Autosampler support

Abstract

An analytical system comprises an analytical device 2, at least one autosampler 3, and a support device 5 mounted on the analytical device. The support device comprises a base mounted on the analytica

Description

Field of the invention The present invention relates to an autosampler support. More in particular, the presents invention relates to a support arranged for mounting an autosampler or similar device on an analytical device, such as a spectrometer or a chromatograph, while allowing movement of the autosampler relative to the analytical device. Background of the invention It is well known to use autosamplers in conjunction with analytical instruments, such as spectrometers, gas chromatographs and liquid chromatographs. Autosamplers are designed for automatically taking samples and transporting these samples to an analytical instrument, such as a spectrometer or a chromatograph. Different types of autosamplers are known, some being arranged for linear movements, others for circular movements, still others for both linear and circular movements. While many autosamplers have a stationary housing and an arm which moves relative to the housing, other autosamplers have a housing that can move, for example rotate. The latter category may have a vertical or tower design. An example of an autosampler having a substantially vertical structure is disclosed in US patent application US 2022 / 268797. This known autosampler has a housing which is rotatably arranged relative to the base. Autosamplers are often used in conjunction with chromatography systems. An example of a gas chromatography (GC) system is disclosed in United States patent US 8 871149. A chromatography system may have more than one inlet port into which a sample is to be introduced. The autosampler should be able to deliver samples to the various inlet ports. In some configurations, an autosampler is mounted on an analytical instrument, such as a spectrometer or a chromatograph. This allows the autosampler to directly supply samples to inlet ports of the analytical instrument, which inlet ports may be arranged in a top surface of the instrument. Conventional autosampler arrangements do not always allow this or are difficult to operate. Furthermore, an autosampler mounted on an analytical instrument should be able to be moved relative to the analytical instrument in order to allow maintenance of the analytical instrument and / or of the autosampler. 31 07 23 Summary of the invention To overcome these and other disadvantages of the prior art, the present invention provides an analytical system comprising: an analytical device, 5 - at least one autosampler, and a support device mounted on the analytical device, wherein the support device is arranged for supporting the at least one autosampler, and providing a rotation of the autosampler relative to the analytical device in a substantially 10 horizontal plane, wherein the support device comprises a base mounted on the analytical device and a plate rotatably mounted on the base, wherein the plate is provided with at least one mounting element for mounting the at least one autosampler, and 15 wherein the plate has a rotation axis and the at least one mounting element is spaced apart from said rotation axis. By providing a rotation of the autosampler in a substantially horizontal plane, it is possible to rotate the autosampler from a first position to a second position in substantially the same plane, where the 20 first position may be above a first sample inlet of the analytical device and a second position above a second sample inlet of the analytical device. If the analytical device is provided with a third or further sample inlet, the autosampler can be rotated into a third or further position. Additionally, or alternatively, in some embodiments it is possible to rotate the autosampler to a position in which the analytical device can more easily be serviced, for example a position substantially adjacent the 25 analytical device, in which at least part of the autosampler is not above the analytical device. Thus, by providing a rotation of the autosampler, the autosampler can be brought into two or more active positions, in which samples can be introduced into the analytical instrument, and / or be brought into at least one passive position, in which the autosampler is not used. In addition, the 30 autosampler may be brought into a position in which waste is disposed of. Although an autosampler could be moved relative to an analytical instrument it is mounted on by way of translation, it has been found that rotation is more effective, more convenient for the operator and easier to automate. The rotation of the autosampler may be carried out manually or be driven by a motor. 31 07 23 The at least one mounting element may be arranged for rotatably mounting the at least one 5 autosampler. The at least one mounting element may extend substantially vertically from the plate. The plate has a rotational axis and the at least one mounting element is spaced apart from said rotational axis. By providing a distance between the rotational axis of the plate and the mounting element, the autosampler mounted on the support element cannot only rotate about the rotational 10 axis but can also describe at least part of a circular or orbital motion. That is, the mounting element may describe a semicircle during its movement At least one mounting element may be a rod and at least one autosampler may be provided with an opening for accommodating the rod. Instead of a rod, a stud, pin or other element may be used. 15 The rod may be arranged for being rotatably accommodated in the opening of the autosampler. That is, the rod may have a cylindrical shape. The support device may further comprise a tray support extending from the base. The tray support 20 element may comprise an arm extending from the base and a tray support element mounted on the arm. The analytical device may have at least two inlet ports, and the support device may allow the at least one autosampler to rotate from one inlet