JPS59153718A - Fluid transport apparatus for stopping and returning capsule containing sample therein at work position in pneumatic carrier - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To stop a capsule correctly without a shock and return the capsule by boring a connecting hole and a discharge hole through a work position so that a fluid is forced to flow into a pneumatic carrier through the connecting hole and the fluid is discharged through the discharge hole to balance fluid pressure. CONSTITUTION:A capsule 6 is fed to a work head 2 by compressed air in a pneumatic carrier 3, and at the same time, compressed air is fed into the work head 2 through a fluid conduit pipe 14 to flow into the pneumatic carrier 3 through each circulating hole 12, so that the capsule 6 is fed by pressure in the pneumatic carrier 3 and stopped at a position corresponding to a discharge hole 13 where the pressure of the compressed air fed from the opposite direction is balanced. Subsequently, compressed air is continued to flow from an analysis chamber 4, and solenoid valves 16, 22 are closed to exhaust the compressed air in the work head 2 quantitatively through an exhaust valve 17, so that the capsule 6 is lowered in the pneumatic carrier 3 at uniform speed and brought into pressure contact with a table seat 26 to be stopped.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] The present invention provides equipment, etc. that performs appropriate operations on a capsule containing a sample and investigates the effects on the sample in a bad environment where humans cannot enter. The present invention relates to a fluid conveying device used, and particularly relates to a fluid conveying device that smoothly stops the capsule in a working position in a pneumatic tube that shuttles the capsule between a working area and an investigation area, and returns it from this working position.

With the remarkable development of genetic engineering in recent years, it has become necessary to conduct research, experiments, and other work in areas where humans cannot enter, in order to avoid accidents such as contact with hazardous substances. To meet these needs, the Kfl' must safely, reliably, and smoothly transport the samples to be worked on between the work area and the research area such as the analysis room where the work results are investigated. 2) This transport space, the work area, and the investigation area must be in a closed space. As a device for transporting a target object in a closed space, a fluid transport device using two pneumatic tubes is known, but according to conventional devices of this type, a target object such as a capsule is placed in a predetermined position of the pneumatic tube. It was difficult to stop the machine accurately without impact and then send it back again.

The present invention was developed in view of the above-mentioned circumstances, and uses a fluid conveying device using a pneumatic tube, while accurately and smoothly stopping the capsule at a predetermined position within the pneumatic tube without impact. By making it possible to send the capsule back again, the capsule containing the sample can be sent to a predetermined working position in a work area in a hostile environment that cannot be accessed by humans, and after the work is completed, the capsule can be transferred to the work result. An object of the present invention is to provide a fluid transport device that stops a capsule containing a sample at a working position in a pneumatic pipe and returns it to a research area such as an analysis room where a sample is investigated.

A feature of the present invention is that one end of a pneumatic tube that reciprocates a capsule containing a sample is tightly introduced into a working head that is provided in a working area and forms a closed space. While the end position of the introduced tongue is used as the working position, a communicating hole is provided at this working position, and a discharge hole is provided at a distance from the communicating hole to allow fluid to flow into the pneumatic pipe from the communicating hole. , and discharge the fluid flowing from both the conveying and anti-conveying directions from the discharge hole to balance the fluid pressure, and after stopping the capsule at a position corresponding to the discharge hole in the pneumatic pipe, By controlling the pressure of the fluid flowing into the pneumatic pipe from the communication hole, the conveyance speed is adjusted and the capsule is safely, smoothly, and precisely stopped at the working position without being subjected to shock. The work is completed by detecting changes in the flow rate or flow pressure of the driftwood flowing into the pneumatic pipe through the detection pipe.

After that, make sure that the fluid does not flow out through the drain hole.
Additionally, the capsule is configured to be directed back to the work area.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail based on the accompanying drawings.

Figure 1 schematically shows the entire equipment of a fluid conveying device that uses compressed air as the fluid. A working head 2) whose upper and lower ends are closed to form a closed space is tightly inserted almost vertically from above. One end of a pneumatic tube (3) is tightly introduced into this working head (2), and the other end of said pneumatic tube (3) is tightly introduced into a closed analysis chamber (4) serving as the investigation area. has been introduced. The analysis chamber (4) contains a sample (5) to be worked on, which is transported back and forth within the pneumatic tube (3), and an FR capsule (6) (see Fig. 4) is loaded and unloaded therein. Station for (
7) is provided. And station (7) K
Including loading and unloading work of capsule (6) to sample (5)
The analysis work, etc., is performed by a manipulator (8) located (ML') in the analysis chamber (4). Further, the pneumatic pipe (3) is connected to a blower (not shown), which is a fluid flow generating device similar to that used in a known single-tube reciprocating fluid transport device, in the analysis chamber (4). A communication pipe (9) is connected.

