Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
3~
This invention relates generally to apparatus
which utilizes vessels, valves and connecting conduits
for the intermixing and/or dilutin~ of fluids primarily
for the purpose of making measurements and tests upon
said fluid. More particularly, this invention is ~;
advantageously employed with the type of automatic
analysis instrument such as disclosed in unlted States
Patents ~os. 3,549,994 and 3,567,390 which employs the
COulter particle analyzing principle disclosed in United
States Patent No. 2,656,508.
In Patent No. 3,976,~29, a backwash s~stem was
provided, including a dispensing cylinder and valve
arrangement for directing diluent as a backwash from a
source to a samplin~ valve utili~ed to make dilutions and
then to a sampler in a form of an aspirator tube introauced
into a ~luid, and a vessel was provided for catching the
backwash fluid. Means were provided for aspirating the
.:~ ' ~:
backwash fluid to waste. The vessel and the aspirator
tube were positioned one relative to the other to enable
` 20 the backwash to be received in the vessel only when
diluent was dispensed as backwash. One of the aspirator
tube and collector vessel was returned to its so-called
~` normal condition relative the other either by movement
of the tube relative to the collector vessel, or by movement
- 25 of the collector vessel relative to the tube. Suitable
~ controls were provided to assure that the backwash occurs
,.' ~
- 2 -
3:~
only when the tube and vessel were in a relative relationship
to receive -the backwa$h.
One structure described in the last-mentioned
patent comprises a receptor vessel in the form of hollow,
segmentally configured vessel having an inlet opening in
one wall thereof. The vessel was mounted pivotally for
selective limited rotation about an axis taken through a
corner thereof. Gears were provided to effect pivotal
movement of the vessel about the mounting axis to align
the inlet opening with the aspirator tube so that back-
washed diluent could be delivered from the aspirator tube
to the inlet opening. The backwashed diluent received in
the collector vessel was removed therefrom by drawing a
vacuum upon the vessel, the line leading to a waste container
1~ distant from the apparatus.
Some problems have been encountered during use of
said backwash system. One problem involves the manipulation
of the receptacle from an inactive to a backwash receiving
condition. The inIet opening of the receptacle had to
be placed into a disposition proximate to the delivery end'
of the aspirator tube but was spaced therefrom~ Thus in the
course of delivery, some splashing would occur. ~ot only was
there a chance that some delivered fluid would be lost but
the problem of contamination of the environment is present.
This is of particular disadvantage where the contents include
: contagions such as, for e mpl-, hepatitis causing organisms,
:. .. .
~1'7~
possibly corrosive or chemically active fluids.
In the last mentioned patent, vaGuum was only
utilized to draw the backwash from the receptacle or
collector vessel to a waste container. It also is
important to provide means to establish a sealed coupling
between the delivery end of the probe and the receptacle,
and further, to provide means to assure that the backwash
be effected only when a sealed connection has been effected
between the delivery end of the aspirator tube and the
means provided to receive the backwash fluid and the
residual material driven out thereby.
AccOrdingly, the invention provides a backwash
system capable of being operationally coupled for use with a
diluting syst0m of the type including probe means ~hich
inClude a probe havincJ a combined intake and delivery end,
a source of diluent and conduit means linking said diluent
source to said pro~e means, and said backwash system arranged
to pass diluent as rinse fluid from the source thereof to
and through the delivery end of the probe along the path
taken during intake but in a direction opposite thereto at
: a predetermined stage in the operation of the cliluting
system, and a receptacle vessel for receiving the ~ackwashed
li~uid f.rom the probe means, means carried by one of said
receptacle vessel and probe means to establish a sealed
engagement therebetween, means mounting said probe means and
said receptacle vessel for relative movement along a
4 -
.; .
,.,, . .
~L731.~
predetermined path between a location displaced from the
delivery end o~ said probe means and a location engaging
the delivery end of said probe means in a sealed coupling .
therewith, means defining said path of movement and drive :~
means reciprocably moving at least one of said receptacle
vessel and probe means along said path of movement.
