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US 5,433,120 AGranted
Sampling system for septum closed container
AssigneeTexas Sampling, Inc.
InventorsCharles R. Boyd, John D. Anderson
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
This invention relates to a sampling system for collecting a sample in a septum closed container. It provides for a reservoir of a predetermined volume which captures a sample and it further provides for routing of the captured sample from the reservoir to the septum closed container.
Claims15
In a sampling system for collecting a sample from a sample line into a septum closed container, the improvement comprising:
- a reservoir of predetermined volume integral with the sample line having a first end and a second end, the first end having a first three-way valve and the second end having a second three-way valve, the first and second valves having a first position wherein the sample is allowed to flow through the reservoir and a second position wherein the sample is diverted from the reservoir to the septum closed container;
- at least one dual-action pneumatic actuator for simultaneously moving the first valve and the second valve, said actuator having a first gas input port for actuating the actuator to move the first and second valves from the first position to the second position and a second gas input port for actuating the actuator to move the first and second valves from the second position to the first position;
- a four-way valve for selectively routing a pressurized gas between the first and second gas input ports to selectively position the first and second valves between the first and the second positions;
- means for diverting the captured sample from the reservoir to the septum closed container;
- and
- means for preventing overfilling of the septum dosed container upon failure of the first and second valves to move simultaneously.
3 more elements
A method for collecting a sample of a fluid from a sample line into a septum closed container, comprising the steps of:
- allowing the fluid to flow in the sample system, the sample system having:
- a reservoir of predetermined volume having a first end and a second end, the first end having a first three-way valve and the second end having a second three-way valve, the first and second valves having a first position wherein the sample is allowed to flow through the reservoir and a second position wherein the sample is diverted from the reservoir to the septum closed container;
- at least one dual-action pneumatic actuator for simultaneously moving the first valve and the second valve, said actuator having a first gas input port for actuating the actuator to move the first and second valves from the first position to the second position and a second gas input port for actuating the actuator to move the first and second valves from the second position to the first position;
- a four-way valve for selectively routing a pressurized gas between the first and second gas input ports to selectively position the first and second valves between the first and the second positions;
- means for preventing overfilling of the septum closed container upon failure of the first and second valves to move simultaneously;
- manipulating the four-way valve from a first position to a second position to capture the sample in the reservoir, to align the first end of the reservoir containing the captured sample with the septum dosed container, and to align the second end of the reservoir with a source of pressurized gas;
- and
- manipulating the four-way valve from the second position to the first position to allow the fluid to flow in the sample system.
5 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.