The communication tube (9) is also tightly introduced into the analysis chamber (4), so that the capsule (6) is always located in a closed space.

Next, the apparatus of the present invention will be explained in more detail based on FIGS. 2 to 4.

As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the working head (2)
The end of the pneumatic tube (3) is introduced into the working head (2) by tightly passing through the cover tube αO, which is tightly fitted and fixed to the upper end surface and closed on both upper and lower surfaces, via the coupler 01). is closed and the working head (2
) is located at the lower end of the Four communicating holes (6) are provided in the peripheral surface of the end at equal intervals in the circumferential direction. A capsule (
6) is to be stopped.

A drain hole α(
A large number of holes are transparently provided over an appropriate length &Ii). Therefore, the compressed air that has been pressure-fed through the pneumatic pipe (3) flows out into the cover pipe a1 through the respective discharge holes (Ll).
-t, One end of the fluid introduction pipe (b) for allowing compressed air to flow into the pneumatic pipe (3) from the communication hole 0 is tightly attached via the coupler 0. Fluid introduction pipe (14
1 is a solenoid valve 06 that controls on/off of the flow of compressed air.
is provided, and a fluid pressure control mechanism consisting of a metering pump (2) equipped with an exhaust valve is provided via a connecting pipe 01. Compressed air flows into the working head (2) from the fluid introduction pipe c, flows into the pneumatic pipe (3) through each communication hole, and flows out from each discharge hole into the cover pipe aO. do. Therefore, the compressed air that has been forced into the pneumatic pipe (3) from the direction of the analysis chamber (4) and the compressed air that has flowed into the pneumatic pipe (3) from the communication holes Q2,
Since both flow out from the respective discharge holes α3, the pressures of the compressed air in both directions are kept balanced at this outflow position, and the capsule (6) temporarily stops here.

The pressure balance of the compressed air described in □ above can be disrupted by operating the metering pump QS. The compressed air flowing out from each of the discharge holes 0:1 is discharged from the fluid exhaust pipe 6!υ that is tightly attached to the upper circumferential surface of the cover pipe (10) via a coupler (E). A) is a solenoid valve for controlling on/off the discharge of compressed air from the fluid exhaust wb.Furthermore, a coupler (a) is attached to the end surface of the pneumatic pipe (3) and engages with the upper circumferential surface of the work head (2).
Ha) Closely through &? [Entered capsule detection tube (goods)
The tip of the tube is bent so that it is connected. This capsule detection tube (c) always sends a small amount of compressed air g (3)
Changes in this inflow are detected by a flow sensor installed in the capsule detection tube. An annular pedestal (E) is fixed to the capsule detection tube @ connection portion of the pneumatic tube (3) so as to surround the opening of the capsule detection tube @. Then, the capsule (6) is placed on this pedestal so that the capsule (6) stops. As is clear from FIG. 4, when the capsule (6) is stopped, each communication hole (2) is located in a corresponding position in the longitudinal center portion of the capsule (6).Next, the operation of the above-mentioned embodiment will be explained. Luxury, each solenoid valve 00. (
A) is opened, the metering pump 0 is stopped, and the capsule (6) containing the sample (5) is attached to the stage vent (7) in the analysis chamber (41) using the manipulator (8). , the capsule (6) is pumped by compressed air in the pneumatic tube (3) toward the working head (2) in a known manner.Meanwhile, the capsule (6) is simultaneously fed from the fluid introduction tube (14) to the working head (2). The compressed air is sent into the pneumatic pipe (3) from each communication hole θ.The pressure of the compressed air tl that is sent into the pneumatic pipe (3) from the opposite direction is , are preferably approximately equal.Thereby, the capsule (6) is pumped through the pneumatic pipe (3), and the position corresponding to the discharge hole 03 maintains a balance between the pressure of the compressed air sent from the opposite direction. Next, the inflow of compressed air from the direction of the analysis chamber (4) is maintained, and each solenoid valve (
After closing I and I, the metering pump 08) is operated to exhaust a fixed amount of compressed air per unit time from the exhaust valve Q7).
The balance of the compressed air in the pneumatic pipe (3) is disrupted, and the capsule (6) descends at a uniform speed inside the pneumatic pipe (3), comes into pressure contact with the pedestal (A), and stops. As a result, the inflow of compressed air into the capsule detection tube 1241Fi with its mouth closed is almost stopped, and this state is detected by the flow rate sensor (e). In this way, when it is detected that the capsule (6) has stopped at the working position, the metering pump (2) is stopped and the capsule (6) is stopped at the working position.
Work such as irradiating the sample (5) in 6) with an appropriate substance is performed over a predetermined period of time. At this time, the analysis room (
4) The compressed air pumped from the direction is transferred to the pneumatic pipe (3).
and the capsule (6) through the micro gap between each communication hole Q.
Since the mosquito flows out of the pneumatic tube (3), the capsule (61
It will be cooled down. When the specified work is completed,
After opening the solenoid valve αO, using a known method, the pressure feeding of compressed air from the analysis chamber (4) direction is converted to suction, and the capsule (6
) is returned to the station (7) in the analysis room (4).

