FLUID SAMPLE CELL WITH QUICK PURGING MEANS

• US 3,619,072 A
• Filed: 03/24/1969
• Issued: 11/09/1971
• Est. Priority Date: 03/24/1969
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: John P O'Hara, Robert K. Siegfriedt
• Original Assignee: John P O'Hara, Robert K. Siegfriedt
• Inventors: O'Hara, John P., Siegfriedt, Robert K.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lindquist, William F.
• Application Number:
  US04/809,878
• Time in Patent Office: 960 Days
• Field of Search: 235/151.35 250/43.5,218 356/246
• US Class Current: 356/246
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2021/0346 Capillary cells; Microcells
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/03 Cuvette constructions
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/05 Flow-through cuvettes G01N21/09 takes precedence; handling fluid samples G01N1/10
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/3577 for analysing liquids, e.g. polluted water
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 35/00 Automatic analysis not limited to methods or materials provided for in any single one of groups G01N1/00 - G01N33/00; Handling materials therefor

Abstract

An automated infrared analysis apparatus having an improved sample cell which has grooves therein for quicker purging of a sample, a chart drive mechanism which quickly skips over predetermined portions of the infrared spectrum and a programable reference cell holder. The infrared characteristics of an oil sample or the like can be determined at the rate of approximately one sample every 3 1/2 minutes.

Claims

1. A cell for subjecting a sample to an externally generated electromagnetic radiation comprising:

a sample chamber formed within said cell and having a radiation transmission portion between a pair of parallel inner cell surfaces which are perpendicular to the direction of transmission of the radiation, transparent portions on opposing sides of said cell for permitting transmission of the radiation through said cell including said radiation transmission portion of said chamber, an inlet port in fluid communication with said chamber, at least one groove formed in said cell in close proximity to said radiation transmission portion of said chamber and in fluid communication with said inlet port and with said radiation transmission portion of said chamber, said one groove having a cross-sectional distance greater than the distance between said pair of parallel inner cell surfaces, and an outlet port in fluid communication with said chamber and positioned relative to said inlet port and to said radiation transmission portion of said chamber to provide a fluid path wherein a fluid applied to said inlet port passes from said one groove through at least said radiation transmission portion of said chamber to rapidly displace a sample therefrom and through said outlet port.

2. A sample cell for sequentially holding a plurality of samples comprising:

a sample chamber formed within said cell, an inlet port at one end of said cell, an outlet port at an end of said cell opposite said one end, transparent window portions on opposing sides of said cell for permitting the passage of electromagnetic radiation through said cell and a portion of said chamber formed of parallel inner cell surfaces perpendicular to the direction of said radiation, and at least one groove formed in said cell in close proximity to said portion of said chamber and in fluid communication with said inlet port, said one groove having a cross-sectional distance greater than the distance between said parallel inner cell surfaces, whereby a subsequent sample applied to said inlet port passes from said one groove through at least said portion of said chamber to rapidly flush a prior sample through said outlet port.

3. The cell of claim 2 further comprising another groove formed in said cell in close proximity to said portion of said chamber and in fluid communication with said outlet port, said another groove having a cross-sectional distance greater than the distance between said parallel inner cell surfaces.

4. The cell of claim 3 wherein said one groove and said another groove have parallel portions on opposite sides of said portion of said chamber.

5. The cell of claim 2 wherein said cell is formed of first and second elements having abutting surfaces which are parallel to said parallel inner cell surfaces.

6. The cell of claim 5 wherein a longitudinal cross-sectional portion of said one groove is formed in each of said first and second elements.

7. The cell of claim 5 further comprising another groove formed in said cell in close proximity to said portion of said chamber and in fluid communication with said outlet port, said another groove having a cross-sectional distance greater than the distance between said parallel inner cell surfaces.