GB1224863A - Automated chemical analyser - Google Patents

Abstract

1,224,863. Automatic analysis apparatus; analysis filter. BECKMAN INSTRUMENTS Inc. 21 Jan., 1969 [22 Jan., 1968], No. 3397/69. Headings B1D and B1X. Capsules 24 (Figs. 7, 8, not shown) are fed individually by a mechanism 28 (Figs. 13, 14, not shown) on to a horizontal transporter 22, 26 which feeds them progressively from left to right in Fig. 1, a rotary turntable 32 carrying a series of sample-containing test tubes (Figs. 15, 16, not shown) presenting each in turn to a probe (243), which withdraws the sample and then moves laterally (mechanism 30) and expels the sample into compartment (116) of the capsule. As the capsule moves to the right, it passes device 40a, which adds a precipitant to the sample, then dispenser 34 (Figs. 11, 12, not shown) drops a filter cup (Fig. 9, not shown) into compartment (116) and suction device 36 draws filtrate through the upper base into the cup. Device 38 (Fig. 17, not shown) withdraws the filtrate into a probe (328), which moves laterally and discharges it, followed by a quantity of water, into another compartment of the capsule. Subsequent devices 40b..40n add colour developing and arrest reagents to the filtrate, which may be heated at this point by an incubator block 400, shaped to fit round the capsule compartments during its raised periods. A probe (354) (Fig. 18, not shown) picks up the colour-developed sample and conveys it through colorimeter apparatus 50, then an array of probes (374) empty all the compartments of the capsule, which moves off the right-hand end of the transporter for disposal, together with its filter cup. The ends of the capsules rest on rails 22 which are moved up and down by pneumatic ram 80. On each down movement, each capsule engages over a pair on teeth on racks 26, which are then moved rightwards by pneumatic ram (90), sliding the capsules one step along the rails 22, which are then raised while racks 26 move leftwards, in preparation for the next step. Most of the time capsules 24 are held in their raised positions, and the various operations described above are all intitiated by the capsule lifting operation, engagement of the capsule with a microswitch closing an electric circuit, triggering a flip-flop which controls the pneumatic ram controlling the operation in question. Some operations use several rams, each triggered by completion of movement of its predecessor or by a timer, (Fig. 19, not shown). Turntable 32 is raised by its ram (270) to immerse probe (243) into each test tube in turn, and is rotated by a ram (290). The number of reagent adding devices may be varied and they incorporate compressed air nozzles (392) (Fig. 10) to agitate the liquids. The various probes are connected to reciprocating pumps whose actions are similarly controlled to those of the rams, and the adding devices involve similar arrangements to deliver predetermined quantities of liquid.