Apparatus for automatically analyzing liquid test samples

• US 5,441,699 A
• Filed: 12/28/1993
• Issued: 08/15/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 12/28/1992
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Pohang Iron & Steel Company Limited (Posco), Research Institute of Industrial Science and Technology
• Original Assignee: Pohang Iron & Steel Company Limited (Posco), Research Institute of Industrial Science and Technology
• Inventors: Cho, Yong-Hwan, So, Jai-Choon, Kwang, Kyu-Hae, Pack, Sa-Ryong, Kwak, Hae-Il, Eom, Ki-Jin
• Primary Examiner(s): Housel, James C.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Le, Long V.
• Application Number:
  US08/174,144
• Time in Patent Office: 595 Days
• Field of Search: 422/63, 422/65, 422/66, 422/67, 422/81, 422/100, 422/101, 436/43, 436/44, 436/46, 436/47, 436/48, 436/49, 436/54, 436/180, 436/177
• US Class Current: 422/63
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 1/2035 by deviating part of a fluid stream, e.g. by drawing-off or tapping
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 1/2813 Producing thin layers of samples on a substrate, e.g. smearing, spinning-on G01N1/30 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2001/1037 from an enclosure (hazardous waste, radioactive)
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2001/1418 Depression, aspiration
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2001/2071 Removable sample bottle
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2223/076 X-ray fluorescence
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 35/021 having a flexible chain, e.g. "cartridge belt", conveyor for reaction cells or cuvettes
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 35/1095 for supplying the samples to flow-through analysers for a specific analyser see relevant groups, e.g. under G01N15/00, G01N21/00, G01N27/00, G01N30/00, H01J49/00
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/11 Automated chemical analysis
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/110833 Utilizing a moving indicator strip or tape
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/113332 with conveyance of sample along a test line in a container or rack
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/114165 with step of insertion or removal from test line
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/25375 Liberation or purification of sample or separation of material from a sample [e.g., filtering, centrifuging, etc.]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/2575 Volumetric liquid transfer

Abstract

An apparatus for automatically analyzing various solutions which are used in the production lines of various industrial fields. Particularly, in the case where the ingredients of a solution is to be analyzed, the test sample is taken in an automatic manner, and carried over a long distance. The carried test sample is subjected to an automatic pre-treatment and an automatic ingredient analysis. Thus the ingredients of a solution can be analyzed in a speedy and accurate manner. Further, the results of the analysis are treated with an on-line real time to be fed back in a speedy manner, and therefore, it is made possible to strictly control the solution ingredients, thereby contributing to the improvement of the quality of products. Furthermore, the expensive analyzing instruments can be protected from corrosion.

Claims

1. A liquid test sample analyzing apparatus comprising:

a test sample taking section (100) for taking a test sample from a liquid test sample solution (120) storing tank (1010) of a production line and for filling the taken test sample into a sampling bottle (173);

a test sample carrying section (200) for carrying said sampling bottle (173) containing said test sample from said test sample taking section (100) to an analyzing room;

a test sample readying section (300) for opening or closing an upper plug (184) of said sampling bottle (173) from said test sample carrying section (200) including means to draw said test sample;

a test sample pre-treating section (400) including means for drawing said test sample solution from said test sample readying section (300) to dilute, or to add additives or extract a selected amount of test sample solution;

a filtered test sampling preparing section (500) for preparing said test sample from said test sample pre-treating section (400), wherein solid materials from said test sample solution are deposited on a filtering paper (530); and

analyzing instruments (600) for analyzing said test sample supplied from said test sample pre-treating section (400) and said filtered test sample preparing section (500), and wherein said test sample taking section (100) includes;

a pipe conduit (108) return-connected to said liquid test sample storing tank (1010);

a pump (109) and a filter (106) installed at intermediate positions of said pipe conduit (108) for filtering the test sample solution;

a test sample taking container (110) and a washing water storing container (118) installed below said test sample taking section (100);

pneumatic cylinders (112) and (113) secured on a supporting device (111) of said test sample taking container (110) for moving up and down a tube (114), and a filter (115) installed on said tube (114) for filtering the test sample solution a second time;

