US3583232A

US3583232A - Flow regulation system utilizing shear valve and pilot fluid

Info

Publication number: US3583232A
Application number: US835073A
Authority: US
Inventors: Jack Isreeli; Aaron Kassel
Original assignee: Technicon Corp
Current assignee: Technicon Corp
Priority date: 1969-06-20
Filing date: 1969-06-20
Publication date: 1971-06-08
Anticipated expiration: 1988-06-08
Also published as: CH520329A; SE377379B; DE2028929A1; DE2028929C3; BE752267A; SU362545A3; FR2052819A5; JPS5014555B1; NL7008280A; DE2028929B2; GB1265139A

Abstract

A flow regulation system utilizing a shear valve and pilot fluid is provided for the supply of fluid samples at substantially constant flow rate. The valve provides a movable sample storage element and the system includes a pump and conduit arrangement to pump the samples into the sample storage element and to pump the samples out of said sample storage element at substantially constant flow rate through use of said pilot fluid. The shear valve is operable in the manner of a transfer mechanism to transfer the sample storage elements between a position of operative connection with a sample inlet conduit and a position of operative connection to a sample outlet conduit.

Description

I United States Patent 1 1 3,583,232

[72] Inventors Jack Isreeli 3,230,776 l/l966 lsreeli et a1. 73/423( A) Mamaroneck; 3,241,432 3/1966 Skeggs et al. 356/179 Aaron Kassel, Brooklyn, both of, N.Y. 3,455,817 7/1969 Modell t 73/23.1UX [211 App]. No. 835,073 3,479,880 11/1969 Mutter et al. i 73/423(A)X {22] Filed June 20,1969 3,489,011 1/1970 Firman et a1 73/422(GC) [45] Patented June 8, 1971 [73] Assignee Technicon Corporation 52 g g g O'woodel Tarrytown, N.Y. omey e esco [54] FLOW REGULATION SYSTEM UTILIZING SHEAR VALVE AND PILOT FLUID 17 Claims, 4 Drawing Figs ABSTRACTt A flow regulation system utilizing a shear valve and pilot fluid 15 provided for the supply of fluid samples at US. Cl ubstantially constant flow rate The valve provides a movable 23/292 sample storage element and the system includes a pump and [51] ll. Cl G01 1/14 conduit arrangement to pump the amples into the ample [50] Field Of Search ..73/23, 23.], torage element and to pump the samples out of aid ample 232 storage element at substantially constant flow rate through use 3l C, 193 C of said pilot fluid. The shear valve is operable in the manner of [56] R f Cxed a transfer mechanism to transfer the sample storage elements e erences I between a position of operative connection with a sample inlet UNITED STATES PATENTS conduit and a position of operative connection to a sample 3,080,759 3/1963 McQuaid 73/422(GC) outlet conduit.

VALVE OPERATING MEANS 6 56- 541 52 PlLOT FLUID TO SYSTEM" PILOT FLUID TO SYSTEM AIR 64 TO WASTE TO WASTE PATENTED JUN 8 I97! SHEET 2 [IF 4 INVENTORY: JACK ISREELI RON KASSEL BY I 0.. a; ATTORNEY ATENTED JUN 8 I97! sum UF 4 INVENTORS JACK ISREELI A R O KASSEL ATTORNE FLOW REGULATION SYSTEM UTILIZING SHEAR 1 VALVE AND PILOT FLUID BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates to a new and improved flow regulation system utilizing shear valve and pilot fluid which is particularly adaptable for use in the supply of corrosive fluid samples, which may be of varying viscosity, at substantially constunt flow rate to fluid sample analysis means.

