GB2035605A

GB2035605A - Controlling automatic sampling equipment

Info

Publication number: GB2035605A
Application number: GB7844588A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: WESSEX WATER AUTHORITY
Current assignee: WESSEX WATER AUTHORITY
Priority date: 1978-11-15
Filing date: 1978-11-15
Publication date: 1980-06-18
Also published as: GB2035605B

Abstract

Automatic sampling equipment, which includes a sampling probe which successively takes samples, and carries out a test on each sample and prints out the result of the test, is controlled by an apparatus including a decoder for detecting a symbol or pattern of symbols, printed out before each result, and, in response thereto, provides a signal via a sample drive flip-flop for moving the probe to take another sample for testing. The probe is first moved automatically to a washing vessel and left therein for a predetermined time and then moved to a next sample container and left therein for a second predetermined time during which the equipment tests a sample taken. The sequence of samples taken, such as a standard sample, a blank and actual samples to be tested, is set by an operative and the number of samples tested by the equipment is counted.

Description

SPECIFICATION Controlling automatic sampling equipment This invention relates to controlling automatic sampling equipment.

According to one aspect of this invention there is provided apparatus for controlling automatic sampling equipment, the equipment being equipment which successively takes samples, carries out a test on each sample and prints out the result of the test, a predetermined symbol or pattern of symbols being printed out before each printed result, the apparatus including means for recognising the predetermined symbol or pattern of symbols and controlling the taking of the next sample.

According to another aspect of the this invention there is provided apparatus for controlling automatic sampling equipment, which equipment includes a sampling probe which successively takes samples, the equipment carrying out a test on each sample and printing out the result of the test, a predetermined symbol or pattern of symbols being printed out before each printed result, the apparatus including means for recognising the predetermined symbol or pattern of symbols and in response thereto providing a signal for moving the probe to take another sample for testing.

The invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the single figure of the accompanying drawing which is a block diagram of one example of apparatus according to the invention.

The apparatus to be described is an attachment designed for automatic sampling equipment called the S.M.I. Spectraspan Ill made by Spectrometrics Incorporated of Andover, Massachusetts, U.S.A.

This equipment is for measuring metals in liquids by means of a plasma emission spectrometer and includes a sampling probe which is manually in one liquid sample after another to successively take samples to be tested, the probe being manually inserted into a washing vessel to be washed before each successive sample is taken and the result of the test carried out on each sample by the equipment being printed out on a printer, each printed result being preceded by the Telex code for "space" and T, I, M, E, these being printed out in response to the equipment having completed the test on the respective sample.

The apparatus to be described controls the automatic sampling equipment as follows. The probe takes a sample and this sample goes to the equipment which tests it by analysis and prints out the result of the test, the printed result being preceded by the Telex symbols for "space" and the symbols T, I, M, E, these being recognised in the equipment by the apparatus, in response to which the apparatus causes the probe to be lifted from the sample and placed in a washing vessel for a preset number of seconds as set on a switch. The probe is then moved into the next liquid container to take another sample, being left in for a preset number of seconds.If the results from the previous sample have been printed, the apparatus instructs the equipment to starttest- ing the sample which has just been taken, the apparatus detecting in the equipment the Telex symbols "space" and the symbols T, I, M, E, whereby the above procedure is repeated. When all the required samples have been taken and tested, the apparatus stops the sampling equipment. The sample taken and tested by the equipment at any time could be a blank, a standard solution or a sample to be analysed, the sequence being decided by the operator, i.e. pre-programmed in the equipment via a switch.

A block diagram of the apparatus shown in the accompanying drawing. In the drawing, reference numeral 1 is a decoder which detects in the sampling equipment the production of the Telex symbols "space" and the symbols T, I, M, E, and reference numeral 2 denotes circuitry which produces a signal when the computer of the sampling equipment has finished printing a result, this indicating that the equipment is readyto acceptthe next sample. In response to an output from the decoder 1 or in response to closing a manual start push-button switch 3, a flip-flop device 4 is set from its idle to its active state so as to allow clock pulses from a clock pulse generator 5 to flow.Reference numeral 6 denotes a sample number counter and comparator driven via the flip-flop device 4 and which counts the number of samples taken and compares this with the number of samples which are desired, which number has been previously set in it via a switch.

When the desired number of samples has been taken, a signal on a line 7 inhibits the sampling equipment by switching it off. Reference numeral 8 denotes a manual push-button switch for resetting the sample number counter to the zero state.

When the decoder 1 produces an output, a sampler drive flip-flop device 9 is clocked, this causing the sampling probe to be lifted out of the container from which it has just taken a sample and be moved to a washing vessel. Reference numeral 10 denotes a wash timer and comparator driven by clock pulses via the clock flip-flop device 4 and gates 11 and 12. It counts in seconds and compares the time the probe has been in the washing water with a preset desired value for this time. When the timer and comparator 10 detects that the sampling probe has been left in the washing water for the preset time, then a signal on a line 13 sets the flip-flop device 9 whereby the sampling probe is removed from the washing water and transferred to the next sample container.

Reference numeral 14 denotes a pre-sampletimer and comparator fed by clock pulses via flip-flop device 14 and gates 11 and 15. This counts the time the sampling probe is in a sample container and compares this time with a preset desired time. When the sampling probe has been in a sample container for the presettime,then a signal on a line 16 is passed as an enabling signal to gates 17, 18 and 19 (see below) as long as device 2 indicates that the sampl ing equipment is ready to accept the next sample.

