Sample mixing and metering apparatus

Claim 2

A sampling head for use at a sample pickup station, said head comprising a hollow sample pickup probe adapted to be inserted into a sample container at a sample pickup station for extracting a given amount of fluid sample from the container, said pickup probe being movable between a first or sampling position and a second or retracted position, valve means operable upon movement of said probe to said sampling posiTion for connecting said probe to means for withdrawing fluid from the sample container through said probe, and means for moving said probe and simultaneously operating said valve means whereby said valve means is operated by said moving means to connect said probe to the withdrawing means at the same time said probe is moved by said moving means to said sampling position, said valve means including first and second movable valve blocks each having at least one passageway therethrough, said passageways being aligned with each other and with said probe when said probe is in said retracted position and said valve means is in a sample delivery and probe cleaning position, and said moving means includes lost motion means which permits said head to be lowered a predetermined distance with said valve blocks maintained in place defining said sample delivery and probe cleaning position of said valve means.

Claim 3

Apparatus for cleaning a sample pickup probe between samplings of fluid with the probe which moves in a path between an upper position and a lower sampling position, said apparatus including a trough, a system for delivering cleaning fluid to said trough at predetermined times and moving means for causing relative movement between said trough and the probe to bring the probe into the trough whereby cleaning fluid can be drawn through the probe for cleaning same, said moving means being operable to move said trough from an upper retracted position through an arcuate path to a lower position and then laterally to a position in the path of movement of the sampling probe, and said moving means including dual mechanical mechanisms each connected to one end of the trough, each mechanism including a lever arm, a supporting bracket, a pivot arm pivotally connected at one end to said supporting bracket and at the other end to said lever arm, laterally spaced apart stops on said bracket on opposite sides of said pivot arm for limiting lateral movement thereof, a spring connected between a point on said bracket and said pivot arm, a translation arm pivotally connected to said bracket, a stop pin on said bracket spaced laterally from the pivot connection of said translation arm and located in the path of movement of the distal end of said translation arm for limiting downward arcuate movement of said translation arm, and a swing arm pivotally connected to said translation arm intermediate the ends thereof and pivotally connected to said lever arm, said means for moving said trough also including at least one fluid actuated cylinder which is pivotally connected at one end to a supporting structure and which has a piston rod extending from said cylinder and pivotally connected to said lever arm, with said swing arm pivotally connected to said lever arm at a point between the pivot connection of said pivot arm and the pivot connection of said piston rod respectively to said lever arm.

Claim 4

Apparatus for cleaning a sample pickup probe between samplings of fluid with the probe which moves in a path between an upper position and a lower sampling position, said apparatus including a trough, a system for delivering cleaning fluid to said trough at predetermined times and moving means for causing relative movement between said trough and the probe to bring the probe into the trough whereby cleaning fluid can be drawn through the probe for cleaning same, said moving means being operable to move said trough from an upper retracted position through an arcuate path to a lower position and then laterally to a position in the path of movement of the sampling probe, and said moving means including dual mechanical mechanisms each connected to one end of the trough, each mechanism including a lever arm, a supporting bracket, a pivot arm pivotally connected at one end to said supporting bracket and at the other end to said lever arm, laterally spaced apart stops on said bracket on opposite sides of said pivot arm for limiting lateral movement thereof, a spring connected between a point on said bracket and said pivot arm, a translation arm pivotally connected to said bracket, a stop pin on said bracket spaced laterally from the pivot connection of said translation arm and located in the path of movement of the distal end of said translation arm for limiting downward arcuate movement of said translation arm, and a swing arm pivotally connected to said translation arm intermediate the ends thereof and pivotally connected to said lever arm, said means for moving said trough also including at least one fluid actuated cylinder which is pivotally connected at one end to a supporting structure and which has a piston rod extending from said cylinder and pivotally connected to said lever arm, with said swing arm pivotally connected to said lever arm at a point between the pivot connection of said pivot arm and the pivot connection of said piston rod respectively to said lever arm.