2. Background of the Invention Although many eminently satisfactory systems in the nature, for example, of those shown and described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,241,432 issued Mar. 22, 1966 to Leonard T. Skeggs, et al., are known for the supply of fluid samples at substantially constant flow rate to fluid sample analysis means, it may be understood that such systems, which rely upon peristaltic pump means, including readily compressible pump tubes for the provision of the requisite, substantially constant sample flow rate, cannot be utilized when said fluid samples take the form of highly corrosive industrial samples because the corrosive effect of the latter on the said readily compressible pump tubes would soon result in rupture of the latter with attendant total, and quite hazardous, system disability. Too, although alternative pumping means as are commonly referred to as ordinary pressure pumping" means are available for use in such systems, it may be understood that the fluid flow rate provided thereby is dependent upon, and significantly variable with, the fluid sample viscosity, whereby is believed made clear that such ordinary pressure pumping" meanscannot" be utilized for the supply of fluid samples, with varyingviscosities, at substantially constant flow rates. Further, it may be understood that ordinary .pressure pumping" means as discussed hereinabove, generally require the use of inordinately long high-flow resistance coils, whereby the problem of contamination of a fluid sample by the residue of a preceding'sample becomes almost insurmountable asa practical matter.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION It is, accordingly, an object of this-invention, to provide new and improved flow regulation system utilizing shear valve and pilot fluid which is particularly adaptable for use in the supply of corrosive fluid samples at substantially constant flow rate to fluid sample analysis means.

Another object of this invention is the provision of flow regulation system as above which is additionally utilizable in perfectly satisfactory manner for the supply of noncorrosive fluid samples at substantially constant flow rate to fluid sample analysis means.

Another object of this invention is the'provision of flow regulation system as above which can operate automatically to divide each fluid sample into two or more fluidssample portions for the substantially simultaneous supply thereof to fluid sample analysis means.

A further object of this invention is the provision of a flow regulation system as above which requires the use of only readily available components of proven dependability in the fabrication thereof whereby long periods of satisfactory, maintenance-free operation thereof are assured.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION storage coil at substantially constant flow rate to displace said samples therefrom for supply at correspondingly, substantially constant flow rate. Further included are sample storage means transfer means which take the formof a shear valve. Said sample storage coil is operatively connected to one shear valve plate of a relatively movable pair of the latter and the same are operable, in a first relative position thereof, to operatively connect a source of supply of said samples, said sample storage coil, and said sample pumping means -to enable the pumping of said samples into said sample storage coil; and are operable, in a second relative position thereof, to operatively connect said pilot fluid introduction means and said sample storage coil to enable the displacement of the sample from the storage coil by the pilot fluid. Additional means are provided in said shear valve to enable the introduction ofa bubble of air into said sample storage coil intermediate the operative connection thereof to said sample pumping means and said pilot fluid introduction means, respectively. Through the provision of two or more, series-connected sample storage coils, and attendant provision of meansto introduce said pilot fluid independently to each ofsaid sample storage coils, it is made possible to automatically divide a fluid sample into discrete portions thereof for simultaneous supply at substantially constant BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The above and other objects and advantages of the invention are believed made clear by the following detailed descripflow regulation system of the invention in another operational condition thereof;

FIG. 3 is a schematic flow diagram of the new and improved flow regulation system of the invention in another operational condition thereof; and

FIG. 4 is a schematic flow diagram of the new and improved flow regulation system of the invention in still another operational condition thereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Referring now to FIG.. I, the system of the invention comprises a sample supply device, as generally indicated at l0, for supplying a successive series of liquid samples, spaced by intervening segments of air and a suitable wash liquid, to a conduit 12. The sample supplydevice 10 may, for example, be of the type shown and described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,230,776 issued to .lack Israeli et al. on Jan. 25, I966, and comprises a plurality of sample'cups 14 disposed as shown on a turntable 16 which is intermittently rotated past an offtake tube assembly as generally indicated at 18 to sequentially present each of the said cups to the said assembly. As each cup 14 is presented to the offtake tube assembly 18, the inlet end of the included offtake tube 20 is disposed therein for a predetermined period of time to aspirate a measured volume of sample therefrom. Alternatively, between successive samples, the said offtake tube inlet-end is disposed in a container 22 ofa suitable wash liquid for the aspiration ofa measured volume of said wash liquid therefrom.

