JPS5830204Y2 - How to use the system - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to the analysis of a sample fluid, and specifically relates to a device for controlling the introduction of a sample fluid into an analytical device.

Many devices have been proposed in the past for providing fluid samples for analysis by devices such as chromatographic analyzers.

Some conventional devices use a syringe to introduce a predetermined amount of sample fluid into an analytical device.

The sample fluids to be analyzed are contained in separate closed sample containers, and individual fluid samples are sequentially taken from each container and delivered to a syringe for injection into the device.

In most sample analyses, it is essential that the sample fluid being analyzed be as free of any type of foreign matter as possible.

Therefore, the syringe must be completely purged of previous sample fluid and/or residual cleaning solvent before placing the next sample into the syringe.

The syringe used to inject the sample fluid is difficult to handle.

This is because these syringes handle small volumes of sample fluid, for example 5 to 50 microliters, which results in manual operation and cleaning the syringe is a tedious and time-consuming task.

In addition, when large numbers of samples are analyzed in series, skilled handling equipment is required to perform the tedious and repetitive tasks of cleaning and filling syringes, which require the handling of many fluid samples. Mechanized syringe handling equipment has been proposed to increase the speed and efficiency of analysis.

The purpose of this device is to reduce the operating time required for the analytical process and to reduce device accidents such as syringe breakage (which becomes inevitable with increased use).

These mechanized devices typically include sample container holding trays and syringe handling mechanisms that remove sample fluid from individual containers, inject the fluid into the analyzer, and clean the syringes. is now possible.

Typically, a sample container tray can carry a series of sample containers to the point where fluid is transferred to a syringe.

Although conventional mechanized devices are effective in reducing the operating time required to analyze fluid samples, they pose several problems with syringe handling and cleaning of residual undissolved material and operator Errors in sample identification based on handling may occur.

Errors in sample identification are common when fluid samples from many laboratories or other sources are attempted to be analyzed by a central analyzer in a time-sharing manner.

Under these conditions, the analyzer operator is required to load numerous sample containers containing unfamiliar substances into the container storage tray, and somehow manages to analyze many samples.

Sample container storage trays often carry solvent containers used to clean syringes.

Due to crowding when handling sample containers and loading them into the apparatus, it is easy to mistake individual samples.

To overcome this problem, it has been proposed to use sample labeling devices such as punch cards.

These devices are often used with a card reader in combination with a sample storage device.

When these sample identification devices are used, it is necessary to prepare an identification card, an identification code, etc.

Additionally, card reading devices are often complex, adding to the size and complexity of sample storage and syringe handling devices.

This increases the initial cost of the equipment and complicates repair and maintenance.

Moreover, the possibility of human error being introduced when handling identification information cannot be excluded.

Some conventional instruments, even after cleaning with a mechanized syringe cleaning system, retain large amounts of undesirable foreign materials that can be injected into the analyzer.

For example, in some types of devices, the piston of the syringe mechanically reciprocates during cleaning to move solvent and/or sample fluid in and out before injecting the sample fluid into the analytical device.

Another type of device uses a side arm syringe, which performs flushing by pulling the syringe piston far beyond the side arm hole, after which both solvent and sample fluid are allowed to flow into the syringe cylinder for a predetermined period of time. Alternatively, either one is injected by a pump.

These surface cleaning steps (although preferred for manual cleaning) leave large amounts of foreign material in the sample fluid that can be injected into the analyzer.

That is, volatile fluid creates pump cavitation,
This has been shown to result in gas bubbles within the cleaning fluid.

This reduces the cleaning effect.

In yet another proposal, the sample fluid is subjected to a predetermined gas pressure differential for a predetermined period of time, which causes the sample fluid to pass through the syringe and conduit to effect cleaning.

The viscosity of the sample fluid changes significantly, resulting in too much sample being spent during the cleaning process for low viscosity fluids, and not enough fluid being used for cleaning for high viscosity fluids. You will not be able to do so.

When analyzing a highly volatile fluid sample, the partial pressure of the fluid vapor increases the applied pressure difference, making it difficult to control the wash volume accurately.

Conventional sample storage and injection devices are often designed to incorporate one specific type of analytical device.

For example, one analyzer has a horizontal sample inlet, another has a vertical sample inlet, and the orientation of the sample storage device relative to the injection device depends on the structure of the analyzer. It differs depending on the device.

Therefore, in an instrument having several different analyzer structures, the sample injection and storage devices are not necessarily interchangeable between the analyzers.

The present invention provides a new and improved sample analysis method and device in which the fluid sample to be analyzed does not need to be injected by the analyzer operator, and confusion in identifying fluid sample analysis results is eliminated. The sample fluid injection device and its associated sample flow conduit are cleaned with a controlled amount of cleaning fluid so that fluid samples injected into the device are free from both their viscosity and volatility. The volume of sample fluid injected into the analyzer is precisely controlled by adjustable injection volume control means, and the volume of sample fluid injected into the analyzer is precisely controlled by the sample container or other fluid receiver. Damage to the syringe-like element due to misalignment between the syringe-like element and the syringe-like element can be avoided.
It is now possible to automatically analyze a large number of different sample fluids without the need for skilled manipulators at all times.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the sample analyzer comprises a sample analyzer, preferably a gas chromatograph, a sample injection module for injecting the fluid sample to be analyzed into the analyzer, a number of separate fluid samples to be analyzed. a sample storage module that houses the fluid sample and supplies the fluid sample to the injection module, so as to partially govern the operation of the device and to receive intact analytical data from the analyzer for a given fluid sample; It includes a sample analysis calculator that can be programmed, a recorder that is connected to the analyzer and depicts the analysis results of a given sample as graphical information, and an electronic control module that governs the operation of each component of the instrument. There is.

The sample storage module is adapted to receive a plurality of separate sample storage trays or racks in which a plurality of sample containers can be placed.

A tray or rack is releasably coupled to the storage module to allow sample injection remotely from the analyzer.

Trays or racks can be loaded with containers in the laboratory and sent to analytical equipment.

The storage module and container tray are operative to automatically supply information regarding the identity of the sample being analyzed to the electronic control module, so that the analytical data produced by the computer and/or recorder is not analysed. automatically encoded by the identity of the sample inside.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the sample tray carries a series of cam tracks which interact with a series of switches within the storage module.

These switches operate to identify the rack and store the position of the sample under analysis in binary form.

These binary numbers are coded and printed on the output data of the computer or recorder.

This device can also distinguish between sample containers and solvent containers.
It can also be determined that the samples in all containers have completed analysis.

The sample storage module is separably coupled to the injection module, and sample fluids removed from individual containers within the storage module are introduced into the injection module via sample conduits.

The injection module includes a syringe coupled to the conduit that injects a predetermined amount of fluid into the analyzer.

Prior to sample injection, the sample conduit and syringe are cleaned to remove residual fluid from the previous cycle.

One of the key features of the present invention is that it includes a cleaning process in which the fluid in the storage module is given a predetermined amount of cleaning energy, and a controlled amount of cleaning fluid is delivered to the sample conduit and syringe. be done.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the cleaning fluid (either sample fluid or solvent) is contained within a container closed by a septum.

A syringe-like dip tube assembly is advanced through the septum and into the container.

The dip tube assembly includes a first tube that passes through a syringe through a sample conduit and a second tube that is coupled to a cleaning device.

As the dip tube assembly is advanced into the vessel, the vessel is at atmospheric pressure as the vapor pressure within the vessel is communicated through the scrubber dip tube to the atmosphere.

The cleaning device is then activated to supply a predetermined amount of gas at a predetermined pressure to the fluid within the container (preferably discharged from the reservoir via the second dip tube conduit).

This creates a pressure differential across the sampling dip tube, conduit, and syringe so that a predetermined amount of fluid is delivered to the injection module.

The pressure differential across the irrigation fluid disappears as the fluid exits the container, and when the pressure differential decays to approximately zero, a predetermined amount of fluid will flow into the conduit and syringe.

It has been found that using a volume of wash fluid approximately 10 times the volume of the sample conduit and syringe can reduce the amount of material remaining in the device to very low levels.

When analyzing highly viscous liquids, the device can be operated to release additional gas from the reservoir into the sample container to provide a boost to the pressure differential across the conduit and syringe being flushed. .

This pressure boost increases the flow rate of mucus flow through the sample conduit and syringe.

This ability provides sufficient wash volume for relatively viscous sample fluids.

Another important feature of the invention is the positioning of the syringe piston during the cleaning process.

In a preferred embodiment, the syringe is a side-arm syringe, and the protruding end of the piston is at least partially aligned with the side-arm hole in the cylinder, so that the irrigation fluid passing through the syringe flows through the piston. It will hit the edge directly.

