GB2032885A

GB2032885A - Sampling Apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2032885A
Application number: GB7844451A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Coal Industry Patents Ltd
Current assignee: Coal Industry Patents Ltd
Priority date: 1978-11-14
Filing date: 1978-11-14
Publication date: 1980-05-14
Also published as: GB2032885B

Abstract

A device for sampling liquids using a removable sampling vessel comprises an elongate backbone element 1, a sample vessel closure 7, and a remote control means 8, whereby a sampling vessel and the closure may be moved relatively together to close the vessel and relatively apart to permit a sample to be taken. The closure is preferably fixed to the backbone element and the vessel movable thereto. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Sampling Apparatus This invention concerns apparatus for sampling liquids, more especially it concerns apparatus for taking a sample in a removable container, from a body of liquid at a desired level below the surface.

Various types of apparatus have been proposed for the sampling of liquid, varying from the widely used type which can be termed a "ladle", with a long handle and open container, to expensive vessels having pressure sensitive valves which open at a pre-determined depth according to the pressure head at that depth. It is often desirable to sample at various distances below the surface of a liquid, an example being in the sampling of froth flotation cells used in mineral processing, such as in a coal preparation plant. It is also often convenient to use a separate vessel for each sample taken. It is therefore desirable to have an apparatus capable of carrying a sampling vessel to a given depth, taking a sample and closing the vessel to prevent contamination by liquid closer to the liquid surface.

The present invention provide an apparatus for sampling liquids comprising an elongate backbone element, a sampling vessel closure and remote control means whereby a sampling vessel and said closure may be moved relatively together to close the vessel and relatively apart to open the vessel to permit a sample to be taken. Preferably the backbone element has the closure fixed thereto and also has fixed thereto one or more sampling vessel guide members which permit the sampling vessel to be moved towards and away from the closure without lateral displacement. In a preferred embodiment, the remote control means comprises a rod mounted on the backbone element and slidable and rotatable with respect thereto, the rod being provided with a sampling vessel support and/or retaining member.

Preferably, therefore, a sampling vessel can be moved within the guide members by movements of the rod, to open and close the vessel.

The invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings of one embodiment of the invention, in which Figure 1 is a side view of an apparatus according to the invention, carrying a bottle-type sampling vessel, and Figure 2 is a partial side view of the apparatus of Figure 1, showing the sampling vessel in an open position.

The apparatus has an elongate backbone element 1, having a handle portion, 2. Fixed onto the backbone element, for example by welding, are a mechanical gate portion, 3, a retaining loop portion 4, a closure element 5 has bonded and/or bolted thereto a hard rubber disc sealing portion, 7. Each of the parts 3, 4, 5 and 6 has a bore (not shown) adjacent the backbone element, into which is fitted a rod 8, which is provided with a handle portion 9, a stud 10 fitted in the gate portion 3, a vessel support, 11, and a neck retaining member, 12.

The apparatus is shown carrying a plastics bottle-type sampling vessel, 13, which is firmly held between the member 12 and the support 11.

An operator wishing to take a sample of a liquid at a predetermined depth immerses the apparatus in the "closed" position as shown in Figure 1 to the desired depth; this may be assessed by reference to markings or the like on the backbone element.

At the desired depth, the operator pushes the handle portion 9 firmly downwards so that the stud 10 slides within the gate portion 3 and the vessel 13 slides downward within the guide members 6. The vessel is held securely captive by the neck retaining member 12 and the vessel support 11. Air in the vessel immediately escapes and liquid enters. After a short time, for example 30 seconds, the handle portion 9 is pulled upwards to seat the neck of the vessel firmly on the sealing portion, 7, and hence close the vessel.

The apparatus is then withdrawn from the liquid.

The vessel may be discharged from the apparatus, e.g. into a rack, by "opening" the apparatus and twisting the handle portion so that stud 10 moves within the horizontal part of the gate portion. The member 12 disengages from the neck of the vessel, and the support 11 slides from beneath the vessel, permitting the vessel to slide out of the guide members 6 by reason of its own weight.

It will be appreciated that the apparatus as described above is simple, reliable and cheap to construct. A sample can be taken of a liquid at a desired depth, and withdrawn without contamination of the sample by upper layers of liquid and also while ensuring the sampling vessel is retained within the apparatus. The ability to discharge the sampling vessel also remotely avoids the need for operator/vessel contact (the liquid may be toxic, noxious or simply dirty) and also lessens the possibility of spillage. Trials of the apparatus in the sampling of liquors in froth flotation cells in coal preparation have been highly satisfactory.

Claims

1. An apparatus for sampling liquids comprising an elongate backbone element, a sampling vessel closure and remote control means whereby a sampling vessel and said closure may be moved relatively together to close the vessel and relatively apart to open the vessel to permit a sample to be taken.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1, in which said closure is fixed to the backbone element.

3. An apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, in which the backbone element has fixed thereto one or more sampling vessel guide members.