Then, use the manipulator (8) to remove the capsule (6).
) is removed from the stationary controller (7), the sample (5) is taken out, and investigation work such as analysis is performed. It may be determined through experiments that the object descends at a desired uniform speed depending on the weight of the object. Depending on the conditions of the burial mound construction area, it is also possible to arrange the working head (2) in an inverted or horizontal position. Furthermore, if the station (7) of the analysis room (4) is also constructed in the same manner as the above-mentioned embodiment in which the working head (2) is humid, and can be opened and closed to take out the capsule (6), Although the safety of transporting the capsule (6) is further improved, it is sufficient that the station (7) has a structure that allows the capsule (6) to be attached softly.

Furthermore, as the fluid for pumping the capsule, it is also possible to use a 9-element gas or the like in addition to air. Furthermore, the fluid pressure control mechanism and the above-mentioned embodiments use a metering pump, but the mechanism may be a device other than a pump, and may have the function of not only discharging fluid but also allowing it to flow in. You can also use the equipment you have. Furthermore, the fluid sensor may be one that performs detection based on changes in fluid pressure in addition to detection based on changes in flow rate.

As is clear from the above explanation, according to the present invention, the following effects can be achieved.

First, since the capsule can be transported at high speed, it is ideal for transporting samples that require investigation such as analysis within a very short time after the work is completed. Second, since the capsule is stopped once and then stopped at a predetermined position by controlling its speed, the capsule is not damaged by impact.
It is possible to safely, smoothly and accurately stop the sample at a predetermined position, and it is also possible to control the speed at a uniform speed, so it is possible to perform accurate work on the sample without damaging the work environment near the work position. It can be rubbed. 3rd K.

Because the fluid detects when the capsule has stopped,
It allows accurate work time settings and is ideal for detection in environments where electronic components cannot be used. Fourthly, since the working head can be placed in the divine posture, it can be placed in the optimal state in the working area. Fifth, various conveyance operation control devices such as valve mechanisms can be provided in isolated working areas, so they are not affected by the working area and maintenance and inspection is easy.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

The figures show preferred embodiments of the present invention, with FIG. 1 being a schematic diagram showing the entire conveying equipment, FIG. 2 being a perspective view of the fluid conveying device, and FIG.
This figure is also a schematic vertical cross-sectional view, and FIG. 4 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the pneumatic tube showing the stopped state of the capsule.

Claims (1)

[Claims] A working head is installed in a working area in a hostile environment that is inaccessible to humans and forms a closed space; one end is tightly introduced into this working head and extends to the working position; is tightly introduced into a closed space in a research area such as an analysis room where the work results in the work area are investigated, and is connected to a fluid flow generator so that the capsule containing the sample to be worked on is reciprocated by the fluid. A communication hole is provided in the peripheral surface of one end located in the working head at the end where the capsule stops, which is the working position, and a discharge hole is provided at a distance from the communication hole in the longitudinal direction. pneumatic tube,
a fluid introduction pipe provided with a valve mechanism and closely connected to the working head so as to allow fluid to flow from the communication hole of the pneumatic pipe toward the discharge hole; a fluid pressure control mechanism for controlling the pressure of the inflowing fluid; and a fluid discharge pipe provided with a valve mechanism and tightly connected to the working head so as to discharge the fluid in the pneumatic pipe from the discharge hole of the pneumatic pipe. and a fluid sensor that communicates with the communication hole end of the pneumatic tube to allow fluid to flow into the pneumatic tube, and detects when the capsule stops at a normal working position and there is a change in the inflow of the fluid. 1. A fluid transport device for stopping a capsule containing a sample at a working position in a pneumatic pipe and returning the capsule, comprising: a capsule detection tube having a capsule detection tube;