Integrated, portable sample analysis system and method

A sample analysis method comprising:

• manually taking a fluid sample from an apparatus at a site;
• manually placing a first-portion of a fluid sample in a flip top cell viscometer having a first plate with a raised rail spaced from a surface of a second plate by a predetermined gap which, in conjunction with the raised rail constrains the fluid to the raised rail by surface tension when the rail is inclined;
• automatically analyzing the first portion of the fluid sample in the viscometer and providing a signal corresponding to the viscosity of the sample based on the velocity of the fluid moving along the raised rail due to gravity;
• manually placing a second portion of the fluid sample in a flip top cell spectrometer;
• automatically analyzing the second portion of the fluid sample in the spectrometer and providing one or more signals corresponding to physical properties of the sample;
• manually placing a third portion of the sample in a syringe;
• manually inserting a cartridge with a filter into a particle counter;
• manually inserting the syringe into a syringe pump,
• driving the syringe pump to deposit particles in the third portion of the fluid sample on the cartridge filter;
• determining a particle count;
• providing a signal corresponding to the particle count;
• manually placing a portion of the fluid sample on a cartridge;
• manually placing the cartridge in an x-ray analysis subsystem, x-raying the fluid and providing one or more signals corresponding to metals in the fluid sample;
• and
• automatically processing the signals corresponding to the viscosity of the sample, the properties of the sample, the particle count, and the metals in the fluid sample;
• and
• automatically generating a report at the site concerning the sample and its viscosity, properties, particle count, and metals.

An integrated, portable analysis case comprising in the portable analysis case:

• a flip top cell viscometer including:
• a first plate including a raised rail in communication with a first well the raised rail for receiving a first portion of a fluid sample manually deposited into the first well, and
• a second plate including a surface spaced from the rail by a predetermined gap which, in conjunction with the raised rail, constrains the fluid to the raised rail by surface tension when the rail is inclined such that the fluid flows along the rail by gravity to determine the viscosity of the fluid sample;
• a flip top cell spectrometer subsystem including:
• a first plate with a first window;
• a second plate with a second window aligned with the first window, and
• a predefined spacing between the first and second windows configured as a second well for receiving a second portion of the fluid sample manually deposited into a second well to determine properties of the fluid sample;
• and
• a processing subsystem responsive to the viscometer and the spectrometer subsystem and configured to provide a report concerning the viscosity of the fluid sample, and properties of the fluid sample.

An integrated, portable analysis case comprising in the portable analysis case:

• a flip top cell viscometer including:
• a first plate including a raised rail in communication with a well, the raised rail for receiving a first portion of a fluid sample, and
• a second plate hinged to the first plate and including a surface spaced from the rail by a predetermined gap which, in conjunction with the raised rail, constrains the fluid to the raised rail by surface tension when the rail is inclined such that the fluid flows along the rail by gravity to determine the viscosity of the fluid sample using sensors to determine the time it takes for the fluid to move along the rail;
• a flip top cell spectrometer subsystem including:
• a first plate with a first window;
• a second plate hinged to the first plate and with a second window aligned with the first window, and
• a predefined spacing between the first and second windows configured as a well for receiving a second portion of the fluid sample to determine properties of the fluid sample by spectroscopy after passing electromagnetic radiation passing through the first and second windows;
• a particle counter including:
• a particle cartridge including a filter, and
• a syringe pump configured to pump a third portion of the fluid sample loaded therein through the cartridge filter to count particles in the fluid sample;
• a x-ray analysis subsystem configured to x-ray a portion of the fluid sample present on a cartridge loaded into the x-ray analysis subsystem to determine the concentration of metals in the fluid sample;
• and
• a processing subsystem responsive to the viscometer, the spectrometer subsystem, the particle counter, and the x-ray analysis subsystem and configured to provide a report concerning the viscosity of the fluid sample, properties of the fluid sample, a particle count for the fluid sample, and the concentration of metals in the fluid sample.

A sample analysis method comprising:

• manually taking a fluid sample from an apparatus at a site;
• manually placing a first portion of a fluid sample in a flip top cell viscometer having a first plate with a raised rail spaced from a surface of a second plate hinged to the first plate by a predetermined gap which, in conjunction with the raised rail, constrains the fluid to the raised rail by surface tension when the rail is inclined;
• automatically analyzing the first portion of the fluid sample in the viscometer and providing a signal corresponding to the viscosity of the sample based on the velocity of the fluid moving along the raised rail due to gravity;
• manually placing a second portion of the fluid sample in a flip top cell spectrometer having a first and second hinged plates each with a window;
• automatically analyzing the second portion of the fluid sample in the spectrometer by spectroscopy after passing electromagnetic radiation through said windows and providing one or more signals corresponding to physical properties of the sample;
• manually placing a third portion of the sample in a syringe;
• manually inserting a cartridge with a filter into a particle counter;
• manually inserting the syringe into a syringe pump, driving the syringe pump to deposit particles in the third portion of the fluid sample on the cartridge filter;
• determining a particle count;
• providing a signal corresponding to the particle count;
• manually placing a portion of the fluid sample on a cartridge;
• manually placing the cartridge in an x-ray analysis subsystem, x-raying the fluid and providing one or more signals corresponding to metals in the fluid sample;
• and
• automatically processing the signals corresponding to the viscosity of the sample, the properties of the sample, the particle count, and the metals in the fluid sample;
• automatically generating a report at the site concerning the sample and its viscosity, properties, particle count, and metals;
• and
• wiping the raised rail of the flip top cell viscometer and the windows of the flip top cell spectrometer.

An integrated, portable analysis case comprising in the portable analysis case:

• a flip top cell viscometer including:
• a first plate including a raised rail in communication with a well, the raised rail for receiving a first portion of a fluid sample, and
• a second plate hinged to the first plate and including a surface spaced from the rail by a predetermined gap which, in conjunction with the raised rail, constrains the fluid to the raised rail by surface tension when the rail is inclined such that the fluid flows along the rail by gravity to determine the viscosity of the fluid sample using sensors to determine the time it takes the fluid to move along the rail;
• a flip top cell spectrometer subsystem including:
• a first plate with a first window;
• a second plate hinged to the first plate and with a second window aligned with the first window;
• and
• a predefined spacing between the first and second windows configured as a well for receiving a second portion of the fluid sample to determine properties of the fluid sample by spectroscopy using electromagnetic radiation passing through the first and second windows;;
• and
• a processing subsystem responsive to the flip top cell viscometer and the flip top cell spectrometer subsystem and configured to provide a report concerning the viscosity of the fluid sample, and properties of the fluid sample.