The preferred embodiments of this invention now
will be described, by way of example, with reference to the
drawings accompanying this specification in which:
FIGURE 1 is a diagrammatic representation of one
diluting system having the improved backwash system of the
invention associated therewith;
FIG~RE 2 is an elevational view o~ the collecting
apparatus employed in the backwash system according to the
invention; :.
FIGURE 3 is a side elevational view of the backwash
colle~ting apparatus o~ FIGURE 2 diagrammatically
illustrating the operation thereof;
FIGURE ~ is a dia~rammatic partially exploded
representation of the carrier, collector vessel and guide
means used in the apparatus of FIGURES 2 and 3;
FIGURE 5 is a dia~rammatic representation of a
: modified diluting system having the improved backwash system
of the invention associated therewith;
FIGURE 6 is a diagrammatic representation of a
further embodiment of the improved backwash system;
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FIGURE 7 is a diagrammatic representation of
another embodiment of the improved backwash system; and
FIGURE 8 is a diagrammatic representation of a
; further modified embodiment of the invention.
At the outset it would be convenient to outline
the general scheme of the system of the invention by
explalning the functions which are performed.
A fluid sample is obtained in any convenient
manner. An aspirator sample probe is introduced into the
~ample and a quantity of the sample drawn into a first
;' portion of the fluid transfer valve of the system. The
` valve operates to segment a minute measured part of the
sample therein and such part is diluted with a predetermined
quantity of diluent. The resulting suspension is
transferred with the added diluenl then to a testing apparatus
wherein one or more tests or operations can be per~ormed
thereon. In the system of U.S. Patents 3,549,994 and
3,567,390 a portion of a first diluted solution is taken
~, ,
from the first testing apparatus to the valve and dirested,
with a precise volume o~ diluent, into a second testing
apparatus. Subsequent to segmentation and transfer, the
` valve is returned to its initiate or "sampling" positio~O
'.`.
The backwash system herein described can be
employed in another diluting system wherein a pair of
different dilutions can be formed from the sample of whole
blood by measuring and combining with diluent different
volumes of said sample. These dilutions can be effected
- 6 -
.
- . .. . ~.- ., .. ,~ .
at the same time, with the sample and diluent units being
directed simultaneou~y respectively to the pair of testing
locations. The trans~er valve returns to its initiate
position and backwash therethrough can be effected.
With the last mentioned diluting system, only one
backwash pump need be used for delivering rinse li~uid
to the two measuring portions of the valve simultaneously.
In the system described, the sample consisted of
whole blood. The blood sample tended to remain in the
sample probe, and in the sample receiving portion of the
transfer valve. Removal thereof Erom the sample probe
was dependent upon the great volume of the next sample
acting as a flushing agent. ;
Additionally, the fluid transfer valve also
reguired flushing to free same from the residual portions
of the older sa~ple whereby to prevent partial mixing
or carry-over o~ successive samples. Obviously, carry-over
of a part of a preceding sample may result in error,
particularly if there is much different in characteristics
between samples.
Referring to Figure l, there is illustrated
diagrammatically a diluting system. A control or fluid
transfer valve for the careful measurement of the sample
is designated generally by the reference character 10.
valve 10 is formed of three elements, an intermediate or
center element 14 movable with respect to stationary outer
- 7 -
73~ t
elemen-ts 12 and 16. The elements 12, 14 and 16 are
arranged coaxially. The sandwiched or central element 14
is a care~ully made and highly accurate structure having
conduits P-9 and P-10, each on opposite sides of a central
axis about which it is adapted to rotate. Each of these
conduits is designed to carry a precise quantity or volume
of some fluid, and upon movement between positions, there
being two such positions, will slice off or subtend within
itself the said volume of fluid and pass it or transfer it.
This function is represented by the dashed lines showing
the alignment of the conduits P9 and P10 with others carried
by the stationary sandwiching members 12 and 16 of the
valve 10. Although represented in the figure as a block
ox rectangular configuration, the valve 10 consisting of the
elements 12, 14 and 16 preferably is cylindrical in
configuration. The fluid transfer operation of valve 10
herein shall be described by reference only to the fluid
- passage means defined in the valve by which the trans~er is
effected and the respective dilutions made, schematically
shown in rectan~ular configuration.