4. An apparatus according to claim 1, 2 or 3, in which the remote control means comprises a rod mounted on the backbone element and slidable and rotatable with respect thereto, the rod being provided with a sampling vessel support and/or retaining member.

5. An apparatus according to claim 1,

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Sampling Apparatus This invention concerns apparatus for sampling liquids, more especially it concerns apparatus for taking a sample in a removable container, from a body of liquid at a desired level below the surface. Various types of apparatus have been proposed for the sampling of liquid, varying from the widely used type which can be termed a "ladle", with a long handle and open container, to expensive vessels having pressure sensitive valves which open at a pre-determined depth according to the pressure head at that depth. It is often desirable to sample at various distances below the surface of a liquid, an example being in the sampling of froth flotation cells used in mineral processing, such as in a coal preparation plant. It is also often convenient to use a separate vessel for each sample taken. It is therefore desirable to have an apparatus capable of carrying a sampling vessel to a given depth, taking a sample and closing the vessel to prevent contamination by liquid closer to the liquid surface. The present invention provide an apparatus for sampling liquids comprising an elongate backbone element, a sampling vessel closure and remote control means whereby a sampling vessel and said closure may be moved relatively together to close the vessel and relatively apart to open the vessel to permit a sample to be taken. Preferably the backbone element has the closure fixed thereto and also has fixed thereto one or more sampling vessel guide members which permit the sampling vessel to be moved towards and away from the closure without lateral displacement. In a preferred embodiment, the remote control means comprises a rod mounted on the backbone element and slidable and rotatable with respect thereto, the rod being provided with a sampling vessel support and/or retaining member. Preferably, therefore, a sampling vessel can be moved within the guide members by movements of the rod, to open and close the vessel. The invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings of one embodiment of the invention, in which Figure 1 is a side view of an apparatus according to the invention, carrying a bottle-type sampling vessel, and Figure 2 is a partial side view of the apparatus of Figure 1, showing the sampling vessel in an open position. The apparatus has an elongate backbone element 1, having a handle portion, 2. Fixed onto the backbone element, for example by welding, are a mechanical gate portion, 3, a retaining loop portion 4, a closure element 5 has bonded and/or bolted thereto a hard rubber disc sealing portion, 7. Each of the parts 3, 4, 5 and 6 has a bore (not shown) adjacent the backbone element, into which is fitted a rod 8, which is provided with a handle portion 9, a stud 10 fitted in the gate portion 3, a vessel support, 11, and a neck retaining member, 12. The apparatus is shown carrying a plastics bottle-type sampling vessel, 13, which is firmly held between the member 12 and the support 11. An operator wishing to take a sample of a liquid at a predetermined depth immerses the apparatus in the "closed" position as shown in Figure 1 to the desired depth; this may be assessed by reference to markings or the like on the backbone element. At the desired depth, the operator pushes the handle portion 9 firmly downwards so that the stud 10 slides within the gate portion 3 and the vessel 13 slides downward within the guide members 6. The vessel is held securely captive by the neck retaining member 12 and the vessel support 11. Air in the vessel immediately escapes and liquid enters. After a short time, for example 30 seconds, the handle portion 9 is pulled upwards to seat the neck of the vessel firmly on the sealing portion, 7, and hence close the vessel. The apparatus is then withdrawn from the liquid. The vessel may be discharged from the apparatus, e.g. into a rack, by "opening" the apparatus and twisting the handle portion so that stud 10 moves within the horizontal part of the gate portion. The member 12 disengages from the neck of the vessel, and the support 11 slides from beneath the vessel, permitting the vessel to slide out of the guide members 6 by reason of its own weight. It will be appreciated that the apparatus as described above is simple, reliable and cheap to construct. A sample can be taken of a liquid at a desired depth, and withdrawn without contamination of the sample by upper layers of liquid and also while ensuring the sampling vessel is retained within the apparatus. The ability to discharge the sampling vessel also remotely avoids the need for operator/vessel contact (the liquid may be toxic, noxious or simply dirty) and also lessens the possibility of spillage. Trials of the apparatus in the sampling of liquors in froth flotation cells in coal preparation have been highly satisfactory. Claims

4. An apparatus according to claim 3, in which the arrangement is such that the remote control means permits the taking of a sample, the closure of the sampling vessel after a sample has been taken, and the discharge of the sampling vessel containing the sample.

5. An apparatus according to claim 1, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the drawings.

New Claims or Amendments to Claims filed on 12 November 1979.

Superseded claims 1-4 New or Amended Claims:

1. An apparatus for sampling liquids comprising an elongate backbone element, a sampling vessel closure fixed to the backbone element, a sampling vessel support and/or retaining member and remote control means whereby a sampling vessel held by the support and/or retaining member may be moved apart from the closure to enable a sample to be taken.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the backbone element has fixed thereto one or more sampling vessel guide members.

3. An apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the remote control means comprises a rod mounted on the backbone element and slidable and rotatable with respect thereto, which rod is fixed to the support and/or retaining member.