Abstract: A sample manager of a liquid chromatography system uses a sample tray having a base with side walls separated by a cross wall that divides the base into two compartments. The side walls and cross wall bound each compartment on three sides. A fourth side of each compartment is open. Each compartment is sized to closely receive a sample-vial carrier. Each compartment has a magnet affixed to a bottom surface at an edge of the open fourth side. Each of two drawers slides into the open fourth side of one compartment. Each drawer has a support surface with a magnet affixed at an edge of its bottom side, which aligns with the magnet affixed to the bottom surface of the compartment. The magnet of the drawer and the magnet of the compartment bias the drawer into its compartment when the magnets are brought into proximity of each other.

Abstract: Described is a self-sealing thermal enclosure. In various embodiments, the self-sealing thermal enclosure includes an enclosure having a wall with an opening. The enclosure is configured to surround a temperature-controlled environment. The self-sealing thermal enclosure also includes a porous seal disposed adjacent to the wall at the opening. The porous seal is compressible and is fabricated from an open cell foam material. When the porous seal has absorbed a fluid such as a condensate, the temperature-controlled environment is sealed from an ambient environment such that the flow of air into or out of the enclosure is substantially reduced or eliminated.

Abstract: A sample manager of a liquid chromatography system uses a sample tray having a base with side walls separated by a cross wall that divides the base into two compartments. The side walls and cross wall bound each compartment on three sides. A fourth side of each compartment is open. Each compartment is sized to closely receive a sample-vial carrier. Each compartment has a magnet affixed to a bottom surface at an edge of the open fourth side. Each of two drawers slides into the open fourth side of one compartment. Each drawer has a support surface with a magnet affixed at an edge of its bottom side, which aligns with the magnet affixed to the bottom surface of the compartment. The magnet of the drawer and the magnet of the compartment bias the drawer into its compartment when the magnets are brought into proximity of each other.

Abstract: Described is a self-sealing thermal enclosure. In various embodiments, the self-sealing thermal enclosure includes an enclosure having a wall with an opening. The enclosure is configured to surround a temperature-controlled environment. The self-sealing thermal enclosure also includes a porous seal disposed adjacent to the wall at the opening. The porous seal is compressible and is fabricated from an open cell foam material. When the porous seal has absorbed a fluid such as a condensate, the temperature-controlled environment is sealed from an ambient environment such that the flow of air into or out of the enclosure is substantially reduced or eliminated.