This has the effect of washing the end of the piston, displacing material left behind from previous injection or cleaning cycles and removing it from the syringe.

While the device is being flushed, the syringe directs flushing fluid to the drainage device.

The drainage device is adapted to receive fluid and minimize the amount of fluid vapor in the atmosphere surrounding the injection module.

Once flushing is complete, the syringe is actuated to move the piston to a position such that a controlled amount of sample fluid enters the syringe.

The syringe is then inserted into the inlet of the device, which consists of a drainage device.

A predetermined amount of sample is then injected into the inlet and analyzed.

Another important feature of the invention is the provision of adjustable injection volume control stop means, which allows a predetermined volume of sample fluid to be injected into the analyzer.

The syringe assembly includes a cylinder carried by a reciprocatable carriage and a piston retaining member coupled to the carriage for movement therewith and movable relative to the carriage by a piston actuator.

A pair of selectively actuated injection stop assemblies are disposed on the syringe carriage, each assembly including a stop element movable to a stop position.

In the stop position, the piston retaining member engages the stop element to prevent further penetration of the piston into the syringe.

Once the wash cycle is complete (but before the syringe is removed from the drain), the piston is advanced to the injection stop position to force fluid out of the syringe until a predetermined amount of sample remains in the syringe.

The carriage then moves to remove the syringe from the drainage device and
Advance into the analyzer.

When the injection stop element is removed from the passageway of the piston retaining member, the piston can enter the syringe and inject a predetermined amount of sample into the analyzer.

Each injection stop assembly can be adjusted at will relative to the syringe carriage to inject any amount within the capacity of the syringe.

Since the injection stop elements are actuated individually, two different injection levels can be obtained at any time.

Another important feature of the invention is that the specimens are separably clamped and can be clamped in various orientations relative to each other without disconnecting the electrical and fluid conduits connecting them. A storage module and an injection module are provided.

In one embodiment, both modules are interconnected by electrical and fluid conduits.

The injection module and the storage module are provided with alignable access openings through which electrical and fluid conduits can pass when the modules are clamped together.

Each module also includes another access opening for passage of the conduit when both modules are clamped together in different orientations.

These access openings are provided with slots which allow a conduit to be guided from one access opening through its associated slot to another access opening.

The modules are now clamped together in the new orientation and the conduits can be routed through one or both of the newly aligned alternative access openings.

This capability of the injection and storage modules allows the injection and storage modules of the present invention to be used with many different analytical devices, and allows for various differences between the modules even when both modules are oriented relative to each other. There is no need to disconnect the conduit.

Another feature of the present invention is the provision of a mechanical interlock that prevents damage to the storage module's dip tube by attempting to insert it into a container that is not properly aligned therewith.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, a tray or rack holding a number of containers is coupled to a turntable and is driven from the turntable in carousel fashion so that a series of sample containers can be They are sequentially moved to extraction stations within the storage module.

The turntable is driven by a reversible electric motor and each tray is provided with a peripheral cam track to which a cam follower is biased.

Once a particular container reaches approximately the extraction station,
Once the drive motor is in operation, the cam follower acts on the cam track on the sample tray to further rotate the tray and move the container into position relative to the dip tube assembly.

If the cam follower is unable to move the container to the correct position, the cam follower will become located within the passage of the guide rod incorporated into the dip tube assembly and the dip tube assembly will advance. It acts as a stopping member to prevent the

Another feature of the present invention is to provide a sample analyzer in which a control module governs the operation of the sample storage module and the injection module and is capable of correlating these operations with a computer. .

The apparatus is constructed and arranged in such a way that the entire analysis of many samples can be controlled by a programmed computer, while at the same time allowing operation by an operator.

In the following, specific embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, from which other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent.

The automatic sample analyzer 10 of the present invention shown in the first part includes a sample analyzer 12, which may be a device that analyzes a fluid sample by liquid or gas chromatography, for example, and a sample analyzer 12 that injects a sample of the fluid to be analyzed into the analyzer 12. Injection module 14
, a sample storage module 16 containing a number of separate samples of the fluid to be analyzed and supplying the sample fluid to the injection module 14 , an analytical device that partially governs the operation of the device 10 and is concerned with the analysis of a given fluid sample. A sample analysis calculator 18 is coupled to the analyzer 12 and programmed to receive the raw data from the analyzer 12 and process this data into a desired usable form. It includes a recorder 20 that generates graphical information regarding the analysis of the analyzed sample, and an electronic control module 22 that governs the operation of the remaining components of the apparatus 10.

A brief explanation of the operation of the device 10 is as follows.

Injection module 14 and sample storage module 16 are coupled to each other in a desired orientation.

For example, both modules may be coupled in the orientation shown in FIGS. 1 or 2 and releasably coupled to an analytical device 12 of any suitable or conventional type or construction.

Also located within the storage module 16 are a plurality of sample fluid containers.

When the device 10 is placed into automatic operation by the handle, a predetermined amount of sample fluid is extracted from a container in the storage module 16 and routed to the injection module 14 from where it is injected into the analyzer 12 .

Analyzer 12 processes the sample fluid and data obtained during the analysis process is provided to computer 18 and/or recorder 20.

At the same time, the identification information of the sample injected into the analyzer 12 is supplied from the storage module 16 to the control module 22, and from there to the recorder 20 and the computer 18, so that the data obtained from the analyzer 12 indicates whether the sample was extracted. It is identified that it is associated with a particular container.

Once the first fluid sample has been analyzed, sample fluid from the second container is transferred from the storage module 16 to the sample injection module 14 and the analysis process is repeated.

Once all samples have been analyzed, operation of the device 10 automatically ends.

Before injecting each fluid sample into the analyzer 12, the flow path through which the sample passes from the storage module 16 to the analyzer 12 is cleaned, removing all of the previous sample fluid from the passage before introducing the next sample into the analyzer 12. It removes any traces of it.

Since cleaning is performed with the subsequent sample fluid itself or with a suitable solvent and then the next sample fluid, the possibility of contamination of any fluid sample with the preceding sample or solvent is minimal. become.

The cleaning solvent, like the sample, is contained in the storage module 16 and introduced into the channel to be cleaned.

The operating sequence of device 10 is governed by a control module 22 that cooperates with computer 18.

A general explanation of the operation of the device 10 described above is given below.
It should be understood that this is a simplification for understanding the functions and interrelationships of the various modules and components of.

The various modules and components of apparatus 10 are discussed separately below.

Injection Module 14 Injection module 14 includes a retaining frame 30. which holds a syringe carriage assembly 32. A carriage actuator 34 and a drainage receiving device 36 are provided.

The syringe carriage assembly 32 includes a sample syringe, described below, which is movable by operation of a carriage actuator 34 to inject a predetermined amount of sample fluid into the analyzer 12 and to direct a wash fluid into the drain pan. Inject into device 36.

Injection module 14 is shown in FIGS. 3-7.

With particular reference to FIGS. 3 and 5.

Frame 30 includes side plates 40,42, opposed end walls 44, 46 extending between the side plates, and a base section 48 extending from end wall 46 between the side plates 40,42.

A pair of cylindrical guide rods or passageways 50 extend between the end walls 44, 46 parallel to the side plates.

End wall 44 is attached along the face of analyzer 12 by suitable connectors (not shown).

End wall 44 is provided with an opening 52 which is aligned with the analyzer sample inlet shown at 12a in FIG.

The sample intake port 12a is provided with an intake hole through which a syringe needle is inserted when a sample is injected into the analyzer 12.

The intake hole is conventionally covered by a septum, which must be penetrated with a syringe needle in order to inject a sample of fluid into the analyzer 12.

Side plates 40,42 extend from analyzer 12 and are each provided with a port 56 and a connector opening 58.

Fluid and/or electrical conduits may extend from the storage module 16 through one or the other of the ports 56 depending on which side plate 40 or 42 is engaged with the storage module 16. There is.

Connector aperture 58 allows storage module 16 and injection module 14 to be releasably coupled by a screw or other suitable fastener.

The slots 60 provide access to these components for servicing when the storage module 16 is removed from one side of the frame 30 without disconnecting the conduit extending between the modules 14,16.

One or both of the cover plates 62, 64 may be connected to the injection module 14.
It is also removed when repositioning the storage module 16 relative to the storage module 16, allowing the interconnecting conduit to be moved from one access opening to the other access opening as described above.

Cover plates 62,64 are shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, but not in FIGS. 3-7.

The syringe carriage assembly 32 is held on a guide rod or passageway 50 and is movable back and forth toward and away from the end wall 44 to inject sample fluid into the analyzer 12 and to expel cleaning fluid. Performs functions such as directing liquids to devices.

