초록 ▼

A method and apparatus for automatic sample preparation and handling which includes a computer controlled arm capable of both rotary and vertical movement wherein the arm has disposed at the distal end thereof two different part acquisition tools. There is a vacuum cup capable of acquiring sample di

A method and apparatus for automatic sample preparation and handling which includes a computer controlled arm capable of both rotary and vertical movement wherein the arm has disposed at the distal end thereof two different part acquisition tools. There is a vacuum cup capable of acquiring sample disks, and there is a pair of tongs movable from a converged, non-engaging position to a diverged engaging position such that sample cups and/or weighted rings can be engaged on an inner surface thereof and lifted. A sample retrieval mechanism delivers individually retrieved samples from a sample magazine to a sample transport mechanism. The sample is then automatically positioned within a punch and a sample disk is punched therefrom. The computer controlled arm then automatically assembles the sample disk in a sample cup and delivers the assembled sample cup to a spectrometer or other downstream test device. When testing of the sample disk is completed, the computer controlled arm automatically reacquires the assembled sample cup from the spectrometer, disassembles the sample cup, and discards the tested sample disk.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] An apparatus for automatic sample preparation and handling for a spectrometer, said apparatus comprising:(a) a housing;(b) a sample magazine located within said housing, said sample magazine holding a plurality of samples forming a stack;(c) a sample acquisition system wi

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] An apparatus for automatic sample preparation and handling for a spectrometer, said apparatus comprising:(a) a housing;(b) a sample magazine located within said housing, said sample magazine holding a plurality of samples forming a stack;(c) a sample acquisition system within said housing, said sample acquisition system automatically acquiring an individual one of said samples from the stack of samples;(d) a sample transport system within said housing, said sample acquisition system delivering said individual ones of said samples to said sample transport system;(e) a punch mechanism within said housing, said sample transport system automatically positioning said individual ones of said samples of said stack in said punch mechanism, said punch mechanism automatically cutting a sample disk from each of said individual ones of said samples;(f) a sample assembly/disassembly arm mechanism for automatically acquiring said sample disks from said punch mechanism, preparing each of said sample disks in a sample cup, and delivering said sample cup to a spectrometer.