Automated fluid sampling system and method

Abstract

A system and method for automating collection fluid samples. In one embodiment, the system may comprise a carousel system which may principally comprise a drive body and a carousel, wherein the drive body may cause the carousel system to align and engage one or more sample containers with one or more chuck assemblies, thereby allowing sample fluids to be delivered through the one or more chuck assemblies into the one or more sample containers. In one embodiment, the method may comprise arranging a plurality of fluid sample containers on a carousel of a carousel system, rotatably aligning at least one of the fluid sample containers with at least one chuck system of the carousel system, linearly engaging the at least one fluid sample container with the at. least one chuck system, and obtaining a fluid sample within the at least one fluid sample container via the carousel system.

Description

IN THE UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE APPLICATION FOR UNITED STATES LETTERS PATENT Automated Fluid Sampling System and Method By: Gavin Steele 1255 East 1900 North Road White Heath, IL 61884 Citizenship: USAtty Docket No.5580-03302 Automated Fluid Sampling System and Method CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This provisional patent application incorporates by reference Provisional U.S. Patent Application No.63 / 232,951, Provisional U.S. Patent Application No.63 / 302,263, Provisional U.S. Patent Application No. 63 / 409,284, and PCT Patent Application No. PCT / US2022 / 040312, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference thereto. STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

[0002] Not applicable. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

[0003] The present invention relates to the collection, transportation, and analysis of fluid samples which may be desired in various scientific, environmental, and resource contexts. More specifically, the present invention relates to an automated system and method of collecting fluid samples. Background of the Invention

[0004] Pressurized gas sampling containers may be commonly used in the collection, transportation and analysis of gas samples which may be involved in various scientific, environmental and resource contexts. The oil and gas industry may have multiple contexts in which to examine the need for collecting, transporting and analyzing fluid samples. In oil and natural gas exploration, drilling, recovery and storage, periodic sampling of recovered gases and fluids may be desired for subsequent analysis. For example, the term “mud” may be used as a colloquial term for a thick chemical composition that is pumped into drills as they penetrate the substrate. This “mud” may be subsequently returned to the surface and may contain gases that are released from the rock as the drill penetrates through a geological formation. Significant data of interest may be acquired by analyzing these gases. Separately, in the context of natural gas storage, large underground storage deposits may often be chemically tagged for later identification.Atty Docket No.5580-03302

[0005] Under certain circumstances, field conditions may, for example, introduce a desire to obtain samples at regular or irregular intervals spanning a duration of time, or continuous samples to be taken successively, thereby allowing larger volumes of sample fluids to be obtained. Consequently, there is a need for an automated system and method of collecting fluid samples among a plurality of pressurized sampling containers. BRIEF SUMMARY OF SOME OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0006] These and other needs in the art are addressed in one embodiment by a carousel system for collecting fluid samples. The carousel system may principally comprise a drive body and a carousel, wherein the drive body may cause the carousel system to align and engage one or more sample containers with one or more chuck assemblies, thereby allowing sample fluids to be delivered through the one or more chuck assemblies into the one or more sample containers. The drive body may principally comprise a main body supporting a carousel drive system and a chuck drive system, wherein the carousel drive system may rotatably position the one or more sample containers in relation to the one or more chuck assemblies, and the chuck drive system may linearly position the one or more chuck assemblies in relation to the one or more sample containers. The carousel may comprise two opposing carousel bodies allowing for one or more radially distributed arrangements of a plurality of sample containers, and a turntable secure to at least one of the carousel bodies which may coordinate a position of at least one of the sample containers with at least one chuck system of the one or more chuck assemblies.