The outer members 12 and 16 are fixed relative
to one another and each is provided with two pairs of ports
or passageways. These are designated Pl, P2, P3 and P4 in
element 12 and P5, P6, P7 and P8 in element 16. When the
center element 14 is in one position, say the first pOSitiOn,
the left-hand conduit or passageway P9 is aligned with the
passageways Pl and P5 at the same time that the right-hand
73~
conduit or passageway P10 is aligned with the passageways P3
and P7. Rotation o~ the center element 14 brings the
- passageways P9 and P10 to the positions represented by the
dashed lines. Further flow between the passageways Pl and
P5 is blocked as is further flow between the passageways
P3 and P7. The passageway P9 is aligned with passageways
P2 and P6 and the passageway Plo is aligned with
passageways P4 and P8.
Rotation of the center element 14 is effective to
slice or subtend a precise volume of fluid out oE one
path and enable it to be inserted into the other path while
blocking off the first path. This is done in both positions
of the transfer valve 10.
In one system illustrated herein as an example of
a diluting system in which the bac]~wash system of the
~ invention can be usefully employed, the various fluid lines
t are described hereinafter for convenience, since the described
system is only an example of the environment and does not
form a part of the invention herein.
~luid line 20 connects from the passageway Pl to
the normally closed conduit 22 of pneumatically operated
pinch valve 24, functioning as a sample control valve.
Conduit 26 leads by way of line 28 of Y 29 to the sample
pump which is shown in the form of a diaphragm type pump 30
or which can be an aspirator cylinder. Where a diaphragm
type or other positive displacement pump is used, there is
a lead to a source of alternating vacuum and pressure for
_ g _
~73~9~
operating the pump. Line 32 of ~ connection 29 leads to
normally open conduit 34 of pinch -~alve 2~. Conduit 34 is
coupled to waste W by line 36. ;
The diaphram pump 30 and actuator 108 of valve
24 are coupled by lines 109 and 107 to the aspirator
logic part of the overall program of the system.
Fluid line 38 connects from the passageway P2 to
; the line 90' of the diluent pinch valve 40.
Fluid line 42 connects from the passageway P3 to
the fluid line 38 at point 42'. ~
Fluid line 44 connects from the passageway P5 to ;
the sample probe or aspirator tube 48. Note that the
delivery end 48' of probe 48 is adapted to dip into a sample
source vessel 50 (broken outline). The vessel 50 is of any
suitable construction and is withdrawn or otherwise removed
when the requisite ~uantity of the sample has been
aspirated therefrom.
Fluid line 52 connects from the passageway P6 to
. . . ~ ~
` mixing vessel 56 for the testing apparatus T-l.
; 20 Fluid line 60 connects from mixing vessel 56 to
the passageway P8 and is sometimes called a thief.
Fluid line 62 connects from the passageway P7 to
r mixing vessel 66 ~or the testing apparatus T-2.
Fluid line 70 connects from the passageway P4 also
to line 20 and to the normally closed conduit 22 of sample
control pinch valve 24D ~:
..
:- - 10 -
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Fluid line 72 leads from the normally closed ;
conduit line 74 of control valve 76 to connect with line 20
at point 20' for diluent delivery.
Fluid line 78 leads from the diluent supply 80 to
the normally open conduit 8~ of the pneumatically operated
pinch valve 76. Conduit 96 leads by way of line 102 of -
Y 97 to a backwash dispenser which is shown in the form
o~ a diaphram type pump 84 or, which can be a dispensing
cylinder. If a diaphram pump or other positive displacement
pump is used, there is a lead to a source of alternating
vacuum and pressure for operating the pump. Line 104 of Y
connection 97 leads to a normally closed conduit 74 of
control valve 76.
The valve 24 has an intermediate condition where
both conduits 22 and 34 are closed before the normally
closed conduit 22 is opened. This operational characteristic
~:; :~ .
assures clean separation during the operation of the -~
valve 24.