port to another inlet port. In some embodiments, the 25 support device may allow the at least one autosampler to rotate between three inlet ports, or between two inlet ports and an outlet port, for example. The support device may be arranged for supporting two or more autosamplers. That is, a single support device may support two or three autosamplers, each of which may be independently 30 rotatable relative to the analytical device. The support device may comprise at least one motor for rotating the at least one autosampler relative to the analytical device. The support device may be provided with a pulley and the motor and the pulley may be mechanically connected by a drive belt. Alternatively, or additionally, the motor may drive the support device directly, for example by a common shaft. The motor may be an electrical motor and may be a DC motor or an AC motor. A control unit may be provided to control the motor. In some embodiments, the support device may be manually operated. The analytical system may comprise a gas chromatograph. Alternatively, or additionally, the analytical system may comprise a liquid chromatograph, a mass spectrometer and / or an optical spectrometer. The present invention additionally provides a support device for supporting an autosampler in an analytical system. The support device may comprise: - a base for mounting on an analytical device, - a plate rotatably mounted on the base, wherein the plate is provided with at least one mounting element for mounting at least one autosampler. The plate may be rotatable about a substantially vertical axis. The plate may be rotated manually or by means of a motor, such as an electric (DC or AC) motor. The motor may drive the plate directly or indirectly, for example through a drive belt. The present invention additionally provides a use of an analytical system as described herein and / or a support device as described herein. Brief description of the drawings Fig. 1 schematically shows, in perspective, an analytical device provided with an autosampler and a support device according to the invention. Fig. 2 schematically shows, in perspective, the analytical device provided with a support device according to the invention without the autosampler. Fig. 3 schematically shows, in top view, an analytical device with a support device according to the invention in a first position. Fig. 4 schematically shows, in top view, an analytical device with a support device according to the invention in a second position. Fig. 5 schematically shows, in top view, an analytical device with an autosampler and a support device according to the invention in a first position. Fig. 6 schematically shows, in top view, an analytical device with an autosampler and a support device according to the invention in a second position. Fig. 7 schematically shows a first embodiment of a support device according to the invention when assembled. Fig. 8 schematically shows the first embodiment of a support device according to the invention when taken apart. Fig. 9 schematically shows a second embodiment of a support device according to the invention when assembled. Fig. 10 schematically shows the second embodiment of a support device according to the invention when taken apart. Fig. 11 schematically shows a support device according to the invention with an exemplary drive mechanism. Fig. 12 schematically shows an analytical instrument provided with a support device according to the invention with a drive mechanism. Fig. 13 schematically shows an alternative embodiment of a support device according to the invention. Description of embodiments The invention provides a support device for mounting an autosampler on an analytical device, such as a gas chromatograph or a spectrometer, while allowing the autosampler to move relative to the analytical device. More in particular, the support device allows a rotation in a substantially horizontal plane relative to the analytical device. This rotation not only facilitates maintenance but also allows to autosampler to move from a first inlet port of the analytical device to a second or third inlet port of the analytical device. The support device may be manually operated but may alternatively be operated by a motor. An analytical system, for example a gas chromatography (GC) system, is illustrated in Fig. 1. On the top surface of the analytical instrument 2 a vertical autosampler 3 is mounted by means of a support device 5. In the embodiment shown, the autosampler 3 is provided with a sample tray 4 in which sample vials may be arranged. The autosampler 3 may be an autosampler as disclosed in the above-mentioned US patent application US 2022 / 268797, which is herewith incorporated by reference in this document. Fig. 2 shows the analytical device 2 of Fig. 1 with the support device 5, without an autosampler. It can be seen that the support device 5 is mounted on the top surface of the analytical device 2, in the embodiment shown near an edge of the analytical device. This arrangement allows an autosampler: to be swiveled into a position substantially to the side of the analytical device, so as to facilitate service to the analytical device, and to reach both sample inlets of the analytical device, as will be further explained with reference to Figures 3 and 4. Fig. 3 shows a top view of the analytical device 2 of Fig. 2 where a support device 5 is mounted on the top surface 20 of the analytical device 2. In this figure, an autosampler is not present. The analytical device 2 is shown to have a first sample inlet 21 and a second sample inlet 22 in its top surface 20. The support device 5 is shown in a first position in which an autosampler (not shown) is able to access the first sample inlet 21. That is, the plate 53 of the support device 5, which is rotatably mounted on the base 51, is in a first position. The support device 5 is further shown to comprise an arm 52 mounted on the base 51, which arm 52 is provided with a tray support 54 for supporting a sample tray (4 in Fig. 1). The support device 5 will be explained later in more