[0007] These and other needs in the art are addressed in one embodiment by a method of automating fluid sample collection among a plurality of fluid sample containers. The method may principally comprise arranging at least one plurality of fluid sample containers on a carousel in a radial distribution, securing the carousel to a carousel drive motor of a drive body of a carousel system, rotatably aligning at least one of the fluid sample containers with at least one chuck system of one or more chuck assemblies of the carousel system, activating a chuck drive motor in a first direction to linearly position the at least one chuck system into engagement with a valve of the at least one fluid sample container, and obtaining a fluid sample within the at least one fluid sample container. The method may also comprise evacuating in part or in whole a fluid from the one or more fluid sample containers, and may further comprise disengaging the at least one chuck systemAtty Docket No.5580-03302 from the valve of the at least one fluid sample container by activating the chuck drive motor in a second direction opposite to the first direction.

[0008] These and other needs in the art are further addressed in an embodiment of a system for successively obtaining a plurality of fluid samples. The system includes a carousel assembly adapted to secure a plurality of fluid containers in predetermined radial alignments relative to an axis of the carousel assembly. The system also includes a drive assembly adapted to receive the carousel assembly and further comprising at least one chuck. The drive assembly is configured to individually align at least one of the plurality of fluid containers with at least one of the at least one chuck. The drive assembly is further configured to engage the at least one chuck with a valve assembly of the at least one fluid containers, thereby allowing a fluid sample to be obtained within the at least one of the plurality of fluid containers.

[0009] The foregoing has outlined rather broadly the features and technical advantages of the present invention in order that the detailed description of the invention that follows may be better understood. Additional features and advantages of the invention will be described hereinafter that form the subject of the claims of the invention. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the conception and the specific embodiments disclosed may be readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other embodiments for carrying out the same purposes of the present invention. It should also be realized by those skilled in the art that such equivalent embodiments do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] For a detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the invention, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0011] Figure 1 illustrates a first isometric view of an embodiment of a carousel system for collecting fluid samples;

[0012] Figure 2 illustrates a second isometric view of an embodiment of a carousel system for collecting fluid samples;

[0013] Figure 3 illustrates an elevation view of an embodiment of a carousel system for collecting fluid samples;

[0014] Figure 4 illustrates a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a carousel system for collecting fluid samples;Atty Docket No.5580-03302

[0015] Figure 5 illustrates a detail view of a positioning sensor of an embodiment of a carousel system for collecting fluid samples;

[0016] Figure 6 illustrates a detail view of a memory system of an embodiment of a carousel system for collecting fluid samples;

[0017] Figure 7A illustrates a turntable of an embodiment of an embodiment of a carousel system for collecting fluid samples;

[0018] Figure 7B illustrates a cross-sectional view of a turntable of an embodiment of a carousel system for collecting fluid samples;

[0019] Figure 7C illustrates an isometric view of a turntable of an embodiment of a carousel system for collecting fluid samples;

[0020] Figure 8A illustrates an isometric view of a chuck position interrupter of an embodiment of a carousel system for collecting fluid samples;

[0021] Figure 8B illustrates orthographic projections of a chuck position interrupter of an embodiment of a carousel system for collecting fluid samples; and

[0022] Figure 9 illustrates a block diagram of an embodiment of a carousel system for collecting fluid samples. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0023] The disclosure that follows includes references to embodiments of fluid container 100 and valve assembly 200 which are detailed in PCT Patent Application No. PCT / US2022 / 040312, filed August 15, 2022, which claims priority to Provisional U.S. Patent Application No. 63 / 232,951 filed August 13, 2021, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference thereto. Similarly, the disclosure that follows incudes references to embodiments of chuck system 300’ which are detailed in U.S. Patent Application No.18 / 568,529 filed December 8, 2023 which claims priority to Provisional U.S. Patent Application No.63 / 409,284 filed September 23, 2022, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference thereto. For ease of continuity, item references from these incorporated applications will be carried forward in the instant application.