Diluent pump 88 is connected by the lines 90 and
92 to the pinch valve 40. Pinch valve 40 may be identical
in construction to pinch valves 24 and control valve 7~.
As mentioned, ~luid line 38 is coupled to the normally
closed conduit 90' of pinch valve 40. A fluid line 94
is coupled to the normally open conduit 92' from diluent
supply 80. Fluid lines 90 and 92 of Y connection 93
couple valve 40 to diluent pump 88 by way of line 95O
Pump 88 is operated by pressure arrangement 88'.
.
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3~.~
The sample and diluent pumps may be of any
construction, but preferably are chambers having positive
displacement means therein moving from end to end to
displace a volume of fluid. Each pump draws into itself
the same volume of fluid it is capable of pushing out.
Pump 88 may comprise a flexible diaphragm pump
~` pneumaticall~ operated by a source of alternating vacuum
and pressure~ It has been found that a displacement pump
is satisfactory which comprises a chamber having a solid
rod reciprocably driven through a seal with said chambex
by an air c~linder, said cylinder being driven by
introduction of pressurized air alternatively directed to
either end of the cylinder, is satisfactory.
The pump can include a spring to effect the
return stroke which results in int:roduction of fluid into
the last vacated chamber.
The improved backwash system o~ the invention
is designated generally by reference character 100. The
system 100 is capable of use with the diluting systems as
described above and to other fluid moving systems, and is
, coupled operationally to the diluent supply 80. Line 78
leads from the diluent supply 80 to normally open conduit 82
of backwash fluid control valve 76. Conduit 82 is coupled
to one arm 96 of Y 97, with the leg 102 connected to
dispenser 84. The other arm 104 of Y 97 is coupled to
; normally closed conduit 74 of control valve 76 and connects
by line 72 to passageway P-l o~ transfer valve 10
- 12 -
3~L~
The cylinder 72 is controlled by the operation
of a solenoid operated valve 97' to effect raising of the ~`
piston 204 and plunger 170. The carrier 132 is pivoted
to cause the receptacle 110 to be moved first outward.
The carrier then is raised to cause the receptacle to be
brought to a sealing coupling with the de livery end of
the aspirator tube 48.
At the same time, valve 99' enables a vacuum to
be drawn on the passage 120 of receptacle 110. Check
switch Sl controls a solenoid valve 98 which controls ~-~
the operation of pump 84 and, as well, operates to control
operation of valve 99 to enable flow to waste. After a
suitable elapse of time, the switch Sl is scanned
electronically, to sense if it is open or closed. If open,
it indicates failure of the sealed connec-tion between tube 4~3
and cup 110 to be established as a high vacuum is ~lrawn
to operate and close switch Sl when a sealed engagement
of receptacle and probe (tube) is established.
when proper seating is established, solenoid
;~ 20 operated valve 98 is energized, causing the pump 84 to
operate to cause rinse liquid to be dispensed; also, valve 99
is open0d to enable flow to waste. De0nergizing solenoid
operated valve 97' causes the receptacle to be retracted
by reverse operation of piston 204.
It should be understood that where microswitch 220
is utilized, the effect of operation of switch Sl is met
by the operation of switch 220, switch Sl not being used
-- 13 --
.
i~73~9~
though it may be present in the system. Both switches 220
and Sl can be operative as a fail saEe device so that both
have to operate to effect backwash.
At this time attention is directed to the
collector vessel 110 and its mounting as illustrated in --
Figures 2 and 3. The collector vessel 110 has a body 112
of generally rectangular configuration. A recess 114 of
generally right-cylindrical configuration is formed in
` body 112 opening to the top wall 118 thereof. A bore 120 ~`
is formed through the body 112 communicating between the
, floor 122 of recess 114 and a fitting 124.
A generally cylindrical insert 126 of size and
; conforming configuration to recess 114 is tightly engaged
within the recess 114. The insert 126 preferably is formed
of a chemically resistant material such as one of the
~ . .