Assembly 32 includes a carriage retaining body 70 slidably mounted over passageway 50, a syringe assembly 72 carried by body 0, and a syringe actuation assembly 74 also carried by body 0.
It is equipped with

The body 70 includes a base 76 extending parallel to the frame base section 48 between the side plates 40.42, the base 76 carrying projecting transverse flanged portions 78.80 through which passageways are provided. 50 is slidably extended.

The projecting flange-like portions are spaced apart longitudinally of the body 76 to allow carriage assembly 32 to move linearly.

Actuator 34 is preferably a single acting pneumatic ram type actuator and includes a cylinder 84 .

Cylinder 84 is connected to frame base section 48 by a suitable pillow block connection and is connected to carriage flange 7.
8 has a piston rod 86 connected to the piston rod 86.

Providing actuation fluid pressure to actuator 34 causes piston rod 86 to move carriage assembly 32 to the left in FIG. 5, advancing syringe assembly 72 toward end wall 44.

The actuator 34 is provided with an internal return spring that causes the carriage assembly 32 to return to the fifth position when the pressure within the cylinder 84 is removed.
It is moved toward the right in the figure and returned to the position shown in FIG.

In this position, syringe assembly 72 is retracted to its travel limit away from end wall 44.

Syringe assembly 72 includes a cylindrical syringe cylinder 90 within which a solid piston 92 is slidably disposed.

The cylinder 90 and the piston 92 cooperate to form the cylinder 90
A variable volume chamber 93 is created inside.

Attached to the end of the cylinder remote from the piston 92 is a hollow needle 94 which communicates with the chamber 93 and which projects from the cylinder 90 towards the end wall 44.

The cylinder 90 is preferably of the type known as a side arm cylinder and is provided with a side wall hole 96 through which fluid can enter the chamber 93 between the piston 92 and the needle 94.

The cylinder 90 is mounted on the holding body 70 by a cylinder holding member 100 and a cylinder holding bracket 102.

The cylinder itself is made of glass and is suitably graduated.

Cylinder 90 is removably coupled to cylinder retaining member 100 and retaining bracket 102 for replacement with a container.

The injection needle guide/holding member 104 is the cylinder holding member 100
are combined to guide and hold the needle 94 as it advances through the septum.

Member 104 is a generally U-shaped member having legs 106, 108 extending parallel to needle 94 along retaining member 100 and an intermediate portion 110 extending across needle 94.

A guide hole 112 is provided in the intermediate section 110 through which the needle 94 extends.

The diameter of the bore 112 is only slightly larger than the diameter of the needle 94 so that the needle 94 is guided through the bore 112 and retained by the intermediate section 110.

The tip of the needle 94 is connected to the carriage assembly 32 as shown in FIGS. 3 and 5.
When in the position shown in the figure, it can protrude slightly from the intermediate portion 110.

The legs 106 pass through openings in the retaining member 100 and retain the flange-like collar 1063.

This collar 106a engages the compression spring 114 and springs 1
14 acts between the collar 106 a and a spring stop element 115 fixed to the body 70 .

The leg 106 extends slidably through an opening made in the spring stop element 115 and the bracket 102
Aligned with the aperture made therein, member 104 is able to reciprocate relative to needle 94 against the force of spring 114.

The member 104 is connected to the hour hand 94 as the hand 94 advances through the septum.
It serves as an entry point holder.

For example, considering analyzer inlet 12a, as carriage assembly 32 advances toward analyzer inlet 12a, intermediate portion 110 of member 104 moves toward analyzer inlet 12a.
The tip of needle 94 engages the intake septum at about the same time as it engages a.

As carriage assembly 32 continues to advance, needle 94 advances through the septum and member 104 engages inlet 12a and is prevented from further advancement with needle 94 toward the analyzer.

In this manner, the member 104 moves relative to the cylinder holding member 100 against the bias of the spring 114, and the intermediate portion 110
remains near the part of the needle that is currently penetrating the septum.

The middle portion of the U-shaped member thus holds the needle 94 near the septum penetration point, thereby minimizing the possibility that the needle 94 will bend as it advances through the septum.

Chamber 93 and piston 92 are preferably cylindrical and of relatively small diameter since the required volume of sample fluid to be injected into analyzer 12 is typically very small, such as 5 to 50 microliters.

Therefore, the piston 92 has a very small diameter compared to its entire length.

Piston 92 is held reciprocatingly relative to cylinder 90 by a guide that prevents piston 92 from bowing under compressive loads.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, the piston 92 projects from the end of the cylinder 90 remote from the analyzer 12 and is mounted in a guide tube 92 within the projecting leg 122 of the bracket 102. ' is passing through.

Guide tube 92' tightly encloses piston 92 and maintains piston 92 in proper alignment with cylinder 90.

Piston 92 projects beyond leg 122 and terminates in a radially projecting flange-like end 92a.

Syringe actuation assembly 74 reciprocates piston 92 within cylinder 90 so that a predetermined amount of sample fluid can be injected into analyzer 12 and chamber 93 and needle 94 can be flushed.

The syringe actuation assembly 74 includes a piston drive mechanism 130, an actuator 132 for the piston drive mechanism 130, and adjustable injection stop means 134,136.

Injection stop means 134 , 136 each stop the piston 9 in the cylinder 90 before injecting the sample of fluid into the analyzer 12 .
0 position and thus accurately determine the amount of fluid injected.

The piston drive mechanism 130 includes a cross spar 140 which is slidably disposed on the passage 50, and this cross spar 1.
40 (to buffer compressive shock loads carried by
A piston retaining element is provided which cooperates to pull the piston 92 out of the cylinder 90 (if undamped, the piston would be shocked) and to pull the piston 92 out of the cylinder 90.

The piston retaining elements include a piston guide member 142, a piston engaging leaf spring 144, and a spring backup member 14.
6, all of which protrude from the cross spar 140 toward the piston end 92a.

The piston guide member 142 is provided with a hole, through which the piston 92 passes, and the flange 92a at the protruding end of the piston 92 connects the piston guide member 142 with the leaf spring 1.
It is inserted between 44.

Actuator 132 is actuated to move crosspar 140 and its associated elements along passageway 50 relative to carriage 70 and to reciprocate piston 92 relative to cylinder 90.

When the piston 92 is pulled out of the cylinder 90 and moved to the right in FIG.
engages the flange 92a of the piston to activate the actuator 132.
The piston retraction force from is transmitted to the piston 92.

When actuator 132 is actuated to move cross spar 140 and its associated elements toward the left in FIG. can be conveyed to.

When actuator 132 is actuated to initially advance piston 92 into cylinder 90, leaf spring 144
Since the leaf spring 144 has a spring constant, the leaf spring 144 hardly bends.

Backup member 146 is positioned away from leaf spring 144 to prevent leaf spring 144 from unduly sagging.

Actuator 132 is preferably a double-acting pneumatically actuated ram;
This ensures that the piston 92 is positioned within the cylinder 90.

The actuator 132 includes a cylinder 150 having holes at both ends and fixed to the carriage body 0 and a cross spar 1.
40 includes an internal piston holding a piston rod 152 coupled to the piston rod 152.

Piston rod 152 reciprocates crosspar 140 relative to carriage body 70.

The piston rod 152 is such that it is prevented from moving relative to the cylinder 150 by fluid pressure applied to either side of the piston when desired.

This ensures that the cross spar 140 remains in place and prevents movement of the piston 92 relative to the cylinder 90.

Carriage body 70 is provided with a slot 156 (FIG. 3) for guiding member 14.
2. The leaf spring 144 and the backup member 146 can move in the direction of movement of the piston 92 without interfering with the carriage body 0.

Since the injection stop means 134 and 136 are the same, 13
Only 6 will be explained.

The stop means 136 is preferably formed by a solenoid 160 which is connected to the elongated throats 1-16 made in the carriage body 70 (FIG. 3).
is slidably disposed within 2.

A tightening mechanism 164 is associated with the solenoid 160 to tighten and maintain the solenoid 160 in a desired position along the slot 162.

Solenoid 160 includes an armature 168 in the form of a pin or stop element, and pin 168 is connected to solenoid 16.
When 0 is activated, solenoid 160 to cross spar 14
0 into the movement path and prevents the piston 92 from advancing further into the cylinder 90.

FIG. 5 shows the pin 168 in a protruding state.

When the solenoid 160 is deenergized, the pin 168 is retracted by the action of a return spring (not shown) and the cross spar 1
40 is movable to advance piston 92 further into cylinder 90.

When the piston drive mechanism 130 is in the position shown in FIG.
The cross spar 140 has reached its limit of travel toward the end wall 46 of the frame and the piston 92 has been retracted from the cylinder 90 to its limit of travel.

As shown in FIG. 7, when the piston 92 has reached its travel limit in the retraction direction, the protruding tip of the piston 92 is near the side arm hole 96 of the cylinder 90, so fluid is pumped into the chamber 93 through the side arm hole 96. and can be fed into the needle 94.

