Patent ID: 8003048
Filing Date: 2011-08-23
Classification: G01N,Y10T

Abstract:
1. An automated standards sampling apparatus comprising systems for fluidically and electronically coupling an online flowing liquid sample to an analyzer inlet line that carries fluid to be analyzed to an analyzer, and for alternatively periodically coupling into the apparatus a plurality of standards vials contained in a standards vial assembly so as to individually deliver a portion from each of two or more vials in the standards vial assembly in a predetermined sequence to the analyzer inlet line, or instead to deliver a portion of another liquid to the analyzer inlet line, said systems comprising: (a) an analyzer inlet line; (b) a single functional stream selection element providing a plurality of stream selection fluid inlets, each being in fluid communication with a common interior region of the stream selection element and wherein the interior region of the stream selection element communicates with the analyzer inlet line of part (a); (c) an online sample inlet and an associated conduit for flowing an online flowing liquid sample into the apparatus and then to one of the stream selection fluid inlets when the apparatus is operating in an online mode of operation; (d) a standards vial receiving assembly comprising a plurality of vial receiving structures each sized and configured to accommodate a vial of a standards vial assembly, said receiving assembly comprising a keying feature that is keyed to a corresponding keying feature of a suitable standards vial assembly that prevents the standards vial assembly from being inserted into the receiving assembly unless the standards vial assembly is adapted to be used with the receiving assembly and is properly positioned for insertion; (e) a fluid connection system providing a separate connection from each of two or more standards vials of a standards vial assembly inserted into the receiving assembly to separate stream selection fluid inlets; and, (f) a computer information reading and control system capable of operating the fluid connection system so as to deliver either the online liquid sample or instead a sequence of individual portions from two or more standards vials of a properly positioned standards vial assembly to the analyzer inlet line in a predetermined sequence, or, optionally, to periodically deliver another liquid to the analyzer inlet line.