Patent ID: 6040186
Filing Date: 2000-03-21
Classification: G01N,Y10T

Abstract:
A vial autosampler comprising selectable first and second modules, the first module being for sampling liquids and the second module being for obtaining gaseous samples, the modules supporting first and second vials, respectively, each vial being adapted to hold a sample therein;the vial autosampler further comprising a valve and conduit assembly including a first valve portion comprising a multi port selector valve having a valve block movable to selected positions to connect to ports including a first port connected by a conduit to the first module, and a second port connected through a second valve portion and conduits to the second module, the valve block having a channel that is movable to a position to be filled with a standard to thereby contain the standard; coupleable to the channel and movable to positions tothe channel in the valve block being connectable to the first port for permitting a liquid sample to be extracted from the liquid contained in the first vial in the first module and transferred with the standard contained in the channel through the second valve portion to a further analyzation instrument;the second valve portion being movable to a position to connect the channel to the second module;a third valve portion comprising a second multi port selector valve coupled to conduits forming portions of both the first and the second modules, and the second multi port selector valve being movable to positions to isolate the second gaseous sample module from the first liquid sample module and coupleable between a source of gas under pressure and a conduit used for the first module in a first isolation position and between the source of gas under pressure and a conduit used for the second module in a second isolation position, the first and second modules being fluidly isolated from each other in both isolation positions of the second multi port selector valve; andthe channel connectable to the first port and the liquid module also being connectable through the second valve portion to the second vial in the second module when the second valve portion is moved to a second position, and the second vial being connected to the analyzation instrument with the second multi port valve in its second isolation position.