[0024] Figures 1-4 illustrate various views of an embodiment of a carousel system 1000, principally comprising drive assembly 1100 and carousel assembly 1200, which may provide a system and method of collecting a plurality of successive fluid samples. Among these figures,Atty Docket No.5580-03302 Figures 1 and 2 illustrate isometric views of carousel system 1000 from differing perspectives, Figure 3 illustrates an elevation view of carousel system 1000, and Figure 4 illustrates a partial cross-section elevation view of carousel system 1000.

[0025] As can be seen in Figures 1-4, drive assembly 1100 may comprise main block 1101, from which one or more chuck linear shafts 1110 may extend in a vertical direction and one or more carousel linear shafts 1120 may extend in a horizontal direction. In the embodiment shown, drive assembly 1100 is provided with two chuck linear shafts 1110a,b extending in a vertical orientation and two carousel linear shafts 1120a,b extending in a horizontal orientation. In embodiments, the individual orientations of the one or more chuck linear shafts 1110 and the one or more carousel linear shafts 1120 may be arbitrarily chosen, however as will be seen in the descriptions that follow it may be generally beneficial to the operation of carousel system 1000 for the chuck linear shafts 1110 to be oriented perpendicularly to the carousel linear shafts 1120.

[0026] As can be seen in Figures 2 and 4, main block 1101 may be provided with one or more chuck principal bores 1300, which may correspond to, and be adapted to receive, each of the one or more chuck linear shafts 1110. Similarly, main block 1101 may be provided with one or more carousel principal bores 1320 which may correspond to, and be adapted to receive, each of the one or more carousel linear shafts 1120. Main block 1101 may be provided with additional, chuck secondary bores 1330 and / or carousel secondary bores 1340, which may aid in securing the one or more chuck linear shafts 1110 and / or the one or more carousel linear shafts 1120 to main block 1101, for example by providing a threaded bore through which fasteners (i.e., set screws) may secure the chuck linear shafts 1110 and / or the carousel linear shafts 1120 to main block 1101.

[0027] Drive assembly 1100 may be provided with chuck drive block 1111 slidably attached to the one or more chuck linear shafts 1110. In the embodiment shown, chuck drive block 1111 is provided with two longitudinal chuck drive block bores 1360 adapted to slidably receive each of the chuck linear shafts 1110a,b. In such an embodiment, chuck drive block 1111 may be fitted with friction reducers 1370 (i.e., any suitable bushings or bearings) within one or more portions of the longitudinal chuck drive block bores 1360, thereby reducing any friction which may otherwise hinder the ability of chuck drive block 1111 to slide along a length of the one or more chuck linear shafts 1110. In an alternate embodiment, chuck drive block 1111 may be provided with one or more surface features or attachments through which chuck linear shafts 1110 may be disposed,Atty Docket No.5580-03302 thereby allowing chuck drive block 1111 to slide along a length of the one or more chuck linear shafts 1110 in a similar fashion.

[0028] Chuck drive motor 1112 may be fitted to a lower portion of main block 1101 such that a chuck drive motor shaft 1390 of chuck drive motor 1112 may be configured to turn chuck lead screw 1113, shown in Figure 2. Chuck drive block 1111 may be provided with a lengthwise lead screw bore 1380 located about a position corresponding to, and adapted to threadably receive, chuck lead screw 1113, which may extend from, and be driven by, the chuck drive motor shaft 1390 of chuck drive motor 1112. In embodiments, chuck drive motor 1112 may be configurable to rotate chuck lead screw 1113 in opposing directions, for example corresponding to a polarity of a voltage applied to chuck drive motor 1112, thereby allowing chuck drive block 1111 to be raised or lowered via rotation of threaded chuck lead screw 1113 communicating with the corresponding threaded lead screw bore 1380 of chuck drive block 1111.

