Technicon Instruments Corporation

Alfa Laval Corporation Ab

Donald A Burns

Michael M Cassaday

Michael J Brand

Alexander M Saunders

Henry Fontanilles

Marvin Margoshes

Anthony F Buccafuri

Automatic dilution apparatus and method are provided, and are operable in conjunction with automated sample liquid analysis systems to automatically dilute sample liquids as supplied thereby to automated sample liquid analysis apparatus. One embodiment of the dilution apparatus operates to dilute the sample liquids by flowing the sample liquids from the analysis system sample liquid supply conduit, diluting the same, and returning the diluted sample liquids to the supply conduit for flow therethrough to the sample analysis apparatus for sample liquid analysis. Flow of undiluted sample liquids through the supply conduit is prevented attendant operation of the dilution apparatus. A second embodiment of the dilution apparatus operates to remove predetermined volumes of the sample liquids from the supply conduit, and to replace the same with like volumes of a diluent liquid; thereby diluting the sample liquids in the supply conduit for continued flow to the sample liquid analysis apparatus. Both embodiments of the dilution apparatus are operable on demand; and the second apparatus embodiment is additionally operable to dilute the sample liquids to a varying degree throughout a predetermined dilution range.

Dilution apparatus and method

A transport system is provided in which a plurality of samples are introduced into a carrier stream flowing through a conduit, whose inner surface is coated with an immiscible liquid film. The carrier stream can be a sequence of alternating gas and liquid segments which are in direct contact with each other and, thus, not encompassed by the immiscible liquid. Samples are introduced at various points along the conduit and, thus, the system allows for the collection and transport of samples from a plurality of remote locations to at least one central receiving station where they can, for example, be analyzed. Carryover between successive samples to be transported is effectively eliminated.

Sample transport system

A liquid substance is transferred from a first carrier stream to a second carrier stream. The transfer includes the use of a movable conveyor and the flow of a deposited volume of the first stream along a portion of the conveyor as a sheath stream.

Method and apparatus for solute transfer

Apparatus and method for obtaining a concentration gradient in a liquid sample analyzer including flowing a first liquid in a stream to fill a conduit, and continuing the flow of the first liquid along the conduit subsequent to the filling step. Combined with these steps is the step of changing the concentration of the first liquid by removing from the stream a predetermined varying volume of the first liquid and adding to the stream a predetermined proportional varying volume of a second liquid. There is also provided a method of serial dilutions of a liquid stream in a conduit by removal of a portion of the stream prior to each diluent addition for the purpose of conserving diluents which may be reagents.

Apparatus and method of fluid sample analysis

Apparatus and method for analyzing liquid sample comprising flowing a stream including a liquid continuously in a conduit, detecting a flow rate characteristic in the conduit and generating a signal in response thereto, and increasing, decreasing or maintaining, unchanged the flow rate of the stream in the conduit in response to the signal, the flow being increased or decreased by the flow into the conduit of another fluid without changing the concentration of the aforementioned liquid. The continuing flow of the liquid may be the flow of a segmented sample-reagent liquid, and the other fluid which is added may be a gas.

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Putnam Valley, NY, United States of America

Donald A Burns