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Sampling apparatusRelated Patent Categories: Pumps, Condition Responsive Control Of Pump Drive MotorSampling apparatus description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070110586, Sampling apparatus. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
TECHNICAL FIELD [0001] The invention relates to a sampling apparatus for introducing a liquid sample to a measuring unit. BACKGROUND ART [0002] The sampling apparatus is used for measuring a density or a refractive index of various liquid samples, such as sucrose for food materials, drink, alcohol, and gasoline, and etc. Some sampling apparatus are configured to automatically operate the cleaning and the drying of a measurement path, in addition to the introduction of a sample to a measuring unit. [0003] FIG. 8 illustrates an exemplified constitution of the sampling apparatus. The sampling apparatus is provided with a diaphragm type pump 301 for introducing a sample from a vessel 2 into a densimeter 1. At the start of introducing the sample, the pump 301 pumps dried air into the vessel 2, and thereby the liquid sample is discharged from the vessel 2 and introduced into the densimeter 1 through a pipe connecting the vessel and the densimeter 1. After the sample goes through the densimeter 1, it is delivered to an outside. The sample introduced into the densimeter 1 is measured, and then the pump 301 pumps cleaning agents and desiccants in the measurement path one after another. After cleaning and drying the measurement path, a next sample is processed in the same manner. [0004] At a site of controlling quality of petroleum products, the sampling apparatus measures plural kinds of samples, such as lubricating oil, light oil, or the like, in turns. Also at a site of quality control of the drink manufacturing, the apparatus measures finished-products and intermediate-products, such as juice, syrup of raw material of juice, and so on, in turns. [0005] In case of measuring the various kinds of samples in turns, it is usual that the samples to be introduced into the measuring unit differ greatly in viscosity. If the pressure to be given to a sample were not changed depending on the sample by means of the pump, the sample cannot be introduced in the measuring unit, or the sample can be extracted excessively. To make matters worse, the sample introduced into the measuring unit will include air bubbles, this could have a bad influence upon the measuring. [0006] The above-mentioned sampling apparatus is provided with a needle valve 302 and a switching valve 33 in order to adjust the air pressure sent from the pump 301 to the vessel depending on the viscosity of the sample. The flow rate of a suction path of the pump 301 is changed by the valves 302 and 303. If the viscosity of the sample is low, the switching valve 303 is closed. In this case, it is possible to set the flow rate to a very small value that is suitable for the sample, by means of a needle of the needle valve 302. If the viscosity of the sample is high, the large flow rate can be assured by opening the switching valve 303. [0007] As described above, it is possible to adjust the speed of extracting the sample from the vessel 2 by using the needle valve 302 and the switching valve 303. [0008] However, whenever the sample is changed, the setting of the valves 302 and 303 must be changed. If there are various samples, the changing operation is complicated. In addition, there is a possibility that a user makes an erroneous change or makes an unnecessary change. DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION [0009] In order to settle the aforementioned subjects of the prior art, the present invention has an object to provide a sampling apparatus by which various samples can be measured in a simple manner. [0010] To achieve the object, the invention employs following configuration. [0011] The sampling apparatus is configured to introduce a liquid sample by means of a peristaltic pump. A determining unit determines whether or not the sample is introduced into a measuring unit. To perform the determination, a limit sensor can be used, which is provided to a path for discharging the sample from the measuring unit. At using the limit sensor, the determining unit performs the determination based on an output of the sensor and a time from the sampling start. Even after a specific time elapses from the start of the sampling, if the limit sensor does not detect the sample, the determining unit determines that the sample is not introduced. A control unit controls the peristaltic pump based on the determination result. When the determining unit determines that the sample is not introduced, the control unit controls the peristaltic pump to increase the sampling speed, for example. [0012] As described above, the invention is configured to control the peristaltic pump based on whether or not the liquid sample is introduced into the measuring unit, and this makes it possible to introduce properly and simply various kinds of samples into the measuring unit in turns while avoiding the excess sampling and the mix of bubbles. [0013] Embodiments of the invention are described hereinafter with referring to attached drawings. The following embodiments are examples that realize the invention, and do not limit the technical range of the invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0014] FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of a sampling apparatus in an embodiment. [0015] FIG. 2 is a sectional view explaining a nozzle and a sealing member of a vessel. [0016] FIG. 3 is a sectional view explaining a nozzle and another sealing member of a vessel. [0017] FIG. 4 is a diagram comparing the sampling time of the sampling apparatus of the present invention with that of a conventional sampling apparatus. [0018] FIG. 5 is another diagram comparing the sampling time of the sampling apparatus of the present invention with that of a conventional sampling apparatus. [0019] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a measurement result when pure water and oil are measured in turns by means of the sampling apparatus of the invention. [0020] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing each sampling amount. Continue reading about Sampling apparatus... Full patent description for Sampling apparatus Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Sampling apparatus patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Sampling apparatus or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Rotor blade for a wind turbine having aerodynamic feature elements Next Patent Application: Control unit for compressor Industry Class: Pumps ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Sampling apparatus patent info. IP-related news and info Results in 0.50619 seconds Other interesting Feshpatents.com categories: Accenture , Agouron Pharmaceuticals , Amgen , AT&T , Bausch & Lomb , Callaway Golf 174 |
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