Apparatus and method for transporting sample well trays
AssigneeApplera Corporation
InventorsJessica E. Barzilai, Donald R. Sandell
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An apparatus for transporting sample well trays with respect to a heating device is provided. The apparatus includes a sample well tray holder, a rotational actuator, and a biasing mechanism. The sample well tray holder includes a plate in which a sample well tray may be positioned. The sample well tray holder is configured to rotate about a first rotational axis. The rotational actuator is configured to rotate the sample well tray holder about the first rotational axis. The biasing mechanism is configured to urge the sample well tray holder in a generally upward direction along the first rotational axis.
Claims22
An apparatus for transporting sample well trays with respect to a heating device, comprising:
- a sample well tray holder comprising a plate for positioning a sample well tray therein, the sample well tray holder configured to rotate about a first rotational axis between a first position outside the heating device and a second position inside the heating device;
- a rotational actuator comprising a motor and a shaft attached to the motor, the rotational actuator being configured to rotate the sample well tray holder about the first rotational axis;
- and
- a biasing mechanism configured to urge the sample well tray holder in a generally upward direction along the first rotational axis,
- wherein the shaft attached to the motor is a spline shaft, the rotational actuator further comprising a spline bushing for engaging with the spline shaft so that the spline bushing is rotationally fixed but axially moveable relative to the spline shaft.
A robotic manipulator for transporting sample well trays between at least a first position outside a heating device and a second position inside the heating device, comprising:
- a robotic arm having a sample well tray holder configured to support a sample well tray therein, the sample well tray holder comprising a recess for receiving the sample well tray;
- a rotational mechanism configured to impart rotational motion on the robotic arm so as to rotate the sample well tray holder between the first position and the second position inside the heating device, the rotational mechanism comprising a motor;
- and
- a biasing mechanism configured to provide force on the sample well tray holder in a direction away from an adjacent sample block, wherein the biasing mechanism comprises at least one helical spring positioned partially surrounding a shaft of the rotational mechanism.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.