Segmented online sampling apparatus and method of use

• US 9,442,047 B2
• Filed: 10/07/2013
• Issued: 09/13/2016
• 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, Hezron E
• Assistant Examiner(s): Shabman, Mark A
• Application Number:
  US14/047,719
• Publication Number:
  US 20140033834A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,072 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 1/1
• 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 method of capturing a sample from a source and delivering the sample to a collector, comprising:

drawing a sample from the source into a conduit;

advancing the sample within the conduit in a downstream direction toward a sample indicator, wherein the sample defines a leading end that approaches the sample indicator as the sample is advanced in the downstream direction;

indicating the presence of the sample within the conduit using the sample indicator when the sample attains a predetermined position within the conduit relative to the sample indicator;

injecting a gas into the conduit in response to the indication of the presence of the sample within the conduit, wherein the injection of the gas into the conduit forms a sample bolus between the downstream end of the sample and an upstream end of the sample formed by the injection of the gas into the conduit;

advancing the sample bolus together with the injected gas in the downstream direction past the sample indicator; and

delivering the sample bolus and the injected gas to the collector.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the sample bolus is drawn from the source at a first flow rate and the sample bolus and injected gas are advanced past the sample indicator at a second flow rate faster than the first flow rate.

3. The method of claim 1 further comprising passing cleansing and/or sterilization fluid through the conduit after the sample bolus has been delivered to the collector.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of injecting a gas into the conduit comprises injecting air into the conduit.