This is how the cylinder 90 is cleaned. piston 9
The fluid flowing through the side arm hole 96 hits the tip of 2,
The turbulent flow created at the tip of the piston 92 acts to clean the tip of the piston 92, which helps remove residual material that would otherwise stick to the tip of the piston 92. ).

After cleaning is completed, one or the other of the injection stop means 134, 136 is energized and the actuator 132 is actuated to energize the protruding pin 16 of the injection stop means.
The piston 92 is advanced into the cylinder 90 until it hits the piston 8.

Therefore, the piston 92 cannot advance any further into the cylinder 90 and a predetermined amount of sample fluid is transferred to the chamber 93 and the needle 94.
This sample fluid is supplied to the analyzer 1.
It is injected into 2.

The piston of the actuator 132 is then locked in this position by equal fluid pressure applied on both sides thereof, the injection stop solenoid 160 is deenergized and the pin 168 is retracted.

The shear force applied to pin 168 by cross spar 140 to apply fluid pressure to both sides of the piston of actuator 132 is eliminated so that pin 168 is free to retract.

Carriage body 70 is then advanced to force needle 94 into analyzer inlet 12a and then actuator 132.
is again energized to advance the piston 92 from its injection stop position into the cylinder 90 to its limit of travel in the direction of the analyzer 12.

In the illustrated example, the limit of travel of this piston 92 is where the cross spar 140 abuts the mounting nut of the actuator 132, although other suitable abutment elements may be provided if desired.

Since the injection stop means operate individually, two different amounts of sample can be preset without readjusting the injection stop position.

As explained with reference to FIGS. 3, 5 and 7,
Prior to injecting a predetermined amount of sample fluid into analyzer 12, chamber 93 within cylinder 90 and needle 94 are flushed by flushing fluid from side arm (L96).

The washing operation is necessary to make the sample fluid injected into the analyzer 12 as pure as possible.

During a wash operation, wash fluid, either solvent or sample fluid, is directed from needle 94 into drain 36 .

The exhaust system 36 receives a cleaning fluid that is relatively volatile at room temperature and atmospheric pressure, and prevents significant vapors of this fluid from escaping from the injection module 14.

This vapor may be flammable and/or toxic, depending on the nature of the fluid.

The drain device 36 includes a drain receiver 200 that communicates via a flexible conduit 204 to a removable drain reservoir 202 .

Drainage receiver 200 is a generally tubular member and is connected to C1 partition wall 208.
It has an end opening 206 covered by.

Drainage receiver 200 is coupled to a movable holding arm 210.

Retaining arm 210 is normally positioned to insert drain receptacle 200 between needle 94 and analyzer inlet 12a.

The needle 94 is advanced through the septum 208 by the movement of the carriage body 0, after which the cylinder 90 is flushed and the flushing fluid is passed from the drain 200 to the conduit 204.
It reaches storage tank 202 via.

The retaining arm 210 is pivotally supported by a bracket 212 and pivots relative to the bracket 212 to attach the drain receptacle 20.
0 from its normal drain position to a retracted position where it does not interfere with movement of the needle 94 into the analyzer inlet 12a.

The drain receiver 200 pivots to the retracted position by the operation (energization) of the solenoid 214.

Return spring (not shown) when solenoid 214 is deenergized
is activated, and the drain receiver 200 is returned to its position.

The retaining arm 210 carries a stop member 216 which projects from the retaining arm 210 towards the end wall 44 of the frame 30 and towards the carriage body 70.

Drainage receptacle 200 is positioned away from its retracted position, i.e., needle 94 and analyzer inlet 12 a
When the carriage 70 moves forward, the stop member 216 engages between the carriage 70 and the end wall 44 of the frame 30, so that the actuator 34 moves the needle 94 into the drainage receptacle 20.
It will no longer be possible to advance to the far end of 0.

This prevents the needle 94 of the syringe from breaking.

(If you don't do this, it will be destroyed). When the drain receptacle 200 is in the retracted position, the stop member 216 is inserted into the slot 2 made in the flange 78 of the carriage 70.
Align with 18.

Thus, when the needle 94 is advanced into the analyzer inlet 12a,
Stop member 216 passes through this slot 218 and no longer impedes movement of carriage 70 toward analyzer 12 .

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the carriage holder 0
and the pressure conduit to the piston actuator 132 and the sample fluid supply conduit to the cylinder side armhole 96 all flow from the storage module 16 through one of the access openings 56 to the injection module 1 .
It has reached 4.

Storage Module 16 The storage module 14 holds a plurality of separate containers 240 for fluid samples and wash solvents and includes an extraction station for delivering the fluid sample or wash solvent from each container 240 to the injection module 14. It is equipped with 250.

The individual containers 240 are held by a plurality of sample holding lug members or racks, designated by numerals 252-255 (FIG. 8).

The trays store each sample container 2 from the storage module 16.
40 can be removed individually.

Actuator assembly 2 forming part of storage module 16
58 moves the holding tray in carousel fashion so that the individual containers 240 are moved in series to an extraction station 250 where the contents of the containers 240 are sampled and sent to the injection module 14.

See FIG. 9.

The storage module 16 includes a retaining frame 260 having a circumferentially extending skirt 262 and a retaining frame 260.
A circular substrate 264, which is coupled to 62, is attached.

Side plates 266 and 268 extend at right angles to each other and against substrate 264 and skirt 262 to define the raised corners of storage module 16.

Extraction station 250 is located at this raised corner, and trays 252-255 are arranged in a circular manner on substrate 264-H.

Sample holding tray members 252-255 are all nearly identical, and only tray 253 will be described.

The tray 253 has a 90° fan-shaped trapezoidal shape, and has a circularly curved outer wall 270 and radially extending side edges 272, 2.
74 and a radially inner edge 276 extending between the side edges.

A sector-shaped radial inner tray body 280 is attached to the edge 272.
．． 274.276 and terminating in a circular wall 282.

The edges of the tray member have lips projecting from the face of the body 280, and these lips, together with radially extending webs 284, strengthen the tray body portion 280.

A pair of cylindrical bosses 285 extend from the body 280 to the web 28.
It is longer than 4.

These bosses provide a separable drive coupler with the tray actuator assembly 258, as described below.

The radially outer tray body portion 286 is connected to the wall 282.
It extends from the body 280 and is lower than the body 280.

Outer tray body portion 286 terminates in peripheral wall 270 and is flush with wall 28 than inner tray body portion 280.
an integral web 29 extending radially outwardly from 2;
It is reinforced by 2.

A series of sample container pockets 1-296 (preferably 15 pockets containing 15 separate containers) are located in the outer tray body 286 along the periphery.

Pocket 296 includes a semicircular recess 298 formed in tray wall 270 and a semicircular surface 30 formed on a raised lug 302 at the radially outer end of web 292.
It is made by 0.

The recesses 298 and the surfaces 300 are mutually arranged to ensure that the containers in each pocket 296 are properly positioned within the pocket I-296 and to hold the containers so that they do not roll off even if the tray 253 is tilted vertically. is positioned against.

Container holding actuator 258 includes a turntable assembly 310 to which each tray 252-255 is releasably coupled.

Turntable assembly 310 and its attached tray can be rotated relative to substrate 264 by turntable drive mechanism 312 .

Assembly 310 includes a retaining shaft 314 and shaft 3
14 is held for rotation about an axis 315 by a bearing unit 316 that extends through and is coupled to the substrate 264.

The protruding end of the holding shaft 314 is connected to the circular tray holding member 3
It carries 20.

The holding member 320 is fixed to the shaft 314 so as to rotate about the axis 315, and has four pairs of circumferentially spaced positioning holes 321.

A drum-shaped member 322 connects the tray holding member 320 and the substrate 2.
64 and is fixed to the shaft 314 so as to rotate together with the shaft 314.

A tray locking assembly 324 extends from the drum 322 above the tray retaining member 320 and allows individual sample holding trays to be coupled and locked to the tray retaining member 320.

Lock assembly 324 includes a cylindrical body 330 secured to the end of shaft 314 for rotation about axis 315 .

Four shoulder holes 332 are formed in the body 330 at 90° intervals about the axis 315 and extend generally parallel to the axis 315.

A circular retainer plate 334 is coupled to body 330 and closes hole 332.

The base hole 332 holds a shoulder stop pin 336 and a helical compression spring 338.

The spring 338 pushes the protruding end of the pin 336 inserted between the pin 336 and the holding plate 334 from the body 330 toward the tray holding member 320.

The tray assembly 31 is assembled by tilting the tray slightly relative to the retaining member 320 and inserting the tray inner edge 276 between the retaining member 320 and the body 330 of the locking assembly.
0 and locked in place.

