Abstract: There is disclosed herein an automated sample preparation system for chemical assay of samples of materials. The sample preparation system includes a sample preparation chamber which includes a removable cup for taking to the location of solid or very viscous samples. The cup may be attached in sealing relationship to a cap through which extends various utilities such as a mixer/grinder to grind solid samples and mix non-homogeneous samples, a fill pipe to pump in liquid samples, an effluent pipe in the sump of the cup to allow pump of samples and solvents and a nozzle to allow liquids to be sprayed against the walls. A sample metering valve associated with the sample preparation chamber allows a known volume of sample to be isolated so that solvent may be pumped in to dilute the sample to a user defined concentration.

Abstract: There is disclosed a sample preparation chamber for a system for preparing samples of various compositions for assay by liquid chromatography. The sample preparation chamber is includes a container having a threaded cap and a threaded, lightweight, translucent plastic cup. A stirrer/grinder shaft driven by a motor and connected to a propeller/grinder passes through the cap. The cup has a sloped bottom with a sump region, and a fill/empty pipe passes through the cap and has its outlet at or near the sump. A nozzle/fill pipe arrangement allows the walls to be washed down as liquid is pumped into the cup. A second fill pipe with its outlet spaced up from the bottom of the cup is also used, and a sample metering valve having an inlet in said cup is present.

Abstract: An automated sample preparation system for chemical assay of samples of materials. The sample preparation system includes a sample preparation chamber which includes a removable cup for taking solid or very viscous samples to the sample preparation system. The cup may be attached in sealing relationship to a cap through which extends various utilities such as a mixer/grinder to grind solid samples and mix non-homogeneous samples, a fill pipe to pump in liquid samples, an effluent pipe in the sump of the cup to allow pumping of samples and solvents and a nozzle to allow liquids to be sprayed against the walls. A sample metering valve associated with the sample preparation chamber allows a known volume of sample to be isolated so that solvent may be pumped in to dilute the sample to a user defined concentration.

Abstract: An automated sample preparation system for chemical assay of samples of materials. The sample preparation system includes a sample preparation chamber which includes a removable cup for taking solid or very viscous samples to the sample preparation system. The cup may be attached in sealing relationship to a cap through which extends various utilities such as a mixer/grinder to grind solid samples and mix non-homogeneous samples, a fill pipe to pump in liquid samples, an effluent pipe in the sump of the cup to allow pumping of samples and solvents and a nozzle to allow liquids to be sprayed against the walls. A sample metering valve associated with the sample preparation chamber allows a known volume of sample to be isolated so that solvent may be pumped in to dilute the sample to a user defined concentration.

Abstract: A sample metering valve for both liquid samples and slurry samples with entrained gas bubbles. The sample metering valve for liquids is comprised of a piston with sample chambers formed in the side thereof said piston moving freely into and out of a cylinder having an aperture matching the size of the piston. Sealing is provided by a seal which has no dead volume which cold flows under a spring bias to maintain the seal under various operating conditions. The sample metering valve for slurry samples includes a syringe embodiment having separately moving piston and valve in a cylinder. The syringe valve sucks up sample with a piston, isolates the sample with the valve and compresses the entrained gas bubbles with the piston. Another embodiment uses three, three way valves which are coupled to a pump and a means to compress the sample.

Abstract: An automated sample preparation system for chemical assay of samples of materials. The sample preparation system includes a sample preparation chamber which includes a removable cup for taking solid or very viscous samples to the sample preparation system. The cup may be attached in sealing relationship to a cap through which extends various utilities such as a mixer/grinder to grind solid samples and mix non-homogenous samples, a fill pipe to pump in liquid samples, an effluent pipe in the sump of the cap to allow pumping of samples and solvents and a nozzle to allow liquids to be sprayed against the walls. A sample metering valve associated with the sample preparation chamber allows a know volume of sample to be isolated so that solvent may be pumped in to dilute the sample to a user defined concentration.

Abstract: A sample metering valve for both liquid samples and slurry samples with entrained gas bubbles. The sample metering valve for liquids is comprised of a piston with sample chambers formed in the side thereof said piston moving freely into and out of a cylinder having an aperture matching the size of the piston. Sealing is provided by a seal which has no dead volume which cold flows under a spring bias to maintain the seal under various operating conditions. The sample metering valve for slurry samples includes a syringe embodiment having separately moving piston and valve in a cylinder. The syringe valve sucks up sample with a piston, isolates the sample with the valve and compresses the entrained gas bubbles with the piston. Another embodiment uses three, three way valves which are coupled to a pump and a means to compress the sample.

Abstract: A sample metering valve for both liquid samples and slurry samples with entrained gas bubbles. The sample metering valve for liquids is comprised of a piston with sample chambers formed in the side thereof said piston moving freely into and out of a cylinder having an aperture matching the size of the piston. Sealing is provided by a seal which has no dead volume which cold flows under a spring bias to maintain the seal under various operating conditions. The sample metering valve for slurry samples includes a syringe embodiment having separately moving piston and valve in a cylinder. The syringe valve sucks up sample with a piston, isolates the sample with the valve and compresses the entrained gas bubbles with the piston. Another embodiment uses three, three way valves which are coupled to a pump and a means to compress the sample.

Abstract: There is disclosed a sample preparation chamber for a system for preparing samples of various compositions for assay by liquid chromatography. The sample preparation chamber is a container having a threaded cap and a threaded, lightweight, translucent plastic cup. A stirred/grinder shaft driven by a motor and connected to a propeller/grinder passes through the cap. The cap has a sloped bottom with a sump region, and a fill/empty pipe passes through the cap and has its outlet at or near the sump. A nozzle fill pipe arrangement allows the walls to be washed down as liquid is pumped into the cup. A second fill pipe with its outlet spaced up from the bottom of the cup is also used, and a sample metering valve having an inlet in said cup is present. The sample metering valve is used to isolate a known volume of the sample from the rest of the sample for release back into the cup after the remaining sample has been pumped to waste for purposes of diluting the known volume of sample to a known concentration.