Sample wheel for chemistry analyzers
AssigneeBeckman Instruments, Inc.
InventorsStephen F. Barker, Samuel G. Ricchio, Glenn A. Benton, Delbert D. Jackson
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An automatic chemistry analyzer includes sample cups circumferentially located on a sample wheel. Means moves the sample cups rotationally under cycloidal action to and away from a target location where a probe operates vertically in relation to the sample cups and an injection cell. The motion is effected by a cam operating with a cam follower formed by lobes circumferentially located about a drive wheel which houses the sample wheel or carousel.
Claims22
Apparatus comprising a body, discrete elements located in a row associated with the body, motive means for progressively moving the elements towards and from a target location relative to the body, the motive means including a motor and a cam, the motor rotating the cam, and a follower for engagement by the cam and for engagement with the body to cause the follower to move the body and associated elements respectively towards the target location during a first predetermined portion of travel of the cam, and away from the target location during the second predetermined portion of travel of the cam, wherein the cam and elements follow a predetermined travel path, the cam being rotatable about an axis and having means remote from the axis for engaging the follower such that the first predetermined portion of the travel path of the cam and elements is substantially a quarter-circular path, and the second predetermined portion of the travel path of the cam and elements is a quarter-circular path, the two quarter-circular paths constituting a semi-circular path for the cam and elements.
Apparatus comprising a body, discrete elements located along a line in a row associated with a body, motive means for progressively moving the line of elements towards and from a target location relative to the body, the motive means including a motor and a cam, the motor rotating the cam, and a follower for engagement by the cam and engagement with the body to cause the follower to move the body and associated line of elements respectively towards the target location during a first predetermined portion of travel of the cam, and to move the line of elements away from the target location during the second predetermined portion of travel of the cam, wherein the cam and elements follow a predetermined travel path, the cam being rotatable about an axis and having means remote from the axis for engaging the follower such that the first predetermined portion of the travel path of the cam and elements is substantially a quarter-circular path, and the second predetermined portion of the travel path of the cam and elements is a quarter-circular path, the two quarter-circular paths constituting a semi-circular path for the cam and elements.
Apparatus comprising a body, discrete elements located along a line a row associated with a body, motive means for progressively moving the line of elements towards and from a target location relative to the body, the motive means including a motor and a cam, the motor rotating the cam, and a follower for engagement by the cam and engagement with the body to cause the follower to move the body and associated line of elements respectively towards the target location during a first predetermined portion of travel of the cam, and to move the line of elements away from the target location during the second predetermined portion of travel of the cam, wherein the cam engages the follower such that the travel path of the elements is cycloidal.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.