As a result ofthe operation of the sample supply device 10,

it may be understood that a fluid stream will be supplied therefrom to the conduit 12, and that such stream will be constituted by successive samples from the respective sample cups l4 spaced, in each instance, by bubbles of air-as provided during the travel of the offtake tube 20 through the ambient air from a said sample cup to the wash liquid container 22 and vice versa-and a slug of the said wash liquid disposed between said air bubbles.

A shear valve which operates as a fluid sample transfer means is indicated generally at 24 and may be seen to com-- prise a stationary, lower valve plate 26, and an upper valve plate 28 which is rotatable in counterclockwise direction as seen in FIGS. 2 through 4 relative to said lower valve plate under the control of valve operating means as indicated at 30 and which may take any suitable form in the nature, for example, of an electric motor.

A first set of fluid storage coils is indicated generally at 32 and comprises

fluid storage coils

34 and 36, including inlet and

outlet conduits

38 and 40, and 42 and 44, respectively; while a second set of fluid storage coils is indicated generally at 39 and comprises

fluid storage coils

46 and 48, including inlet and

outlet conduits

50 and 52, and 54 and 56, respectively, As depicted, each of said first and second sets of fluid storage coils are mounted atop, and operatively connected to, the upper valve plate 28 so as to be movable therewith upon rotation of the latter for purposes described in greater detail hereinbelow,

A fluid outlet conduit 58 is operatively connected as shown to the lower valve plate 26 and, as depicted, includes a highflow resistance coil 60 and vacuum pump means 62 connected therein, with the function of the former being to establish a predetermined, substantially constant flow rate upon operation of the latter. Alternatively, and under conditions discussed in detail hereinbelow, it may be understood that different pump means in the nature, for example, of substantially constant flow rate peristaltic pump means as shown and described in U.S. Pat. No. 2,935,028 issued May 30, I960 to Andres Ferrari, et al., may be connected in fluid outlet conduit 58 to pump fluid therethrough, in which case the highflow resistance coil 60 would not be necessary.

Fluid inlet and outlet conduits are indicated at 64 and 66, respectively, and are each operatively connected as shown to the lower valve plate 26.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 2, 3 and 4 for the description of the conduit connections effected through the shear valve 24 when the system of the invention is in a variety ofthe operational conditions thereof.

More specifically, and referring initially to FIG. 2, it may be seen that fluid outlet conduit 58 is connected, through mated bore 76 (FIG. 3) in lower valve plate 26 and bore 78 in upper valve plate 28, to the storage coil outlet conduit 44; while the respective storage coil inlet and

outlet conduits

42 and 40 are connected through elongate groove 80 in lower valve plate 26 and

bores

82 and 84 in upper valve plate 28. In addition, storage coil inlet conduit 38 is connected, through mated bores 86 and 88 (FIG. 3) in said upper and lower valve plates, to the sample supply conduit 12, while the offtake tube 20 may be seen to be operatively disposed in a first sample cup 14 to aspirate sample therefrom.

With regard to storage coil set 39 when the system of the invention is in the operational condition thereof depicted in FIG. 2, it may be seen that pilot fluid inlet conduit 68 is connected, through mated bores 90 and 92 (FIG. 3) in said upper and lower valve plates, to storage coil inlet conduit 56; while storage coil outlet conduit 54 is connected, through mated bores 94 and 96 (FIG. 3) in said upper and lower valve plates, to system fluid discharge conduit 72. In like manner, pilot fluid inlet conduit 70 is connected, through mated bores I and 102 (FIG. 3) in said upper and lower valve plates, to storage coil inlet conduit 52-, while storage coil outlet conduit 50 is connected, through mated bores I04 and 106 (FIG. 3) in said upper and lower valve plates, to system fluid discharge conduit 74.

