Method and apparatus for regulating the size and frequency of bubbles employed for mixing liquids
AssigneeCoulter Electronics, Inc.
InventorsPedro P. Cabrera, Robert T. Duncan
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A few large, fast rising gas bubbles are generated near the bottom of a sample container and the upward movement of the bubbles causes a mixing action of the sample. The bubbles result from the periodic injection of discrete quantums of gas into the bottom of the container. The volume of a discrete gas quantum determines the size of a resulting bubble. Both the volume and frequency of generation of the quantums of gas are controlled by a timing circuit which operates a solenoid valve that permits each discrete quantum of gas to pass into the sample container.
Claims23
Method for generating bubbles for use in mixing sample material in a container, said method comprising the steps of:
- defining discrete quantums of a substance having a density less than the density of the sample material, and injecting said quantums separately in time spaced sequence into the container near its bottom, said defining and injecting being coactive such that each separate quantum forms a bubble of the substance that will rise through sample material in the container and in so rising will mix the sample with a minimum of turbulence.
Method for generating bubbles for use in mixing sample material in a container, said method comprising the steps of:
- establishing a pressure differential between the sample material and a substance from which the bubbles will be formed, such that the substance can be injected into the container significantly below the surface of the sample material, providing a flow path for the injection of the substance into the container, and interrupting the flow in the path in a regulated manner such that discrete quantums of the substance are defined prior to injection into the container.
Apparatus for generating bubbles for use in mixing sample material in a container, said apparatus comprising:
- means for defining discrete quantums of a substance having a density less than the density of the sample material, and means for injecting said quantums separately in time spaced sequence into the container near its bottom, said defining and injecting means being coactive such that each separate quantum forms a bubble of the substance that will rise through sample material in the container and in so rising will mix the sample with a minimum of turbulence.
Apparatus for generating bubbles for use in mixing sample material in a container, said apparatus comprising:
- means for establishing a pressure differential between the sample material and a substance from which the bubbles will be formed, such that the substance can be injected into the container significantly below the surface of the sample material, means for providing a flow path for the injection of the substance into the container, and means for interrupting the flow in the path in a regulated manner such that discrete quantums of the substance are defined prior to injection into the container.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.