[0029] As can be seen in Figures 2 and 3, chuck position interrupter 1114 may be secured to chuck drive block 1111 in an alignment which may correspond to chuck lead screw 1113 as shown. Chuck position interrupter 1114 may be provided with one or more interrupter tabs 1115 along a portion of its length, which can be seen in Figures 8A and 8B. One or more chuck position photosensor systems 1116 may be fitted to one or more chuck linear shafts 1110, or alternatively to main block 1101. Each of the one or more chuck photosensor systems 1116 may comprise at least one printed circuit board (PCB) 1117 to which may be mounted at least one photosensor 1118. In this configuration, the one or more interrupter tabs 1115 of chuck position interrupter 1114 may communicate a linear position of chuck drive block 1111 to the at least one photosensor 1118, for example by interrupting reception of a light generated by photosensor 1118. As can be seen in Figure 8B, chuck position interrupter 1114 may be provided with a plurality of interrupter tabs 1115, which may vary in size and distance therebetween, thereby allowing a corresponding photosensor 1118 to detect a general or precise positioning of chuck drive block 1111.

[0030] In embodiments, one or more chuck assemblies 300’ may be fitted to chuck drive block 1111, for example in the configuration shown in Figure 2. In this manner, rotation of chuck drive motor 1112 may in turn cause chuck assembly 300’ to raise or lower as a result of chuck drive motor 1112 rotating threaded chuck lead screw 1113, the rotation of which is translated by the corresponding threaded chuck drive block bore 1360 of chuck drive block 1111 into linear movement of chuck drive block 1111. This linear movement of chuck drive block 1111 may beAtty Docket No.5580-03302 communicated to the one or more chuck position photosensor systems 1116 via chuck position interrupter tabs 1115 of chuck position interrupter 1114, thereby allowing a control system (not shown) to register a linear position of chuck assembly 300’.

[0031] Drive assembly 1100 may be provided with carousel drive block 1121 slidably attached to the one or more carousel linear shafts 1120. In the embodiment shown, carousel drive block 1121 is provided with two longitudinal carousel drive block linear bores 1400 adapted to slidably receive each of the chuck linear shafts 1120a,b. In such an embodiment, carousel drive block 1121 may be fitted with suitable carousel friction reducers 1410 (i.e., bushings or bearings) within one or more portions of the longitudinal carousel drive block linear bores 1400, thereby reducing any friction which may otherwise hinder the ability of carousel drive block 1121 to slide along a length of the one or more carousel linear shafts 1120. In an alternate embodiment, carousel drive block 1121 may be provided with one or more surface features or attachments through which carousel linear shafts 1120 may be disposed, thereby allowing carousel drive block 1121 to slide along a length of the one or more carousel linear shafts 1120 in a similar fashion.

[0032] Carousel drive block 1121 may be formed to include carousel loading handle 1123, as can be seen in Figure 1, which may provide a gripping surface and assist a person loading carousel assembly 1200 onto drive assembly 1100 in sliding carousel drive block 1121 along the one or more carousel linear shafts 1120. In an alternate embodiment, one or more loading handles 1123 may be attached to carousel drive block 1121 through techniques known to one of ordinary skill in the art.

[0033] In embodiments, carousel drive block 1121 may be provided with one or more carousel release latches 1420, which may engage when carousel drive block 1121 is positioned in one or more predetermined locations along all or a portion of a length of the carousel liner shafts 1120. For example, the carousel release latch 1420 may be configured to engage upon carousel drive block 1121 becoming located in a position wherein carousel 1200 may be determined to be in an operational position relative to drive assembly 1100, or when carousel 1200 is positioned in a predetermined location along carousel linear shafts 1120, which may allow carousel 1200 to be loaded onto drive assembly 1100. In such embodiments, drive assembly 1100 may be provided with one or more carousel release buttons 1124 which may cause the one or more carousel release latches 1420 to be released, thereby allowing carousel drive block 1121 to slidably transition along the length of the carousel linear shafts 1120. In an embodiment, the one or more carousel linearAtty Docket No.5580-03302 shafts 1120 may be fitted with one or more carousel linear shaft end stops 1125, which may restrict linear travel of carousel drive block 1121 along the carousel linear shafts 1120, thereby preventing carousel drive block 1121 from being fully removed from drive assembly 1100.

