Coulter Electronics, Inc.

Particle Technology, Inc.

Howard E Tucker

Walter R Hogg

Robert E Auer

James A Corll

A method and apparatus for simultaneous optical measurement of several characteristics of each particle of a group of small particles while the particles are suspended in a liquid. The apparatus includes a sample passage structure through which the particles pass, and a first optical detector structure which receives light from the sample passage structure. The sample passage structure and detector are aligned one with respect to the other. The output of a source of light is directed to the sample passage structure by an alignment device which aligns the light and the sample passage structure. A second optical detector receives the light passed by the sample passage structure. The second detector includes a converging lens and a photodetector so positioned with respect to one another that the light pattern at the detector due to the passage of a particle through the sample passage structure will maintain a substantially constant intensity notwithstanding movement of the sample passage structure, particle or the light.

Method and apparatus for simultaneous optical measurement of particle

Liquid sampling apparatus including a sampling head incorporating a floating pressure seal effected by a positive pressure introduced into an open top sample container in which the sampling head is telescopically introduced. The liquid sampling apparatus includes a compartment having at least an entrance, a cover slidable within said compartment and the sliding cover carrying the sampling head. The sliding cover has a depending shield capable of closing off the entrance to the compartment when the assembly head is therein introduced. The floating pressure seal is defined by a mounting ring seated in a suitable passageway formed in the cover. The mounting ring has a central aperture and a plunger is slidable within said aperture, one end of the plunger being threaded and having an adjusting ring threadably engaged thereupon for limiting the extent of free movement of the plunger relative to the mounting ring. The other end of the plunger has an enlarged head or piston. The mounting ring and the plunger have facing tapered surfaces defining a groove and an expandable O-ring is seated therewithin. A pair of parallel conduits are provided passing through the plunger and piston. One of the conduits is coupled to a source of positive pressure and the other leads to a destination for the withdrawn sample. The open top sample container is coupled to the sample head and both are introduced into the compartment. A positive pressure is introduced to the sample container which first forces the piston upwards to expand the O-ring establishing a pressure-type seal between it and the inner wall of the vessel. The positive pressure is increased to force liquid from the container.

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Los Alamos, NM, United States of America

Howard E Tucker