; silicone rubbers. Insert 126 has a conical recess 128
~, - and a through passage 130 at the bottom of recess 128. -
When the insert 126 is seated within recess 114,
, the passage 130 is coaxial with and sealingly co~municates
,:
with the entry to bore 120 of vessel 110, and the recess 128 ~-
opens to the top wall of vessel 110 with the insert flush
with said top wall. The base 126 of vesse] 110 is angular
to facilitate seating of the vessel in carrier trough 132.
The carrier trough 132 is defined by planar floor
134 and a pair of upright paraliel side walls 136 and 138
The ~loor 134 extends outward of the walls 136 and 138 to
define ledge 140. The opposite end of trough 132 is rounded
' 1~ ,
: . :
1~173:~
as shown at l~i2, with the floor 134 spaced inward of the
near ends of side walls 136 and 138.
Clevis block 144 is fixedly secured to the trough
132 between walls 136 and 138 thereof adjacent rounded
portion 142. coaxial passages 146 are formed in walls 136
and 138, with bore 148 (Figure 4) formed through clevis
block 144. A pin 150 is tightly seated through t~e said
coaxial passages and bore 148, opposite ends 152 of pin
150 extending outward from the walls 136,138 when the
lQ clevis block 144 is installed.
Clevis block 144 includes spaced wall portions 154
capable of accommodating clevis 156 therebetween. A pair
of aligned passages 158 are formed through walls 1~4.
Clevis 156 carries passage 160 which is aligned axially
with passages 158. Pin 162 is sea~ed through passages 158
and 160 to retain the clevis 156, Opposite ends 164 of
pin 162 extending outward on opposite sides of the clevis
:' ~
block . POrtion 166 of clevis 156 carries a threaded socXet
168 for receiving the threaded end of plunger 170 of air
cylinder 172.
Referring to Figures 3 and 4, guide plates 174 and
176 are arranyed upright and spaced apart by spacers 178,
180 and 182 and are secured fixed in such array by fastening
means such as screws 184 seated in threaded passageways 186
formed in the spacers 178,180 and 182 to define a frame. ~-
Each of the plates 174 and 176 carry a pair of grooves, 188
and 190 in plate 174, and 188' and 190' in plate 176.
- 15 _
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Grooves 188 and 188' are linear and have opposite ends
192,19~ and 192',194' respectively. GrOOves 190 and 190
are longer than grooves 188 and 188'. The grooves 190
and 190' have opposite ends 196,198 and 196',198'
respectively. Ends 196 and 196' are aligned and are spaced
by a distance equal to the axisl distance between pins 150
and 162. The distances between ends 194 and 198 and between ~-
ends 194' and 198' likewise are e~ual to the axial distance
between pins 150 and 162. Each of grooves 190,190' have
a curved portion 200 and 200' leading from ends 196,196'
to a location 202,202' from whence the grooves 190,190'
proceed along a line parallel to the grooves 188 and 188'
to ends 190,194'.
When the plates 174 and 176 are assembled to
define ~ frame, groove 188 and ~roove 190 run coextensive
with groove 188' and ~Jroove 190', with the ends 152 (of
pin 150) and 164 (of pin 162) seated therein, there~y
deFining a track along which the said pin ends can run.
Ends 152 of pin 150 are seated in the grooves 188jl88'
while the ends 164 o~ pin 162 are seated in grooves 190,190'. ;~
~s illustrated in Figures 2 and 3, plunger 170 is ;
secured to a piston 204 ridable within cylinder 206 which
carries inlet and outlet fittings 208,210 coupled to a
source of air pressure (not shown) through suitable valvin~
and controls related to the operations o~ the diluent
dispenser. The upper or free end is seated in clevis 214
by pin 216, clevis 214 formed on mounting member 218.
- 16 -
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The collector vessel 110 is secured within the
carrier trough 132 at the end thereof adjacent ledge 140
with the angular base 126 engaged on floor 134 so that
the axis of the recess is angular relative to the walls
136 and 128 of the trough 132.