With the system of the invention in the operational condition thereof depicted in FIG. 3, it may be seen that, with regard to storage coil set 32, fluid inlet conduit 64 is connected, through elongate grooves 108 and 110 in the lower valve plate 26 and bores 86 and 82 in the upper valve plate 28, respectively, to the storage

coil inlet conduits

38 and 42; while fluid outlet conduit 66 is connected, through

elongate grooves

112 and 114 in said lower valve plate and

bores

84 and 78 in said upper valve plate, respectively, to the storage

coil outlet conduits

40 and 44. In this operational condition of the system of the in vention, no connections are made to the storage coil set 39. or

to either of the bores 88 and 76in the lower valve plate 26.

Referring now to'the operational condition of thesystem of the invention as depicted in'FlG. 4, it may be seen that the respective dispositions and connections of the upper valve plate 28 and the

storage coil sets

32 and 39 relative to the lower valve plate 26 :have simply been reserved from the respective dispositions and connections thereof of FIG. 2. More specifically, in FIG. 4 it may be seen that storage coil set 39 is now connected between fluid sample supply conduit 12 and the fluid outlet conduit 58; while storage coil 36 of storage coil set 32 is connected between pilot fluid inletconduit 68 and system fluid discharge conduit 72, and storage coil 34 of storage coil set 32 is connected between pilot fluidiinlet conduit 70 and system fluid discharge conduit 74.

With regard to the operational system condition of FIG. 1, it may be understood that the same is identical to that of FIG. 2 with the exception that, in the former, the offtake tube 20 is disposed as shown in the wash liquid container 22 rather than in a sample supply cup I4.

OPERATION For use, for example, in the successive supply of portions of extremely corrosive industrial fluid samples in the nature ofa solution of approximately percent sulfuric acid, 5 percent sodium dichromate and I5 percent water from the sample cups 14 of the sample supply device 10 through system

fluid discharge conduits

72 and 74 at substantially constant flow rate to automatic, sequentially operable fluid sample analysis means in the nature, for example, of those shown and described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,241,432 issued Mar. 22, I966 to Leonard T. Skeggs, et al., for analysis thereof with regard to sulfuric acid, it may be understood that each of the pilot

fluid inlet conduits

68 and 70 would be connected to a source of a suitably inert pilot fluid which may be either a gas, or a liquid in the nature, for example, of silicone oil, under suitable pressure to supply the same to the system of the invention at a predetermined, substantially constant flow rate.

In addition, it may be understood that vacuum pump means 62 would be sized at predetermined pumping capacity to providc, in conjunction with the fluid flow characteristics of the high-flow resistance coil 60, for a substantially constant fluid flow rate through outlet conduit 58.

Also, the valve operating means 30 would, of course, be

operatively connected with the nonillustratcd sample supply device turntable and offtake tube drive means to suitably synchronize the respective operational cycles thereof.

If system operation is assumed to commence with the system of the invention in the operational condition thereof depicted in FIG. 2, operation of vacuum pump means 62 will be effective to aspirate the fluid sample from the first sample cup 14a through offtake tube 20, conduit 12, connected

storage coils

34 and 36, and fluid discharge conduit 58, respectively, and may be understood that valve operating means 30 and sample supply device 10 will be programmed to retain the system in this condition for a period of time sufficient to insure that the said storage coils are each full of said fluid sample, with any excess of the latter as may be thusly aspirated being pumped to waste through conduit 58 as indicated in the drawings.

After this has been accomplished, the valve operating means 30 will be effective to shift the system of the invention to the condition thereof depicted in FIG. 3 wherein the offtake tube 20 will be disposed in the wash liquid reservoir 22 and the upper valve plate 28 will have been rotated through approximately in the counterclockwise direction to align upper

valve plate bores

86, 84, 82 and 78 with lower valve plate

elongate grooves

108, 112, and 114, respectively. As the latter occurs, pressurized air from fluid inlet conduit 64 will be introduced to the upstream ends of the respective fluid sample portions stored in

storage coils

34 and 36 to form air bubbles thereat, while the fluid sample portion volumes displaced thereby will be flowed as indicated to waste through fluid outlet conduit 66. Valve operating means 30 is effective to shift the upper plate 28 from the position of FIG. 3 toward the position of FIG. 4, breaking

