Segmented online sampling apparatus and method of use

• US 8,549,934 B2
• Filed: 03/24/2009
• Issued: 10/08/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 03/25/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Flownamics Analytical Instruments Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Flownamics Analytical Instruments Incorporated
• Inventors: Biksacky, Michael J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Williams, Herzon E
• Assistant Examiner(s): Shabman, Mark A
• Application Number:
  US12/410,246
• Publication Number:
  US 20090241698A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,659 Days
• Field of Search: 738/641.5
• US Class Current: 73/863.01
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 1/2035 by deviating part of a fluid stream, e.g. by drawing-off or tapping
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2001/205 using a valve
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 35/08 using a stream of discrete samples flowing along a tube system, e.g. flow injection analysis

Abstract

A segmented sampling apparatus is designed to extract a sample from a source and deliver the sample to a collector for storage or analysis. The sample is extracted from the source at a sample withdrawal or extraction rate but is delivered to the collector at a faster rate. Air is injected into or drawn into the apparatus which allows for an expedited sample delivery rate.

Claims

1. A sampling system comprising:

a sample withdrawal system operative to withdraw a sample from a source at a sample withdrawal flow rate;

a sample collector system operative to receive the sample;

a sample delivery system operative to deliver the sample from the sample withdrawal system to the sample collector system at a sample delivery flow rate that is faster than the sample withdrawal flow rate; and

wherein the sample withdrawal system comprises a sample intake port through which the sample is drawn from the source and an air intake port through which air is drawn, wherein the air intake port introduces air at a downstream end of the sample, and wherein the sample and air are delivered by the sample delivery system to the sample collector system at the sample delivery flow rate that is faster than the sample withdrawal flow rate, wherein the sample delivery system includes a pump that operates at a first speed to draw the sample from the source at the sample withdrawal flow rate, and that operates at a second speed to expedite delivery of the sample to the sample collector system at the sample delivery flow rate.

2. The sampling system of claim 1 wherein the sample withdrawal system further comprises a cleansing agent port operative to receive a cleansing or sterilizing agent and wherein the pump is operative to pump the cleansing or sterilizing agent through the sample withdrawal system, the sample delivery system, and the sample collector system.

3. The sampling system of claim 1 wherein the sample delivery system further comprises an air trap to capture air introduced through the air intake port before the sample is delivered to the sample collector system.

4. The sampling system of claim 1 further comprising a first valve flow-coupled between the sample withdrawal system and the sample delivery system and a second valve flow-coupled between the sample collector system and the sample delivery system, and wherein the sample delivery system includes a bi-directional pump and a receptacle for temporarily holding the sample, and wherein the bi-directional pump is operative in a first direction to pump the sample from the sample withdrawal system to the receptacle when the first valve is open and the second valve is closed and is operative in a second, reverse direction to pump the sample from the receptacle to the sample collector system when the first valve is closed and the second valve is open.

5. The sampling system of claim 4 wherein the sample withdrawal system further comprises a cleansing agent port operative to receive a cleansing or sterilizing agent and wherein the bi-directional pump is operative to pump the cleansing or sterilizing agent through the sample withdrawal system, the sample delivery system, and the sample collector system.

6. A sampling system comprising:

a sample withdrawal system having a sample intake port through which a sample is drawn from a source at a sample withdrawal flow rate and an air intake port through which air is drawn and added to the sample, wherein the air intake port introduces air at a downstream end of the sample;

a sample collector system operative to receive the sample;

a sample delivery system having a single pump that is operative to draw the sample and air from the sample withdrawal system and deliver the sample and air from the sample withdrawal system to the sample collector system at a sample delivery flow rate that is faster than the sample withdrawal flow rate, wherein the pump operates at a first speed to draw the sample from the source at the sample withdrawal flow rate, and that operates at a second speed to expedite delivery of the sample to the sample collector system at the sample delivery flow rate.