During the time of the program of the apparatus
wh.ile the backwash cycle is inoperative, the trough 132
is recessed within the frame defined by the guide plates
174 and 176, the plunger 17Q of air cylinder 172 being
extended and the pin ends 152 seated at ends 192,192' of
grooves 188,188' and pin ends 164 seated near ends 196,196'
of grooves 190,190'. GrOOves 190,190' may be slightly
longer than necessary to provide some over travel ~ ;
capability for tolerance reasons. The inward travel of
trough 132 is halted when the ledge 140 strikes the
sur~ace to which spacers 180,182 are mounted. When the
backwash c~cle is reached, air pressure is introduced to -
the cylinder 206 of air cylinder 172 through inlet 208
forcing the piston 204 upward and carr~ing the plunger 170 :~
into the cylinder 206. Since the clevis 156 is secured to
~he clevis block 144 by pin 162, withdrawal of the plunger
170 pulls the pin ends 164 along the curved portions 200,200'
of grooves 190~190'~ with pin ends 152 remaining at ends
192,192' of grooves 188,188' and the trough 132 pivoting
about said pin 150 at said groove ends 192,192'. ~he pin
ends 164 will ride in curved portions 200,200' until a
location 203,203' (near location 202,202') is reached~
~73:~4
Continued withdrawal of the plunger 170 into cylinder 206
pulls pin ends 164 along the remaining portions o:E grooves
190,190'. ~t location 202,202', the pivotal movement of
the trough 132 slows, As the e}lds 164 travel up the : -
remaining portion of the curves, pivotal motion gradually
decreases as pin ends 152 gradually accelerate along grooves
:1.88,188 ' . The trough 132 is fully, outwardly angularly
extended relative to the guide plates 174,176. The vessel
110 is arranged below the delivery ena of the sample probe 48
with the passage 130 coaxial with the delivery end 48 ' of :
said sample probe 48.
Further continued withdrawal of the plunger 70
causes both pin ends 152 and 164 to move in unison until
they approach ends 194, 198 and 1941, 198 ' of grooves
188,188 ' and 190,190'~ Travel is halted by the action
ol~ the probe in the rinse cup and/or the engagement of
clevis 144 with the microswitch 220. Thus the delivery
end o:E sample probe 48 engages sealingly within the conical
recess 128 of insert 126 and a sealed connection is established :
to the bore 120 of said vessel. The continuing push of
the piston 204 upwards continues the firm seating of the
deli~ery end 48' against insert 126.
The diluent is discharged to the transfer valve 13
and backwashed through line 44 to sample probe 48 and
its delivery end 48 ' to the bore 120 and thence to a
waste depositary W. No splash occurs, of course, between
the delivery end of probe 48 and the collector vessel 110. ~-.
~ 18 -
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Only when backwashin~ is completed is air introduced into
cylinder 206 by way of outlet 210 forcing the piston 204
to move in an opposite direction and causing the plunger 170
to be forced outward of cylinder 206. The pin ends are
directed along the respective ~rooves retracing the same path
in return so that the collector vessel 110 is lowered first
and then the trough 132 is pivoted tc~ard the guide plates
174,176 to a retracted condition within the frame defined
thereby.
The spacers 180 and 1~2 ~erve as mounting block
means for the assembly of plates 174,176 so that the ~uide
plate assembly is installed upon the diluting apparatus at
a location whereat the full~ complet:ed path of the carrier
132 places the collector vessel 110 in correct position to
establish the sealed couplin~ with t:he delivery end of the
a~pirator tube 48 for the backwash cycle to be implemented.
Microswitch 220 can be installed instead of
vacuum switch Sl.
~he microswitch 220 can be seated within a
suitable recess 222 in the plate 174 with its actuator 224
seated in the path taken by clevis block 144. The actuator
224 is intercepted by block 144 when the carrier 132 of
collector vessel 110 has reached its position of extension
and has moved to place the pin ends 152 and 164 near the
uppermost ends of their respective tracks. At this time
the collector vessel 110 is capable of recei.vin~ the
delivery end 48' of the aspirator tube in a sealed
~ 19 _
3~
engagement in the conical recess 128 of insert 126.
