GB1469173A - Sample injection system - Google Patents

Abstract

1469173 Automatic analysis; variably connectable sample storage and injection modules VARIAN ASSOCIATED 4 March 1974 [5 March 1973] 9568/74 Heading G1B Apparatus for injecting fluid samples into a fluid receiver, for example an inlet to a chromatography column, comprises (a) a fluid sample storage module Fig. 6, comprising (1) a sample fluid support 253 for a plurality of separate fluid samples (2) sample fluid extraction means 430, 466 in a sample fluid extraction station 250 along the sample fluid support, (3) laterally spaced side walls 266, 268 having a corner intersection, each side wall defining first and second spaced access openings 566 located in the vicinity of the extraction station; (b) an injection module for receiving fluid from the storage module, Fig. 4, and comprising (1) sample fluid injection means 72 for directing a quantity of fluid into an analyzer having inlet 12a, (2) actuating means 132, for controlling operation of the injection means and (3) a wall 40 defining an access opening 56 to the injection module; (c) structure defining a fluid sample conduit, (466) Fig. 3 (not shown) extending between the modules for directing sample fluid from the storage module to the injection module through first or second access openings 566 and through the injection module access opening 56 and (d) connecting means for detachably connecting the modules together with the injection module access opening 56 aligned with one of the first or second access openings 566, the conduit structure 466 extending between the modules through the aligned access openings. The sample fluid extraction means may comprise syringe needle assembly 430, a pneumatic fluid needle purging system 432 and a syringe needle actuation assembly 434, the actuator assembly comprising needle support plate 436 connected to piston-rod 444 reciprocable by a pneumatic ram. The pneumatic system allows discharge of a pressurized vessel into the closed sample container, which may contain sample or purge solvent, to force purge liquid through the syringe needle and the injection syringe assembly, the discharge is partly repeated as the needle is raised from the sample to provide an air segment in the needle. The sample fluid injection means comprises injection needle 94 laterally by carriage actuator 34 to inject purge fluid into a waste receiving system 200, 36 or to inject a predetermined quantity of sample fluid through a septum into the analyser inlet 12a, the fluid flowing through conduit 466 by a side arm port, (96) Fig. 3 (not shown) into the barrel of the syringe between the needle and the plunger.