THERMAL CYCLER WITH PROTECTION FROM ATMOSPHERIC MOISTURE
First Claim
1. Apparatus for controlling temperature in a plurality of samples, said apparatus comprising:
- a multi-receptacle sample block, a thermoelectric module, and a heat sink block, all shaped to be capable of arrangement in a stacked configuration in which said sample block is in thermal contact with said thermoelectric module and said thermoelectric module is in thermal contact with said heat sink block, a support frame sized to receive said sample block, said thermoelectric module, and said heat sink block in said stacked configuration, a first loop-shaped gasket sized to encircle said sample block along a peripheral surface thereof and thereby form a seal between said sample block and said support frame, and a second loop-shaped gasket sized to encircle said heat sink block along a peripheral surface thereof and thereby form a seal between said heat sink block and said support frame, said sample block, said heat sink block, said support frame, and said loop-shaped gaskets thereby together forming a sealed enclosure surrounding said thermoelectric module and protecting said thermoelectric module from atmospheric moisture.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
Localized temperature control in a thermal cycler is achieved by thermoelectric modules that are protected from exposure to atmospheric moisture by a pair of loop-shaped gaskets that seal off an enclosure formed by the sample block, the heat sink, and a support frame to which the components are secured. The heat sink is a block with a plurality of fins and is secured to the thermoelectric modules by one or more clamping bars that fit between the fins and are arranged to eliminate interference with the fin geometry and with the functional surface area of the fins. Electric leads are embedded in a molded retainer element, each lead being in the shape of a “U” with two exposed legs joined by a bar at one end, one of the leads extending into the region sealed from the atmosphere and the other extending outside the region.
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Citations
12 Claims
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1. Apparatus for controlling temperature in a plurality of samples, said apparatus comprising:
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a multi-receptacle sample block, a thermoelectric module, and a heat sink block, all shaped to be capable of arrangement in a stacked configuration in which said sample block is in thermal contact with said thermoelectric module and said thermoelectric module is in thermal contact with said heat sink block, a support frame sized to receive said sample block, said thermoelectric module, and said heat sink block in said stacked configuration, a first loop-shaped gasket sized to encircle said sample block along a peripheral surface thereof and thereby form a seal between said sample block and said support frame, and a second loop-shaped gasket sized to encircle said heat sink block along a peripheral surface thereof and thereby form a seal between said heat sink block and said support frame, said sample block, said heat sink block, said support frame, and said loop-shaped gaskets thereby together forming a sealed enclosure surrounding said thermoelectric module and protecting said thermoelectric module from atmospheric moisture. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A molded housing for an electronic instrument, said housing comprising a sealed enclosure comprising:
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a molded partition separating an interior from atmospheric exposure, and a U-shaped electric lead defined by first and second legs joined by an end cross-bar, said end cross-bar embedded in said partition with said first leg extending to one side of said partition and said second leg extending to another side of said partition.
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9. Apparatus for controlling temperature in a plurality of samples, said apparatus comprising:
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a multi-receptacle sample block, a thermoelectric module, and a finned heat sink block, all shaped to be capable of arrangement in a stacked configuration in which said sample block is in thermal contact with said thermoelectric module and said thermoelectric module is in thermal contact with said heat sink block, a support frame sized to receive said sample block, said thermoelectric module, and said finned heat sink block in said stacked configuration, and a bar greater in length than said fins of said finned heat sink block and sized to fit between adjacent fins of said finned heat sink block, and spring-loaded fasteners affixing said bar to said support frame to secure said finned heat sink block against said thermoelectric module when in said stacked configuration, one such fastener at each end of said bar.
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10. (canceled)
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11. (canceled)
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12. Apparatus for controlling temperature in a plurality of samples, said apparatus comprising:
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a multi-receptacle sample block, a thermoelectric module, and a finned heat sink block, all shaped to be capable of arrangement in a stacked configuration in which said sample block is in thermal contact with said thermoelectric module and said thermoelectric module is in thermal contact with said heat sink block, a support frame sized to receive said sample block, said thermoelectric module, and said finned heat sink block in said stacked configuration, and exactly two bars sized to fit between adjacent fins of said finned heat sink block, and a pair of spring-loaded fasteners positioned on opposing ends of said fins, each said fastener engaging both bars.
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Specification