A modified dilutirlg system with wihich the improved
backwash system of this invention can be employed has been
diagra~atically illustrated in Figure 4 and does not employ
a thief for directing a portion of the first dilution to
a segmenting portion of the transfer valve for making a
second dilution thereof. The required pair of different
dilutions are effected simultaneously by utilizing a transfer
valve 246 having passage means therein for isolating two
different volumes O~e sample at the same time. Thus only
a single pump is required to introduce rinse liquid as
backwash to one portion 256 of said passage means and from
there, the rinse liquid is directed through the other portion
254 of the valve 2~6 and thence, to the aspirator tube.
In order to avoid harmful e~Eects possible due
to surges of liquid, say due to temporary blockage in the
conduit means, for example, diverter means 248 are inserted
in the outlet path of the rinse liquid from valve portion 256.
The Elow oE rinse liquid is aplit into two flows, one being
led directly to the other measuring portion 254 of the valve
while the other is directed to the backwash receptacle 110
via the aspirator tube 48. The rinse liquid outlet of said
one portion 254 leads to valve 236 and thence to a
waste collector 252.
In the system of Figure 5, the solenoid 232 is
operated to switch valve 250 and effectively cause the carrier
132 first to be raised placing receptacle 110 outward, and
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then the carrier further is moved upward to seat insert 126
against end 48' of tube 48. When the sealed connection
between insert 126 and end 48' is made, switch 222 is
closed. closure o~ switch 222 operates solenoid 230 to
open normally closed valve 234. Valve 234 is coupled to
the output of valve 232. valve 234 also operates to open
both valves 236 and 242 simultaneously. These valves 236
and 242 must be open so that when the pump 240 is operated
by operation of valve ~38, the rinse liquid can pass to the
transfer valve 2460
Actuation o~ valve 234 causes valve 238 to operate
to dispense rinse liquid b~ actuating pump 240. The flow
emerges from one portion o~ the valve 246 and is split by
valve 248, one portion being directed to tube 48 and the
other being directed to the other measuring portion of the
valve 246 and thence back to valve 236 and waste 252. The
solenoid control valve 232 then operates to lower the
receptacle 110 and loads the pump 2ao with a volume of
rinse fluid. The system then is ready ~or ths next test.
Referring now to Figure 6, there is illustrated
a backwash system generally designated by reference
character 300 which differs from system 100 in that the
probe 302 is movable while the receptacle 304 is secured
to upright wall 306. The vessel 304 is constructed
substantially the same as that of vessel 110 having insert
126 seated in the recess 114 and passage 120 leading to
fitting 124 passing through aperture 308 formed in wall 306.
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There is provided a driven gear system 310
including gears 312 and 31~ arranged one above the other
and coupled by transfer gear 316. The axes 318 and 320
of said gears 312 and 314 are parallel and superposed with
the axis 322 of transfer gear 316 between and offset from
axes 318 and 320. Both gears 312 and 314 are mounted for
counterclockwise rotation. Connecting rod 324 couples
the pair of gears 312 and 314. Gear 312 carries a trip
lever 326 extending outward circumferentially therefrom.
Connecting rod 324 includes an extension 328 on which is
mountecl support 330 capable of accommodating probe 302.
When gear 312 is roated counterclockwise (see arrow
332), gear 314 likewise is rotated in the same direction
through gear 316. The microswitch 334 which includes
lS actuating lever 336 is identical to switch 220 in ~unction.
Upon the occurrence of the suîtable signal
desirlng backwash, the gear 312 is rotated 180 carryin~
the probe 302 to the condition represented by the broken
outline, designated 302'. The trip lever 326 engages the
actuating lever 336 of switch 334 which causes pin 224
to close switch 334. The fact of closure of switch 334 is
monitored and when confirmed, backwash is effected by
enabling the operatiOn of the pump 80 to drive rinse liquid
through the delivery end of probe 302 into receptacle 304.
