Staining device having automatic mains voltage detection and voltage changeover
First Claim
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1. A staining device for staining samples, comprising:
- a heating device including a first heating element and a second heating element;
a switch arrangement designed to switch between a first operating mode connecting the two heating elements in series and a second operating mode connecting the two heating elements in parallel;
a power connection supplying power to the heating elements;
a sensor designed and located to detect an amperage of a current supplied to the heating elements; and
a switching unit that is coupled to the sensor and determines based on the amperage a voltage causing the current, and switches depending on the determined voltage via the switch arrangement into the first operating mode or the second operating mode;
whereinthe switching unit is configured to connect the heating elements in series at 220 V and in parallel at 115 V so that the 220 V voltage is divided into two lower voltages applied to the heating elements, thereby preventing overloading of one or both of the heating elements by the 220 V high voltage and securing the available mains voltage when the heating elements are operated at the 115 V voltage and therefore switched in parallel.
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Abstract
A staining device for staining samples has a heating device including a first heating element and a second heating element. A switch arrangement allows the two heating elements to be connected in parallel or in series. A power connection supplies power to the heating elements. A sensor is designed and located to detect a current supplied to the heating elements. A switching unit is coupled to the sensor and determines a voltage causing the current. Depending on the voltage, the switching unit connects the heating elements in parallel or in series.
8 Citations
5 Claims
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1. A staining device for staining samples, comprising:
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a heating device including a first heating element and a second heating element; a switch arrangement designed to switch between a first operating mode connecting the two heating elements in series and a second operating mode connecting the two heating elements in parallel; a power connection supplying power to the heating elements; a sensor designed and located to detect an amperage of a current supplied to the heating elements; and a switching unit that is coupled to the sensor and determines based on the amperage a voltage causing the current, and switches depending on the determined voltage via the switch arrangement into the first operating mode or the second operating mode;
whereinthe switching unit is configured to connect the heating elements in series at 220 V and in parallel at 115 V so that the 220 V voltage is divided into two lower voltages applied to the heating elements, thereby preventing overloading of one or both of the heating elements by the 220 V high voltage and securing the available mains voltage when the heating elements are operated at the 115 V voltage and therefore switched in parallel. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
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4. A method for operating a staining device for staining samples, the staining device comprising a first heating element and a second heating element, both heating elements being supplied with electric current, wherein the first and second heating elements are electrically connectable in a first operating mode at 220 V in series and in a second operating mode at 115 V in parallel, said method comprising the following subsequent method steps:
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a) connecting the first and second heating elements initially by default according the first operating mode at 220 V in series; b) subsequently detecting an amperage of the current supplied to the heating elements and determining a voltage based on the detected amperage; and c) switching from the first operating mode into the second operating mode where the heating elements are connected in parallel if the voltage is at or below 115 V. - View Dependent Claims (5)
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Specification