a sampling bottle storing barrel (123) installed on the middle of the top of a supporting plate (122);

a pneumatic cylinder (124) installed at a first side of said sampling bottle storing barrel (123);

a robot elbow (127) installed at a second side of said sampling bottle storing barrel (123), and for securing said sampling bottle (173) by means of a sampling bottle insertion slot (125) and a pneumatic cylinder (174);

a pneumatic cylinder (130) connected to a tube securing unit (129) and installed above said supporting plate (122);

a pneumatic cylinder (134) having a plug opening/closing device (133) and installed upon a supporting device (132); and

an interlocking pump (131) installed at an intermediate position of said tube (114),

whereby the blocking of said pipe conduit (108) due to the precipitation of the test sample solution is prevented, and the taking of said test sample is automatically carried out.

2. The automatic liquid sample analyzing apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said test sample carrying section (200) includes:

a carrying device (236) having a through hole (238) for loading said sampling bottle (173) within an air carrying tube (235), said sampling bottle (173) containing said test sample solution (120);

a compressor (237) for moving said carrying device (236) within said air carrying tube (235);

a starting terminal (210) formed at an end of said air carrying tube (235), an inner tube (239) of said starting terminal (210) being cut away around the hole (238) of said carrying device (236);

an outer tube (241) coupled with said inner tube (239) in such a manner as to be moved up and down, to permit said cut away portion to be opened and closed;

said hole (238) of said carrying device (236) being so positioned as to load said sampling bottle (173) from said robot elbow (127) of said test sample taking section (100) by activation of a pneumatic cylinder (126);

an arrival terminal (220) formed at the other end of said air carrying tube (235), an inner tube (247) of said arrival terminal (220) being partly cut away for settling said carrying device (236);

an outer tube (249) coupled with said inner tube (247) in such a manner as to be moved up and down by a pneumatic cylinder (248), so as for said cut portion of said inner tube (247) to be opened and closed;

a pneumatic cylinder (251) installed at a first side of said arrival terminal (220) for removing said sampling bottle (173) from said carrying device (236);

a pneumatic cylinder (274) installed at a second side of said arrival terminal (220) side for securing said sampling bottle (173), and a robot elbow (253) installed also at the second side pivotally around a pivoting shaft (252), said robot elbow (253) being movable horizontally along a rail (254);

pads (242) and (242'"'"') interconnected with rotary rods (243) and (243'"'"'), and installed in a lower portion of said inner tubes (239) and (247) of the opposite ends of said air carrying tube (235);

motors (246) and (246'"'"') respectively connected through belts (245) and (245'"'"') and pulleys (244a), (244a'"'"'), (244b) and (244b'"'"') to said rotary rod (243) and (243'"'"'); and

light irradiating devices (277a) and (277a'"'"') and light receiving devices (277b), and (277b'"'"') installed below said rotary rod (243) and (243 '"'"') for controlling said motors (246) and (246'"'"').

3. The automatic liquid sample analyzing apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein said light irradiating and light receiving devices (277a), (277a'"'"'), (277b), (277b'"'"') detect light beams through holes (243b) and (243b'"'"') of rotary discs (243a) and (243a'"'"') formed integrally with said rotary rod (243) and (243'"'"'), and stop the operations of said motors (246) and (246'"'"'), whereby said hole (238) of said carrying device (236) is aligned with insertion slots (125) and (253a) of said robot elbow (127) and (253).

4. The automatic liquid sample analyzing apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said test sample readying section (300) includes:

a pneumatic cylinder (378) for moving a robot elbow (253) of said test sample carrying section (200) horizontally along a rail (254);

a plug opening/closing device (357) for taking out said upper plug (184) from said sampling bottle (173), in a state with said sampling bottle (173) secured by said robot elbow (253);

said plug opening/closing device (357) being moved up and down by a pneumatic cylinder (358) installed on a supporting device (356); and

a pneumatic cylinder (360) installed on a supporting device (359) and at a side of said supporting device (356) for dipping the end of a tube (361) into said sampling bottle (173) after the opening of the upper plug of said sampling bottle (173).

