초록 ▼

An automatic analyzer system including transport means for moving sample racks within the system. In order to simplify and reduce the cost of the means for transporting the sample racks the system comprises (a) a rack supply unit capable of containing sample racks, said rack supply unit including (a

An automatic analyzer system including transport means for moving sample racks within the system. In order to simplify and reduce the cost of the means for transporting the sample racks the system comprises (a) a rack supply unit capable of containing sample racks, said rack supply unit including (a.1) a rack input device for introducing sample racks into the rack supply unit, (a.2) a rack output device for removing sample racks from the rack supply unit, (a.3) a buffer unit for storing unprocessed racks before they are transferred from said rack supply unit to a position corresponding to an analyzer unit, and for storing also already processed racks which contain samples having a probability of being reexamined, and (a.4) means for moving a sample rack from said rack input device and from said rack output device to said buffer unit and vice versa; (b) at least one analyzer unit for testing an analysis item of a sample sampled from a sample container (91) contained in a sample rack, said buffer unit being so arranged as to be interposed between said rack input/output devices (13, 14) and said at least one analyzer unit (21, 31); (c) a single transfer line for moving a sample rack from said buffer unit to a position corresponding to said at least one analyzer unit and for moving said sample rack from said position back to said buffer unit; (d) means for moving said sample rack in opposite senses along said single transfer line, and (e) means for directing a sample rack from said rack input device and said rack output device to said buffer unit and vice versa; and (f) means for directing a sample rack from said buffer unit to said at least one analyzer unit and vice versa.

대표청구항 ▼

An automatic analyzer system including transport means for moving sample racks within the system. In order to simplify and reduce the cost of the means for transporting the sample racks the system comprises (a) a rack supply unit capable of containing sample racks, said rack supply unit including (a

An automatic analyzer system including transport means for moving sample racks within the system. In order to simplify and reduce the cost of the means for transporting the sample racks the system comprises (a) a rack supply unit capable of containing sample racks, said rack supply unit including (a.1) a rack input device for introducing sample racks into the rack supply unit, (a.2) a rack output device for removing sample racks from the rack supply unit, (a.3) a buffer unit for storing unprocessed racks before they are transferred from said rack supply unit to a position corresponding to an analyzer unit, and for storing also already processed racks which contain samples having a probability of being reexamined, and (a.4) means for moving a sample rack from said rack input device and from said rack output device to said buffer unit and vice versa; (b) at least one analyzer unit for testing an analysis item of a sample sampled from a sample container (91) contained in a sample rack, said buffer unit being so arranged as to be interposed between said rack input/output devices (13, 14) and said at least one analyzer unit (21, 31); (c) a single transfer line for moving a sample rack from said buffer unit to a position corresponding to said at least one analyzer unit and for moving said sample rack from said position back to said buffer unit; (d) means for moving said sample rack in opposite senses along said single transfer line, and (e) means for directing a sample rack from said rack input device and said rack output device to said buffer unit and vice versa; and (f) means for directing a sample rack from said buffer unit to said at least one analyzer unit and vice versa. hod of claim 2, further comprising the steps of providing an electrode formation device, moving the mixture batches into the electrode formation device, and tracking the location of the mixture batches into the electrode formation device with the computer. 4. The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of identifying the weight of the second mixture batch, defining a desired target batch weight; calculating a target weight for a third mixture batch, the third target weight being equal to the target batch weight added to the difference between the weight of the second mixture batch and the target batch weight; and forming a third mixture batch of base metal and master alloy having the target weight. 5. The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of identifying a target weight for the base metal in a mixture batch and forming a third batch of base metal having a weight; the weight of the third batch of base metal being equal to the target weight added to the difference between the weight of the base metal in the second batch and the target weight. 6. The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of defining a target batch weight, and creating a third mixture batch having a weight; the average weight of the second and third batches being substantially equal to the target batch weight. 7. The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of: identifying a target weight for the batches of base metal; rejecting a batch of base metal if its identified weight exceeds the target weight. 8. The method of claim 7, further comprising the step of reusing the rejected batch of base metal. 9. An apparatus for compounding a base metal with a master alloy and forming an electrode with the compound; the apparatus comprising: a first scale; a supply of base metal adapted to deliver base metal to the first scale; a second scale; a supply of master alloy adapted to deliver master alloy to the second scale; a computer in communication with the first and second scales; the computer being adapted to identify the weight of the material in the scale and to store and track the weight; a mixing conveyor adapted to be moved between a plurality of positions; the mixing conveyor having a plurality of distinct containers; the distinct containers of the mixing conveyor adapted to selectively receive material from the first and second scales; the computer being adapted to track the position of the mixing conveyor; a mixer adapted to receive material from the mixing conveyor; and an electrode formation device adapted to receive material from the mixer. 10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the mixing conveyor is adapted to receive distinguishable batches; the computer adapted to identify and track the batches on the mixing conveyor. 11. The apparatus of claim 9, further comprising means for controlling the weight of material delivered to the mixing conveyor. 12. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the scale includes a first outlet and a second outlet; the first outlet adapted to deliver material to the mixing conveyor; and the second outlet in communication with means for recycling the material received from the second outlet. 13. The apparatus of claim 9, further comprising a briquetter adapted to receive material from the mixer; and an electrode formation device adapted to receive material from the briquetter. 14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the electrode formation device is in communication with the computer; the computer being adapted to track the location of batches of material along the mixing conveyor and the electrode formation device. 15. A method for compounding a base metal with a master alloy and forming an electrode from the compound; the method comprising the steps of: (a) providing a first quantity of the base metal; (b) providing a first quantity of the master alloy; (c) creating a first batch of the base metal with a portion of the first quantity of the base metal; (d) identifying the wei