing holes.

6. The sample transfer apparatus of claim 1, wherein the front end of the transfer bar is provided with a sample holder for carrying a sample;

7. The sample transfer apparatus of claim 1, wherein the transfer bar has a front end provided with an air outlet, and a rear end provided with an air inlet, and wherein the air outlet and the air inlet are communicated via a connecting channel.

8. The sample transfer apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein an air pressure detection unit is provided on the transfer chamber, and the air pressure detection unit is configured to detect air pressure in the transfer chamber.

9. The sample transfer apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 7, further comprising a control unit;

10. The sample transfer apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 7, further comprising a display unit;