Sample chamber for laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy
AssigneeElectro Scientific Industries, Inc.
InventorsRobert Hutchinson, Leif Summerfield, Shane Hilliard, Jay Wilkins
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An improved sample chamber for laser assisted spectroscopy integrates valve mechanisms into the sample drawer, permitting the sample chamber to automatically bypass, purge and resume flow as the sample drawer is opened and closed to insert samples for processing. Integrating valve mechanisms into the sample drawer in this manner eliminates the need for external valves to be operated to bypass, purge and resume flow, thereby increasing system throughput and reducing system complexity.
Claims11
A sample chamber system including a sample chamber having an access opening adapted to have an open position to allow insertion of a sample into said sample chamber and to have a closed position in which said sample chamber is closed in a sealing manner, said system comprising:
- a first valve being configured to switch between open and closed states in direct dependence on change in position of the access opening such that said first valve is in the open state and a volume of said sample chamber is in gas flow communication with a source of a carrier gas when (1) the access opening is in transition between the closed position and the open position to cause outflow from the volume through the access opening, when (2) the access opening is in transition between the open position and the closed position to cause outflow from the volume through the access opening, and when (3) the access opening is in the closed position to provide the carrier gas over a sample in the sample chamber, and said first valve is in the closed state and the volume of the sample chamber is not in gas flow-communication with said source of a carrier gas when (1) the access opening is in the open position to permit placement of a sample in the sample chamber;
- and
- a second valve being configured to switch between open and closed states in direct dependence on change in position of the access opening, such that said second valve is in the open state and said volume of said sample chamber is in gas flow communication with a spectral analysis location when (1) the access opening is in the closed position to provide gas flow from the sample chamber to the spectral analysis location, and said second valve is in the closed state and said volume is not in gas flow-communication with said spectral analysis location when (1) the access opening is in the open position, (2) the access opening is in transition between the closed position and the open position to prevent contamination of the spectral analysis location, and (3) the access opening is in transition between the open position and the closed position to prevent contamination of the spectral analysis location.
A sample chamber for holding a sample in a gas flow separate from room atmosphere having a gas inlet port, and a gas outlet port comprising;
- an access port operative to permit access to said sample chamber and having first, second and third positions so that;
- when said access port is in said first position, said access port is operative to direct said gas flow from said inlet port to said outlet port while preventing said room atmosphere from entering said outlet port thereby providing bypass flow;
- when said access port is in said second position, said access port is operative to direct gas flow from said inlet port to said sample chamber and out through the access port while preventing said room atmosphere from entering said outlet port thereby providing purge flow;
- and
- when said access port is in said third position, said access port is operative to direct said gas flow from said inlet port to said sample chamber and then to said outlet port thereby providing restored flow.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.