The ends of the retaining pins 336 are rounded so that the pins 336 enter the shouldered holes 332 against the force of the springs 338 as the tray slides radially inwardly along the retaining members 320.

When the locating boss 285 is aligned with the pair of locating holes 321, the tray is tilted downward so that the boss 285 extends through the locating hole 321.

This connection allows the web 284 of the tray to be attached to the retaining member 32.
0 plane, and the stop pin 336 engages the tray body portion 280 to maintain the tray member in contact with the retaining member 320.

Bosses 285 cooperate with respective locating holes to allow drive from rotatable retaining member 320 to be transmitted to the tray.

The drive mechanism 312 includes a reversible electric motor 340, and the electric motor 34
A reduction gear (not shown) is coupled to the rotor shaft.

The output shaft of the reduction gear passes through the substrate 264, and an output pulley 344 is coupled to the tip of the output shaft.

A drive belt 346 extends over pulley 344 and drum 322 and transmits drive power from electric motor 340 to turntable assembly 310 and then to the individual trays held by turntable assembly 310.

Container 240 may be of any suitable construction, but in the illustrated example is a glass bottle that fits snugly into pocket 296.

The containers 240 have a capacity to hold several ml of fluid, and each container 240 is closed by a septum 241 carried by a removable crown 348.

One of the important features of the present invention is that the storage module 16 can receive one to four trays from among a number of holding trays that can be loaded with sample containers at a location remote from the actual location of the device 10. It is.

For example, apparatus 10 may be a central analyzer, with this main analyzer serving many separate laboratories.

Containers for both the sample and solvent, or either one, can be attached to the sample tray in the laboratory, and it is only necessary to bring this tray to the analyzer, so the operating tools for the analyzer are attached to the sample tray. Freed from the task of recording the identity of each sample and their position within the tray.

Each tray has a decimal tray identification port and 10
Numerical identification of the individual pockets within the tray is provided.

When loading trays in each laboratory, the person loading the trays only needs to record the substances in each container along with the tray number and pocket number.

The analyzer controls are not involved in this process.

In the preferred embodiment, storage module 16 is capable of handling up to four of sixteen separate sample trays at any given time.

The turntable assembly 310 moves the tray and carries the series of containers to the brewing station 250.

At the extraction station 250, fluid within the container 240 is collected and delivered to the injection module 14 by a syringe-like dip tube assembly 352 (described in more detail below).

Storage module 16 is a container positioning assembly that serves to precisely align containers 240 at brewing station 250 with dip tube assemblies 352 so that dip tube assemblies 352 engage misaligned containers. It cannot be damaged by moving forward.

The storage module 16 also houses a fluid container identification device that identifies the container 2 at the extraction station 250.
40 by tray number, pocket number, and whether the container is a sample container or a solvent container.

Once container 240 is properly positioned and identified at extraction station 250, dip tube assembly 352 is actuated to enter container 240 to extract fluid from within container 240 and deliver the fluid to the injection module. .

The container locating assembly includes locating cam structures built into the individual trays and roller followers 360 biased into engagement with these cam structures.

The roller 360 is held by a lever 362 that is pivotally supported on the base plate 264 and is urged into engagement with the tray by a tension spring 364 coupled to the lever 362.

Each tray 252-255 is provided with a generally sawtooth-shaped cam track 366 along the outer edge of the substrate 264.

Each cam track 366 consists of a series of radially outwardly facing peaks 368 and a radially inwardly facing valley 370 in the middle portion.

The rollers 360 are pushed into engagement with these peaks and valleys as the rollers are rotated by the actuator 258.

Each valley 370 corresponds to a particular container pocket 296.

When the pockets 296 of each container are aligned with the dip tube assembly 352, the rollers 360 should enter the valleys 370.

Electric motor 340 moves a particular container 240 to extraction station 2.
50 and rotate the turntable until it is approximately aligned with dip tube assembly 352.

Roller 360 is moving along cam track 360 while electric motor 340 is driving the turntable.

When motor 340 is deenergized at approximately the desired position, roller 360 is moved into a corresponding valley 370 in cam track 366 by the force of spring 364.

This movement of roller 360 rotates the turntable and tray to properly align container 240 with dip tube assembly 352.

Roller 360 moves motor 3 when motor 340 is deenergized.
40 and the reduction gear, thereby reducing the elaborate steps that would otherwise be required to accurately position the container pocket 296 in place.
A complicated motor control device is not required.

The container identification device includes container identification equipment that identifies the type of fluid, ie, sample fluid or solvent, at the extraction station 250.

Once the sample fluid container is positioned at the extraction station 250, the device 10 can use the sample fluid to perform a wash cycle and/or an analysis cycle.

When a solvent container is positioned at the extraction station 250, the apparatus 10 is automatically adjusted to perform only a wash cycle and no solvent is injected into the analyzer 10.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention, each container 240 is connected to a single pole double throw microswitch 38 when the container is in the brewing station.
The interaction between the container and the switch depends on whether the container is a sample container or a solvent container.

FIG. 9 shows three different containers 240a, 240b.
, and 240C.

Containers 240a and 240b are representative of a solvent container and a sample fluid container, respectively.

Container 240b carries around its crown 348 a removable ring 380a apart from the protruding end of the crown.

All of the sample fluid containers 240b are provided with such a ring 380a, and in each case the ring 380a is attached to the crown 3 of the container.
It is positioned further away from the protruding end of 48.

Container 240 a carries a removable ring 380 b disposed around the protruding end of crown 348 .

All of the solvent containers 240a are provided with a similar ring 380b at the protruding end of the container crown 348.

When any container is positioned at brewing station 250, the container crown 348 is activated by microswitch 382, 384.
(See FIG. 10) - When four sample fluid containers 240b are in the extraction station 250, the ring 380
a engages the arm of microswitch 382, so microswitch 382 is actuated by ring 380a and microswitch 384 is not actuated.

On the other hand, when the solvent container 240a is positioned at the extraction station 250, the ring 380b and the microswitch 384 are engaged, so that the microswitch 384 is activated and the microswitch 382 is not activated.

If the container 240 is not properly aligned with the extraction station 250 or an empty pocket passes through the station, neither microswitch 382 nor 384 will be activated.

Alternatively, remove ring 380a and insert wash cycle pins 701 (FIG. 10) into holes 702 in the periphery of trays 252-255 to indicate that a particular location contains wash material instead of sample. You can also do it.

Pin 701 engages lower microswitch 283 to indicate the presence of a wash container.

In the illustrated example, both the pin 701 and the bottle ring 380a indicate the wash cycle.

A ring 380a and a ring 380b are provided in the container for the last sample in a series of analysis steps.

Thus, when the final sample is located at the extraction station, both microswitches 382 and 384 engage these rings and both switches are activated.

Switches 382 and 384 are electrically connected to the logic and sequential control circuitry of control module 22 so that device 1
0's operation may be governed in part by information provided to control module 22 from switches 382, 384.

If a sample container is detected at extraction station 250, apparatus 10 performs a wash and analysis cycle.

When the final container is detected, i.e. the container is present in both rings 380a and 3
80b, a wash cycle and/or analysis cycle is performed, after which the device 10
If a solvent container is detected and you do not want to flush the syringe with solvent, the turntable will continue to command until a sample container is detected.

If a solvent wash is desired, the control module 22 continues to operate the turntable until a solvent container is detected at the extraction station, after which a wash cycle but no analysis cycle is performed.

The tray and pocket identification equipment includes a plurality of single pole double throw microswitches carried along a line extending radially from the brewing station toward the turntable shaft 315 by a substrate 264 near the brewing station.

Cam tracks are built on each container tray.

Each cam track faces a respective microswitch which actuates the control module 22 to provide identification of the sample tray and particular pocket at the extraction station.

In the preferred embodiment, eight microswitches 401-4
08 is mounted on the board (FIG. 8), and eight cam tracks 411-418 are attached to each tray body 286.
(Figures 12, 14 and 15)
.

The cam track has a lobe 420 projecting from the tray body for engaging and actuating respective microswitches.

These lobes 420 are designed to cause the switch to perform binary encoded operation.

The trays shown in FIGS. 12 to 15 have switches 401 to 401.
404 is activated, so the cam
Tracks 415-418 are not provided with lobes for actuating switches.

Cam tracks 416-418 are used to identify up to 16 different trays.

Microswitches 401 to 408 are control module 22
is electrically connected to a binary duder in the brewer which, when actuated, identifies the particular pocket located in the brewing station and identifies the tray in which that pocket is located.

With 8 switches, the device 10 has 15 switches each.
This allows for the use of 16 separate trays with 16 sample pockets.

That is, the apparatus 10 can handle 240 different samples.

