System and method for cleaning an analyzer probe
AssigneeInstrumentation Laboratory Company
InventorsJo-Ann Loh, Joshua Shreve, Chison Liu
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A cleaning device, and method of using the same, for cleaning a probe. The device includes a body defining an inner chamber. An air intake is connected to at least one air channel through the body, the at least one air channel configured to allow air from the air intake to flow into the inner chamber and towards the inner chamber. A liquid intake is connected to at least one liquid channel through the body, the at least one liquid channel configured to allow liquid from the liquid intake to flow into the inner chamber.
Claims17
A cleaning device for cleaning a probe, comprising:
- a body defining an inner chamber, the body comprising an opening proximate an upper end of the cleaning device, the opening allowing the probe to enter the inner chamber;
- an air intake connected to at least one air channel formed within the body, the at least one air channel being configured to allow air from the air intake to flow into the inner chamber and along at least part of the probe toward a lower end of the cleaning device;
- and
- a liquid intake connected to at least one liquid channel formed within the body, the at least one liquid channel being configured to allow liquid from the liquid intake to flow into the inner chamber;
- wherein the body comprises a channel defining a flow path between the inner chamber and exterior to the cleaning device through which the air exits the cleaning device, at least part of the channel extending upward relative to the inner chamber toward the upper end of the cleaning device.
A method of cleaning a probe using a cleaning device, comprising:
- placing at least a part of the probe into an inner chamber of the cleaning device, the inner chamber comprising an opening proximate an upper end of the cleaning device;
- directing air from an air intake and through an air channel of the cleaning device and towards the probe, the air being pressurized to flow along at least part of the probe towards a lower end of the cleaning device and through a channel that defines a flow path between the inner chamber and exterior to the cleaning device and that extends at least partly upward relative to the inner chamber toward the upper end of the cleaning device;
- and
- directing a liquid from a liquid intake through a plurality of liquid channels of the cleaning device and towards the probe at a position vertically below the air channel.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.