Method to supply a fluid sample to an analyzer
AssigneeSievers Instruments, Inc.
InventorsRichard D. Godec, Frank J. Silvester, Blaine R. Bateman
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Apparatus and methods for supplying a portion of a fluid stream and, alternately, a fluid of known composition and concentration to an analyzer are provided. The fluid stream is directed through a series of connected chambers formed in an integral housing. A sampling needle has an inlet in one of the chambers and an outlet in fluid communication with the analyzer. When desired, a tube or vial containing a known fluid may be inserted into a chamber containing the sampling needle, so that the known fluid will be supplied to the analyzer. A second needle provides ventilation to the vial to prevent the formation of a vacuum as the known fluid is drained from the vial.
Claims12
A method of operating a detector, said method comprising the steps of:
- (a) flowing a liquid sample along a first flow path between a fluid inlet and drain;
- (b) drawing a sampling portion of the liquid sample from the first flow path into the inlet end of a hollow sampling tube, said sampling tube having an inlet end in said first flow path and an outlet end outside said first flow path;
- (c) passing said sampling portion along a second flow path to the detector, said second flow path being defined by the hollow interior of said sampling tube, the outlet end of said sampling tube, and a conduit extending between said outlet end and the detector, to analyze the sampling portion;
- (d) alternately coupling a container containing a calibration liquid to said sampling tube such that the inlet end of said sampling tube is immersed in said calibration liquid, drawing a calibration portion of the calibration liquid from the container into the inlet end of the sampling tube, and passing said calibration portion along said second flow path to the detector to analyze the calibration portion.
A method of sampling a primary fluid stream comprising the steps of:
- (a) flowing said primary fluid stream into a housing which houses a sampling chamber and through the sampling chamber, the sampling chamber containing a hollow sampling needle having a fluid opening positioned in the path of the primary fluid stream in fluid communication with an analyzer, whereby a portion of the primary fluid stream is diverted through the hollow needle to the analyzer;
- (b) placing a container containing a known fluid of known composition and concentration and having a mouth with a frangible seal thereon, so that the hollow needle pierces the frangible seal to position the fluid opening of the hollow needle inside the container within the known fluid, whereby known fluid from the container, instead of the portion of the primary fluid stream, is diverted through the hollow needle along the same path as used by the diverted portion of said primary fluid stream to the analyzer;
- and
- (c) alternating steps (a) and (b).
A method for supplying to an analyzer a portion of a primary fluid stream diverted from a primary fluid flow path through a sampling chamber and, alternately, supplying a known fluid of known composition and concentration to the analyzer, said method comprising the steps of:
- (a) flowing said primary fluid stream into a housing which houses said sampling chamber and a hollow sampling tube, and diverting a portion of the primary fluid stream from said primary fluid flow path along a communication path to an analyzer by means of said hollow sampling tube positioned in the sampling chamber with a sampling tube inlet inserted into said primary fluid stream and a sampling tube outlet in fluid communication with the analyzer;
- (b) positioning the container containing the known fluid relative to said housing so that the sampling tube inlet is inside the container and within the known fluid, whereby known fluid from the container, instead of the portion of the primary fluid stream, is diverted through the hollow sampling tube along the same communication path used by the diverted portion of said primary fluid stream to the analyzer;
- and
- (c) alternating steps (a) and (b).
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.