A binary decoder in control module 22 represents the sample tray and pocket position of each sample under analysis in decimal notation and sends the information to computer 18 and/or recorder 20 so that analytical data is stored in storage module 16. to the actual sample fluid position within the tray.

This information is preferably printed by computer 18 and recorder 20 in the form of tray number and pocket location.

If desired, the decimal identification of the container's location can be displayed on the operator's console.

The computer printout and/or recorder printout indicates the tray and sample pocket position of the sample analysis results, and these results are used by the laboratory to indicate the sample to be affixed to the tray before analysis. The above features help avoid errors by operators when identifying sample analysis results, since they can be compared with records.

As shown in FIGS. 9-11, dip tube assembly 352 includes extraction needle assembly 430 and pneumatic fluid cleaning device 432.
(FIG. 16) and an extraction syringe actuator assembly 434.

The actuator assembly 434 includes a needle retaining plate 436 that includes a cylinder 440 coupled to the frame by a retaining bracket 442 and a piston rod extending between the cylinder 440 and the retaining plate 436. is coupled to a single-acting pneumatic ram containing.

A radially inwardly projecting plate end 446 carries a needle assembly 430 that reciprocates toward and away from a container 240 located at the extraction station.

Plate 436 is coupled to guide rods 450, 452 that extend through holes in bracket 442.

These rods guide the movement of the plate and needle assembly as plate 436 is reciprocated by ram 438.

Guide rod 450 is surrounded by a helical compression spring 454.

Spring 454 acts on syringe retaining plate 436 to release the piston.
Push rod 444 toward its most extended position.

When the piston rod 444 is loaded, the plate and needle assembly 430 moves toward the container and the needle assembly advances into the container.

Please refer to FIG.

If the container is not precisely aligned with the needle assembly, the follower roller 360 will move into the corresponding cam track valley 370.
Note that it is not located within.

The position of roller 360 in such a case is shown in broken lines in FIG.

In this position, roller 360 is located within the path of movement of guide rod 450 and prevents movement of needle assembly 430 toward the container.

This avoids damage to the needle assembly and container due to misalignment of the assembly.

Also, if the dip tube is down, rotation of the carriage is prevented.

FIG. 11 shows the needle assembly structure and the relationship between the needle assembly and the container when the needle assembly enters the container.

Needle assembly 430 includes a central tubular needle 460 having a bullet-shaped tip 462 and a central passageway 464 for penetrating the septum.

The central flow path 464 includes a sample fluid conduit 466 extending from the needle 460 to the side arm hole 96 of the syringe within the injection module 14.
It is familiar to

Channel 464 opens into the container by a hole 468 extending laterally through the needle near tip 462.

The holes 468 are spaced from the chip 462 so that they do not puncture the septum and become jammed.

When needle assembly 430 is properly positioned within the container, hole 468 is well below the liquid level within the container.

Needle 460 is surrounded by a second tubular needle 470.

A second needle 470 has a tapered end 472 that is secured and sealed to needle 460 at a location remote from tip 462 .

Needle 470 defines a passageway 474 surrounding needle 460;
This passageway 474 communicates with the cleaning device 432 through a manifold 476 (FIG. 10) and with the container through a transverse hole 478 extending through the wall of the needle 470.

Needle 470 extends far enough through the container septum such that hole 470 is located within the container.

The hole 478 is inserted into the needle 470 to avoid puncturing the septum.
There is an opening in the direction across.

The cleaning device operates to direct fluid from the container to the injection module 14 by introducing a controlled amount of fluid at a predetermined pressure into the container.

A quantity of gas at a given pressure can be thought of as possessing a given amount of cleaning energy that is proportional to the product of pressure and volume.

The PV energy of the cleaning gas thus accurately determines the amount of fluid delivered to the injection module.

Drainage device 35 is maintained at atmospheric pressure throughout each wash cycle.

As fluid is routed from the container to injection module 14, the pressure within the container decreases until the cleaning gas expands to a pressure approximately equal to atmospheric pressure.

As shown in the outline in FIG.
00, pressure storage tank 502, storage tank control valve 504 and vent valve 5
It is equipped with 06.

The pressure regulating valve 500 is connected to a source of pressurized gas by a supply conduit 508;
and a pressure manifold 510 located within storage module 16 .

The pressure source may be of any suitable or available construction and is applied to manifold 510 through conduit 508 extending into storage module 16 at a pressure of approximately 4.2 kg/cm2 (
Preferably, air is supplied at a pressure of 60 psi).

The pressure regulating valve 500 has a predetermined lower supply pressure, for example 1.75.
The pressure is reduced to 25 psi.

Valve 500 is preferably adjustable so that the operating tool can vary the pressure as desired.

Valve 5 allows gauge 512 to monitor the controlled pressure.
It is combined with 00.

The storage tank 502 is connected to a pressure regulating valve 500 via a control valve 504 which is a three-way solenoid operated valve with a small internal volume.
It is familiar to

A solenoid actuator 504a is shown and is actuated by control module 22.

The control valve 504 controls the storage tank 502 to fill the storage tank 502.
It has a first operating position that communicates with the pressure regulating valve 500.

This position is the normal position of this valve 504 and the reservoir 502
remains almost continuously filled.

Reservoir 502 may be of any suitable or available construction and is not shown in detail.

Reservoir 502 preferably has a volume of about 100 microliters and, when filled, contains 1.75 kg of stored gas.
/Cm2 pressure.

Since the volume is small, it can be rapidly filled from the pressure regulating valve 500 when the control valve 504 is in the normal position.

Control valve solenoid 504a can be actuated by control module 22 to move to a second position.

In this position, communication between reservoir 502 and pressure regulating valve 500 is cut off, and reservoir 502 communicates with dip tube needle 470 via low volume conduit 520 .

This causes reservoir 502 to be discharged into the fluid container through needle 470 so that fluid is routed from the container through needle 460 and into injection module 14 .

Draining of reservoir 502 occurs relatively rapidly, so that control valve 504 remains in its second or reservoir discharge position for only about 4 seconds before being returned to its normal position and reservoir 502 is filled. Ru.

In the illustrated embodiment, the volume of the syringe is about 10 microliters, and the internal volume of sample conduit 466 is also about 10 microliters.

Approximately 10 of the combined volume of the cylinder and conduit
It has been found that cleaning with a flow of double the volume of fluid reduces the amount of residual material within the cleaned volume to very low levels, such as 0.01 volume percent or less.

Therefore, in a preferred device, 1.75 kg/cm2
Approximately 200 100 microliter storage tanks filled with
It is useful for obtaining wash volumes of microliters of solvent and/or sample fluid.

Some sample fluids have high vapor pressures at room temperature, and if reservoir gas is released into a container of such fluids, the partial pressure of the vapor will combine with the PV energy of the cleaning gas to create an excess amount of gas. Fluid will now be pumped out of the container.

Accordingly, in the preferred embodiment, after the needle assembly is inserted into the container, vent valve 506 is opened to vent the container to atmospheric pressure via needle 470, conduit 520, and valve 506.

Valve 506 is actuated by a solenoid 506a that is energized and deenergized by control module 22.

After vent valve 506 opens to reduce pressure in the container, valve 506
Close the container again to maintain atmospheric pressure inside the container.

Control valve 504 is then actuated to release gas from reservoir 502 into the container so that a predetermined, controlled pressure differential is applied across the sample fluid, fluid conduit 466, and syringe assembly 72.

In the preferred embodiment, the control module 22 limits the period during which cleaning occurs to one minute.

Cleaning is typically completed within this allotted time.

If the fluid has a relatively high viscosity (e.g., greater than lcp), its flow resistance is relatively large and the reservoir 50
A single discharge from 2 will not provide enough energy to perform a complete cleaning within the allotted 1 minute cleaning period.

When this condition occurs, the operator must control the control module 22.
can be operated to actuate control valve 504 to cause a second discharge to occur after, for example, 30 seconds have elapsed during the cleaning period.

This provides additional PV energy to the container,
Compensate for high viscosity of fluid.

Once cleaning is complete, the immersion management assembly is withdrawn from the container.

When the dip tube begins to be withdrawn, control valve 504 is actuated again to discharge reservoir 502.

When the dip tube needle assembly is moved from the vessel bulkhead, this release from the reservoir will occur partly into the vessel and partly into the atmosphere.

The part of the discharge that takes place into the container is at least due to the dip tube needle 4.
This is effective in creating an air pocket within the 60.

This reduces the chance that fluid droplets from the previous sample container will drip into the ashing sample container of the dip tube insertion.

Further reference is made to FIG.

FIG. 16 shows the injection module 14 and the storage module 16, shown in phantom, with various pneumatic elements operating the actuators within these modules.

As shown in FIG. 16, the syringe carriage actuator 34 communicates by a conduit 532 to a solenoid control valve 530 within the storage module 16.

