초록 ▼

A modular vial autosampler has a storage area for vials containing samples to be analyzed and at least one modular sampling station. A vial transfer mechanism includes an arm having a gripper that lifts a sample vial from the storage section, and the arm moves it to a station for identification and

A modular vial autosampler has a storage area for vials containing samples to be analyzed and at least one modular sampling station. A vial transfer mechanism includes an arm having a gripper that lifts a sample vial from the storage section, and the arm moves it to a station for identification and then to a sampling station, and under central control activates the sampling station for obtaining a sample for analysis. The vial transfer mechanism gripper is movable in X, Y, and Z directions to capture and move a selected vial and includes an alignment guide for the vials. Potentiometers are used for providing signals indicating arm position and the control is provided with updated information for calibration of the potentiometers and also updated position information for the arm relative to a fixed home position is obtained.

대표청구항 ▼

1. In a vial autosampler having a plurality of vial holding stations and a robotic arm to carry a vial between the vial holding stations, a method of positioning the robotic arm relative to at least one of the vial holding stations comprising the steps of:providing a position reference feature dispo

1. In a vial autosampler having a plurality of vial holding stations and a robotic arm to carry a vial between the vial holding stations, a method of positioning the robotic arm relative to at least one of the vial holding stations comprising the steps of:providing a position reference feature disposed at a fixed location with respect to the autosampler; storing in memory a first nominal position for the at least one of the vial holding stations and a second nominal position for the position reference feature; measuring an actual position of the position reference feature; calculating a first difference between the second nominal position and the measured position of the position reference feature; calculating a corrected position of the at least one of the vial holding stations as a function of the first nominal position and the first difference; and positioning the robotic arm as a function of the corrected position.