Figure 7 illustrates, diagrammatically, a further
modified backwash system 350 which differs from systems 100 -
and 300 in that both the sample probe and the receptacle are
mobile simultaneously to effect sealed engagement of the
- 22 -
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~ - ~ ~
probe and receptacle.
Wall 306' is provided with openings 352 and 354.
A rack and pinion translation mechanism 360 is provided
to effect said simultaneous movement and consists of a
downwardly dependiny toothed rack 362 secured to the probe
support 358. The rack 362 is spaced inwardly ~rom one
end 358l of the support 358 while the probe 356 is located
adjacent end 358" of said support 358. The rack 362 is
oriented parallel to the probe 356.
Pinion gear 364 is arranged to mesh with rack 36
in a first condition at the lowermost end of said rack.
Carriage 366 is secured rigidly to pinion gear 364 and
has a free end 368 whereat receptacle 370 is secured~ At
the first condition of the rack and pinion mechanism 360,
the support member 358 is located ad-~lacent the upper end
of wall opening 352 and the carriage 366 is oriented
downward with the free end thereof at the level of the
lower end of opening 354 and adjacent thereto.
Rotation of the pinion gear 364 in a counter-
clockwise direction ~see arrow 372) causes the carriage 366
to swing in an angular direction indicated by arr~ 374,
placing the receptacle 370 in a second ~ondition where the
entrance 376 thereof is located below the delivery end
of probe 356 as shown in broken line representation.
Simultaneously with the angular motion o~ the carriage 366
and receptacle 370, the support member 358 is caused
to be translated in the direction of 378.
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.'
~73~
Linear movement of the rack 3G2 causes the
support member 358 to be translated downward, that iso
lowered to meet the receptacle, that is, to enga~e the
delivery end of probe 356 within the entrance 376 of
receptacle vessel 370 in the sealed coupling desired.
Microswitch 334' is located with its actuating
lever 336' in the path of end 358' of support member 358
so that the switch is triggered closed when a predetermined i;
distance of travel of said support member 358 has been
reached to confirm the establishment of the sealed coupling
of probe and receptacle vessel.
Referring to Figure 8, there is illustrated a
further modified embodiment 380 wherein the receptacle
is swung outwardly, as described in respect of system 100
and a second cylinder and plunger axrangement is provided
to move the probe toward the receptacle, instead o~
continuing the movement o~ the receptacle to establish the
sealed engagement as described in respect of the structure
illustrated in Figures 1 to 4.
A horizontally oriented support has sample
probe 384 seated at one end thereof oriented in a downwardly
direction. The plunger 386 of cylinder 388 is in extended
condition with the support 382 located at its raised condition,
shown in full line representatiOn. The cylinder, carriage
and receptacle are substantially identical with the
arrangement illustrated in Figures 2 to ~ except the portion
190' of the track 190 is not required to be present. Only
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1S17314
portions 200,203 and 202 are required.
When the cylinder 182 is operated to withdraw
plunger 180, the carriage 132 is moved swingably (arrow 387)
to the condition illustrated in Figure 1, The plunger 386 is ~;
withdrawn, causing the support 382 to be translated in the
direction of the arrow 390, toward and then into sealed
engagement within the insert 126 at the entrance to said
receptacle vessel 392~ The support end 382' engages
actuating lever 33~" of switch 334" when the full extent of
the path of said support 382 has been reached. At that
position, the delivery end of the probe and the receptacle
are sealingly engaged to permit actual backwash to be
ef~ected, as confirmed by the actuation of switch 33~".
It will be noted that ~he i:ranslation o:E the
movable one of said probe and receptacle or both, as
illustrated in Figures 6 to 8 can be a continuous movement
rather than one where there are stages, that is, one con~ition
proximate, and then further movement to the sealed engaged
condition. This is particularly the case in respect o~
Figures 6 and 7.
It also should be understood that the resilient
member described herein as an insert received with the
entrance to the receptacle, such resilient member could be
a ring or the like carried by the probe and adapted to be
received within the entrance to the receptacle to effect the
described sealed coupling therebetween.
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