Control valve 530 itself is coupled to pressure manifold 510 by conduit 534.

Valve solenoid 530a is energized and deenergized by control module 22 to control valve operation.

When the actuator 34 is actuated to advance the syringe carriage toward the analyzer inlet 12a or drain receptacle, the valve 53
0 is actuated to send high pressure air to the actuator 34.

Valve 530 is actuated to cause actuator 34 to leak, causing the carriage to be retracted by the return spring.

One end of double acting piston actuator 132 communicates with manifold 510 via conduit 540, control valve 542, and conduit 544.

The other end of actuator 132 communicates with manifold 510 via conduit 546, control valve 548, and conduit 550.

Each valve 542 and 548 is actuated by a solenoid 542 a , 548 a that is wired to control module 22 .

Valves 542, 548, like valve 530, deliver or leak high pressure to actuator 132 depending on the energization of the solenoid.

When both valves supply pressurized air to the actuator 132, the piston is ensured in place as described above.

The valve thus operates only where the cross spar 140 engages one or the other of the injection stop means 134, 136 (schematically shown in Figure 16), thereby retracting the stop element. be able to.

Single acting dip tube actuator 434 includes conduit 554, control valve 556,
and to manifold 510 via conduit 558 .

Control valve 556 includes a solenoid 556a that is wired to control module 22.

Valve 556 is of identical construction to valve 530 and functions in the same manner.

As is clear from FIG. 16, pressure conduits 532, 540
and 546 and sample fluid conduit 466 both extend between storage module 16 and injection module 14 .

Also, as previously mentioned, electrical wires for the injection stop means 134, 136 and the drain solenoid 214 also extend between the modules.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 9, side plates 266, 268 of storage module 16 have access openings 560 and 56, respectively.
2, through which various conduits and wires extend to the injection module 14.

When the storage module 16 and injection module 14 are clamped together, one or the other of the access openings 560, 562 is aligned with the access opening 56 of the injection module 14, allowing conduits and electrical wires to run therethrough.

In some cases, all conduits and wires are connected to injection module 1.
The orientation of the storage module 16 relative to the injection module 14 may be changed so that the opening 56 of the storage module 14 remains open through another opening in the storage module 16.

To enable such reorientation, each storage module access opening is provided with guide throwers 564, 566.

These slots open into the access opening and are connected to the side plate 266.
Alternatively, it extends to the side edge of 268.

When the storage module 16 is reoriented relative to the injection module 14, the conduits and wires are guided from one access opening to the other through the throwers 564, 566 without disconnecting from either module. be able to.

The storage module 16 preferably has a removable cover 5.
70 (Figs. 1 and 2) is provided.

The shroud 570 has a transparent shroud portion 572 that covers the turntable and container tray, and a second shroud portion 574 that covers the brewing station 250 portion.

Shroud portion 572 is hinged to shroud portion 574 for quick tray removal and replacement.

The entire shroud 570 can be lifted from the storage module 16 to provide operational access to the extraction station 250 and to route conduits and wires from one access opening to the other.

FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating the functional interrelationship of the components of electronic control module 22 in relation to the remaining components of device 10.

For convenience, the overall operation of the device 10 will be explained with reference to FIG. 17.

For convenience in the following discussion, up to four container trays may be mounted within the storage module 16, with the containers or bottles arranged so that the sample and solvent containers advance around the turntable in the desired order, and the extraction station. The container pocket 296 at position 250 is empty and the device 10 is interfaced with a computer 18 that is programmed only to process data obtained from the analyzer 12 rather than to control the overall operation of the device 10. It is assumed that there is

The control module 22 is provided with a front panel (not shown) for operator accessible switches and displays.

To initiate operation of device 10, an operator activates circuit 58.
Pressing the power button switch, which is incorporated in 0, supplies low voltage power to the logic circuitry.

Next, when the operating tool presses a computer enable button switch incorporated in circuit 584, the computer becomes operational.

A temperature programmable button switch is incorporated into circuit 586.

If apparatus 10 includes an instrument such as a gas chromatograph, the instrument must be brought to a certain temperature before it can be used to analyze a sample.

Temperature programmable circuit 586 can sense these conditions and, when a predetermined condition is reached, logic circuit 582
to enable device 10 to enter other operations.

Similarly, computer enablement circuit 584 signals logic circuit 582 when the computer is ready for operation.

Once the calculator and analyzer are both enabled, the operator presses the ready button switch.

This switch is incorporated into the circuit 590 and the power supply 59
2 to be able to supply higher voltage power to operate the solenoids and meter.

Power supply 592 connects injection module 1 via a solenoid drive circuit 594 with individual solenoid control switches.
4 and the solenoids in the storage module 16.

Power supply 592 also provides power to the recorder via a recorder control switch (not shown).

Sample volume selection circuit 596 controls which injection stop is activated during the analysis cycle.

This circuit 596 engages front panel switches that allow the operator to select the desired sample volume.

Activation of one of the switches activates the sequential control circuit 600 to activate the selected injection stop means at the appropriate time during operation of the device 10.

The device 10 allows each sample fluid to be repeatedly injected into the analyzer so that each sample is analyzed separately.

For each container, a dosing circuit 602 and a dosing counter circuit 604 cooperate with logic circuitry to enable this functionality.

The circuit 602 includes several selection switches on the front panel, and for the sake of explanation, it is assumed that the operating tool activates the switch that instructs one injection per container.

This switch actuation prepares the device 10 for analyzing a sample.

Although operation of the apparatus 10 must be manually initiated by an operator to analyze a series of samples, samples can be analyzed one at a time under the control of such controls.

Alternatively, the apparatus 10 can be controlled to automatically analyze each successive sample without the need for operator assistance.

Operation circuit 610 cooperates with logic circuit 582 to control whether device 10 automatically operates.

The operating circuit 610 includes selection switches labeled single and multiple, with the operator actuating the multiple selection switch to automatically cause all samples in the storage module 16 to be analyzed.

Since the pocket at the extraction station of the storage module is empty, logic circuit 582 provides an operating signal to turntable motor control circuit 12, and circuit 612 controls operation of turntable drive motor 340 via bidirectional drive circuit 614. Let it start.

Motor 340 drives the turntable until microswitch 382 detects that a sample container has arrived at extraction station 250 .

The signal produced by microswitch 382 is sent to coder circuit 616, and the signal from circuit 616 is sent to both logic circuit 582 and sequence control circuit 600.

Logic circuit 582 advances sequence control circuit 600, and signals from decoder circuit 616 cause sequence control circuit 600 to both wash and inject sample fluid.

Next, the steps in which sequential control circuit 600 operates the components of apparatus 10 are shown.

1. Advance the syringe carriage 70 and insert the needle 94 into the drainage receiver 200; 2. Piston actuator 1 initially in the fully depressed position.
3. Apply fluid pressure to 32 to push piston 92 toward the depressed position; 3. Insert dip tube assembly 430 into the sample container located at extraction station 250; 4. Open container vent valve 506. 5. Close the vent valve 506 again; 6. Operate the reservoir control valve 504 to discharge from the reservoir into the container; 7. Operate the piston actuator 132 to cause the piston 92 to release. withdraw to side arm hole 96; 8. Allow pause to allow cleaning of sample conduit 466 and syringe assembly 72; 9. Pull dip tube assembly from container; 10. Reservoir 502 via control valve 504. 11. Activate the solenoid of the injection stop means to create a predetermined injection stop position; 12. Push the piston 92 to this injection stop position to release the syringe. 13. Retracting the syringe carriage and withdrawing the needle 94 from the drain pan; 14. Activating the drain pan and pivoting it to its retracted position; 15. Advance the carriage 70 to advance the needle 94 into the analyzer inlet 12a; 16. Equalize the pressure across the piston of the piston actuator 132; 17. Deactivate the stop means solenoid to retract the stop element. 18. Drive the piston 92 into the cylinder 90 to its travel limit; 19. Retract the syringe carriage 70 and pull out the needle 92 from the analyzer inlet 12a; 20. Connect the drain receiver 200 to the needle 92 and analyze it. Device intake port 12
21. Deactivate the piston actuator 132.

The steps listed above, with the exception of steps 6 and 10, are intended to be performed immediately upon completion of the preceding steps.

Stages 6 and 10 preferably require a 4 second delay before the subsequent stage.

This is due to the time required to completely discharge the reservoir 502; there is a 4 second delay period before the control valve 504 is actuated to discharge the reservoir 502.

With respect to step 10, note that as the dip tube assembly is being withdrawn from the container while the reservoir is being discharged, the reservoir will be venting directly to the atmosphere for a portion of the 4 second period.

The time delay period during which the energy supplied to the container is insufficient to remove all sample fluid from conduit 466 is determined by clock circuit 620 which provides a timed pulse to sequence control circuit 600.