[0034] Carousel drive motor 1122 may be fitted to a lower portion of carousel drive block 1121 such that a carousel motor shaft 1430 of carousel drive motor 1122 may be configured to rotate carousel 1200. In embodiments, carousel drive motor 1122 may be configurable to rotate carousel 1200 in opposing directions, for example corresponding to a polarity of a voltage applied to carousel drive motor 1122, thereby allowing carousel 1200 to be rotated such that valve assembly 200 of the one or more fluid containers 100 may be brought into rotational alignment with one or more chucks of chuck assembly 300’ attached to chuck drive block 1111.

[0035] In embodiments, one or more carousel idler wheels 1126 may be fitted to carousel drive block 1121. The dimensions of carousel idler wheel 1126 may be selected such that carousel idler wheel 1126 may provide support to carousel 1200 while chuck drive motor 1112 brings chuck assembly 300’ in engagement with one or more valve assemblies 200 of the plurality of fluid containers 100 loaded onto carousel 1200. In this manner, carousel idler wheel 1126 may apply a force to carousel 1200 which opposes a force applied to carousel 1200 through the lowering of chuck assembly 300’. In an alternate embodiment, the one or more carousel idler wheels 1126 may also be configured to assist in the rotation of carousel 1200, for example by being configured to communicate electrically or mechanically with carousel drive motor 1122.

[0036] As can be seen at Detail B in Figure 4, and illustrated in Figure 5, one or more carousel position photosensor systems 1127 may be secured to carousel drive block 1121. Each of the one or more carousel position photosensor systems 1127 may comprise at least one carousel position photosensor printed circuit board (PCB) 1128 to which may be mounted at least one carousel position photosensor 1129. In the embodiment shown, carousel position photosensor system 1127 comprises two carousel position photosensors 1129a,b, which are disposed on carousel position photosensor printed circuit board 1128 such that they align radially with carousel turntable inner interrupter tabs 1202 and carousel turntable outer interrupter tabs 1203 of carousel turntable 1201, respectively, as can be seen in Figure 5. In this configuration, carousel turntable inner interrupter tabs 1202 and carousel turntable outer interrupter tabs 1203 may communicate a rotational position of carousel turntable 1201 to carousel position photosensors 1129a,b, for example by interrupting reception of a light generated by carousel position photosensors 1129a,b. As can be seen in FiguresAtty Docket No.5580-03302 7A-7C, carousel turntable 1201 may be provided with a plurality of carousel turntable inner interrupter tabs 1202 and a plurality of carousel turntable outer interrupter tabs 1203, each of which may correspond to a radial location of one or more features of each of the plurality of fluid containers 100 loaded into carousel assembly 1200. In this manner, carousel position photosensor system 1127 may detect a general or precise positioning of valve assembly 200 of each of the plurality of fluid containers 100 relative to a chuck of chuck assembly 300’.

[0037] In embodiments, one or more barcode scanners 1130 may be fitted to drive assembly 1100, for example at main block 1101 as can be seen in Figures 2 and 3. Barcode scanner 1130 may be configured to read a barcode label (not shown) applied to an outer surface of fluid container 100, thereby providing carousel system 1000 with an ability to detect and track each of the plurality of fluid containers 100 secured to carousel assembly 1200. In an embodiment, barcode scanner 1130 may be any suitable barcode scanner known to one of ordinary skill in the art, and may be secured to main block 1101 in a manner which allows barcode scanner 1130 to articulate in one or more directions or orientations.

[0038] Referring now to Figures 2 and 4, the illustrated embodiment of carousel assembly 1200 is shown principally comprising upper carousel body 1204 joined to lower carousel body 1205, with lower carousel body 1205 secured to carousel turntable support 1206 which in turn is attached to carousel turntable 1201.

