Delivering samples to and controlling analytical instruments
First Claim
1. A system for transporting samples to and operating a bank of analytical instruments at least some of which include an automatic injector for delivering a liquid sample from a vial into the instrument, comprisinga pneumatic conveyor using a gas as a propulsion fluid and including an inlet at a station, an outlet at selected ones of the automatic injectors and at least one conduit between the inlet and the outlets,an autoloader at the station including a removable tray having a large number of recesses for holding sample vials,a venturi having a low pressure inlet adjacent the tray for receiving a selected vial from one of the recesses, a power gas inlet and a high pressure outlet delivering the selected vial to the conveyor inlet for delivery to a selected one of the automatic injectors, andat least one computer communicating with at least some of the instruments and using information from the instrument as an input for controlling operation of the autoloader and conveyor.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A control system for a bank of analytical instruments operates the instruments as a group rather than singly. The system includes an autoloader at a sample preparation station into which an individual loads sample vials of unknown material. A second autoloader provides sample vials of known material that can be used to calibrate instruments. A computer controls the autoloader and a conveyor system to deliver a selected one of the vials to a selected instrument. The conveyor system includes a group of distributors, typically in series, to deliver a vial to any one of a large group of instruments. The conveyor system is preferably a pneumatic system including a receiver and technique for slowing the vials down when they approach the receiver. The receiver is positioned to deliver the vial to an autoinjector of the instrument. A computer monitors and communicates with the analytical instrument to obtain inputs to control components of the system.
19 Citations
21 Claims
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1. A system for transporting samples to and operating a bank of analytical instruments at least some of which include an automatic injector for delivering a liquid sample from a vial into the instrument, comprising
a pneumatic conveyor using a gas as a propulsion fluid and including an inlet at a station, an outlet at selected ones of the automatic injectors and at least one conduit between the inlet and the outlets, an autoloader at the station including a removable tray having a large number of recesses for holding sample vials, a venturi having a low pressure inlet adjacent the tray for receiving a selected vial from one of the recesses, a power gas inlet and a high pressure outlet delivering the selected vial to the conveyor inlet for delivery to a selected one of the automatic injectors, and at least one computer communicating with at least some of the instruments and using information from the instrument as an input for controlling operation of the autoloader and conveyor.
- 12. A system for transporting samples to and operating a bank of analytical instruments at least some of which include an automatic injector for delivering a liquid sample from a vial into the instrument, comprising a pneumatic conveyor using a gas as a propulsion fluid and including an inlet at a station and an outlet at selected ones of the automatic injectors, an autoloader at the station for holding sample vials and presenting a selected one of the vials to the conveyor inlet for delivery to a selected one of the automatic injectors and at least one computer communicating with at least some of the instruments and using information from the instrument as an input for controlling operation of the autoloader and conveyor, the pneumatic conveyor comprising a plurality of distributors in series having at least one conduit connected at one end and at least a plurality of conduits at an opposite end, the conduits of a downstream distributor connecting each of the instruments to an upstream distributor so the computer can direct sample vials from the autoloader to each instrument.
Specification