GAS MIXER AND SAMPLER SYSTEM FOR A CONTROLLED ATMOSPHERE LABORATORY CHAMBER
First Claim
1. A gas mixer and sampler system for a controlled atmosphere laboratory chamber, the mixer and sampler system comprising:
- an inlet for receiving the atmosphere gas drawn from the chamber;
a sampler arrangement remote from the chamber and comprising a first gas sensor arrangement for sensing a first gas and a second gas sensor arrangement for sensing a second gas;
a processor arrangement arranged to process output from the gas sensors to determine the relative concentrations of the first and second gases;
a gas supply arrangement, including a mixer remote from the chamber to which the respective first and second gases are delivered in proportions and/or at flow rates as determined by the processor;
a gas delivery line for delivering premixed gas, premixed at the mixer, to the chamber;
wherein the mixer and sampler arrangement are provided externally of the chamber at a location spaced from the chamber.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A gas mixer and sampler system (2) for a controlled atmosphere laboratory chamber (4), the mixer and sampler system has a sampler remote from the chamber and a gas supply arrangement, including a mixer (14) remote from the chamber. The sampler consists of a gas sensor arrangement (5) for sensing a first and a second gas. A processor output from the gas sensors to determine the relative concentrations of the first and second gases, and determine proportions and flow rate for gases to be supplied to the chamber to meet a determined profile. The mixer and sampler are provided externally of the chamber at a location spaced from the chamber.
12 Citations
16 Claims
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1. A gas mixer and sampler system for a controlled atmosphere laboratory chamber, the mixer and sampler system comprising:
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an inlet for receiving the atmosphere gas drawn from the chamber; a sampler arrangement remote from the chamber and comprising a first gas sensor arrangement for sensing a first gas and a second gas sensor arrangement for sensing a second gas; a processor arrangement arranged to process output from the gas sensors to determine the relative concentrations of the first and second gases; a gas supply arrangement, including a mixer remote from the chamber to which the respective first and second gases are delivered in proportions and/or at flow rates as determined by the processor; a gas delivery line for delivering premixed gas, premixed at the mixer, to the chamber; wherein the mixer and sampler arrangement are provided externally of the chamber at a location spaced from the chamber. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A method of providing a controlled gaseous atmosphere in a chamber of laboratory apparatus, the method comprising:
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at a sampler arrangement remote from the chamber, sampling atmosphere gas drawn from the chamber by means of passing via a first gas sensor arrangement for sensing a first gas and a second gas; processing output from the gas sensors to, determine the relative concentrations of the first and second gases in the gas atmosphere drawn from the chamber; at a mixer remote from the chamber mixing gases supplied from a supply system according to a demand profile generated by the processor and delivering the premixed gases via a delivery line to the chamber; wherein the mixer and sampler arrangement are provided externally of the chamber at a location spaced from the chamber such that the sampling of both gases is conducted remotely from the chamber and premixing of gases for delivery to the chamber is also conducted remotely from the chamber.
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14. A laboratory system comprising:
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a chamber in which a controlled atmosphere is required to be maintained; an inlet for receiving the atmosphere gas drawn from the chamber; a sampler arrangement remote from the chamber and comprising a first gas sensor arrangement for sensing a first gas and a second gas sensor arrangement for sensing a second gas; a processor arrangement arranged to process output from the gas sensors to determine the relative concentrations of the first and second gases; a gas supply arrangement, including a mixer remote from the chamber to which the respective first and second gases are delivered in proportions and/or at flow rates as determined by the processor; a gas delivery line for delivering premixed gas, premixed at the mixer, to the chamber; wherein the mixer and sampler arrangement are provided externally of the chamber at a location spaced from the chamber. - View Dependent Claims (15)
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16. A gas mixer and sampler system for a controlled atmosphere laboratory chamber, the mixer and sampler system comprising:
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an inlet for receiving the atmosphere gas drawn from the chamber; a sampler arrangement comprising an oxygen sensor arrangement for sensing oxygen; a processor arrangement arranged to process output from the oxygen sensor to determine the relative concentrations of oxygen in the sampled gas; a gas supply arrangement, including a gas mixer; wherein the system is operable in a calibration mode in which the chamber is arranged to be isolated from the sampler arrangement and; i) exterior air is drawn via the oxygen sensor; and
/orii) non-oxygen gas is drawn from the gas supply arrangement via the oxygen sensor in order to enable calibration of the oxygen sensor.
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Specification