[0039] Upper and lower carousel bodies 1204,1205 may be formed having a size and shape which may accommodate a plurality of fluid containers 100 in a manner in which a longitudinal axis of each of the plurality of fluid containers 100 remains parallel with a longitudinal axis of the joined carousel bodies 1204,1205. In the embodiment shown, upper and lower carousel bodies 1204,1205 are shown comprising a generally hollow, conical shape abutting a generally disc-like face, such that when joined each of the disc-like faces may provide a surface adapted to receive and securely locate opposing ends of each of the plurality of fluid containers 100. Upper and lower carousel bodies 1204,1205 may be provided with a plurality of locating surface features 1207, the quantity of which may correspond to the capacity of fluid containers 100 able to be loaded into carousel assembly 1200, and the size and shape of which may correspond to one or more dimensional aspects of fluid container 100. Upper carousel body 1204 may comprise a plurality of valve apertures 1208, the quantity of which may correspond to the capacity of fluid containers 100 able to be loaded into carousel assembly 1200, and the size of which may correspond to one orAtty Docket No.5580-03302 more dimensional aspects of valve assembly 200 of fluid container 100. In embodiments, upper carousel body 1204 may further comprise one or more handles 1209, which may provide carousel assembly 1200 with a location which a person may securely grip carousel assembly 1200 while transporting, loading, or unloading carousel assembly 1200 onto drive assembly 1100.

[0040] Carousel turntable support 1206 may be formed to have a size and shape which corresponds to, and may be adapted to be received by, lower carousel body 1205. Carousel turntable support 1206 may be provided with one or more surfaces which allow carousel turntable support 1206 to be attached to carousel turntable 1201. In the embodiment shown, carousel turntable support 1206 is shown to be formed having a generally conical shape which corresponds to one or more inner dimensions of the conical shape portion of lower carousel body 1205, and is provided with a generally disc-like face which is adapted to be secured to carousel turntable 1201.

[0041] Referring now to Detail C in Figure 6, one or more memory chip PCBs 1210 may be secured between upper carousel body 1204 and lower carousel body 1205 at a point where the two bodies 1204,1205 are joined, and which is located in proximity to a central axis of carousel assembly 1200. Each of the memory chip PCBs 1210 may comprise a plurality of contact pads 1211, which may be distributed about a surface 1440 of memory chip PCB 1210 in a manner such that each of the plurality of contact pads 1211 is located equidistant from any adjacent contact pad 1211, and each of the plurality of contact pads 1211 is located about a same radial distance from a center of memory chip PCB 1210, wherein the center of memory chip PCB 1210 is configured to coincide with the central axis of carousel assembly 1200. In this manner, as carousel assembly 1200 is rotated about its central axis, each of the plurality of contact pads 1211 may trace a circular pattern along the radial distance from the central axis of carousel assembly 1200 at which they are located. Memory chip PCF 1210 may be fitted with one or more memory chips 1212 which may provide carousel assembly 1200 with an ability to locally store information about each of the plurality of fluid containers 100 which may be loaded onto carousel assembly 1200.

[0042] As further shown in Detail C in Figure 6, one or more reader PCBs 1213 may be fitted to drive assembly 1100 in a location in proximity to each of the one or more memory chip PCB’s 1210. Each of the one or more reader PCBs 1213 may be provided with a plurality of spring loaded pins 1214, which may correspond in quantity to the plurality of contact pads 1211 located on memory chip PCB 1210. In embodiments, when reader PCB 1213 is secured to drive assembly 1100, the location of each of the plurality of spring loaded pins 1214 may correspond to theAtty Docket No.5580-03302 location of each of the plurality of contact pads 1211 in relation to the central axis about which carousel assembly 1200 may rotate. In this manner, as carousel assembly 1200 rotates about its central axis as a result of carousel drive motor 1122 causing carousel assembly 1200 to rotate, at least one of the plurality of spring loaded pins 1214 may be brought into slidable contact with at least one of the plurality of contact pads 1211 as carousel assembly 1200 rotates through a continuum of angular alignments, thereby allowing the contacting spring loaded pin 1214 and contact pad 1211 to provide power and communication to memory chip 1212. Accordingly, this power and communication may provide carousel system 1000 with an ability to detect whether a carousel assembly 1200 has been loaded onto drive assembly 1100, and may further provide carousel system 1000 to recognize data which may be stored on memory chips 1212, which may relate to one or more aspects of one or more of the fluid containers 100 which may be loaded onto carousel assembly 1200, for example data relating to contents of the fluid container 100 or the location in which it has been loaded in carousel assembly 1200.