When the time the sampling probe has been in the sample container exceeds the preset time, then a signal on a line 20 resets the pre-sample timer and comparator 14, the wash timer and comparator 10 and the flip-flop device 4 via a reset device 21. If the device 2 indicates that the sampling equipment is not ready to accept another sample and if the time for which the probe has been in a sample container is less than the preset time, then signals on lines 22 and 23 respectively open a gate 24 so that the count in the pre-sample timer and comparator 14 is held.

Reference numeral 25 denotes an instruction decoder and counter having 14 counting stage outputs 0-13 and being fed by clock pulses from the flip-flop device 4. When counting stage 0 is activated, a signal on a line 26 opens the gate 17 if there is a signal present on the line 16 whereby the sampling equipment is caused to start analysing the first sample, which is a standard solution; when the stage 1 is activated, a signal on a line 27 opens the gate 18 assuming there is a signal on the line 16 whereby the sampling equipment is caused to start analysing the second sample which is a blank; when the counting stage 2 is activated, another signal appears on the line 26 whereby the gate 17 is opened, again assuming there is a signal on the line 16, so as to cause the sampling equipmentto start analysing the third sample, which is also a standard solution, and also a signal appears on a line 28 whereby circuitry 29 is activated to cause the sampling equipment to print out a diagnosis result comprising the result of each analysis it has carried out so far; and each time one of the stages 3 to 13 is activated, the activations occurring in succession, a signal appears on a line 30 whereby the gate 19 is opened, assuming there is a signal on the line 16, so as to cause the sampling equipment to start to analyse an actual sample to be analysed. Reference numeral 31 denotes an over-ride switch for overriding the operation of the decoder and counter 25.

Claims

1. Apparatus for controlling automatic sampling equipment, the equipment being equipment which successively takes samples, carries out a test on each sample and prints out the result of the test, a predetermined symbol or pattern or symbols being printed out before each printed result, the apparatus including means for recognising the predetermined symbol or pattern of symbols and controlling the taking of the next sample.

2. Apparatus for controlling automatic sampling equipment, which equipment includes a sampling probe which successively takes samples, the equipment carrying out a test on each sample and printing out the result of the test, a predetermined symbol or pattern of symbols being printed out before each printed result, the apparatus including means for recognising the predetermined symbol or pattern of symbols and in response thereto providing a signal for moving the probe to take another sample for testing.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the said recognising means includes a clock for pro viding clock signals for controlling its operation.

4. Apparatus according to claim 2 or claims 2 and 3, wherein the said recognising means includes means which operate in response to recognising the predetermined symbol or pattern of symbols to provide a first signal for such equipment, for causing the equipmentto remove its probe from a first sample container and place it in a washing vessel, and thereafter to provide a second signal for such equipment, for causing the equipment to remove its probe from the washing vessel and move it to a next sample container to take another sample.

5. Apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the said recognising means includes wash time control means wherebythe said first and second signals are such that such equipment leaves its probe in a wash- ing vessel for a predetermined time.

6. Apparatus according to claim 5 as dependent on claim 3, wherein the said control means includes first means which, in response to the recognition of the predetermined symbol or pattern of symbols, is set to provide the said first signal and wash time counting and comparing means for counting pulses derived from the said clock and comparing the number counted with a pre-set number and providing the said second signal in response to the number counted reaching the pre-set number.

7. Apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the said first means comprises a flip-flop device.

8. Apparatus according to any of claims 4to 7, wherein the said recognising means includes prosample test control means whereby such equipment leaves its probe in a sample container for at least a predetermined time before a sample therefrom is tested.

9. Apparatus according to claims 3 and 8, wherein the said pre-sample test control means includes pre-sample test counting and comparing means for counting pulses derived from the said clock and comparing the number counted with a pre-set number, the arrangement being such that, if the number counted exceeds this pre-set number, the probe of such equipment has been left in a sample container for at least the second-mentioned predetermined time, in response to which a third signal is produced, for indicating to such equipment that the sample is to be tested.

10. Apparatus according to claim 9, including an input for a signal from such equipment indicating that the equipment is or is not ready to accept a sample, the arrangement being such that, if such a signal from the equipment indicates that the equipment is ready to accept a sample, then the said third signal can be produced, whereas, if such a signal from the equipment indicates that the equipment is not ready to accept a sample, then the pre-sample test counting and comparing means is disabled and the number counted thereby is not changed until such a signal from the equipment indicates that the equipment is ready to accept a sample.

11. Apparatus according to either of claims 9 and 10 as dependent on either of claims 6 and 7, wherein the wash time counting and comparing means is reset in response to the number counted by the prosample test counting and comparing means exceeding the second-mentioned pre-set number.

12. Apparatus according to claim 3 or any of claims 4 to 11 as dependent on claim 3, including sample counting means for counting pulses derived from the clock for counting the number of samples tested by such equipment.

13. Apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the sample counting means includes means for comparing the number counted by the counting means with a desired number of samples and providing a signal for switching off such equipment if the desired number is counted.

14. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, including means which can be set to provide signals for controlling the sequence of samples taken by such equipment.

15. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the means for recognising the predetermined symbol or pattern of symbols includes decoding means for recognising a predetermined Telex symbol of pattern of Telex symbols.

16. Apparatus for controlling automatic sampling equipment, substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawing.

17. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, connected in combination with such sampling equipment for controlling it.