outlet connections

112, 114 from

storage coils

34, 36, after a suitable volume of air has been added to the

respective coils

34, 36, thereby preventing an undesirable degree of drainage of the sample from the last'mentioned coils through the outlet 66. lf desired, valve operating means 30 may be programmed to momentarily halt the upper valve plate 28 in the FIG. 3 position thereof or, alternatively, the same may be maintained in motion with the generally elongate extent of the respective lower valve plate grooves I08, H2, H0 and 114 being relied upon to provide a sufficient period of airbubble formation time. Simultaneously, it may be understood that sample supply device will be effective to advance the second sample supply cup 14b into operative position relative to the offtake tube assembly 18.

As the system of none invention assumes the condition of FIG. 4, it may be understood that the flow, at substantially constant flow rate, of the silicone oil pilot fluid through pilot

fluid inlet conduits

68 and 70 will be effective to pump the respective sample portions stored in

storage coils

34 and 36 therefrom, at correspondingly substantially constant flow rates, through system

fluid discharge conduits

72 and 74 for suitable introduction to the nonillustrated, connected fluid sample analysis means, and it may be understood that the period of time the system of the invention remains in the condition of FIG. 4 will be predetermined to provide for the pumping of all of said fluid sample portions plus portions, only, of said upstream air bubbles from the

respective storage coils

36 and 34 to the said system fluid discharge lines. This is to say that none of said silicone oil pilot fluid is to be pumped into the last-mentioned system fluid discharge lines.

Of particular significance here is believed the fact that although the respective fluid samples supplied on system

fluid discharge conduits

72 and 74 are in essence pressure pumped" from the respective coil sets by the introduction of the pressurized pilot fluid to the latter, it may be understood that the flow of the said fluid samples through carefully calibrated high-flow resistance coils, as is required in ordinary pressure pumping systems, is not required here, whereby variation in the respective fluid sample viscosities will have no significant effect upon the maintenance of the desired substantially constant fluid sample flow rate.

Concomitantly with the pumping of said fluid sample portions from storage coil set 32, it may be understood that wash liquid will be aspirated from wash liquid container 22 by offtake tube for flow, through the operation of vacuum pump means 62, through conduit 12, storage coils 46 and 48, to and through the fluid outlet conduit 58 for discharge to waste to thus thoroughly cleanse the said storage coils.

After the expiration of a period of time predetermined to be sufficient to insure thorough cleansing of the storage coils 46 and 48, and during the period of time that the fluid sample portions are being pumped at substantially constant flow rate from the storage coils 34 and 36 as described hereinabove, operation of the sample supply device 10 will be effective to move offtake tube 20 from the wash liquid reservoir 22 to the second sample supply cup 14b to commence the aspirationas preceded by a slug of air aspirated during the travel of the inlet end of the said offtake tube through the ambient air-of the fluid sample from sample cup 14b into the storage coils 46 and 48 to fill the same in the manner described hereinabove with regard to the filling of storage coils 34 and 36 with the fluid sample from the first sample cup l4a.

Following the expiration of the period of time predetcr' mined to pump the sample portions from the storage coils 34 and 36 at substantially constant flow rate as described hereinabove, the system of the invention will be shifted, through the condition thereof analogous to the condition of FIG. 3 but wherein the respective coil set orientations are displaced 180", to the system condition of FIG. 1 wherein the fluid sample portions from the second sample cup 14b stored as described in storage coils 46 and 48, plus the upstream air bubble portions introduced thereto through operation of elongate lower

valve plate groovcs

108, 112, 110 and H4, and

conduits

64 and 66, respectively, will be pumped, by the silicone oil pilot fluid from pilot

fluid inlet conduits

68 and 70, at substantially constant flow rate through the system

fluid discharge conduits

72 and 74 for introduction to the nonillustrated, connected fluid sample analysis means.