[0043] Figure 9 illustrates a block diagram of an embodiment of carousel system 1000 which may enable an automated method of collecting fluid samples. Principal components of the embodiment comprise rear panel 1301, power supply 1302, flowmeter 1303, drop out jar 1304, chuck inner and outer position sensors 1305, central processing unit 1306, electrically erasable programmable read- only memory (EEPROM) 1308, pump and valve manifolds 1309, carousel and chuck position sensors 1310, stepper motors 1311, remote input 1312, carousel loading position sensor 1313, touch screen 1314, and microcontroller 1315. In embodiments, one or more of these principal components may provide functionality similar in function or operation to one or more of the components of the carousel system 1000 previously described. As can be seen in Figure 9, the principal components of carousel system 1000 may be connected via one or more forms of power and / or communication interconnects as shown, any of which may allow one or more principal components to provide power to, or communicate with one or more other principal components of carousel system 1000.

[0044] In operation, carousel system 1000 may offer a method of obtaining a plurality of successive fluid samples which will now be described. The method may begin by providing a plurality of fluid containers 100 within which to obtain the plurality of fluid samples, and a carousel assembly 1200 within which to load the plurality of fluid containers 100. Loading the fluid containers 100 into the carousel assembly 1200 may comprise positioning each of theAtty Docket No.5580-03302 plurality of fluid containers 100 such that a valve assembly 200 of the fluid container 100 is located within a valve assembly aperture 1208 of an upper carousel body 1204, and a lower portion of the fluid container 100 is located within a corresponding locating surface feature of a lower carousel body 1205. The loading may further comprise joining the upper carousel body 1204 to the lower carousel body 1205, and attaching the joined carousel bodies 1204, 1205 to a carousel turntable support 1206, which may be secured to a carousel turntable 1201.

[0045] The method may continue by providing a carousel system drive assembly 1100 and loading the carousel assembly 1200 onto the drive assembly 1100, which may comprise disengaging a carousel release latch 1420 of a carousel drive block 1121, extending the carousel drive block 1111 along one or more carousel linear shafts 1110 to an open position, securing the carousel assembly 1200 to a carousel motor shaft 1430 of a carousel drive motor 1122 located about the carousel drive block 1121, retracting the carousel drive block 1121 along the one or more carousel linear shafts 1120 to a closed position, and engaging one or more carousel release latches 1420, thereby securing the carousel assembly 1200 into an operational position of the carousel system 1000. The method may further comprise ensuring that a carousel idler wheel 1126 of the drive assembly 1100 is in contact with a surface of the carousel assembly 1200.

