Moisture sensing systems for electrically operated liquid-handling devices
AssigneeBuchler Instruments, Div. of Searle Analytic, Inc.
InventorDaniel Gelfand
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A fraction collector or other electrically operated liquid-handling device has a tray underlying the device for collecting spilled liquid. A pitched surface in the tray gathers any spilled liquid into the vicinity of a sensor having a moisture-destructible or sensitive element which holds a switch against the force of a spring in a closed-circuit position, allowing power to be fed from a current source to the electrically operated device. Upon wetting and destruction of the element the spring is relieved to open the switch, thereby cutting off the power and stopping the operation of the liquid-handling device.
Claims4
A fraction collector comprising:
- a support;
- an upwardly open tray mounted on said support and having a pitched surface;
- electrically operated means on said support for carrying an array of upwardly open vessels successively past a location fixed relative to said support and above said tray;
- a source of liquid mounted on said support;
- a dispensing tip on said support for discharging said liquid into successive vessels at said locations;
- an electrically operated valve interconnecting said source and said tip for controlling the flow of liquid to said vessel;
- liquid-detector means at the bottom of said pitched surface responsive to the presence of liquid thereat;
- and
- an electric switch operated by said liquid-detector means for deenergizing said valve and said electrically operated means upon the detection of liquid by said liquid-detector means.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.