5. The automatic liquid sample analyzing apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said sampling bottle (173) includes:

an outer shell (182) including female threads on an upper inner circumferential portion thereof, and a lower plug insertion hole (187) formed on a bottom thereof and for inserting a lower plug (185);

an inner shell (183) including male threads (188) formed on an upper outer circumferential portion thereof, a stepped portion formed below said male threads, a hollow space (190) for containing the test sample, and an I shaped longitudinal section for being coupled with said outer shell (182); and

said upper and lower plugs (184) and (185) having annular grooves (191), and grooves (193) for fitting an O ring (192).

6. The automatic liquid sample analyzing apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said test sample pre-treating section (400) includes:

a circular rotary disc (405) installed above an automatic test sample exchanger (403) with a plurality of beakers (404) loaded thereon, and for replacing said beakers (404) in an orderly manner upon a supporting plate (407);

an interlocking pump (420) and a 6-port valve (421) for supplying said test sample solution (120) to said beaker (404);

a ration supplying device (416) for supplying an amount of distilled water into said beaker (404) to dilute the test sample;

a distilled water storing vessel (417) and a pump (418) for supplying a washing water to said beaker (404);

a pump (419) for discharging a waste test sample solution from said beaker (404);

an agitator (415) for agitating said beaker (404) with the test sample contained; and

a computer for controlling the diluting of the test sample, or the adding or extracting a selected amount of test sample solution.

7. The automatic liquid sample analyzing apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said filtered test sample preparing section (500) includes:

a circular rotary plate (565) rotated by a motor and a plurality of filtering paper inserting holes;

a filtering paper storing device (566) for settling droplet filtering papers (530) into insertion holes (564) in a sequential manner;

a marking device (567) moved up and down by a pneumatic cylinder (587) for marking serial numbers on said droplet filtering papers (530) of said insertion holes (564);

a tube supporting device (570) for securing a tube (461) for dropping drops of the test sample onto said droplet filtering papers (530) of said insertion hole (564);

a dryer (568) installed at a side of said tube supporting device (570) for heat-drying said droplet filtering papers (530) with the test sample adhered thereon;

a cylindrical supporting device (584) installed at an intermediate position between said dryer (568) and said filtering paper storing device (566), and having a bar member (580) for pushing said droplet filtering paper (530); and

a filtering paper discharging pneumatic cylinder (569) installed below said circular rotary plate (565) for lifting the droplet filtering papers (530) through said insertion hole (564).

8. The automatic liquid sample analyzing apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said analyzing instrument (600) includes an analyzing instrument selected from the group consisting of:

a fluorescent X-ray analyzer, an automatic droplet dropping apparatus, an ultraviolet spectroscopy apparatus, an infrared spectroscopy apparatus, an ion chromatography apparatus, and further includes a computer (68) for outputting the test data for the test sample solution (120).

9. The automatic liquid sample analyzing apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein said sampling bottle (173) includes:

an outer shell (182) including female threads on an upper inner circumferential portion thereof, and a lower plug insertion hole (187) formed on a bottom thereof and for inserting a lower plug (185);

an inner shell (183) including male threads (188) formed on an upper outer circumferential portion thereof, a stepped portion formed below said male threads, a hollow space (190) for containing the test sample, and an I shaped longitudinal section for being coupled with said outer shell (182); and

said upper and lower plugs (184) and (185) having annular grooves (191), and grooves (193) for fitting an O ring (192).

10. The automatic liquid sample analyzing apparatus as claimed in claim 8 wherein the analyzing instrument (600) is a fluorescent X-ray analyzer and wherein the test sample solution (120) is supplied through said filtering paper (530) of said filtered test sample preparing section (500).

11. The automatic liquid sample analyzing apparatus as claimed in claim 8 wherein the analyzing instrument (600) is one selected from the group consisting of the automatic droplet dropping apparatus, the ultraviolet spectroscopy apparatus, the infrared spectroscopy apparatus and the ion chromatography apparatus and wherein the test sample solution (120) is supplied from said test sample pre-treating section (400).