[0046] The method may then proceed to a step whereby the plurality of fluid samples is successively obtained, which may be governed by an automated controller system. This process may comprise additional steps of rotating the carousel assembly 1200 by applying a voltage to the carousel drive motor 1112, and stopping rotation of the carousel assembly 1200 by cutting the voltage applied to the carousel drive motor 1112 when a valve assembly 200 of the fluid container 100 is aligned with a chuck assembly 300’ of the drive assembly 1100, which may be confirmed by a signal received by the automated controller system from one or more carousel position photosensors 1129 being interrupted by one or more interrupter tabs of the carousel turntable (carousel turntable inner interrupter tab 1202, carousel turntable outer interrupter tab 1203). This process of obtaining the plurality of fluid samples may continue by lowering the chuck assembly 300’ of the drive assembly 1100 to engage the valve assembly 200 of the fluid container 100 by applying a voltage to a chuck drive motor 1112, thereby turning a chuck lead screw 1113 in a direction which lowers a chuck drive block 1111 to which the chuck assembly 300’ may be secured along one or more chuck linear shafts 1110. The automated controller system may detect that the chuck assembly 300’ has engaged the valve assembly 200 by receiving one or moreAtty Docket No.5580-03302 confirmation signals from one or more chuck position photosensors 1118 being interrupted by one or more interrupter tabs of a chuck position interrupter (chuck position interrupter tabs 1115). This step of the process may further comprise the automated controller system receiving one or more confirmation signals from one or more photosensors (chuck position photosensors 1118) of the chuck assembly 300’, which may be similar to the method disclosed in Provisional U.S. Patent Application No. 63 / 409,284. Upon receiving a confirmation signal that the chuck assembly 300’ has fully engaged the valve assembly 200, the first fluid sample may be obtained within the first fluid container 100.

[0047] After the first fluid sample is obtained in the first fluid container 100, the process just described may be reversed in part, thereby disengaging the chuck assembly 300’ from the valve assembly 200 of the first fluid container 100, and applying an opposite voltage to the chuck drive motor 1112, thereby raising the chuck assembly 300’ along the one or more chuck linear shafts 1110. The automated controller system may then cause the carousel drive motor 1122 to rotate the carousel turntable 1201 a distance at which point a valve assembly 200 of a second fluid container 100 of the plurality is aligned with a chuck assembly 300’ of the drive assembly 1100. As previously described, the automated controller system may stop rotation of the carousel assembly 1200 by cutting the voltage applied to the carousel drive motor 1122 upon receiving a confirmation signal from one or more carousel position photosensors 4129 being interrupted by one or more interrupter tabs of the carousel turntable (carousel turntable inner interrupter tab 1202, carousel turntable outer interrupter tab 1203). Once the second fluid container 100 is aligned with the chuck assembly 300’, the automated controller system may again apply a voltage to the chuck drive motor 1112, thereby causing the chuck engagement sequence previously described to be repeated, after which the second fluid sample may be obtained in the second fluid container 100. These process steps may then be repeated to obtain a third fluid sample in a third fluid container 100 and so on, until a desired quantity of fluid samples have been obtained or each of the fluid containers 100 of the plurality has been filed with its respective fluid sample. In this latter scenario, if more fluid samples may be desired to be obtained, a second carousel 1200 of fluid containers 100 may be loaded onto the carousel system 1000 and the process repeated.

[0048] Although the present invention and its advantages have been described in detail, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions and alterations may be made herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

Atty Docket No.5580-03302 CLAIMS What is claimed is:

1. A system for successively obtaining a plurality of fluid samples, comprising: a carousel assembly adapted to secure a plurality of fluid containers in predetermined radial alignments relative to an axis of the carousel assembly; a drive assembly adapted to receive the carousel assembly and further comprising at least one chuck assembly; wherein the drive assembly is configured to individually align at least one of the plurality of fluid containers with at least one of the at least one chuck assembly; and wherein the drive assembly is further configured to engage the at least one chuck assembly with a valve assembly of the at least one fluid containers, thereby allowing a fluid sample to be obtained within the at least one of the plurality of fluid containers.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the carousel assembly comprises a carousel turntable.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the carousel turntable comprises a carousel turntable inner interrupter tab.

4. The system of claim 2, wherein the carousel turntable comprises a carousel turntable outer interrupter tab.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the carousel assembly comprises an upper carousel body and a lower carousel body.

6. The system of claim 1, further comprising a chuck drive block.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein a chuck position interrupter is secured to the chuck drive block.

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