When injecting a highly viscous sample fluid, the operator can activate high viscosity circuit 622, which in turn commands sequence control circuit 600 to remove the fluid from the reservoir twice during the rest period of stage 8. Allow the release to take place into the container.

When the sample is actually injected into the analyzer, the sequence control circuit 6
00 provides the appropriate confirmation signal.

When fluid is injected, the sequence control circuit 600
4. Injection counter circuit 604, analysis time clock circuit 630,
Auxiliary time clock circuit 632, recorder 20, and recorder 20
A signal is supplied to an integrator associated with the integrator.

Logic circuit 582 initiates operation of the computer via enabling circuit 584 so that the computer processes data from the analyzer.

Injection counter circuit 604 receives and stores the injection signal and compares it to the desired number of injections per container selected by circuit 602.

A signal sent to the recorder 20 causes an injection mark to be written on the graph produced by the recorder 20.

The integrator is a device that integrates the area under the curve drawn by the recorder 20, and can be used in conjunction with a calculator.

In cases where a calculator is not available, an integrator is used in place of a calculator.

The integrator is activated by the injection signal so that it is activated as soon as the recorder 20 begins recording the analysis results.

Analysis time clock circuit 630 receives timing pulses from clock circuit 620 to control the length of the analysis period.

The length of the analysis time is preset by the operator via time control circuit 634.

The operator can preset the time by means of two dial switches with IO minute and 1 minute graduations.

Upon receiving the injection signal, analysis time clock circuit 630 begins timing.

One output of analysis time clock circuit 630 is connected to logic circuit 582.
and another output is applied to display control circuit 636.

When analysis time clock circuit 630 has clocked a predetermined time, an output to logic circuit 582 ends the first sample analysis cycle, allowing the next subsequent sample to be analyzed.

The output to display control circuit 636 causes display circuit 638 to display the elapsed analysis time on the front panel.

The elapsed time can be displayed by pressing the elapsed time sum, which is a part of the display selection circuit 640, by the operating tool.

Associated with the auxiliary time clock circuit 632 is an auxiliary equipment control circuit 642 that controls the operation of auxiliary equipment such as valves within the analyzer 12.

In some cases, it may be desirable to change one or more physical conditions within analyzer 12, such as the temperature, at certain times during the analysis.

The auxiliary equipment is operated by circuit 642 and clock circuit 632 to accomplish the desired condition change.

If the auxiliary equipment is operated by a time control circuit 644 (the function and structure of which is the same as circuit 634), the operator controls the time during the analysis.

When a sample container is initially positioned at extraction station 250, microswitches 401-408 are suitably activated to provide a binary signal representing tray or rack identification and the location of the container within the tray. I'm sure they are.

FIG. 17 schematically shows these switches in a different position from their actual position.

The output from the switch is applied to a decoder circuit 650, and the output of the decoder circuit 650 is sent to a computer, recorder, and display control circuit 636.

When the injection is completed and the computer and recorder start operating, the output from the coder circuit 650 prints the container and tray number on the output data from the recorder and computer.

Container and tray numbers can also be displayed on the front panel when the operator presses a display button that is part of circuit 640.

Therefore, the operator can immediately identify the sample container being analyzed.

When the analysis of the first sample is completed, the analysis time clock circuit 630
signals logic circuit 582, which initiates another cycle by activating motor 340 to move the next container to extraction station 250.

If the next container is a solvent container, this is detected by microswitch 384 and the container decoder circuit 61
6 and the appropriate output signals are provided to logic circuit 582 and sequence control circuit 600.

Sequence control circuit 600 causes steps 1 through 10 described above to occur, after which logic circuit 582 is provided with a signal indicating the end of the cycle.

Logic circuit 582 then begins the subsequent cycle by moving the next subsequent container to extraction station 250.

These cycles are repeated until the final container within the storage module is detected.

When decoder circuit 616 provides a final container signal to logic circuit 582, apparatus 10 automatically shuts down after the final sample has been analyzed.

Some analytical instruments, particularly gas chromatographs, become unstable if power is removed for any length of time.

Generally, if a power outage occurs that is less than 10 seconds in length, the analyzer can be stabilized quickly.

A power failure circuit 652 is provided within the control module 22 to detect power failures, the timing and length of the failure, and provide appropriate control signals to the logic circuit 582.

When a power failure is detected, the operation of components of the apparatus 10 that are directly related to sample analysis (eg, analysis time clock circuit, auxiliary time clock circuit, calculator, integrator, and recorder) is interrupted.

If the duration of the power failure is less than a predetermined period of time, e.g., 10 seconds, power failure circuit 652 controls logic circuit 582 to suspend operation of the components of apparatus 10 for a predetermined period of time during which the analyzer becomes stable again. continue.

The analyzer is then ready for use.

If the power failure duration is greater than 10 seconds, power failure circuit 652 sends a signal to logic circuit 582 to shut down all equipment.

When power is restored, the operator must restart the instrument to continue the analytical process.

The device 10 is fully controlled by a suitably programmed computer.

To place the apparatus 10 under computer operation, the computer enable circuit 584 is activated, and the per-container injection circuit 602 and sample volume control circuit 596 are placed under computer control by flipping the switches marked C in these circuits. Close.

The computer causes the turntable of the storage module to locate the desired sample (aided by the coder circuit 650).
In operation, the operation of the sequence control circuit 600 can be programmed to control and independently time the analysis time to complete the analysis and advance to another sample container.

Some analytical devices have two inlet holes, allowing for an injection module 14, a storage module 16, and a control module 22 for each inlet hole.

The operation of these separate units is illustrated by line 654 in FIG.
The logic circuits of each control module can be interconnected by interconnecting them as shown at 655.

This interconnection allows one unit to be ready for injection while the sample in the other unit is being analyzed.

Although a specific embodiment of the invention has been described above, the invention is not limited to this embodiment.

Many applications, modifications, and uses are possible and all such applications, modifications, and uses are to be understood to be within the scope or spirit of the present invention.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a sample analysis device according to the present invention, with some parts shown schematically, and FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a part of the device shown in FIG. The third
The figure is a plan view of the injection module forming a part of the apparatus of FIG. 1, with some parts omitted, FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 3, and FIG. is a cross-sectional view taken along line 5-5 in FIG. 3, and FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 6-6 in FIG.
Figure 7 is a sectional view taken along line 7-7 in Figure 5, and Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view of Figure 1.
9 is a plan view of a sample storage module forming a part of the apparatus shown in the figure, with some parts omitted; FIG.
FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view at 1010 of FIG. 8, and FIG. 11 is a portion of a dip tube assembly forming part of the storage module of FIGS. 8-10. FIG. 12 is a plan view of one side of the sample storage tray, and FIG.
12 is a plan view of the other side of the sample storage tray of FIG. 12, FIG. 14 is an enlarged view of the portion of the tray within line 14 of FIG. 12, and FIG. 15 is a plan view of the other side of the sample storage tray of FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view, FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram of the fluid pressure system contained within the injection and storage module, and FIG. 17 is a schematic diagram of the fluid pressure system contained within the injection and storage module, and FIG. This is a block diagram showing a part of the . 12... Analyzer, 14... Injection module, 16... Sample storage module, 18...
...Calculator, 20...Recorder, 22...
...Electronic control module, 56...Inlet/outlet opening, 60...Slot, 90...Syringe cylinder, 92...Piston, 94...・
...First opening, 96...Second opening, 93
... Chamber, 502 ... Gas container (storage tank)
, 348... fluid container, 460... first tube, 468... first hole, 470...
...Second pipe, 478...Second hole, 508.
... Gas supply source, 510, 520 ... Conduit means, 504 ... No. 2 valve means, 241 ...
...Bulkhead, 462...Chip, 506...
...Second valve means.

Claims (1)

[Claims for Utility Model Registration] (a) The fluid sample storage module comprises (i) a sample fluid holder for a plurality of separated fluid samples; (ii) a sample fluid holder for extracting fluid from said sample fluid holder; sample fluid extraction means defining a station along the sample fluid holder of the sample fluid holder; and (iii) a first access opening of the bore located proximate said extraction station and a second access opening of the slot extending to the edge of the side wall. (b) an injection module for receiving sample fluid from said storage module; (b) an injection module for receiving sample fluid from said storage module; (ii) actuation means for controlling operation of said injection means; and (iii) at least one wall defining a third access opening; A structure defining a sample conduit extends between said modules and is attached to a second side wall of said storage module.
(d) coupling means connects both said modules to said first or one of the second access openings and the third access opening are aligned and releasably coupled to each other, and the conduit structure extends between the modules through the aligned access opening. A device for injecting a fluid sample into a fluid reservoir, characterized in that: