Isco, Inc.

Teledyne Instruments, Inc.

Exmark Manufacturing Company, Inc.

Daniel G Jameson

Robert W Allington

Robin R Winter

Dale L Clay

Yoossef Tehrani

Dale A Davison

Henry L Walters

Robert Joseph Macomber

Justin L Pryor

Alex W Buhr

Jack E Silver

Jon L Curran

Ruth A Pipes

Stanton L Mapson

Dale L Meyer

Philip Bernard Liescheski, Iii

Clark S Papke

Phillip B Liescheski

Sang Pheng

Phillip Bearnard Liescheski, Iii

Dale Lee Clay

A soil penetrating apparatus having an automatic tool (e.g., aerator tine) depth control system and method. The system includes an actuator that sets and controls tine depth, a sensor that monitors tine depth, and a controller that controls the actuator in response to the sensor. In some embodiments, the actuator is a hydraulic actuator, wherein once tine depth is set, flow to the actuator is bypassed. A relief may be provided to allow the tines to lift to a shallower depth temporarily when soil hardness exceeds a threshold. The system may then automatically return the tines to the pre-selected depth once soil conditions permit.

Actuator assembly

Soil penetrating apparatus with depth control

A method and system is disclosed for streamlined purchase of consumable chromatographic columns and efficient instrument management. Purchase orders for chromatographic columns are entered into based on estimating usage for a fixed period. An initial partial shipment is made of tagged columns as the columns are used. An RFID transmits trigger signals until an order point is reached at which time a new partial shipment is made. This process is repeated until the end of the fixed period. A general control system is in wireless communication with a plurality of apparatuses to ensure prompt and accurate supply of consumables used by the apparatus. As the apparatus uses the consumables, the instrument management system sends indicia from the apparatus to the general control which controls and monitors the number of specific consumables sent to the apparatus.

Apparatuses and methods for wireless monitoring and control of supplies for environmental sampling and chromatographic apparatuses

A liquid chromatographic system includes columns, column mounting fixtures to which the columns are mounted, a detector, a collector, a controller and a plurality of RFIDs. A first RFID communicates with the controller and cooperating RFIDs mounted to other components provide information such as the history of components, parameters and the like. They also receive information from sensors relating to the operation of the liquid chromatograph, store the information and transmit it. Moreover, the RFIDs may substitute for hard wiring in many applications and may enable a central computer to control several liquid chromatographic system.

Apparatuses and methods for wireless monitoring and control of environmental sampling and chromatographic apparatuses

To provide performance particularly in handling supercritical extraction systems, a specially designed pump includes a cam-driven, single-plunger with a cam having a profile that enables the pumping system to avoid destructive reverse torque on the cam, gear train and drive motor after the cam passes top dead center. The plunger includes a seal having one side in contact with the supercritical fluid and a mechanism for supporting and aligning the piston on the other side of the seal to maintain the piston in alignment. The piston drive has Hertzian contact with the piston. The fluid volume leaving the pump is determined by measuring only pressure or other parameters related to flow and movement of the plunger. Measurement of the fluid volume leaving the pump is useful for recording or indicating the flow rate while the pump is operating.

Apparatus and method for super critical fluid extraction

A variable-orifice fluid restrictor for use with a supercritical extractor or chromatograph includes an inlet line for fluid at a pressure above its critical pressure, an extended tubular probe having an inner and an outer surface and a proximal and a distal end. The proximal end of the probe is disposed toward the inlet line. The distal end of the probe includes an adjustable orifice means adapted for metering the fluid and having first and second orifice members and an adjusting stem having first and second ends. The adjustable orifice means is adjacent to the outer surface of the probe and the orifice means is adjustable with the adjusting stem. The end of the adjusting stem is located at the distal end of the probe and is adapted for moving the first orifice member with respect to the second orifice member to control the adjustable orifice for varying the restriction of fluid passing through the adjustable orifice. The distal end of the probe is inside the collector and the adjusting stem extends outside of the collector.

Apparatus and method for supercritical fluid extraction or supercritical fluid chromatography

An apparatus for supercritical extraction is disclosed herein. The apparatus includes a plurality of containers adapted to hold a different one of a corresponding plurality of samples, a first transport means for carrying the plurality of sample containers, and a second transport means for transporting a selected container from the first transport means to a supercritical extractor. The supercritical extractor includes a heating means having a recess for receiving the selected container, means for passing fluid at a supercritical condition through the selected container, and a receiving means for receiving extractant from the selected container. A programming means is provided to control the first and second transport means.

Apparatus for supercritical fluid extraction

To collect analyte from a supercritical fluid extractor, the collector lifts vials into place by a biasing means that guides the file up to the restrictor where it is sealed. The vial can be moved back down from the collecting mechanism even if frost forms on the vial while the restrictor means remains stationary. This vial is held in place by a guide that contains the seal for sealing the vial when it is raised in place.

Apparatus and method for supercritical fluid extraction

A variable-orifice fluid restrictor for use with a supercritical extractor or chromatograph includes an inlet line for fluid at a pressure above its critical pressure, an extended tubular probe having an inner and an outer surface and a proximal and a distal end. The proximal end of the probe is disposed toward the inlet line. The distal end of the probe includes an adjustable orifice means adapted for metering the fluid and having first and second orifice members and an adjusting stem having first and second ends. The adjustable orifice means is adjacent to the outer surface of the probe and the orifice means is adjustable with the adjusting stem. The end of the adjusting stem is located at the distal end of the probe and is adapted for moving the first orifice member with respect to the second orifice member to control the adjustable orifice for varying the restriction of fluid passing through the adjustable orifice.

Apparatus and method for supercritical fluid extraction or supercritical

An automatic variable-orifice fluid restrictor for use with a supercritical extractor having a collection trap or a supercritical chromatograph includes an inlet line for fluid at a pressure above its critical pressure, an extended tubular probe having an inner and an outer surface and a proximal and a distal end. The proximal end of the probe carries an inlet connected to the inlet line and is outside of the trap. The distal end of the probe includes a variable orifice means adapted for metering the fluid. The variable orifice means is adjacent to the outer surface of the probe and is located in the midst of the trap. The variable orifice means is adjusted by an adjusting stem having first and second ends. The first end of the adjusting stem is connected to automatic control means such as a servo at the proximal end of the probe and outside of the trap. The second end of the adjusting stem varies the area of the orifice by moving a first orifice member. The stationary second orifice member cooperates with the first orifice member to form the orifice. The first orifice member moves axially when the orifice is closed and moves both axially and rotationally when the orifice is open or partially open. This cleans deposits from the orifice without damaging the orifice parts by high pressure notional physical contact.

To avoid deposits on the restrictor that channels extractant into a collector, a heated capillary tube pressure release restrictor, has a thermally insulated outlet end in a collecting trap substantially colder than the capillary tube. The restrictor is heated between the insulation and the capillary tube by Joulean heating. The solvent in the trap is at a pressure of 5 to 200 psi above atmospheric pressure. The thermal resistance of the insulation is selected to reduce the heat added to the extractant to a minimum and yet cause the temperature of the extractant to be in a range within which it is sufficiently hot so it does not freeze when added to the collection solvent but not so hot as to reduce partitioning of the extract and extractant before the extractant leaves the collection solvent. It has a thermal conductivity no greater than 60 BTU's per hour, per square foot, per inch for a one degree Fahrenheit difference.

To provide performance particularly in handling supercritical extraction systems, a specially designed pump includes a cam-driven, single-plunger with a cam having a profile that enables the pumping system to avoid destructive reverse torque on the cam, gear train and drive motor after the cam passes top dead center. The fluid volume leaving the pump is determined by measuring only pressure or other parameters related to flow and movement of the plunger. Measurement of the fluid volume leaving the pump is useful for recording or indicating the flow rate while the pump is operating.

To collect analyte from a supercritical fluid extractor, the collector lifts vials into place by a biasing device that guides the file up to the restrictor where it is sealed. The vial can be moved back down from the collecting mechanism even if frost forms on the vial while the restrictor remains stationary. This vial is held in place by a guide that contains the seal for sealing the vial when it is raised in place.

Apparatus and method for collecting analyte in supercritical fluid

In a piston pump for pumping liquid carbon dioxide at a temperature below 30 degrees Fahrenheit and pressures at least as high as 7500 psi, the volume leaving the pump is determined by measuring only pressure or other parameter related to flow and movement of the plunger. The position of the piston is measured and the resulting displacement is integrated to determine volume of fluid pumped.

Growing community of inventors

Lincoln, NE, United States of America

Daniel G Jameson