detail with reference to Figs. 7 to 10. Fig. 4 shows the same analytical device 2. However, the support device 5 is here in a second position in which an autosampler (not shown) can access the second sample inlet 22. Fig. 5 is similar to Fig. 3 and shows a top view of an analytical device 2 provide with a support device 5. In contrast to Fig. 3, an autosampler 3 is mounted on the analytical device 2 by means of the support device 5. In Fig. 5, the autosampler 3 is in a first position so that it can access the first sample inlet 21 of the analytical device. The autosampler shown is provided with a samples tray 4. Fig. 6 also shows the analytical device 2 with the support device 5 and the autosampler 3 of Fig. 5. In contrast to Fig. 5, the autosampler 3 is shown in a second position, in which it can access the second sample inlet 22. A first embodiment of a support element according to the invention is shown in perspective in Fig. 7. The support element 5 illustrated in Fig. 7 comprises a base or base element 51 on which a plate 53 is rotatably mounted using a rotational coupling 500. A rod 55 extends from the plate 53. In the embodiment shown, the rod 55 has a substantially cylindrical shape to allow a rotation of an object into which it may be inserted, such as a suitable opening in a surface of an autosampler. In use, the plate 53 is substantially horizontal and can rotate in a substantially horizontal plane. A tray support consisting of an arm 52 and a tray support element 54 is attached to the base 51. The tray support element 54 may be rotatably mounted on the arm 52 and may be configured for fitting in a cavity in the bottom surface of a tray. Thus, a sample tray may be rotatably mounted on the support device. Since not all autosamplers require a tray, the tray support is optional. Fig. 8 shows the different parts of the embodiment of the support device of Fig. 7 in exploded view. The base 51, arm 52, tray support element 54, plate 53 and rod 55 are shown, as in Fig. 7. In addition, the part of the rotational coupling 500 are shown. In this particular embodiment, the rotational coupling 500 is shown to comprise a cover disc 501, a first ring 502, a friction reduction element 503, a second ring 504, a coupling base ring 505 and screws 550. At least some of these parts are shown to fit in a stepped opening 56 in the plate. Mounting screws 58 for mounting the support element on an analytical device are also shown in Fig. 8. Fig. 9 shows a second embodiment of a support element according to the invention in perspective. The support element 5 illustrated in Fig. 9 also comprises a base or base element 51 on which a plate 53 is rotatably mounted using a rotational coupling 510. A rod 55 extends from the plate 53. In the embodiment shown, the rod 55 has a substantially cylindrical shape to allow a rotation of an object into which it may be inserted, such as a suitable opening in a surface of an autosampler. In use, the plate 53 is substantially horizontal and can rotate in a substantially horizontal plane. In contrast to the first embodiment shown in Fig. 7, the rotational coupling 510 of Fig. 9 is a roller bearing. As illustrated in Fig. 10, the rotational coupling 510 comprises a bearing element 511, a coupling base ring 512 and mounting screws 518. The bearing element 511 is shown to comprise an inner part and an outer part which are rotatable relative to each other. In the embodiment shown, the inner part of the bearing element 511 is fixed by screws to the plate 53 while the outer part of the bearing element 511 is fixed by screws to the coupling base ring 512 and the base 51. A bearing of this type can reduce friction. This is in particular an advantage when the rotation of the autosampler is carried out manually. Fig. 11 provides a perspective view of an embodiment in which the rotation of the support element, and hence of an autosampler mounted on the support element, can be effectuated by a drive mechanism. The drive mechanism 6 shown in Fig. 11 comprises a motor 61, a first pulley 62, a belt 63 and a second pulley 64. The motor may be a DC electric motor, for example a stepper motor, the first pulley 62 being mounted on its shaft. The second pulley 64 may be mounted on the rotational coupling 500 or 510 so as to drive the plate 53. In this embodiment, the rotational axis of the motor 61 is spaced apart from the rotational axis of the plate 53, while the belt 63 drives the plate 53 indirectly. This offers the advantage that the motor can be arranged in a convenient location and need not be arranged immediately underneath the support device 5. However, embodiments can be envisaged in which the motor 61 directly drives the plate 53 and in which the axis of the motor 61 is directly coupled with the plate 53. An analytical instrument 1 with a motor-driven support element 5 is shown, in perspective, in Fig. 12 (without the cover of the analytical instrument). The drive mechanism (6 in Fig. 11) with its motor 61 and belt 63 are shown. Fig. 13 shows an alternative embodiment of the support device 5. This embodiment is capable of supporting two autosamplers simultaneously. To this end, the support device 5 of Fig. 13 has an elongated base 51 on which a first plate 53A and a second plate 53B are rotationally mounted. The first plate is provided with a first rod 55A, while the second plate 53B is provided with a second rod 55B. As in the previous embodiments, the tray supports, including the arms 52A and 52B and the tray support elements 54A and 54B respectively, are optional. It will be understood that further embodiments can be provided having three or more plates are rotationally mounted. The embodiment of Fig. 13 may be operated manually but may alternatively be motor-driven. A motor-driven embodiment may comprise one or two belt drives and / or one or two directly driven rotational plates 53A, 53B. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the invention is not limited to the embodiments shown and that many additions and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the following claims.