Claim 5

Apparatus for cleaning a sample pickup probe between samplings of fluid with said probe which moves in a path between an upper position and a lower sampling position, said apparatus including a trough, a system for delivering cleaning fluid to said trough at predetermined times, a sampling head which has said probe mounted therein and which is mounted for arcuate movement, and moving means for causing relative movement between said trough and said probe to bring said probe into said trough whereby cleaning fluid can be drawn through said probe for cleaning same, said moving means including probe moving means for moving said probe downwardly a predetermined distance after said trough has been moved to a position in the path of movement of said probe, said probe moving means including a lost motion mechanism connected to said sampling head and a fluid actuated cylinder for causing generally vertical, arcuate movement of said sampling head, said lost motion mechanism being operable to move said sampling head downwardly a predetermined distance when said fluid actuated cylinder is neutralized.

Claim 6

Apparatus for cleaning a sample pickup probe between samplings of fluid with said probe which moves in a path between an upper position and a lower sampling position, said apparatus including a trough, a system for delivering cleaning fluid to said trough at predetermined times, a sampling head which has said probe mounted therein and which is mounted for arcuate movement, and moving means for causing relative movement between said trough and said probe to bring said probe into said trough whereby cleaning fluid can be drawn through said probe for cleaning same, said moving means including probe moving means for moving said probe downwardly a predetermined distance after said trough has been moved to a position in the path of movement of said probe, said probe moving means including a lost motion mechanism connected to said sampling head and a fluid actuated cylinder for causing generally vertical, arcuate movement of said sampling head, said lost motion mechanism being operable to move said sampling head downwardly a predetermined distance when said fluid actuated cylinder is neutralized.

Claim 7

The apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said lost motion mechanism includes a spring which is compressed when said sampling head is in an upper nonsampling position and which expands to a relaxed position to move the sampling head downwardly a short distance when said cylinder is neutralized.

Claim 8

Apparatus for cleaning a sample pickup probe between samplings of fluid with the probe which moves in a path between an upper position and a lower sampling position, said apparatus including a trough, a fluid delivery system for delivering cleaning fluid to said trough at predetermined times, and moving means for causing relative movement between said trough and the probe to bring the probe into said troubh whereby cleaning fluid can be drawn through the probe for cleaning same, said moving means being operable to move said trough from an upper retracted position through an arcuate path to a lower position and then laterally to a position in the path of movement of the probe, and said fluid delivery system includes a fluid conduit connection between said trough and a basin of fluid, said basin of fluid having a level therein below the level of said trough when said trough is in a raised retracted position and which is above said trough when said trough is in said lowered position whereby cleaning fluid in said basin can flow by gravity into said trough.

Claim 9

Apparatus for cleaning a sample pickup probe between samplings of fluid with the probe which moves in a path between an upper position and a lower sampling position, said apparatus including a trough, a fluid delivery system for delivering cleaning fluid to said trough at predetermined times, and moving means for causing relative movement between said trough and the probe to bring the probe into said troubh whereby cleaning fluid can be drawn through the probe for cleaning same, said moving means being operable to move said trough from an upper retracted position through an arcuate path to a lower position and then laterally to a position in the path of movement of the probe, and said fluid delivery system includes a fluid conduit connection between said trough and a basin of fluid, said basin of fluid having a level therein below the level of said trough when said trough is in a raised retracted position and which is above said trough when said trough is in said lowered position whereby cleaning fluid in said basin can flow by gravity into said trough.

Claim 10

Apparatus for cleaning a sample pickup probe between samplings of fluid with the probe which moves in a path between an upper position and a lower sampling position, said apparatus including a trough, a system for delivering cleaning fluid to said trough at predetermined times, and moving means for causing relative movement between said trough and the probe to bring the probe into said trough whereby cleaning fluid can be drawn through the probe for cleaning same, said moving means including trough moving means operable to move said trough from an upper retracted position through an arcuate path to a lower position and then laterally to a position in the path of movement of the sampling probe, and probe moving means operable to cause downward movement of the probe after said trough has been moved into the path of movement of the probe.

Claim 11

Apparatus for cleaning a sample pickup probe between samplings of fluid with the probe which moves in a path between an upper position and a lower sampling position, said apparatus including a trough, a system for delivering cleaning fluid to said trough at predetermined times, and moving means for causing relative movement between said trough and the probe to bring the probe into said trough whereby cleaning fluid can be drawn through the probe for cleaning same, said moving means including trough moving means operable to move said trough from an upper retracted position through an arcuate path to a lower position and then laterally to a position in the path of movement of the sampling probe, and probe moving means operable to cause downward movement of the probe after said trough has been moved into the path of movement of the probe.