Concomitantly, the operation of the fluid sample supply device 10 will have been effective to shift the offtake tube 20 from the second sample cup 14b to the wash liquid container 22, and to advance the third sample cup 14c into operative position relative to the offtake tube assembly 18. Accordingly, it may be understood that wash liquid will be aspirated from container 22 for flow through conduit 12 and storage coils 34 and 36 to thoroughly cleanse the said storage coils by removing any and all traces of the sample portions from the first sample cup 140, as well as the silicone oil pilot fluid which now substantially fills the same, therefrom, and, through outlet conduit 58 and vacuum pump means 62 to waste.

Following this cleansing of the storage coils 34 and 36, and during the pilot fluid pumping of the sample cup from 14b out of the storage coils 46 and 48, operation of the sample supply device 10 will be effective to move offtake tube 20 from the wash liquid container 22 to the now operatively positioned third sample cup to commence the filling of the storage coils 34 and 36 with portions of the fluid sample therefrom in the manner described.

Operation of the system ofthe invention may be understood to continue in this manner until portions of the fluid samples from each of the sample cups 14 on the turntable 16 have been supplied, at substantially constant flow rate, to the nonil-- lustrated, connected fluid sample analysis means through

system discharge conduits

72 and 74.

Although the operational rate of the system of the invention may, of course, be widely varied, it may be understood that in a currently proposed embodiment thereof the upper valve plate 28 is arrange to make 1 complete revolution per minute to result in the provision, once steady state operational conditions are reached, of two distinct portions of each of 12 fluid samples per hour on system fluid discharge conduits 72 and Although disclosed in detail for use in the supply at substan tially constant flow rate of extremely corrosive industrial fluid samples in the nature of a sulfuric acid-sodium dichromate-' water solution to fluid sample analysis means, it is believed clear that the system of the invention would be equally useful in the supply of less corrosive fluid samples in the nature, for example, of fluid solvents to such analysis means. In addition, and although particularly adaptable for use in the supply of fluid samples of not insignificant corrosiveness, it may be understood that the system of the invention is also well suited for the supply of noncorrosive fluid samples in the nature, for example, of blood serum samples to blood sample analysis means. ln such latter instance, it may be understood that the vacuum pump means 62 and the associated high-flow resistance coil 60 would preferably be replaced by peristaltic pump means as discussed hereinabove which would automatically provide for the desired substantially constant flow rate through fluid outlet conduit 58, there being no concern in such instance for corrosion and resultant failure of the compressible pump tubes of such peristaltic pump means.

With regard to the materials utilized in the fabrication of the system of the invention for use in the supply of corrosive fluid samples, it may be understood that the respective upper and lower valve plates of the shear valve 24 would be made of any a Although specifically disclosed as incorporating only two storage coils and associated conduits per storage coil set, it is believed clear that more or less of said storage coils and associated conduits could be provided per storage coil set through the formation of more or less upper and lower valve body bores and elongate grooves. Too, it is believed clear that more or less of said storage coil sets may he provided through appropriate changes in the programming of the sample supply device and valve operating means 30 respectively.

In addition, it may be understood that, through duplication of inlet conduit 12 and outlet conduit 58, and the substitution of spaced bores in the lower valve plate 26 for groove 80, loading of the respective fluid storage coils of each of the sets thereof may be accomplished in the same parallel manner as is the unloading thereof.

While we have shown and described the preferred embodiment of our invention, it will be understood that the invention may be embodied otherwise than as herein specifically illustrated or described, and that certain changes in the form and arrangement of parts and in the specific manner of practicing the invention may be made without departing from the under lying idea or principles of this invention within the scope of the appended claims.

What we claim is:

l. A flow regulation system for supplying fluid samples at substantially constant flow rate comprising, sample storage means, means to pump said samples into said storage means, means to pump said samples out of said sample storage means for supply at substantially constant flow rate, sample storage means transfer means for transferring said sample storage means between operative connection with said means to pump said samples into said sample storage means and said means to pump said samples from said sample storage means, and means to introduce a bubble of air to said samples stored in said sample storage means during the transfer of the sample storage means by said sample storage means transfer means between operative connection with said means to pump samples into said sample storage means and said means to pump said samples from said sample storage means.

