Sampling valve
AssigneeSentry Equipment Corp.
InventorsMichael D. Farrell, Eugene R. Rommelfaenger
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The improved sampling valve assembly includes a diverting valve and an optional isolation valve in series for providing redundant shutoff. The assembly includes rounded-end, side-ported needles (as part of an easily-replaced needle assembly) to pierce the receptacle septum without "coring" and help prevent liquid "carryover." The assembly also has features providing metered, low pressure flow into the receptacle and very low dead volume. A receptacle guide has an interior cavity shaped like the receptacle to guide the inserted receptacle for aligned engagement of the septum with the needle assembly. The needle assembly is removable by removing only the keeper nut.
Claims19
In a valve assembly for supplying a fluid specimen and having a body, an input flow line attached to the body, an output flow line attached to the body and a body-mounted process valve with an inlet port receiving fluid from the input flow line and a sampling line directing the fluid to a receptacle having a septum, the improvement comprising:
- a pressure-reducing orifice plate mounted to the body;
- a needle assembly having a sampling needle and a venting needle separate from the sampling needle;
- and,
- an isolation valve mounted to the body and providing redundant shutoff;
- and wherein:
- the process valve, the orifice plate and the isolation valve are in series flow communication with one another;
- each needle has a blunt end for preventing septum coring;
- and,
- at least one of the needles has a side port, thereby substantially preventing fluid carryover.
In a valve assembly for supplying a fluid specimen and having an input flow line, an output flow line and a process valve with an inlet port receiving fluid from the input flow line and a sampling port directing the fluid to a receptacle, the improvement comprising:
- an isolation valve connected between the sampling port and the receptacle for providing redundant shutoff, the isolation valve being in series with the process valve and the receptacle and including a round valving member rotatably adjustable in a continuum between a fully closed position and a fully open position;
- and wherein:
- the process valve includes an outlet port in flow communication with the sampling port and permitting fluid flow from the input flow line to the sampling port and the outlet port, the process valve including a round valving member rotatably adjustable in a continuum between a first position, and intermediate position and a second
- position and wherein:
- in the first position, the valving member connects the inlet port only to the output flow line;
- in the intermediate position, the valving member connects the inlet port to the output flow line and to the isolation valve;
- and,
- in the second position, the valving member connects the inlet port only to the isolation valve.
In a valve assembly for supplying a fluid specimen and having an input flow line, an output flow line and a process valve with an inlet port receiving fluid from the input flow line and a sampling port directing the fluid to a receptacle, the improvement comprising:
- an isolation valve connected between the sampling port and the receptacle for providing redundant shutoff;
- the process valve includes an outlet port in flow communication with the sampling port and permitting fluid flow from the input flow line to the sampling port and the outlet port;
- and the assembly further includes:
- a vent port;
- a flow passage extending from the sampling line to the vent port;
- and,
- a purge passage for flowing purging gas through the assembly, the purge passage being in flow communication between a source of purging gas and the sampling line and the vent port for purging the passage extending from the sampling line to the vent port,
- whereby substantially all residual fluid may be purged from the assembly.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.