Claims

31 07 231. An analytical system comprising: an analytical device,5 - at least one autosampler, anda support device mounted on the analytical device,wherein the support device is arranged forsupporting the at least one autosampler, andproviding a rotation of the autosampler relative to the analytical device in a substantially10 horizontal plane,wherein the support device comprises a base mounted on the analytical device and a plate rotatably mounted on the base,wherein the plate is provided with at least one mounting element for mounting the at least one autosampler, and15 wherein the plate has a rotation axis and the at least one mounting element is spaced apartfrom said rotation axis.

2. The analytical system according to claim 1, wherein the at least one mounting element is arranged for rotatably mounting the at least one autosampler.

203. The analytical system according to claim 1, wherein at least one mounting element is a rod and wherein at least one autosampler is provided with an opening for accommodating the rod.25 4. The analytical system according to claim 3, wherein the rod is arranged for being rotatablyaccommodated in the opening of the autosampler.

5. The analytical system according to any of claims 1 to 4, wherein the support device further comprises a tray support extending from the base.

306. The analytical system according to any of preceding claims, further comprising a roller bearing for facilitating the rotation of the autosampler relative to the analytical device.

7. The analytical system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the analytical device35 has at least two inlet ports, and wherein the support device allows the at least oneautosampler to rotate from one inlet port to another inlet port.31 07 238. The analytical system according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising at least one motor for rotating the at least one autosampler relative to the analytical device.5 9. The analytical system according to claim 8, wherein the support device is provided with apulley and wherein the motor and the pulley are mechanically connected by a drive belt.

10. The analytical system according to claim 8 or 9, further comprising a control unit for controlling the motor.1011. The analytical system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the analytical device comprises a gas chromatograph.

12. A support device for an analytical system according to any of the preceding claims.1513. A support device for an analytical system, the support device comprising:- a base for mounting on an analytical device,- a plate rotatably mounted on the base,wherein the plate is provided with at least one mounting element for mounting at least one20 autosampler.

14. A use of an analytical system according to any of claims 1 to 11 and / or a support device according to any of claims 12 and 13.

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