×

Probe inlet apparatus and method

  • US 5,062,310 A
  • Filed: 03/01/1990
  • Issued: 11/05/1991
  • Est. Priority Date: 03/01/1990
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
Patent Images

1. A probe inlet apparatus for facilitating the introduction of an elongated probe member into an isolated environment, the inlet apparatus comprising:

  • (a) an inlet housing having an inlet housing cavity extending therethrough through which the elongated probe member may pass;

    (b) annular seal means connected to the inlet housing for providing an annular seal around the probe member so that fluid may not flow through the inlet housing cavity when the probe member is received through said cavity;

    (c) an inner seal seat mounted toward an inner end of the inlet housing from the annular seal means, the inner seal seat having a seat opening through which the probe member may pass when the probe member is extended completely through the inlet housing cavity;

    (d) seal member positioning means associated with the inlet housing for providing a magnetic positioning force; and

    (e) a seal member responsive to the magnetic positioning force to be positioned in a seated position against the inner seal seat over the seat opening for preventing fluid from flowing through the inlet housing cavity from the seal opening toward the annular seal means, and adapted to be contacted and moved to an unseated position against said magnetic positioning force by the probe member as the probe member is inserted through the seat opening toward the inner end of the inlet housing from the annular seal means.

View all claims
  • 2 Assignments
Timeline View
Assignment View
    ×
    ×