2. In a flow regulation system as in claim 1 wherein, said sample storage means transfer means comprise shear valve means having relatively movable valve plates with matable sample flow passages formed therein, said valve plates being arranged to provide, in a first relative position thereof, a flow passage through mated sample flow passages between a source of supply of said samples, said sample storage means, and said means to pump said samples into said sample storage means, respectively, and being arranged to provide, in a second relative position thereof, a flow passage through mated sample flow passages between said sample storage means and said means to pump said samples from said sample storage means.

3. ln a flow regulation system as in claim 2 further comprising, additional matable flow passages formed in said relatively movable valve plates, said valve plates being arranged to provide, in a third relative position thereof intermediate said first and second relative positions thereof, a flow passage through mated sample flow passages between a source of compressed air and said sample storage means to supply said bubble of air to said sample stored in said sample storage means.

4. In a flow regulation system as in claim 2 where, said means to pump said samples out of said sample storage means comprise means to introduce a pilot fluid at substantially constant flow rate to said sample storage means to displace said fluid samples from said sample storage means for supply at a correspondingly, substantially constant flow rate.

5. ln 3 flow regulation system as in claim 4 wherein, said means to pump said samples into said sample storage means comprise means to draw said samples into said sample storage means from a source ofsupply ofsaid samples.

6. In a flow regulation system as in claim 4 further compris' ing, additional matable flow passages formed in said relatively movable valve plates, said valve plates being arranged to provide, in a third relative position thereof intermediate said first and second relative positions thereof, a flow passage through mated sample flow passages between a source of compressed air and said sample storage means to supply said bubble of air to said sample stored in said sample storage means.

7. In a flow regulation system as in claim 6 wherein, said means to pump said samples into said sample storage means comprise means to draw said samples into said sample storage means from a source of supply of said samples.

8. In a flow regulation system as defined in claim 1 wherein, said means to pump said samples into said sample storage means comprise means to draw said samples into said sample storage means from a source of supply of said samples.

9. In a flow regulation system as in claim 1 wherein, said means to pump said samples out of said sample storage means comprise means to introduce a pilot fluid at substantially constant flow rate to said sample storage means to displace said fluid samples from said sample storage means for supply at a correspondingly, substantially constant flow rate.

10. In a flow regulation system as in claim 9 wherein, said means to pump said samples into said sample storage means comprise means to draw said samples into said sample storage means from a source of supply of said samples.

11. A flow regulation system as in claim 1 wherein, said sample storage means comprise first sample storage means and second sample storage means, respectively, and said sample storage means transfer means are operable to simultaneously operatively connect said first sample storage means to said means to pump said samples into said sample storage means, and to operatively connect said second sample storage means to said means to pump said samples out of said sample storage means at substantially constant flow rate.

[2. In a flow regulation system as in claim 1! wherein, said sample storage means transfer means comprise shear valve means having relatively movable valve plates with matable sample flow passages formed therein, said valve plates being arranged to provide, in a first relative position thereof, a flow passage through mated sample flow passages between a source of supply of said samples, said sample storage means, and said means to pump said samples into said sample storage means, respectively, and being arranged to provide, in a second relative position thereof, a flow passage through mated sample flow passages between said sample storage means and said means to pump said samples from said sample storage means.

13. in a flow regulation system as in claim 12 wherein, said means to pump said samples out of said sample storage means comprise means to introduce a pilot fluid at substantially constant flow rate to said sample storage means to displace said fluid samples from said sample storage means for supply at a correspondingly, substantially constant flow rate.

14. A flow regulation system for supplying fluid samples at substantially constant flow rate comprising, sample storage means, means to pump said samples into said sample storage means, means to pump said samples out of said sample storage means for supply at substantially constant flow rate, and sample storage means transfer means for transferring said sample storage means between operative connection with said means to pump said samples into said sample storage means and said means to pump said samples from said sample storage means, said sample storage means comprising sample storage means for a first portion of said samples and sample storage means for a second portion of said samples, and said sample storage means transfer means being operable to simultaneously and independently operatively connect said sample storage means for a first portion of said samples and said sample storage means for a second portion of said samples to said means to pump said samples from said sample storage means whereby, said first and second portions of said samples may be simultaneously and independently pumped from said sample storage means at substantially constant flow rate.

15. A flow regulation system as in claim 14 wherein, said sample storage means comprise first sample storage means and second sample storage means, respectively, and said sample storage means transfer means are operable to simultaneously operatively connect said first sample storage means to said means to pump said samples into said sample storagemeans to pump said samples into said sample storage means, respectively, and being arranged to provide, in a second relative position thereof, a flow passage through mated sample flow passages between said sample storage means and said means to pump said samples from said sample storage means.

17. In a flow regulation system as in claim 16 wherein, said means to pump said samples out of said sample storage means comprise means to introduce a pilot fluid at substantially constant flow rate to said sample storage means to displace said fluid samples therefrom for supply at a correspondingly, substantially constant flow rate.

Claims

1. A flow regulation system for supplying fluid samples at substantially constant flow rate comprising, sample storage means, means to pump said samples into said storage means, means to pump said samples out Of said sample storage means for supply at substantially constant flow rate, sample storage means transfer means for transferring said sample storage means between operative connection with said means to pump said samples into said sample storage means and said means to pump said samples from said sample storage means, and means to introduce a bubble of air to said samples stored in said sample storage means during the transfer of the sample storage means by said sample storage means transfer means between operative connection with said means to pump samples into said sample storage means and said means to pump said samples from said sample storage means.

3. In a flow regulation system as in claim 2 further comprising, additional matable flow passages formed in said relatively movable valve plates, said valve plates being arranged to provide, in a third relative position thereof intermediate said first and second relative positions thereof, a flow passage through mated sample flow passages between a source of compressed air and said sample storage means to supply said bubble of air to said sample stored in said sample storage means.

5. In a flow regulation system as in claim 4 wherein, said means to pump said samples into said sample storage means comprise means to draw said samples into said sample storage means from a source of supply of said samples.

6. In a flow regulation system as in claim 4 further comprising, additional matable flow passages formed in said relatively movable valve plates, said valve plates being arranged to provide, in a third relative position thereof intermediate said first and second relative positions thereof, a flow passage through mated sample flow passages between a source of compressed air and said sample storage means to supply said bubble of air to said sample stored in said sample storage means.

12. In a flow regulation system as in claim 11 wherein, said sample storage means transfer means comprise shear valve means having relatively movable valve plates with matable sample flow passages formed therein, said valve plates being arranged to provide, in a first relative position thereof, a flow passage through mated sample flow passages between a source of supply of said samples, said sample storage means, and said means to pump said samples into said sample storage means, respectively, and being arranged to provide, in a second relative position thereof, a flow passage through mated sample flow passages between said sample storage means and said means to pump said samples from said sample storage means.

15. A flow regulation system as in claim 14 wherein, said sample storage means comprise first sample storage means and second sample storage means, respectively, and said sample storage means transfer means are operable to simultaneously operatively connect said first sample storage means to said means to pump said samples into said sample storage means, and to operatively connect said second sample storage means to said means to pump said samples out of said sample storage means at substantially constant flow rate.

16. In a flow regulation system as in claim 15 wherein, said sample storage means transfer means comprise shear valve means having relatively movable valve plates with matable sample flow passages formed therein, said valve plates being arranged to provide, in a first relative position thereof, a flow passage through mated sample flow passages between a source of supply of said samples, said sample storage means, and said means to pump said samples into said sample storage means, respectively, and being arranged to provide, in a second relative position thereof, a flow passage through mated sample flow passages between said sample storage means and said means to pump said samples from said sample storage means.